Rito: You guys really suck ass.
Ohma rises from the ground, waving.
Ohma: Hey, Rito!
Akira: Agh! What are you doing here?
Rito: I'm here to stop the game.
Himitsu: Huh? But we don't even have the ball.
Rito: Exactly. I was watching you fight, and I couldn't bear it any longer. I've never seen such terrible teamwork. Do you always fight like this?
Zodiac: You can blame this imbecile over here. She hit me for no reason. (Glares at Akira.)
Akira: (Upset) It's not my fault you were in my way!
Zodiac: Yes, it is; don't deny it.
Akira: (Cracking her knuckles) Do you really want me to beat you up?
Zodiac: Go ahead. It just gives me a reason to take you down.
Rito: Can you both just shut up?
Zodiac and Akira cease their argument and look at Rito.
Rito: I don't recall babysitting kids, so stop acting like one.
Everyone falls silent.
Rito: (Sighs) I'm getting too old for this.
Rito pulls out a beer and takes a sip. After finishing, he approaches the red ball on the ground and picks it up.
Rito: Since you all failed to get the ball from the creature, I'll be changing things up.
Ohma: What do you mean?
Rito: I'll guard it.
Everyone appears surprised.
Himitsu: We have to take it from you? But you're on a different level than we are!
Rito: Don't worry. I will only defend myself and the ball.
Zodiac: And what about the teams?
Rito: You will all work together to grab the ball.
Zodiac: And you expect us to get the ball without any powers or techniques?
Rito: Nah. You can use your powers and techniques as you see fit.
Akira: Powers? You realize what you're asking for, right?
Rito: Oh, I know. You still won't beat me.
Akira: Yeah, we'll see about that!
Rito: Then let's not waste any more time.
Everyone follows Rito off the hill and into an open field.
Rito: Now remember, all you have to do is take the ball from my hands to win. For a better chance of success, I suggest you work together as a team.
Akira: (Eyes lighting up, cracking knuckles) Team my ass. I'll take it without them.
Ohma: We can do this, everyone!
Zodiac rolls his eyes as everyone assumes a fighting stance.
Rito: Then let the game start in three, two, one, begin!
As the game begins, Akira, Himitsu, and Ohma charge at Rito with full force. Akira transforms her hand into a claw and swings at him, but Rito dodges effortlessly. He evades her final attack and delivers a swift punch to Akira's chest, sending her flying. Himitsu and Ohma rush Rito, with Himitsu swinging his sword and Ohma wielding his nunchucks. Rito seizes Himitsu's sword and delivers a headbutt, knocking him to the ground.
Himitsu: Aghhh!
Ohma aims for Rito's hand that holds the ball. His eyes turn hazel as he swings his nunchucks faster, but Rito deflects them all with one hand. Noticing Ohma's exposed abdomen, Rito performs a backward kick, sending Ohma staggering back.
Rito: Don't leave your stomach open like that. It'll get you hurt—
Suddenly, Rito sees an arrow approaching. He tilts his head to dodge it and spots Zodiac in his light form, wielding a light bow. Zodiac fires additional arrows, compelling Rito to evade them. Then, he senses something above and looks up to see Akira soaring through the air, unleashing fire blasts. Rito jumps around, avoiding the flames.
Rito: You're going to have to try harder than that.
Quickly glancing to his side, Rito observes Himitsu executing a downward slam attack while Ohma prepares to swing his nunchucks from the opposite side. Just as the attacks converge, Rito leaps into the air, evading them and delivering kicks to both Himitsu and Ohma's faces, sending them crashing to the ground.
Ohma: Owww!
Rito takes a step back, sits on a rock, and produces a beer.
Himitsu: (On the ground) Is he really drinking beer in the middle of a fight?
Zodiac approaches Himitsu and Ohma, reverting from his light form.
Zodiac: He's not taking us seriously; that's the issue.
Akira: (In the air) Oh, so he wants to act like that!?
Akira descends toward Rito, aiming for a punch. As she approaches, Rito catches her fist and slams her to the ground.
Akira: Aghhh!
Rito: Try again.
Just as Rito is about to stomp on Akira, she swiftly escapes and retreats to her teammates.
Akira: Ahhh! This is so annoying!
Zodiac: Yeah, maybe we should work together—
Akira: I don't want to work with you idiots!
Himitsu: But if we don't, we won't get the ball.
Akira: You shut up! Especially since you're the weakest here.
