Soul Society-Infirmary

"You're an idiot Kudo." Renji told him as he led Shinichi, Ichigo and Rukia into the infirmary.

"I know. I've heard that more than once today." Shinichi smiled wryly. He turned to look at the injured captain. Shunsui Kyōraku was lying faceup, his eyes closed. He had bandages all over his face and a cast on his neck. There was a bloody stain on the bandage.

On seeing the group arrive, Nanao Ise, the vice captain of the 8th Division stood up. She was a serious looking lady, wearing a pair of spectacles. She looked at them.

"You must be Shinichi Kudo." She said. "But I don't think you'll find much information here."

"I'm sorry for disturbing the captain." Shinichi replied. "But I would like to look at the captain's wounds. It'll help in the investigation."

"Alright then." Nanao turned to the nurse. "Remove the captain's bandages."

As the nurse slowly unwound the bandages around the captain's neck, Shinichi could see that there was a huge gash. He pulled on a pair of rubber gloves and set to work. He examined the wound carefully.

"There's an incision cut, about 15 centimeters wide. " he reported.

"The doctor has already stated that fact." Nanao replied indignantly. "We don't need a detective to tell us that."

"But did he tell you that the wound can not be caused by a normal zanpakutō?" he asked her. She looked up quickly.

"What?"

"This wound is not inflicted by a zanpakutō sword. It's caused by a short blade of around 10 centimeters."

"That would mean…"

"This crime can be caused by everyone who had a short blade. Plus, we won't be able to identify the attacker by comparing his zanpakutō to the wound."

"In short, you've wasted a good 5 minutes of our time and still there is no conclusion." Ichigo said.

"Oh…but I've also narrowed down the list of suspects to 8 people. And out of this 8 people, there are 2 assailants."

"Why two?"

"Because you've gotta look at the angle of the cut." Shinichi explained. "It's an uppercut. An uppercut stroke like this one can only be done from behind. But based on all the wounds on his body and the blood at the crime scene, it's clear that he was attacked from the front. Therefore, the captain was defending him from the first attacker while the second attacker went behind him and gave him the neck wound."

"Well explained, Kudo." Mayuri Kurotsuchi clapped his hands as he walked into the room.

"It's you captain." Shinichi said wryly. "What are you doing here?"

"Just looking at our patient." Mayuri replied. "And what are you doing here? I don't think the captain's going to recover faster if there's going to be a whole group here."

"Hey watch it captain." Ichigo said. "Shinichi is supposed to solve the case."

"Right. I shall not bother you then." Mayuri said as he turned and left the room. "Good luck detective."

"Thank you captain. Nice shoes by the way." Shinichi looked at the captain's shoes.

"Something I picked up from the human realm." Mayuri replied. "They're very comfortable. I've checked all the materials used. Apparently it's made of something called crocodile leather."

"Hmmm…it's expensive stuff then." Shinichi mused to himself.

"Farewell detective. And good luck." Mayuri said as he exited the room.

"I think I've got the facts of the case sorted out. And I suspect one of the attackers to be a captain."

"Who is it, Shinichi?" Rukia asked.

"I can't be completely sure. I need to find out more first."

Tokyo

"Hey miss." Heiji spoke up. "I don't know who the heck you are but please at least tell us where we're going."

"We're going to find that Conan kid of yours." Yoruichi smiled seductively at the young man.

Kazuha shot daggers from her eyes at the dark skinned lady.

"I still don't trust you completely." Heiji frowned. "You might be leading us on a wild goose chase."

"Heiji, we'll need every bit of help we can get." Ran pleaded quietly. Then she turned to Yoruichi. "Please bring us to Conan if you know where he is."

"Why is this Conan so important to you?" Yoruichi asked. "He's just a kid."

"But he's smart." Mitsuhiko said.

"And he helps the police solve cases." Genta added.

"And he's kawaii too!" Ayumi gushed. The two boys looked at her and she blushed.

"Anyhow, I can't actually bring you to where he is." Yoruichi said. "But I can bring you to see someone who might be able to help you."

"Who is he?"

"He's…"

"Did anyone call for me?" Uruhara appeared behind Ran.

"Who…who are you?!" Heiji asked. "And how the heck didja appear behind me?!"

"I'm Keisuke Uruhara. Nice to make your acquaintance."

Soul Society

"So other than what we already know-that there are 8 possible suspects from which 2 of them are culprits- we don't know anything more." Ichigo yawned. "Being a detective sucks man."

"But I think I've solved half the case already. Now I just need evidence that this person is the culprit. And then, I can find the identity of the other person."

"It's going to be difficult, Shinichi." Rukia said, shaking her head. "It's tough as it is already that the captains aren't very accepting of you."

"Because I stood up to the General Captain?"

"That was a plain stupid move but no." Rukia said. "They're angry that you put them as suspects in this case."

"But they are the ones who could have committed it."

"Idiot. You don't go around challenging people who are capable of killing you. And you even stood up to the General Captain. In Soul Society, that is a big no-no." Ichigo told him.

"Speak for yourself. You seem to be a rebel too." Shinichi countered.

"I was. But you'll never be as big a rebel as me. I literally tore Soul Society apart just trying to save Rukia."

"And I said thank you, didn't I?" Rukia replied coolly.

"Thank you is all you gave me." Ichigo retorted. "After I risked my life and the lives of so many other people just to save you."

"Then you shouldn't have saved me if you thought I wasn't worth it, idiot."

"You…" Ichigo's sentence was cut short by Shinichi's groan. "What's up with you Shinichi?"

"I…don't…know…" Every word was forced out. Shinichi doubled over in pain and cried out.

"What's wrong with you Shinichi?" Rukia asked, the panic rising in her voice. She rushed over to Shinichi.

"I think…I'm changing back." He managed to say as the familiar burning sensation washed over his body.

"Changing back to what?" Ichigo asked, trying his hardest to support Shinichi up.

Shinichi was sweating profusely now. His eyes were mere slits as he struggled to contain the pain.

"I think I'm changing back to Conan again."

The two shinigamis stared at him, shocked beyond words.