The opulent palace of the Emperor which usually reigned as a gleaming construct of technological supremacy and imperial majesty, was dimmer than usual. The ambient glow of the walls, typically pulsating with unyielding energy, flickered faintly, betraying the strain the city was under.

And at its center, Akuta stood almost stoically, her expression unreadable as she observed the Emperor being informed by one of his surviving servants from the unexpected strike from the shinobi.

"Your Majesty," the servant began, her tone hesitant despite its artificial nature. "The Kamen Riders' bombings have caused extensive damage across several zones within the palace. Areas C, D, and F are reporting critical infrastructure failures. The automated repair systems were heavily compromised, and..." It hesitated, as if reluctant to continue.

"Speak."

"The primary power plant for the city has been severely damaged. Its output has dropped to nearly zero. Emergency reserves are insufficient to sustain all functions indefinitely."

A strained silence hung in the air. Akuta watched carefully, noting the way the environment in the room somehow became heavier; a glaring sign of frustration from the god-Emperor of China.

"These Kamen Riders… They have disrupted the harmony of my perfect realm. Their actions are not those of mere interlopers—they are saboteurs, intent on undermining the very order I have built. The best we can do is to salvage what remains of the systems. Wake them, even if their capabilities are incomplete. Dedicate parts of their processors to repairing and maintaining the systems they were designed to protect."

The servant bowed, acknowledging the command. "As you decree, Your Majesty."

Akuta took a step forward, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "You're diverting resources to repair the converters, aren't you?"

"I have no choice. Without them, the city will fold into chaos. An unacceptable outcome for my perfect world."

"Anyone blind, deaf, or dumb can understand that. How long do you have left?" She pressed, her tone edged with curiosity and perhaps a hint of concern.

"So long as I keep my energy usage optimal, I will have several days. By then, the repairs will be completed. However...This will curb my operational capacity until then."

Akuta's eyes widened slightly, though she quickly masked her reaction. "You really think you can run everything like that?"

"For the sake of my empire, I will. I am the Emperor. Every part of this realm is an extension of me. To let it crumble due to the actions of an unruly few would to fail at my purpose in life."

Akuta crossed her arms, leaning back slightly as a faint, brittle smile played on her lips. "How noble. Or perhaps just plain stubborn."

"Focus all remaining resources on stabilization. Prioritize the generator and the warrior systems. Inform the citizens that their Emperor will not falter, even under attack."

"As you command," The remaining servants bowed before retreating.

As silence fell once more, Akuta studied Qin Shi Huang carefully. For all their proclamations of godhood and perfection, this moment revealed a glimpse of their limits—a vulnerability they would never admit to.

"You should watch yourself," She finally said almost casually once she was alone with the Lostbelt King, leaning onto a nearby pillar. "Even the mightiest empires fall when they overreach."

"My empire will endure; these Kamen Riders have earned my attention. They will regret their defiance."

"Okay, you keep using that title and quite frankly, I am getting sick of going through this nonsense while being left out of the loop of my own damn Lostbelt." The black-haired Master borderline snapped, having officially reached the end of the patience with all of these unexpected setbacks and obstacles in the way of her reunion with her one true love, "Just who the hell are these ninjas that have got everything here completely out of whack?!"

"Ah yes, I forgot you would be ignorant of that frog's schemes."

Frog? Something told Akuta that was not just some normal insult.

"That frog—Gamano—has been a thorn in my side for centuries. He was a master in a certain art within the Japanese islands. When my army came to unite the lands under my vision, he joined my side, spinning lies that he believed in my cause."

"Well, clearly he didn't." Either that or he eventually saw how terrible the Emperor's vision of utopia was. Akuta wasn't going to say that last part aloud though, as she would rather not try to further aggravate the already incensed Lostbelt King.

"...No, no he didn't. Loathed as I to admit it, I believed his words and kept him as a valuable aide for years on end only to be betrayed at a critical point in my rightful rule. He is a crafty one; unlike the warlords who banded together to fight me, he took the route of subterfuge. In between helping me, he studied the way my empire operated and when the time came, he stabbed me in the back and hid."

