BLACK TORCH

Early this morning, multiple decapitated human remains

were found in a quiet residential neighborhood.

Today's shocking finding is just the latest

SEARCH FOR SINGLE SUSPECT IN LATEST HOMICIDES

Today's shocking finding is just the latest

in a string of grisly murders.

Police are now investigating

whether the murders can be tied to a single suspect.

Is it safe to say mononoke are behind this?

Almost positive.

Hold up, wait a sec.

Why are you lounging around here with us?

Your work is done, go the hell home!

News flash, I decide where I wanna be!

You know...

In case you forgot,

your little magical lotus nearly killed me!

I told you I had nothing to do with that!

And who said you could eat my shrimp crackers?

SHRIMP CRACKERS JIRO

Then write your name or something on it!

It's written right there!

You know, I was wondering...

Why do mononoke eat humans?

Now you ask?

Yeah, well, look.

This freak's eating people food.

Mononoke are allowed to eat other things, too.

It's all about humans' vital energy.

It's the only thing that really level ups our powers.

Oh yeah, that Amagi guy in Rago's memory

said kinda the same thing.

In other words, the mononoke are stockpiling power again.

This just in.

MYSTERIOUS FOG ENVELOPS HIRASAKA

All roads in and out of Hirasaka have been completely closed off.

So? Spill it.

These mysterious deaths are keeping us busy enough.

You didn't call me out here just to show me

this piece of shit report now did you?

Piece of shit?

Come on, you ordered the training.

Please get to the point.

Interesting.

So Amagi, the mononoke from Rago's past...

Now I've got your attention.

How about...

...we forget about that little incident at the shrine?

Hmph, so that's what all this's about...

Well, there's something else.

The investigation you got on the homicides...

Let my team in on it too.

Sorry, no.

Just listen.

They've got more than their feet wet,

they've brought real results.

Besides, cases involving mononoke are supposed to fall

within our jurisdiction.

It all makes perfect sense.

They are more than ready.

The moment they let you down,

I give you permission to fire my ass.

TOKIEDA

So, Tokieda...

What is it?

What?

All right, I'm heading back right now.

So what was that about?

You know...

My offer still stands.

We're live here in Hirasaka.

As you can see, just on the other side of that bridge,

a thick fog-like substance has completely obscured the town.

Police are looking into the possibility

of a chemical attack.

Meanwhile, the perimeter is now cordoned off

and closed to the public.

Wipe all devices, make sure no one has any memory...

Tell them to report that the gas is harmless.

Wow...

They're all from the Bureau?

If they've got a suit on with an earpiece, yes.

That said, their responsibilities begin and end

with those of the human kind.

It's no wonder.

Major incidents involving mononoke

have been a rarity for decades now.

Which means there's hardly anyone left

capable of handling 'em when they do occur.

It's your lucky day, team!

Time for Black Torch to step in!

What's that supposed to mean?

Here's the lowdown.

The entire town of Hirasaka is affected.

Roads in and out are blockaded.

There's little we know about what's happening inside the fog.

All we know is mononoke are behind this,

and several civilians are now trapped inside.

The fog is dense, but your espionage gear's

Spectral Neutralizer should help you break through.

We've got three objectives.

One: rescue survivors. Two: diffuse the fog.

Three: disarm and capture the enemy.

Capture?

And I suspect someone's pulling

the strings from behind the scenes.

I want to take any chance we have to obtain leads on them.

I'll take full authority over everything happening out here.

As for infiltrating that fog, I'm counting on you three.

Ordinary means of communication is rendered useless inside.

Then how are we supposed to stay in contact, Chief?

Lucky for you, you've got me!

What, you?

You're still here?

IRK

You little...

All right then, how is this going to work?

You each get one.

Swallow 'em whole!

Each petal transmits info directly to this lotus.

It's all voiceless.

I have to swallow this?

Whole?

I don't know if I've got the guts to...

Doesn't seem to have any odor.

All right, down the hatch, ungrateful brats!

Okay, that's it for now.

Now get in there and do what you do.

Let the battle begin!

Oh, they've entered the fog.

Three of them.

Three you say?

Fewer than I thought.

Looks like teaming up was overkill.

Roren! How's our lunch lookin'?

Well, I've got 'bout two hundred so far.

Who knew herding them alive...

...would be so time consuming.

With humans it's all about freshness!

They start losing that sweet vital energy

right after they croak!

Whatever, stop being such a picky eater

and eat everything put in front of you, Kanawa.

Ah, put a sock in it!

The heads're all bone and no meat!

Kanawa.

Huh?

What, Naruko?

I was mistaken.

It's not just three people.

There're three...

...and a cat.

So the scoundrel's finally arrived!

Now I really get to run amok!

Run amok to your little heart's content.

Just don't forget what the boss said.

I got it!

Hey, Naruko, where's Rago comin' from?

Naruko?

Oh, I guess she's asleep.

What?!

ZZZ... ZZZ...

It comes with the territory.

She is holding up this barrier all by herself.

What if Rago decides to rush Naruko?

It'll be just fine.

We made sure she has her very own bodyguard.

I don't care about her!

Aargh, 'nuff of this!

Roren, you stay here and keep our food supply strong!

Huh? What about you?

I'm gonna go out there,

and make Rago's soul mine!

'Member the boss said don't kill him!

All right.

This's way worse than I thought.

All these people on the ground...

WAKE UP, DAMMIT! SHAKE SHAKE

I tried shacking 'em, but I got nothing.

They're probably under some spell.

Fine, then let's find whoever's doing it.

You do know this barrier encompasses an entire town!

I think splitting up and

searching in three directions is our best bet.

What is this?

The spectral energy around here reeks!

Oh, so the cat finally graces us with his presence.

Of course, Rago!

THAT'S IT!

You can be our mononoke radar!

Huh?

Hmmm.

Three...

No, four spectral presences.

Four?!

Any idea as to their whereabouts?

The fog and spell make it hard to make out locations...

There's the one doling out the fog.

One casting the spell on the humans.

Then there are the ones with the most spectral juice of the group...