With a clear clue in hand, Fang Zheng immediately activated Umbrella’s Intelligence Division to conduct a thorough investigation. According to Fang Zheng’s orders, these people would thoroughly investigate all family crests in Japan to find the family with the Feather Crest, and then proceed to investigate the family... and so on.
Other than sitting here waiting, Fang Zheng had no other solution but to hope the Umbrella people could be reliable.
Meanwhile, he continued his usual routine, shuttling between the company and the Metropolitan Police Department.
But......
"I’m telling you, your uncle really likes to stir things up."
Fang Zheng responded while driving and talking to Sonoko over the phone.
"What’s the big deal, Mr. Fang Zheng, isn’t Umbrella also involved?"
"Ugh... I shouldn’t have agreed in the first place..."
Hearing Sonoko’s response, Fang Zheng sighed helplessly. It all started with Sonoko’s uncle. The Suzuki Zaibatsu was full of people like Uramaru Renya who had too much money and nothing better to do. Sonoko’s uncle Jirokichi had everything he wanted, and now he’s focused on capturing Phantom Thief Kid.
To achieve this, he went all out, dedicating a full-page ad in the newspaper to declare war on Phantom Thief Kid, specifically stating he would wait for Phantom Thief Kid on the newly manufactured world’s largest airship. He even staked a "Sky Lady" gem ring as bait...
Of course, if it was just that, Fang Zheng’s only comment would be his uncle has too much money and too little sense. But Sonoko’s uncle somehow heard about Fang Zheng’s feats of consecutively defeating Kid and capturing Lupin III, leading him to spend a fortune hiring Fang Zheng and ordering a set of security equipment from Umbrella...
This left Fang Zheng feeling frustrated.
In this world, of course, there’s no pushing away customers. But it’s a tricky problem. If Umbrella’s security system stops Phantom Thief Kid, their reputation will soar — let alone the fact that "Phantom Thief Kid couldn’t breach the defenses" would be the best advertisement, and Umbrella’s orders would flood in by the truckload.
But if they fail, Umbrella’s reputation would be ruined... Fang Zheng wasn’t willing to let his company become a stepping stone for that kid.
After all, his losses would be real money.
Therefore, Fang Zheng decided that when they catch Kid this time, he’d make sure to break him to the point where living becomes unbearable for him. Come what may, he won’t let his family’s reputation be tarnished.
However, there were still a few days before the face-off with Phantom Thief Kid, and the current issue was.....
Looking at the Metropolitan Police Department ahead, Fang Zheng sighed silently.
When Fang Zheng entered the First Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, he saw Officer Megure, Director Little Taniguchi, and others already there. Everyone wore a stern expression, as if someone close to them had died.
But Fang Zheng knew why they were tense. According to his information, a group claiming to be Red Siamese Cats attacked the National Tokyo Microbiology Research Institute last night, stole a deadly virus, and blew up the virus vault. The entire police department was extremely tense, fearful of potential terrorist activities.
"Hey, everyone, morning."
Fang Zheng greeted them and sat in a chair by the table. Seeing Fang Zheng’s arrival, Director Little Taniguchi nodded.
"You’re here, Fang Zheng, how are things on your end?"
"No issues. I’ve already instructed the TV station to critically expose the National Tokyo Microbiology Research Institute’s security measures... really, a warehouse storing such dangerous viruses only staffed two guards, plus during the attack, there was no alert whatsoever... It’s unbelievable if we don’t find negligence on their part; those old heads at the research institute might as well retire to farm flowers."
"Uh..."
Hearing Fang Zheng speak so bluntly, the police officers had complex expressions, feeling somewhat fortunate to have Fang Zheng on their side with ties to a TV station. Now Fang Zheng leading the charge to question the research institute’s security would cause other media to follow suit, lessening pressure on the police.
"So what leads have you uncovered?"
After venting, Fang Zheng asked about progress. He had received reports but the details were unclear, prompting his urgent presence. Hearing Fang Zheng’s question, Director Little Taniguchi signaled Officer Megure, who coughed.
"Takagi, you explain."
"Ah, yes."
Officer Takagi quickly stood and addressed Fang Zheng.
"The group called Red Siamese Cats was actually captured by our police over a decade ago. So when their announcement was made, we quickly interrogated former Red Siamese Cat leaders in prison, but they claimed complete ignorance. We’ve recorded the interviews..."
"Understood. I’ll watch them later."
This was part of Fang Zheng’s job, as he was just one person. The police typically recorded interrogations, sending tapes for Fang Zheng to watch. Fang Zheng could determine the veracity of statements based on the interviewees’ expressions.
