Suzuki Manor,
"I said no, Jinpachi.", Shiro said from where he sat on the couch, on his right was Tomoko and on his left was Jirokichi.
Across them on a chair was a middle-aged man with short greasy gray hair, a stern cold expression on his face, wearing an black expensive suit with two large bodyguards standing beside him.
"I expected more help from both of you, cousins.", Suzuki Jinpachi said coldly.
"You want us to join you in your shady business, which is involved in selling weapons to syndicates and terrorists.", Jirokichi said sternly, "We both refuse to do that.".
At that moment, Sonoko came downstairs to see what was happening. She may say she hates the business meetings her parents and uncle have but she knew she had a future responsibility as a Suzuki heiress, so she wanted to learn from attending their meetings.
"Do you have any idea how much money you'll have in return? Or the power itself you'll gain when you work with my clients?", Jinpachi argued further.
"We are not interested in anything that's not even slightly beneficial, let alone harmful.", Jirokichi said sternly.
"We looked at the files of your clients, and they've been involved with the most infamous terrorist organizations, so absolutely not.", Tomoko added with her arms crossed.
"And who the hell asked for your opinion?", Jinpachi spat in disgust.
Shiro frowned and said sternly, "She's my wife and the one responsible for the Suzuki Zaibatsu should anything happen to my brother and me until our daughter is old enough to lead it.".
"Really?", Jinpachi asked slowly before he spotted Sonoko. He eyed her heavily from head to toe, making the girl look at him uncomfortably.
"Then I'll marry her.", He said with a smirk making the other Suzuki family members' eyes widen.
"ARE YOU INSANE?!", Tomoko cried angrily.
"OVER MY DEAD BODY, OLD MAN!", Shiro spat.
"She's nearly 18 years old, and I'm 50 so I'm not that old. So, nothing illegal here.", Jinpachi shrugged with a smirk.
"YEAH, WELL I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO MARRY AN OLD DISGUSTING CRIMINAL GEEZER LIKE YOU!", Sonoko spat as she stomped the ground.
Jinpachi narrowed his eyes, "Well, your sister is married to the Tomizawa Zaibatsu heir so... besides, will that remain your opinion when I have my men do their job?".
Sonoko immediately eyed his men with worry. From what she heard from her parents and uncle about Jinpachi, he would do absolutely anything to achieve his goals, be it blackmailing or ransom or even worse, so his threat was to be taken seriously.
"Actually, even if you did anything, you still won't be able to marry my niece.", Jirokichi said calmly, but his eyes showed anger and disgust.
"And why is that?", Jinpachi asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Because she's already engaged.", Jirokichi said with a smirk before he eyed the other three.
Sonoko immediately smiled, understanding what her uncle wanted to say. "Yeah! I'm engaged to my boyfriend Makoto-san; and one call from me, will have him come here and crumble you all.", She said.
"Oh, he's here? I thought he hadn't come back from his 400 and something martial arts match abroad?", Shiro followed along the lie with a smile.
"And when did this engagement... happen?", Jinpachi asked suspiciously.
"After Kyogoku was able to protect one of the jewels. Jirokichi asked him to protect it from Kid.", Tomoko said coldly.
"The conversation is over now.", Jirokichi said sternly, "There is the door behind you, cousin.".
Jinpachi remained silent for a few moments before he stood up and walked silently, followed by his bodyguards, out of the mansion.
As soon as he was out, Sonoko grumbled, "I can't believe we are related to this man.".
"You don't choose your blood relatives, unfortunately, my dear niece. Or else I would've removed him from our family tree.", Jirokichi sighed heavily.
Somewhere else, in a shady bar,
"He refused.", Jinpachi said as soon as he sat at the round table, to the man across him.
"Not surprised at all, I told you this would happen.", Snake snorted before he lit on a cigarette, "This won't make my boss happy. He wants to make a deal with the Suzuki and Ooka families by any means.".
"And I'm a Suzuki, remember?", Jinpachi said.
"You're a Suzuki who got jealous of the success of his cousins and instead of working beneath them, opened his own Zaibatsu and helped any shady syndicate or organization existing.", Snake corrected, "You're rich and powerful, but not as Jirokichi and Shiro.".
Jinpachi clenched his teeth and fists in anger before he grumbled, "So now what?".
"Now, we do my plan.", a new male voice said, and that's when Jirokichi noticed the man who was sitting next to Snake, shocking the man next to him.
"And you are?", He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"What the?!", Snake cried in shock as he pulled out a gun. The man snapped his fingers and Snake's gun flew from his hand to the man's hand.
"They call me Crimson for my eye color and Magic, I'm a Magi, and I might be able to help you.", He said.
When Snake and Jinpachi said nothing, Crimson continued, "I've eavesdropped on your conversation and found out that we may be able to work together, to gain power and money as we please.".
"Power?", Snake parroted.
"Money?", Jinpachi parroted.
"Indeed... You see, I found a sacrifice ritual that can give the ones who perform it more power and wealth, as you'll unleash a Demon who'll do as you please. But of course, it requires, preparation and specific things that need to be done.", He explained mysteriously.
"If any of those requirements involves a certain place, then I can handle this part.", Jinpachi said.
"You need a sacrifice? I can have my men kill and-".
"No, we need to kill them in a certain manner on the drawing I'll draw with my blood.", Crimson interrupted, "Four Girls, in their teen years; each with the following description: one born with Magi power, one born with wealth, one born to the law, one born with raw strength.".
"Anyone can fit the description...", Jinpachi deadpanned.
Snake rubbed his chin for a few moments before he said, "There is a KID heist coming up, and it usually has girls with the following description attending... but I know no Magi girl.".
Crimson smirked, "Leave this one to me...".
"I can't believe you didn't tell us you were planning a heist for real without telling us.", Shinichi said as he, Kaito, and Ran walked up at a brown door of a two-story white mansion, near the Kudo's.
"It was a surprise!", Kaito smirked.
"Seriously?", Shinichi deadpanned as Ran rolled her eyes while ringing the doorbell.
"Just play along in my heist. The jewel is named the cursed phantom jewel for the number of people who died trying to find it, it could be Pandora for god's sake.", Kaito said.
A few seconds later, the door was opened by Nina, who was wearing casual clothes with a white apron, "Come quick and close the door, you don't want to eat burned lunch!".
The three walked in and closed the door as Nina went to the American Kitchen of her manor and continued cooking at the oven.
"You came early.", Takaaki said as he came downstairs, greeting the three teens.
"I can never miss neechan's cooking.", Kaito said before he caught someone hiding behind the couch. He smirked as he quietly approached the couch and then he cried as he leaned behind the couch, "BOO!".
The five-year-old hiding behind the couch yelped as he stood up straight before he glared at Kaito, "How did you even see me?".
"Magic.", Kaito teased as he snapped his fingers.
The five-year-old pouted. He had messy black hair with aqua blue eyes, and a light complexion. He resembled Takaaki more, but he had Nina's eyes.
"Not fair, Kaito-niichan!", He said just as Kaito held him before making him sit over his shoulders.
"Then how about we chase the ghosts in the house, Hiroto?", Kaito asked.
"Yay!".
"Ran-neechan!". Ran smiled widely as a seven-year-old girl ran towards her. She caught her in her arms and twirled around with her.
