...It's the Iridescent Arataki Rockin' for Life Tour de Force of Awesomeness!

Thank you both so much! At last, everything on the list is done.

I'm afraid I still have some final preparations to make, but I'll see you tomorrow. Then, the party can begin!

I still have some final preparations to make for the big party.

Hey, Mr. Dvorak! You're still here.

Sure am. I've been checking over the equipment, scores, and lyric sheets to make sure everything's ready for tonight.

Shinobu was telling me how popular light novels are here in Inazuma. So I've tweaked the melody and lyrics for a more Arataki Gang feel with a light novel twist.

Light novels plus rock music, so... light rock!

Hahaha. I actually didn't change too much — just took out the dog and made it about Onikabuto instead. Should be more up Itto's alley.

This event couldn't have happened without him. It's my way of showing him some appreciation, I guess.

Whaaat? You got rid of the dog? But... wasn't that the whole inspiration behind the festival?

Yes, but that's all it was. The initial inspiration. Doesn't matter if we change it to an Onikabuto, or you, or me, or anything else. It's the spirit of it that counts.

Spirit? What do you mean?

Umm... The spirit of rock 'n' roll?

...Okay, shoulda seen that coming.

Do you think people have been getting too hyper-focused on the dog story?

Hehe, it's all about the music, my friends. Just enjoy the music, that's all that matters.

Fair enough... Alright, well speaking of enjoying music, is it alright if Paimon goes first?

Paimon's gotta get practicing, or Bull-Chucker's gonna hog the spotlight tonight!

By all means, be my guest! I knew you'd come around to the idea of going on stage.

Here's the music score and lyrics. I can't wait to see this!

Ooh, let's see now, what's this song called...

"I Got Reincarnated as an Onikabuto... And Flipped the World Upside Down"...

What sort of song title is that? Is this supposed to be rock 'n' roll?

Soft rock, actually.

I gotta see these lyrics...

Nope, no peeking, 여행자! You can hear them tonight when Paimon sings the song!

Paimon's gonna rock so hard, Bull-Chucker won't know what hit him!

Ladies and gentlemen!

Tonight is a night to celebrate, and I trust you're all having a wonderful time!

It's been a non-stop rock 'n' roll ride this evening, and we're almost at the end. But first, it is my huge honor to invite two very special guests to the stage...

The illustrious Mr. Arataki Itto!

And Ms. Paimon!

The two of them will be performing a brand-new song written specially for tonight's event. It's called:

"I Got Reincarnated as an Onikabuto... And Flipped the World Upside Down"!

Take it away!

Your Excellency, I believe the Tenryou Commission detective has—

Don't worry about it, Gorou. The Puppy Union was a joint venture between us and the Yashiro Commission. If we can maintain secrecy, then all the better for it. But that was never the main goal.

We saved some lives, and that's what matters.

I was more worried about the potential impact on your reputation, Your Excellency... After all, some of the lives we saved belonged to the Shogunate...

If someone with an agenda finds out, it could cause an uproar...

Don't worry. There might be a way to make it work out in our favor.

Really? How?

Times have changed. We and Narukami Island are supposed to be working together now.

So it's not necessarily a bad thing if people discover that we were already cooperating with the Yashiro Commission even during the war.

I see...

Gorou, if you want my opinion, you should be more concerned about Ms. Hina than you are about this.

Ms. Hina? What makes you say that?

I hear she works for That's Life magazine as well. She's young, popular, pretty...

And she seems to be just as good at offering comfort to people in need as you are. So it looks like you have some competition.

Ahem... Understood, Your Excellency! I will work hard to stay ahead of the competition!

Compadres, you're here! Hey, serious props to you both. The place looks amazing, even better than I imagined! Hahahahaha!

Everything looks perfect. We're ready for business. 여행자, Paimon, you have our thanks.

Guys, guys... why so serious? That ain't rock 'n' roll, man.

Hey, look at that! My favorite melon's a fast learner! Also, I hear you're gonna be taking the stage tonight! Itching for a little competition, huh?

Uhh... Paimon was just joking! ...Gah, seriously, Dvorak? Unbelievable...

