The Old Man Wielding the Stool

In the dead of night, Juzo Megure, fast asleep, was suddenly woken by the ringing of the phone.

Climbing out of bed, he glanced at his wife, Megure Midori, who was still fast asleep, and went to the living room to answer the call: "Hello... who is it..."

"It's me, Fujino Doji. I worked with you a few days ago, Inspector Megure."

From the other end of the line, Fujino's somewhat muffled voice came through.

"Fujino?"

Still groggy from sleep, Juzo Megure asked in confusion. After a moment's thought, he said in surprise, "Brother Fujino? What's up calling me this late? Don't tell me you've run into another murder case?"

Strange, why did I say 'another'?

Recalling what he had just said, Juzo Megure frowned.

Fujino, on the other end of the phone, continued in a calm tone, "I haven't encountered a murder case, but I did solve a murder case from twelve years ago, and incidentally uncovered a drug trafficking ring..."

Hearing that he hadn't encountered a murder case, Juzo Megure breathed a sigh of relief.

However, a moment later, he reacted, "What?! You said you found a drug trafficking gang?!"

"That's right. I've already collected the evidence, that's why I'm calling you."

"Where are you now?! I'll bring people over immediately!"

Juzo Megure repeatedly asked the person on the other end of the phone.

"Moon Shadow Island... Wait, Inspector Megure, that drug dealer's contact seems to be coming over. I have to hang up!"

"Wait, Brother Fujino, don't make any rash moves!"

Before Juzo Megure could finish speaking, the dial tone of the call being hung up could be heard.

"Honestly, Brother Fujino, it's almost the weekend tomorrow, and you're still giving me work to do..."

Juzo Megure's expression gradually turned serious, and he dialed another number: "Manager Matsumoto, it's me, Juzo Megure!"

"The murder case on Moon Shadow Island from twelve years ago has been solved... Also, quickly notify the Fourth Investigation Division. That kid Brother Fujino found a large drug smuggling group on Moon Shadow Island, and he's probably been captured by them now..."

Meanwhile.

"But I really didn't expect this guy to take the bait that same night... Looks like I have to finish this quickly!"

Fujino, after hanging up the phone, let out a playful chuckle and looked at the man walking into the community center not far away.

Since it was late at night, Fujino couldn't see the man's face clearly, but judging by his build, he was certain it was Kawashima Hideo.

Kawashima Hideo was over fifty years old, and he thought dealing with him would be relatively easy.

This was also part of the plan.

"Ah~"

Suddenly, Fujino's nose tickled, and before he could make a sound, he quickly covered his mouth.

The sneeze was forcibly held back, and for a moment, he felt a dull ache in his head.

"This body is really weak... I'm already catching a cold just by being outside in the cold for a while."

Fujino covered his aching head and complained.

Then, he opened the camera function on his phone, clipped it to the pocket of his suit jacket, and took off the necklace around his neck.

Carrying the wooden sword, he followed behind.

Inside the community center.

In a dimly lit piano room, Kawashima Hideo took out a bag of white powder from a hidden compartment in the piano, feeling exceptionally pleased: "I really didn't expect this guy to find a new cheap source. It looks like this batch of goods will last for a few more weeks."

At this moment, a dark figure was stealthily creeping up behind him.

Kawashima Hideo, focused on the white powder, didn't notice anything unusual.

The dark figure swung the wooden sword in his hand, striking the back of Kawashima Hideo's head heavily.

"Bang!"

"Ah!"

With a crisp thud, a scream echoed throughout the community center.

"Who's there?!"

In pain, Kawashima Hideo staggered a few steps forward and turned around fiercely, only to see a young man in a black suit, holding a wooden sword, standing behind him.

[Hint: Detective Time has begun. Countdown: 0-0-59]

"My name is Fujino, and I'm a detective!"

Fujino raised the wooden sword and said, "Mr. Kawashima, I assume this batch of goods earned you a lot of money?"

"Damn it!"

Kawashima Hideo glared at Fujino, "You found out everything?!"

Then, Kawashima Hideo gave a sinister smile and proposed to Fujino, "As long as you keep this secret for me, I'll give you a lot of money..."

"My price is very high, you know!"

Fujino smiled playfully, "How about five million Yen?"

"Deal."

Kawashima Hideo readily agreed without the slightest hesitation.

"What about the murder?"

Fujino didn't agree, instead continuing to play coy, "Do I get extra money for that too? How about fifty million?"

"Fifty million? Why don't you just go rob a bank!"

Kawashima Hideo cursed angrily, his expression faltering for a moment before he asked in surprise, "What exactly are you talking about when you say murder?"

"That's right, murder."

Fujino nodded. "Just yesterday, I received a commission from someone named Aso Keiji to investigate the truth behind his death twelve years ago on this island."

"After my investigation and meticulous inquiries, I've preliminarily concluded that the murderer was one of the four people who first discovered the fire scene back then."

"Twelve years ago, it was you, along with Kuroiwa Tatsuji, Kameyama Isamu, and Nishimoto Ken, who murdered Aso Keiji, wasn't it?"

As he spoke, Fujino stared into Kawashima Hideo's eyes and said gravely, "It's all because he refused to help you transport drugs anymore, so you feared exposure and killed him!"

Kawashima Hideo shook his head. "As childhood friends, we didn't want to kill his whole family and burn him alive. But if anyone's to blame, it's that stubborn fellow... He actually said he wanted to quit because he wanted to save enough money for his child's medical expenses. Did he really think we'd let him go?"

"You're right, great detective, we killed him. So what?"

Kawashima Hideo nodded, then a pleased smile spread across his face. "But I admire you. Your deductive skills and intelligence are second to none. We need talented people like you..."

He spread his arms wide, continuing to invite Fujino. "If you join us, we can offer you the wealth and glory you could never enjoy as a detective!"

"You're full of crap! Who would associate with a murderer and drug trafficker like you!"

Fujino shouted righteously, then activated Detective Enhancement.

[Detective Enhancement has been activated for the host; Countdown 0-1-59]

Honestly, if he hadn't had the camera running, Fujino might have tried to extort them for a bit before turning them in... But that wasn't an option.

These drug dealers would be lucky if they didn't throw him into the sea to reclaim land. What made him think they'd give him money?

"Hmph... Hmph-hmph-hmph!"

Kawashima Hideo lowered his head, a crazed laugh escaping him. "I never expected it, never expected that years of buildup would be ruined by a mere detective... Since that's the case, then you can go to hell!"

With that, he grabbed a stool from beside the piano and swung it towards Fujino.