Juni Taisen: Zodiac War (十二大戦)

How about that.

A brand new building and not a soul inside.

An entire city of 500,000

relocated in a single night.

There's no better example of the power

of the Juni Taisen's organizers than that.

Of course, the city's not completely empty.

I assume the other participants have already gone inside.

Which is fine.

As the Boar, I take my role very seriously.

And it's tradition that the Boar always arrive last.

Hm. How could I choose a mode of transport

with no escape and still call myself a warrior?

When you're on the battlefield,

always have an escape route planned.

I know this is training, Toshiko,

but those mercenaries are still trying to kill you.

Okay, Father.

-- --

-- --

Uh!

Excellent. So long as you keep

both hands free, you can dispatch enemies

coming from any direction at any time.

Okay, Father. I understand.

Now I've learned it's even easier to simply

carry weapons all the time. Right, Father?

Aah!

Wait! Please, don't. Don't kill me!

What's wrong with you?

I--uh!

You didn't listen to me!

When you have a chance to kill,

you always take it.

Showing mercy is pointless.

My father's "discipline"

others would call abuse.

Honey, this color's gorgeous on you.

Look how it pops! It's important to look good.

You'll be head of the Ino family someday.

My mother's entire world revolved around me

and my sister. She was obsessed.

Two very different sets of expectations growing up.

And I met them both. However.

Toshiko!

Kiyoko.

Check this out. I killed three already today!

Actually, if you count the newborn cubs,

and I think we should, it's eight!

After the first, I picked 'em off one-by-one

as they came out of their den!

My beloved little sister was obsessed with killing.

Welcome home, Father!

Congratulations on winning the Juni Taisen--

Enough! I didn't ask for your praise.

Pay attention.

I've chosen the entrant for the next Juni Taisen.

-- --That's in twelve years!

Yes. This family's next

Taisen competitor will be...

Don't worry, Father.

You taught me everything I know.

The family's honor demands that I win,

and I plan to do just that.

In a way, my entry's simply a continuation of your work

in that last tournament.

And I'll win with grace and nobility.

Traits befitting our title of "Defending Champion."

Sorry, everyone, I didn't mean to be this late.

A warm hello to you all!

In case you didn't know, I am the Boar.

My, my. So many familiar faces.

The Ox.

The Sheep.

The Chicken.

The Dog.

Looks like she's waiting to pounce.

That would be our old friend, the Tiger.

The big guy's a mystery. Never seen him before.

Oh, look. The Monkey.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to find that

repulsive young woman here.

I definitely don't recognize Mr. Sleepyhead.

Huh. What a pathetic warrior!

Who gets himself killed before the fighting even starts?

Uuh. It wasn't me-- don't you dare say it was me!

You can't just accuse people of murder with no evidence!

Sorry, but when I see a headless body

and a bloody sword, it's not hard to do the math.

Warriors, welcome!

It is my great pleasure to announce that

with the final entrant arriving, we can at last begin

the 12th Juni Taisen!

Everyone! Give yourselves a hand!

Uh? Uh. Uh?!

I will be the referee for the duration of the Juni Taisen.

You may call me Duodecuple.

Please try not to forget that.

Since time is always of the essence,

I will familiarize you with the rules of our tournament.

First, allow me to direct you to the center of the table.

Twelve jewels. Twelve of you.

Would you each be so kind as to take one?

As black as a starless night sky. Beautiful.

If we just leave Mr. Sleepyhead there,

does that mean he forfeits the tournament?

Hey. C'mon, wake up!

Tch!

You gotta take one of those...

Stupid, meddling monkey.

What?

It's been a while since we

last shared a battlefield.

And unfortunately for me, the Monkey remains

as annoyingly nosy as ever.

"When next we meet, one of us will die."

I promised that before and I intend to keep it.

-- Yo, ref! --

Since my little brother's not gonna need it,

do you mind if I take his jewel for myself?

I mean, it's only fair it...

Warrior twins?

Of course, young man! Consider it yours!

This should fetch a pretty penny.

However, for the sake of this being a fair tournament,

I request that you only swallow one of them.

Wait. What'd you just say?

Yes. And that goes for the rest of you as well.

I want you all to swallow your jewels.

I can't be the only one here who's thinking

this is too big to swallow.

I can get you a glass of water, but that's about all.

I can handle it.

Good. Then I take it you've all finished?

The black jewel you just swallowed

is a piece of slow-acting poison.

--It's called "Juseki." -- I should have known.

A crystalized version of a powerful drug that

once ingested, chemically reacts with your stomach acid.

After twelve hours, you'll all be dead.

Now that you're ready, allow me to explain the rules--

I urge you all to listen closely.

I will only explain this once.

These Juseki jewels are also called "beast jewels,"

and the one who collects all twelve will be the winner.

What does the winner recieve?

Whatever they want. Because the grand prize

is the granting of one wish of their choosing.

Huh? Wait, me? Yes! All right!

--Father, I will work so hard! -- What?

I'm gonna win just like you did.

I'll keep the title in the family!

Wow.

Twelve years, though, huh?

Father. Why?

That's a long time to wait. But hey! No problem!

You won't take this from me.

--Toshiko? -- Kiyoko.

I've got everything under control.

You just need to dispose of these men.

Dispose?

That's right.

Okay.

-- --

-- --

Not enough.

And my mom's like, "That doesn't even fit"--

Kiyoko! Hey!

Remember that favor I asked for?

I kinda need it sooner rather than later.

Mhmm. Say no more.

Awesome! I owe you!

C'mon, man!

Kiyoko, what's this favor he wants?

Ooh. Sorry, it's a secret.

--Ah, you're bad. --

Don't tell anyone.

You were late, so I decided

to come get you in person.

Ready? It's time for you to train, Kiyoko.

-- --

-- --

You're learning! Mercy is pointless.

Not enough.

Oh, my.

Toshiko. Um, did I...

...kill them?

Don't let it bother you.

Killing people is no different from killing small animals.

You understand me, don't you?

Mm.

You have so much more killing to do.