After Boothill revealed this news, all the viewers were dumbfounded.
Everyone stared intently at the screen, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.
On the screen, Robin's expression also grew heavier.
"As I thought, I've heard in family rumors about the rangers' grudge with that so-called Dr. Primitive."
"I just didn't expect… he actually came to Penacony."
Boothill didn't say more, but instead added: "In any case, I'll leave the outside to you. This journey… thank you."
Robin shook her head. "No, I should be the one thanking you. Thank you, Mr. Boothill, for reaching out a hand.."
Rappa had pursued the Dr. Primitive to Penacony. And Boothill had helped Rappa by coming with her.
As if reading Robin, Boothill grinned and said: "Don't get me wrong about some things. I'd better make this clear."
"I don't care much about good and evil."
"I just came here to help Rappa."
Robin was taken aback, then quickly said: "I understand. Then… may everything go smoothly for you."
"But I will also try to trace the source of the disturbance. We'll meet again, Mr. Boothill."
Perhaps, in their pursuit of the Dr. Primitive, they happened to aid Penacony. But that was only because the rangers themselves wanted to hunt him down.
Robin said no more, and parted ways with Boothill.
Even if the rangers took action, she still needed to make her own arrangements to ensure Penacony's safety.
After this sequence ended, the viewers were finally able to breathe again, quickly gulping down bits of information.
...
: Holy shit, the plot's been so abstract all this time, and suddenly a bomb drops. My brain almost couldn't keep up.
: Wait, it's a member of the Genius Society? The Dr. Primitive? I feel like I've heard that name before?
: I think it was mentioned briefly earlier, but never explained in detail.
: Whatever the case, the Genius Society folks shouldn't be underestimated!
: Still can't wrap my head around connecting those little monkeys with a Genius Society member.
: What's his real goal behind all this? What kind of ideals?
: But the Dr. Primitive has to be a villain, right? Otherwise why would the Galaxy rangers go after him?
: Whew… anyway, damn, the story suddenly got serious!
: Time to sit up straight for this.
: The info about the Dr. Primitive, plus Boothill's words just now, damn, the sense of gravitas is real.
: Galaxy Rangers vs. the Dr. Primitive… damn, I didn't realize the hype was this explosive!
...
After the viewers pieced together that all this abstract stuff had been the work of the Dr. Primitive, their curiosity only grew.
The earlier plot had been far too abstract, making it hard to connect with a Genius Society member at all.
This only made the Dr. Primitive seem even more mysterious in their minds.
After Robin left, Boothill stepped alone into deeper into the Dreamflux Reef, the Slumbernana Association's.
But his condition wasn't looking good.
Without the tuning of Harmony, that strange influence returned to him once again.
"Well, butter my banana and call me a biscuit, we kickin' off the member initiation rite so soon?"
Boothill clutched his head, still managing to joke.
"Then bring it on, baby! One ninja's more than enough for this game of infiltration."
But when he raised his eyes to look ahead, the smile froze on his face.
"The bullet will one day find its mark in you. Just Watch, Oswaldo"
A line of twisted words appeared before Boothill, drawn out from his overflowing memories.
"Wait a banana... is that... me?"
His pupils shrank. He couldn't understand why his thoughts had manifested in the air.
But the next second, an even more violent reaction surged through his mind, forcing him to clutch his head tighter.
In his daze, he seemed to hear the faint, mocking laughter of three groups of Monkeys.
This bizarre scene made the audience unbearably tense.
Up to now, aside from the monkeys, they still didn't even know where this strange influence had come from!
Was this truly the work of a Genius?
Just as the audience watched in horror as Boothill's condition worsened, a familiar pink figure suddenly burst into frame.
The instant he noticed an intruder, Boothill gritted his teeth and drew his gun.
"Eek! W-Wait!"
At the muzzle's aim, March 7th quickly spoke out:
"Ugh, are the consequences of skipping one class that serious?!"
...
: Pfft… skipping class and getting executed, that's wild.
: Holy shit, March barged into the scene!
: Skipping class all the way into Dreamflux Reef, huh?
: I can't even tell if this March is an illusion or the real deal right now!
: Damn! Don't insult March 7th, she's actually smart, okay!
: Eh… debatable.
...
Just as the audience was ready to see how the clever and cute March 7th planned to escape from the muzzle of the gun, the screen suddenly went black.
Once again, the familiar drumbeat resounded.
At this moment, the story abruptly shifted, to Rappa.
[Previously on Cosmic Ninjutsu Inscriptions]
A line of bold text appeared in the darkness.
Rappa's voice followed immediately after.
[To defeat Evil Ninja Osaru, this girl has become the successor to the Dazzling Ninjutsu, adopting the codename of Rappa, she began training under Master Kucha.]
[To help Rappa master the secrets of the ninja arts, Master Kucha subjected her to harsh trials. And Rappa, in her quest to liberate the Ninja Capital from darkness, determinedly endured every test.]
[Master Kucha is aware that Rappa is maturing into a true ninja, and her destined mission will soon unfold...]
