Hey, get 'em out of here!
Isn't this guy possessed?
What if he jumps us?!
Listen to you!
You call yourself a detective?
Quit stressing and get a move on!
Where am I?
I know I met some weird cat...
Then some creepy ogre tried to kill me...
Hm? An ogre?
Jiro.
Rago?
What's with you?
You're like hovering in the air, like some smokey spirit.
Huh? Look who's talkin'.
I'm not the one with a giant hole in my chest.
Huh?
Agh...
My head's killing me.
Damn...
That was some nightmare.
Or maybe, somehow, it wasn't just a dream...
Finally decided to wake up.
You were snoozing for practically a day and a half.
Who the hell are you?
And what is this place?
Hello, Chief?
He's opened his eyes.
Seems lucid enough.
Hey!
What? Cookies?
Get whatever you want. Just get your ass back here!
Who is this chick?
She's got one helluva bedside manner.
That's one way to put it.
All right, I'll get both...
The mushrooms and the little bamboo thingies.
Hello? You listening, Ichika?
Hey!
Rago!
Geez Louise...
Hanging up on your superior...
That really hurts.
Here I thought you left me, and all you have to say is,
"I was sleeping?!"
You jerk! Go lie on someone else!
Aaagh! You never shut up!
I didn't wake up just for you to squawk all over again, little shit!
Hey, we're in a hospital! Try and keep it down!
You keep it down!
You ready to tell me who you are?
FUKUKOSHI HOSPITAL
Let's just calm down.
First things first, I'm glad you're okay.
Lucky you're a tough one, Mr. Jiro Azuma.
And...
How are we feeling, Rago?
Come back and ask me questions...
After you've learned some manners, punk!
He's definitely wary of me,
but he doesn't seem to mean any real harm.
It's not as bad as I thought.
My apologies.
Introductions should always come first.
I'm Ryosuke Shiba.
And this is my subordinate, Ichika Kishimojin.
We're from—
The Bureau of Espionage, wasn't it?
I hope you keep your promises.
You owe me an explanation.
His memory seems sharp as ever.
Don't look at me like that!
Where to begin...
Are you familiar with the Oniwaban?
Huh?
Yeah, I've heard of 'em...
Those undercover agents who worked for the Edo shogunate.
Yep, that's them!
Who knew you knew...
Color me impressed!
So you think I'm an idiot?!
With the Meiji Restoration, the Oniwaban's allegiance shifted
from the shogunate to the new government.
They were an elite group of undercover government agents,
an organization that still exists today as the Bureau of Espionage.
Undercover intelligence and counterintelligence,
at home and abroad, are our bread and butter.
That, and finding and destroying mononoke.
That said, mononoke rarely cause any major incidents.
Recently,
we've dealt mostly with those of the human kind.
In other words,
guarding VIPs and investigating dangerous organizations.
But you get the idea.
Since my department specializes in mononoke,
we've had it pretty easy.
At least, until recently.
Just the other day,
a facility of ours was attacked by a band of mononoke.
To be frank,
what we'd sealed up in that facility...
was the very same Rago now living inside you.
So that's what he meant...
That long slumber.
All right, I think it's my turn to ask some questions.
How exactly did you end up like that?
Um... Well, how?
Just how dumb are you?
First you stick your nose
into something you know nothing about,
then you decide to save a mononoke!
What is wrong with you?!
Shut up!
You weren't even there, you've got nothing to say!
Never is easy...
Now what do I put in the report?
That's the least of our worries!
Well, details aside,
the truth of the matter is this young man has fused with Rago.
It may've already crossed your mind,
but I'll just say it.
Unless we do something,
the two of you will remain fused forever.
Forever...
Be that as it may, we have no idea how to undo it.
Wh—
But we do know how to search for a way.
And since we're in the dark
as to what those other mononoke've got in the works,
we're taking you in for protection.
You can't just do that!
I'm sorry, but you've no choice.
The police have already filled the missing-person report.
We've made all the arrangements.
Huh?
Look, we're not those heroes you see on tv.
We have no obligation to preserve your personal rights...
Besides,
you're not a little kid.
You will take responsibility.
First thing tomorrow,
you'll be transported to a different facility.
This hospital's under our jurisdiction.
We've got guards stationed outside these doors to keep you safe.
Oh!
Towels and some clothes are in the closet.
Knock yourself out.
See ya tomorrow.
Wait... Hey!
What?
I said what?!
BAMBOO SHOOT KINGDOM
What's with her? Shit...
