Ding!
The check-in was successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining:
- Preaching and Imparting Liquid Lv1
- Voice Changing Technique Lv1
- Awei's Eighteenth Style Lv1 (upgraded to Lv2!)
- A Strange Prop Gun!
Ding!
『 Congratulations to the host, Awei's Eighteenth Style has been upgraded to Level 2! 』
『 Your physical fitness has increased from 22.2 (35.2) to 32.2 (45.2)! 』
『 Strange Prop Gun: A magical firearm from James Bond movie. 』
『Voice Changing Technique Lv1: Allows the host to alter their voice freely, imitating others flawlessly. 』
『Preaching and Imparting Liquid Lv1: The host's bodily fluids have undergone miraculous changes. By "preaching," the host can heal the critically injured. 』
Akashi blinked at the notifications, his disbelief growing with each line.
"Preaching and imparting liquid? Is this system serious? Can idioms even be used like that?"
He grumbled inwardly. The skill seemed bizarrely out of place. Was this system truly intent on helping him fight? The so-called "weapon" it provided was a strange, impractical gun from a movie.
At least there was one silver lining—Awei's Eighteenth Style.
A physical technique from another world, it boosted his physical fitness upon leveling up. Better than nothing, he thought.
---
As Akashi mulled over his new rewards, Kogoro's booming voice interrupted his thoughts.
The detective had spotted Akemi Miyano at the counter, her refined features catching his attention immediately. Without hesitation, he approached her.
"Hirota Masami? What a lovely name," Kogoro said smoothly. "I'm Kogoro Mōri, and I'd like to exchange my passbook here at your bank."
Akemi, maintaining her professional demeanor, replied politely, "Of course, sir. Please use the nearby machine to get a number, and we'll assist you once your number is called."
Undeterred, Kogoro leaned in slightly. "It's very convenient indeed. By the way, after I exchange my passbook, perhaps you'd like to join me for lunch?"
Before he could finish his proposal, a sharp tug on his ear cut him off.
"Dad!" Ran exclaimed, dragging him away.
Foiled in his attempt to flirt, Kogoro winced as his daughter reprimanded him. Meanwhile, Akemi shook her head with a faint smile.
Akashi, observing the scene, sighed in exasperation. Seriously, go make up with your wife instead.
---
With Kogoro retreating in defeat, Akashi decided to seize the opportunity and approach Akemi himself.
"Excuse me, I—" he began.
But before he could continue, Akemi glanced at her watch and interrupted, "Little brother, if you need anything, please wait for the next available staff member."
She hastily placed a "Temporarily Closed" sign on her counter, stood up, and left in a hurry.
It was clear—the bank heist was about to begin.
Akashi bit back his words, unwilling to interfere with her mission.
---
Ran appeared behind him, lifting him off the ground effortlessly. "Honestly, Akashi," she teased, "You're just like Dad. You can't resist a pretty face!"
Akashi chuckled awkwardly, his mind still preoccupied.
When Kogoro returned moments later with his ticket in hand, he froze, noticing the empty counter. Realizing he'd have to handle his business at another teller's station, his expression fell.
With a resigned sigh, the defeated uncle detective trudged toward an older clerk, head hanging low.
---
"Bang!"
While everyone was busy inside the bank, a sudden commotion erupted outside.
The sound of shattering glass was followed by gunshots, immediately grabbing everyone's attention.
Kogoro rushed out, with Ran close behind. As they emerged, they saw a car drifting sharply across the road before speeding off into the distance.
Moments later, a flash of blue zipped by—it was Conan on his skateboard, chasing after the fleeing car.
Kogoro stood frozen in confusion. "What's going on?" he muttered.
A guard with long hair emerged from the parking lot, shouting, "The bank's been robbed! They've taken all the cash!"
He added urgently, "Call an ambulance—someone's been injured!"
It was only then that the gravity of the situation dawned on everyone. Gangsters had just pulled off a bank heist.
Reacting swiftly, Ran scooped up Akashi and moved to a safe spot. Kogoro, meanwhile, fumbled for his phone to call the police, realizing Ran had vanished from sight.
---
Akashi, already familiar with the storyline, had no intention of chasing after the culprits like Conan. He knew the mastermind behind the robbery was none other than Akemi, who was still inside the bank.
According to the plot, the stolen money would end up in Akemi's possession. There was no point in pursuing the getaway car as Conan had.
Sure enough, Ran carried Akashi back inside the bank, where Akemi had calmly returned to her post.
Before long, the sound of police sirens echoed outside. Inspector Megure arrived at the scene with his team, and Conan, unable to catch up with the robbers, returned to the bank to report the license plate number of the getaway car.
The police quickly began questioning witnesses and assessing the damage. Fortunately, there were no casualties—the two security guards had been knocked unconscious with tranquilizer guns. However, the robbers had made off with billions in cash, earmarked for distribution to various branches of the bank.
---
Everyone was stunned upon hearing the staggering amount that had been stolen. Attention turned to the long-haired guard, the only conscious witness at the scene.
The guard nervously recounted the events:
"We were preparing to transport the cash when I suddenly heard gunfire. The glass door shattered, and before I knew it, there was a gun pointed at me. I tried contacting the driver, but there was no response. I thought... I thought they'd been killed."
He swallowed hard before continuing. "I didn't want to die, so I had no choice but to open the door. Two gunmen, both masked—one armed with a pistol and the other with a shotgun—forced me to help load the money. I had no other option, officer. Please understand, I just wanted to survive!"
Desperate for validation, the guard grabbed Inspector Megure by the arm, pleading for sympathy.
Akashi, observing the scene, knew the guard was fabricating parts of the story but chose to remain silent.
Conan, however, immediately picked up on the inconsistencies in the guard's account and was about to speak when Detective Takagi burst in.
"Inspector Megure!" Takagi called out. "Thanks to coordinated tracking by the traffic division, we've located the stolen vehicle. It's abandoned near the iron bridge over the Datsu River!"
Excitement flashed across Inspector Megure's face. "Good work! Let's head there immediately."
Turning to Kogoro, he added, "Brother Mōri, we'll need your help!"
Kogoro nodded enthusiastically. "Leave it to me!"
Then, addressing Ran, he instructed, "Take Akashi and Conan home."
Ran, still holding Akashi, agreed, but her expression turned into confusion when she noticed something amiss. "Wait, where's Conan?"
Akashi pointed toward the door. "That little guy snuck out after Uncle Mōri. Looks like he's headed to the crime scene."
Ran frowned in frustration. "That kid is too reckless!"
She turned to Akashi and said firmly, "You stay with me, okay?"
Akashi rolled his eyes but didn't protest. He wanted to escape, but being held firmly in her grasp made it impossible.
Trapped by softness, he thought ruefully. There's no way I'm getting away.
Still, the situation had its perks. Staying close to Ran allowed him to absorb Yin energy steadily. If he could accumulate just a bit more, his transformation would be that much closer.