Volume 13 Chapter 371 Yamada Maruo, Always Hakuryuu-sensei
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Tachibana, played by Mayuzumi-san¹, stood his ground against his lover, Tsukiko – played by Awashima-san.
’Dammit! Tsukiko, stop this! Please, remember me!’ Tachibana yelled.
’What are you even talking about? I don’t know anyone like you!’ Tsukiko screamed back.
Tachibana, now transformed into Lightning Hopper², took the full brunt of every strike unleashed by Tora-uma, the form Tsukiko had taken.
Ugh! According to the Driver Archive³, the Lightning Hopper is a glass cannon – a suit built entirely for all-out offense. Forcing it into a defensive war of attrition like this is a suicide mission.
But it’s not like Tachibana can actually strike his own lover. The match was over before it even started.
’Tsukiko… please! Don’t do this anymore! Don’t hurt anyone else – don’t hurt yourself!’ Tachibana begged.
’Shut up, you pathetic man! I despise weaklings like you more than anything!’ Tsukiko shouted.
Tora-uma continued to pulverize the defenseless Lightning Hopper.
Looking closer, I could see that same black haze – the same stuff that infected Black Lexy – clinging to Tora-uma’s body.
’Even so… I’m not giving up!’ Tachibana grunted.
’You’re an eyesore!’ Tsukiko snapped.
A brutal heel drop sent Lightning Hopper crashing into the dirt.
Damn it! How the hell are they supposed to get out of this?!
As Lightning Hopper lay face-down, a transmission cut through the static from Commander Tajima.
’Everyone… can you hear me? This is Tamashima!’
Here, a flashback scene of Commander Tajima and the Shrine Maiden, played by Kukuri-san, enters.
Heh, I see, the black mist is maintaining consistency with missing memories by attaching copies of itself, made through cell division, to the Chijo⁴ who have had their memories erased.
But the problem is how to peel that mist off.
If that can’t be solved, there’s nothing that can be done.
’Haah… haah…’
Lightning Hopper braced his hands on his knees, forcing his body up one agonizing inch at a time.
Seeing that, Tora-uma actually flinched, taking a half-step back.
’You… you’re still standing?’ Tsukiko asked, her voice wavering.
’Yeah,’ Tachibana replied.
In response to Tsukiko’s question, Tachibana stared ma-ssu-gu (straight) ahead.
’Why? Why go this far?’ Tsukiko asked.
’Because I… I, never want to lose you again!’ Tachibana declared.
Lightning Hopper clenches his fist strongly.
’I love you… Tsukiko!’ Tachibana roared.
At Tachibana’s powerful words, Tora-uma’s body reacts with a jump.
’Shut up! You, what on earth are you saying in the middle of a battle?! Focus on the battle!’ Tsukiko screamed.
Tora-uma might be right.
But even so, the awakened Tachibana could no longer be stopped by anyone.
’No, I’ll keep saying it as many times as it takes! Tsukiko… I love you! I love you!!’ Tachibana shouted.
Actresses… are amazing.
At this time, what kind of feelings did Awashima-san have while playing Tsukiko?
If I were in Awashima-san’s position, no matter if it’s a drama, if I were told such straight lines by Mayuzumi-san, I think I’d be unable to act at all.
’I don’t care how many times you forget me! I will tell you exactly how I feel, over and over, until you remember!’ Tachibana vowed.
Basically, for the filming of scenes where the Driver transforms, a suit actor serves as the person inside.
But… this scene is different. I felt something appealing from the other side of the screen that Mayuzumi-san herself is definitely inside.
’I love you, Tsukiko. So please… fall in love with me one more time!’ Tachibana pleaded.
’Wh-what are you… ugh!’ Tsukiko groaned.
The shaken Tora-uma holds her stomach with her hand.
The two children, the new life connecting the two, are probably trying to connect the two once more.
The black mist that was clinging to Tora-uma, perhaps sensing a crisis from Tachibana, headed toward Lightning Hopper all at once.
’Between Tsukiko! And me! Don’t let unnecessary pests get in the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!’ Tachibana bellowed.
The black mist flinches at Tachibana’s spirit.
