"Look at what brain? To hell with... hm?"
Boothill's eyes lit up—everything was back, everything was back!
"Synesthesia Beacon's fixed too? To hell with it—too damn good! Baby!"
[baby!!]
[baby!!]
[He called me baby!]
[Baby (strong and forceful).]
[He has me in his heart!]
[Insane.]
[Mm, got it—when are we getting married?]
[You're insane too!]
March 7th's mind was unusually sharp for once. "Eh? So you smashed that thing and immediately returned to normal? Oh—no wonder those Helpers insist on one-on-one lessons…"
Boothill flicked his hat brim. "I knew it. Sometimes things are just stupidly simple—no need to overthink. Let's go, Nameless—no need to call for backup anymore. Since shooting everywhere solves this mess…"
Boothill drew his revolver, opened the cylinder, and loaded it full.
"To hell with it—nobody in Penacony is better at this than me."
Next, revolver in hand, Boothill advanced without obstruction. No one dared stand in his way.
Soon he reached a gathering of monkeys.
And Banana Professor—who had just escaped Rappa—was still spinning his big lies.
Boothill had no patience for their nonsense. He had only one purpose here.
"I'm here to help you all finish class."
Boothill fired a curving bullet, dropping one Banana Instructor.
March 7th clutched her head and screamed.
The Banana Instructors all rushed Boothill… plunging into chaos.
More accurately—a one-sided stomp by Boothill.
"Ding~ ding~ ding~ ding~" Humming the end-of-class bell, Boothill struck from behind and kicked Banana Professor.
Banana Professor knew he couldn't win. "Bana bana bana… not enough numbers, but no choice…"
"To hell with it—daring to drag out class?!"
Banana Professor fled toward the memetic black hole. A swarm of little monkeys poured in after him.
[So cool—enough said.]
[What's little March doing?]
[Boothill's too savage—look how scared our March is.]
[Boothill has way too many highlight moments.]
[So cool—enough said.]
[I can only say—I love it.]
— —
Scene shift.
The Galaxy Ninja Scroll • Recap appeared.
A story of how Rappa successfully completed her ultimate trial.
Just as the tale neared its climax, Director Reca's "CUT!" yanked everyone back to reality.
"I see—this actor's genre is 'special effects blockbuster.'" Reca turned and sized up Rappa, Dan Heng, and Stelle one by one.
"Today's actors are truly interesting. One who lives inside a green screen, one who has changed identities, and…"
The Assistant Director let out a "ribbit."
[Assistant Director is right!]
[As expected of a Memokeeper—he saw right through their identities.]
[What does "lives inside a green screen" mean for Rappa?]
[No idea.]
"Of course—and you, the one with the most potential: Penacony's grand festival superstar."
The camera cut to Stelle's close-up. Her face was dead serious.
[Sorry—I've contracted a disease where I laugh whenever I see Stelle looking serious.]
[Same.]
[How does she just stand there and still have this much meme energy?]
Stelle glared at Reca. "I'm gonna wreck your camera, yo."
"Let me apologize again. I truly was cooperating with Banana Professor. But it was out of necessity. As a memetic lifeform, I accidentally fell into enemy hands and contracted a fatal memetic virus."
Reca explained his predicament to everyone—but there was still a way to save himself.
He proposed a crucial point: Rappa was actually infected by another kind of memetic virus.
Memes can overwrite each other—viruses are no exception.
By exploring the memory footage in Rappa's mind, editing it into a film, and using fresh traffic and new hype to completely overwhelm and suppress the Sleeping Banana Monkey trend.
Of course, as a Memokeeper he naturally couldn't risk himself—any memetic virus is potentially lethal to memetic beings.
"But you're different. As the protagonist, you can surely uncover the truth hidden behind all the foreshadowing in this film. Please take my film reel and turn her memories into the 'MacGuffin' that breaks the deadlock."
"At this moment, Bat • Ninja shall shine brightest!"
Stelle raised the Memory Peep Reel and aimed it at Rappa.
Rappa nodded. "Bat • Ninja—you wish to witness this one's past? Before the blood, tears, and heartlessness of Frenzied • Ninja's former shadow chronicle, Your Excellency may tremble in shock. Be fully prepared."
Stelle twisted the dial. "Clockwork • Ninjutsu—open!"
A line of subtitles floated past:
Now the legend scroll of the Ninja Hero unfolds. Before the prequel shadow records of Frenzied • Ninja, exert all effort to maintain sanity!
