Conan: No, why aren't you following the script?

Startled by Morizono Mikio's words, Kogoro Mori quickly grabbed his shoulder and checked again.

He was completely stunned when he received the same answer.

I'm getting married tomorrow, and then at this crucial moment...

The groom has been kidnapped?!

What deep-seated hatred or grudge could this be? Isn't it blatantly an attempt to ruin someone?

Realizing this, Kogoro Mouri quickly snapped out of his daze and stared intently at Mikio Morizono:

"Mr. Morizono, I wonder if your Morizono family usually has any business rivals, or if you had any enemies when you first became wealthy. The fact that the other party chose this time to make their move suggests that their goal is to sabotage tomorrow's wedding..."

"What does this—disrupting the wedding, kidnapping Kikuto—have to do with our Morizono family's rivals?"

At this point, Morizono Mikio's mind was already a complete mess. Having almost lost the ability to think independently, he could only answer Kogoro Mouri's questions numbly.

At this moment, Hattori Heiji stepped forward and explained on behalf of his uncle:

"Because your Morizono family is getting married tomorrow, if the groom isn't present and this scandal breaks out later, Uncle Morizono, what kind of reputation do you think your family will gain? A laughing stock throughout Japan? Or a conglomerate that can't even protect its own son? At that point, if someone sensationalizes it, what do you think..."

"hiss……"

After being reminded by Heiji Hattori, Mikio Morizono suddenly realized what was going on, and his gaze toward Kogoro Mouri became even more urgent.

Seeing this, Kogoro Mouri sighed helplessly and could only try to calm Mikio Morizono down. Then, led by the butler Shigematsu, the group, who were about to leave, turned around and headed towards the study of the Morizono villa.

"I found the criminal notice when I came here to check the rooms, and then I found broken glass on the balcony. Sigh..."

As the butler Shigematsu led the way, he carefully relayed the information he knew to Kogoro Mouri and the others, "I don't know why Master Kikuto would wander around here. Maybe that's why the criminals are targeting him? Sigh, it's all my fault..."

The astute Conan Edogawa spotted the blind spot: "Hmm? Uncle Shigematsu, why do you think it's your problem?"

"Um, this..."

Interrupted by Conan, Shigematsu was momentarily stunned. Fortunately, they had already arrived at the study. He made up an excuse and led everyone to the desk in the study, in front of the crime notice.

Out of concern that it might leave fingerprints, the butler Shigematsu did not dare to touch the note and left it to sit on the desk under the pen holder.

Upon seeing this, Conan Edogawa and Heiji Hattori immediately ruled out the butler Shigematsu as a suspect.

Because if he were the criminal, he would only increase his contact with such evidence and crime scenes at this time, and there would be no reason for him to do the opposite. Such a mentality is indeed consistent with the psychological reaction of a case discoverer.

but……

Looking at the note, Conan and Heiji Hattori, who had been feeling quite pleased with themselves for eliminating one option, suddenly had their expressions turn sour.

[To the esteemed young detective Heiji Hattori of Osaka Prefecture, I am a mystery enthusiast who has long admired your abilities. Having heard that you have come to Tokyo, I was worried that you might be bored, so I have prepared a riddle for you. I wonder... if you have the skill to solve it?]

[Actually, given Hattori-sama's unparalleled charm and refined manners, I shouldn't be showing off my meager skills. However, since I'm already here, I can't let Hattori-sama's trip be in vain. So, I'll make a fool of myself here. If we can solve the mystery, we can find Kikuto-sama's whereabouts.]

I hold Hattori in the highest esteem, and therefore I wish him all the best and continued success in his martial arts career...

There were three paragraphs in total, several hundred words in total. Hattori Heiji's blood pressure rose as he read it, and his dark face turned a deep liver color with anger.

"That bastard! How can he talk so disgustingly? He keeps saying he admires me and looks up to me... but then he turns around and uses words to disgust me, like 'a gentleman as beautiful as jade,' hey! Kudo! Tell me!! Am I considered dark-skinned or not?!"

After a cathartic roar, Hattori Heiji took a couple of deep breaths, only to find that the expressions of the people around him had become extremely surprised for some reason.

Ran quickly stepped forward and grabbed Heiji Hattori's shoulder:

"Hattori-kun, you just mentioned Kudo, what exactly is that...?"

"Oh dear, you must have misheard me,"

Upon hearing this, Hattori Heiji realized his mistake and quickly tried to cover it up, "I just said 'kono,' which means 'despicable.' I was just cursing that shameless thug who was alluding to me."

"Is that so?" Xiaolan's expression was clearly somewhat suspicious.

Fortunately, Conan Edogawa realized what was happening and, working together with Heiji Hattori, managed to temporarily fool Ran.

But looking back at the challenge letter, both of them suddenly felt uncertain.

The thug used very humble language and spoke very politely, but he kept repeating a lot of things...

Where's the puzzle?

Why didn't they see where the puzzle was?

Could it be that I'm opening it incorrectly?

Thinking this way, the two quickly picked up the challenge letter, looked at the back, and found no marks. They then wondered if the criminal had used some special ink that could only be revealed by heating it with fire.

However, the ink on the front was still wet, and there were no extra marks on the back, so it didn't look like any kind of mechanism had been created.

Left with no other option, the two discussed the matter and decided to call the police temporarily. They then began a thorough search of the study.

Unfortunately, despite turning the study upside down, the two men still couldn't find any useful clues.

As time ticked by, and they still hadn't solved the mystery, Hattori Heiji and Edogawa Conan couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

Meanwhile, Kogoro Mouri, for some reason, held the challenge letter in his hand and thoughtfully examined a passage of text.

"This letter...could it be from him?"

…………

After finishing my work at midnight, I ate something and went to the hospital.

37.8°C, it's really hard to bear, I'm so dizzy...

Please, brothers and sisters, give me a five-star review and a free little gift since I'm updating while I'm sick, I beg you...