"Currently, our only clue is this ampoule bottle."
Officer Sato stood and picked up a small bottle resembling a reagent container.
"We discovered this ampoule bottle in the research institute’s parking lot. It bears the Red Siamese Cat symbol. We’ve checked both domestic and international ampoule manufacturers without finding a match. We speculate it’s custom-made by the Red Siamese Cats."
"Oh? Let me see."
Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng raised his eyebrow, took the ampoule from Officer Sato, and scrutinized it. Meanwhile, Inspector Shiratori continued.
"Based on this, we suspect the Red Siamese Cats carried multiple ampoules into the research institute, then transferred the bacteria from the storage vault into these ampoule containers before taking them away. Due to the high difficulty and danger in swapping bacterial containers, we suspect someone within the Red Siamese Cats possesses significant scientific knowledge..."
"Pff...
Before Officer Takagi could finish his explanation, Fang Zheng chuckled, tossing the ampoule onto the table.
"Is there a problem?"
Director Little Taniguchi asked Fang Zheng, who laughed lightly.
"Sorry, sorry, Officer Takagi’s joke just amused me..."
"Joke?"
"Indeed, Officer Takagi thinks this group has ample scientific knowledge. But I’d say they’re barely literate... probably elementary school graduates at best."
"What do you mean by that?"
Upon hearing this, Director Little Taniguchi, Officer Megure, and others stared at Fang Zheng, who shrugged.
"Quite simple, Officer Sato mentioned earlier that the ampoule doesn’t match any models after checking domestic and foreign manufacturers, suggesting it’s custom-made... If true, this item isn’t fit for housing bacteria."
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
Fang Zheng spread his hands.
"The lethal nature of dangerous bacteria requires containers meeting strict standards. You wouldn’t think the containers at the National Research Institute are handcrafted by the manufacturers themselves, right? Seal integrity, toughness, and heat resistance all need consideration, requiring specific instruments to produce and mold the material — it’s not just shoving rubber on a test tube claiming it’s sealed..."
Saying this, Fang Zheng pointed at the ampoule on the table.
"I examined it carefully earlier; this thing’s merely superficial. If those idiots truly used this for bacteria, they’d probably be dead by now, saving us the trouble of investigating, just prepare to bury and cremate them."
Upon hearing this, others began pondering while Officer Megure looked at Fang Zheng.
"So from what you’re saying, it’s curious why they didn’t use the National Lab’s containers and chose to swap instead? Additionally, why did they blow up the Storage Vault at the National Research Institute?"
"I think the answer to that is quite simple."
"Is that so?"
"Hmm..."
Fang Zheng shrugged.
"Because after the warehouse exploded, there’s a question we’ll never know the answer to, and that is how many bottles of bacteria they actually stole from the National Research Institute. But my guess is..."
Saying this, Fang Zheng extended a hand, then clenched it into a fist.
"I estimate they didn’t steal even one bottle."
"...Huh?!"
Everyone was shocked to hear Fang Zheng’s answer.
"Not even one bottle?"
"That’s right, it’s the best explanation I can come up with. You see, if they really stole any, whether one, two, three, four, or five, six, seven, eight, the lethality would be enough to cause societal panic. To be honest, even if they took five or six bottles, the lethality and transmissibility of this bacteria is such that one bottle would be catastrophic. If you threw it off Tokyo Tower without any notice, within a few days the whole Tokyo Metropolis might be doomed."
Hearing this, everyone’s faces grew even paler, while Fang Zheng continued nonchalantly.
"This thing is like a biochemical nuclear bomb; if you have it in your hand, others will be scared. But that requires a premise—that others know you actually have it, and aren’t just fooling people with some fireworks. So, if that crime syndicate has any sense, even if they just randomly took one bottle, our Metropolitan Police Department would already be scared stiff."
"........."
Despite the unpleasantness of the truth, everyone admitted... it made sense.
"Either this group lacks brains, or their real intent lies elsewhere, which is why they blew up the warehouse. This way, we’ll surely think they absolutely took the bacteria, and the only unknown is how many bottles they took. But in reality, there’s no evidence to prove they actually took the bacteria; it’s just what we think."
"This......."
Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s analysis, everyone was silent, but soon Inspector Shiratori spoke again.
"But it’s also possible the criminals did take the bacteria and blew up the warehouse to prevent us from developing a vaccine specifically against it..."
"Of course, that’s why I’m just proposing a possibility. If you ask for my personal opinion, this would be it."
