Things pick up with the party over at Gammei's office at the police station where he has been informed about the Point Yh thing and has been asked where it is. He mutters to himself about not getting the logic behind it as he flips through some notes. Gammei then mentions that Procy hasn't contacted his agency since disappearing, nor has he done any broadcasts. The agency wasn't saying anything, but he feels you guys now have a checkmate, and he compliments your efforts. If the information is correct, he feels Procy should be over there...if nothing happened to him at any rate.
Huckle repeats that last bit in some confusion while Barrel pesters Gammei for details about where Point Yh is. He pleads, saying he's decided and that he made a promise. All of you are going to see Procy, no matter where he is. Gomeisa also asks Gammei to tell you guys as well. Gammei is a bit sad to hear the 'no matter where' part, and then he steels himself as he declares the search is being discontinued.
Title card pops up, and this chapter is called Those Who Leave/Stand at Dawn. I'm not sure which actually.
Anyways back with the plot, the party is unified in their confusion over
Gammei stopping the investigation, and Gomeisa asks him why. Barrel
also refuses to accept stopping things there as he asks for an
explanation as well. Gammei starts making his point by ordering Barrel
to state their affiliation. Barrel is confused but complies, saying
they're part of the Orient City city police in the [X] Department, [Y]
Section. Gammei emphasizes the 'city police' part, saying that means
their jurisdiction is only within city limits. Investigating outside
that defined area means that all kinds of paperwork must be sent to the
police department of the relevant area. They'd also need to explain that
to their superiors, and he points out that Barrel knows how strict they
are about that. Barrel reluctantly agrees.
Huckle asks if Gammei is saying that Point Yh is outside of Orient City. Gammei confirms it, and says that also leads to the second reason he's pulling the brakes. Point Yh is where those guys are running a 'resource' gathering operation. That's where the ruins of a large city destroyed about 180 years ago remain, and people are still living over there. It's also a place where Kaibutsu have been repeatedly observed to appear to the point that people have lost count. Mokdai is shocked to hear that Kaibutsu have been seen multiple times there, and Huckle asks Gammei if that happens to be Southern Kanto. You ask about the term.
Gammei confirms that to be the case, and he explains that Southern Kanto is the standard term for the area. The Japanese government is restricting entrance to the place, a bunch of ruined streets whose names are Forgotten. Point Yh is about 70-80 km (~43.5 - ~49.7 mi) to the east of Orient City, and it seems it used to be a port town. It became known as Point Yh because people saw a ruined sign that had the letters Y and h on it over there. Another 20-30 km (~12.4 - ~18.6 mi) away from it is a Kaibutsu Nest where the things have been seen to appear and disappear at, which you think on.
Gammei says that thanks to that, the villains are making some secondary revenue doing some Kaibutsu Hunting, so the managers on up don't want to get closer, which leaves them to do as they please. Gammei then summarizes his main points, saying that it's outside their scope of power and more importantly is highly dangerous. Gammei then sits back down in his chair, exhaling deeply as he puts down his smoking pipe. He says that if he lets you guys who aren't even police officers go, his superiors will never let him hear the end of it. He can't sit back and watch you guys go either, and he won't be going with you. He doesn't want you guys going, both as someone in charge and on a more personal level.
Gomeisa is briefly dejected, but he stands by his earlier decision to go see Procy no matter what so that he can thank him. Huckle tells you guys that he agrees with Gammei, saying he can't just let you guys go to Southern Kanto. You either try to argue or reluctantly accept that. Akashi argues that Huckle is going back on what he said the day before, but Huckle says there's a difference between a place he can see you guys off with some confidence you'll return and a place where he doesn't have as much confidence in that. He sigh apologetically.
Huckle says it'd be one thing if Ryekie was going with you guys, but it's extremely dangerous for you guys to be going there with so little experience. The place is on a whole different level than what he's let you guys go to before. He makes a point of saying Procy isn't coming back since it's still possible he can return on his own. He understands your frustrations, but he asks if you guys can just stay in the city and wait. Gomeisa brings up the possibility that Procy might be hurt or in a bad situation if it's so dangerous. He can't stomach waiting for him when Procy went out for his sake and might disappear, and he worries over him some more. You sympathize with him or stay quiet. Huckle sadly looks at Gomeisa, who has balled up his fists and is trying to hold back tears. Barrel then comes to a decision, and he suddenly bows deeply.
Barrel formally states his name and position as police officer, but then decides to change tacks and declares his hero affiliation instead of job. He then declares that he is going with the client to Point Yh in Southern Kanto for a rescue mission. Everyone reacts with shock at this, and you either say his name in surprise or ask if he was listening to everything so far. B has an extra line where Barrel says he heard and is going regardless.
