Blowing Up Balloons, Blowing Up a Big Balloon (Starting Tomorrow, You Can Wander Around the Yard)

With a clear lead in hand, Fang Zheng immediately activated Umbrella's Intelligence Department and began a carpet search. Following Fang Zheng's orders, they would thoroughly investigate every family crest in Japan to find the family associated with that feather-shaped crest. Then they could investigate the family, and then... then they would figure out what came next.

Other than sitting around and waiting, Fang Zheng had no other options. He could only hope Umbrella's people were reliable.

As for him, he continued shuttling between the company and the Metropolitan Police Department three times a day.

But...

"Not that I'm saying anything, but your uncle really knows how to cause trouble."

Fang Zheng drove while talking to Sonoko on the phone.

"What does it matter, Mr. Fang Zheng? Isn't Umbrella involved too?"

"Ha... I never should have agreed to this..."

Hearing Sonoko's response, Fang Zheng sighed helplessly. This all started with Sonoko's uncle. The Suzuki Zaibatsu was just like Renya Karasuma—people with too much money and nothing better to do. Her Uncle Jirokichi lacked for nothing, and now all he wanted was to capture Phantom Thief Kid.

To that end, he went all out. He bought an entire newspaper page to challenge Phantom Thief Kid, specifically announcing that he would await his arrival aboard the world's largest newly built airship. He had even put up a gemstone ring called the "Lady of the Sky" as the prize...

Of course, if that were all, Fang Zheng would have had no opinion of him beyond rich fool. But Sonoko's uncle had somehow heard that Fang Zheng had defeated Kid repeatedly and captured Lupin III. Not only did he offer a fortune to hire Fang Zheng, but he had also ordered a full set of security equipment from Umbrella...

That left Fang Zheng thoroughly depressed.