What's happening?
I'm being enveloped by a feeling of security.
Who's treating my wounds?
They're so quick with bandages. It's amazing.
Wow. Almost as good as Sakamoto.
There.
Huh? No way. It can't be!
That should do.
Who're you?
Uh... Due to unforeseen circumstances... we're not gonna be able to finish,
so we're gonna end the test right about now.
That means we have to determine whether you passed or failed based on your
scores til this point.
Jay Erk, applicant number two.
- Number four, Mafuyu Seba. - Wait... Really? Hey... You serious?
- Hey! That was my name! Right?! Yes! - Number one twenty, Akira Akao.
Number two forty-seven, Nao Toramaru. Number three twenty-eight, Joichiro Kaji.
Number three forty-two, Shin Asakura.
And number three forty-three, Taro Sakamoto.
Congratulations. The seven of you passed the test.
Huh? Wait a minute... Am I crazy, or did he just say "Taro Sakamoto"?
- Well, that's a load off. - Mm-hmm.
Aw, that poor man. He's got the same name as a god.
I gotta ask, what's the Legendary Assassin doing here?
- Just a little business. - I can't believe I didn't recognize you.
I guess it is my first time seeing you in-person.
But I never imagined Taro Sakamoto would've put on so much weight.
STOPPED STANNING QUIT BEING A FAN
What is Taro Sakamoto doing here? ! He's so fat. Why is he so fat?!
Who is that?! This can't be real!
Ten years of fandom... Wait a second here...
I don't understand this feeling.
I finally got to meet him again after all those years. But now... am I... disappointed?!
I'm supposed to love him no matter what. Am I not a real fan?
Am I just a shallow, superficial, bandwagon jumper who only cares about
- looks?! - Kid's still got a lot to learn.
Well, the school year starts in three months. Between now and then,
be sure to fill out all your paperwork.
And if you're currently attending another school,
make sure to get all your credits transferred.
- Sure! - Sure!
You awake, Shinaya.
- Where am I? - Once the JCC helicopters get here
we'll hand you over to the Association.
If you ask me, we'd be better off just killing him.
My whole body hurts! What the hell?! What's going on?! Who are you people?!
Don't play dumb. Do you know how many you killed?
What are you talking about?! I don't know!
Last thing I remember I was interviewing for a job I found online!
And I only went because I need to pay off my stupid student loans.
Did you know they make you pay those back? !
- What do you think, Shin? - I thought they were just giving me money
for school. How's a kid supposed to know what "debt" is?!
Nothing he's saying is a lie. From what I'm hearing,
he really is just a clueless idiot.
Shoulda known better than to trust that creepy looking deer head guy.
Did you say deer head?
He was one of the dudes from the job!
It was a weirdo wearing a deer mask, and a good-looking guy with white hair and a
- white suit. - Slur!
Why would he mess with the test?
All right, is there anything else you can tell us about them?
- Huh? - Uh, you can look through my phone?
Looks like they deleted our whole conversation.
Though, I did get paid!
I overheard them saying something about "scouting."
Kaji!
Two people were talking to each other in that room.
Sounded like they were trying to find new recruits for their criminal organization.
That's why they chose to infiltrate.
I couldn't tell if they found a candidate they considered viable, though.
If they're looking for new recruits, I wonder what they're planning.
It feels eerie.
It doesn't matter. Our only course is to move
forward as planned: Head to the JCC and look
for a lead on Slur.
You bet.
Sakamoto was taking the test?
Yes.
I don't like it.
With all due respect, why do we need to worry about him in the first place?
Because. Sakamoto knows who I am. Now that we've been reintroduced, he knows
that Slur is Uzuki.
Whenever someone starts digging up your past, it feels embarrassing,
don't you think? Kashima,
I want you to get rid of any record the JCC still has on me.
Understood, master.
Though of course, if Gaku hadn't gone and broken Shinaya, that task would be
- significantly easier. - What's the big deal?
I thought this was just a scouting mission.
How'd that go, Gaku? Find anyone?
There were two that might be decent.
You all need to be taken for a medical exam before you're released. You'll board
- the helicopters in pairs. - Hey, uh, Mister Taro?
Hmm?
Akira.
I just wanted to say thank you. If you had not been around
here to help me, there's no way I would've passed
this test. -See you at school!
Maybe you can tell me more about
Rion when we're there. -Sure.
I am really looking forward to having you all as classmates.
Yeah, me too!
Yeah.
Me too!
Mafuyu? You've been awfully quiet. Feeling okay after that
fight with Shinaya?
Yeah. Don't worry, I'm just fine.
Nao Toramaru, Mafuyu Seba, we're ready for you.
Seeya 'round, Shin.
Why's he acting so cold all of a sudden? I wasn't expecting that.
- I thought he was gonna get all emotional on me. -Shin. Shin! Shin!!
Let's get you on board.
So long, you guys! See you soon!
You're, uh looking a little pale over there.
Yeah. Why'd I have to get paired with you, anyway?
I don't know. Maybe we live close to each other?
- A boy and girl, shortly after battle... - Huh?
