Multiple choice system: Conan World

Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko thanked Kuriyama Midori before hanging up the phone.

After hanging up, the dissatisfaction that had filled Suzuki Sonoko's cheeks vanished, replaced with a happy expression.

She began discussing with Mouri Ran what kind of gifts they should bring when visiting Akikawa Kyousuke.

Conan walked behind the group.

His eyes were fixed on Sera Masumi, who had been silent ever since Toda Kyouji had been taken away.

It was obvious.

Sera Masumi was still thinking about Toda Kyouji's last words.

"Kid."

Perhaps sensing Conan's gaze, Sera Masumi spoke in a low voice.

"Do you think Toda Kyouji's last words are credible?"

"The credibility is low," Conan replied.

"Self-mutilation and deliberately destroying a body to worsen Koichi Nishihara's crimes.

"And injecting morphine and naloxone into Takao Ohga."

"Let's not even talk about whether Akikawa could pull that off with his slender build.

"Even if he could, it's hard to understand the motivation behind such actions."

Conan paused.

"As we discussed earlier, maybe Akikawa is punishing criminals in his own way."

Sera Masumi speculated.

"That's unreasonable," Conan countered.

"Except for the car accident case, Akikawa wasn't a suspect in the other two cases at all.

"So, if he did those things, he would become a criminal himself.

"In that sense, the benefits and risks are completely disproportionate."

Conan dismissed Sera Masumi's statement.

"What about you, Miss Sera? Do you believe what Toda said about having a 'criminal's sense of smell' earlier?"

"That's not entirely it, but I don't think Toda had any reason to lie in the situation where his crimes were already confirmed.

"After all, in the end, he gave up trying to win and just warned me."

After Sera Masumi finished speaking, she paused for a moment before continuing.

"Even though I really, really, really hate that Toda guy.

"But I noticed something.

"He only targets and induces confessions from people he identifies as criminals."

"Could it be that he attacked Akikawa because he was convinced Akikawa was a criminal?"

Conan's face was expressionless as he listened to Sera Masumi's theories.

"Miss Sera, is it possible that Toda, the criminal, uses his 'instincts' to justify violence against others without any scruples?"

"If there were no legal restrictions, I think someone like him would also attack civilians.

"He's just a more pathological and violent maniac than Koichi Nishihara."

Sera Masumi's pure thoughts left Conan feeling puzzled.

He continued,

"Let's assume Toda Kyouji is exactly as you described, Miss Sera—an 'extremely just' detective.

"To punish prisoners, he doesn't hesitate to falsify evidence, induce confessions, and fabricate charges.

"All for the sole purpose of putting criminals in prison.

"So, do you think his actions are forgivable?"

"Of course not!" Sera Masumi replied decisively.

"Not to mention that the actions he committed as a police detective already broke the law.

"The fact that his criteria for targeting people are based entirely on his own judgment is incredibly unreliable.

"People are bound to make mistakes.

"If he were to wrongly accuse someone, then with his fabricated evidence and forced confessions, an innocent person would become a criminal."

---

"Isn't that the conclusion? Miss Sera, it seems you and I think alike."

Conan spread his hands and smiled.

"But that's not the point I'm trying to make."

Sera Masumi raised her voice slightly.

"There's no doubt that Officer Toda committed an unforgivable crime.

"But I'm wondering if there's a reason why he identified Akikawa as a criminal..."

As she spoke, Sera Masumi brought her hand to her mouth, lost in thought.

After a moment, she seemed to make a decision and quickly stepped toward Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko.

"Oh, sorry, Ran, Sonoko. I just remembered I have something else to do, so I'll head off now!

"Let me know later when you plan to visit Akikawa!"

Sera Masumi shouted as she ran in the direction Megure Juzo and the others had gone.

"Eh?! Sera, where are you going…"

Mouri Ran reached out as if to stop Sera Masumi.

Unfortunately, before she could finish, Sera Masumi disappeared from sight.

---

"Hey, kid, you were whispering something to Sera earlier. Do you know what she's up to?"

Suzuki Sonoko turned, bent down, and pressed her fingers against Conan's forehead.

"I don't know. Sister Sera might've suddenly remembered that a new mystery novel she likes has been released!"

Conan answered innocently.

"You think everyone's like you, kid!"

"Sera wouldn't be obsessed with stuff like that."

"Then I don't know."

Unable to get any useful information from Conan, Suzuki Sonoko straightened up, sighed, and walked back to Mouri Ran.

After dealing with Suzuki Sonoko, Conan showed a wry smile.

How could he not know what Sera Masumi was thinking?

'Why do I feel like this tomboy has been acting suspicious ever since hearing about Akikawa Kyousuke's possible other side?

'She doesn't really think Akikawa is comparable to an undercover agent…'

Conan recalled the moment Akikawa Kyousuke clung to him, crying and trembling as he asked if he was going to die.

He shook his head.

'If that was acting, then Akikawa's skills are on par with my mom's.'

Conan silently grumbled.

---

Elsewhere.

Megure Juzo, who had just sent someone to escort Toda Kyouji into the backseat of a police car, suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind him.

He turned around.

The moment he saw her, Megure recognized the tomboy detective he had spoken with earlier—Sera Masumi—running toward him.

"Sister Sera, what's going on?"

"Officer Megure, I have a request," Sera Masumi said.

"Please let me accompany Officer Sato to confirm the evidence Officer Nakajima falsified at Akikawa's house!"

"No, that's against protocol!"

Megure Juzo directly rejected Sera Masumi's request.

"Officer Megure, I believe it's highly likely that Officer Nakajima misled Officer Sato.

"So I think I could help Officer Sato identify what evidence Toda falsified.

"I promise I won't tell anyone about this—not Ran-Chan or anyone else. I came here alone to ask for your help, Officer Megure."

As Sera Masumi spoke, she lowered her head and clasped her hands together as if pleading.

Megure Juzo looked at Sera Masumi, thought for a long time, and finally nodded reluctantly.

"All right, I'll inform Sato."

(End of the Chapter)

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