Hamazura Shiage/Chronology (Toaru Majutsu no Index)

This article covers Hamazura Shiage's chronological history in Toaru Majutsu no Index.

Skill-Out Uprising
Hamazura Shiage is a member of a Skill-Out faction led by Komaba Ritoku. Here, Shiage has recently gotten a nose piercing. After Accelerator kills the former leader, Komaba Ritoku, he is forced to become the leader of his Skill-Out group in a technicality, he is looked down upon by his fellow Skill-Outs and gives little regard for his leadership. Even then, however, under his command Academy City orders the Skill-Out in assassinating Misaka Misuzu. With their reward being not completely wiped out by the city's operations to take back the back-alleys from them. The plan was for Skill-Out to approach the facility in a vehicle stolen under the cover of darkness, fire 8 of their handmade incendiary rockets into the building and then escape quickly, hoping that the attack would kill Misuzu. The Skill-Out also had a rough sketch of the facility, allowing them to shoot their rockets in areas that would block off all the exits and having a good chance to fill the facility with smoke.

Academy City gave assistance to Skill-Out as well for the operation, allowing Skill-Out to destroy the facility if necessary just to complete the mission, though also have the main data of the facility already backed up. Academy City isolated Misaka Misuzu in the facility to such an extent that only a few private guards are left within the facility.

Immediately after attacking problems arise in their plan, and Skill-Outs were unable to find Misuzu quick enough before she can hide away. With the power being cut-off due to their attack, Misuzu hiding herself in the Substitute Processing Room, the stress in performing the mission, as well as the poor teamwork of the Skill-Out members under Shiage's command, finding Misuzu became a difficult task. Their problems are exacerbated by Accelerator's arrival, and a seemingly innocuous spanner in the works, Kamijou Touma.

Despite these set-backs, they eventually find Misuzu and a debate occurs between them whether or not to immediately kill Misaka Misuzu, who they have already captured, or to use her as a hostage instead to take care of the firefight that had started first. Misaka Misuzu then notices Touma sneaking up on them, ruining his plan in using a gun against Skill-Outs. Now with the risk of trying to get the handgun increased, Touma decides to attack Shiage first with the bullet proof glass. The attack connects to Shiage's face, which painfully removed his nose piercing, quickly taking him down. However, Touma is unable to get the handgun as he discovers that there was actually two Skill-Outs that came to investigate. The Skill-Out however was shaken by fear after Touma takes down Shiage. The other Skill-Outs however, started shooting at Touma, out of terror as the Skill-Out that came to investigate with Shiage was shot down by friendly fire.

As chaos erupts in the facility after Accelerator engages them in a firefight, Shiage manages to slip away to the outside. While bleeding, he notices Touma fleeing with Misuzu, thinking of him as someone who was hired by the higher-ups. Here, Shiage accuses Touma of being one with their client, Academy City, and tricking them. However, Touma states that he does not know what Shiage is talking about and only came at the request of Misuzu. Angered that someone who is not even involved would ruin their plans and caused their downfall, Shiage attacks Touma with his baton. Touma manages to barely defend against Shiage's initial attack since he first made sure Misuzu was out of harm's way, however, because of this Touma becomes open for another attack from Shiage which momentarily makes him flinch. Still distraught at his situation, Shiage uses the opportunity to gloat on how he can save the situation if he can kill Misuzu. Touma counterattacks immediately afterwards, further injuring Shiage's damaged nose, and downing him. With Shiage down, Touma tells Shiage that he had enough of Skill-Out's treatment towards human life. An angered Shiage states that they had no choice since Level 0s cannot survive without doing rotten actions. However, Touma states that Shiage should not put all Level 0s such as himself in the same category. Hearing this, Shiage realizes that Touma has yet to use any abilities since the beginning of the fight. Touma states that there are many Level 0s in Academy City, living their lives normally and are not being mocked because of their level and states that the reason why Level 0s are being mocked is because of the actions of Level 0s such as Shiage. Touma continues by saying that he may not exactly be a Level 0 such as them, but at the very least he does not act like a minus like them by using his lack of power as a reason to attack others.

Touma's arguments angers Shiage and he states that they are better than those with power since they don't use it to help them. However, Touma counters his statement by asking if he has actually helped someone even without power. With Shiage unable to answer, Touma finally concludes that if the Skill-Outs only used their power to help others instead of attacking espers, then Academy City would have accepted them and not look down upon them. Shiage states that Komaba Ritoku, the former leader of their gang, lived by those ideals, and protected the weak, however, he died because of it. Touma however states that, even then, Ritoku had something that Shiage did not, and that was because he had something to protect that was worth dying for, he was fighting to protect Skill-Out and people like Shiage, he was fighting to protect his friends.

Greatly angered by Touma's belittling of them, even though he is a Level 0 himself, a shaken Hamazura Shiage charges towards Touma. Seeing this, Touma prepares his fist and states that the reason why Level 0s are mocked was not because of their weakness and states that Shiage should deal with his illusion on his own. Here, their attacks clash, with Shiage falling after Touma's attack, demonstrating the difference between them.

Believing he ruined Skill-Out and not wanting to deal with the punishment, Shiage leaves the faction. He joins up with ITEM's subordinate organization and somehow ends up being assigned to deal with the girls directly.

Battle Royale Arc
He first appears alongside with the rest of ITEM, acting as the gofer of the team immediately after the assassination attempt on Monaka's life by SCHOOL in a family restaurant. After Shiage mulled on the uneven male to female ratio as well as Mugino finishing her lunch, Mugino begins saying on how before noon, someone attempted to assassinate Monaka. Mugino states that the higher-ups want to them to take action regarding that. Frenda comments on that she doesn't have information on that. Hearing this, Mugino orders Shiage to send the details of the incident to everyone's cellphone. With a halfhearted response Shiage does so, though he accidentally sends a pornographic video (likely related to bunny girls) he downloaded from the Internet. When the ITEM members see this, all four of them snapped their cellphones shut and looked at him with scorn. Shiage tries to amend his mistake by trying to send the information again, but he however is chastised by them. Mugino is at a loss for words, only being able to say his name. Frenda says that he is disgusting. Kinuhata Saiai asks if Shiage likes bunny girls. Finally, Rikou says that she is rooting for him. Trembling at their words, he makes sure at sending the information to all of them.

