BLOOD IN THE DISCO BALL
It's been nearly two weeks
since the gray wolf Legoshi, has been on the run.
First question on my mind is. what are the police doing?
Well, clearly they're slacking.
I mean, come on, if they still can't find him, that tells me
he's gotta be hiding somewhere in the black market. Right?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. That does makes sense.
If I were a criminal, I'd hide myself
in a place that police wouldn't be able to search.
That might be one of the reasons
the police announced they'll pay ten million Yen
to anyone who can provide information leading to his arrest.
That's the highest reward in our history, isn't it?
Absolutely. But if he did commit more than 20 violent crimes...
He was at the restaurant six days a week.
Twenty crimes seems impossible.
Forget about the Zoolympics,
isn't more important to make sure our citizens are safe first and foremost?
Yeah, it's the Mayor.
Turns out that gray wolf is going to show up tomorrow
at the Black Market turf war.
Capture him, no matter what.
Right.
Up to you, dead or alive.
How could he?!
It was obvious he only ever cared about power and profit...
but I never expected my father to try and get there through bribery.
He's as twisted as the horns on his head! I can't stand it!
Louis, sir...
You gonna tell me to stay quiet too?
Not at all...
Hey, Chloe.
I found it. Exactly what you wanted.
-It's here, but... - Fantastic. That's great to hear.
How about I stop by and see you tomorrow? We'll chat about this then.
Unbelievable!
-Just like your father... - What?
- Did my father do something? - Tomorrow, then!
I'm sorry. That was uncalled for.
Forgive me, sir.
You should know this isn't what your father really wants.
Unfortunately, he's being threatened.
Wait, what are you saying?
Apparently, the mayor did some digging through your past with your father.
I hear he found something rather troubling.
The Black Market catalogue?
He swore to me he'd throw that away.
It's important you understand your father's actions.
I assure you, he wanted no part of this.
Well, thank you for that.
If this part of my past got out, it'd stain the foundation.
You're not understanding.
It's about you.
Your father is worried about you, Louis.
About me?
Yes.
He won't stand by and allow your future to be destroyed.
He actually cares?
Look at all that meat!
I know, dammit!
I can't take it anymore!
Calm down!
Here, why dontcha chew on Louis' antler?
It's on me. Didn't mean to keep you waiting.
I'm surprised you're able to show up on time
for anything riding that junk heap.
She's still got plenty of miles in her.
Tell me what it is we're doing here.
I can only assume since you went out of your way...
I take it it's about your grandson.
Well, you've still got it.
This letter right here is from Legoshi.
So uh...
"I hope things are going well.
I wanted to talk to you in person, but that's not possible at the moment.
I appreciate you continuing to take care of Haru.
But remember to take care of yourself, while you're at it.
Legoshi."
It was The Five Hundred Cornered Rats who delivered it.
Aren't those little critters your friends?
Maybe those rodents know something?
What do you think's behind this letter? Suicide note?
I'm definitely worried about him.
I hope he's not planning anything crazy.
If Legoshi makes a move he'll fall right into our net.
Huh? Ya wanna let me in on the plan here?
Well, he's a wanted criminal. We'll arrest him.
- I appreciate you providing information. - Hang on!
You know he didn't do a damn thing!
- Alright, Corne, its time. - Hey, what are you doin', Yahya?!
Looks like he's making a move.
He's aiming for the Black Market.
- Issue the orders. - You dirty slime bag!
I was an idiot thinking I could trust you!
You never change, do you, old friend?
What a shame.
The leopard in me grows and the gazelle retreats...
Oh Melon, you seem lost in thought.
Just the two of us,
in the strange fairy-tale world
mother made for us to escape from real life...
Living in make believe.
Melon, my darling...
I loved just hearing mom say my name.
In those moments I wasn't a carnivore or an herbivore...
I was just myself... just Melon.
Your timid little face... and that frail body of yours.
You remind me so much of your daddy.
I just adored everything about that gazelle.
She was my everything... her terrifying beauty...
The gazelle inside of me is disappearing.
Very impressive facilities.
Even a smoking room.
I suppose.
What happened between you and my father?
Let me guess.
Something about the artificial meat?
Oh, so you know about that?
There was some drama.
When I gave him the lab results, he said:
"This cannot be allowed to stand, I'll leak it to the media!"
