Conan's grammatical investigator

Chapter 1378 From Detective to Investigator

When the Aphrodite sank, were there other ships on the sea?

Listening to the conversation between the captain and the crew on the ship, Qin Zhibo was slightly stunned.

At this time, Conan, Kogoro Mouri and others also came back, bringing breakfast that was temporarily distributed on the ship.

Conan brought breakfast to Qin Zhibo, which included a cup of heated milk, a boiled egg and two pieces of toast.

The survivors sat on the deck of the ship and began to enjoy their first breakfast in the morning.

Although this breakfast was not rich, it was definitely the most delicious food in the world for those who had spent several hours on the stormy sea.

Qin Zhibo, who had been extremely hungry, finished his portion in a few bites and then went to get another one.

Conan seized the opportunity and quickly stood up to follow.

Mao Lilan saw this and asked in confusion: "Conan, don't you have enough food?"

"No..." Conan smiled and scratched his head, "I'm going to the bathroom..."

Conan made an excuse and hurried to catch up with Qin Zhibo.

When he reached the corner, he grabbed a corner of the blanket Qin Zhibo was wearing.

"Did something happen on that ship?"

Qin Zhibo looked back at Conan, who had a serious expression on his face, and knew that he also had doubts about this incident.

"What is your basis for this?"

Facing Qin Zhibo's question, Conan described seriously the various anomalies he saw through the black-tech glasses yesterday.

Although he couldn't see it clearly, he did see that when the "Aphrodite" was about to sink, some phenomena that could not be explained by common sense occurred on the ship.

Combined with the purpose of Yashiro Hideto and others, Conan always felt that this matter was not that simple.

It’s a pity that the "Aphrodite" sank into the Pacific Ocean, and all the evidence became untraceable.

However, as someone who returned to the ship later, Qin Zhibo must know something or have seen something.

Qin Zhibo thought for a moment, then replied with a smile: "That's something a kid like you should know..."

"That's it, bye."

For Conan, it is still too dangerous to face unknown creatures directly.

In other words, it is not a matter of whether it is dangerous or not, but once you come into contact with the unknown existence, you will forever bear the pain attached to this knowledge.

When you peer into the abyss, the abyss also peers into you...

Just as Qin Zhibo was about to turn around and leave, Conan's mouth corners slightly raised.

"What if I have something you want to know?"

Qin Zhibo stopped and looked back at Conan, who had a confident smile on his face.

Qin Zhibo narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly thought of something.

Conan put his hands in his pockets and walked over. "I have already checked the things you asked me to investigate in London..."

"Oh?" Qin Zhibo was a little surprised. This kid is quite efficient.

This kind of routine investigation is indeed the detective's strong point.

Previously in a private hospital in London, Qin Zhibo, in order to keep Conan busy, asked him to investigate the person who recently posted details of the Haneda Hiroshi case 17 years ago on the Internet.

Although Qin Zhibo had asked Hiroki Sawada to track this person's IP address using hacking technology earlier, he did not find the specific person.

This piece of information may not be that important, but given the current situation, it never hurts to have more information.

"who is it?"

Conan raised a smirk at the corner of his mouth, "You tell me what you know, and I tell you what I know..."

"How's that? Fair, right?"

Seeing this, Qin Zhibo could only shake his head helplessly.

It seems curiosity is really a disease...

"make a deal."

"But I need you to speak first."

Conan pouted, but had no choice but to compromise.

"All right……"

"That person is the teacher at Teitan Elementary School, Wakasa Rumi."

Wakasa?

Hearing this surname, Qin Zhibo's mind flashed back a memory. He remembered that he had seen a mailbox with this surname written on it downstairs of the apartment building at the final location of the IP address.

"Are you sure?" Qin Zhibo asked for confirmation.

"It's very likely that it's her..."

Conan's face was very serious, "She just recently came to Teitan Elementary School and happened to be the deputy head teacher in our class."

"There was an incident at Teitan Elementary School before. That woman defeated two robbers and murderers by herself, and she also accurately guessed that the Junior Detective Team would return to solve the incident."

"She reminded me twice before about the solution to the code, but maybe I was overthinking it..."

Conan raised his chin, "But the most important thing is that Huibara said that the organization's gin and vodka, and she, who had not yet left the organization, had been to that American island..."

"Their purpose for coming to the island is to investigate mermaids. It seems to be related to the drug development organized by the organization."

