Chapter 87: Theft of Gunpowder

After obtaining so much knowledge about disguise, Senichi lay on the bed and began to accelerate the learning process to digest it faster. Although he could gradually understand and master it without doing so, Senichi was somewhat impatient.

After all, disguise techniques were commonly seen in movies and TV shows but rarely encountered in real life, especially the use of disguise masks. As Senichi digested the knowledge, he roughly knew at which stage he could master it, which made him quite delighted.

Previously, Senichi's disguises were mainly achieved through the use of external props, such as wigs and fake beards, along with some basic makeup techniques.

However, this time, in addition to completing the "Makeup Technique," he also acquired the skills to create disguise masks. Of course, he had only learned the basics, and although the quality was not an issue, the process would inevitably be much slower.

Senichi estimated that when his skill level reached D-rank (5 years) or slightly above C-rank (6 years), he would find it easier to create disguise masks. As for advanced techniques like quick disguises, rapid face-changing, or multi-layer masks... no, multi-layer disguise masks, he hadn't seen any trace of them yet.

Nevertheless, Senichi was already satisfied. With these techniques, he would be able to facilitate many of his activities.

Thinking about the intelligence he had gathered through his identity investigations and the occurrence of various cases, Senichi increasingly felt a sense of an impending storm. Therefore, he accelerated the collection of materials for creating disguise masks and began planning and preparing for the inevitable confrontation with the mysterious organization, awaiting the day of their encounter.

The challenge awaiting Senichi would be enormous—the first clash with the Black Organization! The reason for this confrontation was quite clear: to prevent the tragedy of Miyano Akemi, which was the most crucial main plot in the early stages. Senichi's goal was to reverse this tragedy, and it inevitably involved a confrontation with the Black Organization.

Senichi had mixed feelings about this. On one hand, he was worried, but on the other hand, he was also somewhat excited. This complex emotional state stemmed from the danger posed by the Black Organization and the rewards that would come from changing this tragedy.

However, most importantly, it was a reflection of his own expectations. Would his planning and strategies be sufficient to confront those dangerous individuals? How would the opposing side react? Would they disrupt his plans, or would everything go smoothly? These were the sources of Senichi's complex emotions.

This was a grand scheme and confrontation on a higher level, dancing on the edge of a knife. The slightest mistake would result in a complete defeat. However, it was precisely because of this that Senichi couldn't help but tremble. The clash of intellect fascinated him, as it was the ultimate pursuit of every detective.

Calculation and strategy were qualities that people admired and looked up to. Even though Sherlock Holmes was a fictional character, countless people still regarded him as the "God of Deduction." Conan aspired to become the "Sherlock Holmes of the Heisei Era," which was also an ultimate pursuit in the field of deduction.

Of course, every journey begins with a single step. Senichi's task was to gradually turn his envisioned plans into reality, increasing his hidden cards along the way. With these thoughts in mind, Senichi focused on digesting the knowledge in his mind.

...

"Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring!!!"

Just as Senichi lay on the bed, absorbing the knowledge and preparing to sleep as it was already late at night, the sound of an alarm bell suddenly rang in his ears.

Unexpected events always occurred so quickly, catching people off guard, especially in a place like the police headquarters, where receiving calls at any time of day or night was not unusual.

This is also the reason why there are criminal investigators on night duty. Of course, Senichi, as a professional elite investigator living in a single apartment, had made different arrangements to deal with such situations.

It could be considered a night shift situation. He wasn't a dedicated night shift personnel, nor did he usually have night shifts like other officers. However, if a case occurred, he had to respond.

Since he enjoyed free food and accommodation, he had to pay the price of sacrificing some sleep at night. It was a fair exchange, wasn't it?

Of course, whether this was a unique mechanism after the reform of the Metropolitan Police Department in this world, Senichi didn't know. He didn't have time to care about these things now.

As the highest-ranking and most famous detective in the nighttime Metropolitan Police Department, soon a police officer rushed over to knock on his door.

"What happened?"

When the alarm came, Senichi immediately got up and started getting dressed. By the time the officer arrived, Senichi had already grabbed his coat and walked out of the room.

"Detective Senichi, it's bad! A large quantity of explosives containing ammonium nitrate was stolen from the Toyo Fireworks Depot!"

Seeing Senichi's figure, the rushing officer reported the emergency situation with a panicked expression.

"Explosives?!?"

Upon hearing the report, Senichi's first reaction was that this was a big trouble, and at the same time, he vaguely felt that he had heard this name somewhere before...

"Detective Senichi, give the order quickly!"

The officer next to him interrupted Senichi's thoughts anxiously, and he immediately snapped back to reality and said, "Notify all the night shift personnel in the Metropolitan Police Department to mobilize immediately!

At the same time, instruct the nearby "Kobans" (police boxes) near the Toyo Fireworks Depot to set up barriers along the way, block the roads. If there's no time to record, note down the license plates of passing vehicles!

Simultaneously, intensify the search within a larger area. There shouldn't be too many people at this time. Investigate every single person!!"

Quickly, the orders were conveyed one by one, and at the same time, Senichi immediately dialed Inspector Megure's phone.

This matter was too big. Dealing with it urgently as a Deputy Inspector was okay, but afterwards, it was better to report and wait for the arrangements from higher-ups.

So, in the middle of the night, Inspector Megure was awakened by the phone call and began reporting to his superiors one by one.

As for Senichi, who was named the on-site commander, he immediately rushed to the Toyo Fireworks Depot for investigation.

In the security camera footage, they quickly found the figure of the person who stole the explosives. But unfortunately, it was clear that the person was disguised and wore a black robe that made it difficult to identify anything.

Afterward, Senichi started having the cameras along the route checked, hoping to trace the culprit's whereabouts.

But unfortunately, in this era, there were too few cameras, even in the future they didn't become widespread. In fact, even elevators usually didn't have cameras installed due to privacy concerns.

After tracking all the way, there were no unexpected findings. The suspect disappeared on a small road.

Busy all night and in the early morning at the urgently established search headquarters, Senichi explained the case information to hundreds of investigators. By the time he came to his senses, half of the morning had passed.

Fortunately, a large number of investigators had taken over their night shifts, so they could finally rest for a while.

After quickly solving lunch, Senichi returned to his dorm and collapsed onto the bed.

The name "Toyo Fireworks Depot" felt vaguely familiar in his mind, but the overwhelming fatigue kept invading his brain.

Soon, Senichi entered the realm of dreams.