Guards, my ass.
More like prison wardens.
This's practically solitary confinement.
And I'm a "missing person" now?
This's bullshit.
What if I'm stuck like this forever?
I told you, didya forget?
But you had to get involved with me.
What, Rago? You gonna lecture me too?
No, I'm trying to tell you.
No use crying over spilled milk now.
That jerk promised this's all for your protection,
but think about it.
He and his crew were the bastards who sealed me away.
You really think they're gonna treat you with kid gloves...?
Especially now that you've fused with a mononoke like me?
And then you've got those mononoke who came for me.
They still woke me up,
knowing full well they'd have to answer to the Bureau.
They're not gonna throw their hands up and turn tail.
No matter how you look at it, you're on your own, kid.
Everyone's either pissed or wanting to use you.
Or—
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
-I can't believe this! -H-Hey, you okay?
Everyone thinks they've got it all figured out!
Well, that's it, I'm done!
I'm gonna do what I want!
We're bustin' outta here, Rago!
Huh?! We're leaving? Where?
Oh, I'm not running...
Huh?
I'm gonna be kicking some asses.
After that, whatever happens, happens!
I don't know what you're dreaming up,
but don't expect me to save the day.
I know.
I'll figure it out on my own, somehow.
Hey, stay alert. We're on a mission!
Sorry, I guess I just...
W-What the hell—?
What's wrong?!
Always a pleasure, gentlemen!
Shit, these crows've gone nuts!
Now you've really lost it.
Luckily, my friends don't take much convincing!
He's getting away!
Settle down!
We gotta phone the higher-ups first!
You really saved me back there!
Much appreciated, guys!
Anytime!
Was more fun than we've had in ages.
Here're those snacks I promised.
You're the best!
So... what's the plan now?
They're gonna be onto us fast.
I'm not too worried about it.
But...
I do have something I've gotta do right now.
I was wondering where you were going.
You had to go home?
Well, yeah.
AZUMA
If that missing person report ever
reached you-know-who before I did...
You're a decent kid, I'll give ya that.
But what're you gonna say?
You could try tellin' the truth, but who'd believe you?
What're you talking about?
He's my gramps!
'Course he'll believe me!
I'll need to play it cool, though.
Don't come out till I give you the okay, got it?
'Kay, here goes nothing.
Stop right there, trespasser!
G-Gramps!
Where'd you come from...?
You leave without telling me,
and that's all you say?
Well, you see...
Some things came up, some complicated things...
So I wanted to come back and explain, so...
Hey, where're you going?
Come with me. And not a word.
Yes, sir.
Geez, how much farther do we have to go?
Sorry, I really am. But I don't have much time,
and I've got a lot to explain before I have to go.
So, why'd you take me here?
Isn't it obvious?
Out here, no one can interfere.
Huh?
Oww! What was that—
You've got shit for brains!
Do you have any idea what you've done?
What...
I'm sorry for leaving,
but you didn't hafta—
This is about more than your sneaky behavior!
Shiba told me everything!
About how you're possessed by a mononoke.
How the Bureau of Espionage is after you.
W-What're ya talking about?
Gramps, how do you know—
Dumb as a box of rocks...
I know because I'm a former member of the Bureau of Espionage.
You gotta be kidding...
It all makes sense.
I thought it was strange...
An old man so ready to kill.
Rago!
So you are Rago...
How dare you, and to my own flesh and blood...
I would've never believed it,
had I not witnessed it with my own eyes.
But now, I know what I must do.
There is no way out.
I must take responsibility for my grandson's grave misstep!
I will not allow the Bureau or mononoke to exploit you.
Jiro...
I shall destroy you and Rago both.
And when I'm done, I'll end my own life!
Oh, things've gotten interesting!
What're you saying, Gramps?
I've said...
enough!
-Wow, this guy's amazing! -Damn!
Whoa, your old man's ruthless.
You're tellin' me!
That's my gramps for ya.
Still, I don't think I've ever seen him this pissed.
-Where'd—? -Too slow!
Our Azuma family has perfected its warrior ways over generations.
It is an art, deadly to man and mononoke alike.
Hey, kid!
I only had a chance to teach you the basics.
And as a means of self-defense, it was sufficient.
-Watch out, hey! -But now, everything...
I am the one to destroy it all.
At this rate, I'll have to—
Such a waste.
At least you shall suffer no more...
It shall be swift!
R-Rago!
What're you thinking, kid?
You wanna die?
