I Am the Great Detective Shu Yunwen

Shu Yunwen and Kudo Shinichi were chatting when a police officer next to Inspector Megure walked over. "K-Kudo-kun? What are you doing here?"

"Ah~" Kudo Shinichi immediately ignored Shu Yunwen, scratching his head sheepishly as he bowed slightly to the officer. "I'm really sorry, but the owner here, Mr. Iwata, invited my father to tonight's banquet. However, my father isn't in the country right now, so he sent me in his place. I never expected that I'd just arrive and encounter a murder..."

Shu Yunwen's mouth twitched twice as he listened to Kudo Shinichi finish.

This guy really was a walking anomaly. Wherever he went, someone died. If Japan had a thousand Kudo Shinichis, would China still need to worry about the Japanese! This guy alone could cause Japan's downfall.

"Is that so? May I ask if your father and the owner here, Mr. Iwata Daijiro, are..." The police officer picked up a pen, seemingly wanting to record something.

"Mr. Iwata is a fan of my father's deductions. They've met a few times before..."

While Kudo Shinichi was speaking, he had already followed the police officer into the room.

Shu Yunwen couldn't be bothered to pay attention. He walked to the side and chanted a sorcerous curse, collecting Yamazaki Akiji's soul, which had been hiding in a corner like a mist, into his hand.

The mist condensed, slowly forming a sphere.

On the surface of the mist, a face resembling Yamazaki Akiji struggled back and forth, its expression terrified.

"Mr. Yamazaki, hello. I never expected that the first soul I'd collect would be yours." Shu Yunwen said with a smile.

Currently, his strength wasn't enough to communicate with ghosts. However, ghosts had a special form; nascent ghosts like this one could hear human voices.

"You were killed by Iwata Daijiro, right?"

Shu Yunwen mumbled, and Yamazaki Akiji's ghost face nodded incessantly.

"Don't worry, he won't get away."

With that, Shu Yunwen chanted the sorcerous curse again. A few seconds later, as if from the depths of the soul, a strange power enveloped Yamazaki Akiji's misty soul. In just over ten seconds, the mist seemed to be drawn to Shu Yunwen, with streams of power surging in through Shu Yunwen's nostrils and heading towards his brain.

Ghost Sorcery—Judgment!

In the inheritance of a Ghost Sorcerer, this was a mandatory spell! Without this spell, a Ghost Sorcerer's strength could not improve at all.

"A wondrous feeling..."

Two minutes later, Shu Yunwen had successfully absorbed Yamazaki Akiji's soul power, and his strength had also increased. Of course, this was only preliminary absorption; it would take some time to fully refine it.

He looked around. The area was still cordoned off by the police.

Shu Yunwen had obtained what he wanted and couldn't be bothered to stay any longer. He had originally intended to take a taxi and leave, but he was stopped by the police. Helpless, he had to return to the lounge and used the villa's phone to call Kojima Genji's home, informing them that he had been caught up in a murder case and would be back very late.

About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door of Shu Yunwen's lounge.

Shu Yunwen got up and opened the door. He saw a servant and three uniformed police officers standing outside.

Hmm... Inspector Megure was among them?

Shu Yunwen was still stunned when Inspector Megure bowed slightly. "Hello, sir. May I confirm that your name is Shu Yunwen? During our investigation, we learned that you knew the deceased, Mr. Yamazaki Akiji, the general manager of Hachiryu Bank, and that you came to Mr. Iwata's home at Mr. Yamazaki's invitation, is that correct? Also, according to Mr. Yamazaki's driver, this item found in Mr. Yamazaki's coat pocket was sold to Mr. Yamazaki by you..."

As Inspector Megure spoke, he took out the useless "talisman" from the evidence bag.

"Uh..."

Shu Yunwen looked at their expressions, especially Inspector Megure's stern gaze...

Damn it!

These guys couldn't possibly think he was the killer, could they?

"...Are you suspecting me?" Shu Yunwen asked directly.

Inspector Megure said, "No, we just need Mr. Shu Yunwen's assistance with the investigation and to ask some routine questions."

This line... you're totally suspecting me, aren't you?

Do you think I don't remember your usual lines just because I skip through Conan episodes?

"I'm not the killer." Shu Yunwen rolled his eyes. "It's a waste of time for you to keep questioning me. By the way, didn't Student Kudo come earlier? That guy will find the culprit soon, Inspector Megure doesn't need to worry..."

Inspector Megure's mouth twitched.

What did he mean, Kudo would find the culprit soon? Don't we police have any ability?

Are you looking down on the Metropolitan Police Department?

In Inspector Megure's mind, he was single-handedly lifting Shu Yunwen up, slapping him left and right—Say that again? Say it again?

As soon as Shu Yunwen finished speaking, he heard an annoying voice from the side. "Shu-san, if you ask me, you're highly suspicious! I've already questioned the deceased General Manager Yamazaki's driver, and he told me many interesting things. According to his testimony, strange noises have been heard from Mr. Iwata's residence at night for the past few days, which has greatly troubled Mr. Iwata. General Manager Yamazaki believed it might be the work of evil spirits, so he contacted you and paid fifty thousand US dollars to buy a 'talisman' from you..."

