Following the recent training and the Nitharian invasion, three days have passed. It is morning, and everyone has returned to Kono's house, with Gram being the first to awaken.
Gram: (Yawning and stretching) Holy crap! Why did it suddenly get colder? We really need to find a better house soon. Gram the Great can't live like this.
After completing his usual morning routine, Gram dresses and heads to the kitchen in search of something to eat. Upon entering the kitchen, he notices white flakes falling from the damaged roof.
Gram: What is coming from the roof? Wait, is that what I think it is?
Gram rushes through the front door and opens it, revealing snow covering the ground.
Gram: Oh my gosh, it's snowing!
Akira: Can you be quiet!
Gram spots Akira perched in a tree with her arms crossed.
Gram: Akira! What are you doing outside? Aren't you cold?
Akira: Didn't I tell you guys I don't want to sleep in that disgusting place? Besides, I'm not cold; I can raise my body temperature to stay warm.
Gram: Oh, I see. I guess that's just a dragon thing. Haaa, aaaaaa, ACHOO!
Gram covers his nose, getting mucus on his hands. After a few moments, the others begin to wake and make their way to the front door.
Himitsu: (Hugging himself) Why is it so—what the? What is happening outside?
Zodiac: What in the world is going on now?
Daru: Step aside!
Daru pushes Zodiac and Himitsu aside and steps outside. He looks around, witnessing snow for the first time, feeling both confused and concerned.
Daru: Are we being attacked again? I've had enough of this!
Daru begins to move about, attempting to dodge the snowflakes while throwing punches at the air.
Daru: You want a piece of me? Then come and get it!
Zodiac: (Drawing his katana) Who do we need to fight now?
Gram observes Zodiac and Daru, unable to contain his laughter.
Gram: (Laughing) What the heck are you guys doing?
Daru: (Punching the air) What do you mean, what am I doing? I'm trying to stop whatever this is!
Kono: Oh my goodness, it's finally snowing!
Ohma: Wow!
Kono and Ohma step outside, taking in the snowfall.
Kono: (Observing Daru and Zodiac) What are you both doing?
Daru: (Continuing to punch the air) Not now, Kono!
Himitsu: Are we being attacked or something?
Kono: (Perplexed) Huh? No, this is just the weather.
Daru stops punching the air, and Zodiac sheaths his katana.
Daru: Weather?
Kono: Yeah, you know how it can rain? Well, this is another type of weather that happens when it gets cold.
Akira: (Shaking her head) This is my first time seeing this, but even I know it has to do with the weather. You guys are so clueless.
Daru: (Glaring at Akira) Why don't you shut up!
Zodiac: So you're saying this stuff called "snow" is safe, right?
Kono: Yes! I promise it won't hurt you.
Ohma: This looks awesome!
Ohma runs and takes a large leap, landing face-first in the snow.
Gram: Ohma!
A few seconds later, he emerges from the snow, his face flushed.
Ohma: Wow, this stuff is really cold!
Gram: It is. Akira's lucky she can warm herself up while the rest of us are freezing.
Daru: Freezing?
Everyone looks at Daru, who appears unfazed by the cold.
Gram: What!? How are you not cold!?
Kono: Yeah, especially since you're only wearing a shirt.
Daru: I don't know. Probably because during one of my training exercises, I submerged myself in lava for at least eight hours.
Ohma: Wait, really!?
Zodiac: Well, I'm not surprised. He also jumped into a pool of lava during his trial for the Order.
Himitsu: Oh right, I remember that.
Gram takes a closer look at Zodiac, who also doesn't seem cold.
Gram: Aren't you cold, Zodiac?
Zodiac: Not really. I just feel a slight breeze.
Gram: (Frustrated) Man, you guys are lucky!
Zenshi: Oh wow, it's actually snowing!
Everyone turns to see Zenshi at the front door in her wheelchair, and Daru quickly rushes to her.
Daru: Zenshi! What are you doing out of bed?
Zenshi: I was trying to sleep, but I started feeling cold, which woke me up. Then I heard talking outside, thinking it was you all, so I got up to check.
