Are we nothing more than mere play things to you?
I didn't intend for things to turn out like this.
All of you played a very important role in all of this.
You see, if the military was chasing after Takachiho Isao's missing troops,
it would have only been a matter of time before they found him.
So you created a special organization to search for them.
Just to lower the risk of someone else finding them.
That's absolutely correct.
Was that the only reason for all of it?
Well naturally, we also needed to find those with special abilities who could help with Takachiho's work.
Now that you are here working along side Takachiho, you must think that his ideas are magnificent, right?
Well then, I wonder where we will be going next?
It seems we're all rootless now.
Emperor Pu Yi's coronation ceremony has been moved up.
Now, the Kousai ceremony is only a few weeks away.
The capital city of Manchukuo, Xinjin, has been filled with people working day and night to improve the city's appearance.
Pu Yi was in Mukden that day.
This is the day the Manchurian Empire was founded.
In order to announce his coronation,
he visited the graves of the first Qing emperor, Nurhachi and the second emperor, Huang Taiji.
Spoiled kid who's never had to work.
Once the ceremony is over, we need to tell him that he's nothing more than a puppet ruler.
Look! It's the Emperor!
All Hail the Emperor!
All Hail! All Hail the Emperor...
This is good enough.
If anything was going to happen, it would have by now.
Was this all in vain?
I can't help but feel that there is something going on between Pu Yi and the Kwantung army.
But you have nothing to base that idea on, right?
Well, yeah.
At any rate, we really don't know what they're after.
It's been three months since we lost track of them.
I haven't been able to contact Mr. Sakurai since then either.
That's almost a confession that he is somehow connected to Takachiho.
About that...
How long have you been suspicious of him?
I can't say I've been all that certain about it.
But, it bothered me that every time Sakurai would send us to Mukden or Dalian, Takachiho was always involved.
Hey, handsome guy!
You'll really miss something if you come all the way to Beiling and don't try Fuuran's buns!
What the...! What are you doing here?!
Wait! Just a moment.
That chair can only hold three people.
Even if you were to sit on a chair meant for four people you would break it.
I'll slide over.
Sorry.
Forget about it.
By the way, do you know these two?
Who is this beautiful lady to you?
Your girlfriend?
No!
You don't have to deny it so strongly.
She's my friend.
Both the beautiful lady and the big guy as well.
Come to think of it, where is Kazura? You know, the one with eyes like this.
What is he doing today? Working?
Yeah...
Sort of.
What's the meaning of this?
What I'm saying is...
I have yet to settle on the final elements.
The number and placement of detonators is crucial.
But no matter how much I work at the formula, I just can't come to a solution.
Hold on...
I thought you already detonated one.
Who said that?
Then what was the bomb that the Lytton Commission saw?
Then it must have been...
An illusion!
Captain Takachiho created the illusion with his powers.
But in the end, an illusion is just that.
It won't change anything.
We've come this far and yet we still have to rely on the Prophet.
That's enough!
Stop-
Hey, hurry up and take your instrument back!
Hmm, I'm sure I had my left hand in the right spot.
That's weird.
Maybe my hands have shrunk since the last time?
No, that violin just isn't a good match for my playing style.
Maybe I should shrink your hands for you?
See, it's like I told you.
Do you take your ears for granted?
You're right.
Hey, it looks like she's having a seizure.
Maybe it's because of your steam buns.
Huh?
Oh, he's a colleague of yours.
Yeah, looks like it.
Hey, you know all the secrets of the trade so let's get him to take a picture of us for cheap.
Don't be silly.
But now that you mention it, we haven't taken a picture with you before.
Oh yeah, I guess we haven't.
Let's take a picture with everyone.
Really? Well if you insist, then I'll have to let you take a picture with me.
Miss there, please relax a bit.
Good good, very good.
Aoi, is Kazura going to be in this photo?
What?
You're a professional, aren't you?
You should be able to do that.
If Kazura isn't in the picture, then it isn't complete.
Well, we do have a photo of Kazura, we could splice him in.
That sounds great. As soon as you finish it, mail it to me.
Sure.
It's a promise, okay?
Ready, I'm taking the picture!
That was really fun. I haven't laughed so much in a long time.
Me too.
Oh, come to think of it, the Manchuria Tenjin Company was around here, right?
Yes.
Hold on... stop right here.
What's wrong? Are you sick?
Go on ahead.
What?
There's a place I have to visit.
You worry too much. He's not a kid anymore, so why do you want to wait here?
I just wonder what happened.
But do you really need to know everything?
He is your faithful attendant, after all.
You knew?
Well, it was pretty obvious.
You don't have to hide strange secrets anymore.
Since the Sakurai organization seems to be over now.
But...
But... Then why are you still...?
Acting like we still have a mission?
Hmm...
I wonder too.
There's still someone I want to meet.
And well... No, I don't even know myself.
It might not even be that.
And that's it.
Really now, what is Natsume doing?
The blueprints for the new capital are based on the ideas of Feng Shui.
