Chapter 80: The Scheming Boy Conan
Having been in Japan for only a relatively short period, Natsukawa found himself frequently traveling to coastal locations.
He'd already made this journey four times now—for corpse disposal and vacation travel—truly a profound connection with the ocean.
Anya shuddered involuntarily. It was the first time she'd ever heard someone describe a connection between corpse disposal and fate so casually.
What an evil Papa.
Glancing warily at her father, Anya quickly decided to seek refuge in Aunt Yor's arms instead.
However, the instant she wrapped her small arms around that slender, elegant leg, she telepathically received something absolutely shocking.
Yor was mentally strategizing how to complete her latest assassination mission.
Yesterday, she'd received a contract through the dark web, targeting three individuals on Moon Shadow Island: Kuroiwa Tatsuji, Kawashima Hideo, and Nishimoto Ken. According to the anonymous client's detailed briefing, these three men were thoroughly corrupt—they'd conspired together to commit murder twelve years ago.
Since that was the verified situation, Yor naturally couldn't allow them to continue living unpunished.
Justice may sometimes be delayed, but the Thorn Princess is never late!
Just wait, you miserable scum!
Yor felt utterly disgusted by their heinous criminal acts and had already vowed to personally send them to their deaths. Even if the client withdrew the commission immediately, she absolutely wouldn't let them escape her blades.
It would be optimal to locate a dense mountain forest or similar remote location, dispose of their bodies there, and allow snakes, insects, and rodents to gradually consume their remains until nothing identifiable remained.
"How absolutely terrifying!"
Anya trembled with genuine fear. She suddenly realized there was absolutely no need to have restored her telepathic superpowers. Not being able to hear people's murderous thoughts might not actually be such a terrible thing after all.
"Anya, what's wrong with you?" Conan gave Anya a teasing, questioning look. Could this girl possibly be seasick already?
Anya snorted defiantly, deliberately leaving a dirty footprint on Conan's prized Power-Enhancing Kicks Shoes, then floated smugly into the cabin interior.
(︿(￣︶￣)︿)
Stepping on Conan felt absolutely wonderful! Her previously gloomy mood improved dramatically and instantaneously.
Anya felt delighted, while Conan was thoroughly annoyed.
He helplessly wiped his specialized shoes clean, deciding not to speak to Anya for the entire rest of today. This girl was anything but genuinely cute.
He genuinely wondered if Anya was even actually a normal child. She was incredibly cunning and manipulative, displaying completely different behavioral personas in front of him versus in front of adults.
Arrival at Moon Shadow Island
The sea remained shrouded in thick mist. Visibility was frustratingly low, and their sailing speed was relatively conservative, but they still managed to arrive at the Moon Shadow Island pier shortly before lunchtime.
Uncle Mouri, due to client-related matters, immediately took Conan and Ran to the village office to locate someone specific. Yor suddenly announced she wanted to purchase local specialty products for her younger brother and departed right on Kogoro Mouri's heels.
Therefore, when they finally arrived at the traditional inn, only Natsukawa and Anya remained from their original party of six.
"Wow! What a beautiful inn! The tatami mats are so incredibly comfortable—soft and warm!"
Anya enthusiastically rolled around on the floor several times, then noticed the courtyard visible outside the window. Finding it filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers absolutely lovely, she excitedly sprinted outside to explore.
Natsukawa also glanced appreciatively at the courtyard. It was an exquisitely maintained traditional Japanese garden—very charming and authentic.
There was even a small pavilion in the courtyard's center, featuring a stone table completely covered with elegant tea ceremony utensils. It would be absolutely perfect if there were a graceful tea master here who could address me as "onii-san" at this moment.
Of course, that person absolutely could not be Asai Narumi.
Just thinking about that particular cross-dresser made Natsukawa feel involuntary chills run down his spine.
According to the comprehensive intelligence Frank had provided, this cross-dresser wasn't merely a man temporarily dressed as a woman for practical purposes. He likely genuinely believed himself to be female psychologically, even consistently dressing as an adorable girl throughout his entire university attendance in Tokyo.
Absolutely unbearable.
Although objectively speaking, he did look remarkably convincing and attractive, but still—oh my god.
Natsukawa vigorously shook his head, forcefully banishing these disturbing thoughts from his mind.
Meanwhile, Anya was having an absolute blast exploring. She occasionally squatted by the koi pond conversing with the fish as though they could understand her, then sprinted over to the guesthouse's decorative parrot and began enthusiastically imitating its calls.
The parrot imitated Anya's vocalizations, and Anya imitated the parrot's squawks right back.
Very impressive. A truly unique communication approach.
"Anya, Anya, Anya~" the parrot quickly learned, mimicking her name repeatedly.
