A Kishin child?
That's right.
And we'll take care of Shiki Ichinose, the Kishin child.
But I want backup.
Why the hell should we help you score points?
Depending on the answer, your head and body might be going their separate ways.
Calm down, Osuke.
That short fuse of yours is a problem.
My bad!
More to the point, why would you need help?
Even if he's a Kishin kid, you can probably handle it, right?
You've got Mikado here.
Made Vice Captain at his age. That says a lot.
We know what you've achieved.
You're giving me too much credit.
I'm not good with conflict,
and I'm not motivated to fight someone I don't even know.
Honestly, I just learned we found a lead on the Kishin child.
I'm still reeling from that.
Quit acting like you're above it all.
There's nothing like a good kill to make you feel alive!
That's what makes life worth living!
Then let me gift you that joy of life.
I'm not asking you to do it for free.
I'll let you fight Mudano.
Lighting a beacon of hope at the journey's end
Walking on instinct, ignoring the noise
Searching for the real thing, though admittedly a little uncertain
I chase after your shadow
Win or lose, it was all-or-nothing
This game of moral justice, good and evil
Two sides of the same coin, entangled in rules
Flames wrapped in righteousness
"Only God knows our fate"
That's just a coward's way out
If you're going to bear a grudge, then be ready
If you've made up your mind, see it through
Yeah, shake it off, shake it off
Let all this absurdity shatter to pieces
Beyond the inner conflict, my thoughts are with you
As the days flow by
I hear the voices of my friends racing through my mind
In the sound of impermanence echoing all around
Living in chaos, mad and unrestrained
My heart's fate, drawn at random like an Amidakuji
In times of turmoil, whenever they come
Each wound I bear is proof of our bond
Wear them with pride
Oh oh oh ohh
This is what a life worth loving looks like
Yeah, shake it off, shake it off
Let all this absurdity shatter to pieces
Beyond the inner conflict, my thoughts are with you
As the days flow by
I hear the voices of my friends racing through my mind
In the sound of impermanence echoing all around
FOUND YOU
Hey.
Let's just go look for Kougasaki already!
You're right. We should have moved out by now.
We should request backup from the Battle Unit.
The Battle Unit's not going anywhere.
Good to see you, Captain Masumi.
MASUMI YODOGAWA CAPTAIN OF THE ONI AGENCY
He left a note, didn't he?
RECONNAISSANCE UNIT, NERIMA WARD
Whatever happens, it's on him.
That's insane!
Why won't the Battle Unit help?
Anyone who acts on their own can die on their own.
Hey! So we're just gonna abandon him?
You seem like the type who's a pain in the ass to everyone around you.
Been a while, Mudano.
Babysitting these little punks now, huh?
Guess people really do change.
Why won't the Battle Unit act?
Tch. Still not one for small talk, eh?
All right, I'll break it down.
We've already learned three things from our investigation.
One: a student was kidnapped.
Two: civilians were involved.
Three: this wasn't the work of Nerima's Momotaro.
You're telling us he got snatched by ordinary people?
It was a gang called the Kanto Nuts Union,
just your run-of-the-mill thug crew.
The way they kidnapped him was amateur...
but the way they've hidden him is probably thanks to a Momotaro.
But Nerima's Momotaro don't bring civilians into it, thugs or not.
That means some other Momotaro faction may be involved.
True.
If that's the case,
we can't afford to recklessly deploy this district's Battle Unit.
Huh? What?
None of this makes sense!
If the Battle Unit heads out to help,
our defense in Nerima will become weaker, right?
I guess.
And if the Nerima Momotaro attacks while we're stretched thin, we'll be overrun.
A ton of our people could die.
On top of that, the bastard behind this
has no problem dragging civilians into it.
Then couldn't we call in a Battle Unit from somewhere else?
And who's gonna protect the area that unit was supposed to be watching?
Unlike the Momotaro, we're always short on people.
That kind of move's just not an option.
But this time, we've got Mudano.
Naito Mudano, one of the elites from Tokyo's Battle Unit.
I still remember it like it was yesterday.
You made it rain the blood of a hundred Momotaro.
I'll never forget that day.
Dang. Teach was a total badass.
I'm all about stories like that.
Well, so much for a former elite.
Now you're playing schoolteacher.
You've already looked into the gang, right?
Already pinpointed their hangout.
Just gotta storm the place.
Oh, so you have been doing your job.
Sorry I snapped at you.
Yes, I've been doing my job, dumbass.
Battle Unit's tied down, but you're going in, Mudano.
Kaoru, you're going, too.
Understood.
Hold on a sec!
Let us go, too!
We didn't come here just to sit around!
What's the point if we're just benched?
Excuse me?
You can't even handle guard duty properly,
and now you're mouthing off?
Get lost, kid.
No.
Let them come.