Daru: And you got into your wheelchair by yourself? Zenshi, your rest is more important than anything else. You need to be careful.
Zenshi: I know, Daru, and I'm sorry. But I can't fall back asleep with the house so cold.
Akira: I'd rather freeze to death than sleep in there.
Kono: (Annoyed) Thank you for that, Akira…
Daru: She has a point, Kono. We need to find a different place for her to stay, or she'll have to go to the hospital.
Everyone reflects as Himitsu contemplates a solution.
Himitsu: Wait, why doesn't Zenshi stay with Zodek and Cindy?
Daru: Zodek and Cindy?
Himitsu: Yes! They live in a nice apartment not far from here. I'm sure they can take good care of you.
Zenshi: Are you sure that's okay? I don't want to be a burden.
Himitsu: (Shaking his head) No, you won't be! Just ask Zodiac.
Zodiac: You can trust them. Zodek took care of me and Himitsu while we were growing up.
Zenshi: Oh, wow. If it's alright with you, then I will accept the offer. Thank you!
Daru approaches Zodiac and points at his chest.
Daru: If anything happens to Zenshi, I will personally hold you accountable.
Zodiac: (Slaps Daru's hand away) Don't touch me. And yes, she will be safe.
Daru: Hmph.
Gram: So what's the plan? Are we heading there now?
Kono: We have to. My house isn't in the best condition for her.
Daru: Then let's hurry and get her there.
Himitsu: Before we go, can we buy some warm clothes first?
Kono: Absolutely! I'll be right back!
Kono heads out to a clothing store to buy jackets for everyone. A few minutes later, she returns to her house where everyone is waiting and drops some bags on the living room floor.
Kono: Here we go! Now everyone can stay warm for the winter!
Everyone puts on their jackets except for Daru, Zodiac, and Akira.
Gram: Ahhh. Just what I needed.
Ohma: This is a little big on me, but it will do!
Zodiac: So, are we walking there or...?
Daru: Walking? Are you crazy? I'm not taking Zenshi out in the cold.
Himitsu: So how are we getting there?
Kono: Don't worry. Since we're part of the Order, we can call a taxi to drop us off free of charge.
Zenshi: A free taxi ride? You guys have a lot of cool benefits.
Akira: Hurry up and call them!
Kono: Okay, okay, sheesh!
Kono pulls out her Jump Watch and opens a taxi app.
Kono: What's the address?
Himitsu: (Thinking) Uhhhh, I think it's "97 Wealth Street."
Zodiac: I'm surprised you remembered that.
Kono: Perfect! Let's wait outside for our ride.
Everyone exits the house and awaits the arrival of the taxi. Moments later, a large van pulls up and the doors open. Daru assists Zenshi into the vehicle while the others follow.
Driver: Is everyone ready to go?
Kono: Yep!
The driver departs toward their destination. After a while, they arrive and the driver parks in front of the hotel.
Driver: Here you go.
Kono: Thank you for the ride! Come on, everyone.
Everyone exits the van, with Himitsu and Zodiac guiding them to the front door.
Daru: So, this is where they live?
Himitsu: Yeah. It's really nice.
They enter through the front door and proceed to the front desk, where the assistant is stationed.
Hotel Assistant: Welcome. How may I help you?
Himitsu: Hi there. We'd like to see Zodek and Cindy in room number 12.
Hotel Assistant: Oh, I remember you. You may go right ahead.
Himitsu: Thank you! Okay, follow us, guys.
They continue to follow Himitsu and Zodiac to the elevator.
Himitsu: Here's the elevator, so le—
Akira: Are you serious? We can't all fit in there.
Kono: She's right. It'll be too crowded.
Ohma: What do we do?
Akira: Simple—let the girls go in and the boys take the stairs.
Gram: What? Why do we have to take the stairs?
Akira: Because I said so! Plus, remember Zenshi is in a wheelchair!?
Daru: That's fine by me. You guys go ahead.
