The scene opens in the Kingdom of Nitharis, where low-ranked Nitharian soldiers are engaged in training exercises, clashing their fists and weapons.
Nitharian Soldier 1: Rahhhh!
Nitharian Soldier 2: Ahhhhhh!
As they continue their training, a powerful aura approaches, instilling a wave of fear among the soldiers.
Nitharian Soldier 3: Is that who I think it is?
Nitharian Soldier 4: He's coming!
All the soldiers turn to see Akuma slowly walking toward them with a serious expression.
Nitharian Soldier 3: Oh no! It is him!
As Akuma gets closer, the soldiers kneel before him in respect.
Akuma: You call this training? What a pity. I didn't come here to witness such foolishness!
Nitharian Soldier 1: We—were sorry, mas—
Akuma: Silence!
The soldiers tremble in fear.
Akuma: (shaking his head) You disgust me and will need to be punished. For your punishment, you will spar with me. Now, get in formation!
The soldiers quickly rise and form a line, thirty in total. As they stand ready, Akuma cracks his neck and knuckles, preparing for combat. He slowly opens his eyes and utters a single command.
Akuma: Begin.
The soldiers rush toward Akuma to attack. The first soldier throws a punch, but Akuma intercepts him, breaking his arm and kicking him to the ground. The second and third soldiers charge at him together, but he effortlessly deflects their punches. He then grabs their heads and slams them together, causing their skulls to shatter.
Akuma: Weak!
The fifth soldier launches a fireball at Akuma, who blocks it effortlessly with his hand and crushes it. In an instant, he vanishes in front of the fifth soldier and delivers a powerful headbutt, sending him crashing to the ground and leaving a trail in his wake. The sixth soldier hurls a spear toward Akuma's head. Sensing the danger, Akuma swiftly turns around, seizes the spear, and hurls it back at the soldier, piercing his neck and creating a gaping wound.
The seventh soldier charges at Akuma with a sword. Just as he is about to swing, he freezes in place, his head slowly detaching from his body, revealing Akuma standing behind him with the sword.
Akuma: Too slow!
The eighth soldier descends from the sky, attempting a dive kick. Akuma intercepts him, catching his leg and slamming him to the ground, creating a substantial crack. As the soldier lies incapacitated, Akuma steps on his chest, crushing it and creating a gaping hole. The ninth soldier rushes in, wielding a large axe, and strikes at Akuma's neck. To the soldier's dismay, the axe leaves no mark. Akuma seizes the axe and shatters it effortlessly.
The tenth soldier, armed with a bow, fires multiple arrows at Akuma. In a swift maneuver, Akuma grabs the eighth soldier's body and uses it as a shield, allowing the arrows to pierce through him. He then discards the lifeless body to the ground, shaking his head in disdain.
Akuma: Pathetic. And you call yourselves Nitharians!
He continues to dispatch the remaining soldiers with ruthless efficiency, punching, breaking, and killing them. As most of the soldiers lie dead or injured, one last soldier stands trembling in fear.
Akuma: (Glancing at the final soldier) Come here!
The soldier, quaking in terror, steps forward.
Akuma: Why didn't you fight back?
Nitharian Soldier: I-I-I-I-I—
In a swift motion, Akuma grasps the soldier's head and begins to squeeze it slowly as the others watch in horror.
Akuma: We Nitharians will not tolerate weakness! If you can't grow stronger, you will be left behind.
As Akuma tightens his grip, the soldier screams in agony. Blood oozes from his bulging eyes, which ultimately pop from their sockets as Akuma crushes his head completely.
Akuma: Let this be a lesson. You are dismissed.
Afterward, he hears clapping behind him and turns to see Shimasu and Hinoka.
Shimasu: You put on quite a show, Akuma.
Hinoka: (Smiling) And a very impressive one.
Akuma: They must learn the hard way. I will not accept this kind of foolishness.
Shimasu: What do you expect from low-ranked soldiers?
