Hmm, why would Shinichi need to lie about Conan to the kids? There's no more Black Org to fear and no one's about to duplicate the APTX, so it's not like a slip of the tongue of the kids would hurt anyone (although they tend to be decent at keeping secrets). It would be too sad for the kids for Conan to just disappear forever when there isn't really need for them to say such a permanent goodbye.

How about a challenge to write a Gin-redemption fic? XD

Anyway, this chapter was a lovely wind down to the intense action of the past few chapters. I'm glad everyone made it.

Also, I loved Akako's line: " I can move forward... and my pain can't. Someday... I will pass it."

Finally, it ends. I'm glad Eta was able to protect her 'children' and to move on with Ushi at last. I don't get why they were all running out of the room when Ran was about to destroy Pandora though - there wasn't any reason for them to assume that there'd be fireworks or anything.

""Kuroba's bringing the cops, they'll be here soon!" Akako screamed, following Hakuba into the room, distracting Gin from the dark shape. He changed his aim to her, then froze for a moment, his cold green eyes widening.

That moment was all Akai needed to blow his fucking head off."

I see you've been saving up for this moment for a while, huh? Heheh.

I've never cared much for both Hakuba and Akako myself, but you've done them great service with this story. Even though Akako has more to do for this story, I think this chapter provides a beautiful resolution for her story, in a way.

Oooh, the Scar-Akai-as-Akai theory. Mixed in with a twist of the Okiya-as-Bourbon-as-Akai theory. Interesting (although I'm still partial to the Scar-Akai-as-Bourbon and Okiya-as-Akai theory, since Conan and Okiya are all buddy-buddy - although not quite enough to share the Conan-as-Shinichi titbit).

Just one word: YAY!

Noooooo! I don't get it... Why dump Okiya's body there? He was just a regular grad student - unless the dumper wanted to leave a warning. I suppose that raises a point of prior assumptions: are you going by the Okiya-is-Akai theory or the Okiya-is-Bourbon theory (I guess there could possibly be an Okiya-is-Akai-is-Bourbon theory as well)? I'm a strong believer of the Okiya-is-Akai theory, but as long as Akai is alive, I'll go with the flow D.

Good going. The sniper's got a good head on him (obviously), letting him make moves ahead of the MIB. Now, is he going to get exposed/reveal himself first, or is Shinichi going to regain his memories first and remember that they have a hidden ally tucked away?

Although I must say, it led to a pretty damn awesome shootout. Shinichi, MIB, FBI, cops and ... Okiya? Oh yes. That was satisfying.

I realise that you need to move the plot forward, but surely having Shinichi run around as Kudo Shinichi with no precautions at all wouldn't make much sense? Gin's smart; he could have done a little deduction, a bit of legwork, and somehow or the other managed to figure out Shinichi's presence at the Agase home during this visit to the Kudo manor?

Kudo Shinichi appearing in public and going on a date to Tropical Land and other casual places when things are getting heated up and people are dropping like flies? Urgh ... I hope Yukiko at least slaps a good disguise on him.

""How on earth did you get them to talk?" Nakamori said in surprise. Jodie shrugged.

"I just told them that if they didn't want to talk to the Japanese cops," she explained, "then I'd put them in FBI custody and then we'd interrogate them like we do in the States."

Everyone was quiet for a moment, thinking of what came naturally at that suggestion, before Shinichi finally said tentatively, "so... how do you interrogate people in the States?"

Jodie shrugged. "In English.""

That. Is just too awesome. I laughed out loud.

I forgot to mention back in chapter 66, but ... when Shinichi cautioned Yuusaku about drawing conclusions about Vermouth dying without seeing a body - is he making a reference to Akai? And the sniper in this chapter? Okiya's been gone for a long time, even though Yuusaku mentioned him once - I hope he's back!

Good going, Hakuba. Props on that move. I think this is my favourite Aoko-learns-that-Kaito-is-KID scene I've seen so far. It's very hard to imagine a scenario where Aoko is accepting, after all, but Hakuba's psychological play made it feel very natural indeed. The "anata" thing felt weird though - too sudden a change, it seemed.

Ooooh, I can't believe Gin actually did it. Nor can I believe Vermouth's actually dead. Depends on what kind of immortality Pandora bestows, I guess - whether it is merely the non-aging type, or the cannot-die type.