In Detective Conan: Intercepting Miwako Sato at the Start

Page 17

Or was the deadly plan already laid before Kenji Kobayashi was arrested?

As Yuki Takada watched Kenji Kobayashi struggle in agony on the ground, his life rapidly slipping away, a cold flame ignited in his eyes.

Ryunosuke Mishima... this name, and the unseen, blood-stained black hand behind him, have been completely exposed.

The name Kobayashi uttered with his life, and the pain he was enduring, are the most direct and bloody evidence pointing to that enormous shadow.

"Hold on, Kenji Kobayashi!" Yuuki Takada leaned down and growled at the convulsing body, even though he knew the hope was slim. "Tell me where the evidence might be! For your own sake!"

However, Kenji Kobayashi was unable to answer.

His convulsions gradually weakened, his pupils began to dilate, and only a few weak and desperate gurgling sounds remained in his throat.

That immense will to survive ultimately couldn't withstand the deadly blow meticulously prepared by the mastermind behind the scenes.

Under the bright lights of the interrogation room, the figure of death was no longer elusive, but arrived clearly and coldly, taking away the other person's life.

Yuuki Takada looked up, and through the one-way glass, it was as if he could penetrate the wall and look directly at the neon lights hidden in the city.

Chapter 26 Izakaya

"There's no need to look anymore, he's beyond saving." As Inspector Megure hurriedly ran to Kenji Kobayashi's side, Yuuki Takada said softly.

In my mind, a familiar mechanical voice suddenly rang out again.

"Pick up 10 points of disguise".

Pick up 10 weapon points.

"Collect 10 points for arrest."

"Pick up 10 point of speed."

"Pick up 10 points of combat skill".

“I just checked…” Takada Yuuki looked at Inspector Megure, who was crouching down to check on the other person, and said coldly, “Inspector Megure, he is completely beyond saving.”

Upon seeing this, Inspector Megure broke out in a cold sweat. He looked at Kenji Kobayashi in front of him and shook his head: "Brother Takada, in my opinion, we can't continue investigating Matsui Shosuke's matter."

"First of all, regardless of the cause of Matsui Shosuke's death, the current situation of Kobayashi Kenji is also a problem."

"Moreover, this matter involves the Mishima family, who have been entrenched in Tokyo for many years. If we continue to investigate, we may inevitably face their retaliation."

After thinking for a while, Yuuki Takada finally nodded and agreed, "Alright, since the culprit has already been identified in the previous theft case, this is the only way for now."

Megure shouted into his headset, "Notify the forensic department and the medical examiner to take Kenji Kobayashi's body away."

Soon, the forensic team took Kobayashi Kenji's body away.

Seeing Sato Miwako rushing in from the observation room, Inspector Megure said softly, "Sato, you've had a hard time these past few days. It's getting late, you should probably go back and rest."

With a look of confusion on her face, Sato Miwako looked at the unconscious Kobayashi Kenji lying on the ground and asked, "What should we do with him?"

"After discussing it with Inspector Takada, I decided to drop the matter concerning Kenji Kobayashi."

"Yes, Inspector Megure." Miwako Sato nodded, ultimately obeying the decision of her superiors. After a brief greeting to the others, she left the Metropolitan Police Department.

When everyone had almost left, Inspector Megure looked at Yuuki Takada and smiled faintly, "Let's go, Takada, you've really helped me a lot these past few days. I'll take you to a nice place to sit."

Not long after, Inspector Megure pushed open the wooden door of the izakaya hidden deep in the alley. The warm yellow light, the aroma of food, and the boisterous sounds of alcohol instantly enveloped the two of them.

He was clearly a regular here, nodding familiarly to the busy owner before heading straight to two empty seats in the corner of the bar.

"Boss, two draft beers, a plate of edamame, and some grilled chicken skewers, please." Inspector Megure's face showed a hint of relaxation after exhaustion as he ordered.

"Alright, sir, I'll be right there!" the boss replied crisply.

