Sisterly Bonds and a Secret Plan!

*meeeeoow*

Slow down, Suzume, or else we'll get seperated.

Hahaha... She's like a little furball of energy.

Speaking of which, how's she been recently?

We've managed since we gained control with the Golden Blizzard Jutsu...

Well, that's a relief.

...Still, there's no way to stop Suzume's eventual transformation.

I suppose it's difficult to learn more since the sorcerer from Ro that cast the curse is already dead...

And now that she knows about the Golden Blizzard Jutsu, it won't have an effect again...

We've got to find a way to stop her transformation before it's too late.

So is that why you've come to the Garulea Continent?

Yeah. We can't hide away on the Migleina Continent forever. We must find a way no matter what it takes...

...What's this aura?

Suzume, do you sense it too?

What's up? Did you find something?!

Yes, I'm sure of it. It's close... Very close...

I sense a restaurant with delicious food!

...THAT'S IT?!

This aroma...it must be a seafood rice bowl. You know I had to get used to the culinary cultural differences when we moved.

Not many people over there like to eat raw fish...

And there are few things more wonderful than the golden tuna sashimi right here in Izana!

T-Tsubame?

HAVE YOU TRIED SOME, ALDO?! THIS COUNTRY'S EGG-ON-RICE BOWL?!

The Otsukimi eggs are carefully cultivated, and then poured over fine grains...

It's like pure gold glittering in the bowl!

I got it! The next time Suzume starts to transform, I'll just bring her back with that!

Okay, I got it, you're hungry! Geeze!

Oh...Sorry, I got a little carried away there by the smell...

You've been gone for so long, it's no wonder you were nostalgic for a little hometown cooking. And look at Suzume. She looks like she's having so much fun here.

You're right. It brings a smile to my face to see her so happy and free.

Just like I said...

*hiss*

Look at her tail. Something's got her bothered...

What's going on?

I-Is she angry at someone?

It's been a really long time since I've seen Suzume's tail like that...

PLEASE! SOMEONE HELP ME!

That soldier looks like he's hurt!

That's why Suzume's acting this way!

What happened to you?! Did someone attack you?

Ugh...I was ambushed by a strange monster while patrolling the Inanari Plateau​!

A strange monster? What was so different about it?

It looked like nothing I've ever seen before! It's not natural...! Like some unstoppable mutant!

You must just be in shock. It could just be a strong monster.

*hisssssss*

Suzume? What's got you worked up now?

Whatever the situation, we can't have a dangerous monster roaming around near the city.

Right. Let's go to the Inanari Plateau​ and find out what's going on.

Wait up, Suzume!

*huff* *huff* What's the deal Suzume?!

*hiss*

Maybe that monster thing is nearby...

Huh? Look at that!

What the hell is that?! I've never seen any monster like that!

That has to be it. Let's take it down!

Right behind ya!

*hiss*

Suzume?!

I didn't expect Suzume to attack...

Here it comes!

Get back Suzume!

Eat my Chaos Shuriken!

Was that it?

Huh?!

B-But that shuriken should have taken that thing out!

Did it regenerate itself?! ...I need more information. Aldo, cover me!

Tsubame!

Damn it! It got away...

Looks like it... But I did get some info from our attack.

Info?

That mutant you see...

...It's closely connected to the curse that was inflicted on Suzume.

Are you serious?!

I landed a few cuts on it during the fight, and each time a familiar symbol appeared, followed by the wound regenerating.

It's the same symbol marked on Suzume's body.

What does that mean?

There's something else. There was only one wound that it could not regenerate. If my observations were correct, it couldn't recover from Suzume's scratches...

...It's weird that only Suzume's attacks had any effect.

If we're going to learn about that mutant, we'll need to first learn everything we can about the sorcerer.

But where can we learn about someone that's already dead?

This mutant have given us a lead.

I saw a piece of chain attached to one of its legs...

It's got to be from the dungeon here in Ro.

You were able to figure out all that just from that short battle?!

Correct. The first job of a ninja is to gather information. Once a ninja crosses blades with a target, they just can't let them go free.

I'm glad I can count on you for this kind of thing.

Come on then, let's go to the Dungeon Ruins!

Tsubame! There's a scratch on this wall...

No doubt about it. This is from the claws of that mutant.

...Looks like Suzume's on high alert too. She must be able to sense the energy coming from the curse.

