Reviews:
Demon dark mezzo sangue: I'm glad you've been enjoying the series so far. I hope you enjoy it going forwards.
WeAreTheWord: Don't worry, he's going to get his.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: THANK YOU, BUDDY! You get it! And yeah, it's not looking good for Yaiba right now.
Bahamut0: Glad you've been enjoying the chapters. It's going uphill from here.
Raven Soriano: We're not doing more gun-based AttacheWeapons in the story. If we did, it'd be 3:1 gun-to-other weapon ratios.
Zeryo: Okay, here's the thing. Japan doesn't know how to do lance-based weapons. They think they're like a bigger sword, look at Barron in Gaim; he used it like a big sword and it hardly worked, a lance is a stabbing weapon and not a slashing one. Ark managed to use it as a sword because he's not human, so he could use it like a sword.
Toa Solaric: Don't worry, it'll be coming soon.
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: Trust us, we've got plans for when Ark comes around. Who told you this stuff? DAMN YOU, KENZAN!
Guest, chapter 33, Oct 6: Listen here, Anonymous. Hiden Bodyguards was a test run for us to do this story. It was a jokey story we could flex our writing talents on. And who says we only people who are future waifus? Take a good look at yourself and fuck off.
darthwolf: Yes it is. And the comic's free scans look FRIGGING AWESOME!
Here are the reviews answered by GreyKing46:
Message from Grey: Hey guys. Here are my review responses. Normally I try and tackle the newest ones first and work my way down, but I had some LONG responses today. So the order is a bit random. Sorry!
Bahamut0: Yeah, kinda the message we are going for.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Thanks for seeing our point of view man.
WeAreTheWord: Was the joke.
darthwolf: The thing that was announced nearly a year ago now? The thing that had its preview pages released a few days ago? The thing that the Toku community would not shut up about for three days straight? ... Nah, never heard of it
CapMorgan55: He doesn't believe in humanity and potential. He believes in HIS ability and wanting to make money. If his contestant needs to cheat then his ZAIA Specs can't be THAT good. We are not using Arkland.
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: ... GHOST! WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EYES OPEN FOR NINJAS STEALING OUR NOTES AGAIN! I THINK IT WAS KENZAN!
Zeryo: Okay. Yeah, that is a thing with Toei and ANY of its spear/rapier/lance weapons. They use them as generic swords like they are all universal. However, for all of their past instances of this, I can give them a pass because of the lore. Knight, Baron, Femme and Beast were not trained with spears, and a rapier in the latter two's cases, because those were just what the powers came with and they had to use them as best they could. However... Gai and Ark?! Gai MADE the ThousandJacker! He DESIGNED it! So he should have designed it as a weapon he KNOWS HOW TO USE RIGHT! And Ark? The AI? IT IS NOT A SLASHING WEAPON, IT IS FOR STABBING! I agree with what you are saying and it irritates me. Just calling out the show.
darklordlv12: We have mentioned this before! Multiple times! Here, I will list all Heisei and Reiwa Rider shows and if we are Revising them or not!
Kuuga- no. Agito- yes. Ryuki,-yes, but not until Bahamut0 has finished his interpretation. Faiz- yes. Blade- yes. Hibiki- no, it is too different and we would probably mess it up.
Kabuto- yes. Den-O- no, the lore is a mess but the show is too popular and no one would be happy. Kiva- yes, I have been planning it for years. Decade- yes. Double- no. OOO- no. Fourze- no.
Wizard- yes. Gaim- maybe. Drive- no. Ghost- yes, yes, yes. Ex-Aid- Ghost says yes. Build- no. Zi-O- done. Zero One- you are reading it. Saber- yes, yes, yes. Revice- no. Geats- We hope not, we want it to be a good show.
Raven Soriano: Dude. You put WAAAAAY too much detail in your reviews. "And i reaaaaaaaaly wanna bash his nuts in with a sledgehammer, Triple H style while his entrance song plays in the back". Everything after the comma was unneeded, especially as you assume we know who Triple H is or that we even CARE. And even then, do you NEED to mention his entrance song? Like does that REALLY change what you are saying THAT much?
Also, making yourself seem kinda creepy with that "(It's not just cuz her actress in the show is a beautiful cutie and a casual gravure as charged )" comment.
And dude. You are basically putting SO MANY stipulations to make it so Gai sealing the Gorilla data is THE ONLY option.
What if all the scientists are working on the RaidRisers and keys? (said project is finished, anyway)
What if they are focusing on making new keys and not old ones? (a few could be spared, or he would overwork them)
What if there are NO backups of the key? (could remake it. They did in the first place)
Gai wouldn't trust the tech guys for such an important task, he'll do it himself! (Gai is a president. Productivity is more important to him. It is easier, for HIM, to have the tech guys remake the key rather than Gai going to find Fuwa, hoping Fuwa has the key on him, and if Fuwa doesn't use the key that Gai would then steal it)
Simplest answer is often the best.
Guest chapter 33 Oct 6: First off... wow you are sad for coming back to this review THREE times to make the same post. We moderate Reviews on both of our pages, so it takes a while for anonymous reviews to be posted. You tend to start doing it when you get anonymous reviewers that you can't block every now and again. Now, on to your actual Review. Which I saved till last because it is a doozie.
You show your lack of format understanding here since you were unable to tell that it was I, Grey, who was the one to make the rant that you are referring to. A lack of understanding also shows why you did not UNDERSTAND that rant at all, as we did not say we hate redemptions. We said that SOME characters do not need them or deserve them and the reasons why. And the third flaw right off the gate, you are assuming that Ghost and I could not have changed our minds about Azu AT ALL over the past... nearly two years since we finished WRITING Hiden's Bodyguard, a story we finished writing on Dec 4th 2020. It was uploaded at a later date.
