Something's Taken the Bait

The Kur who piloted the Jet Booster Exosuit wakes outside her suit in a wrecked landscape resembling Reiko Kashima's domain. Barely able to stand, she is met by Saint-Germain, who idly asks whether the broken suit is hers and suggests she find a replacement. He admits he wants her help with a certain matter and lets her refuse, though he warns that Earth's crushing gravity will finish her without him, a point her wobbling legs make for him.

On the road to the Ayase residence, Aira and Jiji keep glaring at Unji until Momo wonders aloud how much longer they mean to keep it up. Aira voices her distrust, and Unji's shrug only irritates her further. Manjiro's van waits out front; he tells a puzzled Jiji that the Evil Eye's briefs are pulling in tourists. Seiko emerges with luggage, brushes off questions about her bandages, and announces a trip to Shimane where Momo might be returned to her real body. The news lifts everyone. Okarun, Jiji, and Aira win permission to come along if they pack fast, and on learning that Unji, Raiya, and Daiki are fellow victims of the cursed trunk, Seiko invites them too, waving off Unji's worry about money.

Kinta then zips in on his hoverboard with word that the blackmailer surfaced after meeting Koki, with Rin now tailing them. Momo asks to delay the trip to help their friend, but Seiko insists they leave at once to reach the hour of the ox on tomorrow's supermoon. Aira offers to stay, and Okarun, despite longing to see Momo restored, chooses to remain as well and apologizes. Momo forgives him, sends him to aid the others, and promises she will come back normal. Okarun, Aira, and Kinta sprint for the school, while back at the gym Rin hides behind a wall as Murakami closes in from behind.

Saint-Germain approaches the alien who piloted the Jet Booster Exosuit and persuades her to serve him. The Family then heads home, bringing Unji, Raiya, and Daiki along to see Seiko. Seiko hurries everyone to set off for Shimane, since the ritual can only run during the supermoon at the hour of the ox that very night, and she brings the three newcomers too. Kinta shows up to report that Koki's blackmailer appeared and that Rin is trailing them toward the gym. Okarun makes Momo vow to return to normal before dashing back with Aira and Kinta, while Murakami creeps up behind Rin with unclear intent.

Released January 21, 2025 in Volume 21 under the Ultimate Yokai Saga, this Kozuka Knives Arc chapter sets two threads in motion: Saint-Germain recruiting the stranded exosuit alien, and Seiko's group racing toward Shimane for a supermoon ritual that could restore Momo to her original body.