Chapter One: White Stone

August 18, 2016. Night.

On Blue Star, in the eastern island nation of the Old Continent, aboard a large passenger plane bound for the New Continent’s Miguo...

In first class, Baishi Hei was reclining in his spacious seat, feigning sleep. Though officially on vacation, his presence on the plane was not for leisure or pleasure, but in pursuit of a critical investigation.

At that moment, a sudden scream erupted from the economy class restroom—though there was some distance between first class and the economy lavatory, Baishi Hei, ever alert and keen-eared, snapped instantly from his half-sleep.

Soon after, the lights in business class flickered on, and an urgent announcement came over the intercom...

“Dear passengers, we have a medical emergency onboard. If there are any doctors, nurses, or medical professionals among you, please contact the flight attendants immediately...”

A medical emergency? That scream seemed a bit too dramatic.

Baishi, guided by professional instinct and mindful of the case he was investigating on this very flight, sensed something was amiss. After a brief hesitation, he raised his hand to signal the nearby flight attendant.

“Excuse me, is there anything I can do to help?”

“Hello.” Baishi Hei lowered his voice and produced his badge from his jacket pocket. “I’m a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department. Is there truly a medical emergency?”

“Oh! Actually, it’s like this...” The attendant, relieved at the sight of his credentials, leaned in and whispered the explanation.

Just moments earlier, a crew member had discovered a male corpse in the restroom. Though they had not touched the body, as protocol demanded, it was clear: the man was dead, his eyes wide open in a final, unyielding stare.

The broadcast calling for a doctor was merely procedural—no one truly expected a miracle.

“A man, you say? Take me to the scene,” Baishi Hei replied, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

He had originally wanted to monitor his target in economy class in real-time, but—alas—reality had not cooperated, leaving him confined to first class.

As Baishi Hei entered economy class and made his way to the restroom, he found police already present—and, as it happened, he knew them...

...

Megure Juzo, Chief of the Third Violent Crimes Division, First Investigation Department, Metropolitan Police.

Megure had not anticipated that, while escorting a suspect from Miguo with Takagi, he would stumble upon a murder case mid-flight!

Indeed, he had just sensed that something was wrong, revealed his identity to the crew, and come to investigate.

---

With no local police to coordinate at the scene, investigative conditions were rudimentary at best. Moreover...

He discovered the son of an “old friend” causing trouble at the site!

Though Yusaku Kudo had helped Megure many times and earned his trust as a detective, that did not mean he trusted a cocky high-schooler—no matter if that boy was Yusaku Kudo’s son.

Indeed, this was Shinichi Kudo’s first opportunity to encounter a murder case on his own.

“Honestly, Shinichi! This isn’t a place for detective games!” Megure scolded.

Just then...

Thud, thud, thud—

Baishi Hei strode over, making no attempt to muffle his steps.

Detective Wataru Takagi, standing in the aisle, turned at the sound and instinctively said, “Sorry, the restroom is temporarily—uh... gulp...”

He had meant to stop any bystanders from approaching, but one look at the newcomer’s build and his scalp tingled, his mouth going dry.

Recently transferred to the Metropolitan Police from a local station, Takagi did not know Baishi Hei personally, but...

Baishi Hei was the sort whose mere presence radiated an oppressive aura.

Baishi Hei, Chief of the Fourth Section, Third Division, Organized Crime Countermeasures Bureau, stood at 226 centimeters and weighed 159 kilograms (imagine Yao Ming’s height with a physique even sturdier than Makoto Kyogoku’s; see the cover illustration for comparison).

That was why Baishi Hei could not sit in economy class—even lying down was impossible, and the cabin ceiling barely accommodated him.

Baishi Hei glanced down at this apparent “new recruit,” then offered a “friendly colleague’s” smile.

“You must be new to the First Investigation Division? Pleased to meet you...” Baishi Hei smiled and extended his hand.

He knew almost every detective in the First Division, especially those in the Third Violent Crimes unit, and had worked with many—though this rather thin, young colleague was unfamiliar.

“Uh...” Takagi stared at the human “wall” before him, his thoughts scattering. Seeing the man’s fierce grin and outstretched hand, Takagi instinctively took a step back.

But just then...

“Hm? Isn’t that Baishi, my young friend? You’re here too? I didn’t see you earlier,” Megure greeted, instantly recognizing the “wall.”

In Baishi Hei’s first year on the force, he had spent most of his time in the Third Violent Crimes unit under Megure’s command. Even though Baishi was now of equal rank, Megure still addressed him with warmth and familiarity.

---

“Takagi, don’t be nervous. This is Chief Baishi from the Fourth Section, Third Division of the Organized Crime Bureau,” Megure said, shooting the “rookie” a glare before making the introduction.

“Ah... ah! Chief Baishi! My apologies,” Takagi quickly said, bowing.

Meanwhile, he thought to himself...

He’d always heard that people from the Organized Crime Bureau looked intimidating, but—this was a whole new level!

The Third Division of the Organized Crime Bureau had once, like the First Investigation Division, belonged to the Criminal Affairs Bureau, then known as the Organized Crime Countermeasures Division.

Given the unique circumstances of the eastern island nation, with numerous legally recognized violent syndicates, the police had long maintained a dedicated department to combat crimes arising from these groups. As control over such organizations increased, the division had been separated from the Criminal Affairs Bureau and expanded into the Organized Crime Countermeasures Bureau.

For convenience, they were commonly called “Organized Crime.” The Third Division, formerly the Countermeasures Division, was the flagship team directly combating organized crime—just as the First Investigation Division was the pride of the Criminal Affairs Bureau.

Because they constantly dealt with violent offenders, members of “Organized Crime” often looked fierce—so much so that, without a badge or introduction, an ordinary person would be hard-pressed to distinguish between a syndicate member and a police officer from their ranks.

“Hahaha, Officer Takagi, you must be thinking, ‘No wonder he’s from Organized Crime!’ But look closely—don’t you think my face is actually quite kind? Not to boast, but in our division, I’m known for having one of the gentlest faces,” Baishi Hei said, bending down to get closer.

Takagi instinctively leaned back, but saw more clearly—indeed, just the face wasn’t all that fierce!

But with a physique like that, who could ever “just look at the face”?

“No, no, not at all! I’m just surprised that Chief Baishi is so young and already a section chief...” Takagi hastily replied, unable to admit he was frightened just by his presence and scrambling for a polite excuse.

And indeed, now that he saw Baishi’s face, Chief Baishi did seem quite young—probably only a couple of years older than himself!

Takagi, age twenty-five, had spent three years at a local precinct before being transferred to the Metropolitan Police for his outstanding performance and bright future—after all, for any ambitious field detective, “First Investigation” was a legendary department.

But, as with most new arrivals, the moment he joined, he found himself outclassed—no matter how skilled he had been, the excellent officer from the precinct was a rookie here.

“Really now, Takagi, that’s a rather thoughtless remark. Baishi here is a gold... ah, a top professional,” Megure chided, casting Takagi another sidelong glance.

It was one thing to be intimidated by the man’s appearance...

But if you judged Baishi solely by his size and strength, you’d be sorely mistaken—for his mind was just as formidable.