Shinra and Arthur compete in the Rookie Fire Soldier Games, a contest to test the abilities of each year's newest recruits. However, they are interrupted at the goal by the mysterious man who created explosions at their last fire scene.

While jogging, Shinra inadvertently disturbs Iris's purification rite, and sees that she is troubled. When Iris later turns up missing, the other members of Company 8 rally to Company 5's compound, to which Iris had secretly slipped away.