Everyone was taken aback by Senichi's words, and Ran couldn't help but ask, "But Officer Senichi, aren't you still on duty? Is that okay?"
"Don't worry, a leave of absence will do." Senichi waved his hand nonchalantly.
Leaving aside things like taking leave, for the increasingly privileged Senichi, such matters were trivial. Even if he couldn't take a break, he still wouldn't miss out on this rare case.
Whether it was for the sake of reward or to prevent the impending tragedy.
"But Officer Senichi, why are you so concerned about this matter?"
Conan, who was feeling rather lackluster, became intrigued upon hearing that Senichi would take leave to join them on the island, "Could it be that something has caught your attention?"
"No, I haven't made any discoveries." Senichi smiled and shook his head.
"Could it be, Officer Senichi, that you're interested in the idea of immortal mermaids?" Conan looked at Senichi with a look of surprise, as if saying, "You this big, and still believe in something so childish?"
"No, I don't believe there are any mermaids in this world either."
Senichi felt that in Conan's world, adhering to "Detective Conan world's Rule" was the right way to go, and dabbling in the supernatural was not very "Detective Conan world."
"Then, Officer Senichi, why do you want to go to the island with us?" Upon hearing Senichi's words, Kazuha couldn't help but ask.
"Although there's no evidence right now, just a gut feeling, I think there might be someone behind the scenes using the 'mermaid' concept to plan something. So, I want to investigate further."
"Plan?"
"Mermaid?"
"A hidden conspiracy?"
Seeing everyone's imagination running wild and their expressions becoming more serious, Senichi quickly waved his hands, "Of course, these are just my speculations without any basis. It's possible that the client really wants you to find those nonexistent mermaids."
"But no matter what, Officer Senichi, if you're going too, then I'll feel even more at ease!"
Shizuka Hattori bowed slightly upon hearing that Senichi intended to join them on the island, "Please take good care of Heiji and Kazuha."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure nothing happens to them." Senichi replied with a smile.
"Oh, come on, Mom, you better head back quickly."
Seeing his mother's worried expression, Heiji Hattori hurriedly ushered Shizuka Hattori out, "I'm not a child anymore, you don't need to worry so much. You should head back, or you might not be able to get a train ticket."
Well, if you wanted to accurately describe Heiji Hattori's current mood, it would be akin to the feeling when his mom instructed his roommates to take good care of him when he moved into the dormitory during his college days. That feeling was perfectly replicated in his current situation.
Putting their luggage in Senichi's car, Heiji Hattori hailed a taxi and, along with Kazuha and his mother, headed to the train station.
Of course, they weren't heading back to Osaka with Shizuka Hattori. He and Kazuha had bought tickets to Tokyo.
Since Senichi's car couldn't accommodate everyone, Heiji Hattori and Kazuha decided to put their luggage in the car and take a train to Tokyo.
On the other hand, after dropping off Mouri Kogoro and the others at the agency, Senichi would go to the station to pick up Heiji Hattori and Kazuha, and take them to a hotel for the night.
"By the way, what happened to Mr. Yoshikawa??"
After the car was on the road, Ran, sitting in the back seat, suddenly remembered and asked curiously.
"Well, after Officer Yokomizo searches his house and gathers evidence, he should receive the appropriate punishment, right?" Mouri Kogoro replied casually.
"Yes, After all, organizing private gambling gatherings and being involved in such a mess, the plot is quite heinous, so he's likely to face some serious consequences," Senichi added with a smile in response.
Speaking of which, gambling in Japan is strictly prohibited by criminal law. However, as a special law, public gambling that brings revenue to the local government, such as horse racing bet, is legal.
Speaking of the unique gambling industry in Japan, the most well-known is the Pachinko parlor. However, this is a gray area. If you ask a local resident whether the Pachinko parlors are involved in gambling, most of them will tell you that it is indeed gambling. However, legally, it falls under the category of entertainment.
This is because Japanese criminal law defines gambling as involving money (cash or negotiable securities). However, the Pachinko parlors exploit a loophole through the "three-shop system"
The general process is that customers enter the shop, spend money to buy small steel balls, play games, and after the game is over, exchange the small steel balls for corresponding prizes in the shop.
Then, they turn left out of the shop, enter the adjacent pawnshop, and directly convert Pachinko's prizes into money.
In short:
Cash for small steel balls → Directly converting won small steel balls into money: Gambling, prohibited by law
Cash for small steel balls → Converting won small steel balls into special prizes → Taking the special prizes to an exchange point to convert them into money: Not gambling, legal
Through the existence of these "special prizes," the Pachinko industry in Japan manages to legally circumvent the law.
However, most people's attitude is: Do you think I'm blind?
But no matter what, it's a legal industry, compliant with the law, and they're all significant taxpayers, so they're naturally fine.
As for Takezo Yoshikawa, not only did he gamble a substantial amount of money, but it was also of a private nature, meaning he definitely wouldn't be paying taxes. Moreover, he forced others into financial ruin, and the plot was too sinister, so it's only natural that he's in trouble.
However, towards Takezo Yoshikawa, the group naturally lacks sympathy. Hearing about his downfall, they even feel a sense of satisfaction.
So, when it comes to gambling, it's best for everyone to stay away from it.
After dropping off Mouri Kogoro and the others at the agency, and picking up Heiji Hattori and Kazuha, the three of them had dinner together. Only after that did Senichi return to his dorm to start packing up his belongings.
Early the next morning, everyone boarded the ship bound for Mermaid Island.
On the ship, Conan learned that the letter sent to Heiji Hattori was actually meant for him. Coupled with Senichi's suggestion that there might be something hidden behind this case, Conan's interest in the investigation grew.
He had made up his mind that once they arrived on the island, he would start investigating and try to uncover clues about the case before Officer Senichi did!
And then... just as he was filled with determination...
Conan found himself witnessing a series of affectionate gestures between Senichi and Ayako, and he felt a mixture of annoyance and envy as he witnessed their "dog food" moment.
Hehehe!! You said it was for investigating the case, I believe you, you old schemer!! You're quite the sly old man!!
So, your leave this time is purely for dog abuse... Oh wait, purely for dating, right!!
With a deadpan expression, Conan looked at the two people before him enveloped in a "sweet atmosphere," and his inner thoughts were filled with sarcastic remarks.
Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't completely hide the trace of envy in his eyes.
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