We just need to deal with it in the factory, and that'll be that.
I just hope that even the returners can rest in peace.
Returners?
Why put a corpse in a factory?
Let's head back.
Yeah.
Shoot! They're leaving!
What now?
Let's find a way into the refinery.
Think we can get inside through that door?
I'll check it out.
Just be careful.
You're talking to a seasoned phantom thief.
Returners... Then that body is most likely...
PROHIBITED: NO SOURCES OF FIRE IN FACTORY. CLOTHING MUST COVER BODY AT ALL TIMES.
NO CHEMICALS TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE FACILITY WITHOUT PERMISSION.
Uh, Iwamoto-san?
Sorry about this. The enemy found me.
REPORT 4: THE LEGEND OF THE DEAD AND THE GAS REFINERY
F-Fire?
How? No one's supposed to have a way to produce a flame in here!
Damn it!
N-Nicely done.
Man, Iwamoto-san, I didn't know you had moves like that.
Close-quarters combat falls under basics.
What were you even doing?
Well, the door was locked, so I thought I'd lift the key.
So much for the "phantom thief."
You need to come to our school. Even I can teach you basics like this.
Hey, the body from earlier...
Iwamoto-san, is it just me or is this factory weirdly cold?
Okay, raise 'em up.
They're frozen?
What are they doing?
Wh-What are you people doing?!
I belong to a government agency.
I've been investigating powered individuals across the country.
Iwamoto-san got hot under the collar.
You people are shattering your neighbors like it's nothing.
Did that body have some kind of strange ability?
Did you make an appointment?
Oh, you're with the military.
We could've shown you around if you'd let us know ahead of time.
This is liquid nitrogen.
It has a temperature of -170 degrees, meaning it can freeze most things solid.
A quick application and even this flexible flower becomes rigid and shatters.
They explained everything without so much as a hint of guilt.
This village has an area where, for as long as anyone remembers,
strange children are occasionally born.
This doesn't apply to everyone, but after dying,
certain members of the community revive as zombies.
That matches the story I've heard.
Oh, you mean the legend of the undead?
There's a record about how, 150 years ago,
a group of corpses revived all at once and wandered the town at night.
I'm sure it must've been a terrifying sight.
We're talking about cremated bodies regrowing flesh and wandering around.
The incident ended with the dead being captured and re-cremated, but...
News about monsters like that was no good for anyone.
Since burning bodies still leaves behind bones,
they started shattering the bones with hammers.
And after a period of time, we built this factory that handles liquid nitrogen.
It lets us freeze the bodies instantly, then we shatter them with hammers.
It's a method for reducing the humans who revive to dust.
We load the powdered remains into a hot air balloon and send it out over the lake.
The remains are then scattered over the water.
A complete funeral.
We're not murderers or anything.
We're just disposing of corpses in a way that suits the village's needs.
It came as a real shock, though.
The bodies that were shattered were still able to revive in the lake.
During the dry season, some of them washed ashore.
It was rather a sad state of affairs.
If I had to guess, the remains belonged to people who'd died 70 to 100 years ago,
before we pulverized bodies.
The plan is to dispose of them the modern way.
The powered individuals I investigated after learning of their presence...
Here are the bones I mentioned. The ones that washed ashore.
really did exist.
I can see why Kitsujo-san didn't want you digging around in this.
The ability to regenerate, huh?
Sounds great, but if it takes 70 to 100 years,
it can't really be put to military use.
Put that down, Amaba-kun.
These are our comrades. Our forebears.
Oh, it's all right. They're just going to be disposed of.
Can I ask you something?
How do you know this is right?
Did it never occur to you that, given enough time, they might fully revive?
Do you know for sure you're not murdering these powered people?
Have you given what you're saying a moment's thought?
There has never been an account of someone actually coming back to life.
And if they revive as monsters, they're just causing trouble.
You need to look at the facts.
They could still be in the process!
Iwamoto-san, you're gonna kill him.
Who else do you expect to look after rotting corpses?
Suppose your own child dies, and they have this regenerative power.
Who does that work out for? This power is a curse!
Kind of anticlimactic now that we know what's going on, huh?
I can't deny it's kinda frustrating.
It's probably fine, though, right?
