Genji Firefly Bandit Group

After taking Kikuchiyo away and staying at the kendo dojo for a while, Fujino returned home.

Going upstairs to his room, Fujino took out Kikuchiyo and examined it closely.

Kikuchiyo's overall color scheme is red, including the hilt, the fish skin inside, and the scabbard. The tsuba, the scabbard tip, the bottom of the hilt, and the scabbard itself are all red, while the tsuba, the scabbard tip, the scabbard base, and the scabbard itself are all adorned with gold.

Fujino couldn't understand the pattern carved on the tsuba, but it looked like chrysanthemums, because there were similar chrysanthemums as decoration on the clasp and the bottom of the hilt.

"A sword decorated primarily with chrysanthemums, no wonder it's called Kikuchiyo."

Fujino drew Kikuchiyo, revealing half of the blade. A straight pattern ran from the blade to the tip, and sunlight shone on it, making the mirror-like blade reflect his face.

He glanced at it and then sheathed the knife.

Fujino couldn't tell what kind of sword it was for the time being, but he felt that Kikuchiyo's sword was rather plain.

As for the steel, he couldn't tell much, but it was most likely a type of steel like Tamahagane.

Who in their right mind can distinguish iron with the naked eye?

"Ding! Special item detected!"

"Currently, 'Kikuchiyo' can be stored as a system item and enhanced!"

The system's voice suddenly sounded in my ear.

"Special items, store them in the system?"

Fujino paused for a moment upon hearing this, then opened the system interface:

[Special item Kikuchiyo detected. Host, would you like to store Kikuchiyo?]

Yes | No

Storage costs: 5 million yen

"The storage alone will cost five million yen?"

Fujino frowned slightly as he looked at the options on the system interface.

The system's enhancement function can only enhance items drawn from within the system.

As for fusion, it's not picky. Anything produced within the system or not can be fused as long as they are compatible.

The fused components can also be enhanced.

As for Kikuchiyo, the income system could be strengthened.

After all, even the most powerful sword is still just an ordinary sword, and it is nothing compared to the hidden blade that has the system's support.

Fujino estimated that the hidden blade could cut this famous sword in two with a single strike.

However, if Kikuchiyo were strengthened and given the system's support, she might become an item with attributes and skills, just like the hidden blade.

However, the storage costs five million yen...

That dog system is truly a beast!

Although it was a bit expensive, after careful consideration, Fujino still chose to enhance it.

[4.45 million yen has already been consumed for the host]

Kikuchiyo has become a system item.

[Kikuchiyo: Its body is forged from a famous sword from a thousand years ago, truly deserving of the name of a thousand generations.]

The sword itself was forged during the Heian period, and its author is unknown. People generally believe that this famous sword is named Kiku and that Chiyo is the author's name, but this is completely wrong.

Kikuchiyo was forged to keep watch for a thousand years. Its name, Kiku, means "chrysanthemum" and Chiyo means "a thousand years." After being passed down for a thousand years, this sword has been passed down by countless people and finally became the true Kikuchiyo.

Now that Kikuchiyo has come into your possession, please make good use of her!

Despite the erosion of time, this knife is no longer as strong as it once was. However, with the addition of unknown enhancements, its sharpness still far surpasses that of ordinary swords. In a clash, it can easily cut through an opponent without harming itself.

Appearance: A famous sword in the shape of a chrysanthemum, with red and gold colors echoing each other. Its appearance is simple, but the heritage behind it is anything but.

Skill effects:

—: Passive (With special enhancements, sharpness and strength are amplified)

"Good heavens, this thing is actually a thousand years old?"

Fujino looked at the system interface in front of him, surprised for a moment, then looked down at Kikuchiyo in his hand, his gaze suddenly becoming much more respectful. "Master Suwa has really given me a great gift..."

The Heian period, as described in the system, was roughly between 794 and 1192 AD, according to his memory of reading history books about this world.

It's been a thousand years, that's for sure.

If we use a concept familiar to Chinese people, that would be the Northern Song Dynasty.

The core of a knife is its blade. If the blade breaks, then the knife is no longer the same knife.

Although the equipment has been changed, he believes that the blade of this knife should still be the same one from a thousand years ago.

In his view, Kikuchiyo was something that couldn't be measured by money alone.

That is to say, Dojigiri Yasutsuna, a contemporary of the same generation, is now kept in the Museum of Kosei and is regarded as a national treasure, while Tsurumaru Kuninaga is kept as a royal treasure.