At that moment, as if responding to Tachibana’s hot feelings, Lightning Hopper’s belt shines brilliantly.
’Lightning Hopper… you, are you still going to lend your power to someone like me?’ Tachibana muttered.
The Lightning Hopper mecha attached to the belt makes its eyes glow.
Seeing that, Tachibana reached down and gently patted the mecha’s head.
’Thanks. For making an unreliable guy like me a Driver… no, for making me a man. Let’s do this, Lightning Hopper!!’ Tachibana said.
Who decided you can’t transform again after transforming?
Tachibana, in his transformed Lightning Hopper state, further performs a transformation pose.
’ULTIMATE TRANSFORMATION! ABSOLUTE ROUND! LIGHTNING HOPPER: KING FORM!!’
It’s the voice of Moja-san, who is in charge of the mecha’s VC!!
The Lightning Hopper, which had been a dull silver, shines in a beautiful golden color.
That figure is no longer some sub-Driver appearing in Heaven’s Sword⁵.
It was the very appearance of a lead-class Driver, worthy of the name King.
’I will definitely stay with Tsukiko until the end!!’ Tachibana promised.
Already, Tachibana is… no, Mayuzumi-san, who has awakened to the point you can’t imagine from the early Kenzaki, can’t be stopped by anyone…
Here, the song sung by Tachibana, played by Mayuzumi-san, plays. Is this… the best.
The golden light blasted the black haze off Tora-uma’s body.
Tachibana didn’t miss a beat.
He leveled his sidearm and began fan-firing into the mist.
’Tsukiko and I will have a wedding while being blessed by Kenzaki and the others, everyone from Group Syukujyo, and the Chijo!!’ Tachibana shouted.
Tachibana, no, Mayuzumi-san… that’s about Tachibana, right?
It’s not Mayuzumi-san’s desire, is it?!
’Even after I marry Tsukiko, I want to be as lovey-dovey as when we were living together!’ Tachibana yelled.
Emptying the magazine, Lightning Hopper tossed the gun aside.
Heroes don’t need weapons. Shirogane Aqua-san’s words are replayed in my brain.
The black mist, which was riddled with holes, still tried to regenerate, but Tachibana struck his strongly clenched fist into that black mist many times.
’When we have children, I want to raise them together! It’ll be hard work, but we’re making memories, damn it!’ Tachibana cried out.
Lightning Hopper punches the black mist over and over again.
Faster than the speed the black mist regenerates, even faster! Faster than Heaven’s Sword!!
’When the children become adults, we’ll increase our time as a couple and spend hot times together just like when we were living together!!’ Tachibana roared.
Against Lightning Hopper’s acceleration rush, the black mist’s regeneration can’t keep up.
I see, so this is the Church of Raw Power, huh… Shirogane Aqua-san said it too, but in the end, the thing you can believe in is your own damn fist.
’In our old age, I want to do everything Tsukiko wants to do!! And finally… after I’ve watched over you and seen you off to the other side, I’ll be right behind you! So wait for me! I promise I’ll catch up!!’ Tachibana vowed.
Exceeding the speed of sound, exceeding even the speed of light, exceeding even Kenzaki’s speed, the world can no longer keep up with Lightning Hopper’s speed.
King Form is strong… Lightning Hopper is no longer an extra for Heaven’s Sword.
’That is my! Tachibana Zanki’s! HAPPY FAMILY MASTER PLAN!!’ Tachibana screamed.
He wound up a final, massive fist. With some incredible cinematography from Director Hongou, he delivered a massive uppercut to the last of the black residue.
It was total overkill, but Tachibana was so locked in that nobody even cared.
’Sorry. The only person in this world I’ll slow down for is Tsukiko,’ Tachibana said quietly.
With a massive explosion blooming behind him, Lightning Hopper caught the falling Tsukiko in a perfect princess carry.
So damn cool.
I have no idea why the mist exploded at the end, but it looked awesome, so who cares? Shirogane Aqua-san also said that if it’s cool, everything is fine, and a man shouldn’t worry about small details.
While Kujaku and I were dazed, Tachibana releases his transformation while still holding Tsukiko.
