The International Stage
The annual International Robotics Forum was not held in a convention center, but in the Grand Ballroom of the Tenryuu Tower—a space specifically designed to intimidate and impress. It was a nexus point for global finance, technology, and, crucially, military contractors.
Tenryuu Kaito wore a miniature, impeccably tailored tuxedo, moving through the sea of powerful adults with the practiced ease of a seasoned diplomat. Shiori was by his side, her focus split between tracking his corporate movements and ensuring he maintained the façade of a seven-year-old heir.
"Remember, Kaito-sama," Shiori murmured. "Ryuu requires access to the executive team of Aethelred Dynamics. They supply the military-grade optical sensors he needs for the updated surveillance drone fleet."
"The goal is resource acquisition, not socializing," Kaito confirmed, his eyes scanning the room. He didn't see people; he saw assets, liabilities, and potential variables.
The Glitch in the System
Kaito observed the gathering. Most discussions revolved around stock futures and the ethics of A.I., but one group caught his attention.
Near the demonstration of a new humanoid surgical robot, three senior executives from Aethelred Dynamics were huddled, their conversation tight and tense.
Suddenly, one of them, Mr. Akizuki—the head of R&D and Kaito's main target—clutched his chest, his face draining of color. He reached instinctively for a small, metallic flash drive he wore on a chain around his neck.
Before anyone could react, the enormous, complex surgical robot on display—a machine capable of micro-precision—let out a sharp, mechanical whine. Its articulated arm swung wildly, striking a nearby pedestal and scattering papers everywhere.
Chaos erupted—minor, contained, but noticeable.
[SYSTEM ALERT: High-Level Corporate Threat Detected.]
[Target: Mr. Akizuki (Aethelred Dynamics Executive).]
[Observation: Acute physiological distress followed immediately by an apparent hardware failure in the nearby robotic system. Probability of coincidence: 0.8%.]
Kaito's mind raced. An obvious illness followed by a convenient, dramatic distraction. This was not a simple heart attack; it was a move on the board.
"Shiori," Kaito instructed, his voice low and urgent. "Akizuki has been targeted. The robot's malfunction was a cover. I need to know what was in those papers, and what is on that flash drive he is clutching."
Shiori immediately activated her communications protocol. "Acknowledged. Deploying Asset Sara's network: Two analysts will infiltrate the immediate security footage within two minutes. Three agents are moving to retrieve the scattered papers under the guise of 'cleanup staff'."
The System Intervention
While emergency medical staff attended to Akizuki, Kaito focused on the surgical robot. He utilized his Advanced Deduction Skill (recently acquired from the System) combined with the technical briefings Ryuu had sent him on the company's technology.
The robot's arm had shattered a small, sealed glass display box that was intended to hold the Forum's proprietary data transfer module. The transfer module was now gone.
They needed a public, chaotic event to commit a quiet, technical theft, Kaito deduced. Akizuki's illness was the trigger. The robot was the distraction.
Kaito walked toward the perimeter of the incident, his small size allowing him to slip past the security cordon. He glanced at the robot's control panel.
He saw no external sign of hacking, but the subtle energy signatures were off. He needed proof.
"System," Kaito commanded internally. "Acquire Skill: Advanced Cryptography and Digital Forensics (Level 1)."
The rush of data was immediate, flooding his mind with knowledge of network protocols and reverse-engineering techniques.
Kaito pretended to trip, briefly placing his small hand on the robot's metal chassis. It was enough.
[ACQUIRE SKILL: Advanced Cryptography and Digital Forensics (Lvl 1) — Complete.]
[Analysis: Robot's firmware was remotely accessed and instructed to execute a singular error sequence. Source IP traced to a dedicated, high-security server located... three blocks from the Mouri Detective Agency.]
Kaito froze. The remote attack server was hidden in the immediate vicinity of the chaos magnet he had just tasked Kazuya to monitor.
This was not a random corporate spy. This was high-level, sophisticated crime operating right under the nose of Kogoro Mouri.
The Golden Cage was far more volatile than he thought.
He pulled his hand away and walked calmly back to Shiori.
"Cancel the retrieval of the papers," Kaito ordered. "They were a decoy. The theft was the data transfer module from the shattered box. And the remote attacker is operating close to the Mouri Agency."
Shiori's eyes widened, recognizing the significance. "The connection to the Mouri Agency's district is... a significant variable."
"The quiet game is over," Kaito stated, his voice absolute. "We have a rival strategist operating in Beika. Task Kazuya with a Level 5 Priority: Identify and profile all secure communications traffic originating within a five-block radius of the Mouri Detective Agency, starting immediately."