Conan World's Outlaw, Tokisaki Kurumi

Furthermore, the pen discarded by Boss Manaka before his death, the slip of paper with Kubota's name on it, and the armor Director Ochiai wore when he committed the murder were all disposed of by Kurumi. This left absolutely no evidence or clues, no matter how much Mouri Kogoro, who couldn't grasp the situation, and Kudo Shinichi, the genius, racked their brains, they wouldn't be able to find the real killer.

Of course, this was also thanks to Director Ochiai's extremely deceptive appearance.

'Damn it, is there really no clue at all? Was the killer's method really that simple, yet without a single flaw?' At this moment, Conan's small face was contorted with frustration.

As the self-proclaimed strongest detective, he absolutely refused to believe that such a perfect cover-up method could exist in this world without the slightest oversight.

"Is the killer really Kubota?" Mouri Kogoro muttered, staring intently at the corpse in front of him. "No, that guy is too timid." Recalling Kubota's pathetic display of near-complete terror in the security room just now, Mouri Kogoro began to suspect he was overthinking things.

"If it's purely out of fear of being sued for massive compensation, then that reason could support Kubota's eagerness to kill."

Based on his years of experience, Mouri Kogoro knew that people in extreme fear could indeed become enraged and do things they wouldn't normally dare to.

Beside Mouri Kogoro, Conan did not agree with his guess.

'Although Kubota is indeed suspicious because of this incident, when it comes to motive for murder, Director Ochiai is actually the most likely suspect.'

'And...'

Conan looked at the various paintings hanging on the surrounding walls, his mind racing.

'If the goal was just to kill Boss Manaka, why are all the artworks on the surrounding walls still here, except for the wall behind the body, which is completely bare?' Looking at the marks on the wall, it was clear that the painting that had hung there previously had been removed before the murder.

'Could it be to protect the artwork!' With a flash of inspiration, Conan suddenly thought of this possibility!

'Yes, given Kubota's behavior of secretly taking artwork to sell, that man would absolutely not do something like this specifically to prevent damage to the artwork!' Conan felt increasingly that he might have found a clue.

'If nearby works were moved to protect the artwork, then the killer must be someone who deeply loves art. Coupled with his intimate knowledge of the museum's interior... Director Ochiai...'

As his speculation progressed, Conan became more and more certain that the person who killed Boss Manaka was definitely not Kubota.

Moreover, Conan looked at Boss Manaka's death, the sword piercing his throat, which was exactly like the artwork named Divine Punishment they had seen earlier.

'The knight killed the demon.'

'If that's the case, then everything makes sense.' Although Conan had identified the true killer, he currently had no evidence to prove his conjecture.

Beside him, noticing Conan's expression change like a mask, especially the sudden confidence and smile, Kurumi's gentle smile instantly turned cold.

Her exposed red right eye stared icily at the small figure.

Behind her, as if sensing its master's anger, the imposing figure of King Crimson appeared beside Kurumi.

'Interesting, Kudo Shinichi guessed that the killer was Director Ochiai.' In just an instant, the coldness emanating from Kurumi vanished, and the corners of her lips curled into a more teasing smile. 'Should I say he's worthy of being a famous detective? But even so, what evidence do you have to support your guess?'

Kurumi knew very well that based solely on one person's analysis, and a child at that.

No matter how plausible his reasoning, without decisive evidence, it was just telling a self-righteous story.

Besides... Conan guessing the killer was something she had expected, wasn't it?

18 I get angry too, big sister

The fact that Conan could quickly guess that the killer of Boss Manaka was not Kubota, but the aging Director Ochiai, with no clues, made Kurumi feel that she had underestimated this protagonist before.

However, even though Conan had guessed the killer, it was ultimately of no consequence to Kurumi.

Because he had no evidence.

'If the killer is Director Ochiai, then the reason he imitated the method of the knight killing the demon in Divine Punishment is because Boss Manaka intended to convert the museum into a hotel, leading Director Ochiai to believe he was the demon who stole his beloved treasure.'

'Otherwise, if the culprit were Kubota, there would be no need for such a method to kill Boss Manaka; simply stabbing him once would be more efficient, wouldn't it?'

As he got closer to the truth, Conan gradually deduced the reason why Director Ochiai was the killer.

'Wait a minute!' Suddenly, Conan remembered that when Uncle Mouri was asking the museum employees for their alibis, Director Ochiai had said he was in his office discussing the painting with Kurumi at the time.

