What Is a Win-Win? This Is a Win-Win!

Chapter 84: A Commission from the Yakuza

Conan was lectured at length by Jiang Hang about always staying cautious and not recklessly throwing his life away. In the end, he groggily agreed to what Jiang Hang had said.

He genuinely never considered the possibility that Jiang Hang was trying to take advantage of him.

In his eyes, Jiang Hang's deductive abilities were no worse than his own. Any case he could solve was probably no problem for Jiang Hang either.

Besides, Jiang Hang lacked neither fame nor money. Conan also believed that Jiang Hang was saying this only to protect him and the Mouri family.

But why did he keep feeling like something was off?

Seeing that Conan had absolutely no idea he was about to become his personal case-solving tool, Jiang Hang nodded in satisfaction.

After giving Conan his usual "cautionary education," Jiang Hang prepared to send him back to the Mouri Detective Agency.

Before heading out, Jiang Hang casually asked Shizuka Sakaki whether the agency had received any suitable commissions today. If there were any, he could take care of a few after dropping Conan off.

Upon hearing Jiang Hang's question, Shizuka Sakaki came over with her notebook.

Jiang Hang had been out these past few days, busy with who knew what. The day before yesterday, he had even suddenly called and told them to shut down the agency and protect themselves, making them think he had gotten involved in something dangerous. Though Jiang Hang soon called again to say it had been a false alarm, the agency had accumulated quite a few matters that still needed handling.

She briefly told Jiang Hang about the commissions they had received over the past two days but had yet to respond to. They were all ordinary missing-person or lost-item cases; she had already excluded commissions involving infidelity investigations or evidence gathering.

"Find a wonton shop that closed down decades ago so the client can have another bowl of their wontons?" Jiang Hang looked through the list in order of payment. To his surprise, this commission was at the very top. The client was willing to pay two million yen, or even more if necessary.

He looked at Conan beside him. "Can you deduce something like this?"

Conan simply rolled his eyes at Jiang Hang. How was he supposed to deduce something like that? He was a detective, not God.

Jiang Hang wasn't particularly interested in commissions that required constant legwork and investigation over a long period of time. Though a few million yen looked like a lot, when he thought about it carefully, it was basically on the same level as helping an old lady cross the street.

He was about to have Shizuka Sakaki politely decline the commission when a thought suddenly crossed his mind. Wasn't a tedious commission requiring constant investigation perfect for training Koharu Yoshino's intelligence-gathering and investigative skills?

He immediately looked at Koharu Yoshino. "Koharu, what do you think of this commission? If you think you can handle it, I'll put you in charge."

"Huh? Me... wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Koharu Yoshino, who had been lying on the desk reading a detective novel until she was nearly asleep, froze for a moment before growing nervous. "What if I can't complete the client's commission?"

Jiang Hang continued encouraging Koharu Yoshino. "You've handled plenty of commissions with me these past few days. This one is a little difficult, but it isn't actually complicated. Ask clearly about that wonton shop from back then, then use the press pass I got for you to question the elderly people in the area. I've already taught you all that."

After a pause, Jiang Hang addressed both girls. "Anyway, if you don't have anything else to do, you can investigate it together. I'll give you some funds for the investigation later. If you complete this commission, the entire reward will be yours."

The two girls' eyes widened at Jiang Hang's words.

Jiang Hang did not care much about two million yen, but for two girls who had only just entered society, it was no small sum.

Shizuka Sakaki hesitated for a moment, then leaned close to Jiang Hang's ear and quietly told him some information about the client.

Only then did Jiang Hang understand what Shizuka Sakaki was worried about.

The client was from the Yakuza—specifically, the Takashiro Group, the same organization Jiang Hang had previously paid "protection money" to through an intermediary. The client was one of the Takashiro Group's minor bosses.

Since Jiang Hang had already built up the agency's reputation, and the Takashiro Group knew he had a good relationship with the police, they had been quite polite when they came to make the commission.

