Chapter 255: Ace Pilot Requests to Join the Battle (Page 1) noch 254
With no one else confident enough to fly the plane, the task ultimately fell to Fujino.
"Fuel levels are normal, autopilot is operational, and all self-checks are clear. Looks like we'll make it to our destination safely."
Sitting in the captain's seat on the left, Fujino skillfully checked the aircraft's various data.
Even though this was his first time piloting a plane, his seasoned driver skills gave him a solid grasp of basic flight controls.
Naturally, as an experienced driver, he wouldn't make the same idiotic mistakes as Conan and Kaito Kuroba—taking off without checking the instruments or assessing ground conditions.
That kind of reckless behavior had once led to an airport fire, nearly sending hundreds of people straight to the afterlife. Truly brainless.
**[System Alert: First-time commercial aircraft operation detected.]**
**[System Reward: 50 Pilot Skill Points granted.]**
**[Current Pilot Skill Level: Advanced.]**
**[Available Skill Points: 1; Total Multi-Class Skill Points: 3.]**
As Fujino was checking the aircraft's systems, a sudden system notification echoed in his ears.
He paused, his eyes lighting up as he read the prompt.
His gaze then shifted to the random upgrade tickets stored in his system inventory.
"If that's the case… I wonder if I can max out my driver profession. If I can push it to the highest level and break through, I might gain mastery over expert driving techniques… which should significantly increase my landing success rate."
With that thought, he made his decision and used three random profession upgrade tickets.
Since he currently had twelve professions, using three tickets gave him roughly a one-in-four chance of upgrading the one he wanted—assuming there were no duplicates.
**[Random Upgrade Ticket used! Doctor profession upgraded! New level: Master! Pilot profession upgraded! New level: Master! Chef profession upgraded! New level: Advanced!]**
"Nice!"
Ignoring the other two notifications, Fujino focused on the newly maxed-out pilot profession, feeling a rush of excitement.
For once, the system wasn't screwing him over!
Without hesitation, he initiated a breakthrough for the pilot profession.
**[276 million yen deducted. Pilot profession breakthrough achieved!]**
**[Congratulations! New profession unlocked: Super Pilot. New profession skills acquired: (Ultimate Driver) (Overclock Terminal) (Spirit of the Machine)]**
**[Remaining balance: 1.85 million yen.]**
"Spirit of the Machine… What kind of skill is that?"
Curious, Fujino opened the system's profession interface. A translucent screen appeared before him:
**[Super Pilot: Level 1]**
**Profession Skills:**
- **Ultimate Driver** (Passive): Your expert driving skills extend to all vehicles—whether on land, sea, or air, you can master them with ease.
- **Overclock Terminal** (Level 1): Activating this ability enhances vehicle defense by 50%, speed by 50%, and boosts your reaction time and perception by 50% for one minute.
- **Spirit of the Machine** (Level 2): When operating a vehicle, fuel efficiency increases by 20%, vehicle defense rises by 20%, and maximum speed is boosted by 20%.
**Passive Perks:** Grants a full panoramic view from the vehicle, displays vehicle status on the HUD, and synchronizes with the user's consciousness.
**[Available Skill Points: 3 | Total Multi-Class Skill Points: 3]**
"Why do I feel like the pilot profession is becoming more and more ridiculous…?"
"Seriously? Terminal Overclocking and Machine Spirit Descent—are these skills for real?"
"Instant power-up? Machine Spirit in high spirits?"
"This class might as well be tailor-made for piloting a Gundam."
Fujino couldn't help but rant in his mind. Taking a deep breath, he focused, letting the flight techniques of a Boeing 747 surface in his memory.
Under the effect of *Machine Spirit Descent*, all of the aircraft's parameters were now clearly displayed before his eyes.
He could even faintly sense the high-altitude scenery around him as if he were truly one with the plane.
"As expected, advanced class skills really are on another level."
"So, basic classes only show their true potential after breaking through?"
With the aid of real-time data visualization, Fujino quickly assessed the aircraft's condition and put on his headset.
Still feeling a bit uncertain, he allocated three skill points, plus one general point, into *Machine Spirit Descent*.
**[Machine Spirit Descent: Level 6 (When piloting a vehicle, energy efficiency increases by 40%, vehicle defense increases by 60%, and maximum speed increases by 40%)]**
"A 60% boost in defense… Even if something goes wrong during landing, the plane won't just outright crash."
After making the adjustments, Fujino took another deep breath to steady himself.
