**22:00 PM – Ryukyu Onsen Senaga Hotel**
Fujino bid farewell to the last group of reporters, accepting a million yen with tears in his eyes.
He casually grabbed a drink from the fridge and leaned lazily against the headboard.
Moonlight poured through the window, where the vast sky met the distant coastline in a seamless horizon.
The sound of waves drifted in from outside, carried by the cool night breeze.
His window faced northeast—toward the homeland of this world…
Fujino enjoyed a rare moment of peace before getting up and walking to the window.
"I wonder if I'll ever get a chance to go back," he mused, staring at the moonlit sea. "See how this world's Huaxia compares to mine."
Taking a sip of his drink—cool, lemon-flavored—he set it down on the windowsill and pulled up the system interface.
A series of system notifications rang in his ears:
**[Detective profession task (High-Altitude Murder Case) completed.]**
**[Pilot profession task (Emergency Landing) completed.]**
**[Rewards issued: 1.5 million yen, 200 detective reputation points, 500 elite pilot points.]**
**[Current balance: 4.35 million yen.]**
**[Detective level up detected! Current level: Intermediate 3-Star (10/1500). Available points: 1.]**
"Finally hit Intermediate 3-Star…"
Taking a deep breath of fresh air, Fujino exhaled with satisfaction. "One step closer to the next stage."
After reviewing the system notifications, he opened the profession menu to allocate his newly earned points.
His detective profession had just advanced to Intermediate 3-Star. Meanwhile, his doctor profession had already been maxed out thanks to a previous random upgrade ticket.
Now, he had:
- **2 general profession points**
- **1 detective point**
- **1 doctor point**
- **2 chef points**
It was the perfect time to level up some skills.
With a simple thought, he assigned the points:
**[Heal Thyself (Advanced): Boosts physical regeneration by 150%.]**
**[Detective Enhancement: Intermediate 3-Star (Temporarily enhances physical abilities by 300%).]**
He allocated one doctor point to boost his regeneration ability—better safe than sorry. The remaining points went into Detective Enhancement, matching it with his current detective level. His combat strength surged as a result.
As for further upgrades, he'd need to push the doctor profession to the next tier.
But he wasn't planning on doing that anytime soon.
After all, advancing a profession required nearly **3 million yen**.
Even with a current balance of **4.35 million yen**, upgrading would drain his funds to just over **1 million yen**—way too risky in case of emergencies.
Despite his curiosity about the new skills that would come with a doctor upgrade…
Having **at least 3 million yen** in reserve was non-negotiable.
Three million yen—that's Fujino's current financial safety net.
If he had more money, he would set a higher threshold.
The idea is simple: if an emergency ever arises, he can immediately pump cash into upgrading his combat-related skills, boosting his strength in an instant to turn the tables and ensure his survival.
---
Before he knew it, the next day arrived.
Japan Airlines (JAL) and the local Okinawa police held a joint press conference.
During the event, the Okinawa police spokesperson praised Fujino's heroic actions in saving the entire flight and commended him highly.
Right after that, JAL awarded Fujino a cash prize of three million yen, along with a specially customized platinum card.
According to the presenter, this platinum card allows the holder to board any JAL flight, anytime, anywhere, free of charge.
There are no mileage restrictions, and while the card is exclusively for Fujino, he can bring along three to four adult passengers.
After JAL handed out their rewards, it was the Okinawa police and the Okinawa prefectural assembly's turn.
Both parties highly praised Fujino's selfless courage and acknowledged his exceptional piloting skills. They each presented him with a certificate of appreciation.
The certificates were framed in gold and made of brass, with inscriptions written in calligraphy. Both bore the personal signatures of the Okinawa Chief of Police—the head of Okinawa law enforcement—and the Okinawa Governor, the top official of the prefecture.
These certificates looked… strangely familiar.
Not identical to the ones from Osaka, but let's just say it seemed like the frames were made by the same manufacturer.
Fujino, meanwhile, let all the formalities go in one ear and out the other. He clapped when everyone else clapped, but inwardly, he was grumbling:
*"Three million yen? For saving an entire passenger jet? That's it? Just three million…?"*
But on second thought, getting three million yen *plus* a platinum card wasn't too bad.
At the very least, he could save a fortune on flights from now on. Not to mention, there were no location or mileage restrictions—practically priceless.
JAL might just be worth keeping in touch with.
Speaking of which, Fujino couldn't help but recall Kyoto's so-called nobility.
