BLACK TORCH

Guess I should introduce myself.

I'm Koga.

Future overlord of the mononoke!

Huh...?

Future overlord... of the mononoke?

Who is this freak?

But I'll need a jolt of extra power first.

That's why, my sweet, sweet Rago...

You shall be mine!

Hey, sounds like someone's in love!

Huh?!

Not funny!

Oddly, I don't get the sense he's trying to deceive us.

Could he be just another idiot?

Sure would make things easier...

Koga...

If I may.

Yeah?

And who gave you permission to talk?

Why are you so interested in Rago?

What does he have that you need so badly?

Ha! Humans really are as dumb as they look.

Do I hafta explain?

The guy's one of a kind...

A badass!

Incredible, he's intellectually challenged like you, Jiro.

You're an ass, ya know that!

You know, we're not as delicate as you humans.

Actually we're kinda immortal!

Sure, we'll die if ya dice us to pieces.

And our spectral spirit dims without sustenance.

But Rago's different.

The guy's practically a spiritual power generator,

food or no food...

So to spell it out...

That kinda power'll make me the real deal, a true immortal!

Then...

I'll be unstoppable.

I'll be the pinnacle of mononoke!

The prick's gonna...

Wait, Jiro!

We don't know who's backing him!

See, you're worthless to me.

Die.

Rei—

And you're just as annoying!

Then again, you're Rago's receptacle,

a trashcan that needs to shut up and stay put!

Jiro!!

What's wrong, Rago?

We can finally chat in peace!

It'll be you and me, Rago!

Don't worry, I'll release you from that fool before ya know it!

Then you and me'll be a single force!

We'll be unbeatable!

Indestructible...

The Ruler of Mononoke!

Now that's funny.

I'm no one's property, wacko.

The Ruler of Mononoke?

Sorry, I couldn't give two shits 'bout that.

You wanna be king so bad, go ahead, be king for all I care.

Why, Rago?

How could you say that?!

Why can't you understand?!

I'm trying to free you from—

Geez, you're irritating.

All ya do is bitch, bitch, bitch.

Why you...

Now!

Do it, Reiji!

Now let's use our inside voices.

I'm ten steps ahead of you!

Prepare yourself for the Kirihara-ryu...

Karajiki!

You all right, Jiro?

Kinda, I guess.

But seriously, that was cool.

What the hell was it?

A sort of slicing supernova.

But...

It was supposed to cut him in two!

He's formidable.

Sooner or later, everyone out there will catch on we're in trouble.

But we don't have the luxury of waiting.

I'm counting on you Jiro, Rago!

Agh...

Shut the hell up!

Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up!

Dammit, shut up!

This's why I hate you humans.

You're weaklings, but think you're tough shit

cause you outnumber us.

You think you own this stinkin' planet.

Well, I'm done.

Playtime's over.

First is you!

You get to die first.

And you, you get to live!

I'll separate you from those pesky arms 'n' legs

so you'll be my convenient Rago carryall.

But first, I'm gonna make you understand.

Who is master, and who is servant...

You'll finally understand...

Mononoke reign supreme!

Spill it, Tokieda.

Not the most elegant I've seen, but robust, nonetheless.

It will take a little time, but...

Uh... Ummm.

Yes, my dear?

Um...

Surely, there must be someway I can assist!

I worry the two of them may be...

In this case, standing by might...

Say no more.

Now...

If you could please plant this stake at my exact specifications.

Oh...

Yes!

I'm glad you brought along Tokieda.

Give him five,

and it'll be as if that barrier was never—

Shiba, my good man...

You wouldn't be using us as backup, would you?

Something tells me you showed up only because you knew

yours truly would be here too.

It's the newbies' very first mission.

What kind of leader would I be

if I didn't prepare for things going south?

For a leader who knows his "newbies" are in dire straits,

you seem very relaxed indeed.

I have trust...

In them and in you.

Always have to've the last word.

I speak the truth.

Just know...

You'll be taking full responsibility.

Of course.

And I'll gladly take it.

What the hell?

What the hell is this?!

This's all ya got?!

You've got all that Rago power...

And this is it?!

Jiro!

This is sad...

I actually feel sorry for you, Rago!

Such a waste of power...

All 'cause you're stuck inside that human meat bag!

Just you wait...

I'll rip ya outta there soon enou—

Shut up!

You're unstable, demented!

You wanna use him, you wanna dump me aside...

I'm your carryall, a trashcan...

We're not things you use.

We're not your objects!

Humans this...

Mononoke that...

Who the hell cares?

We don't need your stupid labels!

We decide who we are, dickwad!

Right, Rago?

Tch!

It's not like you don't go on and on about shit you don't know.

Still, I gotta admit...

This time you're actually right on the money.

And this punk makes my blood boil even more than you!

Just one major wallop...

That's all it's gonna take!

Amazing.

Their energy combined...

How was that, Mr. Big Shot?

What?

Hell yes!

That's it, that's it!

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

Whattaguy!

I gotta have him!

Please, just hand him over!

Give me, Rago!

What was that?

So they broke through...

Reinforcement here is a no-go.

I'm outta here!

What? So you're running?

I'm not running, I'm headin' home!

Same difference!

Watch yourself, kid!

I can off you anytime I want!

But if I killed you here now,

I couldn't get my Rago.

I'm not letting that happen.

So I'll let you live a little longer.

But next time,

those limbs, that tongue, those stupid eyes

are comin' home with me as souvenirs!

I swear it, Rago will be mine.

Just you wait...

Hey, what's your name?