Shu Yunwen turned to look at the person speaking. Well, it was Kudo Shinichi, with that irritatingly smug smile.

"F-fifty thousand US dollars?" Inspector Megure exclaimed.

When the previous officer questioned him, he had only asked about the talisman, not the price.

A "talisman" for fifty thousand US dollars was a bit too outrageous, wasn't it?

"Immediately! Go and confirm with Mr. Yamazaki's driver right away!" Inspector Megure turned and ordered the police officer next to him.

"Yes!"

A police officer hurried away. Kudo Shinichi, still smiling, continued, "...So, if we reason logically, the following situation is still very likely to occur."

"...Your 'talisman' was completely useless, so General Manager Yamazaki felt cheated and found you, demanding a refund of fifty thousand US dollars. You refused to return the money, and an argument ensued, after which you flew into a rage and... killed General Manager Yamazaki..."

Kudo Shinichi said with a wicked grin on his face, thinking to himself, I'll scare you to death!

Trying to play tricks, huh?

Beside him, Inspector Megure glared at Shu Yunwen, looking as if he had already decided Shu Yunwen was the killer.

Shu Yunwen pouted, "Student Kudo, we're in the same class. Is it really fun to play like this?"

"Huh?" Kudo Shinichi was taken aback.

This guy isn't scared?

Shu Yunwen immediately followed up, "Have you checked the windowsill yet?"

"Of course, I have. Carefully examining the scene and not missing any details is a detective's essential duty," Kudo Shinichi replied smugly.

Shu Yunwen sighed, "Since you've thoroughly examined the scene, you should have already determined that the killer is the owner of this place, Iwata Daijiro, right? Is it fun to frame me like this?"

"W-what? The killer is the master?" a servant nearby exclaimed in surprise.

At the same time, Kudo Shinichi was also surprised.

He was now almost certain that Iwata Daijiro was the killer. However, there was still one point of doubt: Iwata Daijiro's leg injury. He had come here now precisely to ask Inspector Megure to help inquire with Iwata Daijiro's private doctor to confirm if Iwata Daijiro's leg was truly injured...

But how did Shu Yunwen know about this?

"What? Student Kudo, is what Shu-san said true?" Inspector Megure turned his head.

Kudo Shinichi blinked, then scratched his head and chuckled, "Well... it's not confirmed yet!"

Shu Yunwen rolled his eyes again, "Inspector Megure, please have someone investigate this next. As far as I know, General Manager Yamazaki Akiji and Iwata Daijiro seem to have had a debt relationship. Also, you can ask Mr. Iwata's private doctor. If my guess is correct, Mr. Iwata's leg should have healed long ago. Also, may I go to the scene? If necessary, I can explain the situation at the time."

Inspector Megure turned to the forensic technician, and seeing him nod, he said, "Alright."

Since the forensic work was done, letting Shu Yunwen in wouldn't hurt.

Upon entering the room where Yamazaki Akiji was murdered, Shu Yunwen walked directly to the third-floor window. Recalling the events, he began, "At the time of the incident, this room was a locked room, and the door lock showed no abnormalities, so we can rule out the possibility of entry through the main door. There were no footprints below the room, so it wasn't an outsider who committed the crime. It must have been someone from inside the villa, and someone who was very familiar with the villa's layout. Yes... that would be Mr. Iwata Daijiro, as I mentioned."

As he spoke, Shu Yunwen pointed to the room diagonally opposite the balcony, "Mr. Iwata came out of the window of that room, tied a rope around himself, and walked along the eaves to the corner. The distance from the corner to this balcony isn't far; with enough strength, one could definitely jump over. After entering the room from the balcony, Mr. Iwata killed the victim, then tied a piece of wood to the rope and let it hang down securely. He could then climb back down the rope, untie it from this side, and easily retrieve the wood and rope fixed here... Yes, that's roughly how it happened."

Inspector Megure looked down and indeed saw scratch marks on the balcony railing.

As for Kudo Shinichi, he was a bit stunned, muttering to himself, This guy who plays tricks is amazing, his deduction is almost the same as mine.

Shu Yunwen turned to the villa's butler standing nearby and asked, "Mr. Butler, if I remember correctly, you said that a few days ago, there were strange noises in the villa at night. Those noises must have come from here, right?"

"Y-yes, that's right," the butler stammered in response.

Shu Yunwen continued, "So, if I'm not mistaken, this was Mr. Iwata practicing for his murder plan tonight. Those sounds were likely the sound of this piece of wood hitting the railing and the walls. Inspector Megure, there should be more than one scratch mark on the railing, right?"

Inspector Megure nodded, "Indeed, indeed that's the case."

Kudo Shinichi gave a dry laugh—This guy even knows that Iwata practiced beforehand...

My famous high school detective didn't even know that!

Shu Yunwen then added, "As for the evidence, as long as we confirm that Mr. Iwata's leg is fine, and he's questioned thoroughly, he should confess. Student Kudo, do you still think I'm the killer?"

"Well... hahaha..." Kudo Shinichi scratched his head, sweat beading on his forehead, feeling somewhat displeased.

