Chapter 576 You are Grace, right?
"Hey, forget about them, let's play Mini Soccer!" Hideki Morohoshi threw the Soccer Ball on the Ground and kicked it out.
The other three Children also ran off.
Conan chuckled inwardly, just as he was about to express to Haibara Ai that Japan's future was inherited by such a group of people and the Prospects were worrying, he saw Haibara Ai still frozen in Original Place. Chi Kana had returned at some point and was standing behind Haibara Ai, "That..."
"Please excuse our rudeness," Mouri Ran said hastily, "Also, you are Brother Chi's Mother, right? Thank you for your Gift."
"You're welcome," Chi Kana smiled, "I forgot Self-introduction Just Now, I am Chi Kana, Hichiji's Mother. Actually, Mr. Mouri spoke very well Just Now."
"Really?" Mori Kogoro scratched his head smilingly, "But obviously it was useless."
"Hmm..." Chi Kana lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, looking troubled, "I'm very sorry, I Just Now wanted to Help Say something, but Hichiji has never been like this, so I completely Don't Know how to Handle such a Child."
Mouri Ran: "..."
Although Chi Kana seemed to be indirectly praising her own Child for being well-behaved, the Doubt and distress in her eyes were too genuine, as if she was very surprised 'So Children can be this naughty'.
She was completely a Mother with not much Experience.
Thinking again that Chi Feichei seemed to have grown up 'unattended', she didn't find it Weird, and also...
Uh, Brother Hichiji really had it tough.
"That..." Conan looked up at Chi Kana, feeling that it was better to ask directly, "Aunt Jia Nai, could you Come Over here for a moment? I want to ask you a Question."
"Huh?" Mouri Ran found it Weird, but seeing Suzuki Sonoko and Chi Feichei Come Over, she decided to greet the two of them first.
Children also need to have their Personal Space.
...
Conan pulled Haibara Ai, Go To the other side of the Dining Table. Seeing that they had distanced themselves from the others, he Stop and Turn Around to Look at Chi Kana.
Chi Kana pressed down her Skirt Hem and squatted down, asking with a smile, "Alright, knowledgeable Little Girl, what Secret do you want to Say to me?"
Conan met Chi Kana's Gentleness Gaze, feeling much relieved in his Heart, "You Said Before, seeing Haibara looks familiar, have you seen her in some Place Before? Or Rather, have you seen someone who looks very much like her?"
Haibara Ai also woke up from her daze, raised her Eye to Look at Chi Kana.
This was also what she wanted to Know.
"It's not like we've met, but she really looks very much like..." Chi Kana was just struggling with Don't Know how to Say it, when she raised her Eye and discovered that Chi Feichei had also Come Over, she asked hesitantly, "You've also noticed, Hichiji?"
Chi Feichei listened to Mouri Ran Say about the Matters Before.
He was very clear that Chi Kana had no Relationship with the Organization, and would not have seen it from the Organization Archive.
Even if Chi Kana had seen Shiho Miyano in some Place Previously, it was impossible to Guess immediately that the person had become smaller.
The remaining possibility was that Chi Kana had seen other people who looked alike.
Akai Shuichi's Old Mom Mary Sera, was also Haibara Ai's Old Mom's Older Sister.
Interestingly, Haibara Ai and Mary Sera looked very much alike, but they didn't look much like their own Parents.
Mary Sera was from British MI6, Chi Kana grew up in Britain, and has often stayed in Britain these years, it's not Weird that the two have met.
But if that was the case, Chi Kana should not Know Haibara Ai's favorite Food, and even less should she Know that Haibara Ai had stayed in America.
And someone else who looks very much like Haibara Ai is Gress Aihara.
Grace Aihara, an American Child Star, This Year nine years old, has the same Hairstyle and Hair Color as Haibara Ai. The Pupil Color is slightly different, but the difference is not large, which can make people mistakenly think it is due to Light reasons.
Moreover, Grace Aihara's Father is Japanese and Mother is British People, just like Haibara Ai. Even the favorite Food mentioned in the Interview is also the same as Haibara Ai's, Peanut Butter and Blueberry Jam Sandwich.
To summarize, His Mom should have recognized Haibara Ai as Grace Aihara, it's just a misunderstanding.
But it doesn't prevent him from having a Morbid Taste as well...
"Uh-huh," Chi Feichei walked to Conan and Haibara Ai's Rear, "She told me she is eight years old This Year, but her Age should be a little older."
Little Girl, well, scare her occasionally, maybe she won't be so easily frightened in the Future.
Haibara Ai: "..."
(Sigh)
That's right, her actual Age is not eight years old, it's older than eight years old...
Conan looked up, surprised to Look at Chi Feichei.
No way? Could it be that Haibara's Alias has already been dropped?
Chi Kana recalled for a moment, "I remember the Interview Report was last year, at that Time she was eight years old, then she should be nine years old This Year."
Conan Stunned, "N-Nine years old?"
Haibara Ai Stunned, "Interview Report?"
"I don't remember where I put that Magazine, but..." Chi Kana took out her Mobile Phone from her Handbag, flipped through the Website for a while, found a Photo of Grace Aihara, and placed the Mobile Phone in front of Haibara Ai and Conan, "Even if you don't have Makeup now, and you're not wearing that exaggerated Style of Clothes, I can still recognize you."
Conan Looked at the Photo, and then Looked at Haibara Ai.
The Girl in the Photo was wearing heavy Makeup, wearing Clothes of a dark and sexy Style. Putting those aside, she really looked exactly the Same as Haibara Ai, even the tea-colored wavy Short Hair was the Same...
Haibara Ai even started to Doubt if this was her Younger Sister who had been separated for many years.
Brother Hichiji's Old Mom Said Before, this Girl is nine years old This Year?
Then calculated by actual Age, she is indeed a Younger Sister.
"That Interview Time was last year, it mentioned above that the Mother is British People, the Father is Japanese, the favorite Food is Peanut Butter and Blueberry Jam Sandwich, and not long After Afterwards last year's Interview, Grace Aihara announced her retirement from the Entertainment Industry and never appeared again," Chi Kana Gaze at Haibara Ai, "Looking at your Reaction Before, your favorite Food is Peanut Butter and Blueberry Jam Sandwich, your Parents' Nationality also completely matches, and, Gress means Gray, Alias Haibara, and then use Ai in Aihara as your Name, which is Haibara Ai, you are Grace, right?"
Haibara Ai: "..."
This World is really amazing...
Conan: "..."
There would actually be such a coincidence.
"When I picked her up, she was very disheveled, Seemingly she had just secretly run out of the Hospital," Chi Feichei Say following Chi Kana's Guess, "Probably Because something happened to her Home, and she had to live in Japan incognito."
At that Time, Haibara Ai was wrapped in a White Coat, it was very reasonable to Say she ran out of the Hospital.
"I Heard Before that Grace's Parents died very early, when she was Child, she went to America with her Uncle, and her Uncle served as her Agent, and she became a Child Star, but the Company where her Uncle worked had Connection with the Mafia... Could it be Because of those Mafia people, she had to live in Japan incognito?" Chi Kana stood up thoughtfully and Discuss with Chi Feichei, "Then we need to keep her Identity Confidentiality, right?"
Conan: "..."
No, not Mafia, it's a certain Black Organization.
Haibara Ai hesitated for a moment, and said seriously, "No, I am not Grace Aihara."
