134

"I have my own plans."

Amuro Toru said it with an air of mystery.

Well, actually, he just wasn't very busy lately and wanted to find something to do. Helping his colleague, Brother Jin Yuan, investigate July wasn't a bad idea.

That old brother was almost obsessed. Ever since July hadn't had any major actions recently, he'd been muttering every day, 'Missing July's first day,' 'No Home Delivery from July today,' 'Missing July's second day,' 'No Home Delivery from July again today'… even taking a vacation was useless.

It was probably July's efficiency that gave Jin Yuansheng a false impression.

He didn't even consider that those Wanted Criminals were hiding so deeply. If they were so easy to catch, the Police would have caught them long ago.

However, facing this persuasion, Jin Yuansheng's sentence, "But that's July," left others speechless. July's efficiency was indeed terrifying.

And Jin Yuansheng seemed to have developed a strange worship for July, even disbelieving the idea that July might be in trouble, even though he was a cadre of the Public Security Department…

It gave him a Brain Pain…

This July was simply toxic!

Furthermore, he felt he was more suitable than others to look for July because the Organization was also paying attention to July. Gin and Vodka had contacted July, and as an intelligence gatherer for the Organization, he could also access relevant information.

With information from two forces, could they still not find July…? Okay, they really couldn't, because comparing information from both sides revealed contradictions.

The Public Security Department speculated that July was around 30 to 40 years old. Based on communication and behavior Style, July was cautious and experienced, yet not lacking in drive, suggesting a middle-aged person. Perhaps an old hunter who had returned home and changed Alias again, or someone forced by life to become a Bounty Hunter's child's father…

Gin, on the other hand, speculated that July was a Young Man, no older than 30, a newcomer with no backing from other forces.

The two pieces of Intelligence completely contradicted each other. The Public Security Department's analysis was traceable, but as for Gin's…

He hadn't asked. He guessed that if he did, the answer would be a curt, "I have things to do." The implied meaning was probably—"Why make this speculation? I've had contact. Evidence? No Evidence… I'm busy. That's what you Intelligence gatherers should investigate. If you can't figure it out, it's your incompetence. Do you have to ask me about everything? Am I in charge of Intelligence? Incompetence might make the Organization consider abandoning you…"

Logically, he should believe the Public Security Department, which had a reasonable and well-founded analysis. But Gin had actually made contact with July in person, not through Email or other remote means. He believed there must be a reason for Gin's speculation.

Even if it was just intuition, Gin's intuition was worth taking seriously.

He wasn't sure which side to believe yet, but he wasn't without gains. From both sides' Intelligence, July had a bit of a twisted sense of humor. Whether it was constantly targeting Leopard Express for Home Delivery or layering Disguise upon Disguise, others might see it as caution, but he sensed a strong, twisted humor beneath the caution.

No reason, no Evidence, he just had a feeling that July was black-hearted.

Anyway, when he encountered people with a twisted sense of humor, he would pay attention to them.

Furthermore, there was the Mystery the Public Security Department was still investigating—

What exactly was the relationship between Leopard Express and July? Why was July constantly targeting Leopard Express, always stealing their Boxes and using their Printers? Was it out of love or hate?

What was the meaning of the Code Name July? Even if it was chosen casually, it should be related to Life. Was it a Birthday? An Anniversary? Or had something important happened in July?

There had always been people staking out Leopard Express, but they had no Clue. Still, he could use it as a reference.

Meanwhile, Amuro Toru's thoughts were drifting, while Kazami Yuya was taken aback by his boss's mysterious words and remained silent for a long while.

Amuro Toru snapped back to reality, continued looking through the Printed Paper, and asked in a low voice, "How much Suspicion do you think Mori Kogoro and Chi Feichei are under?"

