Chapter 112

The Seventh Unfriendly Encounter

Know thyself and know others; and you shall never be defeated in a hundred battles.

This is a truism that everyone understands, but not everyone is willing to do it, for it is indeed very difficult to truly understand someone else. However, just talking about understanding others without doing anything about it certainly won’t help.

Ash, however, found a quicker way to understand others—through combat. He was certain that he would have to confront the Pretty Cures in this world, and thus understanding them thoroughly was necessary.

Even though he had seen and read forum discussions about their abilities before, he did not plan to use hearsay as a reference. After all, there’s no substitute for firsthand experience.

He decided to meet these Pretty Cures face-to-face. In doing so, he could secure the wicked desire offered by the Selfish Organization as planned. Why not enjoy it?

“Truly transformed.”

Even after seeing it before, the girls still found it hard to believe. The Kamen Riders they had only ever seen on TV were actually here in reality.

There was no denying it since he had already transformed twice in front of them.

“Waaahh—”

Ai exploded with enthusiasm because it matched exactly what she had seen on TV when Kiva transformed, although she was puzzled why it was black instead of red.

“Why, why, are you Mr. Toda Shinji?”

Ai impulsively asked, leaving Ash astonished by her perception.

“Do I look like a reporter? My name is Ash. Don’t use other names even if you can’t remember my name.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, it was just curiosity!” Ai bowed repeatedly. “Are you a real Kamen Rider?”

After a moment of silence, Ash gently touched the dragon-head card slot on his belt and introduced himself.

“I’m Kamen Rider Ryuga.”

“Ryuga? Though I haven’t heard of it on the TV, and I introduce myself as CureHeart after transforming! Pleased to meet you!”

“Mana—” Six Flowers, watching her friend chatting away again, whispered a hint of embarrassment, though it had no effect.

Ai then went on to tell Ash a bunch of information about the Selfish Organization and the Cardfight Kingdom, emphasizing particularly their evil intent to dominate the world.

Unfortunately, Ash wasn’t interested because he had learned this basic background long ago from the Selfish Organization.

“So, Pretty Cures are heroic fighters for justice, and Kamen Riders are too.”

Ai was brimming with confidence in recruiting Ash.

Since Kamen Riders were heroes for kids, Ash had to be good. She hadn’t thought of the possibility of failure from the start.

“If Kamen Riders become allies of the Pretty Cures, we will surely defeat the Selfish Organization!”

“So, Mr. Ash, join us…”

“Don’t decide things for me. I don’t plan on teaming up with little girls.”

Ash had fought alongside others in other worlds, but he hadn’t fought with teenagers before. His blunt refutation cut off Ai’s sincere invitation.

Makoto was also unhappy with Ash’s remarks: “Why do you underestimate us? We’ve fought Selfish Beasts before!”

Arisu backed her up too: “Mr. Ash, underestimating women will cost you!”

“I’m not interested at all.”

“W-WHY?” Ai questioned. “We’re all heroes, let’s fight together for world peace!”

“Pffft—”

Though hidden behind the mask, his laughter was near. When did Kamen Riders become heroes of justice?

Looking at Ai’s determined eyes, Ash felt she had a blind belief.

Finger tapping the card slot, Ash drew a card, opened the right wrist dragon summoner, and slid the card inside.

“What are Pretty Cures fighting for?”

“Battle? To aid others better, help Makoto P save the Cardfight Kingdom, and defeat the Selfish Organization to stop them from polluting people’s Spirit Hearts!”

“To fight for smiles, isn’t that great?”

Ai continued, convincing herself through her earnestness.

Other girls nodded in agreement, indicating they too shared similar beliefs or trusted in what Ai said.

“That’s … quite a proper answer.” To Ash, her response echoed typical heroic protagonist dialogue: full of conviction, firm yet … naive.

“Does that make it fun?”

“Fu… nny?”

The girls couldn’t make sense of why battle reasons correlate with fun. For Ai, even without transforming once, she helped others selflessly and found joy in being correct.

“I won’t do this just for fun!”

“Then it is uninteresting?”

With each strike from the dragon claw, a red glow brightened its eyes.

[StrikeVent] (Assault Descent)

A sharp sound echoed, and a dark dragon-hand guard [dragon claw] sprung out from a mirror, equipping itself onto Ash.

“It really appeared from the mirror!”

Makoto, who had doubted the mirror dimension initially, eyes wide opened. Her disbelief quickly turned to shock.

“With this power…”

Like a showcase, Ash swung [dragon claw]. The sound of teeth snapping open startled the girls; the fiery orbs shot toward their feet.

Recalling past “heroes” for justice, Ash’s mind drifted.

They were so young, tenacious, innocent, as now those girls, sacrificing lives for world拯救