A powerful aura of hope and resolution surrounds everyone in Geord's. With their morale boosted beyond belief, they are determined to do their part on their grand plan of saving the New World. They are determined to stop the Faith Organization once and for all. Despite all this self confidence built up, this goal is kinda... hard to achieve by three people. Ikki recognizes this and throws this fact out there.
Ikki- Isn't it kinda hard to stop the Faith Organization, though? There's only the three of us against a literal army of mystical, obsessed authoritarians.
Geord- It doesn't matter how strong our enemy is. Together, we'll find a way to stop them!
Geord Finnegan, the man who has surpassed death multiple times, has no fear of the unknown. Against all odds, he always comes on top. This obstacle is not enough to stop him in the slightest. Besides, they do have an ace up their sleeve. Samei's hard work while infiltrating their fourth hidden base is the key to their whole operation.
Samei- In order to end the New World War, we need to stop the Faith Organization's supreme leader. The only thing we know about him is that he is a mystifying figure wearing a long, black robe and a full face-covering mask, a man they often call Lord and Savior. But other than that, the information on him is scarce to say the least.
Samei searches this name online and other things related to him, but she finds no results.
Ikki- How are we going to stop him, though, if we literally know nothing about him.
Samei- Don't worry, Ikki, that's why your older sister is here.
Samei double clicks the mail icon on her laptop.
"Please, please! Tell me they're here!"
Samei- Bingo!
A lot of files regarding the Faith Organization and its obscurity pop up in her mail. Samei managed to send those files from a computer in base 4 and it all worked out in the end.
Geord- Wow, that's so smart, Samei! Good job!
Samei- Hihihi. But let's not get our hopes up just yet. Even though I briefly glanced at them, I saw little to no information about Zaiaku in these files
Ikki- You have two more sets of eyes now, and a lot more time, sister. Let's do this!
Geord- Yeah!
Reading through all these documents, the three of them note down the important intel about how the Faith Organization operates, while of course looking for Zaiaku related information.
They learn that the three higher ups of the Faith Organization, move from hidden base to hidden base and leave no evidence behind so as to conceil their identities even better. A lot of files mention them moving around in Yonaga city while working undercover in positions such as librarians, economists and teachers.
This information is good and all but that's not what they currently need...
"Zaiaku, Zaiaku, Zaiaku... Tsk... Where's he?" They all frustratingly exclaim.
They go through all the files Samei sent via mail to her laptop, but to no avail. Specific information about him is nowhere to be found.
Samei- There has to be something hidden in all these files. Something that we're missing...
They all think hard about it and painstalkingly go over each and every file. They scroll down countless articles found inside those files, yet their hard endeavors prove to be fruitless.
And then at a certain critical moment, Ikki brilliantly notices something.
Ikki- Wait, go back to that video of him announcing the New World War.
Samei does what her brother tells her and follows his instructions. Ikki strains his eyes while looking hard at that stopped video image.
Ikki- Zoom in to the far left corner of the screen. Something's written there.
Written in small letters the words "–ase 1" are barely visible to the far left of the screen in the background of the video.
Ikki- Base one...
Samei had noticed the same thing when she acted as Millie in Base 4.
Samei- That's it! It even has the same lettercase! You're amazing, Ikki!
Geord- I would have never noticed that! You really have a keen eyesight. Nice one, Ikki!
Ikki feels so happy that he was useful. He was always overshadowed by his perfect sister and never given credit for anything. But now, he's got Geord and Samei's praise, which he really needed to build up his self esteem. The fact that he dramatically increased their chances to stop the New World War makes him overjoyed.
Ikki- Ha ha ha!
Ikki has a weird smug expression from suddenly being praised.
Geord- So that means that Zaiaku has recently moved to the first base of the Faith Organization.
Samei- Sounds plausible. In my opinion, base one must be the largest and safest base of them all. That should explain the reason for the numerical order and the reason why he moved there after declaring the war.
