Two Generations on Mermaid Island

Jiang Hang Heiji Hattori are both observant people. Just from the other person's attire and the shape of the calluses on his hands, they could tell that the other person was probably a fisherman on the island.

Behind him was a long-haired woman who looked like his girlfriend. The two of them must have come to the shrine to see Shimadai Kimie about something, but they just happened to run into Jiang Hang, which is why he spoke up to remind Shimadai Kimie not to talk nonsense in front of outsiders, so as not to affect the festival on the island.

Shimadai Kimie quickly introduced herself to Jiang Hang and the other person.

"This is Rokuro Fukuyama, and behind him is his girlfriend Sumi Ebihara. They are fishermen on the island and are also friends who grew up with me, Saori, and a few others."

She then told her two friends about Jiang Hang's identity.

When they learned that Jiang Hang and Heiji Hattori had come to investigate the missing Saori Kadowaki, both of them wore indifferent expressions.

Like everyone else on the island, the two of them also believed that Saori Kadowaki's disappearance was simply because she had run away to escape responsibility.

"That Saori Kadowaki actually sought help from a detective. That really fits her cowardly personality."

Rokuro Fukuyama chuckled softly.

Sumi Ebihara glanced at Jiang Hang again, seemingly having heard of Jiang Hang's reputation as the Eagle-Eyed Detective before.

She nodded to Jiang Hang.

"However, Mermaid Island is completely different from the places you detectives have been to before. The mermaid legend here has been passed down from the Edo period to the present day, and Kimie's great-grandmother really ate mermaid flesh, which is why she is still alive today."

Seeing her friend suddenly start explaining these things to outsiders again, Shimadai Kimie quickly offered an explanation.

"No, my great-grandmother just turned 130 this year. You can find that by checking her household registration information. She is not hundreds of years old as some other people on the island say."

"She just lived a little longer than the average person. She probably didn't have any serious illnesses in her life and was always careful about what she ate and wore, which is why she's lived this long. It has absolutely nothing to do with mermaid meat."

However, listening to her explanation only made things more ambiguous.

Sumi Ebihara directly recounted an incident that occurred on the island three years prior.

"Three years ago, someone actually found a mermaid's body on this island, and it was even featured on television at the time."

Heiji Hattori responded quickly, explaining that this was something he had investigated the previous night.

"It was in a warehouse on the island that a body was found burned beyond recognition. Because it didn't resemble a human body, many experts said it was the body of a mermaid."

Sumi Ebihara nodded. "You could say that it was because of that incident three years ago that Mermaid Island has so many tourists every year. A considerable number of these tourists are hoping to see mermaids and eat their flesh to gain immortality. At least many people on our island believe in this."

Rokuro Fukuyama tugged at his girlfriend, telling her there was no need to go into so much detail.

"They haven't seen these things themselves, so naturally they won't believe them. There's no need to tell them so much."

Judging from their appearance, they must have seen that corpse with their own eyes back then, which is why they are so certain that "mermaids really exist."

In response, Jiang Hang couldn't help but think of how Miyano Shiho and Gin had come to Mermaid Island around that time.

Given Gin's abilities, he must have discovered the truth about Mermaid Island back then, and then left with Miyano Shiho, completely disregarding it.

Rokuro Fukuyama stepped forward and said to Jiang Hang, "Since you came to the island because of Saori, why don't you just go to Saori's house to investigate?"

Heiji Hattori frowned slightly. "That Saori is probably your friend too, right? Aren't you really worried about your friend's safety?"

Rokuro Fukuyama shrugged. "Once you've investigated there even once, you'll know why Saori keeps running away from home."

After saying that, Rokuro Fukuyama bypassed Jiang Hang and Heiji Hattori, waved the wooden plaques in his hand at Shimadai Kimie and said, "I and the Ebihara family have already drawn our fortunes this year. Remember to record them later." Then he left with his girlfriend.

Jiang Hang watched the couple's departing figures.

Although they look like a couple, or rather, they are trying hard to pretend they are a couple.

However, from Eagle Eye's various perspectives, the couple seemed to have some awkwardness between them.

The man's unease was even more pronounced when he was in the presence of Shimadai Kimie.

I never expected to encounter such a melodramatic love triangle in a place like this.

Jiang Hang withdrew his gaze, deciding that it was best for him to stay out of this melodramatic situation.

"Wooden plaques, drawing lots?"

Heiji Hattori then looked at Shimadai Kimie, hoping she could explain to him, "Didn't you say that the Dugong Arrow was lost by Saori Kadowaki? Why is there still this lottery event this year?"

Shimadai Kimie sighed helplessly, "That's why I've always said that these Nishimoto symbols of a festival, and they're not real at all."

