Tsukasa
Alright!
Today is all about running!
Today is all about running!
Tsukasa
(This is as fundamental as it gets!
Plus...)
Plus...)
Tsukasa
(The Heihachi I'm going to play for “Ginnosuke's on the Case!” is supposed to be an Edo-period detective famous for his agility.)
Tsukasa
(In other words, the more I run, run and run, the closer my body will become to that of my character! And my portrayal of him will improve just that much!)
Tsukasa
So, there's only one thing to do!
*Roar*
*Roar*
Passerby
Wh-Whoa!
Why's that person shouting while running...?!
Why's that person shouting while running...?!
Dog
Woof! Woof!
Tsukasa
Next, stretches!
I'm all set to go after that nice, relaxing bath!
I'm all set to go after that nice, relaxing bath!
Tsukasa
Regardless of what role I'm given, I won't be able to move properly if I'm not flexible enough. So, I'm going to become as bendy as an octopus...!
Tsukasa
Let's start with some straddle splits...!
Hnng! This still appears to be my limit...
Hnng! This still appears to be my limit...
Tsukasa
But! I need to exceed my limits in order to advance to the next stage! Move forward, Tsukasa Tenma! Go above and beyond!
Saki
Hey, Tsukasa!
You gotta keep your voice down or the neighbors are gonna start asking if we got a dog again.
You gotta keep your voice down or the neighbors are gonna start asking if we got a dog again.
Tsukasa
Owwwwwww!
Sorry, Saki, I'm stuck! I think I overdid it! Please lend me a hand!
Sorry, Saki, I'm stuck! I think I overdid it! Please lend me a hand!
Saki
Oh no...!
Are you okay, Tsukasa?!
Are you okay, Tsukasa?!
A few weeks later
Hiori Jidaigeki Studio Park
Emu
Whoa!!! This is so cool!!!
Emu
Look at the shops and houses! It's just like in the movies! Oh, that one's selling dango!
Rui
So, this is the famed Hiori Jidaigeki Studio Park. What a wonderful place. All the buildings and structures look historically accurate.
Nene
Yeah...!
It's like we've traveled back in time to the Edo period...
It's like we've traveled back in time to the Edo period...
Emu
Oh, look!
There's a bunch of ninjas over there! And a samurai!
There's a bunch of ninjas over there! And a samurai!
Rui
Those are cast members, and I believe a few of the guests as well. Anyone who visits can rent costumes and become the character of their choice.
Rui
A merchant, a tea shop girl, a samurai...
I'm seeing quite a wide variety. And there seem to be many families dressed up together, perhaps because it's a long holiday.
I'm seeing quite a wide variety. And there seem to be many families dressed up together, perhaps because it's a long holiday.
Nene
Hehe. I like how that ninja over there is taking pictures with everyone instead of trying to be sneaky.
Nene
What else do they have...?
A trick house, a ninja maze, horseback riding and a riverboat tour. They've really got everything here.
A trick house, a ninja maze, horseback riding and a riverboat tour. They've really got everything here.
Emu
Hehe!
Now I'm even more excited that we get to do a show here starting tomorrow... But...
Now I'm even more excited that we get to do a show here starting tomorrow... But...
Tsukasa
*Sigh*
Emu
You don't seem all that happy, Tsukasa...
Nene
I thought you'd start feeling a little better after we got here...
Rui
But this is worse than we thought.
Tsukasa
*Sigh*
Rui
Are you sure you're okay, Tsukasa?
Tsukasa
Yes, I'm fine...
Rui
We heard from Mr. Kijima that you were successful in becoming more fit and getting your body to resemble Heihachi's.
Rui
I thought you'd be happy instead of sad.
Emu
Yeah!
I mean, just look at how big and cool your calves have gotten!
I mean, just look at how big and cool your calves have gotten!
Tsukasa
Yes, that I'm happy about...
Tsukasa
But I deeply regret not being able to figure out how to wall jump the way he would...
Rui
Ah, I suppose you would still be bothered by that...
