This is how I'll become...
...Supreme Commander.
...a hero.
This is my story!
Speaking of which,
that's a Mato Peach, isn't it?
Uh-huh.
War, Naon, Recite
You hadn't eaten one
back before we were separated, right?
Can you blame me?
Between the procedures and the paperwork,
it was a huge headache.
Quite a few people choose
not to eat them, y'know.
Ah. It's just...
I had assumed your powers
were a direct result of the Peaches.
There is a connection between them.
In fact, the Peaches are what
caused us to look like this.
I want to hear the whole story!
It might be best if we start
with MY story.
Are you sure? It must be painful for you.
He needs to know the truth.
Besides, I can provide a much more elegant
and articulate account.
Miss Naon...
I had a job in the human world.
As you may have guessed,
I worked in the modeling industry.
Uh, right...
Until one day...
I was involved in a Mato Mishap.
I hadn't eaten a Peach.
Due to my love of beauty,
I thought I might develop
a rejuvenation ability if I waited
until after I'd aged to eat one.
But... I wasn't in a position to choose.
Then, the Peach's power went haywire.
When I awoke,
I had been carried to a dimly lit room.
And this creepy old woman
was sitting there, just staring at me.
Noticing my confusion,
she explained everything.
This was the Onmyou Bureau,
a research facility
dedicated to studying Shuuki.
I couldn't process anything
the woman said to me after that.
"A facility for studying Shuuki?
Then what am I doing here?"
No!
Not my beautiful body!
These accidents do not occur
in the human world.
One theory is that they are caused
by Mato's miasma,
but more research is required
at this time.
No!
That is why you are a valuable subject,
and we ask for your cooperation
in our experiments.
Experiments?
Absolutely not! Cure me!
Bring my beautiful body back!
As our research progresses,
we shall find a method
to cure you as well.
So please...
until that time comes,
do it for the good of humanity.
You have our deepest gratitude.
They poked and prodded me all over.
Made me into a lab rat.
That's awful...
But there was a silver lining.
I became aware of my ability
to move through objects.
I waited for the right moment
and escaped with my friends.
Everyone else escaped
through various means,
but our stories are the same.
When I saw all their scars, I was furious!
Wait. You too, Big Sis?
Up 'til the part where I ate a Peach
in Mato and it went haywire.
For me, the pain when it happened
was excruciating...
I discovered this place,
and I fought a battle to hold onto
my human intellect for years on end.
When I'd finally gotten things
under control, I met these guys.
That must've been horrible...
Do you see why I had to go about
saving you in such a convoluted way?
Mato has a grisly dark side...
Something so terrible...
We have to tell people!
It's pointless.
The Onmyou Bureau as an institution
claims that Mato's existence
serves the country's best interests.
They'll just use their abilities
and political clout to silence us.
The fact that you were
totally in the dark
until you met us
is proof enough, isn't it?
Oh...
That's why...
WE'VE gotta be aggressive, too!
We're gonna march into the Onmyou Bureau
and tear it all down!
To save anyone who's facing
the same threat as us!
Right, you three?!
Meet Kuma-douji.
KUMA-DOUJI
Akura.
AKURA
The Unihorn...
I prefer to call it Kidoumaru.
UNIHORN
KIDOUMARU
These three possess a staggering amount
of strength, even for Shuuki.
Taming them wasn't exactly easy, though.
They learn their place
once ya knock 'em around a little!
Right, Kuma?!
We've readied our forces for battle.
And we've identified an invasion route...
We can attack at any time.
Hold on a second!
I get how you feel, but a plan like that
would hurt a lot of people!
If the Demon Defense Force knew what you
just told me, they wouldn't let it slide!
If we ask for their help-
What makes you think the
Demon Defense Force's Supreme Commander
isn't aware of the
Onmyou Bureau's actions?
If their policy involves
making us suffer on the country's behalf,
then they're our enemy!
We can't trust anyone!
But Miss Kyouka and the others-
Don't worry!
We're perfectly capable of finding a way
to fix this mess ourselves!
Go tell everyone.
"Do exactly as we planned."
