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:For a more compact presentation, see [[Oni2:Truth Number Zero/Timeline|TNZ/Timeline]]. For a wishlist/roadmap of TNZ-oriented mods, see [[Oni2:Truth Number Zero/Wishmap|TNZ/Wishmap]]. | :For a more compact presentation, see [[Oni2:Truth Number Zero/Timeline|TNZ/Timeline]]. For a wishlist/roadmap of TNZ-oriented mods, see [[Oni2:Truth Number Zero/Wishmap|TNZ/Wishmap]]. | ||
In line with the TNZ philosophy, new terminology and chronology is kept to a minimum -- keeping the amount of data close to Oni's, with just a few blanks filled in according to [[wp:Occam's razor|Occam's razor]]. | In line with the TNZ philosophy, new terminology and chronology is kept to a minimum -- keeping the amount of data close to Oni's, with just a few blanks filled in according to [[wp:Occam's razor|Occam's razor]]. | ||
==Divergence & Emergence== | ==Divergence & Emergence== | ||
If we look for the "roots" of Oni's story, we will soon identify several key entities that make Oni's world different from ours and set it in an alternate history (with a "fork" somewhere in the late XX century). | If we look for the "roots" of Oni's story, we will soon identify several key entities that make Oni's world different from ours and set it in an alternate history (with a "fork" somewhere in the late XX century). | ||
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:*the "fork" between our world and Oni's happened sooner, in the early XX century. | :*the "fork" between our world and Oni's happened sooner, in the early XX century. | ||
:For what it's worth, the manual mentions biowarfare (and even nukes), as well as the United Nations, so it would appear that WMDs did exist at some point, but were dismantled. | :For what it's worth, the manual mentions biowarfare (and even nukes), as well as the United Nations, so it would appear that WMDs did exist at some point, but were dismantled. | ||
===The Network=== | ===The Network=== | ||
The ingame-canon [[Quotes/Consoles#History_of_the_Syndicate|"History of the Syndicate"]] tells us of a "young and agile" organization -- "the faceless Network" -- that superseded the Mafia because it was better suited for the "techno-centric world of the twenty first century". | The ingame-canon [[Quotes/Consoles#History_of_the_Syndicate|"History of the Syndicate"]] tells us of a "young and agile" organization -- "the faceless Network" -- that superseded the Mafia because it was better suited for the "techno-centric world of the twenty first century". | ||
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Following the gradual emergence of Phase Tech and -- in parallel, but for unrelated reasons - that of the Network, '''the risks of revolutionary technology falling into the "wrong hands" were daunting'''. Phase Tech was still a little-understood field of "alien magic" at the time, and the Network was aggressively seizing control of the most promising developments. This precarious situation was one of the main motivations of the geopolitical coup that was staged in the early 2010s. | Following the gradual emergence of Phase Tech and -- in parallel, but for unrelated reasons - that of the Network, '''the risks of revolutionary technology falling into the "wrong hands" were daunting'''. Phase Tech was still a little-understood field of "alien magic" at the time, and the Network was aggressively seizing control of the most promising developments. This precarious situation was one of the main motivations of the geopolitical coup that was staged in the early 2010s. | ||
The manual (for what it's worth) cites other reasons for the institution of the World Coalition Government: from financial ones (mutual debt, saturated globalization trends) to environmental (pollution and disease requiring strong decision-making on a global scale) or military (never-ending skirmishes -- with or without WMD risk --, and the terrifying effects of biowarfare). All of those motives are legitimate, but work even better in combination with the Phase Tech threat. | The manual (for what it's worth) cites other reasons for the institution of the World Coalition Government: from financial ones (mutual debt, saturated globalization trends) to environmental (pollution and disease requiring strong decision-making on a global scale) or military (never-ending skirmishes -- with or without WMD risk --, and the terrifying effects of biowarfare). All of those motives are legitimate, but work even better in combination with the Phase Tech threat. | ||
===WCG's Uprising & World Riots=== | ===WCG's Uprising & World Riots=== | ||
a.k.a. "Great Uprising" or "Uprising War" (an even shorter moniker may have been "GrUp", hinting both at the notion of "(re)grouping" and at the speed with which the initiative was "grabbed"). | a.k.a. "Great Uprising" or "Uprising War" (an even shorter moniker may have been "GrUp", hinting both at the notion of "(re)grouping" and at the speed with which the initiative was "grabbed"). | ||
