(L) Narutaru (Shadowstar) Manga

[Griffith]

Things seem to be getting interesting.. But from what I've gathered from another thread,

Spoiler:

Volume 10 is going to be tragic.

[tsurumaru]

Originally Posted by Griffith

Things seem to be getting interesting.. But from what I've gathered from another thread,

Spoiler:

Volume 10 is going to be tragic.

Volume 10 has got everything and more including:
SPOILERS THIS BIG!
When I do get around to it I would seriously suggest considering whether you want to spoil the series yet or wait until you have the books.

[Griffith]

I'll keep that in mind.. I'll most likely be too tempted not to look though, lol.

[Griffith]

I had hoped to have the actual manga by now, but things haven't worked out. Looks like I'm going to end up reading the summaries when you post them. Not that I mind, since I'll get the manga eventually.

[Urashima]

Great work on the summaries, guys. Can't wait for the next one!

I for one wouldn't mind having the entire series spoiled by a summary of Volume 10 as I doubt I'd ever be able to find out what happens by any other means.

Note: Griffith enjoys drinking Tang.

[tsurumaru]

I'm hoping to post the summary for Volume 10 this week. (and then post some Guyver ones before returning to finish Narutaru).
Unfortunately I was away at the weekend (when I'd usually do it) at a Karate seminar and even more unfortunately have picked up a wrist injury (so typing isnt easy..........).

(I'd also like to state the fact that the injury is Karate and not Hentai related )

[tsurumaru]

OK Double posting to give you the Volume 10 Synopsis (so be nice ok!)

Narutaru Vol 10 Summary:

Following the crash of a US military transport, Shiina and Hoshimaru investigate the area in southern Japan which seems to also have been the source of a mysterious vision Shiina had. With Tsurumaru and Vagina Dentata secretly trailing her for her protection Norio faces an agonizing decision as the deadly consequences of Tsurumaru's actions become apparent. Meanwhile Miyako Tatsumi (of the Japanese government) and Sudou-kun smell a rat and try to get to the truth of the matter, coming to a shocking conclusion the US military will stop at nothing to retrieve one of their own escaped dragon children. What plot have they hatched to take advantage of the situation? Who is the rough and ready Jen Franklin, and what is her connection to the escaped Dragon Child? Will she be Shiina's ally or enemy?

Narutaru Volume 10 Spoiler Summary:

Part One

OK, Stop right here! No seriously! I've tried to give you more than adequate summary above, only read this if absolutely must! I can accept no blame(!) for ruining your enjoyment of the series......

Spoiler:

Still reading? Dammit! Well don't say I didn't warn you

Shiina's father has returned safely to Japan and things seem to be back to normal for Shiina, it’s almost the summer holidays and this year her father plans to accompany her to visit her grandparents! (Has it been only a year since she was saved by Hoshimaru on her grandparent’s island?) .

Meanwhile the blonde haired driver of a van is almost falling asleep at the wheel, she wakes only to find herself just metres away from a busy school crossing, to onlooker’s horror a group of children are run over and the van disappears from sight.

Miyako and Aiko (The Japanese governments agents) are pondering over the recent TV News story surrounding the earlier "Hit and Run" incident and especially the details of the driver a "Jen Franklin" just what was she doing to be involved in such an incident and what are her connections to the US establishment in Japan? Tatsumi tells of his keen desire for the US military to be completely ejected from his beloved country and they decide to call Sudou-kun to help them out with their investigation.

As this is occurring, in the southwest of Japan a US Air force C65 "Galaxy" transporters crashes into a residential area causing massive damage.

Shiina completely unaware of the unfolding drama has an unpleasant encounter when her mother comes to pick her up from school, little is said in the ride home with Shiina showing her obvious disdain for her mother.

At the plane crash site the American army have invoke a sort of Martial Law and to Miyako Tatsumi’s disgust seem to be on the move everywhere in the area…they have set up roadblocks and are performing vehicle searches much to the annoyance of the locals. Sudou-san tells how he thinks that this is not the usual acts of people dealing with simply an air crash and that this incident may be a smokescreen for something else. After analysing US air traffic directed towards the area (which includes an EC8 (Electronic Jamming Aircraft) and an AC130U “Spectre” Gunship) Sudou concludes that their target is probably a dragon child, Miyako is impressed and wonders how they can use this lie against them.

Misono drops Shiina off at home simply telling her not to put herself into any more danger and upset her father (Shiina looks suitably unimpressed as well as worried that her mother might suspect something about her.) She then tells her to say Hi to her Grandfather and mother for her.