Their conversation begins with Saiai pointing out on how she was sure that they took out SCHOOL's sniper three days before. Mugino says that SCHOOL likely hired a new one and ignored their "warning". Frenda states that back then they didn't debate why they were targeting Monaka, but realizes that there must be something up if they still wanted to assassinate her despite her low value even among the Board of Directors. Rikou adds to Frenda's conclusion, repeating what Mugino says. As Mugino tries to think on the reason why SCHOOL went out of their way to try killing Monaka again despite her low value, she asks for Shiage's opinion. Shiage tries to give an answer but his response didn't actually have anything in it. Disappointing everyone, with both Frenda and Saiai calling her disgusting, while Rikou says she'll root for him even everyone else is calling him disgusting. With this disappointment, Shiage kneels on the ground and is promptly ignored. Mugino goes back on topic and proposes that SCHOOL targeted Monaka because there's no value in killing her. Saiai is confused, to which Mugino says that SCHOOL probably didn't care who it was as long as it caused a disturbance, choosing a VIP whose death wouldn't have much of an effect and didn't have strong security. Frenda then states that she feels sorry for Monaka. Feeling proud, Mugino gives her hypothesis on what SCHOOL is after, starting on how if a VIP of Academy City are in danger, people are called in from all sorts of places. She says that roads are blocked off in order for ambulances to travel on as well as important people from various medical industries gather at the hospital for them. Saying this, Mugino asks on what would happen if someone attempted to assassinate a VIP, and she answers on how people will be called in to protect the facility where the VIP will undergo treatment. Mugino concludes that SCHOOL will do something amidst the confusion. Saiai states that their methods are boring. Mugino then speculates on what the facility they would be targeting after creating the commotion. Frenda concludes that Monaka was just SCHOOL's insurance for their plan to be in order and that they are still planning on attacking their real target, to which Mugino agrees. Shiage then speaks up again, asking if what SCHOOL did was really an attempted assassination. Mugino says it probably didn't matter as Monaka may be revived by Academy City's mysterious technology even if she died. Mugino then orders that they need to find the facilities that have insufficient security due to the assassination attempt. She then adds that they also need to see what has changed had the assassination been successful, stating that SCHOOL may have made a situation where they could move whether the sniper succeeded or not, indicating that there might be a facility that has its security reduced regardless as it may be where SCHOOL is headed. She then orders Shiage to find a car for them as they may be heading out soon. Shiage becomes irritated on how Mugino said her orders, but he is forced to acquiesce. However, Shiage complains on how he was once the leader of over 100 Skill-Out, to which Mugino says that it is true though she doesn't his point. Shiage then leaves to find a car with a heavy heart.

During BLOCK's hacking of the Virus Isolation Center the ITEM liaison tries to call Mugino Shizuri as she and ITEM prepare to leave to take on SCHOOL. Shiage points out her call, but Mugino tries to ignore it, though the liaison is quite persistent. Mugino later answers the call, much to her frustration. After the call Mugino then tells Shiage to get them a car, the girls get on the car Shiage had just stolen for them, impressing Mugino. Shiage asks where they are going, to which Mugino states that they'll be going to Kirigaoka Girls' Academy in School District 18 as there is a particle engineering laboratory nearby that she believes is SCHOOL's target as the place has become disrupted after the assassination attempt on Oyafune Monaka. Mugino mentions that there are multiple places that she suspected but states that the particle engineering laboratory. Hearing this, Shiage asks what they are after there, though Mugino says that she doesn't know, but says that it is better than dealing with the whole Oyafune Monaka thing. Shiage then starts the car. Rikou then asks if Shiage has a license, to which he responds by saying that he doesn't need a card to drive, only skills. He then drives ITEM with the automatic transmission car.

While he waits for them outside, Shiage sights a car that he becomes interested in and proceeds to try to steal it. However, Yomikawa Aiho appears just as he was about to break into the car. She becomes suspicious of him as he was near a particle engineering lab that was being demolished by ITEM during their fight with SCHOOL. Shiage later tricks Aiho that there is a baby trapped in the car he was about to steal, which made the car's alarm sound off as she tries to open it. Shiage returns to his car as a station drives away. Then Mugino taking Rikou with her tells Shiage to stop flirting with Aiho and start the car. Shiage asks where Saiai and Frenda is, to which Mugino says their battle back in the laboratory won't be enough to kill them. As Shiage follows the station wagon, Shiage sees her sporting the marks of battle, with her face swollen and clothes burned. Shiage asks what had happened, commenting on how she's supposed to be the 4th-ranked Level 5. Mugino then says that SCHOOL had a Level 5 as well, the 2nd-ranked Kakine Teitoku. However, Mugino comments on how in spite of him, they took care of one of them. Shiage then asks what she'll do when they caught up to the station wagon, to which Mugino says that they'll defeat them and take back what they stole. Mugino then says that they stole the Tweezers, though Mugino fails to explain it to Shiage, stating that the only thing he needs to do was to catch the station wagon. Mugino then begins doubting that they can catch SCHOOL with the car they have, to which Rikou says not to worry. Rikou says that her AIM Stalker can track down the owner of any AIM diffusion field she has recorded, as such she can search and find them even if they leave the solar system. Shiage then reassures Mugino, saying they have an excellent navigator, as such they won't get away. Suddenly, they see a mobile crane before them operated by a certain girl, intercepting the car ITEM was in. With her skills, she is able to hit the car, pushing it towards a wall. Mugino Shizuri explains to Hamazura Shiage that the ones who are attacking them are SCHOOL, wanting the station to get away. The Girl backs up the mobile crane for about 10 meters as she tries to strike the car again. Seeing this, Mugino orders Shiage to smash the windshield of the car as it had crush the doors too much. They are able to escape the car just in time as the Girl crushes it with the wrecking ball and later explodes. With the crane's engine apparently stalling, the Girl comes down to go after them personally. Mugino tells them that they should split up. Shiage asks why she couldn't stay and fight, to which she says that she is after the Tweezers in the station wagon they were chasing, and she does not care for SCHOOL's subordinates like the Girl in the dress. Furthermore, Mugino states that the Girl's power is troublesome. With that they leave in different directions.

