Countless reporters were crowding around, and the slightly agitated crowd was obviously impatient with the wait.
"They also said that a press conference would be held as soon as the photo was taken. It's been two hours now. How long will it take?"
"Could it be that it wasn't filmed, so there won't be a press conference?"
"No, I heard that the auction price of "Sunflower" was raised to 500 million, but in the end it was bought by the Suzuki Consortium..."
"650 million! So much?"
"The latest news! I heard that after the auction, someone was arrested by the NYPD for planning to destroy "Sunflower"!"
"What? Such exciting news! Are you keeping it safe?"
"It's probably true. I should have been dealing with this matter during this period..."
"What about the painting? How about "Sunflowers"?"
"It seems to be okay. I heard that the criminal's behavior was stopped in time..."
Several people from the media circle stood in a small group to exchange information, completely unaware of the young man wearing a peaked cap standing nearby and eavesdropping.
This young man has an Asian face, with slightly raised corners of his mouth on his handsome face.
Kuroba Kaito felt much more at ease when he heard that "Sunflower" was okay, which meant that Qin Zhibo had succeeded.
Let’s watch the press conference next.
Yesterday, Kuroba Kaito and Qin Zhibo discussed it. Once the prisoner is caught, Qin Zhibo will persuade Suzuki Jirokichi to re-appraise the painting.
If any special content is identified, Suzuki Jirokichi will definitely announce it at a press conference in order to further increase the hype.
If Suzuki Jirokichi doesn't choose to re-identify, or if nothing special is found, Kuroba Kaito will need to take action.
He has already prepared the trailer cards for Kaitou Kidd.
It depends on what the press conference says.
At this moment, several familiar figures appeared on the side of the press conference stage.
"It's coming! It's finally here!"
The host came on stage first, followed by Suzuki Jirokichi, followed by Suzuki Sonoko.
The flashlight flashed frequently, and the live news followed the signal and was broadcast to all parts of the world.
"Dear friends from the media, you have been waiting for a long time. Good evening..."
"First of all, we congratulate Mr. Jiroyoshi Suzuki for successfully acquiring "Sunflower" for US$500 million!"
The audience burst into warm applause.
"Next, let's ask Mr. Suzuki Jirokichi to say a few words for all of us..."
Under the spotlight, Suzuki Jiroyoshi looked contented and talked eloquently.
"First of all, I am deeply honored to be able to successfully bid for "Sunflowers" with the highest amount in the history of painting as planned..."
Suzuki Jiroyoshi paused for a moment when a reporter immediately raised his hand to ask a question.
"I heard that someone was just arrested for deliberately damaging "Sunflower". Is this true?"
As soon as these words came out, the scene was in an uproar.
Because in the history of art transactions, there has never been a precedent where someone wanted to destroy this kind of art before it was shipped out of the warehouse.
Suzuki Jiroyoshi did not deny it and said generously, "Yes, some episodes did happen just now."
"However, the criminal's plan did not succeed. Under the protection of the famous detective Qin Zhibo, "Sunflower" is intact!"
With Suzuki Jirokichi's personal admission, this rumor can be considered completely confirmed.
There was a sound of surprise at the scene, and another reporter quickly asked: "Who is Qin Zhibo you are talking about?"
Suzuki Jirokichi introduced: "He is one of our private detectives in Japan. Although he is an American, he is already quite famous in Japan and has solved countless complex and difficult cases!"
With a wave of Suzuki Jirokichi's hand, a figure stepped onto the stage from the side.
…
Distant Japan, Dr. Agas home.
Today is a day off, and Conan organized a team building with the three little ones at Dr. Ali's house as usual.
The live news broadcast of "Sunflower" is being played on the TV, and Dr. Agasa and the Young Detective Team are all sitting on the sofa watching.
"Sister Yuanzi is so beautiful today!"
Watching Sonoko in a princess costume on TV, Ayumi did not hesitate to praise her.
Opposite the sofa, Mitsuhiko and Genta also blushed slightly, with a hint of longing in their eyes.
Yuanzi usually stays with Mao Lilan, which is a bit inferior in comparison. Coupled with his seemingly carefree personality, it makes people uninterested.
But as long as you leave Mao Lilan and are in the social circle of the upper class, the elegance of the rich and noble flower in the world will be reflected.
Conan looked at the elegant version of Sonoko on TV and had no idea at all. He was more concerned about the news itself.