Gammei angrily calls Barrel a dumbass as he slams his desk, shaking some of the things on it. He yells, asking if he realizes that the higher ups will never stand for him acting on his own. Barrel however argues that if he can't act as a police officer, then it'd be fine if he were acting as a hero. If the founding idea of the Earth Sphere Alliance Hero Detachment is 'value the lives of Earth's citizens,' then Barrel will act as a hero and not a policeman to go save peoples' lives. Gammei yells at him to shut it with the technicalities, but Barrel fires back that he won't leave people to wallow in their grief and sadness, shocking him.
Barrel argues that being a policeman and hero means nothing if you can't save anyone. Barrel also talks about how the sheriffs he admired acted out of their own justice. Even if they had to dance on the verge of death, they never compromised on their justice, so Barrel says he wants to act in the justice he believes in, even switching from a civil servant pronoun to a regular personal one. Barrel then immediately walks over to Gomeisa without waiting for Gammei to respond and takes his hand. He tells him they should go together to find Procy. Gomeisa is surprised at first, then smiles as he agrees and they run off. Gammei attempts to stop Barrel while Mokdai watches in surprise.
Akashi turns to you and starts to talk. You either say you understand
and suggest going, or you say you guys promised. There is a difference
between Akashi's two responses in that B has Akashi also lead into the
main dialogue, but it's minor. But anyways Akashi says he can't stay
quiet and watch Barrel and Gomeisa go off on their own in the face of
their determination. He then mentions feeling embarrassed about being
completely taken in by the stupidly straightforward heroism Justice and
Barrel have. Huckle is in disbelief that you guys are going, but Mokdai
says you guys should go too as he says he has extra batteries so the
camera can run for 2-3 days. Akashi says it's time to chase after the
others, so you bid Huckle bye for now. Huckle attempts to stop you too,
but he gets left behind with Gammei.
Gammei is irritated at all of you guys disregarding his feelings, and Huckle says that's another part of youth as he says he'll have to lecture you guys when you get back. Gammei sympathizes with him for having crazy underlings, but Huckle says he's used to it with Ryekie. He then asks if the gate to Southern Kanto will let you guys through so easily. Gammei says they'll definitely chase you guys away. Procy could probably get through since he has an S Class license, but Barrel is a newbie as both a hero and a police officer. He mentions having a B Class license himself as he brings up some files to flip through, and he says he needs to get things in order. Since Barrel is standing up for justice, he should do what he can to support him.
Huckle comments on how nice Gammei is to his subordinates, saying he could just say so instead of helping when he can't see him do it. Gammei says he won't because Barrel is a doofus who'd get carried away by that. Huckle then asks what Gammei is doing then since even his license would require approval from managers higher up to get permission to go to restricted areas. Gammei points out that it'd be fine if this becomes a special mission that doesn't need that level of permission then. The owner of his hero agency is part of an international organization that ranks higher than the Japanese national government, so Gammei is going to try to discuss if there's any leeway for this. Plus, the Special Defense department owes him a favor over a villain breakout some time ago. That ought to pull some strings.
Huckle is surprised, mentioning he's been thinking about it for a while now as he says Gammei is wily, which annoys him. Huckle then says he should do what he can too to give Gammei's plan some insurance. Gammei is confused by this as he asks him what he means, so Huckle points out that Gammei can't get past the mayor and other government admins. Gammei is shocked silent for a moment before asking who Huckle even is. He answers that he's just a hero agency director and a former S Class hero.
Huckle says the big problem is what happens outside the city even if the party manages to get past the gate. Gammei agrees, then asks about your group's strength levels. Huckle admits to being worried since you and Akashi have only just entered the agency. Modkai is neither an Operator nor a hero, so all he can do is give advice. He does want you guys to stop and come back, but he's pretty sure you guys would reject the order. The key to the team is probably going to be Gomeisa since he has an A Rank license. Hopefully he'll brace himself and do his best, or maybe something else.
Gammei reacts in shock once he processes that Gomeisa ranks higher than he does. Since Gomeisa said he dislikes fighting, he asks how that happened. Huckle says he was issued it due to special circumstances. He's always going around with Procy to places, so he still has field experience at least. Another reason is that Gomeisa has an ability that is really useful in rendering Kaibutsu powerless. Gammei asks what that is, so Huckle answers he's only seen it once. It's something that can be called a Finisher. Since Gomeisa doesn't have much of a will to fight, it's a bit risky to use though. His ability to heal heroes is reliable though, which is enough to help out. Gammei says it sounds like he's not that firm, but it's not like he's hopeless either. Gammei then says it looks like it'd be best for him to be ready to run after you guys if the need arises. Huckle says he'll come too in that case, and he hopes you guys make it back safe and sound.
