Episode 12: "The Influencer's Test"

According to Tsuruko, Odaiba Plaza was Minato City's iconic business district.
The plaza was surrounded on all sides by towering modern high rises, yet beyond the buildings was a massive bridge illuminated by the colors of the rainbow.
And in the middle of the plaza stood a massive robotic object.

Tsuki Iroha
"Whatcha think is up with the robot?"

Tsuki glanced over at the robot with a puzzled look on her face.

Koishi Kohinata
"You haven't heard of it before, Tsuki?! It's Hero Knight Brave Diver!"

Koishi's eyes glowed as he answered her question.

Yutaka Gotanda
"Huh. I remember watching a few episodes many years ago. It's a pretty old anime, isn't it?"

Koishi Kohinata
"Oooh, yeah! Yeah! There's a bunch of different series, games, and sooo much merch! I've consumed just about everything there is about it! I especially enjoyed their most famous ga—"

Influencer
"I see you've all made it."

The Influencer's voice cut off Koishi's explanation without hestitation.
The bright beam of light shot out from Kazuki's phone again, projecting the round emoji on one of the walls of a building.

Kazuki Aoyama
"I see you're not going to meet us in person after all."

Influencer
"Given the risks involved, it's quite a reasonable decision. Now, let us move on to the main point. You're all trying to usurp Sui Yakumo, correct?"

Tsuki Iroha
"Usurp is going a little far... We just want to put a stop to the Numbers."

Tsuki answered in a gloomy tone.

Influencer
"We won't ask for specifics. What is more important is that we would also like Sui Yakumo to be removed from the King's throne. And if Yo Kuronaka were to take his place, we would gladly offer you our cooperation."

Kazuki Aoyama
"Couldn't you easily achieve that by manipulating the system?"

Influencer
"We don't have the authority to manipulate the King's dominance power."

Despite how extensive their power was, even they couldn't lay a finger on the King.
The game made sure that the King's position was absolute.

Yo Kuronaka
"Aren't your positions as Nobles guaranteed so long as you serve under Sui's reign?
Why would you want to change that?"

Influencer
"Sui Yakumo has gained too much power. At this rate, we fear his reign over Minato City will go on for an eternity."

Kazuki Aoyama
"Yeah, but what we're asking is wouldn't that be in your best interests?"

Influencer
"Things become far too stale and boring under a long-term King. What makes the game interesting is when things change."

Tsuruko Semba
"Change...?"

Influencer
"The rules for the Minato Rankingdom are very vague and fluid. The interpretation of dominance changes based on the values of the King in power, which in and of itself changes the charateristics of the game.
Our mission is to quickly detect any changes made to the rules by the current King, and to then swiftly influence all of Minato City using them.
The issue lies in that Sui Yakumo's reign is removing the very meaning of our existence."

Yutaka Gotanda
"I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around all of this. But, essentially, you all want to enjoy the governing rules as if you were the ones in charge?"

Influencer
"You are free to interpret our words whichever way you want. The only thing that matters to us is maintaining the fluidity of the game."

Tsuki Iroha
"I don't really get it, but this means you'll make Yo a Noble so that he can challenge Sui, right?"

Influencer
"To be frank, yes. However, doing so is incredibly risky for us.
We would like you to prove yourselves worthy of our cooperation."

The Influencer suddenly said something disquieting.
Yo and the others instinctively raised their guards.

Tsuruko Semba
"...And how do you intend for us to go and prove that?"

Influencer
"We would like to ascertain if you are capable of even challenging Sui Yakumo. To that end, we have prepared for you a suitable opponent.
If you are able to take them down, we vow to cooperate."

Kazuki Aoyama
"Not sure I really like needing to be appraised like this. But, I suppose we'll go ahead and use this to our advantage as well."

Yutaka Gotanda
"This is one way to go about business. I guess there's no harm in being a realist."

Yo Kuronaka
"We'll do it. Who do we need to take down?"

As Yo and the others made their preparations to battle, they looked around, searching for the opponent the Influencer had prepared for them.

Influencer
"Why are you all looking around? Your opponent is right before you."

Yo suddenly looked straight ahead.
Just as he thought that there wasn't anyone there...
The eyes of the giant robot before them began to glow.
(Whhiiirrrrrr)

Koishi Kohinata
"W-What?! Brave Diver?!"

As the sounds of a giant motor filled the plaza, Brave Diver began to stir.
It drew its big sword from the scabbard it had on its left arm.
It gripped the sword with both hands, and then dashed toward the group.

Influencer
"We will continue with our negotiations once you've dispatched Brave Diver."

Kazuki Aoyama
"Sheesh. Talk about a big ask."

Just as Kazuki let out a deep sigh, Brave Diver attacked Yo and the others.
Its movements were much more quick and agile than you'd expect for something of its size.
It moved around as if it was ice skating, and swung its sword using that momentum.

Tsuki Iroha
"Huuuhhh?! How the heck can that big ol' sack of bolts move that fast?!"

Yo Kuronaka
"Everyone, spread out!"

Given how fast it was moving, it was able to attack in wide sweeps. Having no other choice, Yo and the others spread out from each other and moved around the plaza.
However, they did not stay on the defensive for long, as Kazuki began figuring out a counterattack.

