1 00:00:03,143 --> 00:00:08,173 Angely i demony kruzhili nado mnoj, Angels and demons circle above me, 2 00:00:08,883 --> 00:00:13,713 rassykhali ternii i vechnye puti. through the thorns to the stars. 3 00:00:14,253 --> 00:00:19,453 Ne znaet shast'je tol'ko tot, Only those unable to perceive its call... 4 00:00:20,093 --> 00:00:26,233 kto jevo zova ponjat' ne smog. ...do not know happiness. 5 00:00:26,233 --> 00:00:32,003 Naljubuites', naljubuites'. Watch in awe, watch in awe. 6 00:00:32,003 --> 00:00:37,373 Aeria gloris, aeria gloris. 7 00:00:37,713 --> 00:00:43,083 Naljubuites', naljubuites'. Watch in awe, watch in awe. 8 00:00:43,483 --> 00:00:48,153 Aeria gloris, aeria gloris. 9 00:00:48,153 --> 00:00:54,423 I am calling, calling now, 10 00:00:54,763 --> 00:01:00,393 spirits rise and falling. 11 00:01:01,333 --> 00:01:06,133 Soboj ostat'sja dol'she. To remain myself longer. 12 00:01:06,473 --> 00:01:18,043 Calling, calling, in the depths of longing. 13 00:01:18,553 --> 00:01:23,723 Soboj ostat'sja dol'she. To remain myself longer. 14 00:01:23,723 --> 00:01:26,063 Naljubuites', Watch in awe, 15 00:01:26,063 --> 00:01:29,923 aeria gloris. 16 00:01:32,503 --> 00:01:35,263 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Laughing Man Room! 17 00:01:38,973 --> 00:01:42,403 It's a bit of a surprise, isn't it, him showing up again after six years? 18 00:01:44,173 --> 00:01:45,663 It certainly is. 19 00:01:46,243 --> 00:01:50,043 This is no laughing matter, and it's got the blood of Net Master Omba boiling! 20 00:01:50,413 --> 00:01:53,183 Is everybody here a hardcore Laughing Man freak? 21 00:01:55,793 --> 00:01:58,583 Maybe, but none of them have the guts to take the floor. 22 00:01:58,923 --> 00:02:01,423 Oh, don't talk like that. 23 00:02:01,423 --> 00:02:04,153 You'll get hit with a DoS attack... 24 00:02:17,943 --> 00:02:20,543 I heard that there's somebody in this chat room... 25 00:02:20,543 --> 00:02:23,743 ...who has some interesting things to say about the Laughing Man Incident. 26 00:02:24,453 --> 00:02:25,473 Who is it? 27 00:02:25,823 --> 00:02:28,483 Everyone here, you might say. 28 00:02:29,353 --> 00:02:31,383 Along with some who don't. 29 00:02:31,893 --> 00:02:33,293 What's that supposed to mean? 30 00:02:33,463 --> 00:02:35,323 My point exactly. 31 00:02:43,733 --> 00:02:48,203 Anyway, what's the deal with the Laughing Man dying just as he reappeared? 32 00:02:48,373 --> 00:02:51,603 Man, I thought I could finally become a realtime Laughing Man freak! 33 00:02:51,713 --> 00:02:53,273 Why are you getting so worked up? 34 00:02:53,613 --> 00:02:56,133 Nobody cares about that stuff, not anymore. 35 00:02:56,483 --> 00:02:57,643 Talk about stupid... 36 00:02:57,783 --> 00:03:01,743 Speaking of stupid, I think that getup of yours is pretty stupid. 37 00:03:01,823 --> 00:03:05,553 If you don't like it, why don't you suggest a more constructive theme, then? 38 00:03:06,693 --> 00:03:09,263 Okay, then. How about, "What was the reason behind the Laughing Man's... 39 00:03:09,263 --> 00:03:12,753 ...sudden reappearance for this recent failed assassination attempt?" 40 00:03:12,963 --> 00:03:16,103 Miss Kanabi, I know! I think it's because the world... 41 00:03:16,103 --> 00:03:18,093 ...is still full of crap and boring as hell, that's why! 42 00:03:18,333 --> 00:03:20,243 We already know that. 43 00:03:20,243 --> 00:03:23,813 My point is that maybe the man behind the incident six years ago... 44 00:03:23,813 --> 00:03:26,903 ...and man behind this latest one are two different people. 45 00:03:27,713 --> 00:03:31,653 "Man," huh? We don't know if the Laughing Man is really a man. 46 00:03:31,713 --> 00:03:32,883 He is a man! 47 00:03:32,883 --> 00:03:36,013 According to information obtained by one of my sources, he's definitely a man. 48 00:03:36,423 --> 00:03:39,593 Besides, if he was a she, why would he call himself the Laughing Man? 49 00:03:39,593 --> 00:03:40,823 Just a minute, please... 