Chapter One: The Grand Crossing News Agency

After the famous detective Shinichi Kudo vanished from the news in Beika Town, a mysterious legend began to circulate within its borders.

They say that, come nightfall, a man cloaked in black, wielding twin pistols, prowls the streets of Beika. He exacts a ruthless toll on all those daring enough to commit crimes under the cover of darkness. Some claim this man is a modern Zatoichi, journeying from distant lands to punish evil and reward virtue. Others whisper that he is none other than the missing detective Shinichi Kudo himself, having realized that deduction alone cannot heal Beika, and so turned to force. Still others insist that the man is not of this world at all, but a legend of the night—a vengeful specter.

Yet, even with such tales spreading through Beika, there are always those who scoff at superstition and dare to commit crimes in the dead of night. For instance, someone in the Otoma News Agency on the third floor of the Renka Building was bold enough to try.

“Boss, the color-changing ink is here. Everything went smoothly—no one followed me!” A man carrying several large bags appeared in the hidden room of the Otoma News Agency, grinning as he spoke.

Within this concealed room stood a machine designed for forging banknote portraits, and beside it, a young man was forced into criminal activity at gunpoint.

The “boss” he referred to was a striking woman, dressed in black with a hat shadowing most of her face, a string of pearls at her neck. If Inspector Megure from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police were present, he would recognize her at once.

She was the notorious leader of the counterfeit ring, code-named the Silver Fox, wanted by the police.

“Who told you to take those unfinished one-thousand yen notes without the proper watermark out?” The Silver Fox’s gaze was venomous, making the man shudder instinctively.

“I told you to be patient! Those Natsume Soseki bills aren’t worth much. Soon, the engraving for the Fukuzawa Yukichi ten-thousand yen note will be done. Those are worth at least ten times as much! Don’t let your greed for petty gains jeopardize our grand plan!”

As the Silver Fox fumed over the man’s theft of the not-yet-usable counterfeit bills, outside the Renka Building, the Junior Detective League—having tracked their way there—had arrived.

Conan Edogawa, the shinigami elementary student and the missing Shinichi Kudo in disguise, looked up at the Otoma News Agency sign hanging from the third floor and was quietly astonished.

It’s true what they say: the most dangerous places are the safest. But to think the Otoma News Agency is right next to the Otoma Police Box! If the kidnapped artist were to shout from a third-floor window, wouldn’t the police come running immediately?

“Conan, are you sure Junya’s brother is really inside this building?” asked Ayumi, one of the league’s two girls, her voice tinged with worry.

Though the Junior Detective League was no stranger to danger, coming to what was likely a kidnapping scene still made her nervous.

“Doesn’t matter. Didn’t the police at the Otoma Police Box say they had no evidence and couldn’t search? So we’ll go in ourselves!” Genta, the group’s self-proclaimed leader, rolled up his sleeves, eager to spring into action.

Seeing his teammates so ready to charge in, Conan only felt his headache grow—until he noticed the calm expression of their new member, which brought him some relief. This new student, Ai Haibara, didn’t seem reckless at all—a blessing, since at least someone would be there to talk sense into Genta and the others in his absence.

“Stay here and don’t move! Whatever you do, don’t go into the Renka Building! I’ll be gone for a bit—wait for me!” The shinigami elementary student instructed his friends firmly, then sprinted toward a phone booth. He planned to call Inspector Megure, as Shinichi Kudo, and have the police make the arrest.

But no sooner had Conan left their sight than the reckless children began to stir.

“The more we’re told not to go, the more we want to!” Genta led the charge, Mitsuhiko close behind, and Ayumi quickly followed—pausing only to tug Ai Haibara along with her, whispering, “Let’s go together, Haibara! The Junior Detective League has to act as one—investigate together, solve cases together!”

So you’re not waiting for Shinichi Kudo? Ai Haibara’s eyes glimmered with exasperation. If it weren’t so dangerous for these children to investigate a kidnapper’s lair alone, she’d never go with them…

A sudden electric chill shot through Haibara’s mind as a flash of white light seemed to pierce her. Her eyes widened in shock.

The Black Organization radar had activated.

Footsteps—soft but approaching.

Haibara froze, her limbs stiff and unresponsive.

“What’s wrong?” Ayumi, unable to pull her along, turned to see what Haibara was staring at—and caught sight of a strange figure.

It was a young man, oddly dressed in a black coat and sunglasses, despite the night. If not for his steady gait, one might have thought him blind.

“That’s strange. Big brother, why are you wearing sunglasses at night?” Ayumi asked with innocent curiosity.

But the simple question sent a chill through Haibara’s heart. She wanted to stop Ayumi, for it was too risky to approach someone who might be a member of the Black Organization’s action squad. If it was someone like Gin…

“It’s just a decoration,” the young man replied.

He bent down, smiling as he patted Ayumi’s head, then pulled a handful of coins from his pocket and placed them in her hand, speaking gently.

“Beika Town is dangerous at night, even for children. You should look after yourselves. Take your friends to the convenience store, buy some candy, and go home soon. And if you don’t have money for the trip back, I can buy you tickets…”

“We’re not little kids! We’re the Junior Detective League!” Genta declared loudly, making Haibara want to bury her face in her hands.

He continued, “Our client’s brother was kidnapped—he might be in this building. We’re here to rescue him!”

“Oh? The Junior Detective League? A rescue mission?” The young man glanced up at the third floor, where the only lit window belonged to the Otoma News Agency.

He smiled. “All right, then. Let me come with you.”