It would be fine if Jiang Hang completed the commission, but if he accepted it and failed, it could bring some unnecessary trouble.

After thinking for a while, Jiang Hang still decided to let Koharu Yoshino and the others investigate the commission first.

"Two days. If you can't solve it within two days, I'll handle it myself. I know what I'm doing with the Takashiro Group, so go ahead and investigate without holding back. Contact me if you run into trouble."

With Jiang Hang's assurance, the two girls no longer hesitated.

Conan, on the other hand, had some trouble understanding Jiang Hang's decision. He clearly wasn't too confident in Koharu Yoshino and Shizuka Sakaki.

As Koharu Yoshino and Shizuka Sakaki prepared to head out and investigate, Conan quietly warned Jiang Hang.

"I remember they've been at your agency for less than a month. They're complete rookies, aren't they? Are you sure you want to hand this kind of commission to two girls?"

"What veteran didn't start out as a rookie? I think this commission is quite suitable for them. As long as the shop owner from back then hasn't died, someone will know where he lives now. They might even complete the commission today," Jiang Hang said, still quite optimistic about Koharu Yoshino and Shizuka Sakaki.

Conan remained doubtful.

Jiang Hang did not mind. This commission was meant to train the two of them, and he couldn't possibly leave them entirely on their own.

He planned to send Conan back first, then secretly help with the investigation himself.

But plans could not keep up with change.

He had just brought Conan to the entrance beneath the Mouri Detective Agency and had not even stepped inside when both of them heard another young man's voice from within.

"I heard in Osaka that Shinichi Kudo mysteriously disappeared, so I took the first train over this morning to investigate. You must know something about him, right?!"

Hearing that voice from outside, Conan's expression changed. Someone had found their way to the Mouri Detective Agency to investigate information about him already?

He looked at Jiang Hang questioningly, wanting to know what they should do next.

"Let's see who this guy is first." As Jiang Hang spoke, he activated Eagle Eye and basically confirmed the identity of the person inside.

He glanced at Conan.

Congratulations. One of your best buddies had finally made his entrance.

Chapter 85: It Was Time for My Favorite Part—When the Killer Walked Right Into the Trap

Jiang Hang pushed open the agency's door, and the young man immediately turned toward him alertly.

"Who are you?" He fixed Jiang Hang with a sharp gaze. "Could you be Shinichi Kudo?"

"Do you have some kind of problem where you see Shinichi Kudo in everyone?" Jiang Hang casually pushed Conan into Ran Mori's arms, then looked at the dark-skinned young man wearing a baseball cap. "If I remember correctly, you must be Heiji Hattori, the famous high school detective from Osaka?"

Hearing his identity, Ran Mori looked at Jiang Hang curiously. "Mr. Jiang, do you know him?"

"I know a little. 'Kudo of Kanto, Hattori of Kansai'—Japan's two great high school detectives."

At that moment, even Kogoro Mouri seemed to recall something. "I think I have heard of it. There's supposedly a very impressive young detective in Kansai. Could that be you?"

Upon hearing Jiang Hang's words, Conan could not help giving the guy named Heiji Hattori a suspicious look.

This guy was a detective too?

And judging by what Jiang Hang said, he was supposedly on Conan's level?

What a joke. Conan was the one who would become the Heisei Era Holmes. Since when could any random high school detective be mentioned in the same breath as him?!

At the very least, Conan had never heard of anyone named "Heiji Hattori" before.

"That's right, I'm Heiji Hattori. I didn't expect you guys to know about me too. That makes things easier," Heiji Hattori said. Jiang Hang recognizing him at a glance made him look slightly pleased with himself, but he quickly shifted the topic back to Shinichi Kudo.

"I only found out yesterday that Shinichi Kudo had mysteriously disappeared for almost a month. Do any of you know anything about where he might be?"

