SANGOKUDEN ARMORED WAR GODS SAGA OMNIBUS

by Kamen Rider Chrome

The SAGA OF THE ARMORED WAR GODS compiled into one volume. Read their adventures from start to finish.

10. S1-10 Slaying Moon

I do not own Koihime Musou or Kamen Rider Gaim. They belong to their respective creators. Chrome and I just thought this idea would be fun and I decided to give it a try. If you like it then that's great. If you don't then we tried. Anyway, come along and let's see what you think.

Sangokuden Armored War Gods Saga: Tales of the Armored War Gods

Co-Written By Ten-Faced Paladin and Kamen Rider Chrome

Chapter 10: Slaying Moon

In the Go Kingdom, some of the palace residents were in a small flurry. One in particular was Sonken who at the time was marching towards her sister's throne room to have a few words with her. Her sister had been off crusading in another battle to expand Go's territory and while successful, reports came back that she had been wounded during the battle. So alive with worry, Sonken went to meet her sister and get the truth and maybe try to talk some sense into her older sister's head.

Sonken was a young woman who had long light pink hair, a trait which ran in their family. She kept it mostly tamed, reaching only her jawline while her bangs reached down to her back quite easily. She wore a long-sleeved red cheongsam, but the front was opened to allow view of her bellybutton and a portion of her breasts. On top of her head she wore a headdress to symbolize her status as a princess of Go. Her face was pretty, but tempered with a strong upbringing in royal life. Her eyes were crystal blue and on her forehead was a lotus-like marking which she and her sisters all sported.

"Onee-sama!" she called, finally running into the throne room. She expected to see her sister with injuries and bandages. However, she actually saw her sister, sitting on her throne, looking as healthy as ever. Flanking her were her aunt and advisor.

Hakufu Sonsaku was as regal as any woman on the throne should look. She had long flowing pale pink hair which was minimally tamed with needles keeping some of it bundled up. She was beautiful and had blue crystal eyes and the lotus marking like her sister. Her figure was lush and womanly, much of it being concealed by her tight red dress, although plenty of her cleavage was on display. She wore detached flowing sleeves, helping her show more regality.

On her left was Shuyu, her trusted advisor. Again, a woman renown not just for her looks, but also because of how intelligent she was. Under her guidance, Sonsaku had gone to war many times and managed to return victorious. She had long black hair which flowed freely and sported cunning green eyes with square-frame glasses. She wore a long red dress which exposed both her stomach and her cleavage, apparently a running fashion in Go's court. Her arms were covered by elbow-length gloves and a white shawl hung around her back and wrapped around her elbows. Her legs were just as revealed, covered by dark stockings and her feet adorned with high heels.

Lastly was Sonsaku and Sonken's aunt Sonsei. She was a more mature woman wearing mostly formal clothing of someone of her stature, flowing dress robes of light colors promoting the Son family. Of course, her stomach was exposed as well. She had pale pink hair, so pale it was almost white and tied back in a simple ponytail with a loop.

"Renfa-chan, what is it?" asked Sonsaku.

"Ah," Sonken blushed, utterly relieved to see her sister alive and well. Remembering her resolve, she pushed forward, "I-I am glad you have returned from another successful battle, Onee-sama. I-I had heard you were wounded and…"

"Oh, that?" Sonsaku chuckled in good nature. Lifting her left sleeve, she revealed her bandaged arm. "Nothing to worry about. Just a scratch, nothing more."

"But, Onee-sama, don't you think this is a little too much?" Sonken questioned.

"Sonken, how dare you question your sister!" Sonsei scolded.

"It's alright, Oba-ue," Sonsaku placated. "Now, Renfa-chan, what has you so worried?"

"Onee-sama, you've been going to war so often. I know it's for the sake of expanding our territory, but resources are going to become low and the men are exhausted," explained Sonken. "The people are the backbone of the kingdom and if their opinion of you crumbles then it may…"

"Fall apart?" interrupted Sonsaku, apparently anticipating the argument.

Sonken winced, fearing that she may have crossed a line since her sister didn't seem to be responding to the argument, "That isn't to say that I...ummm…"

"Renfa-chan, I know you are worried, but believe me when I say that I know what I'm doing. This is for the good of our kingdom, after all."

"But...how can so much war be considered good for us?" asked Sonken.

Sonsaku was about to reply, but was interrupted when another person entered the room. She was another one of the strategists, picked by Shuyu to assist her. She wore a cheongsam, but the skirt was rather short, revealing her legs which were covered in white stockings. The sleeves were red and oversized while the front revealed her bellybutton. Her hair came in an odd shade of green which was styled to curl around her neck in an unusual fashion. Her face reflected a kind of innocence not often seen in girls her age and she had a small pair of spectacles on her nose. Her name was Rikuson, the student of Shuyu who was learning how to be a strategist and advisor under the elder woman. Already her insights were being put to good use in running the kingdom.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting! Everyone, the preparations for the banquet are complete!" she announced cheerfully, somewhat missing the mood in the room. "Ara?"

---

Later, at the banquet, members of nobility were in attendance as food and wine was served. A cute pair of twins was providing the entertainment, singing to the guests, the famous Daikyo and Shokyo, the best entertainers in the court.

Meanwhile, stepping out onto the balcony was Shuyu. She had downed a few drinks before coming out for some fresh air. Coming out, she spotted a familiar face already there. He stood in functional white robes, more befitting of a soldier than a noble. The parts marked with green were harder to make out on his sleeves and pants, but she could identify them. His dark hair was well-groomed, looking respectable. It was neither too short nor too long, just the style someone of high standing should have. He also wore glasses, green-square frames, although he admitted that he didn't need them too often. He just wore them to make sure he didn't miss details of the world around him. The only other identifying mark was the mole on his right cheek which could be said to enhance his looks. His name was Masataka Miyamoto and he was the latest member to join as a member of Sonsaku's court.

Masataka watched the night sky and what few lights were left on in the city. It was such a serene sight he wasn't used to seeing in the skies of Tokyo. It was one of the little things which made ending up in the Three Kingdoms Era a rather relaxing and enlightening experience. It felt like he had all the space he needed to breathe, think, relax, and just move at his own pace. However, the downside to that was that it also gave him the opportunity to recall things he did not enjoy all that much about the Three Kingdoms Era.

"You're brooding over something."

Masataka blinked and looked up, taking notice of Shuyu as she approached him. She was as always impeccably beautiful with much of her body on display as usual with her choice of outfits. Masataka thought she just dressed that way to help her in any negotiations she assisted in. If a man was too busy staring at her cleavage or her beautiful face, they would be prone to slipping up and giving Sonsaku and her kingdom the better side of the agreement. It was a stroke of high intelligence, one of the things Masataka found Shuyu so much more attractive for. If he hadn't started falling for Sonsaku, he would have most definitely pursued her.

"I suppose," he nodded, looking out over the city.

Shuyu tilted her head before a sad smile came to her lips, "You found out about Sheren and I didn't you?"

Masataka sighed, "Yes. I'm sorry if it sounds like I was peeping, but I was coming to make sure if Sonsaku-sama didn't need me for anything before I turned in for the night. I...I um...I heard you two…"

"Reaffirming our love?" Shuyu asked with a smile, causing Masataka to blush but nod. Looking back out to the cityscape, she spoke, "So what do you think?"

"That I don't approve of two women being together, your different positions, or I'm upset that it's not me?" Masataka asked. "I hardly believe it is my place to deny love between anyone. Status is more your issue and not mine. As for being upset, I won't deny that but I am not going to flip into a rage over it. I'm just...disappointed I never saw the writing on the wall." he chuckled weakly. "In hindsight, it was rather obvious."

"From the day you fell into our bath," Shuyu giggled slightly. "Are you going to be alright? I can tell from your voice that you were quite taken with Sonsaku-sama."

"I was," Masataka agreed. "I was hoping that by living up to the name Armored War God it would at least give me a chance of earning her affections. Of course, I hadn't noticed that you had secured them a long time ago."

"That I did," Shuyu nodded. "But if it helps, she was quite flattered by your dedication to her cause and her well-being. Everyone could tell how fond of her you were. It actually made us both feel a little guilty and wonder how to break the news to you if you tried any harder."

"Was I the only one who didn't know?" sighed Masataka.

"It's more or less an open secret," Shuyu replied, resting her elbows on the edge of the wall, her chin in her hands. "But don't think that means that everyone was laughing at you or that the depth of your feelings weren't known or appreciated. The twins thought it was so romantic and Shaoren and Renfa have done much hoping it would bring a smile to your face should you have found out about us."

"At least I'm not considered a lovesick fool," Masataka laughed, but then sighed. "But it still doesn't make it hurt any less."

"I know, but it does show you are a good man that many women would be lucky to have as their own," Shuyu replied. "You've done so much and asked for so little in return. I don't think there is much we could offer in return that would feel like a suitable reward."

"If I helped you all out for reward, I would be sitting on a pile of gold by now," Masataka shook his head. "The things I want most out of life are more precious than gold."

"Mn," Shuyu nodded. Standing up, she approached Masataka from the side before she captured his chin in her softly gloved hand. Turning him around to face her, she didn't give him much of a chance to speak before she planted a kiss on his lips. It was not a lusty kiss, nor a romantic one nor a truly passionate one. It was a kiss of thanks, one made to convey the gratefulness Shuyu felt to Masataka for being part of their court and their lives. It lasted for only a moment or two before she backed away. "As thanks from both myself and Sheren."

"Kissing another man when you have Sonsaku-sama," Masataka chuckled, although he was blushing from the kiss.

"I did that with full permission from her," Shuyu retorted with a smirk, but then she grew serious again. "There is one offer I can make you though. If you love Sheren as much as you have been hinting at."

"An offer of what?" Masataka blinked.

"When we unite the country, Sheren plans to abdicate the throne to her little sister," Shuyu explained, wringing her hands together and looking distinctly more embarrassed. "After that, we plan to go somewhere and live our lives together…"

"Quite the dream," Masataka nodded. "Where do I fit into this? I hardly wish to be a third wheel to you two."

Shuyu found the reference confusing, but continued, "When we're finally together...I...I wish to make a family with her. Give birth to children and raise them with Sheren and I as their parents. As you well know though, two women cannot impregnate one another in such a way."

"Yes but….oh," Masataka blushed brightly, finally getting what the advisor was hinting at.

"Y-yes," Shuyu nodded. "I...I would like for you to impregnate one or both of us at that time. Y-you would of course be the children's father and we would be happy to let you visit or even stay if you wished." She seemed to ramble slightly, making justifications. "Y-you have proven to be a very good man like I said and i-if Sheren and I were not together, both of us would agree that pursuing you would not be out of the question. Both being an Armored War God and distinguishing yourself so well in our eyes."