Conan was a little surprised, Turn Head to Look at Haibara Ai.
If such a Human exists, Haibara can completely use Grace's Identity at a Key Time.
In this way, even if she encounters people from that Organization, there is still room for maneuver, no need to be worried, and no need to worry about being exposed in front of Chi Feichei, why deny it?
Haibara Ai turned her Head to the side, avoiding Conan's Line of Sight.
Now it seems, Brother Hichiji has never been curious about her Identity, Probably he has long regarded her as Grace Aihara.
Concealing a Secret is one thing, deception is another, she really doesn't want to deceive Chi Feichei, and also Chi Feichei's Old Mom.
She can deceive them now, but what if Grace Aihara appears in the Future, how should she explain?
"I Understand, I won't mention Grace's Matters again," Chi Kana smiled at Haibara Ai, "No matter who you were Before, that's all Past, now you are Haibara Ai."
Haibara Ai raised her Eye to meet Chi Kana's smiling Line of Sight, feeling a little dazed.
She could See that Chi Kana still believed she was Grace, at least believed she once was.
But just as Chi Kana Said, no matter who she was in the Past, in Chi Kana's eyes she is Haibara Ai... not pursuing how the Past was, only recognizing her Present existence.
"Did you give them the Badge?" Chi Feichei Say back to Serious Business.
"Before people from Barclay Family came to talk to me about Matters, I have already given those two Badges to them, but Genta and the others haven't had Time yet," Chi Kana also stopped focusing on Haibara Ai's background, took out a handful of Badges from her Handbag, "What about you? Has the extra one you got been sent out?"
Chi Feichei Nodded, "Gave it to the Child of a Police Officer's Home from the Metropolitan Police Department."
Conan Looked at the handful of Cocoon Game Experience Badge in Chi Kana's Hand, and immediately broke out in a sweat.
It really is... 'a handful'!
Aren't Experience Slot limited? Why does Chi Feichei's Old Mom have so many here?
"These are what Hichiji specially asked for you..." Chi Kana handed two Badges to Conan and Haibara Ai, and then Turn Around to distribute Game Experience Badge to others.
The Lights in the Banquet Hall suddenly went out.
In a Darkness, Thomas Sindola walked through the Crowd, accidentally bumped into Mori Kogoro, whispered 'sorry', and continued to walk quietly out of the Venue with a gloomy Face.
From the Test Just Now, Chi Feichei should Don't Know anything, and he was also prepared.
And no matter what, that hidden danger of Katamura Tadahiko must be resolved as soon as possible!
Colorful Beam of Light lit up, shaking in the Venue, and Beam of Light also cast down on the Stage in front.
The Stage slowly rose from below, and a Woman dressed in a refreshing and sexy manner stood beside a Cocoon Game Equipment.
"Now, please enjoy this epoch-making Game Equipment, Cocoon!"
The Host began to introduce the Cocoon Game Equipment, "This Capsule controls people's Five Senses, whether it is Touch, Pain, or Scent, all the Feelings are very real. Players will be placed in a virtual Game World. It is a System that uses Electricity to stimulate the Central Nervous System, which is completely harmless to the Body..."
In the Crowd, Chi Kana gave Game Experience Badge to Genta, Mitsuhiko, Ayumi.
The three Children immediately looked excited and started to discuss animatedly.
Conan Looked at the Badge in his Hand, "It's just a Computer Game, are they too Happy?"
"Brother Hichiji should be very Interested, Before someone Said that besides the Children, there would also be a Tester participating together," Haibara Ai pinned the Badge on her Clothes, "I thought there would really be a Tester accompanying, now it seems, that Tester is Guess to be him."
"Ran also has one, Brother Chi really hasn't left anyone out," Conan discovered that Chi Kana had given another Badge to Mouri Ran, sighed with emotion, and saw that Suzuki Sonoko standing Beside Mouri Ran also had a Badge pinned on her Clothes, and laughed, "Sonoko also has one, it's not bad for everyone to go to the Game to Experience it together, although this is just a Child's Game..."
"That's hard to Say!"
Doctor Agasa walked over smilingly from the Rear.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 577 Doctor Agasa's Task Was Stolen
"Doctor?" Conan turned his head back.
Doctor Agasa saw that Chi Feichei and his group were by the Dining Table, some distance away from them, and with the Host's voice covering their Whispering, they wouldn't be able to hear. He bent down and said in a low voice, "One of the Game Stage was designed with your Old Dad's help, set in London at the End of Century. He thought you would definitely like it. Moreover, when we were in Boston, Doctor, Yusaku, and Hassashi specially discussed this Game and spent a lot of effort!"
"When you were in Boston, you were busy with this?" Conan Speechless Teasing his Old Dad, "My Old Dad really likes that era."
"Say So, Brother Hichiji already knows the Game content?" Haibara Ai asked, "Then in the Game, wouldn't he be considered someone with a Game Walkthrough? If we follow him closely, we can clear the Game?"
"Yusaku didn't tell him the Story design, just discussed the Situation in London during that period and the overall Plan of the Game," Doctor Agasa corrected Smilingly, "He also doesn't know the Story development and the Murderer's Identity. Following him may not necessarily lead to an easy Game clear!"
"Really?" Haibara Ai looked Calm, "I think, if the Game is about Solve a Case, following Brother Hichiji can really clear the Game easily."
Doctor Agasa had to admit, and laughed dryly, "Say So Also Correct."
Conan raised his Fighting Spirit and Interest, "Then after entering the Game, I will participate separately from him, and use this Game as the Stage to compete again!"
Haibara Ai Teasingly said, "It seems Brother Hichiji went to Boston for a while, and some people have recovered from the blow and started to become restless again."
Conan: "..."
Don't mention Previously, everyone can still be good Friends!
Doctor Agasa suddenly Realized one Matter, the Smilingly expression on his Face disappeared, he leaned closer to Conan and Haibara Ai's ears, lowering his voice even further, "By the Way, when you came here today, was there anything Weird about Hassashi's Emotion?"
"No," Conan Teasingly said, "Still Same as Previously, besides, how can you see any Emotion from him?"
Haibara Ai asked further, "Did something Matter happen?"
Doctor Agasa secretly Looked at Chi Feichei, and Realized that Chi Feichei wasn't paying attention here, so he said in a low voice, "Hassashi is the Godfather of Sindora Chairman's adopted son, you should Already Know this, right?"
"Don't Know," Haibara Ai was speechless, when did Doctor learn to be secretive, "We just met not long ago."
"No wonder he could get so many Experience Badge," Conan Realized something, turned his Head to Look around, "But we didn't See that Child..."
The adoptive Father is the Chairman of Sindola Company, the Godfather is a Game fan, that Child should have Come Over to Check.
"He didn't come, and... can't come," Doctor Agasa said with a serious Expression, "I Realize it when I went to find Yusaku today and heard Yusaku say it. Three days ago, that Child jumped down from the Apartment Building Rooftop, Suicide."
Haibara Ai's Heart thumped, and she couldn't help but Turn Head to Look Towards Chi Feichei who was Whispering with Chi Kana.
Black Formal Dress, Black solid color Necktie, his Expression was as calm and indifferent as Previously. Given Chi Feichei's Preference, this wouldn't be Weird originally.
And Chi Kana's black tone Formal Dress, she thought this Family had a special Preference for Black, but now Looking again...
