“Heh~ With my current situation, Dad, do you think I can safely run away?”
Kudo Shinichi couldn’t help but make a self-deprecating remark.
“That poison is highly suspicious.”
“A simple poison that can only kill wouldn't shrink a person's body. I suspect that it's not a poison at all.”
“It's just that the side effect of the drug can kill someone.”
“Once the matter of that drug is exposed, and if people find out that I am the living specimen of that poison, my fate will be sealed.”
Kudo Shinichi wasn't a fool, he just got too focused on one thing at times and neglected the people and things around him.
But his mind still worked quickly.
“That organization has been making a fortune, and it probably has some connection with the research of that drug.”
“Based on that organization's actions, probably all the world-renowned intelligence agencies are watching.”
“Once they know about me, losing my freedom would be a condition for protection, right, Dad?”
“……”
Kudo Yusaku was helpless, but he still nodded slightly.
“That’s how the witness protection program works.”
“As long as you join that program, the FBI will directly erase your identity from the past. In fact, this is the best option for you now.”
For ordinary people, erasing their identity may require a lot of manipulation. However, in Shinichi’s case, it only requires minimal effort, and his identity would be completely severed from the past.
“Like you said, once I join that protection program, I'll lose my original freedom.”
“Moreover, the FBI will be aware of my situation.”
“So, I choose to refuse.”
He was very resolute. Kudo Shinichi refused without any hesitation.
“After joining that program, maybe my safety will be guaranteed, but everything will develop in a direction I don’t want.”
“Even if that organization is truly wiped out later, they probably won't use the drug to help me restore my original appearance.”
“They probably hope I will continue to be a living specimen, right?”
He chuckled self-deprecatingly.
After getting deeply involved, Kudo Shinichi finally understood the truth that a detective needs to ensure his own safety before taking action.
His excessive curiosity and thirst for knowledge led to the current situation.
“Dad, I don’t want to become like that.”
“……”
How could Kudo Yusaku want his son to go that far?
He pondered, while giving in.
“Shinichi, do you know how irresponsible this decision is?”
“We'll leave you here, what can you do? Entrust you to Dr. Agasa?”
“Make him share your risk?”
Kudo Yusaku's voice was very cold at this moment.
He had to use this way to teach his son.
Don't casually push your risks onto others, especially those who care about you.
“Alone, you can't do anything.”
“Moreover, with your personality, you will still rush into cases. Do you think you can handle it alone without anyone’s help?”
He didn’t say anything else, but specifically talked about the reality.
Kudo Shinichi was also silenced.
“I can’t.”
What Dad said were facts. And it was also a fact that he couldn’t do anything alone.
“To achieve my goal without implicating anyone else, I don’t have that ability.”
“So, I need your help.”
This really made Kudo Yusaku laugh.
Knowing that he couldn't avoid implicating others, he still wanted his help.
“Reason?”
“I don't want to give up my freedom and future. I want to find those guys.”
“So, you want to stay here alone? And even risk implicating others?”
“Yes.”
Kudo Yusaku felt a headache at this moment. This kid was not only stubborn, but also didn’t listen to good advice.
“To bet on your own goals with other people's lives, is that your answer?”
“No.”
Kudo Shinichi already had a look of determination on his face.
“No matter what, I don't want to implicate anyone else.”
“I will try my best to control my curiosity and avoid suspicious actions.”
“At the same time, I will protect everyone who is involved with me, and I will never allow those from that organization to attack my friends and family.”
His unwavering determination could be seen in his eyes.
Kudo Yusaku was glad to see his son's growth. It seemed hitting him with a stick had some effect.
But he really didn’t want his son to grow up at this time.
Perhaps, being persuaded to leave this troubled land of Japan would be better.
But it seemed that it was impossible now.
“Yusaku…”
He turned to look at his wife, Yukiko, who was pulling his clothes.
“About Shinichi’s matter, is there really no way to give him a chance?”
Yukiko was obviously moved.
In fact, he was also somewhat moved.
He couldn't help but think, and then he reached a conclusion.
He turned to look at Shinichi.
“Shinichi, if you don’t want to participate in the witness protection program, you can.”
“However, you still need to cut off your identity.”
“You can never use the identity of Kudo Shinichi again until that organization is wiped out.”
“!”
This was undoubtedly a difficult decision.
Completely abandon the identity of “Kudo Shinichi.” Even if the drug is obtained and reversely developed to find an antidote before that organization is wiped out, the identity cannot be restored.
This means that after agreeing to this request, the identity of “Kudo Shinichi” has to be killed.
As long as the identity of “Kudo Shinichi” is killed, then Kudo Shinichi can stay in Japan with a completely new identity.
It's similar to the witness protection program.
Except, the people behind it are not the FBI, but Kudo Yusaku and Japan's Public Security.
“To kill the identity of Kudo Shinichi?”
“Perhaps, this is the only choice I can make to stay.”
Kudo Shinichi knew his Dad was pushing him.
He knew the organization he had provoked this time was really troublesome. Otherwise, Dad wouldn’t give him this choice.
“I agree.”
“To kill the identity of “Kudo Shinichi”, I will stay with a completely new identity.”
“I still did it.”
Kudo Yusaku shook his head slightly. He wasn't surprised at all by his son's decision.
“Okay, I'll contact my friend in Public Security right now and ask them to help.”
“Then there's your new identity.”
“However, since you've already made a decision this time, there's no turning back.”
To this, Kudo Shinichi didn’t hesitate at all.
He didn't regret making this choice.
PS: New book seeking data.