Chapter 66: Conan: “This Ain’t Even Conan-verse Logic!”

"Hahaha! Fujino, my man, you've done it again!"

After wrapping up the case, Inspector Megure walked up to Fujino, clapping him firmly on the shoulder.

Just as he suspected, whenever Fujino called the police, it was never a small matter—

This time it was a murder case!

Megure had still been worrying about it that afternoon…

Then Fujino called that evening and had already solved it.

And as a bonus, he even helped uncover over a dozen kilograms of drugs!

"So, uh... Inspector Megure, there's gonna be a reward or bounty for this case too, right?"

Fujino wasn't overly moved by the praise.

What mattered to him was—the money.

He figured, even if this case wasn't as outrageous as busting a transnational crime syndicate last time…

Even if it didn't fetch the same ¥500,000 as before, surely it'd be worth ¥100,000–200,000 at least, right?

And even that would be enough.

"Well… about that..."

Megure was momentarily at a loss.

The previous bank robbery case had been a big deal and a huge headache for headquarters, so the reward was fast-tracked and approved quickly.

But this time...

After thinking it over, he finally said:

"I'll file a request to get you that reward, Fujino."

Hearing that, Fujino's expression shifted slightly.

But the next second, he just smiled faintly.

"Sounds good."

He knew the drill—rewards for assisting the police had to go through layers of review.

And in Japan, that could easily take a day or two.

"Hey! Don't forget it was us who found the body!"

"Yeah! All Fujino did was take down the bad guy!"

"Even if he solved the case, we should get credit too!"

At that moment, the self-proclaimed "Wangwang Team" (aka the kids) couldn't hold it in anymore. They all started shouting over each other, protesting.

Seeking recognition and praise is natural for children.

Hearing Megure only praise Fujino, they instantly felt jealous.

"Sigh..."

Inspector Megure turned and looked at the kids, letting out a deep sigh.

These kids, always fighting for credit...

If not for Fujino, they would've been turned into dead rats by now.

But then again, if they hadn't screamed, Fujino wouldn't have come running.

After pondering for a moment, he crouched down and patted the relatively obedient Ayumi on the head.

"Of course, you all deserve credit too."

"Told ya!"

"We're the Junior Detective League!"

The kids were thrilled, puffing up with pride.

"Inspector Megure, what should we do with the suspect?"

Just then, a uniformed officer ran over, asking what to do with the criminal.

"Should we send him to the hospital first or take him back to HQ and question him when he wakes up?"

Megure, being the highest-ranking officer on site, needed to give the order.

"I think we can just take him straight to the station," said Sato Miwako as she walked over, having just finished at the crime scene.

"Fujino-kun's kendo is top-notch. The guy passed out, sure, but he's unharmed. Just throw a bucket of water on him and he'll wake right up."

Sato had full confidence in Fujino's skills.

Don't ask why she was so sure.

Because that's exactly how it went last time with the Italian robber.

Hearing that, Megure nodded and waved his hand decisively:

"In that case, take him to the station for questioning!"

Off to the side, Conan furrowed his brows.

Remembering the brutal scene from earlier, cold sweat soaked the back of his shirt.

He got beat that badly and you're telling me he's fine?!

Are you kidding me?!

He was foaming at the mouth—how's that not an injury?!

This isn't even 'Conan logic' anymore!

Of course, that was just Conan's inner voice.

Because if Fujino had heard him say that aloud...

Well, Fujino would've picked him up and booted him off the third floor with his size 40 boots.

You kicked someone in the face with a flowerpot that sparked like an electric railgun, and that's Conan logic?!

"Fujino... nii-san, you know swordsmanship too? Where did you learn it?"

"Where did I learn it?"

Fujino turned to look at Conan.

"Have you ever heard of the 'Konoha Kendo Dojo'? I trained under Suwa Yuji there."

Of course, he couldn't say he learned it from the system.

Thinking back, the only swordsman he could name was Suwa Yuji.

"Fujino-kun, did you say Suwa Yuji?"

A surprised voice came from nearby.

Fujino turned and saw Sato Miwako staring at him in shock.

Crap. Don't tell me she knows the guy.

Fujino frowned.

"You know him, Officer Sato?"

"Not personally."

She shook her head.

"I've just heard of him. He just got promoted to Kendo 8-dan a few days ago. If he taught you, Fujino-kun, then it all makes sense."

'No wonder he can beat someone that badly and still achieve a "no injuries" record.'

She thought to herself.

"I did hear he was going to take the exam… didn't think he passed so fast."

Fujino scratched his head, mind racing.

So Suwa Yuji made it to 8-dan already?

He remembered Suwa mentioning he was preparing for the grading exam, but he didn't think he'd rise so quickly.

Kendo 8-Dan was already the realm of elite sword masters in Japan.

Beyond that were honorary ranks—9-dan and 10-dan.

At 46, as long as the grim reaper of a certain grade-school detective doesn't show up at his door, Suwa still had a good shot at achieving those.

A valuable ally.

Fujino made a mental note.

Looks like I'll need to go visit this 'Konoha' Dojo sometime.

But the name "Konoha" felt... oddly familiar…

Don't tell me their sword style includes a secret technique called "Thousand Years of Death"?!

Later that night, after finishing his statement at the police station, Fujino finally got home.

He parked his Ford Taurus in the underground garage and pushed open his bedroom door.

Then collapsed face-first onto the bed.

"Damn, traffic was horrible."

Flipping over on the bed, he grumbled:

"I don't even drive a Mazda… how'd I still end up in traffic? Might be time to get a motorcycle. Good thing I already have a license."

In early 90s Japan, traffic jams were still pretty common.

No restrictions, no odd-even license plate rules—

Even dump trucks and huge cargo vehicles could drive through downtown.

So of course it was a mess.

Motorcycles became super useful under those conditions.

And in emergencies, you could even hop onto sidewalks...

Not unethical—just something a certain "Black Rider" might do.

[Congratulations, host! You've completed the Detective Career Mission: Library Murder Case]

[Reward: ¥500,000 and +100 Detective Reputation delivered]

[Remaining reputation needed to level up: 300 points]

[Current balance: ¥1,650,000]

Just then, the system's voice rang in Fujino's ear.

He sat up, staring at the system's account balance, feeling a rare sense of satisfaction.

After so many days in this world, nothing brings comfort like cold, hard cash.

(End of Chapter)