“Anyone who dares to move will be shot! Get out of my way!”
The robber shoved the female teller aside, revealing the stacks of neatly organized bills behind her.
A sneering laugh echoed from beneath the blue helmet:
“Ha, so this is the money our customers deposit? This world is truly unfair!”
He slammed the bag onto a seemingly weak male employee, ordering:
“You, fill the bag with all the money. Everyone else, get out of the counter area! Or I will... cough.”
The robber coughed a couple of times, covering his mouth with one hand and shaking his gun around to intimidate everyone.
He cautiously walked to a chair draped with a coat and sat down. Seizing the opportunity while everyone lowered their heads, he reached into his coat pocket with his right hand, swiftly pulling out a green object that looked like a throat lozenge and putting it in his pocket.
Hmm?
Suzuki Shiro's wide vision immediately grasped the situation.
The robber had clearly pre-scouted the cash transaction time and knew where to find medicine, indicating an accomplice within the bank.
“What are you looking at? I'm talking to you!”
Amidst all the employees raising their hands, Shiro's boss-like posture stood out.
“I hate you handsome guys the most. What, being handsome gives you the right to do whatever you want? Put your hands on your head and get down on the ground!”
Facing the robber's reprimand, Shiro tilted his mouth, revealing the crooked smile of a Dragon King.
o(￣√￣)o
He opened his system store and exchanged 100 points for the Beginner's level of Karate.
Don't underestimate its beginner level; it's still the standard of a blue belt.
“Click-clack…”
The moment he exchanged the points, a series of techniques flashed through Shiro's mind. Moreover, his body started to change. His muscles expanded visibly, bulging against his clothes.
This Karate is like cultivating Qi and strengthening the body. It's not scientific at all.
He kept the remaining 100 points.
Shiro was a planner, someone who liked to consider all options before taking action.
Unless absolutely necessary, he would keep reserve points. If he encountered any difficult unexpected situation, he could still exchange them for a temporary version of Beginner Karate for self-defense.
The changes in his body alerted the robber. He raised his gun and disengaged the safety catch:
“Put your hands on your head and get down!”
Shiro remained unmoved, calculating the distance between them.
The robber was extremely displeased. He shook the gun barrel, threatening again:
“Get down, or I’ll blow your brains out!”
“Okay!”
As the words left his lips, Shiro surged forward like a released arrow.
The robber hadn't had time to react when a whip-like leg, like a thick black wooden stick carrying the force of a gale, swept in from the side.
He was terrified. He tried to pull the trigger with his left hand. A bang, the bullet went astray. Immediately, a surge of force hit his left arm. The robber winced in pain, losing his grip, and the gun flew out of his hand.
After the whip-like leg, his stomach received a powerful kick, contorting his facial expression. Due to the intense pain, his body arched like a bow, slamming against the wall.
Before he could regain his footing, another strong gust of wind arrived.
The robber couldn't dodge in time and received a solid kick to his ribs. He stumbled, knocking over the water cooler and a vase with a loud clatter, looking completely disheveled. He had lost his gun and had no chance of winning. Now, only one thought occupied his mind.
Escape!
Shiro's skillful Karate moves seemed to have transformed into a free-style boxing style.
The blood and rage in his chest were like an erupting volcano:
“Hey! Where do you think you're going?”
He lowered his body and was faster than the robber.
His right elbow rose high, delivering a hand-knife strike.
The robber sensed something was wrong and tucked his head in like a turtle. The powerful impact caused his body to involuntarily lunge forward, sending him tumbling to the ground.
He got up and scanned the area, hoping to grab the gun and make a comeback.
But the dark gun barrel was already in Shiro's hand.
Attack and defense had switched places!
The robber clutched his left hand, feeling as if he had been subjected to seven consecutive rounds of intense activity, leaving his hand numb.
“Put your hands on your head and get down!”
The robber didn't listen to a single word.
He was willing to fight rather than surrender.
The robber mocked through his blue helmet:
“Ha, you? Have you ever killed anyone? Do you dare to fire this gun?”
Then he pulled open the back door and fled.
“Bang!”
The bullet pierced his lower leg, causing the robber to scream like a pig being slaughtered.
Shiro didn't feel a single ounce of guilt. He stepped forward and subdued the robber.
Seeing the employees and customers regaining their composure and clapping frantically, he raised an eyebrow:
“What are you all standing there for? Call the police!”
…
Ten minutes later, police sirens blared.
“The police are here, quickly escort the criminal out!”