Nene
You started practicing how to wall jump while thinking about how to play him, right...?
Tsukasa
That's right...
Tsukasa
In “Ginnosuke's on the Case!”, Heihachi constantly has trouble keeping up with Chusuke the swift-footed thief.
Tsukasa
Knowing Heihachi, I imagined he'd become so frustrated by how Chusuke keeps making a fool out of him that he'd decide to come up with a special technique for defeating his nemesis.
Tsukasa
That led me to wall jumping, Chusuke's forte.
Tsukasa
I figured that learning to do so would be the best way to capture the way Heihachi moves, regardless of whether or not I'd actually end up using it in our performances...
Nene
But wall jumping is really hard, right?
I mean, you're basically trying to become a ninja.
I mean, you're basically trying to become a ninja.
???
Still, you were able to figure out how your character moves and behaves. For that, you should give yourself a pat on the back.
Tsukasa
Oh, Mr. Kijima...!
Kijima
I understand why you're feeling the way you are. Not being able to move the way you want can be incredibly frustrating...
Kijima
But that doesn't mean you're allowed to keep feeling bad about yourself.
Kijima
The show opens tomorrow!
So, let's turn that frown upside down!
So, let's turn that frown upside down!
Tsukasa
R-Right...!
Tsukasa
(He's right...
I don't have time to be feeling sorry for myself right now.)
I don't have time to be feeling sorry for myself right now.)
Tsukasa
(We're working in collaboration with the Hiori Jidaigeki Studio Park on this production of “Ginnosuke's on the Case!”)
Tsukasa
(Not only that, these streets will be acting as our stage. Everyone here will be watching us, and it's an incredible opportunity for Mikazukigumi to get its name out there.)
Tsukasa
(I want the members of this troupe to be rewarded for all their hard work. Just one more reason I have to help make this show a success!)
Tsukasa
Alright...!
I'm all set and ready to go now!
I'm all set and ready to go now!
Tsukasa
We're going to put on another successful show and send all the guests home smiling!
Nene
Hehe. He's finally back to being his usual self.
Rui
There's the Tsukasa we're used to seeing.
Emu
Hehe♪ Then, let's psych ourselves up by doing our usual thing!
Emu
Let's have a nin-nin-wonderhoy time here at the Jidaigeki Studio Park!
Tsukasa, Rui & Nene
Nin-nin-wonderhoy!
The next day
Heihachi
“Mr. Ginnosuke!
Such beautiful weather we have today!”
Such beautiful weather we have today!”
Ginnosuke
“Hello, Heihachi.
It is nice out, but won't your wife get mad if she finds out that you're wasting time like this?”
It is nice out, but won't your wife get mad if she finds out that you're wasting time like this?”
Heihachi
“What are you talking about?!
I'm here helping our capable constable, the one and only Ginnosuke! There's no way she can get mad at me!”
I'm here helping our capable constable, the one and only Ginnosuke! There's no way she can get mad at me!”
Ohana the Tea Shop Girl
“H-Help!
It's terrible, Mr. Ginnosuke!”
It's terrible, Mr. Ginnosuke!”
Heihachi
“It's the middle of the day. What's got you so worked up?”
Ohana the Tea Shop Girl
“That swift-footed thief, Chusuke, seems to have struck again! He stole a pot from the magistrate's mansion! It's apparently a very valuable family heirloom!”
Ginnosuke
“What?!
Chusuke struck again...?!”
Chusuke struck again...?!”
Heihachi
“Stop right there!!!”
Heihachi
“Grr...!
Curse you, Chusuke, for being so quick...!”
Curse you, Chusuke, for being so quick...!”
Ginnosuke
“Hmm... Even you're struggling to catch him, Heihachi. We may need to come up with a new plan...”
Hyakuhime the Roaming Princess
“Hm?
What are you two doing there?”
What are you two doing there?”
Ginnosuke
“Hm? You're not from around here...
But I recognize your face.”
But I recognize your face.”
Ginnosuke
“Aren't you that princess that everyone has been talking about? Hyakuhime? The one who's always roaming around the city...”
