Volume 34

Volume 34
Information
Release date:	September 18, 2001
Chapters:
ISBN:	ISBN 4-09-126164-7
Publisher:	Shogakukan
English release date:	March 16, 2010
English ISBN:	ISBN 1-4215-2885-1
English Publisher:	Viz Media
Featured Detective & Keyhole
Akakabu Kenji Jugo Yokomizo
Aoyama's death & Conan side images
Chronology
Prev volume:	« Volume 33
Next volume:	Volume 35 »
List of chapters • List of cases

Volume 34 was released on September 18, 2001 in Japan.

Cast

Characters

Conan Edogawa Ran Mouri Kogoro Mouri Juzo Megure Wataru Takagi Sonoko Suzuki Jodie Starling Heiji Hattori Kazuha Toyama Kazunobu Chiba Hiroshi Agasa Ai Haibara Ayumi Yoshida Genta Kojima Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya Shuichi Akai Vermouth Gin (background) Vodka (background) Shiho Miyano (photo) Pisco (background) Shinichi Kudo Yukiko Kudo Hideo Akagi Naoki Uemura Tomoaki Araide (photo) Sango Yokomizo (background) Toichi Kuroba (background) Naomichi Mugikura (background) Mika Nanjo (background) Yasuo Mihei (background) Naoya Tarumi (background) Yoshiharu Tawara (background)

Gadgets

Gadgets
Voice-Changing Bowtie Stun-Gun Wristwatch

Escalator Message Case

File 340 - Time to Pick the Apple

Megure tells Jodie he has just phoned Chujo's detective agency to ask his employees if they'd ever been informed about who Chujo was suspecting to be embezzling Kisugi's company's money. They told Megure they had absolutely no idea, since Kisugi had insisted on the investigation to be kept strictly confidential. Furthermore, all data about Chujo's investigations are on his computer and nobody knows the password, and it's not OX△□ at all. Though, Megure sent people there to try and crack the password. Then, the four signs indeed refer to the killer's identity. Jodie and Sonoko say the murderer might be a quizz lover or champion, since Japanese people answer quizzes using "O" or "X" instead of "Yes" or "No". Megure once again keeps them away from the crime scene, saying they're now completely free to leave and go back home.

  Show spoilers »

Conan steps in saying Inspector Chiba is probably the murderer, since the "Chi" character ideogram in his name looks like an addition cross topped with a diagonal line going towards the left. And when Conan hides the line, it shows a cross, and when he hides the southmost and rightmost lines of the cross, it shows a triangle. Conan finds it strange, and Megure thinks about something having to do with "hiding a part". Conan says Takagi could also be the killer since the "Taka" ideogram character looks like a circle or square topped with a goal symbol, another circle or square, and finally a horizontal line with a perpendicular small line amidst. When Conan hides some parts of the ideogram, only a square or circle is shown. Sonoko says though she doesn't see any circles in the ideogram, and Conan answers many people in Japan write a circle instead of a square to save time when quickly writing a name with a square in it. He gives Agasa's name as an example : the "A" ideogram in "Agasa" usually contains a square, but Agasa always writes it as a circle. The professor would always tell Conan that, when people are in a hurry, they have no other choice but to make abbreviations. Megure instantly realises something while Sonoko tells Conan she swears Takagi and Chiba are innocent since she called them and they came after the murder...

Megure grabs the list and scans the names one after the other, and deduces the murderer is called Bunta Kuniyoshi. Conan smirks in satisfaction, and Sonoko and Jodie ask for an explanation, and Megure tells them that if they hide the upper halves of the "Bun" "Ta" and "Yoshi" characters, then it shows, from right to left, a triangle, cross and circle, the same order as on the envelope. Though, Sonoko finds quite far-fetched that a triangle was used for the "ta" character, but the inspector replies that, actuallyn when using prints it sure is far-fetched, but when writing it by hand, people tend to consider the small horizontal line at the bottom of the character as a full and long line they often confusingly fix to the two circumflex-like vertical lines just above, which gives a triangle most of the time. People usually do this, as Conan said, to make things quicker and easier. Sonoko still doesn't get it why Chujo would have only written the halves of his murderer's name's characters, and Megure replies actually he did write the name fully, but he did it while the killer was stealing the documents that were inside the envelope, then the only possible thing, in the dark, is that Chujo wrote the upper halves of the name on the document being stolen, instead of the envelope, and only the remaining parts were accordingly found on the top edge of the envelope. Since the killer ran away with the documents, then it's clear why the message seems so enigmatic. As for the square, Chujo actually wrote it inadvertently on the escalator's step, and left only a small mark on the left edge of the envelope, which is why it wasn't found at first. And the square is bigger than the other symbols because it is actually the full character for "Kuni", which wasn't split into halves then. In fact, Chujo was dying and he needed to be quick not to show his killer that he was writing a message, which accounts for why he only wrote the square, and not the character inside the square, hoping people would understand.