Shiage goes into an alley between buildings but he discovers that the Girl is following him. He continued to run, climbing up an emergency staircase on one of the buildings. Entering a student dormitory, he keeps on running straight through a hallway but then hears a door open behind him. The Girl caught up to Shiage with a small gun in her hand. Shiage then frantically pushes the button to activate the steel shutters between them, used for protection against out-of-control esper powers. The Girl is shocked and tries to shoot at the shutters twice, but to no avail. The both of them looked at each other on the monitor next to them.

As Shiage taunts her, the Girl puts away her gun and takes out a 40mm grenade launcher. Horrified, Shiage runs along the hallway again as the Girl launches a projectile towards the steel shutter. Shiage did not fully escape the blast as fragments him and propelling him 5 meters down the hallway. Finding his bearings again, he staggers to run away again and finds himself on a terrace with a three story drop below. Not wanting to face the Girl, Shiage jumps down, exclaiming that being a loser is the best. He later sees a young mother pushing a baby carriage down in the alley. Believing he will crash with the carriage, Shiage helplessly swings his arms and legs around trying to get some distance them. He later lands 15 cm from the carriage. His appearance both shocks the mother and the baby, the former asking who he is, to which Shiage says that he is the kind of hero that falls from the sky. He then says that it is dangerous in their parts and advises her to leave before running down a nearby alley.

After escaping the Girl, Shiage gets a call from Mugino. She asks him that he didn't screw up, detained, and had someone put his phone up to his ear. Shiage says that he is fine and assumes that Mugino is too. Mugino commends Shiage for his efforts, saying that she had things a lot easier because of it. She then apologizes, stating that he needs him to come back as she needs him to dispose of a body.

Joined by Rikou, Shiage tries to do so as he was ordered, given advice by Mugino not to think much what was inside the bag. As he carries the bag with the body in it, he feels the contours of the bag and wonders who could've been behind the bag. Shiage tried to get his mind off that feeling and then throws the bag into the furnace. As he tries to operate the furnace that would destroy everything that would remind anyone that the thing inside the bag was a person, Shiage's thoughts wanders again. He tried to not think about it, but fear grips him and he fumbles with the control and the furnace begins to burning the body. Seeing this, Shiage stared upon the furnace and sat down on the floor. Shiage wandered who could've been in the bag, and contemplates its cruel fate. Rikou asks him what's wrong. Shiage asks what exactly human life is as he stares upon the furnace where the corpse is being turned to ashes. He continues by asking why a Level 0's life is such a cheap thing. Rikou continues to call out to him but he continues to stare into the fires of the furnace.

As a means to stay his mind from the unpleasant thought of dying like the person in the bag and being thrown like waste, Shiage scattered the person's ashes into a river. As he walked on the riverside however, he is called upon by thugs. Shiage ignores this and for his trouble gets attacked by one of the thugs who recognized him from Komaba Ritoku's Skill-Out, wanting revenge for the man giving them trouble from before. As he gets beaten, Shiage's thoughts wander off again to those of the corpse. However, a metal pipe then rolled next to him, and without hesitation Shiage took it and stroke back. Shiage takes down his attacker until the man is bloody, not minding that he has comrades nearby. One of them takes out a hammer as he continues beating on him, to which Shiage hears someone call from afar. It is Hattori Hanzou, a friend from Skill-Out. He knocks out the thug holding the hammer and proceeds to run away with Shiage afterwards. Hanzou berates Shiage for being hung up with victory over the thug to the point that he could've been killed. After checking that no one was following them, Shiage asks Hanzou why he saved him despite running out of Skill-Out. Hanzou points out that isn't something for him to say, as Skill-Out doesn't bear a grudge against him. He tells Shiage on how they don't think their fall was his fault and that no matter who was their leader at that time they would've still fallen. Shiage could not respond but Hanzou keeps on speaking, saying that though it was fun with Ritoku and him with all their little plans, it wasn't at all a nice path to make him want to cling to it. Shiage agrees that it was a terrible life they had but it was at least fun. With that, Hanzou asks what he is going to do now. Shiage says he doesn't know as he thinks that his situation will be the same no matter where he ends up in, even if he goes back to Skill-Out, and that there is no value in going back to it. Hearing this as Shiage started to walk away, Hanzou takes a small handgun from his pocket and tossed it to Shiage, saying that he needs it. Shiage points out that it was a lady's handgun, though Hanzou says that it doesn't matter as a weapon that's a little hard to use is perfect. Shiage then puts away the gun and leaves the alleyway they were in without looking back at Hanzou.

Shiage goes to ITEM's Private Salon in School District 3, regrouping with the rest of ITEM minus Frenda. When Shiage arrives after escaping the Girl in the dress of SCHOOL, he asks where Frenda is, to which Mugino says that she is gone, dead or captured. She says that in a manner in which she is not particularly caring of her fate only inconvenienced by it as there are only three members left of ITEM that could take SCHOOL down. Mugino then becomes optimistic as they have Rikou for searching. Rikou notices Shiage is hurt, but tells her to not mind, he then asks what they are going to do now as SCHOOL has already stolen the Tweezers. Mugino asks Rikou if searching for Dark Matter is fine, to which Shiage asks who that is. Mugino answers that Dark Matter (Kakine Teitoku) is the one who leads SCHOOL. Rikou then prepares to use the Ability Body Crystal to use her power. Here, Saiai sympathizes with Rikou's handicap, as she is unable to activate her power without the use of the drug. After licking the powder of the Ability Body Crystal, Rikou's power begins to activate and searches for Kakine. There, she concludes that he is within the building. Before they could react, Kakine Teitoku himself appears before them, kicking down the door to their salon. Kakine tells them that he has come to declare victory, but Mugino just mock him for being the Spare Plan and running away a while ago. The two of them banter regarding the team mates SCHOOL lost thanks to ITEM. They are however interrupted by Saiai picking up table and smashing it on Kakine. However, his expression remains unchanged, only exclaiming that what she did hurt. Seeing this, Saiai runs towards a wall and destroys it with her fist. She then grabs Rikou and Shiage, winking towards Mugino as she leaves into the hole.

