Chapter 359: Penacony Arc 『 Part Fifty-four』, Masquerade Duet Part 5
「 The two arrived at the next crime scene, where another pair of Dreamjolt Troupe members awaited. Sparkle had once again altered the premise, but… this time, Black Swan was no longer inclined to indulge in their detective games.
"I presume Miss Sparkle is currently busy orchestrating the next scene, is she not? Why don't we bypass these tedious formalities and share a heart-to-heart instead? It might tickle a little."
With those words, Black Swan placed her hand upon the Dreamjolt Troupe member's head. Amidst their startled mechanical cries, she successfully pinpointed Sparkle's coordinates.
Suddenly, Sampo and Sparkle cried out in unison: "How could you cheat?!"
"Oh?"
Things were becoming interesting. Black Swan narrowed her eyes, casting a sidelong glance at Sampo. "What's the matter, Mr. Detective's Assistant? You seem rather anxious." 」
「 ..... 」
〜Detective Conan World〜
The bitter aroma of coffee permeated the professor's basement.
Haibara Ai was curled up languidly on the sofa, her fingertips tapping incessantly against her laptop as she collated intelligence from the celestial screen.
"That man named Sampo has finally shown his hand…"
Conan let out a long, weary sigh.
"My, my."
Haibara arched an eyebrow slightly.
"Impressive as always. To think you'd apply serious deduction to such a nonsensical case… How should I put it? It's like performing a handwriting analysis on a toddler's finger painting."
"This isn't like a normal case. I know the murders are staged, but this Masked Fool's motive is highly suspicious."
Conan watched as Sampo began his signature 'fly-rubbing' hand gesture on the screen.
"I initially thought he was Sparkle in disguise, but that simultaneous outburst just now—"
"Ruled out that possibility?"
"Yeah."
Conan nodded with conviction.
"They're definitely in cahoots. I'm sure that Memokeeper has realized it too."
Haibara took a delicate sip of her coffee.
"So… Sampo is actively playing along with Sparkle's farce? But why? Are the Fools really that united?"
"I doubt they're united when it comes to fighting. But when it comes to seeking 'Elation' or making a quick getaway, they seem to be perfectly in sync."
—
「 "Ah, no… I, well… Haha, this locked-room mystery is actually quite intriguing! I was looking forward to guessing…" Sampo scrambled to cover his tracks.
"Let us go—one mustn't keep a lady waiting."
Two Dreamjolt Troupe members attempted to intercept Black Swan, signaling that Lady Sparkle had one final announcement to make—
The scene shifted abruptly. Sparkle appeared in a flash, sporting a detective's deerstalker cap. Clutching a pair of toy glasses and a fake mustache, she looked every bit the investigator—which is to say, she looked utterly adorable.
She turned suddenly toward the audience behind the screen, announcing with glee:
"Ta-da! We've reached the most thrilling and romantic moment of any theatrical production: the Challenge the Audience segment!"
"As everyone knows, the terrifying Masked Fool Sparkle can assume the likeness of anyone. In this very play, the Great Villain Sparkle has already disguised herself as another character!"
"So, the question is—who exactly is that character?!"
"Furthermore, if any of you are interested in the locked-room mystery our dear Memokeeper snubbed, feel free to try your hand at solving it. Don't let the riddles Sparkle worked so hard on go to waste!" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Naruto World, Past Timeline〜
"As I thought. That girl… she can see us too."
Deep within the cavern, Uchiha Madara stood with his arms folded, frowning at Sparkle's declaration on the screen. She seemed to harbor no ill will toward them as 'spectators,' merely extending a playful invitation to join her little detective game.
Obito sat upon a jagged rock, the withered half of his face appearing particularly grotesque in the shadows. He stared at Sparkle's radiant smile on the screen, a flicker of irritation crossing his eyes.
"I'm becoming increasingly convinced this screen is linked to 'Elation.' It seems only the Fools can perceive us through it. As for the other Paths… even those as powerful as Emanators fail to notice our presence."
His voice was raspy and low, like sandpaper grinding against stone.
"Madara, in your era… did this screen ever appear?"
"There are no records of such a thing, even back in the Warring States period."
A cold sneer curled Madara's lips.
"Regardless, let them watch. As long as they do not interfere with our plans."
"Even if the Fools wanted to interfere, could they?"
Obito asked.
"So far, the abilities shown by Sparkle and Sampo aren't that special. Ninjutsu and Dojutsu could easily replicate them."
"Foolish."
Madara interrupted him coldly.
"If the Fools only possessed such meager tricks, do you think they could wander through various worlds as they please? What they have shown is by no means the extent of their power— For people like them, using excessive force might spoil the 'fun' of the performance… I suspect you won't see the true strength of a Masked Fool unless they are pushed to the absolute brink."
( Translator-kun: Well, a good example for that is αWolf, SW alternate-universe self. and Enroute. )
—
「 The two arrived at Clockie Plaza. The area was deserted, save for a solitary, quintessential Belobogian trashcan.
"Hey! Yo! Dearest Memokeeper and Uncle Cold Feet—you finally made it!" Sparkle initiated the conversation with a rhythmic rap.
"I can't believe you dared to skip the last riddle! That was my masterpiece! Fine, fine, Lady Sparkle is magnanimous. Here it is, the final question—"
"Listen closely! What creature walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?"
Black Swan smiled faintly. "No murder mystery this time?"
Sparkle's voice echoed from within the trashcan. "One needs a little levity now and then! Come on, darling, give me your answer~"
Recognizing the classic riddle, Black Swan gave her answer without hesitation: "A People, correct?"
The trashcan immediately rejected her boring response, declaring the final answer to be——Sparkle!
"When sleepy in the morning, she can't get out of bed. She runs around all afternoon in a fluster, so is exhausted by evening — but still has to raise a hand to hold a toothbrush. Poor Sparkle! So naturally she's got 'four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs at night'~"
Sampo had lost the will to criticize. He massaged his temples. "What kind of nonsense is this…"
But the trashcan wasn't finished with Black Swan. Citing her previous cheating, it launched a direct assault! Unfortunately, before it could even land two kicks, it was overwhelmed by the mysterious card-slinger's Arcana stacks and met a swift end.
Curious as to why the trashcan had suddenly gone silent, Sampo moved to fish Sparkle out. However, what awaited him… was the battered, lifeless corpse of Lady Sparkle!
"Ah… Aaaaaah! Sis, you… You actually killed Sparkle!" 」
「 ..... 」