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Okinawa, a hotel room.
Yukiko blamed herself for failing to keep an eye on Ran. She still hadn't heard from Vermouth, and the longer she waited, the more restless she became.
"I hope Shinichi finds the clinic Ran mentioned soon."
"If Yusaku were here, he'd already piece together the clues and catch that damned bomber."
"If anything happens to Ran… how am I supposed to face Shinichi and Kisaki Eri…"
…
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound interrupted her anxious muttering.
Creak.
The door opened, and Yukiko froze.
"What's wrong? I rescued Ran without failing my mission. The least you could do is say thank you."
Vermouth waved a hand in front of Yukiko's face.
"Ran…"
Thank God. She's back.
Yukiko snapped out of it, tears welling up as she pulled Ran into a tight hug.
"You're back, that's all that matters. Your father and Conan are helping the island police investigate the clinic you mentioned."
"You must've suffered. Come inside."
"I need to tell Conan and the others you're safe."
Ran looked downcast, letting Yukiko lead her into the room.
She'd escaped, yes, but what she'd lost could never be recovered.
Yukiko brought over two cups of warm water, setting them in front of Vermouth and Ran, then dialed Mouri Kogoro.
She'd originally wanted to call Conan first, but remembering his appearance as a child, she changed her mind.
Since Ran was safe, it made more sense to notify her father first.
"Ran, do you remember who took you to the clinic? Or what it was called?" Yukiko asked after hanging up.
"I don't remember."
Ran lowered her head, emotions churning inside her.
Even if she did remember, so what?
After what happened, she wasn't ready to tell anyone, especially Yukiko, Shinichi's mother.
"Did he do anything to you? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"
Something was wrong.
Seeing Ran's lethargy and troubled expression, Yukiko realized she was lying.
She'd been missing for nearly twenty hours, taken by a ruthless bomber. Threats, beatings, or worse would've been completely possible.
"Yukiko," Vermouth said gently, eyes full of pain for Ran, "she just recovered from a serious ordeal. Let her rest first. You can ask later."
Damn Steven.
He hurt her angel.
If she weren't injured herself…
"When I recover, I'll settle this with him. I'll drain him dry until he can't even lift his head at the sight of a woman in black stockings and long legs."
Vermouth clenched her teeth, swearing silently.
She blamed herself for being injured and off her game, losing to Steven and dragging Ran into this suffering.
"Alright," Yukiko sighed. "Ran, lie down and rest."
"Chris, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you for a bit longer. Kogoro said the island police will come with him to question you and Ran."
"They probably want any clues that could help track the bomber and that silver-haired devil."
Yukiko apologized as she kept Vermouth behind.
Twenty minutes later.
Mouri Kogoro arrived with Jodie and two island police officers.
During the questioning, Vermouth and Ran coordinated carefully. They only mentioned that Steven lived in a veterinary clinic, revealing nothing else.
…
Outskirts, a standalone villa.
In a second-floor bedroom, a sharp-faced man in a bathrobe lay on the bed, talking on the phone.
"Miss Akemi Miyano, it's not that I broke our deal. The organization has its eye on me. If I don't run now, I'm dead."
"A refund? You must be dreaming. I don't lack ten billion yen, but once money's in my pocket, it doesn't come back out. I'm sorry about your sister."
"When I leave isn't your concern. If you want to taste something explosive, I could consider telling you."
"We're all civilized people. No need to get angry. I wish you luck rescuing your genius scientist sister. Bye-bye."
When death's on the line, honor doesn't mean a damn thing.
His name was Jo Murakami, a big name in the underground world of Monkey Nation, long involved in illegal deals with the Organization.
As a longtime partner, Gin had made an exception and granted him limited access to the base.
Jo Murakami repaid that kindness by playing with fire. He stole classified information and secretly took on a private job.
Ten billion yen from a woman named Akemi Miyano, in exchange for smuggling out a core chemist.
Two hours earlier, his bodyguards spotted men in black tailing them, cameras in hand.
Veterans who lived on the edge of a blade had excellent instincts.
Realizing his theft and escape plan were exposed, Jo Murakami knew he had to leave Okinawa immediately.
The villa could be abandoned. His life couldn't.
"With over thirty elite bodyguards protecting me, and me staying in my room, what can the Organization do?"
Jo Murakami smirked and tossed his phone into a cup of water.
"I should be happy about the extra ten billion, but once I'm on that plane tonight, I'll probably never set foot on these islands again. Why does that make me feel… oddly sad?"
"There's still time. Might as well go all out one last time."
Clap, clap, clap.
Jo Murakami clapped three times, and two scantily dressed women entered the bedroom.
To leave without regrets, he planned to savor the island's delicacies to the very end.
At that moment, outside the villa.
Steven walked slowly toward the iron gate, Araide's words echoing in his mind.
"Assassins are judged by skill."
"Third-rate assassins rely on dirty tricks."
"Second-rate assassins rely on strength. Real men fight one-on-one."
"First-rate assassins focus on style, killing with elegance and flawless movement."
If you're going to do it, do it perfectly.
In the Conan world, every time Gin appeared, someone was dying or about to die. He was basically the leader of a modern assassination squad, like an ancient killer reborn.
The goal might be killing the target, but skill defined the assassin's rank.
Steven only cared about one thing.
Looking cool while doing it.
A man with a system could afford to be this reckless.
"Stop. You've crossed the line."
"Mr. Jo Murakami ordered that no one approach within one meter of the gate. Take another step and don't blame us for denying you a way out."
The sudden voice cut through Steven's thoughts.
Two suited bodyguards stared at him coldly from behind the iron gate.
"Don't misunderstand," Steven said calmly. "I just want to ask if you recognize this man. The Organization sent me to take his head. If the address is right, this should be the place."
Steven took out the photo Gin had given him and studied the two bodyguards with mild amusement.
Click, click.
They glanced at the face in the photo and, without the slightest hesitation, raised their guns.
"....."