The screen flickered with tension.
Steve lowered his voice, his tone sharp and questioning.
"Don't lie to me," he said coldly. "You must know something."
Fukuzoe Jun met his gaze, speaking with a calm but heavy seriousness.
"President," he said, "in order to protect the company's interests, some truths cannot be made public. To run a good company, you must sometimes carry burdens in silence."
Steve's eyes hardened. "I order you to tell me what happened in the factory twelve years ago!"
"I don't remember anything," Fukuzoe Jun replied flatly. He turned his back without hesitation and walked away, leaving Steve and the others staring after him.
The audiences of the three realms—the chat group that always watched these events unfold—buzzed with surprise.
"Seriously? His mouth is that tight?" one voice exclaimed.
"Yeah, I thought for sure he'd slip up!"
"But now I want to know even more. What's hiding behind that silence?"
The mystery of the past only deepened.
---
The Bus Guide's Resolve
Anna stepped closer to Steve, her eyes shining with determination.
"As a bus guide, it is my responsibility to convey history accurately," she said. "We need to uncover the truth of what happened in Dawn Town and make sure it's recorded."
Steve nodded firmly. "You're right. Then let's go."
"Really? You mean it?" Anna's expression brightened.
"Of course," Steve replied with conviction. "I'm the president. How could I stand by and watch my employees suffer while the truth remains hidden?"
---
Fuwa Jin's Investigation
Meanwhile, Fuwa Jin and Sakurai Go were also restless. Both of them were determined to uncover the truth about what happened twelve years ago. Their steps carried them to the edge of Dawn Town, where shadows of the past still lingered.
But before they could go further, a figure appeared before them. Ren Weia stood tall, blocking their way.
"Where are you trying to go?" she asked sternly. "You don't have permission to enter."
The chat group watching from the three realms grew tense.
"Uh oh, she's here to stop them!"
"She looks serious… this could get ugly."
Fuwa Jin narrowed his eyes and muttered under his breath. "This girl… she's just like me. Her whole life turned upside down by the Dawn accident. That's why I need to know the truth."
Ren Weia let out a long sigh. "It seems I can't stop you." To everyone's surprise, she reached into her pocket and handed Fuwa Jin an Upgrade Key.
Fuwa Jin blinked in disbelief. "What's this supposed to mean?"
Ren Weia explained, "The performance of this Upgrade Key is too powerful. You can't use it recklessly—not unless you're ready."
Fuwa Jin tilted his head, suspicious. "Then why give it to me at all? Isn't this going against your own words? You tell me not to use it, yet you hand it over anyway."
Ren Weia gave him a pointed look. "I just want to remind you of something—don't forget what your duty is."
"My duty?" Fuwa Jin muttered. "I haven't forgotten. But today…" He smirked faintly. "…I'm on vacation."
The chat group erupted again.
"Wait, she didn't stop him? She actually gave him help?"
"Yeah! My opinion of her is changing."
"Maybe she's not as bad as we thought."
"I really hope she's not an enemy after all."
---
Entering Dawn Town
With Ren Weia's unexpected support, Fuwa Jin and his companions pressed onward into Dawn Town. The place felt eerie—quiet, yet filled with an invisible weight of old memories.
Before they could find any useful clues, a Magic Machine suddenly burst out of the shadows and attacked them. Its claws reached out, seizing Sakurai Go by the arm.
"Go!" Fuwa Jin shouted, rushing forward.
But before he could intervene, another figure leapt into the fray.
Steve appeared like a storm, his presence commanding. He shoved the Magic Machine back with incredible force, freeing Sakurai Go.
Fuwa Jin's eyes widened. "President? What are you doing here? Are you trying to cover up those shameful things?"
Steve shook his head firmly. "No. I'm here for the same reason you are. I want to know the truth."
He reached for the belt at his side.
Izu, watching nearby, grew alarmed. "President, don't! If you use that here, your identity will be exposed!"
But Steve didn't falter. He stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Fuwa Jin.
"Back away," Fuwa Jin warned, uneasy. "Do you want to die?" His eyes suddenly caught sight of the belt Steve was holding. He froze. "That belt… wait, is that…?"
