Chapter 164: The Arrival of Saguru Hakuba

"Saguru Hakuba?"

Fujino instantly recognized the young man with golden hair; he was none other than Saguru Hakuba, who had made a guest appearance in *Detective Conan*.

He remembered that Saguru Hakuba was supposed to be one of the arch-enemies of the Kaitou Kid.

"My pocket watch only deviates by 0.001 seconds a year."

Saguru Hakuba put away the pocket watch he held in his hand and said to Inspector Nakamori Ginzo and the assembled police officers, "If possible, please use my time as the reference."

As soon as he finished speaking, the reporters stationed nearby swarmed forward.

With the flash of cameras constantly going off, the reporters began interviewing Saguru Hakuba.

They completely forgot that they were here today to broadcast the capture at the Kaitou Kid's crime scene.

"Zero point zero zero one, and he wants us to act based on his time? This guy is way too full of himself, isn't he?"

Nakamori Ginzo frowned, feeling a bit repulsed by Saguru Hakuba's pompous demeanor.

Recalling that Fujino had mentioned that arrogant kid's name earlier, he asked, "Brother Fujino, do you know that pompous blond?"

"Not exactly."

Fujino waved his hand dismissively. "I only read about him in the newspapers before. His name is Saguru Hakuba, and he's also a high school detective."

"Oh, so he's a high school detective."

Nakamori Ginzo suddenly understood. "No wonder he's so full of himself."

In his eyes, all high school detectives were a bit arrogant.

Except for Fujino, of course.

Regarding Fujino, he personally didn't have much of a problem.

He was calm, not pompous, and had provided many ideas for capturing Kaitou Kid.

Even though he hadn't used any of those ideas.

"Inspector, don't you know Saguru Hakuba?"

The policeman in a gray suit next to him looked surprised. "Saguru Hakuba is a high school detective who returned from England. His catchphrase, if I remember correctly, is, 'I have just one question: why did you do it?' or something like that."

"A pretentious guy, and he even has a catchphrase. Doesn't he find it embarrassing? Do bad people have a reason for doing bad things?"

Nakamori Ginzo muttered and then, after pondering for a moment, added, "But now that I think about it, the surname Hakuba does sound familiar."

"Saguru Hakuba's father is the director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Director Hakuba."

Fujino reminded him.

"What? He's Director Hakuba's son?!"

Nakamori Ginzo was shocked upon hearing this.

"Inspector Nakamori, you didn't know?"

The policeman in the gray suit looked at Nakamori Ginzo in confusion.

"How would I know about these things?"

Nakamori Ginzo sighed. "It's already enough of a headache dealing with Kaitou Kid every day. And in my spare time, I have to think of ways to counter that guy?"

"Hahaha, this young officer is right. That boy, Saguru, is indeed my son."

At this moment, a voice came from behind.

Fujino turned around and saw a middle-aged man with a large belly walking towards them.

The man wore the uniform of the Metropolitan Police Department with four cherry blossom insignias on his shoulders.

Fujino recognized that insignia; it was the rank of the director of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The director of the Metropolitan Police Department...

This must be Saguru Hakuba's father, Director Hakuba, right?

"I'm sorry for causing you trouble, Inspector Nakamori. That kid Saguru has been clamoring to see the Kaitou Kid in person, so I brought him along."

Director Hakuba walked over, and as he spoke, he noticed Fujino standing next to Nakamori Ginzo. "By the way, Nakamori, how come I've never seen such a young officer before? Is he newly transferred?"

At that moment, Fujino was dressed in a black suit, his demeanor exuding calmness and composure.

Standing among a group of police officers, if no one mentioned it, most people wouldn't know he was a detective.

"A young officer?"

Nakamori Ginzo was stunned and followed Director Hakuba's gaze to Fujino before introducing him. "He's not one of our officers from the Metropolitan Police Department. He's a high school detective, Fujino. This time, he's here at the request of Director Arima to help us protect the Violet Bronze Statue."

Fujino politely greeted him, "My name is Fujino."

"So you're Fujino!"

Director Hakuba's eyes seemed to gleam with recognition. "I remember you. You're the one who recently helped us crack the Moon Shadow Island drug cartel case, the library's hidden drug transaction case, and even took down a counterfeiting gang, right?"

"Yes, that was me."

"Fujino, you're quite remarkable for someone so young."

Director Hakuba gave a kindly smile, praising him. "So wise and brave at such a young age. If my kid had half your composure and character, I wouldn't have to worry so much!"

Saying this, he glanced at Saguru Hakuba beside him. "That kid Saguru, as soon as the media interviews him, he gets carried away and forgets his own limits. Ever since he came back from London, he hasn't even been listening to me, his father."

Director Hakuba sighed deeply. "The reason I agreed to bring him here today was to let him experience failure and curb his arrogance... to give him a heavy blow and make him understand the seriousness of an investigation."

"Later, I might have to trouble both of you, Nakamori and Fujino."

Director Hakuba wasn't worried that Saguru Hakuba would catch the Kaitou Kid.

If the Kaitou Kid could be caught, they would have done so years ago.

Even if by some miracle his son did manage to catch the Kaitou Kid, it would be a good thing.

"You're very thoughtful, Director!"

Nakamori Ginzo saluted and said earnestly, "Leave your son to me, Nakamori Ginzo!"

"And to me as well."

Fujino paused for a moment as he spoke, feeling like something about that statement was off.

"With you two here, I can rest easy. I have a meeting to attend, so I'll take my leave."

Director Hakuba nodded in satisfaction.

Before leaving, he gave a kindly smile and reminded the two, "I'll leave Saguru to you both."

Watching Director Hakuba's departing figure,

Fujino could understand his intentions.

Saguru Hakuba had a pompous demeanor, much like Shinichi Kudo.

Although it's unclear how they both ended up that way, both had solved around a hundred cases.

With such achievements under their belt, if Fujino's soul were ten years younger, he might have been as arrogant as those two.

After all, youth comes with a bit of pride.

If you're not prideful, are you even young?

But this depends on the person.

If Shinichi Kudo is a bit full of himself, it can be overlooked since his father is a famous novelist, so he doesn't need to worry too much.

But Saguru Hakuba is different. His father is the head of the Metropolitan Police Department, one of the top figures in the power hierarchy of Japan.

Those in high positions are supposed to be calm and composed, reflecting the inner self.

Just as Director Hakuba said, he brought Saguru here to polish his edges.

(End of this chapter)