Tokyo, Koto Ward, a detached villa.
As usual, Kaito was searching online for information about upcoming jewel exhibitions.
He hoped to attend one as Kaitou Kid and steal the featured jewel, allowing him to determine whether it was the legendary Pandora's Heart and uncover the truth behind his father's death or disappearance.
"Young Master, it's time for lunch."
The elderly man who had served two generations of the Kuroba family, acting as both a magic assistant and butler, came to Kaito's room and knocked on the door.
"Give me a moment. I'll be right there!"
Kaito tidied up, opened the door, and stepped outside.
While walking to the living room with the butler, he asked, "Has there been any special news about jewel exhibitions recently?"
Although the internet was the broadest channel for spreading information in this era, some hidden information could not be found online and circulated only within certain circles.
The Kuroba family was also considered prestigious, so they naturally had access to this kind of information, which was mainly handled by the butler.
The butler shook his head. "Young Master, you've stolen too many jewels recently. Even though you return them afterward, those wealthy collectors still lose face."
"Recently, there have been very few large-scale exhibitions featuring rare jewels. Only the Suzuki family has continued holding exhibitions with various treasures."
Kaito said with a headache, "The Suzuki family? That old man Suzuki is just like Inspector Nakamori, completely obsessed with Kaitou Kid, isn't he?"
"The Suzuki family is only a zaibatsu with a history of forty years. It's impossible for them to possess truly rare jewels."
"If it weren't for Kaitou Kid's reputation, I wouldn't even bother stealing the jewels displayed by the Suzuki family."
Even if he intended to keep targeting someone, he could not focus solely on the Suzuki family. Moreover, according to Kaito's investigation, there was not much left in the Suzuki family's collection worth stealing.
The butler thought for a moment and said, "If you want to find rare jewels with a long history in Japan, you'll have to turn your attention to the old aristocratic families."
"For example, the Fujiwara family. As a political family that has existed for a thousand years, the Fujiwara family must have collected many jewels over the centuries. Perhaps you could find a way to investigate them."
"According to the legend of The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Fujiwara no Fuhito, an ancestor of the Fujiwara family, nearly proposed to Princess Kaguya. The Fujiwara family must be hiding many lost treasures."
At the mention of the Fujiwara family, Kaito shuddered. His expression suddenly changed as he recalled the time Toru had caught him and threatened him.
The butler did not know that his identity as Kaitou Kid had been exposed, much less that it had been exposed to someone dangerous.
Kaito had kept silent because he was afraid the butler would worry about him.
He replied vaguely, "Haha, who knows where a family like that would hide its treasures? It's better not to target them until we have more reliable information."
"Magic requires careful planning. Without a proper plan, there's always a chance of failure."
The butler suggested, "I don't know where the Fujiwara family would hide its treasures, but they are probably connected to the family's ancestral estate in Kyoto."
"Should you need me to, Young Master, I can try investigating it."
Kaito's expression darkened as he answered evasively, "Hmm, we'll see."
After finishing lunch, Kaito returned to his room. Just as he grew bored and took out a deck of cards to practice his magic tricks, his phone suddenly rang.
Seeing an unknown number on the screen, Kaito answered in confusion.
"Kaito, do you remember me?"
A voice that filled Kaito with fear came from the other end of the line.
"Fujiwara Toru? How did you get my phone number?"
"Since I know your true identity, finding your phone number isn't difficult, is it, Kaito?"
Kaito fell silent for a moment, unease rising in his heart. "Fujiwara Toru, why are you calling me? Just tell me what you want!"
Ever since their encounter at the Beika Hotel, Toru had not contacted him. That had made Kaito think Toru did not care about him at all, allowing him to relax considerably.
He had not expected that just after mentioning the Fujiwara family today, the man who knew his true identity would call him. It was unlikely to be anything good.
"This call has been specially encrypted. No one will be listening in. I won't waste your time, Kaito. I need you to do something for me."
Toru's tone was calm, carrying an unquestionable authority.
"Tell me what it is first. I won't agree to just anything."
"Heh, aren't you afraid I'll expose your identity? If that happens, your reputation will be ruined, and you'll go to prison and lose your freedom."
Toru's threat infuriated Kaito. He forced himself to remain silent, unwilling to become the other man's lackey simply because he was being threatened.
"Forget it. I don't want to waste time arguing with you. I only need you to do one thing. Infiltrate Langley and steal an important document for me."
"Langley?"
Kaito looked confused. Was that the name of a place?
He opened his computer and searched for it. The next moment, his expression changed drastically. "Are you insane, Fujiwara Toru? Langley is where the CIA headquarters is!"
"So what? Plenty of people have infiltrated the CIA. One of my subordinates succeeded before, and she wasn't even a professional. You're far more skilled in acting, disguises, and similar techniques. I believe you can succeed."
"Impossible! I absolutely refuse!"
Kaito rejected the demand without hesitation. Infiltrating the CIA was far too dangerous, and stealing classified documents was practically suicide.
"Heh, you don't have the option to refuse, Kaito. What I'm about to tell you is that CIA Director Spencer is carrying out a top-secret plan, and that plan is to assassinate an American presidential candidate."
Toru paused, then chuckled softly. "Now you know about the plan. If the CIA discovers that Kaito Kuroba is Kaitou Kid, and also learns that you know this important secret..."
"How do you think the CIA will deal with you? How will they deal with your family and friends? As Kaitou Kid, you should have some understanding of the CIA's methods. They won't bother questioning you. They'll eliminate you and everyone connected to you."
"Kaito, if you don't want to die, and if you don't want your family and friends to face death threats, then you have only one choice. Help me disrupt this top-secret CIA plan."
Kaito's expression changed drastically, and he shouted in panic, "Fujiwara Toru, you bastard! You... you..."
He stammered for a long time, but his teeth were chattering so badly that he could not speak. His hands and feet turned cold as intense fear gripped his heart.
Toru's move was simply checkmate. Some secrets would inevitably bring death to any ordinary person who learned of them, especially someone like him, the internationally famous Kaitou Kid.
If this plan was real, Kaito could already imagine how desperately the CIA would try to kill him, along with his family and friends.
Assassinating a presidential candidate? The CIA was insane, and Toru was insane too. How had he gotten caught up in something like this?
"Kaito, I'll give you half a day to consider it."
"No, there's no need. I agree. But you have to help me and provide detailed enough information. That's the CIA. Without sufficiently detailed intelligence, I have no confidence that I can infiltrate the place and find what you want!"
Kaito gritted his teeth. Even though he hated Toru intensely, he had no other choice.
"Very good, Kaito. You've made the right decision. As a reward, I can also give you an interesting piece of information. I may have discovered a clue concerning Pandora's Heart."
Toru spoke cheerfully.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)