In that same vein, let's go to your comment about Azu and calling us hypocrites more closely. Azu, especially in the version of the story that was FOR Hiden's Bodyguard, was part of a cycle of abuse. She was a HumaGear made for a purpose and was just following it through while taking the emotional abuse of Ark, as Horobi had done. And like Ak had from Gai. It was a subtle theme of Zero One since Takahashi seems to have some parent issues as it is a recurring trope of his.
Next, you are implying Azu was as bad as Gai? ... how? She manipulated people and their pain, she did villainess acts. Yes. But when, again, you consider programming and the fact all she ACTUALLY did was just hand out keys? ... Really? As bad as Gai? Really?
Following that... who said we WERE gonna redeem her in this version.
Also, again, implying we will redeem her just because she is a female character. ... WE FUCKING LOVE FEMALE VILLAINS! THEY ARE AWESOME! And the few of our friends that Ghost and I have bounced ideas off for this story know what we have planned.
And finally. You show a lack of media literacy. Because Hiden Bodyguard and Zero One Revised... are two DIFFERENT TYPES OF STORY! HB was a less serious harem story first and foremost, so we could practice how we would write the Zero One characters and season aesthetic as well as test a few ideas we wanted to explore. Some of which, we are in the middle of writing right now. Meanwhile, 01R is a Kamen Rider story FIRST. With the harem stuff going on right now because... Ghost and I wanted to have fun and this is the only Rider show we could feel this works with. Outside what we did with Zi-O.
And as a small spoiler...Azu won't be getting redemption, so you can calm your tits.
Anyway, have a good day. Later~!
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Kamen Rider Zero-One Revised
Chapter 33: Home In Your Focus
Co-Writer GreyKing46
We do not own these characters. All rights belong to Shotaro Ishinomori, Ishimori Productions and Toei Company
Aruto's eyes widened under his helmet, having seen Yua destroy Smile to stop the fighting but also felt a sense of betrayal with Gai siphoning his data from his Keys. He could only think about what just happened...and he reached for his most powerful Key.
SHINING JUMP!
"President Aruto." Izu called out, going to his side, holding his hand to stop him before he killed himself.
"I-Izu." He panted, looking at her while Yua was debating with Gai.
"Since you're in no shape to get up, we'll postpone this until your HumaGear is restored." Gai reluctantly spoke.
Aruto growled as he forced himself to his feet and attached the Assault Grip to his key.
"Wh-what is that-?" Gai asked as he saw Aruto attach the Key and press the button of the Assault Grip.
HYPER JUMP!
OVER RISE!
A beam of yellow energy shot down as Aruto lifted his Key up while he glared at Gai, as a blue and yellow armour hovered over him. "Izu. Get back, please."
Izu was about to stammer, but she heard the tone of his voice, the suppressed rage. The contempt for this disgrace of a president. She could do nothing but accept his order. "Yes, President Aruto." She reluctantly answered.
Gai grabbed his Thousand Jacker and ran forwards, using it as a club before Aruto slotted his key.
PROGRISE!
WARNING! WARNING!
THIS IS NOT A TEST!
Aruto's armour soon shifted, now forming his yellow and blue armour as he raised his hand and grabbed the Thousand Jacker.
HYBRID RISE!
Gai's eyes widened in fear, how did Aruto get this form? Was this the upgraded form of his Shining Form he had before?!
SHI~NING~!
ASSAULT HOPPER!
Aruto's fist came in at a quick speed, slamming into Gai's helmet as he flew to the side.
No Chance Of Surviving This Shot
"GAH-HA!" Gai grunted as he was slammed away.
Aruto slowly looked at Yua, shaking as he was overcome with sadness and anger. "Yua." He whispered as she looked in fear at him.
She raised her ShotRiser at him in defence, she had no other choice. If Smile ran rampant, other people would've been hurt. 'Please, Aruto. Don't do this.'
He saw her hand shaking, his mind racing through possibilities as he concluded something in his mind. He turned his back to her and leapt over to Gai and SLAMMED his fist into Gai's armour.
Gai grunted as he felt this powerful form overtake him, his system was supposed to be superior. No, wait. It was. He was told about a variant of this form, that Assault Grip was supposed to be with Fuwa!
SLAM!
SLAM!
Gai continued to get punched by Aruto, feeling each thrash connect despite his more protective armour. He had to break through and away.
'He's the cause of this.' Aruto thought, slamming his fists into Gai's armour, causing it to spark and crack. 'This tournament.'
SLAM!
SLAM!
'These HumaGears being hurt!'
PUNCH!
PUNCH!
'Yua having to kill Smile!'
Gai continued to be beaten down, before being picked up by the throat choking as he was trying to wrench his way out of Aruto's grip.
"All. Your. Fault!" Aruto spoke darkly, his red visor eyes glaring into Gai's.
'I...See.' Gai thought, seeing that shade of red.
KICK!
"GARGH!" Gai was kicked back hard and choked. He gripped the pommel of the Thousand Jacker and shot out a machine Hornet that turned into multiple flying needles.
JACK RISE!
JACKING BREAK!
"Shine System. Activate." Aruto spoke, the centre chest piece of his armour began to glow blue and activate, summoning large protective digital rhombuses which blocked and destroyed the coming needles.
ASSAULT CHARGE!
"What?!" Gai's eyes widened in fear as Aruto leapt up into the air.
S!
H!
I!
N!
I!
N!
G!
S!
T!
O!
R!
M!
I!
M!
P!
A!
C!
T!
"HAAAAA!" Aruto roared as he rocket down before Gai could retaliate.
SHINING STORM IMPACT!
KABOOM!