"I...um…" Masataka blinked, red as a turnip. On one hand his libido was screaming for him to take the deal since he would get to sleep with both Sonsaku and Shuyu, possibly both at the same time if he could wing it. His more sentimental side seemed to be considering it as well since since it would give him the chance to begin a family, something which sounded quite appealing if it was Sonsaku and Shuyu offering. The downside was that could he really interject himself into such an obviously loving relationship just so he could at least have Sonsaku for a little while at a time? It didn't seem fair to Shuyu even if he did consider her incredibly beautiful and someone he would have liked to pursue romantically if he hadn't met Sonsaku.

Shaking his head, he found his voice again, "Wouldn't I be interrupting your relationship by coming to visit the children or living there? It would make things rather tense between us all don't you think?"

Rather than be insulted or even disappointed, the reply seemed to make Shuyu smile, "Good answer. You truly do care about Sheren. Even to the point you wish our relationship well despite getting the opportunity to place yourself in it."

Masataka blinked, but then smiled, "That was a test wasn't it?"

"And you passed with flying colors," Shuyu nodded, crossing her arms. "For me it was to make sure you truly wouldn't try anything regarding us but at the same time Sheren asked me to apply it for a...different manner."

"And that would be?" asked Masataka, not liking the gleam in the strategist's eyes.

"That would be telling," Shuyu taunted before turning to leave. With a teasing saunter, she left Masataka alone with his thoughts.

"Now what is she planning?" he wondered aloud.

---

Shuyu walked down the halls, wondering if she should return to the banquet or not. As she was considering her options, she didn't notice someone walking up behind her. She quickly took notice of the person walking up behind her, wrapping her arms around her abdomen and pressing their large breasts against her back.

"So were you going to go hide again?" Sonsaku's voiced whispered into the strategist's ear.

"Sonsaku-sama!" Shuyu gasped, although delighting at the touch.

"Meirin," Sonsaku huffed. "Didn't we agree to using our secret names with one another?"

"A-ah, Sheren-sama," Shuyu nodded.

"Usually I'd find you outside," Sonsaku rested her chin on Shuyu's shoulder as her advisor clasped her hands over her stomach. "Did I catch you early?"

"No, late actually," Shuyu hummed. "I saw Zangetsu-dono outside and we talked. He found out about us."

"Oh dear," Sonsaku frowned sadly. "And he was working so hard to try and impress me. How did he take it?"

"Disappointed, but he will continue on," Shuyu replied. "I gave him that little test that you and I devised. Offering him a way into our relationship as the father of our children."

"And what did he say?" asked Sonsaku, her grip tightening.

"He refused, not wishing to as he put it 'be a third wheel' which I believe is his way of saying he does not wish to try and get between us," Shuyu replied, stroking her leader and lover's hands. "He wishes us well and holds no delusions as to what he can be to either of us now."

"Ah. Excellent," Sonsaku sighed in relief.

Shuyu turned in her lover's arms, wrapping her arms around Sonsaku's waist, "Sheren-sama, if I may ask. Why did you insist on this test for Zangetsu-dono? To test his loyalty?"

"Meirin, just like how you stand by my side, I want there to be someone to stand by Renfa-chan's side. Once I hand the throne to her, she needs someone who can look after her. I think that person is Zangetsu-kun," Sonsaku reasoned.

"He is capable," Shuyu nodded. "His introduction of the Lockseeds have been helping the civilians deal with the stresses of war. I have heard people experimenting with using those Inves creatures for other things besides the Inves Games."

"And their export can fund our war effort without raising taxes too," Sonsaku nodded. "He is just, fair, and strong. The kind of support that Renfa-chan will need when she takes over."

"Is there any other reason why you selected him?" asked Shuyu, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, Renfa-chan is at the age to be interested in men and she does tend to follow him like a little puppy sometimes," Sonsaku giggled innocently.

"Oh? Playing matchmaker are we?" Shuyu giggled.

"Well, I am her big sister and I can tell that these things can work out," Sonsaku smiled. "So, shall we return to the banquet. Afterwards we can celebrate in private."

---

"We have to cross this river to get to the capital?" Nagata asked, looking over the Changjiang River. It was hailed as the longest river in China and in his world, it was the third longest in the world. The river wasn't a simple stream, despite its name. It was a very large and wide body of water.

The group was finally within walking distance of Go's capital city where Sonshoko's family lived. Fortunately, the princess had no qualms about going back home. She apparently had her fun and now was ready to see her family again.

"That's right!" boasted Sonshoko. "This river is the biggest in the country and my family lives all the way over there."

"That's not something to boast about," Chouhi deadpanned.

"In any case, we should find a boat to get us across. Then we can return Sonshoko to her family," said Kanu, relieved to be done with their journey to return Sonshoko back to her family. She was a polite enough little girl, but she had a way of grinding on the nerves without even trying. Her habit of trying to claim random people as her servants being one of those things.

"You know, you should really be ready to get yelled at," Nagata warned Sonshoko. "You did leave without permission." If he were one of the people responsible for the tiny princess, he'd throw a fit after finding out she had run off without any kind of supervision to keep her safe. She was just a kid and there was simply no way that she could properly protect herself.

"Nonsense. I'm the favorite princess of the Son family. I bet they'll receive me with open arms and tears of joy that I've returned safely," she countered.

---

Sonshoko was wrong about the happy reunion. Sonsei was already scolding her as soon as she entered the throne room, "What on earth were you thinking?! Going off on your own with no servants or guards? Do you have any idea how worried we were about you?"

"A-a-ah, Oba-ue...there's a good reason for it…" Sonshoko tried to argue, but her rather stern aunt was having none of it.

"There is no excuse!" Sonsei barked, causing Sonshoko to wince. "You are always going to do things on your own like this. Do you have any idea the kind of trouble you bring to everyone by doing things like this? And furthermore..."

As Sonsei continued to scold her niece, Chouhi noticed a bit of a pattern as she looked at everyone and turned to her friends who huddled together, "Everyone has their belly button exposed."

"It must be a family tradition or something," Kanu reasoned.

"So I guess Sonshoko doesn't dress silly after all," Komei nodded.

'Don't stare, don't stare,' Nagata furiously reminded himself, not noticing the bellybuttons but something else being exposed by the women in the room.

Sonsei didn't seem to be running out of steam as she continued to scold Sonshoko who looked close to crying if it went on any longer. Fortunately, Sonsaku was able to see the same and held up her hand to stop her ranting aunt, "Oba-ue, that's enough. If you go any more than Shaoren will just want to run away again."

"But-!" Sonsei wanted to say more but Sonsaku shook her head.

"Little sister, I'm glad to see that you've returned safe and sound. You even brought friends. However, next time, when you choose to leave to go travelling, inform us so we can make arrangements," Sonsaku told her little sister.

"Y-yes Sheren-neesama…" Sonshoko whimpered.

The door to the throne room opened once again and Masataka entered. He bowed to the ruler and said, "Forgive me for my intrusion, but I heard that Shao-chan's returned. Is that true?"

Sonsaku smiled, but the answer came from Sonshoko as she gasped in delight and turned to face the approaching young man. She let out a squeal before running to him and leaping into his arms for a hug, "Zan-niichan!"

"And who's this? Oh, Shao-chan! You've grown! I almost didn't recognize you!" Masataka joked and chuckled in amusement. Nagata blinked. When he thought about the man who had taken the mantle of Zangetsu, this was the last thing he expected. He expected someone like Takatora from the show, not the big brother personality he was looking at. "You know, you really had us worried when you ran off like that. Don't do that again, OK?"

"Yes Zan-niichan," Sonshoko nodded as he set her back down.

Sonsei let out a 'tsk' at the interaction, "Honestly, Zangetsu-dono is an Armored War God. A symbol of our kingdom. He should act like it, not spoiling children."

"I think it's nice," Sonken smiled, although her eyes hadn't left Zangetsu since he entered the room. A rosy blush had come out on her cheeks which she would later hope no one would notice. "It shows that a strong man doesn't have to cold and hard like stone."

Sonsaku smiled knowingly at Shuyu who almost giggled but managed to keep her reserve. Looking back to her guests, she decided it was time to formally acknowledge them, "Kanu-dono and Gaim-dono was it?"

"Yes!" Kanu and Nagata snapped to attention. Nagata momentarily glanced at Masataka. He would recognize his alter-ego's name and respond to it. What he got was Masataka giving him a look before returning his attention to Sonsaku.

"Thank you for looking after my little sister. In return, as you are our guests, you are welcomed to stay in our palace before you resume your journey." allowed Sonsaku.

Kanu and Nagata glanced at one another before smiling. The chance to stay someplace nice for free with full accommodations would be a real treat after being on the road for so long. Turning back to face Sonsaku, they bowed deeply, "Thank you for your generosity, Sonsaku-dono."

---

Nagata yawned, savoring the phantom feeling of being able to use a hot bath once again. After so long of being on the road, he was afraid that he had become a little rank. Chouhi, Kanu, and Komei were still enjoying their joint bath connected to their room so for the first time in a little while, he had some time to himself. Not sure what to do with himself, he headed out to one of the open courtyards to take in some fresh air without having to hike and nearly exhaust himself in the process. Finding a comfortable spot, he lay down and just basked in the noises of nature.

"Ahhhh…"

"I thought I'd find you pigging out in the kitchens or sleeping what with the modern conveniences we're used to having," a voice broke Nagata's relaxation. Looking up, he spotted a bespectacled young man approaching him with his hands in his pockets.

"So, you're Zangetsu," Nagata commented.

"And you're Gaim. Funny. I always thought you'd be taller."

"Yeah, I get that a lot," Nagata sighed, standing up again. Brushing off his clothes, he looked at his melon counterpart. "Can I ask you something?"

Masataka nodded, "You may."

"What makes you think it was a good idea to distribute Lockseeds? Don't you understand how dangerous the Inves are since they carry seeds from the Helheim Forest?" In the series, any opening into Helheim allowed the plants to begin growing out of the portals at an astonishing rate. The Inves were covered in those seeds and they could grow literally anywhere. People who were attacked by Inves even had the Lockseed plants growing out of their bodies.

"It's why I'm here. I prevent any and all outbreaks that may happen," Masataka replied, apparently unconcerned at the fact how badly the overgrowth from Helheim could be if someone let it get out of control.

"You're just one man," Nagata retorted

"I'm enough. Besides, the Lockseeds contribute to the economy," Masataka walked to one of the stone sculptures which decorated the garden. "Listen, how well do you know the history of the Three Kingdoms?"

"Enough," Nagata answered.

"Then you know how bad it can get," Masataka nodded. "We landed here right before it began. The Kingdom of Shoku hasn't even raised yet. Hell, you're travelling with two of its generals and its future strategist. The Yellow Turban Rebellion hasn't started, no Battle of Red Cliffs yet, and the outright chaos hasn't really begun although we've already seen it starting with Gi and Go's campaigns and the bandit groups emerging from it."

"Your point?" asked Nagata.

