After a flurry of activity, the group finally returned to the tool shed in the sandy valley. Yui Uehara immediately called the police.
Conspiring to murder a police officer, illegal possession of firearms, and attempted murder—these charges alone were enough to ensure the father and son would rot in prison for the rest of their lives.
Before long, Hyoye Kuroda, Takaaki Morofushi, Kansuke Yamato, and their teams arrived. Heiji and Conan hitched a ride with them.
They had just finished apprehending Kano Takeda and her gambling associates from the neighboring village. Upon receiving the news, they rushed over without a moment's delay.
Listening to Yui report to Superintendent Kuroda, Conan and Heiji looked at Yuu Hoshimiya with very complicated expressions.
Damn it, we still couldn't beat Teacher Hoshimiya in the end!
But the two boys were already used to this plotline.
After hearing the entire story, Kansuke Yamato couldn't help but climb down into the underground tunnel with his cane to verify the cavern himself.
When he resurfaced, the look he gave Yuu was especially complicated.
The killer who had murdered Senior Kai had clearly been found, yet Kansuke still felt incredibly frustrated.
He had sacrificed an eye and a leg for the Senior's case, yet he had achieved nothing.
Yuu Hoshimiya had only been here for one day. He effortlessly cleared up everything, caught the true culprits, and even found the treasure vault along the way.
This disparity in ability was truly despair-inducing!
As for where the treasure inside the vault went, that was another matter entirely.
Yuu had cast a barrier. Until the Witch Squad arrived, anyone who went down to look would only see an empty vault.
This was the second layer of insurance Yuu had set up, and he hadn't expected to use it so quickly.
After hearing Yui's account, Takaaki Morofushi couldn't help but express his admiration.
"A truly brilliant stratagem. To even use one's own wife sharing the same bed... For Consultant Hoshimiya to see through such a plot with perfect clarity is awe-inspiring."
Hearing this flowery, half-archaic speech, Yuu also felt a sweat drop form on his head.
Hyoye Kuroda spoke up: "To think there wasn't a single good person in the Takeda household. Yui, your undercover mission is officially over. When will you report back to headquarters?"
Hearing this, Kansuke Yamato's ears instantly perked up.
Yui infiltrating the Takeda family was her own private decision; she had never informed Kuroda.
Kuroda saying this was merely doing her a favor.
After all, as the current Superintendent of the Nagano Prefectural Police Headquarters, transferring someone back was effortless.
Furthermore, he was leaving to take up a new post in a few days. Power unused is power wasted.
Why not help out a former subordinate?
Being a good police officer was Yui's wish. Hearing this, her heart was naturally moved, and her expression showed hesitation.
At that moment, Yuu stepped forward and smoothly wrapped an arm around the beautiful matron's soft shoulders.
"Superintendent Kuroda, that's not very fair of you. You're getting a promotion and a raise, transferring to the Tokyo MPD as a Superintendent next week. Yui has been undercover for so many years and achieved such great merit; shouldn't she be promoted?"
Yuu directly twisted her "private investigation" into a "multi-year undercover mission" with massive merit.
"In my opinion, restoring her original rank isn't enough. She should be transferred and promoted to the Tokyo MPD as well!"
"Yuu-kun!" Yui's face was instantly filled with panic.
In her view, Superintendent Kuroda allowing her to return to the police force was already a massive favor; she wouldn't dare ask for more.
However, Yuu's large hand squeezed slightly, and Yui's body went soft. She didn't dare say another word, letting him take the lead.
Beside them, Kansuke watched that detestable hand on Yui's shoulder, his lone eye practically shooting flames.
Kuroda gave a wry smile. "Consultant Hoshimiya, you're putting me in a tough spot. I don't have that kind of authority!"
Yuu laughed. "It's fine. If you don't, I do. How about I arrange things for Yui from here on out?"