The blue sky stretches before them. They turn their minds
to the coming journey, hearts brimming with hope.
However! Little do they know!
Despair is all that exists
on the path ahead.
- Oh no! You again! - What do you mean? Where
do you know this guy from?
- We're getting out of here! - Huh?
You don't get to call the shots around here. You don't have a sweet tooth, do ya?
Calm down, Carolina Reaper.
Spicy.
I'm trusting you to take care of them.
They're our special new friends, after all.
They'll be accompanying us from now on.
This job is really starting to get on my nerves.
Lately they're giving us all the assignments.
Tell me what happened to that idiot, Kanaguri?
Shooting a movie somewhere would be my guess.
And skipping the work.
So Mister Shishiba, why don't we fire him?
I'd love to, if I could. I'll never understand why the top brass hired him in
I heard he got in a big fight with a member
the first place.
Of The Order over filming a movie, and he killed 'em.
Then he got hired to take their place.
I see no "order" around here at all.
Hi there! Three Killer Lotto Scratch Cards.
Sure. That'll be nine-hundred yen.
Here you go! If you win we're splitting it fifty-fifty.
Do you have to make that joke every time?
We all know you can't win anything with these cards.
Mister Shishiba, can I borrow a coin?
Just use your fingernail.
Come on. Don't be so cynical.
Let's see.
Oh! Kyoto. Assassins being killed. X left at the scene every time.
Sounds like Slur's at it again.
- We better investigate. - I got the same thing.
Why does it always have to be Slur? And now he's in my hometown?
I'm real sick of this guy.
He's not gonna stop coming until the JAA is destroyed.
What happens to us if there's no JAA?
Unemployment?
Is that all you care about?
If the JAA falls, that'd be the end of Japan.
The whole country would be overrun by criminals.
There are still police.
You know what the arrest rate is for Japanese police? About thirty percent.
Yeah, and that number's inflated because it's only based on the cases they
know about. Reality's probably closer to ten percent.
Does that mean we killed the remaining ninety percent of all criminals?
Well, we don't deal exclusively with criminals. We kill whoever we're hired to.
We kill bad guys. So we're heroes of justice.
I wouldn't say that.
Huh?
Good and evil have no part in what we do.
Besides, if you ask me? The one thing that's worse than evil...
is a fanatical sense of what's right.
I won.
- Huh? - Huh?
Oh, so you can win. I thought they were just assignments.
I told you not to be so cynical. How much did you get?
Twenty grand.
Lunch is on you, then!
It's my ticket. I bought it with my own money.
No, Nagumo bought it, I watched him.
With the ferocious battle over, our heroes have passed the test.
But now, they've been mysteriously abducted!
In such a desperate situation, what is the boy thinking?!
Die already.
And cut.
Too cliche.
Again.
Rolling on take thirty-nine. Set!
Kanaguri. Could you wrap it up?
Hmm?
You can't just do whatever you fancy around here, Kanaguri. After all,
this isn't the JAA.
How much time are you gonna waste filming this shit?
I need you to be quiet! Extras don't have any lines.
Quit trying to drag everybody else into your stupid worthless hobby, you asshole!
The value of filming cinematic moments is priceless. Unlike the life of a cretin
like you.
Uh, big brother. There's an easier way to settle this.
Hmm? You want to hit someone, hit me!
Kanaguri can film a scene where you torture your defenseless little brother in
front of everyone. Then everyone gets to play!
My movies are more tasteful than that.
Oh, sure, you'll look for any excuse
to get tortured. If that's what you want then you're not
allowed to breathe until I say so.
Oh, please. I swear, it's like herding cats with you people.
- What's with these freaks? - What's with these freaks?
Toramaru. Mafuyu.
Huh?
I imagine you're wondering why we brought you here.
Rest assured there's nothing to fear, we mean you no harm.
That's a little hard to believe after the way you've treated us.
Our organization is working toward a specific objective.
Right now we're in the process of recruiting promising young assassins to
build our ranks. You two have been identified as potential candidates.
And what is this objective?
Obliterating the JAA.
How come?
Ah. Good question.
The simplest answer is that we want to restore the world to its natural... order.
For the sake of the greater good.
We also have a generous benefits package. Two days off per week, no overtime,
and guaranteed employment for the rest of your life.
And what happens if I say no?
If you refuse...
Oh yeah... You have my permission to start
breathing again, Club Jam.
Wow! That's crazy! I knew it'd be difficult but
I wasn't expecting that.
But yo, you did it! I knew you could do it.
Slur getting involved wasn't a part of the plan. That surprised me.
Thought it'd be a simple test, so that's on me.
I'm so jealous, yo! JCC's got a bunch of special events, you're gonna have so much
- fun! - Pii!
That's great and all, but we're not going there
to play and have fun. We're there for one reason:
to get into the JCC database.
Hopefully that's gonna get us the intel we need on Slur.
Yeah, but if you're gonna be there anyway you might as well make some
Well, now that you mention it, I guess I did meet a kid who-
friends, right?
Shin! Daddy!
Lookie, you got mail! It says "JCC" on it.
