NABC Page 65
Page 65
Seeing Heiji Hattori and Kogoro Mori arguing, Jiang Chengbei didn't have time to listen to their quarrel, so he stepped aside and asked the high school girl, Quantum, who introduced herself as Akagi:
"Miss Quantum, as you can see, although they seem unreliable, they are indeed the two most famous high school detectives in Japan right now, the 'Higashi Kudo Suitbu' of the 'Haifubu'."
"Just tell us what your case is, and we'll definitely help."
After hearing Jiang Chengbei's explanation, the high school girl finally understood and said, "My younger brother, Akagi Mamoru, has been kidnapped. I hope you can help rescue him. Please!"
After Akagi Ryoko finished speaking loudly and bowed 90 degrees, Mouri Kogoro and Hattori, who were arguing, immediately stopped and said in unison:
"Kidnapping? I'll take the case!"
After discovering that the other person had said the same thing, Mori and Hattori started arguing again:
"You greedy bastard, you're so eager now that you see it's a kidnapping case. You wouldn't be trying to take advantage of the situation and demand a high price, would you?"
"You Osaka black guy, this is a kidnapping case, people are going to die. This isn't some childish game for weaklings like you. Get back to Osaka right now!"
Chapter 107 Heiji Hattori Makes a Bet with the Detectives of the Mori Detective Agency
"You're such a money-grubber, how can you be so kind? Why don't you take the money first this time?"
"Osaka Blackie, this is a kidnapping! A kidnapping case involving lives! In such an urgent case, of course I'll help rescue the hostage first. Everything else can wait until the hostage is rescued!"
"You're so greedy, why would you be so kind? You're not going to try and extort money from me later, are you?"
"Damn it! What do you take me for, Kogoro Mouri? Let me tell you, there are many cases where people have died, and I don't charge anything afterward, it's all free!"
I didn't take any money from the Abe Yutaka case just now. I didn't even accept the 50 yen commission I had promised. I even lost a lot of film!
"..."
……
Although Heiji Hattori and Kogoro Mori were still arguing, this was a kidnapping case, and time was of the essence; there was no time for them to waste on arguing.
So they moved from the Mori Detective Agency on the second floor to the back seat of the car in Jiangcheng North, continuing to argue as they drove.
Jiang Chengbei was in charge of driving, while Quantum sat in the passenger seat and gave directions.
In order to save time, Jiang Chengbei began to inquire about the specific details of the kidnapping case on the way.
When Quantum produced the kidnapping letter left by the kidnappers that morning and began to recount the kidnapping, Hattori and Kogoro Mouri in the back seat finally stopped arguing and began to listen attentively to the case information.
After listening to Quantum's account of the case, Kogoro Mouri only frowned slightly before letting out his classic Mouri-style laugh, exaggerated expression, and repeatedly saying, "I understand," "I've solved the case."
Seeing Kogoro Mouri's performance, Ryo Akagi was overjoyed and looked at Mouri with admiration, hoping that he would quickly rescue Mamoru.
Heiji Hattori was shocked, looking at Kogoro Mouri with a horrified expression. He couldn't believe that Tokyo's detectives were so terrifying. He hadn't even figured it out yet, and this slovenly old man had already solved the case. If all the other detectives in Tokyo were this good, would the people of Osaka even be able to survive?
Aside from the three people with different expressions and exaggerated mannerisms, the most composed person in the car was Jiang Chengbei. Even when he heard his subordinate detective, Kogoro Mouri, say that the case had been solved, he remained calm and composed, continuing to drive to the Akagi family's house with a blank expression.
Seeing Kogoro Mouri laughing happily, Heiji Hattori was clearly unconvinced and said sourly, "Sloppy old man, you really solved the case? Or are you just bragging?"
"How could I be bragging? I really solved the case!"
Judging from the fact that part of the note left by the kidnappers was written by Xiao Shou himself, this kidnapping was definitely orchestrated by Xiao Shou himself.
The motivation was that Mamoru wanted his older brother, Akagi Hideo, a soccer player who only knew how to train and play all day, to stop and play with him, so he demanded that Akagi Hideo not win today's match.
