Shotaro/History

## History

### Childhood

Emine and Shotaro were orphans and best friends. As children, they would imitate their favorite superhero, Charisma Justice, and befriend stray pets and animals in their neighborhood. While the two were frequently the object of scorn from neighbors for being orphans, the two vowed to be each other's support. Emine thinks the two of them became invincible, not just an imaginary power but an actual one that emerged from their very hearts.

### Near Death Experience and Dokeshi Awakening

One day, Shotaro had found some bullies had killed a dog, a cat, and a bird that he and Emine had befriended for so long. The bullies, wielding butcher knives and baseball bats, explain that they were tired of how creepy it was for Shotaro to hang around dirty stray animals.

Furious, Shotaro roars and runs at the bullies. The knife-wielding bully stands in his path--then stabs his knife through Shotaro's chest. Emine screams in fear as Shotaro coughs up blood. Before Emine can do anything, he is knocked with a baseball bat by another bully. Although injured, Emine still crawls to his dying friend, who wheezes and coughs. He also remembers how he was beaten before by men and women who mocked him and Shotaro as filthy orphans whose lives are worthless.

As Emine remembers it, he and Shotaro faced all violence together, gaining a trust in each other through those struggles, "an invincible friendship." As he laid dying, Shotaro looked to his dead friends: the dog, the cat, the bird. He thought how if he had their abilities--the dog's fangs, the cat's swiftness, the bird's flight--then he could protect Emine. Meanwhile, as he laid injured, Emine looked to Shotaro. He thought how if he had power, then he could heal Shotaro. Remembering, Emine concludes that "no two Dokeshi [were] more ironic than us." At that moment, both Shotaro and Emine screamed, with Emine's right eye darkening from blood, and a tear-shaped mark appearing on under his left eye. According to Emine, at that moment their strong feelings for each other, to be together, allowed him and Shotaro to become Dokeshi.

### Separating from Emine

Shotaro learned he was a Dokeshi whose powers depended on performing good deeds daily. Unknown to him, Emine had also become a Dokeshi, whose ability depended on performing bad deeds daily. Emine feared these conditions would keep them apart, and if they fail to meet these conditions, they will lose something precious. Emine thinks what will be lost is their friendship. And he realizes the two of them cannot walk the same path. The two grew more distance. In that time, Emine was bullied until finally he lashed out, killing his antagonists. The duo were then separated.

### Meeting Mana

Time passed, and Shotaro grew to become a teenager. One day in the Chinjuku Section of Toykyo, Shotaro is watching the series *Justice* on a shop's television set. Impressed with Charism Justice's skills, Shotaro imitates the superhero's Justice Blade technique. But as he does so, Shotaro accidentally enters the street--and is struck by a scooter, knocking him into the street unconscious. The scooter's driver, a young traveler named Mana, tends to Shotaro's injuries until he regains consciousness. As Shotaro awakens, he mutters Emine's name and mistakes Mana for a monster. Offended, Mana screams she deserves more respect after administering first aid to Shotaro (conveniently ignoring that her scooter was partially responsible for reason Shotaro's injury). Shotaro immediately apologizes--as Mana simultaneously apologizes to him.

As the two stand up, Mana asks who Emine is, wondering whether that is the boy's name. Shotaro corrects her, claiming he is on a journey to find his friend, Emine. After admitting she is impressed given how hard such a journey may be, Mana introduces herself. The two are interrupted by a scream nearby, as a girl accidentally let go of her balloon, which is floating away. Surprised, Shotaro causes something to move out of his right hand with a crunch, as a bone appears in his mouth. As he calls "Bone of the Bird," Shotaro leaps, leaving Mana alone and shocked at this display of power.

Shotaro leaps across rooftops until he snatches the lost balloon by its string. Upon his descent, however, he falls atop a fence post, landing on his groin before he topples and then lands on his already injured head. Although in pain, Shotaro is still able to hand the balloon to its young owner, who compliments Shotaro for being "something [...] in a lot of ways." But the girl is pushed away from Shotaro by her mother, who looks back to glare at Shotaro as they depart and reminds her child to avoid such Dokeshi.

While Shotaro is silent in the face of this mother, Mana is confused by this mother's scorn despite knowing the cautiousness most people take around Dokeshi, given the large number of incidents involving them. Yet Mana is also impressed that Shotaro can fly. Shotaro explains that, by biting an animal's bone, he gains its powers, on the condition that he also perform one good deed per day per power. Mana recognizes that retrieving the balloon for the girl was that good deed, as Shotaro needlessly explains that injuring his groin was not part of the good deed.

### Meeting the Governor, Charisma Justice, and the Vice Governor

Mana then reflects on the fact that there are good Dokeshi and bad Dokeshi, the latter including one who kidnapped the governor. Shotaro had no idea a Dokeshi had kidnapped the Governor, and he shocks Mana when he claims he has no idea when his favorite television show *Justice* airs. Their discussion is interrupted by noise nearby, as they see Charisma Justice himself, carrying the Governor's kidnapper over his shoulder while the Governor stand with him, seemingly unharmed. While the crowd cheers Justice's success, Shotor is more surprised that Justice is a real person and not just a fictional television character. Desiring to get closer to see Justice, Shotaro bites Bone of the Snake--disgusting Mana--as he slithers through the crowd.

Upon getting closer to the Governor, Shotaro is blocked by the Vice Governor, who finds Dokeshi disgusting and dangerous. While Mana defends Shotaro, he himself continues to let the Vice Governor insult him until he along with the Governor and Charisma Justice depart for the Metropolitan Building. Mana expresses surprise that Shotaro accepts such criticism. He explains he is used to such hatred. Unable to convince him, Mana leaves for her "Stop Putting on Such an Obviously Fake Expression" Competition, which confuses Shotaro.

Later that day, Shotaro helps a woman carry her heavy satchel--larger in diameter than either of them. Shotaro then sees a limo, with spiked hubcaps, approach him. The window rolls down to reveal the Vice Governor, who wants to speak with Shotaro. They are interrupted by Mana, who returns successful from her competition and fears the Vice Governor simply wants to criticize Shotaro again. The Vice Governor orders both Shotaro and Mana into his limo to explain his problem: he has learned the Governor and Charisma Justice are actually the Tast Brothers, evil Dokeshi who use their Water Swelling abilities to impersonate other people. The police do not believe the Vice Governor, so he asks Shotaro to get rid of the Tast Brothers. While Mana is still upset with the Vice Governor, Shotaro agrees to help.

### Rescuing the Governor

Shotaro and Mana arrive at the Governor's office in the Metropolitan Building--with Mana kicking Shotaro into the room in frustration that he does not understand her skills at martial arts. Standing before them is someone who looks exactly like Charisma Justice. But when Charisma Justice fails to perform the Justice Blade correctly, Shotaro and Mana recognize he is the Younger Tast Brother in disguise. Although this brother uses his Water Swelling Press to hold the two to the floor, Shotaro uses his Bone of the Hedgehog, causing his hair to transform into quills that puncture the Water-Swelling Press, allowing him and Mana to climb out from under the Press to attack. Before Mana's kick can land, the Younger Brother opens his mouth, drenching the children in his accumulated water. Distracted by how disgusting that technique is, the duo fail to stop the Younger Brother from escaping down the hallway.

Shotaro and Mana split up to find the Younger Brother. Someone resembling Shotaro returns to find Mana has attacked the Vice Governor, mistaking him for one of the Tast Brothers. When this Shotaro reveals that he knows the exact time when *Justice* airs, Mana immediately decks him, recognizes he is the Younger Tast Brother. Meanwhile, Shotaro has located the Older Tast Brother, who downs another bottle of water to attack with Water Trick: Water-Bullet Gun, spraying water like bullets at the boy. Shotaro bites on Bone of the Cat to dodge the attacks--yelling "Nyaaah!" along the way. The Older Brother responds by splurting water from his mouth to form a mist that fogs up the room. From the fog, the Older Brother claws and kicks at Shotaro. Shotaro bites the Bone of the Monkey, swinging along bars in the office. Before he can deliver a monkey-styled kick onto the Older Brother's head, however, Shotaro seems to see his old friend Emine. Indeed, the Older Brother transformed into Emine. Seeing Shotaro's distraction as an opportunity, the Older Brother attacks with Water-Bullet Gun, which knocks Shotaro to the floor. Again the Older Brother asks why Shotaro sides with humans when Dokeshi have evolved beyond them yet still treat him poorly. Shotaro simply sits up and tells the Older Brother to stop whining. Shotaro proceeds to explain his childhood with Emine, and how his failure to save him from becoming evil motivates him to do good deeds daily. The Older Tast Brother, even as he continues guzzling his bottle of water, mocks Shotaro's concern for Emine. He spits out the bottle and prepares to kill Shotaro. But the fight is interrupted by the arrival of Mana, who drags in the bound Younger Tast Brother. Furious, the Older Brother disowns the Younger. As Shotaro witnesses how horribly an older sibling could treat his own brother, he remembers his bond with Emine. Shotaro when witnesses the Older Brother unleash Ripping Waves at the Younger Brother as well as Mana, neither of which can dodge in time.

The blast of Ripping Waves fills the room with mist. As it clears, however, the Older Tast Brother sees that, before the attack could harm Mana or the Younger Brother, Shotaro blocked the attack. He holds one bone in each hand, biting the left one to make the Older Brother his "good deed for the day." Realizing something about Shotaro's immense power, the Older Brother swigs more water and runs away.

Shotaro and Mana follow the Older Tast Brother to another room--where there are two Governors. Mana is not sure how to discern the real one. But Shotaro initiates Calcium Direct Link: Kokyu, which propels him forward along the floor, dragging his feet and hands along the floor. The two Governors are shocked, fearful Shotaro will hit both of them. Shotaro then initiates Justice Blade at one of the Governors, forcing the Older Tast Brother's disguise to dissolve. As he is struck, the Older Brother remembers having seen this Kyokotsu before. Shotaro finally reveals that he had also performed Bone of the Dog, which heightened his sense of smell to see through the Older Brother's disguise. Upon the return of the Vice Governor, both he and the Governor thank Shotaro.

