Guess I should introduce myself.
I'm Koga.
Future overlord of the mononoke!
Huh...?
Future overlord... of the mononoke?
Who is this freak?
But I'll need a jolt of extra power first.
That's why, my sweet, sweet Rago...
You shall be mine!
Hey, sounds like someone's in love!
Huh?!
Not funny!
Oddly, I don't get the sense he's trying to deceive us.
Could he be just another idiot?
Sure would make things easier...
Koga...
If I may.
Yeah?
And who gave you permission to talk?
Why are you so interested in Rago?
What does he have that you need so badly?
Ha! Humans really are as dumb as they look.
Do I hafta explain?
The guy's one of a kind...
A badass!
Incredible, he's intellectually challenged like you, Jiro.
You're an ass, ya know that!
You know, we're not as delicate as you humans.
Actually we're kinda immortal!
Sure, we'll die if ya dice us to pieces.
And our spectral spirit dims without sustenance.
But Rago's different.
The guy's practically a spiritual power generator,
food or no food...
So to spell it out...
That kinda power'll make me the real deal, a true immortal!
Then...
I'll be unstoppable.
I'll be the pinnacle of mononoke!
The prick's gonna...
Wait, Jiro!
We don't know who's backing him!
See, you're worthless to me.
Die.
Rei—
And you're just as annoying!
Then again, you're Rago's receptacle,
a trashcan that needs to shut up and stay put!
Jiro!!
What's wrong, Rago?
We can finally chat in peace!
It'll be you and me, Rago!
Don't worry, I'll release you from that fool before ya know it!
Then you and me'll be a single force!
We'll be unbeatable!
Indestructible...
The Ruler of Mononoke!
Now that's funny.
I'm no one's property, wacko.
The Ruler of Mononoke?
Sorry, I couldn't give two shits 'bout that.
You wanna be king so bad, go ahead, be king for all I care.
Why, Rago?
How could you say that?!
Why can't you understand?!
I'm trying to free you from—
Geez, you're irritating.
All ya do is bitch, bitch, bitch.
Why you...
Now!
Do it, Reiji!
Now let's use our inside voices.
I'm ten steps ahead of you!
Prepare yourself for the Kirihara-ryu...
Karajiki!
Owww.
You all right, Jiro?
Kinda, I guess.
But seriously, that was cool.
What the hell was it?
A sort of slicing supernova.
But...
It was supposed to cut him in two!
He's formidable.
Sooner or later, everyone out there will catch on we're in trouble.
But we don't have the luxury of waiting.
I'm counting on you Jiro, Rago!
Agh...
Shut the hell up!
Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up!
Dammit, shut up!
This's why I hate you humans.
You're weaklings, but think you're tough shit
cause you outnumber us.
You think you own this stinkin' planet.
Well, I'm done.
Playtime's over.
First is you!
You get to die first.
And you, you get to live!
I'll separate you from those pesky arms 'n' legs
so you'll be my convenient Rago carryall.
But first, I'm gonna make you understand.
Who is master, and who is servant...
You'll finally understand...
Mononoke reign supreme!
Spill it, Tokieda.
Not the most elegant I've seen, but robust, nonetheless.
It will take a little time, but...
Uh... Ummm.
Yes, my dear?
Um...
Surely, there must be someway I can assist!
I worry the two of them may be...
In this case, standing by might...
Say no more.
Now...
If you could please plant this stake at my exact specifications.
Oh...
Yes!
I'm glad you brought along Tokieda.
Give him five,
and it'll be as if that barrier was never—
Shiba, my good man...
You wouldn't be using us as backup, would you?
Something tells me you showed up only because you knew
yours truly would be here too.
It's the newbies' very first mission.
What kind of leader would I be
if I didn't prepare for things going south?
For a leader who knows his "newbies" are in dire straits,
you seem very relaxed indeed.
I have trust...
In them and in you.
Always have to've the last word.
I speak the truth.
Just know...
You'll be taking full responsibility.
Of course.
And I'll gladly take it.
What the hell?
What the hell is this?!
This's all ya got?!
You've got all that Rago power...
And this is it?!
Jiro!
This is sad...
I actually feel sorry for you, Rago!
Such a waste of power...