You can't buy this kind of thing even if you want to.

Even if they are put up for sale, they are usually traded through auctions.

This kind of knife could probably easily fetch hundreds of millions of yen...

Of course, Fujino was just thinking about it; he would never actually do something like selling knives.

Although it is a famous sword, according to the system introduction, no one knows the name of this sword, which has been passed down for thousands of years.

Even if you sell them, you won't make much money; keeping them will only result in a loss.

I would never sell a business that would result in a loss, not even if it meant starving to death.

Even if something that has been passed down for thousands of years has rotted into scrap metal, it is still a treasure.

Moreover, in a sense, it is still the legacy of his master.

If I were to sell this, I would truly become an animal.

"But now that it's become a system item, this knife should be able to be upgraded, right?"

Fujino didn't think too much about it. He opened the system interface and looked at the newly appeared items in the enhancement list:

[Kikuchiyo]

[90% success rate in enhancement]

"A 90% chance of enhancement; it seems that most system items have this probability for their first enhancement."

Fujino casually tossed an Intermediate Enhancement Gem with a 15% bonus into the system's enhancement pool.

100% success rate

[Consume one Detective Coins to upgrade]

[Enhancement: Yes | No]

Fujino decisively chose to strengthen himself.

[Enhancement Successful]

[Kikuchiyo (+1)]

[—(With special enhancements, sharpness and strength are increased: additional minor enhancement)]

[Gain new effect: 'Inheritance: Passive (The will of countless swordsmen is awakened; for thousands of years, countless swordsmen have wielded Kikuchiyo, leaving their own Sword Intent within it. When using Kikuchiyo, one's own will and sword skills are enhanced)']

"A small bonus to sharpness and strength, plus a legacy skill."

Fujino glanced down at the Kikuchiyo +1 in his hand, rubbed his chin, and fell into deep thought:

Kikuchiyo whiteboards inherently possess a certain degree of sharpness and strength enhancement; otherwise, after a thousand years, they would probably have become scrap metal long ago.

The extra strength bonus is understandable; it's probably because men generally prefer something harder and stronger.

In other words, this knife can still be used in actual combat.

But carrying a priceless treasure out to kill people seems a bit inappropriate, doesn't it?

If it's just a regular knife, it's not a big deal if it gets damaged; I wouldn't feel bad at all.

But even a slight weariness in him over the fact that this priceless, legendary Kikuchiyo, which has been passed down for thousands of years, had its blade chipped was a bit painful.

It's like a child raising a cat. No matter how annoying it gets later, the initial enthusiasm is extremely high, and they are afraid that the cat will get too cold or too hot.

Although some items in the system will gradually recover as they are returned to your Pocket Dimension, it's hard to say for sure.

After a moment of internal struggle, Fujino suddenly had an idea. "If strengthening it by +1 can increase the strength of this sword, then if we continue to strengthen it, wouldn't this sword be indestructible?"

Fujino thought the idea was feasible.

He immediately reopened the system interface and began to enhance it.

[The host has already been enhanced!]

[Kikuchiyo +4]

[Black Ghost +2]

[Current Detective Coins: 10]

After a series of enhancements, Fujino upgraded Kikuchiyo to +4.

Kikuchiyo's enhancement probability decreases by 10% with each enhancement, and by the time she reaches +4, the enhancement success rate is only 50%.

All he had left was a high-grade enhancement stone.

As a side effect, I also slightly enhanced Xiao Hei.

However, the effect was still very good. Kikuchiyo seemed to be going along with his wishes, and a 'damage-free' special effect was revealed:

[Kikuchiyo +4]

[—(With special enhancements, sharpness and strength are greatly improved: additional significant enhancement)]

[Inheritance: Passive (Contains the will of countless swordsmen, which is inspired; for thousands of years, countless swordsmen have wielded the Kikuchiyo, leaving their own Sword Intent within it. When using the Kikuchiyo, one's own will and sword skills are enhanced.)]

[Undamaged: Passive (A famous sword that has been passed down for thousands of years has been reborn after continuous strengthening. After being worn out, it can be repaired to the state it was in when it was included in the system by consuming Detective Coins and money.

Current wear: 0%

[Black Ghost +2: (The host can separate their shadow from themselves and move freely {duration: 4 hours; cooldown: 5 minutes})]

The +4 Kikuchiyo's extra sharpness and strength are greatly enhanced. Fujino hasn't tested how strong it is yet, but with the Undamaged trait, he can test it with peace of mind.

