Early this morning, multiple decapitated human remains
were found in a quiet residential neighborhood.
Today's shocking finding is just the latest
SEARCH FOR SINGLE SUSPECT IN LATEST HOMICIDES
Today's shocking finding is just the latest
in a string of grisly murders.
Police are now investigating
whether the murders can be tied to a single suspect.
Is it safe to say mononoke are behind this?
Almost positive.
Hold up, wait a sec.
Why are you lounging around here with us?
Your work is done, go the hell home!
News flash, I decide where I wanna be!
You know...
In case you forgot,
your little magical lotus nearly killed me!
I told you I had nothing to do with that!
And who said you could eat my shrimp crackers?
Then write your name or something on it!
SHRIMP CRACKERS JIRO
It's written right there!
You know, I was wondering...
Why do mononoke eat humans?
Now you ask?
Yeah, well, look.
This freak's eating people food.
Mononoke are allowed to eat other things, too.
It's all about humans' vital energy.
It's the only thing that really level ups our powers.
Oh yeah, that Amagi guy in Rago's memory
said kinda the same thing.
In other words, the mononoke are stockpiling power again.
This just in.
MYSTERIOUS FOG ENVELOPS HIRASAKA
All roads in and out of Hirasaka have been completely closed off.
So? Spill it.
These mysterious deaths are keeping us busy enough.
You didn't call me out here just to show me
this piece of shit report now did you?
Piece of shit?
Come on, you ordered the training.
Please get to the point.
Interesting.
So Amagi, the mononoke from Rago's past...
Now I've got your attention.
How about...
...we forget about that little incident at the shrine?
Hmph, so that's what all this's about...
Well, there's something else.
The investigation you got on the homicides...
Let my team in on it too.
Sorry, no.
Just listen.
They've got more than their feet wet,
they've brought real results.
Besides, cases involving mononoke are supposed to fall
within our jurisdiction.
It all makes perfect sense.
They are more than ready.
The moment they let you down,
I give you permission to fire my ass.
TOKIEDA
So, Tokieda...
What is it?
What?
All right, I'm heading back right now.
So what was that about?
You know...
My offer still stands.
We're live here in Hirasaka.
As you can see, just on the other side of that bridge,
a thick fog-like substance has completely obscured the town.
Police are looking into the possibility
of a chemical attack.
Meanwhile, the perimeter is now cordoned off
and closed to the public.
Wipe all devices, make sure no one has any memory...
Tell them to report that the gas is harmless.
Wow...
They're all from the Bureau?
If they've got a suit on with an earpiece, yes.
That said, their responsibilities begin and end
with those of the human kind.
It's no wonder.
Major incidents involving mononoke
have been a rarity for decades now.
Which means there's hardly anyone left
capable of handling 'em when they do occur.
It's your lucky day, team!
Time for Black Torch to step in!
What's that supposed to mean?
Here's the lowdown.
The entire town of Hirasaka is affected.
Roads in and out are blockaded.
There's little we know about what's happening inside the fog.
All we know is mononoke are behind this,
and several civilians are now trapped inside.
The fog is dense, but your espionage gear's
Spectral Neutralizer should help you break through.
We've got three objectives.
One: rescue survivors. Two: diffuse the fog.
Three: disarm and capture the enemy.
Capture?
And I suspect someone's pulling
the strings from behind the scenes.
I want to take any chance we have to obtain leads on them.
I'll take full authority over everything happening out here.
As for infiltrating that fog, I'm counting on you three.
Ordinary means of communication is rendered useless inside.
Then how are we supposed to stay in contact, Chief?
Lucky for you, you've got me!
What, you?
You're still here?
IRK
You little...
All right then, how is this going to work?
You each get one.
Swallow 'em whole!
Each petal transmits info directly to this lotus.
It's all voiceless.
I have to swallow this?
Whole?
I don't know if I've got the guts to...
Doesn't seem to have any odor.
All right, down the hatch, ungrateful brats!
Okay, that's it for now.
Now get in there and do what you do.
Let the battle begin!
Oh, they've entered the fog.
Three of them.
Three you say?
Fewer than I thought.
Looks like teaming up was overkill.
Roren! How's our lunch lookin'?
Well, I've got 'bout two hundred so far.
Who knew herding them alive...
