Verifying the Deduction

Hozer and Tendou Souji were playing chess at home, locked in a fierce battle, when suddenly the phone on the table rang.

Hozer released the chess piece in his hand, looking at Tendou Souji with some amusement.

"Him again?"

"Yeah, that troublesome guy."

Tendou Souji picked up the phone to answer.

"Tendou, why won't you..."

Before the words in the receiver could finish, Tendou Souji hung up.

"Kagami is really persistent."

Tendou Souji rested his forehead on his hand, making a defeated face.

"Don't mention him. Mentioning him gives me a headache."

But not long after, Kagami Arata called again.

Tendou Souji sighed. Just as he was about to hang up, Hozer grabbed the phone.

"Previously, even if Kagami was persistent, he wouldn't call back so quickly."

Tendou Souji froze upon hearing this, then laughed. "My oversight. It seems he really annoyed me to the point where I couldn't think straight."

Hozer smiled and answered the call.

"Tendou, I need your help."

"This is Hozer."

"Ah, it's Mr. Hozer. Is Tendou there?"

"He's right here. We're listening."

Kagami Arata then quickly explained the matter requiring assistance.

It turned out that a woman named Tamai Snow was involved in an attack on the police and was being detained. Strangely, another Tamai Snow was currently on the run, which undoubtedly meant one of the two was a mimicking Worm.

And the reason Kagami Arata called for help was that he wanted Tendou Souji to deal with the Worm, avoiding useless sacrifices of the Zectroopers.

After all, Worms possessed the Clock Up ability, which was not something Zectroopers could handle.

"Alright, understood. We'll call you back later."

Hanging up, Hozer looked toward Tendou Souji.

"Well, need a hand?"

Tendou Souji stood up and walked upstairs.

"I'm only doing this so that guy won't bother me again."

Hozer shook his head with a light laugh, also heading to the second floor.

Both were wearing pajamas. It had to be said that wearing pajamas at home was indeed comfortable.

After changing, Hozer and Tendou Souji each mounted their respective motorcycles.

"There's a best way to quickly distinguish who the Worm is."

With that, Hozer pulled out his phone, smiling at Tendou Souji.

He believed that if he could think of it, Tendou Souji could too.

"Tell Kagami to go to the detention center."

Great minds think alike.

The two arrived at the detention center, where Kagami was already waiting.

"Tendou, Mr. Hozer, you two are finally here."

"Let's go. We'll bring Tamai Snow straight out."

"Why?"

"No need to distinguish between the two. Once they meet, the Worm will want to eliminate the other, naturally revealing who the fake is."

"We can't. We don't have the authority to directly take someone out of detention."

Hearing this, Kagami Arata immediately blocked Tendou Souji.

"ZECT doesn't even have that little bit of power?"

"No, doing that is too reckless."

Kagami Arata knew that because she was afraid of disturbing the police, Misaki Yuzuki had deliberately disguised herself to enter the detention center and contact the detained Tamai Snow to verify her identity.

"Since you asked for my help, then follow my arrangements."

With that, Tendou Souji walked quickly toward the detention room.

"Hey!"

Kagami Arata grabbed Hozer, saying urgently, "Mr. Hozer, please help persuade him."

Hozer helplessly pulled Kagami Arata's hand away, stepped forward, and whispered, "I can hide our figures and silently bring her out."

"No need. Doing so will delay the recovery of your wounds."

Hozer paused.

"Are you trying to test ZECT?"

Tendou Souji looked at Hozer and smiled. Hozer immediately understood.

"Then I'll wait for you outside."

He added one last sentence.

"I'll find a secluded spot. Bring that woman there."

Tendou Souji frowned slightly, nodded, and walked into the detention room. Seeing this, Kagami Arata had no choice but to follow helplessly.

Not long after, Hozer heard a commotion inside the detention room, and then saw Tendou Souji walking out with a beautiful woman in a white coat.

Hozer waved at him, heading toward the previously selected location.

Entering the secluded spot, Tamai Snow looked at Hozer and Tendou Souji. Not long after, Kagami Arata also ran over in a disheveled state, panting heavily.

Facing three tall men, Tamai Snow fearfully protected her chest, backing up against the wall and looking around to see if any pedestrians were passing by.

"Mr. Hozer, Tendou, aren't we going to lead her to find the other one?"

Hozer gestured for Kagami Arata to be patient.

"No rush. I want to verify something."

"Eh?"

Kagami Arata looked at Hozer in surprise, his gaze turning peculiar.

Clearly, Kagami Arata had misunderstood. Tendou Souji gave him a look of disgust.

"Idiot."

Hozer ignored this, stepping closer to Tamai Snow and extending his hand.

"What do you want to do?"

Tamai Snow looked as if she was about to be assaulted, leaning against the wall with both hands protecting her chest, tears in her eyes, her voice carrying a sob.

"Mr. Hozer, you..."

"Shut up. Watch closely."

While Tendou Souji barked at Kagami Arata, Hozer had already placed a hand on Tamai Snow's shoulder. He immediately frowned slightly, making a hand gesture behind his back.

Tendou Souji raised an eyebrow, pushed Kagami Arata aside, and gestured to the sky. The Kabuto Zecter flew over instantly.

"Henshin."

At the same time, Hozer gripped Tamai Snow's shoulder and threw her toward Tendou Souji with one hand.

Mid-air, Tamai Snow's body emitted a green light, transforming into a Firefly Worm, mostly green with a blue ball on its right hand.

"Cast Off."

"Cast Off."

"ONE, TWO, THREE."

"Rider Kick."

"Rider Kick."

Several sounds rang out in rapid succession. The Firefly Worm thrown by Hozer toward Tendou Souji had not even hit the ground before it took a solid Rider Kick, flying backward and crashing heavily.

Then Hozer was seen standing at the landing spot at some unknown point, his right hand open, gripping the crown of the Firefly Worm's head.

At this moment, Kagami Arata lay on the ground completely dazed, not yet recovered from the shock of Tamai Snow suddenly turning into the Firefly Worm.

Tendou Souji stepped forward to block Kagami Arata's view.

Golden lightning escaped from Hozer's right palm, and an invisible force was extracted from the Firefly Worm's body.

It was indeed the power of time.

A flash of joy appeared in Hozer's eyes and vanished. He then tossed the useless Firefly Worm back toward Tendou Souji.

Tendou Souji drew his kunai, lunged forward, and thrust the blade into the Firefly Worm's chest.

Flames flared and swept around as the Firefly Worm exploded and died.

Removing the Kabuto Zecter, Tendou Souji canceled his transformation, walked up to Hozer, and whispered, "Did it work?"

Hozer nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Tendou Souji smiled.

"What's going on? Didn't you say they had to meet to tell them apart?"

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you. You just need to know I helped you again, so you should thank me properly."

Tendou Souji stepped forward and patted Kagami Arata's shoulder, continuing, "Remember to buy some fruit. Watermelon is a must, two of them."

"Hey! Watermelons are very expensive!"

Tendou Souji ignored Kagami Arata's laments and walked away quickly.

Hozer showed a helpless expression, shrugged at Kagami Arata, and left with him.