You'd never met before, and Conan hadn't even heard of you until now. Yet the moment you heard he was missing, you rushed over in a panic to investigate. If you were the opposite sex, you'd totally have the traits of a losing heroine! Jiang Hang mocked inwardly as he looked toward Ran.

Yesterday, Jiang Hang had had Conan call her using Shinichi's voice.

Jiang Hang had always felt that it was one thing for Conan not to tell Ran his identity, but in the anime, because he was afraid she would worry, the guy had fobbed her off with "I'm handling a difficult case" for an entire thousand episodes!

The result was that Ran Mori, the female lead, never learned of the Black Organization's existence from beginning to end, and her presence in the main storyline only grew weaker and weaker.

But there had never been any need for that. No matter what excuse Conan used to tell Ran Mori not to worry, she would still worry in the end. He might as well tell her directly, "A dangerous organization has set its sights on me, so I have to stay hidden. I can't let anyone know that I'm still alive."

Then add, "Don't worry about me. I'm safe now, and I've always been silently watching over you from somewhere not far away."

Of course, Jiang Hang had seen that Conan was too thin-skinned to say that, so he had directly imitated Shinichi Kudo's voice and said it to Ran Mori himself.

Given Ran Mori's personality, Jiang Hang believed that once she knew all this, she would no longer press the issue of why "Shinichi Kudo" never appeared. Nor would she tell anyone else; she would only quietly protect it as her greatest secret.

And now, under Heiji Hattori's persistent questioning, Ran Mori ultimately only said that she had not seen Shinichi again since they had parted at the amusement park a month ago.

However, Heiji Hattori was somewhat skeptical. "Is that so? I heard from the second daughter of the Suzuki family that, as Kudo's woman, you were the most likely person to know where he is."

"That Sonoko!" Ran Mori was both embarrassed and annoyed by what Sonoko Suzuki had said.

At that moment, Jiang Hang noticed Conan constantly signaling to him with his eyes. Understanding what Conan meant, he questioned Heiji Hattori, "So, you heard Shinichi Kudo had disappeared and came here to investigate his whereabouts?"

Heiji Hattori smiled at Jiang Hang's question and adjusted his cap. "Of course. I'm extremely curious about that guy who's always been mentioned alongside me. Before I find out whether Shinichi Kudo is even qualified to be compared with me, how can he just disappear like that?"

"So I'm going to find him and have a fair, proper contest to determine who's better!"

In response, Jiang Hang glanced at Conan. Conan merely sighed silently and helplessly, as though he had no interest whatsoever in this opponent who had suddenly come knocking.

But just as Conan was wondering how to coax this guy back to Osaka, a woman's displeased voice came from the doorway.

"This is a detective agency, isn't it? Honestly, the detective agency over there won't take this kind of case, and this detective agency is like this too. Are you people even running a business or not?"

Jiang Hang turned around and saw a middle-aged woman wearing sunglasses.

She appeared rather impatient.

Seeing a client had come to the door, Kogoro Mouri immediately shook off the clingy Heiji Hattori and jogged over with a broad smile.

One look was enough for him to tell that the woman's clothing was expensive. She was clearly someone with money to spare, and there was no way he could let such a commission slip away.

"Hello, hello! I'm Kogoro Mouri, the detective at this agency. Is there something you need me to investigate? This way, please... Ran, hurry and pour this lady a cup of tea!"

The woman practically ignored Heiji Hattori and Jiang Hang altogether, sat down on the sofa, and began explaining her commission.

After a brief explanation, everyone learned her identity.

Ikemura Kimie was the wife of a diplomat.

She wanted to investigate the girlfriend her son was currently dating.

While explaining the commission, she mentioned that she had previously visited a nearby place called the Pathfinder Detective Agency, only to find it closed. When she called, its assistant informed her that the agency did not accept investigative commissions of this kind.

Kogoro Mouri could not help looking toward Jiang Hang.

