The Phantom Thief of Heart! But Conan

No matter how Conan lamented, the president of the Shijing Group, who was standing in the center of the applause, was obviously feeling good.

He looked around at the guests, his gaze stayed on Tang Ze for a moment, and soon shifted to Maori Kogoro who was already standing at the table to eat. He raised his hand decisively and gestured in his direction: "Before the banquet officially begins, please allow me to introduce today's special guest. This gentleman has solved many very difficult cases. To this day, among so many outstanding detectives, his frequency of appearing in newspapers is still among the highest..."

Conan realized that he was going to introduce Mouri Kogoro, and his eyes involuntarily turned to Akechi Goro who was standing a little further away.

The reason why some leeway is left is probably because there are still people who have a higher newspaper advertisement rate than Kogoro Mori.

Hidden in the crowd, Goro Akechi still had his signature smile on his face, but he clapped very restrainedly.

"What's wrong with you? Do you have any thoughts after seeing Akechi-kun appear here?" Realizing that Conan's eyes were not at the center of the banquet at all, and he didn't even look at Mouri Kogoro, Mouri Ran bent down slightly and asked in a low voice.

To be honest, Conan now has very complicated feelings towards Akechi.

On the one hand, judging from the several interactions between him and Kumail, Kumail, who has a code name, is a very dangerous character. He has his own methods of violent crimes and assassinations. If he and Hattori's judgment is correct, then Kumail, with the guise of a detective, will only be a more powerful weapon in the hands of the Black Organization, and will definitely be able to better cover up the organization's traces in various incidents.

On the other hand, the detective who is Goro Akechi is not that far away from Conan himself.

He is indeed an excellent detective with good professional skills and amazing insight. He has solved many cases, big and small, for Tokyo, and the image he presents to the public is that of a perfect idol.

At the same time, he was a friend of Karasawa, who personally vouched for his credibility, and through Karasawa's request, he was even willing to confide some deep secrets to Kudo Shinichi. Not to mention the time in Ireland, if it weren't for the calm response of Akechi Goro and Ireland himself, he would have been exposed to the guns of the fully armed Gin, and it would have been difficult for him to see the sun the next day.

This complex attribute entangled in this person's identity gave Conan some rare thoughts about the Black Organization, which made him think of Huibara, Akai Shuichi who defected from the organization, and even Vermouth who he had only met briefly...

After returning, Dr. Shinde said that many students of Teitan had sincerely thanked the fake him...

"...Nothing, I just think it's a bit of a coincidence." Conan, whose facial expression control ability has improved a lot, turned back with a normal expression, thinking complicated thoughts, "I met him again."

If it was when he had just become a child, he would probably be more suspicious and alert when faced with this situation, trying to keep as much distance from Akechi Goro as possible and completely regard him as a complete enemy.

As for now, perhaps it was the influence of Joker, or perhaps it was the dark shadows entangled with Tangze and Huihara that reminded him all the time, he was able to relatively calmly separate and consider the impact of the different backgrounds of these people.

Even if the other party is most likely an unforgivable criminal, facing such a huge organization, it is better to have one more goal to unite than to create more enemies for yourself.

"Yeah, I feel like my dad's commissions lately are always related to him. Oh, no, there shouldn't be any commissions today, right?"

"So, by coincidence..."

Conan responded nonchalantly, while secretly thinking.

——If possible, it would be better to try your best to stop this person from stepping into the abyss.

Even if we ignore the organization's problems, it is a good thing to have one more detective in the world who is willing to break away from the darkness and walk into the light.

The eyes of the whole audience turned to the direction he pointed, and then more words came pouring in that were hard to tell whether they were compliments or sincere praise.

"You are the famous—"

"Oh, Kogoro Akechi of Heisei!"

"I have carefully studied all the cases you have participated in. It is really amazing!"

"The recent reasoning is very exciting, and the way he handles commissions is also very mature detective style..."

Maori Kogoro put down the half-eaten plate in his hand with an embarrassed look, and hurriedly bowed and responded: "Thank you, thank you, you are too polite."