No way… To think Mayuzumi-san actually built up enough muscle to carry Awashima-san like that…
”Now that I think about it, I’ve seen him asking Shirogane Aqua to practice princess carries. Shirogane Aqua told him, ‘If you aren’t man enough to carry me, you’ll never be able to hold Awashima-san!’ I guess that wasn’t just a weird workout… it was for this…”
Mayuzumi-san, he worked hard on muscle training and stuff.
Kujaku turns a serious gaze toward Mayuzumi-san shown on the screen.
Kujaku, I understand your feelings.
I, we too, have to work harder and harder.
’A, a… a, wa, I…’ Tsukiko stammered.
Tachibana gently presses his index finger against the lips of Tsukiko, who is bewildered and frightened by remembering all her memories.
’Welcome home, Tsukiko,’ Tachibana whispered.
Tachibana said that, then leaned down and gave Tsukiko a gentle kiss on the lips.
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!! Kujaku-san and I, standing side-by-side, grabbed onto each other in total shock. We never saw this coming. Even if it’s just for a scene… Mayuzumi-san is actually kissing someone… in public!?
’Seriously, I’m never letting go of this hand,’ Tachibana said.
’Yeah… I know,’ Tsukiko replied.
Tsukiko’s face flushed a deep crimson at Tachibana’s vow. Which is it!? Is this just top-tier acting, or is it… No. No, I need to stop prying. There’s no doubt about it now. Only our – only everyone’s – beloved Hakuryuu-sensei¹ could write a confession this soul-stirring. I glanced at the social media feed. It was blowing up: [Please invite me to the real wedding] [Hakuryuu-sensei delivered!] [So this is what ‘go explode forever’ meant] [It’s Hakuryuu-sensei after all] [Confirmed death of the black mist, Tsukasa-sensei!!] [I believed in Hakuryuu-sensei from the start] [Tachibana, you’re a Kenzaki starting today too] [Aiko-chan for the win!!]
[SCENE SHIFT: THE FRONTLINE]
’Tsukiko, I’m going. Everyone is worried,’ Tachibana said.
’Yeah, I’ll wait. Me… and the little one,’ Tsukiko replied.
Tsukiko rubbed her stomach with a look of pure devotion. Tachibana let out a startled gasp. Right – he didn’t know yet. She hadn’t found the moment to tell him she was pregnant.
’In that case… I have even more reason to come home alive,’ Tachibana said, gently pulling her into a fierce embrace.
The camera cuts away. Butterfly Mask is shown being pummeled, surrounded by a horde of the Aberrants².
’DON’T INTERFERE!’ the Aberrant roared.
’GET OUT OF THE WAY!!’ another shrieked.
Behind Butterfly Mask, the police and Self-Defense Force members were building barricades. What the hell are they doing!? Hurry up and help Butterfly Mask! He’s fighting all alone!
’Colonel! Shouldn’t we provide backup!?’ a soldier asked.
’Negative. Orders from Staff Office Joint³. Priority is the civilian evacuation,’ the Colonel replied.
’But sir! At this rate…!’
’Orders are absolute! Besides… we can’t risk agitating the Aberrants any further,’ the Colonel said.
Deep inside the barricade, crowds of civilians were trapped. That’s why! The scene cuts to Staff Office Joint. It’s a takeover. One of the executives has turned into an Aberrant and completely suppressed the headquarters. Meanwhile, at the Metropolitan Police Department, the Superintendent General has also turned and is seizing control. Damn it! So that’s why the Driver⁴ was branded a national fugitive!! In a desperate situation, two women approach the two rampaging Aberrants.
’Such a thing… I thought it might happen,’ Tajima muttered.
’This is our job. We protect these kids,’ Night Shadow Saki-san said.
Commander Tajima and Night Shadow Saki-san reached for their belts. Wait – the prototype Driver belts were supposed to be stolen by Ego-Ist… No, look closer. Those are different!
’Henshin!’ they both shouted.
The Driver Saki-san used somewhat resembled the Bicorn Beetle used by her daughter, Misa. Meanwhile, the Driver Tamashima used radiated a light similar to Kenzaki’s Heaven’s Sword.
