01x21 - Yozakura Front Lines / The Blooming

[bunniefuu]

KAWASHITA

- [gasps]
- [giggles]

Gahh!

I lost again!

[Ai laughs]

Congrats on your tenth straight loss,
Mr. Kawashita.

You suck!

Well, I'm really a surgeon by trade,

so mind games aren't my forte.

None of which
has anything to do with this.

You're on the hook
for bath-cleaning duty again today!

[chuckles]

[woman] Jeez,
looks like you're on vacation.

[Ai and Mizuki] Huh?

[woman] That face of yours

is as annoying as ever.

Aonuma!

Hey, Ai. Long time no see.

Hey there, Akai! Let's play cards!

[Akai] Don't talk to me.
Your voice is even more annoying.

I'll k*ll you.

I'm gonna cry.

[Ai] Aonuma! Snow! Make it snow!

Sure thing. Here you go.

There!

[gasps]

[Ai] Wow, it's so cold!

And how are you, Chacha? Kurosawa?

Sorry, Kurosawa.
You're going too fast for me to follow.

[Kawashita] All righty,
I'm going to treat you

to my special organic vegetable hot pot!

[Akai] Huh? Hot pot? Here?

[Kawashita] That's right.

To pray for the success
of the Seed-Sowing Project...

I say we throw ourselves a party.

[Ai] Yay! Hot pot!

[Kawashita] Okay, bring me some water
from the well.

- [Ai] I want to eat some meat!
- [Aonuma]
You got it.

[♪ opening theme song playing]

MISSION: YOZAKURA FAMILY

PLAN 21
YOZAKURA FRONT LINES/THE BLOOMING

[Rin] Hey, Yozakura family.

I've summoned you for one reason only.

We've found Tanpopo's hideout.

It's on Skeleton Island,
an islet 30 kilometers from the mainland.

Originally a small fishing village,

it also hosted a military base
at one point during World w*r I.

But it's currently deserted.

We analyzed the GPS data
from the earring Taiyo got from Hakuja,

and this is where it led.

They have a massive stockpile
of Hazakura on Skeleton Island.

We don't know what their objective is,

but there's no doubt they've got
one doozy of a plan in the works.

We don't have a second to lose.

One week from now,
we'll be attacking that hideout.

[Kyoichiro] So it's going to be
a joint Yozakura-Hinagiku front line?

Better to have as many allies as possible.

Maybe we can get the Spy Association
to give us a hand, too.

Shion, I want you to join us
in our investigation into Tanpopo's plan.

Roger that.

Then let's all hone our respective
blades to prepare for next week.

[Kyoichiro] Mission success rate, 100%.

The Yozakura family all-out attack plan.

Code name: the Yozakura Front Lines.

An all-hands-on-deck operation
mobilizing both family and non-family.

Begin.

[Taiyo] I'm not good enough right now.

I've got to be better...

Good work being part of the w*r council.

Whoa!

[Keiko] Really, now, Ban!

You shouldn't go
into your grandson's drawers like that.

[Taiyo] Ms. Keiko!

Well, well! I'm glad you remember me.

Of course I remember you.

But why are you both here?

We heard that things
were going to get hectic around here.

I got worried about you
and busted out of prison again.

Huh?

Don't worry.
Your grandpa will be happy to train you.

[Ban] Man, the place is overgrown
with weeds!

This is where we did
a lot of training together.

That Futaba was twirling me around
like crazy when she was just three.

Oh?

Mutsumi's dad Momo and I
trained together a lot, too.

[Ban] That kid was
the fastest learner I've ever seen.

The three of us who married
into the Yozakura family...

I think we would've gotten along.

So let's make sure
that you become strong enough

to speak to him as an equal.

Uh--

If you're using the power of someinine
only to enhance your physical strength,

you're still just a novice.

[Ban] The friction and
vibration of the muzzle,

the rearward thrust of the kickback,

the air resistance
and the direction of the wind.

With someinine elevating
your senses and muscular strength,

you'll be able to control
the speed and weight of a b*llet...

not to mention even the pain it inflicts.

You know what I'm talking about.

