So yeah, like I said this is probably one of my favorite episodes in all of Gorenger. It's just hilarity at it's finest. You'll see for yourself. Disclaimer: I don't own Super Sentai, Shonen Jump, or any other referenced media.
*Five heroes in colored armor suits speed along in modified motorcycles as explosions go off around them. A rainbow stream forms a stylized number 5 as music picks up with our title screen.*
Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, the Shonen Beginning
*The five Gorengers drive in their special Machines along the street. The seen switches to them running together in a V formation.*
Under a bright red sun, fighting behind a mask!
Dan Green as Yugi Moto/Akarenger *Yugi is seen fighting using his Red Bute whip and attacking black suited soldiers called Zolders.*
These five only have one wish... For a bright blue sky!
Matthew Mercer as Jotaro Kujo/Kirenger *Jotaro throws a Zolder with some judo techniques before riding in the sidecar of the Blue Machine.*
Yellow storms blow through town, sweeping away all evil!
Shelley Calene-Black as Medaka Kurokami/Momorenger *Medaka takes out a Zolder before destroying a few more with her Earring Bombs.*
Bright pink on the cheeks of five smiling soldiers
Johnny Young Bosch as Ichigo Kurosaki/Midorenger *Ichigo launches his Midomerang to take out a Zolder while flipping another one.*
Revving up, follow the wind, all for that great green Earth! Go! (Go, go!)
Justin Cook as Yusuke Urameshi/Aorenger *Yusuke take out a few Zolders before firing his Blue Cherry longbow.*
Combine these five powers in one, and make greater power today!
*The mighty ship Variblune starts up as the Gorengers drive their Machines into it.*
Shout out the cry that brings you victory, Himitsu Sentai Gorenger!
*The Variblune takes off from its loading bay before flying above the city.*
Chapter 31: The Commander is a Curry Chef?
Iron Tube Mask, a member of the Black Cross Army, was leading yet another raid on EAGLE forces. "Attack my brothers!," he called out, his Zolders slaughtering the hapless soldiers and blowing up infrastructure. Iron Tube Mask laughed as he observed the chaos. "Who needs Temujin's leadership when I can clear out an EAGLE outpost all on my own?" He then noticed one EAGLE soldier struggling to aim a bazooka at him and laughed. "You want to shoot me? Go right ahead. I'll wait while you steady your aim." The soldier managed to fire off a shot. But while it took out the Zolders, Iron Tube Mask was completely unharmed.
The Mask Monster laughed. "Your pathetic weapons are useless against me!" The soldier collapsed in utter disbelief. During the assault, an emergency call had been sent to Yugi, who scrambled the Gorengers to provide aid. As they approached the site on the Ranger Machines, a sudden spray of mist stopped them in their tracks. "What on earth is that?," Jotaro wondered. He and Ichigo went to check it out, only for the spray to stop. "Ever get that ominous feeling deep in your gut?," Ichigo asked.
The others headed over. Yusuke knelt down to do an inspection. "It looked like it was belching out from some sort of pipe." Jotaro pushed the grass aside. "No sign of a pipe or tube or anything." The same sound went off again, Medaka turning in the direction of the noise. "Over there." They spotted more of the strange smoke rising from the ground. "Just what is that smoke?," Jotaro wondered, "And where's it coming from?" "Looks like it's moving," Ichigo noted. "Take caution," Yugi warned.
The smoke soon receded to reveal Iron Tube Mask and a few Zolders. Yugi smirked. "I had a feeling one Black Cross's Mask Monsters was here. We got the call just a few minutes ago." "How rude calling me a monster," Iron Tube Mask retorted indignantly, "I am known as Iron Tube Mask, a top agent of the great Black Cross Fuhrer." Yugi raised an eyebrow. "How surprising. Given recent trends I would have thought you'd be part of Iron Man Mask General Temujin's Iron Army."