’We’ve been secretly researching mass-produced Drivers for a moment like this,’ Tamashima explained.
’Heh. Shrewd as always, Tamashima. You always did get the job done behind the scenes,’ Saki-san said.
The two veterans tore through the Aberrants. They were incredible – the ones who held the line for humanity before the current Drivers appeared. Tamashima tried to hail the frontline, but the signal was dead.
’Tch! I’m sorry, everyone… if only I had realized this was possible sooner!’ Tamashima yelled.
The scene switches back to Kagami, played by Toa-san, as Butterfly Mask is being crushed.
’WHY… DO YOU… STAND UP?’ the Aberrant hissed.
’GIVE UP… ALREADY…’
Kagami didn’t listen. He stood up again and again, only to be smashed back down. Stop it… please. You’ve done enough! You don’t have to die for this!! I grit my teeth so hard they nearly shattered.
’ENOUGH! IGNORE HIM. TARGET THE OTHERS!’
’THAT’S RIGHT! AIM OVER THERE!!’
The Aberrants lunged for the barricade. Butterfly Mask flickered with desperate speed, throwing himself in front of the gate to block the breakthrough. But taking the hit head-on, his body was sent flying through the barricade.
’Ready your guns!! They’re coming through!’
’Protect the civilians!’
Gunfire filled the air. But around the broken body of Butterfly Mask, the medical staff and civilians gathered.
’He’s alive, right?’
’Look at his mask… it’s shattered. You can see his face…’
It was true. Through the cracks, you could see Kagami. He lay there on his back, having lost consciousness from the blow.
’He’s… he’s just a kid,’ a doctor whispered.
’Yeah. He’s about the same age as my son,’ a man added.
’And he was fighting to protect us this whole time…?’
’Even after being branded a criminal…’
Kagami’s eyelid twitched. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open.
’Hey. Are you okay?’ a man asked.
Kagami forced himself up, his arms shaking.
’I have… to stand up,’ Kagami muttered.
’A-ah, right. I’ve got you,’ the man replied.
’Someone help me support him!’
The people hauled him to his feet. Even tattered and broken, Kagami stood. A little girl ran out from the crowd.
’Thank you, Big Brother. Thank you for protecting us,’ she said.
The words hit the adults like a physical blow. Kagami offered a weak, gentle smile. He patted the girl’s head, whispered a soft ‘You’re welcome,’ and faced the fire again.
’Are you… still going to fight?’
’It’s okay now. You don’t have to go this far.’
’Don’t worry about us,’ a woman said.
’Take the kids and run. We’ll buy time.’
’Protecting the children is our job as adults!’
The civilians grabbed whatever weapons they could find.
’Protecting them is our duty!’ a police officer shouted.
’Yeah! Take the kids and get back!’ a soldier added.
Kagami smiled with genuine pride.
’Thank you, everyone. But the gesture is enough,’ Kagami said.
He snapped his tattered cape back.
’Because… I’m the hero who protects everyone.’
He was so cool. Kujaku-san and I couldn’t even breathe. Kagami took a deep breath and slammed his spear into the ground.
’Let’s go! BUTTERFLYYYYYYYY EFFECTTTTTTT!’
Butterfly Mask unleashed his power. But the numbers were too great. He couldn’t keep up. Still, he refused to stop. His suit began to spider-web and crack apart.
’Butterfly Mask. Thank you… for letting someone like me be a hero! Just give me… one more… SECOND!’
The suit was breaking, but it didn’t look like destruction. It looked like a shell being discarded. Like a pupa… becoming a butterfly.
’HRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!’
The Driver belt erupted in golden light. As the theme song by Toa-san swelled, a new form emerged from within the wreckage of the old suit.
’FINAL TRANSFORMATION! FINAL ADVENT! BUTTERFLY MASK: MYSTIC WING!!’
Along with the voice of Moja-san, the tattered, molting shroud Butterfly Mask had been wearing fell away, replaced by massive, snow-white angel wings.
It was breathtaking. At this point, she looked less like a Driver¹ and more like a goddess. The black miasma clinging to the Chijyo’s bodies recoiled from that pure, holy radiance, scrambling to escape.