At least it won't be unrepairable after it breaks.

As for the +2 Xiao Hei, the effect is actually quite good. Although the cooldown time is not reduced, it is extended to four hours, which gives you a lot more room to maneuver.

It's just a pity about the Detective Coins.

One round of enhancements consumed 20.

He now has 10 Detective Coins left.

It's like going back to square one.

Early morning, in Fujino's bedroom.

Is it a distortion of human nature or a decline in morality? Kamoshita, a freelance writer who collaborated with a Tokyo publishing house, was arrested by Shizuoka police for public indecent assault in Atami City.

Another cross-border serial murder case has occurred in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, with five murders in quick succession. The perpetrator is the same person, and the victims are members of the Genji Hotaru thief gang...

"The Conan World is really lively..."

Fujino held the newspaper, glancing at the headlines.

There are many murder cases in the news, but he has encountered very few.

Even my neighbor, the Mouri-niisan, ran into one these past few days.

He didn't encounter it...

All I can say is that this case is like the neighbor's son, Old Wang.

When I want to visit friends, I don't go out; when I'm too tired to visit, I suddenly have to go on a business trip.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Fujino went to school and came home, living a simple life, and didn't encounter any cases.

"Knock knock knock!"

"Enter!"

There was a knock on the door. Fujino answered and turned around to see Ai Haibara walking in carrying a package. "The postman just gave me a package. The recipient is you."

"It must be that kid's commission fee."

Fujino put down the newspaper, stood up, and took the package.

I weighed it in my hand, and it's quite heavy...

Such a heavy package must contain tens of millions of dollars.

Yes, Kinukawa is such an honest child. He said he would give up all his possessions, and he did. He's such a good kid!

Fujino was deeply moved and silently sighed in his heart before eagerly opening the package.

Then, right in front of you, there's a piggy bank that's completely wrapped up and surrounded by foam.

A note was stuck to the piggy bank. "Thank you. I'll definitely come back to see you again when I have the chance, and we can go to Atami together..."

Fujino: "..."

Where's my money?

Wait, could this piggy bank be the entrusted deposit?

"It's such a cute piggy bank."

Ai Haibara glanced at it, then picked it up and shook it a couple of times.

Splash, splash.

Fujino's face darkened upon hearing the voice, and he sat down on the sofa, lost in thought.

Judging from the noise, there's at most 10,000 yen inside...

Damn, could this be all the kid has?

Shouldn't child stars be all rich?!

Seeing Fujino's Ai Haibara expression, Ai Haibara asked with a slight smirk, "Want to break it open and see?"

"No."

Fujino sighed, "No need to even look, there's at most ten thousand inside."

Ai Haibara looked puzzled and shook the piggy bank a couple more times. "How did you figure that out?"

"You can tell just by listening."

Fujino took a deep breath. "If you like this piggy bank, you can have it."

"Oh."

Ai Haibara responded and hugged her piggy bank, "Then you've made a wasted trip?"

"It's not a wasted trip, is it?"

Fujino put his hands behind his head and leaned back against the sofa. "Although this kid didn't give me any commission, I still made a profit. Hmm, you should remember those photos I gave Inspector Yokomizo before, right? I secretly made copies and sent them to those newspapers. They gave me five million yen just as a thank-you fee."

Ai Haibara: As expected of you.

"Dili li!"

Just then, a phone rang. Fujino took out his phone and saw the contact Juzo Megure.

Fujino thought for a moment and immediately thought of the most common reason his older brother called him. He then answered the phone, "Brother Megure, what case do you need my help with this time?"

There was a moment of silence on the Juzo Megure: "Brother, how did you know there was another case?"

Fujino was speechless for a moment. "Besides asking me to solve cases, what else can you call me for?"

"That's true..."

Juzo Megure cleared his throat and said, "Since you've already guessed it, I'll get straight to the point. Recently, there have been murders in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The victims are all from an organization called Genji Hotaru. Police from Osaka and Kyoto will be coming today to conduct a joint investigation. We'd like you to participate, Fujino. There will be a press conference later, so you can show your face while you're at it."

"Oh, I understand."

Fujino nodded and pondered, "People from Kyoto are here this time too. The higher-ups probably want me to go and make a show of things. By the way, people from Osaka should also be involved. The purpose is to show those arrogant rich dogs in Kyoto the outstanding talents of the headquarters to outsiders, right?"

Juzo Megure: "..."

Dude, can you please not be so direct?