Sonoko acknowledges several people only write a square to refer to "Kuni", and Jodie praises "Jules Maigret's incredible investigating qualities". The police rush upstairs to the company in order to arrest Bunta Kuniyoshi. Jodie wonders where Ran has been, since it's quite late now. Sonoko thinks she's probably phoning Shinichi to ask him what "X" means, and then she and Jodie believe a love scene is probably occurring while at the phone. Ran turns up quite angry and blushing, asking what "I'll give you my precious X" means. She adds she is now aware of the meaning of X thanks to Takagi, and she tells Sonoko that whether Shinichi knows it as well or not isn't a problem, because he won't answer to such a question anyway. Sonoko says it's very unlikely he knows what it means, given he's a boy and he's got only a few elements. They all wonder where Conan has been now, as to him. Meanwhile, at the company's project development section, the police ask for Bunta Kuniyoshi to follow them for a few questions in a room nextdoors. He agrees, and Conan spots a paper shredder in the office and suddenly thinks about something. Megure tells Kuniyoshi about his findings, and the latter thinks it's rather too simplistic to make a murderer out of him. It's well possible the true killer used Chujo's own blood and finger to write that message to have Kuniyoshi accused of the crime, and then it wouldn't be a true dying message. He says if they want to hold him responsible, then they have to show him the documents that were stolen from Chujo, and prove he stole them indeed. He adds a killer and robber would have run away from the mall and burned the papers, instead of peacefully coming back to his office in the mall, to work. Conan shows up with Takagi and says they've found the papers in the shredder : Kuniyoshi tried to dispose of them doing so, but actually a shredder doesn't necessarily mixes up the shreds of paper, and actually the blood is still on it, and it's even easier to reassemble than a puzzle. They show the blood marks on the paper shreds, and say it perfectly matches the envelope's ones. If the police search carefully and take some time, they'll find all the remaining documents' shreds inside the shredder - provided he only used one - along with his fingerprints on it, and also on the gloves he discarded in the bathroom - once again provided he is indeed the one who shredded the papers.

Kuniyoshi admits he killed Chujo, saying he now gets it why his university comrades would always write his name using these four symbols. He said he started to divert money so as his family could live a little more comfortably, but afterwards it worked so well that he came to like it, and did more and more of it, and is now trapped into it, just like a mouse which ate too much and which can't go out anymore now. The police take Kuniyoshi away, and Conan joins Ran and co, asking them to tell him now what X means. Sonoko tells him to ask Ran about it : she's sending a message to Shinichi, and has eventually found the meaning. Conan asks her while she's over the moon, thinking about what and how she'll write to her friend. Ran blushes and feels overembarrassed as Conan startles her, and she answers she definitely can't tell him, it's impossible : this is the meaning, impossibility... Ran, Sonoko, and Conan eventually go back home and Jodie tells them to watch their step and mistrust stalkers. She then looks at them leaving, inwardly wondering if it's almost time to pick the apple... During the night, Conan can't get to sleep due to Kogoro's noisy snoring, and he has a look at Shinichi's phone which received Ran's text message, saying "Today we've been once again caught up in a murder case ! Really, I like wonder if we're not being jinxed or something, after all. The kind of case you love. I'll tell you more about it soon. Hurry up and return ! XXX". Reading this, Conan asks himself if Ran actually means he's an "impossible impossible impossible" boy ?

