"Attention, this is a special news bulletin." "The Headquarters of the lmperial Army and Navy has announced on this day of December 8th at 6AM that a peace treaty has been signed with US and UK forces." "The onset of world war has been avoided." "A past where World War ll never happened..." "The 'New Nobility' established in the 19th century continues today." "This has created an extreme divide between the upper and lower classes." "Changing occupations is forbidden." "People may not fall in love freely and must marry within their class." "A phantom thief known as K-20 or" "The Fiend (Kaijin) With 20 Faces has gripped society by stealing priceless objects from the rich." "Japan, 1949 Teito" " The Imperial Capital" "As with legendary inventor Thomas Edison," "Dr. Nikola Tesla was nominated for a Nobel Prize, for his lifelong research into wireless energy transmission." "This is a scaled-down version of the electric transmission device that Dr. Tesla himself designed." "Explaining it in simple terms, while we usually transmit electric power through wires," "with this device..." "We can transmit energy to any point in the world by entering coordinates in this manner." "The implementation of this technology will create an energy revolution." "You..." "What are you doing?" "The Fiend With 20 Faces!" "Tesla's model is now mine!" "K-20!" "It wasn't treasure this time..." "Can you comment on your engagement to Yoko Hashiba?" "Detective Akechi!" "Kobayashi!" "Oh, lnspector Namikoshi." "I'm glad you're here." "So what did he steal this time?" "Look at this." "K-20 made a real mess." "He might use what he stole to commit another crime." "Where's the lecturer, Dr. Yagi?" "In hospital, he suffered electrical burns." "His real assistant was tied up." "We're questioning him now." "This belongs to K-20." "Here's the mask K-20 left behind." "Another disguise..." "Sir, I'll go to see Dr. Yagi." ""Grand Circus"" "Superhuman skill!" "The star of the Grand Circus, Heikichi Endo!" "Let's have a big round of applause." "And for his next amazing trick he will avoid a barrage of arrows, risking his very life." "Don't take your eyes off him for a single second." "Look!" "The arrow!" "Oh, no." "Hurry up and help him!" "Quickly!" "This is terrible!" "We hope everyone enjoyed the show." "You've been watching master of illusion and Japan's greatest acrobatic performer," "Heikichi Endo!" "Please give him one more big round of applause!" "You knocked 'em dead!" "Thank God you're all okay." "Heikichi." "Ringmaster." "It's good to take care of the doves, but everyone was impressed by your new trick." "That's right." "And maybe my devices helped a little?" "Oh, yeah." ""Oh, yeah"?" "How about Thank you?" "Good grief..." "Ringmaster?" "I'm fine." "I hope Ringmaster is okay." "He should see a doctor." "But won't that cost lots of money?" "We have to work like crazy just to eat." "Hey, maybe we can become thieves!" "Don't talk stupid." "Stealing is wrong." "People like us... no matter how hard we work, we'll always be poor." "That's life in the circus." "No matter how much we try, we'll never be upper class." "Nothing will change." "That's not true." "Shinsuke..." "One day, there will be an end to the unfairness in this world." "A society that robs its people of dignity can not last." "It ends in ruins." "Then people like you and Heikichi can work together to build a new world." "Never give up." "If you never give up, you'll realize your dreams." "Giving up means the end." "Ringmaster..." "Heikichi, a fan of yours is here." "Bravo!" "Bravo, Heikichi." ""Kozo Tonomura"" "True Tales Magazine?" "True Tales Magazine" "True Tales Magazine A tabloid paper." "Employing your physical grace," "I'd like you to photograph Hashiba lndustries heiress Yoko Hashiba and famed Detective Kogoro Akechi at their upcoming engagement ceremony." "Me?" "Yes, please." "Only you can do it." "Your compensation will be more than sufficient." "Compensation?" "Ringmaster Nanbu is in bad health, right?" "This slide shows the crater of a massive explosion of unknown origin in Siberia, 1908." "It's referred to as the Tunguska Explosion." "The blast incinerated trees in a 30 KM radius." "Shock waves shattered windows up to 1000 km away." "Rumors say it was caused by Tesla's experiments in energy transmission." "Please look