Akuma: It doesn't matter if they are low-ranked. The point is, I will not tolerate sloppiness. Anyway, have you discovered anything about those children?
Hinoka: We have yet to discover their whereabouts.
Akuma: Tch! You've got to be kidding me.
Hinoka: However, there is a location we can investigate that we have learned about.
Akuma: And what is that?
Shimasu: Hinoka and I scouted a planet inhabited by humans. It is also near the Kingdom of Leorea and that impoverished village.
Hinoka: But that's not even the best part. Do you remember those groups we encountered before with that strange symbol?
Akuma: Yes, I do. What about them?
Hinoka: There is a floating city called Sampostis that is home to an organization known as the Order of Triumph.
Akuma: The Order of Triumph? How did you come across this information?
Shimasu: We came across more of them and decided to interrogate them.
Hinoka: (Laughs) We ensured they were forthcoming with information.
Shimasu: But that place is heavily guarded, so it wouldn't be easy to just walk in. What do you think?
Akuma begins to contemplate.
Akuma: As much as I'd love to destroy their little city, we can't afford to waste soldiers, especially if those kids aren't there.
Hinoka: So you just want to leave them alone?
Akuma: No. I want you to find out what this Sampostis place is, but I don't want to lose soldiers for no reason.
Hinoka laughs as she approaches Akuma, lightly touching his chest.
Hinoka: Don't worry, darling. I'll take care of that.
Shimasu: And how will you do that?
Hinoka: I have my ways.
Akuma: Very well, proceed. I am not fond of waiting. (Begins to walk away)
Hinoka: Yes, my dear.
Shimasu approaches Hinoka.
Shimasu: Hinoka, make sure you don't screw this up.
Hinoka: Don't worry, I won't destroy a village.
Shimasu grips her arm, visibly agitated.
Shimasu: I am serious!
Hinoka: Do you know what happened to the last person who touched me?
Shimasu: Yeah, she ended up on the ground.
Hinoka: Shut up! He knocked both of us down. (She pulls away from Shimasu.) And let go of me! I'm not going to mess this up.
Shimasu: You better not, or I'll have to clean up after you.
Hinoka smiles at Shimasu before vanishing into thin air as they finalize their plan. The scene shifts back to Kono and the others, who are following Akira through the forest, with Gram gasping for breath.
Gram: (Breathless) How… much… longer…?
Himitsu: I don't know. I think we're getting closer.
Gram glances at Zodiac.
Gram: Hey, Zodiac.
Zodiac: What do you want?
Gram: I still can't believe you said that to Akira.
Zodiac: Said what? That I wanted her to cook for me?
Gram: Yeah, dude! You can't say that!
Zodiac: Why is that a problem? She clearly knows how to breathe fire, so that's why I asked.
Gram: Okay, but it's still disrespectful because she's a woman.
Zodiac: That doesn't make sense.
Kono: As foolish as Gram can be, he's right, Zodiac. Telling a woman to cook for you is bad manners, especially if you're not dating.
Zodiac: (Looks at Daru) And do you know about this ridiculous rule?
Daru: A little. I remember Zenshi mentioning it, but honestly, I don't see a problem. I ask Zenshi to make me food, and she does.
Zodiac: Either way, it's a dumb rule, so don't expect me to follow it.
Kono sighs.
Kono: (To herself) Looks like Zodiac and Daru will face women's wrath sooner than they think.
Akira: This is it.
Kono: What?
Everyone looks forward, observing the mountain split in half up close.
Ohma: This is an enormous mountain!
Gram: But I don't see the city anywhere.
Akira: That's because the city is on the other side of the mountain, you idiot.
Gram: Ohhh, that makes sense.
Daru: So we have to walk through the mountain?
Akira: (Annoyed) Yes! It's like you guys have brain damage, answering your own questions!
Daru: (Upset) You need to show some real manners, both you and Zodiac.
Akira: Yeah, whatever. Just keep moving, or you'll be left behind.
Akira begins to walk toward the mountain, following the trail.
Daru: She's really getting on my last nerve.
