Inuyasha Manga: 122 Illusionary Death

That sounds familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on why. Anyone else remember someone being thrown into an illusion of death? By a being wielding immense dark powers? I think it was a penalty of some kind for really getting on the wrong side of that dark being. What's more, I think it was implied that illusion of death REALLY fucked up the guy it happened to. Hopefully whoever is getting slapped with it this time doesn't suffer long-term mind-fuckery this time around.

Because, seriously, can you imagine this guy creating a deadly theme park and driving others into madness and suicide in order to grab a couple shards of the Shikon no Tama? I can't but maybe that's because the comparison is hyperbole all the way down.

Inuyasha slides a little down the tree bark, looking astonished at the arrow in his chest. Kikyou approaches him from the flaming village, holding her bloodied arm. She looks sad when she gets closer, saying Inuyasha's name. He thinks hers in return, although he looks more dazed and confused than anything. Kikyou holds up the jewel, expression all the more hurt when she staggers a sentence about this little thing being the reason for her betrayal.

Inuyasha's insistence that Kikyou is wrong isn't spoken out loud, contrasted by the blankness in his eyes and his hanging head. It's only his mind that can scream that he's not the one who betrayed Kikyou, both of them having been caught in Naraku's trap. Meanwhile, Kikyou says she's been a fool for thinking she and Inuyasha could have been together, Inuyasha's limp body continuing to think her name in a pleading manner.

Kikyou closes the gap between the two of them, hugging him as best she can, you know with him being pinned to that tree and everything. She says that she's not going to let him die by himself. It's now that he remembers that she died following after him that day.

Quite the turn-around from his pursuance of the jewel before this. That didn't take long at all.

Elsewhere in the mist, Miroku looks around like Inuyasha before him, wondering where this is and where everyone else got to. There's a marbled background behind him that is less like mist and more like a youkai energy, right before he hears a hiss coming from his right hand. Miroku lifts his hand to examine the cloth and beads covering his palm, and the hiss turns to a faint whooshing sound, a sound he identifies with confusion as the air being drawn into his Kazaana.

Confusion turns to terror when the wind draws in its cloth barrier, becoming stronger.

His arm is breaking as it's being eaten by the Kazaana? Metal.

Still ELSEWHERE, Sango wanders through the mist, wondering where everyone else has gone. It's not long before she steps on the edge of a puddle of blood, in which lies a familiar right hand decorated with a palm-protecting glove and beads. That's right, Sango looks up to the horrifying sight of all her new friends dead and slumped like rag dolls across the ground. As she takes in the tragedy with disbelief and horror, she hears a swish through the air behind her.

Damn, not bad, kid. Hit the exact same spot the second time around.

Sango falls to her knees beside Miroku's body and twists, likely with screaming pain, toward an approaching Kohaku. As she tries to come to terms that HE'S the one who did this to everyone, Kohaku thanks her. Since she always protected his life, it was easier for him to finish his work for Naraku, which is apparently murdering all of the people around him. Over another shot of the rest of the group lying dead everywhere, Kohaku asks Sango to die soon, very politely. I guess she's STILL his older sister, after all.

Sango's chest and shoulder are slashed, and she falls sideways, tears leaking from her eyes.

He's like two seconds away from rubbing his hands together in evil glee.

Naraku begins to monologue about how weak people's hearts are over the backdrop of the misty woods surrounding him. He lists sadness, fear and delusion as a few of those little darknesses, which even a slight amount of make it possible for the creepers in the forest to touch them. From my experience, creepers tend to be far too EXPLOSIVE to touch anyone.

Regardless, we should probably get the Inuyasha team an ocelot. Stat. Why isn't Kirara on the damn job?

Naraku goes on to say that each of these weak-ass people will be consumed (or have been already) by the illusions of their own personal darkness, which leads to the consumption of their souls in turn. He looks down at Kikyou, who is yet again having a little snooze, to say that even her beloved Inuyasha is going to be driven to his illusionary death soon.

As per his expectation, however, Naraku has noticed that Kagome is the only person not affected by the spell. She's wandering the woods looking for everyone else just like they were, but she's not plagued by nightmare hallucinations. As she walks the ground looking around her for her missing companions, Kagome walks over some crackling vines. She looks down at them in distrust, mumbling about how unpleasant they feel beneath her feet. Also about how they look like regular vines but it looks like they're moving.

These are the creepers Naraku refers to, when he says that Kagome is being grasped by them, but her lack of dark feelings makes it impossible for them to get at her soul. Are we SURE she lacks dark feelings? I mean, wasn't she just angsting over her jealousy that Inuyasha was thinking about Kikyou earlier? Or does jealousy not count as a dark feeling?

Anyway, Kagome continues to walk, but stops short and hides with her back to a tree, sweating. She's stumbled upon where Naraku is hovering over Kikyou in the tree. Kagome begins to ready her bow, thinking that Naraku hasn't noticed her yet, and prepares to act even though her heart is hammering.

The arrow meets Naraku's pelt and he explodes, Kagome thinking for the briefest of seconds that she actually got him again. Twice in a row! High score! But now, Naraku's baboon-masked head floats there, uttering a mocking chuckle. He says that it's nice to see Kagome, and her knew she would be the only one to make it this far. Kagome looks dumbfounded by this, but Naraku's plans aren't really all THAT complicated.

You can almost hear the disappointment: "Well, I WANTED to collect a whole set of broken souls, but I guess I'll have a broken corpse in there instead..."

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? Far more disturbing than I remembered. All those characters I love suffering gruesome, painful deaths is visceral, especially considering how much DETAIL went into each one. Inuyasha was basically occupying a corpse for that first part; he couldn't talk, couldn't move, his eyes were glazed and without life. That little decision made the whole scene so much more horrific, because it encourages the reader to think about what it would be like to have your consciousness trapped in a body that you can't command. It's no wonder Inuyasha gave up on the idea of convincing Kikyou that they were both tricked by Naraku after such a short time. What else was there to do but go quietly into that good night when even his voice wouldn't work. All he can do is listen to the lamentations of a woman he loved, knowing that all he can do now to quell her pain is to die with her. There's no other option, no other choice.

And the bones crunching and splintering in Miroku's arm as his Kazaana starts to pull it in was TERRIFYING to me. To consider how much pain that must induce is a little sickening. Seeing Sango's illusion of everyone lying slaughtered on the ground was just heartbreaking, moving into the uncanny horror territory when Kohaku came along expressing pleasure at being so murderous. All of these scenes hit on just about every level of disturbed I could possibly be. The only way I could have been more disturbed is if we had seen Shippou hallucinate his own death as in relation to his father's. But I think that would have been a bit too much to handle, so I'm glad RT didn't go there. She didn't want to, given how she made a concerted effort not to show too much of Shippou in Sango's dark fantasy.

But while RT didn't WANT to go anywhere terrible with Shippou, she COULD HAVE. With Kagome, she COULDN'T. Where all Kagome's companions have legitimately dark pasts that could not only come back to haunt them, but KILL them, Kagome doesn't have that at all. The worst thing she can muster is the jealousy she feels for Kikyou. It's not enough to create an illusionary death because you'd be hard pressed to figure out a scenario in which jealousy could actually KILL you. So, while it's an unpleasant emotion that sucks, it's not quite as dire as the others.

Then again, maybe the reason Kagome and Shippou were immune to Naraku's spell was because they weren't explicitly targeted by his douchebaggery. All the illusionary deaths he created were, after all, direct results of his own abuses of the characters in them.

OR, RT and by extension Naraku just forgot about Shippou's existence for a while. Occam's Razor and all that.