at this next slide." "Among the surveyors at the site..." "It's the late Duke Hashiba." "How were the Hashibas connected?" "In fact... oil magnate Soutaro Hashiba was considering future energy sources, and apparently gave Tesla financial support." "When Tesla died, he purchased all the equipment." "By using it..." "Excellent work." "But as you well know," "I've known the Hashibas since" "Soutaro Hashiba was still alive, but I've never heard such talk." "If Dr. Yagi is not lying, then it's the truth." "So what is your conclusion?" "That K-20's true intent is to steal the full-sized device." "For what purpose?" "As a weapon." "A weapon?" "Yes." "Perhaps K-20 intends to use the device as a weapon of destruction." "If he isn't arrested immediately..." "Where is the device now?" "Dr. Yagi said he doesn't know." "Doesn't know?" "I'll investigate further." "Yes?" "Akechi, turn on your TV set." "Kobayashi, turn on the TV." "The letter has been deemed authentic." "It reads:" "On the day of Detective Akechi's engagement ceremony," "Brueghel's painting" "'Tower of Babel' shall be mine." "What are you going to do, delay your engagement?" "Because of what K-20 says?" "Ridiculous." "I'll ensure the painting is there and arrest him in one swoop." "But on an occasion like that..." "I said it'll be fine." "I entrust you with the security arrangements." "Will everything be okay?" "Of course." "Recently a man in black clothes has been following you." "It's making me nervous." "Black clothes?" "Did you see his face?" "Well, I couldn't get a clear look..." "Could it be K-20?" "We are gathered here today to witness the exchange of betrothal gifts signifying the pledge of marriage between Duchess Yoko Hashiba and Baron Kogoro Akechi." "The bride will now enter." "And now, both families will exchange gifts." "Don't move!" "It's a diversion." "Block the exits!" "Everyone, remain calm!" "Everyone, please remain calm!" "Up there!" "K-20!" "Me?" "..." "No!" "Fire!" "Shoot him down!" "Arrest him!" "It's a mistake." "A mistake!" "I'm not K-20!" "This is a news bulletin." "K-20 has been arrested." "I repeat, we have reports that K-20 has been arrested." "K-20's true identity is..." "Heikichi Endo, age unknown." "An acrobat and illusionist at the Grand Circus." "The suspect was arrested on January 16th during the engagement ceremony of" "Duchess Yoko Hashiba and" "Baron Kogoro Akechi" "We interrupt for a live report from the Hashiba building." "Congratulations, Mr Akechi." "You have two reasons to be very happy." "One more criminal is off the streets." "A peaceful night to all of Teito." "I knew Akechi could do it!" "Akechi!" "Akechi!" "I'm telling you, it's a mistake!" "This camera you had triggered the explosion." "This is undeniable proof!" "What are you talking about?" "I was hired - " "Don't bullshit me!" "It's the truth." "Stop playing dumb." "There's no such thing as True Tales Magazine." "That's a lie." "I have his business card." "Oh?" "So where is this business card?" "It's in my room." "At the circus tent." "It's true." "Check for yourself!" "Too bad for you." "We didn't find a business card." "But we found these..." "The Romanov diamonds you stole." "We found them under your bed." "You're joking." "If I had those," "I'd help Ringmaster - " "Where is the Tesla model?" "Tell us!" "Talk!" ""K-20 Arrested"" ""Death, or life in prison?" Akechi wins agai"" ""The Fiend With 20 Faces:" "Heikichi Endo "" "Baron Akechi succeeds again." "News of K-20's arrest is all over the newspapers and television." "He's going to be even more popular." "You must be so proud, milady." "Truly." "Someone with Baron Akechi's social standing, reputation, and appearance doesn't exist in this world." "I know." "Such a lukewarm reply, milady." "From anybody's point of view," "Baron Akechi is a perfect gentleman." "Where could you possibly find fault?" "It's not a question of" "Mr. Akechi's character." "I just wonder if the path Grandfather" "laid for me is the right one to follow." "There might be other paths." "The right path?" "Isn't that a little extravagant?" "Extravagant?" "For a woman, happiness is marriage." "There is no greater path in life." "Is that so?" "Of course it is!" "Milady just has the marriage blues." "Baron Akechi will be arriving soon." "Is the Tower of Babel still at your