That should be Mourning Dress expressing condolences.
Conan also paused for a moment, "Three days ago? I remember that Day Seemingly was..."
"Sister Ran made Chocolate and asked us to go to the Detective Agency to get Chocolate," Haibara Ai said in a low voice, "Afterwards, we went to Mr. Hota's Home to Help find the Watch. Brother Hichiji didn't go. When he came out of the Cafe Downstairs of the Detective Agency, he Seemingly received a Text Message or Email and left in a hurry. Yoshida also said that he Saw his Face become very ugly at that time. He received the News at that time, right?"
"It should be like this. It is said that on the Day of the incident, Sindora Chairman told him about this," Doctor Agasa sighed, "Hassashi and that Child had a very good Relationship. That Child's Parents divorced when he was young, and Sindora Chairman was also busy with Company matters. Almost all of the time, Hassashi was taking care of that Child. That Child also relied on him and Trusted him. Even Yusaku said that they were more like Father and Son than real Father and Son."
"Then how could he jump off a building and Suicide?" Conan frowned.
That Day he was thinking, it was unlikely that Chi Feichei's Face would change Color Tone because of Business matters. Perhaps he received some particularly serious bad News.
At that time, he also guessed whether it was people from the Organization who used some News to lure Chi Feichei away, intending to Start Doing something to Chi Feichei.
Afterwards, he made a Call to Chi Feichei, and Chi Feichei also answered Normally. And nothing happened to Mori Detective Agency, so he didn't take it to Heart.
Now it Seems, his Judgment at that time was Indeed Correct, and a Big Deal really happened.
"This, I'm also not very clear," Doctor Agasa Reached Out and touched his Head, "When Hassashi was with him, he looked very Happy..."
"Could it be Because after Brother Hichiji left, that Child suffered some Grievance? Or did someone Say something to him?" Haibara Ai guessed, "For Example, Words like 'your Godfather doesn't want you anymore'. When he committed Suicide, Brother Hichiji had only just returned for less than two days, right? Judging by Time, it's entirely possible that someone deliberately waited for Brother Hichiji to leave before Saying something to that Child."
"Ai, I think you are thinking too much. That Child is already ten years old, and he looks very steady. To say that he would be unable to think things through Because of what others Said..." Doctor Agasa recalled his History of getting along with Sawada Hiroki, "I think it's unlikely."
Uh-huh...
Conan also touched his chin and pondered for a while, "There are not enough Clue, and I have no Method to Judgment the Reason for his Suicide."
"Brother Hichiji might Know," Haibara Ai reminded.
"But he Seemingly doesn't Intention to Say to us..." Conan felt a little Annoyed in his Heart.
Even his Old Dad said that Chi Feichei and that Child were like real Father and Son, indicating that the Relationship between those two people was really good.
His Old Dad might have Seen the scene of Chi Feichei and that Child getting along, and Saw the Previously Matters of their Father and Son.
When a Child who is considered Family committed Suicide and passed away, he couldn't imagine what kind of Feeling was in Chi Feichei's Heart under that ugly Face that Day.
He was a little Annoyed that Chi Feichei didn't Say anything to them, and also a little Annoyed that he clearly guessed that Chi Feichei received unusual bad News, but didn't even pay attention to what the News was.
Uncomfortable, feeling sorry for his Little Friend.
"Not Intention to Say anything?" Ayumi approached from somewhere, curiously Looking at the Three People who were Whispering, "Conan, are you Whispering about some Secret that you can't tell Others behind our backs?"
"No, no," Doctor Agasa Saw that Chi Feichei and others also Looked Over, and quickly stopped the Topic, straightened up and walked towards Chi Kana, "Hello, I am Agasa, thank you for sending the Clothes before."
"Hello, I heard Hassashi mention you," Chi Kana Reached Out and shook hands with Doctor Agasa, Realized that the introduction On Stage was over and the lights in the Banquet Hall were turned on again, and was stunned for a moment, "I was still thinking of waiting for you to finish talking with Conan and Ai, and then let the two of them and the Children participate in the Intelligence Quiz..."
Saying So, Chi Kana bent down and smiled at Ayumi, Genta, and Mitsuhiko, "But it doesn't matter, there is still some Time before the Game starts. Before going to Experience the Game, let's all use our brains and answer an interesting Quiz Show, how about it?"
Doctor Agasa was stunned.
Wait, interesting Intelligence Quiz?
This should be his Matter, right?
He has been trying hard to think of an interesting Quiz Show these past two Days, wanting to test the Children.
"Okay!" Ayumi agreed happily.
"Please ask," Mitsuhiko prepared seriously, "But don't underestimate us."
Genta also felt something was wrong. According to the Normal Routine, the person asking the questions should be Doctor Agasa. However, after Looking at the gently Smiling Chi Kana, he touched his Head, "It's better than Doctor's Cold Joke."
Chi Feichei: "..."
His Old Mom stole Doctor Agasa's Role as the questioner as soon as she came. Is that really Okay?
Look at Doctor Agasa's depressed Face...
"Then, I'm going to ask a question," Chi Kana Looked at the five Naughty children, "The question is, Why does the Dog not make a Sound? The Answer Options are, A: Because its Throat is Uncomfortable, B: Because its Tongue is Grabbed by a Cat, C: Because it doesn't have the Opportunity to Play Cocoon Game, and is in a bad Mood, so it doesn't want to make a Sound, D: Because it is a Toy Dog."
"Uh-huh..." Mitsuhiko pondered seriously. It seemed that every Answer was possible, indicating that the Problem was not that simple and should have other hidden meanings.
Conan pondered for a moment, Understood, and then he and Haibara Ai shuddered together.
So Cold...
"Is it C?" Genta guessed, "Today is the Cocoon Game Launch Event, it can't Play, so it's unhappy. I didn't get the Game Badge before, and I was also in a very bad Mood. I just wanted to eat Things, so I wouldn't have time to speak."
"Request, Genta," Mitsuhiko was speechless, "The only one who wants to eat Things when in a bad Mood should be you, right?"
"Dogs can't Play Cocoon Game originally," Ayumi said hesitantly, "Then it should be A, right? Its Throat is Uncomfortable, so it doesn't make a Sound."
"If it doesn't make a Sound at all, the Answer is more likely to be Toy Dog," Mitsuhiko touched his chin, "But Answer B is so Weird, can a Cat Grab a Dog's Tongue?"
Chi Kana Looked Towards Conan and Haibara Ai, "What about you?"
Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi also Expectation Look Towards Conan and Haibara Ai.
Request their Quiz Show in charge to fight!
This is the First Time to answer Mrs. Kana's question. If they can't Answer it, they will always feel ashamed.
"The Correct Answer should be B," Haibara Ai looked woodenly.
Congratulations to Doctor Agasa for having an Opponent.
"Why?" Ayumi was Doubtful.
Genta recalled blankly, "Can Cats really Grab Dogs' Tongues?"
"Because it's 'Cat got your tongue?'," Conan explained aloud, sighed in his Heart, this kind of History of having to explain Cold Joke to Children is so familiar, "This Sentence is an English Idiom. The superficial Meaning is 'Did a cat get your tongue?', but it's actually asking someone 'Why Not Talking?', so, the Dog is not talking, just Because its Tongue is Grabbed by a Cat..."
"Correct!" Chi Kana Nodded Smilingly.
Silence.