Aruto's foot connected straight into Gai's chest causing an explosion and flung the President of ZAIA out of his Rider state and rolling to the floor. Aruto shook as he finished the fight, his body shaking after what he had just done...he had gotten out of hand. He was so filled with anger, it wasn't just the trauma of seeing another HumaGear 'die', but it was also the actions of the people Gai had chosen over this competition.
"President Aruto." Izu spoke as she brought him out of his head.
"Urgh..." Gai groaned as he looked at Aruto, realising that he could have killed him...but didn't.
"Izu...I'm sorry." He apologised, feeling guilty that he had just done that, but felt justified because of how much Gai was pushing his buttons.
"Get me. To the hospital." Gai ordered, his suit ruined and his face bruised and a little bloody.
"Yes, President Amatsu." Yua answered, seeing Aruto turn back to his normal self.
"Gai... I'm not going to let you hurt another person. EVER again." Aruto hissed simply. "I will find out what is happening to HumaGear's. I will stop it. No one is going to be hurt by whatever you do."
Gai glared like a venomous beast at Aruto, he would not be humiliated like this. He will have his revenge on him.
*Time Skip*
Fuwa was sitting in his seat, researching quietly as he looked at the data he found...and most of it was redacted.
"Damn it, I thought I had gotten somewhere." He thought to himself, since AIMS' resources could only get him so far involving these massive companies.
But... He knew it. He had an answer. An answer...to everything.
He just needed confirmation.
"I can't get anything more here. I'll have to go to the top, there's no way I can't let this pass." Fuwa told himself, getting up from his chair and headed out, putting his coat on. "Either ZAIA or Hiden are going to tell me what I want to know."
And honestly. There was one person he knew who'd have the answers he wanted...
*Time skip, with Gai*
"Tss! That hurt." He growled, having been healed up and the round put on hold while Smile was being repaired. "Damn that Hiden."
"Sir, perhaps it's time to stop antagonising-" Yua calmly tried to answer.
"Did I ask for your opinion?" He glared at Yaiba.
Yaiba flinched at his words.
"Since this is becoming a problem. Give me your ShotRiser" Gai growled. "Now."
Yaiba looked at her ShotRiser and reluctantly relinquished it. Placing it on the table.
Gai immediately pulled out a RaidRiser and a new golden Progrise Key after taking the Cheetah Key and Riser. "Use these."
"A RaidRiser?" She asked as she looked at them.
"The power of this Key should get you to keep up with whatever Hiden throws our way." Gai ordered. "You saw how he was, how malicious he was in that fight. Imagine if it was you. Your base forms won't be able to even dent his forms."
Yua looked at the Key and the RaidRiser, nervously holding them in her hands as she read the Key's name.
Fighting Jackal.
Ability: Hunt
'A Jackal?' She thought in concern, realising what this could mean...but 'Raiders', the term she was using for people who used these, seemed to be stronger; having the strength to go toe to toe with Riders.
"Well? Aren't you going to thank me?" Gai asked, almost expecting a loyal answer.
"Yes, of course. Thank you, Sir." She frowned, taking the RaidRiser and Progrise Key reluctantly.
...
"But Aruto would never attack me. Or Fuwa." She said without thinking "He isn't like that he isn't-" and then she froze... As Gai smirked at her.
"Hmm. So THAT'S what's been on your mind these months. Interesting." Gai smirked "And tell me. Does that President share these feelings you have?"
"I. I'm not-" Yua gulped nervously as she didn't want to answer.
"Yaiba." He frowned.
"I wouldn't know if President Hiden shares these feelings." She admitted.
"Hmm. But I assume he somehow finds you attractive?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. Almost dismissive, as if Yaiba was some sexless blob to him.
"I. Suppose. But he's never expressed it." Yua responded as she thought back.
Remembering the time he saw her in that stupid bodysuit. How he reacted to her teasing flirty comments. His soft smile ...
...
Maybe... Maybe he DID find her attractive?
And then the time when she was wearing that ridiculous kimono attire that made her look like a golden peacock. He praised her then too.
"Your silence speaks volumes, Yaiba." Gai informed. "And that... Is good."
"S-Sir?" She asked and gulped.
"We can use this. If Hiden has feelings towards you, use them. Ensnare him."
"What?!"
"He's young, impulsive, emotionally controlled. It should be easy for you." He answered.
"You can't expect me to-" Yua began to speak.
"Do it. Or I promise the next time we see him, it will be his last breath." Gai said simply.
Yua was taken back by that statement...and knowing Gai, he meant it. There was no doubt in her mind that she would see Aruto killed by him. "Very well, Sir. I will...try."
After all. There were other things Gai could do, than fight as a Rider. Other ways... That would mean Aruto would not be long for this world.
"Good. I've got to talk to Tatsumi. And tell him to get his crap together, otherwise, we've got a problem on our hands." Gai grumbled. "Now get to work."
"Yes, sir." She frowned and got up, left the room and headed out. Feeling 'naked' without her main Driver and now forced to be a 'seducer' for Gai to use against Aruto...She was a tool.
...
That was all she was, after all. A tool... for ZAIA...
*with Aruto*
Aruto had arrived back at Hiden Intelligence...and things were looking bad, the members of the board were looking over the terms of the contract involved with this round.
"I can't believe that it's looking this bad." A member commented.
"This whole round is just a profit game."
"This is two for two that HumaGears have turned into Magia; what is happening to make this come to pass?" Another continued.
"Izu, after we reactivate Smile, we have to look into this." Aruto asked.
"Of course, President Aruto." She answered.
"There were no Zetsumariser's... Ark is locked out of the HumaGear network... I just don't get it." Aruto mumbled.
"We'll figure something out, President Aruto." Izu responded.
