"Jikan Desupia!"
"Kamashisugi!"
"Hmph—"
"—Hah!"
Kana's weapon is a scythe she was hiding in her long braid, the Scorpion's Tail, Scorpio.
In response, Woz meets her with the same kind of weapon. He's clashing with her while using his dedicated weapon, the Jikan Desupia, in scythe mode.
Every now and then, Kana's waist glows several times. It's the Invisible Shot, invisible bullets fired from the pistol in her holster.
Woz spins the Jikan Desupia, creating a shield to defend himself.
It was a battle where both of them had a lot of room to spare.
Kana tilts her head, puzzled by the situation.
Even though Woz has the clear objective of getting Aria back, he's only fighting in a superficial manner. She even gets the illusion that he's just stalling for time.
She could have used the ricocheting Invisible Shots to attack, but Kana also doesn't want to show her hand against the unsettling Woz.
Without exchanging any words, the two of them simply clash their weapons.
"M-! This is...!"
Woz suddenly looks in the direction of the Inter-Middle venue, as if he's received some kind of signal.
"This is something to be celebrated...! My apologies, but I must take my leave, Kana."
"What do you mean? You were fighting me to get Aria back. If you leave now, I'll take Aria and leave this island."
"Yes, that's perfectly fine."
Woz's answer was something that even the astute Kana couldn't figure out.
"Originally, it's not my role to save the captive sleeping princess. In fact, it would be a problem if I were to reclaim H. Aria Kanzaki here."
As Woz cancels his transformation, Kana also lowers her weapon.
"Are you saying the role of the prince is Sho Yozuki? That he'll come to us later to reclaim Aria?"
"That's exactly it. My Overlord will undoubtedly get H. Aria Kanzaki back from you."
"Such confidence. I wonder if you trust him that much."
"No. This is a confirmed future. And allow me to make one more prophecy. My Overlord will defeat even your boss, 'The Professor,' and create a new order in this world."
"...What did you say?"
Woz's tone shows that he knows who "The Professor" is. And yet, he says this so confidently. Kana becomes a little interested in the reason behind it.
But Woz can see through her feelings. He twists his mouth with a mischievous look and bows.
"My apologies, but if I answer that question, I will miss a historical moment. I repeat, I must take my leave."
Woz's scarf wraps around his body. The next moment, Woz vanishes from the spot.
Since the pursuer is gone, she has no intention of lingering. Kana shakes off her doubts, holds Aria, and escapes from the island.
---------
A New Power and an Unexpected Ally
The light released from Another OOO settles in my hand and takes a single form.
Without hesitation, I activate it.
OOO!
"Henshin!"
Armor Time!
Taka! Tora! Batta! OOO!
Unlike with Build, objects modeled after a hawk, tiger, and grasshopper appear and attach to my body.
Its distinctive feature is its three-color appearance: the head, chest, and legs. On the chest, where the animals of the used Core Medals should be drawn in the original, it says "Taka, Tora, Batta," as is typical for Zi-O.
In any case, I transform into Kamen Rider Zi-O OOO Armor, and then—
Iwae! (Celebrate!)
"!!"
Everyone in the venue—including me, who had just finished transforming—covers their ears. Woz's voice comes from the announcer's speakers at a volume that can only be described as a complete mistake.
W-wait a minute, what are you—
Silence.
Someone's voice interrupts, but Woz silences them with a single yell.
Inheriting the power of all Riders, transcending time and space, the King of Time who reigns over the past and future! His name is Kamen Rider Zi-O, OOO Armor! This is the moment he inherits the power of another Rider, a king!
Woz's celebratory words echo throughout the venue.
The spectators, who were in a state of chaos due to fear of the monster, stand in stunned silence. So do Eremia, Victoria, Harry, and Else.
That guy...! What about Kana?! If he's here, what does that mean?! Did he manage to get Aria back?
"...So that incomprehensible celebratory speech exists in this world too, huh?"
Decade mutters something.
"Hey. You might have a lot you want to say, but look ahead. It's great that you can use the power of OOO, but the enemy is still here."
"I-I know!"
Right. I have a lot I want to say, but first, I have to focus on defeating the Another OOO in front of me.
"Decade. Let's combine our techniques. We were repelled before, but we should be able to do it if we combine our Rider Kicks!"
"Yeah. That's a good idea, but..."
What is it? He sounds hesitant.
"I was so focused on it being a monster that I forgot about the person inside..."
"The person who was absorbed inside...?"
I had completely forgotten about that too.
When it was Another Build, it was Professor Thierry who was turned into a monster, but who is it this time? I have no idea.