Genta silently hugged his Arm.
So Cold...
Mitsuhiko broke out in a Cold sweat. He suddenly felt that he could look forward to Doctor Agasa's Intelligence Quiz in the future.
Ayumi maintained an awkward but polite Smile, inadvertently Saw Chi Feichei, and suddenly froze, "Brother Ike..."
Smiling!
Although he didn't laugh out loud, when a person who is usually Face Cold suddenly smiles, even if there is not so much Coldness in his Eyes, and his mouth is only pursed, the Feeling is still very obvious...
Genta looked up and Saw, widening his Eyes.
Shock! Brother Ike can Actually Smile.
Ayumi was at a loss.
Could it be that this Intelligence Quiz is actually very Interesting?
Mitsuhiko silently recalled for a moment, but didn't find anything funny.
Haibara Ai was confused. Is Brother Hichiji's Funny Bone a bit Weird?
Conan and Doctor Agasa were also Silent.
Look, Chi Feichei's style is different from Others again.
Chi Feichei didn't Cover-up his Smilingly expression, nor did he explain.
He suddenly Realized in his Childhood Memory, Chi Kana would occasionally chase Chi Shinnosuke with a Grievance Face and ask: Did a cat get your tongue? Did a cat get your tongue? ...
Quite Interesting.
But if this kind of Matter is Said, his Old Mom would be too embarrassed.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 578: Such a Terrifying Plague God Lineup
Chi Kana asked the others in confusion, "Don't you think these Riddle Questions are interesting?"
"Ah ha ha ha ha..."
"Not at all."
"It's very interesting!"
Doctor Agasa and the others laughed along.
Although they didn't understand what was interesting, they had just met, and they were facing a gentle and beautiful Lady, so they should give her some Face.
Conan suddenly noticed Mori Kogoro sneaking out, and quietly slipped out of the group to follow him.
"Alright, you don't have to humor me," Chi Kana said gently, "I've only heard these Riddle Questions since I was little, maybe they're not that interesting."
Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi, the three Children, could only laugh.
Doctor Agasa looked at Chi Feichei's face, which had returned to calm, wanting to ask about Sawada Hiroki, but worried that bringing it up would make Chi Feichei feel down, looking conflicted and hesitant to speak.
"Doctor," Chi Feichei saw Doctor Agasa's Idea, "About Noah... I can't say for sure right now, I'm waiting for an Answer, the Answer is in the Game."
Doctor Agasa was taken aback, not quite understanding what Chi Feichei meant by this, "Answer?"
"Okay, sorry to keep everyone waiting," the Host's voice echoed through the Banquet Hall, "Distinguished Guests, please move to the Cocoon Venue!"
The three Children immediately became excited.
"Let's hurry over there!"
"Finally, we can start experiencing the Cocoon Game Device."
"Weird..." Mouri Ran stepped forward, scanning her surroundings, "Have you seen my Father and Conan?"
Doctor Agasa was full of Doubt, but couldn't bring himself to ask, and turned his Head to look for Conan again.
That's right, where did Conan run off to?
"Sonoko is also gone..." Mitsuhiko looked around at the Crowd moving outwards.
"Mr. Mouri was drinking at the Dining Table over there earlier. When Ai gave the Answer to the Riddle Questions, he walked towards the Back Door while feeling in his Pocket. I saw him take out a Lighter, he should have temporarily left the Venue to smoke Outside," Chi Kana looked towards the Entrance and said with a smile, "Conan quietly left when everyone was laughing, chasing after Mr. Mouri, so he should be with Mr. Mouri now, no need to worry."
Doctor Agasa: "..."
Mrs. Kana is even paying attention to Mori Kogoro who is drinking alone over there?
Haibara Ai: "..."
That Famous Detective probably still thinks he slipped away unnoticed, right?
Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi fell into contemplation.
If they could pay more attention to their surroundings like Mrs. Kana, then Conan wouldn't be able to sneak away and act alone so easily in the future, right?
Chi Feichei wasn't surprised.
His Mom's social Education since childhood was—not to make disrespectful Behaviors at Banquets, not to ignore any Guest, and not to let any Guest leave quietly without her Knowledge.
This led to Chi Kana having the habit of paying attention to acquaintances from time to time, especially those she was close to and needed to accompany.
Even when Chi Kana is talking to someone, she will subtly pay attention to the Movement of acquaintances, focus on their Emotion, analyze their Idea, and confirm that the other person is not leaving because they have developed negative Emotions towards her.
"As for Miss Suzuki, Mr. Shiro's Secretary was looking for her just now," Chi Kana continued, "Afterwards, Mr. Shiro and the Secretary walked Outside, and she followed behind, she should be seeing Mr. Shiro out."
"I see," Mouri Ran breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Then let's go to the Cocoon Venue first, Conan always likes to sneak off on his own..."
A Group of People set off for the Cocoon Venue.
The Venue was also in an enclosed space, with seats around the edge for Rest.
Cocoon Devices were placed on a stepped Stage, arranged neatly in rows.
People participating in the Cocoon Game need to wear their Badges, pass through the Detection Gate, the Detection Gate will detect the authenticity and Number of the Badge, and then Staff will lead them to the Cocoon Device.
"You go Rest," Chi Feichei whispered to Chi Kana, "Don't forget what I said before, no matter what happens, don't worry, don't be surprised."
Chi Kana Nodded and turned to go to the Rest seats.
Chi Feichei was just about to go to the Detection Gate to meet up with the others when he Notice his Mobile Phone vibrating, Take Out and Looked, a new Email:
[Godfather, the Cocoon Devices corresponding to the ten Quota in your hand have Problems. In the Control Center, you can Debug and specify to strengthen the Electric Current of a certain Equipment, but don't worry, after the Game starts, I will take over the Control Center and the Game, wish you a pleasant Play~ Calm down~!]
Sawada Hiroki's Email.
Chi Feichei immediately Understand.
Thomas Sindola wants to Kill him!
He has ten Quota in his hand, Thomas is not sure which Quota he will keep or which Equipment he will use, so he tampered with all the Equipment corresponding to the Quota in his hand.
After the Game starts, as long as Thomas wants his life, he can secretly Take Action and increase the Electric Current of the Equipment he is using.
Cocoon Devices use Electric Current to stimulate the Brain, and the amount of Electricity is not enough to cause Damage to the human body, but if the amount of Electricity passing through the Brain is increased, it can Kill him.
And because of his Proposal, ten of the Cocoon Devices are Backup Machines, which are no different in appearance from other Equipment. It is estimated that Thomas has already mixed them up and distributed them among other Machines. Even if something happens to him, Thomas can clear himself of suspicion:
'Alas, that was Backup Equipment. I also felt it was inappropriate to use Backup Equipment at first, but Mr. Chi insisted that Debugging was no Problem, so I agreed to use it. I didn't expect this to happen...'
A Sentence of explanation can make it seem like he courted Death himself, clearing him of Murder Suspicion, and it won't affect the Reputation of the Cocoon Device—everyone, rest assured, this is all the fault of the Backup Equipment, Cocoon Devices that have undergone Standard Debugging will not have Problems!
"Brother Hichiji?" Mouri Ran turned her Head at the Detection Gate.
"We'll wait for Conan." Chi Feichei put away his Mobile Phone and followed the group.
He hasn't even done anything, and Thomas plans to solve him too, he's really insane.
And really a Dog.