The branch manager of the bank was exceptionally eager to hand over the perpetrator.
He planned to contact the media afterwards for interviews, using newspapers and television channels to publicize the incident. Doing so would not only boost public confidence in the security of Tokyo Metropolitan Bank but also increase the exposure of the Mihu Park branch, giving their year-end performance a boost.
The car door swung open, and Inspector Megure stepped out with Takagi.
Upon seeing Suzuki Shiro, his heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, not another death, right?
This was the third time Inspector Megure had encountered Mr. Suzuki.
For a normal person, that frequency was a bit high. It felt like this kid had a certain death-inducing attribute, like Kudo Shinichi, wherever he goes, people die. It's really creepy.
“Any injuries or deaths?”
Before Shiro could respond, the branch manager jumped in:
“No, no, the criminal is tied up, just take him away.”
Inspector Megure gave Takagi a knowing look, and Takagi approached to take custody of the perpetrator.
“Okay, thanks for your cooperation. We'll be leaving now.”
“Don't be in a hurry, the criminal has an accomplice.”
Everyone's gaze converged on him.
“Oh? Shiro, did you make a new discovery?”
“Of course I did.”
Suzuki Shiro walked straight to the chair. He picked up the coat and looked around:
“Whose coat is this?”
The man who had been knocked down at the door raised his hand:
“It's mine.”
“Then that's him. Go to the police station for a cup of tea.”
The man's eyes widened in disbelief, and he protested:
“What are you talking about? I'm the victim here!”
“The robber knew the exact time of the cash transaction, indicating an inside accomplice. After coughing, he went straight to your coat and started rummaging through it, like he knew you had throat lozenges. How do you explain this?”
“This…” The man's eyes darted around, and he quickly calmed down. “It's flu season, everyone is coughing. He just randomly searched, it doesn't mean we're connected. If you think I'm the robber's accomplice, then provide evidence!”
Seeing the male employee's panic, Suzuki Shiro smiled:
“No need for evidence, I can still prove your connection to the robber.”
“What?!”
Not only the suspect, but even Inspector Megure was dumbfounded.
Kudo Shinichi often said "I understand" and "I get it," but he wouldn't explain the details. It was confusing.
Suzuki Shiro was even better!
He didn't even bother saying he understood, he just pointed the finger directly.
But doing so was against the rules, so Inspector Megure could only ask awkwardly:
“Shiro, how are you so certain?”
Suzuki Shiro extended his hand and displayed the green throat lozenge wrapper.
Ignoring the suspect's gaze, he said seriously:
“The robber coughed and first checked his own pocket. He found no throat lozenges, so he tossed the wrapper away. Then he went to search this gentleman's coat. If I'm not mistaken, the two pieces of the throat lozenge wrapper can be matched. Besides, I have another way.”
Inspector Megure was very cooperative and asked:
“Shiro, tell me quickly.”
Without Kudo Shinichi around, he had a new tool.
His burden had become lighter.
“Since the robber has been apprehended, simply isolate him. Then send someone to interrogate him, claiming that this gentleman confessed to being the mastermind. Observe the robber's reaction. If he's completely clueless, then they have no connection. If he bites back, then it proves he's an accomplice.”
Hearing this, the suspect slumped in defeat.
If they used the same trick, the robber would confess everything.
Their plan wasn't flawless, it would definitely show flaws upon further investigation.
“It was me. I wouldn't have done it if I knew about you as a variable.”
Upon hearing the employee's confession, the branch manager was astonished:
“Taniguchi, you!”
Inspector Megure pulled out his handcuffs and arrested him on the spot.
As they were leaving, he gave Suzuki Shiro a friendly signal:
“Mr. Suzuki, maybe we can exchange contact information? If there's a reward, I'll contact you later.”
Shiro was worried he wouldn't be able to connect with the police, so he had no reason to refuse.
With a contact, it would be easier to participate in future investigations:
“Okay, my number is XXX…”
“Okay, I’ll jot it down. I'll get in touch later.”
With the police gone, everything returned to normal.
He deposited his money at the counter and left the bank. Unconsciously, the setting sun's rays dyed the clouds with a touch of red.
Shiro entered a ramen shop and ordered a bowl of their signature ramen. The rising steam filled the air with the aroma of everyday life.
An honest-looking television was mounted on the wall. The beautiful female news anchor was holding a script, reporting the news:
“A breaking news update. According to our reporter, the infamous Phantom Thief Kid has reappeared, stealing a diamond worth 300 million yen…”