Got it!
What's the matter, Big Sis?
Time for a warm-up.
We're out in the middle of nowhere...
Yukki! Where are you?!
This way.
I've been here several times,
but I traveled by Ame-no-Mitori.
Commander, where's Yuuki?
It seems as though my legs...
are carrying me towards those rocks.
A cave, huh?
They must've hidden the entrance!
I suspect the humanoid Shuuki
that kidnapped Yuuki
have made their home inside.
Tenka, we're heading in-
This feeling...
is a first for me.
Now I know what it's like
to have my boyfriend stolen from me.
Once Shushu pries open the cave entrance,
we'll rush inside.
Saving Yuuki is our number one priority.
Avoid combat whenever possible.
And if the humanoids try to interfere?
Follow the Supreme Commander's orders
and push for a dialogue.
If they won't comply,
then combat is permitted.
'Kay! Then we should-
An ambush?!
I got this! Golden Hour!
Freeze for five seconds!
AZUMA TIME: GOLDEN HOUR
Huh?!
These half-pint Shuuki
are a waste of our time.
The hostage comes first.
Let's shake a leg!
Whoa...
Better step up my-
Kuma Tackle!
Better step up my-
Kuma Tackle!
Everyone, give it up for Coco!
You must be my prey!
She blasted the cave open!
Get 'em, Kuma!
Sahara!
Wha-?!
Take... THIS!
We've got this covered!
Thanks!
I won't let you get
in the Commander's way!
You're dead meat...
So this is a Mato cave...
It's very different from the cave systems
monitored by our recon teams at the heart
of Mato.
It's cramped,
and there aren't any Peaches...
We're limited to my field of vision,
but should I try teleporting us
farther inside?
Hold it!
That weapon-wielding Shuuki...
It's no joke.
The little slave must be just up ahead.
Looks like it.
Yuuki is the priority.
Go on ahead without us!
Thanks, you two.
We'll meet you back here ASAP.
Battling alongside your brilliant sister.
You must be thrilled, Himari.
Sure am.
It's "death by Azuma" for these guys.
Let's wipe them out
before the commanders come back!
You stay here, Yuuki.
Big Sis...
Miss Kyouka!
I'm surprised
you already made it this far.
I bet your friends are busy with Coco and-
Teleportation...
Okay, I think I get
the gist of your ability.
We should be safe here for the time being.
You alright, little slave?
Did they hurt you?
Oh, I'm fine.
How'd you manage to find-
I won't be able to move
until we get this over with.
Here goes.
Huh?
The price of her ability...
This must be how she tracked me down...
Miss Tenka-?!
What are YOU doing?
Rewarding him
for surviving all on his own.
Oh please...
Sit still.
We need to finish this up quickly
and rendezvous with Himari.
The plan is to collect the others and then
teleport back to the dorm as a group.
The others?
They came all this way just for me...
Wait a minute!
How long is this supposed to last?!
Found you...
Hey, Kyou, are you good?
I can move.
STOP!
Yuuki?
She's my big sister.
Sister?!
Yuuki! Stay out of this!
Just hear me out, Big Sis!
Please!
I never could say no to you,
especially when you beg like that.
She's not trying to kill us...
His sister...
Do you think it's possible?
Please let me explain.
I'll tell you the whole story.
Everything that happened to her.
Okay, but keep it brief.
Perfect!
All that's left is to set up the futons
so everyone can lie down
as soon as they get home!
I should clean the bathroom, too!
What else?
It's Nei's job to protect the dorm
until Mr. Yuuki comes back!
Coco Uppercut!
Oof!
Sahara!
All you've done is run away.
It's boring as hell!
Ain'tcha gonna fight me?!
I'll ask one last time!
Are you willing to negotiate?!
Not a chance!
It's kill or be killed!
'Kay then...
Guess that settles it.
PARADIGM
SHIFT
Paradigm Shift!
Mad Sheep!
MAD SHEEP
Two!
About time ya got serious!
Now let's see who's the strongest!
There they are.
They just keep coming.
Without so much as a glance...
What did she do?
