Hyuse attracts the attention of his fellow enlistees due to the way he stands out. The echelons of Border discuss him. Netsuki expresses his frustration about letting Hyuse join Border. Karasawa argues that it was necessary in order to ensure Chika's cooperation. Netsuki agrees with Osamu in that Hyuse will be a useful guide, but is concerned about what Hyuse will do when they reach Aftokrator. Karasawa responds that they can simply deal with him before that point, much to the shock of Netsuki and Kinuta. There was an implicit agreement to this because neither party brought this point up. Kinuta uses the specific wording Kido used to find a loophole which can prevent Hyuse from joining the expedition, even if it means failing Tamakoma Second in the expedition test. Karasawa, listening to this, notes to himself that rules are in the adults' hands, and the real struggle begins here for Tamakoma Second.
Kunichika, Hiro, and Tōma serve as commentators for the Round 6 Rank Battle which begins shortly after.
The teams teleport into randomized positions in urban area A. Osamu sets up wires and uses Bagworm to hide from the other teams. Ōji Unit targets Osamu as planned and searches various locations. Yūma begins moving towards Chika's location to lure Ōji there. Ōji recognizes this and orders Kashio to move in another way with Bagworm. In response, Minamisawa uses Bagworm because there are two opponents on his side with it. Kashio manages to find the wires, which indicate Osamu's position. The other Ōji Unit members begin heading towards the wires, which pressures Osamu to hide or fight his pursuers. Vowing to avoid being defeated before any action like in Round 4, Osamu attracts Minamisawa and Kashio's attention by shooting Asteroid at a building, drawing them both in. Both agents move towards the shooting, only to find each other because Osamu is hiding.
Minamisawa and Kashio begin a fight while Osamu hides in the background and begins considering his options; stays and wait for Yūma, head for Yūma, go to the empty southwest, or head west towards Ikoma Unit. After evaluating his options, he picks the fourth option, hoping that Ōji Unit and Ikoma Unit will fight each other while searching for him. Coincidentally, Ōji predicts that he will head west, and decides to pursue him after regrouping with Kashio.
Kashio and Minamisawa are locked in a roughly even battle. Kashio finds the battle difficult because of Osamu's wires, which serve as an obstruction. However, Minamisawa unknowingly wanders into Kurauchi's firing range, allowing him to launch a powerful Salamander attack. While Minamisawa is able to withstand the attack, the effect of the explosion left him occupied. Kashio uses this opportunity to engage Minamisawa in a close combat and pierces him with Hound, forcing him to Bail Out, earning one point for Ōji Unit. Ikoma expresses concern over losing one member because it affects the team's fighting style. Yūma suddenly attacks Kashio, managing to cut off his arm. Ōji and Kurauchi arrive to support Kashio, and in response, Chika shoots Kurauchi in the leg with Lead Bullet. Doing so crippled Ōji Unit's advantage of having three mobile members. Ōji ponders whether he should try to take down Yūma or send Kashio after Osamu, but Ikoma attacks, bringing a new element into the battle.
Ikoma's Senkū ends up not doing anything, so he launches another attack, but the result is the same. Kunichika explains that Senkū's length is inversely proportionate to its effect duration, so Ikoma has far-reaching attacks lasting one fifth of a second. Ōji continues to aim for Yūma, and Ikoma goes after Ōji Unit. Mizukami launches a Hound attack under the guise of Asteroid, only for Ōji to see through the bluff. Oki and Chika shoot at Kurauchi, as he is the easiest to take out. Yūma beheads the weakened Kurauchi, earning Tamakoma Second 1 point. Ōji decides to flee the battle scene, leaving Ikoma Unit to fight Yūma with difficulty. Ōji Unit begins targetting Chika and Oki while Osamu remains in hiding.
Ōji decides to target Oki and Chika, forcing Ikoma Unit to have to defend its sniper. Osamu has wires set up where Ikoma Unit will gather themselves, and plans on meeting up with Chika. Oki and Chika begin running towards their respective teammates, and Kashio pursues her. Chika uses Lead Bullet Hound albeit to no effect, and Kashio counters this with a preconceived strategy where he bombards her with bullets, causing her to use her shield, and in effect, unable to use Hound. He comes to a sudden stop when Chika hops to make it seems like there are wires around. Osamu uses this hesitation to shield Chika, allowing Chika to hit Kashio with Lead Bullet Hound. Osamu uses Thruster to cut down Kashio, taking out Kashio. Oki manages to shoot off Yūma's arm while Ōji manages to find Osamu.