Yu-Gi-Oh Manga: 180 Return of the Sea Scourge

Scourge indeed. Here I am, getting up at 4am every weekday, just so the Navy can have my husband for a few hours before returning him to me tired and full of grievances. What they're doing over there that pisses him off so much he can't say most of the time, but it's enough to make him look forward to the day when he can get the hell out of there. Luckily, it's not going to be too much longer now before he'll be able to get himself a civilian job.

Looks like Jonouchi's a little too green to feel the fatigue yet, though. Give it time.

Ryota congratulates him on his ability to put up a decent fight after all, satisfied that this won't be as boring as he at first feared. Jonouchi points out that their life points have almost evened out again, and this is only the beginning of the duel. Yeah, there's plenty more time left for Jonouchi to turn boring again, don't you worry, Ryota. Mentally, Ryota acknowledges that Jonouchi is right about it only being the beginning, but he still doesn't know what terrors the sea REALLY has to offer. Ryota considers himself an experienced fisherman who knows how to make his prey come to him, and since Jonouchi's on his home turf (an aquarium? I thought he wasn't familiar, and isn't he...? I don't understand!) he's been in the net this entire time.

Apparently, Ryota has a sure-win strategy that he'd like to show Jonouchi, called "Sea Stealth II". I'm sure this will be new and fresh and totally NOT just his strategy in Duelist Kingdom but even MOAR.

The crowd has mixed reactions to their continued theatrics up front. One girl thinks that all this hologram dueling looks fun, an overenthusiastic little boy wonders who's going to win while pumping his fist in the air, and another just wants to see those damn killer whales before he dies. Marik's Ghouls just keep staring blankly at Jonouchi as he declares it's his turn again, and Ryota agrees. The killer whale, of course, celebrates its peripheral thematic relevance with another jump.

Anzu calls to Jonouchi through her cupped hands that now is his chance, because Ryota no longer has a monster out. I would say she was stating the obvious here, but knowing Jonouchi, the obvious may need to be said. Multiple times. Still, Sugoroku opts to stroke his chin in contemplation than give any advice here. Jonouchi draws a card, looks at it, and is rather pleased to see it is Polymerization, just what he needed. Apparently.

If you did, that might make you a bit of a hypocrite.

For some reason, Jonouchi's eyes are downcast and he isn't making a move, contemplating his possession of Alligator Sword as insufficient. Anzu asks Sugoroku why Jonouchi isn't attacking, and Sugoroku answers that warriors and beast-warriors can't swim, so Alligator can't leave Jonouchi's side. But in the last chapter Alligator was in the Fairy Box underwater and somehow came back up to kill the Amphibian Beast? Does that not count as swimming in this game? Why do I constantly find myself asking what words mean every time I read a chapter of this manga??

Anzu is incredulous when she follows up with the question of how Jonouchi is going to win this when almost all of his cards are the types that can't swim. Sugoroku cryptically states that there is a way, but questions if Jonouchi will figure it out. Do you even have to ask? A smirking Ryota sarcastically wonders what Jonouchi will do now, and it's not too long before he finds out. Jonouchi plays Baby Dragon, and plays Polymerization to fuse both it and Alligator Sword. The result is an alligator riding triumphantly atop a grinning baby dragon, a weirdly dissonant image.

Sugoroku cheers Jonouchi's good job, Ryota looks downright pissed that this thing can now apparently fly, and Jonouchi confirms that it can indeed glide right over Ryota's old ocean. He commands his alligator/dragon team to go and fuck up Ryota, which flies to deliver a direct slash to Ryota's life points. He cringes at the blow, then glares at Jonouchi, grinding his teeth as his points whittle down to 1400. Jonouchi is ecstatic, cheering that this duel is a piece of cake, and he knew the sea wasn't that tough.

Teeth still gritted and looking all the angrier, is taken aback at first, then insists that the sea shouldn't be underestimated. Waves crash in what I assume to be a memory, where Ryota is calling out to his father in choppy waters out in the open ocean.

Well hot damn, if that isn't the finest piece of man...

Ahem. Never mind. Ryota plays two cards, and quickly ends his turn, looking livid the whole time. Look, Ryota, I'm sorry I looked at your dad that way. I was out of line. Just please stop looking like you're going to murder someone.

Jonouchi stares wide-eyed at Ryota as though he too is rather shocked by his sudden change in attitude. The cards he played are face up, however no one can see what they are due to a turbulent virtual ocean, reflecting Ryota's mood, no doubt. He silently dares Jonouchi to attack him now. Jonouchi draws a card now that he's acknowledged that his turn has come back around. He wonders what it was that Ryota played, then gasps when it occurs to him that Ryota hit the monsters beneath the holographic water where they couldn't be seen, pulling the same strategy he used on Yami in Duelist Kingdom. Jonouchi remembers vividly how Yami's monster attacked from land, but a tentacled beast Yami couldn't see pulled it under the waves each time.

But when he remembers that his monster can now fly, his worries lessen, with the mental note that as long as his combo monster doesn't get too close to the virtual water it should be fine. I don't know, Jonouchi, I feel like there's a Icarus-type lesson to be learned here, despite your monster not being made of wax or anything. Proceed with caution regardless. That isn't really Jonouchi's style, though, and he commands his Alligator Sword/Baby Dragon to soar to the other side of the ocean and attack Ryota. As it zooms at his opponent, Jonouchi taunts Ryota with how he can't do anything if his monster is so high up. Ryota glares at the oncoming monster while Jonouchi confidently thinks Ryota's points are about to dip below zero, giving him the victory.

Wrong. Ryota takes this moment to raise a trap card from the depths of his holographic ocean.

Hubris. Gets them every time.

Jonouchi recognizes that those water spouts are blocking his attacks from all three avenues of land, air or sea. To make matters worse, Ryota informs him that this trap is permanent, so as long as it's around, Jonouchi can't get at him, period. Jonouchi sweats and swears, but then seems to have an epiphany. The ocean on Ryota's side is being lifted by the swirling tornadoes, so the sea level is low enough that he can see there's nothing on Ryota's side. He thinks that Ryota never played a monster at all, saying that the whole thing was a bluff and not the Sea Stealth strategy at all. Thinking he just overthought the whole thing, Jonouchi snaps that it's Ryota's turn. Ryota chuckles and Jonouchi's inability to see his monster, given it's right in front of him.

Ryota draws a new card, plays one, and ends his turn, all without giving the slightest information on what he actually did. Jonouchi's heart pounds as he questions whether THIS is the time he hid a monster. Though his sweatdrops clearly indicate he's nervous, he figures there's only one way to find out and announces he's going to attack again. A determined Alligator Sword Dragon flies straight at Ryota, because I guess we're ignoring the permanent trap or something. Ryota, in fact, draws attention to this, asking if Jonouchi REMEMBERS the trap is there for good. The Tornado wall blocks his Alligator Sword Dragon and Jonouchi thinks with a fraction of vindication that there is again no monster.

Or, I guess he says it, because Ryota responds that this is just Jonouchi's assumption.

You can tell what's going to be in Jonouchi's nightmares tonight. Assuming, of course, that something worse doesn't happen later in the day.

Shit, I just jinxed it, didn't I?

Ryota looks sinister in the next panel when he mentally describes his Sea Stealth II in terms of the invisible predator in the open ocean, inspiring more nightmares with his internal chuckle. Jonouchi grits his teeth, wondering how he can fight something he can't see. At a loss, he summons Little Winguard in defense to wait. Ryota is quick to take his turn, but is still not letting on what's happening on his side of the duel. From Jonouchi's point of view, Ryota's cards fan out in front of him, none of them readable and all obscured at least in part by the rolling ocean waves. The illusion of a vast expanse of sea makes Jonouchi's heart hammer.

