Hmph, you've improved.
They all seem to be in perfect condition.
I'm sure they will fully demonstrate their abilities in the mission,
or rather, battle that is about to start.
It seems the time has come.
That's how it always starts... under the azure sky
After making a vow, I now set off
Yeah, the desert glitters with a golden hue (The wind is scorching)
I'm searching for a diamond flower (I keep on wandering)
Now, for the first time in my life,
I live for someone else
There's something I wanna protect
I'll never, ever lose it again
Resound, my heartbeat!
A heartbeat smaller and fragile, but tougher than anyone's.
"Cat Sets Sail"
All preparations have been made, so please rest and relax today.
And tomorrow morning, we will set sail for Kraken Island.
It's finally time, huh?
What's the matter? Is something...
Train!
What's the meaning of this?
Stop, Train!
Train!
What the!?
You're!
Ch- Chrono Numbers...
Yes, I'm No. X... Lin Shaolee.
What's Chronos trying to do by gathering sweepers?
Of course, the capture of Creed Diskenth.
Capture, my foot! You want his death!
As you say, Creed Diskenth's death.
Rather, the annihilation of the Apostles of the Stars.
Annihilation!?
I see...
The Apostles of the Stars are a nuisance for Chronos.
And for us sweepers, they make good bounty.
So, it'd be a waste if you don't take advantage of us...
Our target is the same, so there should be no problem in how it is accomplished.
How like Chronos.
They do anything to get what then want.
You're right.
However, Black Cat, you can understand, can't you?
The reason why Chronos operates that way.
The hell with this!!
Now that we know Chronos was behind this,
let's just call this whole thing off!
That's right! We're not lapdogs for Chronos!
I don't quite care for this turn of events.
Sweepers don't take orders from anyone.
The ideal of Chronos is world peace.
Can't you understand that mind-set?
Bullshit! It doesn't matter if we understand it or not.
We're not interested in Chronos' mind-set!!
He's right.
Don't take us lightly.
This is why you're sweepers...
What'd you say!?
Why you!
You bastard!
When things don't go your way, you immediately resort to violence.
So sweepers really are just barbarians, huh?
What!?
River-san!
Then, you're saying that erasers aren't barbarians?
After all you're killers, aren't you?
You don't mince any words, do you?
Well fine... just remember this much.
We cannot allow Creed Diskenth free rein to do as he pleases
He will certainly lead the world on the path to destruction.
How is Creed's condition?
He is doing just fine. The fusion of the ki energy of Tao and nanotechnology...
The molding of unused cells and giving form to ki energy substances...
Everything is going well.
When Creed awakens, tell him this...
Sweepers eager for a 3 billion bounty will head there shortly.
Sweepers? Humph!
Such fools!
You'd better not underestimate them.
Black Cat is also among them.
I see...
All right. Leave the sweepers to me.
Just keep track of their movements.
Understood.
I can't stop laughing.
That's because the sweepers will be the prey
for the weapons that I have created!
...for the living weapons created through the fusion of Tao and nanotech!
Right, Echidna?
You're going to take care of them before Creed awakens, right?
Are you worried about Black Cat?
Well...
I just dislike cats who are too mischievous.
No!
Can't you make an exception?
No way!
Why?
Everyone gets scared shitless just from hearing the name Kraken Island.
Why don't you offer money?
You think I have that kind of money?
I just thought I'd mention it, is all.
We're like that saying "The poor have no money"!
There's no saying like that.
Hey! Still can't rent a boat?
Shut up! Why are you coming with us if you're always complaining!?
Can't help it!
The sweeper alliance has practically disbanded.
I'd feel sorry for you if you were gonna go to Kraken Island by yourselves.
So super-strong me will go with you! Be grateful!
- Huh? - Bad sense of direction, huh?
Yes, he's got a bad sense of direction.
Why, the last time, he got lost and ended up walking along the sewer.
Don't say that!
Please take the boat out!
No matter how much you beg, no means no!
The currents around that island are fierce and we can't get close to it. Understand?
Um... I'll give you my treasure!
Apologize... to the girl!
Wh- Who are you?
A brave sweeper who's looking for a boat to go to Kraken Island, just like that girl.
Right?
Oh?
What?
Are you hurt?
No.
Believe me.
That island is cursed. Better not go near it.
Sorry, missy!
Cursed?
Dammit!
And he calls himself a seafaring man? What a joke!
Just watch me... even if I have to swim over, I'll...
Can you...
sail a boat?
In Chronos' eyes, we, sweepers, are just small fries.
Yeah...
But that guy said it was for peace, didn't he?
Yeah, but the peace they're talking about is one that fulfills their own interest.
That's a falsehood villains often use!
I shoulda let 'im have it then!
Damn right!
Next time I see him, he won't get away so easily!
But I sorta understand what that Shaolee guy was saying.
Huh?
I don't know much about Chronos,
but I think them trying to destroy the Apostles of the Stars is a good thing.
I'm not smart, so I can't explain it well,
but if everyone in the world can live peacefully, or happily,
I think that's good.
Mundock, are you... stupid!?
We, sweepers, aren't champions of justice!
We work for money! In other words, this is business!
