Episode 10 And The Day Falls
Let's go to Nihonbashi.
So, I guess that means Rikugou-san trusts the tengu and his subordinates, right?
Eh? Ah, umm, it doesn't mean as much as that.
It's just a hunch.
Right, then, let's follow your hunch.
I'm sorry to interrupt you at an interesting part of the story...
but what on earth is the Blank Page?
What?! You don't know!
I-Is it bad that I don't know?
Come on, now... You guys are talking about difficult things with that "I know everything" look!
Now, explain it!
I don't know, or perhaps I should say, I don't believe it that much.
Isn't that worse than me?
Basically, only a few people know about the Blank Page.
I'll explain in detail at my house in Nihonbashi.
I'm sorry that I'm slow to understand.
It's more surprising to me that you know about such a highly confidential matter.
You're a close confidant of Sasaki-dono, not just a minor official.
Oh, I must've slipped up.
Don't lie. In addition to being in this secular place,
we are accompanying people who might possibly make matters worse.
What?
No, it's nothing.
Then, take your hand off me!
I can't do that.
Hey, don't touch me.
What the hell are you...
Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, I got it, I got it.
Let me go. Let me go!
Sorry, Kuchiha.
Hey, I'll leave you two alone.
Hey, Kuchiha! If we don't hurry, we'll get left behind.
Yeah, I know.
Young master, welcome back.
This is my house.
I'm running a kind of pharmacy.
Young master, may I talk to you?
This is really amazing.
It's quite big and busy.
That's because Yorozu-ya is the biggest store around here.
Young master, who are your companions?
Oh, they're important friends of Sasaki-sama.
I'm sorry, but would you take them to the back?
Okay! Will do.
Now, everyone. Please come this way.
Well, in diagram form, it would look like this.
The three who received part of Teiten's power
Bon, Gyou, and Koku.
But, in some ways you could say that Rikugou-san here
has the same power as Teiten.
Although he doesn't look it at all.
I think so too. But, Kuchiha,
it's also said that a talented hawk hides its talon.
You're no hawk, you're a crested ibis.
A pun on Toki's nickname, which means ibis in Japanese.
Yeah.
A pun on Toki's nickname, which means ibis in Japanese.
Bon, Gyou, Koku are all effectively under Teiten's thumb.
They can only move along the strands of heaven's net.
Rikugou-san is the only one who can tear the strands or weave new ones.
But isn't that what everyone does?
Most people don't know what will happen in the future.
Sure. But the one who knows the end of the world says
that keeping matters unchanged will not be good.
Gyouten-sama seems to know all about it,
but doesn't say anything to the common people.
A beautiful but unexpectedly stingy person.
You, watch your mouth!
Oh, sorry. I slipped up again.
I see.
Wow, you understood that.
I grasped it, but I don't agree.
Yeah, I feel somewhat like that too.
How irresponsible!
According to the story, you seem to be in an extraordinary position!
Y-Yeah.
Perhaps the tengu is just planning to use you?
Umm, didn't I say that they really didn't look that bad to me?
So, you're actually going to trust the tengu, aren't you?
Umm, didn't I say that rather than trusting him, it's my hunch?
Are you in a bad mood?
Yeah.
You surely must be.
Isn't that all right?
The Blank Page is an open canvas, with no biases laid on it.
It fits your way of not judging others by whether they're demons or human.
Putting these complex matters aside, I can agree with that one point.
Although it makes me angry too.
Excuse me.
I brought some tea.
Beni-chan, thank you.
It's a direct hit.
Lucky that you didn't go on a fool's errand.
What do you mean?
Those officers we met a while ago were investigating an incident. The cause was a pair of men,
one an informer who's quite well known around here, the other a doctor suspected of making illegal opium.
Genkichi, the man who was murdered,
seems to have been selling opium illegally.
The officers believe that low-class scum committed the crime to destroy evidence.
Opium...
Drugs...
So humans committed the murder at Naitou-Shinjyuku, right?
If demons were not involved, it's none of our business.
But, there's been quite a lot of talk about seeing will-o'-the-wisps in the neighborhood lately.
That could be considered strange.
How about dividing into two groups now?
I'll go check around there with this young lady.
In the meantime, the rest of you can wait here.
Negative.
I can't leave Shinshu's side.
How can I leave Shinshu by herself?
If she wants someone to talk to, there's my sister.
She is my dear, proud sister.
I'm not worried about that.
If you're concerned about a guard, the person sitting over there seems to be very skilled.