[61st Year of Ninja Era, Dazzling Dojo, the Ninja Capital]
The audience clearly remembered the earlier "Previously On" segment with its abstract moon.
And now, the screen lit up again.
Once more, the still-frame image looked like a photograph.
Amidst a ground full of graffiti, Rappa kneeled on one knee, reverently preparing to receive something from Master Kucha.
The audience examined carefully and finally realized, that important item being passed down was… a spray can.
At long last, Master Kucha's true appearance was revealed.
In his left hand holding the spray can, he wore a string of wooden beads; on his head, a strange cylindrical object, something similar to a lantern cover, with blotches of paint on it.
He could truly be called a very "avant-garde" ninja.
"Ninja Initiate Rappa."
"You've trained under me for five years. After rigorous tests and trials, you've mastered hundreds of ninja techniques."
"I hereby bestow upon you the title of Dazzling Ninja, entrusting you to be my weapon to defeat the evil ninja and guide the Ninja Capital into the future."
Master Kucha spoke solemnly.
Rappa could not hide her excitement: "Thank you, Master Kucha. This is my greatest honor."
Master Kucha continued: "Take the scroll with you, for within its pages lie the secrets of Dazzling Ninjutsu. It shall cast a brilliance that makes fiendlings fear and destroy the evil ninja's intricate matrices."
"Paint it throughout the Ninja Capital. Banish the shadows with ink, and raise the banner against evil."
Rappa asked: "What should I paint?"
Master Kucha replied calmly: "I do not know, my disciple. You may paint anything that you wish. This is your own ninjutsu."
"So, the decision is yours to make."
The flashback ended.
As always, it was abstract, leaving the audience full of question marks.
...
: Bro, this is way too chuunibyou.
: Both Rappa and Master Kucha are competing in who's more chuunibyou.
: If you asked me to say those lines out loud, I'd die of secondhand embarrassment.
: And yet they say all that with such seriousness!
: Too trendy… my rheumatism is acting up, guys.
: I swear I lost it when I saw Master Kucha's headgear, lmao.
: Rappa, Master Kucha, Slumbernana Monkeys, and Doctor Primitive… is this episode a clash of abstract beings?
: Hard to say. A abstract being doesn't have to be human, but they sure have to be "abstract."
: These guys fit perfectly so far.
: And maybe it's just me, but this still-frame and those over-the-top lines, it all feels like they're playing make-believe.
...
The audience tried to understand the flashback.
But just like with the Slumbernana Monkeys, they couldn't connect Rappa's memories to the current plot.
Still, a few details were revealed.
Like the origin of Rappa's name, and her goal.
Resistance. Very fitting for the Path of the Hunt.
But the question remained: what exactly was Rappa resisting?
Carrying that doubt, the audience continued watching.
...
Paperfold University College.
March 7th, Dan Heng, and Stelle whispered among themselves during class.
And upon seeing March 7th, the audience all drew in a sharp breath.
Looks like Boothill really was in trouble.
After all, there couldn't possibly be two March 7th's in this world.
On screen, the three were discussing whether Rappa's "Dazzling Ninja" identity was real.
In the end, they agreed, they would observe for now.
At least one thing was reassuring.
Rappa's behavior toward the Slumbernana Monkeys. At least for the trio, that craze was far too suspicious.
They'd been secretly investigating it as well.
Compared to Rappa's true identity, the Slumbernana Monkeys were the bigger concern.
So, the three decided to head to Dreamweaver Academy.
A "Dreamweaver Class" was underway, called a class, but in reality it was a practical exam.
"Slumbernana Monkey's rise in popularity seems quite unnatural. If someone is stirring things up behind the scenes, we need to pay close attention to the actions of the teaching staff."
Dan Heng made the decision, and the other two immediately agreed.
Before long, in the Academy's hallway, the trio indeed ran into a group of strangely dressed staff, or rather, "BananAdviser."
These people were even more ridiculous.
It wasn't people in mascot costumes anymore, they looked exactly like monsters from some obscure theater troupe.
Especially having a TV for a head.
The static-filled screen had been replaced by the face of a monkey.
He was sternly scolding the students, and Rappa. Yet no one seemed to think anything was wrong.
"You're mistaken! Utterly mistaken!"
"Slumbernana Monkey is, by no means, an "ordinary cartoon character!""
"Dreams are the canvas of one's subconscious. Within it, even a banana can carry intricate emotions, not to mention the Slumbernana Monkey adored by countless Ripe Bananas."
The BananAdviser shook his head dramatically, his lecture booming through the hall.
Rappa, who had been staring at him the whole time, noticed the trio's arrival at that moment.
She was about to greet them with delight, but seeing Stelle wave frantically, she swallowed her words.
And just like that, the trio quietly slipped into the BananAdviser class's ranks.
"Yo! Baseball Bat Ninja. Ninja Ruri. Ninja Hiryu."
Rappa spoke to them completely disregarding the BananAdviser: "Certainly, great ninjas think alike. This "class" dojo seems shady. It harbors fiendlings. Exercise caution, fellow ninja warriors."