"Thank you, Izu." He answered. "This whole thing has me rattled."
*Elsewhere*
Fuwa had driven all the way to ZAIA Enterprise, he had to get to the bottom of this and he decided to go straight to the top.
He exited the AIMS van and headed straight inside of the building, where he strode up to the receptionist. "I want to talk to Amatsu." He ordered.
"I'm sorry, Sir. Do you have an appointment?" The receptionist asked, looking him dead in the eyes and being professional.
"No, I don't. But this is important, I don't have time to-"
"I'm sorry, Sir. But if you don't have an appointment, then you can't see him."
"I just-! Is he even in?" He glared.
"President Amatsu is currently unavailable." The receptionist responded calmly, staying firm.
"Do you know when he'll be back?" He asked, finding her attitude annoying as he was blocked at this crucial point.
"No." she snapped simply.
"Listen here, you tell-!" Fuwa glared.
"Fuwa." Yaiba saw him and grabbed his attention.
"Yaiba?"
"I'll take it from here." Yua spoke as she gestured outside.
"Thank you." The receptionist responded.
"Yaiba, there's something you need to know. There's a lead I followed." Fuwa informed as they walked outside.
"No." was her simple response.
"'No'? Yaiba, what do you mean 'no'?" Fuwa asked as they were outside.
"I mean 'no', Fuwa. Just leave." She asked. "He won't be seeing you. Trust me. I know, President Amatsu. He is not going to give you the month of the year if you try and see him like this."
"What the hell?" Fuwa growled. "Yaiba, you need to know this. That guy-!" He pointed to the building.
"Fuwa. Whatever you have to say...it doesn't matter. He won't see you. He'll throw you out before you even cross the threshold of his door. And after this, he won't even let you into the building." She frowned. "Directly charging in all guns blazing won't work this time."
The Papa Wolf growled angrily at that, he was stuck here at the beginning. And he couldn't help. "Fine, I'll go. But if that bastard thinks he's getting away with this, he's not." Fuwa commented as he stormed off.
'Come on you old mutt. Whatever is going on with you, it's important. Pick up my hint!' Yua thought as she went about her work...
*Elsewhere*
We come across a very angry house salesman.
SLAM!
"Damn it! This is making my blood boil!" Tatsumi slammed his fist into his desk, seeing the results of his work blowing up at him. "That damn HumaGear... I almost died! Me!"
He felt weak, powerless, afraid.
No. Not again. He wouldn't be like this again!
HumaGear's... What disgusting toys!
He wouldn't go back to being a child! He won't go back to being ruined!
Knock, knock
"Who's there? What do you want? I'm busy!" Tatsumi snapped.
Knock, knock
"Grr! What?!" He opened the door and saw a hooded figure in the doorway. "Who the hell are-?"
Thump
"Huh?" He asked as the figure shoved something into his chest, punching him in the process.
"What the hell is-?" He looked down and saw a strange black buckle with a red button and a Progrise Key that he had heard about.
It was a dark-blue-based Key with a blue screen with an invited picture of a whale with the words: Splashing Whale and Ability: Wave branded upon it.
"Use them." The figure ordered. "When the time is right." As they soon left.
"What do you mean-? And they're gone." Tatsumi commented, looking at the Key and the buckle.
"Fine, I'll use it." He whispered to himself and pocketed the two objects.
*Time Skip*
It was time. The competition was back and running.
"How're you feeling, Smile? Anything wrong?" Aruto asked.
"I am fine, President Hiden. Thank you for returning me to normal." She responded.
"No problem, it's what I do." Aruto answered. "Izu, thanks for getting Fuwa again." As they saw him approach.
"President Aruto, I thought you did that." Izu blinked.
"I... It wasn't me?" Aruto blinked.
"Prez." Fuwa spoke as he approached.
"What're you doing here, Fuwa?" Aruto asked.
"Last time there was a Magia attack. Time before that too. I'm sure something's going to kick off this time. And...I need a word with Amatsu." Fuwa explained.
"I'm here to act as a bodyguard. And to speak to the guy. If a Magia or a Raider situation happens, I'll deal with it. And then I'll have a 'talk' with Amatsu."
"...I might have to start paying you if this continues." Aruto joked lightly.
"Careful, my time is expensive." Fuwa poked back.
"Is this man a bodyguard of yours, President Hiden?" Smile asked.
"He's a friend," Aruto reassured her.
"Oh, I see." Smile blinked at him.
"So, I see you've got your HumaGear back in working condition," Gai commented.
"My name is 'Smile Sumide', Sir." She answered. "And yes, President Hiden has brought me back."
"Let's see how well you can sell homes without blowing up again," Tatsumi answered while wearing his ZAIA Spec on his glasses.
"And now we ask for you to stop that," Izu stated, holding out a cease and desist.
"What is this?" Tatsumi asked, taking the cease-and-desist letter. "Cease and-? Why am I the one on trial?!"
"Because of your antagonistic actions," Izu answered.
"It's not my fault someone can't handle a little criticism," Tatsumi grumbled, crumpling his new cease and desist letter into his pocket.
"Actually, it is the result of Hiden Intelligence research. And the cause of the Magia outbreak." Izu returned fire.
"I. Hnn. Fine." He growled angrily, activating the ZAIA Spec.
"Take this." He gave the letter to Yua after making the mistake of putting it in his pocket. "I need to get ready."
Yua sighed as she was being used as a glorified receptionist and opened the letter. "Um, President Amatsu, your name is also on this."
"What?" He snapped. "Give me that...My name *is* on this. What's the meaning of this?"
"Izu, if you'd care to explain. You're better at this than I am." Aruto gave Izu the floor.
