Daru endures a series of punches from the bully but remains silent.
Bully 2: Punch him harder!
Bully 3: Yeah, bro, so he can't even get up after (laughs).
Bully 1: Man, Daru, this is so emotional; we used to do this as kids. You're going to make me cry.
Daru laughs.
Bully 1: Wh—
Bully 2: Why are you laughing?
Bully 3: Bro will actually kill you.
Daru: I'm laughing because I don't feel a thing!
Bully 1: Oh yeah? Okay, tell me how this one feels.
The bully then kicks Daru in the groin.
Daru: AHHH!!
Bully 3: Oh man, I know that one hurt.
Bully 2: Hell yeah, it did.
Daru: AHHHH!! AHH HAHAHAHA!!
Bully 1: What the hell!? How are you laughing after that? No one could take a hit like that and not scream.
Daru: I guess I'm that guy.
Daru then headbutts the bully in the face, breaking his nose and causing him to bleed as he falls to the ground.
Bully 1: MY NOSE!! HE BROKE IT!
Daru starts laughing.
Bully 2: You think that's funny?
While the bullies restrain Daru's arms, he grabs them by their shirts and flips them onto the ground. The bullies get up and start throwing punches at Daru, but he skillfully dodges them. Daru stomps the ground, causing it to shake slightly, and the two bullies fall again. He picks one of them up by the head and kicks him into a wall. Before the bully can fall from the impact, Daru rushes him and knees him in the stomach with such force that it breaks a rib. Daru then delivers rapid punches to his face, causing blood to splatter on his fists and shirt. He continues the assault, leaving the bully's face resembling crumpled clay. The other bully, still on the ground, rises and rushes at Daru to intervene. He punches Daru in the back with all his might.
Bully 3: (Punching as hard as he can) GET OFF HIM!! YOU ASSHOLE!! AHHH!!
Bully 1: (Holding his bloody nose) KILL THE—IDIOT!
Daru ignores the bully. The bully pulls out a knife and stabs it into Daru's neck.
Bully 1: (Holding his nose) Yeah!! Kill him!!
Daru drops the bully he was punching and turns to the one who stabbed him.
Daru: So we're playing dirty now?(Smiles)
Daru firmly grips the bully's face and forcefully slams him to the ground.
Daru: YOU WANNA PLAY DIRTY?! LET'S PLAY DIRTY!!
Daru lifts the bully and executes a tornado kick, sending him two feet away, where he lands unconscious.
Bully 2: (Holding his face) Y-y-you ain't nothing! (Looks up at Daru)
Daru smiles and approaches him.
Bully 2: YOU HEAR ME? YOU AIN'T NOTHING, MAN!!
The bully charges at Daru, throwing punches. Daru stands his ground, absorbing the blows to his face and stomach; his hair begins to flicker as purple veins reappear.
Bully 2: (Thinking) What the hell is wrong with his hair?
Daru then kicks the bully three feet away, slides beneath him, grabs his leg, and swings him into a tree, rendering him unconscious.
Daru: (Looking up at the sky) That's two.
Bully 1: W-What is happening? What's wrong with his hair? Why is it flickering? And those veins, what is all of this?!
Daru turns his attention to the last bully.
Bully 1: W-What the hell are you?
Daru: (Smiling, revealing his teeth) I'm the kid you used to bully… I suppose it's just you and me now.
Bully 1: (Visibly frightened) P-please don't kill me. Please.
Daru starts to walk toward him.
Daru: (Laughing) Kill you? No, I wouldn't do that.
The bully stands and attempts to flee. He glances back to see if Daru is pursuing him, but Daru is nowhere in sight.
Bully: (Running, looking back) Where did he go?
Daru suddenly appears in front of him, delivering another punch to his nose.
Bully 1: (Crying) Please, man, please.
Daru: I said I wouldn't kill you, but there's something you need to do for me.
Bully 1: (Crying) Anything, I'll do anything.
Daru retrieves the knife from his neck and tosses it aside.
Daru: I want you to say that I own you.
Bully 1: What?
Daru: You heard me… Say that I own you.
Bully 1: Okay, okay.
The bully notices the knife wound on Daru's neck, which has already healed.
Daru: SAY IT!!
Bully: (Fearful) Okay, okay... you own me.
Daru: Say it again.
Bully: You own me.
Daru: I can't believe I allowed you to bully me all this time. Pathetic.
Daru delivers a swift kick to the bully's face, incapacitating him. He then seizes the remaining bullies and deposits them into a garbage can. As he approaches the bucket, his hair and veins begin to fade. Daru proceeds to the pond to fill the bucket with water. While doing so, he hears a voice.
???: (softly whispers) Daru...
Daru: What the hell? Who said that?
He gazes into the pond but sees nothing. Not hearing anything further, he prepares to leave, but just before he does, the voice calls out again.
???: (softly whispers) Daru...
Daru: Okay, what the hell! Who's there? If you want to fight, I'm right here!
Daru remains still for a few seconds, still seeing and hearing nothing.
Daru: Yeah, that's what I thought.
