Chapter 9: Botched party
07:55 AM (Japan Time), Friday March the 17th…
"… Uh-unh… B-Blues… Blues! Grah!"
Enzan sat up on a bed somewhere and looked around: he had reddish pajamas on and the room looked luxurious.
"… My family mansion, huh… Huff, huff… A dream…? Blues…" He muttered while looking at his hands.
The PET rang and Enzan gasped: he looked over there yet he didn't move from the bed.
"The phone… Normally Blues would answer to it…"
The call got cut and Enzan snapped out of it.
"Ah… Someone was calling me…" He muttered.
He sighed and climbed down from the bed to check it out: the screen was empty and there only was one icon on-screen.
"A message was left in the answering machine…"
Enzan inputted a command a portrait of Barrel came up.
"… Hum… Me… Why don't you come to look at the sea, Ijuuin Enzan…? I do know that you're depressed… However… Just looking at the sea at these times… Why don't you come over to the harbor in the reverse of the Science Labs? I'll be waiting…" Barrel suggested.
"Should I go…?" He wondered.
He left the PET on a desk and picked his usual set of clothes before heading over the bathroom and shutting the door to come out a few minutes later.
"… I'll go. I need to excuse myself to him… I acted like a crybaby yesterday evening… Blues…! I should've seen it coming yet… They caught us with the guard down like rookies… Hell! Regal! I won't forgive you for this! I'll chase you to the end of the world if needed!"
08:48 AM (Japan Time)…
"…You look pretty tired. Given how Blues was kidnapped then guess it's inevitable…"
Enzan had come into the harbor and barely paid attention to the containers, the lighthouse or the cruise ship present in the area: Barrel was standing close to some stairs leading to a lower dock and looked up when Enzan walked over to him while looking at the ground and having his hands stuffed on the pockets.
"Fine, ain't it? The sea… A greatness which wraps it all…" Barrel tried to come up with a topic to talk about.
"Mr. Barrel…" Enzan looked up.
"Ijuuin Enzan… Won't you participate in the next mission? I'll arrange for a Navi to replace Blues." Barrel told him.
"… Now that Blues isn't around you want me to use another Navi, you say? You stone-faced jerk!" Enzan growled.
"… Huff… First it was your companion. And now even Blues got abducted… I do understand the pain of your heart… But we're in need of your power..." Barrel insisted.
"Oh yeah? But I'm no more that a clown by now: I can't do anything. And I refuse to Operate any Navi apart from Blues. We've been together for far too long. Go to Hell!" Enzan exploded.
SLAP!
"Ugh!"
Barrel had suddenly slapped his left cheek and Enzan rubbed it while he repressed the tears which threatened to come out.
"Don't get soft! Right now, Nebula's actions are making the same thing which happened to you… No… They could be making even more painful things to others for all we know. We need your power to stop those!"
Enzan didn't reply and looked at the ground.
"I'll be in the Science Labs' Command Room… If you want to quit the "Team" or else you want to fight Nebula as one of the "Team" then come to the Command Room. I'll give you Blues' replacement Navi. Think about it." Barrel settled.
He walked off while Enzan sat on the edge of the dock while looking out at the crashing of the waves.
"I'm turning mushy… What would Blues say if he was here? He'd surely tell me that I shouldn't be concerned about him and that I should complete the mission…" He muttered.
Enzan – sama, sir! Please believe in yourself, sir, and win, sir! Do your best, Enzan – sama! Enzan pictured Blues' reply.
"Blues… I dunno what Navi Mr. Barrel will lend me yet… I'll save you no matter what!" He muttered.
He failed to spot a man on his 20s: some of the hair came out from beneath the hat and was colored in a chestnut brown color: the man appealed as being over a meter and eighty tall.
He was wearing a gray raincoat over a black suit plus black tie and brown shoes plus a hat and a pair of sunglasses.
There he is… Mr. Ijuuin… I know you're in trouble and you'd wish to save your companion yet I am not yet in a solid position… One fake step and my strategy would crumble… No. I cannot do anything yet. They could be monitoring any of my activities in the Cyber World. Yet… Maybe if I employed a proxy… That could work…
"… Settled, then… I'm going there… I'm gonna receive this new Navi and go find Blues…!" Enzan muttered.
He began to undo the path and the man sighed as he stuffed both hands into the pockets of the raincoat.
One day I will be of help, I know it. I don't want to suffer that same fate as my two predecessors. No. I am different. I shall be different. But it's too early yet for me… For Kanou Shade…
09:03 AM (Japan Time)…
"… You came…"
"Mr. Barrel. I'll do it. I'll recover Blues by myself!"
Enzan came in and announced his decision to Barrel who merely shrugged his shoulders.
"… Hmpf… It'd seem you've been able to understand what you gotta do…"
"And what if?" Enzan challenged.
"Given your looks then it's alright. Ijuuin Enzan, lend me your PET. I'll insert the new Navi on it."
Enzan calmly handed it over and Barrel began to type into the console to work with it.
"Wait for a bit. Navi Program: Install Start…"
A ping soon rang out and Barrel shrugged.
"Install Completed. This Navi is a special one: make sure to return them to me once you retrieve Blues."
