The day after Emilio was brought back was reserved for stage setup and rehearsals.

The actual concert wouldn't begin for another day.

Hayashi Yoshiki had no intention of getting involved in the chaos just yet.

That afternoon, he paid a visit to his office, and—just as expected—both Amuro Toru and Natsuki Koshimizu were highly interested in what had happened the day before.

"The concert's organizer is actually part of the Italian mafia. They're planning to carry out some kind of illegal transaction during the concert."

"Illegal transaction?"

Natsuki Koshimizu frowned in confusion as she glanced at the TV broadcast:

"Emilio's Japan Tour!"

"All Tickets Sold Out!"

"From Obscurity to Fame—Unveiling the Mystery of Emilio's Strength Behind the Glamour"

"Even on Rehearsal Day, Fans Flock Outside the Venue to Show Support!"

"They're really planning to carry out a deal in such a crowded place?"

"Exactly. Once the concert starts, everyone's attention will be glued to the stage. In a way, it's the perfect cover."

Amuro Toru gently set his cup down on the saucer.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder—what kind of illegal trade would require such an elaborate plan?

After all, turning someone into a star costs a fortune—more money than most people could earn in a lifetime. And yet, the goal wasn't fame itself… it was to use that fame.

"Has the BOSS informed the police about this?"

"No, not yet."

Hayashi Yoshiki's calm answer left both of them stunned.

Before they could ask more, he explained:

"Because the thing they're trying to trade... it's far beyond what the police can handle."

"What is it?"

Gotcha.

Seeing the serious glint in Amuro's eyes, Hayashi Yoshiki smirked internally.

"It's a mineral."

"A mineral?"

"Yes. From the Kingdom of Vespania."

The name left both Natsuki Koshimizu and Amuro utterly bewildered.

First, the existence of such a mineral was tightly sealed off by the Vespania royal family.

Second, even inside the Black Organization, knowledge of this mineral was classified—Amuro had never heard of it.

"It's a mineral that can perfectly evade radar detection."

"Perfectly evade radar…?"

"Exactly. I'm not joking."

Seeing Amuro's stunned expression, Hayashi Yoshiki lowered his voice, as if not to disturb his thoughts:

"If this mineral is used as coating material on missiles or aircraft, they'll become completely invisible to any radar system.

Can you imagine what that means? Just having access to a single piece of this mineral could turn the entire world's air defense systems into nothing more than decoration."

"That's insane…"

"If it were a lie, do you think Lupin III would go through all this trouble?"

Hayashi Yoshiki briefly explained Lupin's plan.

He hadn't gotten involved out of greed but for Queen Sakura, who had passed away, and for Princess Mira.

He was trying to retrieve the stolen Vespania mineral.

He had figured out that the mafia—Luciano—had stolen it, but didn't know where he'd hidden it.

However, he found the buyer interested in acquiring the mineral: Aaron Smith.

So Lupin made his move. He had Daisuke Jigen pose as one of Luciano's men to contact Aaron and agree to the deal—with one condition:

"We only accept Cherry Sapphires as payment."

Aaron took the bait and hired Lupin to steal the Cherry Sapphires from East Capital Bank.

But the sapphires were already Lupin's to begin with.

He had secretly hidden a tracker inside one of the gems.

That way, once Aaron Smith used them to trade for the mineral, Lupin could immediately locate the Vespania ore.

"That's why I'm hesitating," said Hayashi Yoshiki.

"Something like this is already beyond the scope of police work. And there may be many others eyeing the mineral."

Amuro lowered his head.

Reflections of conflict stirred in his eyes.

A mineral that could make aircraft and missiles vanish from radar…

This was the first time he'd heard of anything like it.

If a nation acquired such a thing…

Hayashi Yoshiki was right.

This wasn't something the police could handle.

This is a job for public security.

Amuro considered this as the corners of his lips curled—ever so faintly.

Hayashi Yoshiki, noticing that subtle smirk, smiled as well.

"Unbelievable… A mineral like that actually exists in this world."

"Yeah. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it either."

Steam swirled in the luxurious bathroom.

The bathtub overflowed with foam.

Soaked in the warmth, her small body stretched out, Ai Haibara let out a soft sigh of comfort—it echoed faintly in her ears, as if drifting far away.

"Living with your big sister… isn't so bad, is it?"

Across the tub sat Fujiko Mine.

Greedy for riches and pleasure, she never denied herself indulgence.

Legs elegantly crossed, her impossibly curvy figure was partly hidden beneath white foam.

Noticing Haibara's silence, she suddenly moved in and grabbed her by surprise.

"Wah—!"

Haibara let out a startled squeal, full of childlike innocence.

She sat up at once and glared.

"What do you think you're doing!?"

"Hehe, how adorable. Looks like your chest shrank. Or wait—was it always this small, even back in your Shiho Miyano days?"

"Of course not! The real me was definitely—"

Wait—

Why am I even talking to her about this nonsense?

Haibara turned away with a stiff expression, refusing to respond.

Fujiko moved back to her seat, but this time her expression grew serious:

"Hey, how about we work together to complete that drug? You know, the one you've been developing—what was it called again?"

"APTX4869."

Haibara shot her a side glance.

"And what do you plan to do with it once it's done?"

"Why, use it on myself, of course—to become young again!"

Fujiko smiled, pressing her cheeks together dreamily.

"Eternal youth is every woman's dream—it'll be a global bestseller."

"Don't be ridiculous. My drug isn't some miracle fantasy."

Upon hearing such absurd expectations, Haibara immediately knew there was no point continuing the conversation.

Splash!

She stood up decisively from the bathtub.

"A woman enslaved by youth is already doomed."

"Also—"

Haibara narrowed her eyes.

"You promised me something. It's time to pay up, isn't it?"

"What's the secret about Cointreau that you said you'd reveal?"