"I missed you too, Sarah-chan.", Ran chuckled. The girl had deep blue eyes like Takaaki, but she had her mother's long blonde hair and pale complexion.
Shinichi's eyes then fell on the two kids who were looking at him awed, standing next to Takaaki. They were a boy and a girl, aged 8 years old. The boy had a dark complexion with blue eyes and spiky blonde hair, while the girl had a pale complexion with long black hair and black eyes.
"Aren't you guys going to give your detective teacher a hug?", Shinichi smiled at the two.
"Shinichi-niichan!", Both kids cried as they ran towards Shinichi, who caught them both in a hug while laughing.
"Nice to see you too, Takeda, Maki.", Shinichi laughed happily.
Takaaki smiled warmly as he crossed his arms watching the scene. For Sarah and Hiroto, Ryu's friends (Ran, Shinichi, Sonoko, Daisuke, Kaito) were the most amazing group of people they'd ever met just like their uncle. As for Takeda and Maki, they had met them a few times when Date and Natalie would have their kids have a sleepover with his and Nina's, but when the fraternal twins lost their parents at once, after crying their hearts out on the day, they were silent and depressed for months.
It didn't just take him and Nina providing them with parental love without making them think they're taking their parents' place, but also with Ryu and his friends, especially Shinichi, since Takeda and Maki loved mysteries and detectives, and of course his kids, especially since Takeda had a secret crush on Sarah, to get them out of their depression.
Takeda believed his crush was a secret, but Takaaki, Nina, Ryu and his friends, could see how flustered he would get when Sarah would talk to him, and Sarah always told her parents whenever she was bullied, Takeda would get into fights for her.
Half an hour later,
Everyone was sitting around the large dining table, Takaaki sat at the head of the table while Nina sat on the right, with the four kids (Hiroto, Sarah, Takeda, and Maki) next to her, and her helping Hiroto eat. While on the left sat the three teens.
"Sorry about the fact that our friends couldn't come.", Ran said politely as she cut her steak.
"No problem, since they actually informed me earlier, and they all were busy with something important.", Nina said, but her eyes were constantly checking that the kids were eating properly.
"Saguru also delayed his training tomorrow, I wonder why.", Takaaki wondered before eating a spoonful of rice.
"He wants to hangout today and tomorrow with Koizumi, lover boy.", Kaito snickered, "Since Kid's Heist is after tomorrow.".
"I wanna go!", the four kids cried happily, hearing for the first time there will be a Kid Heist.
Kaito's eyes widened, 'Uh oh... Nina had told me not to mention that in front of them...'. He glanced at Takaaki to see him sighing but when he looked at Nina, he shivered from the angry glare she was giving him.
"No.", Nina said immediately.
"But...", Sarah was about to argue until Nina looked at her. She then looked away and grumbled.
Nina sighed heavily as she rubbed the bridge of her nose, perfectly hearing Sarah's grumble about how annoying she was. 'Was I really like that as a kid like Kaachan says?', She thought.
"I have a better idea.", Takaaki suggested with a smile, "You guys can have a sleepover at Yui-Obasan tomorrow and after tomorrow, and you can play as much as you please with Mirai and Hayate, and we can ask Yuzu, Kenji and Jinpei to come over.".
"Yay!", The kids cheered, feeling happy again. Nina looked at Takaaki warmly as she mouthed a 'Thank you', as Shinichi asked curiously.
"Are they their friends at school?".
Takaaki shook his head, "They don't have friends at school, they are always getting bullied. Yuzu is Yokomizo Sango and his wife, Alaina's, only daughter, seven years old. Hayate and Mirai are Yui's children from Kansuke. Technically, they're still married since Kansuke turned out to be alive, but he is living in a small apartment, still mad at her for marrying another man for her investigations and leaving their kids with us then. They're 8 and 7 years old.".
"He still hasn't forgiven her, huh?", Ran said feeling sad for the woman. Nina shook her head sadly.
"And Kenji and Jinpei?", Shinichi asked.
"Mommy, I have finished eating!", Sarah said in American English.
"Me too!", Hiroto said in the same language as he pointed at his empty plate.
"We finished first!", Maki cried in the same language.
"Yeah, we were just waiting for you slowpokes to finish!", Takeda nodded.
Nina rolled her eyes playfully as she replied in American English, "Alright then, go wash your hands in the bathroom, you have the small chair to help you reach the sink, and don't push each other!".
The kids left their chairs and went upstairs to wash their hands.
"Isn't there a bathroom here?", Kaito sweatdropped.
"They like the one upstairs more.", Takaaki shrugged.
Nina stared at her plate for a few moments before looking at her side, at one of the portraits placed on the wall, the one with her and the other Magnificent 7, but this one had other people standing with them, at the right side were Yokomizo Jugo and Sango, with a woman wrapping her arms around Sango lovingly, and at the left were Takaaki, Dracule, and Hagiwara Chihaya. Three other people were kneeling on the ground, two women at the far right and a man at the far left.
"Kenji and Jinpei are Chihaya's two 8-year-old twins from Jugo, named after Hagiwara and Matsuda.", Nina replied.
"You guys were very close, weren't you?", Ran asked with pity.
"Well, we are all friends and family. But Takaaki, Jugo, Sango, Alaina, and Chihaya were older and already graduated as agents. While Hansel, Gretel, Irene, and Dracule were younger. So, we were inseparable... The Magnificent 7...", Nina sighed heavily, "Then one by one they were killed; Hagiwara, Matsuda, Hiro, Date, and Nat... And Furuya and I... are not friends anymore.".
"Because of what he said right? Morofushi-san told Hakuba and he told us.", Shinichi said.
Nina looked at Takaaki annoyed, who looked at her coolly, and from the look in his eyes, she knew that he knew that Hakuba would tell his teammates everything.
"I just... can't believe you have killed before...", Ran mumbled solemnly.
"I'm not codenamed Shadow Assassin for nothing... but don't think for a second that I like killing or do it as a first option.", Nina smiled warmly, "I'm still the cool big sister you've always known, all of you.".
"I do understand that it's just I'm trying to get used to this fact... alongside with several other changes in my life, since I've become a Ranger.", Ran assured Nina with a smile.
"Yeah, suddenly everything you thought you only see in the movies is real, and you're the Justice League member or Avenger in the movie.", Kaito sighed heavily, "Now I have to hide from Aoko not just Kaitou Kid but being Savage White.".
"Welcome to my life.", Nina snorted.
The teens thanked Nina for lunch and insisted on helping her and Takaaki tidy the dining table and wash the dishes, before they took turns to wash their hands. It only took 15 minutes, and they were done, Shinichi then turned to Takaaki as they went to sit in the living room.
"Why don't you move the kids to Teitan Elementary School? I'm sure they'll be liked by Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi.", He suggested.
"That's not a bad idea.", Takaaki said.
"Shinichi-niichan!", Takeda and Maki called as they hopped to sit on Shinichi's side.
"Tell us one of your great cases!", Maki said with a wide smile.
"Yeah! One you almost failed to figure out, one that was hard!", Takeda nodded.
"Ran-neechan, tell me what happened in your tournament!", Sarah said as she and Ran came and sat next to each other in the living room.
"You should've been there and saw how I beat my opponents!", Ran said, making Sarah even more excited.