### Beginning His Travels with Mana

After defeating the Tast Brothers, Shotaro is invited by Mana to meet with a local fortune teller who may be able to help in his quest to find Emine. Shotaro, pleased, agrees to join her.

### Touring Chinjuku

Later, Mana is struggling to find the fortune teller to whom she is taking Shotaro. Still, Mana is excited to be in Toykyo, known as "the City of Toys and Games" where even the most mundane activities are made into a game. For example, pedestrians are required to play a Whack-a-Mole Game in order to make the traffic signal change before crossing the street. And the crosswalk Mana and Shotaro approach is a punishment game: if a pedestrian steps off the white lines, then upon arriving on the other side of the street, you have to perform. Shotaro reveals he has faced that punishment game for stepping off the white lines. Mana playfully teases Shotaro as clumsy--until he reveals he has had twelve punishment games. While Mana is shocked, Shotaro explains he had fun because his punishment was to do the Justice Blade twelve times by himself. Shotaro brags that bystanders cheered him by yelling "Stop it!" and "Go away!" As the duo cross, Mana corrects Shotaro that the bystanders were actually heckling him. Distracted, Mana accidentally steps off the white line.

Upon crossing the street, for her punishment game, Mana dons an outfit to impersonate the noises of a fur seal. Hecklers, including Shotaro, mock her performance as inaccurate and annoying. But what truly infuriates Mana is Shotaro's insult of her as a "pipsqueak." Mana proceeds to beat Shotaro, leaving him with a bump atop his head and his face bloody.

### Meeting Imbroglia

Despite his injuries, Shotaro smiles as Mana leads him to the fortune teller. Mana explains the fortune teller is evidently an attractive dokeshi. Passing through the curtains into the fortune teller's room, Mana is pleased to see that indeed the fortune teller Christina S. Imbroglia really is "pretty." Shotaro agrees, referring to that fact as "typical," but Mana corrects him that the word he means is "mystical."

    Imbroglia welcomes the children to take a seat and make their requests. Shotaro says he is looking for his friend Emine. Imbroglia then leaps up and swirls her arms, causing the sleeves along her arms to encircle the room. Mana and Shotaro follow the movement of the sleeves in surprise. Shotaro then is surprised to see Imbroglia is up to his face, staring into his eyes as she wraps her arms loosely around him. But Imbroglia says, "It's impossible." Shotaro becomes defiant, promising that he will see Emine again. While Mana watches this dispute, Imbroglia stares more intently at Shotaro's eyes, noticing they have "very deep darkness." Imbroglia stands and explains that Shotaro needs "the four powers which can repel the darkness" that she sees in his eyes. Shotaro and Mana do not understand Imbroglia's advice.

Mana approaches Imbroglia to have her fortune told, first asking Shotaro to wait outside. While Mana smiles to Shotaro, once he turns his back, she begins to look worried.

### Saving a Civilian from Solence

Shotaro sits on the sidewalk, finding fortune telling confusing and not knowing what are the four powers. Shotaro's thoughts are interrupted by a call from a boy, tending to a burger stand across the street from him. The boy suggests Shotaro stop talking to himself and buy one of his meals. The boy serves Shotaro a burger whose bun is decorated with a smiling face. Shotaro bites into the burger and finds it to be tasty. Shotaro learns that the boy learned how to make these burgers taste so delicious from his father, who ran the burger stand until he was eaten by a dokeshi. To defend his father's memory, the boy promises to beat anyone who dares insults his burgers.

The boy then extends his hand to Shotaro for payment for the meal. Confused, Shotaro shakes the boy's hand. The boy screams that Shotaro has to pay for his burger, but Shotaro has no money. The boy accuses Shotaro of trying to "eat and run" like the dokeshi did with his father. Worried, Shotaro wonders whether Mana has money.

Shotaro’s thoughts are interrupted by a Jeep, driven by the scientist Yohei Nanami, swinging along the street as it is pursued by Fear Factory's commander, the gas-releasing Dokeshi Solence and his motorcycle gang. While Yohei’s Jeep barely misses the burger stand, Shotaro sees a motorcycle coming at him. He grabs the boy and pulls him out of the way, saving his life. But the burger stand is destroyed, the father’s banner torn from it and now hanging from Solence’s motorcycle. Shotaro, seeing the boy run after the banner, initiates Bone of the Bird and follows.

### Meeting Yohei

Driving his Jeep as fast as he can to escape Solence's motorcycle gang, Yohei speeds off then hears a boom. He worries that his Jeep has been hit--only to find that Shotaro has landed in his backseat. Shotaro accuses Yohei of causing problems for bystanders and asks for help retrieving the burger stand’s banner. Yohei says to ask Solence to return the banner himself--so Shotaro does so. Solence’s gang is undeterred, firing more bullets at Shotaro as well. Shotaro dodges and hides next to Yohei, confused Solence’s gang is in pursuit.

Yohei finally recognizes Shotaro is the boy who used Justice Blade to rescue the Governor--and decides to ask which form of Justice Blade he used. Shotaro, pleased to find another Charisma Justice fan, answers the Justice Blade Koto-Buki. Shotaro is impressed at Yohei’s knowledge--then sees a “stupid-looking face” on Yohei’s laptop before realizing it is his own reflection.

### Fighting Solence

Yohei proposes a deal: Shotaro can retrieve the banner if he helps stop Solence. Yohei tells Shotaro to take one of the guns in the back of his Jeep and fire at Solence. Shotaro refuses, knowing the bullets would kill Solence’s gang. Yohei assures him that the weapons are only electric air guns, modified to disable without killing targets. Excited, Shotaro aims one gun and fires, knocking down some of Solence’s gang, but his firing is so erratic that Yohei tells him to focus. But it is too late: Shotaro accidentally fires into the front right tire of Yohei’s Jeep, slowing down his vehicle.

Solence’s gang now surrounds Yohei’s Jeep and fire. Yohei swerves to dodge until he sees a sharp curve ahead up the road. While Solence’s gang brags that their motorcycles can handle sharp curves better than Yohei’s Jeep, Yohei has a trick to get away: he turns on the left electromagnetic on his Jeep, which allows attracts the vehicle to a nearby lightpost and allows him to make the sharp turn--while the gang’s motorcycles crash. Solence’s vehicle remains operational and pursues Yohei.

Yohei explains to Shotaro that he is an inventor, with a hobby for making “robots that can walk on two legs.” He was approached by a dangerous company known as Fear Factory, which develops weapons under the guise of running the Happy Factory electronic company. Yohei accepted work to develop weapons for dokeshi running the Fear Factory--until he learned they wanted him to develop a computer chip for a potentially dangerous robot. Yohei created the chip but gave the Fear Factory a fake chip and left with his payment. This “madness chip” caused the robot to perform dances as a distraction before crashing into the factory itself, destroying half the building and injuring the boss of the Fear Factory. While Yohei is happy to have escaped with his payment, he still thinks the Fear Factory is over-reacting, prompting Shotaro to agree.

Yohei then sees Solence has caught up with him--which the inventor says is logical, as he did design Solence’s vehicle. Solence asks Yohei what is most important in “the tug-of-war of a business deal.” Yohei, thinking about the economic practice, answers “being hard-boiled.” Solence, being more literal, answers the rope, which is representative of trust, which Yohei has broken. Solence fires again, almost hitting Shotaro. Yohei continues to smoke, calmly telling Solence that his company is evil.

Yohei tells Shotaro to drive. Shotaro insists that he has never driven and lacks a license, but Yohei simply puts a necktie around Shotaro’s head as a substitute license. While Shotaro panics, Yohei calmly tells him to accelerate and turn the wheel. Yohei then takes one of his guns and fires shots at Solence’s gang, knocking many members off their motorcycles. Unfortunately, in Shotaro’s excitement at driving, he presses buttons on the dashboard, causing the Jeep to leap upwards--and causing all but Yohei’s handgun to fall off the back of his Jeep. Yohei also notices the Jeep’s armor is falling apart. Yohei then hears liquid falling out of the Jeep--as Shotaro pushed a button to release his vehicle’s gasoline. Initially annoyed at Shotaro, Yohei then has an idea, one that will depend on the dokeshi’s flying abilities.

Solence’s gang sees the Jeep is again behaving oddly, its wipers and blinkers going off. Meanwhile, Yohei lights multiple cigarettes in his mouth and tells Shotaro to continue his erratic driving. As gasoline spills from the Jeep, Yohei tosses his cigarettes, igniting the gasoline and destroying the gang’s remaining motorcycles. Solence’s car remains as he prepares to fire his gun at Yohei. But Solence does not notice Shotaro, using Bone of the Bird, to leap and land behind him, then use Bone of the Monkey to unhook his tubes before flying off again. With the flammable gas inside Solence escaping, Yohei stops his Jeep, aims his handgun at Solence, and fires, the bullet producing a large explosion that defeats Solence. Shotaro lands next to Yohei and determines that he has completed his good deed for the day.

### Returning the Burger Shop Banner

Meanwhile, at the remains of the burger stand, the boy sweeps the debris. He looks up to see Shotaro returns, driven back to the fortune teller’s shop by Yohei. Realizing Shotaro is a dokeshi, like the one who ate his father, the boy is initially antagonistic towards him--until Shotaro hands over his father’s banner. The boy begins to cry and offers another burger (as the heating plate survived the crash). While Shotaro happily accepts, Yohei has put on glasses and is tapping on his laptop. He puts out his cigarette on his ring, realizing Shotaro is the Kyokotsu.

### The Toykyo Tower Hostage Situation

After finishing his burger, Shotaro leaves Yohei in front of Christina's fortune teller shop with a note for Mana and instructions to record *Justice* for him. He then departs to help the boy repair his father's burger stand.