The Uprising is described as a series of annexions (possibly backed up by pseudo-democratic self-determinations à la Crimea 2014), which took populations -- and the Network -- by surprise. The date may have been anywhere in the early 2010s (the manual infamously quotes it as "January 12th, 2032", possibly meaning 2012). The same manual (for what it's worth) implies that the annexions took place on a single day, grabbing 80% of the world countries, and that the "holdouts" (countries/regions which initially resisted the annexion) were resolved "in a matter of months". National armies were obviously involved in the operation, but the approach was a hybrid one, amply resorting to [[Quotes/Manual# | The Uprising is described as a series of annexions (possibly backed up by pseudo-democratic self-determinations à la Crimea 2014), which took populations -- and the Network -- by surprise. The date may have been anywhere in the early 2010s (the manual infamously quotes it as "January 12th, 2032", possibly meaning 2012). The same manual (for what it's worth) implies that the annexions took place on a single day, grabbing 80% of the world countries, and that the "holdouts" (countries/regions which initially resisted the annexion) were resolved "in a matter of months". National armies were obviously involved in the operation, but the approach was a hybrid one, amply resorting to [[Quotes/Manual#Sniper|mercenaries]] as well as "corporate" forces. | ||
Apart from a vast conspiracy between leaders and influencers in many countries, and "organized treason" at the highest military level, the Uprising required an unprecedented effort in logistics -- communication between the myriads of task forces in charge of the annexions needed to be flawless. Supplies and transportation also needed to be flexible, so as to adapt to any contingency during the "grab". This is when the modular [[Quotes/Items#ammo|ammo]] system was developed (along with other standardized tech). | Apart from a vast conspiracy between leaders and influencers in many countries, and "organized treason" at the highest military level, the Uprising required an unprecedented effort in logistics -- communication between the myriads of task forces in charge of the annexions needed to be flawless. Supplies and transportation also needed to be flexible, so as to adapt to any contingency during the "grab". This is when the modular [[Quotes/Items#ammo|ammo]] system was developed (along with other standardized tech). | ||
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===Power Revolution=== | ===Power Revolution=== | ||
'''Standardized technology is how the WCG asserted its authority''', even in those regions where it wasn't welcome. Even more pervasive than WorldNet propaganda, or the strict regulation of people's activities, was the forced standardization (and state monopolization) of '''basic infrastructure and commodities'''. Thus one of the main sources of WCG's power was, aptly enough, power itself. | '''Standardized technology is how the WCG asserted its authority''', even in those regions where it wasn't welcome. Even more pervasive than WorldNet propaganda, or the strict regulation of people's activities, was the forced standardization (and state monopolization) of '''basic infrastructure and commodities'''. Thus one of the main sources of WCG's power was, aptly enough, power itself. | ||
====[[Quotes/Items#cell|The Ubiquitous Energy Cell]]==== | ====[[Quotes/Items#cell|The Ubiquitous Energy Cell]]==== | ||
:''Governments and markets welcomed the emergence of the World Coalition Government, or were crushed beneath it. As hostilities subsided the WCG began to standardize "fundamental technical elements" across all market regions. The ubiquitous Energy Cell has replaced all other portable power sources. | :''Governments and markets welcomed the emergence of the World Coalition Government, or were crushed beneath it. As hostilities subsided the WCG began to standardize "fundamental technical elements" across all market regions. The ubiquitous Energy Cell has replaced all other portable power sources. | ||
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While not canon in the strictest sense, the "power plant theory" draws from the fact that Bungie West initially designed the ACC levels as massive power plants, and later "repurposed" them as air-cleaning facilities after the "toxic theme" emerged (Jamie's fate in the Zone, Hasegawa's Chrysalis project, and Muro's twisted Sturmanderung plan all revolve about the increasing toxicity of the environment). | While not canon in the strictest sense, the "power plant theory" draws from the fact that Bungie West initially designed the ACC levels as massive power plants, and later "repurposed" them as air-cleaning facilities after the "toxic theme" emerged (Jamie's fate in the Zone, Hasegawa's Chrysalis project, and Muro's twisted Sturmanderung plan all revolve about the increasing toxicity of the environment). | ||