Shiina mopes around at home momentarily after her encounter with her mother but then forces herself back into her Genki usual self and decides to head out with Hoshimaru to have some fun. Just as she’s heading out she gets a worrying call from Tsurumaru…..
Over at the guys place Tsurumaru shows Shiina the box that they were keeping Ensof (AinSoph – Akira’s dragon child) in, it’s been cut open from the inside sometime in the past two days and there is now no sign of its occupant! Shiina is worried about Akira and wants to visit her, however Tsurumaru reminds her how dangerous it would be to do so, Shiina looks reluctant but acceptant of this advice when suddenly and shockingly she receives a “vision” of a (western looking!) dragon standing atop a burning building. Shiina is shocked but manages to point to the direction of the vision and to the direction that the voices she can “hear” are apparently coming from. Tsurumaru conjectures that it’s coming from the west-south-west (only for Norio to state that this is fairly obvious). When Tsurumaru asks her if she’d like to go check it out she tries looks slightly uncomfortable and pretends she was only joking (pretty badly) she then tells them she is going home and takes her leave. Tsurumaru completely unbelieving of her excuse and slightly concerned decides to trail her and asks for Norio to back him up with Vagina Dentata, Norio complains that he is being used again but Tsurumaru tells him how he has always been the best at that sort of thing and that he would trust no one else (Norio looks pretty chuffed).

Shiina grabs her purse, jacket and the goggles that Ezumi Jun gave her (in Volume 5) and wearing Hoshimaru like a jet pack rises into the sky. Once she reaches a sufficient altitude she hugs Hoshi tightly and tells him to go full speed.

At the scene of the Aircraft crash we see that the US military are out in force…..

As the sun sets Shiina asks Hoshimaru to stop for a short rest, she apologises to her dad only to cut to a little later having arrived at the city at the focus of the events to be really apologising to her dad as it is getting really dark! She suddenly finds her way blocked by a US military roadblock and asks a local lady what’s going on only to be told she must be really out of town not to know about what has happened.

Shiina manages to sneak into the sealed off area with Hoshi’s help and starts scanning the rooftops for the “Dragon” of her vision, Hoshimaru spots a US military patrol and they just make it out of sight before it reaches where they were a moment ago. Try to make some distance Shiina accidentally knocks a flowerpot off a bench only for Hoshi to just catch it in time by elongating his arm to 6 feet in length!
Shiina continues on only to hear it smash to the ground, whirling around she follows Hoshimaru’s gaze to the building side above them and the huge form of the Dragon that Shiina saw in her vision! She identifies this as the source of the voices in her mind….
The US patrol has spotted it the dragon too and Shiina manages to duck out of sight whilst they are distracted, the dragon above them making a quick escape across the roof tops.
Shiina surfs Hoshimaru across the rooftops trying to catch up with the dragon and as she draws closer to her surprise spots that its main body is made out of a collection of pipes and tubing, house within this centre is the body of a young boy in a hospital gown his blank eyes stare outwards without a flicker of recognition.
The dragon makes another exit before Shiina can act, and as she is about to give chase a voice calls out from behind her “Don’t Move!” Jen Franklin roughly manhandles her to the floor where she is searched at gunpoint. Hoshimaru looks on with impenetrable eyes…
Jen threatens to Shoot Shiina if she tries to escape and tries to get her name and purpose out of her (with Shiina keeping understandably quiet). Shiina does tell Jen that she know about this Dragon child and that it is calling to her, Jen tells her that she is lying but secretly wonders to herself if this could be true…..She asks Shiina if she knows where it is and demands to be taken there, Shiina begrudgingly obliges. On the way Jen looks tired but refuses to rest, when asked by Shiina what will become of the dragon. Jen replies that they will see. Up ahead they spot a large group of US forces and have to hurry to the scene where the dragon has been cornered on a bridge over the local river, marksmen are preparing to take out the boy at the centre of the dragon with a head shot and Jen remarks that things are bad, Shiina realising that Jen is about to provoke a fire fight with the US troops to try to save the dragon thinks of a plan of her own and just as the killing shot is taken a loud splash to the dragons left distracts it the movement of its head enough to deflect the shot by a couple of crucial centimetres, we then see that Hoshimaru was the cause of the splash and before the second round from the sniper can hit the Dragon folds its wings around itself like a shield protecting the boy in its centre. It then proceeds to go berserk, throwing one of the US Humvee’s in its way at a circling helicopter bringing it down with devastating effect as the chopper explodes, crashing into the bridge the dragon escapes out of sight by jumping into the river (much to Jen’s surprise).

Whilst the US army are searching in vain Jen and Shiina are holed up in a local office, Jen finally believes Shiina may be telling the truth and thanks her for helping. Jen explains that “Tarask” (the dragon) has escaped from the hands of the US military in the east of the country and come here, as a rather soggy looking Hoshimaru turns up Shiina explains to Jen that she is not afraid of her and could escape anytime she wishes, she asks exactly what is Jens connection with that boy?

Tsurumaru has finally arrived in town, as he approaches the US exclusion zone he gets out of his van and notions to Norio (through Vagina Dentata) for them to split up for now.