As the saying goes, the bystander sees clearly. Seeing the intimate demeanor between Yuu and Yui, the perpetually single Kuroda finally caught on.
He cast a pitying glance at the silent Kansuke Yamato and sighed helplessly. "Then what else can I say? As long as Uehara is willing."
Yui still hadn't fully processed it. Transferring to the Tokyo MPD Headquarters was the goal of every local detective.
And it was settled in just a few sentences?
She was instantly stunned.
Yuu pinched her perky buttocks. She snapped back to reality and nodded frantically. "I'm willing! I'm willing!"
"Alright then. I'll write the transfer application when I get back. The rest is up to you, Consultant Hoshimiya."
This sudden plot twist left Kansuke Yamato feeling utterly suffocated. He thought his childhood sweetheart would return to work with him, but in just a few sentences, she was off to Tokyo. How could this be?!
"Superintendent, this is against regulations!"
Kuroda's face darkened instantly. "Regulations are dead; people are alive. Besides, I'm only submitting an application. Whether it gets approved is up to the higher-ups."
"Kansuke, don't be so anxious. If it comes down to it, I can submit an application for you too, and you can transfer to Tokyo together."
Kansuke's expression finally softened slightly.
Takaaki Morofushi, however, looked incredibly awkward. What is going on? Will I be the only one left at the Nagano Headquarters?
Watching their reactions, Yuu chuckled inwardly.
He would make a call to the Tokyo MPD. When the time came, he would make sure Kansuke's application was rejected, allowing only Yui's to pass.
He didn't have a fetish for torturing the "NTR'd victim."
Since he had already claimed the beautiful young matron Yui, Kansuke Yamato could roll as far away as possible.
It would save both of them a headache.
Yuu leaned in close to Yui's ear and whispered, "Don't worry, I'll definitely make sure you come back to Tokyo with me. Then, I'll properly teach you the 'strategy of war' again!"
Not only would he teach her the "strategy of war," but he would also complete their contract.
Hearing this, Yui's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. Her small hands couldn't help but push playfully against Yuu's chest.
This display, looking exactly like lovers flirting, felt like a knife twisting in Kansuke's heart!
"Alright, it's about time we wrapped things up. Consultant Hoshimiya, I'll see you at Ichiban Bar at 8 PM tonight. I'm very much looking forward to our meeting."
"I will be there!"
Kuroda led the others into the police cars and departed. Before leaving, Kansuke cast a deep look at Yui with his lone eye, looking as if he wanted to speak but couldn't.
Unfortunately, no one cares about a defeated dog!
...
...
At 8 PM, inside the Ichiban Bar in Nagano Prefecture, Hyoye Kuroda was already waiting.
He sat alone in a corner, his expression dark.
Because his appearance was so terrifying, everyone around assumed he was a Yakuza boss. The tables nearby were completely empty, providing a rather quiet environment.
Yuu Hoshimiya arrived on time.
As soon as he sat down, the bartender brought over the drinks as instructed.
They were Bourbon and Scotch whiskey.
Seeing these two drinks, Kuroda's expression stiffened, and his imposing aura momentarily cracked.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Glad I'm not late."
Yuu smiled and proactively poured Kuroda a glass.
It was the bronze-colored Bourbon, the liquor giving off a nutty aroma.
After clinking glasses, Yuu drank deeply, letting out a satisfied smack of his lips.
Noticing Kuroda's surprised look, he explained, "The kid at home doesn't like me drinking, so I rarely do. I haven't been to a bar or an izakaya in a long time. I wouldn't have come tonight if you hadn't invited me."
"The kid at home... you mean the little girl with the strawberry-blonde hair?"
Kuroda shook his head. "Consultant Hoshimiya, I'm not trying to lecture you, but that won't do. Socializing and drinking are normal for a man. You can't let yourself be controlled."
"Being controlled by family is its own kind of happiness!"
Yuu wasn't surprised at all that Kuroda mentioned Ai Haibara.
