Original subtitles

A Film by Shigeyoshi Tsukahara

Captain! Is that it?

Yeah...

Sure looks like it.

A Mushikui Cavity.

Odd place to run into one, though.

Really?

Right, then.

Oh, you shouldn't.

It's going to be a maze in those tunnels.

You'll want a guide. Maybe one of the Mujina...

This is about a Case Two-Eight. I am not going to involve outlaws.

Well... there's always mappers.

Mappers?

Right.

They're a type of info broker who go running all over the place putting together maps.

Supposedly even into holes like this.

If you're going to search, then...

Oh, that works out nicely.

Since I'm heading to the Hinode Coal Mine, which is ridden with Mushikui Cavities...

They call it the Box Garden.

The Box Garden, or as it's officially known, the Taihei Group's Hinode Coal Mine.

Taihei

Its soaring walls are mementos from when it served as a prison.

"Big trouble! There's been a cave-in on prison grounds!"

Tragic Sinkhole in City of Hinode

And so, spurred on by a slight natural disaster...

Investigation

Folks found out the ground, which was full of Mushikui Cavities,

"Well, this seems like trouble!"

Underground Mushikui Cavities.

also happened to be lined with thick layers of coal!

Coal Deposits Found In Hinode After Collapse

And after a bit of et cetera et cetera,

Hinode Subsidence Leads to Coal Mine Development Private Industry Taking Charge

what was once a pigpen ended up a piggy bank instead.

Bidding

Bidding

Soon, it was a mining city! With treasure stacked high as skyscrapers for the taking!

Taihei

And that was how this box garden came to be.

We should count our blessings for coal, combustion, and cash!

Indeed. Under Taihei's watchful eye,

the bitter and the sweet all come down to what you can dig up.

Standing beneath the feet of giants, in hollowed ground!

Filled with people whose tears were lost to the shadows!

It's enough to make one wonder if there's really any bottom to this particular box.

You said it! What's going on in this burg?

Oh, dear. We've got a bit of a knucklehead in the crowd.

Buddy, the only way to find out the bottom line...

is to start digging!

More new gangways...?

Better mark that down.

Kuramerukagari

Pardon me! Coming through!

Sorry about this.

Oof, that's one messy collapse!

Thankfully no one was hurt.

I never heard of a tunnel running beneath here...

Well, there sure seems to have been one.

And what's with the hole?

Probably a Mushikui Cavity.

Well, that's bad news!

What is that?

One of the Mujina?!

Watch yourselves!

I knew it...

If it ain't Kagari.

What the heck are you doing?

Hey there.

And I'm doing my job. You know that.

Are you crazy? It's dangerous to go poking around in a Mushikui Cavity.

A Mushikui Cavity? That's not what it is.

Look here...

Benten Statue

Rotary Car Dumper

Y'know the old Benten statue over by the rotary car dumper?

It had an old tunnel running under it. Probably from early on.

It all made sense once I saw the subsidence...

There we go.

Currently Collapsing

It went all the way to this back street.

It actually goes a bit further, but that'll have to wait...

Well, I've got work to do!

Hey!

That don't make it any less dangerous!

That girl. I dunno if she gets it from her mother, but...

Library

You're under arrest, private librarian Iseya!

I've caught you red-handed in possession of an automaton!

Come on, "officer."

All this does is help me manage my inventory.

Let's not jump to any conclusions.

Wow. This gizmo never fails to impress.

Just imagine if it was a real automaton.

Now, did you need something?

Oh, well, I was hoping you'd buy a map.

Thanks so much! Thanks so much! Oh, thanks so much!

You there.

If you enjoyed the show, how about paying up?

Honestly... You never get tired of these little routines,

do you, Candy Shop?

Hi there!

You're saying you need a map of the Mushikui Cavity?

One that includes the abandoned tunnels that connect them.

The mappers I know are all pretty crooked, so I'm not sure I can recommend them...

I see.

Well, I wasn't expecting it to be that easy, anyway.

It might be faster to just contact the folks down below.

I don't think so. The rumors say they've been infiltrated by Mujina.

What're you gonna do, then?

Keep looking around, for now.