"This power is of no use." The end.
And it's not like the locals don't have a point.
There's no telling how long it'd take for them to go back to normal, if they can.
You can't expect someone to look after them in the meantime.
The current state of affairs doesn't support it, no.
I'm going to propose that this area comes under my authority,
and for the bodies to be brought in for study.
You are? When you weren't even supposed to be here?
I mean, I hate to say it, but this power really isn't of much use.
I get the feeling Kitsujo-san told you not to come here
because he wanted to avoid you taking on a burden like this.
There is no hierarchy of powers in my view.
That's why you ignored the warning?
I never really bought that you were just one of Kitsujo-san's agents, but damn...
He and I just happen to share a few mutual objectives.
Your special treatment of powered people seems almost noble when you go this far.
Fair enough, then. This one's all yours.
It's the regenerating skull from before.
Wait... You stole it?!
Force of habit. Thought I could maybe sell it on the black market.
Damn it, Amaba...
Whoa, now. No lectures, okay?
I'll see you around campus.
Will you actually show up?
Iwamoto-san, I can tell how much you care about folks like us,
but pretty soon, you're gonna find it hard to stick to that policy of kindness.
A little bird told me some grown-ups have realized the value of people with powers
and are thinking more ruthlessly.
As in "these powers are weapons."
For all we know, Kitsujo-san might be one of them.
Can't say I'd ever agree to that.
I have no intention of letting any of you die on a battlefield.
And I'll do all I can to prevent it. I'll strengthen you and protect you.
I consider that to be my duty.
I'll be rooting for you, then, Iwamoto-san.
In this country and this era,
those who are different often meet with misfortune.
I'll increase the standing of these people who are treated like monsters
until I can guarantee their human rights.
And if anything intends to get in my way...
I'll simply punch through it.
SEIHO MIDDLE SCHOOL QUARANTINE FACILITY SECOND-YEAR, AMABA TOICHIRO
DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS A "PHANTOM THIEF."
MAKES A POINT OF CONCEALING HIS POWER WHEN AROUND OTHERS. IN FACT, HE [REDACTED]
URGENT NOTICE TO STUDENT COUNCIL SECRETARY IWAMOTO KODO
"Iwamoto Kodo-dono. I have urgent orders for you."
"An incident involving someone with powers has caused over 80 fatalities."
"You are to head to the Ryugu Palace restaurant
and dispose of those responsible at once."
"Given the nature of the situation, you must not go alone."
Iwamoto-san, when he says "dispose of," he means murder, right?
There's no doubt about it.
But this person might have powers!
What are you gonna do? Just follow Kitsujo-sensei's orders?
I won't kill them or let them go.
Iwamoto-san's got a plan. I wouldn't worry.
Who exactly is this, Iwamoto-san?
He's got zero class. And I've never seen him around school.
Did you make a replica of our uniform?
The name's Amaba. And I'm a second-year like you.
Iwamoto-san recruited me personally, by the way.
We go way back.
Who the hell is this guy?
I might not look the part, but I'm handy with a sword.
And since we can't let Iwamoto-san waltz in here on his own...
So, big man, you gonna be much help if things get dicey?
I-I'll have you know I've got the requisite jujitsu and kenjutsu training!
You really are elite, then. How good are you, though?
I-I've been told by my instructors that I'm near mastery.
Huh?
Iwamoto-san? Wait up!
Still following me, huh?
Haramachi.
Yes?
I have a reason for being ambitious.
I'll need authority to see my goal completed.
R-Right.
I'm willing to dive headlong into danger to seize the glory it might win me.
If you intend to follow, try not to die on me.
Understood.
But you should really warn him, too.
Now, now. I've been following the boss here for way longer than you.
RYUGU PALACE
It's awfully quiet around here.
No. I can already smell the blood. Stay on your toes.
R-Right.
It's 5:45 AM.
This "Ryugu Palace" is a restaurant, right?
Do you think politicians and military bigwigs frequent it?
They're military.
Were they sent before us?
These are actual soldiers, not cadets.
What in the world happened in here?
Roses?
Black roses... growing out of their faces?
This is awful. It's a slaughter.
The roses...
How many bodies are there? It's...
Roses on the ceiling. The way blood would spray up there.
