The Rational Detective in Detective Conan-Chapter 80: The Beika Wolf

After dealing with the bomb and the unconscious men, Fujino, still clad in the Assassin's Robes, quietly slipped out of the Miyamoto residence.

As he made his escape, he noticed several shadowy figures lurking nearby.

All wore the same distinctive black suits. There were perhaps five or six of them, scattered around the Miyamoto house, clearly keeping watch.

Fujino guessed they were there to prevent anyone from approaching, ensuring the three men inside could work undisturbed.

Thanks to the Assassin's Robes, however, Fujino successfully slipped past them undetected.

As he walked back towards his car, Fujino considered the robes' effects.

While he didn't understand the exact mechanics of the [Nightstalker] skill,

based on his recent experience, wearing the robes definitely reduced his presence significantly.

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As long as he avoided making loud noises or physical contact, he was practically invisible.

It reminded him of the Stealth Camouflage from Metal Gear Solid.

Put it on, and everyone suddenly goes blind, allowing free movement and silent takedowns.

Even if discovered, it didn't matter much.

With the [Assassin's Resilience] skill activating, granting a 100% stat boost, his combat effectiveness would skyrocket.

Berserker mode, engage!

[New Profession Task Detected. Please check.]

A sudden system notification interrupted Fujino's thoughts.

He immediately opened the system task interface:

[New Detective Mission: The Beika Wolf]

Objective: Stop the Beika Wolf's criminal activities.

Reward: 500,000 Yen, +100 Detective Reputation.

"The Beika Wolf?"

Fujino stroked his chin thoughtfully, recalling the details of this case from the anime.

If he remembered correctly, this was an anime-original incident.

A young man named Nagai Tatsuya, a good-for-nothing loafer pretending to study for the bar exam, had traveled all the way from Shizuoka to Tokyo to stalk a girl named Nishiya Miho.

If Fujino's memory served, Nishiya Miho eventually kills Nagai Tatsuya... in 'self-defense'.

After the killing, the police did find tools and equipment Nagai had prepared, suggesting he intended to harm her.

However, claiming self-defense was a bit of a stretch.

Nishiya Miho hadn't actually seen any direct threat to her life yet.

Attacking first... that was premeditated murder.

But since I've encountered this case... heh heh.

Late night, a quiet side street.

"Click, click."

Nagai Tatsuya hid behind a utility pole, holding a camera disguised as a lighter, surreptitiously taking pictures of someone walking down the street.

The clicking sounds were incredibly faint, practically inaudible from more than a meter away.

He'd built the camera himself.

Not for any noble purpose, of course.

Purely for stalking and taking creepy pictures of young women.

Walking down the street, unaware of the hidden observer,

was a young woman in a pink shirt and jeans, carrying a small bag.

Her name was Nishiya Miho, the very target of Nagai Tatsuya's obsessive pursuit, the reason he'd followed her all the way from Shizuoka to Tokyo.

Nishiya Miho looked exhausted, with faint scars visible on her arms.

As she walked, she kept glancing nervously behind her.

She was clearly aware of being followed.

But she was too afraid to confront her stalker.

A few days ago, driven to desperation, she'd reported Nagai to the police.

The police had questioned him.

But that was all they could do.

Without concrete evidence, they couldn't charge him with anything.

So, after a brief interrogation, Nagai Tatsuya was released.

What does a stalker do when they escape legal consequences?

Retaliate against the person who reported them, of course!

The scars on Nishiya Miho's arms were from Nagai pushing her down a flight of stairs at a subway station.

The pain was still fresh.

"Hey."

After Nishiya Miho walked out of sight, as Nagai Tatsuya prepared to move to a new stalking spot,

a low voice suddenly spoke from behind him.

Nagai froze, startled.

He felt a hand tap his shoulder.

Slowly, he turned around.

Standing there was a bizarre figure in a white robe and a black mask.

The mask's eyes seemed to glint with a cold, sharp light.

The figure was, of course, Fujino, wearing the Assassin's Robes and Batman mask.

While Nagai was still stunned, Fujino snatched the lighter-camera from his hand and examined it.

It was a small, ordinary-looking lighter. Two small panels, one on the front, one on the back, and a button on the side.

Clearly a well-made miniature camera.

It seemed capable of storing quite a few photos as well.

A perfect tool for a stalker.

"Give that back!"

Nagai Tatsuya frowned and lunged forward, trying to grab the lighter-camera.

But after several attempts, he failed to retrieve it. Fujino easily evaded his clumsy grabs.

"Damn it!"

Glaring at the white-robed figure, Nagai gritted his teeth, his eyes turning menacing.

If the photos on that camera were discovered... he was done for.

If his father, who owned a steel factory, found out he was stalking girls instead of studying for the bar exam, he'd be dragged back home.

He might even face legal consequences...

At that thought, Nagai Tatsuya's expression hardened.

Without hesitation, he pulled a switchblade from his pocket, pointing it threateningly at Fujino.

"Give me back the lighter!"

Seeing the glint of the switchblade in the dim light, Fujino frowned.

Seriously? Not just a stalker, but carrying a knife too?

This guy is a potential murderer.

Fujino took a deep breath. Beneath the mask, a cold smile touched his lips.

Since the guy pulled a knife on him... there were no more constraints on how he could respond, right?

He kicked out, aiming directly at Nagai Tatsuya's stomach.

Thump!

A dull impact sound echoed as Nagai Tatsuya was sent flying backward a full meter by Fujino's enhanced kick.

He landed hard on the concrete, crying out in pain.

But Fujino had no intention of letting him go just yet.

The system mission objective was to stop the criminal activity.

What if this guy just recovered and continued stalking?

Better to hand him over to the police.

The photos in the lighter-camera would be more than enough evidence.

Looks like I'll need to practice my temple-block-tapping technique again tonight.