a military base stood silent beneath cold steel skies.
Inside it was the man
who had once ordered a nuclear strike on Yukanda.
He stopped in front of a soldier, his presence heavy.
"Why hasn't any news of Yukanda's destruction reached us yet?"
His voice was sharp, impatient.
"Explain."
The soldier lowered his head.
"Sir… I don't know."
For a moment, the man said nothing.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"So it's true…"
"It seems an otaku has already arrived there."
A thin smile appeared—one born of fear.
"We must stay away from Yukanda."
"Otherwise, the difficulties awaiting us will be far greater than we can handle."
Elsewhere—
far from Yukanda, inside a magnificent palace.
The President had received the same information.
The document in his hand trembled slightly.
"This is bad…" he murmured.
"If things continue like this…"
"Everything will come to an end."
He looked out through the window, lost in thought.
"Only a few anime watchers remain in this world now."
He exhaled slowly.
"If there truly is an otaku in Yukanda…"
"Then the situation will spiral out of control."
His eyes hardened with resolve.
"It seems…"
"It's finally time to contact him."
At the same moment—
Akuma felt it.
A test was approaching.
"A trial from Heaven…"
he whispered to himself.
"They will judge goodness."
"But me…"
"I've become too ruthless."
His fists tightened.
"I don't think I can clear it."
His gaze shifted to Ruby.
"Maybe…"
"she can help me."
Then his expression darkened.
"But for that…"
"her memories must return."
Akuma contacted Draven immediately.
"How can Ruby's memories be restored?"
"There must be a way."
Draven remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke carefully.
"There is only one way, Master."
"But I don't think you'll agree to it."
Akuma's voice turned cold.
"Tell me."
"First," Draven said,
"I need to know—
what was your relationship with Ruby?"
Akuma frowned.
"And what will you gain by knowing that?"
"Answer me first,"
Draven replied calmly.
Just then—
Ruby looked at Akuma and said,
"Are you not leaving?"
"You've been standing there for a while."
Akuma glanced at the sky.
"I think we should leave tomorrow morning."
"It's already very late."
Ruby nodded.
"Alright."
Akuma lowered her down and began to walk away.
"Where are you going?"
Ruby asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"To my home,"
Akuma replied.
"But… do you even have a home?"
Akuma paused.
"I do."
"My companions are waiting for me there."
"They've been waiting for a long time."
And he walked away.
Ruby stood there,
watching his back disappear into the darkness.
Elsewhere—
Inside Akuma's group, unease lingered.
"Why was the Leader wearing a mask that day?"
someone asked.
"And where was Akuma at that time?"
another questioned.
Suddenly—
Thunder roared across the sky.
A violent storm descended.
As they stepped outside—
a terrifying presence stood before them.
A massive dragon.
And upon it—
Akuma himself.
Their breaths caught.
"Welcome back…"
"Voice Leader Akuma!"
Akuma placed a hand on the dragon's head.
"You may rest now."
With a powerful roar, the dragon withdrew.
Akuma stepped down and approached his companions.
"Where is the Leader?"
one of them asked.
Akuma shook his head.
"I don't know."
"And that strange mask…"
"Why was he wearing it?"
Akuma lifted his eyes.
"What kind of mask?"
One man stepped forward.
"I'll show you."
Slowly—
he revealed the very mask before Akuma.
Akuma's fingers froze.
Recognition flashed through his eyes—
followed by a shadow of something deeper.
Fear.