Taboo Tattoo (タブー・タトゥー)

But the path you must take lies beyond that.

A fragment of BB's soul remains inside you.

I'm going to use this machine

to show you BB's memories.

It is the past,

as well as your future.

The Past

Can we trust him?

The gift of top secret US data that he brought us appears to be real.

Though we will need to keep an eye on his movements...

I don't think it's a bad idea to add him to Brahman.

You did well to come so far against Cal.

I'm Ajita, captain of Brahman.

Blood Blackstone. Call me BB.

Well then, BB, we'll talk again soon.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Varma, from Brahman.

That was awesome back there!

The princess is sure to hire you.

Princess? Not the king?

Uh... Yeah, well...

The princess is a very wise lady,

so the king relies on her a great deal.

You've passed the test.

You can call yourself a member of Brahman as of today.

I also have the results of your match test.

You can use the triggerless tattoo.

Really, now?

Never thought I'd have a shot at that.

They don't even have the technology to test it in America.

I've read the data you brought.

The reason tattoo research isn't progressing in America

is most likely because the inscription in the ruins was lost.

This is an invaluable tattoo.

If you betray me,

I will take it back in exchange for your death.

America doesn't have the technology to destroy tattoos.

If it exists anywhere, it's here.

This is a changing room?

What do you want?

This building seemed out of place, so I was curious.

This is Japanese architecture, isn't it?

Come to think of it, you're Japanese, too, aren't you?

Just one quarter.

The princess built this place for me.

It's my practice hall.

The princess, eh?

I will give you one warning.

You are welcome to walk around the castle as you like,

but if you value your life,

don't go near Samsara.

Now, how to get in there undetected?

Hmm, how to get in there undetected?

What are you doing here?

The princess is doing something weird!

I'm trying to find out what she's after!

I see.

You're a spy the king sent to keep an eye on the princess.

I've even heard you're the king's lover.

Well, you're a spy for the US Army, aren't you?!

The US Army has nothing to do with me.

So, that building...

Is that the center of their tattoo research?

That's right, but...

So the princess took it over? What's security like?

There are no guards. There's only...

The guardian of Samsara!

The mysterious, superhuman being who's blind and deaf...

Ganesha!

Run!

You'll slow me down!

Don't you dare die!

Damn it. This one's going to be trouble.

This must be the restorative power I've heard about.

So, Your Majesty, I believe we can trust him.

BB is an amazing man!

With him, I'm sure we can expose the princess's schemes.

Very well.

Work with him.

If he does anything suspect, dispose of him yourself.

Yes, sir!

Let's do our best together, BB!

Just so you know, I don't swing that way.

One question.

That princess isn't your real daughter, is she?

I see.

Your intelligence-gathering ability is impressive, indeed.

You are correct. She is not my child.

But what of it?

What of it, you ask? You're unbelievable.

She's going to take your throne.

If you're not blood-related, it's even more likely.

Yet you're not even trying to stop her scheming.

It's because you feel some kind of guilt toward her, isn't it?

You...

I guess even Varma didn't tell you that.

Don't push your luck, you child!

This conversation is over! Leave!

What is that old bigot's problem?

Now, now...

BB, time for your first mission.

I heard some interesting information.

I want you and Cal to guard the first ruins.

If an enemy shows up,

eliminate them.

Telling me to trample my former life, eh?

Finish him.

These guys are American soldiers.

We can just take them prisoner.

You seem to have a powerful aversion to killing.

Why is that?

Your sense of camaraderie as a former US soldier?

It's my policy.

Whether a man is a sinner or a saint,

he has the right to advocate for his own idea of justice.

Denying another human's idea of justice is my definition of evil.

That's why I won't kill.

Well, unfortunately,

the princess's orders were to eliminate any enemies.

Now it's all taken care of.

Let's head back.

This is Iltutmish. She was assigned to Brahman today.

Princess, I can't read this.

What? You can't read?

Is it a good idea to bring in a girl like that?

If I should one day succeed the throne,

I am considering transferring much of

the king's authority to the parliament.

What do you say?

I see...

You're fighting for someone you care about, too.

You really are strong.

My courage always fails me when it really counts.

I'm... a weak person.

I wouldn't say that.

If you can master this, someone like that is nothing.

It's been a year and a half since you arrived.

I'm sure it won't be long before the princess makes a move.

We're going to infiltrate Samsara tonight.

Understand we'll only have one chance.

We have to swipe some damning evidence

and get that old man to act.

I don't want to upset the king...

But I'm not confident that I'm really doing the right thing.

The king is keeping his true feelings hidden,

but since I've been near him all this time, I can tell.

His feelings toward the princess are obligation

and love.

I thought you were just scared of Ganesha.

So that's what worries you.

You're not weak at all.

As long as you live, you have a future.

There's no telling whether it'll be rose-colored or mud-colored,

but if you have no future, your path leads nowhere.

You're always looking to the future.

That's what makes you strong.

This is enough to knock most opponents unconscious.

So this is your trigger, huh?

I've been waiting for this moment!

Varma!

Watch me, Your Majesty!

Without your tattoo, you're just a naughty little brat.

If we dig a tunnel directly below here,

it should take us to Samsara's deepest level.

What is this?

Did I overuse my power?

What's wrong?

Nothing. Let's go.

I will kill them all.

Gosh, you're so good!

No way! You can make that into a combo?

Il-san, you're ruthless!

My, my. Visitors?

We won't eat you or anything. You can come in.

What's this place? Who are you?

It's our playroom.