Getting cold feet? Don't blame you. I am the reigning champion of The Great Singalong, after all.

What— Paimon is too rock 'n' roll! Paimon was just being humble!

Then bring it on.

Oh, Paimon's bringin' it alright! Paimon's bringin' it all the way home! Hmph!

Oh by the way — did you ever find that dog?

...We hit a complete dead-end. Gorou said he didn't know anything, Mamoru and the guys asked around the city, but no luck there either.

What if it really IS in Tenshukaku? Is that why we can't find it?

No, no, don't go poking around Tenshukaku again... You'll give Kujou Sara a migraine.

Couldn't agree more. If I bother her too much, I'll end up getting struck by lightning...

So that's why this time, I kept my distance and just threw some paper notes towards Tenshukaku. Hopefully, the Raiden Shogun sees them and hands the dog over.

Wait, what? You're still taking a big risk there...

It looks like Doushin Shikanoin was right. It's probably just a local legend after all.

Let's hope not, 'cause that would really suck! Wish I had more time to look into it, but unfortunately — this guy's got a performance to practice for.

Now don't forget, there's lyrics and music scores in the Jam Zone. So no wussing out tonight!

Don't get too cocky, Bull-Chucker! We'll see who's rock 'n' roll!

Hahahahaha! Game on, Mini Melon!

Paimon better get some practice in at the Jam Zone soon. No way is Paimon gonna lose to Itto!

By the way, we invited a ton of people this time, including some people you know. A few have already shown up, and they're asking about you — wanna go say hi?

Cool! Yeah, let's go see them! Paimon's curious to find out who you invited.

This Ms. Hina looks very familiar... Even the outfit...

I was thinking the same thing, Your Excellency. But I just can't put my finger on it...

She really is the spitting image...

Of who?

Gorou! Kokomi! Hey!

Ah, hello, you two! It's been a while!

Hehe, I'm so happy to see you again. I was just asking Shinobu if she knew where you were.

This is a nice surprise. Paimon didn't expect to run into you two at an Arataki Gang music festival!

I hear that Gorou helped to secure the venue?

Oh, I barely did anything.

A reader from my That's Life column was asking for advice about it, so I figured I'd help out. Turned out the reader in question was Mr. Arataki Itto.

Her Excellency was also very supportive of the whole thing.

Mm... An international rock 'n' roll music festival sounded like a good way to attract tourists. And it's to bring attention to the plight of living things, right? Seems like a meaningful cause.

Yeah. Apparently, it has something to do with a dog that was a war hero? Although sadly, probably not a true story. Have either of you... heard anything about that...?

Oh, you know, bits and pieces... Nothing concrete.

Mm... Yeah, no, me neither.

Hmm, those sounded suspiciously like prepared answers!

Hehe, probably because we've answered that question before. Mr. Arataki Itto came to ask us about it a while back. We'd certainly love to help, if we can.

Yes, of course... Um, ahem, actually, I was hoping to ask for your opinion on something.

Sure, what is it?

Does Ms. Hina look familiar to you at all? I have this strange feeling like I've seen her somewhere before...

Oh... Umm...

But you don't remember where?

Eh, she probably just looks similar to someone you know. Like how 여행자 looks similar to his sister! There's no mystery here. Don't overthink it.

I see... That does make sense...

여행자, let's get outta here...

You're a real trooper, Yoimiya! This must be one of the furthest places you've ever delivered to.

I promised Itto that I'd supply fireworks for his festival. I wasn't about to go back on my word.

Hey! Thoma, Yoimiya!

여행자, Paimon! Cool, you're here too!

It's been too long!

Haha, looks I owe the Arataki Gang a huge thank-you. If they weren't putting on this event, who knows when I would've gotten to see you next.

You hear that? In case it was too subtle for you — Thoma's complaining that you guys never make time to come and visit your old pals.

That's true. Obviously, traveling's very important to you, but you gotta take a break every once in a while. Just remember that you've got friends out there who'd love nothing more than the chance to make you feel looked after.

Thank you both. That means a lot.

Of course! Ooh, I heard this really cool thing, I gotta share with you guys.

So Itto says that the theme of this music festival comes from a story about a dog that saved animals in the warzone. How amazing is that!