"Requesting pod opening—authorization insufficient. Please enter password."
Stelle slowly opened her eyes—only to find herself become the past Rappa.
And she had no control over the body—she could only experience everything in the most direct first-person perspective.
Rappa was inside a modern building.
She climbed a long staircase and found Bitter Tea Master in the laboratory.
"Greetings, Bitter Tea Master. The secret incantation… has been broken by this one."
The camera revealed a bearded man. His attire didn't look like a ninja master's—more like a lab researcher.
Seeing Rappa appear before him, he was somewhat shocked. "Wh-what… it's only been less than two system hours…"
"Bitter Tea Master—am I… now qualified as a 'Ninja Disciple'?"
"Ahem—of course! Young girl just entering the Ninja Path—this old man acknowledges your resolve. From today onward—you are the successor of Frenzied • Ninjutsu."
Rappa clasped her hands. "Thank you, Master. This disciple… is deeply honored."
[This dialogue is identical to the recap in the Galaxy Ninja Scroll—just the setting is different.]
[Bro—I've got a bad feeling.]
[Don't tell me the knives Hoyoverse loves are coming—tens of thousands of blades per year.]
— —
"Look at this city shrouded in gloom! Suffering, hatred, sorrow—all grow in soil soaked with sin. Waves of blood and tears will swallow all hope.
All because the heartless, tearless Imperial Monkey • Evil Ninja unleashed evil arts to plunge the people into depravity, allowing evil spirits to oppress with impunity, inciting universal outrage.
You shall inherit the legacy of the Ninja Hero, purge the sins of the evil ninja, end the long night of Ninja Capital, and return a peaceful world to the people."
Bitter Tea Master's words fully ignited the passion in Rappa's heart.
"This one will train diligently—one day… becoming the 'Frenzied Ninja Hero' Master spoke of."
"What admirable resolve! To stand against the evil ninja, you need a new name—a ninja's name."
"Name…?" Rappa paused. "Is 'AK-A-3' a name?"
"I don't know, Disciple. A name carries your ideals, engraves your conviction, declares your fate. It is your own ninja title. So—you must decide it yourself."
Rappa pondered a moment. "Then… 'Rappa.' One heart unyielding—breaking evil, revealing righteousness. This was Master's first teaching. I wish to take it as my name."
The next moment she struck an extremely chuuni pose. "Good! Nice to meet you—Frenzied • Disciple AKA Rappa! Next comes the bitter training to become a ninja—can you keep up?"
"Of course. Pain is routine for a ninja—this one will never retreat."
[...]
[...]
[Laugh—why aren't you laughing anymore?]
[So AKA meant this?]
— —
First asceticism! Body like diamond!
Rappa continued forward and encountered a certain memetic entity standing before her. "An evil spirit… but one that likewise hates Imperial Monkey • Evil Ninja—a Frenzied • Evil Spirit who has returned to Bitter Tea Master's door."
"Subject No. 3…administer medication…"
Hearing the mechanical voice, Rappa placed a pill in her palm.
"Obscure secret medicine—containing excessive ninja • power. Swallowing it brings agony of shattered bones and torn intestines. But to become a Ninja Hero—one must take it daily… thus opening the great cosmic ninja • power within the body. This is training of body and mind."
She steeled herself and swallowed it.
The instant the drug entered her, violent pain overwhelmed every sensation.
Skin, muscle, bone… she felt every part of her body being eroded, destroyed, reconstructed.
Even Stelle felt the pain. "Ugh—this intense agony… was what Rappa felt back then…"
Not long after.
Rappa slowly stood up, gritting her teeth, murmuring through clenched jaws. "Osu! After three thousand nights of this asceticism—this one shall become like the Ninja Hero… impervious to blade or bullet."
Second asceticism! Hearing the myriad realms!
"She is the Mistress of the Murky Pavilion—head of the dojo, and our Frenzied collective's backer.
She uses the Great Narukami Ring to awaken a ninja's potential. Through Thunder Release Ninjutsu's baptism, the body gains transcendent ninja • senses."
Rappa's voice served as narration, introducing the bespectacled researcher before her.
"Subject No. 3—I'm increasing the intensity. You have to hold on—the future of the lab depends on you."
Rappa nodded solemnly. "Precisely… the future of Ninja Capital must be forged by Frenzied • Ninja Hero. This one will fulfill the promise."
She placed the ring around her neck. "Wear it—for the sake of becoming a Ninja Hero!"