"There are still some of us who answer to Black Cross Fuhrer directly," Iron Tube Mask clarified, "But that's beside the point. You five look awful fancy for EAGLE agents. Which can only mean you're that bunch of fools they call the Gorengers." "Us fools?," Jotaro said with a smirk, "Given our track record, I'd say fool is the last thing you can call us. For all the armed forces you've taken out you can't even beat five people running around in colored spandex." The other Gorengers looked at him in shock. "Well we are," Jotaro pointed out, "But that's Paris fashion compared to the vacuum hoses this guy's sporting."
Iron Tube Mask's hand went to the tubing on his head. "You dare to call my visage vacuum tubing!" He lashed out with a length of tube, forcing the team back as the Zolders moved in, only to get quickly dispatched. Yugi grabbed one Zolder for a human shield as Iron Tube Mask approached him. He made to attack with his tube weapon, only for Yugi to dodge out of the way. He and his team quickly got out their Ranger Buckles to transform. "Go!" Akarenger leapt onto a nearby lookout tower. "Now you face Akarenger!"
Aorenger took out a couple more Zolders with some elbow strikes. "And Aorenger!" Kirenger bear hugged a Zolder off the ground. "And Kirenger as well!" He tossed the Zolder to the ground, headbutting him as he tried to get up. Momorenger smacked down a couple Zolders. "Momorenger as well!" Midorenger slashed through a few Zolders with his Midomerang. "And don't forget... Midorenger!" Iron Tube Mask scoffed. "I'll take all of you down." "Red Bute!" Akarenger lashed his weapon against Iron Tube Mask's, creating a tug of war. The Mask Monster quickly managed to pull Akarenger down to the ground.
Kirenger then came charging in. "Megaton Headbutt!" Iron Tube Mask quickly whirled around and got his tubing wrapped around Kirenger's neck before rushing at him to slam the staff part of his weapon into Kirenger's stomach, knocking him to the ground. He laughed as Midorenger leapt in next. "Midomerang!" Image his shock when the Midomerang broke into pieces upon impact with Iron Tube Mask. Aorenger took down another Zolder before aiming at Iron Tube Mask. "Blue Cherry!" Iron Tube Mask scoffed as the arrows broke off on his chest. "Is that the best you can do!?"
"Looks like we'll have to go all out for this," Akarenger decided, "Momo, Gorenger Storm!" "So early?," Momorenger asked, "Well, if you say so!" The team got into formation as Momorenger got out the Storm Ball. "Gorenger Storm! Ki!" "Ao!" "Mido!" "Aka!" "Finish!" The Storm Ball impacted on Iron Tube Mask and exploded, but he emerged from the blast unscathed., cackling as he did. "That didn't hurt at all!" "Without his weakness the Gorenger Storm can't work on him," Momorenger pointed out. Akarenger nodded. "Alright, let's retreat for now." The team quickly hurried off.
Back in the Gorenger Room, the team went over the blueprints they had created after observing Iron Tube Mask. It turned out he was encased in a special metal, strong enough to protect him from both the Blue Cherry and Midomerang. Not even the Gorenger Storm proved strong enough. The Gorengers started upgrading all their gear in order to counter this new defense. It almost felt like every enemy they defeated granted them a bit more inspiration to upgrade their equipment and gain new power, and now it was starting to show itself in the wake of a nearly invincible opponent.
Meanwhile, Black Cross Fuhrer was allowing Iron Tube Mask an audience. "What is it you desire from me?" "It concerns the man who leads the Gorengers from behind the scenes," Iron Tube Mask explained. "Commander Edogawa, I know," Black Cross Fuhrer replied, "What about him? Do you know where he is?" "I believe so," Iron Tube Mask said, and he motioned for a spy to enter the chamber. "My intelligence network has led me to believe that Commander Edogawa is undercover as the master of the Snack Gon restaurant," the spy reported. Black Cross Fuhrer was skeptical. "Are you sure? This information is accurate?"
