I know the truth
I know what happened to Dad in the end
The 6K team will be disbanded,
officially.
Under the sea, there's also a universe.
In the deep sea, there's a universe out there.
it's clear what I have to do
Let's find a way to prove the existence of the universe in the deep sea.
I've brought the results you asked for.
The universe in the deep sea shines with a tiny light.
In order to check with the naked eye,
we must take the Shinkai 6500,
to investigate the large mud volcano.
Please.
my father's,
and our dreams,
help us realize them.
I got it.
something bad just happened.
The incident involving Amagai Atsushi-san in 2005 is in the newspaper.
The other side has made a pre-emptive strike.
Let's tell the media everything that's happened.
No, it's useless to say anything now.
Once the media turns against us, it will be difficult to change their position.
But we're sailing tomorrow. What should we do?
Kamio.
I'll leave it to you to prove that 6K is safe.
Eh?
No one will die on 6K.
6K is safe.
No one will die on 6K.
Alright?
Please prepare for tomorrow's dive as planned.
It is possible that the entire JAMSTEC crew is hiding the truth about Amagai-san's death.
He died on a dive 10 years ago, in a mysterious incident.
Now it has caused a lot of repercussions.
It's outrageous!
They're saying that because they don't know anything.
I won't give in.
Ishido-san said he will not abort the dive.
So all that's left, is for us to do our job.
[Amagai Atsushi-san, the former manned submarine diver.]
Hello.
Are you okay?
Yes, I'm fine.
[Miyuki Amagai's father.]
It's not really okay, is it?
Tomorrow's voyage will not change.
There won't be any problems.
No matter how the world attacks us, we have to produce results .
So that we change the world's opinion accordingly.
I would be uneasy too.
Eh?
I haven't seen the universe in the deep sea with my own eyes.
I can only create hypotheses.
The only one who has really seen it is your father.
Once you've gone on a voyage and you can't prove the universe in the deep sea,
then all our efforts will have been in vain.
We definitely will.
To face and challenge the unknown, that's what a scientist does.
We'll leave the rest to Ishido-san.
We'll sail tomorrow as planned.
Don't get carried away.
Stop the voyage.
For this crime, Kikuya-san is willing to take some responsibility for you,
you'll be slightly less guilty.
Crime?
Are you still planning to sail?
JAMSTEC is now being attacked by the media.
Is that so?
TV announcer: It's not clear yet.
JAMSTEC has been covering up the accident that killed him on the submarine
TV announcer: Why are you hiding the cause of Amagai-san's death?
What are you doing?
Take a look.
TV announcer: What happened to Amagai-san while he was diving in the Shinkai 6500 cockpit?
TV announcer: JAMSTEC has not yet given a clear answer.
TV announcer: Next, let's take a look at a special episode on a possible earthquake in the near future.
TV announcer: This time we have invited Professor Kosugi Kouki from Tohoku Teikan University.
TV announcer: Thank you for your time today.
Professor Kosugi from Teikan University
TV announcer: Predicting when an earthquake will occur
Hey, Takamine!
TV announcer: Is it impossible at this stage?
Kosugi: I think this is a very difficult problem
Kosugi: But regarding this question, I recently read a very interesting paper
Turn on the TV!
Hurry up!
TV announcer: You are referring to this paper published in a scientific journal.
[Can a giant earthquake be predicted?
TV announcer: In this paper from the National Science Journal,
TV announcer: analyzing the mud volcano spiral vortex could predict earthquakes
TV announcer: This is a new hypothesis, right?
Kosugi: Yes, I have a high opinion of this hypothesis.
Kosugi: I think it is a very accurate hypothesis.
Kosugi: It was created by a researcher from JAMSTEC, which has been a hot topic recently.
Kosugi: The leader of this project is Takamine Koji.
Kosugi: There are also researchers in various fields working with Takamine.
Kosugi: It can even be said that it is a collection of talents in the field of marine science.
Kosugi: At this stage, it is still a hypothesis, and more precise data are needed.
Kosugi: I heard that tomorrow JAMSTEC is going on a research dive in the Nankai Trough.
Kosugi: Even if it's for the future of earthquake science,
Kosugi: I am looking forward to the results of this dive.
TV announcer: But what do you think about the current controversy about the death of a diver in an accident?
TV announcer: The safety of the submarine is also controversial.
Kosugi: These reports have nothing to do with this hypothesis.
Kosugi: I think if this hypothesis can be proven,
Kosugi: the future of earthquake prediction and Japanese marine research will be brighter.
