Our city, Odawara,
was ruled by the Hojo Clan a long time ago.
Wow.
And the ninjas that served the Hojo were the Fuma Clan!
Awesome!
Here comes the leader, Fuma Kotaro!
Wow! So cool!
I am the fifth Fuma Kotaro!
Cool!
Your time is over!
Look! It's Hattori Hanzo!
Two ninja clans, Fuma and Hattori, were sworn enemies!
Oh no!
Curse you, Hattori!
We shall make you pay!
Bring it!
Attack!
Yeah, beat them!
Let's go!
Go!
You can do it!
Go, Fuma!
Come on, you can do it! Go!
You got it, Kotaro!
Go, Fuma, go!
Fuma! Yeah!
THE BEST SHINOBI ARE LIKE SHADOWS
Only on weekdays, though.
A part-time job?
Yup.
You didn't tell me.
Well, I'm telling you now.
- You're going to work? - That's right.
Hold on. I haven't agreed to it.
Why does she need permission?
It's not like I want to.
But you shooed away the pigeon, remember?
- No choice but to get a job. - I'm all for it.
Same here.
Mother!
Mom, if you work a lot, can we buy a Switch game?
Sure, I'll buy you one.
Then I'm all for it too!
That settles it, then.
Oh, by the way, Riku,
how was your field trip?
It was so much fun! The Odawara Castle was humongous!
And Fuma Kotaro was super cool!
He whipped out shurikens and threw them like this.
Then he drew his sword and went clang, clang, clang!
Punch, punch, kick!
Wow! You're like a Fuma ninja!
Riku, you've quite the sense of humor.
But if Yoko were a shinobi, I'd say she's third-class.
How come?
Listen.
A shinobi should never draw attention.
They must be discreet.
That's why she's third-class.
Or maybe fourth-class?
Oh, Mother. You've quite the sense of humor.
Hey.
I hear this tastes great with beer.
Oh yeah?
Let's drink! Just once.
I'm not drinking.
You're way too square.
All right.
Time to head back.
- It's still early. - Mission today, remember?
What's wrong?
You might as well go alone, Gaku.
I wanna quit.
I can't do it.
Haru.
Taking lives is the burden of shinobi.
I can't do it--
Yes, you can.
You know.
Like you killed me.
Hell yeah, beef bowl time!
Were you sleeping?
Just past 11:00 p.m. last night,
during a Halloween event in Tokyo,
multiple people were stabbed by someone in a clown mask.
Upon fleeing the club, the attacker was hit by a truck
and pronounced dead at the scene.
Welcome.
Good evening.
Where were you last night?
When?
Around 11:00 p.m.
11:00? I was working…
Mind if I take a photo?
You just did.
What was that?
Did you hear about the club attack?
Yes, from the news.
I was there.
What?
You okay?
No, it totally sucked.
Some weirdo threw an ashtray at me.
Uh, what?
Next, an update on the Frontier Roots incident.
The cruiser was off the coast of Kanagawa
when everyone aboard was found dead.
According to police,
the victims suffered convulsions for two hours before death.
So awful.
Yeah.
Cause of death is still unknown…
There's something I haven't told you.
Yes?
I'm…
a journalist for this magazine.
Wow! For Mu?
You making fun?
Not at all. I mean… I like aliens and stuff.
I know this is sudden, but do you have time tomorrow?
AGENCY FOR CULTURAL AFFAIRS
BOILER ROOM
- Hey. - Good morning.
Good morning.
Didn't expect to get called in again.
So?
There's no concrete proof yet.
But…
Something's fishy.
Keep me posted. We'll be on standby.
Oh. So you were here while I was on leave.
Even if the shinobi are inactive,
we need to track public opinion.
You've got it easy, huh.
Excuse me.
Who are you gentlemen?
The old guard.
On leave, but I called them in.
You?
I'm Oki.
Department?
I was recruited as a tech specialist.
I want to add this to the Six Tools of Shinobi and help their missions.
Shinobi are a stubborn lot.
It won't be so simple.
Times change. We have to change with it.
This is Kuze, the "Cleaner."