"And he's been alive all this time?" If this Gamano had been in conflict with the Emperor for centuries, Akuta had to wonder how he did it.

"As I've said, he is a master in the arts known as ninjitsu; he knew of ways to prolong his lifespan and has been using it to disrupt my well-crafted peace however way he can."

…Akuta wasn't sure that was a good answer but what did she know anyway? She had no idea the ins and outs of this Lostbelt yet.

"And through the centuries, he's swayed far too many of my loyal citizens to his cause. He poisoned their mind and turned them against me—teaching them his art to do his bidding. Those ninjas who committed these acts of terrorism are his newest generation of pupils; his Kamen Riders as he named them."

"And one of them had a grudge against me." That was the second-most puzzling part of all this. She had only arrived in the Lostbelt several weeks prior yet it was as if she was always here in the eyes of that Shinobi. The most puzzling part was naturally what caused these ninjas to appear.

"Does that satisfy your curiosity, Akuta Hinako? If so, we should be moving on to our counterattack."

Akuta clicked her tongue softly, a gesture laced with subtle annoyance. She knew all too well that Qin Shi Huang was deliberately sidestepping her pointed observation. But rather than press the issue, she pivoted. With a casual wave of her hand, she called out, her voice sharp and commanding, "Saber! We've got some actual work to do!"

The sound of footsteps echoed as her Servant stepped into view. "As you wish, Master," Saber replied coolly, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. "What's the plan of action?"

Akuta wordlessly gestured for Saber to follow, her movements brisk and purposeful as she strode down the opulent corridors of the palace. The faint flicker of dimmed lights reflected off the polished floors, a subtle reminder of the empire's current vulnerability.

The Crypter and her Servant crossed the Palace's halls to reach their destination—the large basement where the Emperor kept all of their warriors in cryosleep until they were needed again. One of said warriors was naturally this world's version of someone she held dear; just thinking of him brought some clarity to her mind… as well as rage towards those damned Kamen Riders. Being where all of the best warriors were being kept, it was only natural that they targeted the room.

Fortunately, no harm was done to any of the capsules containing the sleeping soldiers but the system to wake them up had been damaged, further crippling what the Emperor was capable of doing. Akuta had to admit that the frog, as he was always called, was brilliant in the way he had his students orchestrate this attack.

"With what we have left, we can wake a few." One of the servants in charge of maintaining the cryosleep caskets informed her when she arrived. Most of the wiring connecting the caskets to the terminal to awaken them was damaged in the attack but some survived the attack—including his.

"Then wake all those we can," Akuta ordered irritability with a huff. She didn't think she'd need to say what they should have done so earlier. The servant quickly got to work and soon enough, the frozen warriors stirred from their long slumber… except for his. "...Hey, what part about "wake all those we can" did you not understand?!"

The servant was naturally fearful at the deadly glare being shot at him and quickly explained himself. "It's the Emperor's orders! They decreed that no matter what, only they can give permission to awaken Xiang Yu."

"...Typical," Akuta growled under her breath. Even now, when they were all on the same side in wanting vengeance, that damned Emperor was still dangling what she wanted most in front of her. Just how much longer did she have to wait before reuniting with her beloved?!

Akuta's fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as her frustration simmered just beneath the surface. Saber stood nearby, watching her with an expression that was equal parts curiosity and caution. He knew better than to interrupt her when she was stewing like this, but the tension in the room was getting too palpable to leave alone.

The warriors who had been successfully awakened began to stir, their gazes sharp as they took in their surroundings. They moved with varied levels precision and purpose, all of their bodies conditioned for combat even after their extended stasis—a testament to the advanced technology of the empire. One by one, they approached Akuta, bowing slightly in acknowledgment of her authority.