"…What's wrong?" Mifune Takuya noticed that the person standing next to him stopped clapping and asked in a low voice, "Is it because Uncle Shii completely ignored you? He might just not recognize you, there should be no other meaning…"

Although he said this, Takuya Mifune was well aware of the considerations of the Yotsui family.

Goro Akechi is too young and is very popular among young people, but when it comes to the circle of older money, people will instinctively prefer the more reliable image of Kogoro Mori.

In the current situation, praising Kogoro Mori would add more interest to their banquet, so even if he recognized Akechi, the other party would not look at him straight in the eye.

"It's nothing. What Mr. Shijing said is all true, and I respect Mr. Maori very much." Tang Ze blinked and quickly resumed clapping. "I just think he is forcing the connection. As far as I know, Detective Maori only found Miss Lihua's dog for his family..."

"It sounds like this is really Reika's style... You also know Detective Mori, I didn't realize..."

"Oh, yes, my boss is Detective Maori's neighbor..."

Tang Ze was talking to Takuya Mifune in a casual manner, but his eyes were always fixed on his own interface panel.

After confirming again that the small dot identifying Conan was turning green, Tang Ze sighed silently in his heart.

In addition to the real-time map, his interface also marks the locations of various targets. After Noah engraved his core data on the K-shaped brooch bound to Tang Ze, his ability was greatly enhanced.

When facing him with different identities, the color of Conan's dots has actually been changing. Now it has turned from yellow, which represents neutrality, to green again. It is obvious that Conan is reflecting and thinking again. He has determined that Mingzhi's identity has reached the part that can be leveraged, and is ready to start his usual process of subverting the authenticity of the wine.

You're too gullible, little detective.

As he thought of this, his smile only became a little more obvious.

I hope this guy can really stick to his own ideas and not be affected by the drastic changes in the situation.

As President Shioi expressed his admiration for Kogoro Akechi, several fish in Shioi Reika's pond, who had just shown attempts to win over or be hostile to Karasawa because of Shioi Reika's closeness, soon moved towards Kogoro Mori again.

After President Sijing finished his toast and once again wished everyone to have a good time at the banquet, he began to cut and distribute the cake. Sijing Lihua even walked into the socialites' side to socialize with other young ladies.

So Ichieda Takashi and Nikaido Yuji repeated their old trick and handed their business cards to Mouri Kogoro again, recommending themselves, and their eyes were always looking towards Yotsuga Reika, almost suspiciously leading the topic to her.

"As expected of the famous detective appointed by the young lady!"

"Yes, Miss Lihua has always had very high standards!"

"You must have helped her solve many difficult cases! Well, the affairs of wealthy families are indeed more complicated..."

"No, no..." Kogoro Mouri responded to their loud praises blankly with a subtle expression.

Is this flattering the master? What's going on with these two people...

"A flatterer." Mifune Takuya, who also saw this scene, sneered, "You were still praising Akechi with all your might just now. If you want to please the young lady, you don't have to flatter her like this, right? He is just an ordinary-looking middle-aged detective. Even if he is really good, he is not as good as you praise him to be."

As he spoke, he tightened his arm around Tang Ze's shoulders, trying hard to express his support for Hou Mi. It was obvious that his words were tainted with ulterior motives.

"You don't have to be so harsh, Mifune?" Nikaido Yuji glanced over and gave Karasawa a critical look. "According to you, Detective Akechi is just..."

"At least he is a highly educated genius." Gojo Osamu, who had just been picking on Akechi Goro, heard the argument and changed the subject, "I was also looking forward to seeing the true face of Detective Mori, but today I see that he is such an inconspicuous character..."

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A vein popped out on Maori Kogoro's forehead: "...I really want to thank you all for your wise advice."

He is not a fool. At this point, anyone can see that he is just a raft in the dispute among these people. As for what these men think of him, it is not something they care about here.

This scene was so ugly that Kogoro Mori, who felt like he was just a part of their play, even regretted accepting the invitation tonight.