Pleased to meet you.
Look who's talking. You still send pigeons.
Pigeons are the best communication tool.
They can't be hacked and deliver things quickly.
However,
there's something even pigeons can't do.
All right, everyone. Let's have a blast! Cheers!
Cheers!
Here, cheers!
- Huh? - What's going on?
No! Oh my God!
Where did you get this?
I hacked the police database.
Hello?
Status report?
Who's calling?
No one knows.
Some big shot, I guess.
For the club murders and the journalist Karen Ito,
I've assigned Tawara's second son.
What about the cruiser company?
I've sent Tawara's wife
to investigate if anyone aboard was missing from the passenger list.
No, we cannot comment.
I am very sorry about…
Damn it!
Hey.
Get me coffee, not tea.
Pardon?
I said get me coffee.
Crap!
Come on, you idiot!
- I'm sorry! - Just leave it!
Jeez, you're useless.
I'm sorry.
So sorry. I'm terribly sorry.
2024 PASSENGER LISTS
Excuse me.
Would you like some tea?
Oh, I should have introduced myself.
I just started this week…
NINJA-X: WHEN WILL YOU RETURN IT? DON'T GET CAUGHT
May I?
Sure.
You've been like that all day.
Sorry I stressed you out.
Huh? About what?
Well, you know.
I told you my true feelings, so now you're all mixed up.
Sorry.
It's not about you.
What?
Wait, then what…
I have this…
stalker?
A stalker?!
Where?
- No, wait. - Where?
I don't think they're here.
Don't worry. Wherever you go, I'll protect you.
One stalker is enough, thanks.
Right.
RESUME
Thank you very much.
Any questions for me?
No, it's fine.
Thank you very much.
Boss, we're hiring a new sales chief.
Shouldn't you ask them something?
No need.
His handwriting is terrible.
Oh, please.
The next applicant is the last one.
At least ask questions before you reject them.
No need to worry.
Do you know why?
This is today's lucky color.
I'll have a "fated encounter."
RESUME
MAYUKO MORI
So beautiful.
What?
Your handwriting.
Absolutely impeccable.
Boss…
- You're hired. - What?
When can you start?
I can start right now.
Sorry for the wait.
- And for dragging you along. - Not at all.
Where are we going?
This is it.
It's Sota Akiyama's place.
Sorry?
He tried to give me information at the club.
But he passed away.
He was murdered.
What?!
- You mean… - I'm out of options.
I thought I'd try his family, but I felt insecure going alone.
I figured you're free in the day.
Oh…
Let's go.
So what now?
I'll wait until they come home.
But…
We don't know when they'll be back.
I'm used to it. I waited for three days one time.
Three days…
Oh.
Huh?
It's… unlocked.
Is this a good idea?
I'll be quick.
Is this the norm for Mu journalists?
I've seen this before.
Where was it?
Hey, let's go.
In a minute.
- We should call the police-- - No.
They'll think we were part of it.
Sorry to involve you.
Who's that guy?
I have no idea.
I was just investigating the cruiser incident.
But now two people are dead.
Maybe you should let it go.
He had a wound on the same spot.
Wound?
He's the real killer from the club. The guy who died was a scapegoat.
So his real target was Akiyama.
Or maybe that yellow flower…
No, listen.
I'm sorry for involving you. I'll take it from here.
I can't just leave you.
Besides, I wanna have beef bowls with you again.
Grandma.
What was big bro Gaku like?
That boy was like the sun.
The sun?
Yes.
That describes him best.
So he was flaming hot?
Grandma?
Status report?
You're not my boss.
Then why'd you call me?
How long have you been checking on her?
- Figured out she's bad news? - That's not it.
- Then what is it? - Just tell me what you know.
If you want information on her, get it yourself.
You're a shinobi, aren't you?
And?
You really have nothing to report?
There's a dead woman. Murder disguised as suicide.
- Who's the killer? - The one from the club.
Should've finished him at the club.
A shinobi who can't kill, huh?
How is it?
That company is the worst!
They treat women like dirt.
A shinobi losing her composure? You're getting rusty.
I lose my composure all the time.