50 00:03:41,223 --> 00:03:44,633 Y-You'd notice if you'd go over the data, 51 00:03:44,633 --> 00:03:48,293 but he never actually referred to himself as the Laughing Man. 52 00:03:48,463 --> 00:03:50,673 Whether he did or didn't, he's still a man! 53 00:03:50,673 --> 00:03:54,003 That was a man in the CEO kidnapping footage, no two ways about it! 54 00:03:54,003 --> 00:03:56,373 You sucker! That may have been a prosthetic body. 55 00:03:56,643 --> 00:03:58,663 Wait, we're getting off topic. 56 00:03:58,973 --> 00:04:03,483 Up until now, his criminal style was limited to corporate blackmail. 57 00:04:03,483 --> 00:04:06,473 Doesn't anyone have any opinions on the fact that this is totally different? 58 00:04:06,753 --> 00:04:11,583 And yes, this latest incident also started off with a micromachine-related issue, 59 00:04:11,893 --> 00:04:14,563 but then he suddenly threatened to kill the Superintendent General. 60 00:04:14,563 --> 00:04:16,533 Doesn't that seem a bit too violent for him? 61 00:04:16,963 --> 00:04:20,793 Well, they do say that he started off with little stuff six years ago, 62 00:04:20,963 --> 00:04:24,523 like hacking the cyberbrain of a secretary or family member and sending e-mails. 63 00:04:24,873 --> 00:04:28,233 So you're saying that this Laughing Man is a fake? 64 00:04:28,543 --> 00:04:30,233 Don't you think it's a strong possibility? 65 00:04:30,313 --> 00:04:32,403 It's been six years since he vanished. 66 00:04:32,883 --> 00:04:35,313 Doesn't anybody think this one was just made up, 67 00:04:35,313 --> 00:04:37,373 using the net's Laughing Man craze as a cover? 68 00:04:38,383 --> 00:04:41,053 But what's your basis for saying... 69 00:04:41,053 --> 00:04:44,353 ...that the Laughing Man's criminal style is corporate blackmail? 70 00:04:44,993 --> 00:04:48,523 Wasn't that initial kidnapping an act of violence? 71 00:04:48,523 --> 00:04:52,863 But I don't think he's committed any impulsive crimes since the CEO kidnapping. 72 00:04:53,433 --> 00:04:57,833 Yeah, you're right. I mean, it's just not cool, manipulating a person to kill somebody. 73 00:04:57,973 --> 00:05:01,443 The Laughing Man is a super-class-A hacker, 74 00:05:01,443 --> 00:05:03,803 but he's never once killed anybody. 75 00:05:04,473 --> 00:05:07,473 Damn. It was interesting, but I guess maybe this one was a fake. 76 00:05:07,543 --> 00:05:08,873 I guess it's better that way, though. 77 00:05:09,043 --> 00:05:12,753 And so, you've already been stripped of your title of realtime freak. 78 00:05:12,753 --> 00:05:14,013 How sad. 79 00:05:15,083 --> 00:05:18,993 But why do you think that the Laughing Man is cool? 80 00:05:19,323 --> 00:05:21,123 Because he is cool, that's why! 81 00:05:21,263 --> 00:05:24,233 Are you trying to tell me he's not cool after he pulled off something like that? 82 00:05:24,233 --> 00:05:27,063 I'm not saying that he isn't cool... 83 00:05:27,463 --> 00:05:30,593 If coolness is determined by your hacker skills, 84 00:05:30,903 --> 00:05:35,703 they say the delayed-action virus used in the assassination attempt was a work of art. 85 00:05:36,313 --> 00:05:40,483 It was so sophisticated that the police could only make a vaccine for it... 86 00:05:40,483 --> 00:05:45,513 ...after the security detail's cyberbrains started to manifest symptoms. 87 00:05:45,513 --> 00:05:46,743 That's certainly true. 88 00:05:47,153 --> 00:05:49,213 On top of that, rumor has it that the police weren't even able to obtain... 89 00:05:49,293 --> 00:05:51,813 ...any traces of the virus itself afterwards. 90 00:05:52,223 --> 00:05:53,093 I see... 91 00:05:53,223 --> 00:05:54,953 But their suspect died. 92 00:05:55,163 --> 00:05:59,533 Exactly! The guy who made the virus was killed by somebody, 93 00:05:59,603 --> 00:06:02,433 so that means that it was an imposter that appeared and was killed! 94 00:06:02,433 --> 00:06:04,273 Who killed him? And for what reason? 95 00:06:04,273 --> 00:06:07,243 I know that one, too! Because it's a conspiracy by some secret society! 96 00:06:07,243 --> 00:06:10,943 Speaking of which, according to information obtained by one of my sources, 97 00:06:10,943 --> 00:06:13,113 some of the corporations that he blackmailed... 98 00:06:13,113 --> 00:06:16,203 ...apparently had a hitman on the payroll even before this latest incident! 