There is only one way for all twenty-one captives to make it out of the manor alive.
You must break the spell that the witch has cast on this room.
You tricked us!
We should never have trusted you!
Overthrow him! Overthrow him!
The letters are mirrored.
One of our players has secured his fourth and final ring.
The player is…
Excellent job, Shirube.
Wonderful! The boy king is born.
Just as your name symbolizes, you will be a guiding light for our the Zaizen Group.
And yet, don't you feel that this is a bit too anti-climactic?
Huh?
You are not satisfied either, right?
My search for a successor seeks a man who is voraciously competitive, like a snake.
Pardon me, Chairman, but if we continue the competition...
I'm ready for it.
I'll win again.
That kid got four rings?
That means we're all disqualified!
We were too late…
- You're kidding… - We went through so much too…
Is it really over for us?
- Yo… - It's him…
Shirube.
This is not the end of the competition.
We have set a limit of 20 minutes.
Anyone who is able to get four rings within that time limit will move onto the final game.
Final game?
In the final game, only those who have acquired four rings will be able to battle for the 100 billion yen prize.
There, we will determine the true king.
Well then… Start the countdown!
There's still a chance for us?
- 20 minutes isn't enough time! - Let's search for a game!
I'll be waiting in the finals.
Shirube!
I've been wondering, when you said, "Overthrow Zaizen..."
Zero, won't you join my team?
Let's overthrow Zaizen together.
He's basically a god. He's untouchable. What's your plan?
Cyberterrorism.
To overturn the world's governments...
I need the money to implement my plan.
I'm going to build a new nation.
Are you serious?
That's foolish. It's too dangerous.
You're risking your life if you try to carry out this plan.
Like I said earlier, I don't care if I die.
I can't change the world if I prioritize my own life.
That's why I'm here.
What did Shirube say?
We need to hurry and get those rings! There's no time!
Zero only needs one more ring. We have to get him to the final game!
I need to stop Shirube.
Why?
Let's search for a game!
Ouch! Watch where you're going, asshole!
Two more… two more rings!
Do you even understand what's at stake?
If you get all four rings, you have to go up against Shirube.
- Think you can handle it? - Can you?!
But maybe he can win against Shirube.
Zero?
Wow, that's a long line.
"The Lost Rings".
- Not this game. - Why not?
When Hiroshi and Zero were off playing "The Anchor"...
- I came here by myself. - Oh right, you said you were annihilated…
- What kind of game is it? - Come here…
It's like a treasure hunt.
You have to search for the mini rings hidden in the room.
Begin.
The time limit is three minutes.
There are three mini rings hidden in total, and depending on the number you find, you can exchange them for the real rings.
Nothing!!!
So you can get a maximum of three rings?
That's why everyone is here.
They're trying to get to the finals in one swoop.
But… it's kind of suspect.
Suspect? How?
I was bummed I couldn't find even a single ring,
so I stayed around afterward.
There was not a single person who found any rings.
There's a rumor saying that there aren't any rings in the first place.
That's it. I'll play this one.
Were you listening to me at all?
- Then we should hurry and get in line. - No…
Not yet.
Wait, I don't get it. Why not?
I have a favor to ask of you all. Let's split up and find people who have played this game, and ask them how it went.
We need information right now.
I was in this room that looked like a storage shed.
Storage shed?
You're sure they told you there are three rings hidden in the room?
Yeah.
I heard that there was someone who managed to get rings from that game.
You're kidding!
After they led you to the room, do you remember what they told you?
Please tell me in as much detail as you can remember.
I don't really remember, but they said there were three mini rings hidden inside the room, I think…
There are a few types of room.
Just like Chikara said earlier, I heard that no one has found the rings yet.
Actually, about that…
I heard that there might be one person who managed to find rings… or maybe not…
So which is it?
Chikara, you said earlier that there wasn't anyone.
- Then I heard that there was someone! - What the hell! That's conflicting information!
Is this helpful to you at all?
Well, that is…
Zero, we're running out of time!
- Let's head back to the game. - Hurry!
But if we go back, there's still that long line…
Huh? Only two?
I figured as much.
When time starts running out, people in the back of the line realize that their turn won't come in time.
So they move on to other games in the hopes they'll make it in time.
- Let's get in line now. - That's brilliant...
What the hell!
Where hell are they?
I bet there weren't even any rings in the first place!
Shit!
Next player.
Three minutes remaining.
You'll be the last player.
What about me?
He'll be the last one.
Then we don't stand a chance!
- No, I was waiting for this. - What?
- Head inside. - Wait a second.
Would you mind giving up your spot to me?
Huh? The hell I will! Are you stupid?
