If You're My Brother, Come Take a Swing at Me!

"That young mistress is really strange!"

On the way back, Sonoko sat in the back seat, puzzled, and thought, "Kikuemon did release more than ten pieces last year, but why did Kikuemon say he only made two or three..."

Ran nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I also feel something's a bit strange."

Conan sat there, deep in thought, his eyes lowered. "If what Sonoko said is true, then what's the deal with the extra seven items?"

"Fake product".

Sitting in the passenger seat, Ai Haibara pondered for a moment, "I've heard before that some family members of art masters would use the masters' names to swindle and sell fakes."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "As for whether it's a fake or not, no one can say for sure. It's possible that someone secretly took it from a family collection."

"In that case..."

Ran was stunned for a moment, "Then the person who sold those things must be..."

"Don't think too much about this."

Fujino spoke up, interrupting the conversation. "Some things are better kept hidden. If they are told, they will be completely different. Mr. Kikuemon values pottery very much. If he finds out about this... you should understand. Let the old man live a few more years."

Although we don't know her motives—perhaps it's to supplement her income from caring for her husband, or perhaps she's greedy...—

But Kikuemon now an old man living alone, with no relatives around. His son has died, and the only person he has any connection with is his daughter- Masuko Tsuchiya.

If he really knew he was burdened with such a disgraceful act in his later years, even if no one said anything, the old man would probably die of anger on the spot.

That's what art masters are like. From our conversation just now, it's clear that the other person is a master who values his reputation and integrity very much.

Even if she doesn't die of anger, she will definitely develop a rift with her daughter-in-law.

Some things are better left unsaid. Once they are brought to light, and it even leads to a murder, that would be terrible...

Based on his observations tonight, Kikuemon was indeed drunk, and his daughter-in-law was also completely unconscious.

Death has been taken away by him; at least tonight, nothing will happen to the old man...

As for the others, it's hard to say.

However, he was just an outsider, and there were some things he couldn't protect to the end. After all, he wasn't a personal nanny, nor could he protect someone 24/7.

Taking Death away was the best he could do.

It was already dark when we got back to the hotel.

As soon as the group entered the hotel, they saw Kyogoku Makoto, dressed in a karate uniform, sitting on the sofa in the lobby waiting for them.

"Why does this guy seem so serious?"

Conan didn't have any real impression of Kyogoku Makoto, but he felt a little strange that the other was wearing a karate uniform.

"Fujino- Senior, you must be careful!"

Ran, for once, got a surge of enthusiasm. "It seems Mr. Kyogoku Makoto is planning to take this duel seriously!"

"He just changed into a karate uniform!"

Sonoko, still with her optimistic attitude, said, "Fujino- Senior, you should hurry up and change into your kendo uniform. Use the heroic spirit you showed that guy Okita Soji to teach him a lesson!"

Kyogoku Makoto, who was not far away, suddenly released a faint aura.

Fujino: "..."

Can you please stop provoking the Ultimate Saiyan?

"You guys just got back."

Kyogoku Makoto stood up and walked over. "Do we need to prepare a little?"

"Unnecessary."

Fujino looked at Kyogoku Makoto: "We can go now."

Kyogoku Makoto nodded without saying anything more, then turned and left the inn, with Fujino following behind.

Ran, Sonoko, Conan, and Ai Haibara naturally followed silently behind, intending to watch the two fight.

Fujino was actually a little excited, after all, the guy in front of him was indeed a strong person...

Moreover, they are among the top combatants in the Conan World.

However, he did not feel any psychological pressure.

The Detective class provides him with 600% of all attributes, plus a 150% time-limited bonus to all attributes. The Assassin class also provides 50% to all attributes and 50 to Strength. The Sword Saint class provides him with 300% to all attributes. Add to that the High Monk and the Singer class... and his single Strength bonus has now reached 1600%.

Using another top-tier 400% Enhancement Card, it could even reach 2000%...

Fighting against Kyogoku Makoto, at least until he runs out of Enhancement Card, he won't feel any pressure.

After all, he had drawn so many Enhancement Card before, and he had combined them all into special-grade Enhancement Card and high-grade Enhancement Card.

Although the quantity is not large, it is enough.

In a grove of trees near the hotel.

Night gradually fell, enveloping a sparse grove of trees.

Under the bright moonlight, on the grass, Kyogoku Makoto, who was familiar with the area, led everyone to an open space.

"This place is nice..."

Fujino took a deep breath and couldn't help but exclaim, "The birds are singing and the flowers are blooming, the air is exceptionally fresh, it's quite enchanting..."

"This is a place where I used to occasionally come to cultivate."

Kyogoku Makoto turned around. "There aren't any houses around, so even if we make a noise, it won't attract anyone."

"Forehead..."

Fujino narrowed his eyes slightly, bracing himself. "You don't mean anything by this, do you?"

Kyogoku Makoto: "???"

"Nothing."

Fujino shook his head slightly. "I just suddenly remembered that villains often talk like this when they seduce young girls to commit crimes."

Kyogoku Makoto: "..."

What kind of people are you meeting?

After a moment of helplessness, he said, "This is a proper duel."

"That's good."

Fujino turned around and shouted to the onlookers behind him, "You all step back a hundred paces! Don't get caught in the crossfire if a fight breaks out."

"Oh!"

Ran, however, knew Kyogoku Makoto was. Regaining her senses, she grabbed Ai, pulled Conan by the collar with her other hand, and turned to run away.

"Sonoko, run!"

"Huh?!"

Sonoko was momentarily confused, not knowing what was going on, but she still turned around and chased after Ran: "Don't run so fast, wait for me!"

Ai Haibara, caught between his arms. "..."

Is it necessary to be so afraid?

Um... it's a little soft.

Thankfully, it's not as big as mine.

Conan, who was suddenly grabbed and pulled up. "..."

It's just a fight, why did you have to retreat a hundred steps?

What are you two up to?

Are you suggesting they need steel guns?

But why am I the only one being pulled up, Haibara is being held in someone's arms?!

That's not fair!

Seeing that everyone had run far away, Fujino turned around and looked at Kyogoku Makoto with a gentle smile, "I am a swordsman. If I don't use Wooden Sword, I may not be able to unleash my full strength."

"No problem."

"Shall we begin?"

"Good."

Upon hearing this, Fujino took a deep breath and pulled out Wooden Sword from behind his back. "Then thank you for your understanding."

"Nothing."

Kyogoku Makoto looked at the black Wooden Sword: "If you spar with an enemy and don't use their preferred techniques, then you won't be able to learn anything from the battle..."

"Yeah?"

Fujino gripped his Wooden Sword tightly, swung it a few times in front of him to warm it up, and then steadied it at his side. "Then I'll have to give you a good fight..."

"If you're a true brother, come and stab me!"

Kyogoku Makoto: "?"

The knife isn't in your hand?

"Northern Star · Thunder Sprout · First Move!"

As if to remind the other party, just as Kyogoku Makoto was confused, Fujino shouted, and then stomped his Zulijian Elderly Shoes, making a hole in the grass.

He rushed towards Kyogoku Makoto at an extremely fast speed...