Shotaro returns but finds both Mana and Yohei are gone: she visited the Toykyo Tower observation deck, where she is held hostage by Solence, and he has left to confront Solence. While Yohei’s Jeep is gone, Shotaro notices Mana’s scooter remains (although he overlooks that the scooter is now disassembled). Shotaro hunts through Mana's bag to find something with her scent to follow her. He finds her bra--but does not know what this underwear is--and after biting the Bone of the Dog uses the bra's scent to find Mana is at the Toykyo Tower. With his canine powers, Shotaro avoids detection from police blocking bystanders from entering the tower. He arrives at the elevator where he finds Yohei, who is planning to “improvise” a way to get to the observation deck. Yohei asks whether Shotaro is here to stop Solence, which causes both of them to realize Mana was taken hostage.

Shotaro and Yohei enter the elevator to go up to the observation deck. Yohei then notices something in Shotaro’s hand, which the boy says belongs to Mana but which he does not recognized. Amused, Yohei lies and claims the item is a fashion accessory for his head. When the doors open to the observation deck, the hostages see Shotaro wearing Mana's bra and call him a pervert. Furious by Shotaro's actions, Mana, despite being bound, leaps up and kicks Shotaro into the elevator, knocking the bra off his head. The elevator’s doors close, sending Shotaro back downstairs.

After recovering from Mana's attack, Shotaro has the elevator go back up--without him in it. While Solence is distracted by the empty elevator opening, Shotaro uses his Bone of Bird powers to fly into the room and kick through the window. Shotaro asks whether his friends are okay, but Yohei directs Shotaro to disable Solence now. Mana then knocks the detonator out of Solence hand, and Shotaro performs Justice Blade to slam Solence’s shoulders, knocking the opponent to the floor.

While the newly arrived police release the hostages, Shotaro approaches Mana, asking whether she is okay. As he struggles to untie her--and accidentally ties up himself--Mana realizes that although Shotaro is dangerous, she is the first person she has befriended, and she did decide to be more cheerful. Freed of her ropes, Mana retrieves Shotaro’s letter to her. She thinks that, while she believes in fortune-telling because she wants to believe what people say, she also realizes that not every fortune is accurate. Mana then asks Shotaro to explain what his scribbled letter says, but he even he cannot remember.

### After the Hostages Are Free

Mana screams in horror upon seeing her scooter disassembled--which Shotaro finally notices. Sobbing, Mana seizes Shotaro by his face, asking how he could take her bra and then wreck her scooter. While Shotaro is confused, Yohei attempts to scamper away with the anti-Solence device he constructed from her vehicle. But Mana, seeing her own name written on Yohei’s device, realizes the truth. Mana seizes Yohei in fury. Yohei mocks Mana for writing her name on her scooter, then suggests she probably wrote her name on her “not sexy” underwear. Mana is outraged, so Yohei tells Shotaro to pull her underwear out of her bag to confirm. Mana knocks Shotaro to the street to prevent him from doing so. But even as she is furious, Mana smiles, thinking that, if Emine could befriend Shotaro, then what kind of person is he.

### Traveling to the Fear Factory

As Yohei travels to the I. C. Prefecture to prevent Nofix from powering the Fear Robot, Shotaro and Mana join him (despite his resistance) for a Jeep ride to the city. Mana explains that I. C. includes numerous databases that Shotaro can use to search for Eneme.

### Helping the Child Ogre of Silent Hill

Yohei pulls over to the Silent Hill campground to rest for the night. After warning Shotaro not to fly out of the car as soon as they park, Yohei, annoyed with Shotaro, instructs him to play by himself while he and Mana set up their tent and prepare their meal.

While exploring Silent Hill, Shotaro chases an animal, resembling a rabbit with one horn in the middle of its forehead. Having bitten Bone of the Frog, Shotaro hops after the creature, telling it to stop. When the rabbit-like creature does so, Shotaro is confused, wondering why it looks frightened. Shotaro turns around to see a large gurgling creature towering above him.

With dinner complete, Mana leaves the campground to locate Shotaro--and is shocked to find he has been swallowed by a towering goby frog. When Mana's punches and kicks fail to release Shotaro, the boy uses Bone of the Snake to crawl out the frog's anus. After Mana expresses her disgust, Shotaro offers to crawl back into the frog's anus--which disgusts Mana further. While Shotaro bathes in a nearby river before returning to camp, Mana invites the hungry frog to join them for dinner. Upon discovering Yohei already ate their dinner--enough for three people--the frog consumes Shotaro again, although the boy does not seem bothered, leaving his head out of the beast's mouth.

Shotaro's group is then distracted by an elderly local farmer yelling at a child ogre, Kisuke, for ruining his field. After the ogre runs away, the elderly farmer explains human poachers had killed Kisuke's parents. While the elderly farmer has been a friend of Kisuke's family for a long time, he has not been able to calm the ogre's hatred against humans. The elderly farmer explains that he wants to return the horns of Kisuke's father. Sympathetic to Kisuke, and realizing the father's horns are effectively bones, Shotaro decides to use his Bone Powers to give Kisuke closure.

That evening, Kisuke returns to again terrorize the elderly farmer. But Shotaro, having bitten the father's horn, is able to channel his memories and feelings. With the aid of Mana pretending to be a medium and Yohei's fog machine, Shotaro impersonates Kisuke's father and apologizes for failing to be keep his promise to stay alive for his son. The father's spirit within Shotaro goes on to lecture Kisuke not to harm the elderly farmer, as Kisuke knows he is a kind man. Kisuke is still upset that humans killed his father. The spirit moves out of the shadow, revealing that Shotaro's face has transformed into that of Kisuke's father, to tell Kisuke to trust the old man.

Having succeeded in reconciling the elderly farmer and Kisuke, with the old man offering to let the ogre live with him, Shotaro finally collapses, exhausted from having drawn so much of the spirit of Kisuke's father into his own body. Yohei asks why Shotaro put so much effort into calming Kisuke. Shotaro says he has a friend who, like Kisuke, does bad deeds, hence can understand the importance of helping someone even if they behave badly. Mana and Yohei take Shotaro to their tent, after Yohei hands the horn of Kisuke's father to return to the child ogre.

As Shotaro falls to sleep, he promises that, having saved Kisuke, he will save Emine too.

### Arriving at Fear Factory

The next day, Mana and Yohei put him into the Jeep and travel to the I. C. Prefecture. Shotaro wakes as the Jeep enters the Prefecture, at which point he learns he slept for a full day--and therefore immediately leaps out of the Jeep with Bone of the Bird, or else he will have run out of time to complete his daily good deed.

While Mana manipulates Yohei to build her a robot for the IC Prefecture's robot battling competition, and encounters a kappa named Tool, Shotaro runs through town, shouting at persons to ask whether they want help. He offers his services to a man, a horse, a dog, a cat, and a rooster--the latter three he excitedly calls the Bremen Town Musicians. But then Shotaro says he is "starting to hate himself" and screams that he has no time.

### Meeting Tool

Shotaro's outburst happens to attract the attention of Tool, the kappa who ran into Mana earlier. Unfortunately, upon meeting the kappa, Shotaro refers to him as "baldy," prompting the furious kappa to chase the Dokeshi around town, threatening to kill him. Shotaro begs Tool for a time out so he may finish his good deed. Tool mishears Shotaro, thinking he said he was "gonna feed [...] from the sacred bowl" atop the kappa's head. Bemused, Shotaro promises "baldy" he said no such thing--which prompts Tool to slice off a strip of hair from Shotaro's head and continue chasing him.

### Picking Up a Lead on Emine

Elsewhere, one of the Fear Factory lackeys welcomes Lin Kinpar, surprised she did not contact for a pickup. Lin replies that she prefers walking. The lackey reminds her that must hurry or be late for their meeting. At that moment, Shotaro dashes by Lin, as she wonders aloud whether she is "up to the task of acting as Emine-sama's proxy." This remark causes Shotaro to come to a stop to approach Lin.

### Fighting Tool

Unfortunately, before Shotaro can approach Lin, he sees he is blocked by Tool, his scythe almost touching the Dokeshi's face. Tool refuses to move, angered by people who judge others by their appearances. Shotaro initiates Bone of the Dog to gallop past Tool.

Although surprised how quickly his opponent runs--and on all fours at that--Tool swings his scythe to ensare Shotaro with Snake Scratch. But Shotaro removes his dog bone and initiates Bone of the Bird to fly away. Realizing Shotaro is a Dokeshi, Tool smiles: "This just got interesting!" Tool uses Side Winder, hurling his scythe into the air to slide between Shotaro's back and bone-satchel. Tool tugs, knocking Shotaro to the street with Grand Viper. Shotaro groans in pain, his head knocked hard into the street. Tool dashes at him to attack with the Kappa Style Art of the Pick-Axe Cobra Twister, cackling at how weak is this Dokeshi. Tool slices across Shotaro's neck--seeming to decapitate the boy, surprising even the kappa. Bystanders are shocked at this apparent killing. Tool insists he could not have decapitated Shotaro, as he was hitting him with only the handle of his pickaxe, not its blade. Distracted, Tool is then surprised to feel Shotaro's hands wrap around the sides of his head. Looking inside the supposed neck wound, Tool sees not a wound but Shotaro's eyes: he had used Bone of the Turtle to draw his head into his shirt! Shotaro then sticks his head out of his shirt as he performs a Turtle Head-Butt against Tool. A crowd has gathered, surprised at this battle. The stillness is interrupted by Shotaro's shriek, as Tool laughs: his head is so hard that the Dokeshi injured only himself.

Shotaro gives up fighting, intent on finding Lin Kinpar and to complete his good deed. Tool laughs, refusing to believe Dokeshi, which "are notorious for being evil," would ever perform a good deed. Shotaro refuses to face Tool but lectures him: the kappa just complained about people judging by appearances, yet Tool is prejudiced against Dokeshi. Tool responds that humans only judged by appearances, so his prejudice is justified. Tool points to the crowd that watched their battle, who now must be judging Shotaro severely since he revealed he is a Dokeshi, and who look at Shotaro the way they stare at a kappa like him. Tool screams at the crowd for judging him, for throwing him into the garbage dump--but at least he is treated less like garbage in that dump than he is in the city.

