[Conan] Black And Silver: The Bond Of Rivals Chapter 12

Red Strings and Hidden Pieces: The Little Detective’s Layout

The wind in the forest brushed through the leaves, bringing the cool scent of vegetation and earth.

Conan crouched behind a thick tree trunk. His glasses reflected sharp, fragmented light. The Detective Badge in his hand vibrated slightly, capturing the signal jamming waves emanating from the safehouse nearby.

Jodie leaned against the other side with her gun drawn. Her breathing was extremely light, but her heart was wound tight.

“There are two sentries around the safehouse. Surveillance is installed on the left, and the back door is completely sealed,” Conan whispered, his voice fast and clear. “Gin must be inside, and Shuichi Akai is there too.”

Jodie nodded, her eyes filled with irrepressible anxiety. “Should we charge in now?”

“No.” Conan shook his head immediately, his tone steady. “A direct assault will only provoke Gin, and Shuichi Akai will be in immediate danger. We wait. We wait for him to let his guard down, then find an opportunity to slip in.”

This was not his first time facing the Black Organization, nor his first time fighting alongside Shuichi Akai.

Their shared experiences of chasing the truth, confronting danger, and covering for one another had long ago forged a wordless understanding between them.

There was no need to explain how they met; a single moment standing side-by-side was enough to say everything.

In the Beetle parked not far away, Ai Haibara gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her face still pale.

Her fear of Gin was bone-deep, yet she could not help but worry about the FBI agent who had protected her many times.

Inside the house, the atmosphere was oppressive to the extreme.

Gin stood by the window, an unlit cigarette between his fingers. His cold green eyes swept over the mountain forest.

He had already sensed those hidden presences—the caution of the FBI agents and the unique sharpness of that brat detective.

“Your companions are here.”

He slowly turned back to look at Shuichi Akai, who sat quietly on the sofa. His voice was low, carrying an undisguised obsession. “Jodie, and Conan Edogawa.”

Shuichi Akai looked up, his fingertips tightening slightly. “If you let me go, they will naturally leave.”

“Let you go?”

Gin let out a low chuckle and stepped closer, looking down at him. His domineering aura completely enveloped him.

“Shuichi Akai, do you still not understand?”

“The reason I keep you by my side was never to threaten the FBI, nor was it for revenge against your betrayal.”

He leaned down, one hand braced beside Shuichi Akai. They were so close their breaths intertwined.

“I just… don’t want to lose you again.”

Shuichi Akai’s heart jolted violently.

He looked away, his voice cold and hard as if forcing himself to believe his own words. “We are enemies.”

“Enemies?” Gin’s finger lightly touched his chin, signaling him to turn back and meet his gaze. “Then tell me—”

“What kind of enemy takes a bullet for the other?”

“What kind of enemy desperately protects the other in an explosion?”

“What kind of enemy… is like you, unable to even look me in the eye?”

Word by word, he pierced through all the pretenses.

Shuichi Akai was speechless.

He could lie to the FBI, to himself, and to the whole world.

But he could not lie to the person in front of him—the one who knew him best.

At that exact moment—

Bang!

The side door was kicked open.

Conan rushed in first, raising his tranquilizer needle. Jodie followed closely behind, her gun aimed steadily at Gin. “Don’t move!”

Gin’s eyes turned cold instantly, and he reached for his gun.

However, his movements faltered for a split second when they met Shuichi Akai’s complex gaze.

It was in that moment of hesitation.

Conan’s tranquilizer needle shot out with precision, hitting Gin squarely in the shoulder.

“Ugh…”

Gin let out a muffled groan. His body swayed violently as his vision gradually blurred and scattered.

Before losing consciousness completely, the only thing he managed to grab was Shuichi Akai’s sleeve.

“Shuichi… Akai…”

“Don’t even think… about shaking me off…”

Shuichi Akai froze in place, reaching out to catch Gin’s falling body. In that instant, his heart was in a state of upheaval.

Jodie immediately stepped forward, her voice urgent. “Shu! Are you alright?!”

Conan put away his tranquilizer gun and looked up at Shuichi Akai. Behind his lenses, his eyes held a trace of complex realization. “Shuichi Akai, let’s leave this place first.”

Shuichi Akai slowly picked up the unconscious Gin. His voice was low and raspy, carrying a softness he had not even noticed himself:

“Yeah. Let’s go home.”