Professor Kosugi is a leading authority on earthquakes,
he is also a reputable professor in the university.
The media is the mirror of public opinion.
Searching for the universe in the deep sea,
you can't stop it anymore.
Thank you.
Is it really possible to set sail like this?
Don't worry about it,
you just need to concentrate on the sea.
I know.
I've been thinking a lot lately.
Why did my father force himself to go to 6K when he knew he was sick?
I think my father
wanted to be a first-class researcher like you,
so he had to keep up the pace with you.
His obsession with the universe in the deep sea,
was because of you, Ishido-san.
I'm sure that's why he's been able to dive on the 6K.
To be able to live such a life,
I think my father was very happy.
Thank you.
It's almost time, isn't it?
Let's finish the mission.
Yes, I'm going.
Ten years ago, on the day he left, we had a fight.
He told me about it too,
and then he said he was grateful to you.
Grateful?
Thanks to you, he was able to concentrate on his research.
For your sake,
he had to prove the universe in the deep sea.
That's what he said.
In the end,
he didn't forget about his family.
Really?
Thank you.
I'll be holding a press conference tomorrow,
I will explain everything to the media.
Bye.
Miyuki said,
she is not going to give in.
I think she's getting stronger.
Yes, she is.
This is the arrangment for the dive,
Co-pilot, Amagai
Yes, sir.
Researcher... Takamine-san
Yes, sir.
And the submarine pilot, Kamio.
Do you have any questions?
Well, I...
Kamio was in the same position 10 years ago,
I'm sure you will find the universe in the deep sea again.
Yes, the only one who can take care of Amagai is Kamio-san.
Right?
Yes, we'll support you from up here too. Please go ahead.
Kamio-san,
I'm counting on you.
If you don't want to, I can take your place.
How could I not?
I thought I'd never ride 6K again.
Kamio-san,
can you tell me the route to the massive mud volcano?
To get to the massive mud volcano,
we have to set course on this 45° route.
On the way, you'll pass a landmark bearing -1500,
where the group of white gourd shells are.
If you continue 30° further,
we will encounter the whale bones,
where the military plane is sunk in front of it.
But it's 10 years old, will it still be the same place?
To be honest, we won't know unless we go there.
Periodic earthquakes occur in this area,
it's not unusual for the terrain to change completely.
It looks like the dive is not going to be easy.
Yes
Amagai
Yes
We are at the dive site,
get ready.
Yes, sir.
Amagai!
I'm fine. I can dive.
If you please.
Okay, let's go then.
Yes.
Let me out!
Amagai.
One day, you'll get to see it for yourself
The universe of the deep sea.
Amagai.
If you need someone to take over for you, do it now.
No, I'm fine.
Okay.
I wonder if Amagai will be okay.
Yes, she'll be fine.
Radio power switch test.
Switch is on.
Power switch detection in the pressure gauge handler.
Power Operation Panel Booster Activator Switch Check.
Switch is on.
Booster pressure level check,
1308
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules,
to attend today's press conference.
The Director will explain the situation shortly.
Please wait for a moment.
It's deep sea snow
You seem to be enjoying the scenery,
you must be fine then.
Yes, I am.
By the way,
I saw beautiful snowfall at that time.
Amagai-senpai was talking about you while looking at it.
About me?
He said that the name "Miyuki" came from marine snow.
It looks like it's okay this time.
I'm relieved.
I didn't see any white gourd shells, nor the whale bones.
Amagai.
Contact the ship.
We're going to check around the area.
Yes, sir.
Shinkai to Yokosuka,
We should be near the target now,
but we are unable to confirm the exact location.
We will search the area. Please advise.
Yokosuka, copy.
Distance to the target is
450° 250 meters, over.
Shinkai, copy.
I am Director Ishido.
I will begin my report.
This is what happened in the accident on the Shinkai 6500.
The accident occurred at a mud volcano in the Nankai Trough.
In fact, the research vessel Yokosuka
is now in that area.
And the Shinkai 6500,
is now diving near this mud volcano.
This is the image from that dive.
During that research dive,
it was possible,
that something was filmed.
That would be
a military aircraft.
Military aircraft
For many years,
because of a communication cable laid there,
that area was forbidden from surveys.
But in fact,
there is no communication cable there.
The white gourd shells!
What do you think, Kamio-san?
No doubt about it, this is the same place we passed 10 years ago.
Amagai, turn the camera around.
