While everyone held their breath, watching the destined battle of Knights, there was only one man scratching his head in impatience—

The very creator of the Bijuu Riders, the mastermind behind Foundation Y, was fretting over how to make his "proper entrance."

"Uh… you guys keep watching. I'm gonna… take a big dump~"

Gin stood up, clutching his stomach, and told the three girls glued to the fight.

"Eww, serves you right for hogging the snacks!"

Tobirama waved him off with disgust.

"Gin-sensei, take tissues with you."

His sweet little disciple even handed him a warm pack of tissues from her chest pocket.

"Thanks, I didn't bring any."

He pocketed the tissue that carried her faint fragrance.

"A-Gin, do you want me to go with you?"

Mitsuko rose immediately, looking reluctant but ready, her face saying "Fine, if I must."

Tobirama and Osamu instantly straightened up, ears perked.

"Stop! I'm really going to the bathroom!"

Gin's face turned green. He pushed Mitsuko back down, afraid she'd eat his kidneys on the spot.

"…Fine."

She pouted, cheeks puffed up, sitting back down.

"I'll be quick."

"Remember to use Suiton to wash your hands!"

"Annoying little brat!"

…

Meanwhile, Nibi, controlling Ginkaku's body, looked coldly at the strange human radiating Nanabi's aura.

"Chōmei?"

Kakuzu, in Rider form, immediately checked with his Beast.

"Great Beast, it's greeting you!"

"Don't answer."

Chōmei's voice was sharp with annoyance. "Human, why are you even here? If you wanted to escape, I had ten thousand ways to get you out alive."

The card trembled. The old man's final warning echoed—avoid face-to-face encounters. If the Beasts ever gathered… bad things would happen.

"But he offered too much money…"

Ten billion. How many kunai would Kakuzu have to forge to earn that?

"You—!"

Chōmei's wings twitched in fury. For a moment it had thought Kakuzu noble, even admirable. But no, he was just another money-obsessed fool.

"Leave now!"

"But the contract's already signed."

Kakuzu hesitated, torn between gratitude for Chōmei and the weight of his binding promise.

"…Pathetic worm," Nibi sneered, mocking them both.

"Human. Cut it down," Chōmei growled, voice full of rage.

"Got it!"

Kakuzu's eyes lit. He launched himself forward, blade raised, electricity sparking around his legs. He came down on Nibi with a clean, simple slash.

"Bang!"

Nibi caught it with clawed hands, sneering. But its eyes narrowed. This human wielding Chōmei's power was stronger than expected.

"Not bad. You've got some strength."

It hurled Kakuzu back with a swipe, crouched like a predator.

"Tatakai!"

…

Kinkaku, watching, was shocked.

"That speed—on par with my Lightning Armor."

Gengetsu cursed, feeling cheated.

"Damn it! This guy was playing dumb before!"

Mu, however, only stared at the Rider belts. "Where did you get those things?"

Shamon tried to bargain, but Kinkaku snapped, "Help? You three dropped in one move!"

…

Kakuzu slashed again and again, each attack dodged effortlessly, until Nibi's kick smashed him through trees. He coughed blood, stunned.

"Idiot," Chōmei muttered. "Every move has a pattern. Of course it can read you."

"What do we do, Great Beast?!" Kakuzu pleaded.

"No choice. Switch."

And then, Kakuzu's mask shifted. His body straightened. A golden glow lit the horn on his helm.

"Chōmei? You're awake?" Nibi's eyes widened.

"Hmph. Unlike you, I don't get trapped so easily."

The golden beetle spread its wings.

"…Why are you in a card then?"

Chōmei scratched its head awkwardly. "Old man's orders. You forgot already?"

"Don't tell me—you actually acknowledged this human?" Nibi growled.

"Hmph. Just a whim."

"Then we're enemies."

Murderous intent exploded. Jealous rage filled Nibi. Forced into a card, while Chōmei still had freedom? Unforgivable!

It lunged, claws flashing. Chōmei flipped back, landed cleanly, and raised its blade. A new golden card materialized in its hand.

"You rely on speed? Then I'll be faster!"

It slotted the card into its weapon.

"Absorb Queen! Fusion Jack!"

Gin, hiding in the bushes, nearly choked.

"The Bijuu can make cards too?! System, ban this cheater!"

…

Back in the fight, the Rider's armor transformed—gold trim across the chest, larger antennae, insect wings unfurling from his back.

The spectators gawked.

"He can… evolve?!"

Even Kinkaku was shaken. So all their research was only scratching the surface.

Chōmei raised its gleaming blade. "Matatabi, I'll free you."

"Don't mock me, worm!" Nibi screamed, charging.

Its claws whirled, a tornado of destruction.

But Chōmei only spread its wings, a massive shadow manifesting behind it.

"Tentacle Impact!"

It rocketed forward like a spear, smashing into Nibi's storm head-on.

"BOOM!!!"

The battlefield erupted, wind and fire swallowing the spectators.

When the smoke cleared—Ginkaku lay broken, Nibi gasping inside. Kakuzu stood, wings beating, victorious.

"You win…" Nibi whispered. "Kill me. End this prison."

But before Chōmei could strike, Kinkaku burst in, slamming his elbow against the Rider's chestplate. His arm throbbed with pain, but he stood tall in front of his brother.

"Don't kill him! He's my brother!"

Nibi's voice was cold. "I'm not your brother."

"Maybe not. But that body is. And I'll never let anyone hurt him!"

He armed himself with the Sage's treasures, glaring defiantly.

Chōmei looked at him a long moment. Then it sighed, and lowered its blade. The golden glow faded.

The tension eased—until a mocking voice echoed through the void.

"Well now… done already? I wanted to see a card shatter."

A black rift tore open. A figure stepped through—blue and red, with long rabbit ears curling from his mask.

Gin's Rider form.

"Who are you?!"

They tensed, wary—not of his power, but because they couldn't sense him at all. He felt unreal, like a ghost.

"A-Gin, should we fight?" Mitsuko asked eagerly.

"Not yet," Gin replied smoothly, pretending to be cautious.

He posed arrogantly, answering their question.

"I'm just a passing Kamen Rider."

"Great Beast! It's the bastard who slapped me!" Kakuzu yelped inside.

"I can see that," Chōmei snapped, raising its weapon again.

Gin sighed. "Don't be so hasty. Don't you remember who gave you that belt?"

Gasps erupted.

"…If we wanted one," Mu asked carefully, stepping forward, "what would it cost?"

"Us too!" Gengetsu shoved forward. Shamon hovered silently, desperate for an answer.

Gin smiled faintly. "I do have spares. And I could give them to you. But…"

Everyone leaned closer.

"But what?"

"There's no free lunch. Everything comes with a price."

"We'll pay anything!" Mu declared.

"Double whatever they offer!" Gengetsu shouted.

Shamon wilted—his village was broke.

Gin shook his head disdainfully. "Money? Jutsu? Land? Women? None of that interests me."

"Then what do you want?"

Gin stroked his chin, then clapped his hands. His eyes gleamed.

"My price is simple… just one promise."

(End of Chapter)

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