Yo! What is it?
Oh, this must be the entrance exam results.
Whoa! That says you finished at the top of the whole class, yo! And everyone knows
- that test is super tough! - I knew your hard work
- would pay off one day! - Wow, way to go, Shin!
Yay, Shin!
Congratulations, Shin. I don't know if I could've even passed.
Maybe I am getting stronger, just a little bit at a time...
Wait... If Shin placed Number One then...
Boss Man?
Says I failed.
Yo, Taro! Did you forget to put your name on it or something?!
Everybody makes mistakes sometimes, I guess.
You did your best, Daddy!
Oh, dear, maybe I've been feeding
him too much lately.
This must be a mistake, no way Mister Sakamoto failed!
I'm gonna get to the bottom of this!
Shin's complaining?
Oh yeah, regulations. Sorry.
What do you mean?! You are the one who told us he passed!
Yeah, I kinda got caught up in the moment. My bad.
Huh?
But I'm looking at it right here, there's a bounty on his head.
And JCC regulations clearly state that means he's disqualified.
What a bunch of crap, I'm gonna head down there and knock some sense into these
- people. - Yeah, maybe he's taking
this a little too hard.
Don't worry. There's an easy solution to this eh!
Wh-Nagumo?! Where'd you come from?!
I just dropped in and heard you took the JCC transfer test. You're such an i--
Interesting guy, you know that, Sakamoto?
You were about to say a very different word.
You failed the test, didn't you?
Okay, let's just... calm down... Please...?
Nagumo, tell us what your "easy solution" is?
Isn't it obvious?
If you can't go in as a student, be a teacher instead.
What?
A teaching internship?
I did some research as I was prepping for the opportunity to infiltrate the JCC
for myself. But I'm taking a trip to Kyoto
with some friends so I can't.
- Now I need someone to take my place. - Actually, that's a pretty good idea. I
can snoop around as a student, while Mister Sakamoto does
the same as a teacher.
- Except... - Only one problem with that: JCC
won't let me in because of my bounty.
Idiot.
Obviously. But I never said that
it had to be Sakamoto.
You mean me?
Japan Clear Creation, commonly known as the JCC.
A Japanese assassin-training institution.
Approximately one thousand students are enrolled,
with year-round boarding and a four-year curriculum.
Due to the extreme training regime, many students die before graduation.
However,
those who excel can earn their assassin's license upon completion of the program.
In other words, when it comes to training to
become a hit-man in Japan, no other institution compares to the JCC.
Oh no... This place is so big I got lost.
Make way, coming through!
Almost to the medical office. Just hang in there!
Yet another serious training injury.
- Isn't that the tenth one this month? - That one looked even worse. If you
can't keep up you die pretty quick.
Now, when you're out on assignment, the enemy's eyes are always on you,
and time is a limited resource. Which means,
you always want to to inflict a mortal wound with minimal effort and try not
to leave a mess which can be used at the scene.
Those should always be your top priorities.
- Better late than never... -Okay. Now,
let's get a couple of you up here to give us a demonstration.
How about student number thirteen, Tanishi, and...
The girl who just tried to sneak in without me noticing.
This is Close Quarters Combat, not stealth class, got it?
I'm dead...
So let's start with the basic movements of Close Quarters Combat.
Try to land some body blows while you redirect your opponent's attacks.
Start slowly for me, 'kay?
He's huge...
Seriously? She's so small. I could break her like a twig.
- Yo Tanishi! Try not to die! - Huh?
You can take turns between attacker and defender. I want you to remember,
it's a real knife, so be cautious, and take it slow.
What if I just give her a little scare. Okay I can take it slow.
Hey, I said--
I've seen that move before...
Oh, I guess I forgot to mention, starting today I've got a teaching intern that'll
- be helping out around here. - And there! That's it.
- Whoa, cool! - Umm...?! Mister Sakamoto looks like...
That's so amazing! You've transformed into a completely different
- person. - Turn me back to normal, right now Nagumo!
Look at the time, gotta run!
By the way, that disguise will last
for twenty-four hours. If I were you I'd find the
database before then.
Best of luck, Sakamoto!
You'll pay for this, Nagumo.
I bet Sakamoto's having fun!
- What do you mean? What's Mister S. up to? - He's interning as a hot teacher.
What?
Come here, Natsuki! Where are you?!
I know you're in here!
Huh?
Who the hell are you? Never seen you before.
Hold on! I think I know what this is!
It's one of those school tropes! Where the upper-classman totally bullies the new
- kid! - Huh? This is great. I was just in the
middle of the one where you skip class to
smoke in the men's room.
- But I have always wanted to do this one! - You think you're funny or
something, you cocky little-?
Oh yeah!
And the part that comes next is where I say "Please just let me go!" Oh well...
time to find that intel on Slur!
Seems like you need some educational guidance.
Don't be too flashy.
Stop worrying. You forget my assassin's license is gold.
It doesn't matter how dangerous it is.
I'm not gonna let anything happen to the people I care about!
That's what I came here for!
Now, time for a few memories to be erased.