Detective Conan: Death Note

The cafe wasn't far from the department store.

Driven by urgency, Jodie rushed straight there.

"James, where are you?"

"I'm on my way—whatever happens, do not act recklessly."

"I understand!"

Jodie ended the call decisively.

Inside the department store, she quickly contacted Camel. Upon confirming the location of "Shuichi Akai," she moved swiftly toward him.

Hayashi Yoshiki was also in the department store.

He strolled leisurely like any other passerby, but a discreet earpiece was tucked into his ear.

"Don't do anything rash, Miss Jodie."

"…?"

"This is far too strange. Gin and the others showed up right after 'Akai' did, bold as ever. And don't you find that sniper a little too conspicuous?"

Of course, it was strange.

Even though sniper spots were limited, Chianti had blatantly leaned out of the hotel window, as if she wanted to be seen.

A black Porsche 356A parked nearby only added to the spectacle.

It was as if they wanted the FBI to notice them.

But…

If that was their goal, wasn't it even more suspicious to be so obvious?

Jodie furrowed her brow.

It felt like she was trying to convince herself—looking for logic in the chaos to protect her own fragile hope.

And then, finally, she saw him.

A cold, imposing man in black, his hands in his pockets, moving with the flow of the crowd.

Underneath the brim of his cap, the burn marks on his face met Jodie's gaze directly.

Yet—there was no emotion in his eyes.

No reaction.

As if she were nothing more than a stranger, he walked right past her.

Her legs froze.

What…?

Her eyes instinctively followed his back.

Was this really Shuichi Akai? Or… just another trap from the Organization?

"How long until James arrives?"

Hayashi's voice buzzed in her ear.

"I'm not sure. He said he was gathering his team and heading over during our last call."

"What about Mr. Camel?"

"He's nearby."

"Have him prepare a vehicle."

"What are you planning?"

"Regardless of whether this man is the real Akai or not, Gin and his team came prepared. A direct confrontation would be too dangerous—too conspicuous."

Hayashi Yoshiki paused.

"The sniper is aiming at the department store's exit. If we can create a distraction—something that prevents her from getting a clean shot… then, in that moment of chaos, we pull Akai out. That's the idea."

"I understand, but how do we interrupt the shot?"

"I've already called the police."

"I reported that someone in the hotel across the street is pointing a sniper rifle at the department store. There's no way the police will sit still after that."

"But that won't be enough."

"Besides the sniper, Gin and the others are at the scene. We need more chaos."

"But let me be clear—this only works under the assumption that this is your real comrade. If he turns out to be a decoy, a wolf in disguise… then everything we do will play right into their hands."

"So my suggestion is—once the water is muddied, cut ties and scatter."

Jodie heard every word loud and clear.

Staring at the man walking steadily toward the exit, she knew—

They had no other choice.

Because unless they confirmed his identity, the FBI could not let him walk directly into the crosshairs.

Camel, having received the order, immediately ran off to prepare the car.

Meanwhile, Jodie trailed "Shuichi Akai," watching as he emotionlessly wandered the store, inching closer and closer to the exit.

—

In the car outside, Gin checked the time.

Suddenly, he looked up. Several unmarked sedans screeched to a stop in front of the hotel, and several men rushed out, heading straight inside.

Police…

Gin instantly recognized them and called Chianti.

"Get out of that room now—police are on their way up."

"Huh?"

Chianti, still peering through her scope, was caught off guard.

Before she could respond, a figure stepped out of the department store entrance—and her expression shifted in an instant.

"What do you mean 'police are coming'—wait, Shuichi Akai!? That guy looks exactly like Akai! Should I take the shot!? Is he my target!?"

The moment she saw him, Chianti was electrified.

She didn't care about the police anymore.

Pulling the trigger would take less than two seconds.

And that was Shuichi Akai!

But… wasn't Shuichi Akai supposed to have died in Kyundō's carefully orchestrated "accident"?

Confusion.

Shock.

Excitement.

Tension.

All collided inside Chianti's chest as she waited for Gin's next order.

At this distance, just one bullet…

Meanwhile, Jodie's heart was in her throat as she watched "Akai" emerge with the crowd.

She tensed, sprinting forward instinctively.

Akai still walked calmly, hands in his pockets.

BANG!

A gunshot rang out.

The deafening blast echoed near the department store exit.

Pedestrians took half a second to realize what they'd heard—then they screamed and fled in panic.

Jodie saw it clearly—

That shot came from James's gun!

He had arrived just in time.

Amid the chaos, he had fired a blank.

Jodie didn't stop to greet him—

Because she noticed something terrifying.

The sniper still had her sights locked on Akai.

"Hurry up and give the order, Gin!!"

"My finger's burning to pull the trigger—I can't hold it much longer!"

Chianti screamed over the radio.

"Your mission is complete. Fall back to the next room. Begin evacuation immediately."

Gin's cold voice snapped her back to reality.

What does he mean—my mission is complete?

Chianti clenched her teeth.

But when Gin gave a command, it was absolute.

And with what sounded like police footsteps nearing her room, Chianti cursed under her breath, scrambled to gather her gear, and slipped into the adjacent suite to begin retreating.

As soon as Chianti was in motion, Gin issued his next order to Vodka:

"Drive. We're going to kill Shuichi Akai."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

Without hesitation, Vodka shifted gears and slammed the pedal, racing straight toward Akai.