He was really worked up about it.
What is she talking about?
- So, what exactly did you tell him? - Only the truth.
The lab results confirmed
the artificial meat wasn't fully lab-grown,
turns out some of it is from early stage embryos.
That's insane...
But the very next day,
he gave me strict orders to never speak of it again.
- Well that's suspicious. - Yeah.
Like someone threatened him into silence.
From what I could tell, he seemed to be suffering.
You should know this isn't what your father really wants.
Unfortunately, he's being threatened.
Anyway, regarding the blood coagulation inhibitor drug,
I've got a delivery update for you.
Yes?
Earliest I can get it in your hands would be two days.
Why the delay?
We can't just take anything we want.
There's an application process.
Two days isn't going to work. I need it tonight.
- Tonight? - My friend, uh...
he's fighting a duel.
And what does your friend fighting a duel have to do with blood clotting?
It has to do with his opponent.
He's the one behind all these serial devourings.
- What? - He's a very powerful hybrid.
By mixing herbivore and carnivore blood, we discovered his weakness.
And we need this edge.
When you mix the blood of different species,
it clots instantly, right?
I get it now. And I really would love to be able to help you--
I made a promise...
that I would fight too.
Why would you fight?
Because his pain is also my pain.
Every time he has to fight, he does it alone.
He never hesitates to put himself in danger.
Especially to protect someone he cares for.
No matter how lost he gets, in the end he always faces things head-on.
At the same time, I do the opposite.
I stand there doing nothing while those I care about get hurt.
You really want to help the guy, don't you?
It's the right thing to do.
Maybe we're cowards for trying to use this "blood trick".
Still, sometimes you can't win by fighting fair.
I think you're in the right.
"In the right..."
But am I though?
No.
Legoshi would never do things this way.
There's no way I can go through with this.
Hold on.
I can't be a coward. I've got to do this with honor.
That's final.
That's who I am.
It's so clear to me.
I have to fight my own enemy.
Isn't that right, Legoshi?
I appreciate you.
Excuse me.
I know what I have to do. We'll talk soon.
Hey, wait, uh...
Hang on!
Are you sure you're an herbivore?
Your blood's way too hot.
GIANT PANDA
You're a life saver.
You're the only one I could trust.
So thank you for doing this, Mr. Gohin.
Oh, come on.
Didn't you almost get killed twice?
I wonder if you'll ever learn...
Yeah, but, I came back to life both times.
Can't say I get it.
When people fight they normally reach for weapons and armor.
But you drain your own blood,
and pull out your own fangs.
You'd think you'd wanna be in your best shape.
Crazy.
In my experience,
I found my best weapons
haven't necessarily been the gifts I was born with as a carnivore.
It's not my traits as a wolf,
these claws and fangs.
It's everything I've experienced and felt.
That's what I lean on.
That enough to protect what you want to protect?
I'll prove it is.
The next time I see my reflection in Haru's eyes,
I wanna see a wolf I respect.
If it's for that,
then I can fight.
Come on.
You never change, do you?
Thank you for your help.
Try not to die.
You owe me money for the dental work.
It's now time to introduce each of the gangs!
With pride as high as their heels!
The big sisters of the Black Market, the Inari-Gumi!
Ten!
Now the flashy and extravagant samurai!
Loyalty and brotherhood... The Madara-Gumi!
Covered in scales as strong as their bonds!
Rugged and independent... the Doku-Gumi!
Next! Will these champions from last year be able to defend their throne?
The kings of the beasts... Shishi-Gumi!
And for the first time in 30 years, we have a newcomer!
The gray wolf, Legoshi!
Hey, isn't that wolf wanted for devouring?
With a ten-million bounty.
Let's grab him then!
The rules are simple!
We ignite each contestant's blood.
The brightness and shape of the flame, as well as the strength of the scent,
will decide the winner!
The winner earns the seat of Black Market leader for one full year.
On top of that,
they will receive this special prize of meat!
Wow...talk about delicious!
Is everything ready?
Alright then... Ignite!
Gotta be Inari-Gumi.
No, Madara-Gumi for sure.
It's Doku-Gumi!
Shishi-Gumi's scent is kind of weak this year.
Look at you lions breaking new ground by putting
an herbivore of all things on the throne,
but it seems you've gotten a little soft this year.
