Chapter 59: Primary Three-Star

Just as Fujino had suspected, Marudenjiro hadn't sold Suwa Yuji's heirloom sword Kikuchiyo.

He had simply stored it away in his collection, intending to keep it for himself.

As for telling Suwa Yuji that he'd sold it—he was just trying to bluff his way through…

But for all his cleverness, he hadn't expected Suwa Yuji to be willing to kill over a sword.

When faced with life or death, Marudenjiro remained rational.

After being thoroughly threatened with death, he reluctantly retrieved Kikuchiyo from his storage and returned it to Suwa Yuji.

A sword was good—but life was better.

As for calling the police…

He was engaged in shady dealings himself. Call the police? What was he going to do—turn himself in?

In the end, Suwa Yuji reclaimed Kikuchiyo, and Fujino successfully collected his 500,000 yen protection fee.

Although Marudenjiro was shameless, when it came to dealing with detectives, he didn't dare act carelessly.

Perhaps he also knew that of all the people in the world to offend, a detective was the last one you should choose.

After leaving Marudenjiro's house, Suwa Yuji caught up with Fujino.

"Thank you so much!"

Suwa Yuji gave Fujino a deep bow. "If not for you, Detective Fujino, I might've lost my temper today and done something to disgrace the way of the sword."

"It's nothing. I'm just glad you came to your senses. I could tell your sword isn't meant to kill."

Fujino waved it off casually. "Besides, no matter how despicable Marudenjiro is, he's still my client. I couldn't just stand by and let you kill him."

"A great kindness like this cannot be repaid in words."

With that, Suwa Yuji raised his head again. "Though it may be presumptuous, could I ask what school or style your swordsmanship comes from?"

"School?"

Fujino frowned slightly at the question.

To be honest, he didn't know himself.

From the Encyclopedia of Swordsmanship, he had learned many different schools and styles. Whenever he fought, he simply imitated moves from a variety of them.

Which specific school? He really couldn't say.

Maybe there was a bit of Battousai's Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, some others…

Shaking the thoughts aside, Fujino smiled lightly and replied, "It's nothing formal. Just a family sword manual I read growing up. I mostly just practiced at home for fun… figured it'd come in handy subduing criminals."

"You're too modest!"

Suwa Yuji cut him off with a serious expression. "Your sword techniques are varied and profound in style. With your understanding of kendo, you could easily establish your school."

As he spoke, Suwa Yuji handed over a business card.

"Suwa Yuji, 46 years old, Director of Beika-Konoha Kendo Dojo… 7th-dan Kendo?"

Fujino took the card, studying the text, momentarily dazed.

"That's right."

Suwa Yuji nodded confidently. "I'm planning to take the exam for 8th-dan this year."

"I see…"

Fujino nodded, thoughtful.

7th-dan kendo… No wonder this guy's so strong.

In Japan, kendo is ranked from 10th-kyu to 8th-dan, with dan ranks starting at 1 and going up to 8.

7th-dan—just beneath 8th-dan, which is the pinnacle under official kendo rules in Japan.

Achieving 8th-dan was no small feat—those who passed were the elite of the elite in the kendo world.

And 7th-dan was already very prestigious, typically the rank of dojo leaders or university kendo instructors.

Above that, the so-called 9th and 10th-dan were purely honorary titles.

"To be honest, from our match earlier, I could tell that while you're extremely knowledgeable about kendo, you haven't yet learned how to fully apply that knowledge in combat… If possible, I hope you'll come by my dojo sometime."

At that moment, Suwa Yuji spoke up again. "I'm nothing special, but with decades of kendo experience, I might be able to offer you some pointers."

"In that case, I'll take you up on that offer."

After a moment's thought, Fujino agreed.

Truthfully, he had been feeling his limitations very clearly lately.

It was like standing before a massive gap—something he couldn't quite cross.

And that something was experience. He lacked the practical experience needed to fully blend knowledge with action.

If he could get guidance from a 7th-dan kendo master like Suwa Yuji, perhaps that gap wouldn't take long to bridge.

As night fell, Fujino stood on the balcony of his home, gazing blankly at the half-hidden moon in the sky.

A cool evening breeze brushed past, carrying with it a faint trace of melancholy.

[Congratulations, Host, on completing the Antique Collector Murder Case. Reward: 500,000 yen and 50 Detective Reputation Points]

[Congratulations, Host, Detective Rank Upgraded: Primary Three-Star]

Suddenly, the system's voice echoed in his mind, shattering that rare moment of peace.

Fujino was stunned for a moment. Afterward, with a thought, he pulled up the system interface:

[Name: Fujino]

Current Profession:

Main Profession - Detective: Primary Three-Star (Next Upgrade Requires: 500 Detective Reputation Points)

Main Profession Skills:

Full-Time Detective (Earn extra rewards for solving cases or completing commissions)

Detective Time (Primary): For 60 seconds while reasoning, no one can interrupt you

Detective Enhancement (Primary ★★): Increases Host's physical capabilities by 150%

(Duration: Primary ★ - 120 seconds)

Detective Aura: When activating detective abilities, automatically applies psychological pressure on suspects, reducing their combat effectiveness by 10%

Available Profession Points: 1

Current Balance: 1,800,000 yen

"Five hundred reputation points, huh?"

Fujino glanced at the career panel. "Doesn't seem like much more than the last time…"

Muttering to himself, he used the available point to upgrade Detective Enhancement.

[Detective Enhancement]

(Enhancement: Primary ★★★ → Increases Host's physical abilities by 175%)

(Duration: Primary ★ → 2 minutes)

"If I count the Bodyguard Enhancement, my current physical amplification should be around 395%, right?"

Fujino stroked his chin as he reviewed the stats, nodding in satisfaction.

Four times the physical strength, combined with nearly triple the reaction speed.

This might not be top-tier strength in the chaotic world of Conan logic, but it was respectable.

At the very least, he could probably spar on equal footing with someone like Ran Mouri's battle monster best friend, Sonoko Suzuki.

As for regular criminals?

Let's just say—with enhancements like these, Fujino was confident he could physically subdue even the most desperate armed thug within ten seconds.

And if he encountered something nasty—like elite big bosses or monsters—there was no need to panic.

After all, he still had that purple rarity Strength Boost card with a 200% increase stored in his inventory.

With 500% strength and 300% reaction speed, even facing B-rank threats, he was confident he could take them down.

(End of Chapter)