But her attention was elsewhere. Her eyes lingered on Xiang Yu's cryosleep capsule, her gaze filled with a mixture of longing and bitterness. She wanted nothing more than to see him awake, to have his unyielding presence by her side again. And yet, the Emperor's leash tightened around her desires, keeping her from what she wanted most.

Saber finally broke the silence, his voice low but firm. "Master, dwelling on it won't change the Emperor's decree. We need to focus on what we can control."

Her head snapped towards him, her teal eyes blazing with frustration. "You think I don't know that?!" She exhaled sharply, turning her back to him and crossing her arms. "It's just... infuriating. They're playing games with me, even now. If they weren't so vital to this damned Lostbelt's survival, I'd—" She cut herself off, biting her tongue.

Saber raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "The warriors we have will be enough for now. They're skilled, disciplined, and ready to fight. We can make this work."

Akuta's gaze flicked back to Xiang Yu's capsule, her expression softening ever so slightly. "He's not just a warrior to me, Saber. He's... more than that. Far more than I can explain to someone like you."

Saber's smirk was faint but unmistakable. "I don't need an explanation, old friend. But I believe that he wouldn't want you distracted when there's work to be done."

She bristled at his words but chose not to pointlessly argue with his reasoning. Instead, she turned to the newly awakened warriors, her voice sharp and commanding. "You've been brought back for one reason: to fight. The Kamen Riders have dealt a blow to this empire, and we will answer it in kind. Prepare yourselves—we move out NOW."

The warriors nodded in unison, their determination evident.

As they began their preparations, Akuta spared one last glance at Xiang Yu's capsule. Her fingers brushed against the cold glass for just a moment before she pulled away, her expression hardening once more.

"Let's go, Saber. We have a battle to end."

Saber followed her without a word as they left the cryosleep chamber. The faint hum of machinery faded behind them, replaced by the growing roar of determination as the awakened warriors readied themselves for battle.

And in the back of her mind, Akuta silently vowed that she would find a way to reunite with Xiang Yu—Emperor's orders be damned.


The Shadow Border hummed steadfastly as it sped across the desolate icescape towards China.

In the back of the vehicle, Olga sat with her arms crossed, her usual stern expression firmly in place with Woz sitting beside her, flipping through his book with typical calm detachment, while Ritsuka and Mash adjusted their equipment in anticipation. Hans Christian Andersen, leaning against his seat with a book in hand, looked as unimpressed as ever.

Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, one of their newly summoned Servants, was seated near the edge of the room. His tanned skin, youthful features, and silver-white hair gave him an otherworldly aura, while his golden eyes seemed to pierce through the very air. His red holy vestments and golden cross marked him as a figure of both sanctity and mystery.

Beside him sat one Jing Ke. Her teal eyes were sharp, exuding a poised confidence. Her black hair was tied slightly to the side into a long, thin ponytail that trailed to her legs, with a few bangs over her forehead and two longer strands framing her face. Her multi-layered kimono, adorned with wide trimmings and a floral pattern, hinted at her origins as Chinese. A symbol of a lily graced the waist area beneath her blue-and-white sash. The large sleeves of her kimono, reminiscent of a yukata, swayed as she leaned casually against the wall. Her nails, painted in a grayish tone, and her sandals added a subtle touch of elegance.

Jing Ke broke the silence, her voice cool but carrying an undercurrent of intrigue. "Well, isn't this uncanny? Of all the times for me to be taken on a mission, it'll be in my homeland." She glanced at Amakusa with a half-smile. "And with a priest no less. Fate sure has a funny sense of humor."

Amakusa tilted his head towards her, a seemingly friendly smile spreading across his face. "I would say that nothing is left to coincidence in these lives we lead, but what exactly do you mean, Miss Jing Ke?"

Jing Ke hummed softly, brushing a strand of her long black hair aside. "Oh, it's simple. If we're heading into China, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if the first person waiting to greet us is none other than Qin Shi Huang." Her teal eyes gleamed in a way that was borderline whimsical. "Fate likes to throw curveballs like that."