'Could Director Ochiai's alibi be problematic?' Conan recalled the time of Boss Manaka's death. 'Around 4 PM, Lan, Uncle Mouri, and I saw a "No Entry" sign in the corridor, but by 5 PM, the sign was gone.'

'The time of the crime was between 4 and 5 PM, yet Director Ochiai claimed he was meeting Kurumi at that time.' Conan was a little puzzled. Inspector Megure had already confirmed Director Ochiai's alibi with Kurumi. If neither of them was lying during that period and they were indeed in the office, then the director would have had to leave at some point within that hour to commit the murder.

'This means that during this period, if Director Ochiai wanted to kill someone, he would have had to leave for at least fifteen to twenty minutes and complete the crime within that timeframe.' Judging by the blood on the victim and the ground, if Director Ochiai was the killer, he would inevitably have been splattered with blood from the victim when he killed Boss Manaka.

Thinking of this, Conan recalled another crucial issue.

That was that Director Ochiai's clothes were exactly the same as when they first met him during the day.

If he had indeed changed out of his blood-stained clothes during this period, why hadn't the police found any blood-stained clothes when they searched the museum and every room and office within it?

Or perhaps... he had concealed himself while committing the crime?

'Wait a minute!' Conan looked at the long sword in the victim's throat and suddenly thought of a possibility.

'The knight used his own sword to kill the demon. If Director Ochiai was wearing some kind of costume... then it would indeed be possible not to leave fingerprints on the sword hilt.' Conan thought of the Western-style armor helmet they had seen when they visited earlier that day.

'Yes, if that were the case, it would explain why the victim didn't escape or resist after sustaining the initial injury.' After much thought, Conan finally reached a conclusion.

'If that's the case, then everything makes sense.' A confident smile reappeared on Conan's face.

'However, the most needed evidence now is Kurumi's answer and that set of armor stained with blood.'

Just as Conan confirmed the killer's method, Mouri Kogoro, who had been running his hands through his hair in frustration and dejection, also stated his judgment.

"The killer is definitely Kubota!"

With a motive and no alibi, coupled with the fact that he was an employee of this museum.

These three points finally led Mouri Kogoro to conclude that Kubota was the killer.

"No! That's not right! It's not like that!" Hearing Mouri Kogoro's unreliable statement, Conan hurriedly wanted to tell him his analysis, to let him know that although Kubota had a motive, he wasn't the murderer.

"Uncle, wait! The murderer isn't Kubota, it's Director Ochiai!"

Just as Mouri Kogoro turned to head back to the monitoring room to identify the killer, Conan's words made him stop in his tracks.

Turning back, he looked down at the mischievous brat in front of him. Mouri Kogoro scolded him irritably, "Kid, Director Ochiai is an old man, how could he possibly have the strength to lift a 200-pound fatty with one hand!"

"Besides, what proof do you have?" The thought of the police officers complaining when he arrived that his kid had snuck in while they weren't paying attention, and that they couldn't catch him, gave Mouri Kogoro a headache.

This kid was too much trouble.

And he looked exactly like that kid from the Kudo family when he was little.

The thought of that guy who stole his livelihood and his daughter's relationship filled Mouri Kogoro with rage.

Unaware of the anger radiating from Mouri Kogoro, Conan hurriedly said, "It's true! And Director Ochiai must have left his office for a while when he met with Sister Tokisaki. Uncle, you just need to ask Sister Tokisaki!"

As Conan finished speaking, Mouri Kogoro, who was about to teach the kid a lesson with his fists, heard Kurumi's voice from behind him.

As for how Mouri Kogoro recognized her?

That enchanting and beautiful voice, the first time Mouri Kogoro heard it, he felt his bones turn to jelly.

And she was so beautiful.

It was a shame Kurumi was about the same age as his daughter...

Mouri Kogoro, a lecherous old man, had plenty of experience.

"Conan, even though you're a child, it's not right to suspect a kind old grandpa so casually! Big sister will get angry too!" Kurumi, who had been watching from the sidelines, walked over and said.

At this moment, Kurumi, who seemed genuinely annoyed by Conan's statement, looked at him with an angry expression.

"What!" Kurumi's words shocked Conan.

"See? I told you this kid always spouts nonsense." After verbally scolding the stunned Conan, Mouri Kogoro turned to Kurumi apologetically, "I'm sorry, Miss Tokisaki, this kid..."

Just as Mouri Kogoro was about to apologize, Conan, who was in his arms, suddenly asked in disbelief, "Sister Tokisaki, you're saying Director Ochiai really didn't leave his office... Ow!"