"Deal. Huh?"
Enzan picked the PET and looked at it: he gasped and looked at Barrel before looking at it again.
"N-no way…! Mr. Barrel…!"
The man merely nodded in affirmation and Enzan gasped before forming a weak smile.
"This guy is a reliable companion… I'll be counting on you… Colonel!"
"Now that Blues is gone the battle strength of the "Team" has gone down somewhat so…" Colonel calmly went straight to the point.
"Mr. Barrel. I'm indebted to you."
"Hmpf. Well then, let me explain the next mission already…"
"Go ahead."
"… The area we're gonna "release" today is End Area 2. End Area is located westwards from Densan City. It's the network of a town named End City. You should be able to come into End Area from Oran Island Area 2. You should have a first check of the situation." He briefed.
"Scouting? Alright."
"Counting on you…"
Enzan headed to a nearby console and breathed for a moment before slowly exhaling.
"… Plug In! Colonel EXE, Transmission!"
Colonel appeared in the Network after crossing through the Science Labs' HP and quickly looked around with mistrusting eyes.
"These areas have been "released" yet I can't shake off the sudden meeting of yesterday… I wasn't expecting that "Demon Prince" to be so literal in naming himself given how he didn't appeal to be taller than Rock Man…" Colonel muttered.
"Huh? Ah. I wasn't paying much attention so… That's a clue. Yet I'm sure that we won't find out who the guy is so easily."
"… This is the door in question… ""This door is Science Labs' jurisdiction. It is restricting communications from Oran Island Area 2 to End Area as countermeasure aimed at Nebula. All except staff should keep away..." is written on it." He read aloud.
"Can you try to open it, Colonel?"
"Doesn't seem like it'll open. There has to be a key to open this door somewhere. It'd seem this door is the Science Labs' jurisdiction… If we go to the Science Labs Area then we might figure something out." Colonel exposed a course of action.
"Good thinking… Let's go."
"Roger."
09:28 AM (Japan Time)…
"… Try talking to that guy."
"Fine."
Colonel walked over to an Official Navi deep in the Science Labs Area 4 who seemed to be reading a screen with some data on it: Colonel cleared his throat.
"What?" The Navi asked.
"I want to release the Oran Island Area 2 door."
"You want to release the Oran Island Area 2 door, you say? End Area is beyond that door yet Nebula's power is still strong… You hold good power yet I wonder if you will be able to fight your way within End Area… If you can defeat all of the Viruses I'll release now then I'll give you the key to that door… But if you lose you'll turn out to be a simple Navi after all then… Are you prepared?" The Navi sounded doubtful at first but then came up with a challenge.
"I am always prepared."
"Well then! Let's begin! Hah!"
Three "Handy" Viruses formed and they warped into another row to place Count Bombs on them yet Colonel had already shot an Air Hockey followed by a Drill Arm thus deleting all of them without even sweating or doing real effort.
"I must acknowledge your power… As agreed… I'll give you this."
"Science Key, huh…" Colonel muttered as he looked at it.
"No matter how strong you are you mustn't do reckless things."
"I know that all too well. Ijuuin Enzan. Let's head over to End Area and start the mission." Colonel called out.
"Roger."
"Be careful."
09:45 AM (Japan Time)…
"… What's wrong, Colonel?"
"I feel something blood-thirstiness… Coming."
Colonel had been walking along the main End Area 1 road when he stopped and readied his sword while looking untrusting of his surroundings.
"You noticed? As expected of Colonel, yeah…" A slightly familiar voice rang out.
"Nebula, huh. Show your hide." Colonel challenged.
An irregular spheroid-shaped gateway of purple energy opened and Blues stepped out of it: his main color palette had been overlaid with shades of purple coloring and he radiated a pure evil "aura" to his presence plus having a smug smile on his face.
"Wha! Blues!" Colonel gasped.
"… I, Dark Blues… I have been ordered by Regal – sama to defend this area!" He announced.
"T-that can't be! You're lying! Don't screw around, Blues!" Enzan yelled as if not believing what he was seeing.
"That voice is that of Ijuuin Enzan, right? My bad, but I'm not kidding. I've sworn loyalty to Regal – sama as a genuine and true Nebula Navi! That's why I can't let you guys pass past this spot." He shot back.
"Blues. You've completely turned into an agent of Nebula, then?"
"That's right…"
"Hearing that relieves me. Now I can cut you up sans reserves." Colonel calmly replied as he aimed his sword at him.
"Wait, Colonel!"
"I understand your feelings but that guy is now a Nebula pawn…" Colonel negated with the head.
"Correct, Ijuuin Enzan. Just by saying naïve stuff like that you can't defeat…! Ugh!"
His body began to frizzle and he looked like he'd gotten paralyzed or frozen in the spot: his mouth opened and articulated in a slow manner and another voice sounding more like the usual Blues rang out.
"C-Colonel… Hurry up…! Cut me up…! If you don't… The "Dark Power" which… Nebula inserted… into me… will… swa… llow me…! Guh!" He slowly pleaded as if he was struggling to regain control.
"Kah! T-thought I'd totally swallowed him up but… still got some self left…! H-hell! Don't get in my way!" The imposter personality growled.