Who are these guys?
Iwamoto-san!
Damn.
It's not them. There was no intent behind their aggression.
That's Iwamoto-san for you. Didn't even need to draw his sword.
How would you know?
Ama—
Oh, hey. You did come in handy in spite of it all.
This should lead further in. Come on.
This place is incredible.
A gambling den. And more of the men from before.
So who were they playing?
Blooming roses?
Is this your power?
Iwamoto-san!
You with the army?
Kinda young for that, though.
I'm Iwamoto Kodo. A middle-school student.
At a school run by the army.
Well, ain't that something?
A middle schooler dodging one of my strikes?
And one with the manners to introduce himself.
I like you.
You don't seem much older, as far as I can tell.
The name's Shibukibara Kenzo.
My old man was a killer with 100 kills to his name,
and some say that's why I was cursed before I was born.
And after that, I was doomed to never see the light of day.
The only path open to me was shrouded in shadows
and led me here to Ryugu Palace,
where I could shine brighter than ever before!
I played host to your fellow uniforms.
The minute they got a glimpse of my garden,
they were thrilled at the sight of the flowers in bloom!
Oh, great. He's crazy.
And drunk.
Should I assume those rose men at the entrance
were assailants you killed in some conflict?
Sure were. You mean to tell me they wandered that far?
All the people you've dragged into this... And you don't seem to care.
When people like you have powers...
Turn into a flower!
...I hunt them.
Best to start with the weak-looking ones!
Wait, me?!
Was he bluffing?!
You've got real guts!
What's this? He's holding back.
He's just using the tip of his blade. Does he only want to land a flesh wound?
The black roses from my blood splattering...
They're binding my limbs!
Easy, now. Those flowers are a part of you, buddy.
If you're not careful when you pluck them, it'll just hurt you worse.
If you force your way out, the thorns from the blood roses will pierce you,
and you'll bleed more.
There's only gonna be more and more flowers!
He's...
Iwamoto-san!
Now, to start with the weakest, like I said.
So he did mean me?!
Yeah, I meant you!
Not bad, big guy.
Like I said, my instructors even praised my defensive falls.
So that's what they were talking about? Well, they were right.
And hey, would you look at our positioning?
I figure we can pincer the guy now. You up for it, big man?
R-Right.
We've got you outnumbered. Surrender now, you degenerate gambler!
You've got a point. Hard to argue over the benefits of numbers.
The corpses!
Damn it! Get off! I can't reach my sword!
You're as good as dead.
That just leaves Mr. Braid over here for me to kill.
Oh, I see how it is. Manipulating dead bodies now.
Good thing I was carrying my sword like this.
I'm not like Iwamoto-san. I'll cut 'em down without a second thought.
Whoever they used to be, they're corpses now.
Damn it!
Here you go, Big Haramachi!
What are you doing?
Come on. I'll even draw it for you.
I-I didn't ask for your help!
Yeah, yeah.
The roses from his powers... He needs to draw blood to create them.
I advise avoiding that at all costs.
He's actually keeping his cool.
Screw you! You're gonna die!
I hate it when stuff takes too long to do!
Iwamoto-san?
Shibuki. The reason people with powers turn to evil ways like you have...
It's not like I don't understand.
But with an ability like this,
I'm sure you could use it to help others with proper guidance.
Tch. You stopped the bleeding?
You got some kinda power, too?
I used my own "flowers" to stop the bleeding.
Guess you're not just some trussed-up army brat!
I've got my own garden.
Bloom! Crematory spider lily!
You gotta be kidding me!
It doesn't hurt.
Wow.
Nicely done.
Not gonna finish him off?
Of course not! Don't be ridiculous.
Oh, you really do understand Iwamoto-san.
Well, I'd call this case closed.
No. He's not the mastermind.
Why was he still here after killing so many?
It's like he was waiting for me. But he didn't recognize me.
Which means there's someone else here who was actually waiting for me.
Good morning, Mister Iwamoto.
English?
Aw, hell. Here we go.
I did what you asked. You promised me!
So take me away from here!
What is he saying?
Shibuki...
In that moment, somewhere beyond the billowing roses, I saw him.
REPORT 5: DEICIDAL FLAME