"Boss, I actually don't quite understand why you wanted me to take that Shocker modified super-soldier codenamed Number One out of their base.
Although Number One, created by Shocker, is already considered overwhelming military capability compared to the modern nations on Earth, to us he isn't worth much.
At least, in front of my Blood-Stalk form, he didn't have the slightest ability to fight back.
Honestly, with a single order from you, the Tree of Life Foundation has enough capability to create a far stronger Rider."
Evolt reported after delivering Number One, leaning back in his president's office chair and speaking to Dan Kuroto through the communication screen.
"You're right. Whether it's the SlashRiser, the ShotRiser, or the MetsubouJinrai ForceRiser currently equipped to MetsubouJinrai — the Riders transformed with Progrise Keys are far beyond what Shocker's Number One can achieve."
Data streams flowed through the red eyes of Ark on the screen as it analyzed and then spoke:
"Indeed, Number One is just an experimental prototype. Even without our technology, the cyborgs Shocker's Zola develops afterward will keep getting stronger. As a test subject, Number One's performance will eventually be outdated.
And since our next step according to the Master's plan is to continue supporting Shocker, their technological level will naturally increase rapidly.
In that case, Number One's theoretical upper limit is simply not high. It won't be long before he becomes merely a second-rate product."
"You are both correct — normally that is exactly the case. The new generation will always surpass the initial prototype.
Number One is merely an experimental model. Although he has top-tier performance now, eventually he will be surpassed.
But… there are always exceptions to every rule,"
Dan Kuroto spoke with a faint smile, as though he had discovered something fascinating.
"Indeed, if Master intervenes, Number One's performance can break through its upper limits at any time, reaching a whole new level."
Izu blinked calmly and spoke.
"You understand me well, Izu.
I simply feel that the current story will be very interesting.
A cyborg protagonist escaping from the enemy's modification base, then fighting against the villainous organization that performed human experimentation — isn't that an exciting story?"
Kuroto said with hidden meaning.
Evolt and Ark were briefly stunned, unsure how to respond.
Izu, pleased with receiving praise, smiled softly:
"After all, I am Master's secretary. Understanding Master's intentions is something I must be able to do.
The protagonist resisting the enemy with strength granted by the enemy — is this what Master calls enemy and self sharing the same origin?
It truly is a wonderful narrative theme."
"Of course it is. After all, everything in this story is arranged by the Master!"Azu, who was massaging Kuroto's shoulders, quietly glanced at Izu and smiled gently.
"Number One's upper-limit problem is indeed not an issue. As long as I wish it, I can raise his performance comprehensively at any time and let him break beyond his limits.
As long as he can demonstrate enough determination and will — offering me an even more spectacular performance — I naturally can grant him treasures to enable such breakthroughs."
Kuroto nodded lightly, paused, and then continued:"Also, he now has a new name — Clark Kent. How entertaining!"
"Clark Kent?"Evolt looked confused.
Was that name interesting?
"Clark Kent.There are 13,782 online search entries under this name.
The most well-known Clark Kent is Superman, a comic character — a Kryptonian, a superhero."
Ark rapidly gathered data from the internet, displaying it on the screen as it explained.
Kuroto looked at the Superman comic image, the corner of his lips curling upward:
"The name Clark Kent perfectly matches the title Child of the Sun.
As long as Clark demonstrates enough will and resolve, I can bestow upon him the King Stone, allowing him to wield the power of the sun — and become the Child of the Sun!"
"Master truly sees through everything. You already arranged this long ago!"
Azu's eyes glowed, staring at Kuroto while her beautiful face slowly leaned toward him.
"No need for you to say that!"
Izu's voice turned cold as she rebuked:
"Just perform your duties properly. Stop trying to rub yourself against Master at every opportunity."
Kuroto touched his nose.
Could he say that after hearing Number One choose the name Clark Kent, he suddenly improvised a supplemental plan?
Letting Clark Kent gain the King Stone and become the Sun's Child — even imagining it was amusing.
[oooh Kamen Rider Black RX]
"Mind your own business!"Azu retorted.
"I was only reminding you."
Izu gave a polite yet emotionless smile.
"All right, enough."Kuroto chuckled, reaching out to gently rub Yaiz's flawless pale cheek.
"Whatever the case, we are discussing serious matters now. Just stand properly for a while."
Azu narrowed her eyes like a cat being scratched in the perfect spot, showing a blissful expression:
"Everything follows Master's will!"
Izu wrinkled her delicate nose slightly, displeasure showing in her eyes.
"Speaking of which — now that the Museum Project is on track, the Tree of Life Foundation will officially begin the space engineering project.
Cosmic energy and the power of the solar star are treasures laid out before us."Kuroto turned toward Ark.
"The production of Gaia Memories has already entered stable operation. We are performing final experimental testing — we can begin preparations for market release at any time."Red light flickered in Ark's eyes as it reported.
"The Gaia Driver and the high-grade Gold Memories have been completed?"Kuroto raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Prototypes of the Gaia Driver are finished.
However, the high-grade Gold and Silver Gaia Memories still require fine-tuning before completion.
The standard Gaia Memories have already begun mass production," Ark replied.
"Faster than I expected."
Kuroto nodded with satisfaction.
"After all, the Museum Project has been prepared according to Master's plans for many years. Long before this, Master instructed me to prepare all related systems.
Equipment and groundwork were already ready beforehand. Combined with the 'Earth Gaia Data' Master delivered recently, most Memories could be manufactured directly. Naturally, progress was rapid."
Ark explained.
"True."Kuroto immediately understood.
"But although I provided complete system technology and the essential Gaia information, and production itself won't pose problems…
The users of Gaia Memories must be carefully selected. Only those with sufficiently high compatibility can evolve fully or even surpass limits."
"Master already granted me knowledge regarding this matter. Therefore, I have prepared the marketing plan — screening humans with high compatibility to improve the Gaia Memory system through usage."
Ark reported.
"No — from now on, the Tree of Life Foundation will put all resources into space engineering: building an orbital space station, collecting cosmic energy and solar energy.
As for Gaia Memories, the foundation should not release them directly. We'll find an agent to distribute them instead."
Kuroto shook his head.
The United States is truly convenient in this regard — as long as one has the capital, corporations can launch spacecraft and satellites freely.From aerospace to weaponry, with enough money, almost nothing is out of reach.
This is precisely why Dan Kuroto chose America as the main stage of his game:freedom — a fertile ground for monsters and villains.
Truthfully, the upper limit of Gaia Memories is very high, containing the combined informational data of the entire Earth. Now that they are created, all that remains is observing the performance of the compatible users.
There's no need to rush — things will naturally develop according to plan.
Therefore, Kuroto intends to focus more on the Bugster Virus and game Riders for now.
As for the Tree of Life Foundation, it must shift to the aerospace engineering project — building space stations and harvesting cosmic and solar power.
These are free treasures, and Kuroto already prepared for them long ago.
However, large-scale aerospace engineering requires enormous manpower and resources.
Although the foundation has advanced Rider Chronicle technology, its development time has only been about five or six years — still short of the necessary accumulation.
To avoid unnecessary complications during negotiations with various parties, the Tree of Life Foundation must withdraw from the direct sales phase of the Museum Project.
"Sounds like you've already chosen the Museum Project agent, boss?"
Evolt asked curiously.
(End of Chapter)