Chapter 35: Conclusion

09:02 AM (Japan Time), Sunday August the 25th…

"… I see. Izono negotiated with you to allow you to catch them…"

"Yes. He knew that Anaya was fixated with me…"

"And used that to lure her into an ambush…"

"His planning was meticulously crafted, indeed…"

Misaki and Yuriko were talking about recent events.

The location was a Net Police HQ meeting room.

"He had already negotiated a way out for that young man, too…"

"Nelaus… Was it?"

"Yes. He didn't want to repeat their past mistakes…"

"Trial records said that he admitted to all charges and pleaded guilty…"

Misaki went over a folder with files.

"From an interview carried out when in prison, we can infer things…"

"I deduced some, too. Izono used to be weak-willed, and she used it…"

"Yes. Talking into him into becoming someone mightier and stronger…"

"But, over time, he realized that he was but a tool to her…"

"Yes. A useful proxy to do things in her stead…" Misaki confirmed.

"These 3 years in prison gave him time to sort out his conscience…"

"And when he realized what she meant to use Nelaus for…"

"He forestalled and negotiated a way out for him…"

"Through that person, Mr. Rainon…"

He went over another file.

"He actually had been a CIA agent for some years…"

"And was investigating Opoulos…" Yuriko inferred.

She rubbed her chin.

"But how did Izono know about him? Was he investigating him, too?"

"No. He's actually Anaya's godfather…" He revealed.

"Talk about a surprise!" She whistled, surprised.

"Although they hadn't seen each other for over a decade's time…"

"But he recalled about him and knew he could negotiate a way out…"

"Exactly…"

"Speaking of Opoulos…"

"He's gone into hiding. His staff also scattered across the world…"

"Izono doesn't know his location, either, I take it…"

"No. Else he'd told us already…" He confirmed.

"Opoulos probably organized it himself without telling them…"

"Correct…"

"Well. Unlike Regal or Clark, he doesn't have dangerous tech…"

"At the most, he coordinates several PMCs…"

"But they are busy in battlefronts across the Middle East..."

"Those that were in the DNN Studios were Navis…" He explained.

He flipped the pages.

"As for Regal… He hasn't done anything major ever since then…"

"But, knowing him, it's a matter of time…"

"Yes. We must be on the lookout for his next move…"

"Regal…! You're more persistent than a scammer…"

09:15 AM (Japan Time)…

"… Pleased to meet you, Commander Meijin. I am Nelaus Rainon…"

"Commander…?"

"Is something the matter?"

"No, no! It's simply that they hardly call me that…"

"Is that so?"

"Don't mind it. It's a fixation of myself…"

Nelaus was meeting with Meijin in another meeting room.

Meijin was both surprised and pleased at how he addressed him.

"Anyway. As you were told, I will be your "Net Savior" commander…"

"Yes. I will receive all mission instructions from you…"

"At first, they'll be single missions to get you used to the field…"

"Logical, sir…"

"Maybe, over time, you'll tag with others. But it's still far away…"

"Yes, sir. I will focus on the matters at hand…"

"I will insist, though, that this must be a secret from others…"

"I am used to secret missions. No issues, sir…"

"All you must do is behave as you always do. That's it…"

"Yes, sir. I will be conscious of it…"

"We have training facilities for that purpose as well…"

"Wonderful, sir…"

"When you have time, check them out. You can book them…"

"Perfect, sir. It'll help focus…"

"We have data on several types of adversaries, too…"

"It'll be great to try out several types of tactics, too…"

"Yes. One must learn to adapt to the environment and the opponents…"

"The basics of a battle…" Isaac agreed.

"And sharpen the reflexes. They aren't guaranteed to play fair…"

"One must use imagination to forestall or find a way out…"

"Indeed…"

"By the way, Commander…"

"What is it?"

"Which is higher in the chain of command?"

"Which?"

"You or Commander Beef?"

"… Good question…"

He sighed and crossed his arms.

"Commander Beef leads a separate team, preceding "Net Saviors"…"

"Which means that he operates his own chain of command?"