Hiroto sat across the tv on the ground and activated the gaming console before handing a controller to Kaito, who sat next to him, and grabbed his own.
"Ready to lose in soccer?", Hiroto teased.
"Ha! In your dreams!", Kaito accepted the challenge.
Takaaki chuckled as Sarah arrived and sat next to him on the couch, him placing his arm around her shoulders.
"This never gets old.", He said.
"Yeah, I love seeing the kids having fun around my siblings.", Nina smiled, "Especially Takeda and Maki.".
"You did a great job at doing anything and everything in order to help them.", Takaaki smiled at Nina.
"We did. I didn't do this alone.", Nina corrected making Takaaki kiss her on the cheek.
Hattori Household,
Kazuha sat on the floor, resting her back to the wall of the house as she watched Heiji and Soshi spar together.
She and her parents had come to pay a visit to the Hattori family, with Ginshiro and Heizo speaking about police issues at once, while Sakura and Shizuka were chatting about their Karuta days before becoming housewives.
Kazuha preferred to sit here and watch her boyfriend spar with his best friend and rival, while thinking about how different Heiji was.
The most obvious thing was Heiji's new swordsmanship techniques, she'd never seen those before.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?", Soshi panted as he ducked to avoid a strike from Heiji.
"Nah! I won' tell ya and give ya da advantage!", Heiji laughed as he blocked a strike from Soshi.
"Like hell I need to know that to be capable of kicking your ass!", Soshi scoffed.
And then there was his recent friendship with Hakuba Saguru. Kazuha still recalls the number of colorful words Heiji described Saguru with out of spite and hatred. And now suddenly, they're friends?
Not to mention how he'd seemed suspicious of Masumi, never even knew Makoto nor Kaito, and now he was best friends with all of them.
And then there were those two guys; Daichi and Akira. Where did they come from? When did Heiji meet them?
And Ran's new instructor; Kaiden Orionson. If he was Ran's instructor, why did he, Shinichi, Masumi, Makoto, Kaito, and Saguru seem to know him well from the looks they gave him back then?
Kazuha was hundred percent sure Heiji was hiding something, and something big, and it had to do with his new best friends.
But what?
"I have ta thank ya, for keepin' Ooka busy and away from me.", Heiji said as he and Soshi ended the spar, catching Kazuha's attention.
"She realized her mistake and that it was no use really... and that it was stupid going after you because of a childhood promise.", Soshi shrugged.
"What promise?", Heiji blinked confused making Soshi sigh.
"Figure it out, you're the detective...", He mumbled.
"So...", Heiji trailed off with a raised eyebrow towards Soshi.
"So... what?", Soshi asked confused.
"Seriously Okita? Didn' ya tell me dat ya liked dat girl?", Heiji said.
"What?!", Kazuha cried in disbelief at the current information while Soshi slightly blushed.
"Then why haven' ya made a move yet?", Kazuha asked annoyed about the fact that Soshi had a crush on the girl who tried to steal her boyfriend and did nothing for a while.
"You actually believe that idiot? He's just spouting nonsense.", Soshi denied.
"Well, I do believe him because it makes sense. Now I understand why whenever we three would hang out, why ya would never shut up about her.", Kazuha pointed out with her arms crossed.
Soshi's face blushed even more while Heiji smirked, "So... anythin' yet?".
"No. She barely even notices me that way, she treats me like a friend, and cut the conversation here.", Soshi grumbled in annoyance before he walked away and left the backyard.
Kazuha and Heiji shared a look before Kazuha spoke up, "Ya thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?".
"Settin' dose two up?".
"Absolutely.".
Somewhere else,
Daisuke knelt his back on the wall with his hands in his pockets inside a Garage as he watched Ryu fix up his motorbike for his upcoming race.
He eyed Ryu heavily as he wondered what was going on. When Shinichi went missing and barely appeared in Teitan, Ryu knew what was going on but said nothing or would say he didn't know.
And recently, Shinichi and Ran suddenly became friends with a guy from Osaka, a guy from Ekoda, a girl from abroad, reconnected with Kaito, and Makoto stopped traveling to his tournaments abroad as he used to do.
And Ryu knew everything. What bothered Daisuke was that he, Ryu, Sonoko, Ran, Shinichi, and Kaito were inseparable.
And now he felt, with Sonoko, like he was removed from that friend group.
"MAKIBA!", Ryu cried aloud.
Daisuke looked at him silently before he eyed the bike, "Yeah, your new color scheme of red and black looks good on the bike.".
"Geez, you could've answered at once rather than have me keep on calling you.", Ryu grumbled before he looked back at his bike.
Daisuke's eyes then glowed blue, scanning the bike for any faults or extra additions, but he found that Ryu only fixed the bike without adding anything new, as the bike was still new, and Ryu only raced with it twice before, so it didn't take that long to fix.
"Kazama...", Daisuke started as his eyes returned to normal, "Say... What's going on?".
"What do you mean?", Ryu asked, genuinely confused.
"You know what I mean. Kudo's disappearance and reappearance. Him and Ran's sudden reconnection with Kaito and sudden friendship with the other five teens...", Daisuke pointed out.
Ryu remained silent, understanding what Daisuke wanted to know and what he was suspecting. As much as Ryu wanted to tell his best friend the truth, he didn't want him to get involved in this mess.
Sure, Daisuke was smart and could be a great asset, but FAUSD already has a Shogi Genius (Shukichi) and other intellectual geniuses (Shiho, Shinichi, Masumi, Saguru, Heiji, Kaito, Static).
"I wish I knew, man. Tried asking Kudo and Mouri before, but they wouldn't tell me anything.", Ryu lied with a shrug.
Daisuke kept a passive face, but he knew Ryu was lying. His eyes then fell on Ryu's bracelets, and when Ryu turned to grab a clean rag and started cleaning his bike, Daisuke's eyes glowed blue again scanning his bracelets.
He narrowed his eyes once he received the following information:
DISGUISED BRACELETS
UNKNOWN TECHNOLOGY
'What are you all hiding from me?', He wondered as he ended the scan.
Akako's house,
"Wow! That's amazing Akako-chan!", Aoko clapped as she watched Akako manipulate the items around her house with a move of her hand; a broom to clean the floor, the dishes being washed, and clean rags wiping different tables.
"She's still flexing, as you humans call?", a short imp approached Saguru from where he stood behind Aoko, Watson resting on his right shoulder.
"Indeed, Akaza-san, she hasn't stopped.", Saguru chuckled.
"Doubt she'll stop. She's lived her whole life hiding and afraid of her true self being discovered, but now she gets to show that to her loved ones.", The imp said before he chuckled, "You guys have been coming since that time during the painting exhibition and she still has new tricks to show you.".
"Well, Aoko is intrigued by this whole Magi thing, so even if Akako repeats the trick more than once, Aoko will be happy.", Saguru chuckled.
"I hope Akaza isn't boring you, Hakuba-kun.", Akako smirked teasingly as she and Aoko approached the two.
"I don't think he'd do that, he's too cute and nice for that, best guardian I've ever seen.", Aoko complimented the imp with a smile.
"Oh, you're making me blush!", Akaza said with a slight blush, "Would you guys like some tea and biscuits?".
"We don't want to bother or tire you, Akaza-san.", Saguru declined politely.
"It's the least I could for Akako-sama's best friend and...", Akaza trailed off before an impish grin appeared on his face, "Future husband.".