"Ijuuin Enzan! We have a chance!" Colonel rallied.
"I c-can't do it! Colonel! You saw that, right? Blues hasn't become a total Nebula Navi!" Enzan pleaded.
"Che!"
Three grunts came in and formed a row protecting the still-struggling Dark Blues from Colonel.
"Dark Blues – sama. Please leave this to us." One of them told him while they stepped forward.
"Yeah… Counting on ya…!"
Dark Blues warped away and Colonel formed a scowl across his face while looking angered.
"He fled…!"
"Oho. Now we're gonna be your opponents."
"Did you really think that just the 3 of you lowlifes will be able to defeat me?" Colonel questioned.
"… Heh, heh, heh, heh…! Who said that there wasn't more to just the 3 of us?" One of them laughed.
"What did you say?" Colonel grumbled.
Another 9 grunts warped in three rows of three each and they formed a line of 12 grunts.
"Heh, heh, heh… Each one's power is small. But if we all charge as one then it'll become a gigantic power… Will you try it on?" The lead grunt challenged with obvious mockery.
"Against such numbers…! If Blues was here then we'd manage somehow yet…!" Colonel grimly muttered.
"Colonel! Tactical withdrawal! If we fight those then we won't escape unhurt from such a fray! And doing a "Liberation Mission" afterwards would be hard too!" Enzan exclaimed.
"Che! If only we had a companion with "power" which could supplement the potential Blues had…!" Colonel cursed under his breath.
"What the. If ya won't come then we'll come at ya!" The lead grunt grumbled as they all took one step forward.
"Plug – Out, Colonel! Let's go back to Mr. Barrel's place and reconsider the strategy!" Enzan commanded.
"Kuh." Colonel scowled.
"… Good job." A voice rang out once Colonel had fled.
"O~h! Demon Prince – sama~!" They all exclaimed.
"Demon Prince" landed on the ground and when the robe fluttered from the movement his right purple boot (similar in design to Rock Man's) could be seen for an instant.
"Don't let a single mouse sneak by." He commanded.
"Roger, Prince – sama!" They saluted.
"Yahoo~! My bottle will throttle!" A voice rang out from the real world radio link.
"Not that drunkard again…" He groaned.
"My rumble will shake!" The guy kept on shouting.
10:13 AM (Japan Time)…
"… Blues has become one of Nebula… I see."
"Sorry. I turned mushy again and now "releasing" End Area has turned harder…"
Enzan looked defeated once he presented his report to Barrel who didn't beat an eyebrow.
"No. Even if Colonel had decided to cut Blues and managed to do it then Nebula's reinforcements would've come in inevitably. However, the Navi army in End Area… Given how Blues is out then our battle strength has gone down considerably… It poses a big problem for us." Barrel replied.
"Couldn't we solve it by bringing Knight Man or Shadow Man into the picture?" Enzan suggested the first thing which he could think of.
"…While it's true that Knight Man and Shadow Man are unique Navis… There are too many opponents. Even if Blues was in the party we'd be unable to win unharmed… What we really need is a companion with dynamic power that could defeat several enemies in one blow!"
"Dynamic power companion, huh." Enzan muttered.
"In any way… It isn't a good idea to lay our hands into End Area without a good reason by now… So, instead, I'll have you undergo a different mission, Ijuuin Enzan."
"Another mission? Why not…" He shrugged.
"Right now… The SS Queen Cheko passenger ship is docked in the harbor located in the reverse of the Science Labs… Today's afternoon, within the ship, a party in which several Japanese companies will be hosted will be opened: we received that info. The ones invited into the party are just top worldwide companies and some royal families too…" Barrel began explaining as he looked up from the computer.
"And what are they gonna showcase? That kind of party is thrown out to showcase something: we IPC have done that too." Enzan asked while lifting his eyebrows.
"…It's the exhibition of the "Booster System" developed by the "Big Company", the one hosting the party. It seems to be a system which has the effect of doubling the base power of several types of programs. Its unveiling… No, I'd rather say… Its business meeting." Barrel explained.
"Business meeting, huh. So they wanna sell it quickly."
"Correct… We got some info that Nebula is targeting that "Booster System" too…" Barrel added.
"Obviously… Given how that system can power-up several types of programs, then… And it was natural that Nebula would set its eyes on it too…" Enzan didn't look surprised at all.
"To stop that is your job." Barrel got to the point.
"Fine. I'll try not to call the attention: IPC and the "Big Company" have some rivalry going back a few years so… And I'm supposed to ride in that SS Queen Cheko this afternoon at 17 hours…"
"… That's true, yet, to ride in the ship you need an "invitation letter"…"
"And we probably don't have it." Enzan deduced.
"Pity, but that "probably" happened to be true… My bad, but you'll have to get it by your own." Barrel shrugged his shoulders.
"Hum. Guess I'll need to use my brains. Wait. Top class worldwide business and some royal family or another… Hmmm… I've got someone in mind. Especially regarding the "royal family" part… Let's go ask for a favor ASAP. Later, Mr. Barrel." Enzan muttered.
"Ijuuin Enzan!" Barrel called out when he was going out.
