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

Chapter 26: Akatsuki

Conan and his group of four were taken to the Metropolitan Police Department. The three mischievous kids were both bewildered and excited, as this was a rare opportunity to visit the Metropolitan Police Department, an experience they could brag about at school.

Conan, on the other hand, had many more thoughts, such as why the police were lying in ambush in that building, the whereabouts of those priceless gold coins, and so on...

However, Conan's first question was quickly answered. He learned from Inspector Megure that it was Hiko Akutagawa who reported the case, and a sense of frustration suddenly arose in his heart.

They've been defeated not only in solving cases, but also in deciphering mysteries.

Having only glanced at the treasure map and not even searched the site, the fact that the puzzle could be solved at home immediately reveals the vast difference in skill.

Takagi Wataru held his notebook, preparing to ask a few symbolic questions to make the report less superficial.

Unexpectedly, there was a pleasant surprise. I was worried that these children wouldn't understand the situation and wouldn't know where to begin writing.

Unexpectedly, this kid named Conan had clear logic and a strong comprehension ability. He remembered all the details along the way clearly and didn't have the jumping thoughts that are typical of children, where he would jump to other things while talking.

Many adults are not as meticulous in their thinking as the children in front of them when taking statements.

The other three chattering children, while far inferior to Conan who frequently accompanies Akutagawa, are still better than the average child.

Even with the least intelligent person, Genta Kojima, they can still have normal conversations.

After taking the statement, Takagi Wataru couldn't help but sigh inwardly: As expected of Mr. Akutagawa, even the children around him are so smart.

The four children, one real and one fake, didn't have a moment to rest before their guardians rushed to the Metropolitan Police Department.

The four children lowered their heads as their parents, who were so terrified by the entire ordeal that they nearly had a heart attack, launched into a frenzied tirade.

Good heavens, those are vicious international thieves. Not going home after dark and encountering something like this, it's only because Japan is strict about these things that we didn't get a good beating from Seven Wolves cigarettes and bamboo shoot stir-fried with pork.

After disciplining their children, the parents of the four responsible individuals repeatedly thanked the police for catching these wanted criminals.

After hearing that it was Akutagawa Hiko who called the police, Ran, along with the other three parents and their gifts, led Conan to ring the doorbell of the Akutagawa residence.

Seeing Conan standing unharmed at the door, Akutagawa Hiko breathed a sigh of relief and said apologetically, "I should have gone with you. As a result, you were put in danger."

Conan felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this, but then his conscience, which was far stronger than that of an ordinary person, began to ache faintly.

What a wonderful person he was; he even saved him twice.

It was really wrong of me to secretly compete with him.

Regardless of whether the organization Akutagawa joined was good or bad, Akutagawa Hiko himself was definitely not a problem; he just needed to be careful not to be misled by the organization.

Ran Mouri, upon hearing Akutagawa's words, looked ashamed: "That didn't happen. Akutagawa-kun, don't take all the blame on yourself. It's clearly the criminals' fault."

Akutagawa Hiko smiled upon hearing this, as if comforted, and welcomed the two inside.

"What would you like to drink, tea, cola, or milk?"

"Ah, no need for that, we'll be leaving soon."

"That won't do. It's your first time at my house. It's one thing that you weren't prepared, but how can you leave without even having a drink?"

Akutagawa took out a can of cola, a carton of milk, and tea from the refrigerator.

"How about black tea? Conan, a cup of hot milk would be nice, considering what happened today."

Ran Mouri quickly thanked her, "That's fine, thank you very much."

Akutagawa also brought a plate of small cookies, which tasted quite good when eaten with the drink, and weren't too dry.

While eating and chatting, Ran Mouri conveyed the gratitude of the other three parents and presented a thank-you gift to Hiko Akutagawa.

It's a sum of money, a straightforward and effective thank-you gift.

Akutagawa Hiko did not refuse. He certainly wouldn't have accepted it if it were face-to-face, but since it was delivered by Ran, refusing it might put Ran in a difficult position.

As expected, Ran Mouri breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Akutagawa Hiko accept the gift.

As Ran was preparing to leave with Conan, Conan insisted on staying that night: "I want to play with the cats and dogs. Akutagawa-nii's house is so much fun. I want to stay here tonight, is that okay, Ran-neechan?"

Ran Mouri looked embarrassed: "Akutagawa-kun, this..."

Akutagawa Hiko knew that Conan was here for information, and he didn't make things difficult for him despite Conan's pleading expression: "It's okay, if you're comfortable, Conan can stay here for the night."

……

As soon as Ran Mouri left, Conan couldn't wait to thank her in person: "Anyway, thank you for today."

Akutagawa picked up the xiaolongbao rubbing against his hand, too embarrassed to pet the cat in front of Conan: "Why are you saying all this? What's our relationship? We're natural allies who know each other's secrets."

Faced with Akutagawa Hiko's trust, Conan wished he could jump into a river to cool off.

"By the way, Akutagawa, do you know where those gold coins went?"

Conan hadn't held out much hope and was just trying to change the subject, but he ended up seeing Akutagawa Hiko's face gradually become serious.

"Could it be related to the Black Organization?!"

Conan didn't even bother eating his cookies; he jumped up and stared intently at Akutagawa Hiko.

But Akutagawa Hiko shook his head, and the words that came out of his mouth horrified him: "This is far more dangerous than the Black Organization."

Conan doesn't know much about the Black Organization; most of his information comes from Akutagawa Hiko right in front of him, who is even more dangerous than a transnational criminal organization...

Akutagawa glanced at Conan: "Shinichi, since you've witnessed the explosive tags, you should know that this world isn't as simple as it seems, right?"

Conan nodded reluctantly. In order to clarify some things, he, who was always independent and would not ask his parents for help because of his pride, even contacted his parents who were far away on the other side of the ocean.

Of course, I didn't tell them that I had shrunk.

However, he still received a fact that he had anticipated, yet which was somewhat devastating—there are indeed things in this world that science cannot explain.

Suddenly, Conan felt a chill.

Just kidding, it's over 20 degrees Celsius outside, and there's no air conditioning inside, so how could I feel cold?

Conan looked up and saw a scene he would never forget.

He was surrounded by a dozen or so icy crystal mirrors that exuded a chilling aura. Akutagawa Hiko, carrying a steamed bun, moved through the mirrors at a speed that dazzled him.

Akutagawa Hiko stepped out of the magic mirror, his eyes filled with emotions that Conan couldn't understand. What he said was even more unbelievable to Conan: "That person is called Kakuzu, from the Akatsuki organization. With my abilities, I wouldn't last more than a few rounds against him."