What kind of Jaws bullshit is this?? The "terror of the sea" kind, as Ryota shouts at Jonouchi. He asks if Jonouchi still thinks the sea isn't all that tough, spitting his own words back at him. Jonouchi, sweating and wide-eyed, might very well be having a panic attack. He's still trying to figure out where that pesky monster is hiding, at least, but he's just not able to.

Ryota takes his turn to play even more cards, all of which are completely unknown to Jonouchi. He's smugly watching Jonouchi freak out from a distance, reveling in the fear he's caused. He's got one of his monsters ready to sacrifice at this point, or rather, use as "bait", as he prefers to call sacrifices. Whatever floats his boat. I mean, you know, once he gets it and everything. Anyway, he's looking to summon the biggest monster one has ever seen. Well that kind of takes the mystery out of it.

Jonouchi growls in frustrating, playing Rocket Warrior in defense, and one card face down. Ryota calls this "battening down the hatches" sardonically, then tells Jonouchi to get ready, because he's offering two monsters as bait to bring forth the ultimate sea beast. Jonouchi is flabbergasted by the term "bait", but he's about to feel all the more lost.

Lost in terror, that is. I mean, that thing is packing some serious heat.

So, the implication is that all the above happened in five minutes, because this is the point where we return to Marik and Bakura, the former informing the latter that his five minutes are up. Marik looks strangely morose when he looks down and says that either Bakura dies or joins forces with him, asking which it's going to be. Bakura considers the man who says he holds the key to the Door of Darkness he's trying to open, while said man gives him a sidelong glare out of his periphery.

Bakura informs Marik the easiest way to hurt Yuugi is to go through his friends, and that he's just been waiting for the right moment to do that himself. Marik, of course, already knows this, and says he's already got a plan to use them, hence why he even has the Millennium Rod in the first place. Bakura continues to disseminate the most obvious information, telling Marik that the bond between Yuugi and his friends is strong, and they'll know Marik is up to something. Bakura has used his "host" as a hiding place for a while, which he suggests might be useful to Marik as well. Marik grins at the word "host", asking how he's going to use the host now. Bakura chuckles darkly.

Licking a knife? Is he going to cut out his own tongue? What kind of answer is that???

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? For the first time in a while, there isn't a lot to think about here. It's all pretty straightforward. Jonouchi is going through his usual drawn-out process in learning to adapt his strategy to the current opponent. This is all par for the course; the phase where Jonouchi realizes that whatever plan he had going into the thing isn't going to work for this particular match. The adjustment phase usually follows, so it'll be interesting to see just how he manages to figure this out. Until then, however, he's stuck freaking out, which doesn't offer much in the way of subject matter for commentary, unfortunately.

I could talk about how Ryota's offense at Jonouchi's dismissal of the sea and all the deadly surprises it holds, but that's all pretty straightforward too. Something happened to his father and it's really painful for him to hear anyone minimize that issue, even in a peripheral way like in a card game. On the other hand, everyone's deck themes in this manga reflects something serious about their personality and individual struggle, so it's not like Ryota's deck and strategy have NOTHING to do with whatever personal trauma he's dealing with.

My issue with the chapter came in that tiny part down the middle, where a setup for Jonouchi's move for combining his warrior card with that of a flying monster card was just a bit too close to the payoff to be satisfying. There wasn't time for tension to build, so the device just kind of fell flat. Also, I'm getting a little tired of Sugoroku acting as the mouthpiece for how secretly good Jonouchi is at the game, because at this point, we don't need that. We've already seen how intuitive he is when he plays, so it's not like we as an audience doubt him at this point. I feel like that's the only reason the old guy is around too, which is a little sad. That, and paying entrance fees to the aquarium.

At least we get some semblance of suspense with Bakura and Marik at the end. They're formulating a plan involving a knife, so you know SOMEONE is going to get stabbed. It's probably the audience. Right in the feels. Be prepared for that.

Inuyasha Manga: 121 Captured Kikyou

Or that's what everyone ELSE thinks. But we know better, don't we? We know she was pretending to snooze, so at the very least she was aware of her kidnapping. Sure, she was probably limited in how much she could move, if she could at all, and there's no guarantee she could even talk, but hey... She LOOKED like she was up to something! Clearly it can be reasonably deduced that she is fully in control of the situation and she is plotting something significant!

Yup, this is exactly what someone who is manipulating her kidnapper looks like. At least Naraku gave her something soft to hang out on.

Speaking of which, as she listens listlessly to the buzzing of her soul-catchers being fried outside the window, someone catches her attention with the observation that she can't move without those souls. Naraku is looking fancy in an embroidered outfit, AWFULLY fancy just to tell Kikyou that her insects can't get through his barrier. He says that this time she can't escape, displaying his knowledge that she is indeed who she looks and acts like. She just gives him this bored look, like she's done with his shit.

Naraku sits down next to Kikyou, looking in the opposite direction while he calls her scum. What can't meet the gaze of the woman you dragged back to your cave? He asks her what she was thinking, because his seal was broken really easily by her arrow, and if she was so keen on keeping Inuyasha from fusing with the youkai in the cave, she could have easily blown away the youkai with her arrow. Would that not have fused HER with the youkai instead, since she killed it? And even if her spiritual powers negated that effect for her, isn't it possible she WAS actually aiming for the youkai and her arrow glanced off the Tessaiga instead? I mean, she DID hit the sword first.

But let's be fair, Naraku wasn't even there to see that. Maybe he's just operating off the assumption that she went for that seal right off the bat. Maybe this is just another instance of characters having incomplete informa-

Oh, are you KIDDING me? She was actually up to something? She wasn't just blinded by pain and nausea and her skills weren't the slightest amount affected by the atmosphere that made her blunder into the pit in the first place? Seriously???

What use was there for a test anyway? It's not like there was any doubt as to the fact that SOMEONE put up a fucking spell.

Whatever, Kikyou. She tells Naraku that he's changed, calling him Onigumo. Oh snap, that's gotta sting almost as much as being called scum. Sick burn, Kikyou. Naraku says the name brings back memories, specifically ones in which Kikyou saved Onigumo's body and sheltered it in a cave, only for it to be devoured by youkai he welcomed to do so.

Oooh, spooky.

Kikyou, of course, brings up the fact that this is the point in the story when the newly-born Naraku caused her death. He chuckles and freely identifies as the nemesis she's looking for. Both of their attentions are drawn by Kikyou's Shinidamachuu crackling against the barrier again for a moment, before Naraku lets Kikyou know that she's going to be useful to him at any rate. This is because, ultimately, Inuyasha would never abandon her.

Kikyou continues to look listless.

Don't worry, Sango, you'll get used to it.

Kagome says that they have to go and save Kikyou, but there's something about her hanging head and less-than-insistent posture that suggests her heart's not really in a rescue mission. Inuyasha hangs his head as well, almost seeming irritated when he tells Kagome and the others they should stay behind and he'll take care of it. Kagome is taken aback, but before she can protest Inuyasha's resolve, Miroku's foot makes contact with the back of Inuyasha's skull. He tells Inuyasha to stop screwing around as Sango reminds him that Naraku is involved in this. Miroku agrees that this is essentially ALL of their problem now, not just Inuyasha's.

Kagome kneels down next to Inuyasha and tells him not to hold back because of her. He looks at her in confusion, so she explains that it's because Kikyou spent all her power saving him that she got captured, making it necessary to save her. Kagome says that he shouldn't be so sneaky about it, and Inuyasha sweats up a storm at the word, stuttering in protest. Miroku holds up a hand and tells him to shut it, because their guide has arrived. Sure enough, the Saimyoushou have appeared, buzzing annoyingly above the group. Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku glare.

