Kamen Rider Zi-O, Dimensional Descent

The pilot inside didn't even have time to scream before the massive mech was torn apart by equally enormous white wings and sent flying, exploding and dissipating in the distance.

Yan Ming turned around and looked at the person who had appeared just in time and helped him at that moment.

"...What brings you here?"

The second-ranked member of Academy City, Kakine Teitoku.

"Long time no see, Yan Ming... You've taken on the part of an urban hero now, helping fight crime everywhere?"

“Not now, but all along.”

Upon seeing the familiar figure before him, who was like a benefactor to him, Kakine Teitoku's face immediately broke into a smile.

"What a coincidence! And... I'm so glad to see you."

Volume 5, A Certain Magical Index: Chapter 212 Someone You Absolutely Must Not Mess With

The terrorist incident is over, and although the security guards and disciplinary committee members wanted to get involved, they couldn't figure out what had actually happened.

The fact that Kakine Teitoku appeared in that place was not simply due to some kind of coincidence.

"Here's what happened."

After summoning Yan Ming, Gatesworth, and the other two to his residence, Kakine Teitoku began to explain everything to them.

“Listen carefully, first of all... those terrorists didn’t just appear there for no reason. They appeared to deal with me, or rather, to deal with us.”

"These terrorists are employed by a high-ranking figure in Academy City... This person is one of the thirteen high-ranking officials in Academy City."

"The reason they're here is simply to lure us out so they can kill us."

Is this...the truth?

After hearing Kakine Teitoku's explanation, Gates and Wozniak looked at him with some surprise.

"Well, even if you explain it to us like that, we still don't quite understand..."

"It's okay if you don't understand the actual situation. I think you'll understand after you meet my team."

Now, Kakine Teitoku is leading them into a luxury apartment building in the 7th school district and taking the elevator straight up to the 18th floor.

It's more like a mansion than an apartment building. Although the entire building is structured like an apartment, the rooms on each floor are as luxurious as those in a mansion.

When Yan Ming and his two companions followed Kakine Teitoku to his floor, they witnessed this scene.

"Oh, boss, you're back?"

"Kakine, have some ice cream..."

"Haven't you been eating this every day for the past few days? Why are you eating it again today? Aren't you afraid of getting a stomachache, you little rascal?"

"There's nothing wrong with that, is there? Let her eat if she wants to, it's much better than her crying and begging you later."

Upon entering the room, they saw three people in the living room.

A young man, a young woman, and then a little girl even younger than the young woman.

Wearing a gray shirt and dark trousers, he sat in front of the sofa. On the table in front of him was a head-mounted device that looked like a flying saucer and was covered in wires. This was the appearance of a young man.

Wearing a pink evening gown, her golden hair styled in a glamorous, curly manner, her dress and blonde hair gave her the overall impression of a lovely young lady from the West.

And the youngest girl in the house, whom both Yan Ming and Woz knew, named Ganglinqing.

"Let me give you a brief introduction."

After leading the three to the living room, Kakine Teitoku began to introduce his companions.

"Yu Wang Wan Hua, his ability is a Level 4 telekinetic ability. The woman here... you can just call her Mental Regulation. This is not only her code name, but also her ability, which is also at the Level 4 level."

"I don't need to introduce Ringo, you should all know her."

"Hey... what do you mean you know them all? I had absolutely no idea that this even existed!"

"So now that you know her, is that alright?"

Looking back, it seems I haven't talked to Gates about Kakine Teitoku and Ringo yet, but that's a minor issue; it's fine to get to know them from now on.

"So, you guys formed an organization, right?"

"Just call us the Dark Side organization, 'School.' Our daily work mainly involves handling other people's requests and resolving any issues that don't sit well with us."

Kakine Teitoku continued explaining the contents.

“Not long ago, we stole a device from a factory that someone intended to use for criminal activities... This is it.”

As he spoke, Kakine Teitoku picked up another item that was on the table.

It was a silver glove with a display panel on the surface, and the index and middle fingers had long, sharp extensions, making it look like it could be used as a weapon.

"This thing is called tweezers, and its function is—"

"It's used to absorb basic particles in the air to read information from them. It's primarily a scientific tool used by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Academy City to detect the nanobots 'Hangover Loops' in various areas and gather intelligence... That's what the book says."

"...I don't recall anyone recording such confidential information in a book, especially not in a notebook that looks like something out of a fantasy novel?"

"Don't worry about it. This book is just a personal tool for me, just like your gloves that you call tweezers."

Woz smiled and closed the book in his hand. Although Kakine Teitoku was a little surprised, he didn't say anything more.

"In short, through this thing called tweezers, we extracted various intelligence about the chairman of Academy City hidden in the nanobots... including some things that others do not want us to know."

"Then because of this incident, one of the directors of Academy City set his sights on us. He not only wanted to steal the machine, but also wanted to kill us for knowing the information."

Beside them, the girl who possessed the ability called Mental Fixation walked over directly.

At the same time, he looked at Kakine Teitoku with a somewhat nostalgic smile.

