The following night, the air felt colder than usual. In a remote hilly area overlooking Kamigoe City, Ace leaned against a large tree, waiting for someone. He wore a white t-shirt with a black leather jacket and red pants, with Kurayami hanging from his waist. Before long, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the trees.
Ogami appeared, but he was not alone. Behind him were three faces very familiar to Ace: Masachika, Yuji, and Chisaki.
Ace frowned and looked at Ogami seriously. "Is it really okay for them to come along? This could be very dangerous, Ogami-sensei. We are tracking Kokabiel," Ace said, glancing at his friends and seniors from school.
Ogami chuckled, patting Yuji on the shoulder. "Relax, Ace. They won't be joining the direct investigation in the city center. They'll just observe from a safe distance. If we run into small fry or weaker enemies, it will be a valuable experience for them."
Chisaki, wearing a practical blue jacket with many pockets, stepped forward with her hands on her hips. "Akashi-kun, are you underestimating us?" she asked defiantly.
Ace sighed, his eyes fixed on the flickering lights of Kamigoe City below. "It's not about underestimating you, but Kamigoe is a unique territory. There are quite a few powerful Yokai there."
'Especially since Kamigoe is the setting of the Dandadan anime, we might even run into aliens,' Ace thought.
Yuji raised his hand politely, looking confused. "Sensei, what exactly is the difference between a Yokai and a Cursed Spirit?"
Ogami straightened his clothes before explaining. "They are quite similar in terms of energy, but what sets them apart is intelligence. Most Cursed Spirits act on instinct and cannot think or speak clearly. Yokai, on the other hand, are entities that can talk, have hierarchies, and are capable of strategic thinking. Tokyo and Kyoto are the most densely populated Yokai hubs in Japan, but Kamigoe has its fair share as well."
Masachika, who had been listening while leaning against a guardrail, finally spoke up. "So we'll be facing enemies who can be negotiated with... or enemies who are far more cunning."
Ace pushed himself off the tree and touched the hilt of Kurayami. "Exactly. And if Kokabiel is truly hiding there, this might become a three-way battle between us, the Yokai, and Kokabiel's followers."
They began scouting the outskirts of Kamigoe cautiously, but after hours of investigating, the atmosphere remained silent. No traces of Kokabiel or suspicious activity were found. 'Nothing after all. I thought we'd at least run into an alien,' Ace thought.
Without wasting time, they decided to move to Shono City using Ogami's car.
As the car approached the Shono City limits, the atmosphere suddenly shifted. Ace and Ogami tensed up simultaneously. "Yokai energy... and there's the scent of a Cursed Spirit too," Ace muttered, adjusting his sword.
Ogami immediately hit the gas, his expression turning grim. "Listen, Chisaki, Masachika, Yuji! Your job is only to observe. Do not act recklessly without my command!" Ogami ordered firmly.
Upon entering the deserted city center, Ogami braked hard and parked the car. The five of them got out and followed Ogami with silent movements. At an intersection, they witnessed a horrific sight: dozens of townspeople with hollow eyes were surrounding two teenagers, a boy and a girl. Above the citizens, a giant crab-shaped Cursed Spirit watched over them with its terrifying claws.
"This is bad!" Ogami exclaimed.
However, before Ogami could devise a plan, the surrounded boy suddenly ran with extraordinary speed, dashing through the crowd of controlled citizens as if they were statues. The crab spirit immediately gave chase.
"Ace! Deal with the controlled citizens, don't let them get hurt!" Ogami shouted as he prepared to give chase. He then turned to his students. "Chisaki, Masachika, Yuji! Assist Ace!"
Without waiting for an answer, Ogami, wearing his tan coat, bolted after the giant crab with agile movements.
Ace stepped in front of the citizens, blocking their path so they couldn't pursue further. However, he glanced at Ogami's back disappearing around the corner. 'That kid's speed is unnatural... can Ogami-sensei even catch them?' Ace thought worriedly, recalling the mysterious boy's rapid movement.
Ace saw the crowd of citizens preparing to move. "Chisaki, Masachika, Yuji! Stay behind me and make sure no one gets past!" Ace ordered.
Ace pulled out a book and opened it.
"Andromeda no Kusari!"
"A certain beautiful princess was offered as a sacrifice to appease a certain wrath!"
Ace scanned the Wonder Ride Book on Kurayami.
"Final Read! Jaaku Andromeda! Shutoku Issen!"
Ace stabbed Kurayami into the ground, and chains shot out nimbly, binding the hands and feet of every citizen.
Chisaki looked mesmerized by Ace's technique. "Incredible... you caught this many at once without leaving a single scratch?"
"Focus, Chisaki-senpai, we still have to break the control and erase their memories." Ace pulled out another Wonder Ride Book.
"Barrier Book!"
A barrier emerged, covering the area where the citizens were bound. "Do you guys know how to release their control?" Ace asked them.