In other words, it was done to make this a sacred place surrounded by spiritual barriers.
And that was all done for the Prophet?
That's right.
Powerful politicians that the Prophet supports forced this design.
This works out very well for us.
Does it actually provide an effect?
Even in Japan, prophets choose these sort of locations to receive prophecies.
While it may seem like superstition, there may be a scientific cause such as geomagnetism or electromagnetic waves.
I'm not exactly calling it into question.
So, where is this place?
Here.
The State Council?
I thought the construction on that just started?
Actually, we have already taken care all of the red tape and it is fairly along in construction.
The above ground work is still a bit off, but the underground should be finished soon.
Were you waiting for me?
I could have sent someone for you.
I just find the night wind very soothing.
The day after tomorrow will be a new moon.
And it is also the day of the Kousai ceremony.
Are you certain about this?
Please tell me the prophecy. It is the final piece of the new bomb.
The deeper in darkness we go, the more your ability shines.
On the night of the new moon, I'll ask for your help.
I think Towa has bestowed this good fortune we've had upon us.
Day of the Kousai Ceremony Manchurian Empire - Founding Celebration
I will take the Prophet with me to the underground passage in the State Council building.
Your first priority is to plunge the entire city of Xinjing into darkness.
Following that, you will proceed to quickly carry out the mission objectives.
That is all.
Sir!
And they say this is all for the dignity of Manchuria.
It's quite extravagant.
Look.
Wow, to think that representatives from the West would come at a delicate time like this.
I don't think they plan to recognize Manchuria, though.
English, Americans, French, Germans and Italians.
It seems most of the important people we invited are here.
They couldn't exactly ignore us since we placed the deadline for our demands in the invitations for today.
Please come this way.
Please wait a moment.
You really do bring it with you everywhere.
Please wait, it is dangerous to go alone.
This is as far as we go.
A blackout?
No.
Kwantung army?
No, it's not them.
What? Who are you guys?
Please stay quiet.
Remain where you are.
Stop! Stop or we'll shoot!
Barricade all of the underground entrances.
May I have your attention.
We are an independent army. We are not part of the Japanese military nor any other national organization.
Takachiho?
It must be coming from that loudspeaker.
Let's go! They must have captured the broadcasting office as well.
Then Takachiho Isao is there too?
No, that voice is a recording, but we might be able to find some clues there.
We rebel against the oppressive Western colonialism and stand for the spirit of self-determination.
Yukina, find out where Takachiho is.
Okay.
Huh?
Are you seriously planning on actually going through with it?
In the future the Prophet shows, a certain country will acquire a bomb exactly like this.
We must obtain it before them.
Using it as a deterrent, we can stop them in their tracks.
That much I understand, but...
Eventually, another country will follow our lead and create a bomb very much like this one.
This will create a balance of power and both sides will have a deterrent, which will bring peace.
A very dangerous peace, but peace nonetheless.
If all goes well, we can avoid the world war and protect the nation itself.
Even if that is the ultimate purpose...
Captain, is it really necessary to do what you are about to do?
It's such a horrible thing...
It's started.
Lately, we have been warning the leaders of colonies in Asia.
However, our warnings have been ignored and we have seen no changes in the state of affairs.
Based on the number of lookouts, there is a likely chance that Takachiho is here.
But why would he be in the middle of a building under construction?
Underground.
I found a very large space underground.
Is Takachiho there?
Sorry, I can't see that much today.
Because of the new moon?
What's wrong?
I hear something.
It's coming in and out but I can sense it.
It's strong, how should I say, like some sort of a mind wave.
I felt the same thing once in Shanghai.
I didn't know what it was back then.
Could it be?
Was that Shizune... I mean, the Prophet?
I'm not completely sure.
Can you figure out where it's coming from?
I'll try.
At the same time, the Imperial Army is using oppressive means to occupy Manchuria.
It's through those steps.
There are too many guards there.
Is there a way around them?
No.
We have no choice but to push through there.
I guess we have no choice, I really didn't want to use this.
Aoi.
Who's there?
I'll draw their attention.
Natsume.
Let's go.
One-two...
Aoi!
Go on ahead.
Don't worry about me, I'll be right behind you.
Make sure.
S-Stay back.
I-If you take one step closer, I'll...
Stay back!
Kazura!
I wonder how many times we have faced each other?
Get out of my way!
This time I really can't let you go.
We have set tonight as the deadline.
We no longer have any option but to take serious action.
In five hours from now, at exactly midnight,
as a final warning, we will drop a new bomb with the destructive power of a super-dreadnought warship on Shanghai.
What did he say?!
What the hell is going on?
Damn it, Kazura!
Answer me!
Episode 12
Night Raid
The one who sees into the future.
The one who is trying to change the future.
And the one who's devoted to letting the present play out as it is.
Each of their predictions and desires will intersect.
The story draws to a conclusion.
Finally, the curtain is drawn on the troubling Showa Era.
Last episode: a glimmer of hope, at the very least.
Last Episode
"A Glimmer of Hope, at the Very Least"