You know how terrifying it is

to have a polished b*llet enter your body
so gently that you don't even feel it.

Momo's b*ll*ts are way faster
and heavier than mine.

There's only one way
for you to deal with them.

To get yourself used to those b*ll*ts.

Huh?

[g*nsh*t fires]

[grunts]

Oh.

As you can see, you can also dial down
the force so that it's nonlethal.

[Ban] See, you get used to
the Yozakura b*ll*ts

by familiarizing your body
with them like this.

Perfect for training, don't you think?

[Taiyo] Hey! That hurts!

Come on! If this were the real thing,
you'd die instantly!

- [Taiyo screaming]
- Where's that blade you got from Shinzo?

[grunts]

[cries out in pain]

Starting now,
I'm going to keep sh**ting you for a week.

[Ban] If you can get used to someinine
being awakened at all times,

that'll keep it from going out of control,

and you'll learn to pick up
the trajectory of the b*ll*ts on your own.

The only other thing

is whether you have what it takes
to withstand these shots.

Guess I didn't have to ask.
I like that look on your face.

Okay.

It's showtime!

One million shots. Let's do this!

HINAGIKU

Like this, you can enhance its strength
without changing its thickness.

That's how you weave
a traditional Yozakura Steel Spider.

Better watch out, or you'll lose
your fingers just like that!

You're right.

[laughs]

Mere threads getting the best of you.
Your skin is beyond weak!

[Rin] Whoops.

Oh, it took off my bandage.

So, you still haven't removed
that dandelion mark?

Kengo's got some synthetic skin, you know.

Thanks, but no, thanks.

[Rin] Tanpopo's still out there
kidnapping and modifying people.

I'm not getting rid of this
until after we've wiped them all out.

That's why I founded Hinagiku,

to make sure
that no one else ever ends up like me.

Just the thought of finally annihilating
their leader gives me goose bumps!

Kawashita's probably not the true head.

But, well, there's no denying
that he's a bad guy.

It's probably fine to k*ll him.

What an un-cop-like thing to say!

While the three of us
junior high classmates are together,

why don't we all agree
to arrest Kawashita, the Tanpopo leader?

[Nanao] So this is the dandelion mark?

That's right.

Tanpopo performs their modifications
on orphans and kidnapping victims.

NANMAIDABUTSU NANMAIDABUTSU

We are also former Tanpopo test subjects.

[Sui] To destroy the crime organization
Tanpopo and rescue its victims.

Chief Fudo founded Hinagiku
in order to achieve those goals.

While there are a good number
of us who were saved,

there are even more
who succumbed to severe long-term effects.

[Nanao] I analyzed the blood
that you gave me,

and I was surprised
how similar it is to ours.

That's why I might find
a clue in the past data we have here.

If it works,

I might find a way to fix the damage
Hazakura inflicted on your bodies!

It really is a big help,

having you agree to volunteer even
when my research is riddled with unknowns.

No need to thank us.

We once tried to k*ll you.

You couldn't even call this atonement.

My life never had any value to begin with.

I'd like nothing more
than to be of use to you.

That's right! These limbs and every fiber
of our being, that's our sincerity!

Come on, chop us up
like there's no tomorrow!

[Nanao] Your sincerity is too much.

There are no grudges
in our line of business.

I don't mind at all. And besides...

you can't k*ll me that easily.
I'm a Yozakura.

- [chuckles lightly]
- [gasps]

SHION'S ROOM
KEEP OUT!

[screen beeping]

[Kengo] Hey!

Hatoda? Give me some soda.

Yes, sir. Right away.

ASUKA HATODA
WEAPONS, COUNTERFEIT MONEY

That thing I requested.
Will you make it in time?

Of course I will!

[Hatoda] I've been throwing all
of my company's tech and budget at it!

sh**t! Why should I have to do this?

Come on. Don't be like that, okay?

Please, CEO Hatoda!

Damn it! You're so cute!

My parents said, "Let's build
a special weapon just for you,

since you love weapons."

But that day came
before they could finish it,

and it hasn't been touched since.

I couldn't bring myself
to even look at the blueprints,

because of all the memories.