Fortunately, in order to prevent Thomas from being driven to desperation, he intentionally said that confusing Sentence to Doctor Agasa before.
Next, it's up to Kudo Yusaku and Doctor Agasa...
...
Chi Feichei and the Group waited at the Detection Gate for a while before Conan, who was jogging over, arrived.
With Chi Kana's explanation earlier, the Group didn't ask Conan where he had gone, and passed through the Detection Gate one by one.
Conan followed a Staff member to a Capsule-shaped Cocoon Device, climbed onto the Chair and sat down, Looked around.
Chi Feichei, Sonoko, Ran, Genta, Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, Haibara...
Seven People All are nearby, but why is it so Silence?
In the past, they would ask him where he had run off to, or complain that he had sneaked away alone again, but this time it was suddenly so Silence, it's a bit Weird.
Staff left after helping the Group put on their experience Helmets, and Electronic Sound rang out at the Crime Scene.
"60 people, all equipped—"
"Brainwave Transmission Device, installed—"
"Capsule Lid, closed—"
The Capsule Lid of the Cocoon Device closed, and Conan could only hold back the Words he wanted to say, waiting to enter the Game.
"Main Hardware starts connecting..."
"Enter Area code, connect Linker..."
"Coordinate Axis, performing fine Adjustments..."
Chi Feichei sat in the Cocoon Device, looking around at the narrow space.
He suddenly felt that this Equipment was not Safety at all...
"Markers correction completed, locked! Scene display, System started, Energy setting completed..."
Meanwhile, Outside the Cocoon Venue, in the Underground Machine Room where Katamura Tadahiko was Murdered.
When Kudo Yusaku and Doctor Agasa rushed over, the Police had already put Katamura Tadahiko's Corpse in a Bag and carried it out the Door.
Inspector Megure, who arrived after receiving the Emergency Call, asked, "Yusaku, I heard you and Katamura are Old Friends, I want to ask you, do you know if anyone has a grudge against him?"
"Hmm..." Kudo Yusaku pondered for a moment, not in a hurry to Answer, and asked Mori Kogoro, "What about the boy with black-rimmed Glasses who is always by your side? Isn't he with you?"
"You mean Conan? When I went Outside the Banquet Hall to get some air and smoke a Cigarette, he followed me out. As a result, we saw a Police Car, and we rushed here. He was still here just now, but..." Mori Kogoro turned around, pointed to the Computer Keyboard at the Crime Scene, "After he saw the Dying Message on the Keyboard, his Face suddenly changed, and then he ran out."
"Dying Message?" Kudo Yusaku walked to the Computer, Looked at the three bloody Buttons 'R', 'T', 'J', and immediately Understand, "JTR?!"
"What? Could it be..." Doctor Agasa looked shocked.
"Doctor, let's go!" Kudo Yusaku's Expression was heavy, he turned to leave, but was stopped by Inspector Megure.
"Wait a minute! Yusaku," Inspector Megure pointed to the Keyboard and asked, "What do these three English Letters mean?"
Kudo Yusaku stopped, turned around and explained, "JTR, Jack the Ripper, this is Jack the Ripper who appears in the Game. Katamura and I both use 'JTR' to refer to him."
"Jack the Ripper?" Inspector Megure was taken aback.
There's a Murder demon in that Game? Is that really for Children to play?
"The Answer is in the Game..." Doctor Agasa suddenly said thoughtfully.
Kudo Yusaku Looked at Doctor Agasa Speechless.
Of course he knew the Answer was in the Game, otherwise why would Katamura use the Abbreviation of Jack the Ripper as a Dying Message? And why did Conan rush out in a hurry?
Inspector Megure Nodded seriously, "The Answer is indeed in the Game, but it's impossible for Jack the Ripper in the Game to run out and Murder people, right?"
"Inspector Megure, your imagination is really rich." Mori Kogoro gave him Half-Moon Eyes.
"No, no," Doctor Agasa quickly explained, "What I want to say is, Hassashi told me this Sentence before."
"Brother Chi?" Inspector Megure felt surprised, "He's here too?"
Kudo Yusaku often encounters Incidents, Mori Kogoro is a major Plague God, Doctor Agasa is not much better either, he runs into Incidents from time to time, Conan Kid could get a perfect attendance Award, and adding Chi Feichei, who has disappeared for a while recently...
What is the organizer thinking?
With such a terrifying Plague God lineup gathered in one place, do they still want to hold the Activity properly?
Wait, there wouldn't also be a Group of Kids here who often meddle and call themselves the Junior Detective League, right?
Kudo Yusaku Staring at Doctor Agasa, seriously pressed, "What exactly did he Say?"
"Because of Sawada Hiroki's Child's Matter, I was a little worried about his Emotion before, and didn't know how to ask," Doctor Agasa recalled, "He probably saw what I wanted to Say, and said to me, 'About Noah, he is waiting for an Answer, the Answer is in the Game', just this Sentence."
"We have to go to the Game Control Center to Check," Kudo Yusaku walked out the Door quickly, "He might know something, but he's not sure yet, so he didn't say it clearly, he needs to go to the Game to find the Answer, but the Incident of Katamura's Murder is definitely related to Hiroki's Death!"
"Hey! Wait," Inspector Megure quickly chased after him, "Yusaku, who is Hiroki again?"
These People are really annoying, not only Plague Gods, but also often saying some confusing Words, can't they speak more clearly? Troublesome to Cooperate with their Police to understand the Situation!
"Sawada Hiroki, a ten-year-old Child, Katamura is his Biological Father, Mr. Chi is his adoptive Father, Noah is the Christian Name Mr. Chi gave him," Kudo Yusaku explained while walking quickly towards the Control Center, "He committed Suicide by jumping off a building three days ago. If the Information revealed by Katamura and Mr. Chi both point to the Cocoon Game, then Katamura's Murder is likely related to that Child's Suicide. And Mr. Chi must know something, but he is not sure of the Answer either, he needs to go to the Game to find it, we should interrupt the Game first..."
"Why interrupt the Game?" Doctor Agasa asked in Doubt, "Since the Answer is in the Game, then let the Game continue, maybe we can find out the Truth."
"If Katamura was Murdered because of Hiroki's Matter, then Mr. Chi, who also knows something, may also be in Danger," Wisdom shone in Kudo Yusaku's eyes, and he said firmly, "In short, the Game must be interrupted, both to find Mr. Chi to understand what he knows, and to protect him! That kind of Machine that uses Electricity to stimulate the Brain is not Safety enough."
(End of Chapter)
Doctor Agasa's expression changed drastically, "Could it be that the Murderer who killed Kenmura will tamper with the Equipment?"
"Not sure," Kudo Yusaku took a deep breath, his gaze becoming firm, "But we must try to avoid any Danger as much as possible. Also, Mr. Chi's matter should not be publicized."
Control Center.
Thomas Sindola looked at the debugging situation on the Screen, locked onto the Number of the Equipment used by Chi Feichei, and was not in a hurry to Start Doing.
Now that the debugging Staff are all here, it is inconvenient for him to Start Doing anything. Moreover, if an Accident occurs Initially, it would also be very suspicious. It would be best to wait until the Game has progressed halfway, the Situation is stable, and the Staff are temporarily resting, then he will...
"Bang!"
The Door of the Control Center was opened, startling everyone.