Aoko snorted as she tried to stop herself from laughing while Akako and Saguru blushed heavily.
"AKAZA!", Akako cried angrily.
"Say, since Akako showed some of her tricks, why don't I, or more accurately Watson, show you something?", Saguru coughed, changing the subject.
Akako raised an eyebrow while Aoko and Akaza looked interested like children.
"Watson.", Saguru said with a smile.
Watson flew off his friend's shoulder and fell on the ground before he spread his wings and bowed. And in white light, Watson transformed.
"What the...", Aoko mumbled in disbelief.
"Incredible...", Akaza's jaw dropped in disbelief and awe.
"Is that... a Hippogriff?", Akako asked in disbelief.
Watson was no longer a hawk, but now a large brown creature, the size of a horse, with the hind half being that of a horse while the front half was that of a hawk, including the head, large wings, and faint yellow and black claws and beak.
"Yes, Watson is a Hippogriff.", Saguru said as he approached Watson before bowing to him.
Watson then bowed back. Both stood up straight as Saguru petted Watson's neck.
"As a seven-year-old kid, during a camping trip in England, I found him as an egg and took him in. He resembled a baby hawk, so my parents didn't know. Then he started showing his Hippogriff appearance, and I learned then that Watson's Hippogriff type, was capable of disguising as a hawk.", Saguru explained, "Mother and Baaya found out first and adored Watson, often playing with him in his Hippogriff form. I was going to tell father, but then Mother died... And I had to protect him.".
"Your father became xenophobic of anything related to Magi.", Akako deduced.
"Anything not normal in his point of view.", Saguru nodded.
"Still, Hippogriff's are pretty rare. From what you said about how you found him, his parents were probably hunted down.", Akaza pointed out.
Watson hoarsed with a nod.
"I let him into the wild a few times to search for his family, and he did find out about that.", Saguru nodded.
"Can I...?", Aoko asked hesitantly with her hand raised, wanting to pet him.
Watson hoarsed before Saguru could speak and bowed to Aoko. Saguru then nodded towards Aoko. She approached him slowly and hesitantly before she started gently to pet him on his head.
Watson purred in delight making Aoko smile widely. Watson then looked pointedly at Akako, making her look at him surprised.
"He wants you to pet him too.", Saguru explained.
Akako blinked before she smiled as she approached Watson and petted him on his neck.
"Bakaito is gonna be so jealous once he finds out about Watson.", Aoko giggled.
"Too bad he didn't come today.", Akaza sighed, "I had a good prank planned...".
Everyone then had a quick flashback when Saguru, Aoko, and Kaito visited Akako yesterday.
"Hey, Akaza, where is the bathroom?", Kaito said once he finished the dinner Akaza had cooked for them.
Akaza then pointed at a door, "It's over there.".
"Arigatou!", Kaito said as he walked towards the door, opened it, entered the room then closed the door behind him.
Akaza then laughed impishly as he snapped his fingers, getting the attention of the other three who were now finished with their dinner.
"Why are you laughing?", Aoko asked curiously.
"Oh nothing! I just recalled that I made a stupid mistake in cooking my own plate.", Akaza lied with a shrug.
Akako saw through his lie as she narrowed her eyes, "Akaza... what did you do?".
Akaza didn't get to speak as Kaito's cry echoed in the house, before he dashed out of the room, with a large chicken, the size of a bull chasing him.
"What the...", Saguru and Aoko blinked in disbelief.
Akako face palmed before she waved her hand, and the chicken's size returned to normal.
Kaito then stopped running and panted a bit before he glared down at Akaza, "You...".
"When Akako-sama first introduced you to me, Saguru and Aoko were surprised but polite, but you said I looked like a chicken.", Akaza shrugged with a smirk, "So, I thought you should take a closer look to one.".
"You placed it in the bathroom and made it grow, didn't you?", Kaito growled in anger.
"Imp Magic isn't that strong, but it's more than enough for pranks like this.", Akaza laughed impishly.
"WHY YOU!", Kaito cried as he chased Akaza around the house, the latter laughing loudly. Aoko and Saguru joined the laughter and soon did Akako.
"Good thing he didn't come then, because he swore if you did a prank like that again, he'll show you hell on Earth.", Aoko chuckled, "And I warn you, Kaito is the king of pranks.".
"Let him try, he'll be sorry.", Akaza said with a confident smirk.
"Now you're acting like a child.", Akako deadpanned.
"Like an IMP, you mean.", Akaza corrected.
Akako sighed heavily with an eye roll while Saguru and Aoko chuckled at his attitude.
"Wow!", 7-year-old Masaki turned to meet 7-year-old Hideoyashi's wide smile, "I've never met a strong girl as you are before.".
"I've been training since I was in kindergarten with my father. He's a grandmaster in Karate and Judo.", Masaki replied calmly.
"I can see that, you beat all the Hado school's bullies easily!", Hideoyashi said with a wide smile as he looked at the boys who were crying for their parents while trying to limp away from them.
"My father is a grandmaster in Taekwondo and Kung Fu, it would be amazing for me to spar with you!", Hideoyashi exclaimed excitedly before he raised his hand, "Kyogoku Hideoyashi! Call me Hideo, nice to meet you!".
Masaki finally smiled for the first time friendly as she shook his hand, "Wada Masaki.".
"I'm so glad we were picked for Japan's Judo team for the Olympics in Seoul.", 17-year-old Hideoyashi said as he walked side by side with 17-year-old Masaki.
"I'm surprised they picked Mouri Kogoro for the team. He picks fights with everyone, hope he doesn't embarrass us.", Masaki sighed.
"Kogoro won't be picking a fight with me watching over him.", a new voice said.
Masaki and Hideoyashi turned around to see 21-year-old Hikaru standing with a wide smile, "Wada Masaki and Kyogoku Hideoyashi, eh? Heard loads about you, and I'm so glad we got to meet.".
Hikaru raised a hand and Hideoyashi at once shook it with both of his, "I'm the one who is glad, we're big fans of you, Kisaki-san!".
"Please don't call me that, Hikaru will be fine.", Hikaru deadpanned before he then shook hands with Masaki.
"I'm not surprised you were picked to be on the Judo team honestly, and I'm sure you'll come back with a Gold medal for Japan.", Masaki said with a smile.
"Good thing Kogoro, Hideoyashi, and I are in different weights, then Japan can come back with four Gold medals in Judo, including yours Wada-san!", Hikaru said with a wide smile.
"If we get to call you Hikaru, then call Masaki by her name, and call me Hideo.", Hideoyashi said.
"Sure thing, new friend!", Hikaru said with a wide smile as he fist bumped with Hideoyashi.
And indeed, did Hikaru, Hideoyashi, Masaki, and Kogoro win Gold Medals in Judo for Japan at that time.
Masaki returned from the flashback as she smiled at the shelf that held all the tournaments' trophies the academy had won since it was formed.
"Time flies.", She sighed before she turned around to see her daughter and son standing in her place in front of many different students of different ages, instructing them.
"And the legacy of the academy will continue.", Masaki said with a wide smile.
She raised an eyebrow however when she saw the group that entered the academy.
The Black Eagle Claw's students, or rather former, since the academy was closed after Mifune was sent to prison.
