There's a sniper!
Wh-Who is it?!
Locked on to all targets. Launching a seeker.
All units are offline!
All enemies obliterated.
A-Amazing...
You there. Can your AMAIM still move?
I sent you some map data. Security code A7C2.
A7C2...
Come with me. I'll cover you.
N-Now what?
It's a smoke screen with chaff.
Radar and radio waves are disabled. We've lost the enemy units.
Dammit!
U-Um, thank you. You saved my life.
Oh, I'm Shiiba Amou. This AMAIM is Kenbu, and the AI's name is Gai--
Stop it.
Huh?
Don't touch me!
But you're also trying to use my connection against me to gather intel.
You're pretty good.
A female voice?
You won't believe this, Amou.
There's another autonomous AI on that robot.
I apologize for earlier.
I'm Kei. This AMAIM is called Jogan.
And this is Tezuka Gashin. It's nice to meet you.
O-Oh, the pleasure is ours.
What's this underground tunnel for? It's not in my data.
A high-speed railway system that fell through before the Borderline War.
Private-sectors were working on it,
but abandoned the plan before going public.
It's the reason why we can safely travel without detection.
So they basically realized it'd cost too much and gave up.
Most likely.
U-Um, Mr. Tezuka.
Drop the mister. It makes me cringe.
O-Okay. Um, who are you guys? How did you get that AMAIM--
Are you an idiot?
Gashin.
A Japanese person piloting an AMAIM and fighting the military.
We are members of "Yatagarasu," fighting to reclaim Japan.
Ah, an encounter with a real terrorist, then.
Wh-Where are you taking us?
To our base camp.
This is the terrorists' lair...
Hey, you're back, Gashin!
Looks like everything worked out.
Yeah.
Is he the kid everyone's talking about?
Doesn't look like he's got much spunk.
Okay then. I'm going to take these to maintenance.
Thank you!
Wait...
You don't have a say in this.
Welcome back, Gashin! Is he Shiiba Amou?
Oh, yes, I am.
Hello. I'm Kozaki Risa. Nice to meet you.
Ah, nice to meet you, too.
You're blushing.
Shut it.
Come with me. Boss wants to talk to you.
I'm the leader of Yatagarasu's Special Forces Group Two, Kumai Goken.
I-I'm Shiiba Amou.
May I ask a few questions?
Of course.
First of all, do you have any accomplices?
Secondly, how did you come across that AMAIM and assemble it?
What is the code name of the autonomous AI connected to that AMAIM?
It's Gai.
Are you the creator of Gai?
N-No, I'm not.
I found that AMAIM in an abandoned facility deep inside the mountains.
I assembled it using manipulators and winches already there.
For parts that were out of commission, I went to find alternative ones.
I don't have an accomplice.
I found Gai inside the woods.
Inside the woods?
It's the truth. Apparently, Gai modified the cockpit so it could get in...
Thanks to my foresight.
Shut it.
Amou.
Y-Yes?
Let me be straight with you. That AMAIM belongs to us.
One of our backers provided us with that AMAIM.
While the dev concept is different, it's the same model as Gashin's "Jogan."
MAILeS...
Yes, MAILeS. We shipped the parts for MAILeS: KENBU to our Shikoku branch.
The plan was to send out a pilot along with a combat AI after its completion.
But the Shikoku branch fell before that.
We lost all communication and had no clue where it was.
That's when you assembled and activated it.
What's your point? You gonna claim ownership?
Gai!
Not a bad idea, but that just isn't fair for you guys.
So, Shiiba Amou.
Y-Yes?
What do you think about joining us?
Join a terrorist group?
We're not terrorists. We're the Resistance.
We don't harm anyone who's unarmed.
I-I'm sorry.
With just the two of you, you assembled Kenbu and won two battles.
We find your strengths very interesting.
What do you say?
But...
You're against it?
Right now, I'm just fighting drones, but I'll eventually have to kill, right?
What about it?!
That AMAIM isn't a toy! It's a weapon used for battles!
Take a look at this!
Japanese people are treated this way all over Japan as we speak!
Yet, you'd hesitate even when you have the power to save them?!
B-But...
I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse him.
It was his father's dream to restore Japan,
but he died before he could realize it.
He was the previous pilot of Jogan, the AMAIM that saved you.
Gashin has taken on his father's will.
If you really are opposed to it,
we'll help you get back to the civilian life.
You'll change your name and live elsewhere.
We have connections with other organizations
throughout the country to do that.
Of course, you'll have to return the AMAIM in that case.
Just think about it.
Will do.
Gashin...
What's up?
Ms. Kozaki...
You can talk to me if something's on your mind.
Ms. Kozaki, why did you join the Resistance?
I used to have a family. My dad, mom, and a little brother.
They all died in a car crash.
The other vehicle belonged to the Asian military.
It was 90 to 100% their fault.
But in this day and age...
They used their extraterritorial rights and ended up getting away with it.
Somehow, they made it our fault.
They even charged me for the damage caused to the military vehicle.
I was just in high school at the time.
That's awful...
I was left all alone.
To this day, I still feel pain, sadness, and hatred.
There must be many others who are going through what I did.
That's why I joined the movement to take back Japan.
Everyone here probably has more or less similar reasons.
I don't have a reason like you or Tezuka have.
My parents died from illness. It had nothing to do with the military.
A sudden illness claimed Dad,
and Mom relied on Dad for everything, so she quickly worked herself to death.
Sure, it was sad and there was a sense of loss, but that's it.
Amou?
When I assembled that AMAIM, it was just to entertain myself.
During the first battle, being able to move the robot I made,
feeling its impact and vibration got my heart pumping and it was fun.
But in the second battle, I almost died.
I'm scared. I'm scared to fight.
To tell you the truth, they told me to convince you to join.