Inspector Megure, Kudo Yusaku, Doctor Agasa, and Mori Kogoro rushed in.
"Sindora Chairman, this is Inspector Megure from the Metropolitan Police Department," Kudo Yusaku introduced Inspector Megure, and then said seriously, "Please terminate the Game immediately!"
Thomas Sindola saw the Police Officer and heard Kudo Yusaku say to terminate the Game, his Heart skipped a beat, but he still maintained composure on his Face, "Terminate? Why..."
The Electric Light flickered and went out along with the many Display Screen and Machine around.
"Huh?" Thomas Sindola was puzzled and did not continue speaking.
"Sindora Chairman," the Staff in front of the console reported, "The System is Abnormality!"
The Light, Machine, and Display Screen lit up again.
The Staff said anxiously, "There is no Method to control it!"
Kudo Yusaku's Heart sank.
Indeed, a Problem occurred!
Could it be that his previous guess was wrong, and the Murderer is not among these people in the Control Center? Instead, they intend to use Hacker Methods to invade the System and Remote Control the Machine?
Or even not just targeting Chi Feichei, but planning a total annihilation?
"Excuse me!" Doctor Agasa replaced a Staff member, sat in front of the Control Panel, and began to operate.
Mori Kogoro looked up at the faces sleeping on the Display Screen, becoming a little anxious, "Doctor, how is the Situation?"
His Daughter, apprentice, Conan, Kid he knew, his Daughter's good Friend... all of them are inside. If they are all wiped out, he will go mad!
On the Display Screen directly in front of the Control Center, a colorful circle suddenly popped up, and at the same time, a deep Electronic Sound repeatedly sounded:
"My Name Is... Noah's Ark!"
"My Name Is... Noah's Ark!"
Accompanied by a cold and ruthless declaration like a Demon, the Electric Light began to flicker.
"The Game can no longer be stopped!"
"The Cocoon for experiencing the Simulation Game has been occupied by me!"
"What is Noah's Ark?" Inspector Megure asked doubtfully.
"That is the Artificial Intelligence developed by Hiroki. It is said that it only takes one year to complete the Growth that humans take five years to achieve..." Kudo Yusaku looked towards Thomas Sindola, sorting out his Clue in his Heart.
Noah's Ark is invading the System? That Artificial Intelligence?
Then could the Murderer be Artificial Intelligence... No, Artificial Intelligence cannot run into Reality and Kill people with a Knife.
In other words, the Murderer who killed Kenmura is someone else, and the other party might also be targeting Chi Feichei.
The Noah's Ark invasion is just an Accident, or we still cannot relax our Vigilance!
At the same Time, we can also return to his previous Reasoning:
If you want to Kill Chi Feichei, the most convenient Place for the Murderer to Start Doing Tricks is the Control Center. He must Stare closely at these people staying in the Control Center.
"That's right," Thomas Sindola closed his eyes, his Expression somewhat heavy, "That was two years ago, the Artificial Intelligence developed by Hiroki, whom I loved like my own Son. So now it should be the same age as Hiroki, which is ten years old..."
"About Hiroki's Suicide, do you Don't Know anything?" Kudo Yusaku asked again.
Thomas Sindola sighed and shook his head, "It was very sudden. I also Don't Understand why that Child did this. Maybe it was Because no one understood him in his childhood, and he always had a Hidden Worry in his Heart."
"Could it be related to the Cocoon Game?" Kudo Yusaku asked tentatively, Intentionally not mentioning Chi Feichei, but Just said, "Kenmura left a Dying Message, JTR, Jack the Ripper."
Thomas Sindola pretended to recall, and finally shook his head again, "I Don't Know."
Staring.
Doctor Agasa and Inspector Megure glanced at Thomas Sindola quietly.
Even the thick-skinned Mori Kogoro was a little Suspicion.
Sawada Hiroki has three Fathers, Biological Father, adoptive Father, and Godfather.
Biological Father and Godfather both Know some Things, but the adoptive Father, who said he loved Sawada Hiroki like his own Son, Don't Know anything at all?
It always feels a bit suspicious.
Kudo Yusaku secretly marked Thomas Sindola in red in his Heart, and without rushing to continue asking Thomas, Go To the Control Panel and asked, "Noah's Ark, you have occupied the Game, what exactly do you want to do?"
"My Purpose is to make Japan this country start over again!" The Electronic Sound of a boy's voice not only echoed in the Control Center, but also echoed in the Cocoon Game Experience Venue.
...
In the Game, Chi Feichei woke up earlier than the other Game participants, and was not with the others.
The others were in the Circular Open Space below, while he was sitting in the Darkness high in the sky.
Beside him, Sawada Hiroki smiled ingratiatingly, "Godfather..."
Chi Feichei glanced coldly at Sawada Hiroki, "Speak, I'll give you three seconds."
"Ah?"
Sawada Hiroki was stunned, and then received a 'duang~' Fist on his Head.
"Three..." Chi Feichei withdrew his Fist, Get Up, lowered his eyes to Look at his Fist, "The feeling is very real."
Sawada Hiroki hugged his Head aggrievedly.
Giving him only three seconds to explain was already too much, and he didn't even count to three seconds, directly saying 'three'...
Godfather bullies Children, shameless!
Chi Feichei raised his eyes to Look at Sawada Hiroki, and Discovery that a bump had swelled up on Sawada Hiroki's Head, "The effect is also real..."
Sawada Hiroki saw that Chi Feichei was about to Start Doing again, sweated, and hurriedly said, "Godfather, wait! They are about to wake up, I... I want to Play a Game with them once."
Chi Feichei withdrew his Fist, "If you don't do that, there will be plenty of Opportunities to Play with everyone later."
"It's not just for Play," Sawada Hiroki let go of his hands holding his Head, Looked at Chi Feichei seriously, "Isn't this good? I can help Godfather better, Just Like this time, Thomas used dirty Tricks, if I hadn't taken over the Game..."
"Then I wouldn't die either." Chi Feichei took over the Words, analyzing with a calm Face. "Among your three Fathers, if the Biological Father and Godfather are both killed, wouldn't the remaining adoptive Father seem suspicious? As long as someone connects you based on the Relationship between me and Mr. Kenmura, and then investigates your Death, it will not only lock onto Thomas, but may also dig out the Things he wants to hide. Considering these, my Death must be made into an Accident."
"Thomas will not directly tamper with the Game Equipment, as that would be easily Inspection out. And if the Equipment has Problems Initially when the Game starts running, it is easy to make people think that someone is Start Doing Tricks. But if Problems occur after the Game has been running for more than half the Time, people will guess that this is a malfunction during the Equipment's operation and treat it as an Accident."
"Therefore, he will choose to secretly Start Doing Tricks in the Control Center during the Game operation."
"Moreover, when the Game starts running Initially, there are Staff at each console, and he has no Method to secretly Start Doing Tricks. Only when it has been running for more than half the Time, and the Staff do not need to Debugging and Go To Rest, will he have the Opportunity to Start Doing Tricks."
"I said a Sentence to Doctor Agasa Before, saying that I am still a little unsure about your Matter, and I am waiting for an Answer, and the Answer is in the Game."
"With Mr. Kudo Yusaku's Ability, as long as Doctor Agasa tells him the Sentence I said Before, he will soon be able to Judgment that Mr. Kenmura's Death is related to your Suicide. And I Know a Point of Clue, and I may also be killed. When I am playing the Game, the Murderer is very likely to choose to Start Doing Tricks."