99 00:06:16,553 --> 00:06:19,743 What kind of source? Pork cutlet sauce? Oyster sauce? 100 00:06:20,823 --> 00:06:23,053 Why would the corporations want to kill him themselves? 101 00:06:23,123 --> 00:06:25,713 I'm saying that they've been waiting for a chance to get him! 102 00:06:26,093 --> 00:06:28,823 They wanted revenge for the blackmail or the money demands or something! 103 00:06:28,963 --> 00:06:32,093 And then, with this death threat, he slipped up and left a trail. 104 00:06:32,163 --> 00:06:34,633 Even if that's the case, what's the point in killing an imposter? 105 00:06:34,633 --> 00:06:35,533 He's right. 106 00:06:35,533 --> 00:06:38,133 Even if he was the real thing, it's just not possible... 107 00:06:38,133 --> 00:06:41,103 ...that they could find and kill someone that not even the police could track. 108 00:06:41,403 --> 00:06:43,803 T-That's my point. That doesn't sound like him. 109 00:06:44,373 --> 00:06:47,783 It's just not cool to be tracked down that easily. 110 00:06:47,783 --> 00:06:51,143 In that case, what if he was killed by the real Laughing Man? 111 00:06:51,313 --> 00:06:52,613 No way. 112 00:06:52,613 --> 00:06:55,483 Like the cops said, what makes the most sense is that there were multiple Laughing Men... 113 00:06:55,483 --> 00:06:57,253 ...and there was a dispute in the group. 114 00:06:57,593 --> 00:07:00,613 Which means it's safe to say that we're right back at our first conclusion. 115 00:07:00,923 --> 00:07:05,063 Someone other than the Laughing Man from six years ago was responsible for this incident. 116 00:07:05,063 --> 00:07:06,533 L-Let me ask you again... 117 00:07:06,933 --> 00:07:10,493 What's your basis for saying that corporate blackmail is the Laughing Man's criminal style? 118 00:07:10,773 --> 00:07:13,673 Geez, let it go, man! Because anything else wouldn't be cool, that's why! 119 00:07:14,273 --> 00:07:16,933 But stop and think about it for a minute... 120 00:07:17,243 --> 00:07:21,233 Was that first incident really all that cool? 121 00:07:32,253 --> 00:07:36,493 I see. We just can't discuss that topic without looking at the origin. 122 00:07:37,563 --> 00:07:39,233 All right, by way of changing gears, 123 00:07:39,233 --> 00:07:42,223 let's look back at the starting point of the Laughing Man Incident. 124 00:07:47,443 --> 00:07:52,603 It's 7:20 on February 3rd, and it's time for Drive Time Weather. 125 00:07:53,343 --> 00:07:56,183 Good luck with your commute, everyone. 126 00:07:56,753 --> 00:08:02,243 Today marks 100 days before the opening of the World's Exposition. 127 00:08:03,123 --> 00:08:06,823 With that in mind, we've come up with the following questionnaire. 128 00:08:07,993 --> 00:08:09,193 The topic is, at the expo... 129 00:08:09,193 --> 00:08:10,623 That's not fair! 130 00:08:14,663 --> 00:08:18,293 Look into that camera and tell them the truth! 131 00:08:19,003 --> 00:08:21,033 Stop it. You won't shoot me. 132 00:08:21,743 --> 00:08:23,003 Are you sure? 133 00:08:23,673 --> 00:08:26,013 I know we're all probably sick to death of seeing this, but we need to... 134 00:08:26,013 --> 00:08:30,883 ...since this is the only time the man thought to be the real Laughing Man ever showed himself. 135 00:08:33,453 --> 00:08:38,443 Hey, did you see that? The show's fly-in title got tagged with the Laughing Man logo, too. 136 00:08:38,723 --> 00:08:40,193 He sure is thorough, isn't he? 137 00:08:40,693 --> 00:08:42,453 The local weather forecasts, too. 138 00:08:43,493 --> 00:08:47,093 Some rumors say that those graphics were changed after the initial broadcast. 139 00:08:48,203 --> 00:08:51,703 Whatever the case, this was where the Laughing Man incident began. 140 00:08:51,703 --> 00:08:53,673 The incident that shook this country six years ago. 141 00:08:59,213 --> 00:09:02,513 You know, looking at this now, he wasn't cool at all. 142 00:09:02,743 --> 00:09:04,943 I mean, the gun he was holding was shaking all over the place. 143 00:09:05,013 --> 00:09:08,353 Oh, you don't know anything! What're you talking about?! That's what's so great! 