Kazami Yuya paused, thought seriously for a moment, and said, "Based on the investigation Situation, Mori Kogoro's Birthday is in July. Besides that, no one related to him has any connection to July, and he has no special Relationship with Leopard Express. Initially, Mr. Mouri was our biggest suspect. After all, he Graduated from Police Academy with good grades, then worked at the Metropolitan Police Department. After leaving the Metropolitan Police Department, he kept a low profile for a while before becoming a famous Detective. However, after investigation, on the Night July sent a large number of Home Delivery packages to the Metropolitan Police Department, someone could prove that Mr. Mouri had drunk too much and passed out drunk at the Izakaya. Plus, Mr. Mouri's Life isn't so financially strained that he'd need to become a Bounty Hunter, so the Suspicion is very low."

Amuro Toru remained noncommittal. "Then what about Chi Feichei?"

"Chi Feichei himself has no particularly noteworthy connection to 'July' as a month or Leopard Express. Although he's appeared in several investigations related to July—when July used Disguise to become Police Officer Ninzaburo Shiratori, he was Disguise by Phantom Thief Kid. At the time, no one could prove he hadn't left Osaka. But considering the Time, when July, Disguised as Ninzaburo Shiratori, appeared at the Metropolitan Police Department, the Ship had just departed. It's impossible for him to rush from Osaka to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department in an instant…"

Kazami Yuya said seriously, "Of course, if he and Phantom Thief Kid knew each other, they could indeed exchange Identities. But many things don't add up. Chi Feichei has a history of pursuing Phantom Thief Kid, seeming somewhat antagonistic. And on the North Star Train, Chi Feichei was accompanied by a Bodyguard, and was likely in the Dining Car at the time. While we can't confirm specific Details, he wouldn't have had much Time to Action.

Furthermore, Chi Feichei suffers from Mental Illness, including Depression. The Situation we learned from the Hospital is that his condition has only recently improved. Aoyama Fourth Hospital wouldn't falsify records for influence. And July has been active for a while. Our Psychological Expert hasn't been able to analyze any possibility of July suffering from Depression based on his Behavior Pattern.

Besides, with Chi Feichei's Identity, there's absolutely no need for him to become a Bounty Hunter. And he's too young. So his Suspicion isn't high."

Amuro Toru nodded and added, "Chi Feichei has taken Mori Kogoro as his Master."

"Uh, yes," Kazami Yuya blinked, his mind racing. "You think… July is actually a Master and Disciple duo? It's not impossible, but it doesn't quite add up. Taking him as a disciple is recent. Mr. Mouri's Alibi dates back much further. If they'd known each other and been playing July together for a long time, there'd be no need to publicly announce their Master and Disciple Relationship now, right? Wouldn't that deliberately attract Suspicion? Continuing to hide their Relationship and maintain distance would be best."

"Hmm… and July should be a very cautious and careful person, not the type to pull someone into their operation just because they get along. Mr. Mouri's background is easy to investigate. He and Chi Feichei had no Intersection at all before this year. If one of them is July, the possibility of them being partners is low," Amuro Toru pondered, also thinking this Situation was unlikely. "However, among the people we have Information on, if we consider Ability, they are still very likely…"

"Ability?" Kazami Yuya was a little surprised. "Mori Kogoro's Case-Solving Ability is indeed very strong. He's helped the Police solve many Cases this year. But while Chi Feichei has also helped, it's only been in one or two Cases, not enough to judge his Ability…"

"He proposed this Job Application Assessment. You heard it, right? Mrs. Fujima's previous Pet died in a Surgical Accident. The Doctor who performed the Surgery was dismissed and went to Shinchi Pet Hospital. Mrs. Fujima followed her to Shinchi Pet Hospital to cause trouble. He told all Applicants to gather in the Hospital Lobby at 5:30 PM. After roughly understanding the Matters, Mrs. Fujima arrived," Amuro Toru touched his chin, recalling the scene. "The person in charge of the job application directly had the Applicants observe. Hmm… Mrs. Fujima, who was arguing loudly as she entered the Door, instantly quieted down…"

(End of Chapter)