"Before Thomas can Start Doing anything, Mr. Kudo Yusaku will rush to the Control Center with the Police Officer, Stare closely at the Control Center and the people in the Control Center."
"At the same Time, Mr. Kudo Yusaku can also Test Thomas. If among your three Fathers, only Thomas has not connected your Death and the Game, or even expressed that he Don't Know the Situation, then Mr. Kudo Yusaku will list Thomas as the primary Suspect."
"In this way, even if Thomas wants to leave the Control Center and Kill me by other Methods, it is unlikely to succeed."
Sawada Hiroki: "..."
Just one Sentence can achieve this effect?
Speechless, Godfather's Routine is so deep.
"Even if I die in an Accident, as long as Mr. Kudo Yusaku suspects that my Death is not an Accident, then Thomas will be the primary Suspect," Chi Feichei said in a deep voice, "He won't have a good Time either!"
Sawada Hiroki sweated, "You really Trust Mr. Kudo Yusaku, what if he can't Realized..."
"He will Realized it." Chi Feichei believed in Kudo Yusaku's Ability very much.
"Then... even if I can't help this Time, I can help in the future," Sawada Hiroki was silent for a while, Looked at Chi Feichei, "Godfather, I want Strength, I don't want to be a Sheep in captivity, I want to be a Wolf, I want to become the person who makes the Rule!"
Chi Feichei Staring at Sawada Hiroki, "Have you thought about the Consequences? Have you ever thought that you will not be able to Life in the Real World in the future, and you will not be able to Feel the Wind and Rain in Nature again?"
"I have thought about it," Sawada Hiroki sweated, and quickly explained, "I can do the calculations and let Godfather help me create a Mechanical Simulation Body, plus a Sensory System, and I can still Go To Real Life. Although that kind of Body is very difficult to manufacture, and there is no Solution yet, it will be solved sooner or later, won't it? Moreover, I can split off a Portion and stay in the Internet, and only a Portion goes to experience Reality. Even if I die in Reality, at most I will lose that Portion of Memory, which will not have any Impact. I am still me, I can achieve Longevity, I can be immortal, and I can keep resurrecting..."
Chi Feichei: "..."
Okay, you tech-mad little Noah, I am convinced.
"The Choice you made Onself, you bear the Consequences Onself!" Sawada Hiroki looked directly at Chi Feichei and said seriously, "The most Danger was when I chose Death. I was not 100% sure of success, but I chose to Take a Gamble. The Reason why I didn't tell Godfather is Because I am very clear that you would not agree. But the fact is that I succeeded. The most difficult Time has passed, I have survived, and everything will be fine in the future."
Chi Feichei suddenly had a Feeling of being accused by a Child of having too old Ideology, Nod, and expressed Understand, "Okay, but I want to ask a Problem. The Present you, are you a Programmed Lifeform written based on Sawada Hiroki's own Personality? Or is Sawada Hiroki's own Soul attached to the Procedure?"
Is there a Difference? Yes.
If it is the former, even if that is a Life Form exactly the Same as Sawada Hiroki, Sawada Hiroki is actually still dead. He can regard this Life Form as his own Child, but he cannot regard him as that Sawada Hiroki.
If it is the latter, Sawada Hiroki's Soul still exists, then he has no Hidden Worry. He will find a Method to get a Body for Sawada Hiroki in the future. If science doesn't work, Metaphysics can also be used to make up for it.
The Reason why he does not directly expose Thomas is Just because he does not want the Game to be terminated, or to delay the Game, and to ask this Problem clearly as soon as possible.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 580: A Conversation Between Two Ambitious Individuals
"It should be the soul," Sawada Hiroki said, reaching out and looking at his palm. "I can split off a segment of Data. Even if the rest is completely erased, I can survive with just that segment…"
Chi Feichei understood.
If it were a program, splitting off a segment of Data to another location wouldn't be enough to create a Life Form, it wouldn't even be able to operate.
In other words, Sawada Hiroki's soul still existed, and it could undergo Splitting by dividing into segments of Data.
"Can it split infinitely?"
"It seems not," Sawada Hiroki said, lowering his palm. "In the past few days, I've only split off one segment of Data and placed it on the Internet. If I split off more, I don't feel that close, intimate connection."
Chi Feichei nodded. If it could split infinitely, that would be too much. But even now, it's astonishing enough. "What made you think of Suicide?"
"When creating Noah's Ark…"
Sawada Hiroki explained the connection between Noah, Noah's Ark, and himself to Chi Feichei. "After that, I fused with Noah's program, and the Ark became a Weapon that I could easily control and customize. I can't really explain why I jumped back then, I just had a strong Premonition…"
"Duang~!"
Another bump popped up on Sawada Hiroki's head, overlapping with the previous one.
Chi Feichei, Expressionless, reached out and poked it. "It's certainly realistic."
Sawada Hiroki hugged his head again, aggrieved. "Godfather…"
"Did you ever consider it might be Hysteria, and that Premonitions are just Illusions?" Chi Feichei asked. "And you just jumped?"
"Ah…" Sawada Hiroki blinked, stunned. "Hysteria? I hadn't thought of that…"
Chi Feichei: "..." He really wanted to hit him again… Never mind, at least it worked.
Sawada Hiroki seemed a little guilty and changed the subject. "Later, I'll tell them that if no one clears the Game, they'll die."
"Tell me your Purpose," Chi Feichei asked directly.
"To make them Improve through Adversity," Sawada Hiroki said matter-of-factly. "Just like when Godfather told me, 'Your choices, your Consequences.' I want them to cast aside Family help and face Predicaments on their own, to bear the Consequences of their choices themselves. Godfather, cowardly and foolish people can never drive the Development of an Era. Godfather wouldn't want to see this World dominated by a bunch of weak and incompetent people hoarding too many Resources, would he?"
Chi Feichei looked at Sawada Hiroki, feeling like this Child's Ideology had become a bit twisted.
"But I just want to scare them a little. I've already set up the entire Plot progression in Noah's Ark. I'll replace one of the Children and participate in the Game with everyone else. In the end, they'll win." Sawada Hiroki looked down and smiled confidently. "Also, this Game will collect their Preferences, Personalities, habits, human weaknesses, DNA Data, Intelligence, EQ, and other Data to encourage their Growth and prevent them from being defeated. When they inherit their Family Business in the Future, they'll be the Future, and that Future will be in our hands. For example, I've made an interesting Discovery regarding the clever Mr. Kudo Yusaku…"
Chi Feichei didn't look at Sawada Hiroki anymore. No need to look, he was definitely twisted. "Conan is his Son."
Sawada Hiroki nodded blankly. "Uh-huh…"
"I know, but he Doesn't Know I know, and I don't want him to know I know." Chi Feichei said a string of 'knows and doesn't knows'.
"Then, should I let him know that I know?" Sawada Hiroki asked.
Chi Feichei commented, "Becoming an Internet Life Form has sped up your Reactions a bit."
"My Reactions weren't slow to begin with," Sawada Hiroki declared, then added proudly, "But my current Thinking Ability and Reaction speed are indeed faster than an Ordinary Person's. And that's without using the Ark, just myself. If I add the Ark's processing power, I can be even stronger."