"If it weren't for that guy who insisted on reading Aleister's nanobots, I don't think we'd be in this situation, being hunted down everywhere. Now I'm even trembling with fear when I go out to buy a dress... Don't you think so, Lord Kakine Teitoku?"

"Okay, okay, I admit it was me, but you also contributed when I was in charge of collecting the tweezers. I don't think you have the right to criticize me."

"I don't care about that kind of thing, it's your fault that I can't buy a new dress!"

Kakine Teitoku waved his hand helplessly, while the girl in the Western-style dress stared at him with her pouting lips.

Seeing this scene, the three of them couldn't help but exchange glances.

"...You two have a very close relationship?"

"No, don't overthink it, we're just friends, no—just colleagues!"

"That's right, who would want to hang out with a guy like that?"

The girl and Kakine Teitoku looked at each other with displeasure, then the girl turned to look at Yan Ming and the others.

"And don't listen to him. I have a name. Just call me Yu Cai Hai Mei."

"So... Miss Yuzai Haimi, right?"

After confirming the other party's name, Woz, who was in charge of intelligence gathering, continued to question them.

"My Demon King and we discussed it briefly, and we are willing to help you with what you have encountered."

"Really? I heard that the boy over there can even beat the second son in our family. If you'd be willing to lend a hand, we'd be so grateful—"

"That being said, we need to find out the more detailed reasons."

Woz tapped the book with his fingertips, looking at them intently.

"What intelligence did you obtain that led to you being hunted down to this extent?"

So, Kakine Teitoku and Goku Ayami exchanged glances again and finally decided that Kakine Teitoku would be the one to confess.

"...Have you ever heard of the codename 'Dragon'?"

"Um... I used to play a ton of dragon-related games, like the 'Cute to Death' series, which was still releasing new installments in that apocalyptic era of 2060—"

"I'm not referring to a game, but this thing is a real person... or some other kind of creature."

The topic seems to have taken a wrong turn here.

"Wait, what do you mean by... other kinds of creatures?"

"Through our intelligence gathering, we've learned that 'Dragon' might be connected to the deepest secrets of Academy City. It's very likely a product of scientific experimentation, or more likely... I don't know, but it's definitely not something that can be openly discussed."

While Kakine Teitoku and the others were explaining, Yan Ming secretly patted Woz on the shoulder.

"Can you find what they're talking about in your book?"

"According to this book, 'Dragon' is a top secret of Academy City. Its essence is an angel formed from science, and it has an extremely close contractual relationship with the Chairman of the Board, Aleister Crowley."

Woz then turned the page, only to find a large blank page.

"It seems we've run out of information here. Maybe we'll find something new when we check back tonight?"

"Very good, but it's better not to tell them this news for now."

"Understood, my Demon King."

Following Yan Ming's instructions, Woz kept all these things to himself and did not intend to say them out loud.

"And what is the name of the council that attacked you?"

"Shioan, the weapons and supplies expert faction of Academy City, is the one who hired those terrorists, willing to harm innocent people to lure us out, and intends to annihilate us."

Based on what Kakine Teitoku and the others said, Yan Ming was able to analyze all the situations directly.

“I understand…then I will get involved in this.”

"why?"

The beautiful girl named Yu Caihai looked at Yan Ming with a puzzled expression.

"You don't have any particular reason to help us, right? It can't be because... you're on good terms with the second person, so you're helping us...?"

There is really no reason for me to help you.

When faced with Yu Caihai's question, Yan Ming gave only a simple and clear response.

"Because I didn't get involved for your sake, I got involved because of what that person named Chao'an did."

You mean…

“He hired terrorists and harmed innocent children. For that alone, he has a score to settle with me.”

Yu Caihai blinked, staring at him in a daze.

"...Are you kidding me? You're going to rebel against the council members just for that reason...?"

“It has nothing to do with their identity. No matter who they are, as long as I find out that this has happened, I will settle accounts with them properly.”

In fact, Yan Ming also remembered Aleister. Most of the tragedies that occurred in Academy City were caused by his negligence.

But now is not the time to settle scores with him.

Before that... let Yan Ming deal with all the scum in front of him one by one.

After all the discussions were over, Yan Ming and the other two left.

"What an utter freak! This is the first time I've ever seen someone attack the council just to stand up for the wronged and hurt innocent people..."

"Really? Then you should get to know him better."

Kakine Teitoku seemed to have thought of something and immediately laughed.

"Because that's just the kind of person he is."

"Whether he has anything to do with this or not, and no matter who the other party is, as long as it involves harming innocent people... then he will take action."

Can someone who is so extremely self-centered really be considered a hero?

At least in Kakine Teitoku's opinion... that's probably true.

"I don't think someone like him is a hero at all."

"Then what do you think he is?"

"I don't know, it's just a feeling..."

Sitting on the sofa, Yu Caihai blinked and murmured.

"I'm afraid my mental fixation ability will have no effect on that person no matter what."

"Moreover... I feel that person gives me the feeling that you should never mess with them, no matter what."

Volume 5 of A Certain Magical Index: Chapter 213 Aiwass - The Holy Guardian Angel

After bidding farewell to Kakine Teitoku and the others, Yan Ming and his two companions began their mission.