We don't want anything to happen to Suzume. Let's keep this short.

......

What's wrong, Tsubame?

I'm always putting Suzume in danger... What a terrible sister I am. If there's karma in this world, then I should be the one cursed, not Suzume.

...Don't say that, Tsubame. It's because of you that we were able to escape and now we can do something to save Suzume. This isn't over and our first step should be to take care of that fiend.

...You're right, Aldo. Thank you.

It looks like there are more claw marks ahead. Let's hurry this up!

This handwriting... It's the sorcerer's!

What does it say?

It's a list of names of people and their ages... ......

Tsubame?

Now I see... I know what the sorcerer was looking for.

They were test subjects...

Test subjects?

Apparently, the sorcerer has been involved in studying mutations since ancient times. This is all a record of experiments on prisoners.

...!

Here, it says that after many subjects resulted in failure, only one was successful. That could be the mutant that we saw before.

Does that mean it was also once human?!

Yes. But I'm sure it's lost all sense of humanity by now. It seems the prisoner was held deep in isolation when not being experimented on. It says the process was excruciating.

"...In order to control the transformation, we need an exceptional being." "The vessel must be young, easier to manipulate, yet strong enough to withstand the transformation..."

Does that mean what I think it does?!

...I'm certain that my sisters and I fit the bill.

So the sorcerer was planning to use you and your sisters the whole damn time!

That's the reason why the sorcerer was so willing to take us in, even though we were pretending to be orphans.

Tsubame...

...Anyway, we now know why the mutant was created and why only Suzume's attacks had any effect.

But in this state, Suzume doesn't stand a chance against that mutant. We could use the power of Suzume's curse, but that would worsen the curse...

Hold up...!

...Of course that method is out of the question. I'm sure we'll find another way. We've got to figure out how to deal with the mutant while slowing Suzume's curse.

Easier said than done...

But...Suzume's curse is still getting worse, right? We can't control it if it overpowers her like it did before...

If it overpowers her...

...Which...could this mean something?

Huh?

We need to suppress the curse. And if my idea is correct...

Why are you flipping through the pages all of a sudden...?!

If there was a way to control the curse even when it's overwhelming... I'm sure there was a section about techniques used by the sorcerer for the mutant... Look! Some of this matches up with the Channeling Jutsu within the ninja arts!

Did you think of something?

I can't say for sure, but it's definitely worth a try.

The problem is that our powers won't be enough.

We're gonna need some help.

And I've got someone in mind. Let's get back to Izana.

So Tsubame, who's this person that's gonna help us?

Sorry Aldo. I was in such a rush that I didn't have time to explain...

But she should be here any moment now.

Huh?

...It took a lot of effort to get here avoiding prying ninja.

That voice...!

This must be pretty important for you to call me out here. Isn't that right, Tsubame?

Kamome!

Or...could it be that you're collecting information on that mutant spotted near the city?

One step ahead as usual, Kamome. Then let's get right to the point. I need your help with this.

......

Working together you and I... we can take on this challenge.

Come on, Kamome. It'll be just like Jiraiya.

Hmph... You shouldn't always count on my help. I don't know anything about the mutant, besides that it attacked some soldiers near Izana. The Land of Mi is the same.

...But I've got a plan.

What?!

And Suzume plays an important role...

Why Suzume...?

What did you guys see in the dungeon?!

Hold up! How did you know that we went into the dungeon?!

It's to be expected. She must have had her people following us.

Of course we keep an eye on you. We need to be ready to stop you in case you do anything suspicious.

Do they always watch...everything?

Don't worry, Aldo. Ninjas need to tread carefully around each other. Even if they're sisters.

But despite that, I still needed to contact you about this, Kamome.

Let me explain what we found in the dungeon...

...So that's what you learned. The sorcerer who cursed Suzume was aligned with Ro the whole time.

And the only way to stop that mutant is to use Suzume's power after her transformation...

Correct. That's why we need your help, Kamome.

And by help you mean...?

Wait, are you planning to accelerate Suzume's curse?!

No, Kamome...

If you even THINK about using Suzume like that, I'll never forgive you!

She's our sister after all!

Kamome...

...... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to mislead you.

But I'm glad to hear that you care.

Huh?

I feel the same way as you. I don't want to give my precious sister away to that curse. And that's exactly why I came to you for help.

Are you saying there is a way to save Suzume?

