The weapon now armed with the Lemon Energy Core of Genesis transformed into a Sonic Bow and Arrow. While deftly evading Minato Yoko's attacks, Ryuga detached the Lemon Energy Lockseed and slotted it into the bow. He was ready.
[Lock On!]
[Soiya!]
[Orange Squash!]
[Lemon Energy!]
Without hesitation, Ryuga loosed the freshly charged arrow, meeting Sid's fully-charged shot mid-air.
To everyone's shock—including Sid and Minato Yoko—Ryuga's arrow, despite being charged for only a few seconds, obliterated Sid's shot and smashed directly into his chest. The force sent Sid flying into a nearby wall. He crashed down, unconscious, his transformation forcefully undone.
Ryuga chuckled. "That's the level of talent your world recruits? How disappointing."
Minato Yoko stared, speechless. She couldn't help but wonder: How the hell did Sid even get recruited in the first place? Did he sneak in through the back door?
As if hearing her unspoken thoughts, Sid twitched, then coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Ryuga slung the bow casually over his back. "I'll leave you to save your comrade. Farewell~" He waved mockingly as he vanished into a Crack portal, completely unhurried.
Minato Yoko couldn't afford to chase him. With a sigh, she ordered an emergency med-evac for Sid. Despite her doubts about his ability, he was still a colleague—if something serious happened to him, the higher-ups would pin the blame on her.
Fortunately for Sid, Ryuga had gone easy on him. After two days of rest and treatment in the World Tree's advanced medical facility, he recovered.
But Sid wasn't about to let that humiliation slide.
The moment he was discharged, he stormed into Professor Ryoma's lab. "That bastard's power level is not normal. We have to take him down."
Ryoma, known more formally as Professor Ryoma Sengoku, nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. I was planning to investigate his abnormal strength anyway. Let's go together."
Even with the Genesis Core, Ryuga's power far exceeded what any standard user should be capable of. Something was off.
"When do we strike?" Sid asked impatiently.
"Right now," Minato Yoko interrupted, pulling up a live feed on her computer.
Meanwhile, Gaim's team was preparing for a major event.
In an effort to clear their names and distance themselves from the Inves Games, Mai Takatsukasa had tirelessly visited dance teams across the city. After much persuasion, she convinced the top-ranking teams to publicly renounce the games.
To prove their sincerity, they planned a Joint Dance Festival, broadcast citywide, as a symbolic gesture to show they were turning over a new leaf.
Of course, most adults weren't naïve enough to believe everything would be fixed by one flashy performance. But for the teenage dancers, this was the best way they knew to take control of their fate.
The only thing the Armored Riders needed to do now was protect the event from interference—especially from World Tree or hired mercenaries like Sid and Ryoma.
Unknown to the conspirators, however, Sagara—that mysterious observer from beyond—had leaked their entire plan. As an intangible consciousness, even standing right beside them wouldn't give away his presence.
So when Oren Pierre Alfonzo led a group of rogue Inves to sabotage the event, Team Baron—now led by Zack—was ready and waiting.
Zack had inherited the mass-produced Knuckle Driver, transforming into the armored fighter Knuckle. Former team leader Kaito Kumon had quietly stepped down, understanding that his reputation would prevent the team from being accepted into the event.
Still, true to his tsundere nature, Kaito watched the performance from the shadows. And when Zack and Kota struggled against the overwhelming wave of Inves, Kaito jumped into the fray, assisting without hesitation.
Together, the three Riders once again made Oren beg for mercy.
Outside the dance venue, Ryuga lounged in a recliner, sipping fruit juice, waiting.
"Took you long enough," he muttered lazily as Ryoma, Sid, and Minato Yoko finally arrived. "I could've grown flowers out here."
"You knew we were coming?" Ryoma narrowed his eyes.
"Obviously." Ryuga stood, stretching. "Don't bother asking how—I won't tell you."
"Enough talk," Sid growled, pulling out his Lockseed. "Transform now. I'm ending this today!"
Minato Yoko and Ryoma followed suit.
[Cherry Energy!]
[Lock On!]
[Soda! Cherry Energy Arms!]
[Peach Energy!]
[Lock On!]
[Soda! Peach Energy Arms!]
[Lemon Energy!]
[Lock On!]
[Soda! Lemon Energy Arms!]
[Fight Power! Fight Power! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fi-Fi-Fi-Fi-Fight!]
Sid and Minato Yoko stood flanking Ryoma—who, as Duke, transformed with a sound effect that sounded ten times cooler and more elaborate than theirs.
Show-off, Ryuga thought. How's anyone supposed to stand next to you after that transformation?
Even Minato Yoko and Sid instinctively stepped a few paces back from Ryoma.
Ryoma noticed and scowled. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Uh, just giving you room to shine, Professor~" Minato Yoko smiled awkwardly.
"Y-yeah!" Sid chimed in.
Ryoma glared, unconvinced.
Ryuga laughed and activated his own transformation.
[Orange! Lemon Energy!]
[Lock On!]
"Henshin!"
[Soiya! Mix! Orange Arms!]
[Ikebana! On Stage!]
[Jimber Lemon! Ha-ha!]
"You done flexing?" Ryoma growled.
Sid charged first—only to be sent flying back within seconds.
"I'll handle him!" Minato Yoko moved to intercept.
But the moment her blade clashed with Ryuga's, her confidence collapsed. His weapon felt like it weighed a ton.
Although she was more skilled than Sid, she lacked his raw physical strength. In a contest of brute force, she crumpled under the pressure, falling to her knees in defeat.