DECADE CHAPTER PART 3: UNDERSTANDING
"Warren-san, are you telling me this guy here did not steal the Magatama from Rena-chan and I?" Shinichi asked.
"For the millionth time, yes!" Warren answered, exasperated at his stubborn agent. He apologized to Ranma, "Sorry about Shinichi. He can get a little…"
"Right, I know," nodded Ranma. Warren, after freeing Shinichi and Ranma, had taken them someplace private to talk. That place was the NEO-NUMBERS' base that was under the Irie Clinic. Shinichi was starting to understand why Shinichi had acted that way. His own rivals acted like that all the time, but Shinichi had a really good reason.
"And the one who did rob us was his double from an alternate world," Shinichi said, taking in the new information. He looked to Ranma suspiciously and then at Warren. He didn't fully trust Ranma, but Warren had no reason to lie to him. With a sigh, he looked back at Ranma and apologized, "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."
"No problem," said Ranma. "I get attacked over misunderstandings all the time. I'm used to it." The next time he met Diend, he was going to exchange a few words with him.
Speaking of the thief, he was at the Angel Mort and flirting with all the waitresses. He was definitely getting attention from the pretty girls and he loved the way their uniforms hugged their forms and showed off their bodies.
Kaitoh took another bite of his cake and smiled. "Now this is a world I could like, if it wasn't for that horrible 'curse'."
Oyashiro-sama's Curse was not something to be taken lightly by the villagers of Hinamizawa. Oyashiro-sama was the village's deity and known to be an angry one that demanded sacrifices. Truthfully, Oyashiro-sama was the persona crafted by the villagers for Hanyuu who never liked how people worshipped her.
Part of Hinamizawa's culture was the dedicated belief to a shrine Oyashiro-sama who, when angered by those who defied him, took revenge at the time of the Watanagashi Festival. After the events of the cotton-drifting, a ritual which purified the soul by sending a piece of cotton down the river to make the troubles float away, one person was killed to appease the deity's wrath while another disappeared without a trace, something the villagers referred to as "being demoned away." The villagers' beliefs on this mystery were half-and-half: while some believed it was the work of Oyashiro-sama, others were convinced mere humans with a lot of power to their name were responsible and got away with it. In other words the Sonozaki Clan. Representative and Head of the Sonozaki Clan, Oryou Sonozaki, denied any involvement in Oyashiro-sama's curse, though it was obvious enough that her say governed the candidates that died; either that, or the whole "curse" was mere coincidence carried out by the villagers.
The following were events that occurred during the four years where the 'curse' took effect.
Year 1: A construction worker and his supposed killer; the first was killed and chopped up into bits and discarded at the dump, though his one arm is still missing. The murderer was never apprehended, and it wasn't until three years later that the disappearance was accounted for as a part of Oyashiro-sama's doing.
Year 2: A man and his wife, respectively the father and mother of Satoko and Satoshi Houjou; the two fell down a waterfall when the safety bar collapsed, and the wife's corpse was never found.
Year 3: The Priest of the Furude Shrine and his wife, who homed the Houjous/denied the protests during the Dam War; the husband died under strange circumstances in his bedroom in the middle of the night, and his wife went missing around the same time.
Year 4: Tamae and Satoshi Houjou; Tamae was beaten to death by a baseball bat two hours after the Watanagashi Festival, and while a suspect was apprehended, the boy supposedly died in prison and Satoshi Houjou vanished a few days later - according to police records, Shion Sonozaki claimed to have been with Satoshi during the festival, and that his aunt's murder wasn't his doing, though the police were convinced it was a cover-up.
Another aspect of the 'curse' was the madness that befell people who defied Oyashiro-sama. This was known as the Hinamizawa Syndrome.
Indeed, Kaitoh knew of this world well. Fortunately, the Endless June and the cycle of death had been broken.
And now this world…the world of Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni had turned into a Rider World with the presence of Kamen Rider Showa, the only Rider with the power to reverse time. That power was a treasure and a treasure Kaitoh intended to have.
"OK, now that we have that out of the way, let me introduce you both," said Warren. "Ranma, this is Shinji Banabara, also known as Shinichi. He's also known as Kamen Rider Showa. Shinichi, this is Ranma Saotome, also known as Kamen Rider Decade."
"Nice to meet you, Ranma," Shinichi said, smiling.
"Likewise. Always fun to meet a Rider on the same side," said Ranma. The two shook hands.
Warren was relieved. There was no tension between the boys now. However, there were pressing matters to be discussed. "Shinichi, there's something you need to know. I've heard from my contacts that Gebok is starting his project."
Shinichi's eyes widened in surprise but Ranma looked confused. "Um, what project?"
"The Hinamizawa Syndrome," Shinichi said with a look of horror on his face.
"The what?"
