Sorry for the wait! I put this off waaay too long. Good new is chapter 4 is almost finish and chapter 5 ain't that long. Dunno if Im gonna make my deadline, but I'll try!
Aaannnd Kaito Kid makes his appearance! Hooray! And so does someone else hehehehe.
Please enjoy! And lemme know where some parts are confusing to understand.
"italics" = Dialogue spoken on the TV
3
As they had just started summer break, Conan and his friends were hanging out at Professor Agasa's house.
Conan was sitting on the living room couch watching the TV as the news of the extravagant purchase by Jirokichi of the Sunflowers was announced.
"Before we get to the interview with Suzuki Jirokichi, let us have an explanation by an expert on exactly what kind of masterpiece the Sunflowers is."
As Conan was watching the news, Ayumi called out to him, "Conan-kun, it's about to start!"
"Hurry, hurry!"
At her call, Conan stood from his spot on the couch. In the center-front of the kitchen area, Mitsuhiko, Genta, and Haibara were surrounding Professor Agasa's latest invention. It was a square-ish machine that came up to about Professor Agasa's chest height. It had a robot-like face and a triangular monitor under two circles to its side. Under the monitor was a big square door that looked like a giant mouth. Professor Agasa opened the lid on top of the machine.
[22-23]
"So why has this great work of art not seen the light of day until just recently?"
The sound of the announcer's voice had Conan turning back to the TV. The Sunflowers that Jirokichi had successfully purchased was being shown on the screen. Next to the picture of the painting the announcer and a commentator were sitting side by side.
"That is because this work was said to have been burned to ashes during WWII."
"It was burned!?" The announcer started at the commentator's words, "So that means this piece of artwork is a fake…?"
"No, actually. It was only said to have been destroyed."
"In other words…"
By this point, Conan had stopped walking completely and turned towards to TV.
"Please have a look at this." The commentator said before showing a flip board with a newspaper article attached to it.
"This is from last year's news so some may remember it, but last year in France a painting that was said to have been done by Vincent Van Gogh was found in the town of Arles."
"Oh, that's right," said the announcer, "I remember there being talk about something found in the attic of an old private house."
"Yes. That something was the Sunflowers."
On the article written in large letters was the headline: 'Van Gogh's Sunflowers Supposed to Have Been Burned in Japan, Found! Is it a Counterfeit!? A New Masterpiece!?' Below that was a picture of southern France's rural landscape. In the middle of the field shown in the picture was a solitary cottage.
"Okay, we're starting!"
Conan turned back around to see Professor Agasa holding a giant watermelon. Although he was still interested in the news, Conan went to join the others.
Professor Agasa put the watermelon inside the machine. The lid closed automatically and once he pressed a button on the side, the machine began to make rattling noises. The children looked on with excitement.
"I wonder if grilled eel will come out?" Genta asked.
Mitsuhiro raised an eyebrow at his friend, "That's clearly impossible," he said. Right then Professor Agasa let loose a big smile.
"Well, in some ways it may be better than grilled eel."
"You serious?" exclaimed Genta.
"This is so exciting!" said Ayumi.
"Yeah!" Mitsuhiko agreed.
From behind the enthusiastic children, Conan continued to keep an ear out for the news report.
"It's been said that throughout his life Van Gogh only ever sold one painting, and the rest were given to people or families that he had some connection with. For that reason, there are many who believe it wouldn't be too strange if a new work of his were to be suddenly found."
"But isn't there still a possibility it could be a counterfeit?"
At the announcer's question, Conan unthinkingly turned back to the TV.
(24-25)
"The experts are also very cautious about that. When the painting was put up at the auction, it underwent a strict appraisal."
As the commentator said this, the picture on the screen changed from showing the studio to footage ofSecond Sunflower being examined closely by appraisers.
The camera magnified in on the edge of the canvas as it would be appear when separated from its frame. Then it lined it up to the edge of the canvas of Van Gogh's The Night Cafe, painted in September of the year 1888. In doing so it showed that the canvases of the two paintings fit perfectly together.
"As a result, we can see that this painting was drawn on the same canvas that Van Gogh used for his other works that he painted while living in Arles."
Conan heard a beeping sound and turn back towards the machine. It had ceased its movements and the word "COMPLETE" was displayed on the triangular monitor.