All 'cause you're stuck inside that human meat bag!
Just you wait...
I'll rip ya outta there soon enou—
Shut up!
You're unstable, demented!
You wanna use him, you wanna dump me aside...
I'm your carryall, a trashcan...
We're not things you use.
We're not your objects!
Humans this...
Mononoke that...
Who the hell cares?
We don't need your stupid labels!
We decide who we are, dickwad!
Right, Rago?
Tch!
It's not like you don't go on and on about shit you don't know.
Still, I gotta admit...
This time you're actually right on the money.
And this punk makes my blood boil even more than you!
Just one major wallop...
That's all it's gonna take!
Amazing.
Their energy combined...
How was that, Mr. Big Shot?
What?
Hell yes!
That's it, that's it!
Now that's what I'm talkin' about!
Whattaguy!
I gotta have him!
Please, just hand him over!
Give me, Rago!
What was that?
So they broke through...
Reinforcement here is a no-go.
I'm outta here!
What? So you're running?
I'm not running, I'm headin' home!
Same difference!
Watch yourself, kid!
I can off you anytime I want!
But if I killed you here now,
I couldn't get my Rago.
I'm not letting that happen.
So I'll let you live a little longer.
But next time,
those limbs, that tongue, those stupid eyes
are comin' home with me as souvenirs!
I swear it, Rago will be mine.
Just you wait...
Hey, what's your name?
What the hell? Now you wanna know?
Jiro.
Jiro Azuma!
Remember it, loser!
Azuma?
That so!
Azuma...
So like as in the Azuma family of spies!
-What's so funny? -No wonder.
You're "that" guy's kid.
Huh?
Whatever, nothin' to do with me.
Bye for now...
Jiro Azuma.
Hey...!
Jiro! Reiji!
Well, headquarters awaits...
Understood.
We'll take it from here.
Two agents injured, and on an unauthorized mission.
A facility damaged.
As I said, there will be consequences for—
Without question.
I'll take whatever you dish out, but...
Those two deserve some congratulations, dontcha think?
Pardon?
Those two rookies really held their own,
and against a seriously powerful mononoke.
And your point?
They did merely what was expected of them.
Sheesh...
Always have to be the critic.
Well, that was a passing grade as far as I'm concerned.
Reiji, how're ya holding up?
Huh? I'll be fine.
But if it hadn't been for this uniform, I probably would've...
Come on, that's your imagination talking!
No...
I'm not imagining things.
I was totally helpless.
I was naive!
I have to become stronger!
I was no help at all.
Had I been strong enough to break that barrier...
I know it's pointless to think all this now.
Still...
Dammit, this sucks.
You're "that" guy's kid.
What'd he mean "that" guy?
My dad?
Gramps's been the only dad I've known.
And Nachi my mom.
They're my family.
It's always been that way.
But...
Why now...?
Ugh! Why's shit have to be so difficult!!
I don't get it, and I don't care!
I'm gonna go for it!
Go for what?
Becoming an agent!
Wha?
Joining your Black Torch Team, or whatever you call it!
Just what are you talking about?
Wasn't that a done deal?
Shut up!
I'm talking about feelings here, feelings!
Right.
Feeling a part of the group's important.
You both were part of the team the moment you joined.
And you all will have to work together,
as a unified team, toward a single goal.
But...
Each and every one of you is different,
and that's just fine.
You've got your own thoughts, your own emotions.
Embrace that.
Let that ground you. Let it be your strength.
And know I've got your backs.
You'll have doubts, feel lost,
just keep looking ahead.
It's all just a part of growing up.
Um...
As I expected, the higher-ups had a lot to say.
But today's a new day.
Today we begin a new mission.
That's all fine and good, but...
This's the place?
Yep, this's the place.
Today, it's good ol' fashioned conditioning...
That means training.
And for that, I've brought a very special—
Ah, a fresh batch of wide-eyed recruits!
S-sorry I took so long!
Who the hell is this?
So, this here is Fuyo.
As you probably've guessed,
she's a mononoke.
Now, if you remember, I mentioned the Bureau
both monitors and eliminates mononoke.
As for the friendlier variety,
we take a more collaborative approach.
Jeez...
He's trying to be serious.
But just look at that face.