Your gramps is seriously trying to kill you!
I'll help you out, so you—
Out of my way.
I told you not to come out till I told you so.
Stay out of this, got it?
That so?
Fine, do whatever the hell you want!
Freakin' idiot!
Toshimasa, Toshimasa!
Huh?
What is it, Nachi?
I don't think this is any time to be relaxing with the paper!
It's Jiro...
I-I'm fine, I'm fine.
Nice and steady...
I just gotta go back the way I—
Um-Ummm...
N-Nice catch?
You bungling idiot!
You know never to climb a tree you can't get down!
You'll end up killing yourself, you know that?
But...
He couldn't get down...
He was crying!
That's why I...
Look, Jiro, helping others is honorable indeed.
But you must also have the strength and resolve to do so.
It's reckless without the proper fortitude.
And it's irresponsible without adequate resolve.
For now, you've got a way to go in both.
You're half a man yet.
While you're still half a man,
you must ask the people around you for help.
But what if there's no one around me to help?
Quibbling brat...
Then I suppose you've no choice...
You give up!
No way!
Hmm...
You're a stubborn one.
So...
Grow strong, Jiro.
In both mind and body.
If you can do that, there won't be any tree you can't climb.
Until then, don't overdo it.
Got it?
Yep!
Okay, Gramps!
Let's start today's training!
Humph...
Well, look who's full of energy today.
Listen, and listen well, Jiro.
This is no training session, some trivial squabble.
This is a life-or-death struggle to achieve our ends.
A path of blood and death.
That is the way of the world you've now entered.
You will slaughter your fellow man, mononoke,
and in the process, your former self.
The blood of all those you've slain,
shall mark your body and soul.
It's a world of shadow, a realm starved of light...
That is the world in which I lived.
I fought to protect you, grandson...
So you would never have to set foot in that hell.
I'm sorry.
I wasn't thinking, I was being stupid.
But I've got no regrets!
I meddled where I shouldn't have.
That's why...
I'm gonna figure out how to clean up my own mess!
This's my resolve!
You...
Ignorant fool!
Jiro!
Sorry, Rago.
Just hang on...
A little longer.
Stupid child.
What were you thinking?
My thoughts exactly!
What were you thinking, Jiro?
Was this just a show of your strength and resolve?
Watch yourself, I still see half a man before me.
Still not enough for ya, eh?
You know, Gramps...
For better or worse, I'm not alone anymore.
It's like you said.
While I'm still half a man,
I've gotta get help from the people around me.
So...
I'm gonna get a little help from this guy!
Can't argue with that...
Right?
Huh?
Don't "huh" me! You know what I'm talking about!
You know, the combo thing!
How'd I know that, you idiot?!
While you're still half a man,
you must ask the people around you for help.
I see.
For Jiro, the label of human, animal, even mononoke,
is inconsequential...
He treats them all the same.
Well, I'll be...
Still the same stubborn, quibbling kid.
Huh?
No matter how many times I tell you or how badly you get hurt,
I don't suppose you'll ever change.
All right, you win.
I surrender.
It appears the one who lacks resolve...
Is me.
Do what you wish.
You're still a fool...
All right.
Ouch, ouch...
It stings, but nothing like a good hot soak.
Quit talking like a geezer, punk.
Ah, shut your trap.
Just stay out of the tub while I'm in it, dirty cat.
Oh yeah.
Sorry 'bout before.
I dragged you along, thinking only of myself.
Doesn't bother me. You did that to yourself.
But everyone has their limits.
You just better not rush off, knocking on death's door alone.
I mean, don't go and die again.
Or else I would've saved ya for nothing.
So, well.... I guess...
If push comes to shove, I'll lend you my powers.
But ya better appreciate it.
That's all I'm gonna say.
Well, I've got no idea what's waiting for us next,
but we're in this together.
So let's try to get along.
Sound good?
Partner?
We're sending a vehicle to your home tomorrow morning.
Please be ready.
How unusually generous, Shiba.
Well, of course.
We have complete faith in you, Mr. Azuma.
I must admit,
when I heard he'd escaped the hospital and made it home,
I was relieved.
And what do you mean by that?
Do I really need to explain?
-Hey, Gramps! -He's gonna be one of us.
-We're out of soap. -A go-getter, a trailblazer...
He's just the kind of person we need.
I've much to prepare...
Until then.
Gramps! Hey, Gramps!
-Can't you hear me? -All right, pipe down!
I'll fetch you a new one.
Hold your horses!