Rayma observes as Lardack and Shakiro prepare for the upcoming match.
Rayma: Let's begin the match in three, two, one, go!
As the match commences, Lardack slowly advances toward Shakiro, dragging his sword along the ground.
Solaris: What's he doing?
A few seconds later, Lardack launches a high-speed air projectile at Shakiro, creating a gust of wind in its wake. Shakiro dodges the attack, feeling the air brush past his hair. The projectile ascends into the sky, slicing through multiple clouds.
Wish: (Shocked) Damn, this guy is good.
Lardack continues his approach as Shakiro mirrors his movements. After a brief moment, they charge at each other and clash their weapons. They separate, and Shakiro swings his spear at Lardack, who effortlessly blocks each attack. Shakiro steps back, reassessing his strategy, and initiates a barrage of pike strikes. Lardack remains unfazed, dodging every blow with ease.
Wish: Shakiro hasn't landed a single hit. I wonder how strong Lardack really is.
Solaris: See? This is why I should have gone first. I would've put up more of a fight.
Wish: I'm not so sure about that.
After a few more seconds, as Shakiro attempts to land an attack, he stumbles back, creating distance between them.
Shakiro: (Addressing Lardack) So, are you going to fight back or what?
Lardack: Maybe, but let's see if you can handle this.
Lardack's eyes shift to orange, his pupils transforming into X symbols.
Zatarian Kid 1: Oh no, that guy is going to get destroyed.
Solaris: Huh? What do you mean?
Zatarian Kid 1: You'll find out soon enough.
As Lardack points his sword, Shakiro charges at him again to strike. Lardack expertly blocks the attack and counters with precision. Shakiro fails to react in time and is struck across the chest as he retreats.
Wish: (Surprised) What just happened!? I didn't even see him get hit!
Zatarian Kid 1: That's one of Lardack's hidden abilities. When his eyes change, he can perfectly block attacks and counterattack instantly. Aside from the adult Zatarians, I've never seen anyone our age manage to handle it.
Wish: Oh wow. That's insane.
Shakiro examines his chest and touches his wound as it begins to heal.
Shakiro: (To himself) Hmm, as soon as he blocked my attacks, I was hit instantly without even seeing him strike.
Shakiro firmly grips his sword and charges at Lardack. He strikes with his spear, but Lardack effortlessly blocks the attack. Just as Lardack prepares to retaliate, Shakiro quickly intercepts his counterattack, surprising Lardack.
Lardack: Oh.
The onlookers are astonished to witness Shakiro successfully block Lardack's strike.
Lardack: (Smiling) I never thought you could block my counterattack. How did you figure it out so quickly?
Shakiro: (Smiling) It was simple. The first experience was all I needed to realize you had a counterattack ability. I just had to block a fraction of a second faster than your strike.
Lardack: I see. You're quite impressive, and for that, I think we should take it to the next level, don't you?
Shakiro: Couldn't have said it better.
As Shakiro and Lardack prepare to transition into their light forms, they hear shouting from above, prompting everyone to look up.
Naburo: Shakiro!
Solaris: What the?
Wish: Is that Naburo?
As Naburo descends on his cloud, two Zatarian assistants launch light ropes that ensnare him.
Naburo: H-hey!
They pull Naburo off his cloud and forcefully slam him to the ground, restraining him.
Shakiro: Naburo!
Naburo: (Struggling) Release me!
Zatarian Assistant 1: Identify yourself. State your business!
Rayma: What do we have here?
Rayma approaches Naburo while the others observe. As he draws near, he seizes Naburo's head to scrutinize the symbol on his forehead.
Rayma: And what is a Nitharian like you doing here?
Upon hearing Rayma's words, the Zatarian children express surprise.
Zatarian Kid 2: A Nitharian?
Zatarian Kid 3: What is he doing here?
Naburo: I-I'm here to see my friends!
Rayma: (Confused) Friends, you say?
Naburo points toward Shakiro.
Naburo: He's one of my friends.
Rayma: Is that so?
Shakiro: (Approaching Rayma) I can explain si—
Rayma: Silence. You will explain in my office. (To the assistant) Take them away.
The assistants hoist Naburo off the ground with their ropes and begin escorting him into the school, with Shakiro closely trailing behind.
Naburo: (Looking at Shakiro) Sorry for getting you in trouble…
Shakiro: It's all good, don't worry.
