### Chapter 45: The Broken-Spine Dog

Rainfall trickled through the leaves, hitting the pond and creating splashes. The torrential downpour covered the cries of anguish in the forest, as if nothing had happened.

The heavy rain soaked Fujino, and the accumulated water weighed down his fishing hat, causing the rain to drip down his temples. He stood still, staring at the figure in front of him for a long moment before slowly walking forward. He peeled away the bandages from the man's face, revealing the calm face of Takahashi Ryoichi.

"He looks so honest; how could he do something like this?" Fujino sighed. "But you are indeed 'honest'—quick to resort to murder. If it were me, I wouldn't kill her so easily. She'd have a hard time dying."

...

"Takahashi?!"

In the villa, everyone was stunned when they saw Fujino dragging Takahashi Ryoichi back.

"What did you do to Takahashi?!" 

Kakutani Hiroki glared at Fujino, demanding an explanation.

"What did I do?" Fujino said, showing some impatience. "This guy was the one I encountered with Sonoko when we arrived at the villa. Can't you all see that?"

"I saw him when I arrived at the villa as well."

"By the way, why is he dressed like this?"

The group began discussing Takahashi's black cloak and strange appearance.

"Maybe he's just up to some prank again..." Kakutani Hiroki attempted to excuse Takahashi, then turned his ire toward Fujino. "Even if he's playing a prank, you shouldn't have beaten him like this!"

"You really are a bleeding heart," Fujino said with a smirk. "I've seen enough of this middle-parted, goody-goody type."

He then discreetly summoned the large axe from his spatial storage.

"Boom!"

The double-headed axe landed on the floor with a heavy thud.

Everyone's eyes widened as they stared at the large axe. Fujino narrowed his eyes and looked at the honest guy's face, his voice growing serious. "Did your little prank involve a sharpened axe?"

"If I hadn't reacted in time just now, I might have been cleaved in half!"

"Well, he was only aiming at me."

Kakutani Hiroki, feeling the severity of the situation, took a few steps back, his face reflecting a mixture of emotions.

"But why did he attack Fujino? Sonoko, can you explain?" Conan questioned Fujino.

"I don't know either," Fujino shrugged and then looked at Takahashi Ryoichi lying on the ground. "We'll have to ask the person involved."

A bucket of cold water was thrown over Takahashi, drenching him thoroughly. He struggled to sit up, looking around in confusion. Seeing everyone's stares, he slumped back down.

"Why did you attack Fujino-senpai?!" 

Sonoko, worried for her crush, raised her voice.

"What, are you people talking nonsense?! I don't understand at all!"

Seeing his deception exposed, Takahashi started to play dumb.

"Still pretending, huh?" Fujino took a deep breath and adjusted his fishing hat. It was time for the locals to witness the terror of a spoiler.

He didn't know just how powerful the hat's self-destruct effect could be.

With a smile, Fujino said, "The reason you attacked me was to silence me, right?"

"What nonsense! I have no reason to silence you!"

"You might not have a reason with me, but I've seen your figure."

"The real reason you wanted to kill me was to prevent the exposure of your figure!"

His words quickly grabbed everyone's attention.

As they realized, Takahashi Ryoichi was not fat at all. Instead, he was a well-built man, contrasting sharply with his earlier appearance.

Seeing the gaze directed at him, Takahashi's face turned desperate.

"Just to expose his figure and kill someone? It's quite a stretch... But what if it was all part of his murder plan?"

Fujino pondered aloud and then continued, "He aimed to kill me to prevent me from revealing his plan, which was to secretly kill someone in this villa!"

**[Fishing Hat Effect Activated]**

"That's right! I wanted to kill Ikeda Chikako, that bitch!"

Takahashi suddenly exploded in anger, shouting at everyone.

Chikako's face, previously composed, now displayed a fierce, defensive anger. Her proud demeanor crumbled, revealing a broken spirit.

Seeing the peculiar expressions of those around her, she took a step back and yelled, "Do you really believe his baseless accusations?!"

"'The Blue Kingdom' is my original work! Besides Takahashi, who else knows about this?!"

"Accusing me of plagiarizing a dead person—what a joke!"

Sonoko frowned at Chikako's outburst and said quietly, "Chikako, isn't this a bit excessive..."

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*End of Chapter*