Butterfly Mask did not let them go.
’Don’t think you can run!!’ she shouted.
Leveling her spear, Butterfly Mask took to the sky, skewering the fleeing shadows one by one. She gathered the black mist into a single mass and beat her angel wings, soaring even higher.
Just how far was she going? Like a bird escaping a cramped cage, Butterfly Mask pierced the clouds and kept climbing. No way… is she planning to go past the atmosphere and into space?! The black mist began to shrivel, incinerated by the friction of the stratosphere.
’Uooooooooooooooo!’
The suffocating, narrow world Kagami Natsuki-no, Nekoyama Toa-had been shut inside was gone. Beyond his field of vision, the endless sea of the cosmos unfurled.
’Thank you, Kenzaki… Because you were here, I was finally able to see this view. I saw how wide the world really is,’ Kagami said.
It should have been a line Kagami directed at Kenzaki, but to me, it sounded like a message from Toa-san to Aqua-san. Butterfly Mask, having broken through the atmosphere, performed a slow pirouette with the moon at his back. He plunged back into the atmosphere, vaporizing the last of the black mist.
’Kenzaki, everyone. I’m coming for you!!’ Kagami cried.
His descent point had shifted, and Kagami flew at full speed toward the battle in Tokyo. The scene cut to Iwanari Nico-san’s No-Men and Kohina Yukari-san’s Bocchi the World. They had Kamishiro Hajime, played by Tenga-senpai, pinned down in his Poison Chalice form, beating him mercilessly.
’Both of you, wake up!! Damn it! If only I had a way to break the Chijyo-fication²!’ Kamishiro growled.
To cancel the state, one had to use a finisher like Butterfly Mask’s ‘Butterfly Effect’ or, like Kenzaki, reach into the opponent’s heart to force a de-transformation. But Poison Chalice didn’t have a move like that. Usually, the other Drivers created the opening so he could use his bow or Caliburn to sever the mist.
’No, there has to be a way I can help, too!’ Kamishiro shouted.
Poison Chalice drew the dual curved blades from his disassembled bow, slashing at the black mist shrouding No-Men and Bocchi the World. But the mist simply knitted back together every time he cut it. It was a rigged game.
As Poison Chalice’s strength wavered, two men rushed into the fray.
’Are you okay?!’
’We’ll help, too!!’
Kamishiro looked at the faces of the two men who had saved him and instinctively flinched.
’Father… and Uncle,’ Kamishiro muttered, too quiet for anyone to hear.
The men who saved him were two relatives who should have lost their memories: Kamishiro’s father, played by Kamonohashi-san, and his uncle, played by Tsuwabuki-san.
’What are you two doing here? This is an evacuation zone!!’ Kamishiro yelled.
’A sudden evacuation doesn’t account for the injured or the elderly! Our neighbors, the Minamis, are sheltering the people who couldn’t get out at the Coffee Shop Minami right over there!!’ his father replied.
The camera showed Haruka-san and Nana-chan inside the shop. Poison Chalice forced himself up and gripped his weapon.
’Damn it! What am I supposed to do?!’ Kamishiro hissed.
He was fighting to save the Chijyos. But if he had to kill them, it would be a different story. He had the power to do it, and the old Kamishiro wouldn’t have hesitated. But meeting Kenzaki had changed him.
’Ngh!’
’Guah!’
His father and uncle were swatted aside. Even so, they struggled to stand.
’Please! Take the people inside and run!’ Kamishiro pleaded.
’Leave this to us!!’ his uncle shouted back.
Seeing them, Kamishiro made his choice and stepped forward.
”Hey, Maruo, what would you do in a situation like this?” Kujaku asked.
”I don’t know. But I don’t want to give up,” I answered.
Kujaku smirked at my response. What’s with that look? If you’re going to ask me, give me your own answer for once!
’Come on. No-Men, Bocchi the World. I’m your opponent now,’ Kamishiro declared.
The pressure coming from the screen was stifling. Overwhelmed by Kamishiro’s sheer bloodlust, No-Men and Bocchi the World unleashed their full power. Kamishiro threw away his blades and took the attack head-on.