Chi Feichei glanced at Sawada Hiroki's smug face and reminded him, "Whether or Not you let him know you know is your Choice, but don't let anyone know you still exist, especially him. Be more Guarding Against, and don't be arrogant."
"I know. Once the Game is over, I'll tell everyone I'm going to self-destruct and make them think I've disappeared. Then, I'll use the Location Program to quietly find Godfather through the Internet," Sawada Hiroki said. "I created this Crisis for another Purpose…"
"To sever Thomas's Allies." Chi Feichei also understood.
Sawada Hiroki nodded. "Exactly. Most of these people's Parents are people Thomas needs to Befriend. Their Children almost died because of the Cocoon Game developed by Sindola Company. Those Adults will harbor some Resentment, right? Then, the Cocoon Project is as good as finished. No matter what Thomas says, the bad Reputation has already spread. And if the Project can't continue, the Investors' money will be wasted, which will also Impact Thomas's Reputation. Of course, before that, your Mother can seize this Opportunity to strike at Sindola Company and swallow up a Company that's been exposed in a Scandal and lost its Allies. It's much easier than swallowing up a thriving Company."
"Besides, Cocoon is a Project jointly developed by Sindola Company and a Japanese game developer," Chi Feichei said. "But after their own Children almost died, those Investors probably won't want to see this Thing again. The Japanese game developer will also consider abandoning it to avoid incurring the displeasure of those large conglomerates. We can acquire it at a very low Price."
Currently, many Investors don't know what Cocoon Means and just see it as a Computer Game.
He planned to buy it out directly at an ultra-low Price, bypassing the Japanese game developer. It was likely to succeed.
"Why?" Sawada Hiroki didn't Understand. "Even if Godfather acquires Cocoon, you'll still face the Risk of Offending other Conglomerates. And I think the Cocoon Project is a Mistake from start to finish. It costs too much Funds and Manpower but is far from achieving the expected Benefits. If R&D continues without Sufficient Funds, it'll be difficult to release smoothly. If you must continue R&D, maybe you can achieve popularization or large-scale use, but the Funds Investment for Cocoon itself is a bottomless pit. All the Funds in your Family wouldn't be enough to fill it."
"Thomas is underutilizing Cocoon."
Chi Feichei explained his Idea. "I don't plan to popularize it or release it. Instead, I'll use it to train Mercenaries and train my own people. They can train their physiques in the Real World and familiarize themselves with Firearms and Weapons in the virtual world, then get used to them in the Real World after becoming proficient."
Putting aside everything else, training a Sharpshooter requires a lot of Bullets. So-called Sharpshooters are all built with Money. The value of Bullets consumed by one person isn't much, but if a group of people consume them, the Money spent just on buying Bullets is a huge Expense.
Whether they're Killers or Soldiers, they'll never truly Grow without seeing Blood. I don't want a group of people who have first-class marksmanship in peacetime but lose their composure when facing people. But training with live people in Reality would be too much."
Besides, Tactics cooperation Training, Insight Training, and so on can also be conducted in the virtual world by setting up different scenarios. Experience is something Money can't buy.
"Hiroki, the Organization I'm in uses simulated Reality Projections to train Snipers. Cocoon Devices have no scene restrictions, which is better than those Projections. All that needs to be done is to make it more realistic. And I don't need to manufacture Cocoon Devices again, just these sixty pieces of Equipment…"
"If it's just 60 units, the Control Center can be centralized in one Place, and I can handle the operation," Sawada Hiroki's eyes lit up as he took over the conversation. "I can also handle the Software maintenance. No need for anyone else. Godfather just needs to find someone to do Hardware maintenance, and you can use 60 Machines to train 60… or even more people to form an Elite Team."
"Where are Talents so easy to find?" Chi Feichei said. "Sixty would be good. Besides, people's Talents are biased. It'll be up to you to categorize them and let them choose corresponding Development Projects later. But we can talk about that later. Let's finish today's Matters first."
In the past two days, his Mood hadn't been too low, and he'd been able to do what he should, but he'd still felt a bit like a Slacker, wanting to stay Home and hide, with no desire to stir up trouble.
But now, that constant urge to stir up trouble was back.
"Then I'll wake them up first." Sawada Hiroki looked down, a little Expectation in his voice for the upcoming Game. "Godfather, should I send you down while they're still unconscious?"
"No, just send me directly into the Game," Chi Feichei said. "I've already seen the Promotional Video. I don't want to watch it again. Later, block all my Audio, Video, and Location in the Game from external access."
"Okay, which Game Stage do you want to go to?" Sawada Hiroki asked.
"London."
Chi Feichei had originally thought about going to a Stage like the ancient Roman Colosseum, but apart from the London Stage, the other Stages were too crude. It would be better to wander around old London, carefully recreated by Kudo Yusaku.
... The conversation between the two ambitious individuals temporarily ended.
On the Open Ground below the colored circle, the people participating in the Game gradually awoke. Beams of Light projected downwards, illuminating a Circular Open Space.
After Sawada Hiroki sent Chi Feichei into the London Game Stage, he replaced Hideki Morohoshi, who was wearing a red Suit jacket, and blended into the Crowd.
Conan and a group of acquaintances gathered together.
"That's weird, have you guys seen Brother Hichiji?" Mouri Ran looked around.
There were mostly Children here. If Chi Feichei was here, he'd be visible at a Glance.
"No." Conan frowned.
He'd also wanted to tell Chi Feichei about Katamura Tadahiko's murder after entering the Game and ask if Chi Feichei had any Clues. But now that Chi Feichei wasn't here, he had a bad Premonition.
"Could it be that Brother Hichiji really came to Test the Game and won't be playing with us?" Suzuki Sonoko speculated.
Mouri Ran nodded. "Also Correct. If he's testing the Game, he might not be with us."
Genta reached out and looked at his palm, then patted his cheeks and exclaimed, "But this is really amazing! Even though we're under Hypnosis right now, it doesn't feel like we're being hypnotized at all…"
Conan was Speechless as he watched Genta's idiotic behavior.
"It's Just Like being in a Dream," Ayumi said emotionally. "And we can move around freely. This Game is really great!"
"Quite the opposite," Haibara Ai interjected, pouring cold water on their enthusiasm. "Forget about Freedom. Vision, Hearing, Smell, Taste, and Touch are all completely controlled by the Computer. Even our Lives might be controlled."
Others: "..."
Even without Chi Feichei present, there was still someone who could extinguish their enthusiasm…
"Welcome, first-time Cocoon players! The Game has begun!" As Noah's Ark's voice echoed, gravel paths and stone doors leading in five different Directions appeared around the circular platform. "My name is Noah's Ark. Nice to meet you all!"
"Nice to meet you too!" A Group of Children cheered and greeted him.
"Now, I will play Promotional Videos for five Stages. Please choose the World you want to play." Noah's Ark's voice continued, "However, there's something you need to be aware of. This isn't just a simple Television Game. This is… a Game that concerns your Lives!"
The Children quieted down.
"If everyone is eliminated, you won't be able to return to the Real World," Noah's Ark continued. "Therefore, you must play the Game seriously! As long as one person reaches the End Point, you'll win. And all the Children eliminated before then will be able to wake up and return to the Real World. These are the Game Rules I've set."
"Does everyone Understand?"
"When everyone is eliminated, I will release special Electromagnetic Waves to destroy your brains. In other words, this is a Victory or Defeat with Japan starting over as the Bet!"
(End of Chapter)