residence?" "I expected it returned." "I apologize." "As a detective it's my nature to find out why K-20 aimed to steal that particular painting." "But that painting... is a reproduction." "It has no value as a work of art." "Precisely." "Until now, K-20 has only stolen genuine items." "I must determine why he would attempt to steal a copy." "That's..." "Yoko?" "It's nothing." "If something's troubling you, don't hesitate to tell me." "We'll be married, after all." "Yes." "Thank you." "I take your leave for today." "Something strange about her behaviour..." "Don't be nosy." "Yoko, are you familiar with this painting?" "No..." "It's called The Tower of Babel." "In Mesopotamian times, this tower was built for people to reach the heavens." "For this they invoked the wrath of God." "Yoko, this painting is very important." "It must never leave your possession." "Get up, K-20!" "Time to eat." "Whoopsie daisy!" "Sorry about that." "Lick it up, nice and clean." "Terrible, huh?" "They think you're K-20?" "Ya know," "I saw K-20's face one time." "I can say that you definitely ain't him." "K-20 is older, and he has a scar on his face." "Ringmaster Nanbu is in bad health, right?" "Is it true?" "Is it?" "!" "Yeah...it's true." "Damn you, K-20..." "You came to see me?" "What happened?" "!" "What is it?" "What the hell?" "!" "Hey, the bridge is moving!" "K-20 convoy reporting." "The bridge has been blown up!" "We are being carried away!" "I repeat, K-20 - " "You idiots!" "You think that excuse will wash?" "Out of my sight!" "Akechi." "This is amazing." "He really did it." "The bridge was undergoing repairs these past few days." "So they prepared it all in broad daylight..." "You mean K-20 has accomplices?" "From what I've seen, K-20 is not working alone." "He must have people supporting him." "Astounding." "This is becoming very interesting." "Good work everybody." "Our plan was a big success, thanks to all the residents of thieves' alley." "Thieves?" "Here, Heikichi." "Drink up." "Come here." "What?" "Genji..." "Are you a thief, too?" "Yep." "Circus tricks is my day job." "hieving is my real work." "Us thieves steal a little money from the filthy rich and distribute it to the poor." "It's called chivalry." "This is my wife, Kikuko." "She's a swindler." "She's retired now." "Swindled him into marriage." "Maybe she ain't retired!" "Otherwise how would he end up with a beauty like her?" "Enough already!" "But seriously," "Genji's devices never cease to amaze." "He's not called Genji the Gimmick for nothing." "Those sons of bitches never imagined we'd steal the bridge itself!" "A big stunt like that made him piss poor!" "Hey, don't rain on my parade." "We don't give a shit about the class system and live as we please." "You're at home, Heikichi." "Everybody pitched in to help you." "How about a word of thanks?" "K-20's just a guy like you after all." "You said it." "K-20:" "Nationwide hunt for Heikichi Endo" "No..." "I'm not K-20." "I was tricked by K-20!" "Heikichi... whether you're the real K-20 or not, as far as the public goes this is the face of K-20." "What are you going to do?" "As long the sun is shining, you can't walk outside." "I'm going back to the circus." "Everyone's waiting." "The doves, too." "I know how you feel, but that's impossible." "As soon as you show your face, you'll be arrested." "Anyway, the circus is already..." "So what should I do?" "I can't lower myself, and live the way you do, always looking my shoulder." "There's no way!" "A thief is a thief, they're all the same." "Dirty, sneaky." "You'd sell each other out to save yourselves." "You're no different than K-20!" "I'm going back to the circus." "Heikichi." "Heikichi!" "You're gonna let him go?" "Nothin' I can do..." "Whatever life he's built until now has been bulldozed away." "He's just confused." "I'm a real party pooper, huh?" "Let's drink up!" "These young punks nowadays..." "Don't talk like that." "We should feel sorry for him." ""Wanted:" "Heikichi Endo"" "It's him!" "Grab him!" "He went this way!" "Hurry!" "Don't let him go!" "Stop screwing with me..." "Goddamn you!" "Big brother Heikichi?" "Shinsuke?" "Those asshole cops beat up everyone at the circus." "I was the only one who escaped." "Sons of bitches..." "I'm just glad you're okay, big bro!" "Are you hungry?" "I'm always hungry." "I'm