"You..."
The footsteps behind him made no attempt to hide their approach, drawing closer and closer. The man in the trench coat, who was crouching in front of the warehouse after pouring kerosene and striking a match, slowly turned his head.
Illuminated by the firelight, the figure standing before him—a man clad entirely in black—was clearly visible.
"Fire... the foreplay for this celebration is already complete."
The long-haired arsonist revealed a terrifying grin, showing not a shred of fear.
"Are you sick?" Tsuneo questioned the man's mental state.
What kind of lines are those?
Where did he even learn to talk like that...
"I choose you. You shall be the most important sacrifice in tonight's grand carnival!" The arsonist pulled a dagger from his chest pocket.
whether he wanted to display cruelty or just pure insanity, he actually dragged his tongue along the edge of the blade.
This scene made the three little ones hiding in a nearby corner gulp nervously.
It was simply too terrifying!
The Dark Knight didn't seem to be carrying any weapons; would he really be okay?
"You son of a..." Tsuneo was genuinely repulsed by this piece of filth.
This guy definitely came out just to disgust people.
"Die!" the arsonist roared, lunging forward with the poison-quenched dagger, stabbing straight toward the Repairman.
"Danger!" Ayumi couldn't bear to watch. She covered her eyes with both hands, leaving only a tiny crack to peek through.
In the next instant.
The Dark Knight executed a beautiful roundhouse kick, the speed so fast it dazzled the eyes.
The arsonist's face was deformed by the impact of the foot. The poisoned dagger dropped to the ground, and the man himself was sent flying three meters through the air, crashing right next to the pile of fire he had just ignited.
"Whoa, amazing!"
Mitsuhiko and Genta pump their fists in the air.
That kick was far more beautiful than anything seen in professional competitions.
The speed, the power, the stability, and the pose held after the follow-through—it was impeccable!
"Although I didn't feel it face-to-face, the moment he made his move, his entire aura changed!" Mitsuhiko's mouth had been hanging open the whole time.
This hero of the night seemed like a nemesis of crime hidden in the shadows. He didn't show off or reveal himself, appearing completely ordinary on the surface.
But in the split second he took action, his entire being underwent an earth-shattering transformation.
"I know, it's 'Momentum'!" Genta nodded repeatedly, speaking as if he understood, though he likely didn't.
Brother Tsuneo had said it before: whether it was Big Sister Ran or Brother Hattori from Osaka, they all possessed this kind of "Momentum."
In truth, the "Momentum" the Repairman spoke of referred to an imposing aura, which is extremely important in actual combat.
He had once taught Hattori that the moment his hand touched the hilt of his blade, his eyes must hold the resolve to chop the person before him into pieces.
Unfortunately, the results were minimal.
It seems it doesn't work unless you've actually chopped up a few people.
"Is... is he leaving?" Ayumi watched as the Dark Knight lifted the arsonist's head to check him, then tossed him back toward the fire.
The arsonist had suffered unknown levels of head trauma; even as his trench coat caught fire, he made no movement.
The Dark Knight seemed to have no interest in dealing with him further. He turned around, hands in his pockets, and lowered his head slightly, intending to walk away on his long legs.
"P-Please, wait a moment!"
The three kids summoned their courage and ran out, calling out to the knight.
"Is there something else?" Tsuneo's eyes behind the sunglasses held a hint of unfriendliness.
I'm definitely calling all your mothers later.
"Please help us! We can't let him die without an explanation like this!" Mitsuhiko shouted to Genta, and the two of them hurriedly grabbed the arsonist's clothes, trying to drag him out of the firelight.
In just that short amount of time, the man's long, flowing hair had been singed away.
It was fortunate he hadn't been kicked into the section with the kerosene, or else he would likely be gone by now.
Tsuneo remained silent, standing in place without making a move.
"The victim's family... they must be waiting for news," Ayumi said as she ran over to help. She was referring to the person who had died near the fourth arson attack.
"Move." Tsuneo walked up to the three little ones and kicked the arsonist away from the fire. The man rolled continuously, extinguishing most of the flames on his body.
Ayumi, Genta, Mitsuhiko: "..."
Th-This method of saving someone... it really left them speechless. That kick to the waist probably made his injuries even worse...
"Damn it!"
Just then, a roar reached everyone's ears from inside the burning wooden warehouse.
Tsuneo: "..."
There's another unlucky bastard locked in there...
"Are you all okay?!"
Officer Sato drifted her car to a halt near the warehouse district. She saw the three children and a man in a trench coat leaning against the wall, his head lolling to the side.
That was probably a trench coat... it was burnt to tatters.
And didn't the suspect have long hair?
Was it burned off?
"We're fine, but the warehouse..." Ayumi turned her head to look at the wooden structure now completely engulfed in flames.
"It doesn't matter, as long as people are safe," Officer Sato said, clearly relieved.
Conan tilted his head, spotting a figure walking over from the side.
A man covered in blood, with handcuffs on his wrists—the other end of the chain still attached to a broken iron railing...
Officer Takagi!
"Still alive, I see," Haibara crossed her arms and glanced at him.
Even though you and Officer Shiratori are rivals, you're really taking your sweet time.
Looking at his state, he was probably knocked out from behind?
"Haibara, we met the Dark Knight! The real Dark Knight!" The three kids exclaimed with faces full of excitement.
"Yes, yes, truly amazing," Haibara said in a tone used for coaxing children.
"What exactly is going on here?" Officer Sato looked confused.
Okay, so because the Dark Knight targeted the arsonist, the three kids were saved.
But, Takagi, what is the situation on your end?
"Actually... the one who knocked me out from behind and handcuffed me in the warehouse was the culprit from eighteen years ago," Takagi said, his face bloody but his expression turning serious.
"But why would he do that?" Officer Sato frowned.
Eighteen years... the statute of limitations expired three years ago.
Wait, three years...
"If a suspect goes abroad, that period of time is not calculated within the legal statute of limitations," Conan said, checking his watch.
Right now, there was still a little time left.
However, it would likely be difficult to do anything about it.
"Kano Shuji... so the culprit is you." Officer Sato's eyes changed, and she immediately ran to her car.
Of the four suspects, only he had gone to Italy for three years.
"Phew..."
"The Dark Knight, huh? He really has an overwhelming presence." Takagi let out a long breath, leaning against the wall as he watched the small warehouse gradually collapse from the fire.
"Did you see him with your own eyes too, Officer Takagi?" Conan asked, glancing at the chattering, excited kids before turning back to him.
"Oh. At the time, I was desperately pulling on the railing, and then suddenly, that man kicked the wooden door of the warehouse to pieces with a single strike..."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"