Your birthday present.
I wanted a super-red!
That's what I wanted.
It'll turn into a super-red.
Liar!
It's true.
Methylene Blue?
Is it sick?
Around the stomach there?
Look after it. If you don't it'll start to rot.
Hey...
You think people rot?
Sure they do.
Delta Works is a foreign company, with headquarters in London.
Are there any questions you might have?
Nothing?
We've always been mainly a Europe-based information service.
We opened a branch in Japan a year ago.
We deal mostly with large corporations...
...but we've developed a new product to offer smaller companies as well.
This is our...
...'Delta Mazelan F-Series'.
No one provides more information...
...and we feature all the latest in equipment.
You're an inquiry office, aren't you?
I'm a private detective.
Ah, a very "hard-boiled" occupation.
Let's imagine that in the course of your work...
...you need to find something out.
At this point...
...you access our F902.
Our research indicates an 85% chance you'll find the information you want
I have some statistics here to prove it.
That's hard to believe...
I can certainly understand why you'd think that.
And to satisfy any doubts our customers might have...
...for a limited time only, we offer the first month absolutely free.
You have the equipment for one month...
...and to provide any help you might need...
...one of our highly trained staff of operators.
Our operators are all women in their 20s.
Around the office we call them 'the delta ladies'.
But they are all the absolute cream of the crop.
Certainly they have no time for...
...those of us who go around making sales calls.
Well?
Delta Works, hm?
Young women in their 20s.
Aida Detective Agency
Will I be able to use this? I'm terrible with machinery.
Don't worry. The operator will show you what to do.
- That's it? - That's it.
Yo!
You're a Delta Lady?
Don't call me that, OK?
MICCU...
Now 'Return'...
Yeah...
Now the information's being sent from Delta.
Got that?
How fast the answer comes back depends on what you request.
Meanwhile you can have a ciggy, or go pee.
Here it is.
The data comes like this.
Any questions?
None.
OK, let's try it with some work that you're doing,
Get one of your current files.
A file.
...- Sorry...
...- What'a wrong?
Can't do that.
Why not?
A client's privacy is involved.
As far as privacy is concerned...
...in this job I see a lot more than you do.
A woman can keep her mouth shut, too.
No, I don't mean that...
Then shut up and give me a damn file!
Oh, give me a break!
Who'd go shooting off their mouth about something as dumb as this?
But I guess this is what private investigators do.
Here. Try inputting this yourself.
Hey!
Who's this 'Thomas Earwing'?
You see him on TV sometimes...
...talking about whales and elephants and stuff.
A novelist?
A biologist.
Oh.
So you do get important work...
What's a 'dragonfish'?
A tropical fish,
And?
He lost his pet fish and he wants you to find it?
That's what people like me do.
Probably some stray cat ate it.
Hey...
- You press this key at the end? - Yeah.
Well, it isn't working,
No!
Yes.
Show me.
Did you do like I said?
I think so.
Move.
What's that?
My password.
'TS Series'?
Why?!
Don't ask me!
Hello?
I'm sorry. There was an input error at this end.
Yes, I'll take care of it.
What?
Let me see that.
What's going on?
Uh-oh...
What?
Tell me more about this case.
Why?
Tell me what's going on here!
Something about this case is mixed up with our TS Series.
But that's not just not possible!
What's the 'TS Series'?
It's our most highly confidential databank.
'T' for 'top', 'S' for 'secret',
He just walked in off the street one day...
Do you understand English?
Has this guy got a record!
Cocaine, heroin...
This Thomas Earwing is a real piece of work!
He always gets away at the last moment.
That means he has friends in a lot of places.
All that's in your system?
Want to sign up?
Maybe...
'Dragonfish smuggling'?
Do they smuggle dragonfish?
There's different kind of them.
One Asian type is very rare...
Read there.
' "Endangered" under Washington Convention. '
'Import and sale forbidden. '
The Washington Convention protects animals facing extinction.
Handling an "endangered" fish could be pretty risky.
And what do you think that means?
They're worth money.
They can fetch up to 10 million yen.
That's it.
'Super-red dragonfish'?
This is what he's looking for?
He told me it was...
...a silver, from the Amazon.
Why wouldn't it be?