Not even a scrap of gratitude for the bomb disposal—no certificate, nothing.
What exactly are those people so arrogant about?
Come to think of it, Momiji Ōoka is from Kyoto too…
Well, they're all part of the Neon nobility. Makes sense.
At the end of the conference, Fujino posed for a commemorative photo with JAL executives, the Okinawa Governor, and the Chief of Police.
And with that, the overly bureaucratic and formal press conference finally came to a close.
---
The next day brought a noticeable shift—the date was now August 11th.
Fortunately, it was still a rest day, meaning the trip could continue as planned.
After breakfast, the group headed into Okinawa's city center for some sightseeing.
Okinawa, also known as Ryukyu, had been a vassal state of China since the Ming Dynasty. It wasn't until later that it was unjustly occupied by the United States and Japan.
The island is a blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Western cultural influences.
The contrast between these elements creates an unexpectedly unique charm, adding to the travel experience.
Ran was especially excited—after all, this was the birthplace of karate.
According to Fujino's knowledge of martial arts, traditional karate originated in Ryukyu and was originally called "Tang Hand" (唐手). Since it included "Tang" in its name, it naturally had strong ties to Chinese martial arts.
The earliest form of karate was actually a fighting technique brought over from China, incorporating various martial arts styles, including traditional Fujian boxing and Tiger-Crane Style. However, as history progressed, Tang Hand evolved into multiple branches, and for reasons best left unsaid, its name was changed to "karate" (空手, meaning "empty hand").
Modern karate has little to do with its traditional roots. It has absorbed various techniques from other martial arts, including Muay Thai and Sanda.
Fujino had access to karate techniques in his arsenal of fighting knowledge, but after careful consideration, he found them unsuitable for him.
Competitive karate today has too many blind spots, lacks significant stopping power, and leaves practitioners vulnerable to counterattacks. Traditional Tang Hand, despite its heritage, has many weaknesses due to its mixed influences.
Personally, Fujino preferred martial arts that suited the Chinese physique—ones with efficient, lethal moves, like Bajiquan, which emphasized explosive power, and Taiji, which focused on using softness to overcome strength. He also incorporated some close-quarters combat (CQC) tactics for good measure.
The group strolled around the city.
Before long, people began to recognize Fujino, causing quite a commotion.
After all, in some circles, he was a well-known figure.
This brought a fair amount of trouble—he wasn't particularly fond of being the center of attention.
"I just hope they forget about this soon…" he muttered, sighing as he pulled on a mask and hat before continuing his stroll with the group.
They visited various cultural landmarks, stopped by shops to buy local souvenirs, and sampled some regional delicacies.
Before they knew it, night had fallen.
The ocean waves shimmered under the soft glow of the moon, and a gentle sea breeze rustled through the air.
Above them, dazzling fireworks exploded, painting the night sky in a spectrum of vibrant colors.
Standing by the shore, the group gazed at the illuminated sea.
"A fireworks festival?"
Fujino narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing sideways at Ooka Momiji.
Just yesterday, he had accepted a commission—coaxed into it by a certain young lady.
And now, the very next evening, fireworks were going off.
Conveniently, they had the perfect vantage point from the beach.
He looked around. There wasn't a single other person on the shore.
Fujino: "..."
Still, it wasn't a big deal—things were still within his control.
"So beautiful…"
Ran gazed up at the sky, marveling at the fireworks. "I never expected to stumble upon a festival like this."
"Yes, what a coincidence."
Ooka Momiji smiled as she looked up at the fireworks, lost in thought.
Just as Fujino suspected, this entire trip—including the fireworks festival—had been part of her plan.
However, ever since the incident on the plane, everything had gone off track.
That said, her efforts weren't entirely wasted.
Progress was slow, but at least she had discovered a useful trick—
**Making requests.**
The commission fee couldn't be too high or too low—otherwise, it wouldn't be tempting enough.
Draining the pond to catch all the fish... this was basically a Fujino trap at this point.
Haibara Ai glanced at Ooka Momiji with her usual calm demeanor.
As sharp as she was, she immediately saw through the scheme.
Her keen instincts also told her that this woman had seemingly figured out the trick to trapping Fujino, effortlessly playing him like a helpless pawn in her hands.
Lowering her gaze, she silently made a decision:
**"No way. I absolutely can't let this manipulative... this *scheming* woman succeed."**
---
The Next Day – June 18th
Fujino stared at his phone screen, where "Saturday" was displayed in bold letters. He let out a helpless sigh.