Then, following the instincts of an experienced pilot embedded in his mind, he reached out to the transponder panel and entered the emergency code **[7700]**.
This was an internationally recognized distress signal—inputting these numbers meant the aircraft was experiencing a serious malfunction or there was a life-threatening situation onboard.
In such cases, air traffic control would prioritize communication and offer immediate assistance.
Besides 7700, there were other well-known emergency codes, like 7500, which indicated a hijacking…
Once he confirmed the distress signal was transmitted, Fujino pressed the radio button on the flight control yoke and spoke into the headset:
**"This is JAL377, we have an emergency situation. Both pilots are incapacitated. Declaring emergency code 7700."**
**"Kagoshima Control acknowledges."**
A male voice responded over the radio almost instantly:
**"JAL377, signal is weak—please repeat."**
**"This is JAL377. We have an emergency onboard, code 7700. Both pilots are incapacitated. Requesting to switch to Japanese for communication."**
There was a brief silence before a surprised voice replied:
**"Both pilots are incapacitated? Who is currently flying the aircraft?"**
**"I'm a passenger on this flight, Fujino. Both pilots are… deceased. I've taken over the controls."**
**"JAL377, Kagoshima acknowledges. From now on, you may communicate in Japanese."**
After another short pause, the radio crackled again:
**"JAL377, we have contacted Naha Airport Tower for you. Please switch to frequency 127.80 for Naha Tower."**
**"Switching to 127.80. JAL377 acknowledges."**
Fujino adjusted the radio frequency on the flight panel.
After a brief static buzz, a new voice came through:
**"This is Naha Tower. JAL377, please respond."**
**"Copy that."**
Fujino replied and continued his report:
**"JAL377 reporting current situation: emergency code 7700. Both pilots are incapacitated. Aircraft heading 250, autopilot engaged, altitude 9,000 meters, speed 300 knots. Just passed Kagoshima. Requesting radar guidance to Naha Airport."**
**"Naha Tower acknowledges. Mr. Fujino, do you have any experience flying commercial aircraft?"**
**"JAL377 responding—I have experience flying small aircraft and have briefly studied commercial aircraft operations and simulations."**
**"Understood, JAL377. Maintain your current heading. We are clearing traffic in and around the airport. I will guide you to Naha Airport, Runway 18."**
**"JAL377 acknowledges. Naha Tower, please report current airport weather conditions."**
**"Naha Airport cloud base at 1,000 meters, wind from 270 degrees at 10 knots. Conditions are suitable for landing. We will continue to update you on ground conditions."**
**"JAL377 acknowledges."**
…
**Twenty minutes later.**
After a few adjustments to the autopilot and some radio navigation corrections, Fujino finally reached the most critical stage—approach preparation.
"JAL377, prepare for approach. Set heading to 270 and descend to 3,000 feet."
Fujino reached out and adjusted the flight control knobs. "Passing 3,000 feet, speed 210 knots, flaps set to position five."
"Now set heading to 180, descend to 2,000 feet, prepare to disengage autopilot, and switch to manual control."
"Understood."
Fujino pressed the button on the control yoke.
A warning chime sounded as the autopilot disengaged.
He then pulled the SPD lever to AR mode, moved the FP handle to 20, set the autobrakes to automatic, and raised and lowered the black handle on the right side of the center console. "JAL377, flaps set to 20, autobrakes engaged, landing gear down, spoilers armed. Passing 2,000 feet, speed 190 knots. Requesting landing clearance."
"Looking good."
A voice over the radio responded with praise. "Maintain speed and descent rate, align with the runway on your attitude indicator. Just before touchdown, gently raise the nose. JAL377, Mr. Fujino, good luck with your landing."
"Roger."
Fujino took a deep breath, nerves tense. Activating his eagle-eye focus, he zeroed in on the aircraft's parameters.
He then switched on the cabin intercom and followed standard procedure. "We are now approaching Naha Airport. Please ensure your seatbelts are securely fastened. Cabin crew, confirm passenger status. We will be landing in three minutes…"
Breaking through the clouds, the aircraft gradually descended from 2,000 meters to 1,000 meters.
Naha Airport was right by the sea—one side a brilliant blue ocean, the other a dense expanse of gray city buildings.
Where the city met the water, the airport's 3,000-meter-long runway was clearly visible.
Fujino set the flaps to 30, pushed the yoke forward, and the nose tilted slightly downward. "Thirty seconds to touchdown! Brace for impact!"