He walks back to Zenshi's house. As he walks, he remains unaware of the blood from his shirt dripping into the bucket of water he carries.
Daru: Great, my shirt is all bloody.
He sets down the bucket, removes his shirt, and tosses it into a nearby bush.
Daru: Much better.
Daru picks up the bucket of water again and proceeds to Zenshi's house. Upon reaching it, he knocks on the door. Zenshi opens it, surprised to find Daru shirtless and holding a bucket.
Zenshi: What the heck? Why does your face look like it got punched? And why is your shirt off?
Daru: Oh, um, I accidentally ran into a tree. And I got hot.
Zenshi: Oh, is that so?
Daru: Yes, it was an oddly shaped tree.
Zenshi: Definitely an odd one.
Zenshi takes the bucket of water from Daru.
Zenshi: Thank you for bringing it back, Daru.
Daru: No problem. What did you need help with?
Zenshi: Oh right! Could you please pull the weeds from my garden out front?
Daru: Are you serious?
Zenshi: Yes, I'm serious.
Daru: I can't believe this.
Zenshi: Can't believe what?
Daru: Rito mentioned you needed help, and I assumed it was for something heavy.
Zenshi: No, I just need the weeds pulled because my father has a bad back, and I can't manage it.
Daru: This is ridiculous.
Daru walks to the garden and begins to pull out the weeds. Rito joins him, also pulling weeds.
Rito: (drinking a beer) You're still at it?
Daru looks at Rito.
Daru: (continuing to pull weeds) Oh, look who finally decided to show up.
Rito: What? The football game was on. I couldn't miss it.
Daru: (pulling on the weeds) A football game?!?!
Rito: Yes… My team didn't win. (puts his head down) It's disappointing.
Daru: (pulling on the weeds) Never mind.
Rito: Kid, you got that? Looks like you're struggling.
Daru: No, I can handle this; just leave it alone.
Rito: Alright, I was merely trying to assist. By the way, how did the fight go?
Daru stops pulling weeds.
Daru: W-What fight?
Rito: Kid, you think I'm dumb? Look at your fist.
Daru glances at his fist and notices blood on it. Rito laughs.
Daru: It was brief anyway.
Rito: Tell me, did you experience any pain?
Daru: No, not at all.
Rito: (smiling) Good.
Zenshi: (walking out of the house) Daru, why is there blood in the bucket?
Daru: Damnit.
Rito: Well, you better tell her now.
Zenshi: What? That you got into a fight?
Daru hangs his head.
Daru: Yes…
Zenshi: Who did you fight?
Daru: The bullies.
Zenshi: The bullies?
Rito: I believe he's referring to those who used to pick on him.
Zenshi: Oh right, I had forgotten about that. Well…
Daru: Well, what?
Zenshi: What happened?
Daru: I defended myself because they tried to bully me, and I got stabbed in the neck and…
Zenshi: YOU GOT STABBED IN THE NECK!!
Daru: Yes, but I didn't feel it.
Rito: THAT'S INCREDIBLE!!
Zenshi: RITO!!
Rito: Sorry…
Zenshi looks at Rito.
Zenshi: (sighs) Rito, I believe today is the day.
Rito looks at Zenshi, understanding exactly what she means, and nods.
Daru: Today is what?
Rito: Today is the day we reveal your true identity, Daru.
Zodiac and Himitsu began preparing for their journey to Leorea when Crumpy approached them.
Crumpy: Are you two almost finished?
Himitsu: Yes, I believe we're ready. Do you have everything, Zodiac?
Zodiac: Yes, I'm set. Don't worry about me.
Himitsu: But I still don't understand why we're returning there. Isn't that place completely destroyed?
Crumpy: Yes, but I want to take you there to show you something important.
Zodiac: I don't see the point in all of this, but whatever.
Zodiac walked over to the wall to retrieve his sword, then glanced at the locked door before looking back at Crumpy.
Zodiac: Zodek, are you certain you can't open this door, or are you just toying with us?
Crumpy: As I have mentioned numerous times, I am uncertain how to open it.
Himitsu: Could you not break it down?
Crumpy: Even if I attempted to do so, it would not be effective. There is a peculiar enchantment on the door that prevents any damage.
Himitsu: Was the door always present, even when you and the Master were here?
Crumpy: I cannot clearly recall if it was there. It is peculiar, as only Zuda and I were aware of this location. In any case, if you are ready, let us proceed.
Crumpy ascended the stairs toward the front door, while Himitsu turned to Zodiac.
Himitsu: He's definitely hiding something in there, don't you think?
Zodiac: Most likely, but I have little interest. Let us move on.
They exited through the front door. As they caught up with Crumpy, he clapped his hands twice, causing the door to close into the ground.
Himitsu: That never gets old. But this is going to take forever to get there. Last time, when Zodiac and I were running away, it took us almost two hours to reach this place. There has to be a faster way than just walking.
As Crumpy searched through one of his pockets, he produced a glowing crystal and displayed it to them.
Himitsu: What is that?
