Chapter 143: Transnational Criminal Organizations

"Speaking of which, the police from the Metropolitan Police Department were originally supposed to visit today to ask me about Officer Toda, but for some unknown reason, they didn't come."

Akikawa Kyousuke, who was chatting with Suzuki Sonoko and the others, suddenly expressed his confusion.

When Suzuki Sonoko heard this, she said hesitantly,

"Mr. Akikawa, you probably don't know, but Officer Toda was killed yesterday while being escorted back to the Metropolitan Police Department."

"What?!"

Suzuki Sonoko's words made everyone in the room exclaim in shock.

It wasn't just Akikawa Kyousuke.

Even Yoko Okino, Conan, and Sera Masumi suddenly widened their eyes upon hearing this.

"Is that true? I haven't heard anything about it!"

Sera Masumi said, astonishment written all over her face.

Conan immediately took out his cellphone and began searching for relevant information.

However, apart from a few photos of Metropolitan Police Department patrol cars causing a commotion on social media, he couldn't find any other useful information.

"Sonoko, where did you hear about this?"

Mouri Ran showed a horrified expression and asked loudly.

"Yesterday, I was feeling really upset. I thought it was too easy for Toda to be caught after doing something so outrageous.

So I asked Uncle Jiroji to contact a police officer he knows in the Metropolitan Police Department to find out what kind of punishment Toda would receive.

That's when I heard that Toda was shot in the head by a sniper at an intersection while being escorted back to the Metropolitan Police Department and died.

Now the Metropolitan Police Department is in chaos, so of course, they don't have time to come see Mr. Akikawa," Suzuki Sonoko explained.

Akikawa Kyousuke felt a strong sense of indignation upon hearing her words.

Of course, he wasn't so naïve as to believe Japan was a country free of underground organizations and gray forces.

There had to be some organizations and groups in this country that disregarded the law.

But what truly shocked Akikawa Kyousuke was this—

The other party had dared to shoot and kill a prisoner escorted by the Metropolitan Police Department in broad daylight.

It would have been understandable if the prisoner were someone important.

But Kyouji Toda was nothing more than a supplementary police officer.

Even within the police system, supplementary officers ranked in the middle to lower tiers.

And from his brief interaction with Kyouji Toda, Akikawa Kyousuke had judged that his skills weren't particularly exceptional.

---

'Based on the ability Toda Kyouji displayed during his confrontation with me, it's clear he's far from skilled enough to make those underground organizations consider him a threat.

And yet, they still acted.

Which means, to the organization that sent people to kill Kyouji Toda, eliminating a criminal in the custody of the Metropolitan Police Department is as easy as tossing trash into a bin.

It's no burden at all.'

'According to my earlier assessment, Toda Kyouji almost lost his life while investigating a transnational criminal organization, which frightened him into leaving the Organized Crime Countermeasures Bureau.

Most of his hatred toward criminals stems from venting his fear and resentment toward that transnational organization.

So, did someone from that organization discover him yesterday and then take him out?

The fact that they dared to kill Kyouji Toda so brazenly, even with a group of Metropolitan Police detectives around, must mean they are so powerful that they act with absolute confidence.'

Akikawa Kyousuke couldn't help but think about this in his mind.

However, he quickly reminded himself that this had nothing to do with him, and whether Kyouji Toda lived or died wasn't his concern.

The ones who should worry about this were the police, public security, and detectives with a strong sense of justice.

He stopped dwelling on the matter.

---

Just as Akikawa Kyousuke had guessed, the two detectives also showed extremely shocked expressions upon hearing Suzuki Sonoko's words.

"Did Toda offend someone he couldn't afford to, and was killed as revenge?"

Sera Masumi crouched down and whispered to Conan, who was beside her.

"But isn't it true that the people he usually interacts with are the prisoners captured by the First Investigative Division detectives? Could ordinary prisoners have this kind of capability?"

Conan was perplexed.

"My first thought is that it might be connected to the 'organization,' but if that's the case, Kyouji Toda, a detective from the First Investigative Division, shouldn't have had much interaction with them.

And based on his personality, it's impossible for him to be an undercover agent sent by the organization.

So, Kyouji Toda must have other identities."

After quickly forming his judgment, Conan looked at Suzuki Sonoko and curiously asked,

"Sister Sonoko, did they mention that Officer Toda had other identities?"

"Other identities… It seems they did mention something… Toda seemed to be part of some organization… the countermeasures department… before joining the First Investigative Division…?"

Suzuki Sonoko touched her chin with her fingertips, trying to recall.

"Organized Crime Countermeasures Bureau!"

Conan and Sera Masumi said in unison upon hearing Suzuki Sonoko's words.

"If that's the case, then it's not surprising.

The Organized Crime Countermeasures Bureau specifically targets violent organizations, the underworld, and international criminal organizations.

Kyouji Toda probably provoked the 'organization' or someone else during his time in the countermeasures bureau and was killed for it," Conan said.

'This operation was highly organized. If it really was the organization, they're bound to leave traces after committing the crime.

Mr. Amuro must have noticed this incident and might have already investigated some information.'

Conan was pondering this when he made an excuse to leave the room.

He then took out his cellphone and called Toru Amuro (Rei Furuya), an officer from the Public Security Bureau's Planning Section under the Japanese Public Safety Ministry.

---

Before long, the call connected.

"Conan, what's the matter?"

Toru Amuro's voice came from the other end of the line.

"Mr. Amuro, a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department was shot and killed. Do you know anything about it?"

Conan asked.

"You're talking about Kyouji Toda, aren't you?"

"Huh? You know about him too, Mr. Amuro?"

"The Public Security Bureau previously suspected that this criminal detective coerced, extracted confessions from prisoners, created perjury, and deliberately incited prisoners to attack police officers and commit violent acts against them, so the police have been investigating him."

"But Toda was killed by a sniper. Was this the work of the organization?"

Conan asked.

"It's possible, but the police don't have definitive evidence."

"I see…"

Conan said with some disappointment.

However, a moment later, he realized something was off.

Why had Toru Amuro so readily disclosed this internal police information to him today?

If something like Kyouji Toda's misconduct were exposed, it would undoubtedly tarnish the image of the entire Metropolitan Police Department in the eyes of the Japanese public.

This shouldn't have been revealed to an outsider like him.

Unless…

Toru Amuro had long known that Conan was already aware of Toda Kyouji's situation.

"Mr. Amuro, you're following me again, aren't you?"

Conan's tone dropped slightly as he spoke to Toru Amuro.

"As you've guessed, Conan-kun, this makes things easier," Toru Amuro replied, his tone unflustered despite being caught. Instead, he chuckled.

"Can you tell me about the victim in this case, the artist named 'Kyousuke Akikawa'?"

---

(End of the Chapter)