The Voice That Calls To Dogs
We've arrived.
Shamon-sama is waiting for us.
This way.
Come in quietly.
Shamon-sama!
Would you wake up?!
You have guests.
Ow-ow-ow-ow.
Sorry, sorry. I was so absorbed in my training
that I must have achieved a state of enlightenment.
Maybe you just drank too much?
Oh, so this is the one, eh?
The kid you were talking about.
He reeks of booze!
It reminds me of that time two years ago.
My name is Shamon.
It's nice to meet you, kid.
Welcome, my mysterious guest.
Right. Kuchiha, give me what you've grated.
That certainly smells good.
You've got my attention.
I'll listen to your story.
Clam rice and fermented soybean soup. Fried white radish on the side.
This should be an ample meal.
Eat it all, don't leave anything.
How is it? Good?
Yes, very.
However, the more I hear of your story, the less I want to believe it.
I sensed a strong, unearthly spirit when I was in town, so I went after it.
When I got there, the Nue was already attacking him.
It's a rare thing for a Nue to attack someone.
Before that monster attacked me, I was normal.
This reminds me of when I met Kon.
That is to say...
Toki, you're like Kon, aren't you? You're from another world.
Is that about right?
Yes...
So, I suppose you're looking for a way to go home.
I guess...
I'm sorry to tell you this, since you came here for my help,
but I'll tell you plainly. It's impossible.
Kon's still here because I have no idea how to send him back either.
However, we do have a few things to work with.
We know that when Kon got here, the Nue attacked him too.
It's certain that the Nue and the Yakou hold the keys to this.
They only appear rarely, and they're strange spirits,
but we have nothing to lose by trying to catch them.
Well, as soon as I get any useful information, I'll let you know.
You can leave that much to me.
You should stay at this temple until you get used to things.
I have a lot of influence around here, and I'd feel more at ease that way.
Ah, sure. Thank you very much.
Kon, Kuchiha, look after Tokidoki, okay?
Okay.
Um, excuse me.
Normal people can't see spirits, can they?
Then is information likely to reach you?
Sure it will.
After all, exterminating spirits is my job.
May I join you?
Sure.
So, how does it feel, to find out that you're stuck here?
I don't really mind.
You're still damn calm about it.
It's the opposite.
I have no idea what's going on.
I was thinking I should concentrate on what I can actually do right now.
For example?
Helping with the housework and stuff...
You're a realist, aren't you?
There isn't much else I can help Shamon with, after all.
Even I know that looking after a stranger like me is...
The monk is experienced at being accommodating.
He took care of me and Kuchiha.
Like you, I was a stranger,
and Kuchiha has grown up with her own unique set of problems.
What do you mean?
She was born with a special condition.
The monk accepted that and looked after her.
Even though it's in his job description,
he doesn't think of it as a burden.
Ah, don't worry about it too much.
A dog?
Did I just imagine that?
Who was it?
Who the hell hung these here?
It must have been her.
Hey you! Obstructing Kein-Sama's path with laundry deserves punishment.
Hey, she's got a sword, even though she's only a girl.
She's got some nerve.
Hey, woman. Who the hell do you think you are?
Samurai, I humbly offer my apologies.
Please—
Kuchiha!
Please, have mercy.
All right, I see.
Show me your face.
You have a surprisingly refined face, don't you?
Stop it!
What?
You're the ones who just walked into the temple grounds uninvited.
You! Stop it!
You bastard.
You insolent fool.
What's with those fists?
Are you a barbarian?
Are you related to barbarians in some way?
This is perfect. I had this sharpened just yesterday.
This will be a fine chance to test the edge on the blade.
Sh-Sharpened?
A sword?
Samurai-sama, if you must attack someone, attack me.
Piss off. You're in the way.
Kuchiha!
Look for an opening, and run back to the temple!
But why?
At least look after your own life.
If you incur their wrath, your life is as good as over.
No way.
What are you muttering about over there?
Your opponent is over here.
Those look good.
It's in the way.
I'll take it off.
Yes, yes, take it off. Let's see if that's really a woman.
Stop it!
Right, kid. Now we can test the blade's sharpness.
Wa— St—
Stop!
Aren't you quite the courageous, honorable samurai.
What the hell?
You want to be killed?
If you think you can strike me, then try.
If you want to bathe in my blood so much.
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An inugami-tsuki is a person possessed by a dog spirit.
In this inugami-tsuki blood.
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An inugami-tsuki is a person possessed by a dog spirit.
It's the mark of evil!
Shit! Let's get out of here!
We'll be cursed!
Kuchiha, are you okay? Are you hurt?
When our eyes met, you should have realized that I was pretending not to know you.
You're ten years too early to be thinking you can rescue me!
Why didn't you run like I told you?
But, if I see a girl in a dangerous situation, I can't just leave her.
If you get hurt, then it'll be a problem for me.
Besides, I'm used to stuff like that.
They all ran off terrified.
What are inugami-tsuki anyway?
They are creatures so detested
that if outsiders were to find out about them, this house would be reduced to rubble in three days.
Th-Then, if we don't do something, Kuchiha will—
Are you aware that in this era, the penalties for fighting over personal grievances are harsh?
It's not unusual for all those involved to be put to death.
Knowing all that, do you still want to do something about it?
You... just piss me off.
I do want to do something.
It may be selfish, but I just won't feel right unless I do something about it.
Then what do you think we should do?
Shinonome.
I guess there's no way to control the spirits here, is there?
I guess there isn't.
Then maybe I've just thought of something I can do.
Right, let's get some payback.
Hey, watchman. Wake up.
How many times do I have to tell you?
Stop loitering about the streets until the dead of night!
Now, Heihachi.
That was a shitty welcome. Thank you.