The group exchanged looks of unease and curiosity. Mash was the first to speak, her tone hesitant. "That's... quite the prediction. But do you really think it's that simple?"

"Simple?" Jing Ke scoffed lightly, folding her arms. "As if anything we are involved in is ever simple. But it does have a way of aligning things, like pieces on a chessboard." She smirked, leaning back against the wall. "Of course, if I'm going to ponder the mysteries of the world, destiny, and our parts in it, I'll need a proper drink or two to help the process along."

"Of course you would…" Ritsuka muttered, dragging a hand down his face in exasperation.

"Why am I not surprised?" Hans deadpanned, flipping a page in his book without looking up. "As if we didn't already have enough problems to deal with."

Mash scratched the back of her head nervously, trying to ease the tension. "Well, let's just hope it's not as bad as it sounds."

Jing Ke couldn't help but smirk at that. "Hope's nice, but you should always prepare for the worst. Trust me, I've been around long enough to know."

"So," Olga began, her voice cutting through the hum, "Since we're heading into China's Lostbelt, it's probably a good time to connect a few dots. Shinobi's history is tied to this Lostbelt, which means Rentaro Kagura could be relevant to what we're walking into."

Mash tilted her head in thought. "Rentaro Kagura... is that Shinobi's real name? He's one of the future Kamen Riders you encountered, right? You said how they were involved in explaining just who and what this White Woz is."

Hans, still leaning against his seat with his book, let out an exaggerated sigh. "As if one Woz wasn't enough of a headache. Now there's a White version too?"

"I'd watch my tongue, writer," Black Woz interjected coolly, flipping a page in his book with practiced detachment. "If anyone heard anything useful from you, I'd be astounded."

Hans narrowed his eyes, glaring at Black Woz. "Useful? Coming from the man who's been cheerleading a tyrant-in-training? That's truly rich."

As the two began to bicker once again for what seemed to be the hundredth time, Olga pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath before speaking up again. "Ignore them. I'll explain." She folded her arms, leaning forward slightly to address the group. "In short, White Woz came from an alternate future where Oma Zi-O's ascension was prevented by a power known as Geiz Revive - which belonged to that same Geiz who came from 2068 with Tsukuyomi, as I explained to you guys before. White Woz wanted to ensure that particular future created by Geiz Revive came to be by guiding Geiz himself to that point."

Amakusa raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "An intriguing tale, but I sense there's more to this than meets the eye."

"There always is," Olga muttered, her gaze gaining a faraway look for a moment before taking a deep breath, as if to harden her resolve. "And to reach that point, White Woz went about obtaining the powers of Kamen Riders Shinobi, Quiz, and Kikai to give rise to Geiz Revive, as you might have already guessed given what I told you all before. What none of you probably realize is that all of it started because I dreamed it up."

A pin could drop and be heard loud and clear in the stillness that suddenly blanked the group.

Jing Ke, who had been starting to lazily lean against her seat, straightened up, her teal eyes narrowing in pure disbelief. "You what?"

Olga's expression didn't waver. "You heard me. I dreamed it up. I was desperate to find a way to prevent Zi-O from becoming Oma Zi-O, the greatest tyrant in time, and I hypothesized it in my sleep and brought it to life. Somehow, my dreams... became reality."

Ritsuka blinked, his expression a mix of confusion and unease. "Wait. Are you saying that whole situation happened because of your dreams?"

"Zi-O's power is the strongest in history," Olga said, her tone matter-of-fact as she tapped a finger on the side of her head. "She can change the past and future at will. You didn't think Woz was being hyperbolic when he said that, did you?"

A heavy silence followed her words, save for the ongoing squabble between Hans and Black Woz in the background… Until Amakusa broke it. "If I had a nickel for every time someone's dreams is actually reality, I'd have two nickels. Isn't that the same as the Shimousa incident, Master?"

