Tang Ze Zhao's Slumber, But Not Completely

Tang Ze lowered his head, his brown hair falling smoothly, completely obscuring his face, making it impossible for the person standing in front of him to see his expression clearly.

Sonoko Suzuki grabbed Ran Mouri, who had noticed the commotion and was walking over, and whispered excitedly, suppressing her voice, "Is he imitating your dad, you know, 'Sleeping Kogoro Mouri'? Look at Tang Ze, he's got such a great vibe, 'Sleeping Ze Zhao Tang'... so handsome!"

"Sonoko..." Ran Mouri slapped Sonoko's hand as she tried to pull out her phone to take a picture, controlling her excited, fangirl friend.

Conan, crouching behind Tang Ze Zhao, began to explain the doubts about the case.

"The killer, in order to imitate the scene in the painting 'Heaven's Punishment,' deliberately killed the victim opposite this painting. They also moved other exhibits from this location beforehand. Coupled with the fact that the killer was wearing the exhibited armor throughout the surveillance video, these are the reasons everyone is sure the killer is familiar with the museum and is one of the staff members.

"So, why would a killer so familiar with the scene choose to commit the murder within the surveillance range? He works here, so he has plenty of opportunities to act in blind spots or temporarily cover the corresponding cameras."

Inspector Megure stroked his chin, trying to answer, "Is it because the killer thought it didn't matter if he was exposed on camera while wearing the armor?"

"I believe this is to solidify that the paper the victim, Mr. Manaka, was holding is his suicide note. In other words, this footage was deliberately left by the killer. Inspector Megure, could you carefully observe the paper under the light? Are there many strange scratches on the 'Kubota' handwriting?"

Inspector Megure picked up the evidence bag as he said and checked, nodding, "Indeed, there are many horizontal scratches on the writing... Could it be!"

"Yes, this is likely the victim's true handwriting from before his death. He wasn't writing down a name at the time, but picking up a pen to cross out this name!"

Inspector Megure took out another evidence bag and looked at the ballpoint pen inside. "However, the pen we found matches the line thickness and ink color. Although we haven't done a comparative analysis yet, preliminary judgment is that this pen wrote the words."

"Indeed, it's highly likely this pen wrote this line."

"But you just said..."

"But it wasn't the pen the victim last grabbed; the pen the victim picked up couldn't write!" Conan poked his head out slightly to observe everyone's positions in the room, then retracted it and continued, "When Conan found the pen, its tip was retracted. It's unlikely the victim specifically retracted the tip when he dropped it. And in the surveillance footage, the killer didn't touch the pen until he left. After that, it was us few people who entered. The museum staff were only gathered in the inner hall again after the police arrived.

"This means the killer swapped the pen on the ground amidst the chaos after the police arrived, which would imply... the pen that couldn't write is still on him!"

Conan stretched out his small hand through the gap between the two-tiered ladder, trying to support Tang Ze's right hand and point to the elderly man with a long beard, the museum director, Director Ochiai.

But his hand missed.

Conan was startled, his heart skipping a beat. He looked up, only to see Tang Ze, who should have been fast asleep, holding the side of the ladder and getting up.

How did he wake up so quickly?! This is bad!

Conan almost instinctively got off the ladder and hid behind a display case, otherwise, once Tang Ze stood up, Conan, who was hiding behind him, would be completely exposed.

However, Tang Ze didn't ask any questions or appear confused. He walked directly towards Director Ochiai.

He reached out and, through a handkerchief, pulled a pen identical to the evidence from Director Ochiai's suit pocket.

"He didn't even have time to retract the tip. The killer must have been very hurried at the time, probably didn't have time to wipe the pen clean," Tang Ze smoothly continued Conan's deduction. "Tell me, can I find Mr. Manaka's fingerprints on this pen?"

Everyone in the room looked at Director Ochiai, their faces filled with shock.

Except for Conan, whose shocked expression was directed at Tang Ze.

"...You are completely correct, child." Director Ochiai leaned on his cane, his demeanor both melancholic and relieved.