Let me be clear!
I don't bow down to humans.
The placement of my thighs should make that obvious.
Oh, so I see.
Hmm.
So you're the Rago.
Huh?
You're actually kinda cute and cuddly.
Ha! I'd be offended if you weren't such a pint-sized pixie!
Go ahead, say that again, dirty stray!
Huh? You wanna fight, pip-squeak?
Can we just get started already?
All right, everyone's in their places.
Today is our supernatural forces suppression training.
Super what?
Believe it or not, some mononoke are capable of
inducing hypnosis and hallucinations.
It's safer to train in a controlled environment
before having to face the real thing out there.
That's why we've got her here to help.
Look appreciative, ungrateful amateurs!
Okay, let's begin.
Gotcha.
Whoa...
Okay...
Now prepare yourselves, my little human children.
Here I come!
Rouge...
Lotus of Delirium!
The objective is simple.
Do what you must to break free and return safely.
I wish you luck.
You think they'll be okay?
You didn't really tell them anything about the spell.
The more realistic the training,
the more effective the training.
Besides, these guys are tough.
I'm sure they'll be fine!
Interesting.
So the spell encloses its subject in a kind of illusion.
How in the world do I break out of this place...?
Incredible.
Th-This is...
No way...
B-Brother!
And...
That sword!
No, this isn't real!
It's a spell!
Don't fall for it...
Shinji's long...
It's been so long, Reiji.
Gotten any stronger?
What's wrong?
Surely you must be holding back.
It'll take more than that sword to kill me.
Almost!
Little lower so you can get those roots.
Like this?
That's excellent, sweetie!
Are you going to grow up to be a horticulturist?
Uh-uh.
I'm gonna grow up and be a spy like you and Daddy!
But it can be a really scary job!
Don't you want to help the plants and flowers grow?
I'm not scared!
I'm brave, just like Mommy and Daddy!
I wanna do what you do, Mommy!
We'll see.
I had no idea.
I thought...
The good guys always won against the bad guys.
Pardon the intrusion, ma'am.
We've received notice of an urgent mission.
Understood.
I'll be right there.
Time for work?
Yes, I'm sorry, Ichika.
Don't worry, I'll be right back!
Mommy's got this!
Be a good girl, okay?
Uh-huh!
It was just like any other day.
But...
I think back, and the funeral's all a blur.
It took a while for it to really sink in...
She wasn't ever coming back.
And that's when it started.
I began to run.
To be stronger. To become an agent.
I was obsessed...
The farther I ran...
The faster I became...
The closer I felt to Mom.
And finally, just as I had become an official Bureau agent...
Madame Ichika....
Nishina?
Well done indeed.
Your father would like you to come with me.
Dad?
Where...?
We are below one of the Bureau's research facilities.
M-Mom...?
Is that really?
Yes.
I'm sorry, madame, it's not a statue.
Nor is it a fabrication.
I'm afraid it is...
Your father asked I read this.
"Dearest Ichika, forgive me for waiting until now."
"I was bound to secrecy under the Bureau."
"Civilians could not know."
"It may seem impossible,
but your mother is in fact still alive."
"We presume she was on duty
when she become trapped in stone by some spectral spell."
"The mononoke responsible is still at large."
"For the past decade,
we've attempted nearly every means available,
but success remains elusive."
"This is not how I wanted to tell you."
"I wanted to be there with you, for you."
"Alas, as much as it pains me, I am unable."
"I hope one day, you'll find it in your heart
to forgive me."
"What you choose to think,
and what you choose to do,
is exactly that, your choice...
Ichika."
Hang in there...
Mom.
I promise I'll save you!
Now, now, Ichika.
I told you to be a good girl!
I told you being a spy was scary!
I demand you stop this instant!
If you do not...
You'll...
You'll end up like me!
Damn it! What is this place?
We've been running around like idiots with no exit in sight,
not even a freakin' wall!
At this rate, that thing's gonna...
Watch out!
Whoa!
Crap! What is this thing?
We're in that annoying runt's little illusion.
No way that thing's real.
But I've got this weird feeling...
Like I've seen it some—
This shit's such a pain!
But since I don't see some magic door,
we've got no choice.
I'm more than ready!
Let's do this! Rago!