"Sunflower", 500 million, is indeed a masterpiece of the Suzuki Consortium...
As he was watching, Suzuki Jirokichi suddenly mentioned a person through a reporter's question.
"It's Uncle Qin!"
"Uncle Qin is also in the United States!"
"No wonder I haven't met you in Mihua recently..."
Qin Zhibo, dressed in a brown trench coat, gracefully walked onto the stage and introduced the case under the spotlight of reporters.
Apparently, Qin Zhibo solved another case.
Looking at Qin Zhibo talking eloquently on TV, the corners of Conan's mouth unconsciously raised slightly.
I don't know why, but Conan felt very happy to see his old friend shining brightly in a distant place.
After introducing the case, Suzuki Jirokichi continued to introduce the major discoveries in "Sunflower".
"Thanks to the prisoner, we re-identified and X-rayed the "Sunflower" and made a major discovery on this "Sunflower"!"
"This painting "Sunflower"
With that said, Suzuki Jirokichi turned his head and motioned to the staff next to him to turn on the projection.
A colorless black and white painting is projected on a snow-white curtain.
As soon as this painting came out, the scene was in an uproar, and flashlights were aimed at the painting and flashed frequently.
At this point, the narrator became Sonoko Suzuki, generously explaining the origin of this painting.
"This painting was discovered under an X-ray scan at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and it was confirmed to be an authentic work by Van Gogh."
"We all know that Van Gogh was poor and had a difficult life during his lifetime, and he had the habit of reusing canvases."
"But so far, among the paintings created by Van Gogh, there has never been a 'painting within a painting' with such a high degree of completion."
At this time, Suzuki Jirokichi on the side joked.
"So my 500 million is equivalent to buying two paintings by Van Gogh at one time. I made a lot of money!"
Suzuki Jiroyoshi said this out of anger, referring to the unknown Japanese seller who "cheated" him into buying the painting at a high price.
Among the people in the audience, Kuroba Kaito looked at the paintings on the stage and took out the camera in his pocket to take pictures.
However, it was not clear when I stood behind and the European and American people were generally tall, so Kuroba Kaito squeezed in front.
He squeezed to the position closest to the painting, faced the curtain, pressed the shutter and took a photo.
But at this moment, the reporter behind him quickly called him.
"Coback!"
It turned out that the reporter at the press conference wanted to take a close-up of the painting. At this time, Kuroba Kaito walked to the front and blocked half of the camera.
""
Kuroba Kaito said sorry and quickly retreated.
This scene has been broadcast live around the world.
Conan, who was sitting on the sofa at Dr. Ali's house, was stunned when he saw that half of his face.
Um?
Why does this person look like me?
It is simply carved out of the same mold...
Haiyuan Ai, who was sitting next to him, said coldly: "You seem surprised?"
"Yes, that person..."
"Don't be surprised, people say you can always find someone exactly like you in the world."
When Conan heard this, although he felt a little relieved, his eyes still drooped.
"I don't know why, but I always feel a little unhappy knowing that there are people who look like me..."
Haibara Ai put a hand on her chin, "Actually, there are many people who look the same as you, such as that boy from Osaka..."
"Hey, hey~" Conan protested helplessly, "How does Hattori look like me? Even the skin color is completely different, right?"
"Besides, isn't there anyone in the world who looks exactly like you?"
Hui Yuan Ai glanced sideways at Conan, then calmly looked at the TV and sighed.
"Then this person is really pitiful... I hope 'she' won't be mistaken for Shirley by the people in the organization."
Conan looked at Huihara Ai, who suddenly became pessimistic again, and fell into silence.
Although several days have passed since the sniper incident in Acupido Park, the organization's pursuit of "Shirley" will not disappear, and Haibara Ai still lives in the shadow of the organization.
Moreover, Conan has explained this to Haihara Ai many times, but Haihara Ai still refuses to accept that Gin is really dead.
It can only be said that the "weight" of gin is too heavy in Haihara Ai's heart.
…
At the press conference, Suzuki Jiroyoshi announced the "Himaflower" sunflower.
"We, the Suzuki Foundation, are planning to hold a sunflower painting exhibition in Japan, and we will collect all the paintings scattered around the world that depict sunflowers in vases."
“We hereby officially announce that we will be holding a sunflower exhibition at the consortium-owned Lake Rock Art Museum!”