Naburo: Huh, you're not mad at me?
Shakiro: Of course not. We're friends, after all.
Naburo and Shakiro exchange smiles as they walk toward the school. The scene shifts back to Kono's crew, showing Gram and Ohma walking through the city together.
Gram: Man, this is dumb!
Ohma: What's dumb, Gram?
Gram: This whole mission is pointless; we haven't found any useful clues!
Ohma: Don't worry, Gram. I'm sure I'll find something helpful. I can feel it in my underwear!
Gram: Eww! What?
Ohma: Was that weird to say?
Gram: Was it weird? YES! AND NOT ONLY THAT, IT WAS DISGUSTING!
Ohma: I'm sorry then.
Gram: (Sighs) It's alright, Ohma. Just think before you speak next time, please.
Ohma: Yes, sir!
As they continue walking, Gram notices a man selling jewelry.
Gram: (Gasp) J-j-j-j-JEWELRY! The Gods have answered my question!
Ohma: Huh? How is this a clue?
Gram: H-how is this a clue? Well, it just is, okay! It's a beautiful clue!
Gram approaches the store clerk.
Gram: Hello, sir, how's it going?
Clerk: Howdy! What can I do for you?
Gram: Hmm… Well, I love all your gold and silver jewelry!
Clerk: Thank you! I make all of it myself. I go far and wide into caves and dig until I find gold and silver. Then I bring it back, smelt it, and forge it myself!
Ohma: Wow, so you're a miner?
Clerk: Yes, you could say that. What's your name, by the way?
Ohma: I'm Ohma! And this is Gram.
Gram: Now that we've introduced ourselves, I want something that says, "You want a strong and sexy man, come my way."
Clerk: (Laughs) Alright, let me see what I have.
He begins searching for an item for Gram and eventually discovers one.
Clerk: HAH! Found it!
He presents a large gold chain featuring a prominent golden graham cracker pendant. Gram's eyes light up.
Gram: Yes! Gimme! I want it! IT'S SO GORGEOUS!!!!
Clerk: This is my biggest project ever, and I love it too!
Gram: I'll offer you 11,000 geo for it!
The clerk stares at Gram for a moment before bursting into laughter.
Gram: Huh?
Ohma: Gram… Why is he laughing?
Gram: I don't know. Excuse me, what's so funny?
Clerk: (Laughing loudly) Because you said 11,000 geo!
Gram: Yeah? I still don't understand why that's funny. That's a lot of money!
The clerk laughs even harder.
Gram: OKAY, WHAT IS SO FUNNY?!
The clerk calms down and wipes away his tears.
Clerk: Sorry, that was just really funny.
Gram: What! What was so funny about 11,000 geo?
Clerk: Because you only offered 11,000 geo. This chain is worth one million geo!
Gram and Ohma's expressions shift to one of disbelief.
Gram: ONE MILLION GEO!!! ARE YOU CRAZY!!! THAT'S A RIP-OFF!
Ohma: Wait, how much is a million geo?
Ohma begins counting on his fingers.
Ohma: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Gram: You're a scam artist!
Clerk: (Laughs) No, I'm simply a businessman!
Gram: Well, your business is crap because no one will spend that much on that!
Clerk: You know what your problem is?
Gram: WHAT!
Clerk: You're just a broke boy.
Gram: WHAT'D YOU SAY! I'M NOT A BROKE BOY!
Clerk: Hmm… that 11,000 says otherwise.
Gram: Alright, that's it!
Clerk: Oh, you mad now?
Gram: Yeah, now I'm going to have to kick your ass!
Clerk: Then bring it on, asshole.
The clerk steps out from behind the counter.
Ohma: 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.
As he counts, Gram and the clerk begin to fight, slapping each other and rolling on the ground. The clerk gains the upper hand and starts slapping Gram's face.
Clerk: You like that? Huh! You little shit!
Gram: Get off me!
Ohma: 76, 78, 79, 80.
Gram rolls over, gains the upper position, and starts pinching the clerk's nose.
Clerk: Ahhhh!
Gram: Yeah, you like that, you asshole!
The clerk raises his leg, knees Gram in the back, and rolls to the side. He stands up and picks up a rock, preparing to throw it at Gram, but before he can, Gram kicks him in the groin.