Shotaro then realizes that he can help Tool as part of his daily good deed. Shotaro runs off and returns with a toupee, which he places atop Tool's bald head. The kappa is initially pleased--until he realizes Shotaro has drawn attention again to his baldness, prompting him to chase the Dokeshi with his scythe yet again.

While still struggling to evade Tool, Shotaro promises to continue to "play tag" with Tool, but only after he completes his daily good deed. Tool, remembering Shotaro is a Dokeshi, confirms whether Shotaro will "lose something precious" should he fail. Tool is confused as to what that "precious" something could be--and Shotaro is not clear either. While swinging on an alley pipe to avoid Tool's pickaxe, Shotaro explains that the precious something could be a dream, friendship, or ambition, what Emine told Shotaro would be "the 'light' that you need to live." Tool stops fighting, seemingly impressed by Shotaro's remark.

But Shotaro cannot resist comparing a Dokeshi's inner light to the light shining from Tool's bald hea. Furious, Tool calls Shotaro as "stubborn" as he and intends to "wig out" if the boy does not stop with the bald jokes. If Tool will "wig out," then, Shotaro offers four different wigs--which prompts Tool to attack with his Twister, spinning with his pickaxe until he is airborne, knocking Shotaro into the air.

### Reuniting with Mana and Yohei

Tool's attack knocks him towards Yohei's workstation, where he was presenting Mana with her new robot, Get, which is missing only its head. Yohei and Mana are interrupted by Shotaro's fall onto Yohei's workstation table, his head slamming down onto the headless Get. Yohei and Mana leap back in shock. Shotaro, although dazed from his injury, still lifts Get's right arm and introduces himself.

Shotaro regains consciousness and hides behind Yohei, explaining he has only five minutes left to complete his good deed but is impeded by "this weird guy." Mana directs Shotaro to help "a guy a few minutes ago who looked liked he might need help." They are interrupted by Tool's arrival, as he lands and slams his pickaxe to the street. Before Tool can confront Shotaro, he and Yohei recognize each other. Seizing upon Yohei's distraction, Mana takes Shotaro by the hand towards the person who needs help.

Upon finding the man who requires assistance, Shotaro learns he simply has his finger stuck up his nose. After removing his finger, Shotaro and Mana are exhausted, even as the Dokeshi has completed his daily good deed to the man's satisfaction.

### Meeting Get

Having completed his good deed, Shotaro and Mana return to Yohei's workstation. While Shotaro swings from nearby hanging pipes, Mana and Tool discuss her fighting techniques, and Yohei, even as he completes Mana's robot, worries about letting Shotaro and Mana too close as friends lest he lead them to their deaths as he did his Dokeshi Hunt unit against Nofix. As Tool approaches Yohei to discuss what is troubling him, Mana approaches Shotaro to pat some dust off him. But when Yohei and Tool's discussion becomes angry and violent, Mana tries to intervene--and feels insulted in the process. Yohei tries to mollify Mana by informing her that he finished building her robot. As they look at her now completed robot, Get, Shotaro along with Tool and Mana are impressed.

### Shotaro's Group Falls Apart

But Yohei then remembers that Fear Factory is sponsoring her tournament and forbids her from entering the competition. As Mana, Yohei, and Tool argue, Shotaro is surprised to see the robot is able to perform the Justice Blade. As Mana continues to yell at him, Yohei can only think of his Dokeshi Hunt colleagues blaming him with their dying breath. Yohei turns away from her, retrieves his toolkit, and says he is leaving, finally separating himself from Mana and Shotaro because he has "somewhere to go." As he leaves, Yohei pats Shotaro on the head.

Yohei departs for Fear Factory to destroy the Fear Robot. But he is ambushed at the Factory by Dr. Agei's robots and NoFix. NoFix locks Yohei inside with him in the Fear Robot's cockpit, so he can watch his carnage firsthand. Meanwhile, Mana enters Get in the Fighting Robot Tournament at the Stadium and is winning.

### Meeting Zuno and Assi

While Yohei and Mana leave, Shotaro follows Tool back to his house at the I. C. Prefecture's garbage dump, Fantastic Island. Tool is getting more irritated with his uninvited guest, the Dokeshi Shotaro, who continues singing Charisma Justice's theme song while searching the garbage dump for *Justice* merchandise. Tool complains Shotaro looks ill as he sings, asking that he not stand near him. When Shotaro suggests he now sing the *Justice* ending theme, "Men Work Nights in Silence," Tool again asks him to stop. Shotaro responds that at least Yohei would enjoy his *Justice* singing.

But Tool and Shotaro are being observed by Zuno and Assi, hidden behind a trash heap. Zuno chuckles at the prospect of reporting on these "suspicious" persons to Rodigy. When Zuno refers to himself as a perfectionist, Assi shakes as if freezing, claiming Zuno's remark "was so bad it left me cold." Again, Zuno punches Assi in the head, saying his remark was not a joke but part of their espionage mission. Assi then sits up to compliment Zuno on their ability to avoid being detected by Tool and Shotaro.

At that moment Shotaro appears in front of Zuno, asking what he and Assi are doing. Zuno tells Assi to keep quiet and maybe Shotaro will not notice them--until Assi points out that Shotaro just demonstrated he found them. As Zuno panics, he urges Assi not to as he has a plan. Zuno then pretends he is searching for his baseball after Assi hit it so far--but Assi cannot keep up the charade, as he does not have a bat.

As Shotaro stares at Zuno and Assi, the two Fear Factory spies wait for Shotaro's reaction. Finally, Shotaro responds: Zuno's nose hairs are long. Shotaro wraps his fingers around the nose hairs in Zuno's left nostrils and pulls them out. Zuno screams that it is rude for someone to remove someone's nose hairs, especially when long nose hairs are a fashion statement. Shotaro grins with happiness at the idea of nose hairs being a fashion statement--so he wraps his fingers around the nose hairs in his right nostril and removes them. Shocked from the pain, Zuno collapses. As Assi tends to his colleague, who now feels worthless without his nose hairs, a scared Shotaro runs away, assuring Tool he "didn't do it."

### Hearing an Explosion at the Tournament

Mana's battle is interrupted by the Fear Factory's release of the Fear Robot, which proceeds to attack the crowd, killing or injuring many, with Mana knocked unconscious by debris but not crushed, thanks to Get holding up some debris around her. Yohei, locked in the cockpit, watches helplessly as NoFix kills spectators and contestants. From Fantastic Island, Shotaro and Tool see smoke and hear explosions coming from the stadium. Shotaro asures Tool that Mana "must be going wild" and suggests they witness her battle. But Zuno--with nose hairs now drawn onto his upper lip with a marker--blocks Shotaro's path, bragging that he has been deceiving Shotaro for so long without him realizing who he really is. Before Zuno can reveal who he really is, however, Assi interrupts to point out that Shotaro and Tool already ran past him for the stadium.

### Arriving at the Remains of the Robot Tournament Stadium

In an alley, Assi is unable to keep up with Shotaro and Tool, while Zuno complains that "a cultured Dokeshi like me just isn't cut out for stuff like this." Shotaro, practically running on all fours, is surprised with the audience's screaming, thinking Mana must be impressing the audience with her performance. Tool corrects him that those screams are not those of a normal crowd. They will have to see what is happening once they turn one more corner and can enter the stadium. Around the corner, Shotaro and Tool find smoke and debris: the stadium is crushed under the shadow of the Fear Robot.

### Facing the Fear Robot

Tool looks in horror at the injured and the dead; as he senses the sounds of the inanimate objects, he says, "The screams of things and people are all jumbled together, echoing." Overwhelmed, Tool falls to his knee. Zuno and Assi manage to catch up--and are just as shocked to see what their employers at Fear Factory have done. Shotaro is silent, his head lowered and in shadows. He then screams, "Awesome, Mana-san! You got so huge! I'm seriously no match for you!" Upon realizing Shotaro mistakes Mana's robot Get-kun for the Fear Robot, Tool, Zuno, and Assi all correct him. Zuno calls Shotaro an idiot, and Assi says Shotaro's joke left him cold. Tool finally explains to Shotaro that "this isn't a joke, [...] this is reality." As Rodigy, standing on the Fear Robot's shoulder, continues to mock the spectators as "pigs," Nofix commands the Fear Robot's right arm to spin. The wind blows against those who survived the stadium attack. Tool tries to cover his face against the wind, but Shotaro stands upright, facing it directly. As Rodigy repeats that all who stand before him are pigs, Tool curses this "bastard." Shotaro then says, "I've got fire in my bones now! Some serious fire!"

The survivors of the Fear Robot's attack look helplessly at the attacking machine, wishing that someone like Charisma Justice was present to save them. As the crowd begins to chant "Justice," Tool admits that a hero would be helpful right now. Shotaro promises to "kick its ass"; when Tool reminds him how dangerous the robot is, Shotaro adds that he will "crush it." Tool pauses before offering his assistance, noting that he never liked Fear Factory even when it called itself "Happy Factory."

Shotaro straddles Tool's pickaxe, his hands clutching the blade and his feet pressed against its staff. Tool then swings his weapon to perform Kappa Style, Art of the Pick-Axe: Rainbow Boa, flinging the pickaxe with Shotaro so hard into the air that it sails upward. The sight surprises survivors who recognize Tool by name, as well as Rodigy, who stands on the Fear Robot's shoulder and sees Shotaro and the pickaxe coming towards him. Tool increases the force of the attack with Grand Viper while Shotaro removes his hands from the axe and prepares Justice Blade. Rodigy calls an order to Nofix, piloting inside the Fear Robot. Yohei Nanami stares in shock at Shotaro's arrival.

A loud crash is heard. Tool cannot see whether Shotaro was successful--and he was not: the Fear Robot blocked with its right forearm. As Shotaro falls, he sees through one of the Fear Robot's eye-shaped windows that Yohei is inside. While Nofix and Rodigy smirk, Tool realizes the robot is too big for Shotaro. But the Dokeshi performs Bone of the Bird and flies at Rodigy, preparing Justice Blade Iwai. As electricity crackles around Rodigy's head, the Fear Factory vice president refuses to back down, attacking with the bright attack Demon Flash, which blinds Shotaro long enough for Nofix to swing the Robot's right arm again. Yohei calls for Nofix to stop, but it is too late: the Robot knocks Shotaro down, his body skidding across the street.