"I see a chance that we can stop all the war, death, and constant conflict before it can really begin," Masataka replied. "I joined with Go because Sonsaku-sama dreams of uniting the country under one steady ruler, not each province declaring a king and then going off on some campaign which will result in even more deaths and destruction. Several provinces can even be torn up from within and split into smaller provinces, making them even more of a target. Gi conquers for pride, but Go conquers for unity. Sonsaku-sama knows that much of the country won't want her to rule after all the bloodshed so she plans to abdicate once it is done."

"So you think giving the Lockseeds to the Go Faction will help speed up the process of unification," Nagata frowned.

"Yes," Masataka nodded. "By introducing the Lockseeds as tools as well as means of entertainment, it ensures people will want them. With a set price, people will lap them up and pour more money into the economy. That in turn ensures Sonsaku-sama's campaign remains well-funded and she doesn't have to raise taxes or cut back on costs elsewhere. Her position with the people is precarious as it is these days."

Nagata wanted to argue that Masataka was wrong. However, the white Armored War God was resolute with his path. This guy knew about the Three Kingdoms' history and wanted to change things. That was a good idea on paper, but bringing in an advanced weapon like the Lockseeds could kill just as many people in the short term as the long term would with the natural weapons of the era.

"You might be able to enjoy travelling for now, Gaim-san. However, how long do you think that kind of peace will last?" Masataka asked. "Knuckle has sided with En, Gridon and Kurokage with To, Baron with Gi, and myself with Go. Only Ryugen hasn't seemed to have aligned with anyone but that won't last. You will have to pick a side at some point."

"Zangetsu," Nagata interrupted, "Have you heard of the RinJyuKen Akugata?"

Masataka frowned, but nodded. "Hard not to. I fought one when I first arrived here. I landed right in Sonsaku-sama's bath when she was bathing. The assassin had been hiding in there and used my arrival as a distraction. If I hadn't discovered my Driver was in fact real and functional, it would have ended with Sonsaku-sama's death just like history said it would."

Nagata blinked, "Wait, you landed in her bath?"

Masataka, despite blushing red, managed to keep his serious face, "It was not...my proudest moment."

(FLASHBACK)

Masataka Miyamoto liked to think he knew where he was going in life. He was dedicated to his education and felt a future as maybe a businessman or an accountant might be where he wanted to be. He was good with numbers and he could keep up with advanced figures and such things. Also to keep his mind sharp, he exercised often and took karate classes since he subscribed to the belief that a healthy body promoted a healthy mind.

It never seemed to help him find a girlfriend, much to his frustration.

So he was at the museum with his class, looking over possible subjects for a paper he was supposed to write. His mind wasn't in it to be honest since his pack felt like it was burning a hole on his back. It held his brother's birthday present, a Zangetsu SengokuDriver which was going to be given to him. He had also gotten his brother some Lockseeds like a Rose Attacker and some of the others for a collection. Masataka really had no place to hide them, so he had to carry them around all day. He was a little afraid if his friends found them, they'd tease the hell out of him and call him an Otaku or a NEET in the making.

When someone started shouting about a thief, Masataka looked to see a kid in white making a break for the exit with a mirror he recalled coming from an exhibit about Ancient China. Being a good samaritan, he ran to cut the guy off at the staircase. He was a little afraid, since the boy had considerably skill in martial arts. However, the fears were moot since someone tackled him from his blind spot and dropped the little thief. Unfortunately, it also dropped the mirror which shattered on the floor. Then there was a flash of light, a feeling of weightlessness…

...and then he hit water.

"BLRP!" Masataka choked, his senses shooting back to him as the hot water enveloped his face. His survival instinct triggered big time and he thrashed for a moment before he touched a hard bottom. Using it as a base, he kicked off of it and emerged from the water choking and coughing. After a moment of catching his breath, he tried to look around to see where he had ended up.

"PRGH!"

And broke out in a nosebleed when he saw to gorgeous women, both nude and very gifted physically, embracing each other in a rather suggestive way.

"And just who are you?!" demanded the black-haired woman who struggled to cover herself as the pink-haired one quickly reached to grab a towel for the both of them. "Where did you come from?

"Uh…" Masataka gulped, quickly looking away. "I...uh...I...um…"

The pink-haired woman seemed to giggle, "You can't be much of an assassin if a naked woman makes you this nervous. Are you perchance a peeping tom hoping to get a look at the queen?"

"I am not a peeper!" Masataka pleaded, making sure not to look. "I don't even know where I am or who you two even are!"

"Your entrance suggests otherwise," the dark haired woman frowned, wrapping a towel around herself.

(PAUSE FLASHBACK)

Listening to the story, Nagata was trying not to laugh. Just splashing into a queen's bath was not exactly a good way to make a first impression.

"You fell in the bath! You fell in the bath! Ah ha ha ha ha ha!" Nagata finally laughed.

"Ugh, don't remind me..." Masataka groaned. That was not one of his best moments.

"OK...OK..." Nagata sucked in his breath to stop laughing. "Then what happened?"

"That's when the assassin came in."

(CONTINUE FLASHBACK)

Masataka sputtered, trying to find some explanation of how he ended up in the women's bath. He certainly couldn't think of one beyond how the last thing he remembered was a mirror shattering in a museum. He was also finding himself distracted by the image of the two women in the buff. None of the girls he knew in his neighborhood could compare to them.

'Oh don't get distracted now!' he scolded himself. "Look...uh, ma'am, I don't know how I got here. I just remember a shattering noise and I blacked out. The next thing I know, I ended up here!"

"A likely story," the dark-haired woman crossed her arms.

"Go easy on him, Meirin," the other woman laughed, but not in a nice way. "He seems so innocent!"

"It's true!" Masataka insisted, turning around out of reflex. He turned bright red again, seeing the two women in towels but at least his nose didn't bleed again. Still, it was enough of a covering so that he could retain his mental processes and argue his case. He didn't want to be forever branded as some kind of perverted peeping tom! He'd have to move to the end of the country to get away from that kind of title!

"So who are you if you're not an assassin or peeping tom?"

Masataka was about to answer when another figure began to rise up out of the water near the pink-haired woman. He looked like a human, but had a white head with empty eyes. On his head was a metal cap which in the front was embedded with an octopus. He had risen out of the water like it was nothing, looking like he had been in there for a while already. Coming out of the water, he looked directly at the woman with pink hair.

"Look out!" Masataka cried, brushing past the dark-haired girl and lunged to push the other woman away from the rising figure.

"Octopus-Ken! Ringi! Doku Inku!" the soggy man announced before spewing an entire stream of black ink from his mouth.

The pink-haired woman gasped as Masataka managed to tackle her out of the way, the both of them landing in the water with a splash. The ink stream flew over the both of them and splashed into the far wall. The black substance immediately bubbled and ate through the wall, opening a hole on the far side.

"What the-?!" the dark-haired woman gasped. "Guards! Guards!"

"Oh no you don't!" the strange man growled. "Octopus-Ken! Ringi! Takobōruburitto!" Inhaling again, he launched a ball of the black ink out of his mouth at the woman. Despite being devilishly gorgeous, she wasn't stupid by any means and quickly dove out of the way. The ball splattered against the far side and exploded into several black gobs which stuck to various surfaces around them and began eating away at it.

Masataka and the pink-haired woman, now losing her towel, coming up in gasps for air as they hadn't had time to inhale before they could dive.

"I can't believe the luck of you," the pale man growled as he approached the two. "One perv botches up the whole thing. Whatever. The fun way it is!" Reaching down, he grabbed Masataka by the scruff of his shirt before throwing him away, actually causing him to hit the far wall, fortunately away from the globs of acidic ink. Groaning, he slid down the wall before landing on the ground in a heap. Part of the groan came when something jabbed into his abdomen, causing it to click.

[LOCK ON!]

The jiang-shi began approaching the pink-haired woman with a sneer on his pale face. Grabbing a handful of her hair, he pulled her up with a groan of pain from her, "Hey, not bad. Too bad I got to kill you. Maybe I can have fun with you and your lady friend over there. How about it? A bit of tentacle hell before you see heaven?"

Then war horns started to play.

"Huh?" the jiang-shi looked up, fearing that the alarm had been raised and he would be unable to complete his job to his satisfaction. Looking around, he stopped cold when over the kid he got rid of floated a giant green melon made of steel coming out of a portal in the air. "What the-?!"

Masataka also noticed it as he stared up at the metal melon hanging in the air. Looking back down he saw that he was wearing the SengokuDriver he was hiding for his brother, only now it seemed it was real. Watching Kamen Rider Gaim with his little brother, he already knew what it was. But it couldn't be real, could it? Still, right now, he was about ready to try anything. As he'd seen how the SengokuDriver was used, it just took a simple motion as he grasped the Cutting Blade lever and pushed it down over the Lockseed's front to split it open. Inside the Lockseed was the green insides on top and on the bottom a shield decorated with the surface of a melon.

[SOIYA! MELON ARMS! TENKA GOMEN!]

The metal melon dropped upon Masataka's head. At first he was startled when this occurred. The white bodysuit formed first and then the helmet formed within the confines of the metal melon. The gauntlets and greaves gleamed gold with black lines rising up his arms and legs. The melon splashed with green energy before opening, the front section coming together in green plating with gold accents. The sides folded together to form shoulder plating, but remained slightly separate to give the image of spikes. The back pieces landed on the back, finishing the armor. The helmet was revealed to have large eyepieces with a silver mouthplate and a gold crescent moon on the forehead. The helmet attachment was designed like the skin of a melon with gold siding like a samurai helmet and a melon stem coming from the top. The attachment had caused the eyes to turn green, giving them a look not unlike a slice of melon. Flash of light appeared over his left arm, creating a large shield with a golden centre ending in a crescent moon with gold siding and a round disk on the top. The rest was covered in the same textured green as the Melon Arms. This was the signature weapon of the suit, the Melon Defender.

"Sugoi..." Masataka, now Zangetsu, admired himself in the suit. He also noticed a holster on his belt carrying a weapon. He gripped the handle and drew out a single-edged katana with a gun equipped to the hilt.

"So the bosses weren't having me on. People did follow him back from the other world," the jiang-shi growled, tossing the pink-haired woman in the water. "The bosses will have my hide if I let one of you punks foul things up more than you have. Time to add another tally! Jujin Jashin Hen!"

The beast's body shimmered under the veil of purple/black energy before he took on a more beastial form. His torso looked like the head of an octopus, the eyes sticking out from the sides while the tentacles wrapped together to form his legs. His arms were covered in lines of suction cups which ended in long-fingered hands. Lastly his face looked similar to that of a stereotypical octopus face, with a tubular mouth made to shoot ink and squinted yellow eyes.

"Listen up poser! You're about to get killed by the RinJyu Octopus-Ken user, Takodama!"