"With all due respect," the spy replied, "My information network is accurate in its data collection. I assure you the information is real." "Don't flatter yourself!," Iron Tube Mask warned, "But if your information is correct, we can kill Edogawa and build up the momentum needed to destroy EAGLE and the Gorengers all at once." "'If' being the operative word," Black Cross Fuhrer noted, "We've already had agents check out Snack Gon, and so far there seems to be nothing strange about the place. But inspect it if you must. And if this operation succeeds, Iron Tube Mask, then I shall make you a general alongside Temujin." Iron Tube Mask bowed in reverence.
Yoko was cleaning the counter at Snack Gon when a maintenance man entered. "Good morning, Madame. I'm here to check the gas equipment." "Of course," Yoko said, "It's right here behind the counter." The man nodded and went behind the counter. He was actually the Black Cross spy, and used the opportunity to place a device inside the stove. "Everything looks to be in order. Thank you for your time." As he was leaving, Master Gon stepped in. "Sorry for being so late. I overslept." The spy tipped his hat as he left. "Good day." Gon nodded before turning to Yoko. "So who was that?"
"That was the gas inspector," Yoko explained, "So, you were working late last night?" "Yeah, I was," Gon admitted. Yoko nodded. "Shouldn't you turn on the rice cooker? I already had the rice rinsed." "Ah, thank you," Gon said. Once he turned the stove on, the device hidden inside it activated, unleashing a potent sleeping gas. As Gon and Yoko started coughing from the gas, Iron Tube Mask and his Zolders barged in. "Hurry and take him! Leave the woman to inform the Gorengers!"
Yoko started to lose consciousness as the Zolders dragged off Master Gon. She managed to hit the emergency button on the side of the phone, alerting the team inside the Gorenger Room. Barging into the cafe, Ichigo quickly went for the windows. "Hey, where's Master Gon!?," Jotaro called out. "Yoko!," Medaka said, "Are you okay!?" Yoko coughed as the room started to clear. "The Black Cross Army came here... They abducted Master Gon..." The team realized what must have happened.
Edogawa woke up to the sight of Iron Tube Mask. 'This must be a Black Cross Army hideout,' he realized, 'Somehow they tracked my undercover identity. I should be able to trick them into thinking they're wrong long enough for Aka and the others to find me.' "Good morning," Iron Tube Mask said, "Commander Edogawa." Edogawa seamlessly assumed his Master Gon persona. "Huh...? Hey, where am I?" "You're at one of the Black Cross Army's bases," Iron Tube Mask explained. Gon looked confused. "Black Cross what now...? I don't think I've heard of them."
Iron Tube Mask was shocked. "How can you not have heard of the famous Black Cross Army!? Don't you read the local papers!? Our organization is infamous across Japan for its wicked deeds!" Gon shrugged. "I don't read papers that much. Except for the sports page. And the funnies." Iron Tube Mask growled. "Do it!" The spy nodded and turned to Gon. "Quit acting!" He slapped Gon across the cheek. Now, Edogawa was a trained soldier, and a slap like that would only sting. But as part of his undercover identity he had trained himself to react to physical violence the way an average person would. "Ouch! That hurt! You're violating basic human rights here! I could call the police on you!"
The spy growled and grabbed Gon, but Iron Tube Mask held him back. "It's in your best interest to stop playing innocent before it's too late. Turn the power on!" A Zolder turned on the device Gon was strapped to, shocking him. Iron Tube Mask couldn't help but be baffled at the hilarious way Gon reacted to being shocked with such a large voltage. He turned to the spy. "I'm starting to understand Black Cross Fuhrer's skepticism." "I'm telling you, this is all an act!," the spy insisted, "My information is never wrong!"
"Why would Black Cross go so far as to abduct the commander?," Yugi wondered. "Well, either they only wanted Master Gon to make them some curry," Jotaro joked, "Or, more seriously, they're hoping to drive us to the last ditch. But how did they tie Edogawa to Master Gon in the first place?" "Either way," Ichigo said, "Iron Tube Mask thinks he's scored a victory. With the commander held hostage, they'll aim to attack us immediately." "But they can't prove Master Gon and Commander Edogawa are one and the same," Yusuke pointed out, "We're the only ones who know that for sure."