Ikki suddenly comes back to reality.
Ikki- Uhhh sorry I zoned out for a sec. Haha.. So, we must get ready and breach into Base one! Nice! But how do we do that exactly?
Geord- That's a very good question. If it was this hard to just learn the number of the base he's currently in, I can't even imagine how hard it must be to find its exact location and the base's layout...
Samei agrees with Geord to the fullest. In order to ambush them, not only do they need the exact location of the base, but a descriptive map of some kind with the area's layout. Such a thing is impossible to find–
Samei suddenly realizes something and widens her eyes. The others look at her confusingly. She is speechless and has her mouth wide open. In the vast distance, she sees a way to tackle both problems at the same time. But she is not willing to reveal that way. She is hesitant. She couldn't possibly do that. She has kept this secret for forever. She swore she'd never tell anyone.
"There's gotta be another way..."
Samei panics and goes over the same files for one last time.
Geord- What's the matter, Samei?
Ikki- It's okay, Samei. We'll figure out a way to base one. There's no need to panic if we can't find it right now. We made a lot of progress already...
Samei doesn't want to lie to the others, but she's not willing to go back on her word either.
Samei- It's not what you think...
The others are more confused than before.
Ikki- What do you mean? We can take a break and search for a way together later--
Samei- The thing is... I know where to find the location of base one.
Dumbfounded Geord and Ikki utter a simple "what?!"
Samei is torn in half. The two things she hates the most have come into collision. She must pick whether to go back on her word or conceil the truth.
"Betray him or Lie" Samei needs to choose.
Samei closes her eyes and looks at the grand scheme of things. She weighs the advantages and drawbacks of either option. The difference is no close whatsoever. There's no other way to get to base one, unless of course she doesn't keep her primise.
Samei wipes her nearly formed tears and decides to go back on her word.
Samei- Follow me everyone. I know where to get all the information we need. Although I never wanted to resort to this, I've concuded that there is no other way.
Samei stands before the half broken door of Geord's and signals the others to join her.
Having absolute trust in their friend, Samei Kendomo, one of the most righteous humans I will add, Ikki and Geord don't question her decision and eagerly follow her outside.
——————————————————
Moving out of such a small house as Geord's would feel rejuvenating to most people, including Ikki and Samei. The state which Yonaga City is currently in, however, makes it feel less claustrophobic in the small apartment than walking along numerous streets in the city.
A lot of roads are covered in house remains and other remnants of structures. Despite Japan's investments in earthquake-proof buildings, the general public who couldn't afford the utmost ideal materials for their houses had their properties taken away from them. Geord isn't the only one to have received such a fatal damage. And luck isn't always at hand when you need it the most. As a result, this unreal scene the three of them are witnessing was made possible.
Seeing their hometown in such a bad state brings a sorrow to their faces. Especially the neighbourhoods that were unwealthy that Geord knew pretty well, they all didn't make it.
On the way, Samei guides the others through this unrecognizable chaos and avoids a few streets that are blocked out by the ruins. From the looks of it, Samei knows really well where they need to go to. It's as if she knows this place in the palm of her hand. Geord and Ikki are pondering how she is so confident on her pacing.
Samei- Come. This way.
Following Samei, Geord and Ikki take a steep turn to the right and reach the final street where their destination lies up ahead. After making the turn, they instantly realise where Samei is taking them. Nevertheless, they can't possibly find a reasonable explanation for it.
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Samei- We're here.
The building they stop by is surprisingly a familiar place. A recently renovated, expensive-looking house that stood strong against the earthquake, next to which is a special garage that Samei has fond memories of.
Geord- Is this where we can learn about the whereabouts of Zaiaku? Your place is the answer?
Ikki- How is that possible?
Samei- You'll understand soon enough. Let's go in.
They follow her inside without second thought. Their minds are already fully occupied trying to figure out the mystery behind it all.