"I'm scared," Zangetsu frowned sarcastically, brandishing his Musou Saber. Under normal circumstances, he really would have been scared. However, he was in a steamy bathing room with two gorgeous nude women. He was fighting a monster sent to kill them, possibly via tentacle rape or something along those lines. He was adorned in the armor of one of the badass Kamen Riders in the new series. The best he could figure was that he was dreaming so why not go with it and just do his best? He could probably have a threesome when he was done anyway.

(PAUSE FLASHBACK)

"A tentacle monster? In a bath? With naked women?" Nagata questioned.

"I know how it sounds but that is what happened," Masataka insisted.

"I'm not doubting you. It just sounds like something you might see in an ecchi or hentai anime," Nagata remarked.

"Would you please let me finish the story?" an annoyed Masataka asked.

(RESUME FLASHBACK)

Takodama roared and charged at Zangetsu, going into a fighting pattern which Zangetsu slightly recognized as similar to the kind Shaolin monks used. Highly bastardized and adapted to hit in multiple places within a short timeframe though. Being a karate guy himself, Zangets could pick up on the rhythm of other fighters and quickly took up the fight. He blocked several blows with his shield and tried slashing at Takodama with his sword. The octopus-man merely dipped around the blow before striking again, forcing Zangetsu to use his shield as a defence.

"OK, OK, I have to remember that this isn't just a sword," Zangetsu recalled. Blocking another strike, he used his free hand under the shield to grab the shaft of the Musou Saber and pull it back, charging it up. Pushing on the Melon Defender, he put Takodama off balance before pointing the gun end of the Musou Saber at his face. "Surprise!"

*BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!*

"GAAAAAAAH!" Takodama screamed, stumbling back while clutching his face. Seeing his chance, Zangetsu swung with the Musou Saber and struck several blows which brought out several blasts of sparks, 'just like the shows!' before he swung wide with the Melon Defender, smashing it across Takodama's face and knocking him down into the cloudy water.

Zangetsu knew from the shows that the enemy wasn't down until they went boom so he stabbed into the water with the Musou Saber, but he didn't feel any kind of resistance to show that he had been able to stab anything. "Well that wasn't how it would go in my dream..."

"Behind you!" he heard the dark-haired woman call.

Zangetsu turned around as the water splashed and Takodama rose up before punching him in the face. The melon Rider stumbled backwards before swinging his sword at the monster, but Takodama ducked and punched at him again, forcing Zangetsu further back. When the beastman tried for another strike, Zangetsu was able to properly block with the Melon Defender.

"Okay, don't think I'm dreaming," he grunted. Those punches hurt! On the other hand, he was allowed to pull moves the real Kamen Riders wouldn't! Rearing back his leg, he lashed out and landed a beautiful kick right between the monster's legs. Takodama let out a squeaking noise and stumbled back, clutching his family jewels. He was trying to speak, but his voice just kept coming out in a raspy tone. Zangetsu just chuckled at the sight, "Since you were an octopus, I wasn't sure if you even had any. Guess you're more man than mollusk."

"Oh you are so dead!" Takodama scowled. "Octopus-Ken! Ringi! Doku Inku!"

He fired another stream of acidic ink, forcing Zangetsu to lift up the Melon Defender in order to properly protect himself. The ink splattered into the surface of the shield. Rather than eat through it, it seemed to actually be sliding off and spilling into the water. It turned the water dark, but fortunately the water itself seemed to dilute the ink enough that it didn't actually eat away at anything. Takodama still kept up the pressure, thinking that his acidic ink just needed more time to eat through the shield.

Seeing his chance, Zangetsu lowered his hand to his belt and managed to remove his Lockseed.

[LOCK OFF!]

"Back...OFF!" Zengetsu bellowed, swinging his shield arm which caused the acidic ink to spatter. Fortunately the women were behind him and the ink didn't touch them. It did, however, splatter on the walls and on Takodama himself. His Rinki was so destructive, even he wasn't immune to the effects of his ink after he spat it out. The ink splattered over his torso and face, causing him to begin screaming, splashing himself with the bathwater in hopes of getting the ink off and diluting the effects. Zangetsu, free from interruption, quickly clipped the Melon Lockseed onto the Musou Saber.

[LOCK ON!]

"Here goes," Zangetsu huffed as a green aura began to emerge over his sword.

[1, 10, 100!] the sword counted off.

Zangetsu clanged his sword off his shield, causing both weapons to begin glowing brightly. He first swung the shield, throwing a large round ball of green energy at Takodama. The ball hit him, growing in size to engulf him, taking the form of a semi-transparent muskmelon. Takodama roared, but was unable to break free from the new prison. Zangetsu made his charge, leaping into the air as his sword glowed even brighter than before.

[MELON CHARGE!]

"HIYAH!" he brought the strike down on top of the melon, cracking it open down the centre before slicing right through Takodama in the process. The beastman screamed out before he splashed with green energy from the splitting melon and exploded in a haze of purple fire. Slogging through the gray water, he sighed and turned around to see if the women were okay.

...and then remembered they were naked.

"PRGH!" Zengetsu cried out, holding his helmeted face. "Ack! Nosebleed in the helmet! Nosebleed in the helmet! Get it off! Get it off!"

(END FLASHBACK)

"Not the best first impression I ever made," Masataka sighed. "Fortunately it was enough for Sonsaku-sama and Shuyu-dono to not have me arrested as a peeping tom. Although after everything I did they decided I must have been the Messenger of Heaven. Then the others started popping up. I don't know who started the Armored War God title, but at least that fits."

"I'm kind of the reason for that title," Nagata admitted.

"Really? So what's your story?" Masataka asked.

"It's a long one."

"I have time."

---

The night had been pleasant, filled with a long dinner which was nothing but good food, good drink, and pleasant company. Still, that night Kanu woke up because of a nightmare. No, it was more like a memory. It was the day that she promised herself she would not allow bandits to hurt people any longer. The day when her village was attacked and raided. Her older brother managed to hide her under her bed, but he was then ruthlessly cut down and she had to stare at his dead body until it was safe to come back out. Looking around, she recalled she was in the guest room in the Son family's palace. Her thoughts had her wondering why she was dreaming about that day. Also, why did her chest feel heavy? She got her answer as she looked down and saw Chouhi sleeping on top of her, groping her breasts. She groaned. Chouhi always snuck into bed with her when she had the chance.

"Munyaa...this tuna bun is mine…," Chouhi muttered happily in her sleep.

"You little…" Kanu frowned.

---

The following day, Sonsaku was out on the terrace with some tea. She had taken to enjoying what peaceful moments she could. She was often off in one campaign or another which was never peaceful even when there was no fighting. Then when she was back, all sorts of issues demanded her attention. So she savored what measures of peace and quiet she could. Of course, some interruptions were always welcome such as when Shuyu walked over.

"Ah, Meirin. Good morning," Sonsaku greeted.

"Good morning to you too. How are you feeling?" Shuyu asked.

"Oh, still a bit tired. I had a really long talk with Kanu-dono," Sonsaku smiled. "She's quite talented. It's a shame that she couldn't join our army. She's already pledged her loyalty to an Armored War God."

"Yes, the one called Gaim," nodded Shuyu. Masataka had given them the names of all the Armored War Gods in the realm and had confirmed that the man travelling with Kanu Unchou was the one known as Gaim of the Ultimate Sword. He had not sworn duty to any province, so the strategist hoped to somehow convince him to side or at least be an ally of Go. She had to be subtle though, since she was dealing with an Armored War God who could destroy just about any man in the kingdom and she did not want to risk Zangetsu's good health.

"And the one called Chouhi is so cute. I almost wanted to take her for myself as a pet," giggled Sonsaku.

"Sheren-sama, you're so silly," Shuyu couldn't help but smile in amusement.

"So, have they had breakfast?" asked Sonsaku.

"Yes, and right now Kanu-dono and Chouhi-dono have gone to the hunting grounds on the hill with Shoko-sama," Shuyu reported.

"Is anyone with them?" asked Sonsaku. Perhaps she was a little overprotective, but she didn't want her sister to run away or get hurt so soon after finally coming home. She was just so little and fragile compared to Sonken. She was eager to get out and have adventures like her oldest sister, but Sonsaku knew that wouldn't be for some time yet.

"I sent Kannei as their guide," answered Shuyu.

"Then they should be alright."

"Komei-dono wanted to see the library so Rikuson is showing her the way," Shuyu added.

"And Gaim-dono?"

"He is with Zangetsu-dono. He wanted to see our Lockseed distribution department."

---

Masataka guided Nagata down to the basement of the palace to what likely had been initially built to be one of many wine cellars. However, all of the wine and shelves had been removed in favor of long tables and men sorting through crates of Lockseeds while others were scribbling on rolls of paper, marking down what Lockseeds were found in some kind of manifest. The Lockseeds were then sorted into large crates based on their ranking, but then sorted even further into smaller crates depending on what kind of Lockseed they were. The men were obviously experienced at it, moving at a good pace. Once in a while there would be a Lockseed which wasn't seen before and those were placed in a crate marked differently than the others.

"This is where the Lockseeds I managed to gather are sorted," Masataka showed Nagata.

"So, you go into Helheim Forest and just pick every Lockseed you could find?" Nagata asked.

"I commonly get B-Class, C-Class or D-Class Lockseeds that way. If I'm lucky, I'm able to find A-Class Lockseeds. I taught the members of the department how to rank each Lockseed and set a price for them," Masataka continued.

"But how do you move so many Lockseeds at once? You have to had help," Nagata commented.

"I do. By opening a Lockseed portal, me and a contingent of men go in and begin plucking Lockseed fruits. They grow like weeds so we barely have to stray too far from the portal to get our fill each time. However, we keep some Inves around in order to act as bodyguards in case the wild Inves decide to come and investigate what is going on."

"And how do you stop them from eating the fruit?" asked Nagata. "That stuff's extremely tempting if you aren't wearing a Driver or some kind of gas mask."

"Everyone who comes with me wears rags over their faces soaked in perfume," Masataka explained. "Or something stinky, their choice since both seem effective. It keeps the scent of the fruit at bay and everyone works in teams just in case someone does smell the fruit and begins to succumb. Fortunately, these are religious men too. I explained that the fruit belongs to the gods and if a human eats it, it will destroy them. So far, we've had no incidents in regards to people eating the fruit."

"And Inves?" Nagata pressed.

"We get some incidents now and then, but our trained Inves and myself are able to hold them off while my men get away," Masataka replied, "One time a Seiryuu Inves got into the group and raided several crates worth, gorging itself to the point it went into its Evolved State. That wasn't fun to deal with."

"I can imagine," Nagata nodded. Looking to the working men, he noticed the smaller crate filled with Lockseeds that didn't match up with the others. "Is there anything wrong with the Lockseeds in that crate?"

"Huh?" Masataka glanced at the crate before he shook his head. "Oh, no. They're just Lockseeds we haven't seen before. So we take those ones to get tested and see what they're capable of and what Inves they can summon. Once we get all the pertinent details down, we just sort them with the rest and sell them."