Shiina meanwhile has lost Tarask’s location, she can’t seem to “hear” where he is anymore and wonders if he followed the river out to sea, Jen tells her that this isn’t case as he’s never left this road before…

[Oiseau]

Did you forget Part Two or are you deliberately cranking up the suspense ? ^_^

[Shokushu]

tsurumaru,

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to make these summaries/"spoilers" of the manga. They are very detailed and you have done a very great job on them.

Keep it up!!!

[tsurumaru]

Originally Posted by Oiseau

Did you forget Part Two or are you deliberately cranking up the suspense ? ^_^

Nah I just realised that it had gotten to 4am and I should really be getting some kip!


But sorry for the suspense......

Narutaru Volume 10 Spoiler synopsis

Part 2

Spoiler:

Jen breaks into a local convenience store and tell Shiina to get some food (much to her protestation that she isn’t a robber) however hunger gets the better of her and she and Hoshimaru snack on some cartons of drink and meat buns (Hoshimaru opts for a box of Calorie Mate!). Jen asks Shiina how long she has had Hoshimaru and Shiina tells her its almost been a year, Jen then tells her that Hoshimaru’s appearance is a reflection of its heart, she wonders about Tarasks appearance, Tarask is a Haribote dragon (Haribote = Papier Mache or ornamental architecture???) Is this form a reflection of that boy’s heart? She wonders if it is in fact just a result of Spaghetti syndrome (The process where a patient in critical care becomes surrounded by a mass of tubing just to sustain their life).. Shiina doesn’t quite understand, but Jen breaks off and tell her to get ready to look for Tarask again. Shiina insists on leaving money for the food they have taken and Jen remarks that she must have amazing parents (much to Shiina’s embarrassment).

Back at Shiina’s home its now 9:35pm and Shunji looks worried, he even calls Misono but only gets through to the answerphone…..just as he is walking away from the phone it rings! Its Koga-kun (Norio) from Tsurumaru’s place explaining that Shiina has gone out with Tsurumaru so not to worry (? ). Shunji is relieved and Norio looks content but then wonders what the hell he did that for……

Shiina’s managed to locate Tarask, he is in a local childrens play park, the Dragon is literally sitting on the frame of the swings and Jen approaches telling Shiina its ok.

“Robert” she calls to him, telling him that she has found him and things will be ok, he will be just fine. But Tarask runs again and Jen doesn’t know what to do as she explains that Robert is her son…

Miyako has also found out this info and how they moved to Japan when Robert was very young, Jen explains how he used to play in the very park they are in when he was younger as Miyako and Aki reel off all the information they can gather and to what effect they can use it. Jen explains how the military wanted a sample of Robert Brain after they found out about his dragon child and how the operation left Robert in a vegetative state…..therefore having never forgiven them she helped Robert escape yesterday but cannot explain his current behaviour.

Shiina thinks hard and then suggests that he may simply be playing a game of “tag” and not realise the full extent of the situation, Jen is pleased with this but warns Shiina it is a very dangerous game of tag, Shiina tells her that its OK as Hoshimaru will help and then realises she has given away his name, Jen quickly tells her that she is “Jen Franklin” but Shiina can call her “Jen”, Shiina then hesitantly lets her know her own name and the introductions are finalised..

Shiina, Jen and Hoshimaru then proceed to chase Tarask all over the town with no luck in catching him up, eventually shattered they take rest in department stare and Shiina sleeps.

Only to find she is having “that Dream” again, she is lying in darkness with someone calling her name…..”SHIINA”, she wonders if it is Hoshimaru, her dad, or perhaps Tsurumaru, is it Tsurumaru?
“Shiina….” She brought awake by Jen calling her name, they’ve got trouble……..

The US have brought in their big guns, circling overhead is a spotter helicopter and an AC130 Gunship (equipped with both cannon and miniguns). Jen and Co can see Robert & Tarask on one of the nearby building’s roofs and call to him to escape but the AC130 opens fire with a minigun and obliterates the rooftop, it then follows up using one of its cannons and the local neighbourhood is reduced to rubble, Shiina and Jen desperately seek cover as Hoshimaru protects Shiina from falling shrapnel and rubble.

Jen’s desperate to find Robert but Shiina won’t let her go out into the hail of incoming fire. She asks Hoshimaru if there is anything he can do, perhaps with an Iron girder and Hoshimaru obliging creates one as the shocked Jen looks on. Hoshimaru scores two direct hits to one of the AC130’s port engines causing an engine fire and the aircraft to halt its offensive pattern.

Straight away Jen runs out into the rubble to look for her Son with Shiina cautiously chasing after her. The AC130 being unable to ascertain where they were taking damage from has ordered the scout helicopter to investigate the area and Jen and Shiina come face to face with it. Jen quickly empties a clip of ammo into the locality of the cockpit forcing it to retreat and Shiina unwilling to see any more people get hurt tells Jen she know’s where Robert is, leading her away from the area. Jen tells her that the infantry will be on their way to this location and Shiina wonders what they can do, Jen looks at Hoshimaru thoughtfully……..

