Tougen Anki (桃源暗鬼)

An earthquake?

So when you feel like you want to live...

shout from the bottom of your gut, "Give it everything!" for me.

I won't give in to despair!

That's my brand-new motto!

Shiki.

In the 24 ALIVE HERE

Days soaked in blood, tangled in unease

A glance exchanged becomes the signal

Where a dream awakens, lost in the moment

So far, so far

In the 24 ALIVE HERE

Gunfire devours fairy tales

Aimed straight ahead, what's the dream?

We tame despair and glory alike

Just something you prayed to God

That wish vanishes without mercy

So swallow even what's right when you must

So far from who I was

Even being incomplete

Means you can care for someone else

Doesn't matter what it is

We'll carry out the mission we were given

So far from who I was

So far from who you were

I'm afraid

The sadness, so merciless

Only deepens the pain

In the dreaming overnight

CHILDREN OF KISHIN

Mr. Samidare, thank you for your hard work.

Thank you for your hard work.

Thanks for your hard work!

Starting today, I've been reassigned to HQ.

I'm Hina Momota!

VICE CAPTAIN HINA MOMOTA

It's a pleasure to meet you!

It's such an honor to be working with the famous Samidare!

You don't need to butter me up.

I'm not!

But, wow, HQ is amazing.

Just how many powerful people are behind this place?

Sorry, but I don't do teamwork.

I work alone.

What?

But pairing up is part of the rules!

Mr. Samidare!

Um, do you know anything

about the so-called "Children of Kishin" everyone's been talking about?

I'm new and from the countryside, so I don't really get it.

A long time ago, there was an Oni who nearly destroyed the Momotaro Agency.

That Oni was called Kishin.

They say Kishin impregnated many women,

passing on his power to the children they bore.

Huh?

But isn't that kinda weird?

If Kishin had that many kids and those kids had kids,

wouldn't that mean Kishin's descendants are everywhere?

To be precise, a "Child of Kishin"

refers to a child who inherited Kishin's power.

So that means some didn't inherit his power?

Actually, most didn't. But strangely,

we know that at certain points in time,

Children of Kishin tend to be born.

"Certain points?"

It only happens when the Momotaro side is dominating the Oni.

That's when kids with Kishin's power start popping out.

When did you...

Uh... um...

I'm Captain Shinya Momoiwa, Unit 21!

CAPTAIN SHINYA MOMOIWA, UNIT 21

You're a newbie, right? Remember that!

Th-Thank you for your hard work!

He seems kinda scary.

Hey, rookie! You know why the war between the Momotaro and the Oni

has been going on for thousands of years?

Um...

Spit it out, already, blockhead!

Yikes. This guy's giving off major office bully vibes.

The first Kishin appeared

right when our ancestors were about to obliterate the Oni.

Ever since then, every time we push the Oni to the brink,

some new Kishin-powered brat shows up.

That's why this damn war never ends!

If it weren't for the Kishin showing up,

the Oni would have been wiped out ages ago!

And now those bastards have learned how to blend in and live among humans!

Rookie! You get why it's a problem if Oni can hide among humans, right?

I really don't like this guy. Such a smug jerk.

Because it's the Momotaros' mission to protect humans from the Oni.

And if humans found out about us or the Oni, that'd be bad,

so if the Oni can blend in—

Cut the crap! I'm talking about what comes after that, genius!

I just wanna go back to the countryside.

Sometimes in the fight against the Oni, people get caught in the crossfire!

And when that happens,

it's the politicians connected to us who clean up the mess!

I mean, I guess that makes sense, but...

And now those same politicians

demand things like, "Make medicine out of Oni blood!"

Always demanding more!

If the Oni didn't pose as people,

the goddamn politicos wouldn't be able to use us!

No need to shout.

I'm sure she understands.

Um...

Doesn't the fact that important people are helping

mean they want to protect others, too?

Are you stupid?

Those politicians only lend a hand

so they'll be the first ones protected when things go south!

You really live in la-la land, huh?

Rough break, huh?

Even someone like you, Samidare, getting stuck with a rookie like this.

Then again, even if he is one of the Children of Kishin,

getting wrecked by that brat Shiki Ichinose and losing an arm,

guess you had it coming.

Maybe the higher-ups want you out of the field and put into training duty.

A silent little nudge from above, right?

How about you give up that seat, already?

Whoa, this is getting messy.

Anyway, I don't really care.

I'm gonna rise through the ranks by killing one of those Children of Kishin.

Shiki Ichinose is mine.

Do whatever you want with the others.

Is that revenge for your injury or just trying to settle an old score?

Um, is Shiki Ichinose the only Child of Kishin?

No, there's more than one.

There have always been exactly eight Children of Kishin.

And you're one of them.

If that Kishin power wakes up, you're a problem.

Naturally, that means you've gotta go.

But rather than just kill you, wouldn't it be smarter to study you?

That's why, starting today, you're my lab rat.

You're coming in alive.

Barely, if need be. Half-dead is fine.

Shut the hell up!

Oni healing is seriously impressive. I'm a bit jealous.

It's something we Momotaro lack.

Kishin or not, I don't give a damn!

I'm not letting you get away with this!

I'll make you pay for what you did!

My head...

Firing off that much high-density blood? You'll run dry fast.

I can't move...

can't even summon my gun.

Damn it!

If a Child of Kishin can't even use their blood,

they're just another weakling.

This place is falling apart, so let's wrap it up.

You can barely move.

So next...

maybe I'll start by offing that brat over there.

Not a single one of you will make it out.

Is that...

Huh?

Mei!

Run!

Is that how you killed Papa and Mama, too?

Hmm? Killed what, now?

I don't really bother remembering maggot extermination.

How could you?

Papa and Mama didn't do anything.

They were so kind.

I mean, seeing Oni pretending to have familial love gives me goosebumps.

Shut up, you piece of trash!

Mei!

You need to run! Now!

Mei.

Mei...