That's an intriguing rumor.
A coup d'état in these peaceful times, you say?
Yes, sir.
And that's why you've been making the rounds, auditing various branches?
ACCA was created for a reason, sir.
And hence, the endless rumors.
Then, it's only a rumor, sir?
The Five Chief Officers will discuss this.
However...
I will say that our nation is at peace now.
ACCA is the symbol of peace itself.
You're going to the western sector today?
Please buy tomato sandwich bread from Mugimaki.
This is what happens when you drink too much.
Okay, all eyes on our tour guide!
Hi, everyone.
Do you know about ACCA?
You learned about it in social studies class, right, Acca?
Huh? Oh, um...
ACCA was established ninety-nine years ago.
A hundred years before its creation,
this kingdom was divided into thirteen nations.
The nations were united by the current king's...
Great-grandfather!
That's right!
But with the passage of time,
we entered the era of the current king's father,
and the twelve districts united against Dōwā
and attempted a coup d'état.
However...
His Majesty's father was a peaceful man,
so he held talks with district representatives,
and averted the coup d'état by granting each district autonomy!
The negotiations resulted in moving the capital, establishing a central congress,
as well as the creation of an independent, civilian organization.
That organization was ACCA.
ACCA was named for a symbol of peace,
a species that went extinct the year ACCA was created.
The bird, acca!
That's right!
The symbol of peace, acca.
Acca is what protects our peace!
My kids will be on that tour next year, too.
They're that old already?
Where's the fire?
The north sector.
North, huh?
If it isn't in our jurisdiction,
it'll be hard to set him up as the arsonist.
All good... The audit's complete.
That was fast.
That's because this branch is competent.
Another fire?
Looks like a robbery, not a fire.
A tobacco store was robbed.
Hmm...
Lots of tobacco theft lately, too.
With the high taxation, it's a luxury good.
Not everyone gets theirs for free like you, Vice-Chairman.
By the way, did you find your lighter?
No.
But I've probably found it.
One of the thieves is in block 8, fleeing north.
We've lost the other one.
Know where the rookie is?
No.
Damn it! He's gone off on his own again!
Help me...
Damn, a brat.
Brats complicate trials.
Just leave what you stole and go.
Just go, I said!
Okay!
"You shouldn't just smoke on the street."
You're no stranger to smoking.
Agent Rail,
they have high hopes for you, a rookie with top arrest numbers after three months.
But you've also pocketed and fenced confiscated goods four times.
You have dealings with criminals.
And now, you're in the middle of plotting some scheme with my lighter.
In addition,
you've taken the entrance exam for ACCA Headquarters.
The Internal Affairs Department knows that?
Oh, I wouldn't know.
There's a special route, you see.
There you go again!
Can you even understand
how miserable it is to pour blood, sweat, and tears into something
and get nothing in return?!
I worked my ass off,
but guys with money and connections sabotaged me!
I had no choice but to drop a rank
and join a branch I wasn't interested in!
You couldn't possibly understand!
What a waste...
Those are expensive.
Hey, are you even listening?!
Even if I did, I wouldn't get it.
I don't have money or connections.
Right, just look at where you live.
I'm only the landlord.
Now that I know why you keep pestering me, I feel better.
Since you just hate rich people, I guess I'm no longer a target.
Anything else you want to say?
No?
Okay, I'd like my lighter back.
I don't think the Internal Affairs Department's noticed anything.
Be more careful from now on.
Trying to get me to owe you?
I'm with the Inspection Department.
Our job is to monitor the headquarters staff stationed in regional branches.
The actions of branch staff
are outside our jurisdiction.
Uh, the tomato sandwich bread in two-centimeter slices—
The usual, please.
You live around here, Otus?
No, my sister asked me to get bread here, so I stopped by after my audit.
I see. Where's the next one?
Jumōku District.
Their bread leaves quite an impression.
Try the fast food place called "Basswood."
It's popular now.
Where is your next audit, Director-General?
I heard you were also conducting audits.
There will be no further audits.