144 00:09:08,723 --> 00:09:13,163 But compared to the M.O. in the serial corporate blackmail that followed, 145 00:09:13,163 --> 00:09:14,563 it seems totally reckless. 146 00:09:14,563 --> 00:09:15,583 No, it's not. 147 00:09:15,863 --> 00:09:18,963 Even though he has special-A hacking skills, 148 00:09:18,963 --> 00:09:21,733 he deliberately risked his own neck in this first incident. 149 00:09:21,733 --> 00:09:25,563 This reckless performance was what made us love him. 150 00:09:25,873 --> 00:09:29,773 I'm telling you, he's trying to expose the deception of exploitative corporations. 151 00:09:30,113 --> 00:09:31,273 That's deep... 152 00:09:31,543 --> 00:09:33,143 No, he's right. 153 00:09:33,143 --> 00:09:35,543 Even while he was starting something that seemed poorly planned, 154 00:09:35,613 --> 00:09:38,483 he was meticulous enough to hack into all the media beforehand. 155 00:09:38,753 --> 00:09:40,243 That's his appeal. 156 00:09:40,683 --> 00:09:44,683 Man, you guys sure are enthusiastic... What is this, "We Love The Laughing Man"? 157 00:09:44,993 --> 00:09:47,653 There were never any messages to that effect, though. 158 00:09:51,993 --> 00:09:54,903 Hot on the heels of Serano, Japan Micro Industries... 159 00:09:54,963 --> 00:09:57,193 ...has apparently been blackmailed by the Laughing Man. 160 00:09:57,703 --> 00:10:02,233 This is incredible! What is that, a huge number of office desks?! 161 00:10:02,303 --> 00:10:04,643 It's the head office of Sagawa Electronics that's being blackmailed this time! 162 00:10:05,013 --> 00:10:09,243 How in the world were all those desks moved up here in a single night?! 163 00:10:09,613 --> 00:10:13,143 It may be safe to say that this is an unprecedented act of corporate terrorism! 164 00:10:13,253 --> 00:10:15,613 This... This the real one, isn't it? 165 00:10:16,423 --> 00:10:18,943 Please call Nanoplant Industries... 166 00:10:20,393 --> 00:10:24,093 Satsuma Meditechs is the most powerful corporation in Kyushu, don't you know? 167 00:10:24,163 --> 00:10:27,323 Why would you go and plant a murder virus in there? 168 00:10:27,803 --> 00:10:28,663 I don't know! 169 00:10:28,733 --> 00:10:32,633 Somebody must've hacked the gardening robots last night! 170 00:10:33,043 --> 00:10:34,203 Get us out of here! 171 00:10:36,173 --> 00:10:37,803 Look! Look at that! 172 00:10:39,113 --> 00:10:42,913 You know, I've got a T-shirt with the MicroTel crop circle printed on it. 173 00:10:44,653 --> 00:10:47,983 After that, public funds were allocated to the blackmailed companies... 174 00:10:48,183 --> 00:10:50,673 ...in the fear that their stocks would plummet, and at that instant, 175 00:10:51,053 --> 00:10:54,923 the Laughing Man called an end to his spree and vanished into the shadows of the net. 176 00:10:55,623 --> 00:10:58,933 Remember when Kadoya advertised that there was a Laughing Man logo... 177 00:10:58,933 --> 00:11:02,363 ...inside a bag of their snacks, and there was a quick spike in their stock price? 178 00:11:03,003 --> 00:11:05,303 What about the rumors that in each of the companies, 179 00:11:05,303 --> 00:11:08,273 there were people who secretly made a killing off of their stocks? 180 00:11:08,403 --> 00:11:12,863 If you're only judging by that criterion, the Satsuma Meditechs case might be a scam. 181 00:11:12,943 --> 00:11:15,343 Is that a case of babe's intuition? 182 00:11:15,743 --> 00:11:19,013 In that case, why don't you backtrack the fluctuations... 183 00:11:19,083 --> 00:11:21,053 ...of the other companies' stock prices and compare them to Satsuma's? 184 00:11:21,223 --> 00:11:23,623 Now that you mention it, Satsuma was the only company... 185 00:11:23,623 --> 00:11:26,053 ...that didn't get an influx of funds from the government, wasn't it? 186 00:11:27,063 --> 00:11:28,223 Well, I'll be... 187 00:11:29,093 --> 00:11:31,433 Nobody noticed it because all six were making roughly the same amount... 188 00:11:31,433 --> 00:11:33,993 ...at the time he called an end to the crime spree. 189 00:11:34,233 --> 00:11:38,393 Well, even that talk show they set up to discuss the threat was pretty lame. 190 00:11:38,603 --> 00:11:41,903 I'd say that it was self-written B.S. put out by the station itself! 