Himitsu: (Angry) I'm not weak anymore! I have this sword that can make me strong!
Akira: Congratulations! Do you want me to praise you?
Ohma: Uhhh, guys?
Zodiac: And what about you? You haven't done anything either.
Akira: At least I'm not sitting back like a coward!
Zodiac: What is that supposed to mean?
Ohma: Guysssss?
Akira: You know exactly what I mean!
Himitsu: But what have you really don—
Akira approaches Himitsu and grips him by the shirt.
Akira: What was that!? Sounds like you want your teeth punched in!
Ohma: STOP!
Everyone turns to Ohma, who possesses a serious expression, prompting Akira to release Himitsu.
Akira: What the hell?
Ohma: (Angry) All of you need to shut up! Acting like kids isn't going to help us get the ball!
Zodiac: (Sighing) He has a point.
Akira: And who the hell do you think you are!?
Ohma: It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that we come up with a plan to grab the ball from Rito.
Akira: And what plan do you have, wise guy?
Ohma: That's why we need to think and work as a team.
Akira crosses her arms.
Akira: Whatever.
Himitsu: Do you have something that can help us, Zodiac?
Zodiac: Hmmm. We need to break Rito's focus on the ball. One of you should distract him up close while another distracts him from a distance. If we can break his focus and balance, I can use my spectral hand to grab him while one of you grabs the ball.
Himitsu: That's not a bad idea.
Akira: Fine, I'll stay in the air and attack from above.
Himitsu: I'll stay close to him and make him focus on me.
Zodiac: And Ohma can support you if he knocks you away.
Ohma shifts from a serious demeanor to a smile.
Ohma: That sounds like an excellent plan!
Akira: What the? Did he just go back to normal?
Himitsu: Uhhh, something like that.
Akira: Tch, what a weirdo.
Zodiac: Then that's the plan.
Zodiac transforms back into his light form, preparing for action.
Rito: (Finishing his beer) Ahhh. Looks like they stopped fighting over there.
Zodiac: We'll start in three, two, one, go!
Himitsu rushes toward Rito first, with Ohma close behind.
Rito: Here we go again.
Himitsu swings his sword at Rito, who deftly deflects and dodges the attacks.
Rito: You guys are just doing the same thing.
As Rito prepares to punch Himitsu, Ohma intervenes, blocking the punch with his nunchucks. Meanwhile, Akira is airborne, charging fire blasts. She releases them, directing the blasts toward the ground near Rito, prompting Himitsu and Ohma to step back. Rito begins to jump around, carefully monitoring his movements due to Akira's fire blasts damaging the ground, which slightly disrupts his balance.
Rito: (Surprised) Interesting.
Himitsu and Ohma exchange glances, nodding in agreement as they charge at Rito, launching a combined attack. Just as their strike is about to connect, Rito tosses the ball into the air and catches both Himitsu's sword and Ohma's nunchucks with his bare hands.
Zodiac: Got you now.
Zodiac summons his spectral hand and swiftly sends it toward Rito, successfully seizing him.
Zodiac: Now!
Akira dives toward Rito and the ball as Himitsu and Ohma attempt to catch it as well.
Rito: (Smiling) Maybe you guys aren't so useless after all.
Rito switches places with Akira, leaving her on the ground and positioning himself in the air. As the ball approaches the ground, Rito executes a leg attack, striking the ground and generating a cloud of smoke.
Zodiac: No way.
When the smoke dissipates, Rito is revealed, holding the ball while standing atop Himitsu, Ohma, and Akira.
Rito: You guys almost had me there for a second. Looks like I still win.
Zodiac uses Sudoshi, closing in on Rito and the others.
Zodiac: What? The game is over?
Himitsu: (In pain) Yeah, that's not fair!
Akira: (Annoyed) Get off me!
Rito: We'd be here all day if I let the game continue. But you all performed much better than before.
Ohma: (In pain) We did?
Rito: Yes, but your teamwork still needs improvement.
Ohma: Awww man!
Rito: That wraps it up. Let's grab some lunch.
Once everyone finishes, they head to the castle to eat. Moments later, the scene shifts to Gram shooting a fireball at a rock, which is now charred and blackened.
Rito: You're still trying to break it?
Gram jumps and turns around.
Gram: (Holding his chest) Can you stop sneaking up on me?
Rito: I'm just saying you're not making any progress. I left you alone for two hours, and all you've done is blacken the rock.
Gram: Well, I'm not trying to break it.