"Ah," Nagata agreed.

The pair walked around the working men, some stopping to wish Masataka well or others reporting to him about a previous set of crates which were ready or almost ready to be sent out to the merchants. They continued to another corner of the cellar which had men using the Lockseeds in Inves Games. Several rounds were going on at once and Masataka could see Inves he hadn't seen in the series or ones he did with some kind of mutation to them, like the Lion Inves from the series that grew wings, etc.

"Here we test each Lockseed using mock Inves Games," Masataka showed Nagata. "We also use this as a chance to catalogue and document any new breeds of Inves or mutations we can find, what they're capable of and how to recognize signs of that kind of attack. We send the Inves back after each test, of course. We don't want them running wild."

"Yeah, because that would be bad," remarked Nagata. Masataka wasn't sure he liked that tone but continued on.

The tour continued, moving up the stairs from the cellar into what appeared to be a records room of some sort. Many boxes were filled with scrolls, sheets of paper, and other record-keeping practices of the time period. Many shelves were full, but more were still empty with some record keepers either filing the papers away, or bringing some out to check on.

"Here is where we keep records for every Lockseed collected and sold. We also document who buys which Lockseed, how many, what Lockseeds they were, and what Inves they summon," Masataka showed Gaim.

"That must be a lot," observed Nagata.

"Indeed. Since they don't have the same modern conveniences we are used to, they need to be careful and double-check, even triple-check their records. We don't want bandits slipping in and getting a bunch of Lockseeds for their buddies under a false name." He stopped for a moment as if remembering something, "Oh, by the way, I saw you enter the Helheim Forest once. You were fighting some monkey guy that turned into an Inves. I would have jumped in to help but you finished it by the time I got closer. On your way out, you picked a Lockseed."

"I gave it to Komei as a gift," Nagata informed Masataka. "I even went back to get a few more for my friends."

"Well, you should get them registered. We have strict laws about unregistered Lockseed ownership in Go," advised Masataka. "You're fine since you're an Armored War God so Sonsaku-sama wouldn't think of putting you under the laws unless you broke a major one. Your friends are a little more subject to it. If the guards outside the palace see them with Lockseeds but with no documentation saying they're allowed to have them then they'll get in serious trouble."

"Laws you helped set?" Nagata questioned.

"When I told Sonsaku-sama and Shuyu-dono about the Lockseeds and some of the dangers of them, we sat down and talked about what we could do with them. Shuyu-dono was the one who wrote up the new laws once the Lockseeds started hitting the streets," Masataka answered. "Inves Games have been used to settle disputes. Lots of people were buying them in bulk for bodyguards, or even trying to train the Inves in tasks such as farming and such. We also make sure that Inves aren't being used to commit crimes because the punishment would be quite heavy."

"How heavy?" asked Nagata. Masataka didn't answer and Nagata wasn't comfortable not knowing what the punishment was.

"Anyway, I should take you to Sonsaku-sama now. She's interested in speaking with you," said Masataka.

---

The trip up to Sonsaku's meeting room was quiet as Nagata had nothing to say and Masataka let him have his peace. So far, Masataka had pretty much composed a great system for ensuring that the Lockseeds stayed in responsible hands and also made sure that people wouldn't let the Inves get out of control. He couldn't find much of a flaw beyond the lack of aresponse system for the instances where an Inves would get out of control. Only Zangetsu could truly win against an Inves and not end up getting seriously wounded in the process.

Coming up to one of the top floors, the young men suddenly heard panicked screaming. Immediately, the young man in white dashed to where the two women were. Slamming open the door, he saw the terrace doors to Sonsaku's room had been smashed open and the room in disarray. He didn't have to search far for his sworn leader and her strategist though. He found the two of them backing away from a monster. It was a Komori Inves and it looked absolutely menacing. It was almost entire black with red patches of skin on its side. It's face was black with horns rising up looking similar to that of a bat spreading its wings and had brass fittings which outlined eyes and a forehead. The entire beast was draped with a cloak-like layer of flesh which was black with a red underside, somehow able to let the Inves fly although there was no possible way that it could. The beast snarled aggressively as it advanced on Sonsaku who was being shielded by Shuyu.

"Inves!" Nagata took out his SengokuDriver but was stopped by Masataka.

"This is mine!" Masataka put his Driver on and activated his Lockseed.

[MELON!]

"Henshin!"

[LOCK ON!]

Masataka charged at the Inves as it lunged for Sonsaku and Shuyu before he cut his Lockseed open with his Cutting Blade.

[SOIYA! MELON ARMS! TENKA GOMEN!]

His armor formed and he raised the Melon Defender to shield both the queen and her advisor. The Komori Inves fell back, stunned for a moment before it snarled and made to attack. Before the attack could commence though, the Inves stiffened as if it received a shock of some kind. It was still for a moment before it abruptly took to the air and flew out the window. Zangetsu pursued to the terrace and fired at it with his Musou Saber before it managed to fly out of sight and range. He didn't see any indication of a hit and cursed under his breath. He would need to send out a hunting party and go along with them to find it. For now, he needed to check on the women.

"Are you both alright?" Zangetsu asked them.

"We're fine," Sonsaku assured him, being helped to her feet by her lover. "I think you've just saved our lives yet again, Zangetsu-kun."

"It's what I do," nodded Zangetsu. "Shuyu-dono, you should take Sonsaku-sama to her private room. I don't believe that was a wild Inves." In early stages of the plan to incorporate Lockseeds and Inves into Go, there had been incidents where someone carelessly or accidentally lost control of an Inves. Once that happened, Zangetsu would be informed and take care of the problem before it escalated. A Lockseed owner who would lose control of their Inves like that would then be fined and banned from using a Lockseed ever again. Unlike in the city Kamen Rider Gaim was set in, the people of Go didn't have the means to quickly rebuild after a building was damaged or destroyed. It took time to gather the materials, tools, and skill trades to do something like that and it cost a lot of money that people would need for other things. So banning an irresponsible person from using the new technology was not unreasonable. They could argue their case of course, but usually there was no helping them.

"You're right. A wild Inves would have kept fighting. This one just stiffened before running. Someone was watching and was controlling it," Shuyu agreed.

Sonsaku, despite being minimally shaken, still had the grace to have good humor, "My, my, if you keep granting us such boons Zangetsu-kun, I may just have to have you marry into the family and be done with it."

"Don't tease me Sonsaku-sama," Zangetsu groaned amidst his ruler's giggles. "I'm still nursing a broken heart as it is."

"Huh?" Nagata blinked.

---

The palace was in a flurry as news of the attempted assassination spready. The guards were spread all over the grounds in search of clues while Zangetsu and a group of men went out to see if they could track the Inves. The portals in and out of Helheim always opened near the Lockseed that summoned them so if they could find a trace where the Inves left, they may be able to find a trace of the person who summoned the Inves to try and kill the queen.

Sonsaku was taken to her private quarters, apparently quite shaken up by the attack now that it was said and done. No one had seen her since but Shuyu vouched for her good health. With some time, she would be back to normal and ready to pursue the case. In the meantime, Sonken stepped up to sit in her sister's stead until she was better. She quickly calmed everyone and ordered an investigation to be conducted alongside Zangetsu's hunt. To the surprise of many though, she was quick to announce that a suspect had been apprehended and was about to face her in order to ensure justice was carried out.

Komei heard what had happened and ran into the throne room with Nagata, both seeing their fears coming true. Kanu had been put in wooden handcuffs. Kanu, Chouhi, Sonshoko, and their guide Kannei had been out at the time of the assassination. Normally, that would be a means of exoneration, but in this particular case it was condemning. The area that they were hunting in had a very nice view of the palace, specifically of the terrace where Sonsaku would spend her time. Sonshoko had managed to shoot down a pheasant and Kannei had gone to retrieve it so she was not present. Chouhi and Sonshoko had gotten into an argument over breast size and went someplace private to compare. Kanu was left alone, and thus became the prime suspect. Unfortunately, Masataka's hunting group could not find any traces, leaving Kanu as the only suspect they had of the crime.

"Why have you arrested Kanu-san?" Komei asked, looking up to where Sonken was standing next to her sister's throne. She was only assuming the responsibilities until Sonsaku got better, so she wasn't going to sit on the throne just yet.

"She's suspected of attempting to assassinate Onee-sama," Sonken claimed, her face cold and her arms crossed.

"How can you think that?" asked Nagata. "Kanu would never do that."

"What is the proof?" asked Komei, just as emotional but managing to keep it in check with her intellect.

"We found this on her," Sonken said as she held up a Lockseed. It was the Carambola Lockseed Nagata had gotten for her as a gift. "Earlier today, at noon, my sister was attacked by an Inves."

"I know, I was there," Nagata reminded.

"Kanu-dono was also in the right position to oversee the Inves attacking Onee-sama," Sonken added. "She was at the perfect angle to see Onee-sama's room from where Kannei had guided them. With an unregistered Lockseed, she would not be suspected. However, that was just her assumption."

"You can't just suspect Aisha-neechan because of that!" Chouhi exclaimed.

"Rinrin's right," Nagata added. "As for why Kanu would have a Lockseed, I got it for her."

"Yes, you are an Armored War God. Zangetsu-kun told me," Sonken replied. That saved the officials time on investigating where her Lockseed had come from. "That still doesn't change the fact that she has an unregistered Lockseed. Also, the assassination attempt occurred after you all arrived here."

"That is just circumstantial evidence and coincidence. Besides, Kanu-san has no reason to assassinate Sonsaku-sama," Komei defended, running to stand between Kanu and the acting queen. She asked, "Kannei-san, did you see Kanu-san use a Lockseed?"

"No, because I went to pick up the kill Shoko-sama shot down," Kannei answered. Kannei was a woman of slim build and wore a short red dress with long sleeves, likely to assist in her movements by not restricting them, being a soldier who was in fact a skilled martial artist. She was pretty, but her face was tempered by sharp discipline which was shown in her sharp angular eyes. She had purple hair in a pageboy cut, but it was evidenced to be longer with the ox-horn bun she had on the back of her head. She was rumored to have been a pirate once, but she would swiftly deny it. She was a bodyguard to the Son family and thus took it personally that an assassination had happened while she was out.

"And don't you possess a Lockseed too?" Komei asked. As Lockseeds have already been incorporated into the lifestyle of the people here due to Zangetsu, it stood to reason that the Son family and those worked closely with them would possess them as well. All the bodyguards and soldiers were given one in order to deal with any wild Inves or battles they required backup with.

"What are you trying to say?" Kannei demanded.

"Nobody was with you when you picked up Shoko-sama's kill, so you could also be a suspect," Komei went on.

"Don't be ridiculous! I work for the Son family!" shouted Kannei.

