This is how I'll become...
...Supreme Commander.
...a hero.
This is my story!
Whirlwind, Himari, Roar
Your little slave
makes a mean cup of coffee.
What are you doing here, Tenka?
You received a memo from
the Supreme Commander, yes?
Regarding the appearance
of those vicious humanoid Shuuki.
In general, our squadrons
operate independently.
But moving forward, the Demon
Defense Force is to be more cohesive.
Oh yeah, that.
I heard the 7th Squadron's
second-in-command fainted
when she was attacked
by one of the humanoid Shuuki.
How pathetic!
You're determined to drag
the Azuma Family's reputation
through the mud, aren't you, Himari?
Give it up and come home already.
To be fair, those Shuuki
aren't exactly weak.
Seems the 3rd Squadron
had a run-in with them, too.
Yes... Not once, but twice.
I can see why cooperating with the
other squadrons would be important...
We find your presence reassuring,
Commander Kyouka.
But some of us are hesitant
to put our trust in your team.
I won't name any names,
but we're concerned that
they might slow us down.
We need to assess the current capabilities
of each of our teams.
How about we hold an intersquad
Mato exhibition match?
Oh?
Huh?
Mato exhibition match...?
What is this, a baseball league?
An "exhibition match" is what we call
a contest of strength and skill
between two squadrons.
Makes sense...
Does single combat sound acceptable?
You've never been one to mince words,
have you, Kyou?
Fine by me.
We'll adjust our numbers accordingly.
See you later, little slave.
Commander, I have a request.
Will you help me prepare for the match?
It's going to be physically demanding.
So long as I win,
I'll do whatever it takes!
Then you'd better buckle down
and start training!
Yes, ma'am!
You heard the commander.
I, Himari Azuma, claim you
as my slave from here on out!
Huh...?
BUT WHY?!
This ramen broth tastes great!
I always end up eating way too much
of Yukki's cooking!
Did you use some sort
of secret ingredient?
I wanted it to be rich and thick,
so I tried adding chicken fat!
As far as housework goes,
your skills are perfect for a slave!
Remind me again how I got
roped into being YOUR slave?
It's for the sake of
the Mato exhibition match.
I absolutely HAVE to win.
But that doesn't explain
why I'm being forced to-
We're keeping it simple this time
with single combat.
Your sister's attitude struck a nerve,
didn't it, Himari?
So use this match as an excuse
to kick her ass!
Thank you for the chance
to do some ass-kicking!
Ass-kicking is your sworn duty!
Oh, I'll kick her ass alright!
What's with all the kicking and asses?!
You still haven't answered my question!
Why am I YOUR slave?!
Transforming parts of my body
into weapons isn't my main ability.
I only use it 'cause it's compatible.
This is my real ability.
Character Info
*Commander ♪
Kyouka Uzen
Mato Destruction Power
Miss Kyouka?
It looks like some sort
of trading card game...
LOFTY AMBITIONS: LEARNING
"Learning."
I can learn other people's abilities
and use them for myself.
That's my ability.
Isn't that super OP?!
I select someone's ability on my phone
and then implement it.
Which means I can use
the commander's right now.
You do understand what
Miss Kyouka's ability entails, right?
I know, I know.
It's physically demanding.
I got this!
I don't mind taking over
the cleaning or the laundry
if it means I get to kick Yachiho's ass!
We're surrounded by Shuuki!
Hurry up!
Fine, but I warned you!
WHIRL
WIND
ETERNAL CHAINS: SLAVE
WHIRLWIND
You're a different shape than when
the commander does it...
I can move with lightning speed!
Even faster than with Miss Kyouka!
But the drawback
is that I'm not as strong...
Well, in that case...
I'll just beat on 'em...
till they drop!
This is the key to fighting my sister!
Good job!
You could pick
from any number of abilities...
Why do you insist on this one?
It gives you a chance to be useful
even though you're a man.
If anything, you ought to be grateful-
Huh?! H-hold on...
What's happening to me?!
It's the price of her ability...
S-so by "physically demanding,"
she meant...
Wait, how come I can't move my body?!
Because my reward isn't over yet,
I guess...
Wh-why does it have to be THIS?!
Speaking of which,
quit gawking at me already!
But if I do that, you might-
On second thought, just see for yourself.
Am I going to be stuck like this forever?!
Thought so.
It's the price of her ability...
so it won't stop until I get my reward.
Wha-?!
Is this a sufficient reward for you?
How indecent!
You'd be better off
using a different ability.
I would if I could, trust me!
So shameful...
Th-then why can't you?
There's a compatibility component
to Learning.
It degrades the quality of most abilities,
to the point that they become useless.