Rito: Then what are you trying to do?
Gram: AHHH!! Rito! I don't know what I'm doing, okay? Do you want me to hit this stupid rock with my fire blast or break it? I can't meet your expectations because I'm not strong enough!
Rito: Hmm…
Gram: HMM!! HMMM?!?!?! ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!
Rito: Why are you so mad?
Gram: I just TOLD YOU!!
Gram throws the book onto the ground.
Gram: It's like everything I say goes over your head!
Rito: (Drinking beer) Sorry, what was that?
Gram: SEE EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN! Everyone else on this team, the Maivelance Crew, is strong except for me. Yes, I won the Newbie Event, but that's all I've really done. Now you're just giving me more reasons to feel powerless!
As Gram speaks, he unknowingly casts a fire blast in his hands.
Rito: (Talking to himself) Hmm…
Gram: ARE YOU NOT LISTENING AGAIN!!
Rito: No, I am listening; you mentioned something about, umm…
Gram's anger intensifies.
Gram: RITO!!
Gram throws a fireball at Rito, who dodges it. The fireball strikes a nearby object, and Gram begins to breathe heavily. One of Rito's strands of hair catches fire, and he quickly blows it out. Rito approaches Gram, who turns around with his arms crossed.
Gram: No, don't talk to me. You didn't listen to anything.
Rito: (Laughs) You're still amazing!
Gram: What?
Rito: I listened to everything you said, Gram. I understand how you feel, but remember, to get stronger, you need to navigate tough paths. Strength isn't everything; you need to find yours because magic isn't your strength.
Gram: What? What do you mean?
Rito starts walking away.
Rito: Because you've already mastered magic.
Gram: Mastered magic? What?
Gram turns around and sees a trail on fire.
Gram: What th—
He looks up and sees six boulders, each with holes melted through them, burning down to the ground.
Gram: D-Did I do that? (Happy) I did do that. Wait…
He turns around and sees the spellbook on the ground, closed.
Gram: I cast a spell without using the book? But that's impossible.
Gram glances at the rock he was practicing on earlier and attempts a fire blast, but he fails.
Gram: Ahh, come on! Come on! Ahhh!
He opens the book and tries again, successfully shooting a fire blast from his hands.
Gram: What the heck! How did I do it without the book?!
Meanwhile, Kono is still protecting a rock above her head from two monks.
Kono: Come on, Kono, you can do this!
She dodges and shields the rock from the monks. Kono jumps over one monk, kicking them in the back as they fall, then rushes at the last monk, flipping and kicking them down, landing on one foot. A few seconds later, Kono hears clapping.
Kono: Huh?
She looks to her left and sees Rito clapping.
Rito: Well done! Well done!
Rito slaps Kono's shoulder, triggering a quick flashback of her brother grabbing her by the shirt and yelling.
Kono: (holding her head) Ahh.
Rito: Whoa, whoa… are you alright?
Kono: Uhh, yeah, I'm fine. I'm just tired.
Rito: Alright… go get some food with the others and relax for a bit, okay?
Kono: Yeah, I'll do that. Thanks, Rito.
Rito: For what?
Kono: For everything.
Kono walks off toward the castle.
Kono: (holding her head) What was that about?
Rito makes his way to Hanzo, who is upstairs watching Daru.
Rito: Hanzo.
Monk Hanzo: Rito.
Rito: How's he doing? Has he finished?
Monk Hanzo: Do you want the truth or a lie?
Rito: Let's go with the lie.
Monk Hanzo: He just finished his last set.
Rito: Okay, I was expecting something different. Now, tell me the truth.
Monk Hanzo: This is his 57th time doing push-ups.
Rito: What! 57!
Monk Hanzo: The kid's an animal… he reminds me of you when you were younger.
Rito: The good or the bad parts?
Monk Hanzo: Right now… the good parts, but the bad parts scare me.
Rito: You don't think he'll end up like I did, do you?
Monk Hanzo: Only time will tell… but if it does come to that, are you ready for what you have to do?
Rito: Like you said… only time will tell.
Daru: AHHH! AHHHH!
Daru drops the boulder and starts doing push-ups again.
Daru: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Rito: Hey, kid?
Daru: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.
Rito: Kid?
Daru: 26, 27, 28, 29.
Rito: Dar—
Just as Rito is about to complete his introduction, Daru lunges at him with a punch.