And when Mrs. Ikemura learned that Jiang Hang was the head of that agency, her expression became rather strange as well.

As the atmosphere at the scene seemed to grow increasingly awkward, Jiang Hang prepared to leave.

But just as he was about to go, he spotted several new commissions on the newly refreshed notice board.

Heiji Hattori's commission to find Shinichi Kudo and compete with him had been posted by the system. Yet what truly caught Jiang Hang's attention was another commission that had appeared beneath it.

After seeing this commission from Ikemura Kimie, Jiang Hang suddenly no longer intended to leave.

Oho, has it finally come to my favorite part, where the "murderer" takes the initiative to ask a detective to prove their innocence?

Jiang Hang's gaze settled on the stern-faced middle-aged noblewoman.

"Mrs. Ikemura, if you don't mind, could you include me in this commission as well?"

At the same time, he said to Kogoro Mouri, whose eyes had widened as he stared at him, "Don't misunderstand, Mr. Mouri. I just suddenly remembered that I may have seen the woman Mrs. Ikemura wants investigated somewhere before. Perhaps she's someone I know, so I'd like to understand the situation in more detail. Of course, I won't take a single cent of the commission fee. What do you think, Mr. Mouri?"

The moment he heard that Jiang Hang was not there to steal his business, the dissatisfaction on Kogoro Mouri's face immediately faded. "If that's what you say, Jiang Hang, then of course there's no problem."

He even took the initiative to introduce Jiang Hang to the client. "Jiang Hang is Beika City's famous 'Eagle Eye Detective.' He just never used to take on this sort of case. This time, he and I, Kogoro Mouri, are joining forces—between the two of us, we'll definitely get to the bottom of your son's girlfriend's situation in no time!"

Although Jiang Hang had gradually grown accustomed to being called the Eagle Eye Detective, hearing Kogoro Mouri lavishly praise him so awkwardly in front of the client still made him feel that his skin was not nearly thick enough.

After hearing Kogoro Mouri's explanation, not only did Ikemura Kimie cast Jiang Hang a curious look, but even Heiji Hattori, standing to the side, seemed to have developed some interest in him.

Conan, on the other hand, frowned deeply.

No, Jiang Hang hates tailing jobs in the first place. There's no way he'd change his mind that easily.

What "someone he knows"? That excuse sounds completely ridiculous, doesn't it?

And judging by how he looked just now, he clearly noticed some clue on this client when he was about to leave. That was why he stayed behind using such a far-fetched excuse.

Conan tried hard to widen his eyes, seemingly wanting to find something unusual about the client. But even after carefully looking her over from top to bottom, he could not spot anything wrong with her.

He looked somewhat discouraged. He had long known that Jiang Hang's powers of observation were practically inhuman; that had been evident in the several cases they had encountered together. But the woman before them was just an ordinary middle-aged woman. What exactly had Jiang Hang noticed?

Conan really wanted to go over and ask Jiang Hang what he had discovered, but they were still talking, and as a child, he could hardly go up and question him now.

He looked again at Heiji Hattori. Heiji was listening to the case description very seriously, but judging from his expression, he had apparently noticed nothing either.

Very soon, Ikemura Kimie finished explaining her request. Since it concerned a diplomat's reputation, she hoped that Jiang Hang and Kogoro Mouri would go to her home now and discuss the details with him face-to-face.

Naturally, Heiji Hattori, a detective who could never sit still, said he wanted to accompany Kogoro Mouri on the visit. Then, because Conan wanted to know what Jiang Hang had discovered, he also asked to go with Jiang Hang, and Ran said she would come along as well on the grounds of looking after Conan.

In the end, the whole group set off for the client's residence in grand fashion.

On the way, Conan secretly questioned Jiang Hang.

"Did you notice something wrong, Jiang Hang?" Ever since he learned that Jiang Hang had discovered his identity, he had never called him "Big Brother Jiang Hang" again.