As he became more famous and increasingly open about his actions, many people began to notice him.
Correspondingly, investigations into him increased.
And Ai—a person who went to school every day and was openly close to him—was naturally recorded by investigators, just like Ayumi.
Kuroda mentioning Ai was entirely within Yuu's expectations.
In fact, his willingness to meet Kuroda privately had a lot to do with Ai.
To be precise, it was related to Koji Haneda, who died 17 years ago, and the Miyano couple, who vanished without a trace shortly after.
Hearing Yuu's double-meaning, Kuroda felt as if an arrow had pierced his chest. His heart ran cold.
He had been dealt blow after blow by this Yuu Hoshimiya all day; he'd had enough!
But he quickly adjusted his mindset, sat up straight, and cut straight to the chase: "Let's be open. Consultant Hoshimiya, you and I... we aren't enemies, are we?"
Yuu chuckled, his eyes narrowing slightly as he raised his glass.
"Of course not. When you take up your post in Tokyo, there will be plenty of opportunities for cooperation."
"You know that's not what I mean. I'm very curious... how did you recognize me?"
Kuroda tapped the bottle of Bourbon with his finger, then tapped the Scotch, his lone eye radiating a piercing light.
However, this didn't intimidate Yuu. Since Kuroda asked directly, there was no reason to beat around the bush.
Yuu let out a light laugh. "I know more than you imagine. Seeing your subordinate, Takaaki Morofushi, made everything pretty clear."
"Hiromitsu Morofushi was a good cop. It's a pity he died so young. As his superior, taking care of his brother Takaaki and having him transferred back to the Nagano Police Headquarters is only human nature."
Hiromitsu Morofushi was Tooru Amuro's classmate at the Tokyo Police Academy. He went undercover in the Organization alongside Amuro and gained the codename Scotch.
However, while contacting Public Security to send intel, he was discovered by Shuichi Akai, who was also undercover in the Organization.
Believing Akai was a loyal Organization member, and to prevent Bourbon's identity from being exposed, Hiromitsu chose to shoot himself!
When Bourbon arrived later, Shuichi Akai claimed he had executed a rat within the Organization, thus forging a deep grudge between them!
As an aside, excluding Hiromitsu, there were three others who graduated from the academy with Amuro.
They were Jinpei Matsuda, Kenji Hagiwara, and Wataru Date.
And all three of them died in the line of duty before the gears of fate truly began to turn.
Kenji Hagiwara, the younger brother of the "Goddess of the Wind" Chihaya Hagiwara, unfortunately died the earliest at the age of 22.
Like Jinpei Matsuda, he was killed by a bomb.
In fact, Jinpei Matsuda's death was inextricably linked to Kenji's.
After Kenji was killed by a bomber, Jinpei applied multiple times to be transferred to the bomb disposal squad to keep a promise to his best friend.
He was eventually assigned to the First Investigation Division's Violent Crimes Unit 3.
After being transferred, Jinpei partnered with Miwako Sato for seven days before dying in the line of duty inside a Ferris wheel at the Haido Shopping Mall, sacrificing himself to protect civilians and obtain a clue about a second bomb.
Wataru Date, the one with the lowest presence among the five, was Wataru Takagi's senior.
At age 28, after pulling an all-nighter on a stakeout to arrest a marriage fraudster, he dropped his police notebook on his way home and was struck by an exhausted driver while picking it up.
He entrusted his notebook to Takagi before passing away from his injuries.
Regardless of how they died, of the once-illustrious Police Academy Quintet, only Tooru Amuro remained alive.
...
Kuroda's scarred, burned face was filled with horror, but he forced himself to remain calm, deliberately lowering his voice.
"Hoshimiya-san, mind your words!"
Yuu understood his meaning and also lowered his voice. Of course, no one in the bar could hear them.
"Actually, I should thank you. You once looked after two people who are incredibly important to me, Haneda-kun!"
