Chapter 253: The Organization Lost Data Again?

Conan's eyes lit up the moment he caught his favorite keyword: "Solving the puzzle?"

By contrast, Jiangxia Tongzhi's reaction was much more reserved. Well, mostly because he was calm… and had already read the script beforehand.

Dr. Agasa's praise for the kids was full of pride: "In that forum, everyone uses virtual IDs. So when we arrived at the scene, no one knew each other, and the host would mingle among the participants. Then, at certain times, they'd dress up as the 'Night Baron' and set off a chain of events."

"Solving the puzzle means identifying who among the group is secretly the host during this three-day, two-night trip."

Haibara Ai froze slightly at the name "Night Baron," clearly remembering something.

Conan also reacted: "Isn't that a character from one of my dad's novels...? So the host's actually a mystery fan. This is a party for fellow mystery lovers?"

Dr. Agasa shook his head: "According to my old friend, the first person to figure out the organizer's true identity not only wins a free trip—more importantly, they get a virus called 'Night Baron' as a prize."

Haibara's expression changed immediately at the word virus.

In her memory, Night Baron was a data encryption virus developed by the Organization. If it was opened on a computer outside their control, it would destroy all data on the device. Worse, if the computer was online, the virus would transmit the device's location to the Organization.

Rumor had it that, back when Night Baron was first created, the tech nerds in the Organization's Information Department used research funds to let the virus loose as a "field test," casually invading the servers of major companies.

The results were terrifying. No one could stop it.

After that, it was officially deployed.

The whole fiasco became something of a legendary tale in hacker circles. The virus was so elusive and unstoppable, it earned the nickname "Night Baron."

The programmers liked the name, so it stuck.

A virus this powerful was extremely useful, whether for blackmail, sabotage, or data control. So it was likely that someone would be after it during this "Izu Mystery Tour."

And in Haibara's view, that someone might even be the Organization itself. If the host really had a copy of Night Baron, then technically, that was Organization property. They'd probably send someone to investigate.

...Unless the Organization didn't have a forum member and completely missed that post.

In any case, when the good doctor happily announced he'd secured two spots for Jiang Xia and Conan on the trip, Haibara blurted out, "No way!"

The two boys, mid-nod, turned to her in surprise.

Haibara met their eyes, hesitated, and swallowed the rest of her warning.

She could tell them about the Organization… but not while they were both here together.

After all, in the eyes of Conan and Dr. Agasa, Jiangxia was just a normal, unlucky citizen. Not only did he have no ties to the Organization—he didn't even know such a group existed.

Conan was still trying to keep it that way, afraid Jiangxia would follow in his footsteps or despair upon learning that a giant, invisible evil was lurking all around him.

Haibara's eye twitched at the thought. Oh you sweet summer child, Jiangxia wouldn't rush into the Organization like you. If anything, he'd probably offer them coupons for a group exorcism...

So, she said nothing—at the time.

Later that evening, she pulled the two aside and gave them the full story.

Frankly, she hadn't planned to tell Conan either, but his thirst for secrets was overwhelming. If she stayed quiet, he'd probably charge straight into the event, get spotted by the Organization, and drag Dr. Agasa, herself, and even next-door Jiangxia into trouble.

Still, even after her warning, the two so-called high school detectives were determined to go.

It wasn't what she wanted, but she couldn't say she was surprised.

Jiangxia didn't see himself as part of the Organization, nor did he fear it. If he was going on a trip to solve a puzzle, he wasn't going to back out just because some shady people in black might show up.

And as for Conan… well, if he saw a guy with a mean face and a black coat walking down the street, he'd probably tail him for three blocks just to check. There was no way he'd pass up a real lead.

…

The next morning, just as Jiangxia stepped outside to leave, someone emerged from the neighboring house.

Haibara Ai.

Apparently, she'd been waiting there with a tiny travel bag, wordlessly falling into step behind him.

Reason: worry.

Jiangxia paused, briefly speechless. Then he remembered: in the original timeline, Haibara always said things like "Don't go near the Organization!" — right before joining the field trip herself.

Truly, the essence of human nature.

And so, Jiangxia acquired a little tail.

After passing by the Mouri Detective Agency, a second tail joined them.

Conan.

Ran had a karate competition that day and couldn't go. She didn't feel comfortable letting Conan and Jiangxia travel alone, but Conan, desperate for a brush with the people in black, had lied and told her Dr. Agasa would be going too.

Jiangxia didn't mind bringing two kids along. After all, they were fake kids. They didn't cry, and they could help attract ghosts.

Plus, while Haibara did say the Organization might be involved, Jiangxia remembered that in the original timeline, they hadn't actually interfered with this event.

So, it probably wouldn't be a big deal.

Probably.

…

Three and a half hours later—

Jiangxia stood outside the Izu Princess Hotel, luggage in hand, and stared at the familiar back of a blond man at the front desk.

He fell into deep thought.

I really need to stop tempting fate.

Looks like the script wasn't all-powerful. This world, constantly rewriting the plot on a whim, was exhausting.

Still, luckily, even though someone from the Organization had shown up, that someone was Toru Amuro…

In the Conan universe, undercover agents were practically a separate species. Not only were they not threatening, they were basically "good guys." If anything happened, it wouldn't be too bad.

Of course, it was still better to avoid trouble when possible.

With that in mind, while Amuro was facing the counter, going through the check-in process, Jiangxia quietly picked up the ever-vigilant Haibara Ai and carried her off into a nearby hallway.

*Goal #1: Top 200 fanfics published within the last 31 - 90 days by POWER STONES.

Progress: 34/60(approx) for 10 BONUS CHAPTERS

Goal #2: One BONUS CHAPTER per review for the first 10 REVIEWS.

Progress:2/10*