"So when you said 'better than grilled eel,' did you mean that it would be supersized?" asked Genta.
"How is it that you come to that conclusion?" As Mitsuhiro gave Genta a disgusted look, the mouth-shaped door of Agasa's invention opened.
"Ah! Here it is!"
The children peeked through the opening with shining eyes. What they found was the perfectly round watermelon, not at all changed from whence it was first put in the machine.
"Huh…?"
"It's still just a watermelon…"commented Mitsuhiko.
"Aw come on, don't tell me it's another failure!?" complained Genta.
At the children's disappointment, Professor Agasa proudly stroked his mustache, "Ha! The fun starts from here."
Just as he said that they heard a slight creaking sound as numerous cracks began to run through the giant fruit. Then all at once the wholesome watermelon fell apart and from its inside appeared a perfectly-shaped watermelon Kamen Yaiba figure.
"Whoa!"
"No way!"
"It's Kamen Yaiba!"
The children exclaimed excitedly at seeing masterfully detailed Kamen Yaiba, down to his wind-blown scarf and even his gloves.
"This!? How did…?" Mitsuhiko asked in wonder.
"Hmp, it's a trade secret. Ha ha ha!" Professor Agasa replied with a loud laugh. Conan, looking at the Kamen Yaiba from behind the other kids, dropped his shoulder in a go figure kind of way.
What are you doing, Professor….Aren't there other things you could be making? He thought.
"It looks delicious! Let's eat it!" Genta exclaimed.
(26-27)
"We shouldn't," proclaimed Mistuhiko, "It'd be such a waste."
Ayumi agreed, "Yeah, let's wait until after we've taken a picture!"
"So then Ashiya's Sunflowers was a counterfeit!?"
As the kids were enthusing over the invention, Conan's attention was once again brought back to the TV by the announcer's voice. He walked back over to it and sat on the sofa.
"Well, the possibility is certainly there. But then, there is the new theory that Van Gogh drew not seven, but eight Sunflowers."
"Huh…" Conan let out unthinkingly, intrigued as it was his first time hearing this theory.
"And what's the reasoning behind that?" The announcer asked.
"The theory is that either the Sunflowers that the Suzuki Group has obtained from this auction or the Ashiya's Sunflowers that was burned in Japan seventy years ago is a repetition that Van Gogh himself painted."
As the commentator was explaining this, the Ashiya's Sunflower which was being displayed on the monitor split into two, totaling eight Sunflowers lined up in their chronological order.
"Wait, do artists really make copies of their own paintings?" asked the announcer.
"Well yes. Already of the seven known Sunflowers, three of them have repetitions, yet all of them were painted by Van Gogh himself."
Larger images of the seventh Sunflowers, which contained twelve flowers in a vase, the fifth Sunflower that had fifteen flowers, and the sixth with five flowers were brought up on the screen.
"In any case, as the Sunflower from the auction today appears to be a genuine work of Van Gogh, I'm sure with further examination on it we will learn more about its this topic."
Haibara, carrying a bowl of cut watermelon, approached Conan who was still staring intently at the TV.
"While Van Gogh is all fine and good, why don't you try to have a little more interest in the Professor's work as well? It's also quite the masterpiece you know." She said lightly.
"Well, for once his invention seems to be pretty popular," Conan replied looking back at the kids taking a picture with the watermelon Kamen Yaiba. Noticing this, Professor Agasa gave him the peace sign.
Haibara set the bowl of watermelon on the coffee table and sat on the sofa across from Conan.
"Ah" The announcer on the TV said quietly after apparently having received direction from the staff.
"It appears that the interview is about to start. Let's turn it over to our correspondents who will be broadcasting the interview live from New York."
The TV display switched from the studio to the auction center. Having seemingly just finished setting the equipment up, the TV camera view hurriedly flitted left and right a little before centering in on Jirokichi and Sonoko. On Jirokichi's side was the MC while next to Sonoko there stood an American man wearing a suit and glasses.
"Alright then, let's hear a few comments from Mr. Suzuki Jirokichi who masterfully came in to possession of the Sunflowers."
(28-29)
"Yes."
As Jirokichiki came forward to the microphone, the flashes from the press cameras increased dramatically.