After hearing Kogoro Mouri's reasoning, Ryo Akagi was the first to object, shouting loudly at Kogoro Mouri in the back seat:
"Impossible! Xiao Shou isn't that kind of naughty child. He's been very sensible since he was little. He wouldn't do something like that!"
Meanwhile, after hearing Kogoro Mouri's reasoning, Heiji Hattori breathed a sigh of relief:
Thankfully, this guy's talent lies in boasting and self-indulgence; otherwise, if he had solved the case so quickly, I would have been so devastated that I would never dare to be a detective again.
Relieved, Hattori Heiji then began to mock Kogoro Mouri, the man who had just caused him unnecessary worry:
"You silly old man, you're really good at talking nonsense."
You didn't even consider whether this was a match between opponents, opposing fans, or someone Akagi Hideo had offended, etc., before arbitrarily concluding it was a staged event. No wonder your detective agency has no business.
"Who's talking nonsense? I have evidence. That's exactly what happened in the Gu Jingzi kidnapping case last time. She faked her kidnapping because her father didn't have time to spend with her, and left a message for the kidnappers saying that he should shut down his father's company for a month..."
Next, Kogoro Mouri went on and on about the similarities between the two cases, all to prove that they were the same, and that Mamoru Akagi, also a child, had staged the kidnapping himself.
Heiji Hattori clearly saw that Kogoro Mouri was a fool, so he used his intelligence to argue with him, refuting the absurdity of Kogoro Mouri's reasoning point by point.
Seeing them arguing so loudly, Jiang Chengbei, who was driving, couldn't stand it anymore. Without turning around, he glanced at the rearview mirror and said to Hattori Heiji:
"Black Chicken, don't look down on our Mouri Detective Agency. How about we make a bet?"
If you solve this case first, then while you're searching for Conan's evidence in Tokyo, our Mori brother will unconditionally obey your orders and become your henchman.
If our Mori Detective Agency solves this case today, then you'll be our Mori Detective Agency's free employee from now on. Whatever case we ask you to solve, just bring your own food and ticket, and go investigate for us.
So, do you dare?
Upon hearing Jiang Chengbei's words, Hattori Heiji immediately shook his head and said, "This bet is unfair, I won't do it!"
Kogoro Mouri smelled a familiar scent, as if he had encountered it somewhere before.
"Black Chicken, don't worry about the stakes, just tell me if you dare!"
"Look at your brother Mori next to you. Just now you were calling him a bumbling detective and a stupid old man. If you wouldn't even dare to gamble with that lousy detective you look down on, do you even deserve your title of 'High School Detective'?"
"What do I have to be afraid of? My own detective, Mouri? Does he even deserve to be called a detective?"
Kogoro Mouri is furious!
Before Kogoro Mouri could get angry, Jiang Chengbei preemptively asked, "So you agree?"
"But your bet..."
"I'm only asking if you dare, what does it have to do with the stakes?"
If you really think you're not on the same level as Mori and have an overwhelming advantage over him, then is it fair to him if the bet is the same?
You're a famous detective, and he's just the bumbling detective you talk about!
"Alright, we'll do it your way. This time, I'm going to show Uncle Confused what a real detective is all about!"
Provoked by Jiang Chengbei's words, and realizing that he had seen through the true nature of the detective beside him, confirming that he was just a good-for-nothing,
So the hot-blooded Hattori Heiji agreed to the bet, determined to crush this self-important Mori uncle and show him what a great detective really is!
Jiang Chengbei was very happy to hear that Osaka Black Chicken had agreed.
However, Kogoro Mouri was not in a good mood, especially after hearing Heiji Hattori call him a bumbling detective and look down on his abilities, which made him very angry.
This made him secretly vow to perform well this time and defeat this arrogant young man from Osaka.
Chapter 108 Hattori: I'm a detective. I'm the professional when it comes to solving cases. You all have to listen to me!
"Hey, this... Uncle Mori, don't you have any other detectives in your house? You wouldn't be asking other detectives in the agency for help just because you're no match for me, would you?"
Although he spoke rashly and was tricked by the provocation, Hattori Heiji quickly came to his senses and began to inquire about the situation from Kogoro Mouri beside him.