Apparently she's stronger than you.
Isn't that reassuring?
Wh— You think I'm weaker than she is?
Oh, sorry. I'm naturally honest.
You...
Wh-What was that? Don't surprise me!
Oh, sorry, sorry.
It's just the two of you were glaring at each other.
Tsuruume-san, don't take such a truculent attitude.
You'll make Shinshu-chan worry in turn.
Kurotobi-san, you mustn't tease Tsuruume-san, even if you see she's on edge.
Oh, how did you know?
Kurotobi-san, you're probably a bully?
Oh, how could you know that?
Never mind. Never mind.
It's unavoidable.
Since we've made a decision, let's finish quickly and come back immediately.
Yes.
On my way, I'll also check whether anything else is happening in town.
Let's do it carefully.
Yes, I'm counting on you.
You know what I did?
They turned me out.
So I stole all their money before I ran away from them.
Don't you think that's going too far?
They'll probably come after you!
I'm connected to the notorious group known as Amaza.
Even if they don't believe in demons, it's common knowledge that we can curse and kill.
How would they dare interfere?
Isn't that so, boss?
I'm not going to wipe up your mess, Susutake.
I know that!
And you came to see me because you want some information, right?
I didn't know that there was information even you couldn't get, boss.
Are you going to answer me or not?
I will, but I want you to listen to my story too!
I was in jail until recently, and I've been dying for a good conversation!
It was probably because of your tattoo.
Isn't it cool?
These tattoos are used to mark people who've been banished from Osaka to Edo.
And because you have that, you got arrested.
You idiot,
just tell me whether or not you've seen Tsuyukusa.
Tsuyukusa?
Oh, that impudent brat.
I haven't seen him.
Have there been any incidents?
I heard there was a murder in the backstreet, and a jailbreak as well.
Those aren't related.
Can you truly say that demons weren't involved?
Yeah, because this is the person who broke out of jail.
You might not think he's a good doctor, but he is.
Why is an escapee here?
I helped him,
because we became friends when we were locked in the same cell.
After hearing his story, I think he's innocent.
I had a lot of medicine that I'd made myself to use in surgery.
The drugs were all stolen.
Was that opium?
It's a pain killer.
This robber seemingly tried to sell the drugs.
An officer mistook me for the mastermind behind the scenes and arrested me.
When I was in trouble, this man helped...
How's that? I'm pretty cool, right?!
Shut up.
Breaking out of jail went well,
but for a while, it will be dangerous to be out and about.
So, I asked if I could hide here.
And, while we were here, the robber was killed.
He probably ran into trouble with some low-life while dealing the drugs.
Yeah, it doesn't seem related to Tsuyukusa.
Oh, hey, are you going out?
Hey, you guys. I'll be out for a bit.
I'll take care of your sake.
Utsubushi!
Wow! That's a huge bird! Is it also a demon?
So, Utsubushi, is there any sign of Tsuyukusa yet?
I still can't find him.
But I found something that drew my attention, so I brought it.
Drew your attention...
He isn't from around here.
He doesn't do illegal things.
He smells slightly of Tsuyukusa.
The herbs used to treat his wounds seem to be Tsuyukusa's.
He woke up.
You know Tsuyukusa, right?
Where is he?
D-D-Do you know him?
Please help him.
Take me to Tsuyukusa. I have to see him again.
I've been investigating for a while, but there's nothing strange.
There don't seem to be any other monsters.
He might have called another monk for purification.
What's this?
Dust from this warehouse?
No...
This is...
Please take care of our guests.
Gotcha.
Have a nice trip.
Be careful.
Will the two of them be all right by themselves?
Now, now, how about some tea inside, guest?
Ah, yes, thank you.
Well, what kind of actor are you?
I knew it!
You're the boy I met back then.
You attract attention, so I recognized you easily.
Oh, the old lady doctor from back then!
Well, I'm glad.
You didn't forget me.
I'm sorry that I couldn't help you that time.
No, no, you don't have to apologize. Just being examined was a relief.
By the way, why are you in this pharmacy?
Oh, no, did it get worse?
Ah, no, my eye is fine.
I'm here on business for a friend.
Friend? Oh, so I guess you came here with Shamon-san.
Eh? Shamon-san?
Oh, am I wrong?
Isn't that right, Sakichi-san?
Yes. I heard that he's at Nakamura-ya, which is quite nearby.
I'm sensing someone who is frankly happy.
I mustn't turn around. I mustn't turn around.
