Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World

Kudo Shinichi… Ran Mouri focused on the unfamiliar boy who had just said Shinichi's name. She truly didn't recognize him, so she probably didn't know him personally.

"May I ask, how did you come to believe that Kudo Shinichi is here?"

It shouldn't be someone from that organization… Ran didn't think someone from that group would be so foolish as to come asking so directly.

"Oh, I first went to Teitan High School. But the teacher there told me that Kudo Shinichi hadn't attended in a long time. I originally wanted to ask for his home address, but the teacher refused due to privacy reasons."

"I then asked around the school and managed to find out where Kudo Shinichi lived. But when I went there, I found the gate hadn't been opened in a long time. I went back to the school and asked who he was closest with, and that led me here."

As he spoke, the boy removed his baseball cap and pulled out a student ID.

"First off, I'm not a suspicious person. I came here because I heard Kudo Shinichi is quite famous. As a high school student and detective myself, I thought we might have something in common."

"Of course, I have some personal motives as well."

A high school detective…? Ran glanced at the name on the student ID: Hattori Heiji, second-year student at Kaikata Academy.

His accent sounded Kansai, so was he from Kyoto, Osaka, or maybe Kobe?

Now that she had the name of his school and his full name, it would be easy to verify. Since he was showing legitimate identification, he likely wasn't lying.

Ran hesitated for a while but didn't reveal anything directly about Shinichi's current situation.

"Shinichi's situation is… complicated. Too complicated to explain casually."

"Is it... a matter of safety?"

Ran hesitated slightly, then gave a small nod.

"I was wondering why there hadn't been any news about him for the past two months…"

Hattori Heiji muttered this to himself, catching Ran a little off guard.

"You… guessed it?"

"Yeah, I had a hunch. I intentionally searched for articles and reports on him in various papers. I figured he was probably similar to me, someone who enjoys standing in the spotlight. So when he disappeared from the news for two whole months, I figured something must have happened."

Originally, Hattori Heiji had only been speculating. But after receiving confirmation from someone close to Shinichi, he was now nearly certain—Kudo Shinichi was in serious trouble.

Two months was simply too long. For someone who liked to show off his skills, vanishing from public reports entirely, without any police updates, meant something had definitely gone wrong.

"Miss, so you already know what happened to Kudo Shinichi? But were told not to talk about it?"

Ran nodded slightly.

"So that's how it is…"

Ran noticed Hattori Heiji's eyes dim for a moment. She had the feeling that this boy already understood a good part of the truth.

"Miss, do you know what happened to Kudo Shinichi before he disappeared?"

"I know a little."

Ran didn't deny it.

"Miss, may I trouble you for a bit? I'd like to hear what happened before Kudo Shinichi disappeared."

"…"

Ran fell silent for a moment before kindly reminding him:

"Mr. Hattori, I know detectives tend to be proud, but I still hope you won't pursue this too deeply."

"There are things that are hard to talk about. Shinichi really got into something big."

"I understand."

Ran noticed the look in Hattori Heiji's eyes. It was firm and unwavering. In the end, she sighed and stepped aside to open the door.

"Come in, then."

"Thank you very much."

Hattori Heiji put his cap back on and bowed politely in gratitude.

The two people in the detective agency had already shifted their attention away from the TV. Both Mouri Kogoro and Edogawa Conan were now fully focused on the visitor following Ran in.

"Ran, is this… a client?"

Mouri Kogoro glanced at Hattori Heiji with some suspicion.

"No, he's a detective too. He came today to ask about Shinichi."

Mouri Kogoro's expression instantly changed.

Gone was the washed-up uncle who had just been watching idols on TV. His demeanor immediately snapped back to that of a seasoned detective.

"Kid, I don't know who you are, but I'll give you a piece of advice. Don't get involved. There are some things that knowing won't benefit you."

But Hattori Heiji didn't back down at all.

At this point, he had pretty much confirmed that the Kudo Shinichi he was looking for was in serious danger. He had suspected it before, but hearing it from those close to Shinichi stirred something in him.

"Uncle, I understand that detectives often face danger. But even so, I still want to know what happened to Kudo Shinichi."

"It may just be a teenage impulse, but I want to know the truth. I may not have the best approach, but my father has some influence. I can report what I find to him. Maybe he'll be able to help."

Mouri Kogoro raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected this kid to have connections.

"Your father?"

"Hattori Heizo, Superintendent of the Osaka Prefectural Police. He's my father."

That name caught Mouri Kogoro off guard.

"Superintendent?"

Of course he had heard of Hattori Heizo. Not only in the past, but even now he frequently appeared on TV.

The highest-ranking officer in the Osaka Prefectural Police. No wonder this kid had the nerve to come asking such bold questions… Mouri Kogoro could now understand his intentions. With both ability and background, maybe he really could help Kudo Shinichi.

But the mystery surrounding Kudo Shinichi was filled with complexities. Mouri Kogoro couldn't just share details without permission.

"Kid, your father might hold a high position, but there are still some things you shouldn't get involved with. That brat got himself into trouble because he acted on his own. I don't want the Superintendent of Osaka coming after me either."

(To be continued.)

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