Tool calls to Shotaro and runs to him. Rodigy smiles and orders Nofix to kill Shotaro. Yohei again urges Nofix to stop, and the King of Spin has had enough: he spins his yoyo at Yohei, knocking him in the head. Nofix turns back to spot Shotaro, held by Tool, and prepares to crush them.

"Justice Blade," someone calls. Instantly, the Fear Robot's right arm has been shattered. Nofix, Rodigy, and Tool are shocked, and Shotaro is too dazed to respond. As the smoke of the broken arm clears, Tool is surprised to see standing before him is the television superhero himself, Charisma Justice. Justice yells for Tool and Shotaro to retreat--then repeats his order more quickly and politely. While Justice admits Tool and Shotaro have the strength and courage to face large opponents, they are missing something: "Haven't you realized it in your souls?" As he thinks the duo fail to understand yet, Justice tells Tool to get Shotaro to safety while he fights. Tool thanks Justice and departs. Justice and the Fear Robot face each other.

### Recovering from Injuries

Tool and Charisma Justice bring Shotaro to Tool's home at the Fantastic Island garbage dump. After Shotaro is bandaged, Tool leaves him to rest while Justice stands outside the garbage dump. Shotaro is back on his feet rather quickly, however, even if he is still bleeding, and discovers that Tool has found what Yohei threw away at Fantastic Island: the Law-Abiding Silver Gun. With the weapon in hand, Tool tells the excited Shotaro that they are ready to infiltrate Fear Factory to rescue Yohei.

### Preparing to Infiltrate Fear Factory

After the destruction of the Robot Fighting Tournament Stadium by the Fear Robot, Fear Factory lackeys use robots to over-work humans to construct more weapons. The I. C. Prefecture itself effectively becomes all of the Fear Factory. Mana and Yohei remain captives of Fear Factory, with Rodigy ordering Zuno and Assi to execute Mana. From the shadows inside a drainage pipe just outside of Fear Factory, Tool explains to Shotaro that he has been consulting with garbage itself to find their path to let them enter the evil organization's headquarters secretly. Tool then asks Shotaro whether he is ready for their mission to rescue Yohei. Shotaro shouts that he is fired up, while Tool is proud of their costumes: Tool wears a snake-themed biker's jacket announcing "No Littering," while Shotaro wears a sailor fuku uniform, his bone-decorated boxers seen under his skirt. Shotaro even remarks how nice the breeze under his skirt feels. Tool interrupts Shotaro's fixation on his skirt to confirm that the young Dokeshi still remembers their mission. Shotaro confirms: "To save Yoh-kun!" But then Shotaro starts twirling to continue enjoying his skirt. Tool again demands that Shotaro repeat what their mission is--and after Shotaro does so, the two prepare to enter the sewer drain to rescue Yohei and return to him his Law-Abiding Silver Gun.

### Reuniting with Mana

Then Tool and Shotaro hear something rolling down the sewage drain. Rolling past them is Mana, dressed in a Fear Factory wetsuit, complete with flippers and an oxygen tank, as she crashes into the canal. Tool and Shotaro then realizes that they had forgotten about rescuing her, too. What they do not know is that Zuno and Assi refused to follow Rodigy's orders and instead put her in that wetsuit and oxygen tank to let her escape through their office's garbage chute and into the canal. As Shotaro and Tool look down on Mana, floating in the canal, they wonder why she came out of the garbage chute. Shotaro then refers to her as "Mana garbage." Mana's body begins to twitch, as she is regaining consciousness in annoyance at this nickname she has had since childhood. Tool, giggling, then explains why Shotaro's remark is funny: "Mana" is an anagram of "nama," Japanese for "raw," as in "raw garbage." Shotaro repeats "Nama Garbage" until Mana, increasing with fury, rises from the canal and kicks Shotaro in his face. While Shotaro lies on the sidewalk, bleeding, Mana realizes she is wearing an oxygen mask and wetsuit--and feels her head, noticing she is missing her hat. She asks what happened to her, and Tool says he would like to know as well.

Mana removes her wetsuit and changes into Shotaro's fuku uniform (after he removes it, now standing in only his boxers).

### Infiltrating Fear Factory

Having changed and dried herself, Mana joins Tool and Shotaro, learning from them that Yohei has been captured. The trio climb up the garbage chute and into the Fear Factory. Tool warns his colleagues to be quiet as they enter the garbage room--but Shotaro still lets out a loud sigh of relief. Shotaro still has on his shirt, shoes, and bone satchel, yet as he gave up his fuku uniform to Mana, he lacks pants, his bone-covered boxers on display. Tool complains Shotaro is inappropriately dressed for this mission, but Mana points out that Tool's attire is hardly better.

Tool explains that he will listen to the objects in Fear Factory to locate where Yohei is held, so he orders Mana and Shotaro to be discreet. He is then dumbfounded as both Mana and Shotaro begin calling aloud for Yohei. Tool complains that the duo are going to get themselves caught--so he will just have to catch them himself: he lifts both of them and carries them out the garbage room, much to the teenagers' embarrassment.

Having now listened to Tool's orders this time, Mana and Shotaro skirt along the hallway wall. Approaching an elevator, Tool presses the down button. The doors ring, so Tool, Mana, and Shotaro turn from the hallway to enter the elevator--and find it full of Fear Factory lackeys. The lackeys simply and politely say, "Going up." Tool is sweating nervously as Mana and Shotaro stare with bemusement. Tool simply says that they are actually waiting for a down elevator, so the lackeys depart with a pleasant "Very well." After the doors to that elevator close, Tool sighs in relief that the lackeys are stupid. Then Tool hears the elevators behind him all chime. He turns to find an embarrassed Mana explain that, in her impatience, she had pushed the buttons for all the elevators to make one arrive quickly. Tool shouts at her that she was to be discreet. Tool and Mana are then spotted by a Fear Factory lackey. While Tool worries, Mana asks where Shotaro has gone. Shotaro reveals he has returned with numerous Fear Factory robots, offering one to Mana. She chooses the one of the right, claiming it seems "like the most tolerant." Tool says her choice is wimpy.

Tool then reminds himself that these robots are their opponents and knocks one with his pickaxe. A robot strikes at Shotaro, who leaps to dodge. But another robot wraps its limbs around Mana, her hands dangling underneath its. As the robot squeezes, Mana is not scared but simply annoyed: she complains the robot feels cold and hard, that its squeeze hurts, and concludes robots are not tolerant--so she flips the robot over her shoulder and lands a punch into its chest. As Shotaro begins to battle with Bone of the Cat, Tool again complains that the teenagers were to be discreet. But he concludes that, if Fear Factory wants a fight, this team will give one to the evil organization. Mana reiterates her desire to earn a commendation, while the cat-influenced Shotaro hisses. More Fear Factory lackies arrive, intending to kill the trio. Shotaro and Mana dash at the lackeys, as she performs the Rising Sun kick and Shotaro follows up with a Cat Strike slash.

### Rescuing Yohei

Shotaro and his teammate fight through the Fear Factory soldiers until they find Yohei's prison cell. They break open the door and discover Yohei, shackled to a cross. Yohei's friends approach him, Tool and Shotaro happy to have managed to defeat the Fear Factory opponents and find Yohei in time. After removing him from the cross, Mana tends to Yohei and asks whether he can stand.

But Yohei, whether from his injuries or surreptitious influence of NoFix's Spin Powers, has hallucinated his past, including his failure to protect his Dokeshi Hunt teammates. He asks Shotaro and their peers why they bothered to rescue him. He tells them to not worry about him, to leave him behind, and to escape to save themselves. Otherwise, Yohei worries, the three of them will get themselves killed. Remembering Nofix's words, Yohei says he is nothing but a God of Death. Shotaro immediately disagrees, saying Yohei is his friend. Shotaro then says he has no idea what a God of Death is anyway, while Mana starts sobbing over the idea of friendship. Meanwhile, Tool removes from his pants' pocket something for Yohei: the Law-Abiding Silver Gun. Tool explains the gun is proof that Yohei can trust others and is willing to fight beside others. By throwing away that gun, Yohei showed he lost that trust, but having it now in his hands, Yohei must start trusting his friends again. Shotaro adds that his friends will trust and believe in him, hence they will be saved. While Mana continues sobbing, Tool mocks that Yohei is about to cry, too.

Yohei tenses up. He then tells the trio not to get cocky: he decides whether they regroup, and he has thus decided to do so. Yohei aims his weapon at the trio and tells them they are simply "pawns in my game," so they better be ready for him to use them to reach his goals. While Shotaro smiles (and has "King" written on his forehead), Tool and Mana express annoyance at how mean Yohei is acting. But the two then smile, teasing him for being so mean when they have better things to do than rescue him. Yohei replies that he himself has better things to do. As he tries to stand, Yohei mocks the trio's attire, which causes Tool and Mana to become upset again and criticize how poorly dressed is the beaten and bloody Yohei. Shotaro interrupts to remind everyone that, now that Yohei is saved, they are ready to fight again. While other become excited to fight, Yohei manages to stand, put a cigarette in his mouth and light it, and quickly say, "Having a smoke with everyone actually isn't so bad!" Tool turns around to ask whether Yohei said something. As the group leaves the jail cell, Yohei says it was nothing.

### Looking for the Fear Robot

Yohei then hacks into Fear Factory's security system to send a video message to Rodigy and his security room staff, to demand cigarettes. His teammates interrupt with their own demands: Shotaro wants milk for its calcium, Mana wants anmitsu, and Tool wants kiwi. The group then wishes Fear Factory a nice day before ending the communication.