’Guuuuuuh!!’
It was brutal. Their weapons buried themselves deep in Kamishiro’s body. Yet, he grabbed their blades with his bare hands and wouldn’t let go. What was he thinking?!
’Sorry. I’m a clumsy guy. I couldn’t think of any other way to do this…’ Kamishiro choked out.
Inside the mask, Kamishiro vomited blood. He was slowly drawing the black mist into his own body. He wasn’t trying to save himself; he was letting the corruption take him over to free the others.
’Ah… ah…’
’We… are…’
With the mist drained into Kamishiro, No-Men and Bocchi the World reverted to their human forms and collapsed. Simultaneously, Poison Chalice’s transformation shattered, and Kamishiro fell.
Thump… thump… thump…
His heartbeat slowed, fading into nothing. Finally, the sound stopped entirely.
’Haha… Hahaha! Yes! Finally, I’ve claimed a man’s body!!’
”Tsukasa-sensei… are you seriously still awake?” I muttered, holding my head at the grim turn of events.
The black entity inhabiting Kamishiro’s body grabbed a nearby support mecha and began to change. It wasn’t a transformation; it was a perversion.
’I think I’ll call myself the New and Improved Chijyo: **HEN-TAI!!**³‘
Instead of a mask, the thing wore a pair of briefs on its head as it struck a flamboyant Kabuki pose. Kujaku and I stared in total despair.
’With this, I shall-hm?’
The entity paused, feeling someone tugging on its leg. It was little Kana-chan from the Coffee Shop Minami, pulling with all her might.
’No! Give him back! Give that big brother back!!’ she cried.
’Give him back? To whom? This meat is already dead!’ the entity sneered.
Using Kamishiro’s body, the monster swatted the girl away. Haruka-san rushed out of the shop to catch her.
’Are you okay, Kana?!’
’I’m okay… but we have to help him!!’
Kana-chan burst into tears. Wait… did she just get her memories back on her own? This kid is a powerhouse.
’Don’t lose, big brother! You can’t let a creep like that win!!’ she screamed.
At the sound of her voice, Hen-Tai froze.
…Thump… Thump, THUMP!
’Uooooooooooooooooo!’
The heart that had stopped roared back to life. As Kamishiro’s theme song, sung by Tenga-senpai, kicked in, the belt Hen-Tai was wearing erupted in light.
’What?! What is this?!’ the entity shrieked.
Unable to withstand the radiance, the black mist was purged from Kamishiro’s body. Wrapped in a blinding glow, Poison Chalice was reborn into an even more powerful form.
’TENGAI TRANSFORMATION! CATEGORY ACE! POISON CHALICE, UNDEAD JOKER!!’
Along with Moja-san’s voice, the fully restored Poison Chalice gently stroked Kana-chan’s head.
”You’ve got to be kidding me…” I muttered. To self-resurrect after dying once? Is that even possible?!
’Damn it! If that’s how it’s going to be…!’ the black mist shouted.
The dark vapor lunged toward the lounging, vacant-eyed Yukari Kohina-san-no, Bocchi the World-attempting to possess her again.
However, Poison Chalice snapped his fingers, and the reclining figure of Bocchi the World vanished instantly.
”Wait-what happened!?” I asked.
’Wh-what is the meaning of this!?’ the mist demanded.
Everywhere I looked, clones of Yukari Kohina-san-no, Bocchi the World-were Korogaru (Rolling) around with carefree faces.
’How would you feel if everything you see is a fake?’ Poison Chalice asked.
’What!?’ the mist cried out.
The world began to crack.
A moment later, the surroundings shattered like glass.
’Since when did you fall under the illusion that you had defeated me?’ Poison Chalice asked coolly.
No way… Since when?! I… I can’t tell.
But Kana-chan’s tears-those were definitely real.
’Dammiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!’ the mist screamed.
’It’s futile,’ Poison Chalice said.
Multiple versions of Poison Chalice surrounded the black mist.
’You cannot escape this ‘Fake the World¹‘ I have created,’ Poison Chalice declared.
