Detective Conan: Death Note

"Shu, I want to ask you something. Generally speaking, between police snipers and military snipers, whose marksmanship is superior?"

At dusk, as the sun was setting,

a black Ford sedan pulled away from the Metropolitan Police Department,

but Jodie Starling's mind was inexplicably flooded with memories.

It was a sunset just like this.

When they had just arrived in Japan to investigate the Black Organization,

Jodie once asked Shuichi Akai this very question.

At the time, he replied casually,

"It depends on the conditions."

"What do you mean?"

"Within a hundred meters, police shooters are better. Because in terms of sniper accuracy, police snipers clearly have the edge."

"Is that so?"

"Exactly. After all, police snipers are mostly deployed to handle hostage situations, where the sniper must instantly incapacitate the target with perfect precision.

If you want to kill the target instantly with a single bullet without causing convulsions, there is only one place to aim."

"You mean the brainstem?"

"Correct. If you hit other areas, even if the bullet penetrates the heart, some people can still move for a few seconds before dying...

In such cases, not only hostages but even other officers risk losing their lives."

Jodie still vividly remembered Shuichi Akai's calm tone at that time.

Unnoticed, tears welled up, blurring her vision.

She pressed the accelerator silently, and the black Ford surged forward, speeding down the evening street.

"If only accuracy is considered, police snipers are probably better."

"But, since I haven't faced such people in reality, I don't really know."

"From an assassin's perspective, someone like me is specialized differently than military snipers."

One shot, and gone.

"That's a principle most assassins who use sniper rifles follow."

"Because, unlike police or military personnel, assassins usually don't have teammates covering them. They have to consider the risks of exposure and escape routes."

"That said, most assassins are merely reckless outlaws daring enough to kill but hardly experts."

Sunlight slanted through the floor-to-ceiling window as Hayashi Yoshiki listened to Seiran Hoshi's answer.

Indeed, most assassins fit her description — just violent outlaws willing to kill, with skill levels varying wildly between individuals. Just like Aolan Pusi herself.

From Hayashi Yoshiki's perspective, her sniper skills were absolutely top-tier. Although she couldn't match the late Shuichi Akai, she was on a completely different level from the likes of Chianti or Korn.

As an assassin, she had made a name for herself with her specialty of sniping with her right eye.

If she switched her target from the right eye to the entire head, her effective sniper range would increase by at least a hundred yards.

"I don't think that sniper called Hunter is better than me."

Looking at Hayashi Yoshiki standing by the window, a trace of urgency flickered in Seiran's eyes.

She didn't understand why he suddenly showed interest in other snipers. Could it be that her own skills didn't satisfy him?

...

During two stakeouts on a man codenamed Gin, Seiran not only failed to get results in her first probing sniper shot, but during the second, when fully prepared and with no reservations, Gin reacted quickly and found her position in time.

Ridiculous.

Seiran wasn't making excuses — that man's reaction speed was indeed terrifyingly fast.

Could Hayashi Yoshiki be dissatisfied with her performance for this reason?

But Seiran didn't believe her ability was inferior to that of military sniper Hunter.

And that man codenamed Gin... mainly because he had a superior bulletproof vest at that time.

If she switched guns and ammo, she might still have been able to kill him.

She blurted out these thoughts all at once.

But Hayashi Yoshiki just smiled.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I trust your abilities, Miss Seiran. Rest assured, it's precisely because I trust and value you that I want to try recruiting another sniper."

Outside, the sky was a deep orange.

Hayashi Yoshiki stood there, his remarkably composed face bathed in the evening sunlight, carrying a faint sacred aura.

He turned and gave Seiran a gentle smile:

"Sometimes, dangerous situations arise. I really don't want you to be put in harm's way."

"..."

"I understand you want to sacrifice yourself for me, and maybe you think it wouldn't matter if you did, but I don't feel that way."

"Because Miss Seiran is important to me."

Hayashi Yoshiki stepped toward her.

His hand caressed Seiran's face.

The gesture made her heart tighten suddenly, as if afraid to disturb him. Her breath unconsciously slowed.

Holding her face, Hayashi Yoshiki drew her gently into his arms:

"I'm looking forward to the day when, after I've taken care of everything, Miss Seiran will bear my child."

His voice was so close to her ear.

In that instant, Seiran felt as if she would melt away completely.

"...?"

Her body tensed inexplicably from this indescribable joy. She trembled slightly, even her toes inside her high heels clenched tightly with happiness.

"Exactly. Or do you think that's a bad thing, Miss Seiran?"

"Of course not!"

She rebutted almost immediately.

Hayashi Yoshiki smiled.

"So, do you understand my feelings now?"

"Yes."

Though Seiran still felt it was unnecessary, his words made her very happy.

He let go of her and walked to the bar counter to pour a glass of water.

The woman's gaze followed him.

"I'll need Miss Seiran to do me a favor tonight — to deal with someone in a certain location in Honjo, Sumida Ward."

"Alright."

Seiran agreed without hesitation.

After Hayashi Yoshiki handed her the target's information, she immediately began preparations.

"Oh, bring Reiko along this time."

"Understood."

Though Seiran didn't like spending time with that woman, Shimizu Reiko, she wouldn't refuse Hayashi Yoshiki's request.

After she quickly left, Hayashi Yoshiki returned to the floor-to-ceiling window, still holding his glass.

The sun was just about to set.

Though he wasn't sure if recruiting that sniper would succeed this time, it was just a quiet move — if it worked, great... if not, discard it.