"Thank you, President Aruto." Izu bowed. "Due to the workings of Metsubou Jinrai's former member 'Ikazuchi', his access to the satellite Zea had compromised it, leading to a backdoor where HumaGears that are under duress or heightened negative emotions can be corrupted by 'Ark' while HumaGears that use Zetsumerisers are unaffected. Due to the people that you yourself have brought into this competition, President Amatsu, it can be seen as sabotage."
"I-"
"Meaning. Any further Magia transformations caused by you or contestants of your choosing would mean you lose the contest outright on grounds of sabotage." Izu finished.
Yua's, Fuwa's and Tatsumi's eyes widened in shock as they heard that, realising that Aruto essentially made Gai play by the rules.
Because Gai WOULD have tried to use this to his advantage.
Gai's mouth was now strained, his main choices to turn this contest to his favour were now thrown out of the window. He didn't think that Aruto and Izu were *this* smart. "I. Understand." He strained his voice. "I'll. Be considerate. For fairness."
"Thank you, President Amatsu," Izu answered. "With this, I believe both parties have an even chance to begin. And hope that your champion will behave himself."
"I'll be professional, don't you worry," Tatsumi responded. "I'll be my best self."
"Now, with this out of the way, I believe we can put round two back on track and work from here," Aruto suggested. "Smile, good luck. Make some people happy."
"Of course, President Hiden." She nodded and left, the camera and information is brought to the computer.
"Don't mess this up." Gai whispered in Tatsumi's ear.
Tatsumi gulped as he was put under this great amount of pressure. But, being under pressure was not a huge deal for him.
"Everyone. Synchronise your watches." Yua asked as she and Izu matched watches.
"Please. Begin." Izu spoke as they both started the time.
Aruto gave a thumbs up to Smile as she went off to work, while Tatsumi headed to the office. There was no way he was going to lose this.
Time ticked on, Smile and Tatsumi's scores were slowly rising as data was being compiled on the computers.
...however, there was a perfect opportunity to finally talk to Amatsu, he was *right there*!
He looked at Aruto, not wanting to bring him into this; well...not just yet. He was a neutral party in this contest after all.
"Excuse me, Prez." Fuwa asked, walking off for a moment.
'Fuwa, don't do something stupid.' Yua thought as she saw her former partner.
"President Amatsu, I want a word." Fuwa asked.
"Can't it wait, Mr Fuwa? We're in the middle of something." Gai informed, brushing him off as he sat down.
"It won't take long." Fuwa answered as he looked at him. The AIMS operative almost growling.
"We are almost finished for the day." Gai frowned "We can wait."
'Fuwa, please, take the damn hint.' She thought to herself.
"It. Can wait." Gai answered calmly and sternly.
*With Smile*
"This building allows pets, it might be compact, but it has access to a nearby park." Smile informed the customer.
She was with her final customer of the day, her last customer of the competition.
The customer looked around, seeing that they had a small bedroom and facilities, but the living room was big enough for a kitchen and utilities. "How far to the park?" They asked.
"It's ten minutes if you follow the road and turn left." Smile explained.
"Hmm." The customer nodded and looked at a picture on their phone. "I'll take it. Thank you, Ms Smile."
"Thank you, sir." She bowed. "I will bring out the paperwork and we can move you within the week."
"In the week? Oh my god, thank you." The customer answered.
*With Tatsumi*
"Thank you for purchasing this house, I'm sure that you'll be at home here." Tatsumi spoke as he managed to sell the last home of the contest.
"Th-thank you, Sir." The family spoke as they now had the keys to the house...after buying such an expensive property.
It was a difficult sell, but he managed it. He managed to sell the most expensive houses in his branch. He was sure to win, but that horrible gut feeling from what Gai said; not to fail him or ZAIA. He had the technology in order to win.
His hand was shaking, that fear was getting to him.
'You win.'
'You don't need anyone.'
'You beat that stupid HumaGear.'
"Th-that's right. I've made more than enough profit. I've sold the most expensive houses. I've won this!" He whispered to himself.
So... Why was he so scared?!
"Bah! I must contact Mr Amatsu. tell him what I've managed to do for his company!" He spoke to himself. He touched his ZAIA Spec and called Gai. "Mr Amatsu, I've finished my work."
"Excellent. Come back, Hiden's champion has come back already." Gai informed.
"Fine, I'll be right there." He answered, ending the call and picked up their coat to head out.
*Time skip*
It took some time, but the results of both Smile and Tatsumi's sales had come in.
While Smile had sold the most houses...Tatsumi's profits were staggering.
For comparison Smile's profits were 'one' compared to Tatsumi's 'one hundred'.
"Seems that we have the final result, Hiden. Round two belongs to ZAIA Enterprise." Gai spoke with a cocksure grin as Tatsumi stood by him.
"Forgive me, President Hiden. I prioritised the happiness and comfort of my customers than win the competition." Smile apologised as she bowed to him.
"You have nothing to apologise for, Smile. You did your-" Aruto spoke, before people came through the door...and angry mob.
"Huh? What's going on?" Aruto blinked.
"Mr Arayashiki!" One of the members of the mob called out.
Tatsumi froze up as he saw them...they were the customers of the contest he served. But he had to save face. "Ah, yes. Is there a problem-?"
"You better believe that there is a damn problem!" The leader of the mob snapped. "These houses that you sold us! If they can be even called that, are horrible!"
"Oh?" Izu blinked with a smile.
"What the hell are you talking about? Those are prime real estate!" Tatsumi answered.
"'Prime real estate'? Are you serious?" Another member of the mob spat out.
"You never told us that our house was situated next to a heavy traffic road! We can't get to sleep! It's going off all hours of the night!" The third member answered.