Rito: Wh—
Rito quickly dodges the punch. Daru sweeps Rito's leg, causing him to fall to the ground. Daru attempts another punch, but Rito evades again. Rito notices the force behind Daru's punch has left a significant dent in the ground.
Rito: (Shocked) What the hell!
Rito jumps to his feet and observes Daru employing boxing techniques, delivering powerful punches. Rito begins to block but feels the increased strength behind them.
Rito: Alright! I've had enough!
Rito executes a spinning backward kick, but Daru catches his leg.
Rito: What!?!
Daru slams Rito to the ground, lifts him up, punches him in the face, and throws him back down.
Rito: (Jumps back up) Ughh!
Daru and Rito exchange glances from a distance. Daru's face is obscured, and his veins appear black.
Rito: (To himself) His veins are black?
Rito's cheek is bleeding. The onlookers at the castle are astonished to witness Rito being overpowered; their expressions reflect disbelief.
Ohma: D-did you all see that?
Himitsu: Shut up, Ohma, it's not over yet.
Zodiac: (To himself) What the hell happened to him?
Akira: He has a lot of power behind those punches.
Monk Hanzo: Rito…
Rito clenches his fist, which begins to glow red. Daru starts laughing.
Rito: Huh..?
Daru: I did it…
Rito: Did what?
Daru: (Revealing his face) I finally made you bleed!
Daru bursts into laughter as his veins return to normal, and the crowd, no longer shocked, begins to disperse.
Monk Hanzo: Oh boy, that scared me.
Zenshi: I'm glad he's okay, whew!
Rito's fist returns to normal. He touches his right cheek, feeling the blood.
Daru: I won.
Rito: You didn't win, you fool!
Daru: I think I did! Want a round two?
Daru and Rito both assume fighting stances.
Rito: I'm not holding back this time.
Daru: Wouldn't want it any other way!
Just as they are about to charge at one another, Daru suddenly collapses.
Daru: Uhhh…
Rito: Daru!
Twelve hours later, Daru awakens to find Rito and Zenshi sleeping in chairs; he is lying in a bed.
Daru: Ughh…
Rito stirs and notices Daru is awake.
Rito: You're awake…
Daru: Yeah… Aghhh! My body is killing me.
Rito: You really pushed yourself during training.
Daru: That's the only way to train.
Rito: (Chuckles) Yeah… it is. I have something to ask you.
Daru: This can't be good.
Rito: What's your plan now? Because I don't want you searching for Cinta anymore.
Daru: But Rito—
Rito: Daru!
Daru falls silent.
Rito: I've told you multiple times my son is gone, and I'd be damned if I lose another one.
Daru: (Shocked) Another one?
Rito: Daru… I don't care what you say or think. You are like a son to me, especially to Zenshi. She cares for you more than anyone else, except for your real mom and dad. But we care for you.
Daru: Thanks, Rito…
Rito: Now, again… what's your plan?
Daru: To be honest, I don't really have one.
Rito: I have one for you.
Daru: Yeah? What's that?
Rito: Become a Beorn.
Daru: What the hell is a Beorn?
Rito: A Beorn is a hero.
Daru: A hero doesn't kill, and I've killed people, Rito.
Rito: Then… be a hero to those who need one, and protect those who require saving. Not all heroes are perfect. What defines them as heroic is the journey they undertake and the challenges they face to become who they are.
Daru: Okay… fine, I'll become a Beorn, but… I'll be the Painless Beorn!
Rito and Daru smile. Time passes, revealing Haruka walking out of the city toward the main gate.
V Guard: We cannot allow you to leave; it is for your safety.
Haruka: Just let me through.
V Guard: I cannot—
Haruka cuts her throat and walks through the gate. She proceeds far enough from the city, pulls out a watch, and makes a call.
Haruka: It is all set; you may make your entrance.
Hinoka: Thanks, sis.
Haruka: You owe me for this.
Akuma: You will be greatly rewarded if all goes well.
Haruka: Uhh, Akuma! Please excuse my tone.
Akuma: We will arrive in five weeks.
Haruka: Isn't that a bit long?
Akuma: I'm handling other matters.
Akuma hangs up the phone.
Haruka: (sighs) Jerk.
The scene shifts to Akuma in a city engulfed in flames.
Guy: (crying) Please, I'll give you anything you want, just please!
Akuma: I know you will, because you have no other choice.
Guy: (crying) Please…
Akuma: But there's one thing I need from you.
Guy: Anything!
Akuma: Where is this place called… (smiles) Sampostis.