As he spoke, Fang Zheng picked up an evidence bag.
"Why not send this thing to Umbrella’s technology research department for a lab test? Then we’ll see if it’s Ghost Li or Li Kui. If this thing turns out to be a phoney and those people are stupid enough to use it for the bacteria, Officer Megure, you can go ahead and contact the hearse, crematorium, and cemetery now."
"Then I’ll leave it to you."
At this point, Officer Megure nodded urgently, acknowledging that the possibility indeed existed. However, as police, they have to consider the worst-case scenario and can’t abandon that just because of Fang Zheng’s words. But anyway, after listening to Fang Zheng’s explanation, everyone couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
If those who claim to be Red Siamese Cats really just put on a show and didn’t steal even one bottle, then at least the societal harm can be avoided.
Sure enough, Umbrella’s research department sent the message in the afternoon—the ampoule was just a show item, not even qualified for laboratory reagent preparation, and wouldn’t even pass for use in a middle school chemistry lab, let alone hold lethal bacteria, which would be suicidal.
The only use for it might be to collect some sand at the beach for fun.
Fang Zheng handed the analysis report to the Metropolitan Police Department, which relieved the tense atmosphere there somewhat. At least, if Umbrella’s research department isn’t wrong, then the likelihood of it being a show item is higher—that or they’re really stupid enough to use it for bacteria and all died in some unknown corner.
The latter is actually worse.
Regardless, the search still has to continue, because this issue is causing an uproar in society, and until the Metropolitan Police Department arrests someone, there will be no peace.
Of course, this is the job of proper police officers. Fang Zheng, as a consultant, had retired with honor after providing his advice and technical support.
To him, more frustrating than those silly thieves was Kidd, that troublemaker.
And the little Grim Reaper in front of him.
"Hope nobody dies today."
Looking at Conan in front of him, Fang Zheng silently clasped his hands together, while Conan’s face turned as dark as Heiji Hattori’s.
"What kind of nonsense are you talking about? But never mind... How’s the investigation on that family crest going?"
"No clues yet, just hoping the people under me aren’t slacking off."
Fang Zheng spread his hands helplessly, then looked at the Boy Detectives by the porthole, shouting and cheering as they watched the blue sky and white clouds outside.
"Kids are great, carefree and happy."
"What does it matter? As a child, you should enjoy yourself."
At that moment, Dr. Agasa approached with a cheerful smile, Little Ai half-closing her eyes, following beside him.
"Doctor, even though I know you care a lot for your grandson, overindulgence is not a good thing."
"Well then, by the way, have you seen Phantom Thief Kid?"
Conan glanced around, lowered his voice and asked, and Fang Zheng shook his head.
"No, that kid probably doesn’t dare face me, so he must be hiding in some place disguised as a crew member on the airship."
Kidd knew Fang Zheng had the skill to see through his disguises, so naturally, he wouldn’t be stupid enough to disguise as someone Fang Zheng knew. It’s very likely he disguised as a cook or repairman-type NPC character in some corner. But this time, Fang Zheng had confidence in his designed security measures... It should be fine.
Probably.
"Hey, kids, want to go up to the Sky Viewing Platform and have a look? You can even see the big gemstone."
Sure enough, Sonoko Suzuki, Ran, and Mira came over, and Sonoko cheerfully greeted the members of the Boy Detectives.
"Great, the gemstone!"
Indeed, upon hearing the word gemstone, the kids raised their hands high and ran over to the three girls, while Fang Zheng followed behind speechlessly—why does this uncle have to show off all the time? Is he someone who’ll die if he doesn’t show off?
Soon, the group entered the elevator, and the chief cabin attendant began introducing the airship to them. As for Fang Zheng, he leaned against the side with a speechless look, not wanting to talk.
"Fang Zheng, didn’t you build that thing? Aren’t you going to say something?"
At this moment, Mira nudged Fang Zheng with a smile.
"Not interested."
Fang Zheng glanced at the chief cabin attendant, who was rambling on, and shook his head helplessly.
"As The Art of War by Sun Tzu says, know yourself and know your enemy, and you shall win a hundred battles; knowing oneself but not the enemy, for every victory there will be a defeat; not knowing oneself nor the enemy, will lead to defeat in every battle..."
"What does that mean?"
"It means..."
Fang Zheng silently swept his gaze over a smug Jirokichi.
"If I’ve lost so many times, wouldn’t I have some sense of it by now?"
Just then, with a "ding," the elevator doors slowly opened.
The Sky Viewing Platform was reached.

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