used to it." "Well then, I better serve something up." "Hooray!" "Hey, I don't hear any applause." "And on today's menu we have roasted potato, roasted potato, or roasted potato." "I'll have the third roasted potato." "Coming right up." "Ready?" "Dig in." "What's wrong?" "Can I take it back to my coop?" "Coop?" "We're here." "Hurry up." "C'mon!" "This is my little bro, Kota." "He's really sick." "He's not eating anything." "If he doesn't let me feed him soon..." "Shinsuke..." "I'm sorry to tell you... this boy can't eat anymore." "Why not?" "Is he dead?" "Really?" "Really." "He's cold." "Shinsuke..." "Why don't you live with me?" "I'm from Nogami, too." "I know what kind of place this is." "Being alone is rough." "Why not?" "Because..." "I have a bunch of friends I gotta feed, too." "All by yourself?" "Well, yeah." "We're gonna build a new world." "Just like Ringmaster Nanbu said." "Please!" "Please, teach me how to be a thief." "I thought you couldn't lower yourself?" "And couldn't live always looking over your shoulder." "Us thieves are all the same." "Dirty and sneaky." "We'd sell each other out just to save ourselves." "We're no different than K-20." "Please..." "I realize now what I have to do." "I'm begging you." "Follow me." "All the knowledge handed down through generations." "Thieves' handbooks." "I heard K-20 studied them." "I'll lend them to you." "I couldn't master them, but I think you have the skills." "But... you don't have to become a thief." "There are lots of techniques you can use to do battle with K-20." "Catch him, prove your innocence, and then return to the circus." "Just like you said, you can't stoop to becoming a thief." "Genji, but I..." "Don't worry." "We'll all support you." "Go get 'im, Heikichi!" "See you at the circus!" "I'll help any way I can!" "We're behind you!" "You can do it!" "We believe in you!" "Don't worry, I'll do my best!" "How the hell's your best gonna help?" "Take the most direct route." "First, buy a map of the city." "Choose a point and draw a straight line across." "You must then run, following that exact route." "If there's an obstacle, go over it." "If there's no path, make one." "No matter what you face, take the most direct route." "This is a skill of escape and infiltration." "In short, a basic principleof thievery." "Genji..." "What the hell happened?" "Could I borrow a thin rope?" "Ow." "Watch out, jerk!" "Sorry." "Heikichi..." "When did you become a doctor?" "It's a disguise!" "The Art of Disguise?" "Disguise is not disguise?" "Disguise is being a single grain of rice among rice, or a single sesame seed among seeds, blending in until you are invisible" "In a white lab coat carrying a black bag, you become a doctor." "I don't remember this part." "Instead of a black bag, if I wear dark colored glasses..." "I become a blind masseur." "In a robe, I'm a Buddhist priest." "If I wear a turban,I'm East Indian." "Even Indians would think you're Indian." "Heikichi?" "What're you doing?" "Hey!" "And..." "When you change your appearance until there's nothing left of yourself, you have mastered the art of disguise." "Bloody amazing." "He's already mastered the art of disguise." "See you later." "Oh, Heikichi." "Why don't you take this with you?" "Awesome!" "I am." "It's absolutely beautiful." "Just gorgeous." "It's perfect on you." "Yes?" "Could everyone please wait outside?" "Duchess, I trust all is well?" "Yes, thank you." "The dress looks very elegant." "Thank you." "Perhaps we should take in the waist ever so slightly." "I leave it to you." "Duchess..." "Yes?" "Would you kind enough to tell me where your late grandfather's Tesla device is?" "K-20." "Bastard!" "There are two K-20s?" "No, I'm not K-20." "He's the real K-20." "It's been a long time," "Heikichi Endo." "After you took the rap, I thought I'd retire, but you made a bold escape." "So, I decided to be K-20 for a little while longer." "Why did you set me up?" "You seemed like a sucker." "And I was right." "on of a bitch!" "kills like that..." "only come from the circus." "The lowest dregs of society." "Don't insult my people!" "It's a shame... you'll never return to the circus again." "Not unless you catch me." "Until we meet again, Heikichi Endo!" "Are you all right?" "Come on!" "It's him!" "Go around front!" "Call for backup!" "Hurry." "Wait