I'll be staying in town for the time being...

Could you recommend a place to stay?

Depends on how much you're willing to pay.

This is all...?

Boss, you paid me more last time.

Can't I get a little extra?

Sorry, but that's the going price now.

As things stand, the folks at Taihei are running the whole show,

keeping everything nice and orderly.

Which is a good thing, of course, but it means that maps are worth less.

Not to mention, the more valuable maps would be too risky for a kid like you to chart out.

Thunder

Divine Dragon

Mint

I recommend focusing on quantity, as usual.

But if you're willing to risk your life, I'm not going to stop you.

As bad as the market might be for you, this city and its people are always changing.

So you should always have some work, as long as the city's around.

What if I tried the area around the Taihei building?

I don't think you'll find a lot of unmapped ground right under that kind of spotlight.

It's areas like this, far from the bright lights,

where the roads are as complex as they are obscure that need charting.

Komainu Mineral Baths

Plus, a kid like you can hang around where you don't belong

without getting into too much trouble.

The downside being,

a more respectable client wouldn't have a kid risking their neck like this.

As far as society's concerned, neither I

nor you who sells to me are anything close to normal.

Granted, I'm just buying the info you sell,

so it's not like I'm your guardian or your employer.

Meaning I neither have the right nor the duty to tell you to be more cautious.

I understand.

Sorry for making a fuss.

Perish the thought! It'd be weirder if you didn't complain a little,

considering how this town seems to be filling up with people who don't make any sense.

And that's what happened.

How's business on your end, Yuya?

Basically the same.

The best prices you can get lately are around the northern pump.

Oh, over where they keep having new collapses?

Yep.

The local power balance between neighborhoods keeps shifting as a result,

turning the whole thing into a powder keg.

To be honest, I'm not sure it's worth it, even if the payout is nice.

Iseya mentioned something like that.

"This is too dangerous for a kid!"

Well, there are also rumors that the Mujina are involved.

And if we're not careful, they'll be after us, too.

Don't let it get you down.

Once I finish this, I'll be able to make some real money!

Route 6

Route 5

Route 4

Oh, this is by the big Mushikui Cavity!

It's connected to abandoned tunnels too, huh?

Wow.

Your map is looking good as well, Kagari.

Remember that vertical shaft?

I'd been curious about it ever since we checked it out.

Oh, I remember I almost fell in that time.

You did!

Still, if it's getting dangerous,

maybe I should put off charting around Mushikui Cavities for the time being.

I've gotta say...

This park is still really creepy.

You think?

I think Kuchinawa's got a cute sense of style.

Kuchinawa Workshop Miscellaneous Machines - Repairs - Manufacturing

See? Speak of the devil...

Oh, it's you again. Welcome to my garden.

You've some nerve to be having a romantic rendezvous out here.

Rendezvous...?!

That's not it, Kuchinawa.

It's not...?

We were just discussing business. That's all.

As two mappers of the Box Garden.

Business? Well, this is hardly the place for it!

Not conducive to constructive talk.

Don't be like that.

Besides, you call it a garden,

but it's just a bunch of stuff you made on your own and left out.

Is that right?! And you're wondering why?

This place is no less than a boon for public welfare!

For the sake of the children of this town,

I have left my own "children" out here, with nary a request for recompense!

Do you understand?

They also serve as advertising for my workshop!

But... it's not much of a walk to bigger places or amusement parks.

I'm certain this place can stand toe-to-toe with any other!

That said...

I refuse to take anything for granted.

Not after what happened.

I can never make a mistake like that again.

Too much was lost!

But I still have a lot to offer.

Yes, to make this garden an even better place for the children...

I must make my mark. I must leave them something!

What's with him?

Oh, Sasara.

You're right. It's time to eat.

The time has come to test my fully automated kamechabu dispenser!

Hope springs eternal! Time for kamechabu!

I think I'm craving kamechabu now, too.

I know.

Well, we can continue our business talk over some bowls.

I've been wondering. What exactly is a mapper?

We're starting there, huh?!

"What's at the end of this path?"

"Oh, it comes out here!"

And then you chart the path between two points. Well, that's what they do.