You can buy a silver dragonfish in any tropical-fish store in town.
Look at this.
Those are the stores Tobiyama goes to, and what he buys.
He's very interested in tropical fish.
If he's even prepared to steal one...
...it's only natural it's worth a lot.
I think it's only natural to do what your customer wants.
If he wants you to find his silver one, then do that.
But if I find a super-red?
What if you do?
10 million yen!
Just what are you planning?
It doesn't belong to anyone.
That's awful! That makes you just like a thief!
10 million yen!
'Cherry barb, rasbora heteromorpha...
'... Jesuste... I... b... red tail, black shark...
'... anostom, anostomus... '
Are these all tropical fish?
Yeah. He's got a great collection. Like an aquarium.
And where is this 'Tobiyama Aquarium' of his?
'Aquarium'?
Where he lives?
That's the strange thing.
We know all about his fish collection...
...but nothing about where he lives.
There isn't even a picture.
'Tetsu Tobiyama'...
I thought so!
His name is filed ' top-secret'.
Got you, Kiryu!
Kiryu!
Come with me!
Hello!
What? No way!
Why?
...- Why? ... - Why not?
Because I can't!
Why not?!
You know why! I can't open a TS file for no reason!
I have a reason! The detective, Aida.
He hasn't signed a contract with us yet!
What if he did?
No! What are you so worked up about?
Nothing!
Look...
...the people in the TS files are in a different world from you and me.
They're dangerous to get mixed up with!
OK then, show me how to access the files myself.
No!
Tell me!
Forget it!
No?
Creep!
Just looking, thanks.
Um, do you sell fish food here?
What kind?
The fish?
Dragonfish.
Over here.
Goldfish?
No, I want food for dragonfish.
That's what dragonfish eat.
No!
You don't have a dragonfish?
I'm buying it for a friend.
He didn't tell you what they ate?
Better not marry him.
You're right! He's really mean!
I see...
Dragonfish eat goldfish! That's weird.
Tobiyama's got some weird tastes.
Mr. Tobiyama?
You know him?
He's one of my best customers.
He buys his fish-food here?
He usually buys that near his home.
I'm too far away.
Yeah, it is a little far, isn't it.
Hey.
Does Mr. Tobiyama's car come from this way or that way?
This way, I think...
Is there something wrong?
I think he's cheating on me ... but don't say anything, OK?
Thanks a lot.
Thank you very much.
I found seven places he buys food at.
I got eight.
Fifteen in all.
But there's one place he goes to a lot.
Where?
Marine Paradise.
'Marine Paradise'...
That's the main place.
Tell me the others.
But we know now...
Know what?
His hide-out must be near Marine Paradise.
Is it that simple?
Isn't that why we checked out all the fish-food stores?
Unless he's deliberately avoiding places near his house...
Maybe...
...Marine Paradise is a decoy.
We ought to consider all 15 places.
So he could be anywhere!
Where does he buy things besides food?
He's a regular customer at 82 stores...
...out of which he buys fish-food at 15.
Most people use the same shop to buy fish-food.
Or so one owner told me.
So does he change stores so he won't leave any tracks?
But on the other hand...
...why do all the shop owners remember Tobiyama?
After all, he's a 'top-secret' person.
Isn't that strange?
That his identity is known to so many shop-owners...
Maybe that's deliberate, too.
Revealing himself to them?
You mean...
...he covers his tracks, but makes sure people know who he is?
Hiding his head and showing his tail? That's not very smart.
I just don't get it!
Me neither.
Maybe that's the idea.
Think about it.
The more tracks Tobiyama leaves, the more confused people get.
Like after a kid's snowball fight.
You can't tell whose tracks are whose.
That'd be a smart idea.
That's how we get him.
How?
Don't shoot this way. You'll hit the fish.
Always take two shots.
Didn't you realize you'd missed?
Don't know you know what a bullet hitting flesh sounds like?
Try for here again.
Good shot!
Now try this.
Good! You've been practicing.
Now try here.
Now, if I pull the trigger...
No. There'll be blood all over the wall.
First it affects your eyes.
You see a dim light, and you run to it.
Then your ears go, and you start to shake.
After that I don't know. It's never happened to me.