"Exactly," Medaka added, "After all, unless they can get him to confess, which is unlikely, he's just an old man from a curry shop." Yoko nodded. "He's trained himself well in preparation for his undercover assignment." "And until they can get their proof, Black Cross can't make a move," Yugi said, "For now, our best bet is remain inactive unless an emergency comes in. Any aggression on Black Cross until such time would only give them proof of their convictions."
"So we're just leaving the commander to the lions?," Jotaro asked, "Cuz I'm not eager to go cold turkey on his curry." Yugi smiled. "Don't worry. They won't kill him that easily. And we can use this time to improve the Gorenger Storm New Power Operation. I'm certain they'll get in touch with us at some point. After all, sooner or later they'll get frustrated that their hostage isn't giving them what they want, forcing their hand to find proof under any circumstances. That'll be our only chance to rescue the commander."
Iron Tube Mask was getting annoyed at Gon doing little more than act like a marionette on strings due to the device. "Stubborn bastard! Increase the voltage!" The Zolder complied, but all that happened was that Gon seemed to pass out from the sudden shock. Iron Tube Mask facepalmed. "What's it gonna take to crack this nut? We have to make him confess at all costs! My promotion is on the line! Get some water! Wake him up with it!" A large jug of water was poured over Gon's head. As he stirred, Iron Tube Mask grabbed his chin. "Now I'll ask again. Are you Commander Edogawa?"
He leaned in close, only to get sprayed when Gon spat out some of the water which had gotten into his mouth. "I asked for that...," the Mask Monster muttered. Gon gave a few coughs to clear his throat. "Seriously, I don't know anything about this commander or the Gorengers. I'm just a simple curry chef." Iron Tube Mask growled and grabbed Gon's collar. "Oh just admit it already!" "Seriously, what evidence do you have of all this?," Gon asked, "What about me says I have anything to do with the Gorengers?"
Iron Tube Mask paused, and he turned to the spy. "Well for starters the Gorengers keep coming to Snack Gon!," the spy pointed out, "You should know them! Yugi Moto, Yusuke Urameshi, Jotaro Kujo, Medaka Kurokami and Ichigo Kurosaki!" "They're all my regulars," Gon pointed out, "Especially Jotaro. Comes everyday for several large curries." "This is getting us nowhere," Iron Tube Mask said, "Turn the power on again!" He groaned when all that happened was that Gon passed out again, in a rather hilarious manner. "The Fuhrer's gonna have my hide for this if we don't do something drastic..."
Back at Snack Gon, a sign was placed saying the cafe was temporarily closed until the owner returned. The Black Cross spy, now wearing a different disguise, passed by carrying a sign that read, "Snack Black Grand Opening Today!" He noted the sign over Snack Gon. "Temporarily closed... Hmm..." He walked into a nearby alley and got out a two-way radio. "Snack Gon is reporting a temporary closing." 'You need to find the Gorengers,' Iron Tube Mask replied. "Roger," the spy replied.
He continued to walk with his sign, passing by Medaka. He recognized her just as she walked by and carefully moved to follow her. He tried to stay inconspicuous as Medaka checked out a few stores along the street. "There's no point hiding," Medaka said quietly, "I already know who you work for." She held up a mirror to observe the spy, smirking at his shocked expression. He nonetheless walked over and handed her a paper. "For you, Miss." "Thank you," she said, taking the paper. She opened the paper, which was a demand to come to Hell Valley. 'So that's where they'll be... I'd better tell the others.'
With the information on where Black Cross was, the Gorengers headed out on their Ranger Machines. A couple of Zolders were on patrol when they spotted the incoming Gorengers. "They're here. Contact Iron Tube Mask." Soon enough Iron Tube Mask came up onto the plateau. "Ah, right on time." The Ranger Machines soon pulled to a stop as the Gorengers took off their helmets. "Alright, Iron Tube Mask, we're here. Now why did you go to the trouble of calling us out?"