Makes sense.

The entire Box Garden is owned by Taihei Industries.

But the truth is, it's the subcontractors

in charge of the neighborhoods who really keep the place running.

Which is why there's no proper maps!

They're competing?

Yep! A bunch of squabbling over their tiny slices of territory,

with the borders being redrawn every day.

That's the kinda city you're in.

And we've arrived at your accommodation!

Lodging: The Villa on the Edge

This place...?

Hey, this like a real restaurant.

Evening Pomegranate Yakitori - Bowl Dishes - Pub We Deliver

Oh, they don't have places that serve food like this in your neck of the woods?

It's a rundown part of town,

so the best I can hope for is places that serve frog and call it chicken.

It's still pretty good, though. Reminds me of catfish.

Sure...

So, the thing you mentioned. Who are you selling to, Kagari?

Probably to Iseya, I guess.

I don't know anyone else who deals in info.

Let's say, hypothetically... If you made some real money off of it, what would you do?

What do you mean?

Are you gonna keep working as a mapper in this town forever?

I sure will.

Why...?

Why ask why?

I've noticed pipes I had no trouble squeezing between last year are tight fits now.

We're not kids anymore.

And do you really want to be an errand girl for an info broker your whole life?

You think it's that bad? Isn't that just how this town works?

You've got the coal miners, and above them are the neighborhood associations...

And way above all those is Taihei.

I guess it'd be hard,

not being able to squeeze through pipes anymore on account of growing up...

That's just it!

Everyone in this city is doing someone else's dirty work.

The only exceptions are people like Iseya and the old man from earlier. The oddballs.

I just wanna be someplace... a little brighter.

What the hell are you laughing at?

Hey, more booze here!

You laughing at me?!

N-No, I'd never...!

It'll be fine.

Uh, sir? This is an establishment for fine ladies and gentlemen.

If you can't compose yourself...

Who're you supposed to be?!

Sorry for the trouble, but you're disturbing the other customers.

Say that again!

Well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

It's you!

You work for Komainu! Eiwajima!

Yep.

He's the security around here, representing the neighborhood association.

And he's real strong.

Damn it all!

This ain't over!

The Ishizaru family...

Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the disturbance.

We'll clean this up right away and—

Attaboy, Eiwajima!

Komainu's superstar!

Happens all the time.

It does, huh...?

The Ishizaru family is from your part of town?

Yeah, one of the neighborhood associations. Lotta shady rumors about them.

Such as?

Well, lately, they've been rumored to have been working with the Mujina...

Quit trying to scare me!

Well, either way, I'd stay away from Mushikui Cavities for the time being.

I guess I will.

That said... It's not exactly safe around here, either.

Taihei

The Box Garden. It's like they're mocking us.

Say what now?

If the alternative is getting buried down here... I want out as soon as possible.

Komainu Mineral Baths

Komainu Mineral Baths

Yes... They are the group known as Mujina.

As far back as medieval times,

The Mujina

they've been a band of fearsome bandits that lurk in caves.

But what are they really?

Boss lady, I gotta tell you! Another sinkhole opened up!

Well, if the tunnels weren't enough trouble,

there are plenty of natural hollows in the ground in these parts, too.

Those are the Mushikui Cavities folks talk about?

Mushikui Cavity

But it's not just that...

Hole

What's scariest of all is the roughnecks who make their homes inside of those holes.

Roughnecks?!

Yes, indeed.

Even now, they lurk beneath our feet,

threatening the livelihood and wellbeing of honest folks.

They're the talk of the town...

The Mujina...

I'm curious about what they're up to.

Expecting some kind of trouble?

It could be that.

Now, what was this interesting business you wanted to discuss?

Well, it's looking like the sinkhole that opened up near the northern pump wasn't an accident.

Turns out... they found something odd.

Bullseye!

Such as?

I take it you're interested, then?

Because the folks who run that part of town are more than a little rowdy.

The kind who, if you cheese them off? Blammo!

And yet, even they seem to be creeped out by what they've found.

That's suspicious. The sooner I can check it out...

Bullseye!