"That is exactly why I say you have a motive too!" Komei retorted firmly. Nagata was stunned. No longer was Komei just a child defending her friend, but using her amazing intellect as a young woman defending a person. Masataka also saw this and wanted to see how this developed. LIke Nagata, he knew of Komei's future and was interested in seeing if the small child had it in her. "Because rulers and subordinates see each other everyday, there is daily friction, differences in opinion, and uncommon interests. You would have a much stronger motive than a traveler who has no relation to the Son family."

Angered, Kannei grabbed a sword from a guard's sheathe and went to swing at Komei. However, she stopped her sword an inch from Komei's face. Nagata had been ready to act if Kannei hadn't stopped herself.

"You've got some nerve insulting a proud warrior like me, brat," Kannei growled.

"I don't think she was insulting you," Masataka interjected logically.

Komei spoke, "I wasn't. I was making a deduction. Also, Kanu-san is a proud warrior like yourself! Accusing her without any definite evidence is the same as insulting her!" Kannei hissed in response.

"That's enough," Shuyu ordered. "Kannei, drop your sword." When Kannei didn't immediately obey, Shuyu repeated, "Kannei, I said drop your sword." Kannei reluctantly did so. "And Sonken-sama, you shouldn't judge so rashly. I know you're worried about your sister because she almost got assassinated, but you need to be fair."

"Shuyu, if Zangetsu-kun hadn't been there, then I would've lost my sister," Sonken replied.

"I know and I thank him. Right now, you're in charge while your sister recovers from her shock. You need to lead and do the right thing," Shuyu advised.

Sonken was silent for a moment before she closed her eyes. She drew breath for a few moments, likely in an attempt to get her focus back. When she was done, she heaved a sigh,"Yes, you're right," she agreed. She stepped down from her position and unlocked Kanu's handcuffs. "I'm sorry about my actions. It's just..."

"I understand," Kanu nodded, rubbing her wrists.

Komei collapsed but Nagata caught her. "Hey, are you OK?"

"Hawawa...I tried too hard..." Komei uttered, her eyes swirly. Being held at swordpoint like that was scary!

"You did wonderfully," Nagata smiled, gently embracing the child. "You should be very proud of yourself."

---

Later, Sonken was in her room reflecting on the day. She felt ashamed that she allowed her emotions to run wild like that. Of course there would be other suspects! She just accused Kanu because she was the most likely and wasn't connected to her family! How could she have been so blind? The Son family had many enemies and they could have tried the assassination that day as a coincidence or planned it for that so to have a scapegoat! It could very well have been someone inside the court. It was no secret that many retainers and nobles did not favor her sister's style of ruling the kingdom, some vehemently so.

She was brought out of her self-recrimination when she heard a knock at her door. "Please, enter," she allowed. The one to come in was Masataka. "Ah, Zangetsu-kun!" She blushed. "What brings you here?"

"Sonken-sama, how are you feeling?" he asked her.

'I'm fine. Just worried about my sister," replied Sonken.

"Don't worry. The Inves simply startled her. She isn't harmed, just exhausted from her ordeal," he reported.

"That is good," smiled Sonken. "Thank you for saving Onee-sama."

"It's my duty, Sonken-sama," he bowed. "Anyway, I came to talk to you about the Inves that attacked your sister. I checked the records and I think there's something you should see." Another knock on the door was heard, interrupting the conversation.

"Come in," Sonken allowed and Sonsei entered. "Oh, Oba-ue."

"I'll leave you both to speak privately," Zangetsu bowed before leaving. "I'll share my findings with Shuyu-dono."

---

The air was still tense in the palace as night fell. Although Kanu had been for the moment cleared, suspicion still rested heavily on her since she was still a prime suspect. However, with Komei's deductions there were still many suspects in the palace and it made everyone suspicious of each other. Who was trustworthy? Who was responsible? Who could be lying in order to cover their tracks? Everyone was ready to lunge at shadows or worse, accuse someone else of being part of the conspiracy.

As Sonsaku slept to recover from the trauma of nearly getting killed by an Inves, someone snuck into her room. The guards didn't have to raise a ruckus since they let her right in. When the door opened, a figure entered and loomed over Sonsaku. They raised a poisoned needle over her when Sonsaku suddenly spoke, causing them to pause, "So, you've finally shown your true colors." Sonsaku opened her eyes and added, "I really hoped it wasn't you, Oba-ue."

"You..." Sonsei stepped back.

"You heard I had to take medicine to help me sleep, is that correct?" Sonsaku asked as she sat up, concealing her body with her blanket. "Did you really think a scare like that would really affect me all that much? Still, evenI didn't expect you of all people to try and kill me. It breaks my heart."

Sonsei froze as she felt the blade of a sword under her chin. It was Zangetsu's Musou Saber and the Armored War God himself was standing behind her. Despite wearing all white, he blended into the darkness quite well. He had been waiting in the shadows for her, expecting the assassin to come and try to finish the job that their Inves could not. That was when Shuyu entered with a couple of guards holding lanterns.

"Sonsei-sama, please excuse me, but we're taking you into custody for the crime of treason," said Shuyu, her eyes narrowed.

"And don't try anything funny," warned Zangetsu as his cold blade pressed against her throat.

"How did you know?" Sonsei demanded.

"You really shouldn't underestimate the benefits of keeping good records," Zangetsu answered. "The Inves that attacked Sonsaku-sama matches up to a Lockseed that was purchased a couple of months ago. After the attack, I went to check and found your name. Komori Inves are rare and only a few of them are connected to people high enough to be near or in the palace. Your name was at the top of that list. I then told Shuyu-dono and we set this whole thing up." He reached into her pocket and pulled out the Ichigo Lockseed which summoned the would-be killer Inves. "I guess we should confiscate this for evidence."

"I only did it for the sake of the kingdom! All this war will destroy us! The legacy of the Son family will be soaked in blood!" defended Sonsei as the guards took her arms.

"Maybe, but I will continue to pursue my mother's last wish," said Sonsaku resolutely. She ordered, "Take her away."

"I'll go," Zangetsu volunteered as the guards restrained Sonsei. "Shuyu-dono, if you wouldn't mind, could you stay with Sonsaku-sama?"

"You don't even have to ask," smiled Shuyu as Sonsei was escorted out of Sonsaku's bed chamber by the guards.

---

And thus the case was solved. Actually, Shuyu had also been informed by one of the royal vassals who had infiltrated the group conspiring to assassinate Sonsaku. Once Sonsei was captured, the rest who were involved were identified and also apprehended and would soon be tried for their crimes.

Masataka went to thank the man himself with Shuyu. His name was Chosho Shifu, an older noble who was still loyal to Sonsaku. He was a smaller old man, but had the face of a trustworthy grandfather who you couldn't help but love. He had been a retainer for the Son family for some time, having watched all the Son children grow up over the years. Out of anyone who knew them, he could claim that he knew them best.

"So, it's really over," Chosho said in relief as he had tea with Shuyu and Masataka. "That's good."

"Thanks to you we prevented a tragedy," Masataka said gratefully.

"No need to thank me, Zangetsu-sama. It's my duty," Chosho said. "Although, they did make good points."

"About Sonsaku-sama's ambition?" Shuyu asked.

"Her ambitions will spill so much blood," he said with a sigh.

Masataka stated, "There's an old saying in my world:'you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs'. Sonsaku-sama is aware of the consequences if she pursues her ambition. However, she does so for the sake of the people. The bloodshed that follows is just a necessary evil. An unavoidable consequence."

"Indeed," Shuyu agreed. "The path she has chosen has made her enemies both from within and without. She knows this and she is still going through with it. All we can do is support her as much as we can. She needs us."

"Well said," Chosho nodded. "It's good to know Hakufu-chan is in such good hands."

---

The next morning saw Sonsaku back on her throne, looking as beautifully imperial as she ever was. However, unlike when they first met when Kanu and the others returned her sister, her face was in a deep frown. The court was in full session as Shuyu and Sonken stood at her sides. At the sides of the room were her other members of the court such as Kannei and Rikuson. Masataka was of course there and Sonshoko had nabbed a seat beside him, wanting the comfort of a sibling since she knew what was about to happen was bad. Kanu, Nagata, Chouhi, and Komei were invited to attend, since they were about to face the ones who nearly had Kanu punished for an attempted assassination merely because they timed it while she was there.

Standing in the middle of the room, below Sonsaku were four men, all of them retainers who had served the Son Family for some time. According to Chosho, they had all taken part with Sonsei to overthrow Sonsaku so they could stop what she saw as the destruction of Go as they knew it. They were all nervous, because they knew they were busted and with them having signed a covenant, they could not deny their involvement.

"I am very, very saddened and disappointed in all of you," Sonsaku frowned, beginning to speak. "I understand that you did not like my method of rule. I also accepted your insights and complaints, using them to better my policies during these trying times. To find out that you all planned to murder me so that my aunt could take control. That breaks my heart and my mother would've been disappointed in all of you. Do any of you have anything to say in your defense?"

"Sonsaku-sama!" one of the men cried. "You must understand! We did it for the good of the kingdom! Your constantly leading us to war has exhausted the citizenry! They surely will not take this for much longer! Farmers cannot farm! Workers cannot work! They are all too busy fighting and dying for your ludicrous ambitions! For the sake of the kingdom we had to do this! If you would just stop with the senseless wars!"

Sonsaku sighed, shaking her head. The truth was right in front of them but they could not see it. She had tried explaining it several times but she absolutely could not get through to them. Was it because she was a woman? Because she would not bend to their wishes? Because it looked like they were being ignored? She did not know. Lifting her head, she prepared to pass sentence.

"Sonsaku-sama, would you allow me a word?" asked Masataka, interrupting the proceedings.

"Always, Zengetsu-kun," Sonsaku smiled gently. "Perhaps the word of Heaven will bring greater enlightenment than my own."

Masataka gave Sonshoko's hand a comforting squeeze before he stood up and stood at the front of the stair to the throne. It was not enough to block Sonsaku's view from below, but enough so he could be seen. He looked at the four men, bitterly angry with all of them but at the same time refusing to let the slander against Sonsaku continue any longer.

"You all claim that Sonsaku-sama is leading Go to eventual ruin. That for every gain she makes in the campaigns eventually she will make a move she cannot succeed at which will spell doom for everyone under her. Or you claim that the citizens will get fed up with her methods and attempt a revolt. Is that your reasoning?"

"Yes! Yes!" cried one of the four men."You, the Armored War God can see it! Why can't you tell her that!"

Masataka frowned deeper, causing the men to gulp. He didn't comment, but continued speaking, "As of right now, the province of Go is prospering. Sonsaku-sama's campaigns are costly, and there is bloodshed. However, for each victory the Province of Go and the Son family gain more resources, more skilled workers, more farmers, more territory. My own contributions of the Lockseeds and the Inves have allowed the men to risk their lives less in battle, and the Inves are currently being trained to handle smaller tasks to assist the farmers and the workers to ease their burden. The influx of money from this new product has also ensured that Sonsaku-sama does not have to hike taxes, or slash budgets elsewhere in the kingdom. The people are weary of fighting, but they suffer from nothing else! Not poverty, not exhaustion, and not invasion!"