This whole deduction, shouldn't it have come out of my mouth?

Who exactly is the detective here?

I, Kudo Shinichi, planned to show off tonight, but now I've been upstaged by someone playing tricks.

So annoying! So annoying!

Shu Yunwen sat down on a nearby sofa. About ten minutes later, the police officers sent to investigate returned with their report, confirming the information. Afterward, faced with a series of facts, Iwata Daijiro dejectedly confessed his guilt.

It was eleven o'clock at night.

In the police car, Inspector Megure sat in the front passenger seat, while Shu Yunwen and Kudo Shinichi sat in the back. The case was concluded, and although there were still some follow-up matters, Inspector Megure still arranged for the car to take Shu Yunwen and Kudo Shinichi home first.

Inspector Megure said, "Shu-san, you are truly a great detective, no less than Student Kudo!"

Shu Yunwen shook his head, "Inspector Megure, you flatter me. I can't compare to Student Kudo. Student Kudo has real skills, while I knew beforehand. Besides, I'm just an Exorcist, not a detective."

I've seen the original work, after all!

"Huh? You knew beforehand?" Inspector Megure was surprised. "Who told you, Shu-san?"

"..." Shu Yunwen found it difficult to answer. He couldn't exactly tell Inspector Megure and Kudo Shinichi that they were characters from an anime, could he?

As he thought about it, a mischievous impulse struck him, "...Didn't I say? I'm an Exorcist, so naturally, the one who told me all this was Mr. Yamazaki Akiji!"

Inside the car, the other three felt a chill run down their spines, as if a cold wind had blown past.

Yamazaki Akiji? How can a dead person talk to you?

"Hahaha... Shu-san really likes to joke..." Inspector Megure chuckled.

Shu Yunwen then turned to Kudo Shinichi, "By the way, Student Kudo, have you finished the homework the teacher assigned today?"

"Ah! Right! I haven't done my homework yet..." Kudo Shinichi looked crestfallen.

After returning home this afternoon, he had gone to play soccer. He only got home near dark, rested for a while, and then came to the Iwata residence...

Homework, I originally planned to deal with it superficially and then go home to finish it, but a case happened instead.

"So when I get back tonight, even if I have to stay up all night, I'll finish my homework!" Shu Yunwen teased casually.

Kudo Shinichi was in a bad mood and rolled his eyes, "None of your business!"

Up ahead, Inspector Megure immediately sternly reprimanded, "Student Kudo, how can you speak to your teacher like that? It's simply too rude! Apologize to Teacher Shu immediately."

Shu Yunwen's expression froze, while Kudo Shinichi burst out laughing, "Inspector Megure, you're mistaken. Shu-san is my classmate, not my teacher. Don't let his uncle-like appearance fool you; he's only eighteen this year."

"Ah?" Inspector Megure was stunned, staring at Shu Yunwen's middle-aged uncle face...

After Iwata Daijiro confessed, the investigation into Shu Yunwen as a "suspect" naturally didn't need to continue. Therefore, Inspector Megure only knew that Shu Yunwen came from Teitan High School, and he hadn't had time to investigate Shu Yunwen's specific identity. However, by normal standards, someone with this uncle-like face should clearly be a teacher, right?

How could this possibly be a student?

This must be Kudo playing a prank!

Shu Yunwen's mouth twitched twice, "Inspector Megure, I'm truly sorry, I thought you had already found out. My name is Shu Yunwen, and I am currently a second-year student in Class B at Teitan High School. I apologize for the trouble I caused earlier. Here is my student ID..."

With a "screech," the police car swerved in a very obvious S-shape before stabilizing again.

"Y-you're really a high school student?" Inspector Megure couldn't believe it.

This was totally unscientific!

Kudo Shinichi chimed in from the side, in a particularly annoying manner, "Inspector Megure, I already told you, don't judge him by his uncle-like appearance; he really is just a student!"

Shu Yunwen turned to look at Kudo Shinichi, "Student Kudo, it's best not to speak carelessly! You know my profession, aren't you afraid of a curse befalling you?"

"Not afraid!" Kudo Shinichi replied without hesitation.

Shu Yunwen rolled his eyes, having a strong urge to throw a "Bad Luck Charm" at Kudo Shinichi. But after thinking about it, he decided against it. Currently, the Soul Power from Yamazaki Akiji within him had not yet been refined, and the power he could use only allowed him to perform one Sorcerer's trick; it wasn't worth wasting on this guy.

After a moment's thought, Shu Yunwen suddenly realized that since the case of Yamazaki's murder happened today, it meant that tomorrow, Kudo Shinichi would accompany Ran to the amusement park and transform into Conan...

"...Student Kudo, I see a dark aura around your brow and dark clouds covering your head. Therefore, tomorrow, something very bad will definitely happen to you..." Shu Yunwen said.

Suddenly changing from a young man to a little boy, that certainly wasn't a good thing, right?

Kudo Shinichi scoffed, "Shu-san, I don't believe in these things."

Shu Yunwen smiled, "No, you will believe."

Starting tomorrow, you will believe.