Namco × Capcom/Story/S3:Pre-Stage

20XX AD - Shibuya, Japan

???#1: "So the 'designated closed city' status...it was true after all."
???#2: "There seems to be a slight distortion in space."
???#2: "And... this 'energy'..."
???#1: "...Hmm. It's demonic energy, isn't it?"
???#2: "Demonic energy... huh."
???#1: "...For some time now, incidents have been occurring all over the world where evil spirits and monsters are running rampant."
???#2: "Demons and monsters... So, they are the ones who disrupt the human world."
???#1: "That's right... This is probably the place with the strongest demonic energy."
???#1: "...I have fulfilled my promise."
???#1: "Now it's your turn to tell me the truth."
???#2: "The truth? ...Everything I've already told you is the truth."
???#1: "...From the distant future... You came here by time-slipping..."
???#1: "Are you asking me to believe such nonsense?"
???#2: "Time slip... a time-space transfer."
???#2: "It is your prerogative to dismiss my words as nonsense..."
???#2: "But do you really think that someone who claims to be from the School of 'Bushin-ryu' would utter such falsehoods?"
???#1: "..."
???#2: "The fact that you and I met in that city called Metro City must be fate..."
???#2: "And it is because you understand that, that you brought me all the way here, isn't it?"
???#1: "...That is correct."
???#1: "An unprecedented surge in demonic energy, frequent inexplicable incidents, and the visitors from another world due to what you call a time slip..."
???#1: "There are far too many strange occurrences... and too little information..."
???#2: "My comrades are currently gathering information in another location."

[Location: Ibis Island]

???#2: "It's said to be a secluded island called Ibis Island. Haven't you ever heard of it?"
???#1: "Ibis Island... It's an island where a major accident occurred in the past during an experiment involving a certain energy resource."
???#2: "Energy resource...?"
???#1: "The details are completely unknown... or rather, the truth is that they were never revealed."
???#1: "Indeed... there might be something going on."
???#2: "It seems this place was indeed a cursed location."
???#2: "We have no choice but to wait for contact from the Captain... Are there any other places besides here where we might find some clues?"
???#1: "...It will take some time, but it's probably the only place."
???#2: "...?"
???#1: "There's the Imawano style... it's a different school, but like the Bushin style, there are those who carry on the bloodline of ninjas in modern times."
???#1: "If we use their information network, we might be able to uncover something."
???#2: "...And what about the location?"

[Location: Justice Academy]

???#1: "...Kiin Village, Private Justice Academy"
???#1: "It is a place of learning."

Makai - Tower of Druaga, Floor 59

Druaga: "...Joka... It seems you're having some trouble."
Joka: "Well, this is quite embarrassing."
Joka: "The inhabitants of Busshitsukai... I thought they weren't much to speak of, but it turns out they're quite something."
Druaga: "...Hurry. Before the 'Rift of Time' opens again."
Druaga: "Hurry... My power... And Gilgamesh..."
Joka: "Well, well, what an impatient person."
Joka: (Before the "Rift of Time is opened again"?)
Joka: (The fact that he's more concerned about being sealed away than anything else means there's still something "deeper"...)

???: "Kikikiki... What a pathetic sight, Joka."
???: "I came here 'cause I was told there was a job... never expected it to be in a place like this."
Joka: "So you've arrived."
Joka: "While we're in a place like this, I'd like you to go to a place like that."
???: "A place like what?"
Joka: "Busshitsukai."
Joka: "I don't know if she's to your liking, but there's a rather cute cat-girl there as well."
???: "Something to my liking...? That sounds promising."
???: "...It'll be worth the effort to carve her up. Kikiki."
Joka: "I'll be going to Shinkai, so I'll leave things in your hands."

[Location: Ishtar's Temple]

???: "Shinkai... You targeting the goddess Ishtar?"
???: "Going straight for the top target like that, scoring points must be really tough, huh?"
Joka: "Not at all."
Joka: "Even with my adorable power, she's not an easy opponent."
Joka: "No need to rush, no need to panic... For now, we'll approach carefully from 'below'."
Joka: "And sending you there this time is part of that plan."
???: "So I'm just an errand boy? That's no fun at all."
Joka: "Now, now, don't say that."
???: "...It might be fun to just carve up that little girl we're after."
???: "I wonder what kind of face that bastard Druaga will make... kikiki."
Joka: "..."
Joka: "...You're free to do whatever you want with the other women."
Joka: "But that girl must remain unharmed... That's the absolute condition...!"
???: "Ooh, scary, scary..."
???: "Hey, hey, don't get so serious. It's just a joke."
???: "I'm just doing my job."
???: "Kikikikiki..."
Joka: "..."
Joka: "I thought things would go a little more smoothly..."
Joka: "Hehe... It looks like things are going to get even more interesting."

20XX AD - Private Justice Academy, In Front of the School Gate

Sakura: "Hah, hah..."
Sakura: "We finally made it..."
Karin: "Phew... *sigh*..."
Karin: "That's why I said we should've chartered a helicopter!"
Karin: "Why am I being forced to ride on a train with commoners, and then walk the rest of the way!?"
Karin: "And at a full sprint, no less!"
Sakura: "Hey, I can't wait around for a helicopter! Besides, it's scary!"
Karin: "...Sakura, you're not a wild boar, are you? By any logic, traveling by air is much faster."
Karin: "Honestly... Besides, I don't understand the point of building a school in such a remote place like Kiin Village!"
Sakura: "The target of your anger is gradually shifting."
Sakura: "That clown monster disappeared along the way, but we arrived safely at Justice Academy, so it's all good, right?"
Karin: "This person really is..."
Karin: (She seems to have completely forgotten that she's being targeted by that clown...)
Sakura: "Anyway, we need to call Professor Shimazu."
Karin: "Now that we've been able to identify the cause of the 'sleeping sickness' to some extent, it's certainly necessary to confirm it as soon as possible."
Sakura: "That's right! Professor Shimazu told me to let him know immediately if I found out anything."
Karin: "...Well, that's fine."
Karin: "So, Sakura, have you made an appo?"
Sakura: "Huh?"
Karin: "This place, Private Justice Academy, is like its own 'ward,' you know?"
Karin: "Even if you make a fuss in front of the school gate, you won't be able to get in."
Karin: "You need to make an appo in advance..."
Sakura: "...Uh, um... appro wrestling?"
Karin: "Appo! As in appointment!"
Karin: "It's an arrangement to meet!"
Sakura: "Um..."
Sakura: "D-do I... really need to do that?"
Karin: "...She is really something else..."