Before Conan could finish, Mouri Kogoro's fist, in his exasperation, landed on Conan's head.

"Enough!"

Conan, clutching his head in pain, squatted on the ground.

19 Wait, I know you

Conan felt so wronged after being hit on the head.

Mouri Kogoro's fist was hard and fierce. Tears welled up from the pain as Conan touched the bump on his head, feeling extremely aggrieved.

However, compared to the pain in his head, what Kurumi said was even more concerning to Conan.

"Sister Tokisaki, you mean Director Ochiai never left?"

"Hey, you little brat!" Seeing Conan's persistent curiosity, Mouri Kogoro raised his fist again, ready to strike.

Seeing that he was about to be hit again, Conan closed his eyes.

"Wait a moment, Uncle Mouri."

Mouri Kogoro, whose legs felt weak from Kurumi calling him "Uncle Mouri," retracted his fist.

"Heh, don't, don't be angry, Miss Tokisaki. This child just needs a good spanking." Mouri Kogoro's expression instantly shifted from rage to fawning, and he looked a little embarrassed.

"It's okay, it's normal for children to be a little mischievous," Kurumi said. With her words, Conan knew he had escaped further physical punishment.

But her next sentence made his heart skip a beat.

"But children must be polite!" Kurumi walked in front of Conan and looked down at him. "Director Ochiai is an elder. Conan, you must respect your elders, understand?"

Kurumi's imposing presence made Conan instantly become timid.

"I understand, Sister Tokisaki."

Conan felt so awkward saying that!

Director Ochiai was an elder, and he was Kudo Shinichi.

But this girl in front of him was about his age, and now he, the great detective, had to call her "sister."

And he couldn't not call her that!

Fine, a true man knows when to bend. I'll endure it! Conan gritted his teeth, indicating he knew he was wrong.

Seeing Conan's attitude of admitting fault, Kurumi was very satisfied. "Very good, children should act like children. That's the right way to do it!"

She ruffled Conan's hair and smiled.

"Alright Conan, we need to go back to Inspector Megure," Mouri Kogoro urged, eager to close the case and go home as it was getting late.

"But..."

Conan wanted to argue a bit more, but upon seeing Mouri Kogoro raise his fist again, he wisely shut his mouth and looked eagerly at Kurumi beside him.

At a time when no one believed a child's words, Conan hoped Kurumi beside him could help him.

So, on the way back.

Walking beside Kurumi with his short legs, Conan quietly asked, "Sister Kurumi, has the Director been in his office the whole time without going out?"

Hearing Conan's question, Kurumi thought for a moment and said, "Director seemed to have gone out for a bit around 4:30."

"Oh?" Kurumi's answer immediately made Conan ecstatic. So, he hurriedly pressed on, "How long has Director been out?"

In Conan's view, Kurumi's words indirectly confirmed that Ochiai had left his office during the time of the incident.

However, what Kurumi said next was like a bucket of cold water doused on Conan's head, extinguishing his burgeoning detective spirit.

"About two or three minutes. Director said he was going to the restroom," Kurumi replied.

"Two or three minutes? Really?"

Conan's string of questions clearly displeased Kurumi a bit. She looked straight ahead, pretending to speak casually, "Yes, I was drinking tea then, how could I not know? And besides..." At this point, Kurumi stopped walking and looked at Conan beside her.

Gazing into Conan's big, watery eyes, Kurumi said earnestly, "I don't know why, but I always feel like you're not quite like a child, Conan!"

!

Kurumi's seemingly casual remark stunned Conan.

"Why aren't you, a child like this, afraid of a dead body? Instead, you keep finding ways to get closer? I even want to go home."

Under Kurumi's wine-red right eye, Conan's expression froze.

"Also, you're a child, yet you don't respect your elders at all. That's really not good!" Kurumi said, tapping Conan's forehead with her finger. "Even though your parents are gone, since you're temporarily staying with classmate Mouri's family, you must not cause them any trouble, understand? Conan?"

If someone unaware heard this, they would probably think Conan was living with Mouri Kogoro because his parents had passed away.

This is the art of language!

"Uh... Ah!" Conan, who was being stared at by Kurumi, was also staring back.

But at this moment, Conan felt as if the beautiful wine-red eyes in front of him could see through everything about him. Beneath Conan's exterior, his true identity as the high school student Kudo Shinichi was seen through clearly by the other party.