"What now?" Enzan didn't bother to turn around.
"It's about Blues, but… Blues will probably stand and block our path in front of us as the enemy from now on… When that time comes… Will you cut them up?"
"If Blues' heart has been totally imprisoned by the "Dark" then… When that time comes I'll beat Blues. It'd be bad if I let that slip by." He sighed.
"I see."
"So?"
Barrel didn't reply so Enzan came out of the room and found Meijin kicking and punching a lobby vending machine.
"What do you mean, "out of business"? Return me the 500 Zenny I just gave you! Oi! Foot Man! Can't you do something about it?"
"My ball will fall!" Foot Man laughed.
"He still won't listen much to me. Lovely. I need to improve his programming." Meijin cursed.
"My foot will rot!" He sang.
"Oi! Stop singing silly rhymes: get my money back!"
"My arm will ram!"
"OI!"
"My jump will pump!"
"Stop doing silly things already! You machine! Get ready to experience Meijin's revenge! Program! Stick out your face!" Meijin growled.
"Stick out ya neck and go become Mr. Universe!"
"Who the heck reprogrammed the machine?"
"Otilio – sama came by!" The machine announced.
"Otilio? Who the heck is that?" Meijin looked baffled.
"Your long-lost aniki~!" The machine exclaimed.
"NO WAY~!" Meijin's jaw hit the floor.
"That's so… ridiculous. Really." Enzan muttered.
"Totally. Let us hurry." Colonel suggested.
"Aniki will give you the Crushing Hug! Nyah, hah, hah!"
12:38 PM (Japan Time)…
"… My. It if isn't Ijuuin… What might the matter be?"
"Princess. Have you received an invitation letter for a party aboard the SS Queen Cheko?"
Enzan had come all the way out to Oran Island Area and met up with Princess Pride outside of the mines.
"Invitation letter? Yeah. It did reach me, true." She admitted.
"I am in need of that for my next mission. Or do you prefer to keep it anyway?" Enzan requested.
"I do not really mind. Yet… What do you intend to do by going to such a party anyway?" Pride looked curious.
"I said it before: it's my job."
"Job…? You look stressed, Ijuuin… I pray that nothing happens…" Pride smiled.
"Thanks. So you don't really mind it, Princess?"
"I don't like parties that much. And if that will let you carry out your interesting job, then… It's fine." She calmly replied.
"Good. Take care."
"Goodbye."
Heh, heh, heh. Go ride the Disaster Queen, Enzan – ku~n! You're gonna be nervous after the early meeting with Buruusu! Oh the face those two lovely boys did… It was delicious… Shock, hatred, grudge, fear, terror, chaos, confusion…! The list is endless! And it was so funny to sabotage a Science Labs vending machine to troll Meijin – san! Heh, heh, heh!
"… My row will mow!" A voice exclaimed through Pride's PET.
"Not another trolling Navi… Knight Man! Tell them they're rude!"
"Your will!" Knight Man acknowledged.
14:13 PM (Japan Time)…
"… I'm quite ahead of time… And I better try to keep a low profile during the auction before any "Big Company" jerks try to start a fight… Let's root out Nebula…!"
"Let's hope there isn't too much trouble either."
Enzan reached the harbor and headed for the staff man next to the removable stairs allowing entrance into the ship.
"Do excuse me. Do let me see the invitation letter."
Enzan calmly handed it over and the man read it.
"Yes, it is correct, so please come inside."
Enzan climbed into the ship and looked inside of the hall without being surprised at the blue carpet decoration or a replica of the famed Leonardo Da Vinci panting The Last Supper set to the left of the two main room doors.
"Good decorations… They are really being eye-catching today. They did put some effort on them."
A speaker was turned on and Enzan looked towards it out of pure instinct while paying attention.
"… Ahem. A message for our passengers… The ship will be departing right now… We shall contact you when the party is about to start. Do enjoy this sea trip at your heart's content. Well then. Let us depart."
A foghorn rang out and Enzan spotted how the door had been closed by the crew: he shrugged and headed towards the left spotting a large mirror in a golden-like frame and two sofas plus a small desk set in front of it to sit down and relax.
"Luckily I'm not the type to suffer of sea-sickness. So. Colonel. How should we proceed like?"
"Let's start by searching to check if there are any suspicious guys onboard the ship…" Colonel whispered back.
"Fine."
"Ah, so true~… So I should get it over by when the party begins? Ah, so true~… Counting on you, see~…" A voice muttered with a foreign accent.
Enzan lifted his eyebrows and spotted a suspicious-looking foreigner standing close to the engine room entrance just as a staff man came out of the room and locked the door.
"Have you got disoriented, Mr. Passenger? The engine room is right ahead but the passengers are not allowed inside…"
"Oh… I'm sorry. So… How do I come out into the deck?"
"To come out into the deck just walk this corridor in the opposite direction…" The staff man indicated.
"Oh, I see. Thank you!"
"Prey smelled… Coming over here… Should we follow, Colonel?" Enzan suggested in a whisper.
"Let them swim for a bit and let's check the situation out."
"Swim? Didn't bring bathing trunks… And I'm obviously not gonna swim in the ocean…" Enzan looked skeptical.