Kazuki Aoyama
"Taking a look at the robot's construction, it doesn't seem as though it would be able to swing its sword around its legs!
It may be safer to stand just below it!"

Making himself the example, Kazuki quickly slipped under the legs of the robot while it was charging straight at him. Then he transformed his XB bat into twin blades and delivered an intense attack to one of the giant bot's tree trunk-like legs.
The robot lost its balance and stopped moving.

Yutaka Gotanda
"This is our chance! Everyone, focus on its heels! If we destroy its thrusters, it won't be able to move at the same speed it was before!"

Analyzing the robot's composition as the battle continued, Yutaka called out the areas they should be focusing their attacks on.
The rest of the team psyched themselves up and simultaneously attacked the robot's legs; everyone delivered their strongest attack to the targeted area.

Tsuki Iroha
"And there we go! Now it's gonna be much slower!"

If they could do something about its nimble fast mobility, they could easily take it down.
Everyone took turns going in and attacking, slowly breaking Brave Diver apart piece by piece.
They attacked its feet when they found openings in its movement.
And when Brave Diver swung its sword, everyone would immediately spread out to avoid being hit.
Attacking, retreating, attacking, retreating. As they repeated that attack pattern ad nauseam, Brave Diver's legs began suffering more and more damage.
Before it finally dropped to its knees and stopped moving completely.
All that was left was to deal the final blow.
Yo sprinted full force toward Brave Diver to bring the battle to a close.

Kazuki Aoyama
"Hold on, Yo! Something's not right..."

Kazuki immediately sensed that something was off.
Having been cornered, Brave Diver began moving differently.
It aimed the hand it wasn't using to hold its sword toward Yo, and launched a rocket from its hand.

Yo Kuronaka
"What?!"

Yo's efforts to close the distance were in vain.
He tried desperately to move sideways, but completely dodging the rocket was...

Koishi Kohinata
"Yo, watch out!"

The mysterious shadow came flying out from Koishi's bag and tightly gripped Yo's arm, pulling him towards Koishi.
Thanks to that, he had been able to dodge the rocket at the last second.

Yo Kuronaka
"Thanks, Koishi!"

Tsuki Iroha
"End it, Yo!"

With Tsuki cheering him on, Yo dashed toward the robot once more.

Yo Kuronaka
"Take THIS!"

As Yo brought his bat crashing down onto Brave Diver's face, the robot fell over onto its side; the light in its eyes extinguished.
Everyone was out of breath, but relieved looks appeared on all their faces.

Yo Kuronaka
"Haa... ha... We... We did it!"

Tsuruko Semba
"To think we'd end up having to fight a robot in Odaiba. What a remarkable turn of events!"

Koishi Kohinata
"I'm glad we took it down, but I can't help but feel... off. To think I'd have to play a part in destroying Brave Diver..."

Despite coming out on top in the battle, their spirits were exhausted, and they were wounded.
However, as a result...

System Voice
"A large increase in dominance has been detected. Congratulations, you have achieved the rank of Noble.

The number above Yo's head began to dramatically increase, and along with the change, the system voice announced the rank up.
It seemed like the Influencer had kept their promise.

Influencer
"We were truly impressed by your power. Congratulations are in order, Yo Kuronaka."

Kazuki Aoyama
"Thanks to you, we managed to get one of us to Noble. Just like you promised."

Influencer
"You have received the right to challenge Sui Yakumo. From this point on, the rest is up to you. We can no longer get involved."

Tsuruko Semba
"Oh, so you're just spectators now? How lucky for you..."

Tsuruko replied with a surprisingly sarcastic remark. She must have had undisclosed reservations about the Influencers this entire time, who got to watch from their safe haven while Yo and the others were out putting their lives on the line.

Influencer
"We will leave you with one final warning. You must not mention us to anyone. Of course, that also includes Sui Yakumo."

Kazuki Aoyama
"Oh yeah? And what happens if we do?"

Influencers
"Let's just say we would not stop at just stripping you of your Noble rank."

The emoji face disappeared along with the Influencer's voice.

Yutaka Gotanda
"Only the very worst kind of business partner leaves their allies with a threat."

Koishi Kohinata
"Come on, cheer up! We're finally ready!"

(Koishi's right.)
(Despite what it took to get here, I've become a Noble. I'm able to challenge Sui.)
As those thoughts crossed his mind, everyone's phones suddenly beeped.

NINE (Santaro Mita)
"Yo, what's the sitch?"

The group chat received a message from Santaro.

NINE (Kazuki Aoyama)
"We're doing good. We've finally made it to Noble rank. We have to decide what we're doing next, so we're on our way back to you."

NINE (Santaro Mita)
"Excellent, excellent! Oh, right. You should know that I'm out right now."

NINE (Kazuki Aoyama)
"Of course you're being lazy at a time like this."

NINE (Santaro Mita)
"Shut uuuppp. But your timing's perfect, come join me."

NINE (Tsuruko Semba)
"Where ya at?"

NINE (Santaro Mita)
"I'm 'round the Azabu Crossing. There's somethin' I wanna show you. 'Specially Kazuki and Yutaka."

NINE (Yutaka Gotanda)
"Oh? You have something to show me?"

NINE (Santaro Mita)
"Get pumped and get over here already!"

Being summoned by Santaro's vague message, Yo and the others decided to head over to the Azabu Crossing.