This is my path...
This is my story...
...to becoming the Supreme Commander.
...of becoming a Hero!
When I gently wake up
I find myself covered in darkness
As tears fall one by one, I endure my own grief
I vowed to hold that hope in my hands
I've been dreaming of it for a long time
A dream that feels so distant and unreachable
I kept hoping that it would come true
That's when you reached out to me
"You are always looking forward."
"You are always genuine."
I know I can make it with you
I'll turn this world into a garden of light
I'll do it for sure, and lead it to the future
(EPISODE.4: Whirlwind, Himari is Going to Howl)
You brew a good cup of coffee, Slave Boy.
What brings you here, Tenka?
I believe you saw the notice from the Supreme Commander.
It's about the powerful humanoid Shuuki that has emerged.
Every unit of our Forces usually acts independently,
but from now on, we have to work together.
I see, so that's it.
I heard the 7th Squad's Second-in-Command was attacked by them and fainted.
How pathetic.
You have done nothing but tarnish the Azuma name, Himari.
Be a good girl and return to home.
That said, humanoid Shuuki is really strong.
I heard the 3rd Squad run into them.
Yes, they were attacked twice.
Certainly, the squads need to work together.
We can count on Commander Kyouka,
but some of us feel uneasy about trusting our backs to your team.
I'm not going to say who.
I'm worried that she will be a liability.
It's necessary that we ascertain the current strengths of our squads.
Why don't we hold a Mato Intersquad Tournament between our members?
Mato Intersquad Tournament?
No way it's a baseball match, right?
Intersquad Tournament is a competition between squads to test their strengths.
I see.
How about a one-on-one duel?
A powerful communication, typical of Kyochin.
Very well.
I'll match the number of participants with yours.
See you later, Slave Boy.
Commander, I have a request.
May I use your ability?
You have to put your body on the line.
I'm willing to do it for the sake of victory.
Then, you have to train hard.
Yes, Ma'am!
Seeing where this is going, it's been decided that you're to be my slave!
Why?!
This ramen broth is really good!
I can't help but binge on Yukki's food.
Is there some kind of secret ingredient in it?
I added some chili oil to make it rich.
When it comes to housework, you have a fitting skill for a slave.
Why do I have to be your slave, too?
We'll be holding an Intersquad Tournament.
And I have to win.
Then why do I need to be your slave?
This time, we're going with simple one-on-one duels.
You can't stand your sister, right?
Use this tournament to kick her ass!
Thank you for giving me this chance to kick her ass!
You better kick her ass!
I'll definitely kick her ass!
They're sure saying "kick her ass" a lot.
You still haven't told me why I'm going to be your slave.
Turning my body into weapons isn't my main ability.
I only use it because I'm compatible with it.
This is my actual ability.
Miss Kyouka?
This looks like some kind of trading card.
(Lofty Ambitions: Learning)
Learning.
My ability is to learn others' abilities and use them for myself.
That's crazy strong!
I can use the ability of anyone I set on my terminal.
It means, right now, I can use the Commander's ability.
Do you understand exactly what her ability does?
I did hear that I have to put my body on the line, but that's okay with me.
If it's to win against my family,
whether it's cleaning or doing laundry, I'll do them in his stead.
We got a lot of them! Hurry!
Don't blame me for whatever happens!
(Whirl)
(Wind)
(Eternal Chains: Slave-Whirlwind)
Your form is a bit different from when you're with the Commander.
I can move faster than when I was with Miss Kyouka.
But instead, my power is decreasing.
In that case...
I'll pummel them until they fall!
I can fight her with this.
You pass!
You've got other abilities.
So why did you choose this one?
I gave you more work, even though you're a man.
So you should be grateful to me...
Wait, what? What's going on here?!
This is the price of her ability.
Is this what she meant by putting my body on the line?
I can't move.
Doesn't that mean the reward's still going on?
Why do I have to do this?
And stop looking!
Well, I guess it's faster if you just experience it by yourself.
I still can't move my body!
Figures.
This is the price of her ability.
It won't end until I've been fully rewarded.
How is this a reward?
How indecent.
You should use another ability.
If I could, I would!
Such vulgar...