The police officers who had surrounded Kubota all turned to face him. Inspector Megure frowned, took the pen Tang Ze handed over, and drew a line on his notebook. Just as Tang Ze had deduced, nothing was written.

That paper was not the victim's suicide note, but a setup with Kubota's name written on it beforehand to frame him!

"Where were you at the time of the incident? Do you have an alibi?" Inspector Megure asked, but his actions actually signaled his subordinates to prepare handcuffs.

"I was wearing this knight's armor, standing here, waiting for Mr. Manaka to arrive for our appointment." The plan exposed, Director Ochiai offered no defense. He simply clasped his hands behind his back and looked at the huge painting of 'Heaven's Punishment.' "Waiting to pierce this demon here, just like in this painting."

"To complete this creation, I practiced for a long time beforehand, considering the route, the camera angles, and Mr. Manaka's possible reactions."

"So the rumors of someone walking around in armor were you practicing the murder," Inspector Megure realized with a sudden clarity.

Although he had mentally prepared himself, Tang Ze was still greatly puzzled to see the killer standing there and stating everything so plainly.

The killers in your Conan's world are a bit too honorable.

However, he had to play along, so Tang Ze, playing his part, asked, "Is it because he wanted to shut down this museum and convert it into a restaurant? And he chose to frame Kubota because he had been secretly selling exhibits and had no respect for art at all?"

"That's right. From the day this museum was completed, I have been its director. Every exhibit is like my child, and I cannot tolerate them." Director Ochiai surveyed everything around him with a nostalgic, fervent gaze.

"Unfortunately, you are not a righteous knight slaying a demon, but a heinous murderer. You are under arrest." Inspector Megure frowned and waved his hand. Two officers stepped forward and handcuffed Director Ochiai.

"A knight who slays demons is himself stained with blood, mired in the depths; this is the meaning of 'Heaven's Punishment.'" Director Ochiai offered no resistance, merely meeting Tang Ze's calm gaze. "That is why all my plans fell into the eyes of children. This is the punishment I deserve."

Tang Ze knew very well that the old man was referring to the case being solved by him and Conan together. Unfortunately, besides himself and Conan, no one else would likely notice the word "together."

Thinking of this, Tang Ze turned and glanced at Conan, who was frozen in the corner, unsure where to put his hands and feet.

Conan was sweating more profusely than Kubota, who had been framed.

Looking at it this way, Tang Ze had also locked onto Director Ochiai as the killer, just like him. The step he took forward when he was stabbed should have been to point out the truth...

If only he hadn't used the tranquilizer dart, this is bad. If Tang Ze revealed the situation just now, Ran would definitely...

But Tang Ze only glanced at him and then ignored the frozen Conan. He walked over to Inspector Megure and asked, "The method of murder in this case is complex, the scene is very shocking, and it's related to recent supernatural rumors. It will definitely be widely reported. Could you please omit my name and not disclose it to the reporters?"

"Why?" Inspector Megure looked surprised. "Your name is Tang Ze, right? Brother Tang Ze, your deductions were brilliant. After this case is reported, everyone will only praise your talent. You seem very suited for the role of a detective. This time, we should also sincerely thank you for your assistance to the police. We will make it clear to the reporters."

Kudo suddenly disappeared, and it was hard to find a new external brain. This new younger brother seemed to want to run away. He had to persuade him.

Tang Ze looked troubled and leaned closer to Inspector Megure's ear, whispering a few words.

Inspector Megure's expression was quite varied, first confused, then shocked. He looked Tang Ze up and down a few times before patting his shoulder with pity. "I understand. Alright, then I will respect your wishes and tell everyone not to disclose your name."

Even though his identity was on the verge of being exposed, Conan couldn't help but wonder what Tang Ze had quietly said to Inspector Megure. He wanted to hear it too.

However, seeing Tang Ze squinting and walking towards him step by step, Conan forgot his curiosity and instinctively retreated, until he was pressed against the wall like a frog pinned on a dissection table, his limbs weak.

He felt like the recently removed corpse, about to be impaled here.