Then Anya suddenly switched tactics: "Quack quack quack quack~"
Parrot: ??? Why is it suddenly making duck sounds?!
Natsukawa glanced at his daughter and released a deep, worried sigh. He was genuinely concerned about her questionable intelligence level, but clearly there existed no effective treatment options.
Therefore, Natsukawa opted for nutritional therapy instead, ordering an entire table overflowing with delicious local cuisine at the front desk.
Having traveled all the way to Moon Shadow Island, he definitely wanted to experience authentic regional specialties.
Although the island wasn't geographically far from Tokyo and the basic ingredients remained essentially identical, the local residents still maintained some uniquely traditional preparation methods worth sampling.
All the dishes had been beautifully served, and Anya's mouth was practically watering with anticipation when Kogoro Mouri and his group finally arrived fashionably late.
"Where's Miss Yor?"
Ran glanced around the dining area, failing to locate Yor anywhere, and asked with mild concern.
"She mentioned she was going to purchase some local specialty products for her younger brother, so I came directly to the guesthouse to secure our room reservations and order our meal," Natsukawa explained casually.
"Miss Yor has a brother?" Conan's eyes narrowed slightly with sudden interest, abruptly remembering that intimidating man he'd encountered in their apartment building's stairwell several days ago.
Could that intense guy possibly be Miss Yor's brother? He definitely seemed like an overprotective siscon type.
Should I perhaps warn Uncle Natsukawa about this potential threat? Otherwise, Uncle Natsukawa might genuinely end up dead in some dark alley one day when he least expects it.
Well... Uncle Natsukawa does seem quite physically strong and capable. He should probably be able to handle himself in a confrontation. Besides, this is fundamentally their private family matter, and I have absolutely no legitimate reason to interfere before an actual crime occurs.
In other words, once Uncle Natsukawa is murdered, I can immediately identify the suspect and solve the case.
Perfect detective logic.
"By the way, Uncle Mouri, did you manage to locate Keiji Aso?" Natsukawa inquired.
Although he already knew the inevitable answer, he still wanted verbal confirmation.
Kogoro Mouri released an exasperated sigh. "It makes me absolutely furious! The village office staff actually claimed that Keiji Aso died twelve years ago in that famous piano fire incident. Currently, there's not a single person with the surname Aso remaining on this entire island, let alone anyone specifically named Keiji Aso."
The famous detective angrily grabbed his sake cup, glancing at Ran from the corner of his eye. Confirming that his daughter was distracted playing with Anya and hadn't noticed his forbidden drinking, he immediately gulped down the alcohol gratefully.
The sake from Moon Shadow Island really is exceptionally smooth.
Hehe.
Natsukawa didn't expose the famous detective's transparent little scheme and continued his questioning. "I remember the mysterious letter specifically stated that on the night of the next full moon on Moon Shadow Island, a shadow will disappear forever. Is that correct?"
Kogoro Mouri nodded confirmation.
"Could this cryptic message be a criminal's advance warning? The sender might be deliberately provoking Uncle Mouri, the famous detective, with a challenge. The full moon should occur tomorrow night, correct? If so, the perpetrator might commit their murder tomorrow."
Kogoro Mouri said thoughtfully, "I had the exact same deduction, which is why I plan to question the village chief, Kuroiwa Tatsuji, about specific historical details after we finish dinner. I heard he was close friends with Keiji Aso, who died in that tragic fire twelve years ago. Perhaps he knows crucial information others don't."
Natsukawa nodded agreement. Perfect. I'll infiltrate the village chief's residence while Uncle Mouri conducts his interview and conduct my own investigation. If I discover anything potentially detrimental to Tequila's cover identity, I'll destroy it immediately and thoroughly.
"Hey! Aunt Yor, you're back!"
Anya suddenly exclaimed with excited enthusiasm.
Everyone turned to look. Yor was almost completely obscured behind enormous shopping bags piled impossibly high. It was genuinely difficult to imagine how such a slender young woman could physically carry so many packages simultaneously.
"Yes," Yor announced cheerfully, shaking the numerous bags in her hands demonstratively. "I just purchased various local specialty products for my younger brother Yuri. I'm so sorry to have kept you all waiting!"
Was that considered restraint?
Conan's lips twitched involuntarily, traumatic memories flooding back of marathon shopping expeditions with his own mother.
"Let's eat!" Anya quickly scrambled into her seat, excitedly shoving her empty rice bowl directly in front of Natsukawa expectantly.
"Alright, but next time Anya needs to learn proper independence and serve herself, okay? Look at Conan's excellent example."
Natsukawa pointed meaningfully at Conan, who was already diligently serving himself before politely helping others with their portions.
"Okay, Papa~"
(╬￣皿￣)
That darn scheming Conan, so calculatingly cunning!
(End of Chapter 80)
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