Look at you, cracking jokes now?
This isn't a normal school.
It's more efficient to let them gain real-world experience.
Efficient? Like I care.
Um, excuse me.
I can contribute by moving out first! I'm good at scouting!
Trying to join Recon, huh?
Yes, sir!
I think it suits my ability best.
I'm not much of a fighter, so I figured this is all I've got to offer.
That's all?
You think you're cut out for this just 'cause you don't fight?
We don't do this half-assed, kid.
The Recon Unit is the first one in.
Sure, once the fighting starts, we fall back and support.
But we're the ones who close in first, sometimes even make contact.
Our job is obtaining intel, too.
One wrong move and, best case, you die right then and there.
Worst case? They try to squeeze everything out of you, then kill you.
But no matter what, we never, ever give up intel.
If it comes to that, we choose death.
So what do you say now?
Same goes for the Medical Unit, the Battle Unit, and every Oni soldier.
There's no such thing as a safe zone for us.
We're all putting our lives on the line in the Oni Agency.
You brats got the guts to handle that?
S-Sorry.
But I joined Rasetsu Academy because I wanted to be useful.
I've been ready to die for a long time now!
I mean, we wouldn't even be here
if we didn't already have that kind of resolve.
I just don't wanna die looking lame.
If I get to die with someone I love, I'm good.
Um, well, I'm scared of dying...
but I want to do whatever I can.
As for me...
I'm ready to die.
But I'd rather get stronger so I don't have to.
So please, let us go!
Even if you say no, I'm going anyway! Got it?
Training them is part of the job.
And we're always short on people, right?
Tch. Fine, whatever.
But don't expect any special treatment just 'cause you're kids.
- Right! - Hell yeah!
We'll split into two units.
Yusurube and Byobugaura, you're Recon.
Support Masumi and Kaoru.
The rest of you are Battle Unit.
Follow my lead.
Top priority is rescuing Kougasaki.
Avoid fighting if possible.
No disguises or anything?
We're heading into enemy territory. No need to blend in.
In a pinch, disguises just cause confusion.
I'll get your outfits ready. Get changed.
These are formal uniforms, normally reserved for ranked officers.
Get your heads in the game.
Yes, sir!
HE WHO READS THE FUTURE, RULES IT
Mudano? You mean that Mudano?
Who's Mudano again?
Back in the day,
he solo killed a hundred Momotaro. Total ace of their Battle Unit.
Word is he's stepped back from active duty.
Just like in Kyoto, Ichinose and Mudano always move together.
Facing them both at once is a tall order.
So I want you two to take care of Mudano.
We'll handle Ichinose.
You two take Mudano.
Our interests align.
This better not be B.S.
I don't lie when it counts.
You've got my word. You'll get your shot at Mudano, 100%
Fair enough. You did become a captain on the quality of your intel alone.
Well? We doing this or what?
They're in.
I trust fortune telling, because this world runs on luck.
HE WHO READS THE FUTURE, RULES IT
Some die young. Some live to a hundred.
It's all luck.
That's why I use fortune telling,
to get as close as possible to the future I want.
'Cause if I get hurt or sick, I can't fight. Simple, right?
These guys are pure battle junkies.
I may not look like it, but I'm into mortal combat.
We'll go along with your plan.
Appreciate it.
Want me to check your fortunes as a good-luck charm?
Pass. Birthday and blood type are critical intel to me.
I don't share that stuff lightly.
Pfft. And that's why you're shady as hell.
My birthday's October 21st, and I'm type O. What do you think?
Don't blurt stuff like that out. Jeez.
I'm hittin' the restroom.
Oh, Mikado, your fortune's not bad.
Says you'll meet someone you'll have a long relationship with.
Really?
Whoa! That's spot on!
WAKAKO MYORINPA'S YEARLY FORTUNE
Madam Myorinpa's techniques are too divine for this world!
However...
it also says the bond could fall apart with just one wrong move.
Wait, what?
Today's lucky activity is "spend time on stilts."
How is anyone supposed to pull that off?
Madam Myorinpa's lucky actions are famously difficult to pull off.
By the way, I've got stilts if you want to try.
Why do you have those?
Shinya, how long do I gotta keep watch?
Sorry. I'm tied up at the moment.
This kid's got a real attitude problem.
Then throw a damn bucket of water on him.
On it.
Take this, you little punk!
Soak him good.
Okay.
Leave the kid and get out of there. That place is probably hot now.
Wait, seriously?
Go hide out. I'll send you the location.
I'll meet you there later. We need to talk.
R-Right!
Things are moving along nicely.
Those punks are holed up in that cabaret club over there.
All right, let's just raid the place!
You idiot.
Try using your brain.
First, we assess the situation.
Glasses!
Yes, sir!
You've got scanning abilities, right? Do your thing.
We're in a blind spot here.
