The next morning, the news was filled with reports about Kaito Kid and Lupin III.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department's intelligence, the fact that the international thief Lupin III had disguised himself as Kaito Kid to commit crimes sparked a widespread public discussion.

That excitement intensified when the diamond stolen by Lupin III the previous night was discovered among a fisherman's catch.

"What a huge fuss."

Toru Amuro cleared the plates in front of Hayashi Yoshiki and Natsuki Koshimizu, then headed toward the sink behind the bar.

"These thieves one after another... not only do they disrupt social order with their crimes, but they also consume so many public resources afterward. Really..."

The sound of running water filled the room as Toru began washing the plates.

Nanatsuki lowered her voice slightly, "Mr. Hayashi, Amuro-san doesn't seem to be in a good mood."

"Seems like it, but I don't know the details either."

Hayashi Yoshiki replied with a smile.

As a member of the Japanese public security, it was no surprise that Amuro's mood was sour, seeing the police played like puppets by the phantom thieves.

However, he wouldn't overstep his bounds over such matters.

As an undercover agent, focusing on his assigned tasks was enough; doing too much or standing out would be courting disaster.

Yoshiki picked up the remote and changed channels.

When switching to Nippon TV, a well-made-up female anchor was reporting recent entertainment news.

"This morning, popular Italian idol Emilio Baretti arrived in Japan, causing a stir at the airport!"

On screen was a young man walking through the airport under heavy security.

Nanatsuki was a bit surprised, "Emilio... that Italian idol is really going to hold a concert in Japan?"

"Is he very famous?" Yoshiki asked.

"He's quite popular. Although called an idol, he's actually an international star," Natsuki said, tapping her chin proudly. "Though honestly, I haven't really listened to his songs."

Nanatsuki actually listened to quite a lot of music—after all, when they first met on that speedboat, she had been wearing headphones all along.

"I see."

Yoshiki watched the screen thoughtfully.

The idol's presence wasn't very important to him, but as the camera cut inside the airport, in the corner of the frame was a man leaning against the wall, hands in pockets, wearing a black-gray fedora... it was Daisuke Jigen.

Always working as a bodyguard—this guy was really busy...

Yoshiki smiled indifferently.

Soon, his phone suddenly rang.

Yoshiki glanced at the caller ID and answered immediately.

"Hello, Officer Megure?"

Something was unusual.

"Don't run! Lupin!"

The next afternoon.

Walking side by side with Kogoro Mouri, Conan suddenly stopped and looked back.

Behind him was a peaceful street scene.

On a sunny autumn afternoon during a day off, the shopping street was crowded with people, nothing out of the ordinary...

"What's wrong?" Mouri looked at him in confusion.

"I thought I heard Officer Sato shouting, 'Don't run, Lupin' or something..."

"Huh? You must've imagined it."

"Maybe," Conan said, not giving it much thought.

He had been troubled these days by matters related to Lupin III and his group.

He had also seen the news about the Italian idol on Nippon TV and noticed Daisuke Jigen in the camera's corner... They must be here for something extraordinary.

He had that feeling.

What Conan didn't realize was that the voice actually came from the sewer beneath a nearby manhole.

He followed Mouri and kept walking.

Sonoko and Ran were ahead of them.

"Sorry, Sonoko, I even brought my dad along," Ran apologized.

"No problem," Sonoko waved it off. "But he must've come for Emilio's manager. If he said he was here for Emilio himself... ugh, can't even imagine."

"Hehe," Ran gave an awkward smile.

Emilio Baretti was one of the most popular stars among young girls lately, and Sonoko was no exception.

So after Emilio arrived in Japan, Sonoko immediately used the Suzuki family's information network to find out where he was staying—the Sakura Sakae Hotel, the same hotel where Princess Mira had stayed on her recent visit.

"I invited Yoshiki-kun, and he said he'd go on his own... I don't know if he's arrived yet," Sonoko said, pulling out her phone.

"He should arrive a little later than us. Yoshiki-kun told me he might be visiting the Metropolitan Police today."

"Eh? What's Yoshiki-kun doing at the police?"

"That I don't know," Ran smiled softly in response to her friend's curiosity.

The group soon arrived at the Sakura Sakae Hotel.

At that moment, Hayashi Yoshiki was also heading there—he had just left the Central Bank of Mihana Town.

After Lupin III disguised as Kaito Kid stole the museum's diamond and returned it the next morning, he sent a notice that afternoon announcing he would steal the Cherry Sapphire hidden in the bank.

This immediately caught the police's attention.

Even Koichi Zenigata from Interpol rushed to join the Lupin task force.

But in the end, they still couldn't stop Lupin III, who easily succeeded...

Only Miwa Sato, the stubborn woman, relentlessly pursued him—even into the sewers.

"Yoshiki-kun!!"

When Yoshiki arrived at the Sakura Sakae Hotel, Ran and the others were just waiting at the entrance.

He quickened his pace.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's okay, we just got here too."

"But it feels so nostalgic here."

"Well, it hasn't been long since the last time we came here," Sonoko teased Ran with an elbow,

"Oh, Princess Ran, the pretty chair you sat in last time is still here."

Ran muttered embarrassedly.

Yoshiki smiled at their interaction and glanced around the surroundings.

The inside of the Sakura Sakae Hotel hadn't changed much since Princess Mira's visit.

But as one of Tokyo's top-tier hotels, Yoshiki had actually stayed here several times before...

"I'll go call the manager."

Sonoko smiled and started walking toward the reception.

But at that moment, a man in a black suit quickly approached, his eyes clearly fixed on Hayashi Yoshiki and Kogoro Mouri.

"Mr. Hayashi, Mr. Mouri," he said.

"Please wait a moment."