Files 1113–1115 wrapped up the Shinkansen arc, answering huge questions about Hattori’s rival Kazuha’s socialite friend Momiji Ooka, her grandfather’s true identity, and why Iori Muga resigned from the Public Security Bureau.

The last few panels also dropped a cliff-hanger that is clearly meant to set up the next big storyline.

File 1116 launches a brand-new case, and fans are eager to see which of those dangling threads will pay off first.

Because the manga is going on a short hiatus, now is the perfect moment to break down the clues and predict what’s coming next.

Below is everything we know—and everything we’re guessing—about Weekly Shōnen Sunday issue 39 (23 Aug 2023), Detective Conan File 1116, “Shelter from The Mountain Rain.”

Detective Conan 1116 “Shelter from The Mountain Rain” – Spoiler

The chapter opens on Mount Washio, where Heiji, Kazuha, Conan, Ran and Kogorō are hiking.

Momiji stays behind to compete in a karuta tournament.

Ran has chosen this route because, at sunset, the peak offers a spectacular view of the sun sinking behind Mt. Fuji.

File 1116 Spoiler ① – A Sudden Downpour

Half-way up the trail a violent storm rolls in.

The group sprints to the nearest structure—a small mountain temple—where they are welcomed by the head monk, Reverend Tesshin, and two junior monks, Kentetsu and Tontetsu.

With the rain showing no sign of letting up, the travelers accept the monks’ offer to spend the night.

File 1116 Spoiler ② – Ran Encourages Kazuha

Inside, Kazuha confides that she’s ready to give up on ever dating Heiji.

Ran won’t hear of it.

She reveals that she and Shinichi are officially a couple and urges Kazuha to confess her feelings when the rain stops and the sunset appears.

File 1116 Spoiler ③ – A Missing Monk and a Lost Charm

While their soaked clothes dry, Heiji notices that the omamori he always carries has vanished.

At the same time Conan spots four toothbrush cups in the washroom—even though the monks mentioned only three residents.

Reluctantly they admit that a fourth monk, Kantetsu, disappeared five days earlier.

Who is the Missing Monk?

According to Tesshin, he caught Kantetsu smoking in secret and locked him in the “penance room.”

When they checked later, the room was empty. One disciple claims he saw a ball of fire—the legendary Guren Dokuro (the Crimson Skull)—floating up toward the attic that same night.

Tesshin dismisses it as superstition.

File 1116 Spoiler ④ – Discovery in the Penance Room

Hours later, Kogorō heads to the restroom.

An iron prayer ball suddenly crashes down the corridor from the penance room, and Kogorō screams. Conan, Heiji, Ran and Kazuha rush over just in time to see ghost-like fireballs drifting toward the locked door.

Inside they find the long-missing Kantetsu—dead.

File 1117 continues…

Detective Conan 1116 “Shelter in the Mountain Rain” – Review & Theories

A brand-new arc has begun.

This time the spotlight is on whether Heiji and Kazuha will finally get a little closer.

Because a sudden downpour forces everyone to stay at the mountain temple, the conditions for a romantic confession could go either way.

Below are the key points and speculative takeaways.

File 1116 Review & Theories ① – Will Heiji and Kazuha Finally Become a Couple?

Thanks to Ran’s matchmaking, the love flag is once again flying.

Kazuha had convinced herself that Heiji no longer liked her, but Ran quickly clears up that misunderstanding.

The summit of Mount Washio is famous for its fiery sunset—an ideal confession spot.

Expectations are high that Heiji will seize the moment if they can reach the peak once the rain lets up.

File 1116 Review & Theories ② — What Is Really Hidden Inside the Temple?

At first the monks mention that visitors only come to admire the ancient Buddha statue, yet we still haven’t seen the statue itself.

That omission feels like deliberate foreshadowing.

Add in the iron prayer ball Kogorō finds and the mysterious “penance room,” and it’s clear the temple is harboring more than just friendly monks.

Keep an eye on these elements; they’re almost certainly Chekhov’s guns for the murder trick.

File 1116 Review & Theories ③ — No Movement Yet on Amuro & the Elderly Man Sub-Plot

File 1115 ended with a cryptic scene linking Tōru Amuro to a menacing old man, suggesting a major storyline brewing in the background.

File 1116 mentions none of it.

That indicates Gosho Aoyama is saving the reveal—likely for File 1118 or the chapter finale of this mini-arc.

Stay tuned; this dangling thread is too important to stay unresolved for long.