"Does this place have a hidden map of base one?"
"Is there a report about Zaiaku somewhere?"
"Maybe a video tape showing him enter a building?"
"Or a photo depicting the layout of the base?"
No. None of these.
Samei- Upstairs.
As they move up the stairs, a loud sound of something falling can be heard. It sounds like a canvas dropping down cause of the wood breaking and paper being torn.
Ikki- Wait, is Nikakou here?
Samei faintly nods and keeps walking towards the room that the sound came from.
The others are starting to get where can get the intel they need.
"No way, is it actually?"
Samei- Yes, I am not the one who can learn where the base is. He is.
After knocking on the door, Samei opens it and waves at her "old man".
Samei- Hey there, Gramps. It's just us.
The man before them, who was just trying to get his broken canvas back up, stands up and widens his eyes after processing Samei's greeting.
Nikakou- Heya... Wait. What did you just call me?
Samei tears up and increases the volume of her speech.
Samei- I'm so sorry... I really didn't want to do this... But we really need your help, Gramps. We need you, Kinako Kendomo.
Silence fills the room. Nikakou has a perplexed expression that shows his disbelief, Ikki and Geord are dumbfounded and Samei is confronting her grandfather with absolute resolve.
???- In the end, even you, Samei, couldn't keep your promise. Hahah... This outcome, I saw a long ass time ago. Tis' but a thing I've learned all these years. You can never be sure that a secret will keep being one forever.
Ikki- A-Are you... really...? Our grandfather who left us all behind and was thought to be dead? Kinako Kendomo?
Nikakou deeply sighs and responds to his grandson.
Kinako- Yah, tis me, just some ol' man named Kinako, who happens t' be your grandfather.
Geord- What..? That's... unbelievable...
Ikki- Gramps... I have so many questions...
Samei clenches both of her hands into uncertain, shaky fists and then tears up. She then walks forward and kneels before Kinako to apologise from the bottom of her heart.
Samei- I'm so sorry Kinako... I tried my best to keep my word, after all those years. I really tried... I'm so sorry... I don't deserve you, the greatest grandfather in the world, who offered way more than my own father. From the bottom of my heart, I feel truly sorry...
Kinako sees her acting so formal that he gets more upset to the way she is apologising rather than the reason she apologises.
Kinano- Ah! I get it! You're sorry. Don't act so formal, jesus fucking christ. I'm more upset about that than this silly "betrayal". Haha!
Samei- I'm so silly. You've told me this a thousand times already, haha... The only thing to get you angry is formality...
"Sorry, gramps."
Kinako- Much better, Sam!
Geord and Ikki are left with their mouths wide open and just listen to this one-of-a-kind conversation.
Samei- Why did you forgive me so easily, gramps?
Kinako- Ah, you don't realise how good of a person you really are, Samei... Not only did you keep my secret for an eternity, but I'm sure you have a pretty good reason for giving it away now. Just by looking at your eyes, I can clearly tell all that. You didn't even have to apologise. Tis' why I forgive you.
Samei runs to her grandpa and hugs him.
Samei- Thank you, gramps!
Geord sees this beautiful interaction and is moved by how Kinako handled the situation. He didn't even get angry by the revelation of his secret. Not only that, but he instantly put himself in Samei's shoes and understood the reason she exposed his secret. As he had played the father figure in the past as well, Geord really admires Kinako.
Kinako- Now that you know who I am, do you want an awkward hug too, Ikki?
Ikki has an uncertain smile on his face and slowly walks to his grandfather.
Kinako- Come 'ere, young lad!
His hug gives a nostalgic feeling to Ikki. The last few months before leaving, Kinako suddenly treated his grandchildern with utter love and care. There were only a few moments like these but Ikki remembers them really well.
After they're done with the hugs, Geord shows his appreciation to Kinako.
Geord- I really respect you, Kinako. I don't know the reason for your leaving or your past, but I can clearly see how good and kind of a grandfather you really are. That means a lot to me.