The Five Chief Officers have decreed it.
Did you just smile?
No, I didn't.
Well, good luck with your audits.
How was Mushroomhead?
Glad to see that.
It's supposed to symbolize peace,
but it sure flies off at the drop of a hat.
Can I ask you something else?
Lately, I feel I'm being watched.
The Inspection Department being watched?
Okay. I'll look into it.
Good work, rookie.
I wonder if he was trying to set fire to this condo.
Probably.
He's the arsonist.
Now you owe Otus one.
Heh.
Oh, I think that's Otus's little sister.
She's cute!
Hey, let's get going!
Hey.
Nino!
A chocolate sundae.
You and Jean went drinking the other day, right?
He isn't really a drinker, so don't overdo it, okay?
Sure.
What are you up to?
Breaking down our building expenses.
You're totally ready to get hitched.
I want a husband who'll join the family.
Oh?
Even if Jean quits ACCA,
he can't manage the building by himself.
He won't quit...
Thank you for waiting.
But he doesn't like his job at the Inspection Department.
I wonder why he won't quit.
Being a landlord's a pretty stable job.
Besides, the ACCA pay is low.
Do you two ever talk about things like that?
Actually, no.
Next time, try it.
Got it.
How's work?
Busy...
I got a good tip, so I have to run around for a while.
I guess you're a PI-turned-journalist.
Does being a freelance reporter pay?
Do you only care about money?
Want to eat dinner sometime, the three of us?
You cooking?
No.
We'll see.
Then, once stuff quiets down for you two, it'll be a dinner party.
I'll cook.
I'll work hard for that.
As for the coup d'état, it'll just be a rumor, like usual.
But Director-General Mauve taking direct action is worrisome.
I concur.
It's hard to imagine that rumors would lead one such as she by the nose.
That's true.
But, Chief Officer Grossular,
were you not aware of these rumors in advance?
Those rumors partly led you to change your opinion
about the Inspection Department's continued existence.
That's right.
These rumors of a coup d'état aren't likely to be just talk.
I have obtained information with more credibility than a rumor.
Vice-Chairman Jean Otus, of the Inspection Department...
He is involved in this coup d'état plot.
The smoker's involved?
Weren't some of you also concerned by him?
I have already ordered Director-General Mauve to end her investigations.
We, the Five Chief Officers, shall deal with this.
So, when he goes out to the districts for audits,
we suspect Otus contacts coup d'état sympathizers?
It isn't implausible,
but he mentioned that he's requested a departmental transfer many times.
But there is no actual record of that man ever submitting said requests.
I don't feel anyone watching me.
Good work, Nino.
We allowed the Inspection Department to continue and had him watched,
but he is more cunning than anticipated.
We must assign superior eyes to him.
There is a suitable undercover agent
within the Internal Affairs Department.
Undercover agents fall under our supervision.
No one else knows who they are,
not even the Internal Affairs Department.
That includes Otus, of course.
Come in.
Moving forward, Crow will
handle surveillance of Jean Otus.
Jumōku District
You're in room 406.
When should we bring your breakfast?
Don't worry about it. I'll come down to the dining hall.
We'll bring your breakfast.
Okay, at eight.
This isn't the room I booked.
We received orders to give you that room.
Good morning,
Vice-Chairman!
ACCA Inspection Department Jumōku Branch Supervisor Koruri
Good morning.
After I'm through here—
About that...
Otus,
welcome to Jumōku.
Branch Director, thank you for your hospitality with the hotel.
Let me know if there are any problems.
So, our main systems have been down since this morning...
We've been trying to get them back up.
This is pretty old stuff.
We'll figure something out by evening.
I'll go buy everyone lunch, then.
From Basswood.
Huh?!
In this district, agricultural produce is 2.5 times larger than average.
So the dishes are all mega-sized, too!
What sets Basswood apart is that their food's super tasty!
I guess that explains it.
In the six months you've been here, you guys have all gotten bigger.
Apparently, the average height of district youths has increased again.
I hear it's 2 meters, 22 centimeters.
