Chapter 22: I Can Kill Criminals, But I Cannot Protect the Innocent

"Because I need the art of disguise to ensure the safety of him and some of my friends."

Nara Hikaru’s tone was firm and convincing. Upon hearing this, Asai Narumi sat up straight, looking rather surprised. He had not expected that this urban legend, who walked through the shadows of the city, was seeking out this high school magician—whose true identity was the phantom thief Kaito Kid—purely for the sake of protecting their lives. It seemed that the seemingly indifferent Nara Hikaru was not as cold as his exterior suggested.

As if noticing the change in Asai Narumi’s expression, Nara Hikaru continued.

"Do not misunderstand. I also need the art of disguise to facilitate my upcoming operations. After all, the opponent I am facing this time is highly likely to be an expert in the field of disguise as well. That woman is fond of playing tedious, flirtatious games; while she cannot harm me, she causes me a great deal of trouble."

...An expert in the field of disguise? A woman? Causes a great deal of trouble?

Kuroba Kaito’s brows rose slightly. Although he had only been in contact with Nara Hikaru for a short while, he could sense the terrifying nature of the man before him. Under normal circumstances, a standard disguise would likely not deceive those sharp, hawk-like eyes. If there were a disguise that could cause him trouble, it would have to be a specialized technique similar to his own. However, Kuroba Kaito did not know anyone who possessed such skills and would stand in opposition to Nara Hikaru.

Just as the high school magician intended to refuse outright, he heard Nara Hikaru’s voice.

"That woman’s codename in the Black Organization is 'Vermouth.' She has two names: one is Chris Vineyard, and the other is... Sharon Vineyard!"

"Sharon Vineyard? But Sharon is dead!"

Kuroba Kaito could not remain calm. He retorted, completely disbelieving what he had just heard. "It is impossible for her to be both Sharon Vineyard and Sharon Vineyard’s daughter, Chris Vineyard. If that were the case, the woman should be over forty years old by now... No matter how exquisite the disguise, the signs of aging are difficult to conceal."

"Unless..."

"Unless Sharon Vineyard studied the art of disguise from your father, the first Kaito Kid, Kuroba Toichi."

Nara Hikaru’s voice was resolute. He laid out the facts. "That is correct. Both Sharon Vineyard and Kudo Yukiko were students of your father, Kuroba Toichi. The disguise techniques they learned are from the same school as yours, but Kuroba Toichi held back when teaching them. Kudo Yukiko only learned the art of disguise, while Sharon Vineyard further mastered voice mimicry. However, the true signature skills—multiple layer disguises, voice alteration, and rapid costume changes—are known only to you."

At this point, Nara Hikaru could not help but think of his former mentor, nicknamed "The Broadsword Hawk." In just a few days, Bu Ying had molded him into an exceptionally skilled killer and warrior. He had imparted almost everything he knew about combat to Nara Hikaru, yet, for some reason, he never taught him the "art of disguise."

Kuroba Toichi’s approach to his students was the exact opposite. He only taught Sharon Vineyard and Kudo Yukiko the most basic disguise techniques, purposefully withholding any of his signature magic tricks as Kaito Kid. Comparing the two, Nara Hikaru couldn't help but feel a sense of irony.

Without waiting for Kuroba Kaito to speak, Nara Hikaru continued. "I can tell you the general whereabouts of your father, Kuroba Toichi. Furthermore, I can do three things for you that are within my power and do not conflict with my principles. Believe me, in Beika City, there is nothing I want to do that I cannot accomplish."

...Huh? Isn't my old man dead?

Kuroba Kaito felt a jolt in his heart. He had always believed that Kuroba Toichi was dead, which was why he had inherited the mantle of the second Kaito Kid. He had been stealing various precious gems in search of the legendary "Pandora Gem," hoping to draw out the mysterious organization and uncover the truth behind his father's death. And now, he was being told that Kuroba Toichi wasn't dead at all? Had he been crying over a fake grave for all these years?

The high school magician felt his "poker face" beginning to crack. If Kuroba Toichi was truly alive, why hadn't he reached out in all these years? Why keep it a secret from the butler, or even his own mother? If that man were truly alive and suddenly appeared before him in a different guise one day, he might just shout at him, "Didn't you die? Why did you come back?!"

"...How do I know if what you're saying is true?"

"Also, I feel that you don't really need the art of disguise to protect the people around you," Kuroba Kaito said, struggling to keep his tone calm. He subconsciously fiddled with the magic ring on his finger before adding, "Can't you just kill any criminal in Beika City?"

...Is that so?

Nara Hikaru fell silent for a moment. A phantom image of a certain village flashed before his eyes, where he saw the reckless bandits who had forced him awake. Then, his voice carried a hint of a sigh.

"I can kill any criminal, but I cannot protect those around me."

"Everyone who cared for me is dead. I have seen the corpses of those who loved me more than once... I have seen their bodies floating in a pool, their blood staining the water red."

"Some have taken bullets for me, dying right in front of me with multiple wounds, and I was completely helpless."

"I do not wish for such things to happen again in this city."

"As for verifying the matter of Kuroba Toichi... Heh, he has been working at a casino in Las Vegas in the United States with your mother, Kuroba Chikage. As long as you find Kuroba Chikage, you will find Kuroba Toichi."

The half-human, half-ghost urban legend spoke with profound depth. Although neither Kuroba Kaito nor Asai Narumi believed such events could truly occur in modern society, they inexplicably felt the weight behind the man's words. It was as if Nara Hikaru was not lying; every word he spoke was the absolute truth.

"...Then, before we strike this deal, may I know your name? A codename will suffice."

"I can't keep calling you 'Mr. Urban Legend' forever, can I?" Kuroba Kaito asked abruptly.

"You may call me... 'Yan Shuangying,'" Nara Hikaru replied.

...Yan Shuangying? A fine name, though it sounds a bit awkward, not like a local name. It sounds somewhat like... Chinese?

Kuroba Kaito nodded slightly and then said seriously, "Then, Mr. Yan Shuangying, I must propose one more condition."

"You must never use my disguise techniques to harm or deceive anyone who has not committed a crime, or any innocent person. If I find out you have done so, I will cooperate with the police to have you arrested!"

"Can you accept this condition, Yan Shuangying?"

Nara Hikaru nodded and replied firmly, "Of course. I only kill those who deserve to die."

The deal was struck.