"Sort of, but it wasn't me who dreamt all that up nor was it an actual dream." Ritsuka still wondered what the Caster of Limbo's true goals were—to manipulate that alternate Amakusa to do what he did.

"The roots of cosmic fantasy will fall!"

…That phrase…

"Senpai?" Mash's voice snapped him out of his thoughts and they once again focused on the topic at hand. "Is there anything else you can say about Rentaro Kagura, Field Director?"

"Hmm… When I dreamt about him, he was pretty different from the one I met in 2019," Olga answered as she reminisced about the Another Shinobi incident. "Admittedly, it was only brief but the Rentaro in 2022 was by all rights a hero. He saw someone being attacked and jumped in to help without a second thought. But the Rentaro in 2019… he saw himself as weak. He was still good at heart but lacked the inner strength to truly do good. Swartz saw this and turned him into the Another Rider version of his future self."

'And it was a pain getting the powers to Shinobi to defeat him.' Olga silently added in her head.

"But in the end, he realized he was being manipulated and fought back. He proved himself to be someone who could be a hero and it was thanks to that we were able to defeat Another Shinobi. But now the only question is…"

'...Will the Shinobi we meet be the same?' Olga could only hope the Rentaro Kagura of this Lostbelt had the heart his alternate self has. If not… 'No, don't worry about that. If he holds the title of Kamen Rider, then he's someone we can believe in.'

Stuck in the midst of her thoughts, Olga failed to realize that the Rider Da Vinci had popped into the room. "Hey, Field Director? FIELD DIRECTOR?!"

"Huh? Oh, Da Vinci…" Olga cleared her throat and asked the holographic Servant what the issue was.

"We're nearing the Chinese Lostbelt and about to dive Imaginary Number Spaces. Director Goredolf would like to remind you all to take your seats and put on your seatbelts," she answered like a flight attendant, complete with a friendly smile.

'Already? Huh… here's hoping we don't run into any trouble…' Olga prayed but knowing how things been, she might have just jinxed them all.


It had been a repetitive few centuries, he had to admit. He seeked those who doubted the Emperor's utopia, taught them to be those who could fight for what they believed them, his students would eventually leave him—by old age or a run of bad luck—and the cycle repeats. A lesser man would have lost his mind a long time ago, but he was not so weak-willed. He did not fall under the allure of peace that the Emperor promised—he knew the truth and would fight for as long as he drew air.

He knew the truth about how things should be. While it was still a few years early, the world was not how he remembered it to be. ecause of the Emperor, everything in the world was completely backwards. Everyone except those who lived in the castle over the hill lived in rural homes typical of centuries long passed. It should be the 21st century, but everyone lived like peasants. For that, the Emperor must pay.

His musings were interrupted by distant screams echoing from his viewing orb. Narrowing his eyes, Gamano turned his gaze onto the invaded village. The Magical Beasts native to this Lostbelt had descended upon the settlement, their monstrous forms tearing through homes and scattering terrified villagers.

"Another reminder of this fractured world's fragility and false promises," Gamano muttered as he made no move to intervene. "What should I do?" The people of this Lostbelt who were not liberated by him were mere shadows of true humanity, pawns in a grander game. Their suffering was inconsequential to his plans…

But then, something unexpected happened. A burst of light erupted on the outskirts of the village, and figures emerged from the chaos—warriors who moved with purpose and precision. Gamano's eyes widened as he recognized them the two leading the charge: Kamen Riders.

Gamano leaned forward, his interest piqued as the warriors fought off the Magical Beasts. "So those from real history have found their way here. Let's see what they are after…"


It was just their luck that when they emerged out of Imaginary Numbers Space, they immediately ran into trouble. It was fortunately rather tame compared to what they encountered in the previous Lostbelt—a simple farming village being attacked by magical beasts. Without a second thought, they jumped in to protect the distressed natives. Olga and Woz immediately transformed to fight the monsters in the outskirts, while Ritsuka and his Servants entered the village to save the townsfolk.

