Chapter 2219: A Difficult Choice (Ben Cat’s Combo Cat Punch Is Unmatched!)
The Sky Viewing Platform is located on the topmost layer of the Flying Ship. When you look up, you can see the blue sky and white clouds, giving you a feeling of being in the clouds. But now, what everyone is amazed by is not just this, but also...
“Wow...”
Looking at this unbelievable scene before them, everyone couldn’t help but express their amazement.
Before everyone’s eyes was a large cylindrical aquarium, just like those in aquariums. Not only that, the floor beneath them was also transparent. Looking down, you could see sand, aquatic plants, and fish swimming freely, making it seem as if you were walking on water.
“So romantic...”
Witnessing this scene, Ran couldn’t help but marvel. It must be said, this scene was indeed breathtakingly beautiful. The aquarium underfoot gave a feeling of being immersed in the sea, while outside the windows were the blue sky and white clouds. The deep blue sea and light blue sky merged into one, presenting a magnificent beauty of sea and sky as one.
“Wow, so beautiful!!”
“All of this was designed by Mr. Fang Zheng.”
Jirokichi smiled proudly at this moment, knowing well how beautiful this was. No need to mention, once this Flying Ship officially begins operations, he could only imagine how many people would adore this “sea and sky as one” scene.
“Eh? But wasn’t Mr. Fang Zheng designing security features to deal with the Phantom Thief Kid?”
Hearing this, Ran asked in confusion, and Sonoko explained with a chuckle.
“Exactly, Mr. Fang Zheng said that aesthetics and artistry don’t conflict with safety, so he designed this scene.... As for that Gem Ring.... look, over there!”
As she spoke, Sonoko pointed to the large cylindrical aquarium in the center of the Sky Viewing Platform. Everyone hurried over to the tank and peered inside. Inside the aquarium, there was a mermaid sitting gracefully in an open shell. The mermaid looked lifelike, extraordinarily beautiful, holding a Crystal Ball in its hands, and inside the Crystal Ball was a blue Gem Ring.
“That is the Lady of the Sky.”
At this moment, Jirokichi stepped forward to introduce.
“These were all ideas from Mr. Fang Zheng. I think this is indeed more interesting than a regular display.”
“But... this looks like just an ordinary aquarium, doesn’t it?”
Kogoro Mouri couldn’t help but tap the glass in front of him.
“Can it really keep the Phantom Thief Kid out?”
Jirokichi didn’t say anything, just smiled at Fang Zheng, and since the client wanted to show off, Fang Zheng came up to introduce it with a slight helplessness.
“There’s no need to worry about that. Although this appears to be an ordinary aquarium, the material used for this glass is our latest ultra-high-pressure bulletproof glass developed by Umbrella. Don’t even think about smashing it with a hammer; you couldn’t break this aquarium even if you blew up the whole ship. Of course, Kid wouldn’t resort to such foolish methods, but just in case.”
At this point, Fang Zheng sighed slightly and continued.
“As for that mermaid statue with the Gem Ring, it’s also specially designed, equipped with a face recognition system we’ve developed at Umbrella. Currently, only Mr. Jirokichi and I can activate it.”
“Face recognition? But doesn’t the Phantom Thief Kid know how to disguise himself?”
This time, Mitsuhiko also curiously posed a question, and Fang Zheng chuckled.
“When we developed the face recognition system, we took that into account. In fact, the so-called face recognition system isn’t just about recognizing your face, but achieving the goal by analyzing pupils, skull shape, and other hard metrics. The Phantom Thief Kid might be good at disguising himself, but unless he can also alter his skull, any disguise is useless.”
At this point, Fang Zheng recalled Riko Mine. Speaking of someone who could bypass the face recognition system, only this Ability User who could completely mimic and alter her form at the particle level could do it.
“This glass wall is heat-resistant, insulated, bulletproof, and pressure-resistant. So, even in case of an emergency, we can completely ignore it and retrieve it once safety is assured, as no one could open it anyway.”
Fang Zheng spread his hands.
“But aren’t you afraid of Kid diving in and stealing it?”
This time, Ayumi also curiously asked, and Fang Zheng chuckled.
“Relax, we’ve prepared a big surprise for Kid.”
“A big surprise?”
While everyone was filled with doubt, suddenly, a massive shadow silently glided beneath them, giving everyone a fright. As they stared intently, they saw a giant shark slowly emerging among the school of fish. It swam a circle around the cylindrical aquarium as if demonstrating, then turned and left.
“....”
Seeing this, everyone broke out in cold sweat.
“A great white shark, everyone’s probably familiar with it. A shark with strong territorial instincts that will actively attack humans. Of course, besides that, many of the fish in this aquarium aren’t just here for decoration.”
At this point, Fang Zheng smiled slightly. Besides this great white shark, he also placed stonefish, box jellyfish, and other highly poisonous marine animals inside. If the Phantom Thief Kid dared to go in, he’d be as good as dead.
“But if something happens to the Phantom Thief Kid...”
“That’s just bad luck for him.”