"By "swim" I meant to let the suspect act as they like in purpose. We'd be in the lookout and that would allow us to witness if the suspect does any suspicious movements." Colonel explained.
"I like that plan. Let's go with it. Strategy: start… Target: foreigner man…! Time for a dip…!" Enzan added at the end with a hint of sarcasm.
"D-did you really get it?"
Enzan grinned and stuffed both hands into the pockets before he came out into the vast front deck: he immediately spotted a slightly elevated stage where a Net Battling machine had been set at and two persons were using it.
"A regular businessman… Hum. That other man looks intriguing."
The "other man" was a man on his late 20s or early 30s who appealed as standing about a meter and eighty tall: his hair was brown and messy and his eyes' irises were brown too.
He wore a white cloth around and over the head with some black ink – drawn marks in the front of the cloth which meant to represent fireworks' explosions.
He then had a green sleeveless jumper over with two pockets on the front covering his chest and extending until the hips: the shirt beneath it was white in color with two round reddish ellipsoids set over the shoulders yet the sleeves ended around the shoulders.
His pants were also of a greenish color and he sported black boots with red soils and three white-like buttons set in a column within the inner side of his boots.
He lastly had cloth robes on to seemingly protect his hands when working with fireworks.
"Heh, heh, heh! I spent 10 million Z into customizing my Navi so… It's impossible for them to lose! Heh, heh, heh!" The businessman gloated and chuckled.
"What the. Don't get in the midst of the battle!" He grumbled when Enzan tried to walk over there.
Enzan ignored them and another man of the staff walked over to him while making a welcoming smile.
"Hi, good afternoon! I'm part of this ship's crew, but I'm in charge of having passengers spend an exciting time before the party begins: we want them to have a bit of entertainment. One choice is the "Free Net Battle" ongoing atop that stage… And the other is gathering the "stamps" hidden inside of the ship: the "mystery stamp rally"…! Given how the "Free Battle" is now being used why don't you challenge the "mystery stamp rally"?" The man suggested.
The culprit will most likely wait until the party starts to make a move so why not…
"Yeah. I accept."
"Alright! Then, going by the hints I give out, search the locations of the "stamps" hidden in this ship and gather them. There are a total of 3 stamps. They're hidden in objects' shadows and everywhere! Well then! I'll tell you the hints! 1st one: turning crazily to the right and left! 2nd one: the maiden which sees the ship's destination. 3rd one: I always reflect something no matter how much light I bounce back. That's all! Place the "stamps" in this thing." The man let out some hints.
He handed Enzan a "Stamp Card" which he pocketed.
"Good luck!"
Enzan nodded and headed over to the bow of the ship and spotted a golden mermaid set there slightly beneath him: he spread his arms wide and closed his eyes as he felt the breeze.
"Ah… Good feeling… The vastness of the ocean… Huh? Ah. There's a stamp placed atop the head of the maiden below me… Let's be careful, though… I don't wanna fall down…"
He crouched then lied on the floor to pass his right hand beneath the railing and picked the stamp which he quickly glued to the "Stamp Card" he carried.
"Good. Stamp get! Next one…"
He stood up and climbed up a set of stairs to head to the command room where he examined the wheel.
"Crazily spinning right and left… So obvious, really. There. Hidden behind the steering wheel… One left…" He grinned.
He came out and down into the deck before heading back inside and over to the sofas next to the large gorgeous mirror.
"I always reflect something no matter how much light I bounce back.… By "no matter how much light I bounce back" they must mean a mirror… And if that mirror is always reflecting something… Heh. Under the sofa…! Last one. Too easy."
He headed back into the deck and signaled for the staff man to come over to him.
"Oh! You've gathered the stamps! Well then, the present is a prize of 1,000 Zenny. Congratulations!"
"Wha! I got done in! W-what strength! My Navi in which I spend 10 million Z into customizing didn't stand a chance at all!" The businessman yelped all of a sudden.
"Heh! A Net Battle is fought with feelin'! Getting stronger just from the outside and just by bettin' money… That won't make ya any thougher: it lacks hardening!" The other battler shot back.
"H-heck! Who let these savage guys onboard?"
The businessman ran outta the deck like he was gonna be slaughtered and Enzan formed a smug smile.
"What… Rich guys are but wimps! Isn't there any other stronger guy?" The Net Battler called out.
"He is an Operator we invited to stir up this "Battling Challenge" … Rokushakudama Nenji. There are none who have managed to beat him insofar. Can you defeat him?" The staff man challenged.
"This looks like a challenge unlike others."
Enzan headed over to the machine and smiled.
"I'm Ijuuin Enzan. I accept your challenge."
"It'd seem ya have some guts! Don't ya? If ya don't be careful then ya get a big burn!" Rokushakudama Nenji grinned at him.
"Come at full power!"
The ship suddenly shook and everyone gasped.
"What? What was that?" Enzan wondered aloud.
"Ijuuin Enzan. Nebula has gotten in the move or so it'd seem." Colonel dully announced.
"Heck!" Enzan cursed.
"Going from that shaking, then it's obvious that the engine room has been busted… Let's go!" Colonel rallied.