How nice of them to wait for the travel arrangements to be finalized. Sango has noticed that Kagome is hitching a ride on Kirara behind her instead of Inuyasha, and asks her if she didn't want to piggy-back on him like now. Kagome sheepishly says that she's not interested, and pouts about Inuyasha's thoughts being consumed with Kikyou right now. She sighs long and loud about how annoying Inuyasha's preoccupation is despite all she did to encourage him to follow Kikyou earlier. Sango peers in bewilderment out of her periphery at Kagome.

Just as Kagome suspected, Inuyasha is thinking pretty hard about Kikyou - specifically that she was killed by Naraku, and he's the LAST person that Inuyasha can let have her. I don't really see how it's up to him, least of all since he did fuck-all to prevent Kikyou's kidnapping in the first place, but whatever.

Suddenly, Inuyasha is being joined in his rush forward on all sides by Kikyou's Shinidamachuu. He's not the only one who identifies them, Kagome using their presence to conclude that Kikyou must be nearby. The insects fly into a cloud of mist directly ahead, which Miroku warns is probably Naraku's trap, in which Inuyasha should consider not being reckless. Inuyasha barks that he knows with some annoyance, though he's still a tad distracted by the thought of Kikyou as he pushes through the dense mist. It's pretty difficult to get through, by the look of Inuyasha leaning against it like a heavy wind. After a moment, Inuyasha sees the ghostly form of flames ahead, and calls over his shoulder for everyone to be careful.

Except everyone else is bafflingly nowhere to be seen.

Well this is disconcerting.

Inuyasha wonders if something is attacking this village before he hears his name being shouted. A collection of scuffed and bloodied villagers are glaring at him from a distance, claiming that HE was the one who attacked the village and stole the Shikon no Tama. This is understandably confusing to him, even more so when he looks at his hand and finds the Shikon no Tama dangling there. Deja vu all over again, huh?

No sooner has he identified the jewel when he hears his name yelled again, and a projectile whooshes toward him. Inuyasha looks to where it came from to see Kikyou, face half-drenched in blood with a bow just fired in her hand.

When they said that history repeats itself, I didn't think they meant it literally.

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? Kikyou is full of shit. There, I said it. True, I can't be certain that RT isn't playing the "that was totally on purpose" route with Kikyou's actions right now to preserve her mysterious kind of perfection as a character, but looking at the facts of what went on in the cave gives me quite a different impression. Kikyou had to struggle to even move, she was in and out of consciousness the whole time, and she didn't even AIM for the seal. Her arrow bounced off Tessaiga, and THEN broke the seal. It's entirely conceivable that her true objective was to kill the ogre, but she was too woozy and out of it to aim properly.

If that's a halfway valid interpretation, it means that Kikyou is LYING, which is actually a very understandable course of action given her situation. She is alone in a room with a kidnapper who means her ill. She's unable to move, completely at his mercy. We know that Kikyou was of the philosophy in life that showing weakness was a good way to be overcome by the evil she faced. There's no way she would be willing to let on to Naraku now that she's in dire straights. Since he's already under the impression that she's got something up her sleeve, she's sure to use his misconception to her advantage and let on a bit more power than she has at the moment. Anything in order to keep at least SOME of her hand hidden.

Again, I could be wrong, but it certainly looks EXACTLY like that. And I hope it is, because it's a great way for Kikyou's vulnerability to be a source of conflict for her without turning her into a puddle of tears. If she is in a tight spot, pretending not to be is a natural defense mechanism, relatable, and overall suspenseful in the sense that we want to see how she's going to get out of it.

Also, I just love it when characters LIE. When they're in control of everything all the time, it's boring as watching paint dry. Give me a liar in a tight spot any day. I'll eat it up.

Yu-Gi-Oh Manga: 179 Full Strength!!

Well at least someone can muster that level of energy. The past week really ran me ragged, so I'm afraid I won't be able to reach that pinnacle, even if it would be ideal for the odd hours I'm working this week. The bright side is that I'm actually on the schedule for them, whereas last week I was working far more than I anticipated between training new employees and covering shifts for a lying jerkass who forced me to work an 11-hour double shift the day before her car was magically okay to drive so she could attend the baby shower of our general manager.

Yeah, I might be just a TAD salty about the whole thing.

Well, he knows enough to make a plan. As for how much that is.... *shrug*

Marik swings his leg over his bike to dismount, annoyed that he has to deal with this clown just when he almost has hold of Jonouchi to bait the trap for Yami. Welcome to the "I'm Constantly Inconvenienced By Douchey Idiots" Club, Marik. He gestures to his minions, telling them to keep an eye on Jonouchi while he and this Millennium Itemed stranger talk. He then requests from Bakura that they speak somewhere private if this is about the Millennium Items, which he's sure Bakura will understand. Sure, it's perfectly understandable that you would like to privately discuss these items that both of you and the main character flaunt on an regular basis and that you just mentioned loudly in public setting.

Even more understandable that after Bakura smirks wordlessly, we see the two of them standing several feet apart on what appears to be a small dock - again out in the open. Marik, I'm not sure you understand what the word "private" means. I shouldn't be surprised by this, though, considering you're not so great at using words properly to begin with. Marik asks Bakura what it is he wants, and Bakura puts on his crazy face to say that he wants Marik's Millennium Item, promising to let him live if he gives it up nice and quiet. Marik doesn't seem to be shitting his pants at this threat, but instead smirks back.

He asks if Bakura is collecting Millennium Items (unaware of Pegasus's eye no doubt, but it was a fine reminder) and if so, why.

Very specific and not at all vague.

Marik glares, wondering how Bakura would know about the tablet, which is supposed to be a secret of the tomb guardians. Regardless, he coolly informs Bakura that his information is a bit incomplete, because it takes more than the Millennium Items to open the "Door of Darkness". This news sours Bakura's expression. Marik knows that the TRUE secret to opening up that door is carved on his back in hieroglyphics, and speculates that one could say he was given life to guard the secret, not that it matters now...

He asks Bakura if he knows the owner of the Millennium Puzzle, Yuugi, and if he's planning on getting rid of THAT guy eventually too. Bakura gives him a cryptic "maybe", smug smile back on his smug mug. Marik makes a non-committal noise and then asks who Bakura happens to be. Bakura tells Marik what he can call him as though he's giving out an alias, even though it's his... regular old name. Looks like SOMEONE has a lot of admiration for worst-spy-ever James Bond.

Marik tells Bakura that he actually doesn't give two shits about the Millennium Items, and all he wants is Yuugi's life. Bakura looks intrigued, so Marik continues, saying that the Millennium Rod won't mean anything to him if he can bury Yuugi here in Battle City. Still, he's got to keep it for now, so he's willing to make Bakura a deal. Holding up the prize to shadow his face, Marik proposes that if Bakura agrees to help him, he'll hand over the rod without hesitation when all is said and done.

So, instead of asking what kind of "help" would be involved here, Bakura goes straight to asking what would happen if he refuses. Okay, just assume that whatever he's going to want you to do isn't doable, that's fine. Marik tells Bakura that he won't leave the pier alive if he doesn't agree to those terms. Well that simple deal just took a fucking turn...

Bakura scoffs, wondering indignantly if Marik REALLY knows more about this tablet than he does. Does it really matter? You still get the Millennium Rod at the end of this with minimal effort and a whole lot of cooperation. Just take the deal, dumbass. Marik offers Bakura five minutes to think about his yes or no answer, and Bakura glares speechlessly. He wonders whether or not Marik should be made an enemy, because he apparently has a mental block against cooperation or something. Marik just stands there and smiles, thinking he can use Bakura no matter what his answer is.

Inside the aquarium, Marik's Ghouls have identified Jonouchi next to the killer whale tank, while some of the audience members laugh at what a terrible duelist he is. One of the Ghouls states that they must watch him until they receive further orders. Thanks for that wooden statement of the obvious, watchdog.