Scene shifts over to your end as dawn is starting to break and the sun is starting to rise. The city is now behind you, and the party advances along a mountain road. Barrel is driving the patrol car you guys are in, and he eventually stops in front of a huge wall. A tall iron lattice gate stands before you. You wonder what this is and ask if it's some sort of military establishment. Akashi says it's the gate to Southern Kanto as he says it's his first time being here, then points to something outside. That turns out to be a big sign that reads Special Hazard Area - West Gate 18.
Mokdai says there will be a ton of Kaibutsu when you pass through the gate, which he's getting nervous about. Gomeisa says nothing, and Barrel says the issue will be getting through as he wonders if his license will be enough. When you ask about licenses, Mokdai explains that he means an Earth Sphere Alliance hero license. It's something issued to all heroes working in the Earth Sphere. Heroes are given ranks which determine what kind of jobs they can take and which areas they can go to. Ranks can change based on an individual's abilities and achievements, but heroes generally start at Rank F. If you do as much as Ryekie's done, you could reach S Rank too, the highest rank there is.
Akashi says he was given a license card recently and notes he's still Rank F, so he asks what Barrel's is. Barrel is Rank D, though he doesn't have much to show for it. The subject of licenses reminds Gomeisa that he was given one too, but he apparently doesn't have it on him at the moment. Anyways, someone in uniform walks over to the car. Barrel rolls down his window and hands his card over, and the guard looks over it front and back repeatedly.
Barrel figures that means you guys aren't being allowed to go through, but the guard asks Barrel to confirm his name. Barrel answers that he's part of the city police, so the guard says he can go. They explain that Police Department Chief Tsukinowa from central office has issued a mission for you guys. Barrel is surprised Gammei did this but thanks him. The guard is confused by this, but Barrel waves it off as nothing and thanks them for their help.
The guard asks about the rest of you being cooperators from Parallel Flight. It turns out the mayor of Orient City sent in orders giving you guys permission to go, so the guard okays you. Akashi is shocked at this, and Mokdai figures it must be Huckle's doing since he and Ryekie are surprisingly familiar with the upper brass. You wonder what kind of person Huckle is and/or wonder how they negotiated this. Akashi comments that he joined one hell of an agency, and Barrel starts the car again as the gate rises. The guard salutes you, and you guys drive on through.
Past the gate is more of the same mountain scenery you guys had seen so far. The trees are growing thick, birds are chirping, and there is no sign of any other cars around. You say it looks peaceful and wonder if this is really a restricted area. Barrel says it should be, but he's surprised at how quiet it is too. Mokdai starts yawning and says he's getting sleepy since he was up all night, then asks if he can rest a bit. Barrel however stops the car as he sees something moving in the distance from the front.
A bunch of small Kaibutsu pop out from somewhere, which you catch sight of too. Barrel says you guys should be able to just push past them with the numbers he sees, so he asks you guys to hold on as he shifts gears and floors it. Akashi freaks out at this and tells Barrel not to drive off a cliff at this speed. Barrel replies that he'll try, then tells him to be careful not to bite his tongue.
The tires squeal as you guys rush past. The rocking eventually causes Gomeisa to fall on Mokdai, squishing him a little. Gomeisa apologizes over this, but the car shakes some more as Barrel gets annoyed at how persistent the monsters are chasing after you while spinning the steering wheel hard. You guys eventually drive into a tunnel. Nothing happens much inside, so you reach the other end with no issues. The area on that side looks like a wasteland though, with plants mostly nonexistent and small rocks being the only thing covering the ground.
You ask in surprise if this is Southern Kanto and note that it looks completely different. Barrel asks if you guys managed to lose the Kaibutsu that was chasing you, but unfortunately you guys have ended up running into a whole bunch of other ones that surround the car. Barrel says there'd be no end of them if he tried to lose them too, and Gomeisa agrees with him as he suggests getting out to fight them.
Akashi asks Gomeisa if he'll be okay fighting since he and Barrel can probably handle things. Gomeisa says he's decided to stand and fight until he can see Procy again, so Akashi drops the concern and says they should all go as he calls Gomeisa and Barrel by name. The two of them nod, though Barrel stops for a second to take note that Akashi is using his name for once. Akashi gets embarrassed as he tries pushing past the subject as he asks you to initiate the transformations. You agree and wish everyone luck, or you tease Akashi for not being honest with his feelings. C gets Akashi to be more embarrassed as he tells you to shut it and focus. Then the episode battle begins as the Kaibutsu roar.
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