Good morning!
We're here at Bādon News Station with the morning news.
His Majesty's 99th Birthday
His Majesty is celebrating his
99th birthday at Dōwā Castle.
Huh?
I didn't know he was that old.
Various festivities to celebrate His Majesty's birth
will be held nationally, including in Dōwā itself.
Just goes to show how peaceful our nation is.
Jean, you need to hurry up.
Yeah, yeah.
That reminds me, Lotta...
I'm going on a business trip today.
Why didn't you tell me earlier?
I need time to get things ready!
Here.
I'll be looking forward to a souvenir.
Oh.
Your cigarette case!
You can't forget to take your trademark,
"Jean the Cigarette Peddler."
Jean...
How about a cigarette?
Look, a cigarette.
Wow... That's such a luxury.
Report to HQ ASAP.
Bādon District ACCA Headquarters
Everyone, our ten o'clock snack is roll cake
Inspection Department
from Hachikuma, on 3rd Avenue!
Yay!
It isn't ten yet, but who cares?
Hello.
Chief, please have some cake.
I will, once it's ten.
Vice-Chairman, I heard you'd be out of the office, so I didn't get you any.
Is something wrong?
Our department's getting shut down.
As you know, the Dōwā Kingdom is a federation
comprised of thirteen autonomous districts.
ACCA Deputy Director-General Pochard
ACCA was created as an entity, independent of the state,
with various agencies that are vital to our citizens' lives.
These include police and fire departments, and medical services.
ACCA has allowed each district branch
to operate autonomously, as well.
We, at ACCA Headquarters, have been tasked with
the oversight of the thirteen branches for many years.
And for what reason was your Inspection Department created at headquarters?
To monitor the day-to-day operations at each branch.
That's right.
Approximately one hundred years ago, when we were politically unstable,
your Inspection Department was created
to monitor the outlying districts.
Members of your department were
stationed at each ACCA branch to oversee data output on a daily basis.
Further, senior officials also conducted random audits.
The Inspection Department's raison d'être was
rooted in times of chaotic instability.
And for that reason...
I see, we're finally being shuttered.
I figured it'd happen eventually.
We aren't really necessary.
We'll be split up.
No!
That's right, Jean... You'll still go out today.
Huh?
The next flight is in an hour and a half.
I've notified the Inspection Department of their termination!
Well done.
ACCA Five Chief Officers Spade
ACCA will finally be rid of the Inspection Department.
ACCA Five Chief Officers Pastis
Was this the right move?
We've merely trimmed excess fat to streamline the budget.
That's all.
I wouldn't call it "excess."
ACCA Five Chief Officers Lilium
From our perspective, it's an important department
that exposes what lies in shadow.
It's quick to identify any brewing unrest.
In these times, there is no brewing unrest.
ACCA Five Chief Officers Pine
A watchful inspector can have
the effect of tightening regional operations.
That is all in the past, as well.
ACCA Five Chief Officers Grossular
Now, it is important for HQ to demonstrate trust in the outlying regions.
Trust...
Well, the matter's been decided.
At a later time, we can discuss how things will look.
Indeed.
Excuse me.
When he steps out, it just makes it easier to breathe.
Fāmasu District
This district is endless.
ACCA Inspection Department Fāmasu Branch Supervisor Eider
Thinking that we're in the middle of nowhere?
It's just that many people aren't out because the harvest's over.
Uh-huh.
The district's primarily agricultural.
Do you know how much produce comes from Fāmasu?
Ninety percent of national produce! Ninety!
I think the crime rate's low here, too.
That's right!
There are lots of really nice people here, so I have it easy.
You like it here?
Yes!
I'm glad to hear it's a great place,
but our department's being shut down at the end of the month.
Huh?!
Eyes on the road, all right?
What do you mean, we're getting shut down?
The Inspection Department is a fossil, see?
Given how peaceful times have been,
everyone was wondering how long the department would last.
I didn't...
What's going to happen to us?
Well, given that you're a supervisor, I'm sure you'll be fine.
We can't fire our people!
They all do great work!
Let's finish up here.
Technically, my job includes looking into subordinates' performances.
Feel free to examine every nook and cranny.
I doubt you'll find anything to complain about!
I'll admit it's well organized.
Okay, the next stop is...
Wait.
I'll take care of my other task
while the branch director is still here.
Otus, you still carry a lot of catalogs around with you, eh?
You're welcome to keep any you take a liking to.