Ouch, that's gotta smart...

Anzu shouts through her cupped hands for Jonouchi to calm his shit. For some unknown reason, she only reminds herself that if he wins this duel, he'll be able to face Yami in the finals just like he wants. Maybe it's because Jonouchi doesn't really look like he needs reminding, sweating up a storm and grinding his teeth already.

Ryota declares it's his turn and draws a card. As he does so, Jonouchi notes the one monster Ryota has on his side, convinced that it'll be used as a sacrifice for summoning a more powerful monster to lay into him. But Jonouchi is thankful for the one face down card he has on his side, Chasm of Spikes, which will surely throw a wrench into Ryota's hypothetical future attack with a high-level monster. He's grinning again, without the slightest concern that his poker face is garbage.

Ryota also gives a moment's consideration to Jonouchi's face down card, which he determines to be a non-threat. He shouts that he's attacking now without doubt, directing Flying Fish toward his opponent with an outstretched finger. Jonouchi clenches his fist, convinced Ryota has fallen for it, without any kind of thought toward the fact that the monster attacking right now is a "FLYING" fish. He activates his trap loudly anyway, revealing the Chasm of Spikes, and it is a surprise to absolutely NO ONE that the next panel shows his dumbfounded reaction to a flubbed countermove.

At least Ryota is having a little fun now. Putting down poor, stupid Jonouchi.

The Flying Fish hits Jonouchi right in the face with its Torpedo Charge, knocking Jonouchi back, and bringing down his life points to 3200. Anzu lets out a discouraged exclamation, while Sugoroku says that Ryota saw right through Jonouchi, and he should get himself a better strategy. Or maybe having a strategy AT ALL might help a little. Just saying. Ryota, with a derisive scoff that suggests the fun he was having at Jonouchi's expense is now over, ends his turn with a face down card. Don't think he's done whaling on Jonouchi verbally, though (pun intended). He says he's disappointed and hates goofy duelists like Jonouchi who can't take the game seriously.

Well do you want to have fun or do you want to get serious? Make up your mind!

At this contradictory statement, Jonouchi looks like he got punched in the gut. Anzu looks on in pity, knowing that Jonouchi IS being serious, but he's so desperate he's running in circles. Ryota isn't aware of this, though, and proceeds to give the speechless Jonouchi an obnoxious lecture about how he always gives it his all when he duels as a sign of respect to his opponents. He apparently reels in as hard as he can when fishing too, no matter how small the fish, because otherwise a big one will swallow him one day. A little preachy, but it's not a bad analogy.

Jonouchi looks down, taking an entirely different message from what Ryota is saying. He thinks the point is that he's always chasing after Yami's successes like a dog (this dog theme is somewhat grating at this point), trying to act cool but falling right on his ass. Another fair assessment, but not really what Ryota was getting at. I think they're talking/thinking past each other, but regardless, Ryota is still shouting his head off about how he can't got out to sea right now because of his lack of a boat. The prize money is why he's in the tournament right now; a sufficient fund for buying a new one.

While Jonouchi looks on with a dead-eyed stare, Ryota continues his inspiring speech. Even if it takes him a while, he's convinced the sea will wait for the day they do battle. Ah, THERE'S the connector. Jonouchi looks up with a renewed determination on his face, declaring that he knows exactly how Ryota feels because he wants to fight someone too. His is even an actual PERSON!

Alright, are we done sharing and misinterpreting everyone's mushy FEELINGS yet? I'm ready for someone to lose some more points!

Jonouchi shouts to announce drawing a card, a weird whack-a-mole type picture on the front from what I can gather. But that's not the one he plays. He instead summons Alligator Sword, and supplements its attack position with two face down cards. Ryota is pleased by the fighting spirit he can now sense from Jonouchi, the duelist pride that will prevent Ryota from just walking all over Jonouchi. Still, he's quite convinced that HIS fighting spirit is stronger. He calls out the start of his turn and not long afterwards uses his Flying Fish as a sacrifice to summon the Amphibian Beast, a half-man half-amphibian that reminds me of something...

... I bet you Ryota's into it.

Jonouchi, on the other hand, is not. He's got a somewhat fearful/disturbed look on his face, but strangely he doesn't call Ryota out on the obvious hypocrisy of being into weird creepy monsters. Ryota explains without provocation that this is a rare monster that can attack both on land and water, then asks if Jonouchi is ready. He doesn't wait for an answer, though.

Well that's a bit more cutesy that I was expecting.

Ryota grinds his teeth in confusion, unsure whether he has to pick the right hole or what. Jonouchi gives different instructions with a mischievous grin; can Ryota's monster hit Alligator Sword as his head pops out of those holes super fast? The Amphibian Beast watches Aligator's head pop out all over the box, too fast to catch out of one individual hole. Ryota has a grin of his own, though, when he tells Jonouchi that it was a nice try and all, but he's got himself a counter-trap.

It's a field spell card called Umi, which covers their duel in a layer of virtual sea water, straight up to an alarmed Jonouchi's waist. It takes the duel underwater, just as Ryota suggests, and Jonouchi's Fairy Box sinks to the bottom. A line of bubbles issues from one of the holes, as Ryota commands his Amphibian Beast to hunt Alligator Sword down. It targets the hole with the bubbles, but Jonouchi isn't out of tricks yet. He calls out his other face down card: Skull Dice.

For a guy who took a while to get into the swing of things, anyway.

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? The middle was a little difficult to slog through, because not only were we lacking a bit of action, but there was a comment from Jonouchi that didn't really make sense within the context of Ryota's speech. Ryota didn't even MENTION Yami, speaking more broadly about valuing every competitive experience, easy or difficult. I'm not certain how Jonouchi ended up coming out with such a far-fetched interpretation. Perhaps Yami naturally popped into his head as a big fish that could end up swallowing him whole if he's not careful to learn and grow from the smaller fries along the way?

Or it could just be that this was the only way KT felt he could shoehorn in a new insecurity that will be cured by reaching the "true duelist" goal in the future. I don't know. I mean, it's not WRONG to use this as a source of conflict for Jonouchi, and it seems in fact to be a more concrete statement of the issue Jonouchi had with taking back the Red Eyes Black Dragon from Yami in the first place - he can't just keep letting Yami defend him, because it means Jonouchi won't ever be able to stand up to him as an equal. I'm just not quite sure this is the best place to express that sentiment, even though, in a VERY cramped way, it might fit. Maybe. It's just a bit awkward.

Speaking of awkward, what was with Bakura's forced reluctance to make a deal with Marik? I could understand if he was skeptical of the deal, unsure that Marik would follow through at the end. I could even understand if Bakura wanted to hold out for a deal that included the special instructions for how to use the Millennium Items to open that special door. But no, he just comes across like he's just being difficult to be difficult. Like KT had seen a lot of movies where people made deals like these, but didn't QUITE understand the context in which people would refuse them. The result are vague objections with no real reason behind them.

Inuyasha Manga: 120 The Kodoku's Location

I thought that kodoku was in the cave, being slowly built by that "fuko" spell and the countless consecutive rounds of battles with those who would eventually be incorporated into its body. Miroku's constant reiterations were enough to pound the fact of what the thing was and why it was where it happened to be right into my skull. Of course, it IS changing locations now. It's in transit to a "mysterious" destination (I would say dramatic irony, but Sango seems to have an idea regardless), so maybe we're not so much talking about where it is as where it will be.

Not that it matters. The journey is the destination, maaaaaaaan.

And you thought YOU were the one who sucked, Miroku.