Oh, I wouldn't rush it! I've arranged something for tomorrow evening.

For now—and this is just my gut talking...

Well? What is it?

Haste makes waste.

Bullseye!

I think you'll wanna check out the valley again.

The valley?

Yep.

If you want news about low places...

Who better to ask than the folks who live there?

Hey! What's going on?

It's fine. Just the usual.

Come on, old-timer, isn't it about time you went home?

Go home? You don't understand a thing.

First of all, this subsidence is actually—

Honestly... I think Kuchinawa might be getting too old.

Okay, okay, you can tell me all about it back at the station.

Every time a sinkhole's opened up lately, he's been like this.

"I will decipher the cause behind it all!"

I'll admit that there's been so many lately, it is kinda creepy.

Yeah.

So! How's that Yuya boy been lately?

Yuya...?

Komainu Mineral Baths

He wants to get out of here fast, huh...

Somewhere life is better, eh?

No such thing. No matter where you go.

That doesn't sound right...

Best you can hope for

is somewhere where afternoons give you a warm, sunny, cozy feeling.

Granted, there are people willing to die for that tiny distinction...

Wow, there's an alternate route to get around the warehouse sinkhole?

There'd be real trouble if it ended up stopping traffic.

That's what I love about this town.

From top to bottom, the bad and the good, it's always interesting.

But you're pretty smart, Boss. Couldn't you work somewhere nicer?

I'm just not suited to a place like that.

Compared to wrestling with everyone else for a loftier spot,

I'm a lot more comfortable planting my bottom somewhere I can relax and run my business.

You sure that's not just because you're a oddball?

That might be it!

You'll find a lot of people here

who are hung up on getting their bright, sunny place.

Old man Kuchinawa, for one...

Was Kuchinawa... someone important before?

That's a good question.

But the answer will cost you.

After you went and got me interested?

You do remember what my job is, right?

Hey, librarian.

I need info.

Well, if isn't the stray rat.

What brings you to my establishment?

You, calling me a rat? That's rich.

I'm not here for chitchat this time. I'm a customer.

Representing the Komainu.

Regarding the subsidences?

Yeah.

The meeting hall and our tool storage...

along with the western guardhouse.

A lot of our facilities have been hit in the last two weeks.

I've heard.

It's almost funny how obvious it is that someone's pulling the strings.

Granted, things have been looking suspicious

ever since the hole over by the northern pump.

General

Which brings me to the meeting hall.

We found a tunnel no one recognized underneath the sinkhole.

I'm thinking someone took a Mushikui Cavity and blew it out with some explosives.

I see where you're going.

From the way it was laid out, I'm positive it was the Mujina.

Either that, or someone like them.

But as things stand, that's too much for my people to handle.

I'm looking for maps of the Mushikui Cavities around town.

And I'm thinking you've got them.

I've got some, sure. But only a fraction.

Do you realize how complex the underground around here is?

That's the thing.

If this was planned, it was a little too smoothly executed.

Someone who knows the Mushikui Cavities in detail had to have done it.

I think the question is less "Who?" and more "Why?".

If they were targeting rich folks, or a storehouse full of gold, it'd be simple.

Mr. Iseya!

This seems like a big deal, so I'll come back later.

You sure?

Well, I'll make the appraisal, so come by to pick up your payment some other day.

Okay.

One other thing...

I'm gonna be closing for the day, so if you could flip the sign on the outside...

Closed For Today

Excuse me.

I'm looking for a used book store called Kanra-do...

Do you know where it is?

Oh, it's actually a private library named Iseya now.

They relocated to the top of these stairs...

but they're closed for the day.

I see.

When are they usually open?

It tends to be when the boss feels like it...

Some things never change.

But thank you anyway.

Sure.

Now, there's a shortcut to the northern pump if I head straight down this way, right?

Yes... Wait, no!

There's a sinkhole in front of the park blocking the way now,

so you'll wanna cross over to the opposite side, in front of it.

Park

Pump

I see.

I appreciate the advice.

This isn't much, but you can have it.

Tsurukame Caramel Pocket-Sized

Thanks...

Now's the time to sell?

Yeah.

Even if they're not complete.