The food was just so-so. Not only did I not pay, I even had to pay for the car rental. I felt like I was being scolded for nothing.

"No, you young people don't understand. This is what makes him so outstanding."

Before the few people could continue the debate, a deeper voice nearby joined in again.

"Have you never heard of the saying that a real person does not show his face? If a detective is too conspicuous and cannot blend into the crowd, how can he lower others' vigilance and collect intelligence without anyone noticing? This is exactly the strategy of a famous detective."

Kogoro Mouri turned his head and looked at the person who was walking towards him, his expression becoming increasingly stiff.

The person who spoke this time was indeed not a young man, but he looked about the same age as him.

At your age, you're here to compete for favor?

"Don't worry about him. He's one of the directors of Yotsubo, Masashi Rokuda." Hearing the sarcasm towards Akechi Goro implied in his words, Mifune Takuya pursed his lips and leaned close to Karasawa's ear to introduce him, "Managing director, involved in the management of the company. The most disgusting one."

Well, no matter how miserable Shii Rika is, today is her 24th birthday.

If the other backup guys might have some romantic interest in them, then this guy's intentions were too obvious, he was almost entirely after Sijing's industry.

Sure enough, in the next sentence, Masashi Rokuda directed the question back to Rika Yotsuga.

"The young lady should have expected this a long time ago. It's amazing that she can see through the appearance and the essence."

"I think so too!" Nikaido Yuji quickly responded, "She is really beautiful and elegant, and has extraordinary taste."

"She also has a smart mind. She's not an ordinary woman at all." Ichieda Takashi also quickly added.

"What kind of person is needed to win her heart?" Gojo Osamu expressed his opinion, and the smile on his face softened.

"...Yeah. I wonder which lucky guy will be able to sit on the throne of the next president of the Shijing Group." Takuya Mifune rolled his eyes and added indifferently as if he was making a sarcastic remark, directly exposing the thoughts of these people, which was somewhat like "You are all thousand-year-old foxes, why are you playing Liao Zhai with me?"

What are you pretending to be? You are all...

Sijing Lihua withdrew her gaze from that direction, glanced at her father who was holding a glass of wine and talking excitedly, took a sip of champagne, with an indifferent expression, and did not express any opinion to this group of loyal lickspittles.

Tang Ze saw her from afar, and saw that there were some lipstick marks on the edge because she had used too much force. He knew that her real mood at the moment was probably not good at all.

The young lady who has been proud all her life must be very unwilling when she has to accept coercion because someone has caught her.

"Huh? Getting married? Lihua! What are you doing...?"

Hearing his daughter's nonchalant declaration, President Sijing choked on his wine and quickly put the glass aside.

He knew a little about his daughter's character. This was not Shijing Lihua's style at all. Compared with finding a fixed partner, she obviously preferred a life where she could attract the flattery of all kinds of men with just a wave of her finger.

"Yes, Dad, I'm already 24, I have to think about my lifelong affairs." Shijing Lihua smiled, and while speaking, she slowly adjusted the earrings on her ears, lowering her eyes slightly, "I am the daughter of the Shijing family, and I have to know my own limits when I am willful. I have to choose someone who can support the Shijing Group."

"Lihua...you have really grown up..." President Shijing, who doted on his daughter, was moved, "Actually, it doesn't have to be like this..."

"If you can't find one, then just give birth to an heir and slowly train him." Sijing Lihua said lightly, "Anyway, I invited some young talents to attend today's banquet, just to find a suitable husband among them... Dad, I hope you support my idea."

"Oh, Lihua." President Sijing gave his daughter a hug, his expression completely softened. "Of course, you have the final say. Sijing Group will always support you."

Several detectives who were not on the list looked at that place coldly. Although they did not express any opinions, their opinions were almost written on their faces.

"It's hard to say whether she has the talent to manage a group, but she is indeed good at controlling the 'lifeline of the Shijing Group.'" Maori Kogoro, who was reluctant to speak too harshly to a lady, could only make this comment.