"Our location is under a flight path!"
"We have NO sidewalk! Our kids are literally putting their lives in the hands of people driving cars or trucks!"
"Is that right?" Aruto asked in shock...but the sound of these angry people being justified at this horrible revelation was making him have a smile on his face.
"Now, now, all of you be calm." Tatsumi laughed cautiously.
"Oh! Oh, 'calm'?" One of the customers spoke incredulously. "You want to see 'calm'?! What about the water-damaged ceilings that you forgot to mention?"
"I-"
"Or what about the COLLAPSED SUPPORT COLUMN in the living room?"
"Or the uprooted facilities and exposed pipes?"
"Exposed wires?"
"The families of animals in the rafters of the roof?!"
"These exorbitant prices for what is basically trash!"
"How do you live with yourself?"
"You got anything to say about this, Mr Amatsu?" Aruto asked Gai with a chuckle.
"His business means nothing to me. It does not affect the outcome of the context." Gai smirked.
"You're dropping me? I just won you this round of the contest!" Tatsumi snapped at him.
"Yes, but now that business is concluded, you're on your own," Gai answered. "I hope with you 'stellar reputation' can recover from this." Gai folded his as behind his back and smirked wider "After all. You are the one who uses the methods you do. I had nothing to do with it."
"Y-you!" Tatsumi growled at him.
"Give us our money back! We demand a-!" The people mobbed him.
"SHUT UP! Shut up! You STUPID! NAIVE! BED BUGS! You wanted houses! I GAVE you houses! Prime houses that people would kill for!" Tatsumi shut them up...and pulled out the RaidRiser and attached it to his waist.
RAIDRISER!
"Where did he-?" Yua gasped.
"Everyone leave!" Aruto called out.
WAVE!
"NOW!" Fuwa ordered.
SLAM!
RAIDRISE!
A circle of blue wires and grey metal surrounded Tatsumi as he roared angrily. His body was covered in a dark grey bodysuit where white armour formed over his legs, waist and feet. However, his arms were covered in dark grey armour and hidden under two light blue shoulder cloaks, held up by black metal, bronze wave-lined shoulder guards with rivets holding them in place. A bronze chest piece with blue connecting wires, two bronze 'fins' coming between his shoulders and neck. And lastly, a bronze baleen plate jaw-guard with purple-red eyes and a blue forehead and monochrome crest.
SPLASHING WHALE!
An Aqua Current That Encompasses Everything Around It.
"GRAAAA!" He roared, slashing with weapon.
"Prez. You get people out of here. I've got this." Fuwa growled.
"Right! Everyone, this way!" Aruto called out, being the responsible President and helped them escape.
In Tatsumi's hand was a silver and blue polearm, with a blue metal whale tail for the head that was used scorched with silver wires.
BULLET!
SHOOTING WOLF!
"Over here, you bastard!" Fuwa roared as he fired at Tatsumi while Yua and Gai were looking on at him, the second RaidRiser that was stolen. It was back and in the hands of an emotionally compromised proud realtor.
Tatsumi swung down at Fuwa, causing a wave of water to strike him, forcing him outside as he fired.
"Grrr!" Fuwa growled.
"They ruined it all! I won't go back to being a nobody!" Tatsumi screamed out, lashing at Fuwa.
"You're just blaming everyone else!" Fuwa snarled.
Quickly pulling out the AttacheLancher, Fuwa opened fire.
KABOOM!
"GAAARGH!" Tatsumi screamed out in pain, flung away as he was struck by this massive explosion.
Fuwa's arms were shaking, feeling his strength stay despite the recoil.
'I need something more. This guy is tough.' Fuwa thought as he pulled out the Assault Wolf Key... without grip 'Looks like I have to try this.' he thought, tapping its button.
AWOO!
A wolf's howl echoed as Fuwa easily ripped the key open, swapping the one in his belt with the new one. Tatsumi, meanwhile, glared and charged forwards while swinging his weapon down with a devastating strike.
"Fuwa! Stop, you don't know what it'll do!" Yaiba yelled.
AUTHORISE!
Fuwa quickly ripped the ShotRiser from his waist and, quickly throwing it forwards, fired it against Tatsumi's stomach.
SHOTRISE!
"Urgh!" The whale raider grunted as he was thrown back, a glowing blue bullet rushing around the area like a fly.
Fuwa slowly stood up, holding out his blue armoured arm to his side. Fully extending it. And as the bullet passed by... He caught it, casually, and crushed it within his grip.
The bullet shattered, energy rushing over his armour as it quickly changed. Almost like it was being painted over, the transformation taking but a second. Revealing a form very similar to Shooting Wolf.
His form was now completely armoured with a dark black clawed foot with two fins on his shin guard, a blue thigh guard with red markings, his right arm had blue plate-metal with red detail and fins on the bracer and shoulder, his chest-piece being identical to Shooting Wolf only filled out with two matching sides and the V accented central piece. It was basically Shooting Wolf, only with matching sides and the blue changed to a dark black. Meanwhile, the grey undersuit had turned an electric blue shade of cyan.
Magnetic... WOLF~!
The helmet quickly shifted and changed, upgraded and completed. It was a cyan helmet with a small black wolf-styled crest on his forehead to represent ears, red and black lightning-bolt-shaped protrusions coming from the side of his head with two white eyes on a plain mask like his base form that had turned blue.
No Chance!
"The form... Is a pallet swap?" Yaiba blinked "But... Why?"
"Huh. Wonder how powerful this will be." Gai smirked.
Fuwa looked down at his hands, seeing lots of information popping up on his heads-up display. Too much for him to even try and process...
Armour Durability: 50% decrease compared to Shooting Wolf, 175% decrease from Assault Wolf. Power output: 119% of Assault Wolf's. Speed outfit: 300% increase compared to Assault Wolf. Weapon systems: None.