With the way things are going, you'll get a better price.

But I wanted to chart all of the Mushikui Cavities.

You sure it's not time to wrap this job up?

You think?

Now's the best chance to make a lot of money,

so I can move somewhere better.

Somewhere better...?

Yeah. Better than being buried down here.

Kagari. Do you want to come with me?

S-Sure...

Komainu Mineral Baths

And I realized...

I haven't heard from Yuya since that recent sinkhole.

I see.

To be blunt, you may need to be prepared for the worst.

Oh, no...

I knew he had been up to something,

but I didn't think that "something" was running around inside Mushikui Cavities.

Then again, maybe it was luck that you've both been fine all this time...

Y-Yuya? I'm coming in, okay?

I would've appreciated a word of warning.

Sorry...

You may have made the right call taking things easy with the recent troubles, though.

That's an important instinct for a mapper to have.

But, Boss... What should I do now?

Well, he might've gone missing at the worst possible time.

Really?

Yeah.

Shadowy forces are starting to poke their heads out from the underground, I think.

The way this is set up...

Were the Mujina here?

You numbskull!

First, we gotta clear them out.

Everything else comes after!

But, Chief, that building we brought down had a sign

about getting rid of the scrip payment system...

Right?

Yeah, and they're supposed to be talking to the bigwigs at Taihei about raising wages.

Doesn't that mean the Komainu are on the side of us miners?

Bold as it might be to demand...

I'm going to need the cooperation of all of you to go through with this deal.

You understand that much, right?

R-Right.

Hey, shut those two up!

N-No! We weren't trying to cause trouble!

My good men of the Ishizaru family,

who is it that keeps this city above ground by the sweat of their labor?

It's us!

The coal miners!

Right. And what about those Komainu people?

They loom over you all, squeezing profits they haven't earned

from the markets they control...

But weren't they once miners, too?

And like your friends just said, they're apparently getting chummy with the bosses!

Right?

That's right! They're traitors!

We've gotta crush 'em!

That's right!

Then we're all in favor of a raid...

And by tomorrow, their territory will be yours.

I have to admit, you put together quite an arsenal.

Well, that is our business.

My only other concern is the info broker...

You know, the one who loans books.

Boss...!

They say he's got ties to the authorities.

An info broker?

We can always sic this on him.

And these are the birdlime rounds?

You boys can stay put for a while!

Gotta say, you dug up quite the find.

I threw in plenty of additional ammo.

We're counting on you to become a big shot, after all.

Well, now... Looks like we've got a rat lurking about.

Catch her!

This is bad! This is bad! This is really, really bad!

Hey, I found her!

Damn it, I'm on your side!

No other way...

Too sturdy!

What? She works for the info broker?!

Right. She's been seen hanging around his place, like she knows him.

I doubt she survived that, though.

Fool! Better safe than sorry!

We're moving up our schedule.

S-Sure...

Good grief, you really are armed.

Damn right we are.

Northern Pump

There's been no shortage of looters

looking to fleece this place since the hole opened up.

And in the ten years since the pump was installed, we've kept it safe.

Ten years?

The facility looks rather... weathered, considering.

What was it originally—

There it is. The hole you're looking for.

I'd appreciate it if, once you're done looking around, you cleared out. Fast.

Right. Of course.

I may owe your friend a debt...

but if you stir up any trouble around here, my boys are gonna make a fuss.

I know better than to cause problems.

So this is where it leads.

Whoa, it's me. Calm down.

Yuya...

I didn't expect to find this before I found a map.

Ma'am...

What the heck is this?

Where have you been, Yuya?

I was keeping my distance because I didn't want to get caught up in the fighting.

I see.

Well, I should let Iseya know.

Hey, you're back.

And Yuya's safe, too.

That's the map, Boss!

I ran into the scariest monster down past that Mushikui Cavity!

I see. It moved on its own, like a tank...

It was a metal monster on six legs!

I thought as much.

You thought what...?

It's an Aburamushi.

Aburamushi?

Right.

"In the depths of a Mushikui Cavity, I spotted an Case Two-Eight."

That was the last transmission we received from my predecessor...

but it looks like some grave robbers beat us to it.