In a dark room only lit up by a computer's screen, next to a glass of alcohol, a smirking woman in babydoll is typing a mail to Gin, saying "Can you tell me please Gin, do you believe in heaven ? You must say coldly..."It's not like you to be so silly." Until we lift our glasses filled with rotten sherry, please find the answer. I can't wait... XXX". The woman then inwardly says X (Chu) means a kiss, it's feminine...expression of affection... Though, she thinks it could also be an evil stamp of hatred, and, saying so, she grabs a dart in an ashtray, kisses it, and slings it violently at a dartboard where three pictures are pinned at, and some others below, looking at it with a dark interest. The woman is revealed to be Vermouth/Chris Vineyard, who adds that X is where the fatal silver arrow shoots, it marks the target spot. The dart indeed hit the bulls-eye right at the center of the dartboard, right at the center of a huge X crossing out the picture of Shiho Miyano in her adult form and lab coat, right in the middle, and right into her head. Next to that picture, there are also two others featuring a happy and smiling Ran, nicknamed "Angel", and a clever-looking and hard-thinking Conan, nicknamed "Cool Guy".

People

Norihisa Kisugi
	50 years old Administrative manager of a Trading Company

Katsunori Chujo
	Victim (stabbed) 43 years old Detective

Flying Neighbor Case

File 341 - The Hint That Was Against...

Conan eventually tells Agasa about Mouri's cases' police files having been recently stolen and then sent back by post to the headquarters. The Organisation may be behind that theft, they may be aware that Shinichi is secretly helping Kogoro to solve cases, they could know he was shrunken by APTX, since Kogoro's fame all started when Shinichi went missing. Yet, who would believe a seven-year-old anesthetises Kogoro and speaks with a voice-changing bowtie ? Conan may well only be a boy genius, and it's not 100% sure the Organisation stole the documents. Though, someone is discreetly investigating Kogoro, and Conan has something very important to ask to Agasa, the latter saying he's nothing but a search-machine for Shinichi, and not even a confidant. Conan answers he just didn't want Ai to know it (Vol. 33), since this would scare her once again, she would once again refuse to go out, and Conan promised her he would protect her and take things in hand if they were to worsen (Vol. 29). He doesn't want her to be frightened for nothing, but says they must keep it silent to her for now, since Ai isn't as strong as she wants others to believe she is. Conan is however unaware that Ai is eavesdropping their conversation, and inwardly calls him a moron. Conan still wonders what's the point for that thief carefully sending the documents back to the police instead of just getting rid of them. Is it to trap them or have them understand he/she knows what they're doing ? Or is it maybe a stratagem to scare someone in particular, Shinichi most probably, though it's a rather odd way to scare someone. Conan realises in surprise that Heiji is just next to them, having been secretly called by Agasa in order to be Shinichi's confidant, since at the moment the latter is racking his mind with the Organisation matters. Agasa still wonders how they can catch such an elusive enemy, Heiji replying that if Conan came to tell him the truth and ask him something very important, this means either he's found out a paramount clue, or he just wants to retaliate now.

  Show spoilers »

Conan acknowledges he's right and tells them again about the Haido City Hotel Case (Vol. 24), during which they spotted Pisco, an Organisation member who was tasked to kill Shigehiko Nomiguchi, a corrupt politician. Shinichi had called Megure telling him to bring and question seven suspects in a private room, since they were all given a purple handkerchief at a certain moment. Given Conan had found a purple handkerchief on the crime scene, it may well have belonged to Pisco, who could be one of them. Yet, Pisco was completely unaware of it, then how come is it that he had a purple handkerchief on him when he was questioned ? The only answer is that he had an accomplice among the six other suspects, one who was questioned before him and told him afterwards about it, giving him his/her handkerchief. The six suspects are all very mediatised VIPs, but only one of them hasn't given some sign of life since then : Chris Vineyard, the famous American actress, daughter of world-famous actress Sharon Vineyard, and moreover a very beautiful and sly woman. Conan has investigated her so far, and she's the fishiest suspect, though he can't believe it for some reasons. Conan needs Agasa's help to browse a recent website created by Chris's fans to encourage her comeback on the stage, and he wants Agasa to pretend to be one of them, and to get as much information as possible on the actress. Conan can't do it since it would be strange that a schoolboy spends his time in Internet cafés searching for information on several websites. Conan says this information could be useful in good time. Heiji thinks that Conan is suspecting someone in particular in his entourage, which could be Chris Vineyard in disguise. Agasa thinks Conan is investigating Jodie Saintemilion, and tells Heiji - despite Conan's refusal - that Jodie is Ran's new English teacher, originating from America. But Conan doesn't want such a hot-blooded guy as Heiji to know it since he would spoil everything by investigating her overtly and awkwardly. Heiji indeed suggests they both go to her place to investigate discreetly. Conan believes Heiji is completely unaware of the BO's dangerousness. Ai is startled by the "Chris Vineyard"'s name.

