I don¡¦t think I have the need to put any disclaimer¡Xit would be no different with any other fanfictions here.

Of course, please read and review!

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The Dilemma

Chapter 1 ¡V The Declaration of War

Actually, the midnight shift was hell for all report room "receptionists" in any police station: they wanted to sleep, and they had reason to -- who would actually go into the police station at THIS hour? Whoever found himself in the situation needed would certainly phone 119, not spending their precious time rushing to the station. This is even truer in such a place like Ginza, so when Naroru Umiyama limped through the report room, in the great pain from all the whippings. The thing that actually caught their attention is the sound of a person fell on to the floor -- Umiyama of course.

The two police officers' then half-slept state came to an abrupt end and they rushed out to see the one who's fell on the floor, and were puzzled why the one on the floor was Umiyama. Yes, they knew all about the recent incidents between him, his ex-wife and their little kid, but they just couldn't figure out why he passed out here. When they observed him more carefully, they found that he was beaten up. Anyway, he needs to be sent to the hospital immediately, so they called all the colleagues and the ambulance.

The hospital, of course, wasn't too surprised when the police arrived and asked for the reception desk to see Naroru Umiyama. What came as a surprise was that an officer of rank like Inspector Jyuzo Megure came here, together with his subordinates Takagi. Who came and lead him above was a certain Dr Onto.

"Good morning Inspector Megure."

"So as you, Doctor -- ?"

"Doctor Takashi Onto. You are asking for... Mr. Naroru Umiyama?"

"Yes. So where is he?"

"Well, he's at the third floor. Would you mind following me to the elevator?"

"Well... please."

In the stainless steel elevator.

"And now how's him?"

"He hasn't come round yet; but he should regain consciousness anytime today. Actually what you do need to concern was that he was seriously beaten up, or, for a more accurate word, whipped."

"What? People got whipped up in the 21st century? And given this is Japan? What's more of that?"

Before long they were in the surgery ward, in front of Umiyama's bed.

In front of Megure and Takagi was obvious a person in great agony -- if not now. Umiyama had to lay backside up, since his back was covered with whip streaks from all directions, and it was quite clear that he had been whipped in a totally violent manner, to the degree that he didn't only got bruised, there had been bleeding from some of these whip streaks. It was quite a miracle that his spine wasn't broken, given how violent would the attack be.

"As you can see, his backside has been heavily beaten by a whip. The good news is that his injuries are superficial; there's nothing to worry given there are no infections." Dr Onto said.

"Die or not, it's something so gruesome and barbarian..." Megure thought, "And in Japan, in the beginning of the 21st century?"

Megure pulled Takagi aside. "Takagi-kun?"

"Yes?"

"The more gruesome he had beaten, the sticker the case is."

"..." Takagi, as always, still can't quite wear off the astonishment yet.

"I think you've read a lot about this Naroru Umiyama in tabloids, did you?"

"Just a bit..."

"We now have two trails: his job; and of course his recent problem of his son..."

"I think we've better follow the second trail, Megure-keibu. If the yakuza were doing this, why didn't they get rid of him instead?"

"Point taken. Yes, this is reverage, or, for a better word, punishment..."

Dr Onto came to the two officers. "Are there anything more of help?"

"There's nothing for now, but it's better to keep in touch. Thanks Dr Onto."

"You're welcome; actually who else should I contact if a personality has got beaten up like that? The forensic report should be coming in a half an hour... or you may have a wait at the cafeteria? You may have the lunch there also. "

Just when Megure and Takagi started to leave the ward, a hospital worker came running towards his direction...

"Dr. Onto! Inspector Megure!"

"What's making you in such a hurry?"

"The forensic report is out. Since I've heard Megure-keibu is here, so I rushed a bit..."

Megure saw there is something in addition to the usual manila bag holding the report.

"What's this?"

"This... This is something I found in the pocket of the shirt he was wearing when he was admitted..."

Megure took it. It is actually an envelope in fancy paper, folded lengthwise, with the words "To whom it may concern" on it. Megure opened the sealed envelope and took out the letter inside. The more he read, the more he got tense... Takagi noticed his master is actually terrified, but Megure just tried to show his poker face...

"Takagi-kun, you ought to read this."

And Takagi read the letter, also printed on fancy paper:

The Independent Court of Truth and Justice

To whom it may concern,

Naroru Umiyama has been tried in the Court and found guilty of:

1. Alienation of his first and wife;

2. Unwillingness to take his responsibility to take care of his son;

3. Multiple Common Law marriages, and

4. Neglect of parents


and has accordingly punished by flogging.

The Independent Court of Truth and Justice (Seal)

On the bottom of the letter printed, "The court trying any crime not in the Law."

And the second page is actually another letter, printed on identical letter. It read:

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, on the first conference in 14th July, 2001:

The INDEPENDENT COURT OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE is established, so as to:

Try and duly punish persons acting unethically, however not duly provided by the Law of Japan, civil or criminal, which would damage the overall morality and safety of Japan;

In order to achieve the above, the Court is unilaterally declare its rights to the following, without the consent of the Japanese government:

1 To arrest, question, try and imprison any person as needed by the court;

2 To punish the persons as described in (1), if tried to be guilty, in any way deemed suitable, capital punishment included;

3 To confiscate properties owned by the persons described in (2), if needed;

4 To keep surveillance of

4.1 any person in Japan; and

4.2 any Japanese citizen in any country.

Friends and Protectors of Truth and Justice,

Tokyo

14th July, 2001.

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OK, the prologue was sent to the Conan ml on 1 June 2001, and Chapter 1? 10 October 2002. I bet it¡¦s the longest time gap between two chapters in the fanfiction history¡K

You won¡¦t see any Conan characters directly in Chapter 2, if I can drop a hint.