How about I give you these?
This way you have four rings.
Hell yeah! Four rings…
- Can I have your spot? - Yeah, of course. Go ahead.
I'll be the last player.
- Very well. - Woohoo! I did it!
Yeah! 100 billion yen! 100 billion!
If you can get rings without having to line up for it, why wouldn't you?
But to give up those rings he worked so hard for…
To part with them so easily without a word…
That's Zero for you.
Head inside.
Go Zero!
Get those three rings! Let's go to the final game!
The hoarder's room.
Too bad.
Out of all the rooms that we randomly select from, this one is the most difficult.
Allow me to explain the rules.
At this moment, there are without a doubt three mini rings hidden inside of this room.
When I say "Start" you will have three minutes to search.
Any mini rings you find will be exchanged for real rings at the end.
If you find one, you get one. Two, you get two. Three, you get three.
It's the same.
If you find one, you get one. Two, you get two.
It's exactly the same explanation as everyone told me.
But is there a hint inside the rules?
When your time begins, I will leave the room.
Search with all your might.
Begin.
What? I explained everything to you, didn't I?
This is the most difficult room, you said?
That makes it sound like the rings are easier to find in the other rooms.
Is there anyone at all who has found a ring during this game?
Well…
- It's fake, right? - What?
The rumor going around that someone found a ring playing this game is entirely made up.
If everyone who played this game said they hadn't found any rings, then people would start getting suspicious.
What do you want? Are you saying there aren't any rings inside the room?
Are you implying that the rules are misleading the player?!
No… not entirely.
One could see the rules as being entirely truthful.
You weren't lying.
Your explanation went:
At this moment, there are without a doubt three mini rings hidden inside of this room.
At this moment... there certainly are three rings in this room.
But when the game begins, there's a trick, the rings disappear from the room like a puff of smoke.
Which means…
Please begin.
When the door closes, the rings exit the room.
The rings are in the doorknob.
I was right.
Well played.
It's all thanks to my friends.
Zero!
- Four rings! - You did it!
It was easier than I thought. Still barely made it though.
You got four! You made it!
Guess you're going up against the kid in the finals, huh?
Congrats on making it to the finals.
Get that 100 billion yen for us, Teach!
Beat him for us, will you?
No… - What?
I want to… I want to stop Shirube.
You serious? Shirube's more formidable than I thought.
I can't believe he's really planning to start a revolution.
Shirube…
I knew picking you was the right choice.
Revolution, cyber-terrorism, it's all out of my depth. But…
Shirube's not invincible.
Please protect him.
You're the only one who can stop him, Zero.
I'm going.
Damn it!
What the hell was that… that had to be some sort of trick!
He couldn't have picked the right one! Let go of me!
This is the final game arena?
- Zero, don't lose. - Shirube…
Move.
I'm here, Shirube.
He's been waiting for you, Zero.
All these bottom-feeders were merely a distraction. Now the true match can begin.
The game you will play is called "Breakdown".
Before the game begins, we need to collect your rings.
What?
Well then, allow me to go over the rules once again for our newest challenger.
Inside each of the four boxes in front of you are the rings you have earned over the course of this competition.
The boxes are very easily broken.
Therefore, we will give each player eight iron ring guards.
When you set the guards inside the boxes, the other player will be unable to ascertain which rings are protected.
Once you use a guard, you must get rid of it. You must protect your rings...
But also, you must determine which of your opponent's boxes conceal an unguarded ring.
You'll break your opponent's boxes with the hammer.
The first person to crush even one of their opponent's rings will be declared the winner.
Each player will get one chance per round, three rounds total.
If, at the end of the game, both players have protected their rings, the player with the most guards remaining will win.
We will determine the order of play using the roulette wheel.
Who will spin the roulette?
- I don't want to. - Then I'll do it.
Red is Shirube, blue is you.
Shirube will start each round.
Let the game begin.
So Zero will start off on the defense.
You think he'll be okay?
Offense or defense, who has the advantage starting the round?
Doesn't the person who starts off on the offensive have an advantage?
That guy who lost earlier had his ring crushed in the first round.
- First round?! - Shirube didn't even blink.
That kid's incredible.
Four boxes, three rounds.
If I try to protect all my boxes at once, they'll be gone in two rounds.
But if I leave any unguarded this round and Shirube realizes which one it is,
then I won't even have a chance to attack before the game ends.
It's best to reduce that risk to zero this round.
Four guards at once? He's being overly cautious.
No, I think it's a good idea.
First, he's protecting all of them to see how his opponent will try to sniff out unprotected boxes.
I hope this way, his way of thinking will be more apparent.
Will he attack from the side, or will he go for the center?