"I have something good to show you," Iron Tube Mask said with a chuckle, "Bring him over!" Gon was dragged over, his arms bound with rope. "Hey, watch it! You're hurting me!" Yugi looked confused. "You brought us out here to show us that you kidnapped the master of our favorite curry shop? A bit underwhelming for Black Cross." "Don't play dumb!," Iron Tube Mask demanded, "We know this man is your boss, Commander Edogawa." "Commander Edogawa?," Jotaro asked, "I don't think I know that name. We answer directly to EAGLE High Command. Hey, Master! This is a bad place to be making curry rice!"
The team all started laughing. Iron Tube Mask growled as he grabbed Gon by the collar. "See?," Gon pleaded, "Even they don't me beyond my curry shop." Iron Tube Mask scoffed. "Oh, you won't be able to keep that up for long! We'll see who confesses first." The spy held a knife up to Gon's neck. "Whelp," Jotaro said, "Guess we'll have to find a new cafe to hang out in. After we avenge a fallen innocent of course." Yugi nodded. "Yeah. Especially since they're making it clear they'll be killing the Master either way."
They started to walk forward. "Don't move!," Iron Tube Mask warned, "Do you want to see your commander die?" "Not really," Yugi admitted, "Good thing he's not here right now." Iron Tube Mask backed up a little as the Gorengers kept walking, not heeding his warning. "I'm telling you guys," Gon pleaded, "You've got the wrong man." The unflinching, unyielding walk of the Gorengers was really start to freak out Iron Tube Mask. "I mean it!," he pleaded, "I'll will kill him if you don't stop!"
Still the Gorengers kept walking. "Damn it," the Mask Monster muttered, "Maybe we really do have the wrong man." He turned to the spy. "You're bogus information lead us right to a nobody! And cost me a promotion!" He knocked Gon aside and started wailing on the spy. "I'll see you sent to the execution chamber for this!" "Now's our chance!," Yugi called out, "Team, Ranger Buckles!" "Go!" The spy managed to get away from Iron Tube Mask and over to Gon. "I'm going to be executed because of you! I'll make sure you pay!" He never got the chance, Aorenger cold-clocking him as Midorenger got Gon away from the action.
Iron Tube Mask growled. "Now they choose to rescue him!? What's up with these guys!?" He then noticed the team getting into formation. "Akarenger!" "Aorenger!" "Kirenger!" "Momorenger!" "Midorenger!" "The five assembled!" "Gorenger!" "It doesn't matter that I didn't get your commander," Iron Tube Mask decided, "I can still salvage the situation by taking you out here and now! I may get that promotion yet. Attack!" The Zolders came swarming in, the Gorengers moving to stop the assault. "Red Bute!" Akarenger's whip struck down several Zolders who came charging at him.
Kirenger sent a few more Zolders tumbling down a nearby hill while Aorenger knocked another off a platform. Momorenger took notice of a large group charging in and pulled off one of her earrings. "Sakura Bomb!" The blast took out the entire squad as Momorenger dispatched a couple more Zolders. Midorenger took out a couple Zolders before grabbing one in an armbar. "What if a squid stands upside down in the ocean? What will it become?" The Zolder thought for a moment. "A clam?" "Correct!," Midorenger replied, rewarding the Zolder with a chop to the gut before throwing him into the air.
Iron Tube Mask was fuming at the lose of his troops. His threw his weapon into the air, where it defied gravity long enough for him to use it like a gymnastic bar. Kirenger was a bit surprised. "What's up with the Ultra C?" "I'm training for the Montreal Olympics!," Iron Tube Mask quipped. "How's this for training!?," Akarenger called out, "Red Bute!" He grabbed the bar with his whip and pulled it and Iron Tube Mask down to the ground. The Mask Monster brandished his weapon, Akarenger dodging every strike.