I'll look for the marker with the sonar in front.
Understood.
I found the marker.
Shinkai to Yokosuka,
we've reached a massive mud volcano. Please advise.
Yokosuka, copy.
The military plane should be right in front of us.
Kamio-san.
Please collect the soil specimens from here.
Understood.
Ten years ago
I,
went on a dive to confirm the condition of the downed military aircraft.
And at that time,
the Shinkai 6500 pilot
I was on the dive with,
a friend of mine,
Amagai Atsushi,
died during the dive.
His whole life,
he pursued his dreams for the future of science,
he was a very good man.
During those 10 years,
I have been
kept this fact to myself.
I am prepared to accept any punishment.
It's just that,
there is one thing I want you to understand
the Shinkai 6500 is safe.
Every single screw,
is carefully taken care of by the pilots.
And this voyage,
will be a success.
I,
as of today,
will resign as the Director of JAMSTEC.
I will entrust the dream of the future of science,
to the next generation.
Wait a minute,
did you decide to investigate military aircraft on your own?
Or did someone ask you to do it?
I can't answer that question.
It's all my responsibility.
For this,
I am deeply sorry.
How much time before we reach the military plane?
The exact location is near the top of the mountain, on our side.
At this rate, we'll be there in a few minutes.
Kamio-san,
there's a strong reflection not far ahead.
Could it be the military aircraft?
No way!
The military aircraft should be further ahead.
The mud made the water too murky, so I can't see ahead.
You don't think....
There was a landslide?
Amagai!
Let's check with the ship.
Yes, sir.
Shinkai to Yokosuka,
the military aircraft may have caused a landslide.
Yokosuka, copy.
Aren't they on a different course from the previous survey?
It's not that straightforward.
The angle is also different.
Kikuya-san,
are you going back?
It's impossible to get a clean slate.
The both of us.
Kikuya-san.
Please say give a statement.
Drive!
Please give a statement.
Yokosuka to Shinkai,
although we cannot confirm,
but it's possible that a major landslide has occurred.
Yokosuka to Shinkai,
abort dive,
return immediately.
Repeat.
Return immediately.
Please respond.
Did you not hear me?
Abort the dive.
Amagai!
If we return to the ship now.
Shinkai to Yokosuka,
we will return to the ship. Over.
What was that?
What's going on?
Yokosuka to Shinkai,
are you all right?
Yokosuka to Shinkai, please respond.
There's a leak.
Leak?
I'm afraid the hull was hit by something.
Ishido?
Yes.
We have lost contact with 6K.
I think they have encountered some trouble.
Find a way to turn the thrusters and get out.
Restart the booster.
Yes, sir.
Kamio-san!
What's going on?
It's the net!
Adjust the thrusters forward and to the left.
Yes!
Thank goodness!
What's wrong?
I don't know.
This is Ishido.
What's the status?
I don't know. There's no response.
I think there's a malfunction.
Please confirm the exact route of the mother ship and 6K.
I'll explain the situation to the authorities.
I understand. Excuse me.
Shinkai to Yokosuka, please respond.
Shinkai to Yokosuka.
It's not working, I can't connect.
It's okay.
Let's go check the situation.
Yes, sir.
I can't see anything in front of me
Amagai, how are you doing over there?
We probably tripped over something.
Let's move a little.
Yes, sir.
Vertical thrusters.
Up 400.
Still no good.
Separate the ballasts.
Yes, sir.
I'm separating.
Separated!
It's not working, we're not ascending.
Kamio-san!
The sample basket is tangled in the rope.
Can you untangle it with the robot arm?
Let's try.
Kondo, what's going on?
I still can't get through to 6K.
Maybe there's something wrong with the electrical system.
Toyama?
Yes, sir.
Check if there's any abnormality in the marine echo device.
Yes, sir.
I've got it.
Check again, the last confirmed position and heading of 6K.
Yes, sir.
It may have been changed by the rising currents.
I got it.
Amagai,
how many hours do we have left?
According to the current power level,
less than an hour left.
Even if you can't untie the cord
It is possible to separate the sample basket directly, right?
But if we separate it,
the samples collected just now will all be wasted.
Let's unload it.
But,
in order to get it,
how many days of hard work did we put into it?
That's right.
Many days and nights
Takamine-san and his team worked tirelessly,
they've worked really hard.
And,
the secret of the universe in the deep sea that my father could not find,
I am just one step away from it.
I think it's amazing.
Therefore,
we must return safely.
