Gentlemen, let me tell you about magic.
Magic is the last miracle left in this world.
It can turn battlefields into wastelands, restore youth to the old,
and grant beauty that can captivate anyone.
But...
...magic has been sealed away.
It's been placed under government control.
Despite having the potential to use magic,
you are all pitifully unfortunate.
So, what are you going to do?
If you...
...can't get your hands on miracles,
you'll just have to steal them.
Isn't that right?
We need sacrifices and a ritual!
Let's drop our books, take up arms,
and bathe in blood!
Flock to Nine!
Become Nine!
That is our destination!
Will it work?
Are you stupid?
Of course it will.
I'm a terrorism consultant.
That may be, but they're a bunch of amateurs.
Don't worry. I made sure to mix some in with them.
Pros, I mean.
I see.
Besides, however it plays out, I'll enjoy it!
The world needs amusement. Something entertaining.
How many will die?
I'm going for a new record!
Hip hip hooray!
You're not getting into the spirit.
That's just how I am.
"Special 7: Special Crime Investigation Unit"
There was a magical response similar to the bombing case from the other day?
Belle picked it up.
Using magic is banned outside of government-controlled locations, after all.
Banned...
What do you know about magic?
That it's pretty mysterious, I guess.
Magic is dragon technology.
But there were a few rare people who could use it.
They make all kinds of unbelievable things possible.
Widespread destruction,
reviving the dead,
restoring youth, et cetera.
It can do anything.
So, the rumor is that the government locks it down as soon as it's found.
Um... Are people who can use magic taken by the government, then?
Well, they're precious human resources who can do things regular people can't.
What's up? Have you got someone in mind?
Oh, no way! Of course not.
Wait, what about Belle?
Boss is her legal guardian.
Even the government can't touch her.
Wow.
Were you just talking about a ninja behind her back?
No, ma'am!
You should keep it up.
After all, I am a ninja!
"The call has ended"
Anyway, let's look for traces of magic.
Yes, sir!
How do we do that?
That's a good question, Rookie.
I don't know either.
What's the point, then?
Well, just think of it as a break and take it easy.
I'm going to check out the map of this building.
A break? You shouldn't be slacking off ag--
Make him stop slacking, then.
Whoa! You startled me.
"Shikisai"
Ichinose here. In the middle of investigating.
Are the 480-yen hamburgers at the food court good?
No, you see, this is part of the investigation, so...
I'm on standby at the station, so I'm stuck with instant noodles again.
I wanted to order ice cream earlier!
No.
All right, Ichinose, you've got some nerve.
Lower your head a bit. I can line up a good shot.
I'd like gelato myself.
A double with apricot seed and chocolate.
So you're taking it out on me, Gramps?
You got a problem with that?
You'll be on your feet for another half a day.
You'd better eat something.
Where are you going, Nijo?
It seems Public Safety is operating in the basement.
I'm going to check with them.
The basement...?
Information about an arms deal seems to have them worked up.
They'll have your head if you get in their way.
I'll stay out of it.
Later, then.
U-Um,
about Ichinose...
About the fact that I don't trust him?
Yes.
Isn't it sad to not trust your fellow officers?
I'm in the same boat.
Wait, you already figured it out?
I was just thinking that would make our lives easier.
I'll leave this to you.
I'll stop you if you screw up.
Yes, sir!
I know he's standoffish,
but I don't think he would just let his partner die.
Nevertheless,
it is a fact that Detective Ichinose
is callous enough to sacrifice his comrades.
I wonder...
Well, you're free to believe what you want.
I simply don't trust him.
Freeze!
On your knees! Hands in the air!
They're in the air.
Rock 'n' roll.
Excuse me! Excuse me!
I’m afraid you haven't paid for--
Huh?
I was just wondering.
What about?
What's your first name, Ichinose?
Don't ask.
Oh, come on, you can tell me.
I. Don't. Want. To.
Please. Tell. Me.
Not. A. Chance.
Please get back to work!
I definitely just picked up something magical from that area!
Could you narrow down the area a little more?
I figured you could at least search a building this size on your own!
We did check out every conspicuous place on the first four floors.
Then what about the basement?
Public Safety's still working down there.
Why don't we check there when they're done?
Oh, by the way, can I eat the...
"The call has ended"
--Huh? --What?
"Currently offline. Please try: - Switching off airplane mode. - Enabling mobile data or Wi-Fi. - Checking your signal."
Huh? The call dropped.
What's going on?
Hey, why can't I get through?
A jamming signal...!
Ichinose!
Let's move!
Silence, silence!
We are the children of Nine.
I repeat: we are the children of Nine!
Here, in this shopping mall
we will perform a ritual!
If you do as we tell you, you will not be harmed!
--Nine! --I repeat, if you do as we tell you, you will not be harmed!
A panic would make things worse.
We don't know how many of them there are.
But...!
Don't worry. It looks like they won't kill the hostages yet.
Although it's just a matter of time.
They blocked all the exits. Shit.
--All right, now! --Huh? What?
What are we going to do?
We have guns, but there are too many of them.
And they've got hostages. Our hands are tied.
I guess so.
Our phones aren't working, either.
It looks like they're being jammed.