Meanwhile, several blocks away, the deadly chase continued.
Ogami Ryo gritted his teeth. Even though he exerted all his physical strength, the distance between him, the boy, and the giant crab spirit only widened. The boy's running speed was truly nonsensical. 'Is he possessed?' Ogami wondered.
"So fast... if this keeps up, I'll lose the trail!" Ogami muttered.
Without wasting time, Ogami reached into his pocket and pulled out a green Wonder Ride Book. He flipped the cover with one hand while still running.
"Jackun to Domamenoki!"
"A certain mysterious story of a boy who, by chance, obtained a small bean that grew into a giant tree!"
Ogami scanned the book on his massive sword, Dogouken Gekido. Emerald green energy enveloped the giant blade. "Don't think you can run!"
"DOGON! Gekido Chaotic Land Slash! DOGON!"
Ogami slammed Gekido into the asphalt. Instantly, the ground cracked, and giant sprouts shot out with lightning speed. The magical beanstalk climbed between buildings, sliding straight toward the giant crab spirit chasing the boy.
SRAK! SRAK!
The strong beanstalk vines coiled around the claws, legs, and the hard shell of the crab spirit, jerking it to a halt in the middle of the street.
Near Okarun, who was still running fast with Momo on his back, the raspy, hateful voice of the Turbo Granny, whom Momo was holding above Okarun suddenly echoed.
"Damn it! This power... you cursed Sword of Logos bastards! Always interfering with my fun!" Turbo Granny screamed in a fit of rage and vengeance.
Momo Ayase, holding onto Okarun's neck and the Turbo Granny, looked confused and terrified. She didn't understand what the Sword of Logos was, but she looked back and saw the crab spirit struggling against the giant plants.
"Okarun! The crab stopped! There are giant plants binding it!" Momo shouted in amazement.
"Really?" Okarun replied in a sluggish voice, his face in transformation mode looked indifferent, but he was starting to tire.
"Keep running! We have to cross the Shono City limits as planned! Let's go, Okarun!" Momo commanded.
"Okay!" Okarun replied. With his remaining strength, he dashed away, leaving Ogami standing before the entangled crab spirit, ready to destroy the curse.
Ogami stopped right in front of the thrashing crab spirit. His breath was slightly heavy, but his gaze remained sharp beneath his tan coat. "Finally caught up... Your running is truly a pain," Ogami muttered, staring coldly at the large-shelled monster.
He didn't want to waste any more time, Ogami pulled out his Wonder Ride Book.
"GENBU SHINWA"
"There was once a god beast possessing a strong armor that acted as one of the four holy beast"
Ogami slotted Genbu Shinwa into Gekido and pressed the trigger on the hilt. "Henshin!"
Ogami was enveloped in earth, which shattered to reveal the Buster armor.
KRAK! SRAK!
The crab spirit let out an ear-piercing screech. With the strength of its massive claws, it managed to cut through the beanstalk vines coiling around it. Once free, the monster immediately spun around, its red compound eyes staring at Ogami with pure rage.
The monster didn't hesitate. It lunged at Ogami, slamming its car-sized right claw with full force.
DUAARR!!
Buster blocked the attack with only one hand using Dogouken Gekido. The impact created a shockwave that cracked the asphalt beneath his feet, but Buster didn't budge.
"Is that all?" Buster asked, his voice deep behind his helm.
The crab spirit let out a wet, terrifying growl. Seeing its attack stopped by one hand, it became even more feral. Its left claw launched like a bullet, trying to crush Buster's head from the other side.
With a powerful shrug of his shoulder, Buster swung Dogouken Gekido upward, striking back both of the monster's claws at once. Buster's incredible physical strength sent the crab spirit staggering backward, its many legs scrambling to grip the asphalt to avoid toppling over.
Buster gave it no room to breathe. He stepped forward, each footstep leaving deep cracks in the street.
"Listen, you ugly creature. I don't care if you're a Yokai or a Cursed Spirit," Buster raised his giant sword high. "But anyone who endangers and disturbs the citizens will be destroyed by me, the strongest swordsman!"
The crab spirit fired high-pressure water bullets coated in cursed energy from its mouth. Buster didn't dodge. Instead, he dropped into a low stance.
An energy shield shaped like a giant tortoise shell appeared in front of Buster. The water bullets shattered upon hitting the shield without leaving a single scratch. Taking advantage of the opening, Buster rushed forward. "This is the end!"
Ogami pulled the trigger on Gekido.
"DOGON! Gekido Chaotic Land Slash! DOGON!"
"Dai dandan!"
Rocks from the surroundings gathered onto Dogouken Gekido, enlarging the sword to a massive size. Buster then charged the sword with orange energy and performed a horizontal slash, cutting the crab spirit in half.
Buster sheathed Dogouken Gekido back onto his back. He wanted to chase Okarun and Momo, but they were already too far away, so Buster decided to return to Ace and the others, as he also felt something approaching them.