BWDC:SDDK Chapter 25: Bonds of Fire? Is This Actually the Hidden Leaf?
In the end, Nobuko Nagamoto walked in on her own two feet and was carried out horizontally.
Fortunately, she had only fainted from sheer rage. The old butler pinched her philtrum for a while until she finally came to. However, Nobuko didn't return to the Chairman's bedroom. Instead, she turned and left immediately, looking as if she had reached some sort of grim resolution.
There was no other choice. She couldn't win a physical fight, and she certainly couldn't win a verbal one.
If she didn't leave now, was she supposed to wait until after the birthday banquet and let those two brats jump her with a burlap sack?
"Wow, she's gone already? I didn't even use ten percent of my power," Ren Ichimonji remarked, holding his coffee and standing by the window. He watched Nobuko's departing figure with a click of his tongue.
If that nuisance hadn't left by tonight, he really would have considered whether to throw a sack over her head and give her a proper thrashing.
As a certain Evil God once famously said: It's only a crime if you get caught.
With his "Dark Knight of Gotham" techniques, he figured he could beat her every time he saw her and no one would ever find out.
"Detective Mouri, this young man is truly..."
Heizo Hattori looked at Ren, who was still standing by the window with an air of "solitude as cold as snow."
Various adjectives flashed wildly through his mind. After a brief mental brainstorm, he finally spoke.
"...Truly a man of character. He possesses the spirit of a chivalrous wanderer."
Beside him, Kogoro Mouri turned his head to look at Heizo, several visible question marks practically floating above his head.
Huh? Isn't 'chivalrous wanderer' usually a term for the Yakuza? Is that supposed to be a compliment?
Oh, I see. You Osaka police officers do things even more ruthlessly than the mob. Never mind then.
Kogoro Mouri sighed with emotion.
"Indeed. He is the man whom even the 'reinforcements' call for reinforcements."
After the brief farce, the woman who had entered earlier with Nobuko returned to the room.
This time, she hid cautiously behind a man who looked rather wretched.
Perhaps seeing her hot-tempered eldest sister faint from anger had left her with some psychological trauma.
"Mr. Mouri, let me introduce you."
"This is my second daughter, Yasue Nagamoto, and that is my son-in-law, Mitsuaki Nagamoto."
Nagamoto Dozo, lying in bed, looked significantly more energetic now that his eldest daughter had fled. He introduced the newcomers to Kogoro with a smile.
Mitsuaki Nagamoto, who had a face like a conniving rat, gave a detailed self-introduction with a grin. He held up an exquisite gift he had brought and offered his congratulations.
"Father-in-law, happy 60th birthday! I wish you a long and prosperous life!"
Mitsuaki leaned down, handing the gift to Dozo personally. Then, without even trying to hide his motives, he added:
"Father-in-law, if you're feeling grateful, why don't you hurry up and hand over the position of Chairman of the Nagamoto Group to me?"
At those words, Ren Ichimonji's head snapped around toward Mitsuaki by the bedside.
Ren: ?
I was wondering why the mission didn't mark as complete after I chased Nobuko away.
So the main event is right here? Such "filial piety." Just wait until I switch to Batman mode tonight and see what's really going on.
"Ha... haha..."
Dozo Nagamoto laughed awkwardly.
What could he even say? His two daughters were only after his fortune, and his son-in-law was the same.
Looking at the Nagamoto family—who seemed to be held together like a poorly assembled model kit—Kogoro Mouri couldn't help but shudder.
If that brat Kudo ever actually succeeded with his daughter, Kogoro realized he'd have to seriously evaluate the kid's character. Otherwise, if he turned out like this Mitsuaki guy, eyeing his estate, things would get ugly!
Conan, standing nearby, looked up at Kogoro.
He didn't need to think hard to know what the older man was imagining. He immediately complained in his head:
Good grief, Uncle! What kind of fortune do you even have for me to plot over? Is that really the kind of person you think I am?
"It's about time. Senior Nagamoto, I'll be heading back to the Osaka Police Department now."
Heizo Hattori glanced at his watch and bid Dozo farewell.
He had originally planned to reminisce with Dozo before leaving. However, the verbal sparring between Ren and Nobuko had been so captivating that he had completely forgotten. Now that he was out of time, he'd have to save the chat for his next visit.
"Yes, Heizo. Take care!" Dozo nodded seriously.
Hyuga Miyuki, who was standing by the bed, rose and gave a slight bow.
"Chairman, I will see Mr. Hattori out and then go prepare the arrangements for the birthday party. Would that be alright?"
Such a distant attitude made Dozo hesitate.
It wasn't until Miyuki and Heizo had reached the door that he finally spoke up.
"Miss Hyuga... I plan to announce the matter regarding you and Hidetoshi at the party tonight. If you still feel sympathy for him, then..."
Miyuki paused and said softly:
"My feelings for Hidetoshi have never been sympathy. This is our destiny."
"A long time ago, we were bound together by the Bonds of Fire."
The sound of her footsteps gradually faded away.
Listening to them, Dozo Nagamoto couldn't help but sigh.
Curious, Kogoro Mouri asked, "Mr. Nagamoto, what are those 'Bonds of Fire' Miss Hyuga mentioned?"
Yeah, I'm curious about that too.
Ren Ichimonji leaned against the wall, watching Dozo with interest.
Bonds of Fire? Is this actually the Hidden Leaf Village? Don't tell me you're about to give me a speech about the Will of Fire.
Seeing that everyone seemed interested, Dozo sighed and began the story.
"Twenty years ago, a hotel caught fire. At the time, a young boy rushed into the sea of flames to save people. In the end, he only managed to save one girl. Because of that brave act, his face was severely burned and disfigured."
"That boy was my third son, Hidetoshi Nagamoto. The girl was Miss Hyuga."
"Miss Hyuga has fallen in love with Hidetoshi, and he loves her as well. Therefore, I intend to announce their relationship at tonight's birthday party, so they can live their lives openly together."
Sounds like a classic "hero saves the beauty" story.
Ren rubbed his chin.
However, in the context of the Conan universe, something felt a bit off.
As he was thinking, he glanced toward the bedroom door. Suddenly, his hand holding the coffee cup trembled.
Noticing Ren's reaction, Heiji Hattori also turned toward the door and felt a jolt of shock.
There, the bedroom door had been pushed open just a crack.
A mysterious man, his face completely wrapped in bandages and looking quite menacing, leaned against the doorframe. Only one eye and a face full of gauze were visible as he stared gloomily at the scene inside.
Seeing this, Heiji instinctively prepared to go into "Spinosaurus mode" and start hissing.
However, Dozo Nagamoto stopped him just in time.
"Mr. Hattori, that is my third son, Hidetoshi Nagamoto..."
Before he could finish, the bandaged man vanished from the doorway.
Dozo shook his head and sighed.
"Since the disfigurement, Hidetoshi has been like this—silent and averse to meeting others."
"Please don't take offense... By the way, my birthday party starts at ten tonight. Before you catch that thief, why don't you all join the celebration?"
As the host, Dozo extended the invitation.
"The more the merrier, after all."
Right. And if a murder happens and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police show up, it'll be even merrier, Ren thought sarcastically.
I just hope the Kanto and Kansai groups don't start a brawl on the spot.
End of Chapter
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