Ōji begins an assault on Osamu and Chika while they make their way to Osamu's wires. Tōma notes that this is a critical moment for Tamakoma Second; their strategy hinges on Chika's survival, thus Osamu must protect Chika no matter what. Osamu believes that Ōji is disadvantaged because he is using only one hand to fight Osamu, but Ōji quickly dismisses this idea. He cuts off Osamu's arm, and in response, Osamu uses Spider to mix red wires with colourless wires. However, Ōji recognizes this tactic from Tamakoma Second's round 5 battle, cuts the wires, and barrages Osamu with Asteroid, breaking down Osamu's shield, and then stabbing him in the neck. Chika appears to be having a difficult time escaping Ōji, but much to everyone's shock, she uses Hound without Lead Bullet. The attack is aimed at the ground to create a smokescreen, allowing Chika to arrive at the wire zone safely. Ikoma and Mizukami are brought to the wire zone by Yūma, where they are shot at by Chika. The final confrontation begins as Ikoma Unit aims for points (still having 0), and Ōji decides whether to attack Tamakoma Second or Ikoma Unit.
Ikoma is overwhelmed by Yūma's sheer speed, so he proceeds to cut the wires while Mizukami shoots at Yūma from afar to give Oki an opportunity to shoot Chika. Usami advises Chika to avoid being in Oki's line of fire. Yūma uses to Grasshopper to shoot debris at Mizukami, stunning him. Chika shoots Lead Bullet at him, weighing him down; however, before Ōji beheads him before Yūma can get to him, effectively recovering stolen points from Tamakoma Second. Ikoma retaliates, being able to cut off Ōji's foot. Chika supports Yūma with powerful shots to force Ikoma and Ōji to stay out of the wire zone. Oki's presence restricts Chika as Ōji and Ikoma head into the wire zone. Ikoma begins destroying the buildings on which the wires rest since Chika will not shoot, and Ōji goes for Yūma. Yūma uses Grasshopper to launch a piece of debris connected to a wire for Ōji to trip on, flipping him upside down. Yūma uses Ōji's incapacitation to stab him, earning Tamakoma Second a third point.
Ōji is forced to Bail Out, but not before crippling Yūma; regardless, Tamakoma Second earns the point. Ikoma begins pursuing Yūma, who proceeds to cut down Oki since the latter has been pinned down by Chika's Lead Bullet. This gives Tamakoma Second yet another point. Yūma tries to jump away from Ikoma, but Ikoma uses Senkū Kogetsu to slash Yūma in midair. Yūma Bails Out, giving Ikoma Unit one point. Chika voluntarily Bails Out, leaving Ikoma as the sole survivor. However, Tamakoma Second claims the victory as it garnered the most points. Tōma, Kunichika, and Hiro discuss the match; the verdict being that Tamakoma Second's strategy hinged on the completion of the wire formation. Also, the team is heavily dependent on Yūma. According to Tōma, what Tamakoma Second needs is a fighter who can hold their own against opponents.
Hyuse defeats a Bamster simulation in 1.5 seconds, coming close to Yūma's record. Arashiyama introduces a special combat test for the batch of enlistees, which involves fighting amongst participants in groups of 5. While the enlistees initially view Hyuse as a way to advance, he easily overwhelms them. He brings his total points to 3000, though he needs 4000 to get to B-Rank. Hyuse chooses to fight Kōda Unit since they have the most points. Kōda Unit underestimates Hyuse's ability, and as a result, Hyuse easily wins. With this, Hyuse has over 4000 points, which means that he is now in B-Rank. His rapid ascension to B-Rank attracts the attention of Sasamori, Miura, Tomoe, and Koarai. Miura, Tomoe, and Koarai, lose all their solo matches with him, while Sasamori manages to earn one point. Koarai calls Tsuji to battle Hyuse. Tsuji proves to be much more difficult than Hyuse's other opponents, but Hyuse wins 5-2. Koarai notices Ikoma in the lounge and summons him to fight Hyuse.
Hyuse's victory against Tsuji motivates Ikoma to challenge Hyuse. They commence a Rank Battle, where usage of Senkū is prohibited. The fight becomes 4-4, and Ikoma recognizes the skill Hyuse possesses. Hyuse, on the other hand, is disappointed in himself because the swordfighting skills imparted to him by Viza were lost since acquiring Lampyris. Ikoma uses Senkū to cut down Hyuse, inadvertently giving the point to Hyuse. Tachikawa shows up, interested by the Rank Battles. He ends up defeating Hyuse 5-1. Hyuse silently remarks that a swordsman as powerful as Tachikawa is rare even in Aftokrator. He is invited by several B-Rank agents to join their squads, but he refuses since he is obliged to join Tamakoma Second. He returns to Tamakoma Branch, where he discusses his battles with the top Attackers of Border. Usami gives Hyuse his uniform, making him an official part of Tamakoma Second. Hyuse makes it clear that he is merely co-operating with Osamu rather than working under him, therefore he will take action as he deems necessary, whether it is part of orders or not. Konami advises everyone to show up the following day because Mikhael Cronin and Yuri Rindō would be returning from scouting.