Wow.
Would you like some cake, too? Here you go.
Well, I'll try this, then.
It's way too big.
Nino...
Here for an investigation?
Yeah.
I came on a local's recommendation, only to find you here.
Since I mentioned it to you, I haven't felt anyone watching me.
Thanks a lot.
That's good to hear.
It was just some thug.
Maybe Mushroomhead was involved?
Oh, I see.
I'm sure everything is fine now.
You always look out for me.
It's nothing new.
Right.
Want to grab dinner somewhere?
I'll call you.
Okay, thanks.
We just received word that
we can't get our systems back online today.
Oh.
Then, let's go somewhere else today.
Sorry...
Well? Are the systems back online?
We didn't manage, after all.
I see. I guess that's that.
I'm so sorry.
Are backup systems available?
Yes, but they don't perform daily backups,
so we have to manually enter the missing data.
I'll help.
Sorry to make you come along after school.
I was asked to get something for my staff,
but I couldn't figure out where the store was.
This is the place for a cake with nuts.
I've been wanting to come here, too!
Delicious.
Dōwā District is famous for this kind of rustic, simple cake.
I hear His Majesty likes it.
Really? I'd love to go there!
I've never been there, either.
I do feel bad for you and Jean.
All the district branches in six months...
I'd prefer to do some of them myself,
but I'm not too good with planes, trains, and things like that...
Motion sickness.
Oh, don't worry about it.
My brother enjoys making rounds, so it's fine!
Crap, what are they talking about?
I want to have tea with her, too!
She's so cute.
Thanks.
Thank you.
Thanks to your help, Vice-Chairman,
I think we'll wrap up earlier than expected.
We're almost there.
Let's do our best.
Okay!
Sorry.
Run into trouble?
Yeah.
Cheers.
And you?
Almost done.
I'm envious...
Want to switch careers and help me out?
I don't want to travel everywhere...
Besides, you're a lone wolf.
Wait a sec.
Do you even have friends besides me?
I don't have time to hang out and stuff.
In my free time, I prefer riding my motorcycle
and drinking with you, I guess...
You haven't changed at all.
We've known each other for what, almost fifteen years?
Yeah.
You can be a bit aloof.
Really?
You've been that way ever since we met, after starting high school.
You just stood out from the crowd.
Look who's talking.
You were pretty standoffish, too.
We were kind of alike.
That's probably why we got along.
Besides, Jean, you haven't changed, either.
I thought you might get a bit stuffy after joining ACCA, but not at all.
The Inspection Department has good people, but yeah...
You really don't like your job there, do you?
No.
Not my thing.
But you won't quit.
You have a reason you can't quit.
A reason?
For example?
Like I'd know.
You complain, but won't quit.
Anyone would think you have a reason.
Well, even if I quit...
I've never seen that brand before.
Oh, this?
It's my first time, too.
Want wine?
Still buying presents for someone?
I told you already!
Oh, that.
Jean Otus received cigarettes in Jumōku District.
Also, assigning surveillance for me is pointless.
I'm repeating myself, but my surveillance is the best.
And here, I thought you had faith in me.
You took your time to decide.
Of course.
You are Jean Otus's friend, Crow.
Jean Otus noticed your man watching him.
I wouldn't make that mistake.
I believe the other chief officers will soon realize that the rumors were true.
I'll call again.
He's never noticed me watching him.
Not once in the thirty years I've known him.
Oh, my god!
Potato chips and bread from Jumōku District!
So huge!
Where to next?
Suitsu District.
In two weeks.
Guess you can unwind a little.
So that's where the meeting is tonight.
We meet again, Otus.
Director-General, would you like some?
Hmm? Oh, sandwich bread from Jumōku District!
I got ahead of myself and bought too much.
Then I accept.
Thank you.
Otus...
Are you free this weekend, in the evening?
The Swirling Smoke of Rumors in the Castle
Next time on ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Department,
The Swirling Smoke of Rumors in the Castle.
Jean appears to still be oblivious.
Well, he can't escape me, anyway.