Vodka looked at him adoringly. "As expected of Aniki, always thinking ahead."
Gin's mouth twitched. Couldn't any normal person figure that out?
If he didn't know Vodka was consistently this dim-witted, he would suspect he was being insulted subtly.
"The target for this mission is somewhat connected to the Doronuma-kai (Dirty Swamp Gang)."
Knowing Vodka wasn't particularly bright, Gin ordered directly, "To avoid being surrounded, go find two more people for backup."
"Understood, Aniki."
Vodka left to carry out the order.
A moment later, he brought back Korn and Chianti, two of the Organization's top snipers with codenames, to stand before Gin.
"Hmm?"
Gin frowned. "Is the Organization short of people? Why did you call Korn and Chianti just for backup?"
Korn and Chianti's abilities were entirely focused on sniping, making their use for simple backup somewhat wasteful.
"Aniki, the Organization really doesn't have suitable people right now."
Vodka looked distressed and said somewhat aggrievedly, "That rat who provided the photos of the target's private arms deal was executed by you a few days ago. The only ones available right now are Korn and Chianti."
"Should I go find two peripheral members instead?"
"Forget it. Korn and Chianti it is."
Gin rubbed his temples. I should have kept those rats around a little longer.
Honestly, those capable enough to infiltrate the Organization as rats were generally quite useful and convenient to deploy.
After executing a batch recently, they were nearly out of available personnel.
As for the peripheral members Vodka mentioned, they weren't even a consideration for Gin.
Peripheral members were usually less skilled; if an accident occurred, there was a high chance the two peripheral members wouldn't be able to provide proper backup.
Moreover, this mission was quite important, as it concerned the Organization's ability to open a convenient trade route.
If successful, the Organization would enjoy greater convenience when using various weapons in Japan in the future.
Peripheral members were not qualified to be privy to such matters.
"Gin, since you disposed of so many rats, shouldn't you be finding a few capable people for the Organization?"
Chianti, with her short orange hair and heavy eye makeup, raised an eyebrow. "Plus, you can trust the people you pick. You won't have to constantly suspect them of being spies."
Gin looked at Chianti until she shifted uncomfortably away, then said in a deep voice, "I know. I will keep an eye out."
"Huh? Uh…"
Chianti was momentarily taken aback, surprised that Gin had actually listened.
Gin, who specialized in rooting out spies, was infamous within the Organization. She had regretted speaking out, yet he had surprisingly taken her words to heart.
"Tropical Land, 2 PM tomorrow afternoon."
Gin adjusted his hat and said quietly, "Since you and Korn are here, if the target tries any tricks, eliminate them all."
...
Around eight in the evening, Hoshimiya Yuu settled down and went to bed after tidying up.
Before sleeping, he called Ran.
"Tropical Land, 2 PM tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, Hoshimiya Nii-san."
Ran said, "I originally planned for the morning, but Shinichi probably wouldn't be able to wake up."
"Understood. So, should we meet up in front of the park, or should I come to your place and we leave together?"
Hoshimiya Yuu didn't challenge her, as Ran had already made up her mind. Voicing a different opinion at this point was completely unnecessary.
Moreover, he didn't have the habit of badmouthing people behind their backs.
He usually did it to their face.
"If Hoshimiya Nii-san doesn't mind, I'd like to leave together."
Ran no longer considered this outing a date, so there was no need to deliberately meet up at the park entrance.
"Alright, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Hoshimiya Nii-san."
The following afternoon, Hoshimiya Yuu arrived at the Mouri Detective Agency.
Under Mouri Kogoro's scrutinizing gaze, he and Ran got into a taxi together.
Although Ran mentioned Kudou Shinichi was also coming, Mouri Kogoro's fatherly instinct told him that Hoshimiya Yuu had intentions toward Ran.
But seeing how happy Ran looked, he couldn't bring himself to stop her.
After all, he had been annoyed with Kudou Shinichi for so long, yet he never prevented Ran from seeing him.
Mouri Kogoro might have many flaws, but his respect for his daughter's wishes surpassed most parents.
They arrived at the entrance of Tropical Land ten minutes before 2 PM.
Hoshimiya Yuu and Ran waited for a while, and Kudou Shinichi eventually arrived.
"Shinichi, over here."
Ran waved to signal him. The three of them met up, bought tickets, and entered the park together.
Tropical Land, despite its name, was more of an amusement park.
Compared to the heavily advertised tropical scenery, attractions like the carousel and the Ferris wheel were much more popular.
Shortly after entering the park, Kudou Shinichi couldn't help but ask Ran in a low voice, "Ran, why is Mr. Hoshimiya here?"
"I invited him."
Ran said calmly, "In case you suddenly leave because of a case, or simply forget about today's plans, I won't have to be here playing all alone."
"Uh…"
Leaving abruptly during Ran's final match yesterday was certainly over the line. Kudou Shinichi knew he was in the wrong, smiled awkwardly twice, and quickly dropped the subject.
This was Hoshimiya Yuu and Kudou Shinichi's second meeting. The two had nothing to talk about.
Hoshimiya Yuu simply wasn't interested.
Just a moment ago, he had caught sight of a familiar black figure.
Gin's all-black attire, paired with his long, flowing white hair, was simply too iconic, leaving a deep impression on Hoshimiya Yuu.
The only difference from his memory was that Gin was accompanied not only by Vodka but also by two other foreigners carrying bags.
Dressed in similar all-black clothing, they were likely also members of the Black Organization.
The two with bags separated from Gin and Vodka near the Ferris wheel, seemingly having different tasks.
Hoshimiya Yuu wanted to continue observing, but Gin's intuition was incredibly sharp.
Even from that distance, and despite Hoshimiya Yuu trying to hide behind the crowd, it still caught Gin's attention.
Fortunately, Gin and his companions' attire was so out of place among the parkgoers that many passersby were looking at them out of curiosity.
After a moment of suspicion, Gin didn't delve further.
Even so, Hoshimiya Yuu retracted his gaze and stopped focusing on Gin.
He didn't want to deal with the Organization yet, even though there were many fateful characters he could interact with there.
The Organization was too dangerous, and the risks were disproportionate to the potential rewards.
Kudou Shinichi, on the other hand, simply disliked Hoshimiya Yuu.
Aside from their initial unpleasant meeting, part of it was because he found Hoshimiya Yuu uninteresting.
Kudou Shinichi had already sized up Hoshimiya Yuu using Holmes' observation methods.
In summary, he concluded Hoshimiya Yuu was just a hardworking kid from a poor family who had managed to get a decent job through his own efforts.
Compared to such ordinary people and events, cases and deductions full of mystery were much more intriguing.
Ran noticed the rigid atmosphere between the two and tried to ease it.
"Shinichi, Hoshimiya Nii-san, there's a roller coaster over there. Let's go ride that."
Ran didn't give them a chance to speak and jogged off toward the roller coaster.
Even with me here, is destiny still largely unchanged?
While Hoshimiya Yuu was deep in thought, Kudou Shinichi had already followed Ran.
Seeing this, he also quickened his pace.
If he remembered correctly, the seating arrangement on the roller coaster was perfect for the upcoming events. If he was too late, he might not be able to participate in the Roller Coaster Case at all.
That would mean his planning over the last few days would be completely wasted.