191 00:11:43,043 --> 00:11:48,503 Looking back like this, even the incident six years ago was full of inconsistencies. 192 00:11:49,383 --> 00:11:52,973 It may be a bit of a stretch to say that everything was carried out by the same perpetrator. 193 00:11:53,053 --> 00:11:55,573 So in the end, should we settle on multiple criminals, then? 194 00:11:55,853 --> 00:11:58,513 There are any number of critics who would point out the difference in ideology... 195 00:11:58,593 --> 00:12:01,023 ...between the initial kidnapping and the subsequent incidents. 196 00:12:01,363 --> 00:12:04,053 Personally, I'm for the "single Laughing Man" theory. 197 00:12:04,933 --> 00:12:07,023 But don't you think that isn't very plausible? 198 00:12:07,633 --> 00:12:09,933 Any speculation now as to whether the same criminal... 199 00:12:09,933 --> 00:12:12,423 ...was behind this incident and the one six years ago is meaningless. 200 00:12:13,003 --> 00:12:16,143 Something tells me that the key to unlocking the Laughing Man mystery... 201 00:12:16,143 --> 00:12:19,773 ...is asking ourselves what factor gave rise to both the incident six years ago... 202 00:12:20,013 --> 00:12:23,743 ...and the string of phenomena that occurred immediately after this recent death threat. 203 00:12:24,253 --> 00:12:26,443 Pretty slick, miss! 204 00:12:26,953 --> 00:12:28,443 I think so, too. 205 00:12:29,223 --> 00:12:29,983 And on that note... 206 00:12:31,153 --> 00:12:35,113 Let's examine that question as we look at some old footage that we have in stock. 207 00:12:35,593 --> 00:12:40,553 But before we do, I need to delete the backup cache data that's built up in the server, 208 00:12:40,903 --> 00:12:42,163 so let's take a quick break! 209 00:12:51,313 --> 00:12:55,243 Hey, you remember how that designer named Paul who supposedly came up with that mark... 210 00:12:55,483 --> 00:12:58,503 reported himself to the special investigations unit while the incidents were going on? 211 00:12:58,583 --> 00:13:02,853 He kept saying that the design had been stolen when his database was hacked, right? 212 00:13:02,853 --> 00:13:06,623 But the fact is, his career as a designer took off thanks to this. 213 00:13:06,623 --> 00:13:07,993 I respect the guy, too. 214 00:13:13,033 --> 00:13:14,523 All right, let's rock! 215 00:13:20,943 --> 00:13:25,903 Still, why do you suppose this incident became such a big craze at the time? 216 00:13:26,413 --> 00:13:28,613 It's a mystery that you think you understand but you don't, 217 00:13:28,613 --> 00:13:31,603 and a sensation that keeps getting fed to us with amazingly smart timing. 218 00:13:31,853 --> 00:13:33,713 Gee, you do make some valid points sometimes... 219 00:13:34,123 --> 00:13:38,383 The fact that Serano's CEO wasn't cooperative with the investigation is titillating, too. 220 00:13:38,493 --> 00:13:42,083 To this day, he's still suspected of making a secret deal with the Laughing Man. 221 00:13:42,593 --> 00:13:45,123 But what really attracted me to this incident the most... 222 00:13:45,463 --> 00:13:50,993 ...was the crusading, "lone-wolf hero" image he demonstrated in the first incident. 223 00:13:51,233 --> 00:13:52,463 Yeah, same here. 224 00:13:52,973 --> 00:13:55,343 This last incident also began during a press conference... 225 00:13:55,343 --> 00:13:57,833 ...that addressed suspicions of the illegal use of Interceptors. 226 00:13:57,913 --> 00:13:59,673 Was that another example of his crusading spirit? 227 00:14:00,213 --> 00:14:04,143 And it was none other than Serano Genomics that developed those Interceptors. 228 00:14:04,613 --> 00:14:06,913 Don't you sense that there's some power behind this? 229 00:14:06,983 --> 00:14:10,293 This is interesting, all right! It's like everyone thinks they're detectives! 230 00:14:10,293 --> 00:14:12,913 No wonder they're all reaching the same conclusion! 231 00:14:13,053 --> 00:14:16,223 What if the Laughing Man turns out to be a program... 232 00:14:16,293 --> 00:14:21,253 ...that the entire micromachine industry wrote and staged to manipulate stock prices? 