As a further non-canon addition, it makes sense that the power grid was also standardized, so that only WCG-certified tech would be able to connect to it. Unauthorized equipment would be detected through the power grid itself and reported to the TCTF, so that the offending appliances could be taxed or confiscated -- all in the name of operational safety. This fits in well with the massive power plants, the "ubiquitous Energy Cell", and the general tendency of the WCG to hook its citizens onto state-regulated technology. | As a further non-canon addition, it makes sense that the power grid was also standardized, so that only WCG-certified tech would be able to connect to it. Unauthorized equipment would be detected through the power grid itself and reported to the TCTF, so that the offending appliances could be taxed or confiscated -- all in the name of operational safety. This fits in well with the massive power plants, the "ubiquitous Energy Cell", and the general tendency of the WCG to hook its citizens onto state-regulated technology. | ||
==Pet Threats== | ==Pet Threats== | ||
Social unrest manifested itself only briefly, following the Great Uprising and World Riots. Jamie's activism was part of that movement, but as we see it didn't achieve much besides getting Jamie [[wp:Darwin_Awards|killed]]. | Social unrest manifested itself only briefly, following the Great Uprising and World Riots. Jamie's activism was part of that movement, but as we see it didn't achieve much besides getting Jamie [[wp:Darwin_Awards|killed]]. | ||
:(Indirectly, Jamie's "sacrifice" did provide the motivation for Hasegawa's Daodan research, but that's another story.) | :(Indirectly, Jamie's "sacrifice" did provide the motivation for Hasegawa's Daodan research, but that's another story.) | ||
Apart from standardization and regulation per se, WCG's authority rests on two other pillars: '''pollution''' and '''crime'''. Whether deliberately or not, the WCG is constantly fighting back those two "pet threats", without ever achieving victory. | Apart from standardization and regulation per se, WCG's authority rests on two other pillars: '''pollution''' and '''crime'''. Whether deliberately or not, the WCG is constantly fighting back those two "pet threats", without ever achieving victory. | ||
===Syndicate=== | ===Syndicate=== | ||
The Network radicalized itself in order to retain control of the black market and in order to fight back the TCTF's raids. In the neo-totalitarian landscape illegal facilities either needed to stay completely "off the radar" or had to be relocated in non-WCG countries where the TCTF couldn't easily reach them. "Bulk smuggling" to and from the WCG countries became key, as well as paramilitary enforcement of illegal operations. | The Network radicalized itself in order to retain control of the black market and in order to fight back the TCTF's raids. In the neo-totalitarian landscape illegal facilities either needed to stay completely "off the radar" or had to be relocated in non-WCG countries where the TCTF couldn't easily reach them. "Bulk smuggling" to and from the WCG countries became key, as well as paramilitary enforcement of illegal operations. | ||
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''Cyborg enforcers from the game [[Syndicate Wars]] (no relation). | ''Cyborg enforcers from the game [[Syndicate Wars]] (no relation). | ||
====Council a.k.a. Hydra==== | ====Council a.k.a. Hydra==== | ||
The structure of the pre-Muro Syndicate is never described in Oni canon, except for allusions to a bunch of "old bosses" in the manual (for what it's worth). TNZ fanon posits the existence of a '''Council a.k.a. Hydra''', where said bosses collectively decided on the course of action. Something similar to a corporate board of directors, it was a legacy of the pre-WCG Network, and kept the Syndicate from being overrun by military types. | The structure of the pre-Muro Syndicate is never described in Oni canon, except for allusions to a bunch of "old bosses" in the manual (for what it's worth). TNZ fanon posits the existence of a '''Council a.k.a. Hydra''', where said bosses collectively decided on the course of action. Something similar to a corporate board of directors, it was a legacy of the pre-WCG Network, and kept the Syndicate from being overrun by military types. | ||
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The dual monuments to global pollution -- Atmospheric Conversion Centers (a.k.a. Atmospheric Processors) and Wilderness Preserves -- are detailed below. | The dual monuments to global pollution -- Atmospheric Conversion Centers (a.k.a. Atmospheric Processors) and Wilderness Preserves -- are detailed below. | ||
====Atmospheric Processing==== | ====Atmospheric Processing==== | ||
Oni makes it clear that, at the time of Oni's events, life in the cities is made possible by huge air-cleaning facilities (the ACCs). Oni does not disambiguate the initial source of the pollution (the manual -- for what it's worth -- simply says that "the air has gone bad"). Preexistent pollution (modern-day-like) may have been complemented by biological warfare before or during the Uprising, then by careless or unlucky "recycling" of obsolete technology during the WCG-imposed standardization, and finally by ill side effects of ACCs themselves. | Oni makes it clear that, at the time of Oni's events, life in the cities is made possible by huge air-cleaning facilities (the ACCs). Oni does not disambiguate the initial source of the pollution (the manual -- for what it's worth -- simply says that "the air has gone bad"). Preexistent pollution (modern-day-like) may have been complemented by biological warfare before or during the Uprising, then by careless or unlucky "recycling" of obsolete technology during the WCG-imposed standardization, and finally by ill side effects of ACCs themselves. | ||