...would be so time consuming.
With humans it's all about freshness!
They start losing that sweet vital energy
right after they croak!
Whatever, stop being such a picky eater
and eat everything put in front of you, Kanawa.
Ah, put a sock in it!
The heads're all bone and no meat!
Kanawa.
Huh?
What, Naruko?
I was mistaken.
It's not just three people.
There're three...
...and a cat.
So the scoundrel's finally arrived!
Now I really get to run amok!
Run amok to your little heart's content.
Just don't forget what the boss said.
I got it!
Hey, Naruko, where's Rago comin' from?
Naruko?
Oh, I guess she's asleep.
What?!
ZZZ... ZZZ...
It comes with the territory.
She is holding up this barrier all by herself.
What if Rago decides to rush Naruko?
It'll be just fine.
We made sure she has her very own bodyguard.
I don't care about her!
Aargh, 'nuff of this!
Roren, you stay here and keep our food supply strong!
Huh? What about you?
I'm gonna go out there,
and make Rago's soul mine!
'Member the boss said don't kill him!
All right.
This's way worse than I thought.
All these people on the ground...
WAKE UP, DAMMIT! SHAKE SHAKE
I tried shacking 'em, but I got nothing.
They're probably under some spell.
Fine, then let's find whoever's doing it.
You do know this barrier encompasses an entire town!
I think splitting up and
searching in three directions is our best bet.
What is this?
The spectral energy around here reeks!
Oh, so the cat finally graces us with his presence.
Of course, Rago!
THAT'S IT!
You can be our mononoke radar!
Huh?
Hmmm.
Three...
No, four spectral presences.
Four?!
Any idea as to their whereabouts?
The fog and spell make it hard to make out locations...
There's the one doling out the fog.
One casting the spell on the humans.
Then there are the ones with the most spectral juice of the group...
Two of 'em.
Even more reason we'll need to split up and look for them.
Wowy!
Boy, did we luck out!
Who knows why, but the humans are all takin' naps.
Time to stuff our beaks while the gettin's good!
I heard the others talk about it, but now that I actually see it...
It's... How do I put it...?
Like something out of a painting.
Wow, thanks, human!
I've never gotten to eat the stuff in the can before!
Nah, I should be thanking you guys!
Well, according to the crows,
two of 'em are with a mob of people at an intersection up north,
the other two are hanging around the park
in the center of town.
If we're gonna do this quick, we should split into two groups.
All right.
Ichika and I will head to the intersection.
You two, to the park.
Now how'd I know you'd say that?
Once we're through, we'll head over to you to provide backup.
Okay.
All right then. Let's go that way.
Change of plans.
You guys split up and take the intersection and park.
We...
...got this guy.
Wait, we can all...
He wants us!
Go.
I'm surprised you ditched your friends!
I thought humans only fought in packs.
Shut up, ya fugly horned giant.
I'm not here to chit chat.
Now bring it!
Hm?
Looks like I found the right place.
Hey, loser, do yourself a favor and break this spell!
Huh?
Now why would I want to do that?
So you choose death.
By all appearances,
the one on the pole isn't quite with it.
What a pleasant surprise.
If you behave, I'll arrest you, and you can live.
But if you resist...
You get the blade.
Bring it, you say?
If I didn't know better,
I'd say you're implying you're actually stronger than me!
Wanna find out?
Just as I thought.
The guy's all muscle.
His attacks...
...are big, but simple!
If I dodge at the last second...
Oh?
...the fool's wide open!
Sorry, Mr. Jolly Horned Giant!
This isn't my first rodeo!
I'm not holdin' back!
We'll finish this with one strike!
Rago!
Hope you can fly!!
It's no good! I can't do it!
He just absorbed it!
Crap!
Now that wasn't so bad.
Well...
You're no mononoke, after all. You're not even human.
You're a living dud, a misfire.
His arms transformed?!
Whaaaat?
I'm not the most nimble mononoke there is.
But I can throw my weight around like a bull!
Does it hurt?
Feeling a bit humiliated gettin' that face shoved in the dirt?
Now you know how we've felt for the past few hundred years!
All thanks to you so-called secret agents.
I was a demon god,
ruler of mountain forests and venerated as the Almighty!
The humans presented offerings and prayers.