Kinako pretends to wipe away his tears and says:
Kinako- Oh my, oh my. You're gonna make me cry, pal. If you knew my past, you'd had never said that. But seeing your wholesome reactions, I think I should have told you my secret on my own. I think we could have hit it up together, Geord, if we both were our real selves. You seem the type to have been through a lot of things that I also did. If we had this conversation earlier, I would have loved to go out for a coffee with you. But it's never too late for that, is it? Haha!
Geord has the same exact thoughts and smiles back.
Samei feels so relieved to hear that her choice was the correct one. If she had chosen to lie back then, it would have gotten them nowhere. But now, only good things came from her choice.
Everybody faces choices like these. At the time, you never know the outcome of your choice, so it seems way too scary to choose. But when you have a clear mind and you weigh out the advantages and disadvantages, just like Samei did, your choice will surely lead you to the correct path. Samei is glad to have made that choice.
Now that this long awaited moment is over, Kinako asks Samei why he is needed.
Kinako- Tell me then, Sam, is the peculiar earthquake the reason you need Kinako Kendomo?
Samei- Not the earthquake itself, but what has happened after that. You see, gramps, a War is ongoing at the moment and the ones who declared it are–
Kinako- Just like I thought. Those fuckers would be behind it in some way. The Faith Organization (F.O.) or Fucking Oafish as we called them back in the day...
Geord- Yeah, the Faith Organization has announced the New World War targetting a foreign land called the Lingering World, which was recently integrated to our world. This earthquake that happened was the moment of convergence, not something the F.O. did. Anyway, I won't get into much detail. Whats important is the following. We need to stop this War by capturing the leader of the Faith Organization, called Zaiaku.
Ikki- We desperately need a way to reach their first hidden base, where Zaiaku orders everyone around from.
Kinako thinks hard about it while scratching his white beard.
Kinako- Ah... I really wanted to forget all about this... Base one, ya say..? Yah, I know how to get there.
Ikki Geord and Samei feel hyped up by the sheer amount of progress they're making.
Ikki- So, do you have a map of some kind, or say... a video tape?
Kinako shakes his head and points at the side of his head with his forefinger.
Kinako- Nah, it's all in here folks.
They are flabbergasted. It's unthinkable that a man his age remembers all this.
Samei- You remember it all by heart? After all this time?
Kinako- Yah.. We went there with Aldrich and Aria quite often. The mission to take over Base One was the most noteworthy of our expeditions. I know the ins and outs really well.
"Where have I heard those names again?" The others think over and over again.
Samei- Wait, aren't those people you mentioned Aniik's parents?
Kinako bursts into laughter.
Kinako- Hahahaha! I knew those two were making excuses in the middle of the missions just to make out! Now ol' Kinako 'ere has some proof, you rats!
Aha... Jokes aside, I am really honoured to have faught alongside them. They are great people. I'm glad to hear that they have a child now.
"We should probably not tell him how that aged..." Geord and Samei both think.
Geord / Samei- Ah ha.. Yeah, we hope they're doing okay now... Wherever they may be..."
Ikki doesn't know who Aldrich and Aria are so he is out of the conversation. And to avoid awkwardness he'd like to change the topic whenever possible.
Ikki- Anyway.. Nikakou— uh, I mean, Kinako, if you know the location of Base one by heart, then will you let us write down the directions so that we can go there by ourselves?
Kinako smiles does some stretches.
Kinako- No need, Ikki.
"I'm coming with you."
Evreyone does a gesture with their hands as if to try and stop him and express their concerns.
Samei- Not so fast, gramps. You're like, ehm, let's just say OLD. You couldn't possibly join us in this life or death mission, right?
With a smug face and a positive attitude, Kinako answers.
