Dr. Agasa's house.
"This newspaper…"
"Tsuneo, are you saying this Director Inomaki was taken out by the Organization?" Miyano, standing by the table, questioned the newspaper.
"No."
"I think he's saying there's something off about this memorial."
The great detective shook his head, scrutinizing the list of big names attending the event at Beika Hotel.
Foreign celebrities, corporate tycoons, famous athletes, bestselling authors…
Is the Black Organization planning something here?
Haibara sat silently, arms crossed, staring intently at the repairman.
"From what I know, a member called Pisco is set to kill someone at this memorial," Tsuneo hinted.
He couldn't quite recall who the unlucky target was, though.
"I've heard that name before, but never met him," Haibara said.
Miyano frowned, lost in thought, then jolted.
"Pisco?!"
"Miss Miyano, what's wrong?"
Conan turned to her. Did she know this Pisco?
"I heard that name from my parents once," Miyano said, brow furrowed.
It was around the time Shiho was born, but the details were hazy after so long.
Tsuneo smiled, picking up the newspaper. "No need to rack your brains. I can tell you his identity."
The repairman's finger pointed to a prominent name on the page.
"Masu, Masuyama Kenzou!"
Dr. Agasa, quietly listening, spat out his water.
"Tsuneo, you're not joking, are you?!"
This guy was a titan in the financial world!
Beyond his famous automotive empire, who knew how many companies he controlled?
He's with the Black Organization?!
Conan clenched his fists, eyes wide, staring at Tsuneo.
Haibara and Miyano only furrowed their brows, less shocked.
A figure like that? Not surprising…
"There's one more person," Tsuneo continued before they could recover from the first bombshell.
"Who?" Conan pressed immediately.
Facing the detective, Tsuneo frowned, tapping his forehead, mulling over the web of interests.
"Forget it. I'll check out the memorial tonight and see what's up."
Tsuneo shook his head, deciding not to reveal the mysterious woman of unknown age.
He had a gut feeling that witch might flip sides at some point.
Just a hunch…
"I'm going too," Conan said, instantly fired up.
He didn't know why Tsuneo held back, but if the Organization was planning a murder at the memorial, he had to stop it!
Whoever the target was, they must be deeply tied to the Organization.
And if he could catch Masuyama Kenzou?
"You?"
"Just handle the logistics." Tsuneo patted Conan's head.
I expect the fridge to be stuffed with premium ingredients every day for the next month!
"Double!"
The detective shouted, upping the ante.
I don't know what you want, but I, your dumb, rich lackey, will pay double!
"If you put it like that, it's not impossible. But you'll need some disguise to hide your identity," Tsuneo said, rubbing his chin, eyeing Conan.
Should we slap a skirt on him and pass him off as a little girl?
Would Haibara lend him one, though?
"Why are you looking at me like that?!"
Conan frowned, sensing something bad.
He's definitely plotting something awful!
"Miyano, help this kid with some makeup," Tsuneo delegated Conan's disguise to her.
Nah, forget it.
If this guy actually became a little girl, I might puke in the car.
"Tsuneo, don't you need a disguise?" Dr. Agasa looked at the repairman, who hadn't budged.
Odd. The usually cautious guy was so calm now?
"No need. I'll go as myself."
Tsuneo grinned, pulling a black voice-changing mask from his pocket.
…
Six p.m.
Beika Hotel, the grandest banquet hall.
In a corner, Conan scanned the mingling elites, then shot a deadpan glance at the guy beside him. "Looking like that, how did the staff let you in?"
Black gloves, black mask, black top hat, and sunglasses when it's already dark outside.
They let this guy in?!
"Stay away from me. Don't leave fingerprints," Tsuneo said coldly, slouching in the corner, tilting his hat to hide his bizarre getup.
If they wouldn't let him in, couldn't he sneak in?
It's just a memorial, not some high-security summit. Sure, there were bodyguards, but the checks weren't that strict.
Conan shook his head and moved off, searching for the target—Pisco, aka Masuyama Kenzou.
Miyano hadn't gone overboard with his disguise.
After ditching his glasses, she darkened his skin a couple of shades and slapped a cap on him. For a kid, that was enough.
"Found him!"
Conan spotted an elderly man with a kind smile, chatting away.
He'd seen him in newspapers and on TV plenty of times, so he knew the face.
But who's his target?
The detective stood, frowning, scanning the room.
"Little boy, did you get separated from your parents?"
A waitress approached, bending down with a warm smile.
"Nope, I'm playing hide-and-seek with my friends!" Conan rubbed his head, grinning, then darted off.
Where are they?
Suddenly, a middle-aged man at the banquet hall entrance, swarmed by reporters, caught the detective's eye.
That's… Tunoguchi Shigehiko, right?
Recently in hot water over bribery allegations, under police investigation.
Could it be him?
Dammit, everyone here's a big shot. Who's the target?!
While Conan scanned the room, Tsuneo sat quietly in the corner, eyeing the fruit and pastries on the table, silent.
(End of Chapter)
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