But I have a feeling it's not just some random person.
"That's right, my Overlord."
"What?! Wo-Woz?! You...!"
Woz appears behind me without a sound. I wouldn't be surprised if he just warped here anymore. But there's too much I want to ask him.
"First, regarding H. Aria Kanzaki, I apologize. I was not strong enough, and she was taken away."
"..."
I observe Woz.
He says he wasn't strong enough, but he doesn't look injured at all. His breathing isn't even ragged. He was so emotional when he celebrated, so he's probably perfectly fine.
He's suspicious. Was it a mistake to leave it to this guy whose identity is unknown?
"Don't say that. I'm always on your side."
"...Don't say anything so suspicious. Just answer what I want to know."
"Ask away."
"Is Aria safe?"
"Yes. At the very least, she won't be harmed right away. Yes, you have plenty of time even after you deal with this situation."
Woz answers my questions while opening a book.
"Okay, then next. Who transformed into Another OOO?"
"The one who transformed is Haruka Kasukabe."
"Haruka?"
That's a name I never would have guessed.
"You know her?"
"Well... she's a girl I live with."
"Ah, your woman, then."
I turn away from Decade's exasperated voice.
"More importantly, why Haruka?"
"Because she was the most suitable person."
I don't think she's suited to be the King of Desire. Well, in a way, you could say she's loyal to her desires. Considering that Build was a scientist, Professor Thierry, I feel like there might have been a more suitable person.
"However, finding someone who can handle this level of desire isn't so easy. But a Kamen Rider needs a host. Someone who can connect with the power of OOO for a reason other than desire. She had that power."
"The power... the 'Genomu Tree'...!"
I suddenly realize it.
Haruka's source of power, the pendant, the Genomu Tree. Is he saying that's the trigger?!
"Originally, that thing was created to counter all kinds of supernatural abilities and strategies. It's a General-Purpose Combat Weapon to combat Overlords. The pursuit of omniscience and omnipotence can be considered the pinnacle of human desire. Furthermore, as a characteristic, it analyzes the phylogenetic tree of organisms and manufactures ecological weapons—chimeras—for the user."
OOO also combines three medals, parts of three different animals. In that sense, it's a kind of chimera.
So in that sense, it makes sense, I guess.
"However, on the other hand, choosing Haruka Kasukabe has its downsides."
"What?"
"Haruka Kasukabe has another ability: a 'No-Former.' Someone who can't become anything. It's a blessing that normally suppresses the monsterization caused by the Genomu Tree, but because of it, she can't exhibit the full power of Another OOO."
"So, what you're saying is that the person who used her was an idiot?"
"Well, I can't say for sure. I don't know if they didn't know or if it was part of their plan."
Woz shrugs at Decade's question.
"I-I'm sorry! Will you two be talking for a while...?! My bind is reaching its limit...!"
Else's voice is strained.
"Ugh...! Ah!"
GYAAAAAAAA!!
With a tremendous heat wave, all the binds restraining Another OOO shatter.
But still, the fact that we have to defeat it hasn't changed.
"I'm sorry, the restraint is...! I think I can only do it one more time...!"
"Then we'll just have to finish it in one more go. Right, Zi-O?"
"Yeah! Let's do it with everyone again—"
Clink, clink.
I hear the metallic sound of medals falling. I look and see medals falling from Another OOO's body. The medals turn into a four-legged chimera.
A large number of Another OOOs, which are just smaller versions of the main body, are produced.
It's probably the power of the Gatakiriba Combo. You could say it's a good thing that the main body wasn't copied, but that doesn't change the fact that they're a threat to the fleeing people.
"Looks like we don't have much time."
"Yeah! Kuro! I'm counting on you over there!"
Kuro, who is at a distance, has created two swords instead of a bow and is attacking.
"Victor, us too!"
"Yes! Delinquent girl! Don't just shoot indiscriminately! You might hit innocent people!"
"I know! Dammit! Don't move around so much!"
Everyone else also starts dealing with the clones. But if we don't get rid of the source, we'll eventually be overwhelmed.
"Hey, glasses girl. Restrain it one more time. It looks like the others have their hands full. We'll finish it, me and this guy."
"G-glasses...? Understood...!"
Else agrees with a bitter expression. Decade is just like that, so I hope she can forgive him.
Woz nonchalantly opens his book. It seems he still has no intention of helping.
"But can we do it just with us?"
"Of course. I thought I'd let the guys from this world have their moment, but it looks like we don't have that luxury anymore. From here on out, we're going all out."
Those are reassuring words.
"I'll lend you a hand, too."
Decade takes out one card.
