Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine

Vissi d'arte

non feci mai male ad anima viva...

I lived for art

I lived for love

I never did harm to a living soul...

Right there!

Th-There? Where do you think "there" is?

Hell if I know.

What are you babbling on about?

A-Assistant Inspector Oscar!

If you keep messing around on the job I'll kill you.

I'm... so very... sorr—

When did this place turn into a pig farm?

It's so good!

That pig woman...

Conditions?

Yeah there's something you'll need to do for us if you want to be released.

Come on! Haven't I done enough for you already?

With that cheap thief body of yours?

At least you moan with a voice on par with Ayan Maya's.

Ayan?

Isn't she that masked opera singer?

She's a dramatic soprano virtuoso.

Her voice and performance were said to be of the heavens

but most of her face was burned away in an unfortunate accident.

I heard it was the work of an overenthusiastic fan.

Since then she's worn a mask during all of her performances.

A mask studded with precious jewels.

Its worth is easily equal to that of a small country.

Oh? You've got me interested now.

It gets even more interesting. That mask...

is supposedly a courtship gift from the ghost that haunts Gerenia Palace.

Cut that out.

And so

now we finally get to the real conditions for your release.

Are you sure?

Is it really a good idea to let a thief protect Ayan's mask?

I don't think we can trust her.

There's no such thing as a woman who's never betrayed someone.

It takes a thief to catch a thief.

While the maggots are slowing each other down we...

Gerenia Palace is a vast intricate building.

Not a single person working here

including myself knows its full layout.

On the roof we extract honey

for the famous brand Notion.

This is the underground aquifer.

It runs throughout the city but as you can see it's dry now.

Back when water ran through it people apparently called it the "Lethe."

The Lethe?

A river in ancient Greek legends.

It's a river that can allow you to forget your past by washing it away.

This is backstage.

"Don't get caught in the shadows"?

It's referring to Gerenia Palace's ghost.

The rumor is that he'll haunt you if you think about him too much.

It's not just a rumor.

Gerenia Palace loves Ayan its virtuoso.

Darenzo!

If this Lupin III is planning to steal Ayan's mask then he's as good as dead.

Gerenia Palace please forgive these greedy souls.

He gives me the creeps.

Darenzo's our prop master.

The stagehands tend to be superstitious.

This is Ayan.

Hello!

They're performing Tosca huh?

Yeah.

A romantic tragedy

involving a painter and an opera singer.

Lady Tosca?

Don't you think you should be heading home?

No.

If I don't see him I won't be able to sing my love song!

Wenches! Where have you hidden the traitor?

Traitor? What are you talking about?

Don't feign ignorance!

Are you in here Angelotti?!

Wh-What?

What's wrong?

It's too loud in here.

I can't even practice singing!

Y-Yes. Actually...

Lup—

I've missed you Mine Fujiko.

I just can't get enough of these.

You're after it too aren't you?

Her mask.

Lupin?!

Lights!

Oscar!

Tosca is mine

It couldn't be. The ghost of the opera?

I am Tosca!

Ayan?

Even the demon is trying to tear me away from Calavangia?

Please show mercy!

A woman who's loved by even a demon!

That is the diva of Rome!

Lupin?

Is that how it went?

Weren't they improvising?

Hey! Ayan are you all right?

What's going on?

It's the ghost.

That bloody message is proof that the ghost is angry.

That's it for Ayan.

How are you doing Ayan?

I'll be able to get up by the time I have to sing.

Until then have my stand-in...

But you don't have a stand-in.

There's one right here.

Huh?

They're about the same size.

If she just wears the fake mask...

There shouldn't be a problem. I'll leave it to you

Mine Fujiko.

What's so fun about grabbing the butt of a cheap thief?

Don't worry. It's encouragement.

Listen make sure you lure out Lupin.

Aren't you putting too much faith in this woman?

I'm telling you she's a great actress capable of hitting the high notes even when she's not feeling much of anything.

Oh was it that obvious?

Hey!

Here Miss Ayan! It's the headpiece for your next costume.

Say it just like that.

Oh my precious darling.

Why do you not come to me today?

Without you my life is nothing!

She's actually pretty good.

When does she switch with Ayan?

Right after the curtain closes.

About twenty minutes from now.

She'll be lowered underneath the stage through a trap door

and then switch with Ayan who will be waiting there.

They're going to switch using a trap door where no one can see.

It's the best opportunity for Mine Fujiko and Lupin to steal the mask.

If she can't stop Lupin that woman should at least be able to slow him down by seducing him.

The guards are already in position.

What?

It's not time yet!

Hurry Oscar!

Hey isn't this a little rough?

The ghost?

Let me out!

Let me out now!

What?

Ayan!

Hey this isn't what we agreed on!

Move to the fifth taped mark to your right.

I see. He got us.

Using a prop letter

he had Ayan move to the designated point.

He made it look like her life was in danger when it actually wasn't.

In that case the ghost of the opera...

Lupin III I will definitely...

not let you lay a finger on Ayan's mask.

Oh my darling I want to go to your side.

Ayan is mine!

Ayan!

What's happening?

I won't let you do that.

That voice... It's Lupin!

Bees?

They're the ones we keep on the roof.

Hey where are you guys going?!

Ah! Ow ow ow!

No! You mustn't take off your mask!

I put a device in your headpiece which emits a sound that the little bees just can't get enough of!

Impressive huh?

That's not Ayan!

It's Nora!

She worked as a stagehand here five years ago.

I... Darenzo...

Well then I'll be taking that mask!

Damn!

You're not getting away!

Zenigata?