There were no stars—only a glaring full moon hung in the sky.

The area around the Beika Museum had been cordoned off by police two hours earlier.

Even though it wasn't yet midnight, the unnaturally quiet streets contrasted sharply with the dazzling nightlife in the distance, creating an eerie and surreal atmosphere.

That silence was broken as a convoy of specialized police vehicles rolled in.

Hiss!

One of the vehicles—resembling a small truck—halted, and stabilizers deployed from all four corners, anchoring it firmly as the chassis rose from the ground.

"Unit 4, locked in position!"

"Unit 2, locked in position!"

Inside the command vehicle, voices crackled over the comms as police officers checked in.

Standing confidently in front of Beika Bank, Inspector Ginzo Nakamori wore a smug grin.

Everything was proceeding perfectly. Nothing brought him more joy.

He grabbed his walkie-talkie and radioed,

"Tactical unit, report. What's the status inside the museum?"

"Reporting in! Just as you predicted, sir—the entire security system has been disabled!"

"And the diamond?"

"Gone!" came the panicked voice. "The display case has been smashed. The diamond is missing!"

Rather than panic, Nakamori let out an excited laugh and turned to Hayashi Yoshiki, who stood beside him.

"Just as we expected, Mr. Hayashi."

Yoshiki smiled.

"Indeed. Your strategy this time is quite different, Inspector Nakamori."

His gaze swept past the tactical vehicles to the crowd gathered beyond the police line.

Civilians, fans of Kaito Kid, waved glowsticks and even banners, eagerly awaiting the phantom thief's appearance.

Yoshiki couldn't help but let out a quiet chuckle.

Then, noticing some reporters and photographers pointing their lenses his way, he flashed a peace sign toward the camera with a subtle, playful grin.

"Excellent!"

Nakamori clenched his fist triumphantly.

"Kid is still inside the building. Don't hold back—drive him to the rooftop!"

Officers inside the museum immediately sprang into action.

Dozens of armed police swept the halls with tranquilizer guns and infrared scanners, tightening the net around Kid.

Though the force had been fooled countless times, they were not without progress.

"Mr. Hayashi, let's go over the plan one more time."

"Once Kaito Kid is driven to the rooftop, he'll try to escape using his glider.

The four vehicles surrounding the building will activate their jet turbines, disrupting the air and blowing him toward the Tsukishima River...

Then, like scooping goldfish at a festival, we'll catch him in the net."

"This time, he won't get away!"

Rather than preventing the theft, Nakamori had gambled everything on cutting off Kid's escape route.

That was his entire strategy.

"Impressive plan, Inspector Nakamori. In that case, I might not need to go ahead with my own arrangement."

"You had a backup plan?" Nakamori blinked, surprised but still confident.

"I've got a secret weapon this time. And Kid—he's always more show than substance! Can't handle a bit of wind!"

"KID! KID!"

"KAITO KID!!"

"He's here!!!"

From beyond the barricades, the fans erupted into excited cheers.

Under the bright moonlight, Kaito Kid stood tall on the museum's rooftop, coat fluttering dramatically in the wind, hands in his pockets as he looked down.

"This diamond is mine now."

With a smirk, he held up the stolen gem.

Screams of joy erupted from the crowd.

Among them, Kaito Kuroba, the real Kaito Kid, watched the rooftop with an irritated frown.

"Who the hell is that guy?!"

Because this heist's notice hadn't been publicly announced, Kuroba had only found out today that someone was impersonating him.

That alone was enough to sour his mood.

But when he spotted Hayashi Yoshiki standing beside Nakamori, his annoyance turned into smug anticipation.

Perfect. With that weirdo Hayashi around, this faker's gonna get what's coming to him.

With that, he pulled out his phone and sent a message.

Inside the command center, Yoshiki felt a buzz and glanced at his phone.

Kaito Kuroba:

Dear Yoshiki-nii, is tonight's operation fully prepared? That poser up there has nothing to do with me, so don't hold back—make sure he ends up behind bars!

Hayashi Yoshiki read the message but didn't reply.

At that moment, Inspector Nakamori shouted with glee upon seeing Kid on the rooftop:

"Commence capture operation—NOW!"

"Yes, sir! All vehicles, engage turbines!"

In an instant, the turbine engines atop the four vehicles activated.

These were aircraft-grade jet turbines.

As they roared to life, the pressure shook nearby trees violently.

"KID is fleeing east!"

"Units 2 and 4, activate Plan B!"

Cornered on the rooftop, "Kaito Kid" had no choice but to leap into the air.

The redirected jets created a massive wind gust, instantly engulfing him.

The imposter let out an annoyed "Tch!"

Blown about like a rag doll, he was helpless in the air.

"Hahaha! So scared he can't even deploy his glider?" Nakamori bellowed in triumph.

Just as planned, the wind swept "Kaito Kid" toward the Tsukishima River.

He couldn't stabilize or take flight.

Moments before he fell, several cranes stationed along the river extended their arms, nets ready to catch him.

But just as he was about to be captured, the imposter smirked.

He pulled a pistol from inside his coat—and fired at one of the crane cabs.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The bullets shattered the windshield.

The terrified operator abandoned the crane, control lost.

The entire police force froze in disbelief.

Especially Nakamori, whose face twitched as he murmured in shock:

"K-Kid… used a gun? He actually fired a real gun...?"

His worldview had just crumbled.

Using the moment of confusion, the fake Kid fired a grappling hook and latched onto the Tsukishima Bridge's steel beam.

His white figure swung like an agile monkey across the river.

"Yaaah-hooooooo!!!"

He screamed gleefully as he made his escape before everyone's eyes.

"Inspector! Kid has escaped on a speedboat heading upstream!"

Voices shouted over the comms in panic.

But Nakamori stood frozen, still processing the gunfire.

Long moments passed before he snapped out of it.

Though still shaken, he looked around urgently:

"Mr. Hayashi! What about your contingency?!"

"Sir, Mr. Hayashi... already left the scene earlier!"

"WHAT?!"