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:(If you did something dramatically stupid, would you not try to rationalize it afterwards, so as to make it look, if not less stupid, at least a bit more dramatic than it actually was?) | :(If you did something dramatically stupid, would you not try to rationalize it afterwards, so as to make it look, if not less stupid, at least a bit more dramatic than it actually was?) | ||
We Do Not Know. | We Do Not Know. | ||
===We Were Prepared - BUT=== | ===We Were Prepared - BUT=== | ||
*"We both knew it was dangerous '''but''' we were young and thought we were indestructible." | *"We both knew it was dangerous '''but''' we were young and thought we were indestructible." | ||
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*"We knew that traveling there would brand us as enemies of the state. '''[(BUT)]''' We thought we were prepared to deal with the consequences of our choice..." | *"We knew that traveling there would brand us as enemies of the state. '''[(BUT)]''' We thought we were prepared to deal with the consequences of our choice..." | ||
... and then of course "what happened was more horrible than anything we could have ever imagined". | ... and then of course "what happened was more horrible than anything we could have ever imagined". | ||
====Children? What Children?==== | ====Children? What Children?==== | ||
Hasegawa's narrative includes an admirable argumentation about how there were '''obvious risks''' -- certainties , even (like becoming enemies of the state after unveiling whatever they thought they'd unveil) -- but still the young couple went ahead with it all. It's peculiar how the couple's children are never mentioned at this point. While it's true that young parents are sometimes tempted to make the most of their lives (leaving it to their relatives to care for the children), the Hasegawas are kind of going to extremes here. | Hasegawa's narrative includes an admirable argumentation about how there were '''obvious risks''' -- certainties , even (like becoming enemies of the state after unveiling whatever they thought they'd unveil) -- but still the young couple went ahead with it all. It's peculiar how the couple's children are never mentioned at this point. While it's true that young parents are sometimes tempted to make the most of their lives (leaving it to their relatives to care for the children), the Hasegawas are kind of going to extremes here. | ||
====Not Afraid To Use It==== | ====Not Afraid To Use It==== | ||
Also interesting how Hasegawa brought a gun on the trip, and how awkwardly "convenient" it turned out to be. Possibly it was "just" to defend against wild beasts (mutant hamsters?). But, if the Hasegawas admittedly "knew that traveling there would brand [them] as enemies of the state", then who's to say that the gun wasn't meant to be used as a last resort if running into "zone-guards", or for committing ritual suicide? The two young people may already feel like they have "nothing to lose" at this point (ahem... children?), but the gun is what makes all the difference between clueless and reckless. | Also interesting how Hasegawa brought a gun on the trip, and how awkwardly "convenient" it turned out to be. Possibly it was "just" to defend against wild beasts (mutant hamsters?). But, if the Hasegawas admittedly "knew that traveling there would brand [them] as enemies of the state", then who's to say that the gun wasn't meant to be used as a last resort if running into "zone-guards", or for committing ritual suicide? The two young people may already feel like they have "nothing to lose" at this point (ahem... children?), but the gun is what makes all the difference between clueless and reckless. | ||
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===Murder Or Mercy=== | ===Murder Or Mercy=== | ||
The minutes of Hasegawa's trial would be just as interesting to look at as Kerr's conversations with Hasegawa following Jamie's loss. ("He misses her as much as I do" -- except I'm the one who shot his sister, and he was the one who reluctantly let us go and stayed home with both our kids.) | The minutes of Hasegawa's trial would be just as interesting to look at as Kerr's conversations with Hasegawa following Jamie's loss. ("He misses her as much as I do" -- except I'm the one who shot his sister, and he was the one who reluctantly let us go and stayed home with both our kids.) | ||
====A deal with the WCG?==== | ====A deal with the WCG?==== | ||