Fang Zheng tapped the glass below the “Dangerous, Toxic, Man-eating” sign, with placards beside it, detailing the introduction of almost every fish.
“It’s not like the Phantom Thief Kid can’t read. If he sees these and still dives in, then ending up in a shark’s stomach isn’t my problem. Just like those kids who climb on high-voltage wires despite ‘High-Voltage Danger’ signs....”
At this point, Fang Zheng silently glanced at the Boy Detectives.
“I won’t feel the slightest pity.”
Feeling Fang Zheng’s icy gaze, the three kids obediently zipped their mouths, not daring to speak more.
The reason why Fang Zheng designed it this way is that he vaguely remembered hearing someone mention before his rebirth that Kidd was afraid of fish. As for why he feared fish, Fang Zheng didn’t know. He had only seen it mentioned in a post, and he wasn’t sure if it was true. However, that didn’t stop him from creating this design—since Jirokichi himself had said he was foolish and rich and didn’t mind spending money, Fang Zheng naturally put the most expensive things there.
Setting up an aquarium in the sky is impressive but also costly. However, since it was the Suzuki Group’s money, Fang Zheng spent it without feeling any pain.
Everyone thoroughly toured the sky aquarium, expressed their satisfaction, and left. After a while, a figure sneaked up with the elevator.
“Hiss... Mr. Fang Zheng really leaves me no way out.”
Pretending to be an ordinary waiter, the Phantom Thief Kid dared not step on the aquarium’s glass floor, only daring to peek inside from a distance against the wall. He took a sharp intake of breath. He had thought of several methods, but none seemed to work now. Initially, the Phantom Thief Kid planned to enter from below and cause foundational disruption. However, after checking below the aquarium, he found it contained spare generators, batteries, and a closed-loop system. The entire setup was unusually comprehensive. In simple terms, he could blow up the entire Flying Ship, and it wouldn’t damage the aquarium in the slightest.
And the fish inside are also...
Looking at the bizarrely shaped fish, Kidd’s face almost turned green.
What to do?
Should he just give up?
But if he gives up, his illustrious reputation would be ruined. The old man was not like Fang Zheng; he would dare to publish a full-page newspaper challenge. If Kidd didn’t show up, wouldn’t he buy another full-page ad to announce it?
At that point, the Phantom Thief Kid’s reputation would be entirely destroyed?
But if he doesn’t give up? How could he go in to steal?
Damn, a great white shark! I’m just a thief; this is insanely unreasonable!
Just watching the massive silhouette swimming beneath the glass floor made Kidd feel his legs were too weak to stand.
Is it for fame or for life?
For the Phantom Thief Kid, it’s a big problem.
But for Fang Zheng, it’s not even a problem.
Incidentally, Officer Nakamori didn’t come this time; he’s still under house reflection because of the Lupin III incident—since he mistook Lupin III for the Phantom Thief Kid, he didn’t allow officers to carry weapons, resulting in several officers being injured. He’s still at home on restriction.
Meanwhile, the others, after visiting the sky aquarium, went to a restaurant to rest and enjoy some sweet treats, while Sonoko had another fangirl moment.
“Ah, I really hope to get to Osaka soon and meet my beloved Master Kidd. Then I hope his untamed lips would...”
“Hmm, recorded it. I’ll send it to Kyogoku Makoto later.”
Fang Zheng silently took out his phone and pressed record.
“Then you can see the corpse of the Phantom Thief Kid after Kyogoku Makoto kills him.”
“Ah... hahaha, I was just joking, just joking...”
Hearing Fang Zheng’s sarcasm, Sonoko broke into a cold sweat, hurriedly chuckling and waving her hand. Just then, Jirokichi’s phone suddenly rang, and after a few words, his expression changed slightly.
“What’s wrong, Uncle?”
Seeing Jirokichi’s expression change, Sonoko couldn’t help but ask, and Jirokichi just laughed.
“It’s nothing, nothing, just a prank... Mr. Fang Zheng, um, I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Oh?”
Hearing Jirokichi speak, Fang Zheng nodded and then stood up to follow him out. Jirokichi then revealed the truth about the call to Fang Zheng.
“So what you mean is, the culprit called you and told you they released that deadly virus in the smoking room?”
“That’s right, they also said that an ampoule containing bacteria could be found under the sofa in the smoking room...”
“Ha... kids will be kids.”
Fang Zheng helplessly reached out to press his forehead and sighed.
“Huh? Mr. Fang Zheng, what does that mean?”
“Anyway, I’ll go check the smoking room first.”
Fang Zheng then took a gas mask from Jirokichi and walked into the smoking room. Sure enough, he found an empty ampoule under the sofa.
“Lack of scientific knowledge is really exasperating...”
Fang Zheng silently looked at the ampoule in his hand, unable even to sigh, and then pressed his personal terminal.
“Mira.”
“Hmm? Fang Zheng? What is it that’s worth using the terminal to contact me?”
“I’ve got something fun; I need your help.”
At this point, Fang Zheng’s lips slightly curled up.
“We’re planning to play a game of ‘catch the turtle in the jar’...”

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