Chapter 266: Calmness
In Hall B of Tokyo Big Sight, in front of the Scarlet Heart collection room.
Many police officers and security personnel were stunned on the spot, their eyes fixed on the place where Phantom Thief Kidd had just fallen.
A large crowd had witnessed the scene where Kaito Kid was struck in the head by a sniper's weapon.
Many of them felt a sense of déjà vu.
For a moment, Kaitou Kid seemed like the ninja from the cartoons they used to watch as kids.
It was as if he had been hit by a shuriken thrown by another ninja, but in the very next second, the ninja's body was replaced by a log of wood.
Even witnessing it with their own eyes, many people doubted what they had seen, thinking they might have hallucinated.
Some didn't even notice the sniper bullet that appeared out of nowhere.
---
Conan's cheeks were also filled with shock that had not yet subsided.
He stood in front of the ruby lying on the ground, bent down, and picked it up.
Unlike the others, who were amazed by Kid's magical escape, Conan had seen Kid perform such acts many times before.
Although Conan didn't fully understand the mechanics, he was certain Kaitou Kid used magic tricks to create the illusion.
What truly surprised Conan wasn't Kaitou Kid's escape, but the presence of someone with a sniper rifle at the exhibition.
---
Conan turned to look at the bullet embedded in the wall of the Scarlet Heart collection room and then at the glass of the exhibition site.
He vividly remembered the scene from earlier.
The sniper's bullet had struck Kaitou Kid in the head from a downward diagonal angle.
Yet, instead of hitting the ground within the venue, the bullet lodged in the wall.
---
'Judging by the bullet's trajectory, the sniper must have been on the roof of a nearby building.'
'Since there are no very tall buildings around Tokyo Big Sight, the bullet entered at a shallow angle, causing it to hit the wall.'
'The shooter must have aimed at Kaitou Kid as he ascended into the air before pulling the trigger. This also indicates their visibility wasn't very good.'
---
Thanks to the open area surrounding Tokyo Big Sight, Conan couldn't see any buildings when he looked out of the window from where he stood.
In other words, the sniper wouldn't be able to see him either.
---
Conan examined the ruby in his hand, replaying Kaitou Kid's final words:
"I'll make an exception and tell you something. We've all been deceived."
"This is the real red treasure I'm holding in my hand."
---
'What did Kaitou Kid mean? Why have we been deceived?'
'What's wrong with this ruby?'
'Is this related to the sniper's attack on him?'
---
Several questions surged through Conan's mind, but due to the lack of clues, he couldn't piece everything together.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed.
Moments later, Conan saw Sera Masumi running quickly toward him.
---
Conan had initially assumed that Sera Masumi would ask about what had just happened, but instead, after glancing at the bullet embedded in the wall, she turned her gaze sharply to Amuro Toru standing nearby.
"Mr. Amuro, you remained remarkably calm in the face of what just happened."
---
Conan was stunned upon hearing this and looked at Toru Amuro, who stood expressionless not far away.
Since Conan had been focused on Kaitou Kid's side of events, he hadn't noticed Amuro's reaction when Kid was attacked earlier.
Sera Masumi's comment undoubtedly revealed that she, too, had witnessed the events unfold.
---
Having just returned from Arena D, Sera Masumi had observed everyone's reactions from a broader perspective.
'Mr. Amuro didn't seem very surprised—almost too composed.'
'Could the sniper who shot at Kaitou Kid be someone sent by the organization?!'
---
Conan had originally thought that Toru Amuro's objective here was Akikawa Kyousuke.
But now, it didn't seem that way at all.
Not many people would dare to openly shoot someone with a sniper rifle in Tokyo, and the organization was undoubtedly the most ruthless among them.
---
"Miss Sera, what are you talking about? I was shocked just a moment ago."
Toru Amuro replied to Sera Masumi calmly.
---
"I don't think your reaction earlier could be described as 'shocked.'"
Sera Masumi showed no courtesy when addressing Toru Amuro.
---
Conan noticed Sera Masumi growing increasingly suspicious of Toru Amuro, so he quickly stepped in to protect him.
"Get out of here now! Didn't someone just fire a shot in this area?!"
---
Conan shouted loudly at the officers from the Second Search Division, who were still standing around in a daze, forcibly interrupting Sera Masumi's accusations.
Reminded by Conan, the officers quickly evacuated the area outside the Scarlet Heart collection room.
Just as they were about to contact Metropolitan Police Headquarters to report the current situation, they spotted a man in plain, casual clothing approaching.
---
The officers shouted to stop the individual, but upon noticing the long mustache beneath the man's nose, they quickly became alert.
"Kaitou Kid?!"
---
The officer's exclamation drew everyone's attention.
It turned out that the man, who appeared to be an oddly dressed tourist in ill-fitting casual clothes, was none other than Ginzo Nakamori, the chief of all the officers present.
---
When Nakamori Ginzo heard his subordinates mistakenly identify him, he was already furious. He roared:
"You idiot! Open your eyes and look carefully!"
"I am me, not Kaitou Kid!!"
"Can't even recognize your own boss?!"
---
The officer who mistook Nakamori Ginzo for Kaitou Kid was immediately drenched in spit from Nakamori's reprimand.
After enduring this "baptism," so familiar it shook his soul, the officer finally confirmed Nakamori Ginzo's identity.
---
"Even if Kaitou Kid could mimic Officer Nakamori's voice and appearance, only the real Nakamori could deliver a scolding that shakes people to their core."
One officer covered his cheek and remarked to a colleague nearby.
---
Nakamori Ginzo then questioned Sera Masumi and the others about what had happened.
After hearing Conan's detailed explanation, his lungs felt like they might explode from rage.
However, after learning there was a sniper stationed nearby, his intense anger gradually gave way to unease as he anxiously scanned the area.
---
A chill ran down Nakamori Ginzo's spine.
It was supposed to be a simple theft case—so why had it escalated into something so dangerous?
(End of Chapter)