Without Money, What Is There to Risk?

Fujino had no idea whether Hakuba Saguru had also noticed this.

When the Spider uses illusions, his mask emits a specific red light and a special sound frequency.

Of course, Fujino did not tell Hakuba Saguru exactly how the Spider used illusion techniques.

He observed these things himself, so why should he tell Hakuba Saguru?

What is your phone number?

Hakuba Saguru suddenly asked Fujino.

Why are you asking for my phone number?

Upon hearing this, Fujino frowned and looked at Hakuba Saguru with a strange expression.

"I've been investigating this Spider for a while now, and my return to Japan this time is also because of him."

As he spoke, Hakuba Saguru pulled out his phone, a flip phone that looked like a foreign brand. "Spider's target is Kaito Kid. As long as Kaito Kid is still in Japan, Spider won't be leaving anytime soon."

"Your opponent is Kaito Kid, and my target is Spider. Since that's the case, we'll likely be dealing with each other frequently in the future. If the two of us High School Detective team up, then Kaito Kid and Spider ..."

He originally thought that Fujino was just a High School Detective similar to him, but perhaps not as good at reasoning.

But after witnessing what he just saw, his impression of Fujino changed.

Although I don't want to admit it.

However, in terms of both observation skills and combat ability, the opponent is very strong, even surpassing him.

He finally understood why his father had praised him so much...

I just don't know how good their reasoning skills are.

It should be at a passable level.

If he teams up with Fujino is also High School Detective...

But before he could finish speaking, Fujino interrupted him, "I think you might have misunderstood something."

"Misunderstanding?"

Hakuba Saguru was somewhat confused by Fujino's words.

Based on the intelligence he has gathered so far.

Fujino has now confronted Kaito Kid at least twice.

He believed that Fujino's relationship with Kaito Kid was like that of him and Spider, a nemesis like Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty.

Seeing Shiratori's puzzled look, Fujino realized that this guy might have fallen into the misconception that he was also High School Detective: "Kaito Kid is no match for me. The reason I came here to stop Kaito Kid this time is because I was asked by the curator of this Museum to protect the gem."

"Although I am also High School Detective, I am different from you High School Detective who solve cases and catch professional killers in your spare time. I am a professional detective, and my main source of income comes from detective commissions."

"Joining forces to capture the phantom thief and professional assassins? Forget about it. Although the intelligence you have indicates that you won't face retaliation, that's only a possibility. Who knows what kind of professional assassin you might offend?"

"The main reason is that my time and energy are limited. I won't get involved in your affairs unless there is a commission and corresponding compensation."

"Of course, if you need any help, you can also choose to ask me to help you."

That's right, he's High School Detective.

But unlike Hakuba Saguru and Kudo Shinichi, who are High School Detective who work in their spare time, he is a proper 'detective'.

Whether it's Sherlock Holmes or Great Detective Poirot, the ultimate goal of becoming a detective is to make money.

High School Detective might chase criminals like oxen without pay, for reasons such as faith or fame.

But you're asking a detective who's paid to do things to act like a slave, like High School Detective.

You're overthinking it.

Fujino had no interest in showing off his intelligence or fighting prowess.

There's no profit to be made, and it will only get you into danger.

If you don't even have money, what's the point of risking your life?

Even someone like Poirot or Sherlock Holmes wouldn't engage in such a dangerous and risky business.

Of course, that's a different story if someone pays him to do it.

As long as the money is right, I'll cut off any kidney for him.

"Since that's the case, I won't insist... It's still necessary to exchange phone numbers. If I need anything in the future, I'll entrust you with this task."

Hakuba Saguru didn't press the issue too much; he could understand Fujino's words.

He fundamentally misunderstood.

The other person wasn't High School Detective like him.

Instead, they are professional detectives.

But this is still pretty good.

While it's not possible to form an alliance and get things for free, being able to pay for thugs is still pretty good.

As for money...

Hakuba Saguru stated that he is not short of money.

His father is the head of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

Moreover, he has received considerable rewards from the London police for solving murder cases over the years.

A small commission fee is still within our budget.

Fujino expressed particular admiration for Hakuba Saguru, a man of great talent.

Hakuba Saguru's reasoning ability may not be as good as Kudo Shinichi's, but in terms of emotional intelligence, Hakuba Saguru completely surpasses Kudo Shinichi.

Conan seems to have put all his points into his deductive reasoning ability.

They have absolutely no emotional intelligence.

After exchanging phone numbers, Fujino was immediately surrounded by a large group of reporters as he left the Museum.

"Detective Fujino, what are your thoughts on this defeat against Kaito Kid?"

"You fought him once before, but he escaped again this time. Please share your thoughts."

"Does this mean that Kaito Kid is invincible?"

The surrounding reporters bombarded him with questions.

It had a sense of accusation and retribution.

Fujino was already used to these reporters who loved to pounce on him as soon as they smelled something and conduct unscrupulous interviews.

He pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "I don't think you've grasped the crux of the problem. This time, we won, not lost."

"You won?"

The surrounding reporters all looked puzzled. "How can you say you've won if you haven't even caught anyone?"

Do you know what kind of phantom Kaito Kid is? And how many countries are on his wanted list?

Fujino took the initiative and turned the tables on the reporters, asking them questions in return.

"Kaito Kid is an international thief, wanted by more than twelve countries..."

A female reporter answered Fujino's question, "But what does this have to do with Kaito Kid escaping from your clutches?"

"That's right, Kaito Kid is a notorious thief wanted by more than twelve countries."

Since he's a notorious thief wanted by so many countries, why haven't they arrested Kaito Kid? Not only have they failed to capture him, but they even managed to steal the treasures he was protecting..."

Fujino wagged his finger, revealing a knowing look on his face. "Although the Metropolitan Police Department and I didn't catch Kaito Kid, we at least stopped him from stealing the treasure in the notice. Do you understand the significance of that?"

"Moreover, since we've managed to protect the treasure, it means we haven't lost; on the contrary, we've won, we're completely won."

"I see!"

"Detective Fujino, please share your thoughts on defeating Kaito Kid this time..."

And so, after Fujino's barrage of words, all the reporters present were completely fooled.

What started as an interrogation turned into an interview with Fujino about his victory.

Fujino: No one understands the art of shifting the goalposts better than me.

"They can easily handle negative interviews from the media and even reverse the tide."

Hakuba Saguru, who was about to leave in a police car, glanced back and thought, "Is this what a professional detective is like?"

After the media interviews ended, it was already past nine o'clock in the evening, almost ten o'clock.

After the media interview ended, Arima Curator readily paid the commission fee of one million yen.