She then knocks out every other people she comes into contact with, not taking her chances if they are subordinate members of SCHOOL or not. Saiai then asks Shiage to get a car for them. She tells Shiage that one of the reasons SCHOOL is there is for Rikou, since they know where their hideout was it is also likely that the know all of their other information, and it is likely that they have discovered that they can be searched out through the use of Rikou's power. Saiai states that if Rikou is killed, ITEM will be restricted as she determines if they are the chasers or the one being chased. She continues by saying that as long as Rikou is fine they can still turn the tables around. She urges him to get a car and go into a hiding place where it isn't a ITEM's hideout. She then gives Rikou a stun gun, saying that she needs a weapon as she's always staring off into space. Just then there is an explosion due to Mugino and Kakine's clash, to which Saiai goes after telling them to hurry.

As Shiage and Rikou try to escape by elevator, they come upon the 25th floor of the building. However, much to their misfortune, Kakine Teitoku himself appears looking for Rikou. Here they discover that Kakine is dragging Saiai's injured and unconscious body and tossed it before them. Here, he praises Saiai for making the right decision and having Rikou get away as she is the core of ITEM. Shiage whispers to Rikou to go to take the elevator down and escape. Rikou tries to protest but Shiage is insistent, saying that even if he could get away from ITEM by abandoning her, ITEM would still be destroyed. Kakine having grown impatient, asks them how long for them to say goodbye, to which Shiage shouts Rikou to go, shoving her into the elevator. However, Rikou maneuver herself in order for her to move Shiage into the elevator. Confused by the sudden action, Shiage falls down to the floor of the elevator. Before he could make a reply, Rikou apologizes to him. She says that she told everyone what he said by the furnace, and continues by saying she doesn't want him to become ash like the corpse. Rikou smiles and tells him not to worry as she is a Level 4 and he is a Level 0, as such she will protect him. Before Shiage could say anything the elevator door closes, and thus Rikou face off against the 2nd-ranked Level 5.

As he sits on the floor of the elevator, Shiage is surprised on how espers like Rikou did not care about the life of someone like him. Recalling how Rikou defended him, Shiage wonders why. However, knowing that she was facing against Kakine to save him, Shiage could not sit idly by. He curses as he stops the elevator, thoughts of facing Kakine and even his subordinates filled his mind. Then, Shiage remembers Touma's words on how there are paths for a Level 0 other than preying on others. He recalls Touma saying on how Shiage could've used his strength to help those weaker than him, help those in need instead of fighting back against powerful espers, things would change for him, and the people of Academy City would've accepted him. Shiage now agrees with Touma's words, as he presses the button back to the floor where he left Rikou, determined to face against a Level 5.

When Shiage returns back to Kakine after deciding to protect Rikou, he finds her collapsed before him. Here, he is surprised by Shiage's return. He tells Shiage that Rikou did well against him despite having no direct battle power. He tells Shiage that she must've used her search power to try to interfere with his AIM diffusion fields to reverse the flow and take control of his power. He then comments on how if Rikou developed more then she could've become the 8th-ranked Level 5. Having none of it, Shiage tries to use his handgun. But there, the Girl in the dress arrives, where Shiage immediately recognizes as the "Crane Woman" from earlier.

As Shiage struggles who to aim at, the Girl then says that he should stop whatever he is doing. With those words, Shiage couldn't move his body. Here, the Girl in the dress used her powers on him, to make him not shoot at them because it is seemingly against his nature. Seeing Shiage's struggle, the Girl comments on how he may be fairly kind on the inside. She smiles and then says that her power Measure Heart she can freely regulate "the distance between people's hearts." She advises Shiage to stop fighting against them, as she has him set-up to make it seem that the distance between their hearts are the same between him and Rikou. He can't shoot her just as much he can't shoot Rikou. Seeing this display, Kakine begins speaking, saying that the situation made it seem like they were the bad guys. He comments on how Shiage and Rikou, a man and a woman, protecting each other is a moving story, and that it is such a rare sight that he feels that he shouldn't destroy it. He then tells him that Rikou will die regardless of what they do, shocking Shiage. Kakine kicks the Ability Body Crystal case towards him, and says that she was using the Ability Body Crystal to activate her powers. Kakine then explains the usage of Ability Body Crystal and on how it affects Rikou. Kakine tells Shiage that Rikou will not last long in her current state, stating that she'll be fine as long as she doesn't user her powers ever again. As Shiage is frozen in shock, Kakine tells him that they don't need to kill her if she can; use her searching powers and that he doesn't care if she died or not. The Girl then tells Shiage that she collapsed on her own as she kept forcing on using the Ability Body Crystal in order to fight them, and tells him that none of her would be left if they attacked her seriously.

As Shiage stares them down after their revelation, he manages to press the button for the elevator. As Shiage waits for the elevator, Kakine wonders if he should kill or let her go. The Girl says that they can just leave her alone as a member of ITEM on the edge of her doom can't stop them. Shiage grounds his teeth after what the Girl just said, despite this he still can't attack her. Kakine says that it'd be easier to kill her, but the Girl counters by saying that since Rikou used his AIM to mess up his Personal Reality, Kakine should check up on that. She says that his power going out of control would be much more dangerous than Rikou, and that she would rather not die if an ally of hers went out of control. Kakine becomes annoyed at being bossed around, but acquiesces to the Girl's warnings. He tells her that they should leave as though checking up is easy they don't have the necessary equipment. At that moment an elevator arrives, at which point Kakine and the Girl leave, allowing Shiage and Rikou to escape harm.