Hearing the name "Haneda-kun," Kuroda turned pale with shock, his pupils contracting wildly.
He had thought Yuu had merely discovered his status as a high-ranking Public Security official and the superior of Amuro and Hiromitsu. He never expected Yuu to have dug up his true identity as Yasuharu Haneda.
This is impossible! After so many years of painstaking effort, how could I be exposed so easily?!
Kuroda immediately moved to sit next to Yuu, throwing a large arm over his shoulder, his voice trembling.
"You... how did you know?"
Taking a sip of his drink, Yuu replied, "The Haneda family has a specific way of holding shogi pieces. I've met Shukichi Haneda, and I've seen the files related to Koji Haneda. They all have calluses on the first joint of their right index and middle fingers."
"Although you intentionally ground down your calluses, there are still traces."
"Add Ai—the little girl you investigated. That's right, she is Shiho Miyano, and she told me some things."
"With a little deduction, it was easy to figure out that your true identity is the head of the Haneda family, Atsushi Miyano's sworn brother, Yasuharu Haneda!"
"I have to admire you. You were ruthless to yourself, burning your face so severely just to disfigure it."
Mmm, Yuu was half-bullshitting.
The main reason he knew Kuroda's true identity was the memories from his past life.
Kuroda glanced at his ground-down fingers; the difference between them and a normal person's fingers was miniscule.
To think that such a tiny discrepancy had exposed his identity. He looked at the man beside him and felt a deep sense of dread.
However, that dread was quickly followed by a sense of relief. Fortunately, this terrifyingly intelligent man wasn't an enemy; otherwise, things would be disastrous.
Kuroda took a drink, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
"I haven't seen Shiho in many years. When I saw her photo, I was shocked, but I couldn't bring myself to believe it."
"It seems that drug truly was developed after all."
"It's a pity I failed to look after her sister. I truly failed them."
Yasuharu Haneda did not know that Akemi Miyano was living comfortably in Yuu's home; his intelligence network wasn't that strong.
He assumed she had been executed by the Black Organization.
Yuu didn't bother to correct him. Instead, he asked, "Why didn't you continue your deep cover? Weren't you trying to find the person who murdered your son, Koji Haneda? And what about the identity of Hyoye Kuroda?"
"I had no choice. My undercover status in the Organization was already highly suspect. Especially after Hiromitsu Morofushi—whom I recommended—was executed as a mole, my position was in imminent danger."
"Plus, since Shiho had already displayed her talent for research and was highly valued by the Organization, I figured she wouldn't be in danger. So, I staged a mission failure and faked my death to escape."
"As for the original police officer, Hyoye Kuroda, he was in a coma for so long that he was declared clinically braindead."
"I consulted with the higher-ups in Public Security and decided to use his identity to resume operations and secretly support Amuro."
"Hoshimiya-san, since we've been honest with each other, perhaps you can tell me a few things about yourself."
Yasuharu Haneda—now Hyoye Kuroda—had actually gathered quite a bit of intel on Yuu.
For instance, that he was forced to join the Organization, showed extraordinary talent, became Gin's successor with the codename Stinger, seized an opportunity to defect, and was now an FBI mole within the Organization...
He had found all this out, but couldn't verify if it was true.
Most importantly, he couldn't figure out how Yuu accomplished this, what his ultimate goal was, whether he was connected to the emerging power "Angel's Wing" that was stirring up storms worldwide, and what stage the APTX research had reached.
These most critical and vital pieces of information completely eluded him.
Let alone Kuroda; as long as Yuu didn't want it known, with Noah and his intelligence operatives, no one could dig up that information.
Now, however, revealing these things didn't matter.
To put Kuroda at ease, and to obtain the top-secret information from twenty years ago that existed only on paper, Yuu chose to be honest.
After a concise explanation that left Kuroda's jaw practically on the floor, Yuu revealed the true purpose of their meeting.