"And the full name of that American Island is Wakasa Bay American Island."

After listening to Conan's story, Qin Zhibo also analyzed it secretly in his mind.

If Conan's guess about the name is correct, then this person must have an unusual relationship with the organization.

After all, it involves drug development, which is a major secret of the organization.

And this person suddenly transferred to Teitan Elementary School's class. Could it be that he has discovered something?

"Do you have a photo of this person?" Qin Zhibo asked.

"Yes, I did. I took a picture when she wasn't paying attention..."

Conan took out his cell phone from his pocket, opened the photo album, and raised his hand to show the photos inside to Qin Zhibo.

Qin Zhibo looked closely and saw a female teacher wearing glasses teaching a few children to do handicrafts in the classroom. The perspective was the upward perspective commonly seen in candid photos.

But the next second, he felt that this person looked familiar.

Isn't this the portrait of "Asaka" that Kuroda Bei gave?

Before they parted in Nagano Prefecture last time, Kuroda Beibei gave Qin Zhibo a portrait of Amanda's personal bodyguard "Asaka".

Because according to Qin Zhibo's reasoning, the real meaning of the message Amanda left before her death 17 years ago was "Be careful of Asaka."

If this is the case, "Asaka" is a major suspect in the crime, or she may be an insider of the organization's killer.

"Why? Do you know this man?"

"Hmm..." Qin Zhibo did not hide it, "She should be a person related to the case 17 years ago."

"Is that case the case of Hiroji Haneda?" Conan asked seriously.

Qin Zhibo was also a little surprised when he saw Conan describing the details of the case.

When in London, Qin Zhibo did not tell Conan the specific case, only saying that a case 17 years ago was related to the organization.

However, when she met the shogi player Haneda Hideyoshi some time ago, Haneda Hideyoshi mentioned his sworn brother Haneda Hiroshi, which reminded Haibara Ai, who was also nearby at the time, that Haneda Hiroshi had appeared on the list of victims of Drug A.

This shows that Hiroji Haneda’s death was related to Drug A developed by the organization.

Combined with the time point 17 years ago, Conan knew which case Qin Zhibo was talking about. Seeing that Qin Zhibo acquiesced to his guess, Conan continued to analyze on his own.

"17 years ago, the talented shogi player Hiroshi Haneda went to the United States to participate in a chess competition, but died mysteriously in the hotel where he was staying."

"Also killed on the same day was American capitalist Amanda Hughes, who was staying in the same hotel, and Amanda's personal bodyguard, Asaka, who mysteriously disappeared after the incident."

"If someone related to the case reappeared after 17 years, then it could only be the bodyguard named 'Asaka'..."

Conan's expression was very confident, he was very sure that he had grasped the key information of the incident.

And that was indeed the case, he guessed right.

Qin Zhibo stood there in a daze for a while, then he squatted down and stroked Conan's head with a smile.

"Bingo!"

"correct answer!"

Conan grinned as his head was rubbed, not sure whether to be happy or distressed.

Why do I feel like I'm being looked down upon...

"But even if you know her identity, you can't investigate casually. Otherwise, if you alert the enemy, your situation will be dangerous..."

Facing Qin Zhibo's admonition, Conan helplessly complained, "I know, I'm not a child..."

"But even if I did nothing, it's still a little suspicious that this woman suddenly transferred to Teitan Elementary School."

"Could it be that my and Huibara's identities have been exposed, so that woman..."

What Conan said is also what Qin Zhibo is most worried about at the moment.

It is not known whether this "Asaka" is a friend or an enemy. If she is a member of the organization and has indeed obtained some evidence, she may take action without hesitation instead of lurking like this.

Also, if you think of a case where someone disguised themselves as someone else and lurked nearby, the first person that comes to mind is that woman.

"Your only solution now is to remain unchanged in the face of ever-changing circumstances and maintain the status quo."

Qin Zhibo's eyes showed a trace of calmness, "If there is a suitable opportunity, I will meet her..."

Although we don’t know whether that woman is black or red, she is the “important legacy” left by Amanda and we will have to come into contact with her sooner or later.

At this moment, Conan drooped his face and asked, "I have told you what I know. Now can you tell me what happened on the ship?"

Qin Zhibo did not play tricks this time. He nodded and said, "Okay, since we are partners, it is natural for us to share information..."

Conan grinned: Haha, didn’t you want to tell me just now?

