Chapter 64: Dominating Japan Starting From This Very Moment

The banquet and ball continued.

The elites and detectives each stayed within their own circles, clinking glasses and exchanging pleasantries. Only in the final stage did the event take on the semblance of a reporting session. After the representatives of the Investigation Association took the stage, many heads of detective agencies stepped up to speak, promoting their own firms while also delivering some substantive, down-to-earth speeches.

The higher-end the agency, the more it leaned toward consultancy, almost resembling a civilian intelligence organization.

It was rumored that some people maintained close ties with the Public Security Bureau.

In contrast, the mustache's usual business was somewhat less respectable. He simply went up and told a joke to liven up the atmosphere, casually touching upon the few cases he constantly boasted about—the true foundation of a master detective.

Those focused purely on business looked on with cold indifference, believing that detectives had no business doing the work of police officers. Other detectives who also handled cases held mutual contempt for one another, showing considerable disdain for the mustache, who always seemed to miss the point.

Only detectives who, like the mustache, had backgrounds as police officers showed genuine appreciation.

Everyone shared the mindset of a police officer.

As for the elites, their actual thoughts were inscrutable, though on the surface, they were very supportive.

Gao Mo observed the crowd with sharp eyes, noticing that the connections the mustache introduced were almost entirely former police officers or affiliated factions.

Although he did not belong to that category, he was automatically categorized as such because of his association with the mustache.

Also grouped together were quite a few small detective agencies similar to his own.

They were all private investigators who earned a living through hard labor, doing work that could hardly be called glorious. Their presence in the association was at rock bottom, and they didn't even have the qualifications to speak on stage.

Most elites openly avoided interacting with these private investigators, especially political figures, who simply chose not to show up this time.

...

Gao Mo was lucky enough to secure two minutes of speaking time—a reserved program for newly opened detective agencies.

He happened to catch the tail end of it, serving as the industry's official announcement of the existence of the Kido Detective Agency.

Still, not many people cared about his small agency.

At eighteen years old that year, standing there speaking like a nobody...

Aside from Inspector Megure and a few others from the mustache's circle who applauded enthusiastically, the rest offered only sparse, polite applause.

His first formal venture in this world was launched without making a single ripple. Even when he brought up "Kindaichi" for publicity, it seemed to interest almost no one.

Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, Inspector Megure's superior even wore a much fiercer expression than before—seemingly holding not an ounce of goodwill toward detectives solving cases.

Or perhaps it was because someone earlier had remarked that Japanese police officers were all idiots...

"Clap, clap, clap!"

"Thank you."

Standing at the podium, Gao Mo took in everyone's reactions, as if viewing a panorama of human nature.

If his original purpose in founding the detective agency was to make money and earn unknown career achievement rewards.

At this very moment, a different kind of thought stirred within his heart.

...

Especially when he looked at the much-despised, comical mustache down in the audience—cheering for him completely disregarding the gazes of everyone else.

Actors and detectives were destined to become his primary professions.

Once he leveled up to a certain degree in the future, dominating Japan might not be an empty boast.

"Please wait a moment, Mr. Mouri!"

Near the end of the gathering, a middle-parted, bespectacled man resembling a comedian suddenly approached, blocking the mustache as he shared a meal with Gao Mo.

"Could I bother you for a few minutes? I am Matsuo Takashi from Nichiuri TV, and I currently host a popular program called *Decoding Japan's Detective Agency*. I've always wanted to meet you, but never had the chance. I hope you can participate in my next episode. If you have the time..."

"Decoding Japan's Detective Agency?" The mustache still had half a sausage stuffed in his mouth.

"Yes," the middle-parted man explained with a smile, "it mainly involves solving various difficult problems for viewers across the country, along with a detective decoding segment. For the next episode, I want to invite a master detective as a guest, and I think you are the only one fit for the job!"

Unable to resist flattery, the mustache happily accepted the middle-parted man's business card.

"Am I really that famous now? If I go as a guest, will I get to meet Miss Yoko?"

"Well, that mostly depends on whether Miss Yoko is available. It's said that Miss Yoko is also a fan of yours."

The middle-parted man continued with a compliment, then suddenly glanced to his left and right.

"Right, if possible, please be sure to bring your partner, Mr. Kindaichi. I feel that would generate much more buzz, and the show's audience also strongly demands a decoding of you two great detectives."

"I'll talk to him about it."

The mustache hadn't completely lost his sanity; only after sending the middle-parted man away did he turn to Gao Mo.

"Kid Kido, what do you think? I've heard a bit about that show; it's quite popular. If we go, not only can we boost our fame, but we can also make some extra cash... I estimate we can get around 200,000 to 300,000 yen each."

"I don't have any problem with it."

Gao Mo was somewhat glad he had set up the "Kindaichi" persona, otherwise he wouldn't have dared to appear on any television programs himself.

No, he needed to prepare a few more detective personas when he got back.

The more of these he had, the better.

...

Returning to the Kudo residence was already the middle of the night.

Gao Mo didn't disturb Haibara Ai; after checking the doors and windows, he went straight to take a shower and sleep.

Perhaps influenced by the party, he felt an inexplicable surge of nervousness regarding the agency's opening.

He wondered if it would have been better not to name it the "Kido Detective Agency."

In the future, all external commissions should be handled by detective personas. What kind of persona would be easier to use...

Should he recruit additional staff?

Would that attract some weirdos looking for trouble?

...

"Hah!"

Tossing and turning for half the night.

When he woke up the next day, he had already missed his usual morning run.

9:00 AM.

Pulling back the curtains, faint rumbles of thunder echoed from outside—

Just as the agency was about to open, it ran into bad weather.

Rubbing his disheveled hair, Gao Mo stepped out of his bedroom and, upon entering the main hall, caught the aroma of fried eggs drifting from the kitchen.

Haibara Ai was busy preparing breakfast.

The scheduled opening time was 10:00 AM, and he had already notified his friends yesterday.

Yet looking at the ominous, downpour-bound sky outside...

"The chef just called," Haibara Ai poked her head out of the kitchen, wearing an apron, "it seems something came up, and he won't be able to make it today."

"You're kidding?"

Gao Mo wondered if his bad luck was acting up again.

"Is it still in time to find someone else?"

"Boom—!"

It didn't take long for the weather in Tokyo to change completely.

Meanwhile, Amuro Toru was driving his white sports car onto the main highway leading to Nagano Prefecture. Receiving a phone call, his expression suddenly changed drastically. He jerked the steering wheel, accelerating as he made a U-turn from a side road to head back.

"I didn't report it at all... it's just a normal neighborly relationship..."

"The Organization's affairs won't allow for your leniency," Vermouth's sensual voice came through the other end of the line. "Those people have been getting more and more out of hand lately. I'd say you've probably been targeted by Rum, Bourbon. You'd better stay away from that has-been idol..."

"No."

A bead of sweat trickled down Amuro Toru's forehead, his voice carrying a hint of ruthlessness.

"I've changed my mind. I won't let them run wild. Whether Kido Gao Mo joins the Organization or not, he is my person..."

The informant he had reported had been assassinated, and now even neighbors with whom he had only slight contact had become targets.

The factional strife within the Organization had actually spilled over onto him.

Hanging up the phone, Amuro Toru replaced his forced casual expression with a stern look, pressing his foot hard down on the accelerator to speed up.