Kinako- Ah, Sam, you're forgetting one crucial thing. In my prime, I was the most fearsome mercenary in the world. Have you ever wondered why you had the ability to reach this high skill level with a gun? Don't forget, we share about a quarter of our genes.
The streches Kinako does aren't normal everyday streches an old man like him would do. He seems really athletic for his age. What he just said should be true.
Kinako- 'sides, you really need some more numbers to defeat Zaiaku. My help's absolutely needed, isn't it?
The others remain silent because what he's saying is undeniably the truth. They almost don't stand a chance against the Organization with four people, imagine what it'd be like with three...
Kinako- And who has the fucking time to make a map or something shitty like that? I'll just guide y' all just like I did with Eiko back in the day. Come on, quick, follow me to the garage. I hate wasting time. Our lives are so short to begin with. We need to make the best out of them, am I right?
Geord- I totally agree, Kinako. I'm so glad to have you with us. Let's do this.
Everyone nods and they all follow Kinako who is surprisingly running down the stairs. After looking at each other in confusion, Geord Samei and Ikki copy Kinako and run towards the garage.
Samei hasn't touched her garage in ages, so after setting foot in it, she is blown away by all the memories she has made in there. Seeing here old creations--all her gadgets-- her motorcycle, her messy working table and other memorable things in there, overwhelms her with a powerful feeling of nostalgia.
Samei goes over to that same table and caresses some of her most beloved gadgets, most of which serve no real purpose. For instance this nail cutter 4000, which has five different modes regarding the nail lenth you want to cut. It's one of her earliest–and stupidest– creations but it gives her so much happiness just by looking at it.
Ikki is surprised to see how many things his sister has created over the years. What a vast change, from a war machine to a creative mechanic... He's proud of her to say the least.
Although this garage is basically dedicated to Samei, there is still something here that she doesn't recognise at all. It's a weird box placed on a high self of an old bookcase.
Kinako- It should be here.. Yah, where could it have gone..
Samei- What's this box? I never realised we had this here.
Kinako uses a step stool to get the box down. He then places it on Samei's desk and slowly unlocks it with a small key he has on him.
Kinako- Check these puppies out!
"That's what Kinako would say" Kinako thinks.
The old brown box is now open and they all lean forward to see what's inside.
There are a bunch of silencer pistols and a few smoke bombs from a bygone era, when Kinako was the most fearsome man on earth.
Kinako- Ah... To be honest though, now that I've changed to Nikakou, these things bring only disgust to my face... I'd rather we didn't use guns, but ain't no way we have a chance to do this without those things.
Geord, Samei and Ikki totally agree with Kinako. A small squad of armed members, sure, they could apprehend without the use of weapons–just like they did previously–but when it comes to the most hidden, well-protected base of the Faith Organization, things are completely different.
Geord- I don't want to do this too, but we really need them. The number of people that are bound to die in this War cannot even be compared to the one we have to deal with.
Samei- Besides, our target isn't the pawns, but the leader himself.
Ikki- I agree with you... I've already stained my hands with blood. There's no turning back now... It's a burden I'm willing to shoulder for the greater good.
Samei is happy to see that Ikki has had a change of heart as well. He is nothing like their bloodthirsty father who wanted his children to become great like their grandfather. No, not at all. Ikki values human life and has a good sense of justice. Samei is really glad to heart that.
Samei, Geord and Ikki look at each other decisively and then face the box. They all stretch their hands and arm themselves with a silencer pistol and a smoke bomb.
Seeing how ready everyone is, Kinako slaps himself to bring his old self forth. There's no room for hesitation. He needs to behave and act like how the past Kinako would. Mercilessly and decisively.
Kinako- Off we go, folks. We'll stop Zaiaku and bring an end to this one-sided bloody War.
Geord / Samei / Ikki- Let's go!
After leaving Samei and Kinako's home, Samei, Geord and Ikki guided by Kinako's knowledge and experience all march forth towards base one to stop Zaiaku's plans of World domination once and for all...