233 00:14:21,563 --> 00:14:24,793 Where's the fun in that? I know there's really a Laughing Man... 234 00:14:25,103 --> 00:14:27,693 Aren't you just saying that you want there to be one? 235 00:14:27,773 --> 00:14:30,403 According to information obtained by one of my sources, though, 236 00:14:30,473 --> 00:14:32,773 - the financial boost caused by this incident... - Yet another source, huh? 237 00:14:32,843 --> 00:14:34,313 ...comes to about 20 trillion yen! 238 00:14:34,383 --> 00:14:37,143 Wouldn't you say that that fact alone says that the Laughing Man needs to exist? 239 00:14:38,653 --> 00:14:42,453 Since none of you are showing any interest in what I'm trying to say, 240 00:14:42,923 --> 00:14:47,223 I'll put my best information on the table. Stuff I got from an independent source. 241 00:14:47,963 --> 00:14:50,523 The official police statement will say that the recent... 242 00:14:50,593 --> 00:14:55,193 ...multiple, simultaneous assassination attempts were caused by the virus spread by Nanao=A. 243 00:14:55,533 --> 00:14:57,023 It's a complete lie. 244 00:14:59,333 --> 00:15:01,133 What are you basing that on? 245 00:15:01,273 --> 00:15:03,743 Yeah! State your source for that information! 246 00:15:03,813 --> 00:15:05,363 Again with the sources... 247 00:15:06,043 --> 00:15:10,673 Out of curiosity, how many times has J.D. used the word "source" since entering this room? 248 00:15:11,013 --> 00:15:12,643 - Laughed Man: Oh, just let it go! - Mr. Moe: A search shows 38 times. 249 00:15:13,053 --> 00:15:15,113 I'd be interested in hearing that, too. 250 00:15:15,653 --> 00:15:19,683 Well, the truth is... I had hacked into the crime scene when it happened. 251 00:15:19,753 --> 00:15:20,853 Are you serious?! 252 00:15:21,193 --> 00:15:23,663 Are you saying you were trying to assassinate him, too?! 253 00:15:23,663 --> 00:15:24,923 No, it's not like that. 254 00:15:24,993 --> 00:15:29,263 I was just peeping the system because I wanted to see how it would turn out. 255 00:15:29,703 --> 00:15:32,693 That's why I think that the 39 assassins... 256 00:15:32,773 --> 00:15:37,603 ...were also there of their own free will, not because they were being controlled by a virus. 257 00:15:38,143 --> 00:15:40,613 Lots of other hackers like me were there, 258 00:15:41,143 --> 00:15:45,513 and I think some among our audience may have tried to crack their way in, too. 259 00:15:46,053 --> 00:15:48,813 But for some reason, every last one of them failed. 260 00:15:49,683 --> 00:15:51,653 You saw that? 261 00:15:55,363 --> 00:15:57,663 If that's true, it's big news. 262 00:15:57,963 --> 00:15:59,653 You just can't trust anything anymore! 263 00:16:00,003 --> 00:16:00,963 Are you kidding?! 264 00:16:01,603 --> 00:16:05,623 I thought about going to the hall that day, too! 265 00:16:05,773 --> 00:16:06,773 Crap! 266 00:16:06,773 --> 00:16:12,073 Hold it. Wouldn't that mean that the real Laughing Man was one of the 39 arrested? 267 00:16:12,313 --> 00:16:13,803 I don't think he was. 268 00:16:14,443 --> 00:16:19,403 The people arrested there were copycats, or enthusiastic fans like those of us here. 269 00:16:19,483 --> 00:16:23,543 So you're saying they were there in response to Nanao=A's threat? 270 00:16:24,053 --> 00:16:25,993 That's not quite right, either. 271 00:16:26,053 --> 00:16:28,823 Actually, I have one other piece of information. 272 00:16:28,893 --> 00:16:32,023 After the incident, I was diving in the net, 273 00:16:32,833 --> 00:16:38,533 and I found an authentication server under Nanao's name that he had tampered with. 274 00:16:43,813 --> 00:16:45,003 That's it there. 275 00:16:45,713 --> 00:16:47,203 You're right! 276 00:16:47,613 --> 00:16:51,243 Be careful. It's crawling with attack barriers. 277 00:16:51,583 --> 00:16:56,213 When you dive to level six, you'll find several plans that had been simulated. 278 00:16:56,823 --> 00:16:59,653 It had things like blackmailing major micromachine manufacturers again, 279 00:17:00,223 --> 00:17:03,753 and even methods of targeting cyborg food corporations next time. 280 00:17:04,093 --> 00:17:07,393 What they all have in common is that a modular, 281 00:17:07,463 --> 00:17:10,663 delayed-action virus is the key to success in each plan. 282 00:17:11,103 --> 00:17:15,303 But that brought up one question. 