But I can't sit here
being indecisive forever.

I've got to give it my all
for Mutsumi, too.

Oh, what beautiful sibling love!

[Ayaka] But if you push yourself too hard,
it'll be toxic for your health.

This is from Lady Mutsumi.

It's the sugar candy you like
and my favorite peach-flavored gelatin.

Why don't we take a break and...

How can Mutsumi be such a sweet girl?

She is an angel!

[men screaming]

So this is the Yozakura senke- style
tea ceremony?

This is my first time observing it.

Is that right?

[Futaba] So those guys aren't here today?

All of our Gold-ranked members
are currently out on missions,

and they won't be back for some time.

[sighs]

Do you need assistance, by chance?

I can give you a hand if you like.

You sure about that?

We might run into some difficulty,
you know.

I would be happy
if I can be of use to my beloved Taiyo.

[groans]

Taiyo! Are you all right?

I saw my little brother
and parents waving to me.

[Mutsumi] I don't know
what to say to that, Taiyo.

But seriously,
am I going about this the wrong way?

Not even your responses
are showing any improvement.

At this rate, you won't make it in time.

[Taiyo sighs]

Hmm? Come to think of it,
you're still only half-awakened, right?

Maybe I'll switch gears
and try to bolster that.

All right, why don't I show
my beloved grandchild...

just how cool I can be?

[chuckles] Pretty cool, huh?

Both of your eyes?

[Ban] What you're seeing is a Yozakura
in his fully-awakened state.

Traditionally speaking, it's called...

Blooming.

[Ban] Someinine enhances your body
to the max, allowing your skills to bloom.

It's a trump card possessed only
by those with Yozakura blood.

The Yozakura head can share
their power just once in their lifetime.

Like you and Mutsumi,
I received mine from Keiko.

Just as people differ from one another
in looks and nature,

the skills that manifest due to Blooming
also differ from person to person,

but awakening
enhances that power ever further.

In my case,

the someinine causes my bones
and cells to become more fluid,

allowing me to slip through spaces...

that are physically
impossible to penetrate!

- How cool is that?
- [Taiyo groans]

[Ban] And if you use it like this...

[g*nsh*t fires]

ENDLESS MAGIC b*ll*ts

Uh-- What are you doing?

[gasps]

By infusing the tip of the b*llet
with my powers of penetration...

[Ban] I can even blast through
to the water

1,000 meters beneath the mansion.

WATER TABLE

I'm going to switch to a training method

that will open the door to your Blooming.

It's highly dangerous and risky,
but seeing as we're out of time...

You're ready for this, right?

[Taiyo] And so,
my new training program began.

Hmm?

We'll start with the steps.

On the fourth one, twirl around and move.

Connect by sidestepping,
then into a turn from the sidestep!

After an oversway,
move on to a chase, and then finish!

[chuckles] Taiyo! You're doing great!

He does have a knack for this!

What is this?

Don't stop, Taiyo!
This is the Resonance Dance!

Resonance Dance?

Just as the vapors emitted from
a ripe apple cause other produce to ripen,

Blooming, too, can be triggered.

[Ban] The vaporized someinine
secreted by my awakened body,

thanks to body temperature, breathing,
and heart rate, and so on.

When your body resonates with all these,
it can induce your Blooming.

I've been trying to avoid this,
since you're young

and it would embarrass you
to dance with your gramps.

Wait, wait!
Is that outlandish theory even true?

But, Taiyo, look,
you're already starting to Bloom.

[shouts] No way!

[Ban] It's still early stages,
but you're coming along just fine.

At this level, you should at least
be able to perceive this.

Huh?

[Mutsumi] Taiyo?

He's fine, Mutsumi.

[Ban] He used Yae
to divert the trajectory.

That's proof that his expl*sive power
and judgment are close to Blooming.

Sorry for breaking Shinzo's sword.

- Why don't we call it a day--
- [Taiyo] I'm fine.

I'm nowhere near done yet.

And besides, this isn't a risk for me!

Your gramps is so happy
to have a grandson like you.

But now you have to experience real risk.

[both gasp]

[gasps] Taiyo?

[Taiyo] What just happened?