I want to know which way Shirube is inclined to attack.
Round one, Shirube attacking.
Your attack?
Not this round.
What's the meaning of this?
He's protected all four of his rings, so there's no point in attacking.
Wow…
He saw right through him.
Zero's turn to attack.
I failed. I didn't get a single hint to how he'll attack and lost four of my ring guards in the process.
- There's only one. - What?
In this round, I only used one guard.
If you hit any of the other three rings, you'll win.
Why would he reveal that?
No, he could be lying by telling me there's only one guard.
But there has to be at least one box that's unguarded among them.
If they were all guarded, there would be no reason to try and convince me otherwise.
His eyes!
He glanced at the box on the end for a second.
Did he unconsciously look at the box without a guard?
It must be… this one!
- He missed! - Yes!
What are you doing??
There were three boxes without a guard.
Damn it, that kid won with just a flick of his eyes.
How strong is his heart, using just one guard for such a risky bluff?
I thought I was reading every nuance of his expression, but he was just playing with me.
He led me straight to the guarded box.
I can't read him…
Rather… everything he shows me is a trap.
What will you do, Zero?
Second round: Shirube attacks, Zero defends.
Can I ask you something?
What?
When it was your turn to attack, how did you know that I had protected all four boxes?
You want to know?
Yeah.
Because I couldn't see any gaps in you.
Gaps?
I can see them.
I've always been able to see gaps and seams in everything.
He has tremendous, god-given instinct…
Faced with Shirube, leaving any gaps in my defense is dangerous.
I'll use three guards and leave one open.
I need to keep at least one for the next round.
If both Shirube and I both guard all four, then I'll have none for the final round.
And then it'll be over.
It feels like Zero's just trying to catch up to Shirube.
I guess losing those four guards are really going to affect him.
- Don't say things like that! - Wait, Shirube is…
Give him nothing. Stay calm.
Calm…
Even though you wouldn't possibly use all your guards this round, you're almost entirely solid.
But there is some give there.
There is probably one box without a guard.
You used three guards this round, didn't you?
Which means you have one left.
I have seven left.
Even if you make it past this round, you can't win.
I'm in awe of you, Shirube.
You're amazing.
You're miles ahead of me.
But gathering all of these lackeys, telling me that you want me on your team…
Zero, won't you join my team?
Weren't you just looking for someone you could trust?
You've always felt uneasy alone, right?
No. I was just using them.
You were planning to change the world, by using them?
If I can't trust them, I have no choice but to use them.
No matter how much authority you gain and use, the world won't change, you know?
The people who you deem unworthy of your trust just multiply.
They become your enemies.
I don't want you to gamble your life on that.
Then where do I find people I can trust?
Where are the adults who are prepared to save the world?
Round two, Zero attacking. Begin!
Don't waste your energy.
There are no unguarded boxes.
I put four guards up this round.
Shirube had seven guards left.
Which means he has seven left now.
Just as he said.
All of them guarded.
Shirube has the leeway to guard all of his boxes.
Now he's cornered.
This is my last chance.
Think he has some sort of plan?
I don't think he has any options left.
One guard versus three.
I'm at a serious disadvantage.
But… I still have things to say to Shirube.
Round three, Shirube attacking. Begin!
You're awfully calm, considering you only have one guard.
You said that there are no adults around that you can trust.
But… can you place your trust in me?
You're not alone.
I think everyone here feels the same way you do.
What?
I get it. You looked around yourself and saw a broken world overflowing with gaps and seams of irrationality.
I see it too.
Maybe not as clearly as you, but I can see it.
Everyone else can too.
This world is full of injustices and flaws.
That's why people like Zaizen have so much power.
And that's why kind, hardworking people end up turning to death as an escape.
It's because a world like this exists that money equals power. It warps the meaning of living.
We all put our lives on the line to win the prize money, but I believe that each life here is worth more than 100 billion yen.
And if you forget that, then you end up a slave to the ideology of having money and power for your entire life.
I want to protect you from that world.
And then, you can protect someone else from it.
Protect?
Shirube, you decided to change the world in a desire to protect someone, didn't you?
Don't throw away your life.
I can't let you wind.
I'm stopping you here.
Even though you only have one guard left.
I get it. I can't see anything from you now, because you're not thinking about the boxes.
Zero, you're only thinking about me.
Then, I'll have to find it out from elsewhere.
Where did Zero put his guard?
Zero!
I also hate this world!
- I want to change it too! - I don't want to be a slave either!
Zero! Zero!
- It's all up to you! - Zero!
Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero!
Hey, this is...
I can't believe it.
Zero, you have to change the world!
