In the world of Detective Conan, however, he was bound to the Naruto System.

Chapter 261 Demolition Preparations

Chapter 261 Demolition Preparations

After Teruhiko Kasuga left, the group huddled together and whispered among themselves, all thinking that Shinobu must have encountered danger, otherwise she wouldn't have written an "SOS" distress signal.

Ayumi Yoshida also offered an analysis from a girl's perspective: "My mom said some lipsticks are very expensive. Girls are very careful with their cosmetics, so they probably wouldn't use lipstick to write this if there was no reason for it."

This was an angle Conan hadn't considered. He simply felt that Shinobu wasn't the kind of person Kasuga Teruhiko described, and he would verify any distress signal, even if there was only a tiny chance it was true.

It was true in the past, it is true now, and it will certainly be true in the future.

Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya seemed somewhat worried: "But where could Shinobu-neechan be? If she's on some deserted island, how will we find her?"

Conan, holding the slightly damp note, calmly analyzed, "There's a little water on it, probably from when I was writing. It hasn't dried in the sun, so it must be somewhere not far away."

Conan is always the brains of the team, so his words are generally not questioned. And if all else fails, he can bring up the two giants, Akutagawa Hiko and Kudo Shinichi, to increase the credibility of his words.

So the group quickly got to work.

The first person they approached was naturally Akutagawa Hiko, since he was the only one who didn't treat them like children at all.

When Akutagawa heard the information they shared, images flashed through his mind. The most memorable one was Kojima Genta's rice ball-like size, which almost blocked them at the exit.

"We really shouldn't let go of the possibility that she's in real danger, especially since the tide is coming in right now. It would be too dangerous if Miss Shinobu were trapped in a cave or on an island that's been submerged by the tide."

Genta Kojima patted his round belly and, mimicking the hearty manner of some characters in TV dramas, said, "Now it's our turn, the Junior Detective League, to make our appearance. It's a bit of a shame that Ai isn't here."

Akutagawa Hiko narrowed his eyes, pondering the possibility of their group being wiped out.

After much deliberation, I realized that both sides seemed to need him quite a bit.

Whether they find Shinobu when the tide comes in and the kayak can't slide out, or Conan is the only one who can escape.

It was still the wealthy young master, Kasuga Teruhiko, who carried a gun, which posed a considerable threat to innocent people, especially Ran and Sonoko, who were somewhat unlucky in this regard.

Akutagawa thought for a moment, then took out a stack of the less powerful explosive tags he had developed and handed them to Conan: "If you encounter any danger or get trapped somewhere, just detonate them."

Faced with the curiosity of the other three children, Akutagawa Hiko and Conan tacitly pushed everything onto Professor Agasa: "It's the professor's new invention, but it's somewhat dangerous, so only I/Akutagawa-nii-san can take it with me."

The three of them had no doubts, but were simply curious about what the piece of paper was for.

Akutagawa Hiko skillfully ruffled Conan's hair and instructed, "Be careful. This matter may be related to Kasuga Teruhiko. I need to keep an eye on him, so I won't be able to go with you."

Conan nodded seriously. He had originally intended for Akutagawa Hiko to keep an eye on the suspicious Kasuga Teruhiko, hoping to gain some unexpected insights.

Watching Conan and the others walk along the beach, intending to find Shinobu's location by following the direction the plastic bottle drifted, Akutagawa Hiko himself dialed the private phone number that Inspector Yokomizo had given him.

Soon, Yokomizo Sango's slightly excited voice came from the other end of the phone. After all, it had been less than a day since their last meeting, and he was already calling. Even if there was something else going on, it was proof of their close relationship and pleasant cooperation.

"Mr. Akutagawa, you're still in Izu? Is there anything I can do for you by calling?"

Without wasting words, Akutagawa Hiko got straight to the point: "I do have something I'd like to ask Inspector Yokomizo for help with. I'd like to ask if Kasuga Teruhiko, the only son of the president of the Kasuga Group, has a gun license. I've discovered that he seems to be carrying a handgun."

Yokomizo Sango was instantly stunned. Was this famous detective here to deliver results to him?

Although there have been many shootings, it doesn't mean that they don't strictly regulate gun ownership. Gun licenses are not easy to obtain, and at the very least, Teruhiko Kasuga shouldn't have been in contact with firearms outside of the shooting range.

Pulling out the vine brings out the mud; Kasuga Teruhiko must have had connections to get the gun, either through his cronies or through his father, President Kasuga.

In short, although it was troublesome, it was also an achievement.

but----

"Mr. Akutagawa, please take good care of yourself. Don't get into a conflict with an armed assailant because of your sense of justice. We'll send someone to the scene as soon as we finish our investigation—no, we'll send someone there first!"

Akutagawa Hiko was very satisfied with Yokomizo Sango's attitude and comforted him, saying, "There's no need to be so nervous. This young master Kasuga hasn't realized that his possession of a gun has been exposed yet. I will do my best to handle the situation and keep him calm."

Yokomizo Sango's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help but think of the detectives in the news who lost their lives because of their recklessness. He didn't want to call back after hanging up, for fear of alerting the gunman.

"Hurry, hurry, let's get moving!"

Akutagawa Hiko was unaware that this Yokomizo police officer, whom he had only met once, was so concerned about his safety and worried that he might disappear without a trace during the investigation, just like some others.

At that moment, he received an invitation from Teruhiko Kasuga to go fishing together at a pond that was off-limits to visitors.

Of course, Sonoko Suzuki and Ran Mouri were also invited.

Akutagawa Hiko knew very well that this was both to serve as an alibi and to prevent the famous detective from ruining his plans, so he even brought a pistol just in case.

He wasn't too worried about the pistol. Since it was being concealed, it would definitely take some time to draw it and use it. Even if Ran was prepared, let alone Akutagawa Hiko, she could subdue him before he could fire.

Not necessarily. Akutagawa Hiko even whispered a few words to Ran, telling her to be more vigilant.

Xiaolan was extremely surprised and almost couldn't resist turning around to look for the gun that Akutagawa Hiko had mentioned, but fortunately she was stopped in time.

What are you two whispering about?

Akutagawa Hiko thought for a moment and decided that it wouldn't hurt to tell Suzuki Sonoko. He would take care of anything that happened, so there was no need to worry too much. Therefore, he selectively told her a little bit, so that she wouldn't feel uneasy if she didn't know anything.

Or they may feel excluded and therefore uncomfortable.

Kasuga Teruhiko looked at Akutagawa Hiko, who was "embracing two women," and gritted his teeth in resentment.

He himself has to choose between his girlfriend and his fiancée, so how come this detective can have two girlfriends at the same time and not get caught!