Worm

*"Where there is strife, there is the Worm."*
— A phrase discovered from Yamashita Kenzo's research
**The Worm** (蟲 (むし) , *Mushi*) are a mysterious Chinese organization that lurks in the darkness of the underworld.

## About

The Worm are an ancient Chinese secret society that pulled the strings in wars and politics for thousands of years; they have infiltrated almost every institution.

Worm have been researching brain-related technology for at least over 30 years, sponsoring and collecting information from scientists like Bando Yohei and Yamashita Kenzo; in the case of the latter two, mind uploading and the cyberbrain were topics of interest respectively.

While little else is known about the Worm, it is known that all who are connected to them have their centipede insignia tattooed on their body. While most of the members possess a black tattoo the ones closer to the head have a white one.

To prevent information leaks, the Worm doesn't let infiltrators know who else is infiltrating.

## Hierarchy

The head of the Worm, Xia Yan is the one who controls the entire organization. Yan is also a close associate with Shen Wulong.

Below the head there are two kinds of high-rank subordinates: the Direct Subordinates (like Naidan Mönkhbat), who are recognized by their white centipede tattoo and report directly to the head, and the Officers, who are in charge of the various branches of the organization (i.e. Xia Ji is the Far East Branch Chief).

Below the officers are the Senior Combatants (like Jadamba Sumyabaazar), who indoctrinate the Medium and the Junior Combatants to the cause and train them. The Junior Combatants have various subordinates themselves. Lower-ranking members of the Worm can either be combatants or saboteurs and are the only ones who engage in "impersonation". They are also known to use reconstructive surgery on their members to aid in infiltration and replacement impersonation. On the other hand, Senior Combatants don't fake their identity; for this reason they are harder to expose than other members.

It's possible for someone like a Junior Combatant to be promoted to become a Direct Surbordinate.

Individuals like The Other Tokita Niko and the Westward Faction of the Wu Clan are seen as allies to the Worm and not de facto members.

## Notable Members

‎‎

### Other Members

#### Senior Combatants

**Jadamba Sumyabaazar** (ジヤダンバ・スミヤバザル, *Jiyadanba Sumiyabazaru*) was an upper-class combatant of the Worm and Naidan Mönkhbat's master of mongolian wrestling.

#### Unknown Rank

**Ranjo** (蘭城, *Ranjō*) was one of Hayami's high-ranking Guardians.

**Saka Koji** (坂麹, *Saka Kōji*; "*Koji Saka*") was a Worm agent who impersonated an employee of a Kengan Association corporation being a IT Department Head. His Id number is 11T2TS19.

**Terumi Kanji** (かんじ てるみ, *Terumi Kanji*; "*Kanji Terumi*") was a Worm agent impersonating an employee of Muji TV's Human Resources Department and Kengan Association member.

## Notes & Trivia

* For some reason Naidan Mönkhbat, before dying, labelled Gaoh Ryuki as the Connector. This is because Ryuki is the clone of Shen Wulong.
* While the reasons for it are yet unknown, they have been keen to capture both Tokita Ohma and Gaoh Ryuki.
* According to Hayami Katsumasa, it was the technology given to him by the Worm that enabled him to "create" Hayami Masaki, a clone of the late Meguro Masaki.
* Yamashita Kenzo infers that the Worm are trying to create "something" using the brain research they have gained over the decades.
* Two years after the Kengan Association vs Purgatory tournament were the existence of the Worm was made public, at least in the underworld, the Worm detonated many bombs around the world, having earned a place as a public enemy.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Chapter 48 (Omega)
2. ↑ Chapter 82 (Omega)
3. ↑ Chapter 123 (Omega)
4. ↑ Chapter 33 (Omega)
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Toru`
6. ↑ Chapter 178
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Ranjo's profile
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chapter 179
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Chapter 235
10. ↑ Chapter 236
11. ↑ Chapter 34 (Omega)
12. ↑ Chapter 149