Steve's voice rang out, clear and powerful. "I swear in the name of President Hiden—I will never hide the truth! I'll prove to the world that Humagears are dream machines meant to inspire, not tools of destruction!"
He raised the key high.
"Jump! Authorize! Transform!"
The familiar mechanical voice roared:
"Program Rise! High Jump Locust! Rising Hopper! A jump to the sky turns into a Rider Kick!"
---
The Chat Group's Reaction
The chat group exploded with excitement.
Funina: "Wow! That line was so cool! Steve is awesome!"
March 7th: "Yeah! Super stylish!"
Himeko: "He really is a righteous president. He's willing to risk everything for the truth."
Firefly: "I agree completely."
Bronya: "+1."
Even Fuwa Jin was shaken to his core. His jaw dropped, eyes wide in disbelief.
"It's you?" he stammered. He had seen this mysterious Rider defeat the Magic Machines several times before, but he never once suspected it was Steve, the company president.
The shock was overwhelming. The gap between the image of a businessman in a suit and the mighty warrior before him was just too vast.
"How… how could you be the Locust Rider?" Fuwa Jin whispered.
Steve raised his sword, his voice calm but firm. "Leave this to me. Anna, take the others and go. It's your duty to guide our important guests to safety."
Anna hesitated but nodded, leading Sakurai Go and the others away.
---
Steve's Battle
Steve wasted no time. He rushed forward, blade flashing as he cut down one Magic Machine after another. Sparks flew with every clash of metal, each strike precise and filled with unyielding determination.
But the enemy wasn't finished. A larger, more menacing Oni Magic Machine descended from the skies, wings cutting through the air with a terrifying screech.
Steve met it head-on, his sword colliding with its claws in a shower of sparks.
Izu, always calm and prepared, quickly produced another key. She held it out urgently. "President, use this!"
Steve caught it mid-air. He glanced at the design—a crimson bird engraved on the surface.
"A bird, huh?" he murmured with a smile. "Seems like I'll be flying this time."
"Authorize! Program Rise!"
"Flying Falcon! Spread your wings and prepare for a majestic flight!"
In an instant, Steve's armor shifted into a brilliant red form. His body lifted effortlessly off the ground, soaring into the sky like a blazing comet.
The chat group went wild again.
Funina: "He doesn't even need wings! That's amazing!"
March 7th: "So cool! Cooler than before!"
Clara: "Yes! This is the best form yet!"
Above the battlefield, Steve and the Oni Magic Machine clashed in midair. They were like meteors streaking through the sky, their movements too fast for the naked eye to follow. All that could be seen from the ground were blinding flashes of light and the shockwaves of their blows.
For a time, the two seemed evenly matched. But little by little, Steve's determination overwhelmed his opponent. Each strike carried not just strength, but conviction.
Finally, with a devastating kick, Steve sent the Oni Magic Machine crashing down. Beaten, it screeched in frustration before retreating into the distance.
---
Fuwa Jin's Awakening
While Steve battled above, Fuwa Jin and his group continued searching Dawn Town. The atmosphere was thick with tension.
A chilling mechanical voice suddenly echoed through the streets.
"Alert. Intruders detected. Eliminate them all."
A swarm of Magic Machines emerged, their red eyes glowing.
"Kill them all," the voice repeated coldly.
Fuwa Jin clenched his fists. "Fine then. Let's do this!"
He slammed his key into his belt.
"Shooting Rise!"
"Punching Kong! A super-powerful fist that breaks mountains and cracks the earth!"
His armor morphed, fists encased in massive, steel-like gloves. His entire body radiated brute strength.
"Bring it on!" Fuwa Jin roared, charging forward. Each punch landed with explosive force, shaking the ground and sending Magic Machines flying.
Meanwhile, Sakurai Go stumbled upon a hidden console. A small memory card was lodged inside.
"This… this must be it!" he shouted.
Anna rushed over, her eyes gleaming. "Give it to me—I'll analyze it right away!"
The truth of Dawn Town was finally within reach.
patreon (Obito_uchiha)