Normally, if today was Saturday, then tomorrow should logically be Sunday.
But apparently, that wasn't the case…
All the native *Detective Conan* world residents firmly believed that tomorrow was Thursday—a school day.
At this point, he had completely given up trying to make sense of the messed-up timeline in this *damn* world.
Asking about it was useless anyway. If he asked Ai, she'd just respond in her usual flat tone, *"Today is July 10th, and tomorrow is August 11th. Isn't that normal?"*—then give him a questioning look.
Yeah… totally makes sense.
Thankfully, he only asked Ai. Even if she found it odd, she wouldn't press him too much.
If he had asked Momiji instead, he'd probably be getting airlifted to a neurology department for a full brain scan by tomorrow.
After picking up some souvenirs, the group boarded a flight back to Tokyo.
With eight people acting as his personal safety net, Fujino managed to avoid any particularly awkward situations this time.
All in all, this Okinawa trip had been quite the success—he'd earned nearly 10 million yen, received two more letters of appreciation, and even scored a free-flight voucher.
Not bad at all.
---
Tokyo – A High-Rise Penthouse
A white helicopter roared loudly as its rotor blades spun furiously.
Fujino watched as the massive aircraft took off, feeling a little speechless.
Thanks to the *super pilot* knowledge in his head, he could recognize this helicopter—it was a European EC225.
A large, all-weather aircraft with excellent performance and a seating capacity of up to 30 passengers…
Most of the time, these were purchased by government agencies or large corporations.
Absolutely insane.
Then again, considering Momiji's background as an heiress from a prestigious family, her wealth was simply beyond imagination.
"I'm very satisfied with this commission."
Standing at the open cabin door, Ooka Momiji's skirt fluttered slightly in the wind as she smiled playfully. She gave Fujino a small bow and said with a chuckle, *"Fujino-kun, if I ever have another request, I'll be sure to find you again… We'll be seeing each other very soon."*
"More commissions, huh?"
Fujino watched the massive helicopter disappear into the sky, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Making a few million just by going on a trip?
*Way* too easy.
At least this was better than dealing with armed drug dealers alone or outsmarting those ruthless people from Beika.
---
**Two days later, in Shizuoka.**
"Ah! I bit my tongue!"
Mouri Kogoro was in the driver's seat, navigating a rental car they had picked up that morning. The vehicle wobbled as it moved along a rough dirt road.
"Dad! Slow down a bit!"
Ran, sitting in the backseat, gripped the seat tightly with both hands, looking uncomfortable. She complained, "Why is this road so bumpy?"
"Well, we're heading to a fishing spot in the middle of nowhere!"
Mouri Kogoro gripped the steering wheel firmly and explained, "A bumpy road like this is totally normal!"
Fujino, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at Conan in the back, who was being tossed up and down by the car's movement, yelping in distress. Silently, he fastened his seatbelt tighter, mentally sighing.
The reason they were in Shizuoka this time was because of an invitation from Mouri Kogoro after school yesterday. It was a fishing trip meant to thank Fujino for letting him enjoy a luxurious stay in Okinawa.
However, it seemed that Mouri Kogoro hadn't done enough planning and had probably taken the wrong turn at some point, leading them onto this dirt road…
After enduring the bumpy ride for a while, they finally reached a smoother road.
Ran turned back to look at the sign they had just passed. "Dad… I think that road was closed off."
"Knew it. Uncle Mouri must have taken the wrong road again."
Conan rubbed his sore backside, his expression deadpan as he complained.
"We're almost there anyway!"
Mouri Kogoro quickly tried to change the subject, looking ahead. "Hey, look! There's an archery range up ahead!"
Ran wasn't fooled and gave him a knowing, slightly exasperated look. "So you *did* take the wrong road…"
"Haha…"
Mouri Kogoro let out an awkward laugh, looking a bit embarrassed.
Of all times to make a mistake, it had to be on a rare outing with Fujino…
Just as they finally reached smooth ground—
**Whoosh—**
A sharp sound cut through the air.
Fujino turned his head toward the window and saw an arrow flying straight toward the car.
He quickly calculated its trajectory.
If nothing was done, the arrow would pierce through the driver's side and hit him directly in the head.
Someone's trying to assassinate me again?
Fujino's expression darkened. He timed it perfectly and reached out his hand—
**Snap!**
He caught the arrow mid-air, gripping it firmly.
With a slight squeeze, the carbon-fiber shaft shattered in his hand.
(End of Chapter)