Kirenger lifted a large rock over his head and threw it at Iron Tube Mask. The Mask Monster managed to deflect it, but he was caught off-guard by a second one, which knocked him to the ground. "Blue Cherry!" Aorenger bolt pinning Iron Tube Mask's cape to the ground. "Hey, watch it! That cape's expensive!" He lashed out with his weapons as the Gorengers charged at him, taking a few lashes from the Red Bute. He finally managed to shake Akarenger off and get to his feet, boiling mad. "I've had all I can stand! Now I'll show you my real strength!" "He's vulnerable from the sides," Akarenger noted to his team.
"Allow me to provide an opening," Kirenger said. He charged at Iron Tube Mask and grappled against his weapon, successfully gaining ground. Meanwhile Edogawa peered out from behind a large boulder. "He's getting way too hyped up about this." Iron Tube Mask managed to shake Kirenger off and activate the vacuum function of his weapon. Unfortunately, he wound up sticking it to Kirenger's rear. "Hey! At least do that to a woman!" Momorenger reflexively covered her own rear end. Iron Tube Mask chuckled. "I'll drill you a new rear end! And I won't be detaching it, no matter what!"
Kirenger started running around as the drill started. "Red Bute!" Akarenger lashed out with his whip, Iron Tube Mask grabbing it with his free hand. But this was what Akarenger was counting on. "Ki! Run faster!" "Like I need motivation!?," Kirenger called out indignantly, he and Akarenger running circles around Iron Tube Mask. He soon found himself getting dizzy. "I think I'll need to retract my earlier statement...," he muttered. Edogawa sighed. "I was afraid of something like this..."
He spotted Aorenger running by and stopped him. "Ao. I was able observe Iron Tube Mask during my captivity. The pipes on his head are his weakness." Aorenger chuckled. "Aren't you supposed to be a curry chef for today? But thanks for the info." He ran over to Midorenger and Momorenger. "Mido, aim for the pipes." "Got it," Midorenger said. He got out his Midomerang, modified with extra blades on the edge. "Midomerang!" He threw the boomerang and sliced through the pipes on Iron Tube Mask's weapon, freeing Kirenger. "Finally! Now you're gonna get it! Megaton Headbutt!"
Iron Tube Mask suddenly found himself slammed to the ground, Kirenger having smashed into his midsection. He got up and growled. "What the hell!? Last time I completely outmatched you!" "Time's change!," Momorenger called out, "Sakura Bomb!" Her modified bombs were designed with a special scattershot that pierced through Iron Tube Mask's metal armor, causing him to serious damage from the blast. "We've got him on the ropes!," Akarenger declared, "Ao, take the shot!" "Got it!," Aorenger replied, bringing out a modified Blue Cherry with a special, "Reel Rewinding Cherry!"
The bolt stuck to Iron Tube Mask's head, and while he did remove it, the special reel attachment stayed stuck thanks to a suction cup. "What the heck is this!?" "Our final trump card!," Akarenger declared, "Momo, Gorenger Storm New Power Operation!" "It's all ready!," Momorenger replied. The team got into formation. "Gorenger Storm Reel Shoot! Ki!" "Mido!" "Ao!" "Aka!" The whole time, the reel stuck to Iron Tube Mask's head kept spinning. Akarenger leapt up for the kicker. "Finish!"
Iron Tube Mask realized the reel was reeling in the Storm Ball, making it impossible to dodge. That meant the ball was now stuck on his head. Unable to escape a second time, Iron Tube Mask frantically ran around like a headless chicken before the Storm Ball exploded, annihilating the seemingly invincible Iron Tube Mask once and for all. The Gorengers and Edogawa watched the sun setting on their victory. "It's beautiful...," Medaka said, "Almost like the sun doesn't want to set." "But it will have to soon," Edogawa noted, "And then rise again on a new dawn. Come on, Gorengers. Let's head home." The Gorengers knew it was their fate to fight evil until it was gone, but they were ready to face it, no matter the cost.
To be continued...
I just love how the Gorengers make an absolute mockery of Iron Tube Mask in the second half. He really should have gathered more evidence instead of just trying the interrogation route. Read and review.