The boys eventually come up to Jodie's flat's door, Heiji wondering how a mere English teacher can afford to live in such a huge and luxurious building, and Conan replying it's because she was born in a very wealthy family. Conan tells Heiji not to act recklessly, but Heiji seems to have no idea what to tell Jodie in order to account for their coming, and Conan can't believe it. They start having a row and Heiji inadvertently presses the door's ring. Conan has to tell Jodie on the intercom that he "came to pay her a liitle visit", and she's very happy about it, and asks him to wait a little moment. Meanwhile, they meet Jodie's neighbour Takai's friends who are leaving his place, all drunk. They seem to blame Takai for being so rude and nasty when he's drunk. After a very long wait, Conan and Heiji are eventually welcomed by Jodie, only dressed in a sexy robe, apologising for the wait, since she was having a bath when they rang. Conan explains he has brought a friend to introduce him to her, and she asks them to wait in the lounge while she gets herself ready. The boys say they need to go to the bathroom, and actually start checking out something in the bath and floor sink. Jodie overhears what they are doing behind the door, and smirks in satisfaction. Afterwards, she decides to take them to a restaurant since she has nothing at home to prepare a meal for them with. Heiji gets infuriated at her beacuse she tells him he looks like a foreigner who doesn't speak very good Japanese, but Conan tries to cool down the situation saying Kansai people are often very tanned and speak a very thick Japanese, such as Southern-American English for instance. Jodie is then told Heiji is also one of Mouri's friends. In front of Jodie's building, they notice Chika Shimoda, Takai's girlfriend who had left the latter's flat and locked it with two other men, is taking snaps of the building, towards the top. Heiji comments on it being rather odd, and suddenly, a phone falls down from upwards, followed by Takai's body, which crashes on the ground.

People

Chika Shimoda
	30 years old Office worker

Michiya Nakamachi
	28 years old Office worker

Noboru Kawakami
	33 years old Office worker

Takai
	Victim (fell)

Soccer Supporter Case

Characters introduced

Ryusuke Higo
	Soccer player for Big Osaka

People

Kadotake Akano
	Victim (stabbed) 48 years old Noir Tokyo fan and self-styled hooligan

Hasue Kira
	24 years old Noir Tokyo fan

Mitsuaki Funato
	33 years old Tokyo Spirits fan

Etsutoshi Oba
	29 years old Noir Tokyo fan

Chinatown Murder Case

Characters introduced

Jugo Yokomizo
	Police Inspector Twin brother of Sango Yokomizo

People

Kaizo Isogami
	52 years old Movie director

Motohiro Ito
	38 years old Assistant director

Keigo Kitaura
	29 years old Writer

Shiro Kawabata
	Victim (poison) 46 years old Producer

Rika
	Deceased (bike accident) Private detective

Golden Apple Case

Characters introduced

Toichi Kuroba
	Kaito Kuroba's father World famous magician The first Kaitou Kid

File 350 - Golden Apple 1

Ran has a bad fever and dreams about the case in New York.

People

Radish Redwood
	Captain from New York Police Department

Lilas Sanchez
	32 years old Stage actress

Akane Nielsen
	27 years old Stage actress

Rose Hewitt
	28 years old Stage actress

Iberis Hamilton
	30 years old Stage actress Heath's wife

Heath Flockheart
	Victim (gunshot) 33 years old Stage actor

Slasher
	Serial killer

Cover in other countries

China

Finland

France

Germany

Hong Kong

Indonesia

Italy

Korea

Malaysia (Chinese)

Malaysia (Malay)

Rep. of China (Taiwan)

Singapore (English)

Sweden

Thailand

United States

Vietnam

See also

• Manga
• Volume 31-40
• Detective Conan