A US patrol enters the area only to spot a figure in a raincoat fleeing from the scene, they give chase and eventually manage to corner to figure in an alleyway as they advance warning the figure not to make an sudden moves the humanoid shape dissolves, the raincoat falls to the ground and we see the familiar contours of Hoshimaru zooming into the sky.

Jen and Shiina have stopped, out of breath Jen asks which way Robert is and When Shiina looks sorry realises she has been tricked, Shiina apologises while Jen slumps to the ground. She slowly picks herself up and starts to trudge back in the direction that they came from Shiina asks where she is going and she replies “I’m going back”.

Shiina looks worried but as Jen slowly walks off new chatter starts up in Jens radio earpiece, at the same time Shiina’s eyes open wide and she tells Jen that Robert and Tarask are OK! She can “feel” them again. Hoshimaru jets back to the group and they set off again in pursuit of Tarask.

They finally spot Tarask on top of a nearby building and as they approach Jen starts to wonder to herself what the US military will send next now that they have disabled the AC130 Gunship.

They ascend the Building and Jen is able to start to reassure Robert when they are both startled by an approaching sound. Jen & Co look up to see an F16 fighter roaring in and dropping a bomb onto their location, Jen’s eyes widen with horror as the bombs casing opens and she shouts in shock that it’s a cluster bomb!

We break away to Tsurumaru & Norio’s place to be shown a couple of vehicles pulling up outside, some dangerous looking characters get out. Norio is inside wondering how long he will have to help out Tsurumaru when he hears a noise outside he goes to investigate. Opening the door he is met with a kick to the stomach that knocks him to the floor and gets him really riled until he find a Katana just inches from his throat. The guy wielding the blade wants to know where “That foolish bastard is” and Norio (correctly assuming they are after Tsurumaru) tells them he is out, The guy orders the others to search the place and tells Norio he better not be lying slicing into Norio’s ear with his Katana until one of Norio’s earring’s fall out..

The group of yakuza reassemble shortly later to confirm there is no sign of Tsurumaru and we then see that this is the same group that Tsurumaru “rescued” the young runaway girl from in volume 7. Clearly they want payback for their loss of “merchandise” and face.

The Katana guy signals to his Boss what should be done (about Norio) and as the boss answers “anything you like” Norio tries to make a run for it, Katana guy swings his blade and cuts Norio’s right ankle deeply, the tendons are severed and Norio crumples to the floor, Katana guy remarks “Do you want to die?” Norio looks really worried.

We cut back to the rooftop which has become a firestorm, Shiina and Jen have been blown off the side of the building with the force of the initial explosion, all around them cluster bomblets are reducing buildings to flying rubble. Hoshimaru just manages to get to Shiina in time and slows her fall whilst protecting her from rubble and glass that is raining down on them. Shiina has spotted Jen falling too but before she can order Hoshi to help her out Tarask rushes past, he gently catches Jen in his arms and Jen catches a flicker of recognition in Robert’s eyes as they stare at each other. Tarask lands, places Jen on the ground gently and then runs off again with more F16’s closing in on his position.

[tsurumaru]

Narutaru Volume 10 Spoiler Synopsis.

Part 3.

Warning: not for the weak of constitution!

Spoiler:

We then cut to Tsurumaru and Vagina Dentata, Tsurumaru briefs Norio on what he’d like him to do, each F16 is only armed with two cluster bombs, if Norio can remove the seeker unit from the tip of the bomb it will be unable to deploy, and they will have effectively neutered the attackers.

VD in flight form catches one of the F16’s and literally absorbs one of the cluster bomb heads into its hand, however the pilot notices and pulls off some evasive maneuvers however Norio is able to keep up and disables the other bomb, “Norio now the next one” Tsurumaru urges.

Back where Norio is the Yakuza chumps have discovered Norio is a guy (he gets a swift kick to the head for it but things don’t look too bad) Norio debates what he is to do if Vagina Dentata was here he could easily take care of all of these guys, however Shiina and Tsurumaru are now in danger, he must eliminate the threat there and then bring VD back to him as fast as he can, can he do it? He must try…..
One of the Yakuza chumps complains that he is bored and the boss tells Katana guy to phone “Butakui” (Lit Pig eater?) From here on I’ll refer to him as Porky (as he is). The boss says Porky would like this kind of thing and that he will make a good video, the boss heads home. Norio has his eyes closed and his face is full of concentration.

Back in the south Norio has managed to take out another cluster bomb and Tsurumaru urges him that he is nearly done it! Shiina catches up to Jen who is frantically looking for Robert again. Jen tells Shiina to go, she will look for Robert alone but Shiina follows her anyway. Overhead an F16 flashes past with a familiar shape in pursuit “Norio” Shiina calls out filled with hope. She also thinks that that means that Tsurumaru will have come too and catches herself being pleased by that thought.