As the massive tornado of youkai parts bursts from the top of the mountain, Inuyasha grunts, probably not feeling so well. Kagome reaches for him, being carried in a tangle just below him, calling out his name. He's alarmed initially, straining to reach her and call HER name as well. That's right, folks. It's a classic "INUYASHA! KAGOME!" moment. Hold onto your hats. If you haven't already lost them to a tornado of youkai parts, of course.

Inuyasha manages to grab hold of her wrist and pull her to him, asking if she's okay. She doesn't really answer, eyes still squeezed shut and mouth in shouting mode. Still, he looks around, wondering in a panic where Kikyou got to. He sees her hanging upside-down some distance below him, unconscious and likely sporting a broken ankle, because I can't see how else she could be hanging on the outside of this mass of garbage without falling off entirely. Now Inuyasha shouts Kikyou's name, because we gotta switch it up from time to time. Obvi.

The top of the youkai-piece tornado curves back down toward the Earth. So much for Inuyasha, Kikyou and Kagome being the first astronauts. Inuyasha and Kagome stare in shock at the shadowed figure on the ground, a direct target of the big ogre spearheading the spiraling mass of youkai parts.

"You see this face? It's the face of a guy who's pissed at you for blowing up his body."

Inuyasha and Kagome continue to be shocked by his appearance, primarily by the fact that his body seems to have regrown since Kagome made it disappear with her rage magic trick. Kagome remembers the event pretty well, and so does the panel showing Naraku's look of pure horror when Kagome's arrow shot everything below his shoulders to pieces.

As the big ogre from before approaches Naraku, he's pretty angry himself, identifying Naraku as the douchebag who sealed him and his opponents in the cave. He reaches out with a gigantic hand and proceeds to do just what he threatens - tear right through Naraku's newly reformed abdomen, turning it into little more than blood-mist. It would be cheer-worthy if it weren't so futile.

Inuyasha realizes the body is actually a puppet, just before one of its puppet tendrils wraps around the big ogre's head. They squeeze so hard that the bones in his skull crack and crunch while power stirs within Naraku's glare. Inuyasha manages to detach himself and Kagome from the mass of youkai flesh and hover beside it instead when the funnel of youkai parts begins to be pulled in by Naraku at an accelerated rate.

With a series of creaks, cracks and crunches, the body parts amalgamate into Naraku, assimilating into his human shape. A clawed hand reverts back into that of a well-manicured man, and an array of deadly spikes, tails, tentacles and spines sink into Naraku's back and shoulders. His hair flies out every which way.

Kagome clings to Inuyasha in horror, noting that the youkai parts are being sucked into Naraku's body. Inuyasha makes a noise of disgust, then draws Tessaiga with a shout of Naraku's name. All he's saying today is everyone's name. He usually has more complaining associated with those names. Anyway, Inuyasha swings Tessaiga down on Naraku, or at least that's his intent. The strike stops short of Naraku's curled and crouched form, crackles of energy spitting from the spot. Inuyasha knows a barrier when he sees one, at least.

Before you start talking about "holes" and seals inside them, could you maybe put some pants on?

Kagome looks ready to cry while Inuyasha sports a severely disturbed face, maybe from the fact that this whole kodoku was made to create a new body for Naraku, and maybe because they have to see Naraku naked. Maybe both. Naraku and Inuyasha look off to the side, where Kikyou is laying in a pile of youkai guts that I guess Naraku decided weren't GOOD enough for his new sexy form, Inuyasha with alarm. Kikyou is still unconscious, and Inuyasha decides to scream her name, in case it wakes her up.

Sleeping Beauty over here doesn't seem much interested in opening her eyes. As he gathers up the fur he discarded when eating the winning ogre, Naraku says she's the one who broke the seal from the inside, and it's thanks to her that he was able to get his puppet hands on a new body. Inuyasha is pissed by the insinuation that Kikyou was HELPING Naraku, but Kagome is the first to articulate this anger. She says Naraku is a wrong idiot, because Kikyou fired the arrow to avoid Inuyasha getting killed by the ogre, and fusing with it. It was all to protect Inuyasha.

Hmm, not sure what that note has to do with the TRANSLATION, but good job getting to do my blog before I did, my dude.

Inuyasha gets all kinds of ticked off and yells at that bastard Naraku to keep his filthy hands off Kikyou. Naraku's response is to blast Inuyasha with a massive cloud of miasma, which Kagome is proud to identify as such, I'm sure. As Naraku rides his deadly fart-cloud into the sky, he talks about what a shame it is that Inuyasha can't get Kikyou's power for himself. I think he doesn't quite understand Inuyasha's objection to Kikyou being touched.

Inuyasha yells Kikyou's name up at the retreating miasma cloud, and her head lolls in her uninterrupted sleep. She is TIRED. Kagome thinks Inuyasha's name, standing small and sad off to the side of an otherwise empty frame.

Meanwhile, Naraku propels himself through the sky, wondering about Kikyou's motivations. If she really wanted to help Inuyasha, instead of breaking the seal on the mountain and letting the kodoku loose, she should have been able to use a "more reliable" method. What this method is, Naraku doesn't say, but he does ask himself if she wasn't worried about giving him a new body.

I don't know about that, but I can tell she doesn't mind pretending to be asleep.

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? My mind certainly wasn't where the translator's was, if I'm being honest, though it probably should have been. It's not a bad question, why Inuyasha didn't rush to Kikyou's side when he saw Naraku was headed over there too. In fact, he didn't really make much of a move to help Kikyou at any point in the chapter, even though his somewhat impulsive characterization might warrant that kind of wasted effort. What's really going on here?

First, we should note that Inuyasha actually ISN'T stupid. I know, we've all been kind of fed this idea that he's an idiot who is not above using a losing strategy more than once. But here's the thing: I'm hard-pressed to think of a moment in the series so far when Inuyasha didn't immediately abandon a course of action that he knew wasn't working, or wasn't able to identify an action as such. During the Hell Painter arc, he knew that slicing up the ink-youkai would incapacitate him, and HE was the one to formulate the strategy of defeating that particular enemy himself. The only time he's gone ahead with actions that aren't effective is when he's had to fight humans that are being controlled and had no way of plowing through them like he would a normal enemy, having to stall for time.

So, with that being said, Inuyasha had reason to believe in the moment Naraku went for Kikyou that it was useless to counter his move, because of that barrier he came up against earlier. There's no way it didn't enter Inuyasha's mind that anything he did to try and keep Naraku away from Kikyou would have been repelled immediately, and yes, it would have left Kagome open for attack as well. Attacking Naraku at that point would have been at best useless, and at worst, result in injury to Kagome as well.

It's a risk assessment that brings us to the fact that, for all that Inuyasha cares about Kikyou and her safety, he knows from experience that for all intents and purposes she's a serious threat. The last time he met her, he tied up Kagome, made her invisible, and tried to drag him into hell. He's going to be cautious in approaching her again, ESPECIALLY when Kagome is near, because he has no reason to believe that she won't try to hurt her again. He's not even aware that Kagome told Kikyou about Naraku yet, so for all he knows, she still thinks that he's her enemy and the cause of her death. Aside from the fact that she might try to kill him again (which for him is probably not even close to his biggest concern), she is more than likely to reject all help from him. If you have someone you care about deeply but they have done everything to push you away and make you believe that they hate you and want you to suffer, not to mention will not accept that you are trying to help them out of some seriously destructive behavior, you might hesitate to approach them too.

Now, all that aside, this can only be speculation, because RT didn't bother to make it clear how Naraku even got to Kikyou's side in order to pick her up. The way the scene is laid out, Naraku just kind of SHOWS UP right next to Kikyou, despite how he and Inuyasha were an equal distance from her the last time we were shown him moving. How Naraku moved and when would have been really important information to include for the audience to understand why Inuyasha reacted in the way he did, but I guess she wasn't really interested in helping us out in that respect.

