The lights in the hangar had somehow been turned back on.
As the scene lit up again, the suitcase containing the Vespania ore was already in the hands of Lupin III, who stood sideways with a mischievous grin on his face—one hand clutching the suitcase, the other pointing a gun at the kid in front of him—Conan.
Conan was also aiming his clock gun with both hands at Lupin III, looking at him with a resolute smile.
"I told you—next time we meet, I'll capture you."
"Oh? Big words, kid. But didn't your dad tell you to quit playing detective?"
Lupin's mocking voice drew a tsk from Daisuke Jigen, standing nearby in the hangar. Eyeing the confident kid, he warned threateningly:
"I'll give you one last chance. Back off now, and I'll let you go."
"Idiot. You think I'd just let you walk away right in front of me?"
"But you haven't fired your gun, have you?"
"Too bad for you—I was rigorously trained at a shooting range in Hawaii."
Conan didn't believe Lupin III would shoot. Still, he knew he couldn't take down the world-famous thief on his own.
But that was okay—he'd brought in backup.
Even so, before reinforcements arrived, the standoff continued.
Luciano Carnevale, watching from the hangar, began to lose it. He accused Jigen, the bodyguard he'd hired, of betrayal—only for Jigen to calmly remind him that he'd already been fired.
"Bastard!"
Luciano, enraged, called in the men he had stationed outside the hangar as a precaution in case of betrayal or a police raid. In response, over a dozen gunmen in black suits burst in at his signal—bad news for Lupin III, who had his back to the hangar door.
Jigen reacted instantly, drawing and firing his gun in just 0.3 seconds—an expert in quick-draw shooting.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets zipped through the air like a fiery rain.
Conan and Lupin immediately dove and rolled in opposite directions to avoid the barrage. Under Jigen's cover, they both dodged the initial volley, but their guns were back on each other the moment they looked up again.
"Read the room, will you!?"
"Look who's talking!"
As Conan replied to Lupin's angry shout, another round of bullets came flying, forcing him to roll away.
Lupin III also scrambled behind a classic car for cover.
Inside the hangar, Jigen smoothly reloaded his gun after emptying his magazine.
And then—within a mere second or two—
Bang! Bang bang bang bang!
A barrage of gunfire erupted from a different direction, taking down five or six of the Italian gunmen who had moved forward to press the attack.
"Oh? Who are these people now?"
Crouched behind the car, Lupin heard the sounds and peeked out, clutching the suitcase tightly.
The Italian mafia men had all been dropped.
Just then, a revolver pressed against Lupin's head.
"Don't move."
A clear female voice, followed by the sound of a safety switch clicking and the cylinder turning.
Lupin's face lit up with a surprised smile.
"Caught you, Lupin III."
Jodie Starling's face bore a stern smile. The thrill of personally catching the legendary international thief gave her an excited sense of accomplishment.
Holding up her FBI badge, she declared:
"I'm Agent Jodie Starling of the FBI. You're officially under arrest!"
"Since when could the FBI make arrests in Japan?"
"I called them."
Seeing this unfold, Conan smiled confidently and walked up to Lupin III.
"You think I'd charge into a place like this without a plan?"
But he didn't approach recklessly—he was blocking Jigen's line of fire to prevent any rescue attempts.
"Annoying brat...!"
Jigen frowned, but was indeed unable to act.
"We've had a few cooperative moments with Japanese law enforcement, so handing over an international criminal like you might earn us a little goodwill."
James Black strolled up with a smile, also holding a gun.
Sure, Lupin III was a big name. But as he said, the FBI technically had no jurisdiction in Japan—so even if they captured him, it would be procedurally invalid. Better to hand him over to the Japanese police and cash in the favor for smoother future operations.
Besides, James Black wasn't here for glory.
He wanted the spoils of war in the struggle against the Black Organization—APTX4869 and certain other things.
"Arrest him, Jodie."
"Understood."
Jodie kept her gun trained on Lupin's head while cautiously watching Jigen. She put away her badge and reached under her jacket for a pair of handcuffs.
"Be good. Hands in the air."
"Sure thing~"
Lupin smiled, raising both hands—and the suitcase—with exaggerated compliance.
Seeing him cooperate, Jodie moved in carefully with the cuffs.
But just before she snapped them on—
The sound of a car engine made her pause.
"Who the heck is showing up now!?"
Lupin groaned.
A familiar white Mercedes rolled into view.
The door opened, and a handsome young man stepped out, visibly surprised by the chaotic scene. He paused, then smiled at Jodie.
"Best not to touch him so carelessly, Miss Jodie. Who knows what kind of trap he's hiding?"
"...You really are such a pain!"
Lupin clenched his teeth as he glared at the newcomer—Hayashi Yoshiki.