You can shoot me if you want, or you can run.
What's it going to be?
Ready, set, go!
Assuming he went to Marine Paradise...
...we see how he proceeds.
We can't tell from that which road he'd take, right?
Now we add in the other stores in it.
First 'Prosper'...
Then 'Abe Tropical Fish'...
Then 'Aguapark'...
'Otake Marin Park'
'Otsuka Tropical Fish'...
'Fish-Mate Nippori'...
The more places Mr. Fling-Hill flies... the more data we have.
Run, run, run!
Fly, fly, fly!
O God!
Let there be light!
The arithmetic's done.
We've input the data on all 82 places.
Now, what streets connect all these places?
Shazam!
Is that it?
The aquarium entrance.
Get rid of him.
It's a big area.
We need more information to dig up this treasure.
What've you got?
Nothing.
Let's be patient.
What are you looking for?
Do you know a Maruho Transport around here?
I'm delivering something.
Not a treasure hunt?
What treasure?
What's with him?
Damn!
Excuse me!
Hello!
Excuse me!
Do you know a gas station anywhere around here?
A delivery to a gas station?
I'm sorry...
a pump!
Sorry to trouble you...
An aquarium...
What?
What?!
Hello? It's me... listen...
I've found the aquarium.
Yeah... just a minute... I'll look on my map...
Where did it go?
Right now I'm at...
Hello? What's wrong?
The battery? It's going dead? Just a minute...
Hello? Hello?
Hello?
So then what did I do?
I looked for a pay phone, but there wasn't one anywhere.
I walked around for an hour! Can you believe that?
Damn bike!
Lend me your phone?
Where's your bike?
I left it.
Sorry.
No phone.
What?!
Would you like a cold drink?
Come up.
Wow! Is this a hobby of yours?
Have you had lunch?
No.
I'm just starting to make something...
But...
Eat with me,
Don't you like Wagner?
It's fine. I'm not particular.
You... your name is?
Your name.
Natsuro.
Natsuro? Natsuro what?
Well... Just Natsuro.
Oh! Mr. Just?
No.
Oh, then 'Natsu Ro'?
Your last name!
Who are you?
Me? I'm Poo.
Ms Poo?
Poo Ring-wong.
'Poo'!
Poo poo!
Got an ashtray?
An ashtray?
Keeping tropical fish...
Is it hard?
It's easy.
I wonder if I could do it...
Sure.
I used to have a goldfish. A telescope goldfish.
A big one. And Black.
But it died.
I fed it, and changed its water...
...but it's be nice to have one like this.
What?
Eat.
Um... isn't this a pet?
A pet?
I don't like that word.
Sorry.
My friend.
Then why are you eating it?
Why not?
You don't eat friends!
Don't you eat fish?
Sure.
But horse mackerel, saury, fish like that.
People don't usually eat goldfish!
You don't like freshwater fish?
They taste so good...
Hey...
What's that fish called?
A dragonfish.
'Dragonfish'.
A dragonfish, huh?
Can you eat those, too?
Why?
Why? Well, uh... I don't know...
This fish is good, isn't it.
That's a weird way to eat.
Who are you to talk!
I'm exhausted!
Where were you? I've been worried!
I found it.
Found what?
The dragonfish!
He showed it to me.
What "he"?
That's a secret.
Not by Tobiyama?!
It's a secret!
Come on, tell me! I'm your partner in this!
What 'partner'? Let's talk business here.
A 7-3 split?
For me?
No, stupid! I get seven, of course!
You don't like that?
I wouldn't complain about 8-2, either, you know.
Don't tell my company about this, OK?
This is for the other day.
For the gas and the tropical cuisine.
Mahler!
A weird way to listen...
You listen with your body.
The fish taught me that.
Do they like classical music?
A lot.
Look.
They have a line down their flank.
It's an antenna.
The sound goes through their whole body.
They hear music...
...like the swaying of the water, like bubbles of sound.
You look very romantic, Mr. Fish.
OK... I'm...
...a flounder!
A starfish!
A sea-serpent!
I'm Watanabe, from Homicide.
I'm Maeda.
'Tetsu Tobiyama'
You're looking for information on him?
We have no information on him.