Shotaro and his group proceed through Area Five. Shotaro is now wearing a Fear Factory vest and pants--but the sound effects he is saying aloud are annoying Tool. After Mana tries to apologize for losing Get, Yohei initially expresses relief that she survived the Fear Robot--before telling Mana she will have to pay him back for all of his labor, which can begin by becoming his lackey to do everything he says. Mana quickly assumes a cheery attitude as she pushes Tool and Shotaro ahead on their path, hoping to distract Yohei from his plan to coerce her.

Mana then changes the subject, asking whether it is a good idea to attempt to destroy the Fear Robot without first coming up with a plan. While Tool agrees with Mana, Yohei assures the others that they do not need a plan. Shotaro adds that he would not be able to remember a plan anyway. Mana blocks their walk, reminding the group that last time they had no plan, did not work together, and were defeated. Yohei responds that actually they did have a plan--and "went too all-out." Therefore, it is better to improvise. Tool repeats that Shotaro would not remember the plan--and Shotaro again agrees. Yohei then asks whether Shotaro has a plan. The young Dokeshi responds that his plan is to crush the Fear Robot, which Yohei says is sufficient. Mana is shocked, and Tool is surprised that Yohei used to be a commander with such a limited plan. Frustrated with Tool and Mana's concerns, Yohei acquiesces: he tells the excited Mana that they will break into two teams. Yohei and Shotaro will be "Take It Easy" Team, and Tool and Mana will be "Class Clowns." Yohei says that is the entire plan. Furious at the lack of a real plan, Tool screams at Yohei, while Shotaro points at Mana and laughs at their foolish name. Yohei ignores the complaints and leads Shotaro to their mission.

### Separated from Tool and Mana

While Tool and Mana continue to yell at Yohei, the room begins to beep--and a wall falls from the ceiling, separating Yohei and Shotaro from Tool and Mana. Yohei seems calm at the wall dividing the team, while Shotaro compliments him on splitting them up right before the separation. From the other side of the wall, Tool and Mana shout at Yohei that this timing is actually bad. Yohei and Shotaro turn to leave, promising to come back "when we get the chance." Tool and Mana are shocked at Yohei's continued vagueness: they begin to bang onto the wall, demanding to know when and where they will reconvene.

### Learning about the Silver Gun

Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall, Shotaro repeats "Hand Roll! Roll, Roll, Roll, Roll Poopy!" Yohei laughs, surprised to know that that "they" happen to "roll their shit up with their hands" for to make the best "poopy."

Shotaro then notices the Law-Abiding Silver Gun in Yohei's holster. Yohei explains the weapon is the culmination of all of Yohei's scientific knowledge. He shows that he can turn the cylinder to change the mode (like moving a computer mouse to change the cursor on a computer screen), then he taps the trigger twice to select the mode (like double-clicking the mouse to confirm a selection), before pulling back the hammer, then the trigger, to initiate the mode. Yohei demonstrates Dog Mode, in which the Silver Gun's muzzle breaks into two, its jagged edges forming something analogous to teeth, as the muzzle wraps around Shotaro's head and bites. While injured, Shotaro is amused at the weapon's ability. Yohei goes on to explain that Dog Mode is intended to "mak[e] 'comebacks' to jokes." Yohei then has the muzzle separate horizontally to form a projected screen for watching television programs. Yohei then brags that his weapon "is the kind of gun any family would want," before adding, "That's putting it too simply, though."

### Confronting the Dokeshi Division

As they proceed to the Fear Robot hangar, Yohei and Shotaro find that their path is blocked by Fear Factory's Dokeshi Division, who are armed with various weapons, including chainsaws and metal pipes. Yohei explains to Shotaro that he designed the Dokeshi Division's weapons. Despite these Dokeshi claiming that Yohei will be killed with his own weapons, Yohei shows little concern, distracting the Dokeshi Division with the user manuals for those weapons before using his Silver Gun to cause the Dokeshi Division's weapons to self-destruct. The Dokeshi Division members are down on the floor, injured. Yohei steals cigarettes from one Dokeshi and departs with Shotaro.

### Continuing to the Fear Robot Hangar

After defeating the Dokeshi Division, Yohei with Shotaro distracts Fear Factory agents by releasing a computer virus that is corrupting headquarters. Assi overhears this discussion and dashes into the restroom to inform Zuno, who is contending with diarrhea brought on by Yohei's computer virus which has been transmitted into his body through his electromagnetic receptive Dokeshi abilities.

### Recruiting Zuno and Assi

Later, Shotaro again makes sound effects with his mouth while Yohei struggles to hack into Agei's computer lock, which blocks access to the Fear Robot hangar. Shotaro decides to just kick the door down--without needing to use one of his Bone Powers. Annoyed that Shotaro didn't do so to begin with, Yohei uses Dog Mode to have the Silver Gun bite Shotaro. But behind that door is a set of double doors, ones too thick for Shotaro to kick down. Yohei also sees that Agei's security on this door is going to take even longer to bypass. Yohei is interrupted by someone who swipes a keycard, allowing Yohei and Shotaro to enter. The person explains that the seven doors can be bypassed by only Fear Factory executives. The person hands that keycard to Yohei: with Assi is Zuno, who has blocked his hearing with earplugs. Yohei simply thanks Zuno, explaining that lockpicking was tiresome.

Shotaro and Zuno recognize each other with pleasant greetings. But they are interrupted by Assi, who asks whether Zuno is willing to betray Fear Factory again. Zuno explains that, even if he cannot remember his misdeeds, he knows they have consequences that he can no longer accept, which is why he wrote a resignation letter. Assi, inspired, promises to defect with Zuno, which prompts the pleased Zuno to confess he already wrote a resignation letter as well for Assi. Hardly upset, Assi is impressed his boss planned for everything. Shotaro adds that, since he remembers Zuno, everyone around him will remember for him--which makes him a normal person. Yohei then teases that Zuno's face is too unique not to forget. Zuno begins sobbing for having found friends--and Assi makes of note of this accomplishment for Zuno to remember. Zuno and Assi then promise to help take down the Fear Robot.

### Avenging Zuno and Battling Rodigy

Blood then pours from Zuno's head in a line--a bullet fired through his head. Assi, Yohei, and Shotaro are shocked to see their friend collapse on the floor, dead. From the shadows emerges Rodigy, holding the smoking handgun. "Employees who trip my circuit breaker like you will be fired!" he says. Assi is sobbing, begging Zuno not to die. Yohei screams, "Bastard!" as he promises to "scuff up that nice shiny head of yours." But Shotaro, furious, blocks Yohei: he intends to Rodigy single-handed so that Yohei can stop the Fear Robot. Shotaro demands Rodigy come down to face him in a fight, as he puts the Bone of the Horse and the Bone of the Snake in his mouth and promises that defeating Rodigy will be his good deed for the day. Electricity begins to crackle around Rodigy, who promises to "short all of you out!"

Yohei warns that Rodigy is the "Lightning-Beast," impossible for even Shotaro to stop alone. But Shotaro grows bored with Yohei's explanation, claiming he understood only half of it. Shotaro assures he will be safe. While Yohei calls Shotaro "crazy," he begins to see something around Shotaro, as if his face is wearing clown makeup--and a horrific visage is superimposed over the Dokeshi's face. Shotaro again reassures that he will be fine, which awakens Yohei from his vision. Yohei then remembers how he lost his trusted colleagues to Nofix, but also how Tool encouraged him to trust his friends. As Yohei turns, he thinks to himself that he will trust Shotaro, and the rest of their friends.

Rodigy attempts to stop Yohei's escape, but Shotaro is already at the Vice President's side, punching Rodigy's right forearm to make him drop his handgun. Furious, Rodigy tells the "pig" Shotaro not to underestimate him. Shotaro keeps a hold on Rodigy's right arm, but his punch is blocked by Rodigy's left hand. Undeterred, Shotaro simply seizes both forearms and falls back, landing on his backside so he can lift his legs and perform a Horse Kick to Rodigy's head. While blood gushes from his mouth, Rodigy is not beaten: even when kicked back, he manages to wrap his fingers around Shotaro's neck and knock him to the floor. Rodigy demands this pig "squeal."

Shotaro bites Bone of the Snake and manages to wrap his arms and legs around Rodigy's left arm, breaking it with a Snake Cross constriction. Assi is amazed at Shotaro's abilities. Shotaro explains that his good deed will be to stop someone like Rodigy who does not care for other people. Rodigy responds that he intends to use the Fear Robot to spread fear globally and intends to turn Shotaro into "roast pork." Despite Shotaro breaking his left arm, Rodigy lifts it to point to a ceiling light, which begins to crackle with electricity. Rodigy initiates Hiraishin, causing the light's electricity to strike at Rodigy's arm like a lightning rod--and electrocute the still clinging Shotaro. To escape the electricity, Shotaro initiates Bone of the Bird, then prepares to descend again upon Rodigy. But the Vice President performs Shitajiki, electrifying floor panel that he hurls at Shotaro. The electrical attraction between the panels and Shotaro causes them all to levitate, freezing Shotaro in a suspended prison. With Shotaro immobile, Rodigy leaps and collects his Hiraiken into one electrified punch into Shotaro's chest, knocking him to the floor.

From the sidelines, Assi is shocked to witness a battle between such powerful Dokeshi. With Shotaro floored, Rodigy explains that the boy is merely playing a game of hero. Meanwhile, Rodigy's work, which Shotaro disparaged as a lack of care for other people, is actually how the business world operates: he simply treats world domination as part of his business strategy. Shotaro struggles to stand, claiming it is actually Rodigy who plays a game, turning "control" and "world domination" into sport. Rodigy responds that Shotaro's "playing" will not save anyone. But as Shotaro stands, he manages to punch Rodigy's face, knocking him across the floor. Shotaro argues that Rodigy cannot simply refer to other people as "playing" just because they do not live as he does. As Shotaro prepares his Justice Blade, he promises to teach Rodigy a lesson. As Rodigy prepares to use another Hiriken punch against Shotaro, he promises to show "how different our voltages are." Shotaro blocks the Hiriken with his Justice Blade.

