Inside the Interrogation Room.
"Dino Cabane, your accomplices have already confessed to the robbery," Inspector Megure said sternly, his voice echoing off the cold white walls."If you come clean now and tell us where the maple-leaf coins are hidden, we'll consider reducing your sentence."
"Cooperate and it'll go easier for you. Resist, and you'll face the maximum penalty."
"…"
Megure kept his tone firm yet patient, repeating the offer for the third hour straight. But Dino Cabane hadn't said a word. Not a single syllable.
The man simply stared ahead, stone-faced.He wasn't afraid of Japanese police—he was waiting.
Waiting for the Italian embassy to request his extradition.
If he got sent back home, he could bargain his way out—trade the location of the hidden coins for a jailbreak. But if he revealed it now, he'd lose his last piece of leverage.
He wasn't stupid. He knew exactly which path gave him a chance at freedom.
Observation Room.
Detective Shiratori Rensaburō sighed, exhaustion written all over his face. "Three hours straight, and not a word. That guy's got a will of iron."
"No kidding," Detective Miwako Sato said, crossing her arms. "Honestly, I say we give up. Let the embassy handle the extradition tomorrow."
"I just hope he doesn't get snatched during transport," Shiratori muttered.
Sato nodded. "Wouldn't be surprising, with how chaotic things have been lately. Fifteen thousand maple-leaf gold coins—that's nearly six hundred million yen! Plenty of people would risk their lives for that kind of money."
As the two chatted idly, the door to the observation room opened.
Both detectives turned automatically.
"Um, excuse me, I was wondering if you…" The newcomer—Akemi, disguised as a young female officer—froze the instant she saw Sato sitting there.Her heart nearly stopped.
For a terrifying second, she blanked completely—until Ren Kuroda's calm voice buzzed through her earpiece."Stay cool. Ask if they want coffee."
Akemi forced a quick breath, then bowed slightly. "Would either of you like some coffee?"
"Ah, sure," Shiratori said without looking away from the one-way glass. "Thanks."
"I'll pass," Sato said, then paused and changed her mind with a small laugh. "Actually, no—if I have one more cup, I won't sleep tonight. I'll make myself some tea instead."
With that, she stood and left the room.
Akemi's pulse slowed in relief. Before following, her eyes darted to the interrogation chamber—and there he was.Dino Cabane, sitting silently under the harsh light.
Got him, she thought, her heart hammering again.
But she couldn't leave yet—not without arousing suspicion.So she trailed after Sato toward the break room, trying to stay composed.
To keep her face out of view, Akemi hung back a few paces behind the detective.Unfortunately, Sato suddenly turned around, slowing her steps.
"Have we met before?" she asked, brow furrowing slightly. "You look familiar…"
Akemi's mind went blank. Panic surged through her chest.No, no, no—what do I say!?
Then Ren's calm voice flowed through her ear again."Tell her you're from the Cybercrime Division—you've delivered case files to her before."
Akemi swallowed hard and replied quickly, "Ah—I'm from the Cybercrime Division. I've delivered a few files to you before, Detective Sato."
"Ahh, right, right! Sorry," Sato said, relaxing with a sheepish smile. "I totally forgot. You're Officer Hirota, right? I'll remember you next time!"
No, please don't remember me, Akemi groaned silently. I'd really rather you forget this face entirely.
Sato continued chatting as they walked. "How's the workload in Cybercrime? Must be rough, huh?"
"Yeah… it's exhausting," Akemi said, repeating Ren's whispered prompts. "I've been running around nonstop, pulling all-nighters. I've even started losing hair from stress."
Sato laughed softly, full of sympathy. "Tell me about it. I'm so overworked I've started forgetting things lately. Stuff from just two weeks ago completely slips my mind sometimes."
"Wow, really? I didn't know detectives were that busy," Akemi said—then immediately realized her mistake. "I-I mean, I'm new here, so I didn't realize how bad it gets…"
Sato chuckled. "You'll get used to it. Oh, speaking of which—"She stopped mid-step, frowning slightly. "That woman, Fujihara… she hasn't come back yet, has she?"
Akemi stiffened.
Sato smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Officer Hirota, could I trouble you to bring me a cup of tea? Just take it to the reception room for me, please."
"Y-yes, of course," Akemi said, ducking her head quickly.
"Thanks." Sato gave her a polite nod, then headed toward the reception room.
The moment she disappeared around the corner, Akemi turned and bolted in the opposite direction.
She ran straight to the restroom, retrieved her hidden bag, and left the building as fast as her legs would carry her.
Outside, the cool night air hit her face.
Akemi stopped at the steps of the Metropolitan Police headquarters and exhaled, trembling slightly. Her back was damp with sweat, her palms slick.
"Mr. Azu, I'm out," she whispered into the earpiece.
Across the street, Ren Kuroda—masked and calm—watched her exit from the shadows."I see you," he said quietly. "Get back to the car. I'll take it from here."
Then he stood up, adjusted his mask, and strode toward the building like he owned the place.
At the front entrance, he slipped one hand into his pocket and pressed a button.
Inside a nearby electrical box, a small remote explosive detonated.
BOOM!
A blinding flash, a thunderous shockwave—then darkness.
The building's power grid was instantly destroyed.The fluorescent lights died in unison, plunging the police headquarters into black.
Ren slid on his thermal night-vision goggles and sprinted forward.
The officers inside froze, disoriented by the sudden outage. Shouts echoed in confusion; no one knew what was happening.Perfect cover.
Guided by the live feed from Akemi's hidden-camera glasses, Ren navigated effortlessly through the corridors, retracing the exact route to the interrogation wing.
Within minutes, he reached the door of Dino Cabane's interrogation room.
He pushed it open with a click.
Inside, Inspector Megure and Officer Takagi both looked up in surprise.
Ren stepped in, feigning urgency, his voice steady despite his racing pulse."Inspector Megure—Chief Matsumoto just returned. He needs you right away."
"Matsumoto? But he went home hours ago," Megure said, confused.
Ren smiled faintly and stepped closer."He's back now."
Before the inspector could react, Ren pressed a chloroform-soaked cloth over his mouth and nose, his other hand clamping the man's shoulder.
"Mmph—mmph!!" Megure's eyes went wide, realizing too late.He instinctively inhaled—and the world blurred.Within seconds, his knees buckled, and he collapsed unconscious.
"What's going on over there?" Takagi turned toward the noise——but the blackout made it impossible to see more than silhouettes.
"Oh, nothing," Ren said smoothly. "The inspector just stubbed his toe."
Takagi frowned and took a step forward. "Huh? Are you sure—"
He didn't finish.A second later, a firm hand clamped over his face.He tried to cry out—but Ren's calm voice murmured right against his ear:
"Deep breath. The dizziness is normal."
Takagi inhaled once, then twice before realizing something was wrong.By the time he tried to fight back, his limbs were already heavy.His vision dimmed, and he crumpled beside his superior.
Ren lowered him gently to the floor and glanced toward the unconscious prisoner.
"Now then," he muttered under his breath. "Time to collect the guest of honor."