"What are they doing here?!", Hina cried angrily. Makoto placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Keep calm Hina.", He told her, not taking his eyes off the newcomers.
Masaki stepped forward as the current owner of the academy in front of her children and looked at the teens.
"What do you want?", Masaki asked calmly.
Suddenly, the teens fell on one knee.
"Please forgive us!", One of them said.
"We didn't know what Mifune was planning!".
"He was the only one to give us a chance to practice martial arts.".
"Alright alright.", Masaki said as she raised both her hands to stop them from talking.
"I knew from Makoto and Hinata that you were let go as you were forced by Mifune, but... if I gave you a second chance and let you join our academy, will you behave well?", Masaki asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Kaasan!", Hina said disbelief, but Makoto raised his hand to stop her, a smile on his face.
"Yes, we will!", The teens chorused.
Masaki then smiled widely and pointed towards the groups standing, "Stand at the end of the line behind the others.".
"But why?", Hina mumbled as she watched the new students join happily.
"Everyone deserves a second chance, Hina. Especially if they wanted to change or were used by the likes of people like Mifune.", Makoto explained with a wide smile, feeling proud of his mother's act.
"Yeah, maybe...", Hina agreed hesitantly.
Agasa Residence,
"This is the third time I lost.", Agasa said miserably as Shukichi rearranged the Shogi piece set on the table between them in the living room.
"No one said learning Shogi was easy, Hakase! And trust me when I tell you it's beneficial!", Shukichi reassured him with a friendly smile.
"Alright! I'll defeat you this time!", Agasa said determinedly.
Shuichi stood aside, staring from the window, as he tried to contact Jodie on the phone, but she was ignoring him.
"Finally, Jodie.", Shuichi said once she answered the phone.
"This better be important, Shuu.", Jodie said seriously.
"You've been ignoring me.", Shuichi said.
"I've told you, only call me when it is important and-".
"We've found out who founded the Organization and may be the current boss. I can't explain everything over the phone, meet me at Kudo's residence.", Shuichi said.
Jodie remained silent for a few moments before she said, "Give me an hour.", and she hung up.
Shuichi then turned around to see Shukichi and Agasa playing their fourth round of Shogi, while Masumi was sitting with Akemi at the counter.
"So, Shuu-nii was always a grumpy guy? Even as a teen?", Masumi asked curiously.
"I wouldn't call him grumpy, he looked cool back then, for any teenage girl not just me.", Akemi sweatdropped at how Masumi described her brother, "But yeah, none of your brothers and even your mother was any different than now.".
"What...", Masumi trailed off before she gulped and asked with a heavy voice, "And how was my father?".
Akemi looked at her with pity at once. She didn't need to be a detective to understand Masumi's facial expressions whenever Tsutomu was mentioned. There would be intrigue, hope, and a daughter's natural love for her father, but there would also be hate, anger, and disdain.
"He was just like Shukichi in looks but with a beard. He acted like him, and like you.", Akemi described.
"Me?", Masumi asked confused.
"Yeah, he was always goofy, funny, straightforward, nice, but he'd times when he'd be cold, serious, and badass.", Akemi reminisced the few times she got to meet her uncle.
Masumi said nothing before she looked away and nearly spat, "I'm nothing like him. I'd never abandon my loved ones.".
Akemi sighed heavily, knowing no words would be able to change Masumi's mind about her father in this point, and how could words do so?
The girl lived her whole 18 years without a father and witnessed how her family had to deal with so. It's only natural for her to hate Tsutomu and the Organization, who caused this mess in the first place.
Haibara's Lab,
Mary watched silently as Haibara worked on the antidote before she broke the silence, "You look like your mother while working.".
"Was she workaholic then?", Haibara asked.
"You have no idea.", Mary snorted making Haibara stifle a laugh.
"So, did you notice your sister talking on the phone frequently with a man named Araide?", Mary asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Actually, she told me about him. His name is Araide Tomoaki, formerly a doctor and basketball coach at Teitan High School and now I know he's a Doctor at FAUSD.", Haibara explained, "He treated her since she was saved. She says he is a nice guy, but she doesn't seem to understand why he blushes often while they're talking.".
"Not Akemi too.", Mary sighed heavily, making Haibara look at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Shuichi pushed away Jodie to protect her. Shukichi is waiting to win the seven titles to confess to his girl, I think her name was Yumi. And now Akemi...", Mary explained as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"And I thought my situation with Ryu was awful.", Haibara snorted, making Mary interested to know more.
"What about Masumi?", Haibara asked before Mary asked her about Ryu.
"Come on, don't tell me you didn't notice.", Mary told Haibara with a raised eyebrow.
"Furuya, isn't it?", Haibara smirked.
"Mutual, but none of them seems to even realize it.", Mary nodded, "I'll be keeping my eye on them though. He's 10 years older, tried to hand her brother over, so many complications.".
"It's normal in Japan, but not often in Britain, I suppose.", Haibara guessed.
"Say, will you take the antidote?", Mary asked all of a sudden.
Haibara said nothing as she continued to work on the antidote before she mumbled lowly, "Can we talk about something else?".
Mary sighed, knowing Shiho doesn't want to talk about this, as she still didn't know what she wanted to do later in her life.
"As you wish, Shiho.".
Kuroda's Office,
"You've been out of connection with the universe for ten years now, I'd like you to tell us about Akuma's allies and enemies from other Planets, and Kazama and Furuya will tell the updates.", Kuroda told Kaiden from where he stood in front of his desk, beside him Dan, Rei, and Hidemi.
Kaiden stood in the middle of the room with Akira and Static.
"With pleasure.", Kaiden nodded before he glanced at Static, "Static?".
"On it!", Static nodded as they pressed their chest before it emitted a blue beam that then formed a hologram screen, displaying the information Static had on Akuma and his generals.
"Akuma isn't one to ally with a weak leader or desire to control a planet that has no advanced technology, special powers, or even resources. So, you can rest assured, Grade 1 to 2 Planets who have resources limited only to them are safe.", Kaiden started.
"Planets are ranked according to their species average intelligence, customs and technology. Grade 1 is the lowest while 5 is the highest.", Rei explained to Hidemi.
"And what grade is Earth now?", Hidemi asked.
"3, high 3 too with the Human Mind's capabilities and Earth's resources.", Rei replied.
"So, Earth would've been a target whether the Rangers were from here or not.", Hidemi concluded.
"Unfortunately, Akuma is like a greedy parasite, nothing can stop him from wanting more.", Akira nodded.
"My Planet Eden Prime exists in its own Star System called the Tri System, for sharing it with the only other two planets present around its Star; Sirius, Planet Dragonia and Elementia.", Kaiden introduced the system as Static changed the hologram into images of the three planets around the Sirius star.
"Eden of course, was nearly destroyed in the Scorch War, and the damage that was done would make any civilization stop growing. Not to mention that back then the population count was 5 billion, and I read from Kuroda's reports that 1 billion died from the war.", Kaiden said, his voice grim and filled with anger and sorrow.
"Including the former Emperor, and a new Emperor took his place, or Empress... He or she hides their identity behind a voice changing mask, so no one knows who the new ruler is.", Dan added. Kaiden raised an eyebrow at that and said nothing.
"Eden Prime was never Akuma's ally but rather the place he wants to rule his new Empire from. He wants to take it down and rebuild it as he pleases.", Kaiden explained.
