Options system in my brain: Detective Conan

With a "click," Kuroba Kaito opened the safe embedded in the wall of Tsukino Takashi's personal lounge.

He retrieved the small box inside and, upon lifting the lid, saw the gem within, appearing to be wrapped in flickering flames.

'It's really here...'

Kuroba Kaito found it hard to believe.

He had originally assumed that Tsukino Takashi intended to use him to monopolize the gem.

That gem should have been hidden by the Tsukino brothers long ago.

But to his surprise, the gem was actually in the personal lounge where Tsukino Takashi was.

---

'How did Akikawa Kyousuke know the gem was here?'

'And why didn't Tsukino Takashi hide it?'

This question was indeed intriguing.

Normally, Tsukino Takashi would definitely have hidden the gem.

The fact that he didn't meant he didn't have the means to conceal the Scarlet Shadow's Heart.

If the gem displayed in the showcase had always been fake, there would have been no need for Tsukino Takashi to bring out the real gem.

---

'It seems the gem in the showcase was genuine from the start.'

'It must have been stolen and replaced with a fake after the police returned it.'

'Then Tsukino Takashi didn't return home today, so he could only temporarily hide the gem in the safe.'

Kuroba Kaito pieced it all together after a brief moment of reflection.

He then turned to look at Tsukino Takashi, who lay unconscious on the floor.

---

There were many people with ill intentions toward Kuroba Kaito, but few were like Tsukino Takashi—willing to kill him while using him.

'Aside from Tsukino Takashi, the organization Akikawa Kyousuke mentioned is even more outrageous. They even have a sniper rifle.'

'This feels somewhat similar to the organization that the detective once mentioned, the one that bombed the train.'

'I wonder if they're the same group...'

Kuroba Kaito pondered to himself.

The person he had knocked unconscious wouldn't wake up for at least several dozen minutes.

---

Furthermore, it had been confirmed that Tsukino Takashi was the one who remotely triggered the explosion in the display cabinet using a computer.

Even if Tsukino Takashi remained here, there was no need to worry about him being affected by further explosions or other dangers.

---

"I don't care what you did to me. I'll just take the gem," Kuroba Kaito whispered to Tsukino Takashi before turning and leaving the personal lounge.

He wouldn't take revenge on Tsukino Takashi; that wasn't in his character.

Moreover, even if Tsukino Takashi boasted about the meticulousness of his plan this time, Kuroba Kaito believed Conan would eventually uncover Tsukino Takashi's tricks.

When the time came, the law would naturally punish Tsukino Takashi, eliminating the need for Kaito to act personally.

---

After leaving Tsukino Takashi's lounge, Kuroba Kaito didn't hesitate and prepared to leave the Tokyo International Exhibition Center directly.

Although the conversation he had just had with Akikawa Kyousuke wasn't a formal transaction, Kuroba Kaito managed to obtain the gem only thanks to Akikawa Kyousuke's assistance.

---

He had learned that Akikawa Kyousuke wasn't interested in who ended up with the gem.

All Akikawa Kyousuke wanted was for the organization with the sniper rifle to leave as quickly as possible.

---

Kuroba Kaito didn't want to owe Akikawa Kyousuke a favor, nor did he wish to make any deals with him.

So, after Akikawa Kyousuke clarified the stakes, Kuroba Kaito readily agreed to his proposal.

Akikawa Kyousuke hadn't asked Kuroba Kaito to do anything special.

He simply wanted the organization that had attacked him to believe Kuroba Kaito had the gem so they would leave of their own accord.

---

Coincidentally, Nakamori Ginzo, the father of Kuroba Kaito's childhood friend Nakamori Aoko, was still present.

Kuroba Kaito himself wanted the group with sniper rifles to leave quickly to ensure Nakamori Ginzo's safety.

---

In this scenario, Kuroba Kaito felt it was a win-win agreement.

He wouldn't owe Akikawa Kyousuke anything and could protect Nakamori Ginzo from any unforeseen disasters.

---

Now, all he had to do was make the organization aware that he had the real gem.

That way, they would take the initiative to leave, convinced the gem wasn't in the building.

---

'But I really must thank you this time. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to obtain the gem so easily.'

'And I wouldn't have so easily uncovered the safe's combination secret.'

'My physical strength is almost at its limit this time, so I won't be able to say goodbye to you in person.'

Kuroba Kaito silently thanked Akikawa Kyousuke while feeling the dull ache in his arm, injured by the explosion earlier.

---

With his grappling gun in hand, Kuroba Kaito fired toward the ceiling of the venue.

Under the shocked eyes of many staff and security personnel, a white glider instantly unfolded behind him.

He smashed through the glass at the top of the venue and soared away.

---

Scene Change

Toru Amuro accepted Conan's proposal.

Given the premise that Kaitou Kid would never have another chance to obtain the gem, it was clear that the best option was to prevent the organization from obtaining the real gem.

---

Vodka had overheard the broadcast sent by "Phantom Thief Kid" moments ago.

Naturally, he couldn't hand over the fake gem now.

He needed to wait for an "opportunity."

An opportunity to switch the fake gem in his hands back with the real one.

---

At that moment, Toru Amuro heard an announcement echoing through the venue again.

It was the same clear female voice:

---

"We need to make a correction to the earlier broadcast."

"It has been confirmed that the contents of the previous broadcast were falsified by Kaitou Kid."

"All collections from the Tsukino Foundation in this exhibition are genuine, and there are no imitations!"

---

This announcement once again surprised many staff members and police officers unaware of the truth.

---

'As Conan-kun predicted, Tsukino Takashi must have been anxious to prove his gem was safe after hearing the broadcast.'

'There's no way Tsukino Takashi would let his plan fall apart like this, especially at the hands of Kaitou Kid, whom he wanted dead.'

Toru Amuro thought to himself.

---

After exchanging a glance with Conan, Amuro left the Tokyo Big Sight.

At the same time, he took out his phone and dialed Vodka's number.

---

"Why so soon? Have you already gotten Bourbon?" Vodka's voice came through.

"It's just been confirmed the gem isn't fake."

"The earlier broadcast was falsified by Kaitou Kid."

---

"Are you telling the truth?" Vodka asked.

"Yes," Toru Amuro affirmed. "Now tell me the delivery location."

---

(End of the Chapter)