Kamio-san,
Our job as submarine pilots,
is to deliver the crew to the deep sea,
and return them to land without incident, right?
Let's unload it.
Amagai?
Yes, sir.
Sample basket,
separating now.
It's moving.
I'm sorry, Takamine-san.
What are you talking about?
But,
I couldn't produce a single result.
Let's do it again.
Kamio-san!
Can you turn the hull to the side?
OK.
It's the universe in the deep sea.
When will you bring Miyuki?
Yes
Mom, too.
Okay, let's go together as a family.
Is that a marker made by my father?
Yes, it is.
Look at that!
If you go deeper and deeper into the sea,
there will be stars!
I used this to explore the bottom of the sea.
They're spinning around and shining like the universe.
It's so beautiful!
This is...
One day you will get to see it for yourself.
The universe in the deep sea.
Your father,
he saw this too, right?
We've finally found it,
here.
It's your father,
he showed us the universe in the deep sea.
Amagai, don't cry.
If you cry, you won't be able to see with your eyes.
You can only see this with the naked eye,
from inside the 6K.
Yes!
Facing the deep sea,
to see this,
among all of mankind,
we're the only ones here.
9 MONTHS LATER
The universe exists in the deep sea. JAXA & JAMSTEC ～The Universe and the Deep Sea - Joint Project
Sorry to keep you waiting.
We would like to introduce to you
the following JAMSTEC researchers.
Takai Ken, a researcher in geomicrobiology,
and marine geologist Takamine Koji.
My initial hypothesis was that
deep-sea cosmic phenomena are reflections of minerals.
But that was wrong
As Amagai Atsushi-san predicted,
they are luminous sea creatures.
And I learned that they appear in huge spirals
Like a galaxy in the universe.
We are currently investigating,
the possibility that the earthquake was an opportunity for
life to flourish in the deep sea.
The huge earthquakes and it's surrounding destruction,
on the contrary, can also cultivate microorganisms.
A phenomenon that we scientists could not predict,
is happening there.
That's amazing what you've just explained. What do you think, Takai-san?
Yes.
In fact, we know that earthquakes and volcanoes occur in the deep sea.
There is also a biosphere that is supported by the Earth's internal activity.
Also, in the Earth's oceans and the universe,
there may also be ecospheres of life in those oceans like the one we found here.
In other words, the study of the deep sea is related to the study of the universe.
Yes, I do think so too.
Okay.
Now, let's welcome
a doctor of engineering at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA),
Professor Kawaguchi Junichiro.
A round of applause for Professor Kawaguchi Junichiro please.
Professor Kawaguchi is the leader of the asteroid explorer,
and leader of the Hayabusa project.
Hayabusa has successfully collected rock samples from an asteroid,
and has touched all of Japan.
So, Professor Kawaguchi, if you please.
Yes.
In the exploration of the universe,
I think the ultimate goal is to find life.
Although Hayabusa has brought back rock samples,
it's not just about finding resources.
The origin of life is arguably the greatest secret of mankind
It has received a lot of attention.
The oceans are not only on Earth.
In the solar system, around Jupiter, Saturn,
and beneath the ice-encrusted moon,
it is said that there are vast oceans.
I hope that in the future I can use a similar deep sea submarine to explore them.
I want to see life with my own eyes.
Let's do our best. Thank you very much.
Please do your best. Thank you.
Thank you all very much.
Once again, please give another round of applause.
Next, we are going to have a conversation with the submarine pilot who discovered the universe in the deep sea.
Hey, Amagai, the live broadcast has begun.
Pilot Amagai, what's the universe in the deep sea like?
Yes.
It's like a star, shining brightly.
Very dreamy.
And then after the dive,
I had a feeling.
It's not just that there's a universe in the deep sea,
the deep sea and the universe are connected.
My father was also a Shinkai 6500 pilot.
He told me a lot of things.
The unknown world of the deep sea,
is a vast and mysterious world.
Deep sea research is still just beginning.
Every dive has a new discovery.
We have not yet reached the Earth's mantle.
When was the Earth born?
How did life come into being?
I think the answer lies deep under the sea.
There are answers.
You are an excellent researcher.
From now on, JAMSTEC will be counting on you.
Ishido-san, what's next for you?
I must take responsibility.
I'll start from scratch.
I will wait for you.
One day,
I want to do research with you.
Thank you.
This work is a fiction. Except for the names of some organizations, the characters and organizations appearing in this work are fictional.