...You should've said that from the beginning.

So where do we start?

Remember this outfit?

It's the one you wore during your Channeling Trial!

What's this Channeling Trial you're talking about?

It is one of the trials necessary to become a full-fledged ninja. The channeling is a way of manifesting the power of scattered spirits and monsters.

It's extremely difficult to control powerful monsters summoned with these arts because they often rage. Hence, the ninja use the trial as a rite of passage.

I had no idea...

Then why are you going to do this? Are you trying to use the power against the mutant? I doubt we'd be able to accumulate enough spirit power in a place like this...

No... It's not the power of the spirits we're summoning.

What does that mean?

We're going to draw out the curse that's inside Suzume.

We'll use channeling to draw it out and use it like a monster.

What's that...

In the records, there was a process that was incomplete, that was similar to the ninja arts we use...

No way! Those arts are far too dangerous to use willy nilly!

We can't guarantee that Suzume will be safe. In worst case, she could lose control forever!

I know... But this isn't just about destroying the enemy. It's about saving Suzume.

Save her?

The spirits that we summon naturally dissipate and return to nature... Could the same thing happen to the curse that we draw out of Suzume?

Are you saying that we can draw out the curse and then try to weaken it?

...If my theory is correct.

The curse is progressing day by day, and we're out of options... I'd rather take this chance than waiting for the curse to slowly consume Suzume.

This is ridiculous gambling with Suzume's life, even if it might be her only chance...

Please, Kamome. Help me do this...

Huh?!

What's this ominous feeling...?!

*meooow...*

Suzume! What's wrong, Suzume?!

She looks like she's in a lot of pain. What's happening to her?!

Lady Kamome! I've received a report from our people in Inanari. They say there's a strange monster on the loose!

What?!

The mutant's back already?! So that's why Suzume is in so much pain...

Suzume!

The curse is getting stronger...! Just like when we were in the dungeon...

That creature's influence is growing...!

...... This means we don't have time to debate this...

...I understand now, Tsubame. Let's go.

Thank you so much, Kamome!

I can't go with you because of my responsibilities, but I can meet you there. That okay?

Yes, that's fine.

Don't screw this up. I've always been the one who had to clean up your messes.

Right... That's why I trust you, Kamome.

......!

We've overcome many challenges working together. You were there for me during my channeling trial too.

...It was a long time ago. But don't make me bail you out again, okay?

Looks like everything turned out well.

But what happened during the channeling trial?

Tsubame?

...I'm back.

Woah, what's with the get-up?

This is what I wore during the channeling trial. It's designed to make it easier to control the summoning power.

So this going to help you handle Suzume's power?

That's the plan. And there's another reason for wearing this outfit.

What's that?

This outfit has a deep connection to Suzume.

You see, it was the night before the trial...

Suzume, who was trying to become a ninja as soon as possible, tried to perform a channeling in secret. She wanted to show Kamome and I how much she had grown... But it failed and the monster attacked her.

......

Seeing what was happening, I put on these clothes and got in front of Suzume. Then Kamome used a sedation jutsu while I distracted the monster. Our quick thinking saved Suzume's life.

I didn't know about that...

So to Suzume, the outfit is that of a hero who saved her.

I'm not sure I'd call myself a hero.

Still, if Suzume loses control, then the symbols and bright yellow colors...

...Hopefully, will bring her back to her senses. A bond between sisters.

Then I'm positive Suzume will be fine. We've all been travelling together for a long time.

Come along. Let's go to the Inanari Plateau​!

Grrr... You're stronger than reported... All I can do is hold it off.

Kamome!

...Finally, you're here. Have you prepared for the summoning?

Yeah. First, you and I will draw out the power from Suzume and direct her at the mutant. Once we've defeated it, we'll need to suppress the power using the Channeling Jutsu before she loses control.

Failure is not an option. ...There's no where we can run to.

Yeah. But a ninja only shows their true worth when they're backed into a corner. Don't you agree, Kamome?

Hmph... You've got a big mouth for a ninja.

You ready for this?

Let's do it!

From the space between light and darkness! Memories of the distant past, manifest yourself in this present!

Mmf...! It's more powerful than I thought...!

Not good! It's getting ready to attack!

Tch... Tsubame! I'll take care of the power. You concentrate on Suzume!

But if I do that, you might...

...I assumed I was going to die the last time too. But Tsubame... You saved me. How can I not return the favor this time?

