Arsene Lupin operates as a professional thief motivated by complex personal codes, not mere criminality. His intricate heists include stealing the Cherry Sapphire under coercion from the mysterious employer Alan Smithee, who ensures compliance by holding Fujiko Mine hostage with an explosive collar. This situation forces Lupin to compromise his autonomy to protect an associate. He demonstrates significant adaptability, employing disguises like impersonating police officer Wataru Takagi to infiltrate secure locations. His technical ingenuity utilizes specialized equipment such as dowsing rods to locate rare minerals and repurposes the Cherry Sapphire's unique properties to deflect missile attacks during aerial confrontations. Loyalty and obligation form part of his moral framework. Returning to Vespania in an earlier television special, he fulfills a promise to the late Queen Sakura, aiding Conan Edogawa in exposing political corruption and safeguarding Princess Mira. This establishes a pattern of honoring commitments even against self-interest. Collaboration with adversaries forms another strategic aspect of his methodology. He works alongside Conan to dismantle Alan Smithee's operations, combining deductive skills and tactical improvisation during an airborne confrontation aboard a sabotaged aircraft. These alliances remain situational, dissolving once immediate threats pass, evidenced by his immediate return to independent thievery in the post-credits temple heist. Resourcefulness defines his approach, orchestrating unconventional escapes via repurposed submarines and coordinating with associates like Fujiko Mine and Ai Haibara for extraction. His identity remains centered on pursuing high-value targets, unaffected by temporary alliances or external pressures.