Smoke circulates. Although both are battered, Shotaro and the Vice President of Fear Factory, Rodigy, are still standing. Standing on the sidelines, however, the recently defected Fear Factory employee Assi warns Shotaro to cover his eyes. But it is too late: Rodigy unleashes Demon Flash, his light blinding everyone in the room. With Shotaro unable to see, Rodigy repeatedly punches his opponent. Assi can only hear, not see, the brutal attacks and Rodigy's repeated insults against the "pig" Shotaro. Rodigy complains that these pigs have no rights, only the right to be ruled. With that, Rodigy knees Shotaro in the face then knocks him towards the floor with one more punch. Even as Shotaro falls, he replies, "Shut up." Rodigy is shocked to see Shotaro regain his footing. The younger Dokeshi wraps his arms around Rodigy to tackle him.

Meanwhile, with Rodigy's Demon Flash fading, Assi finds his way to a small elevator, directing Shotaro to lead Rodigy there, where "it won't matter if it's too bright." Rodigy again calls Shotaro a pig. Furious, Shotaro again tells the Vice President of Fear Factory to shut up. He begins direct absorption of calcium from the bone in his mouth to enact Bone of the Pig to show just how powerful a pig can be. Shotaro uses that power to charge into Rodigy towards the elevator. Desperate, Rodigy slaps his hand onto Shotaro's back, ready to "roast pork from inside out." Shotaro squeals in reaction to the internal burning, but he persists, knocking Rodigy into the elevator. Assi stands at the doors, waiting for them to close and encouraging Shotaro to defeat the Vice President.

Cornered in the elevator, Rodigy sees Shotaro prepare his Justice Blade. With that, Shotaro waves his hands repeatedly at Rodigy to defeat him with Matsuri. The elevator rises from the 24th to 29th floor until it reaches the roof of Fear Factory. As the doors open, Shotaro completes one last swing of his arm at Rodigy, sending him flying towards the giant lightbulb atop the factory--which Rodigy's body shatters. Rodigy lies prone among the broken glass and remaining wire of the lightbulb.

With this battle concluded, Shotaro says his daily good deed is complete. Shotaro turns back to the elevator--but panics as he cannot remember which floor to go to in order to return to Yohei and the rest of their group.

### Leaving to Find Yohei

Shotaro somehow manages to get in contact with Assi, who teaches him how to use the elevator and directs him back to the floor he was on. After getting off the elevator, with Zuno's corpse leaning against the hallway wall, Shotaro thanks Assi and bites on one of his bones. As Shotaro prepares to leave to reunite with Yohei, Assi expresses confidence that Shotaro "can do anything." As he departs, Shotaro tells Assi to "hang in there for Mr. Nose Hair."

### Rescuing Mana

Upon arriving at the Fear Robot's hangar, Shotaro sees his friends Tool and Yohei unable to move: Tool's left arm is broken, and his nearly impervious dome is shattered, a chip of it on the floor, while Yohei had a drill plunged into his shoulder and is unable to stand. Shotaro also sees that Mana, also drilled through her thigh, is now being crushed by the Fear Robot's fist. Furious, Shotaro screams "Justice Blade!" Yohei and Nofix are surprised to see Shotaro fly towards the Fear Robot's fist. With one swipe of his hands, Shotaro shatters the fist holding Mana, then holds onto the back of her fuku uniforms with his teeth to fly her to the floor. He concludes, "Justice is here."

### Fighting the Fear Robot

Shotaro stands before the Fear Robot. He looks back with fury upon seeing Tool, Yohei, and Mana all injured by Nofix's attacks. He promises to make his daily good deed enacting vengeance against Nofix for hurting his friends. Nofix cackles at the "pup" Shotaro, claiming the younger Dokeshi cannot stop him, his robot, or his bloodlust. But as Nofix mocks him, Shotaro's eyes widen, as he hears a thumping noise. A shadow in the shape of a skull appears behind him. A skull appears in his eye. A voice, as if coming from the shadow, calls to Shotaro.

### Meeting Kyokotsu

Shotaro turns back to look at the voice calling to him--but he is no longer inside Fear Factory. He is now in a room with metal cabinets holding various objects, a skull-shaped clock, a well decorated like a monster, a milk tank decorated with a skull, and other faucets and decorations resembling skulls. Even Shotaro's outfit has changed: while his stitched shoes remain, his pants now have a skull on its pocket, and he wears a hoodie with a skull-shaped drawstring.

A chilling voice calls from the well: "Kyokotsu is the bones inside the well." Fingers emerged from the well, clutching its edge. The voice continues: "In all the proverbs of the world, no terrible thing is more feared than 'Kyokotsu.' There is nothing more dreadful than the terror of its grudge." Shotaro is fearful of these words and this voice.

But then the voice's source emerges with a chipper voice and a wave. The entity has a face like a skull decorated with a clown's face makeup, hands curled like skeletal fingers, a long plaid cloak and matching plaid crescent-shaped hat, and a long scarf. The entity welcomes Shotaro and offers a skull-decorated mug to get him some milk, which he pours from a nearby faucet. Shotaro asks who this entity is. He introduces himself as Kyokotsu. Shotaro slowly realizes that this Kyokotsu brought him here, but he says he has to fight the Fear Robot. Kyokotsu ignores these remarks, saying that Shotaro must really enjoy warm milk.

Shotaro finally asks who Kyokotsu is. Kyokotsu answers: "I'm you. I'm your bones." Shotaro is confused, wondering whether he is speaking to his own bones. But Kyokotsu continues to discuss how important milk is to drink, as he thinks it is "unfair to bully someone just because they don't drink milk." He then segues to point out that the Fear Robot is bullying Shotaro's friends, so he will lend his power to Shotaro. Kyokotsu explains Shotaro must draw more power from him, from his own bones. Shotaro seems to understand quickly. He feels himself drawing more power from his bones, "so that we can shine darkly."

### Destroying the Fear Robot

Skull-shaped smoke circulating around Shotaro, who is now transformed: he wears Kyokotsu's plaid along his collars and scarf, a skull marker on the back of his jacket, and Kyokotsu's crescent hat and face makeup. Nofix and Yohei are both surprised at this change in appearance, although Nofix is more interested in how fun this battle now will be. Shotaro tells Nofix to prepare for battle, which only amuses Nofix.

Fear Robot dashes at Shotaro. With just his one hand, Shotaro blocks the Robot's fist, holding it back. Shotaro calmly says Nofix is interested in bullying others with such a big hand. Nofix, grinning madly, claims he is only playing. Shotaro swipes his hand, immediately destroying the Robot's fist. From his hands, Shotaro removes two Bones of the Dog for Direct Absorption of Calcium. As he draws this power, a skull appears at his feet. He smiles madly as his face transforms into that of a dog. But around his fists also appear dog-shaped faces as he unleashes Guard Dog of Hades--Bones of Kerberos.

Nofix looks with surprise as Shotaro promises to unleash the power of Kyokotsu. He initiates Power of Spin, but it is too late: Shotaro already leaps up and through the Fear Robot, tearing it apart from inside with a Justice Blade swipe. This display of power surprises Yohei and Mana. The Fear Robot now has a hole through its chest and out its back. But the hole repairs itself, thanks to Nofix's spinning cell healing. While Shotaro is surprised, he then hears Yohei behind him, wielding his Law-Abiding Silver Gun and ready to help in this battle. Shotaro is pleased, but Yohei is fixated on how he can feel so much of Kyokotsu's power, "Shotaro's true power," coming from the young Dokeshi.

The Fear Robot, having reconstituted its fists, pulls back its right first, ready to strike at Shotaro, empowered by Kyokotsu but standing still. As soon as the first nears him, however, Shotaro leaps above the fist, lands, and immediately kicks into the fist, destroying it again. Nofix, piloting the Fear Robot, is dumbfounded. He initiates Spinning Cells again to reconstitute the Robot's right fist. Shotaro, with Yohei behind him, stand and observe this reconstitution. Nofix mocks the duo that so long as he lives, he can regenerate limbs and hence is effectively invincible. All Nofix has to do is tire Shotaro out. But then Nofix reflects how regenerating so many times is expending his lifespan, which makes him cry over how he will die so young.

As the Fear Robot continues its attack upon the dodging Shotaro, Tool, his dome cracked, lies on the floor. But then Tool, as a kappa able to hear inanimate objects, realizes the Fear Robot is speaking to him, with one request: "Please stop me." Tool announces that he will remove the soul from the Fear Robot itself. Yohei and Shotaro are surprised to hear this plan, to remove a life force from an inanimate object.

Impatient, Nofix has the Fear Robot approach Shotaro and Tool again to crush them. Shotaro uses Bone of the Bird to carry himself and Tool out of the Robot's path. As they fly towards the Robot, Tool explains that kappa are able to remove a person's life force anally. As Tool grew up in the Fantastic Island garbage dump, surrounded by only trash, he is adept at removing souls not from persons but from inanimate objects. Tool directs Shotaro to fly him to the Robot's head.

Nofix complains that Shotaro is buzzing around like a fly, as he commands the Fear Robot to swipe at him. The hand contacts, disrupting Shotaro's flight. Shotaro uprights himself but is hit again. Tool wonders how else they can approach the Robot. Meanwhile, Yohei fires his Law-Abiding Silver Gun's grappler to tether the Robot, tying it up to prevent Nofix from moving it. With this delay, Shotaro flies Tool at the immobilized machine.

From within Shotaro, he can hear Kyokotsu speak to him: one person is not enough to win this battle, which is why this joint effort with his friends was necessary. Looking out the cockpit window, Nofix sees Tool and Shotaro approaching him. Tool lands atop the Robot's head and begins removing the Fear Robot's soul. But the soul is so large that Tool is struggling to pull all of it out on his own. Watching Tool, Shotaro realizes that this Life Force is something only a kappa can hear. Tool continues to tug on his pickaxe, but blood begins coming out of his head: he is too weak to pull. Meanwhile, Nofix has been able to loosen enough of the tether that he is about to strike Tool.