After they leave Shiage checks up on Rikou's condition. She was still unconscious and was in the throngs of a fever, worrying Shiage. Saiai also regains consciousness. She sees Shiage with the collapsed Rikou, and figures out the situation through Shiage's impatient demeanor. She tells Shiage to take Rikou and disappear. Shiage says thank you to Saiai, but she tells him that she didn't say as thanks. She says she was speaking ill of him as she doesn't need useless people like Shiage and Rikou in ITEM, as such she tells him to go out their way. There was a smile on Saiai's lips despite her injuries. Knowing what Saiai actually means, Shiage asks if there is anything she can do for her. Saiai orders him to contact their subordinate organization and call in the information suppression team and an ambulance, as she can't do it herself currently. Shiage complies, and later leaves Saiai.

After leaving, Shiage gets a call from Mugino Shizuri wanting to counterattack SCHOOL and use Rikou again to use her power to track them even if it kills her. Shiage does not follow her orders, trying to find a way to get her as far away from ITEM as she could. While carrying her, Shiage comes upon a bridge where Yomikawa Aiho comes upon them and tells Shiage that although she doesn't know the situation, she'll be taking Rikou with her. Seeing this as an opportunity to allow Rikou to escape from Mugino, hands her over to Aiho, surprising her. Shiage hastily explains that she has been using Ability Body Crystal, which is slowly killing her. At that moment, a bloodied Mugino appears before them, carrying the upper half of Frenda's corpse, whom she killed for her betrayal. Shiage pleads to Aiho to leave with Rikou as she has no way to take on Mugino, the 4th ranked Level 5. Aiho hesitates for a moment, but acquiesces and tells Shiage not to die, as she will bring a fully armed Anti-Skill team once she gets Rikou safe. With them gone, Mugino crosses the bridge and says to Shiage on how battling with one's life on the line makes on feel numb. Shiage tries to reply but Mugino tells him to quiet as she didn't ask for his opinion. She then punches hard on his gut, making Shiage nearly vomit. Mugino still hasn't given up on using Rikou and finding SCHOOL. Shiage laughs and asks if she should really be finishing him of that moment. She turns to him in an irritated way but is then surprised on what Shiage does next. He shows his hand holding the case for the Ability Body Crystal that is needed for Rikou to use her AIM Stalker ability. Mugino is enraged, but before she can do anything about it, Shiage jumps over the metal railing and off the bridge, landing, though not gracefully, on a train that had just passed by. Here, Shiage intends to lead Mugino away from Rikou using the Ability Body Crystal. His smile as he got away from Mugino is cut off however as the train suddenly stopped. Nearby, he saw that Mugino has stuck her hand into the ground and cut off the power cables that the trains used using her ability. From afar, Shiage could tell what Mugino was saying through her lips—she was going to kill him.

With the train stopped, Shiage hurriedly tries to shake off Mugino. He comes upon a crowd and here discovers however on how relentless Mugino could be, already sighting among the people there. Seeing as how he cannot get away from her by mixing in with a crowd, Shiage continues running and goes inside and discovers to find that he is in a deserted refinery for biological ethanol fuel with all its machinery and paraphernalia. As he wonders about the place, Mugino arrives behind him, complimenting him on finding a deserted place for him to die alone. Before he could turn around, something hits his back, making him fly a few meters before landing, knocking over containers as he does so. Despite being pain, Shiage didn't suffer any broken bones and can still move. He leaves the large area and comes upon a room with lots of machinery, allowing for blind spots and hiding places. Here, he ponders how to defeat Mugino. He knows she isn't invincible even if she is a Level 5. He cites their encounter with the Girl in the dress and the train power cables, thinking that since she didn't destroy the wrecking ball with her power, and destroyed the power cables underground instead of the train, there must be some limitations to her power. Here, he believes that Mugino's power takes a certain amount of time to aim in exchange on how powerful it is, making her weak to surprise attacks, a fundamental flaw of her power being too powerful that it could endanger even her. Then, he hears her calling out his name. An intense sense of danger fills Shiage, and he decides to quickly go down on the ground, only to discover that immediately after the place where he stood was then covered by her beams. Small explosions occurred afterwards due to the alcohol, a few of its heated debris landing on Shiage, making him shout in pain. Since the areas for cover were in her way, Mugino was just going to destroy them all, forcing Shiage to face her. Mugino comments on how the machinery reminds her of the goldfish scooping games at festivals though she forgets the name. Nevertheless she says that they are no match for her Meltdowner. The machinery has now been reduced into rubble and even the outer wall have been damaged. Mugino stands in the center of it all. Here she states on how researchers have said that her survival instincts keep her from putting on more force that what she usually gives out but says that it was originally enough to kill the Railgun instantly, though she states that if she does so it would blow her body to pieces. Then Mugino approached Shiage.

Moving to a different floor in the plant, Shiage keeps dodging Mugino while she continues her pursuit. Mugino shouts to Shiage on how he should stop getting out of his way and give her the Ability Body Crystal and Rikou as she won't be satisfied until she destroys SCHOOL. Of course, Shiage rejects her as Rikou is in her limit. Mugino gives a callous response to this, saying that she can be replaced as long as they can find SCHOOL. Shiage persists and states on how she would be unable to defeat the 2nd-ranked Level 5 based on facing him twice and the fact that he met the man himself. Shiage asks on what good Mugino would gain in finding where Kakine is. He tells Mugino that he will not allow Rikou to die for something so pointless. Mugino however laughs scornfully at his remarks. She asks on how Rikou drew her in, noting that he might've fallen for her cute face or kind words. Mugino asks him if he thinks everyone who speaks kindly to him is a good person and everyone who talks to him harshly is a good person, stating that it makes himself look like the center of the world. Shiage doesn't deny Mugino's words, and believes that if Rikou wasn't nice to him he wouldn't have made his decision. However, Shiage shouts to Mugino on how Rikou didn't want someone like him to die simply because she was like that. He states that a person like Rikou needs to be happy, saying that if they don't create a society where the kind idiots like Rikou could stand at the top, their world would never get any better.

Mugino did not reply to this and fired off another beam towards the metal rubble where Shiage, knocking him back. Then, before Shiage could turn around, Mugino comes upon him from behind and sticks a screwdriver in his right ear. Stuck in place, Mugino held out her other hand and demanded for the case of the Ability Body Crystal. Shiage had a plan however. He gritted his teeth as he took the case from his pocket, and completely ignored the screwdriver and forcefully spun around.

