In addition to his own goals, Raven also felt the need to push Mishima further, compelling him to hasten his transformation into the strongest Native Worm so Raven could eventually absorb him.
Therefore, he reminded Tendo: "Mishima has finished testing the Hyper Henshin device. This thing is very important to you."
"The Hyper Henshin device?"
"I'm sure you've noticed the figure similar to Kabuto several times. He is actually your future self, who time-traveled here using the Hyper Zecter device."
Upon hearing this, Tendo immediately understood.
"I see."
"I know what I must do," Tendo resolved.
The final battle is about to begin.
However, Tendo's first thought wasn't how to steal the Hyper Henshin device, but to propose a trade with Mishima. He specially invited him to a restaurant and prepared some good food himself.
Kagami couldn't understand why Tendo was preoccupied with cooking.
Just then, Masato Mishima, dressed in a gray suit, slowly walked through the doorway.
"Tendo, what important matter do you need to discuss?" He sat down on a chair, his tone and gaze extremely indifferent.
"Eat first," Tendo said, walking up and pushing a small food cart. He then presented a dish.
"How boring. I have no sense of taste," Mishima said, pushing the food back towards Kagami.
"Then try this."
Tendo uncovered another platter, revealing several live, jumping Zecters. He clearly intended to use the collected Rider Zecters to trade for Mishima's Hyper Zecter.
"All the Zecters I possess are here," Tendo said, sitting across from him.
Mishima seemed slightly interested, wanting to know what Tendo was planning. "Tell me your conditions."
"Trade them for the Hyper Henshin device," Tendo looked at Mishima seriously.
Hearing this, Mishima couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"How amusing."
"You just keep collecting the Zecters. It saves me the trouble."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you're wasting time." Mishima's expression turned cold. He stood up immediately, intending to leave. "Farewell."
Seeing him leave like that, Tendo didn't panic. Instead, he mulled over his options. It seems the soft approach won't work. I'll have to use other methods.
Shortly after leaving the restaurant, Mishima, now in his car, ordered Renge Takatori, who was secretly monitoring Tendo: "That guy already knows about the Hyper Henshin device. We can't let him run free anymore. Find an opportunity to eliminate him."
It was precisely because he knew Hyper Kabuto had appeared from the future that he was so agitated, desperately trying to change the fact that the Hyper Henshin device was destined to be stolen by Tendo.
However, after receiving this order, Renge Takatori felt conflicted. For the first time, she, who had always obeyed Mishima's commands without question, felt internal resistance.
Yes, merely because of one meal, she had defected.
Thus, after discussing the situation with Tendo, she decided to steal the device herself.
Returning to ZECT's local branch, Renge Takatori used known clues to find the Hyper Henshin device, secured in a safe in a restricted warehouse. Her actions, however, alerted ZECT personnel. Carrying the safe, she fled all the way to the rooftop. She was trapped with no way out.
Mishima personally arrived at the scene after being notified. Extending his hand toward the cornered Renge Takatori, he spoke in a cold, sterile tone: "Hand over the Hyper Henshin device. Give it to me quietly, and I won't pursue this matter."
"I'm truly sorry, but I must give it to someone else," Renge Takatori said nervously.
"Give it to me!" At that moment, a white figure suddenly scrambled up from the ground floor below. It was Rena Mamiya, who hadn't been seen for a while. She, too, had been planning to steal the Hyper Henshin device.
"If you want to live," Rena Mamiya threatened Renge Takatori.
"You orchestrated all this, didn't you?" Mishima said, seeing the increasing number of Worms appearing. He felt an intense surge of irritation. They had developed the Hyper Henshin device, yet he couldn't use it himself, and now others coveted it.
"Give it to me, and I will guarantee your safety," Rena Mamiya continued.
However, Renge Takatori answered to herself: "Even though I was ZECT's dog, I know how to repay the kindness of a meal."
That's right, she truly betrayed Masato Mishima simply because of a single meal.
"That's reckless."
At this point, a figure slowly walked up from the distance. It was Soji Tendo.
"Stay right there and don't move. I'll figure something out," Tendo told Renge Takatori. He then transformed into Kabuto, intending to use Clock Up to rescue her.
"Shoot! Kill Renge, too!" Mishima, however, had no intention of giving Tendo a chance. He commanded without hesitation.
Ra-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta!
Dense gunfire converged on Renge Takatori. Tendo was completely unable to reach her in time.
But just then, a figure suddenly appeared.
It was Raven, transformed as Faiz.
The attacks from the ZECTroopers were blocked by him. His speed was so immense that Kagami, who was secretly hiding in a blind spot, preparing to rescue Renge, didn't even react in time.
"What?" Mishima was greatly shocked as he looked at the figure before him.
"Hand it over to me," Raven turned to Renge Takatori.
"You are..." She had thought she was certain to die. Suddenly, a figure appeared and saved her. Hearing his voice, Renge Takatori's confused expression immediately turned to joy. It's the super handsome guy who cooks incredibly well! Raven-san!
Renge Takatori was now even more captivated by Raven. She was simply a straightforward woman. The debt for a single meal was enough for her to steal the Hyper Henshin device for Tendo. Now, with the debt of saving her life, she was naturally prepared to offer herself to him.
Renge Takatori unhesitatingly handed the safe in her hands to Raven.