In return, I protected their land.
Ah, the glory days!
But!
Then came the Oniwaban!
The prayers stopped,
and my villagers began to scheme with those dirty spies,
plotting my assassination!
So I murdered 'em!
Understand now, boy?
One day, it's nothing but smiles and prayers,
the next, it's bands of blood thirsty butchers
eager to declare me dead!
That's what human scum does!
So then, we mononoke waited...
Until the humans forgot about mononoke,
and the Oniwaban became a mere shadow of itself.
And now, the time has finally come for us mononoke
to reclaim our rightful way of life.
If this is the full extent of Rago's power,
then we have little need for him!
You are a sacrificial offering,
a means to bringing in the glory of our new era!
Really...
You humans are always like that.
Pretending like you rule the world.
To be honest, you all make me want to puke.
If you'd prefer I stop,
perhaps you should emulate your ancestors
by groveling on your hands and knees.
Oh?
So the girl's got moves.
Okay, then...
How 'bout something like this?!
So you know, falling will really mean the end of you.
My spell worms into your mind and psyche.
I've shown all walks of life all sorts of illusions.
From the most fatally alluring to the downright hellishly horrific.
In return, they've shown me
the most charming laughter, tears, and distorted expressions,
all before falling completely speechless.
Fascinating, isn't it?
You are disturbed.
And humans aren't your playthings!
And yet you humans have your cats and dogs.
I've decided.
You're gonna play with me whether you like it or not.
Welcome...
...to life in my toy collection!
That's it!
Dance for me, dance!
So what'll it be? A chasm in your tummy?!
Or a skydive straight to hell?!
The only one burning in hell is you!
You forgot this's my illusion.
Course I'm not going to fall.
Hey...
No fair! Get down here and fight!
You're really used to giving orders, aren't you?
You know, I think a present will change your mood.
Wha...?!
What the hell is this?!
Absolutely adorable!
What's a toy collection without a dress-up doll, right?
You...
I can't lose my cool, I'll play right into his hands.
It's just an illusion.
He thinks he can keep playing with me.
But that's my chance.
But I'll only get one.
So what'll it be?
A maid's outfit? Or perhaps a little nursing—
Sorry, the answer's no to both.
I'm done playing your perverted little games!
Is that so?
Well you don't have a say in the matter!
Huh, where'd sh—
What's that on my...?!
Stealth Mode unlock.
W-W-Wait...
My... hornnnnn!
The horn is a mononoke's spectral control center.
Lose one, and you lose the ability to control your spell.
This may be fun and games to you,
but we humans are dead serious.
Don't play with us!
Utsusemi... An old Oniwaban trick.
Nimble little chimp.
Still...
I'm surprised...
To think you still had such power.
N-No, this...
Hey, Rago, what's going on?!
Don't ask me. I'm not sure myself!
As soon I ripped off that vest, I felt power bubbling up.
Huh? What do you mean, bubbling up...?
Oh yeah, Shiba said something...
...about some kind of Spectral Neutralizer.
Could it work on Rago's energy inside me too?
Jiro!
Watch out!
There's no time!
Dammit!
Then we'll catch it!
Y-You...
...monster.
Rago...
You...
That was amazing!
No... I was just trying to block his swing.
This isn't just blocking strength.
Why am I suddenly so much stronger...?
Does it really have something to do with that jacket?
No, even if it did, that wouldn't explain it.
And taking it off was just the trigger.
It's like something released its grip on me.
Wait a second!
Could my power be increasing?
All that energy sucked away by the death obsidian...
It's not just back, I'm stronger than ever.
No...
It's only been a few weeks...
It's been a while since your last meal, no?
I'm sure a full belly will change your mind...
It's all about humans' vital energy.
It's the only thing that really level ups our powers.
I see.
You know, something doesn't feel right.
Two beings, a mononoke and a human,
sharing a single body...
Aware or not, it makes complete sense!
I did it and had no idea.
No, I'm still doing it!
This entire time I didn't even realize...
I've been feeding off Jiro's vital energy!
Stop it right there!
Put down your weapon and surrender!
Refuse, and I'll have no choice but to use force.
Consider this your final warning.
I could never forget...
There's no question.
That sword...
Prepare for the Kirihara-ryu...
That voice!
...Shunjin!