I do appreciate the loving attention RT gave to depicting Naraku's sweet abs and titillating nudity in this chapter though. That gets two thumbs-up from me.   

Yu-Gi-Oh Manga: 178 Everybody Duel!!

I would, except I get headaches trying to play this game when I'm perfectly healthy. Trying to play when my head is already pounding from my illness's continued fight as it dies a horrible deserved death might very well blow my skull apart. It's part of the reason I haven't been on Duel Links for a few days, the other part being that it requires updates and I don't have a good wifi connection whenever I decide I want to open the damn app. When I'm home with the passable wifi, it's all I can do to drag myself into bed and sleep, so waiting for a data download is really quite out of the question.

And yet, somehow, reading this manga ABOUT dueling and making fun of it is no problem. Funny that.

Ah, the open road. Doesn't have much to do with dueling... yet. What ARE we getting out of this little day trip with Marik, anyway?

OH. BUTT.

Marik leans onto the handlebars of his motorcycle, mentally inviting Yami to enjoy Slifer while he can, since he has the Millennium Rod (and a butt) with which power he can make Jonouchi his pawn. He still has Yami's friend well within his second/third sight, it seems. He does even more multitasking when he shoves his Duel Disk onto his arm, with a heavy click of the activating machinery. For fuck's sake, does this kid not have ENOUGH to do??

Sitting in the Duel Disk is a deck of cards that contains a god of death and doom, Ra, apparently. The only one of the three we haven't seen yet. He prays that it gives him the strength of a king as he sits at a stop in the middle of the road, having arrived in a strangely empty city at 1:50pm. Where the hell are all the cars honking at him to get the fuck out of there?

It appears there aren't any people until you get a bit further in, milling around as the next panel speedlines through them in order to stop on one particular resident.

I hope HE'S not also standing in the middle of what should be a busy highway while he gapes in Marik's general direction. Must be some sort of special lovers' connection or something...

Turns out that Bakura isn't in the center of the road, but he IS getting called out on his sudden frozen inquisitive state. Anzu has noticed he fell behind the group and calls over her shoulder to question if he's alright. He nervously apologizes instead of answering and hurries to catch up, because the most natural response to concern is to express your regret that anyone should have to feel concern for you at all. I think I relate to this kid on a deep spiritual level.

When Bakura gets back to the group, Sugoroku is complimenting Jonouchi on how well he's doing so far in the tournament. Jonouchi agrees that he's doing really good, having already gotten four puzzle cards out of the six he needs for the finals. Anzu admits she hasn't seen Yuugi, but she's confident he's doing splendidly as well, and Jonouchi all but retorts with a "duh" when he speculates that Yuugi is probably already waiting at the finals location. He repeats his intention to face Yuugi in the tournament, and to not lose until he does so. He looks so hopeful and determined... It's gonna be a real shame when that goal of his is perverted into some weird twisted competition.

Bakura makes an offhand and off-topic comment about how the cards he's won so far are weird and scary. Jonouchi tells Bakura to shut his mouth (he's not the greatest with horror, if you'll recall), because it's not like he WANTED those particular cards. Bakura says that he actually really ADMIRES the grotesque and strange cards, and wishes he had them in HIS deck. It's all said with a twilight-zone friendly smile on his face. Creepy, and yet another reason why I relate to this kid on a deep spiritual level.

Jonouchi is floored by the fact that Bakura even HAS a deck, and Bakura whips it out to prove its existence. No one will ever question his masculinity ever again. Bakura says his deck has an occult theme, again with a very weird smile. Of course, Jonouchi recoils at the mention of the word "occult" and Bakura has to reassure him that they won't be dueling, so Jonouchi doesn't have to be afraid.

Behind Bakura, a gangly robed stranger hangs out in the milling crowd around them, head tilted and gaze blank while a giant Eye of Horus shines very conspicuously on his forehead. Most. Obvious. Stalker. Ever. So that means, of course, that no one notices him. Jonouchi is as oblivious ever, taking on an aggressive stance as he demands to know who his next opponent is.

Sugoroku says this is convenient, and he has no idea HOW convenient. I don't recall Jonouchi being told about this or anyone else mentioning it until this moment, and there's no way the guy who forgets about basic rules and recommendations just figured it out on his own. I smell a plot-contrivance again...

Jonouchi presses the "bullshit" button and turns to point out where the duelist radar is indicating. Somehow. He runs bowlegged ahead of everyone else, who look like they're still trying to get their bearings. Anzu and Sugoroku bolt after Jonouchi, the former waving and yelling for him to wait up. Meanwhile, Bakura is looking shady as he lags back at where they were all standing.

Why? Why is Bakura STILL wearing that thing on the regular??? I understand that it has an uncanny ability to turn back up and at very inopportune times, but do you know what would get that point across better?

BAKURA ACTUALLY ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE IT THE FUCK AT HOME EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

Anyway, Jonouchi ended up somewhere I guess he wasn't expecting, both he and Anzu looking somewhat confused as they look up at the building: the aquarium. Jonouchi, Anzu and Sugoroku are all but scratching their heads at the idea that a duelist would be HERE. What? Duelists aren't allowed to look at fish or something? Incredulously, Jonouchi acknowledges that this is where his sensor is leading him. After a moment, though, he's gunning to go on in, asking Sugoroku if HE'S got the entrance fee. Sugoroku is a bit flabbergasted by this assumption, and Anzu is equally flabbergasted that they seem to have lost Bakura.

Frankly, I think you might be better off without the douchebag who insists on putting you in danger by wearing his possessed jewelry all over the damn place...

Also, she's got more immediate problems, stemming from the fact that the creepy, vacant-eyed Ghoul has followed them where Bakura hasn't. Inside his head, Marik tells him that they'll probably be there for a while, so he needs to watch them and make sure they don't get away. Is he gonna be paying that entrance fee too?

... Probably about as much as he's planning on paying all of those medical bills.

As hapless individuals continue to dive out of the way of Marik's reckless driving, Bakura is busy being violent as well, throwing a guy onto the ground from a dark alley. Don't know what he did to this dude other than that, if anything, but the guy is out cold. Bakura kneels next to him to pilfer his Duel Disk, going through his cards while he does so and cursing him for having nothing but junk. Bakura scowls as he secures his gently used Duel Disk, wondering who this other Millennium Item wielder could be.

Back at the aquarium, Jonouchi, Anzu and Sugoroku have arrived at a giant open tank with what appears to be a trainer standing in front of it, back to the audience. As a killer whale jumps out of it, the apparent trainer laughs about what a big catch it is, hypothetically speaking. This is when Anzu and Jonouchi recognize him with wide eyes as Ryota Kajiki. I'm sure you guys remember him as the guy who set out the cooking fish as bait for hungry duelists during Duelist Kingdom. If not, that just goes to show how memorable the MOST memorable of the minor opponents Yami faced in that tournament were. Yikes.

Ryota is petting on the smiling killer whale, and all I can think of is Blackfish.

Suddenly, Ryota's duelist senses tingle, or so I assume, because he turns to glare at the bleachers behind him. He loses the serious expression almost immediately, waving at Jonouchi in greeting while the whale splashes back into the water behind him. He's also doing some sort of squat-dance or something, much like how Jonouchi runs with a wide stance when he's meant to project a goofy persona. *shrug*

Jonouchi greets Ryota excitedly, asking him how he's been. Ryota asks if he remembers Duelist Kingdom, which, duh, and Jonouchi is stoked to learn this bud from the other tournament is also in Battle City. Anzu interrupts their bro-union to ask what Ryota is doing in the aquarium, since the duels are supposed to take place in the streets. Jeez lady, can't a guy take a break? Ryota is aware the duels are supposed to happen outside, but he's never been to an aquarium before.