Then why?
There are compatibilities.
Most abilities degrade and become useless to me.
For example, if I were to use Shushu's Paradigm Shift,
I could only manage to grow my bust by three centimeters.
But Miss Kyouka's ability comes with a price.
I told you I know!
Why are you so desperate?
The Azuma Family I was born into
is a prestigious house with great achievements in Mato.
My sisters are all excellent,
and of course, they have high expectations of me.
I'll always try too hard before an important event and hurt myself.
Or get so nervous that I come down with a fever, so I've never made any results.
Yeah, that happens to me too.
As for my peach's blessings...
They realized its drawbacks, huh?
Thanks to that, I was always been ridiculed in the Azuma household.
You sure had it tough.
This is the first chance to get back at her since I left home.
That's why, you will graciously help me!
I don't have the motivation to help someone who asked it in that way.
My ultimate ambition is...
to become a hero like the Commander.
I feel that I can be reborn if I can beat Yachiho.
I want to prove myself in ways I've never been able to before.
She's just like me.
But there's something we lack right now.
What's that?
A finishing move to take down the opponent for sure.
Now that she mentions it, what I've been doing so far is punching and kicking.
There's a reason why I need to get stronger myself.
A new door might open if I'm with her.
It could assist Miss Kyouka too.
Fine, I'll help you.
So cocky.
In the first place, a slave doesn't have a right to reject.
So what's Yachiho Azuma's ability?
Golden Hour.
Time manipulation. She can stop the time or even rewind it.
Isn't that bad news?
(6th Squad)
I'm feeling a tickle.
Himari must be thinking about me.
That my good-for-nothing little sister deserves a lifetime of servitude from me.
I'll make it clear to her at the Intersquad Tournament.
I can't wait for the big day!
Yachiho's ability is indeed bad news.
But her ability is really taxing, she'll get tired after a few uses.
Therein lies our chance to win.
Even if it's only a few times, it's still troublesome.
Also, to activate her ability, she has to strike a bizarre pose.
It's part of her routine to elevate herself, or so she said.
I guess we have to make the first move, then.
Our finishing move should take advantage of speed.
You're right.
A swift strike that won't even give her a chance to stop time.
And a one-hit kill that won't give her a chance to rewind the time.
In that case...
Step in quickly, and then strike straight at her.
This is the fastest way.
Let's develop it to the point that she can't avoid it.
Try focusing your power on your legs.
Focusing my power into my legs!
You did it!
Your punching bags are coming at the perfect time.
Here goes!
I can move even faster.
I can do it with this!
It didn't work at all!
Focusing all my power really wore my legs out.
It seems focusing your power on your legs made your attacks weaker.
Let's keep trying to find the best move.
I guess this is my reward this time.
He's certainly different from when he was with me.
Commander!
Miss Kyouka!
- Keep going! - Yes, Ma'am!
I see.
So he's focusing his power on a single point to produce higher results.
You're really good, you did it ahead of me.
Thank you so much!
But why are you only watching him from behind?
Well...
You need to understand the true essence of my ability.
True essence?
Keep at it.
Hey.
I'll ride you during our match.
So let's do it as if this is the real match.
Although this ability lets me control a slave,
that doesn't mean I can just order him.
I've to ride atop the slave, pull on his chains,
and then command him as his master.
Focus your power on your legs!
It's strange. The power is surging in me stronger than before.
Get that Shuuki!
Just now, did I do it?
It truly is a sure-kill finishing move.
I was lost in the moment. Do you think I can do it again?
Don't worry.
Mato is a perfect training ground.
I'm way more tired than usual.
Sometimes your movement gets sloppy, so we have to train to stabilize it.
Wait, you...
It's the price, right?
Geez, how indecent.
It works great for me!
I swear I'll master this move and put it to good use in the future!
That's the spirit.
As the 6th Squad, let's win it with a clean sweep.
Let's make it elegant. An elegant victory.
The Intersquad Tournament is finally here.
How's it going?
We're all set.
This is an ability that Yachiho has never seen before.
I'm sure it will work.
When the tournament is over,
your partnership with Yukki will dissolve too, right?
That's true, he's originally the Commander's slave.