Clerk: (Holding himself) OUUUUUUUUUUU!!!
He collapses to the ground.
Ohma: 100, 101, 102, 104. Wait, did I miss 102? No, I didn't. Wait, did I? Okay, let me just start where I was: 101—wait, crap! Did I stop at 102 or 104? (sighs) I don't know.
Ohma turns around and sees Gram and the clerk on the ground.
Ohma: Whoa! What happened!? Are you guys okay!?
He rushes over to Gram.
Ohma: Gram! Are you okay?
Gram: (Rubbing his back) Yeah… I'm fine, just had to kick this guy's ass!
Clerk: No, I kicked your ass!
Gram: No, you didn't!
Ohma: Come on.
Ohma helps Gram to his feet as a gem falls out of Gram's pocket, drawing the clerk's attention.
Clerk: W-where'd you get that?
Gram: What? Where'd I get what?
Clerk: (Pointing) That thing that fell out of your pocket.
He looks down and sees the small blue gem.
Gram: (Picks it up) Oh, this? I found it on the ground… Wait, why do you care?
Clerk: Listen, I'll trade you the chain for that gem!
Gram: What!? For this stupid gem?
Clerk: Yes, I'll even give you three more pieces to go with it.
Gram considers this for a moment.
Gram: No.
Clerk: What?
Gram: I said no.
Clerk: W-w-what do you mean no? You don't even know what it is!
Gram: Yeah, I don't, but if you want it so badly, I have to keep it.
Ohma and Gram begin to walk away.
Clerk: You're still a BROKE BOY!
Gram: (From a distance) NO, I'M NOT!
He examines the gem in his hands.
Gram: (To himself) Why does he want this so badly? Hmm.
The scene shifts to Daru and Akira hiding behind a wall.
Daru: Are you sure this is where he went?
Akira: Yeah, he went into that house. I saw him from above while scouting.
Daru: Alright.
Akira: So what? When he comes out, do we kill him?
Daru: What!? No, we just follow him.
Akira: I thought the point was to follow him and then kill him?
Daru: No! You and Zodiac need to get help!
Akira: Or maybe you need to see the real world. You try to see the good in people, but sometimes killing them is the only way to ease the pain and help others.
Daru: I'm sorry you feel that way, but I'm not about to kill people for no reason.
Akira: Would you even kill?
Daru: It depends.
Akira: Depends on what? You always try to be the hero, but you can't save everyone; you're not Superman, you know!
Daru: (Irritated) Listen! I only kill monsters because they don't have a single brain cell. I don't kill PEOPLE for any reason because some can change. If they don't, that's when I'd kill them, okay?
Akira: Hmm… like those two you killed at the school? Because they killed all those kids?
Daru: Ye—
Before he can finish, Cliff emerges from the house.
Daru: Shhhhhhh! There he is.
Akira: What now?
Daru: We follow.
Akira: Ugh! This is so annoying!
As they follow him, Himitsu walks down the opposite side of the city with Zodiac, who is intently staring at Himitsu.
Himitsu: (Sighs) Are you going to keep staring at me like that?
Zodiac: I guess until you tell me what you're hiding.
Himitsu: I'm not hiding anything!
Zodiac: You can't play dumb with me. How long until you admit it? You always vanish when the rest of us are trying to figure out who is behind this black surge. What have you done for the past few days? Nothing.
Himitsu begins to show signs of annoyance, clenching his fists.
Himitsu: Why should you care? You don't even want to be a part of this, miss—
Himitsu is interrupted as Zodiac swiftly draws one of his dual blades to his neck, his expression cold and unyielding, instilling fear in Himitsu.
Zodiac: Listen to me carefully. I don't care about this mission, but I'm here because I have to be, not because I want to be. I don't care about the others, and I certainly don't care about you. I'm just here to complete this mission, and that's it. So watch your tone when you talk to me.
As Himitsu sweats, Zodiac sheaths his blade and continues walking straight ahead.
Himitsu: (To himself) That's not true. You do care about us.
Himitsu runs up to him, matching his pace.
Himitsu: I just don't understand. Why do you have to act this way?
Zodiac remains unresponsive; his eyes are closed, attempting to sense something while Himitsu continues speaking.
Himitsu: Hey! Are you even listening to me?
Zodiac: Don't look back. Just keep walking.