Character Info
*Fighter ♪
Shushu Suruga
Mato Destruction Power
For example, if I were to use
Shushu's Paradigm Shift,
all it would do is increase my bust size
by about three centimeters.
But the price of Miss Kyouka's ability is-
I'm aware of that, okay?!
Why are you so desperate to win?
I was born into the Azuma household,
an influential family with
major accomplishments in Mato.
My older sisters are successful,
so everyone had high hopes for me, too.
But I'd overexert myself
before a big event and get hurt,
or I'd get nervous and
come down with a fever.
I never had results to show for it.
Yeah, story of my life...
Same with my Peach ability.
I'm guessing they noticed
the problem you mentioned earlier.
And 'cause of that, I'd always get teased
at home whenever I couldn't keep up.
It must've been tough for you growing up.
This is my first chance since
I cut ties with the Azuma Family
to prove them wrong about me.
So YOU are going to happily cooperate!
It's REALLY hard to want to help someone
when they can't even ask politely.
As for my ultimate goal...
I want to be a hero like the commander.
I feel like I'll become a new version
of myself if I can beat Yachiho.
That part of me that nobody's ever seen
deserves a proper chance to shine!
She's... just like me.
Still, we're missing something
for the exhibition match.
What's that?
A finishing move
that will demolish our enemy.
Oh yeah, come to think of it...
all I've done so far is mindlessly
punch and kick everything in sight.
I have my own reasons
for wanting to get stronger...
Maybe she's the key
to opening up a new door!
Even better if I manage
to help Miss Kyouka!
Fine, fine. I'll do it.
Watch your attitude.
You're my slave, remember?
You don't have the right to refuse.
Well?
Our opponent, Yachiho Azuma,
what's her ability?
AZUMA TIME: GOLDEN HOUR
"Golden Hour."
She can control time,
including freezing it and rewinding it.
Welp, we're screwed!
6TH SQUADRON
My ears are burning...
I have a sneaking suspicion
Himari's talking about me right now.
She's such a worthless little sister!
It's only right that she does my bidding
for the rest of her life.
I'm going to put her in her place
at the Mato exhibition match...
Oh, I can't wait for the big day!
Shio
Ramen
Yachiho's ability is dangerous, for sure.
But it takes power.
She'll get tired if she uses it
too many times.
And THAT'S how we'll win.
The fact that she can use it
more than once makes things tricky.
Also, she strikes a weird pose
to trigger her ability.
Says it's a routine that
"enhances her skills."
So we'll have to beat her to the punch.
In that case, we ought to take advantage
of my blistering speed
for our finishing move.
Exactly.
An ultra-fast maneuver that
won't even give her time to freeze time!
And no leeway to rewind time, either.
An attack with enough force
to knock her out of the fight completely!
So like...
a swift step forward
into a head-on punch!
I think that'd be fastest.
Let's work on polishing it into
a deadly blow that she can't dodge.
Try channeling all your strength
into a single part of your body.
Channel...
all my strength...
into my legs!
Whoa, you actually did it!
Just in time for our
practice dummies to arrive.
Hell yeah!
I'm even faster than before!
At this rate...
we're golden!
Wait, why didn't it work?!
Maybe I overdid it.
My legs are exhausted...
You probably lost
most of your arm strength
because you poured all your energy
into your legs instead.
We'll keep experimenting with it
until we perfect your technique.
Uh, is this my reward?
Wow, he does look different than with me.
Commander!
Miss Kyouka!
Keep it up.
Roger!
Smart.
Channeling his strength into a single
point to produce a more powerful effect...
It's a proactive approach.
You've got a knack for this.
Thanks, Commander!
That being said, why are you watching him
from way back here?
Well, I...
You mustn't forget the fundamental essence
of my ability, Himari.
Its essence?
Make me proud.
Hey!
I'll be riding you
during the exhibition match.
Let's do this like it's the real deal!
This ability requires
dominating a slave...
not just sitting back and coaching him.
Get on top of the slave...
seize the slave's chains...
and issue a command as his master!
Channel your strength into your legs!
That's strange...
I feel more power
flowing through me this time.
Go crush that Shuuki!
Did I really just do that?
A foolproof finishing move!
I got lost in the moment.
I'm not sure if I can replicate it...
Oh, don't worry.
Mato has plenty of
practice dummies for us!
I'm a million times
more worn out than usual...
Your technique lacks precision sometimes.
We need to practice
and develop consistency.
Uh, your clothes-
Look, it's the price of her ability, okay?
I swear... So indecent...
Bring it on!
I'll master this technique so I can
put it to use again in the future!
That's the spirit...
Exhibition Match!!
Today, we put our
team's excellence on display.
We'll look good doing it, too.
A stylish victory in the bag!
The moment of truth is finally here!
So, how do ya feel?
I'm ready for anything.