’A… ah… a…’ the mist stammered.
Its consciousness snapped. Beyond mere madness, the black mist’s mind broke, and it went silent.
Whether we were back in reality or still trapped in Poison Chalice’s hallucination, the mist remained dormant inside the box.
By the way, is that ‘Fake the World’ a relative of Bocchi the World-san or something?
’Let’s keep this one alive to help us figure out the Chijo-fication² process,’ Kamishiro said.
That makes sense. If we can preserve it instead of killing it, we should.
Kamishiro has really calmed down compared to when we first started.
’Big brother… are you okay?’ Kana-chan asked.
’Yeah, no problem. I just induced a temporary state of suspended animation,’ he replied.
To do something that technical… though I suppose Aqua-san would pull that off even with a physical body.
Poison Chalice turned his gaze toward a distant Barrier³.
’Just wait. I’ll be there soon,’ Poison Chalice whispered.
Scene-cut: Night Shadow Misa, played by Yuki Kobayakawa-san, had transformed into Bicorn Beetle and was locked in a brutal fight with Ego-Ist.
’Ego-Ist!! That power is more than you can handle!!’ Misa shouted.
’Shut up! I’ve finally obtained true strength!!’ Ego-Ist yelled back.
A fierce battle unfolded, far beyond the need for explanations.
It was a raw slugfest, both of them fighting completely unguarded.
I’m starting to suspect Director Hongou is a devotee of the ‘Cult of Power’ himself.
’I was like you once! Obsessed with seeking strength and defeating others!!’ Misa cried out.
’You’re saying you’re different now? Don’t lie! You saw Kenzaki’s power-there’s no way you weren’t jealous!!’ Ego-Ist countered.
Bicorn Beetle landed a heavy blow on Ego-Ist’s cheek, only for Ego-Ist to snap back with a counter-punch to Bicorn Beetle’s face.
’You’re wrong. It wasn’t jealousy. It was admiration! I wanted to be strong like Kenzaki! But what about you!? What lies at the end of your strength!?’ Misa asked.
’That… I… I… Why…?’ Ego-Ist stammered.
As I thought, Ego-Ist is being dragged back to her power-obsessed days by the black mist.
Ego-Ist clutched her head with both hands.
’Kenzaki? Heaven’s Sword…? What am I saying…? Whose memories are these!?’ Ego-Ist screamed.
I see. Ego-Ist became a Chijo because of her obsession with power.
That’s why her memories of Kenzaki-the pinnacle of strength-are inseparable from the root of her corruption.
’Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!’
Electricity surged through Ego-Ist’s belt.
A massive cloud of black mist billowed from her body, discharging lightning into the area.
’Ego-Ist… don’t lose to yourself!!’ Misa shouted.
’Don’t… lose to… myself?’ Ego-Ist muttered.
Night Shadow Misa nodded firmly.
’Yes! I almost lost to myself once, too. That’s why I know! Ego-Ist, don’t lose! True strength is fighting your own demons!! Remember the person who taught us what real strength is!!’ Misa urged.
Sensing the danger in her words, the black mist began to envelop Bicorn Beetle.
Wait, is it going to try and corrupt Night Shadow too?!
’It’s no use! I won’t be deceived again. I’ve already been shown what true strength looks like!!’ Misa declared.
As the Night Shadow Misa theme song by Kobayakawa-san played, Bicorn Beetle’s belt glowed with an intense light.
’SYSTEM: ALL RED! OUT OF CONTROL!!’
That’s it! The hidden Bicorn Beetle function from the Driver Encyclopedia!!
Bicorn Beetle’s legs began to glow a searing red.
’ULTIMATE TRANSFORMATION! LIMIT BREAKER! BICORN BEETLE: RED BOOTS EDITION!!’
Moja-san is really leaning into the hype!!
As the joints of the Bicorn Beetle armor opened slightly, they vented steam with a sharp hiss.
If I remember correctly, that’s to bleed off the heat building up in the legs.
’Take this! The heat of my burning passion! Ego-Ist!!’ Misa screamed.
Flinching from the intense heat, the black mist fled from Ego-Ist’s body.