The two sat down, and Yuuki Takada looked around. The small space was crowded with office workers seeking comfort after get off work, and the noisy conversations provided a strange cover.

This wasn't the Metropolitan Police Department, and for a moment, a strange power truly washed away his recent fatigue.

The draft beer was served quickly, the cool, golden liquid bubbling with fine foam in the glass.

Megure did not immediately raise his glass. Instead, he rubbed the cold glass with his thick palm, his eyes somewhat vacant, piercing through the noisy crowd to see something heavier.

"Phew..." He let out a long sigh, a breath he had been holding for a long time.

Finally, I was able to release myself in this private space.

“Brother Takada…” He picked up his glass, turned to Takada Yuki, and the glasses clinked together with a crisp “clink”. “It’s rare that you’ve just been transferred to our Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and have been so busy with work. You’ve really had a tough time these past few days.”

"I apologize. I've been very busy lately, and my subordinates made a mistake, causing such a big blunder in front of the Shinkansen train so soon after you arrived in Tokyo. I'm truly sorry, and I, Inspector Megure, would like to apologize to you for this."

Without saying a word, Inspector Megure immediately raised his glass and gulped down a large glass, then gestured for the owner to refill it.

"Memu Police Department..."

Yuki Takada also raised his glass, nodded slightly, and took only a perfunctory sip.

The cold beer slid down my throat, bringing a brief moment of clarity.

“Brother Takada, you really don’t need to call me that outside. After all, it’s rare for me to think about relaxing a bit, but your call immediately brings back all the tension.”

Megure smiled at him: "How about this, since I'm older than you, Takada, you can just call me Brother Megure when we're out together."

"Alright then." Yuuki Takada went along with the other party's wishes and said, "Brother Megure."

“Brother Takada…” Inspector Megure looked at Takada Yuuki beside him and said softly, “You know Sato Miwako’s personality. She has a rather volatile temper and is absolutely ruthless towards criminals. So please bear with her during this period.”

“I must apologize to you for Sato Miwako’s rude behavior.” Inspector Megure suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Takada Yuuki.

Seeing that everyone around him was looking at him, Yuuki Takada quickly stood up and made Inspector Megure sit down quietly, saying, "Brother Megure, that's enough, you've had too much to drink."

"I originally wanted to talk to Sato Miwako about this, but..." Inspector Megure narrowed his eyes, looking at Takada Yuuki, and said:

"As you know, we've been very busy with the Metropolitan Police Department lately and haven't had any time to talk to Sato. Plus, it's already dark tonight, so I'll have to talk to Brother Takada first."

"The reason why Sato became this way stems from the death of his father, Sato Masayoshi."

“She just graduated from the police academy. The reason I put Sato Miwako in your group is simply because you two are close in age, and young people have more to talk about. I also hope you can mentor her.” Inspector Megure said, and soon picked up a large glass of draft beer again and started drinking.

As Inspector Megure recounted his past, his expression grew increasingly somber. Seeing this, Yuuki Takada responded with a few words: "Don't worry, Inspector Megure. Miwako Sato is by my side, and I will guide her well."

"Hmm." Inspector Megure put down his cup, picked up a edamame, but didn't peel it; he just rubbed it between his fingertips. "Thank you, Takada-kun."

However, looking at his worried expression...

“I know what you’re thinking, Takada.” Inspector Megure said softly, his expression calm and composed.

"Kenji Kobayashi... and before that, Shoyu Matsui... things weren't just 'gone' so easily. You have questions in your mind, big questions. Me... too."

Chapter 27 Know When to Stop (Please Read On)

Yuuki Takada looked up at Juzo Megure.

This is Inspector Megure, who usually seems a bit unreliable and has a loud voice.

Under the dim lights of the izakaya, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seemed even deeper.

His eyes were filled with helplessness and a deep weariness, and even... a hint of barely perceptible fear.