This act shocks Mugino as the screwdriver carves the inside of Shiage's ears. Despite the pain Shiage's plan has been fulfilled and he sticks the case of the Ability Body Crystal into Mugino's right eye. Immediately after Mugino screams in pain as her right has been crushed, gripping the affected area of her face. Shiage smiles and taunts her. Mugino screams in rage. She tries to use her Meltdowner on Shiage, but fails to aim properly, obliterating her left arm. What was worse for her is her shot missed Shiage. Still relentless, she shoves Shiage down and climbed on top of him, making him lose his grip of the case, slipping across the ground away. Mugino however was too consumed in rage to care anymore as she stares Shiage down with her remaining eye. She mocks Shiage's words, saying that he can tear of her arms and legs and crush her organs but he can't change the difference between their strengths for he is a Level 0 and she is the Number 4, the Meltdowner. As she grabs Shiage's neck, he smiles. He says that he is no idiot and knew their confrontation would end up like what was happening now. Mugino listens as Shiage sums up her relentless and obsessive personality using videogame metaphors. Mugino is someone who doesn't like messing up even slightly, and when someone like messes up, they'll find another goal that they could accomplish absolutely. He tells Mugino that she could've picked him off at a distance instead of obsessing over a Level 0 like him. He then says that it is her ridiculous obsession with victory left a decisive opening for him. At that moment, Shiage took out the ladies' handgun that Hattori Hanzou gave him a while back as final ace in the sleeve. Shiage then empties all the bullets of her handgun on Mugino's upper body. Mugino continues to stand and looks down upon herself in shock. Then Mugino falls and stops moving, with Shiage remarking on how it was too easy. He picks back the case of the Ability Body Crystal and begins leaving with his battered body.

However, as he does so he hears Mugino muttering his name, and as fear grips him again Mugino howls loudly for his name. Despite her injuries, Mugino Shizuri stands up once again and once again tries to use her Meltdowner. With no options left, Shiage runs toward Mugino and there they clash again. Shiage punches Mugino in the face, and there Mugino is finally felled by Shiage. He then picks up the handgun he casted aside and contacts Aiho on how back-up isn't needed anymore as it is all over.

Members of the ITEM's subordinate organization waiting outside of the facility later enter it after Shiage leaves in order for them to destroy evidence. Knowing that Shiage just defeated a Level 5, they don't do anything to stop him. Hanzou appears and calls out to him, saying on how he heard of Shiage's victory over a Level 5 all on his own. Although Shiage is surprised on he could've known, he remembers the handgun and says to Hanzou on how it came in handy. Hanzou praises Shiage for defeating a Level 5 using the handgun as he took out two cigarettes for the both of them. Hanzou says that with that kind of accomplishment no one will reject Shiage now, despite the fact that were not many people who hated him in the first place. Hanzou then tells Shiage to come back to Skill-Out as there are people waiting for him there. Shiage however apologizes, saying with a smile on how he has something he has to do. Hanzou clicks his tongue and remarks on Shiage makes him jealous, but accepts his explanation, not pressing Shiage any further. Hanzou tells Shiage on how he'll now be consolidating Skill-Out for the moment, until Shiage decides to return to them after he is done with what he has to do. With that, they bumped fists and parted ways once again.

DRAGON Arc
His actions interfere with Aleister's plans who later sends his assassins of the entire dark side of Academy City on a massive hunt to eliminate him. Running, Shiage tries to hijack a mini-copter to get to where Rikou is, but the pilot pulls out a knife and threatens him. After the pilot sees how desperate Shiage is to try and save Rikou, she decided to help. Not sure what will save him from a hard landing, Shiage jumps out of the helicopter without parachutes and shoots down at three men holding Rikou hostage.

During the time he meets with Accelerator, who was looking for a terrorist group near the same location that Rikou was, Shiage misunderstands him, thinking that his presence was due to another of his dirty jobs, and that Rikou might end up dead just like his friend Komaba Ritoku.

Shiage said then that if Accelerator wanted to kill someone who no longer wanted to stay in the darkness, then he'll take him down. Accelerator knew it was a misunderstanding, but still complimented Shiage for his actions and bravery and then charged at him. Shiage had planned to force Accelerator into a situation where even a bullet would work on him, learning from his experience fighting against Mugino. He then got blasted back by the air pressure created by Accelerator, but Shiage blew apart a passing security robot and threw it at Accelerator, hoping the magnetism from the broken robot would affect the collar Accelerator wears. But before the robot reached Accelerator it got blown away.

Accelerator then charged right into Shiage and held him up by the collar, then blew him across the room. While Shiage was crawling up, Accelerator told him that if he stays down, he'll let him live, and if he gets up, he's dead. Shiage refused to give up, and told him they both have reasons to do what they do.

Accelerator was going to turn Shiage to mush right there, but when he saw Rikou stumbling towards them, he told Shiage if he planned to use her as a shield to keep fighting, he'd do Shiage a favor and rip him apart. He then said that if the girl gets worse from fighting, it would be troublesome for him, and he would retreat, saying that's how a villain should do things. Accelerator then manipulated the vectors under his feet and disappeared in a blink of an eye. Shiage finally realized that he misunderstood the situation, went to hold Rikou and cursed himself for being so useless. Rikou told him he wasn't useless, since for her, he's willing to fight in a building where the Anti-Skills can't. Shiage isn't convinced, thinking if he was a 'main character,' then Rikou wouldn't be hurt. However, he also thinks that though he's not a top-tier villain like Accelerator, it doesn't matter if he's a punk as long as he can protect Rikou and make her smile.

After that, while trying to escape from Aleister's assassins, he once again met with Mugino Shizuri. She survived her wound thanks to Heaven Canceler's Dark Legacy, now in hands of Aleister Crowley. After seeing Mugino toying with Rikou, he had finally had enough and decided to step out and fight head on with Mugino once more. After getting Mugino to chase him, Shiage managed to hide in a hanger filled with cutting edge weaponry, and tricked her to blow up a fighter jet she thought he was hiding in, and ended up blowing up the whole place with a chain reaction while Shiage ran away as fast as he could. After the massive explosion, he went back to check to see if she was alive, and found she propelled herself using recoil force from her own attack like a rocket engine to escape the blast, and got ambushed by her. Shiage ran again and hid himself, but then Mugino Shizuri pulls on his sympathy, saying how she and Kakine ended up like this and how bad it is, before kicking him while he was distracted. After that, Shiage crawled into a testing room for the new jets and their defense, and activated the program that engulfs the whole room except his location in a fierce combination of gale and heat. Mugino was blasted away.

