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A discreet investigation with 極秘

Kanji Explanation: Secrecy and hiddenness with 秘

Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of A discreet investigation with 極秘.
名探偵コナン » Volume 1 » Page 129

Detective Mouri’s favorite idol, Yoko, comes to his agency after receiving threatening calls and candid photos. Her manager hopes to keep the matter quiet to protect her image.

毛利(もうり):
「承知(しょうち)しました！極秘(ごくひ)に調査(ちょうさ)するとしましょう！！」
“Got it! Let's investigate this discreetly!!”
ヨーコ:
「あ、ありがとうございます！！」
“Thank you very much!!”

Key Points

  1. 極秘(ごくひ) = “strictly confidential”

    • In this scene, 極秘(ごくひ)に means Mouri will handle the investigation very discreetly and keep it out of public view.

    • The 極- part adds intensity, so this is stronger than just saying something is merely hidden or private.

  2. Adverb use: 極秘(ごくひ)に 調査(ちょうさ)する

    • Here 極秘(ごくひ) works adverbially with に, modifying 調査(ちょうさ)する.

    • The full idea is “to investigate in a highly confidential way”.

  3. 〜するとしましょう softens the declaration a little

    • Rather than a blunt 調査(ちょうさ)します, 調査(ちょうさ)するとしましょう has a slightly performative “all right, let’s proceed that way” feel.

  4. 承知(しょうち)しました is formal and businesslike

    • 承知(しょうち)しました is a polite “understood” often used when accepting a request or instruction.

    • That formality matches the client-facing situation, even though Mouri’s double exclamation marks show his excitement.

See Also