"Well, first of all, I am very pleased to say that I have succeeded in purchasing the painting at the highest price in history, just as planned."
"Wha-?" At his words, the MC's eyes widened in surprise.
"You mean to say that you had planned to spend 300 million dollars on today's auction piece?"
While most of the press reporters looked quite surprised, there was one among them who, for some reason, merely grinned. This young man had a cap drawn down over his eyes.
"That's right! It's all for the sake of my plan to open an exhibition in Japan for all of the Sunflowers series."
"Exhibition…?"
Sonoko looked at her uncle, nodded, then took a step forward.
"The Suzuki Group would like to take this opportunity to announce our plan to collect all of the Sunflower paintings depicting flower vases that are scattered across the world. We plan to showcase them in what we've titled 'Japan's Beloved Sunflowers Exhibition" in the Lake Rock Observatory."
There was a stir amongst the press once they had heard the bold statement, causing a slight uproar.
Even Conan, sitting in front of the TV couldn't hide his surprise. No matter how prominent the Suzuki group was globally, it just didn't seem feasible for them to gather all of the Sunflowers that were owned by various museums or were in the private possession of owners throughout the world!
"Miss Suzuki!" Back on the TV, the reporters began to focus their questions on Sonoko.
"When you say 'all of the Sunflowers,' exactly how many are we talking here?"
"You mean today's Sunflower is merely just one of those!?"
Sonoko nodded, "Yes."
"Everything was set up so that we would be able to make our announcement today at this auction hall. Including today's piece, the total number of Sunflowers we plan to gather is seven."
"All seven!?"
"Even for a Japanese plutocracy, isn't that impossible!?"
Jirokichi opened his mouth to cut the press off.
"Don't worry, the project is already proceeding smoothly."
He looked at Sonoko, who smiled brightly.
"We've already declared to the museums and individuals across the world in possession of the Sunflowers that we would like to exhibit them together in our museum."
"Having today successfully obtained the Sunflower at this auction, we have received definite promises of cooperation from these museums and individuals -"
"- Furthermore!
Jirokichi raised the five fingers of his left hand, as well as the pointer and middle finger of his right.
"With the help of seven specialists, I guarantee the upmost in transportation and security."
"Seven specialists…?"
"Indeed." Jirokichi nodded to the MC's inquiry.
(30-31)
"They are the Seven Samurai I've gathered for this very day!"
Jirokichi turned to the side and waved his right arm. At his cue, five men and women streamed onto the platform. They lined up next to the American standing by Sonoko. The MC pointed his microphone towards Jirokichi.
"Are these people your Seven Samurai?"
"Indeed! They are the Vincent Van Gogh experts who have studied and worked in his birthplace, the Netherlands, and in Van Gogh's beloved France. They are the cream of the crop!"
As Jirokichi said this, he turned to look at the faces of the gathered men and women.
"From the left we have the art historian and head appraiser, Miss Miyadai Natsumi."
"It is nice to meet you" said Natsumi with a deep bow. She wore glasses andhad long straight hair bundled in the back.
"Another art specialist and head of reparation, preservation, and management, we have Azuma Kouji." The man wearing a suit and a five o'clock shadow nodded.
"Next we have Miss Keiko Anderson, who's in charge of planning the exhibition." With her hair up and a suit that emphasized and flattered her body line, Keiko gave a winning smile.
"The director of shipping and conveyance, Mr. Ishimine Daisou."
"I'm Ishimine," the man nodded his balding head. Compared to the other specialists, he appeared to be a bit older.
"Next is the Sunflowers' exhibit's direct supervisor, Miss Kishi Kumiko."
"I swear we will make this exhibition a success." The woman with short hair wearing a bluish-purple suit smiled confidently.
"Lastly, in cooperation with the New York Police department, we have Inspector Charlie in charge of security." At Jikrokichi's introduction, the white man standing next to Sonoko gently pushed up his glasses.
"I will protect the Sunflowers" he said.
The press turned their cameras toward the specialists and took their pictures altogether. The MC turned his head to Jirokichi, "Um…"
"Just now you mentioned Seven Samurai, but it seems that there are only six people standing here…"
"Hmph, the last one will join us after we return to Japan. He is a necessary personnel for security. The name of this man is: Mouri Kogoro!"