"But there is one thing I want to make clear in advance. Some truths are not the end of a mystery, but may be the beginning of a greater unknown."

"If you don't want to fall into the abyss of the unknown, maybe you shouldn't explore too much from the beginning..."

Qin Zhibo's words were more like a disclaimer.

Conan may have an obligation to know, but he also has the right not to let others know.

Of course, if Conan must know, he must be prepared and understand that this world is not just about fishing lines, cyanide, bullets and gunpowder.

There are also some indescribable horrors that are beyond human comprehension.

If one were to make an argument based on the existence of such horror, then one would inevitably lose the essence of detective reasoning.

By that time, perhaps it would be more appropriate to call me “investigator”.

Conan looked up at Qin Zhibo, thought for a while with a heavy expression, then raised his head with a smile.

"Even if I want to escape from the 'unknown' now, it's too late..."

"Isn't it?"

Ever since returning from the parallel world, Conan has known that this world is far from being as simple and pure as it seems.

Magic, aliens, time travel, parallel universes, all of these things are real.

Even if you ignore them, they do exist and are exerting influence in some hidden corner of the earth.

It would have been fine if I had not known of their existence before.

But when the door to a new world is opened, even if it is just a crack, it will be difficult to retract the desire to explore.

Whether it is to seek the truth of this world or to protect the people you care about in a universe full of infinite unknowns, this story that you started with your own hands can only continue to be written.

Because if more people are to be spared the pain of knowing the truth, a few will inevitably have to endure more pain.

Qin Zhibo looked into Conan's eyes and saw a kind of determination and persistence in those blue eyes.

After spending such a long time together, experiencing suspicion, disputes and cooperation, the two have already formed a kind of tacit understanding.

Therefore, Qin Zhibo was not surprised by Conan's choice.

In other words, this is Conan.

No matter what unknown you face, be brave to explore.

"Ok."

Qin Zhibo spread his hands and said, "Then let me tell you what happened on the Aphrodite from my perspective..."

……

On the deck of the ship, the Mori father and daughter, Suzuki Sonoko, Dr. Agasa, and Haibara Ai, the three little ones were sitting in a circle, eating breakfast.

"This experience was so terrible. I really don't dare to take a boat anymore..."

Suzuki Sonoko drank a bag of hot milk, spread out her hands and complained.

Mao Lilan smiled and comforted: "This kind of thing is also extremely unlikely..."

"And if you don't take a boat, it will be very inconvenient to travel in the future, right?"

"Even if you don't take a boat, there are many transportation options, such as cars, airplanes, etc...."

At this point, Suzuki Sonoko's eyes rolled and she suddenly said excitedly: "That's right! The train!"

"Train is the safest means of transportation in the world, so let's take the train next time?"

"Take the train?" Mao Lilan next to her was stunned.

"That's right!" Suzuki Sonoko turned to look at the three little ones and Huihara Ai, and said with a smile: "I've made you guys have an unpleasant experience this time, and it's all my fault!"

"As compensation, I'll treat everyone to a ride on the Mystery Train next time!"

The three kids looked puzzled and asked in unison: "Mysterious Train?"

"Yup!"

Suzuki Sonoko raised a finger and introduced: "The mysterious train is a special line of the Suzuki Express train built by our Suzuki Group..."

"That line is only open once a year. In addition to the luxurious ride and scenic views along the way, the train also provides a mysterious reasoning puzzle as usual."

“I heard it’s very exciting!”

"Mystery puzzle!"

When the keywords were triggered, the three little ones' eyes immediately lit up with excitement.

Haibara Ai took a small bite of the toast in her hand and was unmoved.

Suddenly, her sixth sense seemed to be activated by something, and she immediately turned her head to look in a certain direction.

But all I saw were passengers eating breakfast on blankets, and I didn't see anyone suspicious.

Professor Agasa next to him noticed that Haibara Ai was abnormal, turned around and asked: "Xiao Ai, what's wrong?"

"If you want to visit Dr. Cheng Shi, I'll go with you after breakfast..."

Having discovered nothing, Haibara Ai withdrew her gaze, hummed lightly, and continued to eat the bread in her hand while listening to Suzuki Sonoko introduce the situation of the mysterious train.

A few meters away from the crowd, a blonde woman wearing glasses was sitting cross-legged on the deck with a large towel draped over her head, glancing over here.