Crumpy: What you are observing is a teleportation crystal. Zuda gifted it to me long ago, before I became an ex-assassin. It allows us to travel instantly from one location to another, although its range is somewhat limited. Nevertheless, it will significantly reduce our travel time compared to walking.
Zodiac: Does this item have infinite uses?
Crumpy: Unfortunately, no. Zuda informed me that it has at least five uses, and the glow will diminish once it has been exhausted.
Himitsu: Impressive! I wonder how she acquired it.
Crumpy: Zuda harbors many secrets, even regarding this crystal. Now, please gather close to me.
Zodiac and Himitsu moved nearer to Crumpy. He closed his eyes and pictured where to go, shattering the crystal in his hands, and it enveloped them before disappearing into thin air. They reappeared together, facing the devastated kingdom, where all the buildings had collapsed and burned.
Himitsu: Unbelievable, everything is utterly gone…
Crumpy: The primary reason I brought you here is to illustrate the dangers of war. It is essential for you to develop strength, both physically and mentally. There will be occasions when you may lose your home, your family, and even those you hold dear. Ultimately, it will be your responsibility to navigate these challenges. Do you understand?
Himitsu nods.
Himitsu: Yes, I understand, Crumpy. Is that the only purpose of our visit?
Crumpy glances at Zodiac, who is gazing at the forest where Mizuda's house once stood.
Crumpy: Let's take a look around and see if there's anything of interest.
Himitsu: Um, okay then. Are you joining us, Zodiac?
Zodiac: No, I need to see if Mizuda's house is still standing.
Crumpy: Are you certain you don't want us to accompany you?
Zodiac turns to them with a serious expression.
Zodiac: I'm going alone this time.
He sprints off into the forest by himself.
Himitsu: Are you sure we should leave him alone?
Crumpy: It's alright, Himitsu. Sometimes individuals need to confront things on their own. Now, let's explore.
As Himitsu and Crumpy explored Leorea, Zodiac raced toward his house, leaping from tree to tree. After ten minutes, he arrived at the site where his house once stood, only to find it vacant. He jumped down from the tree and approached the empty lot. Raising his hand, he made contact with the front door, causing the house to materialize.
Zodiac: (speaking to himself) I knew it.
He opened the front door and surveyed the interior, noting that nearly everything was gone.
Zodiac: It seems she's not here after all. There's no way she could have perished. I refuse to accept that.
Zodiac began searching for clues in the living room, her bedroom, and even the kitchen. Finally, he turned his attention to his own room, the last place to investigate.
Zodiac: Come on, there must be something she left behind.
As he walked, he heard a creak beneath his feet. When he lifted his foot, he noticed one of the floorboards was loose.
Zodiac: What the hell? I think I see something.
He lifts the board off the floor and discovers an envelope. He takes it and examines it, noticing the wax seal. Zodiac removes the seal, opens the envelope, and extracts a piece of paper filled with writing. The note begins, "Dear sweet Zodiac. I know it has been a long time since that day. It must have been challenging for you to survive out there, but I believe you and Himitsu will manage just fine. You likely have many questions, including whether I am still alive. To answer that, yes, I am doing well. It pains me not to be there to witness your growth, but I had some business to attend to. Since you are back and reading this, it is time for you to learn what you truly are. There should also be a key inside the envelope that will unlock something in the underground base. I had planned to give it to you as a birthday gift, but since I am not there, you will need to retrieve it yourself. If you wish to find out where I am, I am afraid you will have to seek the answers on your own. Let's just say I am in a very special place where people come together to make the world a better place. Until then, stay safe and take care of one another, my sweet Zodiac. I love you."
Zodiac begins to tear up, realizing she is alive.
Zodiac: She's alive! I need to tell the others.
He also pulls out a black key featuring a unique design.
Zodiac: This key? It must be for that locked door. But I still do not understand what she meant by needing to know what I truly am. What does she mean? And where is she? Never mind all that; I need to get back to the others.
Zodiac runs out of the house, heading toward Himitsu and Crumpy, who are still wandering through the devastated kingdom.
Himitsu: There really is nothing here. That war must have been devastating.
Crumpy rolls his eyes.
Crumpy: You don't say.
As they continue walking, Himitsu spots a torn flag on the ground, covered in debris.
Himitsu: Wait, Zodiac, I see something!
Crumpy: Hmm?
Himitsu rushes to it, clears away the debris, and picks it up, showing it to Crumpy.
Himitsu: Look at this! This is the same flag that Zodiac and I saw before.
Crumpy: Let me take a look.
He took the flag with the symbol from Himitsu and examined it closely.
Crumpy: Yes, this is definitely theirs.
Himitsu: What was their name again? Natarie no no namari?
Crumpy: The Nitharians.
Himitsu: Yes, that was their name. Do you know anything about them?
Crumpy: A little. All I know is that they are a powerful force not to be underestimated.
As they spoke, Zodiac rushed toward them.
Zodiac: ZODEK, HIMITSU!
Both turned around.
Himitsu: Zodiac? Why do you seem so urgent?
Zodiac: We need to return to the base immediately!
Crumpy: Whoa, whoa, slow down. What's happening?
Zodiac: Mizuda is alive!