The moment his voice fell, the flight attendants rushed to their positions. Just like in those airline disaster movies, they started shouting, "Brace! Heads down! Stay down!"
"500 feet."
"400 feet."
"300 feet."
"100 feet."
"50 feet…"
A series of altitude callouts filled the cabin.
Then, with a soft *screech*, the plane's rear wheels gently touched down on the runway, followed by the nose gear settling smoothly.
Throttle to idle. Reverse thrust engaged!
As the engines roared, the spoilers deployed, and the autobrakes kicked in.
The aircraft's speed steadily decreased as it taxied down the runway before finally coming to a firm stop.
A brief silence hung over the radio before a voice broke through.
"JAL377 has successfully landed. Hold position on the runway. Well done, Mr. Fujino."
"All emergency responders, take note. JAL377 has landed. Proceed to Runway 18."
"JAL144, hold your position. JAL377 has just landed. That plane… was landed by a passenger."
"JAL144, copy that… Wait, did you just say that 747 wasn't landed by a veteran pilot, but by a **passenger**?"
"Yep. I heard he had experience flying small planes. I only gave him navigational guidance—the rest, he did all on his own."
"Holy crap! That's insane!"
Hearing the radio chatter, Fujino slumped back into his seat, exhaling in relief.
If he hadn't been on this flight today… this plane might not have made it.
Thinking back, it seemed like every time he ran into *Conan*, something life-threatening was bound to happen. 😅
For example, the Shinkansen getting rigged with a bomb… or this time, both captains being taken out in one go…
Hmm. To ensure my own safety from now on, it seems that besides guarding against fire and theft, I also need to watch out for Conan!
Fujino silently noted down another rule of Conan-ology:
**If you're not absolutely sure, never ride the same vehicle as the Reaper in Elementary School!**
---
Fifteen minutes later, airport rescue teams evacuated the passengers, guiding them to nearby shelters.
Meanwhile, the Boeing 747, which had deployed emergency slides, was towed off the runway, clearing the way for the next flight to take off.
With such a major incident, reporters naturally swarmed the scene.
Luckily, the police were efficient in controlling the media, sparing Fujino the nightmare of being bombarded with microphones the moment he stepped off the plane.
The sky gradually darkened.
As the sun set, Fujino sat in the back of an ambulance, wrapped in a blanket. He watched departing aircraft while undergoing questioning from airport authorities and the police. They also took the opportunity to check his physical condition.
After the investigation, Fujino regrouped with his companions who had traveled to Okinawa with him.
"Damn, little bro, you really *can* fly a plane!"
Mouri Kogorou clapped Fujino on the shoulder, laughing heartily. "I knew you could do it!"
"Oh yeah? And who was the one cowering with his hands over his head just moments ago?"
"Yeah, Mouri-san, we *all* saw you freaking out just now," Conan added dryly.
The Junior Detective League quickly chimed in with their agreement.
"Nani?!"
Mouri Kogorou instantly felt his dignity crumble.
Glancing at the kids behind him, he realized he couldn't lay a hand on someone else's children.
So instead, he gave Conan a solid flick on the forehead.
Fujino glanced at Conan, who now had a sizable bump forming on his head. The corners of his lips curled into an amused, slightly mischievous smile.
Ran, however, wasn't particularly surprised by Fujino's latest heroic feat. Instead, she looked toward the crowd of reporters being held back by the police and sighed.
"There are so many reporters this time…"
"Well, considering what just happened, it'd be strange if they *didn't* rush in like a pack of hungry wolves," Haibara Ai commented as she approached, handing Fujino a cup of hot water. "Especially since we have someone here who just saved an entire plane of people."
"No kidding!"
Mouri Kogorou, having finished disciplining Conan, grinned. "Fujino, you're gonna be famous after this!"
Fujino took the hot water, sipped it, and shot a glance at the photographers furiously snapping pictures beyond the police barricade.
"These reporters sure are relentless… what a hassle."
Fame didn't matter much to him. He wasn't exactly unknown as it was.
Right now, after pushing his limits in high-intensity, man-and-machine synchronization—along with boosting his perception using Eagle Vision—he was utterly drained.
All he wanted was a hot shower and a good night's sleep.
More importantly, what he *really* cared about was whether anyone would cover the three million he just spent upgrading his skills…
Hopefully, the airline would *at least* give him some kind of reward.
And not just some meaningless thank-you certificate.
His system balance was down to 1.8 million. It was still a decent amount, but given his spending habits, it wasn't nearly enough.
Please, let the airline *do* something right for once and properly compensate him.