If you hadn't saved us then, we wouldn't be here now!
You changed our world, Zero!
Please, hit the guard!
Please!
It's a miracle. He hit the only guarded box.
Yeah but, if he doesn't hit his ring he'll lose.
Zero's out of guards, after all.
He's hanging by a thread.
- It will all be over soon. - Hm?
We've prepared a present for Shirube.
Present?
We prepared a fake ring box.
It looks like there's a guard in it, but it's just a regular box.
Zero, the over-thinker, will fall for an easy trap.
Round three, Zero attacking. Begin!
What on earth? I can see the guard from that box.
Is it just broken?
But Shirube would have noticed.
There are three guards.
And...
There's no guard in this box.
What is this about?
If this is a trap, then he's way too blatant about it.
Is it really guarded after all?
Or is it a fake, made to look like it has a guard?
If it really is unguarded, then why would Shirube tell me that it is? What is his plan?
What will you do?
No... what am I doing?
Why am I even worrying about it?
I didn't need to think about it at all.
Ready, Shirube?
Did he just… smile?
He broke it.
- He broke it! - Zero won!
Our dear friend!!
Why? How could he have hit the box without thinking about it?
Did he realize it was a fake?
Hardly.
Zero merely put his trust in Shirube.
If you really think about it, Shirube has never said anything but the truth.
In this round, I only used one guard.
I put four guards up this round.
There are three guards. And there's no guard in this box.
Every time he said the number of guards he used, it was true.
What? Wait, then, what does that mean?
He was testing him.
He used the box with the fake guard peeking out to see if Zero would put his faith in him or not.
To see if Zero was an adult he could trust or not.
Deep down, you were always looking for someone you could trust.
Thinking back, you picked Sunao to be your partner in the triangular room because you knew he wouldn't betray you.
Shirube…
Please trust me.
I will take over your plans.
But I'm going to try to change the world in a different way.
With my friends.
Good bye.
I'll see you again someday.
Zero!
- You did it! - 100 billion yen is yours!
It's unbelievable!
Hooray! Hooray!
It kind of pisses me off that he ended up winning.
Same.
Congratulations.
Please, come with me to Chairman Zaizen.
Well done, Zero.
From today, you are my son.
There, there. I'll pat your head like a good boy.
Kneel in front of me.
I refuse.
What an entertaining boy.
Hypocrite…
I welcome his hypocrisy!
That's why I took an interest in you.
Upright and proper, a compassionate hero.
But those were mere attributes you once held.
Now that you have the power of money, it will all change.
Power in hand, you will soon understand my plans more intimately than anyone else.
You will become my clone.
I look forward to it!
I think you misunderstand.
Hm?
I'm not upright or good.
I'm not even compassionate or a hero.
Don't be so humble.
If you were not a hypocrite then I...
Zaizen?!
Sir?! Sir!
What's the matter?!
Well now, Zero has 100 billion yen.
- Congratulations to him! - There won't be any leftovers for you.
- Come on, just a smidgen? - A smidgen?
Hm… maybe…
- 30 yen? - Sure, 30 yen.
- Hey! - It's Zero!
Zaizen collapsed?!
Yes, it appears he had a heart attack.
So what's going to happen with the 100 billion yen?
- Don't tell me, they're not giving it to you? - No way…
They can't do this to you. You've done so much!
- Chikara… - I can't even joke about this…
Hey! You were to stay upstairs!
No… Please don't move around carelessly, sir.
What?
I have news to report to you.
Open your eyes, Chairman, please!
Get the oxygen ready. Please move out of the way.
You mustn't die! If you die, sir, the Zaizen Group will end up in Zero's hands!
It can't…
It can't end like this.
Zaizen's will and testament?
The Dream Kingdom was meant to select the Chairman's successor.
If something were to happen to him, then the Zaizen Group would be transferred to his successor posthaste.
Such is written in the will.
You serious?
The entire Zaizen Group is Zero's now?
- Oh m-m-m-my- - I can't even find words for this…
I think I'm going to faint…
Zero… no, Teacher. I'll follow you to the ends of the earth!
This is all kind of sudden…
What are you saying, Teacher!
Yeah, 100 billion yen was like a dream, but now you can really change the world, Zero!
Hiroshi…
The game isn't over yet.
I won't let you name yourself the winner of the Dream Kingdom.
Zero, battle against me one last time.
- What's all this about? - It's been decided already though.
Yeah, and there's no reason to battle.
Zero. There's someone I want you to meet.
Who?
Zero. Long time no see.
Mitsuru…
- Let me get that for you. - Oh, it's fine!
Because of you, I lost my dreams… my everything…
Get out of my sight!