Given the strict rules of the WCG, it is not clear how Hasegawa -- both an enemy of the state and a self-confessed murderer -- avoided prosecution and prison. The incident received a lot of media attention in the first days, so it would have been hard for Hasegawa to publicly deny the toxicity he and Jamie encountered in the Zone, and even harder to back out of murder charges and blame Jamie's death on the activists somehow -- if anything, it would have been a betrayal of Jamie's ideals. So it's not clear what kind of deal he could have made with the WCG, if any. | Given the strict rules of the WCG, it is not clear how Hasegawa -- both an enemy of the state and a self-confessed murderer -- avoided prosecution and prison. The incident received a lot of media attention in the first days, so it would have been hard for Hasegawa to publicly deny the toxicity he and Jamie encountered in the Zone, and even harder to back out of murder charges and blame Jamie's death on the activists somehow -- if anything, it would have been a betrayal of Jamie's ideals. So it's not clear what kind of deal he could have made with the WCG, if any. | ||
====Syndicate headhunting?==== | ====Syndicate headhunting?==== | ||
An alternative possibility is that Hasegawa somehow escaped custody and hid away under the Syndicate's wing, convincing Kerr to do the same (and taking the kids along). Perhaps Hasegawa's involvement with the activists already caught the Network/Syndicate's attention and tagged him as a potential renegade scientist. Then during the trial (or while on parole) he may have been contacted/approached by Syndicate headhunters. He and Kerr were offered the prospect to continue their work as scientists in a relatively liberal environment, as opposed to remaining in WCG territory and standing trial. | An alternative possibility is that Hasegawa somehow escaped custody and hid away under the Syndicate's wing, convincing Kerr to do the same (and taking the kids along). Perhaps Hasegawa's involvement with the activists already caught the Network/Syndicate's attention and tagged him as a potential renegade scientist. Then during the trial (or while on parole) he may have been contacted/approached by Syndicate headhunters. He and Kerr were offered the prospect to continue their work as scientists in a relatively liberal environment, as opposed to remaining in WCG territory and standing trial. | ||
The future of Mai and Muro was also at stake. Without much of a hesitation, and still a bit overwhelmed by the events, Hasegawa and Kerr took the offer and disappeared. At this point Hasegawa did not yet have a clear idea of how he'd ever be able to amend for Jamie's death. Kerr was still in awe at Hasegawa's deed and at the loss of his sister, but realized that this was the only way left to go. | The future of Mai and Muro was also at stake. Without much of a hesitation, and still a bit overwhelmed by the events, Hasegawa and Kerr took the offer and disappeared. At this point Hasegawa did not yet have a clear idea of how he'd ever be able to amend for Jamie's death. Kerr was still in awe at Hasegawa's deed and at the loss of his sister, but realized that this was the only way left to go. | ||
==Daodan Genesis== | ==Daodan Genesis== | ||
:''Your father and I were criminals, funded by the Syndicate. | :''Your father and I were criminals, funded by the Syndicate. | ||
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:''Jamie's death won't be in vain. I'm going to do something about the nightmare that killed her. | :''Jamie's death won't be in vain. I'm going to do something about the nightmare that killed her. | ||
Easier said than done. And vague as hell, too. But better than nothing. | Easier said than done. And vague as hell, too. But better than nothing. | ||
===The Elusive Pathogen=== | ===The Elusive Pathogen=== | ||
We do not know what Hasegawa's (or Kerr's) field of research was before Jamie's death, but the first idea was to try and identify the pathogen that killed Jamie (and then design a cure). Initial investigations by the CDC ("Grad student dies" printout, for what it's worth) talk of a "new fatal virus infection that caused complete cellular breakdown". Somewhat alarmingly, "investigators fail to identify the DNA trace of the virus" -- which may mean that there is no trace at all, or that there is a DNA, but one that is unknown to science. English speakers please help: is it the latter? | We do not know what Hasegawa's (or Kerr's) field of research was before Jamie's death, but the first idea was to try and identify the pathogen that killed Jamie (and then design a cure). Initial investigations by the CDC ("Grad student dies" printout, for what it's worth) talk of a "new fatal virus infection that caused complete cellular breakdown". Somewhat alarmingly, "investigators fail to identify the DNA trace of the virus" -- which may mean that there is no trace at all, or that there is a DNA, but one that is unknown to science. English speakers please help: is it the latter? | ||
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Dream come true? Not so fast. | Dream come true? Not so fast. | ||
===Reactive or pro-active?=== | ===Reactive or pro-active?=== | ||
If the mysterious entity powering the Chrysalis ([[wp:Maxwell's Demon|Hasegawa's Demon]]) was such a godsend -- allowing humanity to coexist with any pathogens, past, present and future --, then Hasegawa could/should/would have called it "HAPéCURE" or "Hello Heaven", or maybe "Laliosar" ("Let's All Live In Our Shit And Rejoice"). | If the mysterious entity powering the Chrysalis ([[wp:Maxwell's Demon|Hasegawa's Demon]]) was such a godsend -- allowing humanity to coexist with any pathogens, past, present and future --, then Hasegawa could/should/would have called it "HAPéCURE" or "Hello Heaven", or maybe "Laliosar" ("Let's All Live In Our Shit And Rejoice"). | ||