Jen wants to know what the hell that strange thing was that was pursuing the F16 and Shiina answers “My friend”. Tsurumaru is really urging Norio on now, only one bomb to go and its all done, when suddenly he is distracted by something.

The large imposing figure of “Porky” bears down over Norio. He wants to know who hit Norio in the face and one of the chumps gleefully owns up. Porky begins to beat the crap out of him and then turns to Norio saying “This guy doesn’t appreciate you like I do”. Norio realises that this guy is real trouble and then realises that Tsurumaru is in trouble.

Tsurumaru has been distracted by the sounds of another 2 F16’s flying overhead these are operating at a higher altitude and have already launched their payloads directly overhead. Just as the bomblets start to go off Vagina Dentata arrives encircling Tsurumaru with its protective arms.

A video camera is now recording Porky as he defiles Norio, Porky has a sick look in his eyes and is taking intense pleasure from raping Norio, Porky also has a knife and starts to use it…The chumps looking on don’t seem to be so keen on revenge now.

Norio’s mind is racing, his situation is bad but Tsurumaru is still in danger, should he abandon him to save himself? He realises that there is no way for him to let Tsurumaru know he is in trouble himself and he decides that whilst he still can, he will aid Tsurumaru to the best of his abilities.

Tsurumaru unaware of what is happening to Norio tells him to protect Shiina, Don’t worry about him protect Shiina! Norio is upset that he must leave Tsurumaru to help Shiina, Tsurumaru obviously cares (romantically) more about Shiina (than him) and he realises that he must be a pitiful character in this situation. He isn’t able to let Tsurumaru know how he feels in the current situation.

Vagina Dentata creates a large multiple rocket launcher and decides he must continue to help Tsurumaru as this is the only way that Tsurumaru will understand. Porky asks him why he wont say anything as it must really hurt, “Its ok to cry, its ok to call out”. F16’s are being blasted out of the skies now… Tsurumaru urges him on “Just 3 left now”. As Porky tells him to do his best there is a little more left yet, he brings his knife down to bear viscously….. Norio wonders if Tsurumaru really has someone special he cares for…Norios eyes go wide with pain…..Porky tells him again “It hurts eh? Its ok to cry its ok to beg”…Norio's next shot completely misses the F16 with Tsurumaru looking on in anticipation……..Porky tells Norio he’s only got a little more to do, wont he let him hear his cute voice? The Yakuza Chumps are busy puking in the background in reaction to what has been done (which thankfully we dont see).
Norio flashes back to his college days “What are you doing? What are you making?” Tsurumaru asks him, it’s the first time they met…..Another F16 is downed…Tsurumaru in the present calls out “Just one left, I’m counting on you”…Porky asks if Norio is OK? Is he going to faint? Norio blacks out and Vagina Dentata drops from the sky like a stone.
Norio flashes back to his college days again, Tsurumaru is asking Norio if he would like to help him, together they could build a new world, Tsurumaru then asks him why he is blushing. In the present Porky tells him his face has lost its colour he’d better be quick as he prepares an injection.
Tsurumaru in the present reaches the prone form of Vagina Dentata just as Porky is giving Norio the injection, “What’s wrong Norio?” he calls to him. Norio is jerked back to conciousness but is confused, where is he? He can see the corrugated roof of tsurumaru’s place above him but also Tsurumaru himself anxiously calling his name, then Porky telling him “Just a little more” and then back to where Tsurumaru is, he realises that he has little time left and must be decisive, He is not a girl, but that’s ok, Tsurumaru does have a special girl and that is Shiina, he must do his best to protect them both, Vagina Dentata rises to its feet slowly with a worried Tsurumaru looking on, an F16 flashes overhead its deadly cargo still intact, then Porky’s face filled with pleasure as the Knife comes down again. Norio tells himself yes, just a little more and Vagina Dentata changes, grows taller, over 150 feet tall, Tsurumaru calls out in shock “A dragon”. Norio mentally apologises to Vagina Dentata, “It doesn’t look like I will be able to give you my soul anymore, I’m sorry” he thinks.
Porky’s blood stained hands are clasped around Norio’s head “Isn’t there anything you want to say?” He cajools. Norio's mouth drools from the drugs and his eyes start to glaze over.
Tsurumaru looks on in shock as Norio mentally apologises to him, “I’m sorry Tsurumaru, it doesn’t look like I will be able to help you anymore from here on”
The last F16 is too close to avoid the huge dragon and crashes into it, the pilot ejecting just in time. Revealed in the centre of the dragon is the form of a baby an umbilical cord linking it to Vagina Dentata, “Something I want to say” Norio thinks.
As the scene shifts from Vagina Dentata to Norio’s blood stained body his lips start to move the Yakuza looking on withdrawn, even Porky looks a little shocked. “I wasn’t able to say anything, was I ?” says Norio a wry smile forming on his lips as the life drains from his eyes and we see Tsurumaru watch in horror as the dragon form of Vagina Dentata Breaks and falls to the ground letting off an eerie light. 