a moment." "Don't be hasty!" "Sorry." "I don't intend you any harm - " "No, I mean that if I'm going with you" "I better get rid of this." "Let's go." "Right." "That way?" "Let's go." "Follow them!" "Stand up." "Keep looking." "They can't be far." "Keep your guard up!" "Move out!" "Huh?" "Huh?" "Yoko..." "I'm giving this to you." "What is it?" "A box of happiness." "Inside this box, you will find true happiness." "Genji..." "Heikichi, did you get hitched?" "I stole her." "Stole?" "Even thieves don't go that low." "I'm joking." "I saved her from K-20." "K-20?" "You met K-20?" "!" "It was that guy who set me up." "Why was he chasing a bride?" "I don't know." "I brought her here to find out." "I see..." "Are you okay?" "Slowly." "Are you injured?" "How dare you!" "You're quite a lady." "Just a modest girl from a good family." "That hurt!" "What the hell?" "After I saved you..." "Saved me?" "I helped you escape from K-20." "Remember?" "Oh, that's right." "Oh, that's right?" "How about thank you?" "Yes." "A thank you would be nice." "What?" "Are you crazy, bringing a princess like her here?" "She's from a totally different world than us." "Um, where's the shampoo?" "Sham-poo?" "What's shampoo?" "Sham-poo...charm-poo..." "I know!" "When a classy lady has gas." "I want to wash my hair..." "See, you were wrong." "It's to wash hair." "There is none." "Would you buy some for me?" "You can use the soap." "Soap?" "Can I wash hair with soap?" "Yeah!" "Is there a shower?" "No!" "How should I wash off all these suds?" "Suds?" "Oh, no!" "What do you think you're - " "Peeper!" "How dare you invade my privacy." "What happened?" "Pathetic." "Two grown men like you getting nosebleeds." "Shut up." "That aside, isn't this just the coziest place?" "It's like a doll house." "Well, excuse me." "And your main residence?" "This is the main residence." "You mean, this is where you live?" "Yeah." "This is the place we eat, drink and sleep." "This is where we live our lives." "Oh, you really can't be serious." "Don't be insulting." "We're happy here." "Really?" "I'm impressed." "People can live in such cramped spaces." "It's your fault..." "Because of people like you, we live in these conditions." "What exactly do you mean?" "Come with me." "Yes, understood." "Boss!" "What is it?" "The police said the Duchess has been kidnapped by K-20." "She was kidnapped by K-20?" "They lost them near Kojimachi, but they're out in full force." "Kobayashi, now it's your turn." "Use your junior detectives to gather info." "Children?" "Big brother!" "Big brother, who's this lady?" "Is she your hoochie?" "Hoochie?" "Keep quiet." "Here's your dinner." "Thanks!" "Rice balls!" "What are their parents doing?" "They just let them roam free here?" "These kids were either abandoned or their parents were killed by the upper classes." "But... surely the country would never permit this to happen." "So what are you looking at right now?" "What is the government doing?" "The government?" "I'll lodge a formal complaint." "Children shouldn't be forced to live in such places." "They know all about it." "But if you let these kids continue to live this way it's unforgivable." "Pretending it doesn't exist is just as big a crime." "Let's help them!" "Help them..." "We can at least bring them to an orphanage." "An orphanage?" "You tell me where to find one." "I would've brought them myself." "Tell me!" "Where can we find a place like that?" "These kids aren't the only ones suffering." "There are thousands in Teito." "How the hell are you gonna help them all?" "Is it for yourself?" "You wanna help people from the safety of your privileged little world." "People like you disgust me." "Hypocrite." "What's with that broad?" "What'd she say about K-20?" "You didn't ask and just left her in Nogami?" "I forgot." "You put the cart before the horse." "Fool..." "Because she..." "She's probably crying her way home." "You better hope so." "What?" "Don't play dumb." "You leave a clueless princess like her in a dangerous place like that?" "Really cruel treatment." "You're a woman's worst enemy." "Thanks for the tea." "Shinsuke?" "Don't push." "Get in line, please." "You get one bowl each." "Hi, Heikichi!" "I thought about it all night." "If there only was a big house where all these kids could live." "And we're gonna go to school."