After teasing Conan for a while, Ren Kuroda watched the boy fume in silent frustration — gritting his teeth, glaring murderously, but completely helpless to fight back.The sight filled Ren with deep satisfaction.
He turned toward Mouri Kogoro, who was sprawled out lazily on the beach mat, and asked, "So, Detective Mouri — how's the investigation going?"
Kogoro sighed heavily and flopped back, cigarette dangling between his fingers. "Yeah… we found something. But it's not exactly good news."
He exhaled a plume of smoke, voice low. "That Asou Keiji guy — he burned himself to death twelve years ago. Looks like whoever hired me wants the real cause of his death investigated."
Ren frowned slightly. "Twelve years? That's ancient history. How are you supposed to investigate that now?"
Kogoro groaned, staring at the sea in frustration. "Yeah… that's what I was thinking."
Ran, sitting beside them, looked troubled. "Then maybe you should give up? Return the client's money? It's been so long — it's probably impossible to find anything."
That suggestion clearly tempted Kogoro. A dead-end case meant extra effort — and he wasn't particularly fond of that.
Ren sighed. "You're giving up already? We've barely started."
He couldn't let the man back out now. If Kogoro quit and left the island, Ren's decision to stay behind would look suspicious.
So he offered casually, "Why not start by looking into Asou Keiji's personal connections? He lived here — he must've had friends or associates. You might dig up something useful."
Conan nodded in agreement. "Ren-nii's right! We can start by investigating his relationships. Someone who still remembers him might know something."
The boy's eyes gleamed with curiosity and determination.There was no doubt in his mind — there had to be more to this case. No one would pay money after twelve years unless something important was still hidden.
For Conan, that kind of mystery — one soaked in time and secrets — was irresistible.
"You both have a point," Kogoro admitted finally, straightening up. "Alright then, let's find someone who actually knew Asou Keiji."
Good. The detective's motivation was back. And with a reward that big, Kogoro wasn't about to walk away for free.
"Then we'll leave you two to it," Ren said with a grin, standing up. "Come on, Ran. No point wasting the afternoon — renting a jet ski for an hour isn't cheap."
"I'm coming!" Ran said brightly, immediately forgetting the gloomy topic. She waved to her father and Conan as she followed Ren down to the shoreline. "Dad, Conan! Do your best on the investigation!"
Kogoro and Conan watched as Ren and Ran climbed onto a sleek white jet ski.When Ran wrapped her arms around Ren's waist, Conan's jealousy detonated like a bomb.
"Wait—!!" he shouted, sprinting across the sand. "Let me ride too! I've never been on one before!"
But before he could escape, Kogoro grabbed him by the collar.
"Work first, play later!" Kogoro barked, though his gaze lingered wistfully on the jet ski cutting across the glittering waves. "We're here to investigate, not have fun…"
Conan struggled a few more times, then gave up with a sigh, sulking as he watched the jet ski vanish across the ocean.Ran's laughter carried faintly on the wind, and Conan's heart clenched.
He swore then and there — once he got his real body back, once he became Shinichi Kudo again — he'd confess to her.No more hesitation. No more waiting.
That evening, around seven o'clock, the four of them regrouped at a seaside restaurant for dinner.
As they ate, Ren casually asked, "So, how's the investigation going?"
Kogoro rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Asou Keiji was a world-famous pianist. Spent most of his time overseas on tour — barely stayed in this town, actually. So not many people here knew him well."
He leaned back with a satisfied hum. "But apparently he was friends with the village head. I'm planning to visit him later tonight and ask some questions."
"By then, it'll be late," he added. "So I've decided we'll stay overnight on the island. Ran, Ren — you two can take the evening ferry back to Tokyo."
Ren smiled easily. "Go back just to sleep? Nah. I might as well stay — I'd like to catch the sunrise over the sea tomorrow."
"Then I'll stay too!" Ran said quickly. She'd wanted to see the sunrise since morning, and now she had the perfect excuse.
She hadn't brought a change of clothes, but that was fine — the inn would have pajamas, and she could wash her outfit before bed. Problem solved.
Seeing neither of them intended to leave, Kogoro just shrugged. "Suit yourselves."
After dinner, they found a local inn and checked in. Three rooms — one for Kogoro and Conan, and separate ones for Ren and Ran.
Ren stretched with a yawn. "We've been out all day. I'm wiped. I'll wash up and crash early — gotta be up for that sunrise, after all. See you all in the morning."
"Ren-kun, don't forget to wake me when you go!" Ran called after him quickly.
"Got it," Ren said with an easy nod before waving goodnight and heading into his room.
As soon as the door clicked shut, the faint weariness on his face disappeared completely.
Enough playing tourist.Time for work.
Tsukikage Island had no nightlife. By nine o'clock, the streets were silent, the only light coming from a few lonely street lamps.
Ren pulled out the red half-mask — the mark of his alter ego, the outlaw "Azuma."Slipping it on, he stepped out into the shadows and made his way toward the beach to rendezvous with Akemi Miyano.
When she appeared, she was wearing a white fox mask.
Ren couldn't help the faint smirk that tugged at his lips.Finally. She'd learned to cover her face. Progress.
"Mr. Azuma!" Akemi said in a low but excited tone. "I've already scouted most of the island. I think I've got a solid grasp of its layout."
"Talk while we walk," Ren said simply, gesturing for her to follow.
As they moved through the dimly lit streets, Akemi began explaining everything she'd uncovered about the island — the location of the docks, the hilltop villas, the routes used for smuggling.
After a while, Ren stopped. They were standing in front of a small clinic — Asai Clinic, its sign faintly glowing in the night.The lights inside were still on.
"Mr. Azuma?" Akemi asked uncertainly. "Why are we stopping here? This place… it's run by Dr. Asai Narumi, right? I've heard she's really kind — and beautiful too."
Ren's tone was calm, unreadable. "We're here to ask for help."
He pushed open the door. The little bell above it jingled, announcing their arrival.
A few moments later, Asai Narumi stepped out from her office."Good evening. How can I—"
She froze.
Two masked figures stood in the entryway — one in a white fox mask, the other in a half-red mask that covered his face.
Her eyes widened. The red mask. The news had been full of it lately.Azuma. The infamous masked criminal who'd gone on a spree across Tokyo.
Her heartbeat quickened. What was he doing here—on Tsukikage Island?
Ren's voice broke the silence like a blade. "Narumi Asou," he said evenly. "Do you want to avenge your father?"
The words hit her like a thunderclap.For a moment, she just stood there, her mind blank. How does he know my real name?
"...Asou?" Akemi repeated softly, confused. "But isn't she Dr. Asai Narumi? Did you… get the wrong person, Mr. Azuma?"
But as she looked at the doctor's stunned face, realization dawned. No… he didn't get it wrong.
Ren pressed on, his tone calm but direct. "I was your father's friend. I came back here to settle his score."
Revenge? Akemi's mind reeled. Wait — aren't we here to destroy the drug cartel? What's going on?But she bit her tongue. She'd learned better than to interrupt him once he was in this mode.
"You… you knew my father?" Narumi asked at last, voice trembling slightly. "That's impossible…"
Ren nodded slowly. "We met overseas. You were just a child back then—" he held a hand to his knee, gesturing a small height "—about this tall. Your little sister hadn't been born yet."
Narumi's eyes widened. The memory struck something deep inside her.For the first time, she hesitated — but a spark of belief flickered in her gaze.
There were a thousand questions she wanted to ask. But now wasn't the place.
She took a breath, steadied her voice, and said, "This isn't somewhere we can talk freely. Let's go upstairs."
She turned and gestured toward the staircase. "Please — follow me."