After a hard battle of fighting her and protecting Rikou from her attacks, Mugino, who now has a sense of twisted love for him gives up and helped him and Rikou to escape Academy City by allowing them to steal a jet which was programmed to fly to Russia and shooting down their pursuers.

World War III Arc
October 30th.

After reaching Russia, because Shiage didn't know how to pilot the jet, he and Rikou, using parachutes, jumped out of the jet after setting it to self-destruct, and landed in Russia close to Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations, the country where Vento had taken Sasha to.

As they travelled in a small car near the border with the Elizalina Alliance, Shiage planned to rob a corner store next to a petrol station for some supplies and wanted to avoid hurting the employees. When he charged inside, there were already three robbers in there that had tied up the female employee, threatening her with a dagger. When the Russian robbers asked "Who the hell are you?" in Russian, Shiage just replied, "A robber, so put your hands up!" in Japanese without understanding a word they said.

After hearing many gunshots, Rikou sees Shiage coming out of the shop with merchandise, such as food and warm clothing. When she asked if it went well, Shiage replied he got thanked by the employee and got all the things for free, even fuel for the car. They drove off again with Rikou remaining confused about what happened.

As they drive along, Rikou says that she's planning to find the balance in the scales of the situation, so that even though Shiage’s a small piece, if he can get in the right position to tip the scales, they can then make demands towards Academy City. Suddenly, Rikou’s physical condition got worse, and Shiage panicked and stopped the car. After that, a Caucasian man tapped on the windows, and Shiage reached for his hidden gun then lowered the window. The Caucasian was a tour guide before so he can speak Japanese, and is offering Shiage an 'equivalent exchange;' taking Rikou to their village’s doctor, in exchange for some fuel since their electricity generator just ran out of fuel.

The doctor treats Rikou, but says there’s nothing he can do due to the difference in technology, and that it's risky to treat her. All Shiage cares about now is for her to feel as little pain as possible. Rikou said Academy City started this war for a reason, and if they can get to that reason they can use it as a bargaining chip. Shiage is resolved to head off alone to find the cause since he don’t want to burden Rikou.

The blonde man who brought them there is named Digurv. He and Shiage end up talking, saying that the village is nervous since people from nearby villages were taken by the Russian military into concentration camps, but they were fortunate enough to be saved by another Asian youth and many managed to escape to this village. Shiage feels guilty since he’s from Academy City that’s responsible for this, but Digurv says it’s not his fault since this village is close to Elizalina Republic and the Russian military had their eyes on it for a while.

To prevent the Elizalina Alliance from taking over the area, the Russian Government spread a large amount of landmines near the area. The villagers make a living by unearthing those landmines and trading them with NGOs for food and other supplies, even though it might be safer detonating the mines on the spot. The soldier mentioned they were waiting for a convoy to deliver something before they got attacked. Though he’s from the opposing side, Digurv said he'd still save him, though he did mutter that they have a lot of guests. Shiage then thought that ‘something’ would be delivered and thought it might be what he and Rikou were looking for.

Then, a ten-year-old girl ran out of the clinic Rikou was in and told them something urgently in Russian, which Digurv translated for Shiage and told him the pirates were coming. The Russian government had reinstated the medieval practice of hiring mercenaries to rob the resources of other countries and making them their own, with a large share going to the pirates. This has the benefit of weakening opposing countries and strengthening their own.

The incoming pirates had armored vehicles and due to the snow, it was hard for the villagers to run. Shiage hid Rikou under the clinic inside the basement. Digurv could hear two tanks making their way down, and said conventional reasoning of how the military works doesn't apply to these people. Suddenly, the tank dropped down from the ceiling, as the pirates didn’t realize this would happen when they rammed the building. As the pirates came out of the hatch, Shiage and the others climb up just in time to avoid the building being ripped apart by gunfire. An explosion suddenly appeared in front of them and blasted both Shiage and Digurv off their feet. Digurv then carried Rikou for him. Shiage saw a machine gun turret behind a sandbag wall 10m away, and ran there to try and take it.

Shiage then found one of the tank’s anti-aircraft guns was changing its aim towards a 30-year-old mother running away with her 10-year-old girl while holding a baby in her arms and saved them. With a voice louder than gunfire, he yelled out for them to keep running; the tank focused its attack on him and the machine gun was blown apart. He saw Digurv running towards him with Rikou in his arms. Shiage was angry to the point where he wanted to start fighting back, and asked Digurv to take care of Rikou for a while. The man asked what was Shiage going to do, since they don’t have RPGs or AK guns and Shiage replied that he was going to use the landmines the village had dug up. Shiage took a landmine and set it up, while the villagers made some sort of device to enable the landmine to be detonated like a hand grenade, just pull the pin and wait for something to go over it. He threw a landmine at the tank, but since the landmine is set to explode towards one direction it missed the turret and blew upwards, not stopping the turret’s turning.

It turned out Shiage was aiming for that to begin with as the blast destroyed the stone building the tank was next to and the debris came down and stopped it from turning, and the tank could no longer move. Then Shiage walked up to the tank, since these are not conventional soldiers, they don't have weapons to shoot footsoldiers equipped on the tank. He told them, "It’s a cold day today. It's a nice day for a barbecue." in Japanese, not caring if they understand it or not. He then chucked a Vodka bottle into the air hole. Then when the pirates came scrambling out of the tank, thinking it’s a Molotov Cocktail, he readied his handgun without hesitation. The pirates came out of the armored vehicle due to it being stuck and decided to fight on foot, but found if not taking into account proficiency in fighting, the villagers have more guns and people than the pirates. The attack on the village stopped.

