Natsume's Book of Friends: The Waking Rock and the Strange Visitor

Ever since I was little, I would sometimes see strange things.

Those that others seem to be unable to see are

most likely a type of what they call Yokai.

Hey! Mid-Class Yokai!

Nyanko-sensei!

Oh, Natsume-sama.

What's wrong?

Nyanko-sensei hasn't returned these past few days.

I'm going off to play!

...he said and left in high spirits.

So I'm not worried.

But I'm a little worried about what he's up to.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen him around.

More importantly, Natsume-sama,

there is a rumor going around that someone black and bad with horns

has come from the west.

Please teach it a lesson if it's up to no good, okay?

Well then.

Hey, come now!

I'm just a high schooler who's on the thinner side!

I can't do something like that, okay?

Someone bad, huh?

I wonder if that's why Sensei's not coming back.

A Yokai?

But if that's coming from a human, then...

If I'm not mistaken, it came from this way.

A spider's web.

That startled me...

Just paper, huh...

Darn it.

Where did that little guy escape to?

Find him!

Anything over there?

If it's not a human that's being attacked

I shouldn't interfere with it.

I'm sorry! Are you okay?

Please don't raise your voice!

I'll be discovered by those guys.

Is this the guy the Yokai were looking for just now?

They seem to have left.

Judging by your appearance, you seem to be a human child.

My apologies for dragging you into this.

Why were you being chased?

That's because I'm the Ishi Okoshi.

Ishi Okoshi?

Shoot! I shouldn't have said that thoughtlessly!

Why am I always like this?

Is that so?

If it's better that I don't ask. I'll be going.

Please wait!

Since it's already like this, I'll ask another question,

but have you perhaps seen a map around here?

Map?

It got blown away by the wind while I was being chased.

Without that...

it'll be over for me.

Sorry, but I haven't seen it.

The map you mentioned, how big is...

Come to think of it...

I picked up this weird piece of paper.

That's it!

Thank you very much. Thank you so very much!

How do I repay you?

-Thank you very much! -No, I don't need anything...

That's right!

When I complete my duty,

I'll share with you some of the rewards I'll receive!

Reward?

How rude of me.

I'm Gantetsu-sama's 89th follower, Mitsumi.

Gantetsu-sama?

Up ahead is Kokonoe Valley, right?

The strong demonic air that wafts there draws strong,

evil Ayakashi from time to time.

Gantetsu-sama, being incredibly strong,

admirably tears apart the Ayakashi and throws them away.

However...

before such a time, he rests quietly in a small shrine.

And it's a deep sleep that he can't wake himself up from.

Then, that "Ishi Okoshi" you spoke of just now...

Yes, the role of Ishi Okoshi, someone to wake him,

has always been picked by Gantetsu-sama from his followers.

And it's an important and honorable duty!

Is that so?

Then the ones chasing you were trying to disrupt that?

No... it's the opposite.

They've come to steal the role of "Waker".

Steal?

Yes.

The shrine Gantetsu-sama sleeps in allow the wicked to get close,

and it's inside a hidden marsh that's normally closed off.

This map is

the only guidepost that opens the way to the hidden marsh.

It's an important responsibility entrusted to the chosen "Ishi Okoshi."

Just that...

Actually, Gantetsu-sama is someone really big-hearted and generous.

Although he chooses an Ishi Okoshi every time he sleeps,

in the end, no matter who wakes him,

he treats that person to the high-grade sake reward.

Be it the Ishi Okoshi or someone else,

as long as that someone wakes him from his sleep,

he'll be incredibly delighted.

So there's no end to the people coming for the reward.

The Ishi Okoshi goes through terrible things every time.

Having a sloppy superior sure is tough.

No, however...

despite specially choosing someone to be Ishi Okoshi,

this time, it's someone like me...

Entrusting it to someone like me, a small, ugly leftover scrap,

I want to live up to that.

Is that so?

It'd be great if it went well.

Thank you.

Wanting to live up to...

BOOK OF FRIENDS

someone's expectations of you...

Thirty west of... the thicket... left of the rock...

Please be at ease.

It's this.

Thirty west of this thicket, left of the rock...

That's amazing, a talking map?

Why don't you head over there already, you trash?

What a foul mouth!

This map is made using a small fragment of Gantetsu-sama.

Seems like a type I don't really want to meet.

You're surrounded by a presence covered in desire.

Someone ill-natured is closing in.

On the other side of the thicket?

Something is...

Coming!

Hey, the small one over...

Nyanko-sensei?

Madara-sama, is the Ishi Okoshi or something there?

Ishioko? Ishiori?

If we're gonna beat him, now's the time.

Would be, would be?

Geez!

You sure are violent!

You start punching without even checking who it is.

I said I was sorry.

But in the first place, Sensei,

I was worried and came looking for you...

What are you doing in a place like this?

I'm looking for the Ishi Okoshi or something.

It's none of your business.

It can't be that you're mixed up in this petty duty stealing

just for the reward, are you?

Oh my, if it isn't Natsume!

Hinoe, Chobi.

What?

Are you also in the stealing competition for the sake?

You're such a bad boy.

How unexpected. Natsume-dono can't be underestimated too.

-You're mistaken... -Now now.

Natsume-sama, this is something like a festival.

Many people are grateful to Gantetsu-sama for protecting the rocky areas,

"I'll be the one who wakes you out of my gratitude."

Well, that's how it is.

So Sensei and you guys feel grateful as well?

A kid like you wouldn't understand,

but participating in festivals is important.

You just want the sake, right?

Of course.

Wait, Sensei, I'll treat you to something next time, so...

-That's how it is, Natsume. Later. -Wait...

Let's go look for the Ishi Okoshi, Mid-Class Yokai!

Yeah!

I'm telling you to wait, Sensei!

Geez...

What's wrong, Natsume?

Is that small one perhaps...

Yeah.

I'm sorry, Mitsumi.

Let's find that hidden marsh

and reach the small shrine before Sensei and the others.

Thank you very much!

Seems interesting...

Fine. I'm your ally, Natsume.

Hinoe...

I'll come along too

and watch the plebeians scurrying around in confusion.

Chobi...

All right! Let's go, Team Twig!

Let's beat Team Drunkard!

Yeah!

To think that even Natsume would get involved in this...

It'll be over if I'm distracted by that.

-It's chopped bonito flakes and plum. -Sour...

Hey!

Here, here!

It's yummy.

Take this seriously!

You're the ones who said that we'd get good sake if we woke Gantetsu, right?

I even refused Touko's food to come here...

Natsume-sama came to look for you because he was worried.

That guy really is an idiot.

What is there to be worried about me?

Natsume-sama was together with something small, right?

Come to think of it...

So?