Hearing Heiji Hattori's question, Kogoro Mouri, who was in a bad mood, rolled his eyes and said irritably:
"My Mouri Detective Agency only has me as the detective, so what? Are you scared? If you're scared, then beg me!"
"If you beg me and apologize, I'll consider letting you break the contract."
"I'm not going to break the contract. I'm just asking around. After all, that guy said I should make a bet with the Mouri Detective Agency. That bet sounds weird."
If he asked me to bet with Detective Mouri, or with the two of you, I wouldn't be surprised, but asking me to bet with an entire agency is strange.
By the way, how many detectives does your Mori Detective Agency have?
"One is me. There are no other detectives in the Mouri Detective Agency besides me. You can rest assured about that. Trust me, I won't lie to you."
Kogoro Mouri didn't say much, but answered Hattori Heiji's concerns concisely and to the point.
"It's good if there's only one detective in a detective agency."
"If that's the case, then who is that person driving the car in front of your detective agency? How could they possibly make the bet decision on behalf of your Mouri Detective Agency?"
"Jiang Chengbei is the owner of the fruit shop next door downstairs. My family and I eat free fruit from his shop every day."
Fruit is so expensive now, and the detective agency isn't doing much business. Do you think I can ignore his advice?
"Free? Every day? Wow, that's incredibly generous! I understand now. I'll listen to him and everything will be fine. I haven't had any fruit in ages since I came to Tokyo."
After hearing Kogoro Mouri's explanation, Heiji Hattori immediately understood his actions. He wiped his drool, climbed onto the back of the seat in front of him, and said to Jiang Chengbei:
"Brother, I'm a detective too. I can help you solve cases. Let's be friends."
I had my money stolen today and I'm penniless now. While I'm in Tokyo looking for evidence against elementary school students, can I sleep on the floor at your house?
I can wash dishes, cook, and peel fruit; I won't stay at your house for free.
Seeing Hattori Heiji's ingratiating manner, Jiang Chengbei's expression didn't change much, and he said calmly, "No."
"Huh? I see..." Hattori Heiji was disappointed after hearing Jiang Chengbei's answer.
"It's impossible for you to sleep on the floor, but we do have a few guest rooms. As long as you do the housework and clean the guest rooms yourself, it won't hurt for you to stay for a few nights."
But you absolutely must find evidence of Conan's crimes, otherwise you'll really disappoint me.
"No problem, thank you. I misunderstood you before. I thought you were greedy for money, but I didn't expect you to be so generous. You didn't charge me for this case and you even took me in as an out-of-towner whose money was stolen. Thank you."
Upon seeing Hattori Heiji pat his chest and make his assurance, Jiang Chengbei smiled slightly:
"You're welcome. Just work for the Mouri Detective Agency for free for a while longer and help improve the agency's reputation."
"No problem, leave it to me. I'm Hattori Heiji, the famous high school detective. I've solved over 2000 cases since my debut. I'm not some slacker like Kudo Shinichi."
Hearing Hattori Heiji's confident words, Jiang Chengbei nodded in agreement and then said:
"I believe in you. You will definitely beat Mori this time. After all, he's a former detective who only knows one trick: copying homework from the Metropolitan Police Department."
"Damn it!" After Jiang Chengbei pointed out to his face that his reasoning was copied from the previous Gu Jingzi case, Kogoro Mouri muttered something, looked up at the roof of the car, and ignored the two people in front of him and next to him.
After dealing with Heiji Hattori and Kogoro Mori, Kojo Kita asked Akagi Ryoko, who was giving directions in the passenger seat, about Akagi Hideo's team and whether anyone had been injured recently.
After learning from her that Akagi Hideo's teammate and good friend, Uemura Naoki, had injured his leg in a previous training match, Jiang Chengbei immediately changed his destination from the road to Akagi Hideo's house to the road to Uemura Naoki's house.
Seeing that Jiangchengbei had changed its route, Hattori Heiji immediately panicked and shouted from the back seat:
"Hey, hey, hey, weren't we going to the Akagi family's house to investigate the kidnapping case? Jiang Cheng, why did you suddenly change your mind?"
“Black Chicken, this is a kidnapping case, a matter of life and death. We don’t have time to waste on the scene investigation.”