Once the name left Jirokichi's lips, Conan's eyes widened in surprise, "!"
"Who would've thought the seventh man would be Occhan….."
Haibara rested her hands on her chin and glanced at Conan. "I wonder if it isn't because he's actually getting the KID Killer in the deal as well?"
"Huh?"
(32-33)
"Good luck, Mr. Kikuchiyo."
At being referred to as the seventh samurai from the movie, The Seven Samurai, Conan raised his eyebrow. Just then from behind them came Ayumi's voice, "Ah! Wow!"
"Sonoko-oneechan's on TV!"
"You're right!" said Mitsuhiko.
"Show me! Show me!" demanded Genta.
The children came to the sofa carrying bowls overloaded with watermelons.
On the TV, it seemed that the MC was unaware of the name Kogoro, "And this Mister Kogoro is…?" he held out the mic to Jirokichi.
"Oh, I guess it'd be easier for you to recognize if I said 'The Sleeping Kogoro.'"
"Ah! You mean that famous detective! That Mister Kogoro!?"
"Yes. For my Sunflowers exhibit I have truly gathered the best for every position!"
At Jirokichi's bold statement, the MC opened his mouth, "Well, in the worst case scenario…"
"If you weren't able to gather all seven paintings, would you still put the Sunflowers that you purchased today on display?"
"Nonsense, it would have to be all seven!"
"But that may be….."
"Don't worry!" Cutting off the MC, Jirokichi cringed and glared in front of him. "This Sunflowers exhibition has long since been one of my dreams. And for myself, there is no dream that I cannot achieve!"
Jirokichi laughed haughtily. Right then out of nowhere a single card came flying through. With a great force it struck and stuck to the floor directly in front of Jirokichi's eyes.
It was a pure white card on which there was a single illustration of a character wearing a white hat and a monocle.
"This- Could it be!?"
At seeing the familiar card, Sonoko's cheeks flushed pink. Next to her Jirokichi's expression hardened.
"Ki…It's a KID card!"
"What!?" As the specialists exclaimed in surprise, Charlie quickly acted and scouted the area. Then, from within the midst of the pressmen, a single man wearing a cap and carrying a gun walked forward.
"Who is that guy!?" "He's carrying a gun!" "Call the police!" came shouts from the people in the auction hall.
Jirokichi stepped in front of Sonoko protectively. Charlie stepped out in front of them and pointed his gun.
"Don't move! Drop the gun!"
The young man carrying the gun stopped and lifted one hand to the bill of his cap.
(34-35)
"Did you not hear me!? I said hurry and drop the gun!"
The press people were panicking and scattering to the left and right, leaving only the cameras as they were. The young man very slowly began to lift his arms.
"Hmph" with a grin, his right hand carrying the gun pulled the trigger. From the mouth of the gun a wire shot out and just as it sunk into the ceiling there was the flutter of a white mantle rising to the sky. From below it the cap, jacket, and press pass came falling to the ground.
Jirokichi and Sonoko found themselves looking up at that pure white mantle.
"It can't be!?"
"KID-sama!"
Kaitou KID's form appeared from the fluttering mantle. He grinned. And then shook the arm holding the gun to release the wire. Once it let go he spun his body around and pulled the trigger. The bullet aimed towards the wall smashed through a light. KID kept his hold onto the wire that had him soaring through the air in a wide arc above the heads of the reporters. As he kicked through the doors leaving the auction hall into the hallway he threw two smoke bombs behind him.
Charlie chased after KID, pushing his way through the white smoke that was spreading through the hallway. Breaking through the fog, Charlie gripped the railing overlooking a lower floor. He saw KID take down one officer after another.
"Stop! Stop or I'll shoot!"
From behind him, a policeman aimed his gun, but KID spun around and shot first. The wire burst forth, wrapping itself several times around the policeman. KID switched the gun to his left hand, dashed forward to the next railing and leapt over it. He made his landing on the lower floor and ran through the hallway.
At the very end of the hall were glass windows. On the other side of this glass skyscraper was the town of Manhattan, glittering like scattered jewels in the night view.
"Don't move! There's no longer any place for you to run to!"