"Correct. He won't issue orders to you…"

"Understood…"

"Surprised that you knew about it, though…"

"Cloud Man told me once. About how he's a "real man of the sea"…"

"Cloud Man's descriptions are hardly accurate, I'll warn you…"

"I did have that feeling. Especially after that stupid prank…"

"I know. He rang "Tropical Despair" at full volume…"

"What's with that song, anyway?"

"Guess that Clark using "Monokuma" as avatar inspired him…"

"Because it loves pranks?"

"Well… More like it loves feeling in charge and manipulating others…"

"It was a move to pretend that he was mightier than Swallow Man?"

"In essence…"

"What a vain fool!" Isaac sighed.

"Those two are pretty dumb, anyway…"

"Surprised that Dr. Clark would program them like that…"

"Maybe he was trying to save up time and copy-pasted resources…"

"It's possible, true…"

"Well. Those are the least of our concerns right now…"

"I am aware. It's that Regal, fixated with "young Jack"…"

"He called you that?"

"How did you figure that out?"

"Because you remind me of a character named that…"

"I see. How snob of the fool…"

"He wants to play subtle…"

"I can tell that!"

"Well. Don't worry about that man, we'll handle it…"

"Understood. I will finish readying for the next school term…"

"Wonderful. Given your track record, you'll do great over there…"

"Thank you, sir…"

"Save your skills for the real battle, though, Isaac…"

"Understood, sir…"

"This summer sure has been hectic!"

09:48 AM (Japan Time)…

"… And then I used my Higure Kick to defeat the evildoer that…!"

"… I thought that you were bad at sports, though…? Mr. Higure…"

"Ignore him. He's making up tales, as always…"

"I'll go play with Ice Man!"

Higure was trying to impress Kido with some tale.

Number Man wasn't impressed and Aqua Man laughed.

"Hello, Mr. Higure!"

"Why! It's Ms. Saloma! What do you need?"

"I wanted some flame Chips… Flame Sword, Hell's Burner…"

Saloma came in to buy.

"Right away! By the blessings of the tropical paradise!"

"Why. You've been to Okinawa?"

"What? No! I meant… Well… You know!"

"Stop acting the fool, Yamitarou…"

"That's it!"

"What is it?"

"Yakushima! The beaches, the forest, the mysterious beauty!"

"You've never been there. It's probably something from a game…"

"What!? It wasn't a vision of my past incarnation!?"

"… Shuuko. Did you find them?"

He barely held his wish to scold Higure.

"Yes. Here they are…"

"Thanks. I'll pay with e-money…"

She held the PET over the card reader.

The word "OK" appeared in the display.

"… And then I fought the envoy of Death atop a tower, and…!"

"Again! That's a videogame!"

"No! A vision of my future incarnation!"

"Past, future… Agree on either!"

She rolled her eyes as she left the store.

Higure and Number Man were yelling at each other by now.

"Hi, Mr. Higure… What's the matter?"

"Netto – kun! Give me your Net Battler insight!"

"Excuse me?"

Netto had come to buy next but was confused at what was happening.

"Which is it!?"

"Which is… What?"

"Past!? Future!?"

"Isn't it the present right now?"

Higure yelped and fainted, hitting the desk with his head.

"Mr. Higure!?"

"There he goes again…!"

"Do I call the ambulance…?" Kido asked.

"No! A glass of water!"

"Alright…"

"Boy. I wanted Drill Arm Chips, but…"

"Shuuko will give them to you. Wait a minute…"

"Sure… What's going on, anyway?"

"Confusing videogames for visions of incarnations…"

"That's new…"

"Sure. But is as stupid as ever!"

"Well…"

"Don't bother. It involves me and this four-eyes…"

"Alright. But don't overdo it, alright?"

"Netto! Did you find the Golden DX Mega Battle Chip!?"

Dekao rushed in and eagerly looked around.

"Not you, too… You're the 88th person to ask that!" Number Man sighed.

"What!? It wasn't a secret for veteran Net Battlers!?"

"It's a prank! No more, no less…"

"… What was I doing…? Did the sky fall upon me…?"

Higure groaned and awakened, groggy and confused.