Himitsu: All she does is say rude stuff to us.
Kono: Yeah, at least we get to see what the city looks like.
They continue to follow Akira through the center of the mountain, observing their surroundings. Suddenly, a creature emerges unexpectedly and charges at Gram. Ohma swiftly draws his nunchucks and strikes the creature, cleaving it in half.
Gram: (Scared) Oh my gosh! Thank you, Ohma!
Ohma: You're welcome, Gram!
Zodiac: You need to watch your surroundings, like I said before.
Gram: I was! It just appeared out of nowhere.
As Akira watches, she turns her head back.
Akira: (To herself) What a weakling.
While walking through the mountain's center, Akira suddenly halts, leaving everyone perplexed.
Kono: Uh, is something wrong, Akira?
Akira: Go see for yourselves.
Everyone gathers beside Akira and sees the same red dragon that had fled earlier, now blocking the trail and sleeping.
Ohma: Is that the same dragon Akira scared off?
Daru: Most likely.
Gram: Oh great! Now it's in our way.
Himitsu: That should not pose a problem. Akira can scare it off again.
They all turn to Akira as she moves to the side and takes a seat.
Himitsu: Uhhhh.
Zodiac: What are you doing? Aren't you going to handle it?
Akira: You don't get to tell me what to do. Leave me alone.
Zodiac: Whatever. Then you're on your own.
Kono: So how are we going to deal with this dragon?
Daru: We'll have to fight it since it's blocking our path.
Gram: Wait, why!?
Daru: Do you see any other way?
Gram: Well… no?
Daru: Exactly.
Ohma retrieves his nunchucks, preparing for combat.
Ohma: Looks like it's time to take this thing down!
Kono: (Drawing her firearm) Time to get blasting!
Himitsu: (Unsheathing his spear) Let's get to it!
Zodiac steps back, crossing his arms, which Daru notices.
Daru: You're not fighting?
Zodiac: I'm not going to waste my time on a dragon I can easily defeat.
Daru: Oh, really? You think you're that strong, huh?
Zodiac: I don't think so; I know so. Get it right.
Daru: Hmfp, sure.
Daru steps back to observe the others engage in battle. Gram hides behind a rock.
Gram: Hehe, I should be safe here!
Ohma: Alright, everyone! Let's go!
Ohma charges forward, with Himitsu and Kono in pursuit. As Ohma approaches the red dragon, it opens its eyes and begins to roar. The dragon raises its claw to slash at Ohma, but he dodges and strikes the dragon on the head, pushing it back. Himitsu moves to the side, preparing to attack just as the dragon turns its head, opens its mouth, and charges a fire blast toward him.
Himitsu: Oh, shoot!
Just before the blast strikes, Kono fires a mini blast at the dragon's head, interrupting the attack. Seizing the moment, Himitsu lunges his spear into the dragon's body, causing it to scream in pain.
Ohma: Well done, Himitsu!
Himitsu: Thank you!
Daru: They're doing pretty well so far.
Zodiac: Hmm.
The dragon, now enraged, executes a 360-degree spin with its tail, knocking Himitsu to the ground.
Kono: Himitsu!
The dragon ascends and begins charging another fire blast from its mouth, launching multiple blasts toward them.
Ohma: Don't worry, I can handle this!
Ohma swings his nunchucks swiftly as he leaps into the air, deflecting each fire blast in succession. As the final blast approaches, he delivers a powerful strike, sending it back towards the dragon. The dragon is taken aback as its own attack strikes it, causing it to crash to the ground and shake the surrounding area.
Akira: (To himself) Hmm, that kid definitely knows how to fight.
Kono: Excellent strike, Ohma! I didn't see that coming.
Ohma: (Smiling) Well, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.
As Ohma finishes speaking, the dragon rises again, enraged.
Gram: (Peeking over the rock) Crap! I thought Ohma finished it!
Himitsu: This dragon doesn't want to stay down!
The dragon charges toward them, poised to attack. Just as it draws near, Daru leaps in front and seizes the dragon's head, halting it in its tracks.
