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
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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
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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
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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.
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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...
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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
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...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
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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,
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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?