Even with only three-and-a-half Servants (in Hans's own words), they were able to fight off the rampaging beasts and get most of the attention on them. "Jing Ke, with me!" Ritsuka ordered as he moved to help rescue those still being chased by the more stubborn monsters. While Mash, Amakusa, and Hans fighting in the centre of town and dealing with most of them, he and the Assassin would run through the streets to get the remaining ones' attention.

"Gandr!" Ritsuka shouted as he used what little magecraft he could. It would only stun the beasts for a little while, but that was enough for Jing Ke to take them out. While casting the spell so many times was wearing him out, it was a small price to pay. He had to do what he could, just as what Olga and the others were doing.

As the two continued saving who they could, they came across an injured and frantic man who begged them to save his daughter who was trapped inside their home. Ritsuka didn't even need to think about it for a moment. "Jing Ke!"

"Right on it!"

The two entered the home through the hole undoubtedly made by the beast where they saw the man's daughter; she was cornered and bleeding from the leg but she was still glaring at the monster in front of her, who was ready to pounce and end her life. "Gandr!" A single cast and a throat cut later, the beast fell dead. "Are you okay?" Ritsuka asked as he rushed to the girl's side.

"...Yes, who are you?" She answered after recovering from her shock.

"I'm—"

"Master! We have to keep moving!" Jing Ke interrupted him before he could introduce himself.

"—just passing through." With that, Ritsuka joined Jing Ke in heading back out.


"FINISH TIME! ZI-O SURE SURE SHOOTING!"

"Let's see you handle this!" The Queen of Time shouted as she pulled the trigger. A blast of pink energy tore through a line of magical beasts but there were still a lot of them. "Woz, any bright ideas?" The easy solution would have been using Grand Zi-O and summoning her predecessors but due to her plan to keep Chaldea safe while they were gone… 'I sure chose the best time, didn't I?' Kneecapping herself was the only choice but damn did it come back to bite her so fast. The magical beasts went down fast, sure, but there were so many of them.

"Save your energy, my Demon Queen. Let me handle the rest," Woz answered with his usual calm tone of voice as he confidently took out one of his Miridewatches.

"Shinobi!"

"It's only right to use this one, don't you agree?" Her retainer mused as he replaced the Woz Miridewatch.

"Action! Projecting! Future Time! Who's there? I'm There? Ninja! Futurering Shinobi! Shinobi!"

Swapping forms to the Future Rider present in this Lostbelt as well as turning the Jikan Despear to its scythe mode, Woz swiftly went to work. Using Shinobi's powers, he created clones of himself to make the culling that much easier. With the speed and numbers granted to him through ninjitsu, the many Wozes cut down beast after beast until none were left.

"Now I need to know if I can use those Ridewatches," Olga remarked after being stunned silent by the display of power Woz showed. Really, all of the Future Riders' powers were incredible. 'Of course they are; I was the one who dreamt them.'

…She still wished she could use them though. "Good work as always, Woz."

"Your praise is unneeded, my Demon Queen," The Wozes bowed to her before all but one vanished in a puff of smoke. "All in a day's work for… for me."

Woz's brief slip-up concerned Olga before she realized using that much power must have drained him. "Woz, take a moment to catch your breath. That's your queen's order," she told him before turning her head towards the village and taking off towards it to assist Ritsuka's group. However, Woz defied that simple order and followed her; Olga made the mental note to knock him out to force him to get some rest later.

"Mash! We're here!" Olga cried as they regrouped with the Shielder in the middle of the village. There wasn't much of the beasts left and with all five of them, they were able to clear them all out. 'Hopefully for a long time.'

With numbers like that, they would have done a large blow to the local population. It would take a long time before an attack of this size would happen again to the unfortunate villagers. "Where's Ritsuka?" She asked Mash who answered that he and Jing Ke were helping elsewhere inside the village. "I see… now can you do me a favour and knock Woz out?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Yes, do it, Kyrielight."

