During the pleasant afternoon tea party, the social elites were currently holding the puzzle presented by Moriya Teiji and struggling to solve it.
However, the answer was actually very simple—Momotaro.
The puzzle used the birthdates of three individuals, and their Chinese zodiac signs were Monkey, Rooster, and Dog. The combination of these three animals that left the deepest impression was Momotaro.
With perfect coordination and understanding, Senichi and Conan quickly deduced the answer.
In the end, the chosen visitors to tour the mansion became Conan, Ran, and Senichi.
Even Sato couldn't believe how smoothly everything had turned out. She had been contemplating how to infiltrate the mansion, but unexpectedly, they were invited in voluntarily.
Sato now relaxed. In her view, throwing Senichi into the house was like sending in a human police dog!
If there really were hidden explosives, they would surely be found with Senichi's sense of smell. Sato and the others had more confidence in Senichi's abilities than Senichi himself!
Mmm, these handmade pastries are quite delicious. I'll patiently enjoy some afternoon tea and wait for updates.
After entering the house, Senichi immediately activated his super-smell ability. He didn't usually push this ability to its limits in daily life.
After all, once his sense of smell was magnified countless times, various scents would rush into his nostrils—both pleasant and foul—making it unbearable.
But now, his sense of smell was fully engaged!
Well, even with Senichi's heightened sense of smell and his focus on discerning odors, he still didn't find anything.
After all, the mansion was incredibly vast, almost like a castle. They were only allowed to visit the exhibition room and couldn't go to other areas.
But no matter what, it was unlikely that Moriya Teiji would hide explosives in the exhibition room.
It was more likely that he had a dedicated room for making bombs, but it was obviously not on the first floor.
But it didn't matter.
Once I'm inside your house, there's no escaping this "black pot"! (referring to being implicated in the crime)
If my superpowers aren't enough, let's rely on spoilers!
When Moriya Teiji learned of Kudo Shinichi's whereabouts from Ran, feeling triumphant, Senichi also revealed a victorious smile.
After the tour ended, Senichi immediately left the tea party with Sato.
"How is it? Any clues?" Sato couldn't wait and asked as soon as they got in the car.
"Mmm, it seems my guess was right. The person who stole the explosives is most likely him!"
Senichi nodded confidently and said, "But the tea party was crowded, and we can't rule out the possibility of him planting bombs in the mansion. It's best not to alert him."
"That's troublesome." Sato furrowed her brow, and without hesitation, she pressed the police siren on the car roof and started the engine. "Hold on tight. We're heading back to the police headquarters immediately."
Seeing Sato's actions, Senichi turned pale and shouted, "Wait... Wait a minute!"
In the next moment, the car roared to life, its siren blaring, as it disappeared into the streets.
...
Police headquarters.
After Senichi reported the information, and after a series of discussions, the higher-ups were initially prepared to issue a search warrant and conduct a forced search.
However, Senichi objected, saying that there might also be bombs set up in the Hekawa residence, and entering recklessly would only lead to a crisis.
Because of Senichi's extraordinary sense of smell, everyone thought he had detected something, but in fact, he just spoiled the plot based on his memory...
Regardless of the process, under Senichi's strong recommendation, they finally reached a unanimous agreement on the following plan.
Monitor Moriya Teiji's movements closely 24/7 while holding the fort at the Hekawa residence.
However, this deadline was only two days, and if they had no results by then, they would issue a search warrant and conduct a mandatory search.
If there were no results by then... Senichi had already guaranteed that he would take full responsibility.
After all, it was already confirmed that Moriya Teiji was the culprit, so there was no need to worry. It was better to be firm and increase the confidence of others.
In reality, Moriya Teiji didn't have much time to waste either. After burning down the Hekawa residence, he still had to use the bomb to make Kudo Shinichi show up.
Burning down a house was nothing compared to demolishing those asymmetric large-scale works, which was the focus of his plan.
And then, on that evening, Moriya Teiji took action.
Even though he left through the back door, this time there was a comprehensive encirclement. His disguise couldn't exclude the fact that he came out from the Moriya family's residence.
Then, Moriya Teiji made his way to the Hekawa residence, followed by a large force that could change vehicles at any time without worrying about being tracked.
The large force that had originally set up in the Hekawa residence didn't expect the other party to actually come, so a large group of people hid in the shadows, watching as Moriya Teiji got out of the car, preparing to start the fire...
And is there anything else worth mentioning?
Moriya Teiji showed a smug expression and stood tall, saying, "How could this be! How did you suspect me? My plan has just begun!"
"So your next step is to blow up the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway, and then the Miwa City Hall?" Senichi sneered. "I've already seen through your plan. You're a patient with severe symmetrical compulsive disorder."
"It's you!?" Moriya Teiji recognized Senichi as the young man who correctly answered the puzzle at the tea gathering and was invited to the exhibition room.
"I didn't expect someone to understand my thoughts so well."
Upon hearing Senichi's impolite words, Moriya Teiji showed no signs of anger but rather a look of someone who found a kindred spirit. He looked at Senichi with fanatical eyes and said, "You can also feel the beauty of symmetry, right? You could see all of this in my works, proving that you have resonated with them and entered my inner world, which is why you were able to capture me so smoothly!"
"You're overthinking it. I just suspected you might be the culprit, at most, one of the many search routes," Senichi said, looking at Moriya Teiji's fanatical appearance and waving his hand dismissively, repeatedly denying.
What do you mean, entering your inner world? You're not a pretty young girl. Why would an old man like you say something so cheesy?
Then, Senichi uttered a piercing remark that struck home, "But I have to thank you for giving me the opportunity to enter the house at the tea gathering. My sense of smell is quite sensitive, and I happened to smell the lingering scent of gunpowder in the room."
Looking at the frozen smile on Moriya Teiji's face, Senichi chuckled, "So, no one saw through your plan, and no one understood you. It's just that you happened to be discovered by me, playing with fire~"
Moriya Teiji: Damn it! How could this happen?!