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===Mukade's Two Cents=== | ===Mukade's Two Cents=== | ||
With the Chrysalis process discovered, Hasegawa had more work for Mukade. Snatching valuable equipment from WCG labs (kind of like Muro's raid on Vago in {{C|3}}), gathering samples of various pathogens (from labs as well as from Contaminated Zones)... and brainstorming on possible applications/implications of what had just been discovered. The two bonded even more at this point. | With the Chrysalis process discovered, Hasegawa had more work for Mukade. Snatching valuable equipment from WCG labs (kind of like Muro's raid on Vago in {{C|3}}), gathering samples of various pathogens (from labs as well as from Contaminated Zones)... and brainstorming on possible applications/implications of what had just been discovered. The two bonded even more at this point. | ||
====Syndicate As Host==== | ====Syndicate As Host==== | ||
From Hasegawa's point of view, the Daodan is raw chaos -- he loves the beauty of it, and how it echoes Jamie's activism, but he has no idea how it could help making the world into a better place (mutants roaming a poisonous wasteland? really?). But Mukade is wiser and more knowledgeable about both the WCG and the Syndicate, aware of all their strengths and weaknesses... and he quickly comes up with a daring scheme (part plan, part contingency) in which the Daodan is used to infiltrate the Syndicate, redefine its purpose, and turn it into a tool of radical change at the global scale (sturmänderung?). | From Hasegawa's point of view, the Daodan is raw chaos -- he loves the beauty of it, and how it echoes Jamie's activism, but he has no idea how it could help making the world into a better place (mutants roaming a poisonous wasteland? really?). But Mukade is wiser and more knowledgeable about both the WCG and the Syndicate, aware of all their strengths and weaknesses... and he quickly comes up with a daring scheme (part plan, part contingency) in which the Daodan is used to infiltrate the Syndicate, redefine its purpose, and turn it into a tool of radical change at the global scale (sturmänderung?). | ||
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==Hook, Line And Sinker== | ==Hook, Line And Sinker== | ||
We know practically as fact that the Syndicate was tempted by the Chrysalis's potential as a human weapon ("universal soldier"), and realized only too late how unpredictable and uncontrollable he was becoming. | We know practically as fact that the Syndicate was tempted by the Chrysalis's potential as a human weapon ("universal soldier"), and realized only too late how unpredictable and uncontrollable he was becoming. | ||
===Muro's Trainers : The New Elite=== | ===Muro's Trainers : The New Elite=== | ||
Muro's charisma as a "superboy" granted him authority over many of his trainers and sparring partners, as well as many low-level Syndicate members, who saw him as a symbol of "social justice" (pawns being able to strike back at management, after years of rigid subordination). | Muro's charisma as a "superboy" granted him authority over many of his trainers and sparring partners, as well as many low-level Syndicate members, who saw him as a symbol of "social justice" (pawns being able to strike back at management, after years of rigid subordination). | ||
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===Mukade VS Hasegawa=== | ===Mukade VS Hasegawa=== | ||
:At the time of Oni's events, Mukade is "Muro's master ninja" and Hasegawa is nowhere to be seen (and is referenced by Muro in the past tense). What well-informed guesses can we put forward? | :At the time of Oni's events, Mukade is "Muro's master ninja" and Hasegawa is nowhere to be seen (and is referenced by Muro in the past tense). What well-informed guesses can we put forward? | ||
====Daddy Must Die==== | ====Daddy Must Die==== | ||
Hasegawa understood, somewhat reluctantly, that he couldn't possibly remain a role model for Muro throughout the alienation process, therefore he (Hasegawa) had to "disappear" at least as an altruist. One possibility is that he "died" at some point (or exiled himself), leaving Mukade in charge of Muro and of the "alienated Syndicate". Another possibility is that Hasegawa willingly submitted to a violent alienation of self, essentially becoming a "new Mukade" (upon which it's the true/old Mukade who may have left). | Hasegawa understood, somewhat reluctantly, that he couldn't possibly remain a role model for Muro throughout the alienation process, therefore he (Hasegawa) had to "disappear" at least as an altruist. One possibility is that he "died" at some point (or exiled himself), leaving Mukade in charge of Muro and of the "alienated Syndicate". Another possibility is that Hasegawa willingly submitted to a violent alienation of self, essentially becoming a "new Mukade" (upon which it's the true/old Mukade who may have left). | ||