Go ahead and use your blood.
Understood!
Blood Eclipse Release!
Where Art Thou!
BLOOD ECLIPSE RELEASE WHERE ART THOU
Huh?
What is it?
It's hard for me to see for some reason.
I figured.
Your ability has a number of disadvantages to it.
For starters, you can't move.
Also...
when you've got a multilevel structure, people stack on top of each other,
and that throws off your ability to pinpoint anyone.
In Kyoto, I only had to wait for people to leave.
Guess that's why I didn't consider it a problem before.
Means you're still a work in progress.
So now what?
Dumbass.
That's why we're here.
I knew you guys wouldn't be much help yet, so at least learn something.
You all stay put.
Watch and learn what recon work really looks like.
Keep your eyes open.
Kaoru, check how many are inside and the building layout.
On it.
Um, how does it work?
Like this.
A bottle with my blood in it.
I give it a shake.
The sound of the blood echoing back tells me how many people are nearby
and what the building layout is like.
You've heard how bats and dolphins use sound to locate things, right?
This is like the ultra-pro version of that.
So it shows not just people, but the structure, too?
Yeah, it gives a simplified view.
And other people can use it, too.
Huh? I wanna try! Let me do it!
The downside is the data overload. It's rough on the brain.
Well? Can you see it?
A flood of info hits your brain at once.
You can get information sickness.
Whoa! He threw up!
I couldn't make out anything, and my brain's about to freaking explode.
In my experience, it tends to work best for people with high IQ.
You've got a low IQ!
Yusurube's got a similar ability. He should be fine.
He barfed, too!
A four-eyes with low IQ!
You can keep that one. It'll last about two hours.
I'll take it!
Give it... back.
Nope!
Kaoru, enough screwing around. What's the status?
Something's weird.
I'm only getting a reading from one Oni inside.
That's gotta be Kougasaki!
He's locked up in the very back room.
Could be a trap.
Or they bolted in a hurry.
Well, I'll know soon enough.
He's turning invisible!
Captain Masumi can turn invisible for ten minutes by licking his own blood.
That's awesome!
Quit freaking out over every little thing.
Ow!
He's totally gone.
Wait, his clothes go invisible, too?
That's what makes it so crazy.
Even the stuff he's wearing turns invisible with him.
I'm going in for a look.
You're all on standby.
The captain and vice captain have powers on a whole other level.
What can I even contribute?
Their abilities aren't just better versions of mine. They're way beyond.
You're allowed to feel down, but it won't get you anywhere.
Professor...
Honestly, I am feeling really down.
Those two are just too good.
It's like there's no place for someone like me.
Yeah, Masumi and Kaoru's abilities are impressive...
but when he first got his invisibility, it only lasted 30 seconds.
What?
He trained like hell, built up experience,
and improved it with his own effort.
Earn the right to feel discouraged after you've put in the work.
Your ability's not worthless.
But whether you waste it or grow it, that's up to you.
Locked? Yeah, it's locked.
Easy lock. No problem.
Shoeprints are still fresh.
Looks like they cleared out in a panic.
Sloppy work. Definitely amateurs.
Not a single trap.
Did they really just bail in a rush?
Then what's this feeling I can't shake?
That just leaves this door.
And, yeah, no traps here, either.
This one's gonna be a pain to open.
You one of Mudano's brats?
Who are you?
I'll explain later.
Is there any kind of trap in there?
No, none.
That's all I needed.
He's in here?
So how the hell do we open this thing?
Let me handle it.
I was ready to tear through some punks, and all I get is door duty?
This sucks!
Blood Eclipse Release!
Devilish Hysteria!
Awesome!
Door's open, people.
Kougasaki?
Dang.
They went full deluxe bondage set on you!
Shut it.
You sure made this a hassle.
Hey, wait!
Where are you going?
There's no time.
They've taken a kid hostage.
I have to go now, or it'll be too late.
Mudano.
I've heard the rumors, but this is my first time seeing you in action.
Shiki Ichinose.
Looks even more like a brat than in the photos.
Found every last one of you.
Action!
Harahara hara
Hey
Harahara hara
Oh oh oh
Harahara hara
Hey
Harahara hara
Oh oh oh
A moonlit night
Tonight is the ultimate voltage
Our meeting was so emotional
Oh oh oh
I always figured we'd face off like this one day
Oh, give me your words
Even if I believe, there's no going back
Oh, before I fall head over heels for you
Dive me out
Last dance
Let's dive deep into love
I want to try dancing with you
Is it already checkmate?
This charming little sparring match
Good or evil, none of it matters
Harahara hara
Hey
Harahara
Do you think
Hara
I'm so crazy?
Oh oh oh
Harahara hara
Hey
Harahara
Do you think I'm so crazy?
Hara oh oh oh
NEXT TIME NOT BAD