Tsurumaru is racing to Shiina’s location a grim look on his face, “Shiina” he calls out, “Tsurumaru!” she replies delighted to see him. “Norio, What happened to Norio?” she asks, Tsurumaru doesn’t know, “Its crazy” but he seems really worried now.

Another 2 F16’s fly overhead, Tsurumaru looks amazed “Again, more of them?”.
He tells Shiina that they must escape as more cluster bombs will be heading their way. Shiina looks at Jen now at the other end of the street and stammers “Bu, But, That Dragon’s Girl?” Tsurumaru replies “The Otohime?” “She won’t come to help, because our opponents are Human”

Cluster bombs are raining down again, Hoshimaru is protecting shiina from rabble with Tsurumaru just behind, Tarask is enveloped in a maelstrom, “Jen!” Shiina calls out running after her again. Tsurumaru calls out for her to come back but she is rushing oblivious to the danger now. Tsurumaru thinks to himself “Hold on just a little longer Norio.” and rushes after Shiina.

Shiina catches up to Jen and asks her if she is OK, but Jen replies “Do you want to die?” referring to the carnage going on around them. Tsurumaru arrives and Jen eyes him suspiciously until he identifies himself as Shiina’s guardian they discuss the current situation and Tsurumaru tells them that this is not a “game of tag”. Jen has an idea and they rush back to the playground by the river, she says that this wasn’t a game of tag and they find Roberts (true) body hidden in the childrens playpark. He doesn’t look good and Jen urges then to get him to a hospital quickly. Shiina remarks that the voices she could hear have disappeared. We see Tarask in another part of the city its head raised in mourning with the limp (copied?) body of Robert lying in front of it.
With F16’s still flying overhead Shiina puts a hand on her own chest and tells Jen that she can now “feel” Gentleness, peacefulness and happiness instead. Jen enquires if this is Roberts emotions and she replies probably.
Tsurumaru and Shiina ride Hoshimaru back to back with two of Hoshimaru’s “limbs” providing a platform for Jen and Robert. Tsurumaru tells Shiina he knows where there is a local hospital but first they must get to his car. As Shiina looks down at the world rushing by she spots two isolated figures. Looking closer it appears to be Sudou and Akira! She begins to shout Hoshimaru’s name in surprise but is interrupted by Tsurumaru asking her what’s wrong? Looking at her situation she instead urges Hoshi onwards.

[tsurumaru]

Narutaru Volume 10 Spoiler Synopsis:

Part 4

Warning: REALLY BIG SPOILERS!

Spoiler:

Everyone clambers into Tsurumaru’s car and Shiina enquires why they can’t continue onwards using Hoshimaru, Tsurumaru explains that they would be seen and then found! He heads off at top speed as a crowd of people are gathering to look at the smoke rising from where they have come from. Jen is comforting Robert she tells him that she now understands, after two years in his state he has made a decision, before he had no option either to live or die, but was stuck in a limbo somewhere in between, She tell him that she has been a bad parent, but before she can explain to him notices his hand has gone limp and eyes blank. Tsurumaru tells them they are nearly at the hospital as the car speeds through town but Jen asks them gently to stop the car. Tsurumaru, Hoshimaru and Shiina look back and Shiina hugs Hoshi as Jen explains that its ok she has been waiting for this day. Jen wonders what she will do from here and Tsurumaru offers her his car (the number plates and engine chassis number are fakes so he can’t be traced). Jen apologies to Shiina for ever looking at her with suspicion and Shiina tells her that Robert didn’t hate her in fact he loved her. She asks if this is what Shiina “felt” from Robert and she says yes, Jen hugs and thanks her. Shiina and co watch as she drives off.

Jen drives straight to the nearest Police Station where she hands herself in for her earlier hit and run incident. The police seem concerned when they find Roberts body but she explains that it is her son and they show sympathy, they also let her know that the casualties from her hit and run are ok and she thanks God as she breaks down into tears.

Tsurumaru is eager to get Shiina home but Shiina explains she is going back (to the area they just came from). Tsurumaru asks what the hell she is saying, and she explains that Akira-chan was there Tsurumaru looks shocked but as she urges Hoshimaru to head off he tells her that he is going back to check on Norio..and she is coming with him. Shiina tells him that she is worried about Akira and Tsurumaru tells her this isn’t a decision she can make he can’t allow her to return to such a dangerous place. Shiina tells him that its OK as she has Hoshimaru with her and Tsurumaru tells her to listen to what he is saying. Shiina beckons Hoshimaru to head off but instead he floats down to Tsurumaru’s side.
Tsurumaru says “He won’t go………..” Shiina looks on in shock and puzzlement as both Tsurumaru and Hoshimaru look at her Tsurumaru has a serious look on his face, Shiina wonders “Huh?” and then Hoshimaru darts behind her and cocoon’s her in a new form (that looks a little like the Otohimes Dragon). Tsurmaru tells her “You are somehow special……” (That’s my Quote line!) and it all comes crashing down on Shiina, “Tsurumaru you are…… “. Yes Hoshimaru is Tsurumaru’s Dragonchild!!!