But I'm having second thoughts.
If this was my brother, I'm not sure if I'd ask him to join.
I think I'd want him to run off somewhere and live a peaceful life.
I told you all this because it's my mission,
but please take care of yourself.
People can't be happy all alone...
You're right...
HQ notified us that the Asian military's been on high alert since we rescued Kenbu.
We're going to abort our plan to cut the enemy's supply route.
Once ready, all members will head back to HQ.
Yes, sir.
Do you think Amou will join us?
I'm not sure.
What a weakling...
We can always change out the pilots. It's the AMAIMs we need.
That's true, but...
If push comes to shove, I'll be the pilot.
Useless pilots only hold us back.
Shiiba Amou!
Huh?
Come with me!
I'll train you.
Um, what's this?
Pilots need stamina, too.
It won't hurt to have it, like in cases when you need to run.
You do have a point...
Training Regiment
Running, 50m sprint, crunches, back extensions, pushups, squats...
What's this?
It's a light training regiment.
This is light?!
We'll do three sets.
What?!
Come on. We don't have all day.
Uh, but...!
What are they up to?
Gashin's dragging Amou around for something.
What's wrong with that? He finally has a friend his age. Let them be.
What's this?
We brought these as spare parts for "Jogan,"
but since they seem to be parts for your AMAIM, I'm gonna install them.
Oh!
Let's call it a day.
It's amazing! Seriously! You should go see!
Sorry, I just can't right now.
Let's go!
I heard Gashin's dragging you around every day.
You haven't touched your food.
You can have mine if that's not enough.
Take some of mine, too.
Ah, no, that's not it...
I'm too tired to even have an appetite...
You should try this, then!
My special blend.
Uh...
Ah, perfection!
Let's move on then and connect the weapons unit.
On it!
Thirty!
We're done for the day.
Shiiba Amou.
I finished assembling the armor that never made it to Shikoku.
Come take a look!
YM-02 Kenbu.
This is Yatagarasu's latest humanoid robot weapon.
It has a combat sword with super thermal vibration
and a 60mm heavy-caliber machine gun.
This is the final form of the MAILeS you assembled.
What do you think? Cool, right?
Or are you sour because you didn't get to work on it yourself?
No, that's not it. I'm blown away by such professional work.
Even the final touch-ups are much better than how I did it.
I didn't know there was a river here.
Since there's not enough bathtubs to go around at the camp,
I sometimes come here to wash the sweat away.
I see.
Whoa!
Come on, what are you waiting for? Take your clothes off, Amou.
Uh, well, I...
You wanna keep your clothes on?
It's not that, but...
Okay!
Cannon ball!
See? It's so cool and refreshing, right?
Huh? What? Did I say something funny?
Oh, no, it's just that this situation...
Boss said we're ready to leave, so we'll be headed to Hiroshima tomorrow.
Have you come to a decision?
I'm still afraid to fight.
But after a few days with everyone, I realize that you're all good people.
I'll come with you.
I also don't want to part ways with Kenbu, now that it's in its final form.
And there's much to learn, so, um...
I see! I'm glad to hear that.
Thank you. We're counting on you.
I'll do my best.
Are you okay with that? I didn't really consult with you.
It's totally fine.
Like I said before. I'll stick with you no matter where you go.
Gai...
That's great! So he'll join us?
Yes, though it's a little complicated...
Are you ready, Amou?
Yeah.
Go!
Wow...
Let me adjust the anti-G. Do a turn and a jump next!
I'll try!
The movement is far better than before.
They did a complete overhaul.
Even the parts we made do with have been upgraded to the most recent models.
Gai! I'm going to test out the sword next.
You got it!
I-It's incredible.
This is the true power of Kenbu...
How'd it go? Did you finish your test run?
Y-Yeah. I'm actually shocked.
It felt about 20% faster than the data being displayed.
But are we allowed to do this?
We've got the green light, and it won't take long.
Under emergency situations, we may have to swap our AMAIMs.
We need to be prepared.
Hopefully, there won't be any emergency situations.
Oh, wait, wouldn't the Asian military find us if we do this?
Are you an idiot?
We're engaged in high-level info warfare to deny satellite and radar usage.
Without it, our base camp would've been spotted ages ago.
Oh, I see.
Anyway, let's get started.
Yo! Nice to work with you!
Yeah.
If he turns out to be useless, I may have to pilot this AMAIM.
Go easy on me.
Y-You, too.
This is mock battle. We have a fake sword,
and you have paintballs that evaporate quickly. You good?
Y-Yeah.
Let's go!
Your dash timing was off!
I know!
Gunfights can end in an instant. Always watch your line of fire and ammo.
Okay!
You need to step into it! Give it more oomph, and then blam! Get fired up!
Shut it! Your job is to just give me data and analysis results!
What?!
Take good aim at them. Those paintballs won't do any damage.
B-But it's all spick-and-span. I don't want to ruin it...
What?!
Yes! That's what I'm talking about!
What an amateur! You think this is a game?!
He's closing in! Change your weapon!
Got it!
A tie, then?
Good, there aren't any big scratches.
AIs in MAILeS study the pilot's habits to improve AMAIM controls.
This one seems to know your habits by heart with only two battles in,
allowing you to move like it's your own.
Like my own...
What'd you expect? We're best friends!
Best friends?
What? I'm right, aren't I?
Yeah, you're right. Best friends, huh? I like that.
An explosion?
It came from the base camp!
Episode 03 Reason to Fight
Next Time
Gai, about Yatagarasu...
Yeah, it's a raven in Japanese mythology, worshipped as the will of god.
Cut it out, you two. We need to focus on the enemy in front of us.
Enemies...
That AMAIM, it's...!
Episode 04 Separate Ways
See you in the next episode!