The Daily Life of a Salted Fish Assassin in Various Anime

To seek out the hidden truths, even though not everyone can accept them.

Since the suspect surrendered voluntarily and no significant damage was caused, Jiang Hang completed a brief statement and informed Takagi Wataru before leaving the villa.

As he walked out of the villa, he glanced at the sky. It was overcast, but it didn't look like it would rain anytime soon.

Stopping a tragedy should have been a cause for celebration, but knowing about Ikemura Kimie's situation, he couldn't bring himself to be happy.

He started walking towards his office, but someone quickly caught up to him from behind.

"Please wait!"

Jiang Hang recognized the voice as Heiji Hattori's. He turned around to face him.

Heiji Hattori still looked somewhat perplexed, seemingly unable to comprehend how Jiang Hang had managed everything.

"If I'm not mistaken, you must have noticed something was wrong at the office, which is why you followed me here... What clue led you to realize she intended to kill her husband?"

Heiji Hattori truly had the same investigative style as Conan. Before receiving "education" from Jiang Hang, he was exceptionally persistent about the truth of all matters and filled with curiosity about anything he didn't understand.

However, in terms of combat ability, after removing equipment bonuses, Heiji Hattori was still significantly stronger than Conan. If he were in Conan's shoes on the night Conan was shrunk by Gin's poison a month ago, he might have been able to evade Gin's initial surprise attack. But if Gin were forced to draw a handgun, he would likely be in a worse situation than Conan.

In other words, in some ways, he was more prone to self-destruction than Conan.

Now that he stood before him, Jiang Hang looked at the inquisitive expression on his face and gave a simple answer: "I'm just sensitive to certain details, which led me to have some suspicions. I didn't expect her to actually go through with it."

"Ultimately, this is just basic deduction."

This famous quote from Old Sherlock was a critical weapon against Conan, but Heiji Hattori wasn't swayed.

"Compared to Sherlock Holmes, I personally prefer Ellery Queen," he shook his head, looking at Jiang Hang. "I only trust my eyes and my brain."

"Although I came to Tokyo because of Shinichi's disappearance and have been gathering information about him, I've also been keeping an eye on Ms. Ikemura. I found absolutely nothing suspicious about her. In that regard, I lost!"

Heiji Hattori frankly admitted his shortcomings: "Stopping a murderer before they commit the crime, you are indeed a very capable detective. I apologize for my previous suspicions of you!"

Jiang Hang hadn't expected him to come over to apologize. In this regard, Heiji Hattori was much more straightforward than Conan.

He waved his hand at him, indicating he didn't mind. "It was the right thing to do. There's nothing more to say."

Jiang Hang shifted the topic to Heiji Hattori: "What are your plans now? Will you continue searching for Shinichi Kudo's clues in Tokyo, or go home?"

Heiji Hattori sighed: "While having tea, I tried to probe Uncle Mori, but he genuinely seemed unaware of Shinichi's whereabouts. As for Ran Mori, she just looked worried. If Shinichi had contacted her, she wouldn't have looked like this if she knew his whereabouts. So, this lead has gone cold."

"Didn't you suspect Detective Mori was solving cases through Shinichi's connections before? You don't think that anymore?" Jiang Hang was curious about how he viewed Kogoro Mouri now.

Heiji Hattori frowned slightly: "To be honest, I find it very strange. Both his outward appearance and his inner self don't seem like a competent detective. But perhaps this is all a deliberate disguise."

Because he had previously misjudged Jiang Hang's abilities, he was now unable to accurately assess what kind of detective Kogoro Mouri was.

He rested his chin on his hand and muttered to himself, "Could it be that I completely misjudged before? I heard that Uncle Mori used to be a pretty capable police officer... Perhaps, from the very beginning, Shinichi Kudo wasn't a great famous detective, and it was Uncle Mori guiding him behind the scenes to solve cases. Now that Shinichi has disappeared, is Uncle Mori forced to act personally?"

Hearing his muttering, Jiang Hang's mouth twitched.