Hyakuhime the Roaming Princess
“Oh, you know who I am?
So much for hoping to tease you two.”
So much for hoping to tease you two.”
Ginnosuke
“Actually, princess, may we ask you for your assistance? You'll get to help catch an interesting criminal...”
Hyakuhime the Roaming Princess
“Oh, that sounds like fun!
In that case, I'll be more than willing to help!”
In that case, I'll be more than willing to help!”
Heihachi
“So, your honor, you were behind it all!”
Ginnosuke
“You had Chusuke steal your pot in order to have your upstanding superior framed. And for quite some time now, you've been using these methods to get rid of anyone you see as a nuisance...!”
Magistrate
“Grr...!
You know too much! Deal with them, Munechika!”
You know too much! Deal with them, Munechika!”
Munechika
“Understood.
I, Munechika, shall not fail you.”
I, Munechika, shall not fail you.”
Munechika
“Prepare yourselves!”
Ginnosuke
“Bring it on!
I feel like I can beat anyone right now!”
I feel like I can beat anyone right now!”
Chusuke
“Grr...!
But I can't get caught! I'm THE Chusuke...”
But I can't get caught! I'm THE Chusuke...”
Ginnosuke
“Too bad for you, Chusuke.
Your legs were no match for me and Heihachi.”
Your legs were no match for me and Heihachi.”
Heihachi
“That's right! Mr. Ginnosuke figured out where you were going and I ran ahead to stop you. The next instant, we had you trapped like a rat!”
Ginnosuke
“Now, Chusuke, it's time for us to tie you up!”
Tsukasa
Phew...! We got an excellent response today!
Emu
The crowd looked so happy!
I even heard some of the little kids cheering us on!
I even heard some of the little kids cheering us on!
Nene
Yeah. I was a little worried initially since this was our first day performing somewhere completely new, but I'm glad things ended up going so well...
Rui
Me too. Let's keep up the good work and do our best again tomorrow.
Tsukasa
Yes, let's!
Tsukasa
(But...)
Tsukasa
(A part of me still isn't satisfied...)
Tsukasa
(The audience would've been even more thrilled if I'd learned how to wall jump. But my body just isn't able to keep up...)
Tsukasa
(No, stop!
There isn't any point in beating yourself up over this!)
There isn't any point in beating yourself up over this!)
Tsukasa
(Right now, you need to focus on doing everything you can to put on the best performance! Such is the duty of a star!)
Emu
Tsukasa? Hey, Tsukasa!
Nene
He's making a bunch of weird faces again...
But I guess that's normal for him.
But I guess that's normal for him.
Rui
Hehe. But he won't be able to head over towards our lodging in this state. Why don't I get his attention? I'll clap my hands like this and...
Tsukasa
Wh-What was that?! Are we under attack?! Did Chusuke strike again?!
Nene
How long did you plan on spacing out?
We need to start making our way to where we're staying.
We need to start making our way to where we're staying.
Emu
Let's head over to the inn, Tsukasa!
I can't wait to see what food they serve us today♪
I can't wait to see what food they serve us today♪
Tsukasa
A-Alright!
Hey, wait for me!
Hey, wait for me!
Guests
Wow...
That was such a great show.
That was such a great show.
Guests
What was it called? “Ginnosuke's on the Case!”...? We just stopped by to see what was going on, but those sword fights were so cool! Now I wanna see it again.
Guests
Me too!
I might recommend coming here to my friends...
I might recommend coming here to my friends...
Guests
Huh?
Where's my bag?! I left it right here...!
Where's my bag?! I left it right here...!
Guests
Huh?! It's gone?!
Are you sure you didn't leave it somewhere else?
Are you sure you didn't leave it somewhere else?
Guests
N-No, I left it right here!
I know I did. I swear...
I know I did. I swear...
Guests
Then... What if someone stole it?
Guests
Y-You might be right...!
Let's go tell the park staff!
Let's go tell the park staff!
Next Chapter: The Show Can't Go On?!