"That Dugong Arrow was just an ordinary arrow that my great-grandmother made herself decades ago. It's just that it's quite old, so everyone on the island considers it an antique that's hundreds of years old. Saori really doesn't need to be so afraid."

"After I told my great-grandmother that the Dugong Arrow had been lost, she wasn't angry at all. She even said that she hadn't noticed it back then, so she planned to make a few brand new Dugong Arrow every few years starting this year and then draw them out by lottery."

"Moreover, unlike before when the lottery was only drawn among the island's residents, Grandma said that starting this year, 100 more wooden plaques will be added for the lottery. Even tourists from other places can get a chance to draw a lottery by spending only five yen. If they are lucky enough to win, they can keep one of the Dugong Arrow for a year."

Shimadai Kimie showed the wood in her hand; under her carving, it had already taken the basic shape of a wooden plaque.

Unexpectedly, she actually carved this thing herself, even though the wood is very soft and the carving difficulty is not high.

But compared to the amulets and charms that the shrines outside import from factories, the wooden plaque carved in front of guests on Mermaid Island is indeed quite sturdy.

"If you draw it, just remember to return the Dugong Arrow a year later. Of course, it doesn't matter if you don't have time to come over then, just keep it with you and don't give it to anyone else."

It's surprising that this Shimadai Kimie has such a good business sense; is she trying to attract more tourists this way?

Heiji Hattori wasn't particularly interested, but Jiang Hang still obliged by taking out a five-yen coin and receiving a number plate with the number "47" engraved on it, which Shimadai Kimie had just finished carving.

"Forty-seven passengers have already bought number plates. I was hoping that since this is the first year, I could bring back a Dugong Arrow. It seems that it won't be that easy."

"By the way, if I want to buy it as a collectible, how much do you think would be a reasonable price?"

"Mr. Jiang Hang, are you planning to buy Dugong Arrow?" Shimadai Kimie understood Jiang Hang's meaning and couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation.

"If I'm lucky enough to win the draw, I'll definitely buy it. After all, I don't even know where I'll be next year, or if I'll be able to return this Dugong Arrow. It's safer to buy it. If you're willing, Miss Junhui, you can name your price. If it's just a few million, it's no problem for me."

Jiang Hang was absolutely right.

He's only been in Conan's world for a little over six months, and things have already progressed to this point.

If he were given another year to develop, he really wouldn't know what he would become.

Maybe by then his system will have collected enough energy to take him to the real Assassin's Creed world and start over?

In short, a few million is not much for him, who can earn nearly ten million from a single one-star commission. It's something he can buy without any burden.

"I... I don't know how to say this. How about I go up tonight and ask my great-grandmother for her opinion, and give you an answer tomorrow? What do you think?"

I wonder if, seeing how surprised Shimadai Kimie looks now, they'll pull some kind of stunt like a customized lottery to get him to buy this thing tomorrow.

After taking down the wooden plaque, Jiang Hang asked Shimadai Kimie about the home of Saori Kadowaki.

After all, he still needed to go to the other party's house to find out what exactly happened there.

For example, how exactly was that Dugong Arrow lost?

An arrow is placed on an island; it's impossible for it to be taken away without a reason.

With Shimadai Kimie's explanation, they quickly learned where Saori Kadowaki's house was located.

After leaving the shrine, Heiji Hattori first asked Jiang Hang if he had made any discoveries.

"I don't think you'd believe the mermaid thing."

Jiang Hang nodded naturally. "Although I know that there are indeed many things in this world that cannot be explained by science for the time being, and there may really be some creatures similar to mermaids living somewhere, I think it is definitely not on this island."

He didn't mention anything about immortality.

Because this thing is very likely to exist in the Conan world, or more precisely, in the Phantom Kaito Kid. It is the Pandora Gem that is currently missing, but is very likely to become Eden Shard under the system's adjustment.

Heiji Hattori in thought.

"I asked an uncle I know to help me retrieve the case file of the arson case that happened in the warehouse on this island three years ago. Although the body in that case did not have a complete lower body and did not look like a normal human, I am certain that it was definitely not the body of a mermaid."

"I think that the arson case three years ago might also have been a meticulously planned murder. If we have the chance, we might be able to find some clues about what happened back then while searching for Ms. Saori, and find out the truth of what happened back then."

Jiang Hang nodded affirmatively at Heiji Hattori, agreeing that his reasoning was sound.

"Also, generally speaking, given that we already know from Ms. Kimie at the shrine that the Dugong Arrow is nothing special and doesn't bring any curses, and is just an ordinary arrow, why is Saori Kadowaki so nervous?"

"Although the island's inhabitants all believe in the legend of mermaids, believing to this extent is a bit too much, as if she had actually seen a mermaid."

Heiji Hattori muttered to himself, but after wandering around the shrine, the mysteries in his mind not only did not decrease, but actually increased.

