"By the way, you totally had me fooled, Detective Mouri!"
"Acting like you know nothing about medicine," Dr. Shinde Yoshitsugu said with a laugh.
"Uh…" Uncle Mouri looked baffled, unsure why he'd say that.
Conan shrugged, exasperated.
He wasn't acting.
He really knew nothing…
This guy knew even less than Tsuneo.
At least the repairman knew how many bones a person has, which are the weakest, which are the toughest, where to hit for maximum pain, or to knock someone out for a specific time…
"How about this? Since we've got two famous detectives here, stay for a casual dinner tonight. We can discuss some medical topics," Dr. Shinde offered, extending an invitation.
"Dinner…" Tsuneo, still under Uncle Mouri's arm, glanced at Mrs. Shinde, who was looking down lost in thought, and felt a spark of interest.
Conan's face stiffened.
Oh no, how's Uncle going to handle that topic?
"No way, I've got homework, and Sister Ran has karate practice, right?" the great detective said, feigning innocence, dragging Ran into it.
Ran tilted her head, completely lost on where the conversation had gone.
"No problem, I can spar with her," Tsuneo said with a sudden grin, rolling up his sleeves to reveal muscular arms.
A training session alongside dinner? Even better!
Ran: …
What's going on?!
Conan stared at Tsuneo, mouth agape, before slumping in defeat.
Seriously, am I going to have to tranquilize Uncle to cover for his lies mid-chat?
"Settled then. Tell my wife what you'd like to eat," Dr. Shinde said.
…
The Shinde family's private residence was spacious, styled like an old, grand estate with a large courtyard.
"Ran, didn't bring your karate gi?" Tsuneo cracked his knuckles, looking thrilled.
After Hattori, maybe he could recruit another sparring partner.
"I did, but…" Ran hesitated, recalling Shinichi's repeated warnings to steer clear of Tsuneo in this mood.
He'd said not to fall for his tricks.
Once you're hooked, you're done for…
"Fighting in someone else's house? What's that about?" Uncle Mouri muttered from the sidelines.
"No worries, I'd love to see a detective's skills in action!" Dr. Shinde said generously, looking genuinely intrigued.
Conan squatted beside Uncle Mouri, propping his chin, watching Ran's brimming enthusiasm with a deadpan stare.
Don't fall for it like Hattori did…
Ran followed the maid, Miss Koko, to change into her karate gi, then faced Tsuneo, striking a stance.
"I'm ready!"
The unicorn girl's fighting spirit flared, her competitive drive ignited.
She'd sparred with Tsuneo before, usually evenly matched. This time, she might just win!
"Here I come!"
Tsuneo charged forward, unleashing a Baji-style opening cannon strike.
Ran blocked with both arms, pushed back two steps, then planted her feet, countering with a sharp roundhouse kick.
"That move's risky in real combat," Tsuneo said, parrying with his forearm while lecturing. "Especially against a much stronger male opponent."
If he hadn't blocked with his arm but countered with a faster elbow strike, that leg would've been useless in this match.
In a more extreme scenario, once Baji boxing closes the distance, grabbing a leg or arm basically ends the fight.
"Again!"
Ran took a deep breath, her expression sharpening with focus.
"Mr. Mouri, your daughter's karate skills are impressive!" Dr. Shinde nodded, watching the intensifying match in the courtyard.
"Just kids playing," Uncle Mouri said with a modest smile.
Seriously, Tsuneo's strength seems to have grown again. How?
Amateurs see the spectacle, experts see the skill.
Mouri Kogoro, a judo expert himself, could read the match. Compared to Ran's full effort, Tsuneo countered effortlessly.
Conan, squatting nearby, shot Tsuneo a you-better-know-what-you're-doing look.
Compared to Ran, Hattori had it worse.
The repairman was clearly holding back. Otherwise, that first elbow wouldn't have been so easy for Ran to block.
By the way, what was that "Fierce Tiger Climbing the Mountain" move Tsuneo mentioned last time?
When can I see it?
Just then, Mrs. Shinde, back from grocery shopping, walked in and saw the sparring.
She sighed inwardly, called Miss Koko, who was busy serving tea, and headed to the kitchen to help.
…
Ten minutes later.
Ran bent over, gasping, hands on her knees, staring at Tsuneo's smug grin, questioning her life.
Tsuneo's strength had grown too fast.
She was exhausted, while he just wiped some sweat and was fine…
This isn't scientific!
"Not bad, but too many combo moves. That's where you lag behind Hattori," Tsuneo said, nodding approvingly.
As a karate champion, Ran's technique, strength, and speed were flawless.
But like some gamers, she had a bad habit of chaining moves.
That needed fixing through real combat.
Hattori, after brief training, at least dared to go all out against him.
"Hattori?" Ran wiped her sweat, looking at Tsuneo in confusion.
"Yeah, Ran, if you want to get stronger…" Tsuneo started, his tone shifting.
Conan rubbed his face hard with both hands.
What's this about a park at 4:30 a.m.? What are you making her do?!
"Exactly. Hit the park in Nichome at 4:30 a.m., train until 7, then head to school. I guarantee you'll master it in a month," Tsuneo said, arms crossed, exuding guru vibes.
Training alone against a tree was too lonely. Another sparring partner would be great.
"Really?!" Ran showed signs of biting the bait.
"Sister Ran, what about our breakfast if you do that?!" Conan waved his hands in protest from the sidelines, glancing at Uncle Mouri.
"…" Uncle Mouri, for some reason, stayed silent.
Drinking first thing in the morning… probably not great, right?
(End of Chapter)
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