Gram: Are you serious, Daru!? Come on!
Daru: I'm not going to argue with you, Gram. Now get to the stairs.
Gram: (arms crossed) This is ridiculous!
Zenshi: Thank you, everyone. I appreciate it.
Kono takes hold of Zenshi's wheelchair and pushes her into the elevator as Akira follows.
Kono: What floor is it?
Himitsu: Fifth floor.
Kono: Okay. We'll see you then.
Kono presses the button for the fifth floor as the door closes.
Daru: Alright, let's hurry and catch up with them.
Ohma: Uhhhh, where's Zodiac?
They all look around but cannot locate Zodiac.
Daru: (shaking his head) I'm not surprised.
The others begin to ascend the stairs to the fifth floor. After a few minutes, they arrive and find Zodiac with Kono and the others.
Daru: (looking at Zodiac) Are you going to keep doing this?
Zodiac: Yep.
Gram: (out of breath) Man, I hate walking up stairs!
Himitsu: It wasn't even that bad, Gram.
Akira: Looks like your training didn't pay off. You're still shit.
Gram: (Angry) Hey! No, I'm not!
Zenshi begins to laugh, and the others join in.
Himitsu: Let's see if they're home.
Himitsu approaches the front door and knocks three times.
Himitsu: Hello? Is anyone home?
A few moments later, the door opens, revealing Zodek.
Zodek: Hello? Who's there?
Himitsu: Hey, Zodek! It's me Himitsu! It's been a while since we last saw each other.
Zodek: Hey Himitsu! Yeah, it's been over a month and a half. Cindy and I were starting to worry about you guys.
Himitsu: A lot has happened.
Just then, Cindy appears at the door and sees everyone.
Cindy: Himitsu!? And everyone else!?
Zodiac: It's a long story, so just let us in already.
Zodek: Sure, come on in.
Everyone enters and settles in the living room as Himitsu begins to recount everything that has occurred.
Zodek: Holy mackerel!
Cindy: Are you guys okay?! That must have been so hard on you.
Zodek: Yeah, and you saw the guy who took my other eye…
Cindy: That guy is not someone to take lightly. And you said you met Daru's master?
Himitsu: Yeah! He was really cool.
Ohma: Yeah, OH! And he drinks a lot too!
Akira: You really think that's important?
Ohma: Umm… I don't know, maybe?
Akira: Idiot!
Zodek: And Daru, you mentioned you'd like Zenshi to stay here?
Zenshi: Only if that's alright; I don't want to be a bother.
Cindy: Oh! Don't say that! You can stay as long as you want, but you will need to get registered.
Daru: I'll get her registered; don't worry about that.
Cindy: Wonderful! There you have it.
Daru: But—
Zodek: What?
Daru: If anything happens to her, I will come back here and do what I have to do without hesitation.
Zodek and Cindy exchange concerned glances.
Zenshi: Daru, come here.
Daru: Huh?
Daru walks over to Zenshi and bends down. Zenshi smiles and then strikes him hard on the head.
Daru: AHH! What the hell!?
Zenshi: STOP DOING THAT! I WILL BE FINE!!
Gram, Himitsu, and Ohma begin to laugh.
Daru: Alright! I'm sorry…
Zenshi: (Sighs) Daru, you need to understand that you can't protect me all the time. I can handle myself, and as Zodiac said, Zodek will keep me safe.
Daru: Okay, I understand. But I'll check on you from time to time.
Zenshi: And I would love that! It'll be like old times, but this time you're coming to see me.
Daru: Yeah… I guess it will be.
Ohma: Hey, Daru?
Daru stands up and turns to Ohma.
Daru: What is it?
Ohma: Where's Rito? I haven't seen him.
Gram: Wait, that's right! I haven't seen him for three days now.
Daru: He had to leave…
Himitsu: LEAVE! He just left!
Daru: Yeah… He said he had some stuff to take care of.
Ohma: Aww man! I didn't even get to say goodbye!
Himitsu: It's okay, Ohma; don't worry.
Gram: Stuff to take care of?