Himitsu: (Confused) Huh? Why?
Zodiac: Just do what I say and follow me.
Himitsu follows Zodiac, uncertain of the situation. As they walk, Zodiac turns right, and Himitsu follows suit. Ahead, they spot an alleyway, prompting Zodiac to move in that direction. They enter the alley, finding it empty. Venturing deeper, they reach a dead end, with no alternative path.
Himitsu: (Nervous) Uhhh, Zodiac? What are we doing here?
Zodiac: Someone's been following us. And that someone is here right now.
Seconds later, a Gliff in light armor leaps from a rooftop, descending toward Zodiac with a sword raised.
Himitsu: Zodiac, watch out!
As the Gliff approaches, Zodiac draws his dual blades and swiftly decapitates the attacker, the head falling to the ground.
Himitsu: (Shocked) What the heck!?
As he speaks, three additional Gliff assassins appear, confronting them.
Himitsu: Are these assassins!?
Zodiac: (Assessing the situation) Who are you?
Assassin 1: (Chuckling) You don't need to know who we are. Just know that you need to die.
Zodiac: Stay back, Himitsu. I'll handle this.
Himitsu complied, slowly retreating.
Assassin 1: Kill them.
The other two assassins charged at Zodiac—one advancing to his right and the other to his left, both brandishing swords. As they closed in, they struck simultaneously. Zodiac employed Sudoshi, vanishing just as they attacked, leaving the assassins bewildered.
Assassin 2: What! Where did he go!?
Assassin 3: Wait! What happened to my weapon!?
Assassin 2: Huh!?
They looked down at their hands, realizing their swords were missing.
Zodiac: (Shaking his head) You are nothing but fools.
Both assassins looked up to see Zodiac perched on the roof, holding their weapons.
Assassin 2: How did you—
Zodiac: (Inspecting the swords) What kind of assassin wields a longsword? This is the worst sword I have ever seen. You bring nothing but shame.
As he spoke, Zodiac shattered their swords before their eyes. He bent down, picked up some broken metal shards, and pointed them at the two assassins' heads.
Zodiac: If you live by the sword, you will die by the sword.
Zodiac hurled the shards at the two assassins, piercing their heads as they collapsed to the ground lifeless.
Himitsu: (Amazed) Whoa. I've never seen him do that before.
Zodiac utilized Sudoshi once more and returned to the ground, facing the remaining assassin.
Assassin 1: (Nervous) Ha, you may have taken them down, but you still have to deal with—
Zodiac vanished and struck him in the face, sending him crashing into the wall.
Assassin 1: Aghhh!
Zodiac slowly approached, drawing a dual blade. As the assassin leaned against the wall, Zodiac stepped closer and pressed his foot against the assassin's chest.
Zodiac: (Serious) I don't like to waste time, so you better answer me unless you wish to end up like a slaughtered animal.
Himitsu ran up, apprehensive about what Zodiac might do next.
Zodiac: Now tell me, who are you working for?
Assassin 1: (In pain) I'm not telling you anything!
Zodiac: Wrong answer.
Zodiac took his blade and severed the assassin's right leg, eliciting a scream of agony.
Assassin 1: AHHHHHH!
Zodiac: Let's try this again. Who is your boss?
Assassin 1: S-screw off, you bastard!
Zodiac: Incorrect.
Zodiac severs the assassin's other leg, provoking a piercing scream.
Himitsu: Oh my gosh…
Zodiac: Last warning, who is your boss?
Assassin 1: (In agony) Go kill yourself.
Zodiac: Very well.
Zodiac drives his blade into the assassin's groin, eliciting an even more intense scream. He then drags the blade upward, slicing through the assassin's body to his head, effectively splitting him in half. Himitsu quickly turns away, covering his mouth as blood splatters around them.
Himitsu: (To himself) I can't believe he did it again!
Zodiac flicks the blood off his blade and sheaths it as he approaches Himitsu.
Zodiac: Himitsu.
Himitsu: (Turning around) Y-yes, Zodiac?
Zodiac: I'm going to inform the others that we're being followed. While I do that, I want you to scout the area for more of them.
Himitsu: Of course! I'll make sure to do that!
As Zodiac walks away, he glances back at Himitsu.
Zodiac: And don't think I forgot about our conversation. You're still hiding something from me, and I will find out.