In the image broadcast to the three realms, Xue Qian appeared clearly surprised.
He muttered under his breath, "I didn't expect her to still be alive…"
Then, without hesitation, he launched an attack on Berna Jiu.
But Berna Jiu raised her massive hand and, as though summoning a hurricane from nothing, released a ferocious gust of wind. The sheer force sent Xue Qian flying backward, crashing hard to the ground.
His disguise shattered, revealing his true human form.
Yet he only smirked and said coldly, "Is that all you've got?"
"Then take this—my true technique!"
With that, he summoned an enormous pillar of fire and hurled it at Berna Jiu.
Just then, Wanzhang Longwo shouted, "Watch out!"
Without a second thought, he threw himself in front of Berna Jiu, taking the full brunt of the fiery assault. The explosion forced Wanzhang to de-transform instantly.
In the next moment, Berna Jiu teleported away with Zhan Rabbit and the others, vanishing from the battlefield.
Soichi, watching the scene unfold, lay on the ground and chuckled.
"Now things are getting interesting," he said. "This… this is where the real battle begins."
---
Meanwhile, in the coffee shop…
Wanzhang, Berna Jiu, Steve, and Misora suddenly materialized, shocking not only themselves but also the audience across the three realms who were observing through the transmission.
Berna Jiu had transported them in a flash—as if teleporting. The feat stunned everyone.
"This… This is too much!" someone exclaimed. "She just instantly jumped across space! What kind of ability is this?!"
Battle Rabbit turned to her and asked, "What's going on? How did you do that?"
Berna Jiu looked weak, her presence flickering like a dying flame. "My physical body has already been destroyed," she said solemnly. "My soul won't last much longer. And all of this... was orchestrated under Ebert's control."
"Ebert?" Steve's expression darkened instantly. "You're saying Ebert is behind the destruction?"
"Yes," she nodded. "Pandora's Box… was used to destroy Mars."
Suddenly, she turned to Wanzhang, her tone becoming cryptic. "Don't you want to know who you really are?"
Wanzhang blinked, confused. "Huh? I'm Wanzhang Longwo. Isn't that enough?"
Berna Jiu smiled faintly. "Is that so? Then perhaps… you are hope itself."
"Hope? What does that even mean?" Wanzhang scratched his head in confusion. "What are you even talking about?!"
Before she could respond further, Misora suddenly collapsed again, fainting without warning.
---
Elsewhere…
Chairman Nanba, observing the events from his facility, slammed his fist on the table. "The princess of Mars… this is too much!"
Soichi nodded with a faint smile. "Yes. Even seeing it with my own eyes, it's hard to believe."
Uchihai's expression was grim. "No matter who she is, she's dangerous."
Soichi remained calm. "Relax. Her power is temporary. She knows that better than anyone."
---
Breaking News!
The screen shifted abruptly to a major news report.
"We interrupt for breaking news," the anchor announced. "The Toudou government has officially declared that Kamen Rider Soki has committed treason!"
Gris, who was just entering the room, stopped dead in his tracks. "What?!"
Meanwhile, Wanzhang and Misora, who were casually eating instant noodles, were completely stunned.
"The Toudou government has also issued a decision," the report continued. "Kamen Rider Soki will no longer be recognized as an official military weapon."
Wanzhang nearly choked on his noodles. "Did they just say… not used anymore?!"
Across the three realms, viewers were in an uproar.
"What's happening?!"
"Has East Capital lost its mind?!"
"If Battle Rabbit and his team are the only ones who can fight against West Capital's forces, why are they being abandoned?!"
"This must be part of a strategy… Right? It has to be!"
Somewhere else, Gris returned to the hideout and asked, "What's going on with this news?"
Wanzhang shook his head. "I don't get it either."
Misora leaned forward. "It's obvious. They're doing this… to take back Pandora's Box."
---
A Strategic Move
It all made sense now.
Because Battle Rabbit was no longer a recognized agent of the government, his infiltration into West Capital couldn't be labeled as an invasion.
This was why the government had made the declaration that Soki would no longer be used—they wanted plausible deniability.
In another scene, Utsumi burst into the president's office.
"President Nanba! Soki and the others have been spotted inside Pandora's Tower!"
Nanba looked indifferent. "I heard. Since they're no longer official, we don't need to protect them."
He then stood up, a gleam in his eyes.
"Perfect," he said with fervor. "It's finally time. I've secured the seat of Prime Minister… and with the power of Pandora's Box, I will conquer the world!"
He threw his arms wide open, eyes wild with ambition. "I'll build a Nanba Empire—eternal and indestructible!"
---
Eavesdropper
Outside the room, Huande had been eavesdropping the entire time.
He clenched his fists tightly, his expression dark.
---
The Super Chat Group Reacts
Back in the multi-realm Super Chat Group, users were blowing up the chat.
Liuying: "Didn't expect his ambition to go this far!"
March Seven: "Right? He doesn't just want to rule the country—he wants the entire world!"
Kiana: "He's dreaming big. But no way will Baitu and the others let that happen."
Hutao: "I believe in Zhantu! He'll stop this madness!"
---
Xue Qian's Secret
Meanwhile, back in the battlefield, Xue Qian grinned. "Now… it's finally time to unleash my true strength."
But suddenly, a second voice echoed within him.
"You bastard! What are you trying to do?!"
Xue Qian's smile widened. "Don't butt in. Just watch quietly."
Audiences across the three realms were once again shaken.
"Wait—what was that voice inside him?!"
"Is Xue Qian possessed by someone else too?!"
"Could it be like Ishido Soichi?! Maybe Soichi is inside Xue Qian!"
"This is getting intense!"
Everyone leaned forward to see what would happen next.
---
The Transformation Begins
On the screen, Xue Qian began his transformation.
"Steaming Blood!"
"Mist Matching!"
"Cobra!"
"Fire!"
With a dazzling light show, Xue Qian fully transformed into a powerful Rider.
---
Storming Pandora's Tower
After defeating the hard-armored soldiers outside, Battle Rabbit and the others arrived at the mysterious and towering Pandora's Tower.
However, things quickly became chaotic.
Suddenly, a squad of elite soldiers from the Western Capital appeared.
"There they are!" one of them shouted. "The three rats! Drive them out!"
The clash erupted instantly.
But Pandora's Tower itself wasn't an ordinary structure.
It began changing—walls shifting, floors twisting, traps springing out of nowhere.
"Watch out!" Wanzhang yelled, narrowly avoiding a falling spike.
Steve's eyes widened. "This place… it's alive!"
Objects, walls, and even shadows were attacking them like the building itself was conscious.
That's when Xue Qian appeared again, his figure materializing on a balcony above.
With an eerie smile, he addressed them.
"Do you like this place, Kamen Riders?"
Zhantu looked up sharply. "Xue Qian!"
Xue Qian chuckled. "I can manipulate the shape of this tower however I please."
"I wonder… can you escape this living labyrinth?"
---
To be continued…
patreon (Obito_uchiha)