More and more info was entering his mind, flowing in from that voice he occasionally heard. The AI was installed into the armour to assist him. The androgynous voice.
"So... That's this thing's rules, Huh?" Fuwa asked, looking up at the Whale Raider "For using illegal technology... It is time for me to scrap you!" Fuwa snarled before he vanished, blue lightning streaking after him as he charged.
Tatsumi blinked in shock as Fuwa vanished away from his vision, Fuwa was a total blur before becoming solid as his fist came right into his face and shot back.
"Argh!" The Raider screamed in pain, flung back by Fuwa's intense speed and power behind it, the concussive force caused a dent in the armour.
'So fast.' Yua thought in shock. 'It's like my Cheetah form.'
Gai seemed to smile at this, seeing this 'weakened' form fighting back with Fuwa's ferociousness. This was giving his idea more and more fruition.
Fuwa's feet dug into the ground as he almost skidded away from Tatsumi and felt his body almost jerk about. 'The speed on this thing. No weapons. But I can punch faster!' He thought as he rushed forwards again to give a flurry of punches.
'One punch won't work? I'll hit him one hundred times!'
Tatsumi grunted as he felt punch after punch after punch, pelting his armour each one was like a rubber bullet hitting his metal armour, but the impacts were coming through.
'This damn fool! Getting in my way!' Tatsumi thought in anger before swatting with his weapon at the wolf Rider. "I! Have had! Enough! Of you!" He roared out at Fuwa and caused a giant wave of aquatic energy at Fuwa, causing a massive splash right in the Rider.
However, Fuwa was suddenly high in the air, flipping over the attack.
Fever!
Suddenly Kamen Rider Vulcan rushed by, slashing through the Whale Raider with a set of claws that had emerged from his wrists.
"Claws? He has-? ARGH!" Tatsumi double-took and screamed as Fuwa slashed through him, this speed was like a blender as his armour was struck through.
SLASH!
SLASH!
SLASHSLASHSLASHSLASH!
Fuwa was slashing from every direction, rushing faster and faster and faster, until... he finally came to a stop, dusting kicking up as he glared at the Raider.
Tatsumi grunted as he stood there in pain, his Raider armour sparking as he was beaten back.
"Time to end this." Fuwa growled, his hands acting fast.
AWOOW!
Pressing the button on his Key, he gripped the handle and pulled the trigger as energy began to spiral around him.
Blue and silver winds focused into the barrel of his ShotRiser as the bullet fired much quicker than the normal blasts he normally saw, seeing the speed increase compared to the heavy damage.
M! A! G! N! E! T! I! C! B! L! A! S! T!
"HA!" Fuwa roared as he pulled the trigger, thrown back a bit as a large glowing bullet came rushing through the air.
And it was already through Tatsumi's form. The bullet was like a flash of light. Ripping through the man.
And an explosion filled the air.
The RaidRiser clattered to the ground, sparking and damaged, as the Whale Key landed harshly. The real-estate scams man falling unconscious, limp, upon the concrete floor.
Fuwa walked forwards powerfully, slapping handcuffs on the man "You're under arrest." Fuwa said, reaching for the RaidRiser...
"That is ZAIA property, watchdog." Gai frowned, walking towards him "Part of the technology was stolen from one of our facilities a few weeks ago."
"Tech-based off the Zetsumariser." Fuwa said simply "Terrorist technology. But then again, you'd know ALL about that. Wouldn't you... Gai Amatsu?"
"Oh?" Gai asked with a raised eyebrow "And why would that be?"
"It's rather simple. Even a muscle head like I can see it." Fuwa scoffed angrily "After all... YOU are the one who created Ark, are you not?!"
Gai's eyebrow twitched a little at that, realising that his past had caught up with him. Albeit just a 'small' part of it. "It seems that you do have something in that brain of yours that makes you think."
"You admit it then." Fuwa growled.
"Fuwa. What are you talking about?" Yaiba frowned.
"Ark? The machine that Metsubo Jinrai see as a god? The one hacking the HumaGear's, an AI like Zea but corrupted and wishing to destroy humanity?" Fuwa explained as his hands where shaking inside his armour "It was a collaboration between many different companies. Spearheaded by Hiden Intelligence. The one in charge of creating the AI and its ethics? President Kourenouske's personal star prodigy student, head of future design and programming... Amatsu... Gai."
Yua's head slowly turned to Gai, who was simply standing there with a smug grin. He did that? He caused it?
"I want to know. Why." Fuwa growled.
"'Why'? You foolish mongrel. Because Hiden didn't see the potential of what it could be." Gai answered.
"... Sir?" Yua blinked.
"I showed Ark the darkness of humanity!" Gai stated, proudly.
Fuwa's fists tightened in anger and felt his blood boil. "You're under arrest!"
"Pardon?" Gai blinked calmly.
"For terrorism, for abuse of property, and for the slaughter of numerous lives!" Fuwa glared. "I'm going to break that smug face of yours-!"
"Yaiba. Take care of him." Gai ordered.
Yua flinched as she heard that, turning to him. "S-Sir?"
"Did I stutter? Take care of him." Gai repeated his order, saying it even more forcefully.
"I-" she stuttered as Fuwa approached
"Now. Or I will terminate your contract." He said simply... And Yaiba's blood ran cold.
"You son of a-!" Fuwa growled.
"Yes, sir." She monotonously obeyed as she realised she was caught and pulled out a Progrise Key and attached a RaidRiser around her waist.
RAIDRISER!
"Destroying Target." She robotically spoke as she looked at Fuwa.
HUNT!
"'Hunt'?" Fuwa asked in confusion.