My body just moved of its own accord.

To sacrifice myself
by taking the b*llet for her?

No.

It was to block the b*llet.

Hardening? So that's
your type of Blooming.

[Ban] The solidification
of the cells in your hand.

The softening of your joints
to lessen the impact.

To stop the attack, your entire body
awakened to do just that.

One's Blooming is usually
a reflection of that person's humanity.

"Penetration" is perfect
for an evasive guy like me, right?

Based on your past data,
you're passive in battle,

and your skills aren't put to use at all.

To make you achieve your Blooming,

I had to stimulate
your deepest behavioral principles.

In other words, protecting Mutsumi.

We somehow made it in time, huh?

Once you've pulled the trigger
on your Blooming,

all that's left to do
is to practice controlling it.

[Taiyo] I'm sorry.
I know that you did it for my sake.

But... please don't ever point
your g*n at Mutsumi again.

I promise you that I won't.

Sorry about that, but please understand.

This was all for the sake
of my beloved grandchildren.

Eh? What do you mean, exactly?

Sorry, Taiyo...

TAIYO'S BLOOMING PRANK
SUPER SUCCESSFUL!

[gasps]

[Keiko] So it was all staged and she was
under the protection of White Spider Nest.

Keiko, let me explain.

[Keiko] Denied.

To subject the head
to such danger is unspeakable.

And most of all, we should feel sorry
for Taiyo being manipulated like that.

Taiyo! I'm really sorry!
It's all my fault.

I'm not mad or anything. It's all good.

It's just that thinking
that you might end up dying,

and being lied to by both of you,

it was just kind of a shock, that's all.

So if you don't mind,
could you just let me be for a while,

Mutsumi Yozakura?

No! You're so far away, Taiyo!

You both need to think about what you did.

[Keiko] Ban! No hugs for a week.

What? That's like a death sentence!

[Keiko] And as for you, Mutsumi,

why don't we go for a little walk,
and talk things out?

Huh? I never knew about this secret door!

Please wait for me, Keiko!

I can't go on living
without your warm embrace!

Taiyo, hold him back.

[Taiyo] Roger that.

Elder abuse is a crime!

This is one of the oldest passageways
in the Yozakura Mansion.

It can only be opened
with the head's ring.

[Keiko] This is the Family Tree Circuit,
depicting every Yozakura head.

If we were to lose our way,
we'd never make it out of here.

This is the deepest part of the mansion.

The Head's Chamber, the Yozakura Roots.

It was originally used as a refuge,

so there's preserved food
and an underground well.

[Mutsumi] What is that book?

[Keiko] That's the Book of Buds.

They say it contains the secrets
of the Yozakura spy family's origins.

The method of unlocking it
was lost during the w*r,

so I've never seen the inside, either.

If you try to pry it open by force,

it's designed to destroy
the Yozakura mansion

in order to protect its secrets.

[Mutsumi gasps]

[Keiko] For centuries, the Yozakuras
have protected society from the shadows.

Should our history ever be made public,
it is sure to bring about massive chaos.

If, for some reason,
you find yourself all alone,

and you're no longer able to protect
the secrets of this family,

as head of the family,
are you prepared to annihilate everything?

[Mutsumi] I can do it, Grandma.

I'm prepared.
Just like you and mother were.

And even if everything in this house
were to go up in smoke,

the time I spent here with Taiyo
and the others can never be erased.

Mutsumi...

[footsteps thudding]

[both grunting]

[sighs wearily] Finally caught him.

Damn. I was so close.

My, my. So you did chase after us, then?

Taiyo.

[Mutsumi gasps]

[stutters] Taiyo!

Sorry for sulking like that, Mutsumi.

I heard you from afar.

[Taiyo] You're prepared
to lose everything,

but I wasn't prepared for anything.

I'm going to try harder and harder
to become stronger,

and I won't let you lose a single thing!

[Mutsumi] It should be me
apologizing to you, Taiyo.

- [Keiko chuckles softly]
- [Ban] Hmm.

[Kawashita humming]

[chuckles softly]

NEXT TIME
CHERRY BLOSSOM VIEWING PARTY