Digurv told Shiage that the villagers had locked the pirates up in an unused shelter. Normally, the pirates deserved to have their legs broken and be devoured by wild dogs, which some villagers were actually advocating to do. If Shiage, the one that stopped a tank, hadn’t begged not to kill them, nobody would have stopped. Shiage felt his gun’s weight more keenly after that. In the end against the hated enemies who were frozen in fear against Shiage after running out of the tank, Shiage didn’t open fire. If his life were at stake Shiage wouldn’t have hesitated, but as he had time to think about it, he couldn't shoot another human.

The villagers raised an alarm, three helicopters each over 30m long were heading their way. These are probably all pirates. Digurv told the villagers to scatter and hide in the forests, since the pirates might have heat and magnetic sensors. Shiage decides to stay and fight, using one of the anti-aircraft gun turrets from the tank he immobilized. After removing the rubble using heavy machinery normally used to remove snow, they found the twin-linked gun have one of its barrel broken. As Shiage climbed in Digurv smiled mournfully and said that just one person can’t operate that – they’d need at least 3 people; one to move the vehicle, one to shoot, and one to command and look at their surroundings. Digurv planned to ask some of the villagers to come and help, but Shiage don’t want to—it’s one thing to risk himself but it’s another to risk others’ lives. The soldier they saved earlier decides to help them, he says that he wants to pay back the debt of them saving his life. Shiage decides he absolutely cannot lose, for the girl that he holds more important than his own life, and for the villagers that took care of her.

The Pirates fired missiles at the turret which Shiage have driven back into the forest, and after they blew out a clearing in the forest it gave Shiage's group a chance to fire back without the trees getting in the way, and managed to take out a helicopter. The other two helicopters decided to not use missiles and just pepper them with shots, and chased after the turret using the sensors in the helicopter. The sensors says they've hit their target, but later found it is metal from the cars the villagers hid in the forest to confuse the sensors and ended up being open to return fire by the turret.

The remaining helicopter is about to shoot Shiage and the others, before a 3.5m long sword ended up stabbed into the helicopter from the side. Acqua then pulled out the sword and landed, with the helicopter crashed behind him and burned brightly in orange flame, but the snow around Acqua turned to water and put out the flames, with the rest moving unnaturally. Acqua then said he might not know what happened here but he'll help.

25 kilometers away from the border with Elizalina Alliance, Shiage sees Acqua attacking a russian fortress. The battle ends in just 20 minutes, and Shiage gets and eerie feeling just by looking at this one sided slaughter. Shiage analyzes that exceeds the limit of human realm. After a brief conversation with Acqua, they spot an incoming Academy City force, Shiage then hastily reunites with Rikou and the villagers and decides to go to Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations. The villagers sadly say goodbye to them, and the little girl says Shiage to take care

Later, they're trying to get away from academy city's infantry and armors as they got really close to the border with the Elizalina Alliance. As they enter into its territory, one of the armors still pursues them, but they're saved by Accelerator. In the country, Rikou is healed by magic procedure. Although it did not completely cure her, the undigested Body Crystal was removed and her condition has gotten much better, thank to Elizalina.

During the fight against Fiamma, Gabriel and the Star of Bethlehem, Shiage and Rikou captured one of Russia's special op agents setting up the biological attack, and asked the ex-soldier who came out looking for a missing child to go back and warn everyone about the incoming attack. Shiage then went to find the abandoned nuclear base, and told the ex-soldier if he doesn't call back in 30 minutes then evacuate anyway. Later, when Acqua lost all his ability to perform magic and messed up his body draining about half of Gabriel's Telesma, Shiage and Rikou came across him while they are trying to stop the biological attack from Russian Military, and Shiage asked Rikou to heal Acqua as they took out some bandages. Acqua asked them to stop, as on the battlefield resources are limited and those can be better used by saving someone else, to which Shiage just told him to shut up. Acqua continued saying he achieved what he came to do, and they should just leave. Shiage then replied in a pained voice, "What about the ones waiting for you to come back?", and Acqua froze up. Shiage continued saying Acqua has saved so many people, just like when he came to save that village and him, there's no way he'll be alone as those people follow in his footsteps; so what about everyone he'll leave behind? Shiage's words are like nails pinning Acqua down, preventing Acqua from sliding off into oblivion. Acqua flashes back to many people, the Knight Leader, the ones he saved, and most importantly—3rd Princess Villian. Shiage grabbed Acqua by his collar and yelled at him to stand up. Blood spurted out as Acqua tried; he may have lost all his abilities as a Saint and one of the God's Right Seat, but even now as a "Ordinary Human" he clenched his teeth to stand back up.

Academy City forces wiped out the troops planning a biological attack, but Shiage and Rikou got caught up in the blast and Shiage fainted. When Shiage finally woke up Mugino Shizuri is right behind him and he narrowly avoided an eye-beam by her.

Mugino engages in fight against him and uses Body Crystal, but the effect is too much to handle and she ends losing the fight. Then, Shiage as he see a powerless and trembling Mugino on the ground, decides that even if he choose to save his loved one, Rikou, that doesn't mean that he can't forgive Mugino and try to save her too. As he always regretted fighting with Mugino all that times and as he released what’s from the bottom of his heart Hamazura Shiage finally saw the image of their ‘true enemy’. It’s not monsters like Mugino. It’s people that can turn a normal girl into such a monster. He doesn’t want to spout lines like it’s due to the failure of society or circumstances. Just like Mugino’s disaster is something that can never exist in nature, she was that kind of nightmarish existence.

Shiage reprimands her, “So, you have to have the resolve to apologize to Kinuhata, even if it might means putting your life on the line. And say sorry to Takitsubou, and cry for forgiveness in front of Frenda’s grave. Then…” Shiage finally got the words he wanted to say out, “Then, we can go back to being ITEM. We can definitely go back!” After that, he swore that he, a Level 0, will protect all of them even if he has to risk his life.

After their talk, Academy City’s bomber planes drop three units to silence them. They are attacked by soldiers Equ.DarkMatter. Mugino, Shiage and Rikou defeat them. The group take down ITEM's liaison on the Board of directors and began to interrogate her to spilling all she knows about Academy City's 'potential ratings', known as Parameter List.