"That explains why Eden is a bit closed on itself after the war, limiting its contact with the other worlds.", Rei mumbled.
"Next is Dragonia, King Raizen barely ever contacts any other Planet, and the planet has rules to use only its own technology. They're not versatile in equipment as they depend more on their powers, but they've got the best melee weapons and armor there is.", Kaiden added.
Dan's face turned dark before he let out a huge sigh, "Raizen, after the war, has declared allegiance to Akuma and the Chaos Army, or Empire, whatever Akuma calls his minions or allies.".
Hidemi looked at Akira at once, only to see him have a cold face expression, and said nothing at the current information, which made her worry a bit about him, which was evident on her face.
"I'm okay, don't worry.", He mouthed to Hidemi with a smile, thankful for her concern.
"Oh, our father decided to finally admit he is a bastard. Good.", Static grumbled.
"I suppose this means, that all escaped criminals that ally with Akuma are hiding on Dragonia.", Kaiden said.
"Yeah, good luck telling Raizen that we want them. He even made Dragonia's FAUSD disband from whole FAUSD.", Rei snorted.
"Elementia was unstable as all seven kingdoms were fighting for the one who would rule the whole planet with the others under his control, particularly the Pyro Kingdom, who had almost succeeded. Their powers are incredibly important, as they can control the elements.", Kaiden explained.
"The Rebellion, or mainly the Elementians in it, did a great job at actually forming peace between the 7 Kingdoms and defeating the former rulers of the Pyro Kingdom, even building a city for all civilians from different nations to live in.", Dan said.
Kaiden smiled warmly in reminiscence, "Did they now?".
"So, we can conclude that Dragonia is an enemy, Elementia is neutral, while Eden is an ally.", Hidemi deduced.
"That settles it for the Tri System. Move to the Animalia system then.", Kuroda nodded.
Static changed the image to a star system with four different Planets, "The Animalia system was named so as the four planets' species resembled animals.", Kaiden started.
"Planets Canine and Feline, as their name suggests, are Humanoid species with Canine and Feline animal features, and those two are always at conflict. They had announced allegiance to Akuma as soon as he started gaining power, in hopes and belief that they'll be safe if they allied with him, that was before their leaders were killed and now, they're being led by two of Akuma's minions.".
"Aquaria is literally an ocean if it was a planet, and it's unique world makes it hard for invasion. Thus, the leader gladly and boldly declared that he is against Akuma, especially since Kisame is Aquaria's most wanted and most bloodthirsty criminal ever.".
"Winguardia is a planet of real warriors known for their unique combat and nearly indestructible weapons and armor. They're literally humans with wings, and that alone gives them lots of advantages. They've neither gone against Akuma nor with, rather their leader has a desire of ruling the universe himself.".
"Nothing changed about Feline, Canine, and Aquaria, but Winguardia's leader changed his opinion and allied with Akuma.", Rei said heavily.
"The Dark system is next. It's called so because of the dark color of its star. The first planet is Transyl, it was already in a civil war with its three species, fighting to rule the planet. They even shut down their own FAUSD so no one knows what's going on there, but looks like Akuma tricked each leader that he'll have them rule their own planet if they prove who is the most loyal of them.".
"Nothing changed. We still have no contact with Transyl, and there aren't any signs of change when it comes to their allegiance to Akuma.", Rei added.
"Then there is Telekinea, known for its telekinetic and telepathic abilities of its people, that alone can make them important to Akuma, which is why their current Matriarch is allied with him. And finally, Planet Saurus, its species are Humanoid Lizards and Reptiles, which means their physical abilities and size can make them great soldiers against Humans, especially if we count those who can spit venom, camouflage, or even hypnotize.", Kaiden finished.
"Saurus refused to have a FAUSD base in the first place, but they're allied with Akuma as I recalled seeing official Saurian soldiers helping Akuma.", Rei recalled.
"Enemies: Feline, Canine, Winguardia, Dragonia, Transyl, Telekinea, and Saurus. Allies: Eden Prime and Aquaria. Neutral: Elementia.", Hidemi concluded before frowning, "This is definitely not good.".
"As if we as Earth FAUSD weren't having enough trouble trying to prevent governments from waging war on other countries...", Kuroda sighed heavily as he rubbed his temples, "Akuma had to return to business and continue his conquering spree.".
"Sorry... it's our fault.", Static said in guilt as he closed the hologram.
"No, it's not. Akuma was gonna attack Earth whether you came or not.", Hidemi argued as she knelt to Static's level, "I actually believe we might have a chance to turn the tides around with you three on our side.".
Static blinked a few times before smiling widely at Hidemi's sisterly attitude and nodded, "You're right.".
As Hidemi stood up straight again, Static turned to Akira and deadpanned, "You better gather your courage and guts and propose to her.".
Hidemi's face turned red just like Akira's, before he cried, "STATIC!".
"What? We were just being honest...", Static deadpanned.
"Don't see what's the big deal is and all the blushing.", Rei scoffed.
"Just wait until it happens with you and Masumi.", Dan smirked once Rei's face turned red.
"Nothing is happening between her and me, we are just friends!", Rei hissed.
"Whatever makes you happy.", Dan shrugged.
"I'm starting to feel like this isn't a Space Police but a sitcom...", Kuroda grumbled in annoyance.
"LADIES & GENTLEMAN! Welcome to the Ekoda Moto Race! Sponsored by the Suzuki Zaibatsu head; Suzuki Jirokichi, who'll personally hand the cup to the winner! The winner, of course, shall be the one to cross the finish line of the oval-shaped track after 30 Laps!".
"The cup isn't just worth it because it's made of gold! But the jewel embedded in it is the famous Cursed Phantom Jewel! Worth twenty million dollars! So, whoever wins, will own it!".
The crowd cheered on, with Ryu's friends and supporters (Conan, Heiji, Kazuha, Saguru, Akako, Aoko, Ran, Eisuke, Hina, Sonoko, Makoto, Daisuke, Kazumi) sitting in the front seats. He wore a red and black motor rider suit and helmet, mounting his bike in the middle of the line of the 22 competitors, the number 10 on his back.
"3... 2... 1... GO!", The announcer cried.
The Riders revved their bikes and sped off, starting the race at once, with the crowd going louder.
"So, is yar friend willin' ta become an international MotoGP racer in da future?", Kazuha asked Ran and Sonoko.
"Not sure really, he often enters MMA tournaments too so you can't exactly tell what he wants to do for the future.", Ran shrugged.
"He's just doing as he pleases to avoid boredom, be it races, or fights.", Sonoko added.
Ryu was currently the 10th in position as the riders finished the tenth lap before he sped up, passed seven of those ahead of him, gracefully without losing the bike's balance, becoming the third in position.
It was now the 20th lap when Ryu decided to speed up further, being right next to the competitor who was in second place.
The competitor frowned under his helmet before moving closer to Ryu, who narrowed his eyes, guessing what the man would do, and sped up, suddenly, further, just as the competitor tried to bump his bike into him.
The competitor's attempt made him fall with the bike and caused the four others who were right behind them to trip into him, while the other competitors managed to pass them safely.
"That was a close call.", Conan commented before he looked around, 'Wonder where Kaito is hiding for his heist..'.