Tsurumaru joins her inside the new form of Hoshimaru and it launches into the sky, Shiina is angry and Tsurumaru is restraining her. She wants to go back and be let out of there but Tsurumaru is ignoring her pleas and heading back home. Suddenly from behind a cloud the Otohime’s dragon appears, Tsurumaru thinks it’s a joke that he is considered an enemy curse as the otohime’s dragon punctures Hoshimaru and “steals away” Shiina. Hoshimaru reverts to his normal form and Tsurumaru pursues the Dragon. The Dragon is heading straight back to the area the US military have blocked off and is making no attempt to hide itself several televison crews and most of the general public notice it. Tsurumaru is doing a stealthy pursuit dodging in and out of roof top billboards and is sure that the Dragon will be spotted by the US military. An F16 pilot spots something strange approaching…….

Meanwhile the US military are giving a press conference (and trying to cover up what has been happening - the plane was carrying ammunition etc etc) when a shocked looking US aide rushes on stage and whispers in the speaking Generals ear.
The Otohime’s dragon lands Shiina back amongst the ruined building and she thanks it and starts off at a run. Her head is full of thoughts, up until now Tsurumaru has been controlling Hoshimaru…..that means that the person that actually killed Hiro-chan was…..if this is the case then what the hell am I?

The F16 pilot has the strange object in his sights and then spots a figure running away he strafes the figure hitting both it and the Dragon. Shiina looks up at the aircraft and then down at her own body to see that her torso has been shredded apart Shiina’s body falls to the ground……in pieces……..

Tsurumaru has seen what has happened being just to late to help, he screams out Shiina's name as the Otohime’s Dragon merely looks on impassively.
He rushes to where the pieces of her body are now spilling blood only for the glass in the windows around him to melt, a blinding light emanate from the horizon, and the shockwave from a nuclear detonation envelope the area.
He and Hoshimaru as well as Cars Buses, F16’s and buildings all become simply objects in the air being propelled outwards by the force of the explosion. Further out, both the crowds of onlookers, US Soldiers, and Jen and the Police, look on in horror as a mushroom cloud forms. Within the rubble are many injured US soldiers and bits and pieces of recognisable objects.
Hoshimaru has been partially crushed by rubble but Tsurumaru has been saved by a piece of wall that stood up to the impact and protected him from the rubble. He slowly gets to his feet and simply stares upwards at the forming mushroom cloud, blood is running from his many injuries and radiation flashburns have marked the right side of his face and his right arm but he simply stares upwards in disbelief and shock……

Volume 10 End.

[Griffith]

Wow, that's.. pretty fucked up heh I had heard some of what happened before, but I didn't think it would be this bad. How graphic is the violence? And are the next two volumes even more disturbing? I'll definetly be reading the summaries to those as well, even if I get the manga before then as I'm enjoying these very much. Thanks for providing them to us!

[Flash_Squirrel]

Originally Posted by Griffith

How graphic is the violence?

Spoiler:

You can see Shiina's innards, and a few other interesting things.

[Kotonoha]

Originally Posted by Griffith

How graphic is the violence?

http://www.geocities.com/half_pain/nt_fun.htm

Don't worry, everyone! It looks far worse than it really is.

[tsurumaru]

Originally Posted by Kotonoha

http://www.geocities.com/half_pain/nt_fun.htm

Don't worry, everyone! It looks far worse than it really is.

Thanks for the image Kotonoha - Slightly understated caption !

I like your avvy

Have you seen this sketch on Kitoh-sans homepage by the way?

http://www.geocities.jp/nahoowner/mono/scrap/ouro.htm

Spoiler:

I guess Sudou-san is meant to encompass the Thanatos, and Tsurumaru the Eros aspects of the human condition.......

Although I'm starting to agree with you on certain aspects of the authors outlook on things.

[Quarkboy]

I have a question about what happens at the end of volume 10:

Spoiler:

Is it clear that it is the US that nukes the site, because I would think that they would clear out their own firepower before doing such a drastic measure. Furthermore, what exactly is the US's motive here? Are they trying to recapture Robert's dragon (which shouldn't exist anymore since he finally died), or simply cover up what went on? (Which is horribly dumb... cover up military aggression with even greater military aggression? How exactly DO you spin a nuclear explosion in a populated area anyway...) If it wasn't the US, then who? Japan is not supposed to have nuclear weapons... (technically, anyway).
I've read all 12 volumes, but my Japanese is lacking so I don't get these details properly...
One more question, while I'm at it.... what were Noriko and Tsurumaru doing on Shiina's island back in the first chapter? The manga seems to imply they know something about Shiina already that makes her interesting to them (major spoiler-Do they know about Shiina's true nature at this point?)

