:41:09
At that moment,
the tanuki gave a roaring cheer.
:41:12
That night, the celebration
was done in a truly grand style.
:41:16
The heroes were, of course,
Okiyo of Mimikiri Mountain,...
:41:19
...and Shoukichi of Kage Forest.
:41:25
Now that the construction
barracks had been vacated,...
:41:27
...it was as if the lights
had been snuffed out.
:41:31
But the next morning...
:41:36
It seemed that more
replacement humans were available.
:41:38
After chasing the other humans off,
new faces appeared the very next day.
:41:46
``It is rumored that the locals feel that
this is the work of tanuki and foxes.''
:41:52
``Well, that makes it easy then!''
:41:54
``We'll just eliminate the foxes
and tanuki causing the problems.''
:41:59
Tension amongst the headquarter's
TV monitors rose after that.
:42:02
``But the way they are disguised
is exactly like the old stories.''
:42:07
``So it is logical that
this rumor may be true...''
:42:10
``Doesn't it prove that it's just
someone spreading vicious rumors?''
:42:14
``What d'ya mean vicious rumors?!
I saw it wit' my own eye!''
:42:17
``Right, I understand.''
:42:20
``So we'll just target
these nasty animals for elimination.''
:42:25
``Please notify us once
you've identified the offending animals.''
:42:30
``Of course,
we'll need some sort of proof.''
:42:35
Shoukichi wasn't the only one
skeptical of the effectiveness...
:42:38
...of scaring the humans with disguises.
:42:40
As you all know, the Edo period
was the golden era of the tanuki.
:42:45
Transformation
was commonly performed...
:42:48
...and artists and writers competed
for the privilege of telling about it.
:42:53
But the tanuki became too prominent.
:42:57
And provoked the humans' ire.