Just as Ryu and the first-place competitor finished the 29th lap, Ryu boosted his speed further as they turned around the track, shocking his competitor at how he was able to take the turn without falling, performing a perfect drift before continuing the race.
And with a huge distance between him and the second-place competitor, Ryu crossed the finish line in first place, winning the race easily.
"WINNER! KAZAMA RYUUGA!".
At Ryu's name being announced, his friends cheered loudly and clapped. Daisuke, however, looked bemused at Kazumi who had received a phone call, said nothing as she heard herself being told something, then looked at him and said, "I have to go now.".
She didn't even give him the chance to say anything as she got up and left the crowd, making him even more suspicious.
The crowd cheered on as Ryu walked up the podium to receive the cup from Jirokichi, with Ginzo and a Kid Task Force officer standing nearby him. The Kid Task Force, capture squad, Kazuha, Sonoko, with the Rangers were standing nearby down, looking around for Kid, since Kaito disappeared once Ryu had won the race.
A smoke bomb was thrown between Ryu and Jirokichi, blinding them both and everyone near for a few seconds, before the smoke disappeared and showed a smirking Kaitou Kid holding the jewel that was once embedded in the cup.
"KID!", Ginzo cried angrily as he pointed at Kid who was smirking at everyone, ready to escape.
Until a cylinder-like metal was thrown near the podium.
"BOMB!", Ryu and Kid cried as Kid pushed Ginzo away and Ryu pushed both Jirokichi and the officer away, with Lupin jumping with them, before it exploded, sending anyone nearby including the Rangers and task force flying a few feet away.
"What the hell?!", Saguru cried once he saw similar bombs being thrown near the crowds, exploding, killing dozens of people while injuring others. Ginzo immediately sat up and grabbed the megaphone he'd been holding.
"EVERYONE! HELP THE CIVILIANS ESCAPE OUT OF THE STANDS, WE HAVE A TERRORIST ATTACK!", Ginzo cried as he sat up to help the rest of the task force.
The situation up at the crowd stands wasn't any better than down with the Rangers.
"Kuso!", Daisuke cursed from where he was as he grabbed a bomb he found, and deactivated it with his hands, but he heard another one blow up meters behind him.
As soon as the first one landed in the crowd, chaos erupted. People were paralyzed, others were killed, and others ran away.
"Come on!", Eisuke cried as he carried two young kids with both of his hands and ran towards the crowd door, fighting the other people to get the people to safety.
"Let's go!", Hina carried a woman on her shoulder while dragging a man, both unconscious, right behind Eisuke.
Daisuke cursed whenever he'd look around and see a dead body, knowing that his best to stop the bombs, which were being thrown from above out of nowhere, was not enough. He took a quick glance and spotted the bombs being thrown from the top of the stadium by random men wearing black.
Daisuke wanted to stop them, but he knew if he did so, more people would die, so he continued his work until the rain of bombs stops.
Conan sat up and he cursed once he changed in red light back to Shinichi, his bracelet was damaged from the bomb.
"Kid Killer?", Jirokichi's eyes widened once he saw what happened to Conan before he helped the guard stand, "Are you alright?".
Another bomb was thrown, but this time right where the Rangers and Capture Squad were present.
"NO!", Makoto cried as he pushed Sonoko away with all his might
"KAZUHA!/ AKAKO!", Saguru and Heiji cried, doing the same with Akako and Kazuha.
"AOKO!", Kid cried as he ran towards Aoko who immediately looked at him and mumbled.
"Kaito...?", as she was pushed out of the way, leaving the Rangers, who had no time to escape that far, to remain near the bomb, and it exploded.
Each one of them was sent in a different direction. Shinich was thrown at Ryu, causing them to fall behind the podium, their foreheads bleeding. Heiji was thrown from the bomb at Kazuha, knocking her down with him. Saguru fell at Akako's feet face first, her immediately kneeling to help him. Masumi and Ran slammed their heads into each other as they were sent flying away before landing on the ground. Makoto fell a few feet away from Sonoko.
While Kaito fell at Aoko's feet, his body was unable to move from the explosions.
Aoko slowly and trembling slightly, knelt and cupped Kid's face and looked at him, his monocle broken, and his hat nearly torn, showing his face partially but properly.
"Kaito...", She mumbled, a tear escaping her eyes as she realized that the one, she hated the most, was also the boy she loved the most.
"Aoko... I...", Kaito felt lost, unable to explain to her what exactly had happened.
"What's going on-", Jirokichi grunted once he felt someone stab him in the chest. He slowly looked at the officer, who'd done so. He wasn't a Kid Task Force officer but someone disguised as one, someone Jirokichi recognized at once.
"Jinpachi...?", He mumbled. Lupin growled as he jumped at the guard, but the latter easily kicked him away.
"See what happens when you get in my way?", Jinpachi grumbled as he kicked Jirokichi to the ground, pulling the knife out, right in front of the Rangers who couldn't move and the other teenagers, and all their eyes widened in shock.
"OJISAN!", Sonoko cried before she cried louder once she felt someone her from her hair. Makoto's eyes widened; a man wearing all black, an organization member. Makoto tried to move but he found himself paralyzed.
"Shit! I can't move!", Ryu cried as he and Shinichi too couldn't move, watching as Jirokichi was dying near him with Lupin whimpering over him, while Sonoko was being taken away by a large man. Aoko and Kazuha too were grabbed by other men, forcing their boyfriends to mouth many colorful words for the men to let them go but to no avail.
Akako cried once she too felt herself being grabbed from the back of her neck, but this time, it was a normal man with red glowing eyes, and a scar over his red eye. He looked down at Saguru as he scoffed, "You Hakuba men can never protect your women, now, can you?".
Saguru's eyes widened, and he immediately recognized the man. This was his mother's killer. He glanced at Akako to see her shocked too, so she too didn't know that he was still alive.
Akaza appeared in red light and charged a beam towards the red-eyed man, "LEAVE AKAKO-SAMA ALONE!", He cried angrily.
He shot the pink beam toward the red-eyed man's head, who simply raised his hand, absorbed it, and shot a stronger, faster, and larger beam at Akaza.
"AKAZA!", Akako cried at the top of her lungs in horror once she saw the beam piercing through Akaza's chest. He slowly looked at her as he mumbled.
"Akako...", before he fell face first, dead.
The man's hands glowed red as he pulled Akako with him, standing with the men and Jinpachi together inside a circle.
"This was my best heist, honestly.", Snake walked towards the Rangers, toying with the cylinder bomb, "Madeira did a great job at creating a five-minute paralyzing bomb for anyone very close to it, next to being like any bomb, killing.".
"You bastard!", Kid cried angrily, "It's me you want not them!".
Snake looked down at Kid with a smirk before he kicked him right in his face with all his might, causing Kid to bleed from his nose.
"Oh, I'll be facing you; since you'll come to save your friends, but I wonder if you'll be able to do so before we sacrifice them.", Snake laughed as he went to stand with the other bad guys.
He raised an eyebrow, "The police and ambulance aren't nearby yet, didn't think he was that good at hacking".
And the group disappeared in white light with the girls, leaving the Rangers and Ryu watching helplessly.
Slowly, the Rangers felt their senses come back and slowly started moving their bodies. Their eyes widened once they saw Daisuke arriving down towards them, with a literal jetpack attached to his back, holding Eisuke and Hina from their arms, before placing them on the ground, then he landed.