And I have to put my body on the line.
Let's just focus on today.
The entire Demon Defense Force will know the outcome of this competition.
The result will directly affect the Commander's reputation.
We need to show them our cool side.
Yeah, for myself and for the Commander who arranged this competition,
I can't lose!
By the way, who else is coming from the 6th Squad?
Heya! We got here early, so I'm here to relax.
Did the 6th Squad have someone like her?
She's Sahara Wakasa.
She seldom goes out, so it's rare to see her.
(Sahara Wakasa)
Now she's asleep, that's hilarious!
She's got guts.
You go first.
You will be fine today.
Taking a bath before the competition? You seem to be very confident.
I'm not going to wallow in the mud, since today I'm going to win.
Oh, looks like you have a plan.
I wonder if you could pull it off when it matters?
(Passing with Flying Colors)
I will!
Why are you still in this place?
Let's get ready.
You'll just have to keep struggling at best.
You're going to be fine.
We've been through all that training.
Even though you're a slave, you're so cocky.
Huh?
Of course, we will win today.
I'm sorry to keep you waiting.
Write your name.
What is this?
This is used to activate Ginna Bizen's ability.
She'll activate a barrier along the line she draws on the ground.
Only those who have written their name can enter.
Any wounds sustained in battle within the boundary will be healed.
Sorry to make you wait.
I, Ginna Bizen of the 10th Squad, will act as your referee today.
(Ginna Bizen)
Ginna Club!
(Membership Arena: Ginna Club)
This ability is like a dream.
Since I get to watch the Demon Defence Force up close.
They say that the peach's blessings are determined by one's character,
and I agree with that.
This barrier wouldn't break even if a thousand Shuukis showed up.
Keep up the good work as the referee.
Of course, Lady Ten, Lady Kyou! I'll do my best!
"Lady Kyou"? I guess you're a fan of the Demon Defense Force.
As expected, she's cold toward men.
(Shushu Suruga) (7th Squad) Preparations are done!
You made that?
I'm a non-combatant, so I'll do my best to cheer them!
On to the first match!
7th Squad's Himari Azuma versus 6th Squad's Yachiho Azuma!
The rules are whoever gives up or is unable to continue first will lose!
All wounds will heal so don't hold back!
After my win, I'm making you return to the Azuma household.
You'll stay by my side forever.
I'm different from back then.
I will be the winner, Yachiho.
He'll participate as part of my ability.
Sure.
It'd be unfair to tell a dog trainer not to use a dog.
Are both of you ready?
Well then, let the first match...
begin!
I'm warning you, Himari.
You'll be killed in a sec...
(Brand Break)
What do they think they're doing so suddenly?!
Golden Hour! Rewind for five seconds!
(Azuma Time: Golden Hour) Golden Hour! Rewind for five seconds!
(Brand Break)
Begin!
She's exhausted?
We've also prepared plans for when we can't finish it in one move.
We'll continue as planned!
She changed her move.
I have to find out whether it was a coincidence or a strategic move.
Himari, you don't know that my ability has grown.
It's the providence of the world that little sisters cannot win against their big sisters.
I'll prove it with Prime Time!
Hey, why don't you try to relax?
If we hold each other hands, we'll be invincible
Our hands are linked together in the chain that holding you
I'll never let you go
Effort alone is not enough
Sometimes things just happen out of the blue
But it's easy to change
A special relationship starts from the encounter with you
These shaking feelings and body heat are anxiety which comes from you
My heart beats faster with each twist or two
Hey, why don't you try to relax?
If we hold each other hands, we'll be invincible
Our hands are linked together transmitting sympathy
In the chain that holding you
I'll never let you go again
I'll never let you go
Please teach us, Senior Nei!
This time I will talk about Himari's ability, Learning.
By setting the information of others' abilities that Himari has seen into her terminal,
she will be able to use their abilities.
However, there are compatibility issues, and the abilities would deteriorate.
If she uses an ability with a price,
she can't switch to another ability without paying full of that price.
So she needs to study the ability characteristics first before using it.
It's the perfect ability for the hardworking Himari.
Next episode:
"Sisters, Yachiho's Mockery"
Please watch!