"Brother Megure?" Yuuki Takada said calmly, as if stating a fact, "Kenji Kobayashi's death was not an accident..."

"...He's only been locked up in our cell for a short time, and the timing is suspicious. Kenji Kobayashi probably knew his fate before he was arrested, regarding Shosuke Matsui, regarding...the Mishima family."

"I know!" Inspector Megure suddenly shouted, then realized he had lost his composure and immediately lowered his voice.

He leaned slightly closer to Takada Yuuki, almost touching his ear, and whispered, "Of course I know!"

"We've investigated Kenji Kobayashi's background. He had some shady dealings with the Mishima family in the past!"

"His death was so clean and swift, so clean it was...frightening! This is their warning, a stark warning!"

He gulped down a large mouthful of beer, his Adam's apple bobbing violently as if trying to suppress his surging emotions.

"Brother Takada, do you think I don't want to investigate further? The Matsui Shoyu case is full of suspicious points, and the things involved behind it are too complicated!"

“Kenji Kobayashi was very likely the lead, but now, the lead has been broken, and in the end, all that was revealed was the Mishima family… Chairman Mishima.” Inspector Megure didn’t continue, his eyes filled with regret and anger.

The sizzling chicken skewers were served, filling the air with their aroma, but neither of them seemed to have much of an appetite.

“But…” Inspector Megure’s tone became extremely heavy, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, “We are not alone, I have family.”

“The Metropolitan Police Department…the Metropolitan Police Department isn’t a monolithic entity either. The Mishima family has been entrenched in Tokyo for so many years, their roots are deep, and nobody knows where their tentacles have extended.”

He lowered his voice again, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, a cold glint in them, and said, "There's pressure from above. It's not an explicit order, but that invisible pressure is like a mountain pressing down on us."

"It implies that we should 'stop now,' and that further investigation would have unimaginable consequences. It could be for us personally, or for the entire department... or even..."

He didn't finish speaking, but Yuuki Takada fully understood the unspoken meaning behind it.

This is not just a matter of personal safety, but also a threat to the stability of the entire Metropolitan Police Department and to the families of all those involved.

Kenji Kobayashi's death is proof of the other party's ruthlessness and unbridled actions—they really dared to take action inside the Metropolitan Police Department.

"So, we have no choice but to 'give up'?" Yuuki Takada asked, puzzled.

But beneath the calm surface lies a repressed undercurrent.

Megure nodded, leaning heavily against the back of his chair. He felt as if all his strength had been drained away, and a heavy sense of powerlessness swept over his entire body.

"At least... this is the only way for now. Protect the people who are still here, stabilize the situation, and wait... wait for a better opportunity, or wait for them to reveal a bigger weakness on their own."

Megure shook his head with a wry smile. "Sounds pathetic, doesn't it?"

"But sometimes, taking a step back is so that you can move forward later. Rushing in recklessly will only result in being smashed to pieces and will not change anything."

Afterwards, he picked up a skewer of roasted chicken, took a bite, chewed mechanically, and stared blankly at the dazzling array of liquor bottles behind the bar.

"Brother Takada, you are still young and have a bright future ahead of you."

"Some things... take time to mature. Remember tonight, remember Kenji Kobayashi, remember this feeling of powerlessness. It will become your strength in the future."

"But... right now, surviving and protecting yourself and those around you is the most important thing. This is the most practical advice I can give you as a senior."

The hustle and bustle of the izakaya seemed to vanish at that moment, leaving only a heavy silence between the two.

Megure's words were filled with helplessness and the coldness of reality.

He laid bare his inner struggles, his protective instincts towards his subordinates, and his fear of the vast dark forces before Yuuki Takada.

This isn't a police inspector issuing orders, but rather an old policeman struggling to survive within the system and in the shadows, passing on his bloody experience and heavy entrustment to a junior he values.

Looking at Inspector Megure's tired and worried profile, Yuuki Takada picked up his glass and downed the rest of his beer in one gulp.