"Yeah! My bad. We'll settle this later." He told Rokushakudama.
"I dunno who ya are but can't be helped." The guy shrugged.
"Trouble! Something might've happened in the engine room…! If memory serves… The engine room's entrance password… What! I can't remember it! Iikuni, nikuii… Or so I think…" The staff man was muttering aloud and looking stressed.
"… Ichi, ichi, kyuu, nii, nii, kyuu, ichi, ichi… 11292911…" Enzan muttered by deciphering the hint.
Enzan rushed inside and checked the control panel for the engine room where he inputted the code.
"Did that work?" He wondered.
The door beeped and there was the unmistakable sound of a lock being disengaged.
"It opened…!" He sighed in relief.
"We dunno what'll be there. Don't lower the guard."
"I know."
Enzan came into the room where he found four gigantic machines set in a row and a ladder leading to an air duct.
"This is the engine room? Let's try to Plug-In."
He began to search the devices until he stumbled upon what he was looking for in the leftmost one.
"Let's hope I can Plug – In into this device… Good. It has a terminal to do Plug – In…! I can Plug – In…! Plug In! Colonel EXE, Transmission!" He muttered as he found it and then took out the PET which he aimed at the port.
Colonel came inside of the "Radar Cybernetics" and immediately spotted a Nebula Navi in front of him.
"A Nebula Navi, it'd seem." He merely muttered.
"Geh! Who the heck are ya?" The Navi cursed.
"We won't hand over the "Boost System" to you guys."
"Che! You intend to get in the way!" The Navi grumbled.
The Navi fled and Colonel shrugged as he began to follow.
"Colonel. Let's chase them!" Enzan rallied.
Colonel merely nodded and made his way through the small "Cybernetics" until he found a Virus set in front of the Warp Point leading to the adjacent device.
"… Do they really think this kind of Virus will slow me down? Ijuuin Enzan!" He called out after scoffing.
"Let's go! Battle Operation, Set!"
"In!"
"Screen Divide! Hah. Weak. Let's go!"
Colonel rushed into the "AC Cybernetics" and did find another Virus blocking his way.
"Viruses again? Go ahead, Ijuuin Enzan."
"They're all rubbish after all. Battle Operation, Set!"
"In!"
"Colonel Cannon! Air Hockey! Hah! Done."
Colonel jumped over the exploding Viruses and then reached the "Propeller Cybernetics" where he found the third consecutive Virus blocking his path.
"There's no need to say anything. Go ahead, Ijuuin Enzan."
"Leave it to me, Colonel! Battle Operation, Set!"
"In!"
"Copy Damage! Screen Divide! Triple Bomb! Hah! Good."
Colonel made it to the "Engine Cybernetics" where he found the Nebula Navi growling in frustration.
"Heck! You already here?"
"Get ready." Colonel merely replied.
"Let's Plug – Out! Strategy change!" The Operator exclaimed.
"Heck! I'll remember this!" The Navi cursed.
"Colonel! Let's give chase!" Enzan rallied.
Enzan retrieved Colonel and spotted the Nebula agent, the foreign man, there, next to the stairs of the room.
"What the…? Aha!" Enzan exclaimed.
"Yikes!" The Operator gasped.
"There you are!" Enzan exclaimed as he began to give chase.
"Wait, Ijuuin Enzan!" Colonel commanded.
"He's running away, you know!"
"No need to rush… The culprit is still inside of the ship… And we know their goal as well. A reckless chase is dangerous. The guy will surely show up in the party stage. Calm down: we'll surely catch them." Colonel told him to calm him down.
"… Fine."
"To all passengers: the party's preparations are now completed so please head for the stage, ladies and gentlemen." The speaker announced at that moment.
"Good timing. Let's go catch that cheap guy." Enzan formed a smug smile.
He rushed into the party stage and looked around at the decoration: there was a buffet set in the eastern corner and some mirrors in the corners and on the back of the stage which contained a "Solid Image" exhibit projected by a device: an announcer climbed on-stage.
"… Ladies &… Gentlemen! Beloved public: we are honorably thankful that you Excellencies came over to we Big Company's "Booster System" complete showcase party. By combining the "Booster System" with an existing program, its performance will be increased by leaps and bounds. You can combine it for construction projects, software development and, obviously, into Net Navis as well! And what's more: today we'll be selling it for 300 million Z!" The announcer proudly announced.
"300 million! First time that I see an auction going over 100 million…! That thing gotta be really powerful then if they're staking so much in this auction…!" Even Enzan was surprised.
"300 million… Cheap! Let us see the product already!" The earlier businessman grinned.
"300 million for us IPC is… Hard. Last year's benefits fell slightly short of 100 million so it'd take 3 years to gather that much money…" Enzan quickly calculated in a slightly grim tone of voice.
Oh so these guys are above you eh? Who knows, Enzan – ku~n? Maybe one of them is an agent of Samsung? Heh, heh, heh.
"Well then! We shall display it! The "Booster System" is currently inside of this display stand so please witness it! Please go ahead!"
The projector displayed the program, which was a spheroid with two pyramids set above and below it and floating over a column with a hollow square cavity: 8 Guardsmen Navis were protecting it.
