That which is fundamentally based on lies and misleading will ultimately lead to the wrong result.
Once this wrong result is embellished with just the right logic and story, it will become the truth in the eyes of others.
——The Death Note is a secret that Hayashi Yoshiki cannot reveal no matter what.
In order to cover up the secret of the accidental murders, he had already chosen a plausible lie to shroud it.
And now, it seemed that this lie would soon take form.
The computer screen beside him was playing a foreign news broadcast:
[Genius boy Hiroki Sawada was already a student at MIT at the age of 10.]
[The DNA tracking system that can trace human ancestry through skin and blood data, previously reported by our station, has now been confirmed to be developed by him alone.]
[According to Thomas Sindora, chairman of Sindora IT, Hiroki Sawada is currently developing a self-growing artificial intelligence with full support, growing at a rate of approximately five human years per one calendar year.]
[Industry insiders claim this will be the greatest invention in human history.]
Hayashi Yoshiki had been following the news about the Sindora Company closely.
Two months ago, Hiroki Sawada's name was completely hidden. Now, however, Sindora didn't even intend to conceal the fact that they were developing artificial intelligence.
This is faster than I expected...
It was time to prepare for action.
Closing the black notebook, Hayashi Yoshiki revealed a rare look of anticipation.
——Noah's Ark.
What a fitting name.
"Noah's Ark" originates from the Old Testament. According to legend, God sent down a flood to cleanse the corrupt world. Only Noah and his family, whom God deemed virtuous, were permitted to escape the disaster aboard the ark.
In other words: for Noah's Ark, all those who act immorally will be abandoned.
Hayashi Yoshiki continued calculating the timeline.
Could the Sindora Company be connected to the Winery...?
After all, the U.S. is one of the Winery's main territories. A genius like Hiroki Sawada should have been impossible for them to ignore.
Moreover, the simulation training device recently introduced by the organization was remarkably similar to the "Cocoon" that Sindora was about to launch.
"Hello, Mr. Amuro?"
"A guest...? Isn't it a commission?"
"Alright, I'll be right there."
While still contemplating his next steps, Hayashi Yoshiki received a sudden call from Amuro Toru, who said there was a visitor at the office.
Twenty minutes later—
Hayashi Yoshiki arrived at the Kindaichi Detective Agency. Even before stepping inside, he could already hear Amuro's voice:
"Yes! Please teach him a lesson!"
"He's an adult and still so reckless. Does he think he's a police officer!?"
"Whatever happens in this world, young people like him don't need to sacrifice themselves for it!"
Opening the door, Hayashi Yoshiki found Amuro Toru red-faced and indignant. Sitting across from him was Kogoro Mouri, arms folded, nodding in approval.
Beside them sat Ran and Conan, who looked up and smiled as Yoshiki walked in.
"Uncle Mouri? Ran? Conan...? Why are you all here?"
"Good morning, Yoshiki."
Ran smiled sweetly. "Dad was planning to sell the sports car he won at the Twin Towers. When he found out your office was nearby, he decided to stop by."
"I see..."
"Hey, Ah-Shu."
Having been briefed by Amuro, Mouri folded his hands and assumed a lecturing tone. "I've heard everything. Come and sit down. I need to speak to you."
"That's... not necessary."
Hayashi Yoshiki forced a small smile. "Mr. Amuro has been lecturing me all week."
"That's different!"
Mouri's expression turned stern.
——Of course, he had seen the news about Tokyo Tower. But the public report was shallow. All they knew was that Hayashi Yoshiki had entered the tower and defused a bomb. Nothing about the true danger he faced.
It wasn't until Amuro revealed the full story that the gravity of the situation hit them.
If Hayashi Yoshiki hadn't deciphered the last clue... if he hadn't cut the right wire in time...
He would have died.
"But I'd already deduced the real bomb was in the school. I just didn't know which school. I was always going to cut the wire after seeing the clue."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. I had no intention of sacrificing myself. I'm not that foolish."
Ran and Conan looked skeptical.
Amuro Toru walked over with a pot of tea, still wearing a sour expression.
"If that's true, then why not let the bomb squad handle it? Why risk your life?"
"…..."
Hayashi Yoshiki froze.
"Would you like me to play the recording of our phone call that day?"
"You recorded it!?"
Hayashi looked stunned.
Of course Amuro recorded it. Whether out of habit or fear he'd never hear his voice again, the recording was preserved.
"He asked me to convey his last words. And now he says he wasn't going to die. Contradictory, isn't it?"
Mouri's eyes sharpened.
"Mr. Amuro, play the recording."
"Right away."
"Mr. Amuro! I'll dock your pay!"
"Go ahead."
Amuro's tone was unwavering.
Ran and Conan leaned in as the recording played:
"I'm sorry I was the last one to get through to you..."
"CUT THE BOMB!!"
"I'm actually very happy to have an assistant like you. If possible, could you convey something to Aunt Eri and Ran..."
As the voice played on, Mouri's stern mask dropped.
Ran's hands clenched into fists.
Conan's lips thinned.
"Tell Uncle Mouri to smoke less. Pachinko and horse racing are just for fun... Don't let Ran worry..."
The soft, calm tone, edged with warmth and sadness, echoed in the room.
Mouri stood up.
"You stupid brat!!!"
He reached out and ruffled Hayashi Yoshiki's hair forcefully.
"What were you thinking!? Where was all your cleverness then?! Doing this on your own and keeping us in the dark?! Eri would've cried for days if she heard this!"
Ran wiped her tears.
"I'm so glad you're okay... But Yoshiki, you're such a good person... and I've never done anything for you... yet you—"
"Look, now you've made Ran cry."
Mouri huffed.
"So it's Mr. Amuro's fault…"
"Seems like the boss hasn't learned anything."
Amuro's voice was flat.
"…Fine."
Hayashi Yoshiki sighed and raised his hands in surrender. "Alright. I'm sorry. Truly."
Ran, her eyes still red, laughed softly.
I really need to do something for Brother Yoshiki...
The feeling welled up in her chest.
"So... has the bomber been caught?" Conan asked cautiously.
"He died. In an accident."
!!
Conan's eyes narrowed.
Amuro's expression grew grim.
Only Mouri clapped. "Good! God's justice!"
"He even sent a fax threatening to bomb again. At least now... Tokyo is safe."
Yoshiki didn't elaborate.
Even Odagiri, upon learning Hayashi had leaked the info online to bait the killer, could only pat his shoulder and say:
"I'll keep your secret."
"Speaking of which," Mouri said, "your new book is selling like crazy."
"Yeah... The publisher can't keep up with orders."
Hayashi looked overwhelmed. The upcoming book signing made him nervous—it might interfere with his ability to write on the Death Note.
"Sonoko and I will go to the event to support you!" Ran smiled.
"Us too!" Conan chimed in. "Ayumi and the others are coming!"
"You'll have to wait in line..."
"That's different!" Ran and Conan said in unison.
Why are they all the same as Conan?
Hayashi Yoshiki didn't understand what the difference was, but it was always a good thing to have someone supporting him.
According to what Hayashi Yoshiki had originally expected, if he wanted to use Noah's Ark as an entry point, he had to rely on his identity as a mystery novelist.