A Case Two-Eight...?

That's the code name for it.

But there's no need for secrecy at this point.

Not with the city in danger.

What the heck was in there?

What's an Aburamushi?

Something that the Taihei Group...

No. More like the legacy of the former Teriyasu Industries.

Taihei

Teriyasu?

Right. As you might be aware, our overlords at Taihei used to go by that name.

But do you know why they changed?

Not really, no.

Of course not.

This happened a considerable time ago.

It was described as the New Year's Eve from hell.

New Year's Eve?

Also known as...

the Ushigaeru Incident.

Teriyasu Industries used to be the core of the business group.

A line of automatons they were testing went berserk.

They were only supposed to be robotic rat exterminators,

but they turned against humans,

and the city became a war zone on what was supposed to be a holiday.

You know all this, right?

Of course, considering my age.

"As a result, the Automaton Regulation Act was passed!"

There were rumors that someone had orchestrated the accident.

But either way, it sabotaged the true goal of the plan.

There was a true goal?

Right. They were...

Developing unmanned weapons?

Right. They would be operated independently by a computational device,

seeking out and exterminating their targets.

The monster you saw would've been a prototype.

Something that was supposed to have been disposed of.

It was?

But nothing ever goes as planned.

Teriyasu Industries has been gone for a long time,

and yet their creations still slumber within old facilities all over the place.

There've been rumors about it all along.

But I never would've thought one would be found in this town.

Quite the surprise.

How do you know all this, Boss?

Well, if I told you any more, I'd have to charge you.

What was that?

That felt like another hole opening up in the valley, I think.

No. That sound...

Hey, what was that?

Seems like there's smoke coming from the valley.

What?! We need to know what it is!

This signal...

They said they weren't doing anything until tomorrow!

After you got away, they probably decided to move things up.

We need to get out of here.

But the boss...

Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's take the back route.

Be a little more gentle, would you?!

Chief! There was no sign of the librarian!

Fine! We'll wipe out those Komainu dogs instead!

Well, well... If it isn't the head of the Ishizaru.

I regret to inform you that the Komainu market is closed for the evening.

I must sadly ask you to take your leave.

You're that Komainu brat!

I'll send you to join your predecessor soon enough!

Then I'm afraid I must hasten your exit.

You punks better be ready!

Take that!

How long's it been since we had a dynamite fight?!

You've done this before?!

Shiba, hold things down here.

I'm gonna lead a charge.

Got it!

I'm with you!

Something's happening!

I don't even know if the park is gonna be safe.

We need to get further away.

No, it's too soon for that.

Besides...

This is a problem that we need to solve.

All right! Push 'em back!

Hey! Foot soldiers, move up!

Hey! Is it ready yet?!

Uh, I think this is how you...?

Do you have some kind of plan for dealing with them?

Well...

You could say that.

Man, it's just like he told us!

Hey, their tin cans are here!

Damn it!

Chief, they seem really well-prepared!

That damned librarian must've told them!

Okay, keep them from going on the offensive.

Take Unit 2 with you!

You got it. But what about down here?

I wanted to take the market intact, but so be it.

Hey, send out Unit 3!

What the...?

Here comes the star of the show.

The star?

Yeah.

This one's got no mercy...

and live ammo.

It lit up again!

Everyone! It's dangerous, so let's get further back!

How long are we going to be stuck here?

Everyone's holding on. I'm sure help is coming.

Kagari!

Oh, Hachi.

Thank goodness you're okay!

I guess everyone's here, huh?

Yeah, somehow.

Looks like the warning I sent out to evacuate made it in time.

You did that, Boss?

That explosion was closer!

Then you knew this would happen?

More or less.

Wow... I had no idea.

You have great judgment in the moment,

but predicting several moves ahead is another matter.

S-Sorry...

That was supposed to be praise!

Huh?

What you have is what a mapper needs.

Isn't that right, Yuya?

Isn't that over by the drugstore...?

They're really going crazy.

If you worried about who would use the maps you make, and how...

That'd only make your info less clear.

What you need is the state of mind necessary

to simply depict things how they really are.