The collar around her neck erupted with powerful current—like a thousand needles piercing flesh, countless bombs detonating inside. Her heart beat at an abnormal rate; her ears rang with countless sounds—even the annihilation of protons.
The current finally stopped. Whether fortunate or unfortunate—Rappa endured.
In a voice trembling with tears she said, "Osu! After three thousand nights of this asceticism—this one shall become like the Ninja Hero… possessing divine abilities."
Third asceticism! Subduing ten thousand demons!
"This horde of evil spirits are the rebel apes of Imperial Monkey House. They spar with this one daily in ninja arts, honing this one's ninja • empty-hand karate."
Rappa introduced the ape-like beings before her.
Rebel Ape: "Subject No. 3—stress capacity training Level IV—combat against lower-tier battle apes…"
"This one has never defeated these evil spirits—for this one is still but a Disciple. But to become Frenzied • Ninja Hero—if one cannot subdue a few evil spirits, how can one speak of defeating Imperial Monkey • Evil Ninja? Fight! Fight until the dawn crows croak!"
What followed was an excruciating battle.
It could be said Rappa's victory did not come easily.
"The Galaxy Ninja Scroll states… 'The Ninja Path is long and arduous—suffering is but a skateboard'…" Rappa panted. "Osu! After three thousand nights of this penance—this one shall become like the Ninja Hero… unmatched."
"Three asceticism complete. Mere bodily pain is nothing. Quickly report the results of asceticism to Bitter Tea Master—let him know this one is another step closer to the name of ninja. Such smooth training… surely one day it will dispel the gray haze over Ninja Capital."
Rappa didn't pause for a moment. She finally found Bitter Tea Master.
But with her greatly enhanced vision, even from far away she could see every detail.
"Using memetic virus on Subject No. 3… how does this help the experiment?" the Mistress of the Murky Pavilion asked.
Her voice sounded as if right beside Rappa's ear—even startling her. "I can hear so clearly… has this one's super • hearing already reached the level of capturing ninja whispers? Most gratifying."
[Callback to earlier foreshadowing—why she could hear Dan Heng speak.]
[Back then Rappa broke the rule that group voice chat couldn't be heard by outsiders.]
— —
Bitter Tea Master spoke meaningfully. "Elite 22—we need to raise Subject No. 3's mental resistance."
"No need to beat around the bush—you just can't bear to see her suffer, can you?"
"She may not survive the later experiments. If we use memetic virus for cognitive intervention to keep her mentally stable, the experiment can proceed more smoothly."
"Fine—but don't let personal feelings get involved. You let Subject No. 3 run around everywhere; the research apes are already complaining."
"She cracked the pod's password in just two system hours. You can't keep her caged like an orangutan…"
Rappa shook her head. "Master need not worry. Mere bodily pain cannot break this one's ninja • soul."
Then, following Bitter Tea Master's instructions, Rappa stepped into the mysterious vessel of ninja • science.
The Mistress of the Murky Pavilion glanced at the computer. "Information dilution at 74%, consciousness anchor locked—memetic engraving about to begin."
"Ninja Disciple Rappa—are you prepared? The illusionary evil arts cast upon you by the evil ninja are about to be purged!" Bitter Tea Master looked anxiously at Rappa inside the vessel.
"Memetic engraving commencing. Leave quickly—otherwise we'll be affected too." The Mistress pulled Bitter Tea Master away from the vessel.
Not long after.
Rappa slowly opened her eyes. "This one… this one sees it! Such a grand city exists in the ninja world!"
Bitter Tea Master clenched his fist in excitement. "Excellent—it worked…"
The Mistress looked puzzled. "By the way—why ninjas?"
"It's the Galaxy Ninja Scroll."
The Mistress looked baffled. "What's that?"
"'To protect the helpless weak, to save the fallen Ninja Capital. The righteous Ninja Hero hunts the world's evil ninjas!'—it's a manga. Ever since we sealed the lab to evade the Galaxy Rangers, those manga books were the only entertainment she could get."
"No wonder Subject No. 3 is always so erratic…
I advise you to be careful—don't feed her useless knowledge. The coordinate system of 'Erudition' has only one horizontal axis—anything else is an obstacle to progress.
Especially vulgar notions of good and evil—aren't the troubles brought by Galaxy Rangers enough already?
With such narrow thinking—you'll never catch the Doctor's attention in this lifetime."
"Is that so?" Bitter Tea Master sighed softly. "Does he really care about us mere mortals?"