Did you get the name of the survivor on the cruiser?
I haven't found the passenger list yet.
But one guy's acting fishy.
Okay.
Report to me if anything comes up.
EARLY PAYMENT IS APPRECIATED
The stolen puzzle box was here, at the Kanagawa Museum of Art.
As with the other stolen items, it is likely to be returned.
The police hope to catch the thief in the act of returning it.
As you can see, the rob-and-return cases have attracted media attention…
- Tea for me too. - Here you are.
Tea for you.
Have some tea.
NO ONE WILL FIND OUT, MR. MATSUURA.
"Matsuura"?
Thanks for pitching a plan on your first day.
I don't know how it'll go, but please ask your family.
Okay, I will.
Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.
YOKO
The person you called is unavailable.
Please leave a--
Boss, let's go for a drink for a change.
Well, maybe not today…
Come on, you can order Calpis Soda.
- Apparently, his wife cheated on him. - Hey, don't…
She lied about working part-time and stopped taking his calls.
Turns out she was busy with her lover!
I'm ready to get drunk tonight.
You idiot.
Well, you guys have fun.
- Great work, everyone. - Thanks, boss.
Will they really show up?
All in good time.
The thief deliberately left a note.
They must crave the limelight.
Which means…
it's a young woman.
Will I get in trouble for saying that these days?
Who knows.
Anyway, the fun is about to start.
Bet you hope it's a young stud, eh?
- Sorry for the wait. - I know what that logo is.
What's "Gentenkai"?
A new religion.
30,000 members and counting.
I see.
The leader, Yosuke Tsujioka, is popular with young people.
He's a naturalist, passionate about the environment,
but he's super shady.
He holds events every month--
Wait.
Are you really going?
I'm really going.
Why?
"Why" what?
Why do you go that far?
I'm obsessed with unsolved mysteries.
There was an incident long ago.
Okay.
A fire broke out at a hotel.
Probably arson.
The hotel burned down.
All the guests died except one.
A three-year-old child miraculously survived.
And yet no one investigated why that child survived.
That's probably why.
What really happened on the cruiser?
I sense a huge plot behind it.
Very Mu, isn't it?
And you?
Why are you battling vending machines?
Well…
I'm not cut out for my family business.
I mean, I know I should take over.
But you know how it is.
Are they going to the event?
See you tomorrow.
Hey, you.
I'm still working. Get me strong coffee.
Lots of milk and sugar.
Right away.
"Lots of milk and sugar."
As you wish.
Hey!
Wait!
What was that?
Give it back!
SOICHI
There!
What is security doing?!
I don't know!
Which way?
I don't know!
- You guys didn't see anything? - No, sir.
Damn it.
Call for backup!
Yes, sir!
- Get the security footage! - Yes, sir.
A fake suicide.
Jeez. One-trick pony.
Get on with it.
Let's go.
Yes, sir!
Don't forget the security cameras.
Yes, sir!
It's been six years.
That's true.
Six years?
The Mukai abduction case.
We had a mountain of Fuma corpses to clean up.
Take all the bags and piece the shreds together.
What's the point of this?
We're done.
Good job.
And the body?
A hanging, of course.
Yes, sir.
I had my staff look into it.
The victim called this man, Matsuura, shortly before death.
He works for a travel agency.
Fishy.
Time for "Ms. Misa" to take the stage.
"Ms. Misa," huh?
It sure has been a while.
Excuse me, who's Ms. Misa?
By the way, will you be okay?
Just a scratch. It'll heal by tomorrow.
No, not that.
It's past dinnertime.
Oh no…
Oh, jeez!
It's packed.
Right? Good thing we came early.
- Did you hear? - He's gonna stand there.
- I hear Mr. Tsujioka's coming today. - Seriously?
That's insane. I mean, for real?
Oh, it's time.
Let us stop.
Let us laugh.
Let us stop.
Let us scream.
Let us stop.
Let us cry.
Why do we cry?
That's right.
We cry for the sake of this world.
But please, do not worry.
We are not alone.
Let us have faith.
Should we all unite,
we will surely take back what we lost.