But Night Shadow Misa wasn’t about to let it go.
’Uooooooooooooh! HOT-BLOODED! DRIVER KICK!!’
Like a fireball, the Driver Kick connected, incinerating the escaping mist instantly.
I guess the mist can handle the heat of the stratosphere, but it can’t handle the heat of a burning soul…
’I’m sorry. I let the power possess me again…’ Ego-Ist whispered.
’Don’t worry about it. I’ll stop you as many times as it takes. But you better be there to stop me if I ever lose it,’ Misa replied.
Night Shadow left Ego-Ist there and ran toward the battlefield where Kenzaki was fighting.
It’s all up to you now, Kenzaki! We’re counting on you, Heaven’s Sword!!
—
Summary:
Tachibana (Mayuzumi-san) reaches a dramatic climax in the drama, awakening his ‘King Form’ to save Tsukiko from a memory-devouring black haze. He pours his heart out with a ‘Happy Family Master Plan’ while pummeling the mist into oblivion. The scene ends with a heroic princess carry and a romantic kiss.
After witnessing a dramatic kiss scene in a script, the focus shifts to a brutal battle where Butterfly Mask (Kagami) is being overwhelmed by monsters. Veteran Drivers Tajima and Saki arrive with new mass-produced belts to reclaim control from corrupted officials. The chapter culminates in the civilians standing up to protect their young hero, triggering Kagami’s ultimate transformation.
Butterfly Mask achieves his final form and purges the black mist in space. Meanwhile in Tokyo, Kamishiro sacrifices himself to save his allies from corruption, dying in the process. A villainous entity briefly possesses his corpse as ‘Hen-Tai’ before the power of a child’s tears and a theme song trigger his resurrection as the Undead Joker.
Poison Chalice utilizes a reality-warping technique called ‘Fake the World’ to trap a black mist entity, while Night Shadow Misa defeats the corruption within Ego-Ist using a thermal-based Limit Breaker transformation. The battle concludes with Ego-Ist coming to her senses and Misa heading to assist Kenzaki.
—
Trivia:
- The black haze is a cellular parasite that fills memory gaps.
- Tachibana’s suit, Lightning Hopper, is technically an offensive-only suit.
- Mayuzumi-san is actually inside the suit for this emotional scene, not a suit actor.
- The ‘Happy Family’ dialogue hints heavily at Mayuzumi-san’s real-life desires.
- Shirogane Aqua trained Mayuzumi-san specifically for the princess carry
- The enemies (Aberrants) have infiltrated the highest levels of government and police.
- The ‘Butterfly Mask’ identity was previously a national fugitive.
- Kagami is young enough to be compared to the civilians’ own children, highlighting the tragedy of the war
- The relatives helping Kamishiro were supposed to have lost their memories.
- The ‘Hen-Tai’ form wears literal briefs on its head as a parody.
- Kamishiro’s sacrifice involved manually pulling corruption into his own body
- Poison Chalice was recently in a state of death before self-resurrecting.
- The ‘Red Boots’ function was a previously mentioned hidden entry in the Driver Encyclopedia.
- Ego-Ist’s obsession with Kenzaki is the psychological anchor for her Chijo-fication
—
Character Insight:
Mayuzumi-san shows incredible growth and dedication, surpassing her previous ‘Kenzaki’ persona through physical training and emotional intensity. Her performance is so raw that the narrator suspects her personal feelings are bleeding into the role.
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Behind the Scenes:
The ‘Power Cult’ or ‘Church of Raw Power’ is a recurring philosophy mentioned by Shirogane Aqua, emphasizing physical strength and conviction as the ultimate solution.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Ken – Male. A rehabilitated man working in the mine. The fiancé of Akiyama Sachiko, the organizer of the party or one of the protagonist’s (Aqua’s) mother’s students (ikebana) appeared in Volume 2 Chapter 12. However, their engagement is not yet officially recognized, as the necessary documents have not been signed by all parties involved. Ken-kun behaves inappropriately during the event, attempting to flirt with Kanon and later becoming aggressive, even wielding a replica sword. His actions cause a disturbance, and he is eventually subdued and removed by the security team.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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