Thank you... I will defeat this mutant and save Suzume!

It's time that I use every skill at my disposal! Let's go Aldo!

It should take it some time to regenerate!

Now's your chance!

Okay, I'll put everything we've got into this!

O darkness of the abyss, be the storm of our will!

The thing is...gone. Did we win?

Ngh!

Kamome!

I can't control it any longer! We've got to remove the channeling!

It didn't disappear?!

Not good! It's power is too much to handle and Suzume is being consumed by it!

If we don't do something about it, the curse will fully control Suzume!

Hold on, Suzume!

It looks like she's resisting its power... She can still hear us!

Then...

...Kamome. We need to sedate her while she's still herself.

Huh?

W-Wait a second! By sedate you mean...

Tsubame... Do you mean that technique?

We don't have any other choice. If we do nothing, then Suzume will...

...Got it. There's no other option.

Hey, what are you guys...?!

Okay, let's go...

Echoing in the sky, a maiden's song...

Roaring in the earth, a mother's embrace...

Secret technique! Ninpo Sharasoju Jutsu!

The channeled monster...it's gone?! How did this happen?

We're safe for now...

...Rest now, Suzume.

What did you do to Suzume?!

Suzume is...

...Getting a good sleep.

Huh?! You jerks! D-Don't worry me like that!

The Sharasoju Jutsu... It's a special technique that only Kamome and I can use when we're together.

...I'm not sure I'd call it a jutsu, but it's something we can do to put Suzume to sleep.

When I saw Suzume's consciousness start to transform, I thought of it immediately.

As long as she could hear our voices, the technique would work... By forcing her to sleep, we might be able to contain the transformation.

Is that all true?!

It was a long time ago. We'd work together when Suzume was having trouble sleeping or was whining too much.

You'd sing, and I'd hug her. If either of us were off by even a moment, Suzume'd throw a tantrum. I'm surprised we could still use the technique after all these years.

I guess the bond between sisters never changes.

...That bond is no big deal. I just remembered the skill.

Are you so sure about that? It seems to me that you were still worried about Tsubame even after she became a ninja.

Wh-What are you blathering on about?!

You had us watched all the way to the dungeon, didn't you? Sounds like you went through a lot of trouble...

...Aldo, I told you before, it's only natural to observe a ninja who's gone off on her own.

She'd never make her people watch over us out of some kind of personal reason.

Isn't that right, Kamome?

......

...Kamome? What's wrong, Kamome? Why don't you look at me?

I'm done here! It's time I went back to the castle!

From now on, use the Channeling Jutsu to make Suzume's power dissipate.

I'm sure she used a lot of power in the battle. The next time you summon it, it won't be so difficult to handle.

I'll keep my skills polished just for that.

Don't cause any more trouble. We will be watching.

...Should something happen, I'll be there.

Glad to hear that, Kamome.

Hey Tsubame. You know what she's saying...

Yeah... ...To be honest, I know everything.

You knew what she was saying?!

It would only get her in trouble to say what she's really feeling.

But she was in such a hurry, I didn't get a chance to tease her about it.

Haha... You can be so mean from time to time.

Kamome is just too easy to read. Not just the observation, but even her ninja cat's name...Suzume...

Yeah, I was wondering about that. Kamome also has a cat that looks just like Suzume...

I assume that after we left the continent, she sought out a cat that looked just like Suzume.

And she named it after her sister, but then the real Suzume came back.

Maybe she has a sweet side too.

Kamome was the worst liar among the three of us. To compensate for that, Kamome worked harder to hone her ninja skills.

I'm sure she's working to the bone to protect the both of you.

I know. I've also been training so that I can help her.

Suzume's much the same way. She struggles to keep up, but she helps any way she can. Perhaps her penchant for money is a way of supporting us.

So all three of you are trying to protect each other in your own ways.

Yeah... And we all did our best today.

We were working so hard I forgot how hungry I was!

Huh?

I just wanted to fill up my empty stomach with a heaping pile of eggs on rice...

Aldo, it's time we go! To the Gold Seas!

Hey... Where did all that energy come from?

*meooow!*

Suzume's awake!

*meow... mee...ow?*

I think she heard the word "gold" and perked up.

Maybe her love for money is just part of her nature after all.

Hahah... You might be right.

Well then, come along Suzume. We've got a new adventure ahead of us.