What do you know about this dog, Thoma? Everyone knows how well-connected you are.

Heh, for once... not much, I'm afraid. I guess my connections are one key canine short.

But assuming this really happened, I feel like Watatsumi Island would've had to be involved.

This is a dog who managed to sneak in and out of a warzone, repeatedly, without leaving a trail for anyone to follow. Whatever the case, it would've needed someone to help cover its tracks.

As far as I know, the Shogun's Army doesn't do that kind of thing.

So you're saying it was the Sangonomiya troops? They had a specially trained dog for rescuing critters from the battlefield?

Sounds kinda far-fetched if you ask me... Do we really think Sangonomiya's forces had enough manpower to fight a full-scale war and run a... what, a canine wildlife rescue operation on the side?

Okay, well if wasn't Sangonomiya's side, it must have been the Shogunate!

I doubt they had the manpower either...

Right. So in my view, it's more likely that Mr. Dvorak simply made the story up as something to capture people's imaginations.

I mean, he's an artist, right? Isn't rock music about expressing things we don't fully understand?

Kinda like fireworks, in a way. Don't question it, just feel it...

Hmm... Yeah, that sort of makes sense. That makes you an artist too, Yoimiya! Fireworks are your art.

Heehee, I'll take it! And on that note — boy, do I have an art show for you tonight! Make sure you don't miss it!

Hey, there you are! I sent you some letters a few days ago, have they shown up yet?

Ooooh! Does this mean you've figured it out?

I've made some progress, but I'm still missing the final piece of the puzzle.

So. What did you learn?

I don't have anything conclusive yet, but I have a hunch that it involved both the Yashiro Commission and Sangonomiya.

What!? You mean like... in cahoots? During the war!?

Shhh... Like I said, it's just a hunch. Let's not get carried away.

Anyway, I've written to the station, and they shouldn't take too long to get back to me. Yoriki Owada should be able to help find what I need.

In the meantime, you'll just have to be patient.

I would have gone back to the station to look into it myself, but I knew Itto was performing tonight and I didn't wanna miss it.

You know who else is performing tonight? Paimon!

Oh, wow! Sounds like I'm in for a real treat. I definitely picked the right place to be tonight.

Will the Traveler's long-serving "Voice" finally graduate from speech to song in a triumphant victory over the oni rocker of Hanamizaka?

They don't call her "Flying Rock 'N' Roll Fuel" for nothing.

Hahahaha! I'll be awaiting with bated breath!

Cut it out, both of you! No more stupid nicknames!

I learned something new today... I never knew that the Hydro nation's rock music had the power to stir up lightning.

Miko... A few days ago, some strange paper notes flew into Tenshukaku, demanding that I "hand over the dog"... So I am here to see what on earth it was all about.

Haha, I just assumed you must've gotten yourself a pet puppy.

As it happens, I also received an invitation letter via Sara.

I've never heard the name "Arataki" before... But they must be one of my subjects, and so I thought, why not grant them their wish?

Ah... so you came here to make a little oni's wish come true, hmm?

So tell me, how do you plan to respond to the Fontainian musician? It sounded to me like his music was commenting on the war...

The war...

I'm not sure we can give him the answer he would hope for.

But if nothing else, I know that we must avoid another war at all costs. The people cannot be made to suffer like that again.

Hmm...

But what if the bigger war comes to pass? What then?

If it cannot be avoided, then...

...I will have no choice but to fight.

Well, if that day comes...

I'm sure that everyone here tonight will fight by your side.

Hey 여행자. Some of your friends are here, wanna go say hi?

Who could it be...?

Hehe...

Sounds like you know a few things about art yourself, Thoma.

Art? Me? ...Does knitting sweaters count?

Absolutely! Knitting is totally an art form!

Just... not a very rock 'n' roll one, I guess. I don't think I'll be doing any knitting tonight.

Not with that attitude! You could, uh... knit sweaters with "Rock 'N' Roll" in big letters! Then get everyone to wear them!

Hmm, good idea! I'll look into it next time.

Hmm, what if Madam Kujou Sara's the one who got my letter... No, surely she wouldn't intentionally ignore it?