"Equip." She spoke out as she inserted her Key into the Riser and pushed the big red button.
RAIDRISE!
Yua's body was covered in golden yellow wiring as dark red blood-like data surrounded her.
FIGHTING JACKAL!
Yaiba had a black undersuit that was covered by dark and light grey armour, grey boots and light-edged dark-grey shin guards, light grey thigh guards with segments of dark-grey metal; dark-grey waist guards with dull yellow wires protecting the edges as they crossed over her waist and held up a black-grey yellow wire-edged front cover that went down to her ankles. A dark-grey-edged silver-grey chest guard that emphasised Yaiba's chest, held with yellow wires that were clasped together around her neck that looked like a pharaoh's necklace over her shoulders. Around her upper arms were two dark-grey arrow-like protrusions, on her forearms were grey-silver bracers with dark grey tops and white gloves. Lastly, her dark-grey helmet looked like a jackal head with yellow wires along the forehead with red eyes and two jackal ears; she had red visor eyes with a grey slotted visor and a grey faceplate. But strangely...there was a yellow collar around her neck with a silver hexagonal pet tag.
Deciding The Fate Of A Battle Like A Valkyrie.
Fuwa flinched as he heard that proclamation, that Key using her Rider name in that manner! "Yaiba!"
She was silent as she raised her arm, a flash of light filling the air as a scythe grew within Yaiba's grip
It was dark golden hilted with a silver blade and spike pommel; as she gripped it, her speed was more like a blur as she got behind Fuwa.
"What-? ARGH!" He screamed out as he was slashed from the front.
"As fast as this form. But more experienced with using speed." The 'suit' spoke as Fuwa crashed to the ground "This Raider form is also much, much more powerful than Magnetic Wolf. Withdraw."
"N... No way in hell! Not now... Not now that I've found the cause!" Fuwa snarled as he pulled himself to his feet, his form shaking "So many... So many KILLED because of him... They deserve JUSTICE! AND I WILL GET IT FOR THEM!" he roared, before rushing forth with his claws glowing in the light.
Yaiba looked to the ground as she effortlessly dodged the attack, becoming a blur once again and slashed him, the hook of the scythe cleaved through his armourless form.
Her blade hooked around his waist as she pulled, swinging him back with the scythe as she slashed through him.
Fuwa grunted as sparks flew off his body and was flung back, his body coursing with electricity as his Magnetic Wolf form was beginning to disappear. This lack of armour for speed was not his best choice.
Gai however was smiling at this sight, seeing Fuwa, the wild dog of AIMS, being taken down by his superior technology.
"Grargh! Y-Yaiba!" Fuwa grunted, forcing his body to stand against his former friend.
Yua's sight turned to Gai, who gave a simple nod. Her hand slowly going to her RaidRiser and pushed the large red button.
FIGHTING BOLIDE!
Yaiba's speed was a blur once again, slashing Fuwa and destroying his armour, sending the poor wolf flying and crashed into the ground.
Fuwa gasped out loud as he was torn to pieces, his 'new' form faded away as he fell to the floor in pain and on his front, his clothes were torn up as he was bleeding.
"Come, Yaiba. We have a third round to win." Gai ordered, not caring about Fuwa.
"...y?" Fuwa coughed heavily. "...Why?"
"What was that... Dog?" Gai snapped.
"Why? Did you...? The death. Lives ruined. Why?" Fuwa grunted as he struggled to turn around and glare at Gai, though he could only hear the movement of feet.
"I guess I can tell a dying mongrel." Gai sneered at Fuwa. "Because those idiots at Hiden didn't see my potential. Korenosuke put me in demeaning jobs that were way below my station as a genius."
Fuwa glared at the floor, his mind fading as he heard this.
"They didn't understand what genius they had; it was their fault for not recognizing me." Gai ranted. "Teaching the Ark ALL about humanity was necessary! If it didn't know the good AND the bad then how could it accurately predict what people would do, how could it do its job if it only had HALF the information?!"
Fuwa tried to look at Yaiba, whose feet were only in his peripheral vision as she just stood there. "All you said. Just means. You caused it."
"I did not such thing!" Gai scoffed "It is the idiots who did not install an ethics program. The moronic intern who programmed Ark with its knowledge of 'good'. Anyone who did not install any routine reset or shut-down protocols. I am far from at fault!"
"Y-You. You." Fuwa was losing consciousness as he tried to stay awake.
"Can't you see? It's their fault. I just happen to profit from it all." Gai answered, brushing his cuffs off. "And so, when I realised ten years ago that some HumaGear treated Ark like a GOD? Well... I saw the opportunities."
Yua turned away as she heard Gai 'confess' to Fuwa. There was nothing she could do. Not against her boss. And if she did? She would be thrown away.
She would lose... Everything.
And she hated herself for it.
Engineering was her one love. It was all she cared about. She was so young; she poured her heart and soul into getting where she was. Sacrificed so much all ready. And super specialised in this field.
If she lost this job if Gai fired her... She would NEVER get a job in engineering again. Ever. Even in fifty years, she'd be out of that job field. And she did not have the skills for any other job, not one with decent pay. She'd be stuck as some low-level computer programmer in a generic office job, at BEST. At worst... She didn't want to think about it.
This was Japan. And if she lost this job, it was as good as her losing her life.
"So, you see. Mutt. I simply took the initiative. And ZAIA will crush Hiden. And finally...free for the total 1000% monopoly in the world." Gai finished up. "Come Yaiba."
"Sir." Yaiba sighed, her head lowered sadly as she followed him.
"Yaiba..." Fuwa's consciousness slipped away as he fell to the ground as the two walked away, leaving him wounded on the ground.
To be continued
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