Now you can work to pay me back for the lantern.
You bastard! You did that on purpose!
You're not even welcome here!
You're too noisy.
You'll bother the neighbors.
And whose fault is that?! Whose?!
So Kon, are you plotting mischief again?
I suppose so, but this time I'm not doing it, he is.
Hi.
Is he a forei—
Um, I'm Toki.
It may not look like it, but I was born and raised in Japan.
Nice to meet you, Heihachi-san.
Nice to meet you.
Let's go.
So you're not living at the temple?
Kuchiha watches me all the time when I'm there.
I'm more comfortable here.
Hey, take a seat.
I'll be in this place for a few days, I guess.
This is everything. Think you can get it ready?
Sure, leave it to me.
Then I'll see you tomorrow evening.
Right, we need to teach you to use a still.
Why is something like this here in this era?
You know, they have cameras and telescopes in this era.
You know a lot about science.
I'm surprised you've come to believe in spirits.
That's where you misunderstand.
Is there a rabbit living on the moon?
No.
We know that there's no rabbit living there.
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Japanese folklore interprets the markings on the moon as a rabbit making rice cakes.
But this era doesn't have a space shuttle, so they can't prove there's no rabbit making rice cakes up there.
m 40 20 l 900 20 900 80 40 80
Japanese folklore interprets the markings on the moon as a rabbit making rice cakes.
Our way of thinking is based on science,
but their thinking is based on superstition.
If you believe in gods, ayakashi, and monsters, then they really exist.
I don't deny that way of thinking.
Well, all that's left is to let it ferment, and then you can have what you want, lead actor.
Kuchiha, are those two coming by today?
I haven't seen them yet.
Kuchiha! Your face...
It's nothing. I was careless and bumped into something.
By the gods... A girl should take better care of her face.
You bruised it by mistake?
Be more careful.
Yes, I'm really sorry.
Monster! I will destroy you!
And then, when I said that, it turned and fled!
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So, what is an inugami-tsuki exactly?
Don't you know?
Well, I'm not educated.
Then I'll tell you.
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A kemono-tsuki is a person possessed by a beast.
A kemono-tsuki is one that has a cursed symbol on its flesh,
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A kemono-tsuki is a person possessed by a beast.
a ferocious and dangerous creature that delights in slaughter.
Th-There's a monster like that around here?
I saw it, right near here.
It must have escaped after the monk captured it, I bet.
If I see it again, I'll fight and slay it!
Just like a valiant samurai.
Um, I have to say, samurai-sama, that the bill is...
Hey, old man, you want money from me?
But...
Original Soba
Hey. What's that?
Bastard, are you listening to me, old man?
Why are you—
What the hell are you?
I am one who lives in that temple.
What are you talking about? Stay away!
Old man—
What—
Hey, wait!
Wait! Don't leave me here!
Be ashamed of your folly.
You use your power to oppress others.
Accept your punishment.
And now the same is inflicted upon you.
This is what you have done to others.
You and your comrades.
The next time, you won't be let off with a threat.
Prepare yourself.
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Well, well.
H-H-Hot! It's hot!
Good work.
You guys, that was reckless!
You never told me about that!
About all the fire!
It's all right. Everything's okay.
Good work, old man!
That guy ate for free every day.
Man, that felt good.
So how did the trick work?
I knew who you were, but I was still frightened.
This liquid is made from potatoes.
It's called ethanol, and it burns pretty well.
If you soak your hand in water first,
and then put on the ethanol,
you can light a fire, and it won't feel hot because of the water.
It only lasts for a little while though.
The lettering was done with tobacco ashes.
We burned tobacco weed until it turned white.
Accept your punishment.
We mixed it with water and wrote the words.
That's supposed to make it more flammable, so the flames only burned one part, but...
I guess I won't be able to use it for a while.
We'll fix it right up for you.
Then that's fine.
It's nothing serious.
I'm sorry.
You'll catch a cold.
Thank you.
You're unexpectedly interesting.
I'll have to reconsider my opinion of you.
But if Shinonome hadn't made the ingredients for me, I couldn't have done it.
You know, having the knowledge is pretty amazing,
but actually putting the plan into action is even more amazing.
Hey, what are you insinuating?
What indeed?
Giving the hard jobs to other people isn't particularly impressive.
That's rich coming from a guy who's good for nothing else!
What are you talking about?
It's the truth, you joker.
Don't call me a joker!
Hey, are you listening to me?
Our friend is laid up in bed because of this!
Is it your job to shelter demons?
Well?
Now what?
Should we make you retire?
Or are you going to do it for us?
Those guys barged in, saying they were attacked by an ayakashi last night.
They've been shouting complaints at him non-stop.
Are you satisfied, now that you've made problems for Shamon-sama too?
What an idiotic thing to do.
I'm sorry.
But... I couldn't believe you could get so used to being harassed that you didn't mind.
I thought that even if you wanted to get used to it, it must be hurting you, in your heart.
You fool.
You let emotion govern your actions too much,
and you cause trouble for those around you.
Don't pull another stunt like that.
You can relax now.
And...
thank you.
Perhaps I do feel a little better.
You're a noisy bunch.
Do you think you could leave sometime soon?
We have no monsters, spirits, or kemono-tsuki here.
What?
I'll tell you, because it looks like you don't know.
I've been looking after this place for about ten years now,
and I've said this many times before.
Those who delight in finding other people's weaknesses,
and in making themselves look strong to oppress others,
are the truly evil monsters.
If you can understand that, then get the hell out of here now!
You morons.
Um, how long were you guys standing there?
Just for a little while.
You know, you were pretty cool there.
Man, that's embarrassing.
Next Episode
On The Monster's Road
Episode 3:
On the monster's road.