"Public! This is the "Booster System" our company has developed! Surrounding the "Booster System" we have Navi Guardsmen strenghtened through the "Booster System"…! Their performance is about 10 times that of a Normal Navi's ones!" He exclaimed.
Cool, guy. Did Mr. Jobs give you advice into how to sound dramatic?
"O~h!" The public exclaimed.
"Ahem, ahem! Well then! Let us show the power of the "Booster System" right now!" The announcer suggested.
Oh yeah. Go ahead, Charlie~!
All lights suddenly went off and the room turned pitch-black to the consternation of everyone.
"B-blackout! W-what's going on?"
"Guwa~h! Nowa~h!" The Navis yelled.
"W-what's going on? The "Booster System"…! Is the "Booster System" alright? Hurry up and turn on the electricity!"
The lights came back on to reveal how the Navis had been beaten down and the "Booster System" was missing.
"A~h! The "Booster System"…!"
"By all the…!" Enzan cursed.
"T-the "Booster System" got stolen…!"
"Hell! Where's that foreign guy at? Wait…"
Enzan spotted one of the staff guarding the entrance/exit so he rushed over there.
"Excuse me. During the blackout… Did anyone try to come out?" He asked of him.
"No… Given how I was protecting this entrance… Not a single kitty has come in or out!" The man replied with a slight foreign accent.
"They're still here then!"
"Who the heck is this guy? A suspicious guy was hiding underneath a table~! Who the heck are you?" The businessman suddenly yelled from near the stage.
Enzan spotted that they'd caught the Nebula agent.
"D-dunno what cha mean…" The man tried to play innocent.
"Feigning is pointless! This guy is a Nebula grunt!"
"… Wha~t? OI! Where's the "Booster System"? Hurry it up and take it out! Take it out NOW! Uorua~h!" The announcer gripped his shirt's neck and began to shake him.
"W-w-wasn't me!" The man defended himself.
"Shaddup! Think we're gonna believe that! Check his belongings!" The announcer growled.
"H-hi~h! Oh no~!" The man yelped.
They quickly searched him but the "Booster System" did not seem to be anywhere.
"… Ain't anywhere inside of the PET or the clothes! Where did you hide it at?" The announcer demanded.
"That's why I said I didn't know! When I thought I could take it the blackout happened!" The man exclaimed.
"How odd. There's a second culprit then?" Enzan wondered.
"True! There's another culprit besides me!" The agent insisted.
"Wha~t? Then the true culprit is inside of this room?"
"Ijuuin Enzan… As far as I can see all persons inside of this room are unrelated. During the blackout, the culprit somehow managed to Plug – In into the display, beat the 8 Guardsmen Navi in one instant and stole the "Booster System"…" Colonel calmly whispered.
"Operating a Navi in the middle of the blackness isn't easy and that's my experience talking. Besides, being able to beat the "Booster System" strengthened Guardsmen Navis as well… Gotta be close to impossible even for me… Unless there was a trick to it… Let's investigate for a bit though…" Enzan muttered.
Oho. Investigator Enzan – ku~n comes into the scene~!
Enzan inspected the mirrors and looked at their positions: he then glanced at his PET and again at the mirrors while seemingly drawing a pathway along the room.
"Hum. Call me Watson but I think I'm drawing up an idea of the trick set in this room…"
Yeah. You're Watson Jr. alright, Enzan – ku~n! I was interested in this thing when the Doc told me so I came along for the ride and just in time: this turned intriguing. Heh, heh, heh.
"And that is…?" Colonel asked of him.
"Well… The mirror looks suspicious…" Enzan timidly let out.
"The mirror… What do you mean?" Colonel rubbed his chin.
"Well… The mirror can reflect things so… Were some light to hit this mirror it would rebound…" Enzan offered.
"During Plug – In the Navi is sent via IR light… I see. If rebound by the mirror then you can Plug – In from a remote spot! If we trace the mirrors from the display stand then we'll know the culprit's whereabouts, you mean to say…" Colonel seemed to guess the rest.
"… See? I think far ahead. Let's follow the mirrors and search for the culprit." Enzan grinned.
I applaud your deductions skills, Watson Jr.! Heh, heh, heh.
Enzan examined how the doors also had mirrors built into the inner face of them and then looked in the direction of the engine room: he ran over there and checked how the duct was badly closed.
"Hum. I feel the wind… That's gotta be an air duct… The culprit could've project gone outside from there… Let's go!"
He climbed into the duct and followed it until he came out into the uppermost deck next to the command room: one of the staff had been knocked into the ground.
"Oi! Are you alright?"
"I am a-alright… H-hurry to the command room right ahead… the ship has… been hijacked… Ugh!" The man managed to mutter.
"What the hell!"
Now hijacking as well? This is turning like a movie even. Heh, heh, heh, heh!
"You culprit! Hand over the "Booster System"! Huh! You're…!"
"Y-you're the guy from before!"
The culprit happened to be Rokushakudama Nenji who was standing in the higher level and looking surprised.
"Rokushakudama Nenji! Why are you doing this?"
"What are ya sayin'! If I get the "Booster System" then my fireworks will become bigger and more beautiful!"