Following Suzuki Sonoko's announcement, reporters in the audience asked questions one after another.
When asked how to ensure safety, Suzuki Jirokichi announced: "This time I have invited seven experts to ensure that everything is foolproof, whether it is storage, transportation or security!"
"In addition to Mr. Qin, there are 6 warriors!"
According to the process rehearsed in advance, in addition to Qin Zhibo, who was already on stage, the remaining five people also stood on the stage and introduced their identities and responsibilities.
Since Natsumi Miyadai was a prisoner, one of the treasure-protecting warriors was missing, so Suzuki Jirokichi temporarily added another person.
"The last person is the person responsible for strengthening the preservation measures after the painting arrived in Japan. This person's name is Mouri Kogoro!"
Just now, Sonoko called Maori Lan and borrowed the name of Maori Kogoro to make up a temporary number.
The reporter continued to ask: "If we can't get all the sunflowers together, will you still display the sunflowers under the bid?"
"No." Suzuki Jirokichi showed a confident smile, "Unless all seven paintings are in hand, there is no need to talk."
"But what if..."
"No need to worry."
Suzuki Jiroyoshi interrupted the reporter, "It has been my long-standing dream to hold a sunflower exhibition, and I have never been unable to realize my dream."
"Wa hahaha--!"
Suzuki Jirokichi faced the camera and laughed heartily.
But at this moment, a playing card flew out and hit the carpet on the stage. One side of the playing card had Kidd's Q version printed on it.
Seeing this card, Qin Zhibo's pupils shrank and he almost shouted.
Hey! Wrong!
I already know where it is!
When Yuanzi saw the Kidd pattern on the card, she transformed into a little fangirl in seconds, "Kidd-sama!"
Everyone at the scene was shocked, and Charlie immediately looked around for the suspect who fired Kidka.
And Kuroba Kaito, who was hiding in the crowd, stopped pretending, made a gorgeous turn, and appeared in the venue with a high profile with dazzling Kidd skin.
"Kid, Kidd!"
"Put your hands up!"
Charlie raised his pistol and pointed it at the suddenly appeared Kaitou Kidd, but Kidd did not panic at all and fired the rope gun towards the ceiling.
As the rope of the rope gun tightened, Kidd took off on the spot and floated back and forth like Tarzan with the rope gun.
Although Charlie on the stage was aiming his pistol, there were too many people at the scene and he did not dare to shoot directly.
After a few moments, Kidd easily swung out from the venue door, blended into the crowd and disappeared.
…
Returning to the hotel where he was staying, Qin Zhibo found Kuroba Kaito, who had just been showing off in the hotel.
"What?"
"You already know where it is!"
Kuroba Kaito originally thought that the information in one painting was not comprehensive enough, so he sent a Kidka notice and planned to steal two paintings for further research.
But now Qin Zhibo has figured it all out using only the information of one painting.
"where is it!"
He was very excited and asked quickly.
Qin Zhibo didn't sell it, and explained: "The place in the painting is a place called 'Xin's Tombs'. This place does not belong to any country, or even to this world."
"Doesn't belong to this world?" Kuroba Kaito asked doubtfully.
"Yes, that is in the 'Dreamland', a place that needs to be reached in dreams, but there are also real space passages to get there."
"If the information on the painting is correct, Pickman should have gone to this place."
"There happens to be a passage to that world underground in New York..."
When Kuroba Kaito heard this, he immediately excitedly expressed that he was going tonight.
Qin Zhibo thought for a moment and agreed.
"But you have to be prepared, that place is the country of ghouls."
Kuroba Kaito swallowed nervously. He had always seen the kind of kobold in paintings before, but now he was about to see the real thing.
But in order to find traces of his father, he nodded firmly.
Terai Huangnosuke, who was next to him, also stepped forward, "Master, I'm going too."
The master and servant looked at each other and saw persistence in each other's eyes.
"Um!"
"go together."
…
In the room, Kuroba Kaito and Terai Kinosuke were packing their things and preparing to leave at midnight.
At this time Qin Zhibo's phone rang.
When I picked up the phone, there was a woman's voice on the other side.
"I'm the Nancy who talked to you last time. I saw your news on TV."
"Are you leaving the United States soon?"
"That's right. Before I leave, I want to visit the place where the ghouls you mentioned live..."