Zi-O Stage 3: "Sorry, I'm Late!"
The scene shifts.
Inside the house—Nine to Five Hall.
Black Woz gazes at the group and states, "Kamen Rider Ken and Kamen Rider Callis."
He pauses before continuing, "They are called clowns."
Kenzaki speaks, his voice steady yet grave. "Clowns are destined to be drawn to each other. And once they meet, they must fight."
"Just like what happened earlier."
He clenches his fists. "That's why I decided I would never meet Hajime again in this lifetime."
Gates, frowning, asks, "And what happens when the battle concludes?"
Kenzaki's eyes darken. "When one of us wins—when only one clown remains—the world will be destroyed."
Gates stiffens. His expression shifts from shock to disbelief. If only one of them survives, the world will end?
Sougo and the others are equally stunned. They hadn't realized the stakes were this dire.
And beyond the scene, the audience across the Three Realms is left in turmoil.
"What the hell?!"
"Are you telling me that if one of them disappears, the world ends?! That's ridiculous!"
"No way! That doesn't make any sense! One person can't determine the fate of the entire world!"
"This is absolute nonsense—I refuse to believe it!"
On the screen, Sougo turns to Kenzaki. "Who is the girl who transformed into an Alien Sword?"
Kenzaki's face softens, but his tone remains firm. "Kurihara Tianyin. She's the girl Hajime—Kamen Rider Callis—has always protected."
Tsukuyomi's brows knit together. "If anything happens to this girl, then Kamen Rider Callis will inevitably show up."
Black Woz nods knowingly. "Which means Kenzaki will be drawn to him, and they will fight."
"So this is the enemy's plan," he concludes. "They want to force a confrontation. If one of the two tigers perishes, the world is doomed."
Kenzaki abruptly stands. "This is a matter between me and Hajime," he declares. "No one else needs to be involved."
He walks out, leaving the others in stunned silence.
Gates turns to White Woz, his voice sharp. "You orchestrated this, didn't you? You intentionally reunited two people who should never have met. Do you want to destroy the world?"
White Woz smirks. "You're absolutely right. The world is nearing its end."
His eyes gleam with an eerie excitement. "So, tell me, Gates—will you be my savior once more?"
Gates scoffs. "I've never been your savior. Besides, I asked you before—what kind of future are you really pursuing?"
He exhales before adding, "I'm done listening to you. Now, I'm looking forward to the future that Zi-O will create."
He smirks. "No—I'm looking forward to my own future, too."
He turns and walks away, leaving White Woz fuming. His plans have been derailed again. His pupils dilate in fury, and his hands tremble. His frustration boils over, his head shaking in disbelief.
Meanwhile, the audience watches in delight.
"Haha, serves you right!"
"You kept trying to manipulate everything, and now you're completely thrown off!"
"Seeing you this frustrated is so satisfying!"
"This is what you get for trying to ruin the world!"
—
Later, as Sougo and his team strategize, Tokiwa Junichiro arrives, smiling. "Everyone's here. Oh, by the way, Sougo—you've graduated, right?"
"I was wondering what you planned to do next. Why not get a job first?"
Sougo grins confidently. "No need. I'm going to be king."
Junichiro chuckles. "King? King of part-time jobs, maybe."
Their lighthearted conversation is interrupted by Tsukuyomi. "Excuse me, but what is this?"
Junichiro sighs. "Oh, this? It's an old camera. Someone asked me to repair it."
He shrugs. "Even though this is clearly a watch shop."
Sougo's eyes widen. "I get it!"
Gates and the others exchange confused glances. "What do you get?"
—
Later, Sougo and Black Woz visit a photography studio.
Black Woz frowns. "A photography studio?"
Sougo nods. "Kurihara Tianyin—the Alien Sword—has been targeting this place. There must be a reason."
Black Woz sighs. "She has never forgotten Callis, the one who protected her. The enemy is exploiting that."
"It's never good to cling to the past," he mutters.
Sougo looks at him. "Isn't it the same for you and Gates?"
Black Woz falls silent, lost in thought.
—
Elsewhere, Hajime is in his home, surrounded by photos when Tianyin enters.
"Why did you leave Jacaranda? Why did you leave me?" she asks, voice tinged with regret.
Hajime looks down. "Because if I stayed, you wouldn't be able to be your true self."
Before he can say more, a voice calls from outside. "Hajime!"
Hajime steps out and sees Kenzaki. His eyes widen. "Kenzaki… why are you here?"
Not far away, White Woz watches, his book open.
"Kenzaki Kazuma appears before Aikawa Hajime. The two begin their battle."
The audience erupts in anger.
"Damn it! He's using that book again!"
"This guy keeps forcing the worst possible outcomes!"
On-screen, Hajime sighs. "Are we really fated to fight?"
The battle begins.
Tianyin rushes out, pleading, "Stop! You two must stop!"
But White Woz sneers. "Is this truly your wish?"
Tianyin realizes the gravity of her mistake. "It's my fault. I should never have chased after Hajime."
White Woz chuckles darkly. "It's too late for regret."
With a tap to her chest, a surge of energy flows into her. Her body twists, and she transforms into an Alien Knight once more.
She lets out a piercing scream.
—
As Sougo and the others rush to Hajime's home, White Woz blocks their path.
"Savior? No, you're no longer a savior," he sneers. "You cannot save this world."
Meanwhile, Tianyin—now a monstrous entity—lashes out. Kenzaki and Hajime are thrown to the ground.
A devastating energy surge erupts, turning the sky dark. A massive seven-shaped symbol appears, glowing ominously.
Panic spreads among ordinary citizens.
"What is happening?!"
"Is this the end of the world?!"
White Woz laughs maniacally. "Now, with only one clown remaining, destruction begins!"
The audience is furious.
"This is all his fault!"
"I actually liked him before… now I see he never wanted to save anything!"
Meanwhile, Sougo stands firm. "The future is created by us," he tells White Woz.
At that moment, Gates and Black Woz stand together.
Gates grins. "It's not bad, creating an unknown future with Zi-O."
As Alien Sword prepares another devastating attack, Sougo arrives just in time—knocking her back with a powerful punch.
He smirks at Gates. "Sorry, I'm late."
The audience cheers.
"Yes! Sougo is here!"
"Just like how Gates once said to him! This is amazing!"
The final battle is about to begin.
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