Himari, you may have performed well
during the exhibition match,
but you're still inexperienced.
Do yourself a favor and
obey your magnificent big sister.
Then I'd be happy to provide you
with some sisterly protection.
Yeah, yeah...
The enemy's wide open!
Pump 'em full of lead!
Tsk... Smarter than it looks...
Attacking blindly and without
understanding her ability
would be an ugly thing to do...
So instead, I'll...
The Onmyou Bureau, Peaches backfiring...
They're studying the effects...
I knew about their Shuuki research,
but to think they were doing something
so inhumane behind the scenes.
If what you claim is true,
then we'll destroy the Onmyou Bureau.
Believe me.
And we will do as we please,
killing anyone who stands in our way.
Does that mean you still plan
on using Shuuki to start an uprising?
Well, what good would trusting
two cogs in the machine do?
A lot of people are going to suffer.
We're victims too, y'know.
Big Sis, I swear you can trust
Miss Kyouka!
She's my commander!
But she treats you
as if you're some sort of slave,
forcing you to wear those chains.
That...
That was MY decision.
To become Miss Kyouka's slave
so that I can be a hero!
I have to help my friends.
Then we'll use all our strength
to stop you.
Miss Kyouka!
I'm sorry, Yuuki...
The whole Demon Defense Force
would do the same.
Come on-
Big Sis?!
The battle's about to start.
Stay out of harm's way.
She cares about her little brother.
This is one opponent Yuuki can't fight.
It would behoove him to not get involved.
Now then, shall we begin?
The Unihorn...
That one's all yours.
As it should be!
So you're my opponent?
Um...?
Oh, that's right!
I forgot to introduce myself.
I'm commander of the 6th
Squadron and Yuuki's girlfriend,
which makes me your sister-in-law,
Tenka Izumo.
I'll SLAUGHTER you!
I can't stop them...
Dammit, this is bad!
Coco Rampage!
She's fast...
and strong!
Aw, what's wrong?!
But...
Come and get me!
...her attacks are sloppy...
and excessive!
So that's my best shot!
Huh?!
Kuma!
Gotcha!
I'll crush you into itty-bitty pieces!
The heck?!
This thing's tougher than steel!
Well, in that case...
WHA-BAAM!
Followed by...
BOOM!
What?!
Not a single scratch on it...
It's no use!
Kuma's invincible.
And I'm slimy.
Hitting us ain't gonna work.
Which means Kuma and I are the worst
opponents you two could ever ask for!
Uh-oh!
Leave this one to me!
Golden Hour!
AZUMA TIME: GOLDEN HOUR
Freeze for five seconds!
You were pretty good with that spear.
Say goodbye!
A little parting gift...
HIMARI!
Oh?
Shikoku.
Hm?
I found what we were looking for.
Oh, wonderful!
Nice job hunting them down.
They're in combat
with the Demon Defense Force.
The Demon Defense Force...
It might be time to start introducing
ourselves as gods.
"Hark, humans! Her Holiness has arrived."
Well? How'd that sound?
Almost entirely devoid of dignity.
Oh...
I will make us look divine
when we get there.
Good plan!
Well then, shall we go?
Hell yeah, we snuck in!
And thanks to my ability,
we did it beautifully!
"Teach Us! Coco-senpai and...
TEACH US!
COCO-SENPAI AND THE
GORGEOUS NAON-SENPAI!
...the Gorgeous Naon-senpai!"
Today we're going to elaborate
on our abilities!
My "Coco Juice" is an ability that allows
me to manipulate my fluids at will.
COCO JUICE
My body gets super slimy,
so it's easy to dodge stuff like punches!
But you're susceptible to slash attacks,
so tread carefully!
My "Hitori Shizuka" is an ability that
allows me to hide inside of objects.
HITORI SHIZUKA
My sublime body passes right through,
so I can traverse walls or
move underground as I please!
But you hate using it on moving objects-
Secrets
Oh crap! Our cover's blown!
Next time: "Death Match, Aoba, Excite"
DEATH MATCH,
AOBA,
EXCITE
You'll be sorry, Demon Defense Force!