Shuyu leaned down to Sonsaku, "He understands. It is a good thing we have each other, or we may be competing for him."

"Indeed," Sonsaku agreed. "Fortunately, I have someone in mind so he can move on from us."

"Your way is to simply have Go remain the same. Raise an adequate defence and merely sit back and let the days pass," Masataka continued. "That way you all can continue to remain in your preferred positions, not stepping on anyone's toes, and control the country while still pulling in your wealth and resources. You are upset because Sonsaku-sama has upset your preferred lifestyles and has cut back on your earnings and putting them towards the campaign effort. Upset because with every territory claimed, we risk the attention of a province like Gi to notice and eventually attack us." Chosho had reported that while the men claimed that they were doing it for the good of the nation, they were upset because they were not retaining the power they were used to and risking the affluent lifestyles they had gotten used to. They wanted to remain wealthy and powerful and could not do that with Sonsaku directly taking the reigns and not listening to their advice. Sonsei just took advantage of that to create her coup.

"I can see why he is held in such high favor," Kanu murmured. "He is a natural leader."

"Yeah. He may be the key for Sonsaku to achieve her dream," Nagata nodded.

"There is one thing wrong with your thinking," Masataka stared down the men who were looking indignant. "While all of you would remain content to sit here and grow round and fat with the spoils of your position, the rest of the country would be in chaos. Bandits roam through the chaos freely and provinces strike at each other to claim territory and power. Eventually, one province is going to overcome all the others and if Go were to sit back and avoid conflict, we would be conquered by a vastly larger, more financed, and better equipped army. Go would be erased for the sake of this larger power. That is why Sonsaku-sama goes to war, so that Go can gain strength for that coming battle and so that it may win and unify the country, ending the chaos, banditry, and wars so that the younger ones will not have to fear it happening to them!"

Sonken gasped a the speech, but it finally became clear. Looking to her older sister who was smiling sadly, Sonken had her revelation. Her sister was trying to unify the country so that all the pointless wars, fighting, and chaos would stop! So that she and Sonshoko wouldn't have to deal with such things when their time to rule came! Even if it would cause many of the conquered to consider her a demon, she would do it so that her family would not have to do it themselves were the chaos to continue!

"Onee-sama," Sonken trembled.

The four retainers were not so moved. All four merely saw Sonsaku as risking the well-being of the province for some impossible dream and they were not going to let their wealth and status get plundered by vengeful provinces or civilians looking to end the fighting that shouldn't have begun in the first place. As one, they reached into their robes before all of them produced Lockseeds which were hidden within. Simultaneously, they unlocked their Lockseeds, opening portals within the throne room. At the sight of the portals zipping open, everyone was immediately on high alert as they knew what was coming. Four Inves in their Evolved States leapt out of the portals stood around the four retainers as if defending them. They were a Byakko Inves, a Seiryu Inves, a Suzaku Inves and a Genbu Inves.

The first was the dragon that took the east side, wrapping around itself with a reptilian hiss. It looked everything like it's mythic namesake, save for the fact its skin looked like tarnished copper, a dark rusted green. Copper flame decorations rose up from its shoulder and hind legs. It even had a ring of those flames on its back like a decoration. Azure blue flames belched from its mouth as it roared.

The west side had a large tiger, snarling at the people around it. Although its legs were white with black strikes, most of its body was covered in a thick armor that looked like jade, decorating it like the Chinese would their tiger statues. Large spines rose from its back and its claws looked especially sharp as they glinted in the light.

At the front of the group was a shrieking bird. Although it had red feathers coming from its wings and long crimson tail feathers, the majority of its body was covered in tarnished green copper much like the Seiryuu Inves. It shared a distinct similarity with a phoenix, complete with the crimson cinders which fell from its feathers with each flap of its wings.

Lastly at the back of the room was a massive turtle which looked to be made entirely made of jade which was lined with black obsidian, making it harder to tell where the creature ended and its shell began. It's neck extended from its body as it let out a deep rumbling call, stomping the floor and causing the polished wood to bend and groan under its weight.

"I thought you had them searched!" Masataka exclaimed to the guards then grimaced as he took out his SengokuDriver. "Get the royal family out of here, now!" he ordered.

"We won't be taken alive!" one retainer shouted. "And if we are to be punished, we will kill Sonsaku first!"

"Dammit!" Nagata cursed. These men were desperate and using the Inves to not only get away with their crimes but to finish their plan. "Aisha, Rinrin, get yourselves and Shuri out of here!" He strapped on his SengokuDriver. The portals were still open which was going to be a problem if they weren't closed soon. Not only had these four Inves been drawn by the Lockseeds, more lower level Inves may even wander towards the open portals from the Helheim Forest.

"Henshin!" both young men called out as they ran for the four Evolved Inves.

[ORANGE!]

[MELON!]

[LOCK ON!]

[SOIYA! ORANGE ARMS! HANAMICHI ON STAGE!]

[SOIYA! MELON ARMS! TENKA GOMEN!]

The two transformed into their armored forms and took the fight to the four advancing Inves while their masters sunk to the back of the room, clutching their Lockseeds tightly and more than happy with the proceedings. The more Inves invading the palace, the more chance that Sonsaku and her family would go down, paving the way for them or the puppet of their choice.

Gaim leaped at the Suzaku Inves, trying to slash at its torso with his swords, but sparks met his attempts as the metal armor of the Inves rebuffed his attempts. Zangetsu wasn't meeting much more success as the Byakko Inves attempted to devour him and he blocked the blows with his Melon Defender.

The Seiryuu and Genbu Inves were not so limited and began their own assaults. The Seiryuu Inves belched out fireballs of azure flame, burning several fixtures in the room as its tail smashed a hole on a wall. Meanwhile the Genbu Inves was merely stomping its feet, causing the ground to shake and the entire palace to rumble.

"That damn turtle is going to bring down the whole palace if we don't kill it or send it back! I'm not picky as to which!" Gaim shouted.

"Tsk!" Zangetsu hissed, blocking another strike before shooting at the Byakko Inves' face, causing it to roar and back off in pain. Seeing his opening, he backed away to the back of the room, "Gaim! Tell me you have Suika!"

"Yeah!" Gaim replied before he got swatted away by the Suzaku Inves' wings and landed on his back near Zangetsu. The white Rider helped him to his feet. "Thanks."

"No problem, but its time you break out that watermelon. Otherwise we're not going to be able to win this one," Zangetsu huffed, turning back to the four approaching Inves. Gaim nodded and plucked the proper Lockseed off of his belt and clicked it open.

[SUIKA!]

"Alright!" Gaim switched his Lockseeds when he heard it.

[SUIKA!]

He looked and saw Zangetsu holding an unlocked Suika Lockseed himself.

"You too, huh?" Gaim asked as Zangetsu nodded as he clipped his Suika Lockseed into the Sengoku Driver before hitting the Cutting Blade.

[LOCK ON!]

[SOIYA! SUIKA ARMS! ODAMA BIG BANG!]

Two massive portals opened up before twin giant watermelons came crashing down behind the Riders as their previous Arms vanished. The machines opened on the top, allowing the Riders to jump inside of them. Once the tops closed, both machines came to life before beginning to transform and form their humanoid figures.

[YOROI MODE!]

Now with the size to match, both Suika Arms wearing Riders engaged their opponents once more.

"We need to take this fight outside!" Zangetsu shouted. If they destroyed the Inves inside the palace, the resulting explosions would destroy the entire throne room. With the structural damage done with the weight of the monsters already, they could risk collapsing the palace.

"Let's make an exit then!"

The two mecha charged at the four Inves, slamming into them with heavy force equal to that of charging trains. The Seiryuu and Suzaku Inves were unable to push back and were smashed into the Genbu and Byakko Inves, sending all four Inves crashing into the far wall. Naturally, it couldn't resist the force and weight pressed against it and soon they all smashed through, crushing another room before they smashed through the entryway and began tumbling down the stone steps, crashing onto the ground.

Both Riders landed in front of the creatures, both drawing their Suika Sojinto before they charged at the Inves. Gaim struck first, slashing at the Suzaku Inves, causing a flutter of feathers as it screeched and scrambled away to avoid taking more damage. Zangetsu took the fight back to the Byakko Inves, slashing several times and cracking through the jade shell covering the creature. It bellowed in pain and swiped at him, raking a line of sparks across the armor as Zangetsu leaped back to avoid the worst of it.

The Byakko Inves roared, smelling weakness before it charged once again, leaping at Zangetsu and knocking him over, crushing some of the decorating sculptures in the process. The Inves roared and raised its claw to strike at Zangetsu's head, but was quickly interrupted as it was bashed from the side by Gaim, breaking more of the jade armor as it skidded across the cobblestone, struggling to right itself.

"Sorry, but I'm in no mood to be showy!" Gaim shouted, hitting the Cutting Blade.

[SOIYA! SUIKA SQUASH!]

Gaim spun his blade in hand, empowering it before launching a green sphere at the Byakko Inves. It captured the beast, causing it to bellow and thrash about but the sphere managed to hold for the time being. Gaim saw his chance and charged forward before slashing several rapid strikes throw the melon and the beast inside. The Byakko Inves roared before the melon cracked and exploded in a shower of flames and watermelon juice.

"One down!" Gaim shouted

He then got blasted in the face by a blue fireball as the Seiryuu Inves slid across the ground towards the pair. Gaim slapped at his face with his mechanical fist to put out the flames. As his eyes adjusted, the dragonesque creature lashed out with its tail and sent Gaim sprawling into the wall, caving it in. The Inves slithered forward, its mouth lighting up with more blue flame before a double-handed axe strike landed on its head, smashing it to the ground and causing the fireball to explode inside its mouth. Although the flames did not hurt it, the explosion itself did.

"Consider us even," Zangetsu called before he grabbed the Inves by the tail and began swinging it around. After several rotations, he threw it into the Genbu Inves which was slowly stomping away from the fight, causing tremors as it went. Both Inves went down in a heap, tangling with each other in their attempts to get up.

"And I thought Genbu was supposed to be good with snakes," Gaim joked, pulling himself up.

"Joke later! Kill Inves now!" Zangetsu called back. Both Riders picked their targets and hit the Cutting Blades again.

[SOIYA! SUIKA AU LAIT!]

Both mechas began spinning their weapons, generating large spheres of energy that looked like watermelons. Once those spheres were large enough to cover the Suika Sojinto both Riders threw their weapons like chakram. They cut through the air cleanly and their aim was true. Gaim struck the Seiryuu Inves while Zangetsu hit the Genbu Inves. When the weapons struck, the energy melons split open like they were sliced as the weapons sliced through the two Inves. Both monsters gave out screams of pain before they promptly exploded as the Suika Sojintos returned to their owners' hands.