"Mr. Higure! What about the Golden DX Mega Battle Chip!?"

"… What was that again?"

"A net meme. No more, no less…"

"But the mighty "Don Nube" said that…!"

"Don Nube? Sir Cloud? That's Cloud Man! A prankster!"

"I knew it!" Guts Man sighed.

"Why didn't you…!?"

"I told you, Dekao! But you played deaf! To me and Chisao! Guts!"

"Earth! Swallow me whole!"

He dropped to his knees and burst into tears.

"… I'll pay with e-money…"

"Thank you for your purchase…"

Netto sighed and paid for the purchase.

He left the store, rolling his eyes.

Saito was waiting outside, looking at his PET display.

"I heard the fuss…"

"Saves me the need to explain…"

"I patrolled the area. Nothing odd…" Blood Shadow reported.

"OK. Let's go to the Game Center…"

"Sure. We'll meet with Tooru – kun to play Virus Busting…"

"And Virus Tickling!" Sigma laughed.

"Remember that you're under watch, Sigma…"

"I know! I won't do anything odd!"

"Good. You're warned…"

"By the way, Brad!"

"What next?"

"Did you know? Bucky Tower BGM is "best elevator music"!"

"That's a joke on YouTube comments…"

"Maybe we should play it in the HQ elevators?"

"Why bother? We already have our own music…" Netto sighed.

"Miracle Matter! Rocks and zaps and dances!"

"Suit yourself…"

"Sure!"

They headed for their destination while taking.

"Meiru and Yaito were going shopping…"

"Dad is coming back this evening, too…"

"But you can't complain, right? I did finish the summer homework!"

"Yes. But we must focus. 2nd term isn't going to be easy…"

"I know!"

"Did you find the Guidebook of Ultimate Answers?" Sigma laughed.

"Cheating doesn't solve anything…" Blood Shadow sighed.

"Sigma! What are you plotting next!?"

"Sir Omega!"

Omega appeared behind Sigma, annoyed.

"Don't lay a finger on the OS of the HQ!" He hissed.

"Y-yes, sir! By your orders, sir!"

"Davis and I are chasing possible leads. Stay sharp, Blood…"

"Roger!"

"Daratsu is covering the terrain here, looking for dangers…"

"Understood…"

"There's no point in being tense the whole time. Enjoy the day…"

"Thanks, Omega!"

"Good idea. Summer is about to end. Let's enjoy it!"

"As for you, Sigma… I'm watching you…!"

"R-roger, sir… I will be conscious of it…"

"I'll back up you two, as always!"

"Thanks, Blood! You're a reliable bud!"

"Sigma! Learn a thing or two from him, too!"

10:09 AM (Japan Time)…

"… Someone was inspired, I can see that…"

"Naturally… Who else?"

"I feel praised, my fellow audience!"

"AWOL, I take it…"

"Allergy With Overdrive Laugh!"

"Patent it…"

Shadow Man and Davis found a warehouse decorated with palm trees.

Bananas hung from them.

Flower rings were set on the branches.

A background with sun and a clean ocean was set on the back.

A banner read "TROPICAL DESPAIR PARADISE".

Cloud Man hovered before it, grinning and opening his arms wide.

"You wanted a lead? You now have 100 of them!" He laughed.

"I suspect that Freezing Winter is coming…" Shadow Man chuckled.

Cloud Man gulped and lost confidence.

"To send you to broom the Sahara Desert forever…"

"I'll be back with burritos, tequila and ponchos!"

He vanished but neither was too surprised.

"There goes the astray soul…" Shadow Man chuckled.

"Whatever. Better than insidious Regal…" Davis grumbled.

"You needn't tell me. Sent a letter saying "the best is yet to come"…"

"The best? He means the worst!" He sighed.

"Shadow Man. Less humor, sniff their trail…" Miyabi scolded.

"Delighted. Using a police dog's nose…"

"… I fail to see the point…"

Zero joined them as he looked at the setup.

"That's what happens when that guy is bored and inspired!"

"… If you say so…"

"Well, Mr. FOX. See you in Nicaragua…"

Shadow Man vanished with a cloud of smoke.