Hmm!
This is a catalog for donut vending machines, isn't it?
Very nice.
Feel free to peruse them to pass the time.
What was all that about?
A company president I know asked me to do it.
I guess I'll start making the station rounds tomorrow.
The district's huge, so it'll be tough to get around.
What's wrong?
HQ.
Oh, Vice-Chairman!
Don't forget to bring back presents!
Yeah, yeah.
Is Knot there?
Is something wrong?
Send me the Fāmasu inspectors' shift
and computer-use logs, will you?
Got it.
Thanks.
Here. October 3rd.
Y-Yes?
The time stamp of the data transfer from the west station
is off by five minutes on this day alone.
This data's been tampered with.
No way!
That's impossible.
How long from here to the west station?
About an hour and a half by plane.
We still have time.
Well, this is always a surprise.
And there's a festival going on in town, too.
We'll be done soon enough.
Are Constables Maïs and Peets here?
Of course not.
Festivals are the best time for black market deals.
On October 3rd, due to an anonymous citizen's tip,
the constables went to search a warehouse on the outskirts.
But there's no record of that here.
Why is that?
I believe the two caught the criminals red-handed,
but let the illegal cigarette makers go
in exchange for cuts of future deals.
They then came to you
and asked you to modify their shift logs, didn't they?
Wh-Wh-What?
Since you're responsible for compiling data, you were torn
about modifying and sending their shift logs to HQ.
Resulting in a five-minute delay from your usual transmission time.
W-Wait a minute, Vice-Chairman!
What makes you so sure?
It's just five minutes.
It isn't unheard of to fall behind by five minutes for health reasons.
Did you confirm that was the case?
You don't trust your subordinates, Vice-Chairman?
The anonymous tip about the cigarette makers was still
in the report from the day before.
I guess no one thought to scrub the previous day's data.
You're wrong!
I only did what they asked...
Is that right?
I can smell tobacco on you.
Both Constables Peets and Maïs admitted to the wrongdoing.
At the very end,
I guess we ended up smearing our own name...
I'm so sorry.
I try not to think of subordinates as exceptional.
After all, doubting them is my job.
Now, I can finally leave this behind.
Traveling around isn't easy.
I wonder what will happen to ACCA from here.
Will each branch become more distinct without Inspection Department oversight?
Or will they simply fall under HQ's leadership?
I doubt that.
Each district wants to retain its own character.
In part, that's what maintains
peace in this country, too.
Besides, ACCA is a unified front in name only.
Each of the thirteen has its own uniform.
Just as this district has its unique look,
each ACCA branch has adopted a form that suits their locale.
That's what I like about ACCA.
If you don't want to return to HQ, why not request a transfer?
You could stay here for work.
I'll go back to headquarters.
I want to learn a lot from you, Vice-Chairman!
Eh?
We aren't getting shut down?
That's what we were told this morning.
What?
But we learned some of our staff was corrupt.
I thought we'd be shut down immediately or something.
Well, all's well that ends well, right?
True, the Inspection Department was at fault in this matter.
More importantly, one of the districts was harboring corruption.
The Inspection Department is
precisely the kind of agency that can uncover such corruption early.
As such, the department will no longer be terminated.
I can understand that reasoning.
Still, it is mystifying why Grossular, who first proposed the termination,
was so quick to concede.
Don't you agree?
Few can understand what goes on in that man's head.
I want Jean Otus monitored.
This way!
Another fire... There have been lots.
Smoking is a pastime of the rich.
You shouldn't just do it on the street.
Hey, let's go, rookie!
Inspection Department
Check of yesterday's data from the Peshi Branch complete.
Forwarding to Data Management Department.
It's snack time!
Today, we have flan! A five-pack!
Yay!
Flan! Flan!
Huh?
Vice-Chairman, aren't you off duty today?
I forgot my lighter.
What's that?
A draft of the audit schedule for the second half of the year.
Oh, it's already that time?
Hey, this is good!
It's a five-pack, so it'd also be perfect to buy for home, Knot!
Five would mean squabbles over the extra one.
Huh?
But you have three children and your wife...
Well, my wife ran off.
What?!
Chairman, isn't this a bit much?
Currently, each branch is randomly audited at least once every two years.
But according to this,
I'm now supposed to hit all thirteen in six months.
It's a directive from the Five Chief Officers.
The Five Chief Officers?
Have I done something to make them have it out for me?
Who knows?