"Haneda-kun, exposing your identity today wasn't to show off, but because I have questions for you."
"Your sworn brother, Atsushi Miyano... you must have read his final letter. How much do you know about the 'Forbidden Zone of God' he mentioned? Do you have the research materials from twenty years ago?"
The technological development in the Conan world was strange. Twenty years ago, many things were recorded solely on paper or passed down by word of mouth, with maybe a few floppy disks.
If something wasn't on the internet, Noah was completely helpless.
Therefore, the information Yasuharu Haneda held was highly valuable and necessary to Yuu.
Hearing this, Haneda's expression turned grave, and he took another large gulp of his drink.
The Haneda family were all brilliant minds, and Yasuharu was no exception.
He instantly understood why Yuu had been so open with him.
The matter was of immense importance. Even though their interests aligned, and Shiho Miyano—the rightful heir to Atsushi's legacy—was involved, he still hesitated for a long time.
Just as Yuu was losing patience and considering using mental magic, Haneda finally made a decision.
"Twenty years ago..."
Listening to Kuroda recount the history of the experiments from twenty years prior, Yuu's eyes gleamed as many puzzle pieces finally clicked into place.
Twenty minutes later, Kuroda finally finished his explanation.
He opened his pocket watch and pulled a small key from a hidden compartment.
"Yuu-kun, although I don't know how you investigated my sworn brother, based on your attitude toward Shiho, I believe we are absolutely not enemies."
"The copied experimental data is locked in a safe at the National Bank of Tokyo. You can go retrieve it yourself!"
"It contains highly complex biological data. Public Security consulted many top biologists, but they couldn't decipher it. It seems critical information is missing."
"Although my brother Atsushi said that if the Organization wasn't eradicated, the data should be burned..."
"It is, after all, his life's work. I believe passing it to Shiho to handle is the most appropriate choice."
Yuu solemnly accepted the key.
As he suspected, this paper archive, combined with the cassette tapes Elena left behind in the old Miyano residence, formed the complete dataset of that world-shaking experiment.
The data remained, and the results remained.
Heh, the Miyano couple truly made extensive arrangements.
It made sense; who would be willing to just destroy the life's work they had struggled so hard to create?
With this, the research that had been stuck at 95% would surely break through its bottleneck.
A true youth-restoring drug—one that didn't select specific users, had no side effects, and left no lingering issues—was about to be born!
Yuu raised his glass and clinked it against Kuroda's. No more words were needed; everything was understood.
The day APTX was completed would be the day the "Winery" was eradicated.
The twenty years of love and hate would end on that day, and the chaotic, slowly crawling timeline would finally return to normal.
"Yuu-kun, finally, I have one request regarding the Organization's second-in-command, Rum..."
Kuroda's face turned serious. A flash of pure hatred crossed his lone eye before he quickly suppressed it.
However, his aura instantly became incredibly intimidating.
Yuu completely understood his reaction; after all, Rum was the one who murdered his only son, Koji Haneda.
He abandoned his high-ranking position in Public Security to go undercover in the Organization specifically to investigate his son's murder.
Leaving the Organization empty-handed had become an obsession for him.
Yuu was simply returning the favor. After obtaining such a critical puzzle piece from Yasuharu Haneda, sharing some intel was nothing.
He directly sold out Rum's true identity and revealed the location of his stronghold.
Kuroda's expression shifted continuously with shock before he lowered his head in thought.
Rum's stronghold was on an isolated island with impeccable defenses. Going there alone would be like throwing a sheep into a tiger's mouth—certain death.
As for reporting the intel and requesting official Japanese assistance...
Putting aside the diplomatic nightmare of mobilizing against an isolated island, the "Winery's" network within the Japanese political and police spheres would ensure they knew about it long before any official action was taken.
By the time they arrived, the place would be empty, yielding nothing.
But his inability to take personal revenge was his problem, not Yuu's.