"Sho-chan!" someone shouts. It is Mana, who hurls what appears to be a chipped tile at Shotaro. He catches it, studies it--and realizes what it is. He bites it and grabs onto Tool's pickaxe. The chip Mana tossed to him was from Tool's dome, technically a bone, which allows the Dokeshi to enact Dish of the Kappa. Shotaro tells Tool he now can see and hear the Robot's soul, and how sad this soul is. Both Tool and the kappa-influenced Shotaro tighten their grip on the pickaxe and pull.

The Silver Gun's tether is completely shredded. Nofix grins, ready to swat down these "pesky little mosquitoes." Shotaro orders that he and Tool give one more yank on this pickaxe to remove the soul completely. They struggle, tearing at the pickaxe. The Fear Robot, under Nofix's command, hovers over its own head, ready to squish Tool and Shotaro. Again the Robot's soul screams "Stop!" before asking "Please stop me." Shotaro screams as he pulls harder on the pickaxe.

The Fear Robot's hand stays frozen above its own, hovering right above Tool and Shotaro, immobile. Mana collapses to her knees. Yohei stares at the site. Shotaro and Tool have completely removed the entire soul of the Fear Robot. "Thanks, both of you," the Fear Robot's soul says to Tool and Shotaro. "No thing wants to be born as some weapon."

While Nofix is surprised that none of his orders are making the Robot move, Shotaro is confused, asking what happens to an inanimate object after its soul is removed. Tool answers, "It becomes a thing, but not a thing...it becomes an incomplete 'nothingness.' It can never return to this earth again...It becomes unstable and eternal." Tool asks Shotaro to touch the top of the Robot's head, to feel how it seems like the object is not even there, like the two of them are just floating in the air. Nofix, overhearing Tool and Shotaro, is surprised. Tool says he hates removing a life force from an inanimate object, as that spirit cannot return to Earth and wanders for eternity, empty. Yet Tool is surprised that the Fear Robot would thank them for such a life, to choose to wander rather than stay a weapon. Shotaro grows silent.

Mana interrupts, noticing that the Robot seems to be shaking--then collapsing! Yohei realizes that Nofix's fight has destabilized the entire facility: the Fear Factory is about to collapse on top of all of them!

### Escaping Fear Factory

Shotaro, still under the influence of Kyokotsu, is carrying the injured Mana. Along with Tool and Yohei, they see that every exit is blocked. Tool explains that the inanimate objects in the Factory told him this was their only path out of the collapsing building. Yohei assures everyone they will escape because they can draw upon Shotaro's Kyokotsu power. But when everyone turns back to Shotaro, they see he has already lost that ability. Furious, Mana, still being held by Shotaro, strangles him. Shotaro struggles to explain: Kyokotsu is tired and has gone to sleep, and his departing advice to Shotaro is, "If's fine if you die. Just take good care of your bones, okay?" Mana is furious. Blood squirts from Tool's dish wound. Yohei calmly draws on his cigarette and thinks Kyokotsu's advice was heroic--which amuses Shotaro but angers their friends. Tool warns that they are about to be trapped with NoFix. But Yohei says that they still can use Shotaro to escape, which confuses the young Dokeshi.

Outside the collapsing Fear Factory, Assi stares, worrying whether Shotaro's group will escape. He fears for Shotaro's group. Behind him, the street is beginning to chip away--before it explodes behind him. Emerging from the street is Shotaro, who is biting on Dome of the Kappa--barely conscious having used his hard kappa head to break through the ground. Assi is surprised to see his new friend emerge. Below Shotaro, Tool looks up, sympathizing with him for injuring himself (especially when he looks just like him). Meanwhile, Yohei commends himself for his plan: have Shotaro become a kappa, then have Mana kick him really hard. The group climbs up, with Shotaro complaining about his injured head, Mana complaining about her sore body, and Tool complaining that he can see Mana's underwear as he is under her skirt again. Once the group is above ground, they witness the Factory finally collapse. Shotaro announces that the good deed for the day is complete.

### Shotaro Becomes a Superhero

Some time later, after the members of Shotaro's group receive medical attention to their injuries, Tool, Mana, and Yohei are surprised to see Assi come to them with a newspaper: the headline features Shotaro, celebrated as the hero of I. C. Prefecture. He is referred to as a superhero as notable as children's idol Charisma Justice and housewives' idol Vector Jibako. Assi then learns from Mana that Shotaro has gone out to perform his daily good deed.

### Finding Emine

Emine the Bai Ze stands above the victims of his bad deed of the day: he has executed Fear Factory members, including Dr. Agei. With his bad deed completed, Emine retracts his clawed hand Kamaitachi. Elsewhere, Shotaro the Kyokotsu, wearing a skull-decorated shirt, has completed his good deed. Meanwhile, Emine realizes Shotaro is far from him, yet he thinks he can hear his friend's voice. He remembers their past. Shotaro looks back with surprise: he sees, with needle-like orbs with eyes floating around him, Emine. The shadow of Shotaro resembles a skull. The shadow of Emine has numerous eyes appear on it.

Shotaro is surprised whom he encounters: Emine. Surrounding Emine are black orbs, with pointed tips and eyes upon them. Emine seizes one and summons Kamaitachi, his right hand gaining bladed claws. While Emine glares at Shotaro, his friend is just overjoyed to reunite. Shotaro's glee disappears as he sees Emine come towards him, swiping at him with his Kamaitachi. Shotaro dodges and flips along the alley until he seems to be attached to the wall, like a spider. He bites a bone and descends towards Emine.

During this battle, Emine thinks that his and Shotaro's Dokeshi conditions--he to perform a daily bad deed, Shotaro to perform a daily good deed--means the two can not be together. Yet even Emine seems doubtful, thinking, "Right?" Shotaro lunges at Emine, who knocks him away with his Kamaitachi. But Emine is surprised to find Shotaro swinging from a pipe above, using Bone of the Monkey. Shotaro swings himself to land some distance from Emine before leaping towards Emine again. But he leaps towards Emine not to attack, but to wrap his arms around him in a hug. He again explains how excited he is to have finally reunited. But Emine's face grimaces with sadness. Shotaro keeps talking, saying he has so much to discuss, "but I forgot all of it!" With his right elbow, Emine pushes Shotaro from him. Emine seizes one of his own blood orbs with his left hand to enact Fujin, producing a large fan that blows Shotaro away. Emine then summons two more blood orbs, one in each hand, to produce Raijin.

If Shotaro knows this is a real battle, he betrays no awareness, simply smiling at how strong Emine has become. But as he smiles, Kyokotsu is calling to him. As Shotaro sees Emine transform both arms into Lightning Scissors, Shotaro hears Kyokotsu tell him that his friend is now evil. Still smiling, Shotaro, inwardly, is upset, his eyes showing fear even as he smiles and puts two Bones of the Dog into his mouth. He unleashes Guard Dog of Hades--Bones of Kerberos. Emine and Shotaro scream each other's names. Emine's Lightning Scissors slice the Kerberos's shadows. Shotaro then attempts Triple Direct Absorption of Calcium with three Bones of the Snake to produce Bones of Medusa. His hair transforms into snakes, then into arrows that pierce at the street. Emine dodges Shotaro's hair attacks. Emine seizes another blood orb and, before Shotaro's snakes can hit him, initiates Graffiti Wall, summoning a square barrier on which is written "The Wall" and "Pink Floyd." Shotaro recalls his attack. He watches as Emine dissolves the Wall and summons Bai Ze to perform his Guilty Blade. A third eye opens on Emine's forehead. Light shines throughout the alley as an explosion reverberates.

Shotaro blocks Emine's Guilty Blade with just his forearm. The resulting collision produces energy in the shapes of skulls and eyes. Both friends say each other's names, then separate and withdraw their attacks. Emine explains he is "made out of loneliness, apathy, and a handful of discontent." He stares at his hand. "If I can't be with the only friend I have who will accept me, I'd rather be completely alone." Shotaro repeats his friend's name. Emine concludes that he will destroy the world. And if Shotaro is really a hero and his friend, then he will stop him. "The Masked Assembly," Emine concludes: "Everything begins there."

Emine then summons his blood orbs back into his body, forming dragonlike wings on his back. Before leaving, he asks Shotaro about the Seven Deadly Sins. He claims he bears those sins: Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Sloth, Greed, and Wrath. He then suggests there is an Eighth Deadly Sin: "Justice." Emine thinks Justice has overstepped its bounds. While he fears Shotaro will abuse that sense of Justice until it too becomes a sin, he turns his back to Shotaro and tells him to use it to stop him. Shotaro calls to Emine again, but he has already flown away. As he departs, both Emine and Shotaro look pained.

### Approaching the Masked Assembly

There are numerous cross-shaped tombstones, with birds flying around. One tombstone is marked with a skull shape, the word "Death," and an arrow pointing to what looks like a cathedral. Inside this building are tall candles, stained glass, and an organ, upon it three eyes that resemble the three eyes of Emine. A loud, energetic crowd has gathered inside, shouting "Yeah!" It is the Masked Assembly, where Emine stands addressing these fellow Dokeshi.

Outside, on a twisted spiral of land sits two figures with long coats blowing in the wind: Charisma Justice and Shotaro. The spiral of land has a Dokeshi symbol upon it, along with crosses reading "I Love Radiohead" and "Kid A" "Amnesiac" which are references to Radiohead's albums. Skull symbols decorate Shotaro's cloak and shoes. The young Dokeshi clutches two bone staffs. Justice asks where Vector Jibako has gone. Shotaro refers to Vector as "a pretty direct guy" who already entered the Assembly. Justice complains while Shotaro giggles. While Shotaro thinks he is about to reunite with Emine, he directs Justice to head to the building. As they leap towards the building, feathered wings flutter from Shotaro's back. He thinks, "Emine, I will always be on your side."

## References

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 1
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 19
3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 2
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 3
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 4
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 5
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 6
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 7
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapters 8 and 9
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 10
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 11
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 12.9 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 12
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 13
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 14
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 16
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 17
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 17.8 17.9 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 18
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 *B. Ichi* Manga: Chapter 20