Those at Tamakoma Branch prepare for Yuri Rindō's and Mikhael Cronin's return, with Kizaki being unusually nervous. The two arrive, and introduce themselves to Tamakoma Second. Cronin meets Hyuse, who is to be disguised as the former's son, but decides to instead have Hyuse act as his nephew. Osamu reveals that Kageura Unit, Azuma Unit, and Suzunari First are their upcoming opponents in the Rank Battles. Usami also mentions that Tamakoma Second is B-Rank #4 with 30 points, 4 points away from #2. Despite the power of the other top B-Rank teams, Osamu is confident that Tamakoma Second can make it. Cronin takes Hyuse to choose Triggers. Hyuse decides to have Kogetsu, Senkū, and Shield as his main Triggers, while Viper, Escudo, Shield, and Bagworm. Osamu has decided to reside at Tamakoma Branch in order to be closer to HQ. As he looks at the door, he notices the name Kido on it.
Osamu is confused to find Kido's name in Tamakoma Branch. He looks inside a drawer and finds a photograph of people in front of Tamkoma Branch. He recognizes some: Rindō, Konami, Kizaki, Jin, and Yuri. Yuri notices the picture, commenting that it was taken about six years ago. Osamu notes that Kido is not present, but she points to a smiling man and says that he is Kido. Osamu is surprised as the man in the picture appears jovial and lacks Kido's facial scar. Yuri explains how Tamakoma Branch was the Old Border HQ, and the 19 people in the photo were members. Osamu asks about their whereabouts; Yuri replies that Kido, Shinoda, and Kiriyama transferred to HQ while Mato left Border. The other 10 people had passed away in a Neighborhood conflict, with some of them becoming Black Triggers. After this experience, Kido became much more serious and solemn, believing that a bridge between Earth and the rest of the Neighborhood is impossible. As a result, he deviated from Old Border's goal of connecting Earth to the Neighborhood. Yuri begins talking about Tamakoma's way of doing things, when Konami suddenly interrupts, having been embarrassed by the old photo.
Hyuse and Yūma finish battling, with Yūma winning 12-8. Chika invites Yūma and Hyuse to HQ; Yūma accepts but Hyuse declines. At HQ, Yūma meets up with Murakami and Kageura to train while Chika meets up with Natsume, Ema, Tōma, and Hiura.
Chika is in sniper training with Natsume, Tōma, and Ema. Natsume is pleased with her progress in training. They are greeted by Oki, whom Tōma berates for being indecisive in the recent Rank Battle. Oki justifies his lack of action, stating that Chika's puerility prevented him from shooting her. Ema receives a call from Kageura to join him at his family's restaurant. He and Tōma leave, while Chika and the others continue training.
At the restaurant, Ema and Tōma are greeted by Kageura, Murakami, Hiro, and Yūma. The group members point out Kageura's apparent liking of Yūma, so much so that he actually brought him to the restaurant. Kageura is flustered by the accusations, reasoning that Yūma's lack of emotion appealed to him the most. Kageura brings up Ema's infatuation with Chika, revealing that Ema is considering losing the upcoming Rank Battle to allow Chika to enter the Expedition Force. Yūma divulges that Kido already mandated Chika's presence on the expedition as a fuel source. Ema elaborates, saying that Chika will feel alone without the rest of her team. Arafune and Hokari arrive at the restaurant. Arafune encourages Ema to aim for the Expedition Force independently in order to be with Chika, and even suggests that he should protect Chika in the next match. Yūma asserts that it does not matter what they do; Tamakoma Second will emerge victorious.
Ema leaves the restaurant to review Tamakoma Second's logs. Arafune asks Yūma if Chika is incapable of shooting people. Hiro is insistent that Chika is unable to shoot, but Tōma believes otherwise. He argues that Chika can shoot people if she absolutely must; she simply prefers not to. After the conversation, Yūma return to Tamakoma's base and informs Osamu about his discussion with the others. When asked what he was doing, Osamu says that he has been looking over their next opponents' records and how they have been improving which lead him into thinking of getting a new Trigger.
The next day, Osamu asks Usami for her opinion on the subject matter. She then explains that each Trigger ones have uses a certain amount of the User's trion and given Osamu's low trion amount, he either has to remove one of his current Triggers or have Yūma use the new Trigger instead. Yūma rejects the second solution as it will affect his fighting style. Hearing this, Usami then says that things will be alright even if Osamu doesn't make any changes as they have their new member, Hyuse, but Osamu is skeptical about it. Later in his room, Osamu can't help feeling anxious despite having higher chance for victory.
Rating: 9/10
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