From both hallways on either side policemen appeared, alert and guns aimed, inching their way closer to KID.
"That's right, just drop the gun!"
"We've got KID cornered in the East Hallway of the 103rd floor!"
One of the cops reported into his wireless. From the ground the search lights moved and settled onto where KID was standing.
"KID!"
From the hallway that KID came through Charlie approached and pointed his own gun at KID's back.
"Drop your gun! Now!"
KID, who was stopped in front of the glass window, didn't resist and obediently dropped his gun to the floor.
"Good! Now raise your hands slowly and kneel to the ground!"
However KID showed no signs of moving and remained upright.
"Did you not hear me!? I said raise both your hands so we can see them!"
(36-37)
From behind Charlie, Jirokichi and Sonoko came running.
"KID-sama!"
Jirokichi put his hand out to keep Sonoko from dashing forward towards KID. Just then, KID slowly began to slowly raise both arms.
"There we go. Good. Slowly now….keep going…."
Charlie, still with his gun trained on KID, watched his movements with a tense expression. His grip on his gun tightened.
KID's right hand was lightly clenched as it raised above his head. From it's reflection in the glass window, it could be seen that he was holding on to something-
"AH!"
Just as Charlie noticed this, KID dropped the flash bombs to the floor. A painfully bright light encompassed the area, turning the inspector's vision white.
"Shit!"
His vision temporarily stolen away, Charlie aimed his gun to where he though KID would be in the light and fired. The sound of shots and broken glass echoed through the room.
"Stop it! Charlie!" cried Jirokichi.
As the light weakened, Charlie dashed to the window. The wind blew strongly through the broken glass.
"KID's-!?"
"Please step back! It's dangerous!"
Charlie held his arm out to hold back Jirokichi who had rushed forward as well.
"Where is he!?"
"Over there."
He pointed with his handgun – KID's hand glider could be seen leisurely flying away into the night.
"Curse it…..that damn Kaitou KID."
"It seems he's gotten away."
The search lights sparkled off of KID's hang glider as it soared up and away through the gorgeous high-rise buildings, seemingly melting into that New York City night view.
Meanwhile, on the TV, they were told that due to trouble in the auction hall, the TV's broadcast of Jirokichi's press conference had been temporarily put on hold, and the display was switched back to the studio. After a moment the announcer held up a freshly delivered news manuscript.
"It seems that Kaitou KID has appeared at the auction hall where Suzuki Jirokichi purchased Van Gogh's Sunflowers. It is unclear what KID's aim was, but it looks like he has attempted his escaped."
(38-39)
The display on the screen changed, showing a single picture taken at the auction hall. It looked as though the camera had been left upside-down on the ground and a figure resembling KID was shown near the ceiling, holding to a wire and floating in the air.
It seemed that the program was unable to catch anymore footage than that, and the announcer repeated the information.
"Huh? It's over already?" asked Ayumi.
"Did KID steal the Sunflowers?" said Genta.
"That's strange. I though KID didn't go after anything other than jewels." Mitsuhiko pondered.
In front of the children who were tilting their heads, Conan was dumb-struck, staring at the TV screen.
Just before the broadcast was interrupted, there was that white mantle in the air-
I only saw it for a moment….but was that really KID….?
Doubts swirled through Conan's mind.
If that was really KID, then why did he appear at the auction hall?
Even though that guy was supposed to only go after big jewels…
The wind blew harshly through the broken window into the hallway where Sonoko was staring out in awe. Click, click. From behind her came the sound of footsteps drawing nearer.
"Wha-"Jirokichi looked back to see a figure approaching calmly with his right hand tucked into the pocket of his pants.
"It seems that you have some trouble."
There stood Kudou Shinichi before him, wearing his school blazer.
"Why are you here….!?" Jirokichi asked.
"That's because I heard that KID was after the Sunflowers. If you like, it would be my pleasure to assist you."
As he said that, Shinichi looked at Jirokichi with challenging eyes and his confident smile.
Go figure right? Who could this Shinichi possibly be!? Also when my host sisters and I went to see this movie, we were all like, "Why is Sonoko doing all the public speaking? What happened to her mother? Could they not afford her voice actress or something?"
If it's not too much trouble, please drop a short review to tell me what you think!