283 00:17:15,843 --> 00:17:21,333 The assassination attempt that Nanao actually did carry out isn't one of the simulations. 284 00:17:22,183 --> 00:17:26,443 Why did he suddenly switch over to assassination at the last minute... 285 00:17:26,883 --> 00:17:30,723 ...when he had so meticulously prepared so many other plans? 286 00:17:31,223 --> 00:17:32,693 That's some impressive digging. 287 00:17:32,993 --> 00:17:36,153 This sort of thing is all I do. 288 00:17:36,393 --> 00:17:37,653 Why'd he do it, then? 289 00:17:37,733 --> 00:17:40,523 Are you trying to say that Nanao=A was also a copycat... 290 00:17:40,603 --> 00:17:42,463 ...under the influence of that death threat? 291 00:17:43,133 --> 00:17:47,073 I can't think of any other reason why he would abandon his carefully honed plans... 292 00:17:47,143 --> 00:17:51,733 ...and use his wild card, the modular virus, on an unplanned assassination attempt. 293 00:17:51,943 --> 00:17:54,843 Who made the death threat against the Superintendent General, then? 294 00:17:54,913 --> 00:17:56,743 You sure love to read into things... 295 00:17:56,813 --> 00:17:59,473 Let's focus on interpreting just the things that actually happened. 296 00:17:59,553 --> 00:18:03,643 But now that he's shown us that server, his story sounds plausible, doesn't it? 297 00:18:04,053 --> 00:18:05,543 Let me ask you something, then. 298 00:18:05,893 --> 00:18:08,583 In spite of the fact that there were many active crimes committed that day, 299 00:18:08,663 --> 00:18:12,493 why is it that there wasn't a single case of cybercrime aside from Nanao's? 300 00:18:13,803 --> 00:18:17,733 Maybe someone only wanted Nanao to commit a crime that day. 301 00:18:18,203 --> 00:18:20,963 It was also decided ahead of time how he would fail. 302 00:18:21,043 --> 00:18:24,573 Which sets up Nanao as the culprit behind the Laughing Man incident, 303 00:18:24,573 --> 00:18:26,903 which shook society six years ago. 304 00:18:27,913 --> 00:18:31,173 Then who is it that's profiting from this scheme? 305 00:18:31,483 --> 00:18:35,943 It's not hard to guess. It's got to be the po... po... pol... 306 00:18:42,963 --> 00:18:44,023 Hey! 307 00:18:45,193 --> 00:18:48,793 You've been giving a lot of roundabout explanations, 308 00:18:49,263 --> 00:18:51,533 but I think you're on the right track. Don't you? 309 00:18:55,803 --> 00:18:59,933 Did you see my dummy barrier get blown away at the hall that day? 310 00:19:01,643 --> 00:19:06,413 W-Wait, you're that lady who pinned down that security guy at the crime scene?! 311 00:19:06,713 --> 00:19:07,873 Well, did you? 312 00:19:08,323 --> 00:19:10,083 Yes, I saw it happen. 313 00:19:10,593 --> 00:19:12,853 That barrier was a nasty piece of work, wasn't it? 314 00:19:13,523 --> 00:19:15,763 Was there anything left of it? Fragments of something? 315 00:19:15,763 --> 00:19:16,723 Yes. 316 00:19:19,893 --> 00:19:21,053 Here it is. 317 00:19:21,703 --> 00:19:22,753 Thanks. 318 00:19:23,033 --> 00:19:26,903 Don't mention it. Um, do you mind if I asked you something, too? 319 00:19:27,943 --> 00:19:32,373 At first, I thought it was the police themselves who were behind all this. 320 00:19:32,813 --> 00:19:35,083 But that attack barrier was clearly different... 321 00:19:35,083 --> 00:19:38,443 ...from the ones the police had deployed on the perimeter. 322 00:19:38,883 --> 00:19:41,143 I've never seen a barrier like that before. 323 00:19:41,523 --> 00:19:43,183 Was that really the Laugh... 324 00:19:43,793 --> 00:19:45,753 Here's a word of warning in return for the fragment. 325 00:19:46,193 --> 00:19:50,393 Knowing too much will get your body in the real world eliminated. 326 00:19:54,403 --> 00:19:56,423 Hey, did you get disconnected or something? 327 00:19:57,733 --> 00:19:59,603 No, I'm fine. 328 00:19:59,603 --> 00:20:03,373 I'm sorry, but I think I'll call it a day. 329 00:20:03,813 --> 00:20:06,143 What? But you never finished what you were saying! 330 00:20:06,143 --> 00:20:07,843 Sorry I caused all this fuss. 331 00:20:12,883 --> 00:20:15,853 Geez, this place sure got dead all of a sudden. 