For reals, guys. The guy who is all about fish has never been to an aquarium. It becomes pretty apparent why when he exclaims that this is a huge fish tank and he just wants to pick the killer whale out of his tank and fry him on a grill. Yeah, not appropriate. Anzu and Jonouchi sweat drop at the terms "fish tank" and "grill" in this conservationist context.

Anzu informs Ryota with some annoyance that people come to aquariums to SEE fish and not eat them, but she clearly hasn't been to the aquarium in Denver. The seafood is pretty intricate for a landlocked state, is all I'm saying. Ryota says with some incredulity that it's pretty weird for city folks to pay just to SEE fish, and he is NOT wrong. He then says he can show them all the fish they want if they come to his sea. And I'm sure he has some beachfront property he'd like to sell me in the Sahara.

Ryota turns to Jonouchi, assuming that Jonouchi must love fish more than he thought to be getting all up in the aquarium, and Jonouchi throws a mini-fit, insisting he's not there to look at fish. He shows off the Duel Disk on his arm, stating that he's there to duel. Ryota points at himself, as if there was anyone else there that Jonouchi could be wanting to challenge, so Jonouchi has to clarify that yes, it is him he's looking for.

Of course, this cracks Ryota up, because he's sure Jonouchi can't stand a chance against his sea deck. Jonouchi is hunched and fuming when he begins to give this "seafood freak" a talking to. Ryota doesn't need the lecture after all, though, accepting Jonouchi's challenge, which Jonouchi perks up at in less than a second.

Sure you guys don't want to step out of that aquarium and into the arena that Anzu suggested, the stree- oh... Oh never mind, here is probably safer.

Audience members are baffled by the hijacking of the killer whale show. One of them suggests it's an opening act, while a child tells his mommy he has to pee. Overall, they seem pretty uninterested in this whole dueling thing. Jonouchi makes the mistake of thinking the audience is his, though, and that it's not bad to be the center of attention. Any second now, the real trainer is going to come out to start the show and see these two children playing a card game right in front of the killer whale tank.

Just kidding, if there's one thing I've learned from reading this comic, it's that adults don't exist until they're incompetent or villains. Sometimes both.

Ryota holds up his puzzle cards, stating that he and Jonouchi each have four. This chapter is just FULL of conveniences, isn't it? Ryota suggests that they each bet two, so the winner can advance to the finals from there. Jonouchi sweetens the pot by proposing that they each bet two rare cards as well. Ryota must have agreed to this, because the next panel is the two of them facing off, getting ready and set for their match, with the four rare cards as ante show at the bottom. Jonouchi has put up Jinzo and Insect Queen, and Ryota a couple of cards called Fortress Whale and Leviathan. I'm gonna call him Levi.

Because of course the killer whale would jump at that exact moment with no provocation. But I love how that kid in the upper left just gives no fucks. He came here to see a killer whale dammit! It's all he cares about!

Proof that this world doesn't ENTIRELY revolve around card games. Just mostly.

Jonouchi thinks that if he wins this duel, he can fulfill his promise to Yami. Ryota thinks about the rumors he heard that Jonouchi got pretty far in Duelist Kingdom based on pure luck, and he'll get to see for himself how Jonouchi really is. And with that, Jonouchi declares he's going first. He plays a face down card, giggling behind his hand about how it's Chasm with Spikes, just giddy with the prospect of Ryota falling into the trap by attacking. He also pulls another card out of his hand to play in defense, Swordsman of Landstar. Ryota hums, frowning.

A grinning Jonouchi is already plotting his next move in the next panel, a sacrifice of Swordsman of Landstar to summon Giltia the D. Knight. What does the "D." stand for? Probably not what you're thinking. I'm not sure if I want to give credit to Jonouchi for trying to think ahead in this duel, or yell at him for not considering what could happen between the end of his turn now and the beginning of his next. I guess I'll reserve judgment and let Jonouchi think that it's on for the time being.

Ryota laughs, declaring it's his turn, but he becomes somewhat reserved for a moment when he considers Jonouchi's face down card. He decides not to rush it, and plays Flying Fish in defense instead. If only Pegasus could be around to see how Dr. Seuss this all just got. He'd be so happy...

Jonouchi asks Ryota if he thinks he can fight him with fish, because in contrast, there's some super strong warriors up in Jonouchi's deck. Jonouchi even offers to show Ryota, though I'm pretty sure he was planning being showy anyway, with the flourishing way he's drawing a card. He does exactly what he planned, sacrificing Landstar to bring Giltia out.

... That... is about par.

Ryota recoils, having not been aware that Jonouchi is into tentacle porn such gross monsters. In his defense, this IS Japan, after all. Meanwhile, Jonouchi is hunched in what looks to be embarrassment. I too am embarrassed, for poor KT, who appears not to have remembered his own rules for how Parasite Paraside works, because in the last duel it appeared it had to have been DRAWN before its effects were forced on the player. I guess now it just has to be around or something.

The kids sitting on the bleachers are laughing or questioning what the hell that thing Jonouchi summoned is, and all the while, Anzu and Sugoroku look on with an ill sort of pity. Ryota claims this is quite enough, thank you very much, and activates a trap called Torrential Tribute, washing away the monstrosity with a wave of water. Ryota slouches as he stares dumbfounded at Jonouchi, thinking that this is the easiest duel he's ever played.

Outside, guess who pulls up to the aquarium on his bike to greet the two Ghouls standing guard near the entrance? No, it's not Ashley Katchedourian. It's Marik, whose minions proceed to tell that they've been waiting for him, and the guy he's looking for is inside. No shit. Marik grabs his Millennium Rod from his belt loop at the back and proceeds to think that anyone who touches it will become subject to his mind control powers. Is that killer whale audience in his head now? What's he telling himself this for?

Anyway, Marik is convinced that Jonouchi will soon be his, and I was only kidding about that porn thing earlier, guys, I didn't realize it would be a plot point. What next? Someone needs to pay for pizza and doesn't have any money?

No, something much more forced.

I'm sure that plan DOESN'T involve bondage, no siree.

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? It seemed incredibly LONG to me. Yes, part of my taking a while to come out with this new post was due to recovering from illness (which makes the cold open a rather moot point, pun intended), and another part is that I'm finding it difficult to concentrate in the mornings anymore. Still there was a big part of it that has to do with the fact that KT has fallen back on his old habit of throwing in too much dialogue and not enough actual action. When Marik arrived at the aquarium is a prime example of things that don't need to be said at this very moment, if at all. Marik was watching through the eyes of his ghouls, so you would think they'd know better than to tell him information he, and more importantly, WE, already know. And the condition of touching the Millennium Rod in order to be affected by its powers is useful to know, but it might have been better conveyed through other means later on.

Earlier in the chapter, we got information that was kind of vital to our understanding of what was going on, like the duelist locator on the Duel Disk and Bakura's possession of an occult deck of cards, but it was given a little late and in the wrong context for it to be a proper set-up. If we wanted that duelist locator to be a thing Jonouchi eventually used, that information SHOULD have been given to him a long time ago by someone who wouldn't forget to take a card that actively hurts him out of his deck. If Jonouchi is too oblivious to get rid of Parasite Paracide, he's not going to figure out that there's a duelist locator on his complicated dueling machinery by himself. I just don't buy it.

What we have in this chapter is multiple examples of rushed and inadequate explanations for how everything is falling into place, and I'm forced to think that KT just didn't bother to think about how he was going to get everyone in their proper roles until the start of this very chapter. That's troublesome for immersion because a reader can be thrown out of the story by the author making it painfully obvious that they didn't think about how the characters would get where they needed to be at this point. It's pretty sloppy.

But hey, Marik running over random citizens is pretty entertaining, eh?