Davis rolled his eyes and Zero was expressionless, as always.

"Ignore it. Spread your ears and eyes, collect data…"

"…Roger…"

"That lousy jerk sent "a spell to summon a hysterical Colonel"…"

"And it's "la-li-lu-le-lo", I take it…" Davis deduced.

"Correct. Saying that the Teddy of Inaba told him…"

"Mixing Persona 4 and Dangan Ronpa? What a mad mix…"

"I know. But it's the lesser of two evils…"

"Let's report that this is but a trash dump and file it…"

Davis had already left the place and walked down the streets.

He glanced at an advertising banner.

It read "ANN", but the second "N" was slashed with an orange line.

"A sign? Something named "AN"…?" He pondered aloud.

"Uses orange as their trademark color?" Charles wondered.

"Hard to say… Might be good to note it down as a possible hint…"

"Roger that…"

"Regal… What's your next move?"

10:27 AM (Japan Time)…

"… Yes. I helped inspect the system, but it was in order…"

"Sorry for the hassle, Iris, but we're a bit understaffed…"

"I don't mind, Mr. Zataki. I want to help as well…"

"Naturally! I will call you if I need your help again…"

Zataki and Iris talked in one of the observation rooms.

"I'll go escort Trill to the playground…"

"Take care!"

"Don't worry. We'll use disguises…"

"Excellent. I'll ask Omega to check up the area, too…"

"Goodbye…"

"See you later…"

She left the room as Zataki formed a weak smile.

He looked out at the Earth outside of the window.

"Compared to the scale of the globe, we're but specks of dust…"

He shook his head and sighed.

He tapped a wireless mike on his neck.

"Anything odd, Daratsu?"

"Nothing. Save for that odd banner thing…"

"Omega also reported seeing it…"

"This is no coincidence anymore…"

"Agreed. It's a message…"

"Only Regal would bother. Clark had his own deal of fun already…"

"I know… And Opoulos doesn't need those, either…"

"The only noticeable thing is a parody of Donkey Kong…"

"Where?"

"In a pillar of the shopping mall. A black DK named "Ranko"…"

"Talk about an odd choice…"

"I investigated it. It's a reference to a Tintin album…"

"Feels like Regal! Making parodies of classical things…"

"But I found nothing odd in trash bins or in the men's toilet…"

Daratsu gasped, as if surprised at something.

"Wait. There's an odd poster in the door of the women's toilet…"

"What is it?"

"… "Beware of Riyuko. The freak"…"

"Come on! Riyuko is an anagram of Yuriko…!" He sighed.

"If that's his attempt at mob harassment, it sucks…"

"It's probably a fake to make us think that it's his best shot…"

"Agreed…"

"OK. Report if anything surfaces…"

"Right away…"

He ended the call and rubbed his chin, thinking.

"He's not ambushing there. It's too predictable…"

He tapped his upper arm with his fingers.

He shook his head and turned around.

"Need a glass of water. Else I can't focus…"

He exited the room and walked down the corridor.

"But we won't run from adversity…!"

19:49 PM (Japan Time)…

"… It was delicious!"

"You needed a house-made meal, didn't you?"

"Sure. Too much instant food…"

"You're predictable, dear!"

Yuuichirou rejoiced as he finished the dinner at home.

Haruka was delighted and giggled.

The twins were also amused.

"This summer was hectic, too! But we've made progress, too!"

"Glad to hear!"

"Number Man needed to refresh his cache, but we solved it…"

"Guess that it's the result of his argument with his partner…"

"Maybe he needs a talisman to drive off the evil spirits?"

"Well… Maybe?"

"I'm ready for the next term, too!" Netto announced.

"Same. Take it slowly and go over the lessons…" Saito followed up.

"That's the spirit! Reminds me of my student age!" The father laughed.

"You should tell us your tricks!" Netto joked.

"More like how I helped him with my notes!" Haruka giggled.

"Sure… Mine were a mess!" He laughed.

"Glad that I work on keeping them clean and concise!" Saito laughed.

"OK! Let's enjoy!"

"Life is there to enjoy it!"

THE END