"Don't worry. With me here, even if this world were to end, you two will be safe." Raven unconsciously spoke the thought in his heart aloud.
"If the world ends, how are we supposed to live? You're making jokes again…" Although Akira said this, a sweet feeling of security blossomed in her heart.
She had lost her parents young and had supported the family alone for many years. All this time, she had truly hoped for a strong shoulder to lean on.
Now, that support had finally arrived.
In a deserted factory.
Though still recovering from injuries, the Chief, transforming into Zangetsu Shin using the latest Genesis Driver, thoroughly brutalized Baron after he had just teamed up with Gaim to defeat Bravo.
"And you think you can stand against Yggdrasill?"
After delivering a beatdown that forced Kaito to de-transform, he left with that final remark, heading straight for the objective of capturing Kouta Kazuraba.
Subsequently, a large squadron of Kurokage Troopers arrived and took the defenseless Kaito away.
Meanwhile, near a permanent stage in a park.
Gaim was battling a green Inves.
But just as he was about to defeat his opponent, he hesitated, unable to strike the final blow.
Because the Inves was none other than Hase from the Beat Riders.
A short time ago, Hase's belt was destroyed, rendering him unable to transform.
The psychological distress was overwhelming.
Thus, he was tempted by the Helheim fruit and transformed into his current state.
"Why do we have to fight!" Kouta found it incredibly difficult to attack.
However, the Inves that was Hase had completely lost his consciousness and couldn't understand what Gaim was saying.
Just then, four figures simultaneously appeared nearby: Takatora Kureshima, Ryoma Sengoku, Sid, and Yoko Minato.
Each of them held a Genesis Driver and an Energy Lockseed.
They all transformed at once.
The Chief, now Zangetsu Shin, pulled back the bowstring of the Sonic Arrow from afar and fired an arrow at Gaim and Hase, who were struggling below.
Boom!
Gaim was hit by the blast and instantly de-transformed.
Hase collapsed to the ground.
"Sid, this is all a result of your twisted sense of fun. You clean up your own mess," Takatora told Sid, who had transformed using the Cherry Energy Lockseed.
"Alright, alright."
Sid then leapt down from the high platform, landing in front of Gaim, and delivered the finishing blow to the Inves that was once Hase.
Boom!
"Stop it! He's our friend!" Kouta struggled to stand up from the ground.
But with Sid's attack already launched, Hase was definitively done for.
This struck a massive blow to Kouta's resolve.
For a moment, he lost all will to resist.
Suddenly, Kurokage Troopers who had appeared nearby knocked him unconscious and carried him away.
The next day, in the café.
"Kouta hasn't been seen all day. What's going on?" Akira was frantic, finding his phone unreachable.
Raven realized what must have happened.
That kid must have been taken by the Yggdrasill people, he thought.
However, he knew Kouta was not in any mortal danger.
The Yggdrasill people, though acting badly and domineeringly, at least wouldn't dare to genuinely harm a group of innocent children while Takatora was still in charge.
Furthermore, he was well aware of DJ Sagara's interest in Gaim.
Gaim's path to becoming a god was practically guided by Sagara himself.
This time, too, was the first time Sagara would be sending Gaim an upgrade.
So, Raven wasn't particularly worried.
"Maybe he's just out playing with his friends. You don't need to worry so much; he's a grown man."
Raven leaned in and held Akira from behind as he spoke.
"That child really is becoming more and more trouble," Akira could only sigh.
After reassuring Akira, Raven found an excuse to leave the shop.
The purpose of his outing was self-evident: to go to Yggdrasill.
Although he knew Kouta was not in danger, his brother-in-law couldn't just stand by while the Yggdrasill Corporation soft-imprisoned him. He had to go and bring him back.
So, Raven swaggered straight into the Yggdrasill Tower.
The ground floor of the Yggdrasill Tower was an open area for public viewing. Only the restricted zones were specifically guarded.
The moment Raven walked in, he was immediately spotted by Ryoma and the others.
"What is he doing here?"
At this moment, Gaim was locked up in a nicely furnished small room. DJ Sagara walked in and gave him a motivational speech, expressing his faith in Gaim.
Before leaving, he left behind a keycard, a Lemon Energy Lockseed, and a Genesis Core attachment.
Gaim, now with an upgrade, was bewildered, unable to fathom what the strange uncle was thinking.
But the most pressing matter was escaping Yggdrasill.
On the other side, due to Raven's arrival, Ryoma personally came out to greet him.
Upon hearing the news, Takatora rushed over with his men.
"You, what do you want here?" he asked Raven, who was seated at a round table with Ryoma, his tone grave.
Raven put down the coffee cup in his hand, frowned instantly, and spat the mouthful out.
"It's truly terrible. Can't a major corporation like Yggdrasill afford decent coffee beans?"
"My apologies. I almost forgot you are the most famous café owner in Zawame City," Ryoma said with a conciliatory smile.
In contrast to Takatora's clear hostility, Ryomau's attitude towards Raven was quite friendly, at least on the surface.
"You, we still haven't settled the score from last time, and you have the nerve to show up here?" Takatora's eyes narrowed.
He had already pulled out his Genesis Driver.
The nearby Sid also drew his Driver.
They looked ready to attack Raven at any moment.
"Takatora, I advise you not to start a fight here…" Ryoma knew full well that even the Genesis Driver would be no match for Raven, who could perfectly utilize the power of the Lockseeds.
"Hmph."
Takatora was unwilling, but considering the drastically uneven battle from the last time, he was forced to put down his Driver.
He then asked, "Why have you come to Yggdrasill?"
Raven immediately stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked at the scenery outside.
"You kidnapped my little brother-in-law, and you ask me why I'm here?"
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