He had to admit, these detectives had wild imaginations. Conan had previously imagined him as part of the Black Organization, and now Heiji Hattori was imagining Kogoro Mouri as the mastermind.

"But at least one thing is certain: Shinichi has likely run into some serious trouble, and is even in danger," Heiji Hattori concluded his speculation, unable to make any concrete deductions, and shook his head at Jiang Hang.

"In any case, there are no new clues to investigate if I stay in Tokyo any longer. Moreover, after this incident, I've realized that I still need to hone my skills on the path of a detective, so I plan to return to Osaka shortly."

As he said this, Heiji Hattori suddenly pointed at Jiang Hang, his expression exceptionally determined: "The next time we meet, I won't be like this today!"

Does that mean next time we meet, it won't be like today where I solved the case, and you were just eating snacks?

Hearing Heiji Hattori's words, Jiang Hang couldn't help but retort mentally.

Chapter 93: Chapter 92: A Bowl of Wontons from Decades Ago

After stopping Ikemura Kimie's murder, the System awarded him for this three-star case.

From this mission, Jiang Hang obtained the skill "Thievery (Beginner)". This meant that with some training from the System, he could become a skilled thief.

Although thievery was a fundamental skill for an assassin, Jiang Hang looked at the skills he had recently acquired: Disguise, Thievery, Lockpicking, Rope Dart...

"Why do I feel like my attributes are overlapping more and more with Kaito Kid's?" Jiang Hang couldn't help but complain to his System. "Do you know I'm about to confront Kaito Kid, so you're specifically giving me the Thievery skill to help me understand my enemy?"

The System did not respond to Jiang Hang's idle question, and Jiang Hang put the matter of the skill aside.

He planned to inquire about the progress from Koharu Yoshino and the others.

Jiang Hang wasn't very optimistic about this. After all, it was a wonton shop from decades ago. His Eagle Vision wouldn't be of much use in such matters. Finding it would rely on luck, and if the owner of the wonton shop had experienced any accidents over the decades, it would be even more impossible.

However, when he contacted Koharu Yoshino and the others, he discovered that the two girls had quite good luck.

Although the process was a bit convoluted, they eventually got key information from the owner of a decades-old record store by paying a small information fee. Then, they interviewed several elderly people and, after spending tens of thousands of yen, successfully found the owner of the wonton shop from that year.

Compared to the two million yen reward for this commission, this expense was negligible.

Moreover, Jiang Hang checked Koharu Yoshino's ability table and found that her information gathering ability had significantly improved. If she continued like this, she would likely reach intermediate level soon.

However, Jiang Hang also learned that the wonton shop owner was still hesitant to agree, as she didn't think her wontons were that delicious back then, and she worried about what the boss of the Takashiro Group might do if he was dissatisfied with the wontons.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Hang was about to ask if they needed his help, but he ultimately let them continue handling the matter. After all, he had assigned this task to the two girls, and since they hadn't asked for help, he decided to wait for good news from them.

After Jiang Hang returned to the office, about half an hour later, Koharu Yoshino and the other girl returned, looking exhausted.

Compared to Jiang Hang leisurely stopping a murder case, these two girls who had been out running errands all afternoon had a much busier time.

Jiang Hang and Takagi Wataru scrambled around gathering clues and asking questions, eventually spending a long time persuading two elderly people.

However, all that effort ultimately yielded a positive result.

"The old man was completely unwilling at first. Even when I offered to give half of the payment to the other party, he was still hesitant," Koharu Yoshino said, taking a swig of ice-cold cola she'd taken from the refrigerator, which seemed to revive her desire to speak.

"In the end, it was his children, who also needed money, who persuaded him along with us. We've already contacted the client and will be making a bowl of wontons for them the day after tomorrow. Jiang Hang, this will be your job," after all, the client had sought them out specifically because of Jiang Hang's reputation, so the final act naturally had to be performed by Jiang Hang himself.

Jiang Hang nodded, and being interested in all sorts of delicacies, he scratched his chin. "But wontons that people remember for decades... I'm quite curious about what they taste like."