Plus, I'll be using an ability
that Yachiho's never seen before.
I feel good.
But once the exibition match is over,
the Himarin-Yukki duo
goes their separate ways, right?
I guess so...
He belongs to the commander, not me.
And it's a physically demanding ability...
For now, let's focus on today.
The whole Demon Defense Force
will know who won.
And the outcome
will affect our squadron's...
the commander's reputation.
We gotta put our best foot forward!
Exactly.
For myself... and for the commander
since she organized this match.
I can't lose!
That reminds me.
Aren't other members of the
6th Squadron supposed to show up, too?
Yoo-hoo!
We got here early, so I came to de-stress!
Since when was SHE in the 6th Squadron?!
That's Sahara Wakasa.
She's a homebody,
so it's rare to see her out and about.
Zzzzz...
SAHARA WAKASA
And now she's asleep? How funny!
She's certainly got guts, doesn't she?
Go ahead without me.
You'll do great, Himarin. Don't sweat it!
Taking a bath before the exhibition match?
You must be awfully confident.
I intend to be clean and tidy
when I win today.
Oh?
Sounds like you've got a plan in mind.
But the question is,
can you actually pull it off?
PASS WITH
FLYING COLORS
O-of course I can!
You still haven't left the dorm?
The match is supposed to start soon.
You're only delaying the inevitable.
It'll be okay!
We trained our asses off, remember?
So cocky for a slave...
Huh?
Uh, obviously!
We're guaranteed to win!
Sorry we're late, everyone!
Write your name down.
What's this for?
It's used to trigger
Ginna Bizen's ability.
She can create a barrier by drawing a line
on the ground that acts as a boundary.
Only those who sign their names
can enter the barrier.
Himari
Yuuki
Tenka
Also, any damage sustained during combat
inside the barrier will be healed.
Thanks for your patience!
I'm Ginna Bizen of the 10th Squadron,
and I'll be your referee for
today's intersquad exhibition match!
GINNA BIZEN
Ginna's Club!
MEMBERS ONLY FIGHTING ARENA
This ability of mine
is like a dream come true!
I get to see the Demon Defense Force
up close and personal!
Not everyone believes
Peaches grant powers based on the person's
nature and knowledge, but I totally do!
This barrier could withstand
the force of a thousand Shuuki.
We're counting on you to judge this fight.
Of course, Lady Ten!
Of course, Lady Kyou!
I'll totally give it my best shot!
"Lady Kyou"...?
You're a Demon Defense Force fangirl?
'Scuse me?
Should've known she wouldn't like men...
'Kay, I'm all set!
7th Squadron
SHUSHU SURUGA
KYOUKA UZEN
HIMARI AZUMA
Did you make that?
Nei counts as a non-combatant,
so her job is to cheer on her teammates!
First up in Round 1:
It's Himari Azuma of the 7th Squadron
versus Yachiho Azuma of the 6th Squadron!
The rules are, whoever gives up
or gets knocked out first loses!
Injuries will be healed,
so don't hesitate to go nuts!
Once I win this match,
I'm going to drag you back home.
You'll be my special little servant.
I'm not the same person I was back then...
I WILL win, Yachiho.
7th Squadron
As part of my ability,
he's going to assist me.
Fine by me.
Denying a dog handler her dog
is just plain heartless.
Is everyone ready?
Now then, let the first match...
begin!
I'm warning you, Himari.
You won't last a second against-
BRAND BREAK!
Where in the hell did THAT come from?!
Golden Hour!
Rewind 5 seconds!
AZUMA TIME: GOLDEN HOUR
BRAND BREAK!
...begin!
She's tired...
We planned ahead in case we couldn't
finish her off with a single blow!
Let's stick to our strategy!
She changed tactics.
Now to figure out whether it was
an accident or on purpose...
Himari, you haven't realized my
ability has gotten stronger, have you?
It's an indisputable fact that
little sisters can't beat big sisters...
I'll prove it to you with "Prime Time"!
TEACH US! NEI-SENPAI!
"Teach Us! Nei-senpai!"
Okey-dokey!
LOFTY AMBITIONS: LEARNING
Today we're talking about
Miss Himari's ability: Learning!
It's a phenomenal power
that allows Miss Himari to adopt
someone else's ability by
selecting their data on her phone,
so long as she's seen said ability.
But then there's the issue
of compatibility,
plus the quality of the
ability deteriorates...
Using an ability that comes with a price
requires that price to be paid or
she can't switch it for a different one,
so she must study the characteristics
of abilities to use them fully.
It's the perfect ability for a hardworking
person like Miss Himari!
Anyways, next time:
SISTERS,
YACHIHO,
RIDICULE
"Sisters, Yachiho, Ridicule"
Thanks for watching!