[tsurumaru]

Originally Posted by Quarkboy

I have a question about what happens at the end of volume 10:

Spoiler:

Is it clear that it is the US that nukes the site, because I would think that they would clear out their own firepower before doing such a drastic measure. Furthermore, what exactly is the US's motive here? Are they trying to recapture Robert's dragon (which shouldn't exist anymore since he finally died), or simply cover up what went on? (Which is horribly dumb... cover up military aggression with even greater military aggression? How exactly DO you spin a nuclear explosion in a populated area anyway...) If it wasn't the US, then who? Japan is not supposed to have nuclear weapons... (technically, anyway).
I've read all 12 volumes, but my Japanese is lacking so I don't get these details properly...
One more question, while I'm at it.... what were Noriko and Tsurumaru doing on Shiina's island back in the first chapter? The manga seems to imply they know something about Shiina already that makes her interesting to them (major spoiler-Do they know about Shiina's true nature at this point?)

Ok my understanding is not that great either but:

SPOILERS

Spoiler:

In Volume 12 when Shiina is linking to her Dragonchild, there are a couple of panels that show some interesting things, One shows Sudou-san in a basement using Trickster to create a nuclear warhead, I'm pretty sure that this along with Miyako's statement that they will use the US's lies against them means that Sudou created and set this bomb off to pin the blame on the US and put them in an intractable position. (Remember they had already admitted that the crashed aircraft was carrying weapons/ammo to cover up the explosions that were occuring and secure the immediate area - this is my conjecture).

As to why the US were so desperate to recapture Robert I'm not sure, I cant translate enough to tell what his dragonchild was like before they operated on him to gain a "sample" of his brain and whether the creation of Tarask's dragon form was a dramatic sudden event or something that happened over some time (after he was in a vegetative state). They probably rate possessing a dragonchild (for its military benefits) just a highly as Miyako does so this would seem their motivation to get Robert back.

As for Norio and Tsurumaru being on Shiina's grandparents island, I can't pick anything up that would explain why they went there unless they were following up leads on Adult Dragons (because of the sighting in the prologue). During Shiina's battle with Pushdagger, Norio and Tsurumaru are suprised by an Adult dragon appearing though and Norio remarks that its the first time he's seen an Otohime before so perhaps not. Perhaps Tsurumaru was just searching for a new supply of more young girls?

Strangely enough Shiina seems to know her own destiny more than anyone else as when she is drowning in Volume 1 one of the things she says is:

"If I die will the world disappear? Am I the world???"

Doesn't this seems a strange thing to say......

[TronDD]

I just got the rest of the Japanese Narutaru manga that were on back order, including volume 6.

I though the anime was violent! Holy crap. It'll be interesting to see what Dark Horse does.

P.S. Yeah, I'm a little behind the times but I just had to react.

[Briareos]

Speaking of being behind the times, I just got the first Dark Horse TPB last Thursday.

The anime was my first real exposure to this series, and I have to say that after reading the first English volume that I'm actually a little disappointed at the way the anime version was written and directed. Specifically, well, there's much more to the story than the anime covers (at least at first). Tsurumaru has mentioned this before, but early appearances of various characters and Shadow Dragons were cut out of the anime or changed, and the manga just works better for me all around.

I loved how...

Spoiler:

...Shiina attacks Push Dagger mid-air and the Dragon's sharp edge cut through the metal plane part (Shiina was using as a weapon) like paper. Then after stairing Push Dagger in the eye at point blank range, she smiles nervously and screams for Hoshimaru to "Run Away! RunAway!" LOL. This makes Shiina's run-in with Push Dagger later on much more interesting because by then we already know what it can do.

The bigger surprise for me was who was on the plane when it was attacked, i.e. Tsurumaru and his male friend (who looks like a girl with his long hair) who makes the Dragon dolls.

Now that I've read the manga, it's clearer to me what happened to Akira and why she...

Spoiler:

...killed her father. The discussion that Akira has with Shiina in chapter 2 or 3 (sword practice) pretty much tells me that her father beats her. Her pregnancy later on (if she really is pregnant) is likely the result of her sleeping around in search of love. I do not think it is the result of her father sexually abusing her as some people think. Unfortunately, she's probably attracted to the same abusive type of guy that her father seems to be. My guess is that when her father went to hit her one last time, Akira struck out with the (chibi) push dagger she'd been given earlier. Poor Akira, unable to escape the circle of violence.

I'll most certainly be buying the rest of the DH collected volumes as they become available. (1-4 have already been released with vol 5 right around the corner, although the English volumes do not line up with the Japanese volumes chapter-wise.)