"I'll explain later, but now...", He said as he motioned towards Jirokichi. They all moved towards the dying man, with Lupin now whimpering even more, knowing this was the end for his father.
"S-Suzuki-san...", Kaito grunted from his injuries as he slowly approached the injured Jirokichi, standing next to his friends.
Jirokichi's eyes fell on him slowly before he weakly smiled, "I guess that's the end of our rivalry huh Kid?".
"No... don't say that Oyaji! There are so many heists I want you to attend and face me! Don't do that! Sonoko needs you, Lupin needs you!", Kid cried, feeling the horror at seeing the man dying, especially since the ambulance and police were late.
"We all knew Lupin was gonna outlive me... right boy?", Jirokichi weakly petted the dog, who was whimpering at seeing his owner dying, "Sonoko will take care of you...".
Kid, knowing that the man's death was inevitable, removed his monocle and hat and looked Jirokichi.
The old man's eyes slightly widened before he looked at Kaito and Shinichi, "Who would've thought... the friend of my niece and Kuroba Toichi's son was my greatest rival... Who would've thought... the friend of my niece and Kudo Yusaku's son was my greatest ally, Kid Killer... Thank you for all the excitement in the past year with your heists...".
Jirokichi coughed slightly before he looked at everyone, eyeing Makoto, "Save Sonoko... This was all... because Shiro and I refused a weapons deal... Please, you're her friends... Makoto, you're her boyfriend... Save her...".
Makoto tightened his hold on Jirokichi's fist and promised, "We will, Suzuki-san.".
Jirokichi weakly smiled as he felt his eyelids grow heavy, "I'm... grateful...", and he closed his eyes for the last time, Lupin's howls of pain announcing to everyone nearing them from the medics and police.
That Suzuki Jirokichi was dead.
By the time the police and ambulance had arrived, Nina was already there with some of her FAUSD colleagues, acting as Police Officers. Ginzo, who'd thought his daughter was safe and went to help the other task force with the crowd, was shocked once he knew she was abducted.
"But how?! Why couldn't you save her?!", Ginzo cried angrily at the Rangers and teens before he looked at Kid, who had placed back his monocle and hat.
He grabbed him by his neck as he growled, "This was all your fault!". Ginzo glanced at the ambulance where Jirokichi's dead body was being placed as he said, "Suzuki Jirokichi is dead because of your childish antics! Around 100 people died from the crowds with 50 fatally injured and 200 injured because of YOU!".
Ginzo thought he was spitting out words to an emotionless criminal who would wake up when he'd hear those words. But he didn't know he was spitting out these words to a teenager who wanted to do good, to a teenager who was best friends with the dead man's niece, to a teenager who never wanted someone to die because of him.
Kaito remained silent before he removed Ginzo's hands as he said, "Yes... it's my fault. And I'll fix it...".
He pulled out a smoke bomb as he said coldly, "I'll bring them to you, Nakamori-Keiji, but I can't promise you they won't be in body bags.". He threw the smoke bomb and escaped while everyone was blinded for a few seconds, wanting to be away from his failure.
Once the smoke cleared, Ginzo started spitting out colorful words, cursing Kid as much as he could.
Nina looked at the teenagers though. Masumi was biting her thumb, anger, and frustration present on her face alongside worry. Heiji was staring at the ground, his fists clenched tightly, and his eyes were murderous. Makoto was sitting on the ground, cold as ever, with Hina and Eisuke trying to comfort him. And she'd already seen how Kaito was pale and guilty from what had happened, something he had no control over whatsoever. Ran was silently praying for the dead, a few tears had been shed from her for Jirokichi and the other people who were killed, but she didn't miss the look of anger and worry on her face. Ryu was looking away, feeling ashamed and worthless for being unable to do something and worrying about Sonoko. Shinichi had walked away once the police and ambulance arrived since he wasn't supposed to be there, but Nina had seen how guilty, angry, and cold he was, silent as a shadow.
And Saguru. He was the worst. Nina still didn't know the full story, but the look on Saguru's face told her that the boy was going to commit murder, without feeling guilt whatsoever.
And then there was Daisuke, the enigma. She'd heard from Eisuke and Hina how the three were asked by their families not to be too close to Kid heists since they tend to be wild, and Nina understood that since she knew Hidemi and Masaki, but when things went wild, they said Daisuke had jumped at the bomb and would diffuse it. He was the main reason the death count didn't rise as the people got the chance to escape.
Hina and Eisuke, however, as Daisuke had asked them, didn't reveal his powers to Nina or anyone.
Ryu always said that no one knew Daisuke's parents except that his father was dead, and his mother was often changing jobs, and all they knew about Daisuke was that he was a genius, with Shogi being his main hobby. Then Hina and Eisuke pointed out that Kazumi, who was with them, received a phone call that her mother was sick, and she had to leave early.
When both told her that, she heard Daisuke mumble that this wasn't a coincidence, his eyes showing doubt toward Kazumi.
As if how he managed to diffuse that number of bombs quickly wasn't enough, the guy was a mystery walking on two legs.
And the fact that the Organization worked with a shady businessman, and an evil Magi was alarming, especially with the paralyzing bomb move. Those three combined easily prevented the Rangers from doing anything, killing innocent civilians, and abducting four girls, if they had pushed themselves even further, what else could've happened?
The remaining Rangers walked coldly away from the scene, avoiding the police officers and paramedics who'd wanted to make sure they were okay. Saguru looked at the FAUSD agents disguised as paramedics who arrived with Nina, who placed Akaza immediately inside an ambulance to protect the dead body from anything.
He looked away grimly, he'd gotten to befriend the imp ever since he and Akako became friends and he would visit her, and he'd been talking to him not too long ago...
"Where are they going?", Hina asked worriedly as she watched her brother leave.
"Up there!", Daisuke said as he pointed at the highest building in Ekoda that could be seen from where they were standing.
The only building that had a roof was surrounded by a dark purple veil.
The Rangers met up in an alley, Kaito and Shinichi were first to arrive before texting the others their location, where none of them were seen by the civilians. They activated their Neomatrixes and morphed, "Savage Change.".
They pressed the Vehicle button and then pressed the Motorbike image, summoning their Neo Runners. Each of them mounted the Runners before they drove off into the streets.
Their Neomatrixes were beeping several times, the quick short beep sounds meant there was a request for communication with someone, while the long beep sounds meant that there was a request for teleporting them away, but they refused to acknowledge them.
They knew that FAUSD wanted to teleport them away or talk to them, to form a plan and to know what to do, but the Rangers refused to do anything.
They were going to save Sonoko, Akako, Aoko, and Kazuha from those people, and just as those people killed innocent people, Jirokichi, and Akaza in cold blood for whatever sick goal they had, the Rangers had no problem whatsoever killing them too to save their friends.
Saguru, on the other hand, had already made up his mind. That red-eyed man was going to die, and nobody was going to stop him.
Notes:
Sorry about the disarrangement in my fanfics. I've been busy and then I got sick so yeah... I haven't got the chance to edit my stories.
I'll try to edit them all though, on all three sites, and I'll continue updating every two weeks for a while, until things get better and then I can go back to weekly updates.
Anyway, this is the update of this Friday, 23/8.
See you here on 6/9!