Due to the prolonged stay of the two at the Kusukawa residence, Senichi "refreshed" the scents of Hattori and Kazuha.
As for what Conan can think of, he, who possesses "super-smell," naturally wouldn't overlook this point.
So, while searching for people, he kept his super-smell activated to confirm if Hattori and Kazuha had come into contact with them.
"When we get to the homeowner, I'll trouble Mr. Mouri to continue questioning."
Senichi looked at Mouri Kogoro and said, "The situation with Hattori and Kazuha is unclear. It's possible they're in danger.
It's best not to expose in front of others that I have a means of confirming their whereabouts. Let's act accordingly based on the situation."
"Got it." Mouri Kogoro nodded in response.
"Let's go then, off to the ninth house." Senichi said and walked towards the left street corner.
Since it wasn't far, the four of them walked instead of driving and arrived at the residence with the nameplate "Ito" for the ninth house.
After ringing the doorbell, a short-haired woman holding a cat came out.
"A male and a female with an Osaka accent?" After stating their purpose, the woman adjusted her glasses and pondered, "Hmm... haven't seen them... they haven't been to my house."
"Sigh... as expected," Mouri Kogoro sighed. "Where could these two little devils have gone..."
"I'm sorry..." the short-haired woman apologized. "I couldn't be of help."
"Oh..." At that moment, Ran pointed at the woman's chest and said, "Is that a lawyer's badge?"
Ran asked, "May I ask if your name is Misari Ito?"
"Yes, but how do you know me..." Misari Ito asked after a moment of confusion.
"My mom told me! She said that no matter what case, you never charge high fees! Therefore, you've helped many poor people and are a great lawyer!"
"Huh? So your mom is..."
"Yes!"
Ran was about to continue speaking when Mouri Kogoro interrupted, "There's still business to attend to; don't chat here."
After interrupting Ran, Mouri Kogoro looked at Misari Ito and asked, "Ms. Ito, do you happen to know if there are any suspicious individuals with the surname 'Ito' around here?"
"Suspicious individuals?"
Misari Ito thought for a moment and said, "In that case... behind the 5th Avenue elementary school, there's a standalone Western-style house with the nameplate 'Ito' on it.
That villa has become abandoned, with school children playing there during the day, and seemingly homeless people residing there at night..."
"We shouldn't waste any time; let's go check it out!" Ran said and immediately walked away.
"Thank you very much!" Mouri Kogoro thanked her, then quickly followed.
"You're welcome..." Misari Ito, with a gentle smile, stroked the cat. She turned and went back inside when the figures disappeared.
"Meow~~"
The cat softly meowed, and Misari Ito patted its head, saying, "Oh~ are you hungry?"
Misari Ito placed the cat on the ground, went upstairs herself, then opened a small door on the ceiling leading to the attic. She smiled at the cat and said, "Just wait a little longer~
After I discipline those two naughty kittens, I'll prepare something delicious for you~"
Misari Ito pulled down the ladder behind the small door, then climbed into the dark attic. Looking at the young man in front of her, her kind face instantly turned sinister.
"You arrogant little devil from Osaka..."
Misari Ito's expression resembled that of a malicious witch. With a wicked grin, she stared at the two, saying, "It seems I have to let you personally experience your current situation!"
After entering, Misari Ito looked at the heavily injured Hattori Heiji in surprise. "Oh my, I haven't even made a move, and you guys already messed up this handsome guy's face like this~"
"No choice, this little devil suddenly shouted for help, so I had to warmly welcome him first." The long-haired man tugged on Hattori Heiji's hair and shook him roughly.
"I didn't expect you to know that 'famous police detective' Senichi and the 'sleeping Kogoro'... they're all well-known figures."
Misari Ito looked down at Hattori Heiji and exclaimed, "Indeed, you are Hattori Heiji, the 'high school detective from Kansai,' with such a wide network."
Mockingly, Misari Ito continued, "You better hurry up! I kindly invited you to visit my home; how can you refuse the host's request?
Quickly decipher the code that this gutter-like detective has made for me!"
Speaking of this, Misari Ito kicked the motionless man beside her and sneered, "You wouldn't want you and your little girlfriend to end up like him, would you?
It's truly laughable. He actually came to me to preach, claiming to have a recording that proves I helped financial personnel evade taxes. If you don't want the authorities to find out, don't engage in such activities again.
It's almost enough to make me die laughing. Isn't it like a mouse running straight into the jaws of a cat?
As you already know the situation that followed, I directly imprisoned him. After some severe interrogation, he finally revealed the whereabouts of that recorded tape."
Misari Ito continued, pulling Hattori Heiji's hair and lifting his head. "Speaking of which, I really should thank you. That guy encrypted the seven-digit password of the East Tokyo Bank safe deposit box, but before I could finish the interrogation, he passed away.
Luckily, you called and voluntarily came to my doorstep; otherwise, I would have been in trouble. Now, it's up to you, detective friend. Hurry up and decode the password for me!"
"Sorry..."
Hattori Heiji, breathing heavily, reluctantly opened one eye and sneered, "I was hit by your accomplice, and my ears are ringing, making it hard to hear clearly...
Can you please ask this sewer rat to repeat it for me..."
"You little brat!" The man with a headscarf delivered a punch straight to Hattori Heiji's stomach while holding his hair.
"Hehe... it seems you haven't realized the current situation yet..." Misari Ito looked at Hattori and sneered, "Since you can't hear and those ears are useless, I'll have someone cut them off for you."
"No, please!" Hearing Misari Ito's words, Kazuha couldn't help but scream.
However, at this moment, shouting couldn't change anything. The man with long hair and a sinister grin, pulled Hattori Heiji's hair, while his other hand gripped Hattori's ear.
The short, chubby man with a headscarf slowly approached Hattori Heiji while holding a cold dagger that was already pressed against his ear.
In the midst of Misari Ito's sinister laughter, just as the man's arm wielding the dagger was about to strike, a pleasant bell suddenly rang out.
Ding dong~