"Where's the last one?" asked Gaim, looking around.

"There!" Zangetsu pointed up.

The Suzaku Inves had taken to the air ,flapping its wings. It thought it would be safe in the sky, away from the walking machines that killed its brethren.

[GYRO MODE!]

It thought wrong as both Riders pursued it in the air. Their Suika Arms had transformed into the flying configuration and they attacked while the Suzaku Inves was trying to get away. They fired with their guns, pelting it with energy bullets to take it down. The Suzaku Ives lashed out with its flames in retaliation, shooting flaming feathers from its wings with every flap.

"Dammit! Figures this thing uses fire!" Zangetsu cursed.

"We're faster, but we can't get close to the thing!" Gam grunted as he swerved to avoid more blasts of fire.

Zangetsu spun, deflecting a feather, "I think I have an idea! Distract it!"

"Right!" Gaim opened fire on the Inves again, causing it to shriek and focus its attention on him. Zangetsu swerved away out of the monster's sight before he took to the skies above it. After taking a moment to adjust for where the creature was going to be for his plan, he quickly cut through the air and positioned himself properly. Once he felt like he couldn't miss, he hit the Cutting Blade three times and allowed the Lockseed to work it's magic.

[SOIYA! SUIKA SPARKING!]

Zangetsu's Suika Arms folded back up into its Odama Mode before becoming enveloped in green energy and dropped like a meteor through the sky. It spun as it went, creating destructive rotation as it went, forming the energy into a drill-like form as he went. The Suzaku Inves was too busy fighting Gaim to notice and thus it was made into an easy target for the white Rider's plan. Zangetsu came down like a comet before striking with the force of a meteorite. The Suzaku Inves screeched in pain before both fell to the ground and exploded just outside of the front gates to the palace, terrifying the civilians who dared come close to see what the noises inside were.

Zangetsu leaped from the flames, his Melon Arms back on his body. He was panting and in his hand was his Suika Lockseed which had turned gray from so much use. Above him, Gaim landed before abandoning his own machine, returning to his Orange Arms as it faded away.

"Kamen Rider Zangetsu...Authorized by Divine Providence," Zangetsu declared proudly as he raised his right arm, pointing to the sky.

"You okay?" asked Gaim, running to his fellow Rider. "Because...that was just insane!"

"It worked, didn't it?" asked Zangetsu. "Now come on! We have to arrest those four traitors and shut their Lockseeds before more Inves show up!"

---

In the end, they needn't have bothered. Gaim and Zangetsu both returned to the throne room to deal with the four men and the open portals, but the four dishonored men had vanished along with the portals. Fortunately, there weren't any Elementary Inves wandering around although a few of the flowers of Helheim were beginning to sprout from the cracks in the floor. They would have to burn them out to ensure that they didn't spread.

"You don't think they went into the Helheim Forest, do you?" Gaim began.

"In their desperation, probably. If they did then they're damn fools," sighed Zangetsu. "That just means they won't be a problem anymore."

"So you're not going in after them?" Gaim asked evenly.

"They must pay the consequences for their actions. The punishment for treason is death. This way, the Helheim Forest will do the work for us," replied Zangetsu. "Sonsaku-sama would have had them executed for their treason anyway. This just saves her the hassle."

---

In the Helheim Forest, the four former vassals were celebrating their freedom. While they had failed, they managed to escape. Now they just needed to hide someplace and make new plans to overthrow Sonsaku and her family, replacing the ruler with someone they could control.

"I think we've run far enough, open a new portal," said one of them. Another clicked open their Lockseed, however nothing happened. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"It's not working!"

"Somebody else try!"

They were now in the middle of the Helheim Forest with no way out as Inves lurked around them. One thing was for certain. Their fate was already sealed. Either the Inves would get to them or the temptation of the fruit would.

---

Once more, the aftermath was not pretty. The throne room was destroyed and the floor had to be pulled up and burned to keep the Helheim flowers from spreading. The Son Family were all relieved to see that Zangetsu had survived, Sonken and Sonshoko almost squeezing him to death in their arms with hugs. Chouhi and Komei almost did the same with Gaim and Kanu would have helped them. As part of a way to say thanks for assisting in saving the Son family (and apologize to Kanu for accusing her) Sonsaku chartered transport across the river for the group of travellers. Sonken apologized deeply for her conduct, but Kanu easily forgave her, reminding Sonken to not forget about her heart as a ruler, but learn from any mistakes she may make along the way so that she could grow into a better ruler. Komei and Rikuson had their own tearful goodbye, sad to have to leave a fellow scholar. Choumei and Sonshoko said goodbye in their own special way, by butting heads and declaring that when they met again they would have their breast contest. Nagata said his goodbyes, but Masataka was too busy with matters to say his own. Nagata didn't mind since he wasn't sure if he liked the white Rider. His policies, although brutal and likely leading to conflict, would help the Province of Go in the long run. It didn't mean he had to like it.

Of course, Kanu was quite happy to leave after one last issue that popped up.

"I can't believe we had to go through that registration process," sighed Kanu as they rode the boat together.

"It's bureaucratic nightmare, I know," Nagata agreed, "But rules are rules." Nagata was exempt since he was an Armored War God, but his friends and travelling companions needed to have their Lockseeds recorded and their ownership registered. The Lockseeds had been confiscated from them so Kanu, Chouhi and Komei had to fill out all the necessary paperwork and submit it before they could have their Lockseeds returned. They had to fill them out in triplicate too. Then, they would receive licenses for Lockseed ownership.

It was a tedious affair, of course, but Nagata considered the licenses a memorable souvenir.

---

Later that night, Masataka was once again at the balcony. He wondered how many more people were dissatisfied with Sonsaku, plotting against her in the shadows. He would need to remain vigilant. They had been lucky with the last plot, word of it reaching sympathetic ears and giving them forewarning.

"Zangetsu-kun?"

Masataka turned his head to see Sonken walking over to join him. "Ah, Sonken-sama. What brings you here?"

"I'm just taking a break from my studies," she said as she stretched. "What about you?"

"Just thinking," he replied. He looked up, "The moon looks beautiful tonight, doesn't it? It looks like a perfect night for a drink with company."

"That can be arranged," Sonken smiled. Opening a door, she whispered an order to a servant inside and quickly she returned with a tray with a bottle of sake and two cups. "Here we go."

"Swift," Masataka chuckled. The two took a seat and stared out at the sky as they enjoyed the drinks. "Today was hectic. It will take us a week at least to get the throne room repaired if we focus directly on it. We were lucky Gaim was visiting to help us or it could have been worse."

"Yes," Sonken agreed. "I also learned today why my sister is going to such lengths to unite the country."

"Yes. As part of your late mother's dream, but also to end the chaos which so many are taking advantage of," Masataka nodded. "Sonsaku-sama wishes you and Shao-chan to be free of such things until you two eventually begin to rule your own territories."

Sonken nodded sadly, "I've been blind. I only took notice of the immediate consequences of her actions. I never considered what the long term goal could be. I am no better than those four traitors."

"No, you are much better than them," Masataka insisted. "They whined and complained because they had their lives of riches and finery disrupted by Sonsaku-sama taking the initiative in ensuring the province's future. You were worried for the future of your family, fearing that if Sonsaku-sama pushed too much, it would cause retaliation and the province would not be able to take it or the people would revolt."

"Yes," Sonken nodded.

"Then you worried for the right reasons, reminding Sonsaku-sama that she has to take things carefully or else thing will fall apart," Masataka continued. "You were not being selfish. You just were ensuring one point of view which Sonsaku-sama needed to see."

Sonken was silent and Masataka was quiet so to allow her to think. After several moments, she suddenly cupped Masataka's chin and turned his head to face her. She then gave him a tender kiss on the lips. It was surprising, but it was pleasant and neither of them moved for a moment. When that moment ended, Sonken, blushing as bright as the moon, stood up and ran back into the palace without saying a word.

Masataka watched her leave before he touched his lips. Once she was gone, he turned his gaze back up to the moon. "I sure hope I won't need to use this," he whispered to himself as he reached into his pocket and took out a Melon Lockseed with a clear casing and marked E.L.S.-04.

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KRS: And so far we've introduced all the Riders except for Bravo. However, don't worry. We've got plans for Mr. Dangerous! Anyway, hopefully you've enjoyed this chapter as much as did writing it. As you can see, Zangetsu's been a very busy boy here in Go. Also, is it likely that he would clash with Gaim due to a difference in ideals? Who knows? What I'm sure of is that at the end we know that he has something else that will probably play an important part in future events. He's just hoping he never has to use the power.

TFP: And now Zangetsu joins the group. However, he is really working his position and influencing events. It seems to be doing wonders for the Province of Go, but how will it affect the country at large? Having Inves in battle could change the course of events in the Three Kingdoms. Although they probably already have been changed with the introduction of the Armored War Gods and the RinJyuKen Akugata. Fate weaves an intricate tapestry, but once in a while someone pours bleach all over it and it has to begin again.

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Lost Scrolls of the RinJyuKen Akugata

Octopus-Ken: a rather flexible style which doesn't rely on raw strength, but flexibility and the momentum of strikes as if they were boneless. Users general have above-average flexibility and use their limbs as if they were whips in a strike rather than direct strikes like punches or kicks. A side effect of undergoing this training is that the users raise their endurance, like their bodies grow soft with the application of their inner beast making their bodies softer like a mollusk.

Doku Inku: Poison Ink a Ringi which exists in the advance arsenal of Octopus-Ken users. The users are capable of spewing a stream of ink-like rinki which is corrosive to the touch and can eat through almost any common material. It dilutes easily in water ironically. Still, a drawback to the technique is that it is filled with so much rinki that even the user is not immune to the acidic effects once they have generated the substance. Exercise caution when using this technique.

Takobōruburitto: Octopus Ball Bullet is a Ringi which rather than unleashing a stream of acidic ink unleashes a large sphere of it all at once. When the ball hits a target, the rinki inside of the ball grows unstable and explodes, sending the corrosive substance in all directions. Again, the ink is incredibly dangerous to even the user so caution must be exercised in using the technique. However, this technique does have the added advantage of covering a wider area in a smaller amount of time.

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Fruits of the Tree, Yggdrasil

Melon Arms: This is the armor generated by the Melon Lockseed (L.S.-04). To date, this is one of the most powerful Arms. Melon Arms gives the user superior offensive and defensive capabilities. Out of all the Arms weapons seen so far, the Melon Arms' Melon Defender is the only one with a defensive nature. However, the user may still use the Melon Defender as a throwing weapon and it will return like a boomerang. While not possessing the same range as Budou Arms, the defensive power of this Arms allows it to withstand any enemy. In addition, its overall power makes it a definite threat to enemies.