Ahh! I don't believe I've introduced myself.
How rude of me.
My name is Melon and I'm the new boss of the Shishi-Gumi.
Pleased to make your acquaintance.
So I guess you ended up with the short straw, huh?
Shishi-Gumi's time is over.
Really?
Watch yourself.
Underestimating us isn't the smartest move.
That would be a fatal mistake.
Consider yourself warned!
Ahh...
the truth is, Shishi-Gumi's scent is pathetically weak.
I must admit.
Guess I'll add to it.
Agata, no!
Agata!
You crazy bastard!
How could you?
Boss...
This will give us
the strongest scent, right?
- Shishi-Gumi! - Yeah.
What do you think you're doing?
That's against the rules!
The nonsense of these silly turf wars should be against the rules!
We love blood, and meat,
let's celebrate it!
You all want meat, right?
You want to eat the meat, sure!
So then why would you settle for just the smell!?
Come on, wake up already!
- That's right! - Today is Meat Appreciation Day!
You all love meat, don't you?
That's why you're here in the Black Market!
Damn straight! Yeah!
What kind of beast are you if you don't embrace your instincts?
Accept the thing you love,
Black Market!
Rule violation! Restrain him!
I think I get it...
Anything goes tonight.
I'll let loose a little bit. What do ya say?
This gets my blood pumping!
Legoshi,
this will be your final night.
Why not make it spectacular?
It's nice, but weren't there more dinosaurs last year?
The ones Cherryton School makes.
I heard that school's had a lot of trouble lately.
- Huh, like what? - I don't really know the details...
This is my first time at a land festival.
Surely Legoshi wouldn't show up at a place this crowded, right?
Maybe, but we made a promise,
that he and I would light a candle here together.
Well, he strikes me as a kid that keeps promises.
Hey, which direction is the wind blowing?
Hmm, it's blowing in from the ocean.
Mind if we move upwind?
So Legoshi can find me by my scent.
She can be pretty assertive, huh?
Land creatures have legs
that they use to walk on the ground.
The way someone walks reveals their heart.
And I definitely know how she feels...
She's in love.
And also, switch these two.
I'll get right on it, sir.
Everyone!
This year's Festival of the Meteor is finally here!
FESTIVAL OF THE METEOR TIME SCHEDULE
3. SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT (FOOD)
I guess they're about to announce the news about lab-grown meat.
Louis, it's up to you, buddy.
We're counting on you.
Just leave it to me.
Oh no, I think it's starting!
Hurry, aren't you done?
Lift it up a little higher.
A little higher!
Okay! We're good!
Put it down.
Huh?
Good work everybody.
Sanu!
Anything else we need to do?
- Has the tech crew checked lighting? - I'll flip the breaker!
- Makeup? - We're about to start.
Leave it to me. Are the tools over there?
Yes, over there!
Has anyone seen where Pina's at?
Isn't he hanging out with girls from the other schools?
Jeez!
You took forever to fix your ear fur. That's why we're late.
Of course I did! Gotta look good for the ladies!
Y'all hungry? I already made a menu!
How much are you gonna eat, bro?
I can't wait! I covered a band
at last year's school festival that's playing tonight!
Heck yeah! Jack are you ready to--
WANTED: - CHARGE: MURDER
This is crazy!
You're not getting away!
Oh, Grandpa...
Who do you think you're calling "Grandpa"?
Komodo dragon venom doesn't do it for ya, huh?
Fists and tail it is, then.
Little boy.
Beautiful...
I feel so safe... like being hugged by Grandpa.
Come on, kid, I hope this isn't you putting up a fight.
I'm outta here!
We can't fight in here!
We'll both be crushed!
Worry about yourself!
What's a fight without a little danger?
If you fight, expect to get hurt,
expect pain and--
The more wounded a creature gets,
the more beautiful that creature becomes!
Maybe our values are kind of...
kind of similar in a way?
You and me ain't done.
Our spirits are a lot stronger than this crumbling rock.
Take this.
Whoa.
Woah, it's wiggling around!
It's freshly severed, so it's still got some life.
This is a message from the Doku-Gumi.
- You're welcome, kid. - Huh?
This is a message?
"The beasts of the Black Market...
don't deserve such an easy heart."
Huh?