"Speak another word and I swear upon the name of Space God himself, Caster, that I shall—"

And just like that, those two were back to arguing. Olga let out a long, exhausted sigh at her retainer's continued rivalry with Hans. "In any case, we should… um… Why are they looking at us like that?" Olga had expected to see the grateful faces of the villagers as they came out of their hiding spots. Instead, they were greeted with enraged or fearful looks—all directed at her. For a brief moment, she feared they knew who she was, who she would be.

That fear was quickly replaced by confusion as the panicked cries of "Kamen Riders!" filled the air. Even Woz stopped fighting with Hans to shield Olga from the venom being spat in their direction.

"It seems… Shinobi and his peers have a terrible reputation here," Woz muttered. That was the only reason why the villagers would react that way to their presence. "Shall we retreat, my lady?"

That was the smart idea. Despite saving them, it was impossible to mistake the unbridled hatred towards them… But Olga was having none of it. In her mind, it was no different from how Geiz treated her at the beginning of their relationship; all she had to do was prove she meant them no harm. And to prove she came with peace, she removed the Zi-O Ridewatch from her Driver. "Woz?" As the armor dissipated away, her amber eyes stared expectedly at him.

Her retainer contemplated the silent order before with an exasperated sigh— "As you wish." —disengaged his transformation as well. Of course, Mash and the others were ready to protect them should they need to but judging from the confused looks the villagers shared with each other, it was clear they were at a loss on what to do next too. They could hear murmurs of "What do we do?" and "Where's the chief?" among them.

Then— "Let them speak!" The crowd parted to allow for someone to come through and, to their surprise, the village chief was being assisted by Ritsuka due to his injuries. "For their aid, we'll give them the chance to explain themselves. Remember, we must be thankful to those who help us. Even if they might be one of them."

Olga felt the scrutinizing gaze of the chief on her… and she couldn't be more grateful that someone was willing to listen. Now to find out what Shinobi had done to give Kamen Riders a bad name. That was quickly answered when Jing Ke appeared next with a piece of parchment.

"Field Director, you may want to see this…" she whispered before unrolling the parchment to show a picture of Shinobi and several other Kamen Riders she has yet to encounter. There were no words but considering there were symbols of a noose next to them, it was clear what the parchment was: it was a call for execution.

"...EHHH?! WHAT DID YOU DO, RENTARO?!"


"Hmm… interesting," Gamano hummed as he finished watching the events unfold before making his choice, his voice laced with amusement.

Without turning, he moved one of his frog fingers from within the painting, signaling to one of the figures lingering around him in the shadows, ready to move at anytime. A lean man cloaked in black stepped forward, bowing deeply.

"Call for my pupils. It's time for their next mission." Gamano ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. It's a shame they were still resting but this takes priority over anything else; for his feud with the Emperor to end, he would need Chaldea's help.

"As you command." Once more, the man disappeared into the shadows, leaving Gamano alone once more.

He straightened, his smirk deepening as he watched the white-haired woman gesture wildly toward the villagers, clearly trying to argue some sort of defense against what she was seeing. The determination etched into her every movement was almost admirable. Almost.

"Let's see how strong your resolve really is," Gamano mused. "Show me if you are capable of showing the worth of true humanity to this world."


And things are moving at a steady pace in this chapter!

In case it wasn't clear, Master Gamano remembers the canon timeline of Shinobi's story. Now why and how? You will get answers to that soon…maybe. Who knows.

Also, the Servants are clearly there for mythology references to canon of both crossovers! Jing Ke, due to her part in LB3's storyline and Amakusa Shiro Tokisada due the Tycoon x Shinobi crossover, where Amakusa may or may not be Rentaro and Iroha's father!

…Which brings up alot of questions if it turns out to be true given the plotline of that story.

FB113: One last chapter to end the year~ Not much else to say other than Gamano is slimy as a frog and that things aren't what they seem. And also… yes, it's her. If you must ask why, it's because I must continue pushing my agendas. Maintaining them is my top priority~ Anyway, see you all next time!

Have a good New Year!