Things... how they really are.

That reminds me, Yuya.

Your maps of the Mushikui Cavities around here were just about finished, right?

Yeah.

But that tunnel from your place wasn't on the map at all.

Why's that?

The tears...

Kuchinawa?

And now the players are all here.

It's so pitiful... and such a shame.

I know you're not at fault, and yet...

Ah, so that's their play.

All right, folks! Simmer down and listen up!

Got it?

Starting tomorrow, you folks are gonna be doing business with the Ishizaru family.

No objections, I take it? Of course not!

Ain't that right?!

Mr. Iseya...

I need you to stay put.

Yuya...?

Put down your weapons, please.

Hey, kid, you're still here?

Be prepared for the worst...

Isn't that what I told you, Kagari?

Damn! Hand grenades...

R-Right, but—

This is what I meant.

Wait, what?!

Enough jokes!

And I'd hold off on any bluffs, if I were you.

There's no need for all that intensity.

All I'm saying is...

I had noticed you'd been up to something for a while now.

Hey!

Somebody grab this guy!

Gotta say, kid, you really landed a big one! You've earned a reward!

In that case, I'd like to ask for a bit of time.

I want to arrange a deal with the librarian here.

The librarian?! This is him...?

What kinda business?

Was there something you needed?

Eh, just wait.

Got it.

Information, obviously.

Information, huh...

Something that would command your highest price...

Yeah. The kinda thing a big shot would pay out the nose for.

I see your game.

I think you might have overestimated me, though.

Don't play dumb.

Not when you knew about the Aburamushi.

Well, what're you gonna do with it?

Having info you're not sure of the value of can be more trouble than—

I am sick and tired of this box garden!

I'm gonna go somewhere better, where I'll climb my way to the top.

And I'll do anything to make that happen!

Yuya...

Kagari.

Do you... want to come with me?

Uh, well...

Are you... huh?

I'm saying it's time

to leave this all behind.

Enough clinging to our lives in this boring hole.

You're wrong about that.

Well, you're wrong for now, anyway...

Why?

Well, I haven't finished my maps, for one thing.

Not to mention!

If you're going to leave, it falls to me to chart out all the Mushikui Cavities.

Kagari...

What are you...?

Well, well!

Shot down after such a dramatic proposal!

How's it feel, Yuya?

Don't let it get you down, kid!

I wasn't...

Uh, sirs!

What's up?

I'm... gonna get going.

If I could get paid for my maps...

Boy, you seem to have gotten the wrong idea.

But I've only received the down payment—

Hey, old-timer. You all right?

It's thanks to your maps that everything came together nicely.

Well, yeah.

C'mon, don't die on us.

Which is why I'm gonna give you the chance to buzz off without getting hurt.

But that's...

I must say, the Ishizaru family lives up to their reputation!

It seems they've no interest in doing business with a child like you.

You, librarian, I'm willing to hear out, though.

Kuchinawa...

The boss said as much!

Well, I am an info broker.

So it will depend on how much you're willing to pay, good sir.

The Aburamushi...

Don't brush me off!

I know the chief will understand.

He gave you one of those? Guess the boss is nicer than I gave him credit for.

I'm impressed.

That's right. So...

I'm gonna talk to him in person!

Suit yourself, kid!

Yuya!

Everyone else, stay where you are!

We still need hostages, after all.

Oh, my dear child.

How you must've suffered. How mortifying it must have been!

You had the potential to become anything!

Kuchinawa!

A hero that would've defended the people...

A god of war that would've wiped out their enemies!

You trying to get turned into rat food, old-timer?!

I don't think that's necessary.

The rats have already taken the bait.

What the hell?!

Which means that now... It's the rat exterminator's turn.

Wouldn't you agree, Professor Kuchinawa?

Down it goes!

Cigarettes

Looks like we're just about done.

All right, pull Unit 3 back.

Already, sir?

Do you realize how much we paid the Mujina for these things?!

Besides, we've just about got them in check.

Hey, the big gun you mentioned...

They pulled it back?

Boss! It's the park!

What's going on?

W-Well...

I haven't been able to reach them!