Ohma: Daru!
Daru: I'm getting tired of this.
Daru's veins in his arm begin to turn purple as he delivers a powerful punch to the dragon's head, causing it to tumble to the ground. The dragon slowly attempts to rise, sensing Daru approaching. It becomes frightened once again, opening its wings and taking flight.
Himitsu: No! It's getting away again!
Zodiac: Not on my watch.
Everyone watches as Zodiac strides forward, preparing to take action.
Himitsu: Huh?
Zodiac: (To himself) Let's give this a try.
Zodiac begins to charge his light powers, creating an aura around himself while his eyes turn white. He extends his hand, summoning a gigantic spectral hand behind him, leaving everyone in astonishment.
Akira: (Surprised) That power looks just like his brother's!
Daru: What the hell is this?
Zodiac: You're not getting away.
Zodiac sends the spectral hand toward the dragon, creating a gust of wind in its wake. As it closes in, the hand captures the dragon mid-air. Zodiac then swings his hand down, slamming the dragon to the ground and generating a massive shockwave upon impact.
Gram: What kind of power is that?
Zodiac approaches the dragon, still held by the spectral hand. He draws his dual blades and stabs them into the dragon's head, ceasing its movement. Everyone rushes to Zodiac.
Himitsu: Zodiac! What was that just now?
Zodiac: What do you mean?
Daru: That hand you just summoned—don't act like you don't know.
Zodiac: Shortly after the Newbie Event, when Daru and I began to harness our powers, I started to sense something unusual within me, as if there was something else.
Kono: But I thought your weapons were your light powers?
Zodiac: Technically, they are not. My dual blades possess their own unique power that I can wield.
Daru: So, you're saying the power you just utilized is your true power, while the blades you can morph are separate?
Zodiac: I believe so. I'm still trying to make sense of it all.
Ohma: Wow! That's so cool!
Himitsu: Does that mean Daru will have something else like Zodiac?
Daru: What? I don't know. Probably, as I keep training.
Akira: Who the hell are you guys?
Everyone notices Akira approaching.
Gram: (With admiration) Hello, Akira!
Ohma: Who are Zodiac and Daru? They are Zatar—
Himitsu quickly covers his mouth.
Akira: Hey! Let him speak!
Kono: Sorry, Akira, but we can't reveal people's identities.
Akira: Huh!? Why can't you tell me!?
Kono: W-well, it's because—
Zodiac: We don't trust you, so we're not telling you anything.
Akira: Really! Okay then, good to know. All of you can kiss my ass!
Akira walks past them, bumping shoulders.
Gram: Hey! Why can't we tell her?
Daru: Because we don't know if we can trust her. We can't disclose who we are.
Zodiac: You literally heard my master say that.
Gram: Okay, okay, sheesh!
Kono: Let's hurry and catch up to Akira before we lose her.
As they catch up to Akira, the scene shifts back to Sampostis, where Zorren and Duviri are in a robotic research lab with the workers. They observe the construction of the prototypes that eliminated the previous assistant.
Zorren: What is the status of the project? Is it nearing completion?
Head Assistant: Yes, Mr. President. It is approximately 90% complete and should be ready in a few days.
Zorren: Good. I expect it to be finished on schedule.
Zorren turns around as Duviri follows.
Duviri: Are you planning to release it to the public immediately, Mr. President?
Zorren: Yes. I want those prototypes to be operational. How is Kono's crew performing lately?
Duviri retrieves her Jump Watch and reviews the list of all crews. She locates Kono's crew and assesses their progress.
Duviri: It appears they have completed 50 missions and are prepared for their first rift mission.
Zorren: (Irritated) What! Already!?
Duviri: But it seems they took a vacation, so they haven't started yet.
Zorren: Agh! I can't let this continue. I can't allow Kono to rank up!
Duviri: Are you still considering sabotaging their progress by causing further delays?
Zorren: I'll do whatever it takes to stop her. Mark my words!