Why would they do that?
"When using the toilet, flushing a large quantity..." There's something they don't want getting out.
"When using the toilet, flushing a large quantity..." I don't know what, though.
But we have to do something.
"Something"?
Lives are on the line. It's more dangerous to act recklessly.
But there was something off about those guys!
They're definitely planning to murder the hostages!
Hm?
Hey, open up!
Huh?
Take this!
Yeah. Go get him.
I'm... trying... to!
Now...
He's a terrorist, but he left the fingerprint ID on?
Maybe he didn't think he'd be found out?
No, he's probably... an amateur.
They're communicating via group chat.
This guy must be "Wyvern."
Is that really a good idea?
It's smarter than getting together in one place.
Just gathering increases their risk of being arrested, after all.
But if someone checked those logs with the app's developer, it'd expose all of them.
Assuming anyone could search through all the logs.
Can you act, Rookie?
No way. Do I look like I'd have a talent like that?
Sorry I asked.
All clear in the bathrooms. Staying on alert.
Roger. Come right back.
Give me a minute. Nature calls.
I bought us some time.
So, what do we do now?
I'll simplify our objectives:
Don't let them kill the hostages, stop their plans.
Got it.
Now, changing the subject,
doesn't this guy look a bit like you?
Huh?
Your heights and weights...
What?
...are about the same, don't you think?
What?!
Is this really going to work?
You saw that chat screen, didn't you?
These guys only talk online. They won't figure it out.
Probably. I think.
None of that is reassuring!
You don't need to act. You're a Nine terrorist.
Remember Goto? Pretend you're like him.
That's easy for you to say.
Just remember your chat handle.
It's "Wyvern."
Hey, Wyvern.
Wh-What?
This mall has passages connecting it to the building next door.
Floors two and three are secure,
but we only have two guys on four.
So, I should go up there?
Yeah, thanks.
If we can hold this place all day, we win.
Got it. I'm on my way.
So, I'm going to the fourth floor.
All right, take me with you.
How?!
Follow my lead.
Hey, what's the matter with him?
H-Help. I only went to the bathroom...
Don't kill me!
I found him in the bathroom.
Taking him to the first floor is a pain, so I'm leaving him here.
You keep an eye on him.
Sure... thing!
Stay put and do what I tell you!
I-I will!
We'll check out that bathroom too, just to be safe. Damn it.
You told me to do it!
It still pisses me off!
So, all that's left is Nijo...
They're more skilled than I expected.
Definitely professionals.
But they're not moving...
What are they guarding?
I can't expect backup in this situation.
I'll have to do it myself.
Got you!
Well?
No dice.
I can't control my drones due to the jamming signal.
Modifying them to break through looks like it will take time.
So, we don't even know if they're safe...
I guess sniping's not an option.
We don't even know how many there are.
Public Safety's in a panic after losing contact with the team they sent in.
Plus, they can't agree with the police surrounding the mall. We can't count on them.
The terrorists claim their organization is called Nine.
That's sufficient grounds for us to act.
Yeah, but act how?
First, we'll make contact with the three in the mall.
I'm sure Charisma wants to base his plan on that.
We can't use drones, though.
Yes.
So,
we're sending in all of Special 7.
Sending us in?
Through where?
Fourth floor here, nothing to report.
This is a piece of cake.
So, there are eight on the first floor.
Hey! What's going on?
Oh, I'm just scared of falling.
Keep your eyes up here.
Don't relax just because it's the fourth floor.
I know.
I wish we at least had some better weapons.
Them's the breaks.
Only the first floor gets rocket launchers.
Rocket launchers, huh...
But if push comes to shove, we've got a plan to blow it all away.
They're prepared to kill themselves, huh?
This sounds more and more like the Airport Attack nine years ago.
Blowing ourselves up is pretty scary.
What?
You must be scared too. Your hands are shaking.
Like hell I'm scared.
So, I'd at least like
to take care of business before I die.
How much time have we got left, again?
About eight hours.
Sounds like we should assume the ritual starts at midnight.
I'm pretty sure someone on the chat app used a cat icon, but...
Let's do it.
Right.
Damn it...
I only came here to buy cat food. Why'd I end up in this mess?
If I die, my cat will starve.
Please, spare me.
L-Like I care.
Pipe down!
You own a cat?
Yeah. A calico tomcat.
Really?!
Yeah. I just found him by chance.
I hear he'd sell for 10 million easy,
but that doesn't matter to me. He's family.
10 million?!
Hey, don't get distracted.
Do you have a cat too?
I keep an F2 savannah cat.
That rare breed? Wow.
I guess. She's the last treasure I've got left.
I overheard what you were saying earlier...
If... If I die in eight hours, please...
...take care of my cat.
Here's my address...
Bastards!
Don't worry. I hit you with the back of my sword.
Shikisai...!
Sorry to keep you two waiting.
So, what's the plan?
Any backup?
Bellemer?!
I am a ninja, after all!
Just our usual team.
Seriously?
All right. For now, let's work out a plan.
So, where's Nijo?
Oh, he went to the basement.
Brother...?
"File.05 The Fifth Seal"
Next time: "The Six-Minute Battle to the Death."