And there've been explosions heard in its direction, too.

Explosions...

Somebody do something about that geezer!

Y-you got it!

Damn it all! Go around him!

Sasara, my dear!

Wake the rest of the family!

Everyone! Hurry!

So that's the rat-exterminating machine named Ushigaeru.

Now...

Let's begin.

Are you all right, Professor?

I need some backup over here!

Got it! I'm on the way!

The eastern corridor should be clear. Please, evacuate.

Why...?

We're getting outta here!

Run for it!

Here it comes!

Wait for me!

We're out of options.

I'll distract it.

You mean to say...

I'm sorry for dragging you into this.

But...

It's fine.

Just run to the exit.

Over here!

That's right. I'm not running or hiding.

H-Hey! Not yet!

Not that way!

Why?!

Now what?!

Damn it! We're done for.

Wanna get in there and try one last time to take 'em down?

H-Hey!

Something... Something's headed this way!

What is it?

What are those things?!

They're coming from above! Look out!

Wow.

Just like he said it would happen.

What the hell is this, now?

I dunno.

Everybody run!

Now, rush 'em!

Down I go!

I think our arrangement here has come to an end.

"Taihei" might mean "peace"...

Taihei

But we'll see how they live up to that name after this.

We're done for!

Run for it!

Hey, all of you! Hold it! Come on!

Help!

Chief!

It's me, Yuya!

I'm here to get paid for the maps I sold you.

Get lost, kid!

But you couldn't have drawn up your plan without my maps...

It was you, wasn't it?!

Did you tip them off about this?!

I'd never try and double-deal like that!

Do something already!

Oh, come on! Where do you think you're going?! Get back here!

S-Stop...!

I've got this!

You twit!

That toy I gave you was just for show!

It's a toy...?

Ow!

I'm sorry...

Yuya!

Hurry and grab it, Yuya!

I can't...

The Aburamushi is nearby.

Leave me behind.

I couldn't...

Please!

Hurry...

You were gonna go someplace better...

What... What about the part where you wanted me to come with you?!

Yuya!

Almost there!

Kagari did what?!

Someone saw her go inside.

Maybe she was going after that Yuya guy...

You think it might lead to a Mushikui Cavity?

That's exactly it.

It's a maze down there. And it's still too dangerous to go and grab a map.

You think we should just leave her?

Those tunnels are the girl's own garden.

I say... we should trust her.

Yeah, I think we'll be fine.

It won't be able to follow, as long as we use the narrower paths.

You're amazing.

I think even if I noticed these side routes, I'd just forget about them and move on.

That seems like such a waste...

A waste?

Yeah.

I remember when we were exploring down here together. It was fun.

You remembered...

My children! It's time we returned home.

Old soldiers never die...

Let us return whence we came!

Okay, we should be safe.

I'm not so sure about that.

Run!

I remembered, too! Up ahead should be...

The shaft...!

Yuya!

We'll use this!

All right, everybody stay where they are! Come along quietly!

Hey, officer!

I think you might have shown up late!

What?!

I'm just saying, we're more or less done already.

Master Sergeant... It happened again.

No piece of the action for us this time.

Stow the complaints, Corporal.

It's a bit odd how smoothly this came together,

but we can leave it to them for now.

Right, Candy Shop?

Seems like being in the secret service doesn't leave a lot of room for the spotlight.

That's just how it is, I think.

I knew it...

Never mind. All right, Corporal, let's pull out of here.

Right!

Attention!

Our detachment will be withdrawing immediately!

I take it you're the Komainu representative?

Yes, sir.

We've just got a few questions, if I could trouble you for a while...

I know.

Hey! Iseya the librarian!

I'm gonna step out for a bit. You handle things around here in the meantime.

All right?

Fine! You stray rat.

Kagari.

Why'd you save me?

I'm... a traitor.

Why, indeed?

Kagari!

Whoa, you're okay!

What a relief!

Remember what you said before, about wanting to get out of here?

Uh... Y-Yeah.

Well, then...

If you do leave, I don't want you to stop making maps.

I guess that's weird to ask?

But why?

Well, it's...

It's because...

I love your maps, Yuya!