Toward Yuu, who had provided such vital information, he stood up solemnly and bowed.
Yuu quickly helped him up. "Haneda-kun, there's no need for this. You said yourself that we share the same enemy. This is what I should do."
A look of deep sorrow flashed in Kuroda's eyes. "Yuu-kun, no matter what, I must thank you."
"But even knowing this, I still have no way to take my revenge."
As he spoke, Kuroda raised his glass and downed a massive gulp, his eye glistening slightly.
He was missing his dead son.
In the face of such grief, it wasn't appropriate for an outsider to say much.
The trajectory of fate had already shifted. Yuu didn't know if the fierce, bald, one-eyed Rum would still leave his stronghold to go work alone at that sushi restaurant under the alias Kanenori Wakita.
I'll just wait and see. If Rum doesn't show up, there's nothing I can do.
It seemed Yasuharu Haneda's chances of taking personal revenge were zero.
After all, before eliminating the Organization and taking the final step, Rum and his loyalists had to die!
Sorry, Brother Haneda. If it comes down to it, I'll avenge your son for you!
Yuu sighed softly. Since the intel exchange was complete, he said his goodbyes, leaving Kuroda to his own thoughts.
...
The next morning, Yuu and his group arrived at the station. Yui Uehara hadn't gone to see the festival; instead, she came to see them off.
With parting imminent, the newly minted young matron didn't hide her feelings at all, her eyes filled with reluctance.
Outside the station, Yuu's large hand gently stroked Yui's smooth, tender hand.
"Are you sure you don't want to come back to Tokyo with me? The Takeda family members are in prison, so there shouldn't be anything left for you here, right?"
Yui shook her head. "I can't. I still have to say goodbye to friends and neighbors."
"Plus, the transfer orders haven't come through yet. It's not even certain I'm going to Tokyo. Traveling with you right now would be inappropriate!"
Yuu laughed softly. "Don't worry. The transfer orders are already on the way. You'll definitely have them before the weekend."
"Speaking of which, I still need to prepare a house for you. Preparing a 'golden house to hide a beauty' will keep me busy."
The enchanting matron's face instantly turned red. "What 'golden house to hide a beauty'? You're talking nonsense. I'm ignoring you!"
Yui Uehara was still acting as shy as a young girl. Even though they had completed the contract last night, a single tease was still enough to make her turn her head away in embarrassment.
Yuu placed his hands on her soft shoulders, turned her back around, and kissed her pink lips.
Ran rolled her eyes helplessly and simply pretended not to see, looking down to play on her phone.
Conan and Heiji, who had already boarded the train, watched this scene with extreme envy.
Every man dreams of having a harem, but even at their most popular, neither of them could manage to openly two-time.
Furthermore, based on what they knew, Yuu Hoshimiya wasn't just two-timing.
He had enough to form an entire naval fleet!
After a deep kiss, looking at the beautiful wife who was clearly on the verge of tears, Yuu whispered his instructions.
"While I'm gone, make sure you carefully study the 'Furinkazan' strategy I taught you in your heart. I'll be testing you next time we meet."
Hearing this, the urge to cry vanished instantly, and Yui's face turned red at a visible speed.
"Also, about Kansuke Yamato—if that guy dares to show up in front of you or harass you, call me immediately. I will come right away. From now on, you ignore him, understand?!"
"Before you come to Tokyo, if you encounter an emergency and need help, call Hyoye Kuroda. I've already spoken to him; he'll take good care of you. But in all likelihood, nothing will happen. You'll be in Tokyo in a week at most. Remember to miss me!"
Hearing the ticket inspection announcement from inside, Yuu cupped her face, gave her a few more pecks, and waved goodbye.
After being comforted and learning she would see Yuu in a week at most, Yui's emotions calmed down.
The whistle blew, and the Shinkansen carrying Yuu and his group departed toward Tokyo.