"Sensei... is something bothering you?"
Hearing Conan's question, Ritsu couldn't help feeling impressed. He hadn't expected Conan to notice even such a subtle change in his expression.
'As expected of a great detective.'
"It is. Want to know?"
"Of course!"
However, the light in Conan's eyes quickly faded.
His teacher raised an index finger and wagged it with obvious mischief. Wearing an unusually broad grin that revealed a row of gleaming white teeth, he said,
"I'm not telling you. It's a secret."
"..."
Conan rolled his eyes helplessly.
His teacher was great in every way, except that he always kept certain things from him. Sometimes he was even a little black-hearted, as though he genuinely enjoyed teasing him.
Naturally, Ritsu couldn't tell Conan about the Organization's mission.
With Conan's overwhelming sense of justice, he'd undoubtedly do everything in his power to stop the murders. If Gin or the others discovered that, the consequences would be unimaginable.
'I'm sorry, Kudo... There are some things you simply shouldn't get involved in. Forgive me for being selfish.'
"I can't believe you still see cars like that nowadays. What was it called again?"
The direct VIP elevator suddenly opened.
A bespectacled employee carrying a stack of clean towels walked out while chatting with the man beside him, completely oblivious to Mio's darkening expression.
His companion laughed.
"A Porsche 356A. I never thought I'd see someone driving a classic car around. I'm so jealous... My salary probably couldn't even cover its maintenance costs!"
Seeing the two employees coming out of the VIP elevator, Mio immediately scolded them loudly.
"You two! That elevator is reserved for VIP guests! Regular employees use the one in the back!"
"Yes, ma'am! We're very sorry, ma'am!"
The moment he heard "Porsche 356A," Conan's face changed dramatically. He was about to rush over and ask questions when Ritsu stepped directly into his path.
Crouching down with a serious expression, he said coldly,
"Don't."
Seeing the look on his teacher's face, Conan finally calmed down.
He remembered that he was just a child now. Even if he ran into Gin and Vodka, there was nothing he could actually do.
Acting recklessly would only make matters worse.
'But why are Gin and Vodka here? Sensei's worries must have something to do with them.'
"Sensei... tell me. Are they carrying out another mission? Like the transaction I witnessed before? Is this exchange supposed to happen here at the Twin Tower Building?"
Conan asked anxiously.
Knowing it would be difficult to keep hiding the truth, Ritsu finally admitted,
"The Organization does have a mission. Their targets are Yoshiaki-san and Councilman Iwamatsu. Both of them are lower-ranking members who betrayed the Organization."
"So they're planning to make their move during the opening ceremony?"
Conan asked.
Ritsu gave a slight nod.
"Yes. But I don't recommend that you get involved."
Conan froze for a moment. Frowning deeply, he asked in confusion, "Sensei... are you really going to stand by and do nothing?"
Ritsu pinched the bridge of his nose, unsure how to answer.
Originally, he truly hadn't intended to concern himself with whether those two lived or died. But hearing Kudo ask him that ...filled him with unexpected guilt.
'Since when did I become such a selfish person?'
"I'll take care of it. I promise neither of them will die. Will that satisfy you?"
"Sensei... Don't carry everything on your own. I can help you."
Ritsu reached out and gently ruffled Conan's hair with a smile.
"Right now, you're just an elementary school student. If the Organization notices a child constantly appearing around them, they'll naturally suspect there's someone behind you giving orders."
"And the first person they'll suspect will be Kogoro. You wouldn't want the people around you getting hurt because of you, would you?"
Only then did Conan realize what he had overlooked.
Before becoming Conan, everything in his life had gone so smoothly that he still hadn't fully adjusted to his current situation.
"I understand, Sensei. But if there's anything I can do, I'm always ready whenever you need me."
"Heh. Got it."
Noticing the two whispering to each other the whole time, Kogoro couldn't help becoming suspicious.
'Is another case about to happen? Seriously... this is exactly why I hate it when police officers and detectives gather together.
Whenever they do, something always goes wrong.'
"Um... Onizawa-nii, could you come here for a second?"
Ritsu turned around in confusion and found Mitsuhiko calling for him. Not understanding why the little boy wanted him, he still walked over, crouched down, and asked,
"Mitsuhiko, what is it?"
"Tomorrow at ten o'clock in the morning... could we meet at the KFC in Beika Town 2-Chome? There's something I'd like to ask you about."
"I happen to be on vacation recently. Unless something unexpected comes up, I'll contact you an hour beforehand."
"Okay! Thank you very much!"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Ayumi approached Ran with a similar request.
The only difference was that instead of meeting at a fast-food restaurant, she wanted to meet at a newly opened donut shop in Beika Town 1-Chome.
After the brief gathering ended, Ritsu returned to his car and immediately dialed Gin's number.
He wanted to know why Gin had personally come to the Twin Tower Building instead of relying on the intelligence Ritsu had already gathered.
"Hello, Gin. It's me."
"Do you have questions about the mission?"
"Yeah. I already gave you all the investigation reports. Was there really any need for you to come here personally? You know your car attracts far too much attention."
Hearing the latter half of the sentence, Gin chuckled softly. In an unusually good mood, he lit a cigarette, brought it to his lips, and slowly said,
"Pisco's been getting rather close to someone lately. Did you know that?"
"Oh? That's news to me."
"Taylors."
The moment he heard that codename, unpleasant memories surfaced in Ritsu's mind. With amused interest, he asked,
"Hasn't Taylors always preferred younger male members? Since when did that freak become interested in someone with one foot already in the grave?"
"Heh. Pisco has been with the Organization for a very long time. He knows quite a bit about the Organization. If someone like him defects to their side, it'll become rather troublesome."
Ritsu narrowed his eyes.
"Don't tell me you're planning to plant one of your remote-controlled toys inside the Twin Tower Building? Hey, I'll be there tomorrow too."
Gin exhaled a cloud of smoke and lazily replied,
"I'll make sure you're removed from the equation. Partway through tomorrow's opening ceremony, it'll be perfectly natural for you to leave as a police officer."
"Once you've reached your sniping position, I'll detonate the bomb."
"A sniper assignment, huh? Works for me. It's been a while since I last touched a sniper rifle."
"Good, we'll be in touch tomorrow."
After hanging up, Ritsu began thinking through tomorrow's strategy.
At this stage, the only person he could rely on was Akemi. If she passed the information to Wataru, Public Security could be brought into the operation.
Besides, Rei had probably already learned that he was still alive. After the previous bombing incident, he had almost certainly informed Hiro as well.
'Heh... Looks like I'll have to organize this rescue operation under my own name.'
Picking up his phone again, Ritsu made another call.
"Hello, Akemi. I need to ask you for a favor."