Some time later.
Under the watchful eyes of Inspector Megure and a group of police officers, Toshiro Odagiri and several people from Cunning Hares walked out of the detention room, chatting and laughing.
Officer Odagiri even personally escorted them to the police station's main entrance.
This scene utterly dumbfounded Inspector Megure and the other officers.
Was this still the Cunning Hares that had been so uncooperative before?
They were actually persuaded by Toshiro Odagiri in such a short amount of time!
No wonder he's a Director, his methods are truly superior... That evening, at the Mouri Detective Agency.
Mouri Kogoro was sprawled on the sofa, occasionally rubbing his arms, which were sore from chasing Conan.
Conan, with a head full of still-throbbing bumps, sat dejectedly on a small stool nearby.
The television screen in front of them was on, broadcasting the evening news.
"...Regarding the 'Beika Town Eight-Ton Drug Case' that has received widespread attention recently, Toshiro Odagiri, Director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Criminal Investigations Bureau, held a press conference today to provide an explanation to all sectors of society."
The news anchor reported with clear articulation.
The scene cut to the press conference.
Toshiro Odagiri, wearing a crisp police uniform, had a solemn expression.
He first faced the camera and bowed deeply, at a 90-degree angle, showing immense sincerity.
"First, on behalf of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, I extend our sincerest apologies to Nicole-san and her companions who were mistakenly arrested during this operation, and to the general public who were troubled by this incident!"
Toshiro Odagiri's voice clearly carried through the microphone,
"This operation stemmed from reliable intelligence received by the police, indicating clues about a major drug trafficking operation. Our eagerness to combat drugs led to a significant error in the intelligence verification process, resulting in overly aggressive actions,
and the mistaken arrest of law-abiding citizens. This is a serious dereliction of duty by the police, and we deeply reflect on it!"
Mouri Kogoro watched Toshiro Odagiri on TV, looking remorseful and courageous in taking responsibility, and couldn't help but scoff, taking a swig of beer from the table.
"Tsk, this old fox Odagiri, his tactics are truly impressive! He clearly messed up big time, but with this apology, he actually looks like he's taking charge?
I wonder what kind of mind-numbing potion he gave those mistakenly arrested individuals to make them speak for him in front of the media?"
On TV, Toshiro Odagiri's apology segment ended, his expression changed, and he began an impassioned speech:
"However, although this operation involved a major error, it was not entirely without gains!
During the process of verifying clues and investigating relevant personnel, the police followed the trail and successfully identified several deeply hidden drug trafficking groups! After days of continuous effort,
we have successfully dismantled multiple drug supply chains led by the 'Wild Wolf Group' and 'Poison Scorpion Gang'! Dozens of key members have been arrested, and hundreds of kilograms of various drugs have been seized!
This has severely curtailed the arrogance of criminals!"
The screen cooperatively switched to scenes of the police escorting suspects and seizing drugs, a rather spectacular sight.
"Look! Look!"
Mouri Kogoro pointed at the TV and said to Conan,
"This old man managed to turn an embarrassing blunder into his achievement of following a trail and solving a major case!
No wonder he can be a Director, it's incredible! I don't think he'll be demoted this time, he might even get a promotion!"
The news then broadcast a brief statement from a representative of Cunning Hares.
Nicole stated that although they had an unpleasant experience, they understood the police's determination to combat crime and thanked the police for ultimately clarifying the facts.
Even more surprisingly, Nicole announced that they had decided to donate most of the profits obtained from this "rock candy incident" to orphanages in Tokyo and surrounding areas.
At the same time, Cunning Hares pledged that, in order to avoid similar misunderstandings in the future, they would cease their business of selling rock candy online at high prices.
"Hey, this Cunning Hares is pretty smart too!"
Mouri Kogoro stroked his chin, "Donating money to orphanages and promising not to sell rock candy anymore, that's truly remarkable."
After the news ended, Mouri Kogoro's attention returned to Conan.
He straightened his face and pointed at Conan, who was covered in bumps.
"You brat! See? If Officer Odagiri hadn't been so clever, and if those people from Cunning Hares hadn't been so reasonable, you almost caused a huge disaster!
From now on, think before you act! Don't just mess around all day, relying on your petty cleverness! Do you hear me?!"
"Yes... yes, Uncle..." Conan lowered his head and mumbled a response.
Late at night, when all was quiet.
Only the ticking of the clock remained in the agency.
Conan lay on his small bed, unable to sleep, the images from the news and Mouri Kogoro's words replaying in his mind.
"Cunning Hares decided to donate most of its profits to orphanages." (Looping playback)
A strong sense of shame made him want to hide.
Damn it! Cunning Hares was so poor they were driving a rebuilt Toyota HiAce.
Yet they still donated the money they earned to those who needed it more?
And he, like a righteous crusader, had treated them as heinous drug dealers... "I... I deserve to die!"
In the darkness, Conan suddenly sat up, raised his hands, and with two sharp slaps, fiercely slapped himself across the face!
His cheeks stung, but it did nothing to alleviate the guilt in his heart.
He clutched his head in agony, curling up on the bed.
Just then, the corner of his eye seemed to catch something unusual.
Outside his room window...
Conan's heart rate suddenly accelerated.
On the glass window, reflecting the dim moonlight, a line of blood-red characters was clearly imprinted:
"I found you, Kudo Shinichi."
"Ah—!"
Conan was scared out of his wits, letting out a startled cry, then quickly clamped his hand over his mouth, his heart pounding wildly.
His hair instantly stood on end, and cold sweat soaked his pajamas.
Was it a hallucination? It must be a hallucination from being too tired and stressed!
He violently threw off the covers, scrambling to the window, leaning close to the glass to examine it carefully.
Outside the window, there was nothing.
The glass was clean and clear; where were any blood-red characters? The terrifying scene from moments ago seemed to have never existed.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Conan gasped for air, nearly scared to death.
It really was a hallucination... He must have been too tired recently and hadn't rested well... With lingering fear, he held onto the window frame, his gaze subconsciously falling to the street below.
Just then, his pupils slightly widened.
In the shadows of the street, a figure was walking unhurriedly.
Because he was looking down from above, Conan couldn't clearly see the person's face.
But what he could see was that the person's clothing and style were extremely symmetrical.
And on top of the person's head, there were a pair of fluffy, dwarf-rabbit-like ears standing upright?
Those ears even trembled slightly in the dim streetlight.
"Haha, I really am too tired, I'm having hallucinations."
Conan rubbed his eyes hard, then, dragging his exhausted body, he collapsed onto the bed.