"Fireworks, you say?" Enzan frowned.
What, just for that? I thought he was an agent of Apple! Heh, heh, heh, heh! Mr. Jobs would sell his soul to the Demon God to get his hands on this thing! Heh, heh, heh, heh!
"Oh yeah! I'm a Cyber-fireworks maker! I'll choose whatever method it takes to make my fireworks bigger and more beautiful! Heck! If ya really want to get the "Booster System" back then Plug – In there and try to defeat my Navi who is inside of this ship's Cybernetics!" Rokushakudama challenged.
"Hmpf. You won't negotiate… Whatever. Let's go! Plug In! Colonel EXE, Transmission!"
I'll go on ahead and release any systems that guy may have set to slow you down… I want to see the battle right away!
Colonel made it to the ship's Cybernetics: he followed a road above the water while he glanced how there was a large section of the Cyber World flooded having currents, whirlpools and air pockets: he reached the last section where Rokushakudama Nenji's Net Navi.
"You came… I'm Napalm Man. If you don't defeat me then you won't get the "Booster System" back…"
Napalm Man? Didn't Saito beat this guy when he went on exploring the "WWW Area" after the collapse of "Gospel"? He was the second of the three high-level Navis there… It'd seem he got rebuilt and managed to find himself a fitting Operator… Intriguing. My word.
"… Hmpf! So I only need to defeat you lowlife. A simple mission." Colonel merely replied.
"Go, Colonel! Battle Operation, Set!"
"In!"
"I'll blow you up!" Napalm Man exclaimed.
Go!
"Hah! Take this! Vulcan Arm! Napalm Bomb!"
"Hum! Screen Divide! Thunder Ball! Mega Energy Bomb!"
Napalm Man formed an automated gun on the field which locked on panels and when Colonel stepped on them it shot a volley of bullets while Napalm Man himself could throw napalm-filled bombs into the field to set some places on flame: Colonel came up with a combo to inflict major damage and the guy grumbled before getting ready for more.
"More, more and more~!" He exclaimed.
"High-level destructive power…" Colonel muttered.
"Hikari told me this guy was designed by Wily to test Navis and try to select one strong enough to lead the new WWW and help him trying to break the "Guardian Program" sealing Proto up. But he obviously refused and dismantled the whole ploy." Enzan explained.
"A former WWW Net Navi… Designed for battle… Hum."
"Whaddya muttering? Take this! Napalm Bomb!"
"Gotcha."
"What!"
"Ocean Seed!"
"Whack! That hurt! I hate water!" Napalm Man growled.
"Oh yeah? Then you shouldn't have come here: this is a passenger ship above the ocean you know." Enzan taunted.
"Yoyo!"
"Whack! This jerk…! Napalm Bomb! Napalm Bomb! Napalm Bomb! Mwah, hah, hah, hah!" Napalm Man laughed.
"Drill Arm!"
"Uwo~h! That hurt too! Man! This guy is no joke!" He grumbled.
"I obviously am not… Let's go, Ijuuin Enzan!"
"Sword, Wide Sword, Long Sword! Dream Sword!"
"No way~!"
"Napalm Man!"
Too bad.
Napalm Man collapsed and panted while Colonel looked at something before setting his sights on him.
"Napalm Man. I've taken back the "Booster System"."
"Wha! When did you…?"
"I took it during the battle… Since there are a lot of stubborn guys who won't give up so easily even if they lose a battle…" Colonel dully announced.
"Bloody hell… My dreamed fireworks…!" Rokushakudama cursed and sounded frustrated.
"Napalm Man! The final blow…!"
"Colonel. Stop." Enzan commanded.
"What do you intend, Ijuuin Enzan?"
"This is reality, Rokushakudama Nenji. Stealing a system from others to make fireworks won't make people happy to begin with. Why don't you try to improve them yourself before resorting to such loot? That's how the world works like: we gotta try and not do vile acts."
"Like you say… I got obsessed with going and trying to produce splendid fireworks and it looks like that, as a maker, I forgot what's more important…"
"That doesn't mean that there isn't a way to." Colonel muttered.
You mean to say that there's gotta be a way to get to his goal without having to go for such desperate things…
"Did ya say your name was Ijuuin?" Rokushakudama asked.
"Yeah."
"Thanks." He thanked him.
"Napalm Man and Rokushakudama Nenji… Come along with us and fight together against Nebula." Colonel offered.
"Wha! We two?" He gasped in surprise.
"Correct… And on the day we manage to defeat Nebula then you'll surely be spotted by society as one warrior who fought against Nebula… If you do that then society will surely pay attention to you two… If it happens, then those complaints will reach society as well…"
"Well… Then I accept! Whaddya think, Napalm Man?"
"Oho. I'm glad with the outcome too!" Napalm Man sighed in relief.
"If we have Napalm Man's power then we can blow up the Nebula grunts in End Area 1! I'll be counting on you, Rokushakudama Nenji and Napalm Man… Let's go back to base and gather for a strike into End Area 1!"
Heh, heh, heh. So you're gonna retrieve Buruusu no matter what, eh, Enzan – ku~n? Heh, heh, heh. Bring it on! "Team of Colonel"…!