Akira: What are you thinking about over there?
Gram: Huh? What! Oh, nothing…
Akira: Yeah, right… Anyway, are we done here? I'm getting bored.
Cindy: Sorry, what's your name again?
Akira: It's none of your business.
Cindy: Ugh! How rude!
Zodiac: Okay, I'm out of here.
Daru: Take care, Zenshi.
Kono opened the door, visibly out of breath.
Kono: Sorry I'm late!
Gram: What the hell? I thought you were up here earlier!?
Kono: I was, but I had to do something.
Akira: I can smell that you did something stupid.
Zodiac: What'd you do?
Kono: I signed us up for something!
Daru: Great… What'd you sign us up for, Kono?
Kono: You'll see.
Zodek: Well, whatever it is, be safe everyone!
Kono and the others exited the hotel and began to follow her.
Gram: (Exhausted) Kono! Where are we going? I'M GETTING SO TIRED!
Kono: It's just a little further.
Daru: I don't like this.
As they walked, they observed other groups and children running past them, sleds in
hand.
Ohma: Whoa, what is that?
Kono: That's a sled!
Gram: Wait, Kono, you didn't sign us up for s—
Before Gram could finish, they turned a corner and encountered a crowd of people and children sledding down the hills.
Gram: Sledding…
Child: LET'S DO THIS!!
Man: Hey, be careful! You can get hurt!
Ohma: AHHHHHhh!!!
Akira: TCH!
Himitsu: Ohma!
Zodiac: I'm going to kill you in your sleep…
Kono: This is going to be so fun, guys!
Daru: Kono, what the hell is this?
Kono: Okay, don't get mad, but I signed us up for a sledding competition!
Zodiac: A competition?
Daru: Sledding?
Kono: Wow, you guys said that in reverse. But yes, I did! See, there are no missions right now because Christmas is coming up, and we do this every year. I could never participate before because, well…
Himitsu: You needed a crew?
Kono: Exactly! So now I've got you guys! We can do this!
Gram: Kono, I said I was tired, and now you want me to win this thing!?
Kono: No, it's a team effort.
Gram: Kono, I can't carry you all the time. I think I'm out for this one.
Kono: Okay… but whoever wins gets 500,000 Geo!
Gram's eyes widened.
Gram: You know, maybe I can support you one more time.
Akira: I'm not doing this shit! This is stupid!
Daru: Okay, Akira! I've had enough of your nonsense! Shut up and stop swearing! If you want to fight because of how I spoke to you, I'll lay you out just like I did last time!
Akira crosses her arms and remains silent.
Akira: Whatever…
Daru: Thank you.
Zodiac: I'm only doing this because we're broke after everything you did to the ship.
Gram: OH YEAH! I forgot about that! And I'm still mad at you!
Himitsu: Hey guys, I think this will be fun.
Lith: And look who just showed up!
Kono turns around and sees Lith and her team.
Kono: Great… What are you doing here?
Lith: What, me? Of course, I'm here for the sledding competition!
Kono: What!? You guys can participate too? I thought it was only for rank ones!
Reiji: (Beaming) Hello everyone!
Souta and Mako both playfully hit him on the head.
Reiji: Ouch! Ouch!
Lith: No, it's for ranks one to three.
Kono: Oh man!
Sai: (Laughs) They don't even know what to do, so we'll beat them easily.
Zodiac: It'll be sad when we defeat you.
Souta spots Daru.
Souta: (To herself) I haven't seen him in so long, and he looks so much bigger! HIS ARMS! OH MY GOD!
Junko: Would you cut it out!
Souta: What! Leave me alone!
Mako: Look, the big bad wolf is here. (Gazing at Daru).
Daru's veins turn purple, causing Mako to jump back.
Iris: NO! YOU GUYS TOO!
Everyone turns to see Iris and Lance.
Gram: Damn, everyone's here.
Kono: (Covering her face) This is going to be challenging!
Ohma: We're going to win this!
Himitsu: You got that right, Ohma! We're going to win this!