332 00:20:16,583 --> 00:20:19,253 Let's be realistic. Even if we get worked up in places like this, 333 00:20:19,253 --> 00:20:21,483 it doesn't mean we'll ever get to the truth. 334 00:20:21,793 --> 00:20:26,393 I'm not so sure about that! The real Laughing Man might be watching! 335 00:20:26,533 --> 00:20:29,793 The instant you start thinking that, it's all over. 336 00:20:30,233 --> 00:20:33,573 Or more to the point, this incident is just too complicated. 337 00:20:33,573 --> 00:20:35,003 We'll get bored with it eventually. 338 00:20:35,003 --> 00:20:38,133 I have to wonder if the Laughing Man is just a symbolic phenomenon... 339 00:20:38,573 --> 00:20:43,913 ...that was created by some freak of nature in a corrupt world. 340 00:20:44,253 --> 00:20:48,343 I guess we're already copycats, dancing to his tune like this... 341 00:20:48,423 --> 00:20:51,283 But even if all the incidents were a phenomenon, 342 00:20:51,353 --> 00:20:54,193 I suppose you can't help but sense some sort of common thread... 343 00:20:54,193 --> 00:20:57,853 in the initial kidnapping and the incidents triggered by this death threat six years later, 344 00:20:58,193 --> 00:21:01,323 just like Baby Ruth said. 345 00:21:01,603 --> 00:21:07,543 I believe that those two incidents alone were caused by the same talented culprit. 346 00:21:07,903 --> 00:21:12,573 All the others, regardless of the scale, objective, and rationale of their crimes, 347 00:21:12,573 --> 00:21:15,443 were copies that were called into being by the absence of their hero. 348 00:21:16,243 --> 00:21:19,383 Even so, it's still doubtful that the criminal behind those two incidents... 349 00:21:19,383 --> 00:21:22,113 ...who was the motivation for the rest, was himself an original. 350 00:21:22,453 --> 00:21:23,443 Not bad, miss! 351 00:21:24,453 --> 00:21:26,013 Pretty slick! 352 00:21:31,393 --> 00:21:32,483 A forced transfer? 353 00:21:35,503 --> 00:21:36,663 What the...? 354 00:21:42,643 --> 00:21:43,873 Aw, why now? 355 00:21:45,473 --> 00:21:48,603 It was just getting good! Can't I stay online a little longer? 356 00:21:48,943 --> 00:21:50,313 Aw, no fair! 357 00:22:05,763 --> 00:22:08,893 So that's what happened. What do you think? 358 00:22:09,303 --> 00:22:11,423 Damn... Couldn't trace it. 359 00:22:11,833 --> 00:22:12,773 Hey! 360 00:22:12,833 --> 00:22:14,863 Hm? Did you say something? 361 00:22:15,573 --> 00:22:19,063 Geez, don't tell me you've been diving this whole time! 362 00:22:20,343 --> 00:22:21,833 Damn, that's dangerous! 363 00:22:22,343 --> 00:22:26,413 Come on, I could be asleep and still drive in this part of town. 364 00:22:26,413 --> 00:22:27,313 Anyway, you were saying? 365 00:22:28,453 --> 00:22:30,713 Oh, forget it. I'm not gonna repeat myself. 366 00:22:32,923 --> 00:22:36,523 A phenomenon created by copycats without an original... 367 00:22:37,193 --> 00:22:39,993 Two pieces don't fit the puzzle... 368 00:22:41,333 --> 00:22:42,763 What are you talking about? 369 00:22:43,463 --> 00:22:44,623 Forget it. 370 00:22:44,623 --> 00:22:46,623 371 00:23:16,503 --> 00:23:20,853 She's so cold and human 372 00:23:20,853 --> 00:23:23,753 It's something humans do 373 00:23:23,753 --> 00:23:26,063 She stays so golden solo 374 00:23:26,063 --> 00:23:29,123 She's so number nine 375 00:23:29,123 --> 00:23:31,873 She's incredible math 376 00:23:33,133 --> 00:23:36,153 Just incredible math 377 00:23:36,423 --> 00:23:40,613 And is she really human? 378 00:23:40,613 --> 00:23:43,903 She's just so something new 379 00:23:43,903 --> 00:23:46,153 A waking lithium flower 380 00:23:46,153 --> 00:23:49,013 Just about to bloom 381 00:23:49,103 --> 00:23:51,813 I smell lithium now 382 00:23:52,853 --> 00:23:55,933 Smelling lithium now 383 00:23:57,103 --> 00:24:01,143 How is she when she doesn't surf? 384 00:24:01,143 --> 00:24:04,973 How is she when she doesn't surf? 385 00:24:04,973 --> 00:24:07,873 How is she when she doesn't surf? 386 00:24:07,873 --> 00:24:12,073 I wonder what she does when she wakes up? 387 00:24:13,353 --> 00:24:16,643 When she wakes up?