Maybe they feel we need to
tighten things up because we recently uncovered that corruption.
"Tighten things up," huh?
What are you looking at?
Jean the Cigarette Peddler.
Again?
Hard to believe he puffs through that expensive stuff like air.
I heard he lives in a ritzy apartment building in the town center.
And on the top floor, at that.
Maybe he was born with a silver spoon up his ass.
You sure know a lot about him.
Rumors about people you don't like are easy to come by.
The light bulb in the entrance, got it.
I'll make sure it's switched right away.
Thank you, building manager.
Welcome back. Huh?
Weren't you going drinking with Nino?
For some reason, I felt I was being watched.
What do you mean?
I just feel restless.
Hey, smoke outside.
Yeah, yeah.
I guess I wouldn't feel watched all the way up here...
If anyone were watching,
it'd either be God up high or an ACCA chopper.
The Five Chief Officers, huh?
We're here at Bādon News Station with the morning news.
Maybe the brass has something against you now...
You think so, too?
Hitting all the branches in six months?
Yesterday evening, there were fires of suspicious origin,
Maybe you should just quit.
such as a dumpster fire in a Bādon District apartment.
We have the family business, managing this building.
Police believe the fires may be linked
So, when do you start making the rounds?
to an arson chain and continue to investigate.
Today.
Crap!
Last night, according to the East Bādon police, around midnight...
Oh, you don't need to pack catalogs today.
Why not?
Because I'm auditing the local branch.
Thank you!
Their sandwich bread is really soft.
Oh, I had no idea.
An elite from headquarters,
buying bread here, of all places?
I thought you lot got your food at the town center's upscale shopping district.
This bakery's good.
Isn't that why you guys come all the way here for your donuts?
Branch staffers are really good at finding cheap, tasty eats.
I'm surprised elites would even know of this place.
You know you branch guys
get paid better than we do, right?
Huh?
Yeah, it's true.
Our entrance exam is harder, but our salary is lower.
It's one of the seven wonders of ACCA.
Someone you know?
Nope, but he can't seem to leave me alone.
Damn him, looking like it all just fell into his lap...
ACCA Bādon Branch
I'm surprised to hear
ACCA Inspection Department Bādon Branch Supervisor Grus
there's an audit today.
It's too sudden.
An audit is pointless unless it's sudden.
I feel my life shorten each time...
ACCA Director-General Mauve
Tell the branch director that I'm here.
Do it now.
Yes, ma'am!
You're here for an audit, too, Otus?
Good work.
Sorry to keep you waiting!
This way, please.
Me, too, huh?
The director-general is personally conducting an unannounced audit?
Has something happened?
Who knows?
I finished my rounds at the west station,
so I'll go to the east station next.
Maybe the north station tomorrow.
Vice-Chairman, you always smoke in the center of the central plaza, don't you?
The brass doesn't caution you about that?
Nope.
Let's swing by the café at headquarters.
Hello, Otus.
Oh, hello...
Conducting an audit?
Yes.
Your department managed to avoid termination.
Thanks to your decision.
Grossular changed his mind.
He was pro-termination,
but he took my opinion into account.
Those two always butt heads.
I've just never shared the same opinion with him.
Not once.
It's hard to discern what he really thinks, as well.
Indeed, he's just like you, Otus.
I'd have cast my vote with Chief Officer Grossular, also.
Hmm?
I've submitted a request for transfer many times...
That doesn't change the Inspection Department's irrelevance, does it?
Or are you saying something is about to happen in this peaceful world?
We don't know that for sure.
And if something were to, the Inspection Department might be the first to know.
Hmm?
It's Director-General Mauve.
She was apparently out on an audit.
Oh?
You didn't know?
I assumed she was acting on the Five Chief Officers' behalf.
Well, given that she's the one acting,
I'm sure there won't be any mistakes.
Well, excuse us.
Thanks for the cigarette.
Take care.
Well, then...
There really are a lot of fires lately.
I wonder if that's another arson.
It's already four o'clock.
I'll go to the east station tomorrow.
Huh?
I'm supposed to go drinking with a friend.
I... I see.
You know, these days,
it's unusual for someone to carry
something that could start a fire.
Is something wrong?
No.
That's an intriguing rumor.
A coup d'état in these peaceful times, you say?
The Partner In Crime's Name Is Nino
Next time on ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Department,
The Partner In Crime's Name Is Nino.
I see...
It's finally my turn.
You're really hopeless without me, Jean.