All right.
Mr. Kiryu...
Take them to Data.
Yes, sir.
'Tetsu Tobiyama'
This is him?!
He sells military services.
He assembles special assault units and sells them to governments.
If two countries are at war he sells assassination teams to both sides.
But what really surprised me...
...is how little there is on him even at the TS level.
Because it goes higher than that.
Higher than even TS?!
Yeah. There's a 'special top-secret' file only a few people know about.
It was called 'Odessa Series'.
And there's even more surprises in there.
Most of that data's locked up.
Even your 'shazam! ' won't open it up.
I was just stunned by it.
Excited, like I'd seen blue sky above the clouds.
But why did you tell me it was impossible to get this?
You're very lucky.
The police came yesterday to check what we had on Tobiyama.
I heard that name and I freaked.
Otherwise we'd never have seen this.
Kili... What this?
This kid entered the country with Tobiyama last month.
What was his name?
That's how the police got involved. He entered illegally.
He's quite something, too.
Show me that, Kili.
Thanks, Kili!
Hey! Poo!
Tell me when you're dead.
Now what are you looking for?
Fish have taught me many things.
Different things.
Still you eat them...
They taught me that, too.
All creatures live by eating, and die by being eaten.
In that lies their true happiness.
Being killed and eaten? Not me, thanks.
If I had to die, that's how I'd want it.
Eaten by a shark, or a lion...
If I met a lion on the African savanna...
...and I couldn't fight it...
...then all I could do would be to die.
Who has the right to condemn someone to death?
God?
If so, the lion is God's servant.
I'd commit my body to it.
Its fangs would pierce my throat.
The bigger those fangs were...
...and the more strength they had to bite...
...the more at peace I would be...
...as I take in the last of what I would ever see.
Don't talk like that!
Let's go look at the sea.
Well, I can't leave here.
Why not? It's not far.
I can't.
Just for a bit.
Why? Won't your mother let you go out?
Is it a secret?
OK, forget it.
I'll ask.
He might let me.
Who?
Ask who?
Who's going to let you?
Is that a secret, too?
You've sure got a lot of secrets.
Your protector is an evil man.
He'll let me.
Forget it!
He will!
Forget it!
Together...
...let's go look at the sea.
Keep quiet.
Keep quiet!
Ignore it.
They'll come in.
What?
Two of them.
Cops.
Bullshit!
Answer it.
Don't try anything funny.
Yes?
Sorry to bother you. We'd like to ask you some questions.
You've just moved in here...
A month ago.
You live here alone?
Yes.
Do you have any identification?
My passport...
That's fine.
Game's too easy for you?
This tanks is too small?
Listen...
...I want to go out tomorrow.
No. You're leaving here tonight.
Get ready.
Natsuro!
What are you doing here?
This is what you wanted.
Have it.
But...
Sorry. We can't go look at the sea.
Look.
They caught Thomas.
'Thomas Earwing On Drugs Charge'
Oh.
Damn! There goes my fee down the drain.
Huh?!
Is this the dragonfish?!
Thomas Earwing's?
All right!
That's 10 million yen! 10 million yen for you and...
Hey! This isn't a super-red!
It's a silver!
The ones you can buy anywhere!
So our 10 million yen's down the drain, too?
We laughed too soon.
What do you want to do with this one?
I don't know...
Thomas is in jail...
Let's eat it.
It tastes like any other fish...
Biologist Thomas Earwing, arrested yesterday on narcotics charges...
...has also been charged with smuggling tropical fish.
Yeah, right!
After he admitted smuggling dragonfish into Japan...
...the new charges were filed today.
Earwing imported an Amazon silver dragonfish to which...
I hate roe!
I love it.
...the ovaries of a rare Asian super-red dragonfish were transplanted.
Police are looking for the transplanted ovaries.
This endangered species...
...is protected under the Washington Wildlife Convention.
Its sale is forbidden...
...but specimens sell on the black market...
...for between 10 and 20 million yen.
Specialists suggest that the ovaries...
...could be worth more than a billion yen.
You ate it?!
A billion yen worth of roe! How was it?
The girl was worth more than the fish?
Where do we go next?
Where they know what you're worth.
Ripped by: SkyFury