Winning is everything: Conan

There was no need to say what the final outcome of the trial would be.

The judge and jury deliberated for a while before directly announcing the verdict: due to a lack of evidence, the defendant was acquitted. The prosecution would instead charge him with the crime of desecrating a corpse.

As for the supposed truth that Keisuke Kumiko had stated—whether it was true or false, reasonable or not—it was ultimately irrelevant.

In court, there is no absolute truth, only evidence and whether a conviction can be secured.

"You bastard lawyer!"

As soon as the judge announced the conclusion of the trial and everyone started leaving, Kogoro Mouri rushed over and grabbed Kumiko by the collar.

"Kazushi—Kazushi killed someone! How can you defend a murderer? How can you let him go free?!"

Kogoro Mouri lost control and shouted at Kumiko.

"Mr. Mouri, this suit is very expensive. If you damage it, I'll send you the bill!"

Despite Mouri's fury, Kumiko showed no fear at all. He remained calm, even wearing a provocative smile.

"You... you..."

Seeing Kumiko's expression, Kogoro Mouri was so enraged that he tightened his grip and was just about to use his judo skills to put his opponent in a hell cradle.

But at that moment, a sharp voice interrupted them.

"Stop right now!"

Turning around, Mouri saw a woman, about the same age as Reiko Kujo, standing behind him, stopping him in his tracks.

The woman had a beautiful face and long brown hair tied in a bun at the back. She wore a light green lawyer's suit with a badge pinned to her chest, exuding an intellectual aura.

Eri Kisaki, known as the undefeated queen of Japan's legal profession and the nation's top lawyer.

She was also Kogoro Mouri's estranged wife.

"But, Eri, this guy—"

Hearing his wife's voice stopping him, Kogoro Mouri still seemed hesitant.

Eri Kisaki shot him a sharp glare. "Idiot! If you don't let go, he'll sue you for disturbing public order! There are surveillance cameras in the court, and so many witnesses—he'll make you pay for it!"

"Uh, oh..."

Kogoro Mouri flinched and quickly released his grip.

"Oh, what a pity. I was just one step away from calling in a claim for damages."

Keisuke Kumiko raised an eyebrow and shook his head, as if truly regretful.

That expression and tone nearly drove Kogoro Mouri to his breaking point. He gritted his teeth but had no way to retaliate.

"I assume this must be the famous lawyer, Eri Kisaki."

Kumiko straightened his clothes and looked at the intellectual woman in front of him with a smile.

"Yes, that's me," Eri Kisaki replied expressionlessly. "I heard that a new rising star has appeared in the legal field. I got a little curious, so I stopped by to take a look."

"Huh? So you're not here for Dad..."

Accompanying Kisaki Eri was Ran Mouri, who mumbled to herself.

"Who would come here just for a shameless womanizer like him?!"

Kisaki Eri spoke loudly, though her eyes flickered slightly.

"I just got interested all of a sudden..."

"I-I don't care about a woman like you either..."

"Hey, hey, hey! I'm very busy here. Can you two stop reenacting your old-school rom-com act?"

Before Mouri Kogoro could finish speaking, Kumiko cut in with a sharp tone.

Keisuke Kumiko sighed. "If you have nothing better to do, step aside. Don't block the way, okay?"

The two looked at each other, and Kisaki Eri coughed, putting on a serious expression.

"Attorney Kumiko, though I don't want to say this, the purpose of the law is to ensure that criminals receive the punishment they deserve within the framework of truth! You ignored the truth and defended the real murderer. This behavior violates the professional ethics of a lawyer!"

"Well said! Very eloquent!"

After hearing her words, Kumiko immediately raised a thumbs-up and clapped in an exaggerated manner.

"You truly live up to your reputation as Japan's number one lawyer. You really opened my eyes and enlightened me! I admire you greatly!"

"..."

Kumiko's tone made Kisaki Eri frown slightly.

Though it sounded like praise, it was actually dripping with sarcasm, devoid of any real "admiration."

To be honest, in all her years in the legal profession, Eri Kisaki most despised opponents like Kumiko. This kind of indirect insult was also the hardest to counter.

Sure enough, in the next moment, Keisuke Kumiko changed the subject.

"Excuse me, Lady Hime, but what do you call 'professional ethics' when you abandon a client who once trusted you the moment you learn the facts of the case, only to run into the arms of the prosecution?"

Kumiko smiled, wearing an expression of admiration.

"Ah, if that's the case, then from today on, I'll start learning from you how to properly stab people in the back! Let's uphold the professional ethics of us lawyers together!"

"..."

Eri Kisaki's face darkened, and her brows knitted tighter.

She realized that Kumiko was mocking the case she had handled just days ago.

In that trial, the real murderer had actually been her own client. She had only discovered this later. At that moment, she had teamed up with the prosecution, and both sides worked together, using Mouri's reasoning to trick the client into self-destructing in court.

(See the anime episode "Courtroom Confrontation 3: The Prosecutor as Witness.")

Eri Kisaki took a deep breath and said, "I don't understand what you're implying! But lawyers must insist on basing their work on facts and the law, strictly adhere to legal procedures, and respect social morality! That is the professional ethics of a lawyer!"

"That's right! At the very least, we cannot allow true criminals to go unpunished!"

Kogoro Mouri said firmly.

With a serious expression, he turned to look at Nakamichi Kazushi, who had been acquitted but had yet to leave the defendant's bench.

The two exchanged glances, and Nakamichi Kazushi lowered his head.

Several times, he had insisted to Mouri that he was not the culprit.

But Mouri had never believed him.

Though he had not killed anyone, his acquittal through this defense still made him feel a little ashamed.

"You are innocent, Mr. Nakamichi. Please hold your head high with dignity."

Keisuke Kumiko's voice came from the side.

He glanced disdainfully at the couple before him.

"Letting the true criminal go unpunished? What makes you so sure? Just because of your trivial and moralistic deductions?"

"What did you say?!"

Kogoro Mouri clenched his fists and was about to lunge forward again.

"Defending criminals and letting them escape—your actions are no different from those of the murderer!"

"No, no, no, please get one thing straight. No matter what the truth is, I have only been defending my client within the bounds of the law."

Kumiko stepped back, avoiding Mouri's fist.

Then, with a smirk, he leaned in and whispered in a voice only the couple could hear.

"No matter whether the criminal was guilty or not, in this case, aren't you the one who actually let the suspect escape? My dear great detective, Mr. Kogoro Mouri."

"..."

"..."

Kumiko's words were like a needle piercing their weakest point.

Kogoro Mouri was suddenly speechless.

Even Eri Kisaki fell silent.

---

(End of Chapter)