"Hopefully, we can find some useful clues at the Kadowaki house now."

Heiji muttered to himself, and then the two of them were turned away.

It wouldn't be accurate to say they were turned away, but Saori Kadowaki's father, who reeked of alcohol even in broad daylight, flew into a rage and kicked them out after hearing their purpose.

"That kind of daughter can go wherever she wants, it doesn't matter if she never comes back in this lifetime. Anyway, she doesn't consider this place her home. And we don't have any spare money to hire a detective to investigate such a meaningless thing. You'd better leave my house now, or I'll be very impolite."

After being kicked out by the irritable drunkard, Heiji Hattori looked at Jiang Hang with some helplessness.

"It seems there's no way to investigate Saori Kadowaki's room. Why didn't you put up any resistance and just let him kick us out?"

Jiang Hang rolled his eyes at Heiji Hattori.

You're not bad at swordsmanship either, kid. You didn't even make a move just now, did you?

So you're trying to sneak into Saori Kadowaki's room to investigate while I'm fighting with the other person, okay?

"What's the point of investigating a drunkard? Besides, we can already confirm about half of what needs to be investigated."

Jiang Hang said it casually.

Based on Eagle Eye's abilities, he did indeed have some guesses.

Hearing Jiang Hang confidently declare a 50% chance of success once again truly stunned Heiji Hattori.

No.

They had only rang the doorbell a few times, observed the other party's door for a while, and then exchanged a few words with the old man before being rudely kicked out.

In such a short time, what has Jiang Hang discovered?

Jiang Hang looked at Heiji Hattori.

His eyes seemed to be asking if I should say it now?

Heiji Hattori gritted his teeth.

Although there was no contempt in the other person's eyes, they were definitely very unhappy.

"No need. Anyway, we only said a few words. It will just take me a little more time to deduce the truth. I'm sure I can figure it out!"

With that, Heiji Hattori suddenly moved several steps away from Jiang Hang, intending not to get any closer to him until he figured it out himself.

Chapter 512: Chapter 508: The Differences Between Two Generations on Mermaid Island

Afterwards, Jiang Hang Heiji Hattori went to the neighboring houses near the Kadowaki family to gather information.

Saori Kadowaki's biological father Muzo Kadowaki, has never had a good temper, but in the early years he was able to go out fishing with the fishermen on the island and his family managed to get by.

But ever since his wife, Saori Kadowaki's mother, left home many years ago and never returned, he has become a drunkard who only knows how to drink all day.

It was precisely because of his personality that his daughter, Saori Kadowaki, would run away from home every few days after she came of age.

However, she was just a girl who grew up on a small island. Saori Kadowaki herself didn't have any special skills or ambition. She would usually wander around outside for a month or two, and only return to the island to live off her parents when she couldn't make it there anymore.

This kind of drama happens three or four times a year, so it's no wonder the island's residents have no reaction to her disappearance.

The only thing that might give these neighbors something to say about Saori Kadowaki is that she lost the Dugong Arrow that they worship every year on Mermaid Island.

Although it wasn't exactly an antique or cultural relic, it was still a treasure created by the island's over-100-year-old Life-Giver with spiritual power, and it was one of the few things that could attract tourists to their sparsely populated island.

When the other Miyo-sama learned of the loss of the Dugong Arrow, they did not blame Saori Kadowaki. Instead, they took out a few more Dugong Arrow to continue this tradition that had lasted for decades.

They even want to include the tourists in this tradition, so that those who obtain the Dugong Arrow will come back to the island the following year, which will also attract more tourists.

The island's residents seem to approve of this propaganda approach.

After all, you can only earn a little money by fishing.

Apart from the fishermen who perform specifically for tourists, which fisherman on the other islands doesn't have a side job?

Even though Muzo Kadowaki was drunk every day, still had a share in the souvenir shop on the island, he received a small amount of money each year, but it was enough to cover his daily expenses on the island.

If the island can attract more tourists, the island's residents will naturally be able to earn more money from them.

"So, in the past year, Saori Kadowaki has run away from home a few times?" Heiji Hattori asked the neighbors.

They counted on their fingers and finally gave an uncertain answer, "It's been about two or three times. At first, Saori Kadowaki was quite happy when she drew that arrow at the festival last year. She stayed on the island for half a year, saying she wanted to research the power of mermaids. However, after searching for several months, she didn't find anything useful, and then she ran away again."

Hearing that Saori Kadowaki had been going out two or three times in the past year, Heiji Hattori thought it was perfectly normal for her to lose the arrow.

Perhaps that Dugong Arrow was left behind in a rented room in the city by the other party every time they ran away from home, and then the landlord there threw it away as trash.

But Heiji Hattori thought this, he glanced at Jiang Hang, whose expression seemed completely unchanged, and naturally suppressed his guess.