Business!
But none of us are here for the money... I know that much...
This is a personal thing...
but I'm very interested in you.
People even called you the legendary eraser, Black Cat.
Why is someone like you working as a mere sweeper?
That's none of your business.
Well, it is.
I've always thought...
that I'd become a member of Chronos Numbers like you.
You, as an eraser, were indeed my goal,
and I really admired you.
How's this?
Err... well...
A box, an umbrella and tires.
Eve, that's rude.
You don't expect to sail to Kraken Island in that thing?!
Hey, cut it out!
Huh? Err... I didn't mean it like that... Uhm...
Hey, this is a fine boat!
Awright! Off to Kraken Island we go now!
Row! Row!
It's impossible after all, isn't it?
H- Hey, where're you going?
I'm going to look for a bigger boat.
Oh, I see...
Is it revenge? For Saya Minatsuki?
It didn't take long to find out the circumstances surrounding No. XIII
up until the time he left Chronos.
So there shouldn't be any problem. Our target is the same.
Why not join forces against the Apostles of the Stars so that...
I already told you. I don't trust Chronos.
Why not?
The sweeper alliance is a decoy, isn't it?
While the sweepers draw the attention of the Apostles of the Stars...
the Numbers will attack their base...
I see... so you have it all figured out.
And you want to say that that is a dirty trick?
However, failure is not an option for Chronos.
That is because our loss means the destruction of the world order.
Hence, we cannot be picky about our methods.
Err... missy...
I think you'd better go home soon or your mommy and daddy will worry.
I don't have any.
Huh?
I don't have a mommy or daddy.
Don't have...
Oh!
Chronos bears a very heavy responsibility on its shoulders.
It's much different from sweepers who are merely bounty hunters.
Well, I'm a sweeper, too.
No, you are of the same caliber as the Numbers.
Why don't you quit pretending to be some lowly sweeper
and return to Chronos?
For someone like you, the elders are sure to permit your return!
You don't understand anything.
I left Chronos because I wanted to be a sweeper...
in order to gain the freedom to think on my own and to live as I please.
I have no intention of returning now... not one bit.
Freedom to you means turning your back on justice and fighting for revenge?
I'll ask you one more time... Train Heartnet!
You don't have any intention of following Chronos' noble cause?
I'll settle with Creed myself.
And I won't allow Chronos to interfere.
I see...
I guess I still couldn't get you to see...
A sweeper can never win against Chronos...
because the responsibility we shoulder is much heavier.
I wonder about that.
A stray cat sweeper may be living with a much heavier burden, you know.
Shall we see about that?
What the!?
What the hell are these things!?
Is this... no way!
Transformation!?
Ahhhh!
What's this!? It doesn't look like it's just nanotech!
It's probably that "Tao" thing, isn't it!?
The fusion of nanotech and Tao!
So, this is the answer the Apostles of the Stars were seeking!!
Damn you!
- Are you all right!? - Monsters! Those monsters!
What!?
On Kraken Island, those monsters took my mommy and daddy!
Then you were on Kraken Island!?
Daddy put the boat out and let me escape!
The island became full of monsters!
I see... Okay.
You stay put right here.
The sweepers will take care of all the bad monsters!
Sweepers?
This way!
Are you all right?
Hurry and get away!
Let's go!
Yes!
It's useless!
What!?
What... what are you fighting for?
Huh?
Well, I'm a sweeper.
So, I'm just clearing away things that get in peoples' way.
Can you understand?
Train-san...
This is what sweepers are all about.
Sweepers are fools.
Even though it doesn't bring in any money...
they're fighting for strangers...
And aren't you one of these fools?
Perhaps so.
If you want to use us as a decoy, go right ahead.
And we'll use Chronos.
That's fine by us...
I'm just glad you all came...
Mister!
What're you doing here?
Please... take me to the island!
Nope.
There are lots of monsters.
Uhm...
Then Mommy and Daddy...
Your Mommy and Daddy?
They're there! Mommy and Daddy are somewhere on that island!
I know it!
Okay.
I'll take on that job!
Thank you, Mister!
Be careful!
Huh?
The fusion of nanotech and Tao?
This thing seems way deeper than I thought.
Where'd Rins go?
She said she had work.
Oh... What a busy woman she is... as usual...
Although, there seems to be another busy woman here...
You're... one of the Apostles of the Stars!
The world famous actress...
Echidna Parass...
What's the big idea?
Anyone... anyone who tries to harm Creed...
will be eliminated.
That's...
Geez, that woman!
Creed...
Since your new black boots caused a blister,
you rest your right foot
We'll keep walking along with our own rhythm, without rushing
Don't say anything because we'll soon understand each other
I'm just holding you now to keep you warm
I'm completely wrapped around you, so...
Quietly the powder-like snow is building up...
"Next Episode"
Awright! We've made it to the base of the Apostles of the Stars!
Train, I heard you have complicated history with the leader of the enemy.
Okay then, you just leave everything to me!
I'll restrain his underlings until you attain your long-cherished goal!
Why, if I swing my knuckles, these guys will be easily...
"Sprinting Cat"
Holy crap! They're strong!
"Sprinting Cat"