Attack Ride! TimeMazin!
"Hah!?"
What's summoned is an air bike-type Rider item I've never seen before. The fact that I don't know anything about it means—
"What are you so surprised about? It's your machine, isn't it?"
"Right..."
But if he's going to let me use it, I'll gratefully accept!
I get on the machine. Thanks to my riding skills, I can handle this new vehicle without any trouble. I won't be like when Faiz first got on the Jet Slinger.
"Whoa! It can become a robot too!"
It transforms into a robot. Not only that, but the OOO Ride Watch is embedded in its head.
"So it doesn't just become a robot, it can also use that Rider's abilities..."
"And... this one is a bit tiring for me, but I can't not use it against something like that."
Form Ride! OOO! Gatakiriba!
Decade transforms directly into the Gatakiriba Combo without going through the Tatoba Combo. And with its unique ability, "cloning," he multiplies.
Each one of them takes out a new card.
"Seriously...!"
T-this is that legendary move?! He can reproduce it all by himself!
It's not neatly lined up in a circle like in the original, but Decade's form changes.
Form Ride! OOO! La-Toratah!
Form Ride! OOO! Sagohzo!
Form Ride! OOO! Shauta!
Form Ride! OOO! Tajadol!
Form Ride! OOO! Putotera!
Form Ride! OOO! Burakawani!
Form Ride! OOO! Tatoba!
"Wow...!"
It was a breathtaking sight.
The belts are different, but this sight of all the OOO combos gathered together. It reminds me of the excitement I felt when I saw it in the movie theater!
"Why are you spacing out? Come on, you change too."
Form Ride! TimeMazin! Tajadol!
"Huh?"
The OOO face on the robot's head changes to the Tajadol Combo's, and wings are generated on its back.
This machine can even change forms. And Decade-san does it so casually.
"Alright, let's finish this."
"Yeah!"
・F・I・N・A・L・ ・A・T・T・A・C・K・ ・R・I・D・E・ ・O・・・O・・・O・・・O・O・O・!
The same electronic sound overlaps multiple times.
"Glasses girl, do it!"
"Yes!"
With the signal, magic circles appear around Another OOO again.
However,
GYAAAAAAAAA!!
Another OOO unleashes a powerful heat wave in all directions with a roar. It's the power of the Latoratah Combo that destroyed the binds earlier.
This time, before it can be restrained, the handcuff-shaped binds are all destroyed, including the magic circles.
"No way...!"
Else is stunned that her magic is completely ineffective.
"No problem. Let's go, Zi-O! You pull the girl out!"
"Yeah, got it!"
The Putotyra Combo, which has released its power, radiates a powerful cold air from its head. It clashes with the heat emitted by Another OOO and pushes it back.
Furthermore, the Sagohzo Combo uses gravity manipulation to stop its movements. But it's only a matter of time before it's canceled by the same gravity manipulation.
We have to stop it completely before that happens.
Latoratah and Burakawani leap toward its legs.
Latoratah uses its swift legs and Tora Claw, and Burakawani uses its sliding and its crocodile-transformed legs to shred Another OOO's legs.
Meanwhile, I, who was flying in the sky,
"Haaaaaaaaaaaa—"
The robot's legs transform into a shape resembling a bird of prey. Its sharp talons are wrapped in flames, and it plummets toward the opponent!
Another OOO, whose movements were stopped, is now just a torso.
The hawk head tells me exactly where to aim.
"Seiyaaa!"
I precisely slice Another OOO's body.
"Haruka!"
I open the robot's hatch and jump out.
"Sho...?"
Haruka responds vaguely, as if she's conscious.
"I'll save you now!"
I use the Tora Claw Z and the Zikan Girade to cut off the Cell Medals that were restraining Haruka's limbs.
I hold her and jump back into the robot.
After confirming that I had flown away, the Decade OOOs all leap up at once.
The Gatakiriba Combo multiplies, the Shauta Combo uses its eight octopus-like legs like drills, the Tajadol Combo transforms its legs into the shape of a bird of prey just like the robot, and the Tatoba Combo performs the Tatoba Kick once more.
Multiple Rider Kicks are delivered.
Another OOO takes the attacks, scatters Cell Medals, and explodes.
--------------------------------------------
🚀 Want Early Access (80+Chapters ahead ) & Bonus Content?
"Loving this story so far? You can read ALL chapters RIGHT NOW by joining my P4tr3on!
✨ Unlock instant access to the full completed novel
✨ No waiting for daily updates
✨ Support your favorite degenerate author (that's me!)
Only $5.99 for the full experience!
🔗 Check my profile for the Link!!