"The Hinamizawa Syndrome is a disease exclusive to Hinamizawa," Warren explained, "Anyone and everyone who enters Hinamizawa will catch it. The syndrome is not something to take likely. The advance stages of the syndrome cause mental and emotional instability, paranoia, and finally suicide."
Ranma paled and panicked, "Does that mean I've got it?"
Warren said calmly, "Relax, we have a vaccine to immunize you if needed. You can take it now if you want."
"Warren-san," Shinichi said seriously, "About Gebok's project, I just want to know how he's supposed to spread it."
"Gebok has set up transmitters in New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo. These transmitters emit a specific frequency that will cause everyone that hears it to exhibit all the symptoms of the syndrome."
"WHAT!" Ranma and Shinichi shouted. Ranma understood the gravity of the situation. Those cities had a lot of people in them. It was mass murder. It was genocide.
"Gebok…" Shinichi growled.
"Shinichi, I've already sent the other NEO-NUMBERS to those locations. All you have to do right now is to find where Gebok is broadcasting from and shut him down for good," stated Warren.
"I understand, Warren-san," nodded Shinichi.
"Also, take Ranma with you. He can help you," Warren added.
"But, Warren-san, I prefer to work alone," Shinichi protested, "This is…personal."
"Shinichi, now's not the time to act like a lone-wolf. Ranma's helping. End of discussion. Tonight, just get some rest. Go home and sleep," said Warren.
"Alright, Warren-san," Shinichi nodded.
"Oh, and Ranma, is Kasumi around? It's been ages since I've seen her," said Warren.
"Ages?" Ranma said in confusion, "But we just saw each other hours ago." Warren laughed. "What's so funny?"
"Ranma, the last time we saw each other was 6 years ago," Warren said. "But then again when it comes to time and space, traveling between dimensions can cause a bit of a confusion."
"I know the feeling," muttered Ranma.
"Warren-san, it's good to see you again," said Kasumi as she Ranma and Warren enter the modest hotel room.
"It's good to see you too, Kasumi. You still look as young as I last saw you," Warren said in amusement.
Ranma rolled his eyes. Seeing Warren in another world was unexpected. At first he thought it was just an alternate version of Warren but he was surprised when he realized it was the same Warren he'd met in Ifrit's World.
"Ranma, have you met this world's Rider yet?" Kasumi asked.
"Yes, I did, and I learnt a lot about him too," said Ranma.
-FLASHBACK-
After Shinichi had left, Warren began to inform Ranma about this world's native Rider. The first was regarding Gebok and GIN-SHOCKER.
"So, who's Gebok?" Ranma asked, "When you mentioned his name Shinichi looked like he wanted to kill him."
"He's got good reason for it," said Warren. "Gebok is a touchy subject for Shinichi. Not only that, Gebok was the one who gave Shinichi his Rider powers."
"You mean the guy trying to kill people with the Hinamizawa Syndrome is the same guy who made Shinichi a Rider!" Ranma said in shock.
"That's right," Warren nodded. "It's personal so Shinichi would not tell you, so I'm telling you to help you understand him since you'll be working with him. You see, when Shinichi was 6 years old he was kidnapped and taken to GIN-SHOCKER. GIN-SHOCKER is a secret organization that aims to takeover the world. Shinichi was among the 14 children kidnapped for their NUMBERS project. 14 scientists were in charge of the project and each of them modified these children who would become the NUMBERS, GIN-SHOCKER's own elite fighting force. The best of the best, or so they'd like to think. Shinichi's designation was #13." Ranma continued to listen as Warren continued, "For 10 years Shinichi had to endure torturous tests and training. He had his DNA messed with along the way and he had his emotions suppressed. He was even ordered to kill the other NUMBERS as a test of his power. The worst was when Gebok had a girl captured to become Shinichi's friend. Gebok wanted to see what would happen if Shinichi were to develop emotions. Shinichi bonded with the girl but then one day during a training exercise Shinichi killed the girl."
"What!" Ranma exclaimed in shock.
"Not on purpose. Gebok snuck her into the course and dressed her up like a target dummy. Shinichi only realized it after he unmasked the dummy. After that he rebelled and broke out of the facility, killing everyone who got in his way. Gebok, it seems in a twisted way, sees himself as Shinichi's father."
-END FLASHBACK-
'Man, Shinichi's life was ruined for ten years like mine,' thought Ranma sympathetically. Warren made him swear never to tell Shinichi about what he knew. Shinichi didn't like strangers prying into his business. Shinichi only told people he trusted and only when he was ready. Fortunately, Shinichi was able to find his mother after so many years of separation and was happily living with her. He even had two adopted sisters. 'Maybe I should pay him a visit tomorrow.' He then remembered that Diend was in this world and loose. He'd stolen from Shinichi. 'Next time I see that thief he's gonna return those Magatama.' Ranma didn't know why those Magatama were important, so he decided to ask Shinichi when he saw him the next day.
Kamen Rider Chrome: Ranma understand a bit of Shinichi now.