As for Jiang Hang's curiosity, Shizuka Sakaki, standing beside him, maintained a pessimistic outlook.

"Before finding us, the client had already consulted many wonton masters, both domestically and internationally, but they were all turned away," Shizuka Sakaki shook her head at the thought. "Furthermore, when we inquired about the wonton shop, the elderly people who remembered it said that the wontons there weren't particularly delicious."

"I think it's just that back then, when the person was still down on their luck or hungry, they happened to eat a bowl of wontons from that place. Now, after so many years, the memories in their mind have idealized the taste of those wontons, making them long for it."

Jiang Hang interrupted Shizuka Sakaki's pessimistic speculation. "In any case, that person is indeed the owner of the wonton shop from back then, and that's all that matters. Our commission is just to have that shop owner make a bowl of wontons for the client. As for whether the client's memories have been idealized, there's nothing we can do about that."

He encouraged Shizuka Sakaki to think positively. "Perhaps the client simply has fond memories associated with those wontons. Shizuka, you must have experienced this too, right? When you hear a song or eat something, it naturally brings back good memories. Just don't overthink it and patiently wait for the day after tomorrow."

Hearing Jiang Hang's words, Shizuka Sakaki gradually stopped dwelling on it.

Two days isn't a long time, but it's enough for many things to happen.

As Jiang Hang expected, the incident of the diplomat's wife attempting to kill her husband was sensationalized and caused quite a stir, even making the morning news today.

Jiang Hang checked with Officer Takagi and learned that the diplomat had been temporarily suspended at noon today. It seemed the man wouldn't have an easy time for a while.

Initially, Jiang Hang had considered whether he needed to give this diplomat, who had climbed to his current position through schemes and framing, a "push," but it seemed unnecessary now.

However, regarding Ikemura Kimie, Jiang Hang called Chihiro Ayasato, explained the general cause and course of the incident, and asked Chihiro Ayasato to meet with her if she had time.

With that, the Ikemura Kimie case finally came to a close.

And now, Jiang Hang had arrived at the territory of the Takashiro Group.

This old gang, with decades of history, although its estate was not small, gave off an air of decay from every aspect.

The estate, which hadn't been properly cleaned in a long time, the meager number of gang members in the mansion, and most importantly, the aging gang leader who was on his last legs.

Jiang Hang offered no comment as he observed the bleak atmosphere within the Takashiro Group.

His attention was now focused on the old shop owner.

To be honest, the old shop owner's technique wasn't refined, and the ingredients were quite ordinary, but seeing the gang leader's expectant expression, Jiang Hang patiently waited for the final result.

Chapter 94: Chapter 93: Let's Go Eat BBQ~

Finally, when a bowl of wontons that looked unremarkable was served, Jiang Hang's gaze shifted to the gang leader.

Even his subordinates hesitated.

After all, so many masters had made wontons before, and none had satisfied their leader. Could this seemingly plain wonton really be the one?

Even Jiang Hang was somewhat curious.

He wondered if the gang leader longed for these wontons due to idealized memories, or if they held significant meaning for him.

The leader ignored his subordinates' feelings and scooped up a spoonful of wontons with a slightly trembling hand.

He then slowly chewed the wontons in his mouth, as if reminiscing about the taste of the past.

Just as the old shop owner watched him anxiously, ready to kneel and apologize at any moment, a peculiar light appeared in the old leader's eyes.

"It's really this taste... the taste I'll never forget in my life..."

As if experiencing a final surge of vitality, his previously sickly appearance had completely vanished.

Watching him devour the bowl of wontons, the subordinates gathered around him showed expressions of joy.

After finishing the bowl in front of him, he looked at the still somewhat timid shop owner. "It tastes just like it did back then. Serve me more, and you all eat too!"

Only then did the old shop owner breathe a sigh of relief. He responded with immense joy and began making more wontons.

It didn't take long before not only the Takashiro Group's subordinates but also Jiang Hang and the two girls behind him were served steaming bowls of wontons.

Watching the subordinates eagerly eat the wontons, Jiang Hang felt as if the previously decadent and dilapidated atmosphere of the estate was gradually dissipating.