Oh, you were here too.
It's unusual for you to come out here.
It proved to be unavoidable.
Is Shamon-sama here on business?
Or is it just a private visit?
I don't know. But he seemed quite troubled.
But then again, I didn't hear about any unfortunate events at Nakamura-ya.
Well, I'll be leaving now.
Hey, Kuchiha.
What a coincidence.
Shamon-sama also came to this neighborhood.
She's not bothered. How can she stand it?
Hey, where do you think Nakamura-ya is?
You're not listening.
Hey.
Oh, you want to know where Nakamura-ya-san is?
It's quite close.
If you want, I don't mind bringing you a map.
This map is for doctors to use on their rounds.
Wow.
Our Yorozu-ya is right here.
And Nakamura-ya-san is here.
This map has a somewhat larger scale.
This is Nihonbashi.
And this area is Naitou-Shinjyuku, where my brother and the young lady went.
This is Ookawa.
Oh, this world was Japan's past.
It's not surprising that some places are familiar to me.
If this is Sumidagawa, then around this Shinobazunoike must be Ueno in my world.
Toki.
Umm... it's nothing.
I felt a connection with my world, and it made me feel a bit lonely.
But, isn't it weird?
That Shamon-sama came all the way out here.
Usually, clients come to his temple to ask for help.
And if it's not a Buddhist funeral service,
then the last possibility is demons.
We really have to check this out.
Where are you going?
Can I go with you?
Oh... umm... well, it'd be dangerous to take you with us.
There might be demons.
No, I'll go with you!
Shinshu-chan.
I want to... I also want to do something!
Don't leave me! I don't want to be alone.
Then I'll go alone.
You mustn't go alone, Kuchiha.
Why can't we go all together?
Shut up! How can we take you with us?!
Why? Why?
Didn't he say that there might be demons?!
I'm not scared!
That's not the issue!
I'm telling you that you'll be in the way.
You're such a disobedient girl.
I won't be in the way!
Hey, hey, handsome. Aren't you going to stop them?
It's tough being handsome, eh?
Hey, Sakichi. How dare you talk like that to a guest?
Gotcha... Sorry, ma'am.
Toki-san and Kuchiha-san seem to have important business, so they are going out.
Prepare to send the two of them on their way.
Gotcha.
No, not just two, I'm going too.
Please understand, Princess.
In fact, you do understand, don't you?
It would be better if Toki-san and Kuchiha-san went by themselves,
and you remained here.
Right?
You two should also come back as soon as possible.
My brother might be quite angry if you two weren't here.
Umm... yes... well, but, is this really all right?
Please count on me.
Sorry, Shinshu-chan.
I'll be back soon. So will you wait for a while?
Never mind. It's all right.
Because you're nice to her,
she seems to equate you with Ginshu-sama without noticing.
Beni-san.
Now, if it's been decided, get going.
Hey, Beni-san.
Sakichi, our guests are leaving.
Gotcha.
Have a safe trip.
But Toki, was this really a good idea?
Shouldn't we stay close to her?
Yeah, but she's probably safer if I'm not with her.
She... Beni-san might be in the same line of work as Kurotobi-san.
Her hands were like yours.
My hands?
Yeah.
Even rich young women who work hard don't have such strong hands.
Kuchiha, your hands are those of a swordsman.
I see...
I do understand...
but it's kinda callused.
Eh? Why? Eh?
Hmm... I don't know...
I was taking Tsuyukusa to Nakamura-ya.
And we met a monster on the way.
Umm...
You're making me feel uncomfortable about talking.
What?
Stop it, Susutake.
I somehow understand how you and Tsuyukusa are related.
He seems to be accompanying that fox.
Then, to solve this, we just have to find the fox and beat it.
Utsubushi, can you trace the fox by its smell?
Impossible.
I've never met it, so I don't know its smell.
Then, can't you trace it by the smell of human blood?
That man over there stinks even more of blood.
You say I stink?
Hey, Bon. Even if we find Tsuyukusa, what if he was helping the fox?
Are you going to help him, or are you going to take him back?
You decide everything by yourself and never tell me.
Don't you think that's unfriendly?
H-Hey, are you going to see him?
It might not be helpful, but I'll tell you everything.
So take me along too!
You don't have to speak.
What?
It's gross, as usual.
Brilliant, as usual, if something must be said.
It's quicker this way.
Next time
Episode Eleven Dark And Thick Woods
Episode eleven: Dark And Thick Woods.