Refuse to allow Conan to join the main storyline

"It's rare that you would take the initiative to find me."

There was a little noise on the phone, and Koizumi frowned: "Where are you? The signal interference is so severe."

On the other side of the phone, Rum gave a few instructions to the people around him, moved to a relatively quiet place, and answered Koizumi's question: "I have my own underground laboratory."

Koizumi: "Drug-related?"

Rum chuckled and said, "Do you remember the drug I injected into you, Subject No. 690?"

Koizumi's tone suddenly turned cold: "Do you want to die again?"

Rum laughed in a low voice. "Okay, okay, sorry, I shouldn't have provoked you. In fact, the research and development of that thing has been suspended. I listened to your advice and am asking the research and development team to study the cancer cell targeted drug of Qingshui Technology. To be honest, there has been no progress so far. The so-called reverse cell growth may just be an exaggerated statement made up by the old guy to attract my attention."

"Oh, that's right."

Koizumi waved his hand: "Let me see where my medicine is."

Sakurai quickly put the bottle of red and white capsules into his 15-grid backpack.

Koizumi summoned the medicine bottle, held it in his hand and checked the system information.

【Drugs for eternal youth (2+8)】.

When this thing was first put into the space, it was displayed as [Unknown Medicine]. After one upgrade, it became [Drug for Longevity]. After the second upgrade, the name changed again and became [Drug for Eternal Youth].

Koizumi suspected that if this thing continued to be upgraded, it might really become a [rejuvenation drug], but he didn't know how many upgrades it would take.

Since Rum said he hasn't made any progress yet, Gin's progress is probably about the same.

On the contrary, she, who relied on cheating in the system, came to the definite conclusion that Qingshui Technology's research results were true, and the so-called cell anti-growth ingredients really existed!

However, apart from the change in name, there was no explanation for this thing, which made Koizumi a little unsure about its specific effects.

To be honest, she also thought about whether she should send this thing to the laboratory for testing or something.

But this thing is a time bomb that may cause any trouble.

Koizumi didn't even dare to let Dr. Tani know the existence of this thing, so how could he find a wild drug research laboratory?

Koizumi would never give this thing away unless it was someone as reliable as Nekozuka.

She had originally bought a few mice to test the drug and see how it worked. But the mice were played to death by the cats in her store...

From then on, Koizumi never dared to do this again, for fear that one of her cats would accidentally eat the drugged mice and something might happen.

Then she temporarily gave up spending money on the capsule and invested her singularity in items and skills that could produce immediate results.

Hearing Koizumi's tone, Rum was silent for a moment, and asked doubtfully: "...Did you also secretly set up a drug laboratory?"

Koizumi smiled and said vaguely: "Oh, well..."

Rum took a deep breath. "When did you do this? My people never reported this to me."

Koizumi sneered: "Your people? Nine out of ten are useless, and only one is barely usable. Do you count on them?"

The remaining one is Ken Takagi.

This guy is really determined to follow her till the end.

In order to avoid suspicion, Takagi Ken deliberately distanced himself from his original social circle and never went out with other code members. He also lived a very restrained life, trying not to be caught by others and not to be blackmailed by others.

Because of this, Koizumi values ​​this younger brother very much and arranges all the benefits for him.

"…It seems that you are not only on guard against me, but also against Gin? I actually knew about this before him?"

"Know what? I haven't admitted anything. It's all just your imagination."

Rum didn't dwell on this question any more and continued to ask, "Then, what results did you come up with?"

"It's not really an achievement, but it's just confirmed that this thing does have the effect of prolonging life."

Rum temporarily covered the microphone and whispered to someone for a while, then said to Koizumi seriously, "I would like to exchange research and development results reports with you."

"Report? You think I have that?"

"…If there's no research and development report, then there must be drug samples, right?"

Should we hand over the upgraded capsules to Rum’s professional team for testing?

It doesn't seem impossible.

At least it's much better than going to Dr. Gu or any random drug research lab.

Koizumi rolled his eyes and said, "Okay. But I want to exchange something I'm interested in from your research and development results."

Rum answered without hesitation: "Sure. I'll have someone prepare a list of achievements..."

"No, I want to exchange the finished drug of APTX4869 with you."

Rum was instantly muted.

"How do you know? Who told you..."

After a long silence, no one knew what this guy was thinking about. Rum finally said in a serious tone, "...How many tricks do you have? I actually have an informant by your side."

Koizumi sneered: "Just tell me whether you agree or not."

"...I agree. But you'd better not lie to me, otherwise..."

"Why don't you let your R&D team check your brain first? You lunatic, how can I benefit from lying to you about this? I still regard you as my ally and think of you first when I have something good to offer."

Rum, that bitch, laughed out loud in relief after being scolded by Koizumi.

"Forming an alliance with you, Mello, is probably the most correct decision I have ever made."

"Humph, it's too early for you to say such flattering words. You should first listen to the new news I have for you."

"Okay, you say."

"As a big entrepreneur, what are your future goals? Have you decided on them?"

Rum said "hmm" in confusion.

"Are you still thinking the same thing as you did last Christmas? Make money, make money, and then make more money? And then, what will you pursue after making money?"

Rum was silent for a moment, then answered in an uncertain tone: "...conducting drug research?"

Koizumi was amused by him.

"Oh my god, Mr. Bengong, is this all you want? Go and learn some political economics! When material needs are met, shouldn't spiritual needs be met? After the economic base reaches the standard, shouldn't the superstructure be pursued?"

Rum: "...what do you want to say?"

"I'm wondering if you, Mr. Wakita Kanenori, are interested in going into politics?"

Rum:…

"I have a vacant position for the mayor of Tokyo. Hurry and apply."

"Mayor of Tokyo? How could you…"

"Because the big guys took a fancy to me and were willing to invest in me."

"Have you not……"

"Shut up and stop saying things that disgust me. Is there nothing else on your mind except porn? Is it impossible for me to get to the top based on my own abilities?"

Rum:…

"Tsk, believe it or not, the facts are right in front of you. We plan to work together to promote a new mayor of Tokyo. If you are not interested, just pretend I never said anything..."

"Wait! I just feel a little bit sudden..."

"Then think about it quickly and think hard. I don't need to waste time telling you about the benefits of this, right?

"Anyway, give me a reply as soon as possible whether you want to do it or not. If you don't want to do it, I will recruit someone else to do it. I have a lot of big investors lining up to wait for me to turn over their hands to them."

Rum:…

After saying this, Koizumi hung up the phone, giving the other party some time to think.

Again, with Rum's imagination, he might be able to think further ahead than her. And it was indeed inconvenient for her to continue to tell the truth.

When you become the mayor of Tokyo, you, who often disappear, will be planted on the land of Tokyo, and will be transformed from a moving target into a fixed target.

And with your intelligence, it's perfect for me to send you to compete with the Americans in a battle of wits and courage.

If you plan to continue to let your stand-in appear on your behalf while you hide and control the situation from behind the scenes, given the quality of your puppet stand-ins, they will either be killed by the Americans or by Furuya Rei.

Then, no matter what choice you make, as long as you sit in that position, you will inevitably become a thorn in the eyes of that gentleman and become a target before me, which may help me buy more time.

All right, Mr. Bengong, hurry up and get on top of me!