Under the gang leader's gaze, Jiang Hang also ate his bowl of wontons.

But to be honest, the taste of this bowl of wontons could only be described as average. The moment it touched his tongue, Jiang Hang could already sense the overwhelmingly strong flavor of the seasonings.

Heaven only knew how much MSG the owner had used. Eating a little might be fine, but after a whole bowl, he felt like the "umami" from the seasonings would linger in his mouth until night.

Yet, seeing the gang leader's current spirited state, even Jiang Hang, a master of poisons, couldn't help but be puzzled.

Since when could MSG act as a stimulant?

Was it due to nostalgia, or had the gang leader's taste buds deteriorated with age, making him find these wontons delicious?

Or perhaps, there was a deeper reason...

When everything was over, as per their prior agreement, the old shop owner, clutching a large sum of money, left the place with a sense of trepidation. The remaining one million yen reward fell into Jiang Hang's hands.

Upon receiving the money, in a secluded spot, the revitalized Takashiro Group leader asked Jiang Hang.

"What did you think of the wontons' taste? I imagine they weren't particularly delicious for you, were they?"

"To be honest, the taste of these wontons is really just average," Jiang Hang said truthfully, his gaze fixed on the other person. "But I suspect, Group Leader Takashiro, you were faking your illness before, weren't you? The reason you went to such lengths to eat a bowl of wontons probably has some other motive, right?"

However, Jiang Hang saw the elderly group leader shake his head. "You've only half-guessed correctly. I was indeed faking my illness, but that bowl of wontons... that's something I've genuinely wanted to eat one last time."

His gaze drifted into the distance, as if reminiscing about his past.

"Fifty years ago, before I became the leader of the Takashiro Group, I was just an ordinary hoodlum. I didn't have much money, and the only food I could afford that had more meat was wontons. Their wontons weren't the best, but they were more generous with the portions, and they used a lot of seasoning, making them taste richer," he said with a smile. "Back then, I'd often get notified to go fight somewhere right after eating wontons. I'd quickly finish my wontons and join the main group to fight."

"Later, I gradually became a leader, then struck out on my own. I had more money, so I stopped going there for wontons. By the time I remembered it, I found out the place had already been sold."

"At the time, I just felt a bit of regret. I never expected that as I got older, that regret would only grow stronger. That bowl of wontons became something I constantly longed for. Now that I've eaten it, I have no regrets left," he chuckled a few times. "Detective, I originally wanted to treat you to dinner as thanks, but after eating these wontons, I feel energized. There are still many matters within the group that need my attention, so please excuse my poor hospitality."

With that, the elderly group leader seemed to regain his youthful vigor and strode out of the room.

Leaving the Takashiro Group, Jiang Hang glanced back at the decades-old mansion.

He suddenly understood the meaning behind the old group leader's words.

In his youth, he'd fight after eating wontons, and this last hoodlum eventually became the group leader.

Now, in his old age, the Takashiro Group had likely encountered a formidable opponent, forcing him to feign illness to appear weak.

The intense desire to eat a bowl of overly seasoned wontons now was probably an attempt to recapture his fighting spirit from those days.

Judging by the current situation of the Takashiro Group, this bowl of wontons might very well be their last supper.

Jiang Hang didn't share his speculation with the two girls. The first thing he did after leaving the Takashiro Group was find a nearby convenience store and buy several bottles of water for himself and the two girls to rinse their mouths.

Jiang Hang didn't care about fighting spirit or anything like that. His mouth was full of seasoning, and he had felt increasingly uncomfortable inside the Takashiro Group's premises.

"So you guys also thought those wontons were heavily seasoned," Koharu Yoshino whispered in complaint. "Towards the end, I felt a bit nauseous."

"Well, it's good you didn't show it, or we might have been kicked out," Jiang Hang said with a smile, then handed the one million yen in his hand to Koharu Yoshino. "This is what we agreed on, the payment for your commission this time."

Looking at the one million yen in Jiang Hang's hand, Koharu Yoshino and Shizuka Sakaki exchanged glances.