Hayashi Yoshiki calmly shut the car door and walked into the fray, glancing around.
Jodie seemed to find his warning reasonable and ordered Lupin to crouch with his hands over his head. He complied—eyes locked on Hayashi Yoshiki.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"Just enjoying the show. Not allowed?"
"Like hell I believe that!"
Hayashi Yoshiki just smiled.
Even Conan was curious—he didn't doubt Hayashi Yoshiki's ability to predict Lupin's entire plan, but he also didn't think he'd show up unprepared in such a dangerous place.
Hayashi Yoshiki glanced around the hangar.
Luciano Carnevale was glaring at everyone, while the mysterious blond man, Aron Smithy, remained calm among his bodyguards.
Jigen, wary of Conan and the others, couldn't act.
But when he noticed Hayashi Yoshiki's amused gaze, he quickly stopped his subtle movements and put on an innocent smile.
"Time's just about right."
Hayashi Yoshiki grinned and suddenly pulled a gas mask over his face.
The unexpected action immediately raised everyone's guard.
And then—
Several canisters were thrown in from afar.
Under the lights, everyone recognized them instantly:
"Tear gas!?"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Jigen opened fire without hesitation, expertly shooting the canisters mid-air.
Amazingly, every bullet altered the gas canisters' trajectories, diverting most away from the group. But one canister—due to lack of bullets—landed right in the middle.
Psssssshhhh...
Gray smoke erupted, forcing everyone to cover their noses and mouths.
Jodie instinctively stepped back.
Lupin seized the moment and started to move.
"Don't you dare run!"
Jodie shouted, panicking.
But just as Lupin stood up—
Thwip!
A dart suddenly pierced his back.
In mere seconds, Lupin's eyelids drooped, and he collapsed as if drained of all energy.
"Tranquilizer dart, direct hit."
"Target Lupin confirmed down."
A sound of footsteps.
"Good job."
As the gray smoke spread, a team in riot helmets and bulletproof vests stormed in, weapons at the ready.
Seeing the insignias on their helmets, James Black and the others were stunned.
"Japanese Public Security?"
"Public Safety?"
Hayashi Yoshiki had removed his gas mask and smiled, the remaining smoke no longer enough to obscure the area.
Conan had a few ideas now...
The Public Security Bureau quickly secured the scene and checked on Lupin.
"Retrieve the ore first."
Among the team, only Amuro Toru's face was fully concealed beneath his helmet. While giving orders, he glanced subtly at Hayashi Yoshiki.
He actually prepared a gas mask...?
Now this was interesting.
Yesterday, after Hayashi Yoshiki talked about the Vespania ore at the office, he said he hadn't informed the police.
Amuro had still reported the issue to Public Security, but part of him always doubted if the "Boss" of the organization was truly on their side.
And when Hayashi Yoshiki didn't "report" such critical intel, Amuro's suspicions grew.
And now he shows up with a gas mask, right when the tear gas lands...
Interesting indeed.
Amuro had an earpiece connected to HQ, meaning all his commands were transmitted back to base...
Which meant someone else relayed intel to Hayashi Yoshiki too?
Amuro felt a wave of excitement.
Still, he remained vigilant—Jigen had reloaded and was eyeing them like a hawk.
"So many troublesome things, one after another. But are you sure it's wise to keep your eyes only on me?"
Jigen chuckled.
"You can never be too cautious with someone like you. They say just your military training triples an army's combat effectiveness."
"Hmph. But I'd keep an eye on that sly guy over there if I were you."
Jigen smirked.
Amuro felt a chill—he instinctively turned to check on Lupin.
Bang!
Jigen fired. The bullet grazed Amuro's riot helmet.
"Don't move. Looks like you're hiding your face and masking your voice. That means there's someone here you don't want recognizing you, right? Want me to blow off that visor and find out?"
"...Try it, if you can."
Jigen simply grinned.
Meanwhile, one officer knelt to take the suitcase from the unconscious Lupin III. But as he pulled—he realized Lupin was holding it tight.
He applied force—
"Don't steal from a guy while he's napping."
"Wha—!?"
Lupin, smiling again, zapped the officer's hand with a powerful shock and stood up, taking him hostage.
"The tranquilizer didn't work!?"
"...Probably wore armor plates in his clothes again."
Hayashi Yoshiki sighed.
Lupin was just that kind of ridiculous character—always pulling out some unpredictable stunt.
"Alright, handsome. I warn you not to come any closer."
Still smiling like nothing was wrong, Hayashi Yoshiki didn't seem worried—but Lupin pointed his gun at the hostage's head.
"I don't want to guess what trap you've set for me this time. So just—don't move."
"Alright."
Hayashi Yoshiki raised his hands with a calm smile.