Gachiakuta Volume 4

Chapter 23: "Favorite Treat"

A breather chapter following the intense Raiders battle. The team returns to Cleaners HQ, and through casual interactions over food and rest, we see the bonds between Team Akuta members strengthening. These quieter moments reveal character personalities beyond combat—their preferences, habits, and the small joys they find in The Pit's harsh environment. The chapter emphasizes that survival isn't just about fighting; it's about maintaining humanity and connection.

Chapter 24: "Rudo's Vital Instrument: P.S. He Went On A Diet"

A crucial revelation chapter. Rudo learns that his "3R" gloves aren't unique—they're part of the Watchman Series, a collection of Vital Instruments with special significance. This discovery raises questions about Regto's past and how he obtained such a rare instrument. The humorous title masks serious implications: if Rudo's power is part of a series, what are the other instruments? Who created them? And why does the Watchman Series exist? The chapter also shows Rudo's growth as he learns to use his abilities more efficiently.

Chapter 25: "Before We Go"

Preparation for a new mission. Team Akuta receives orders to investigate strange occurrences near the border between The Sphere and The Ground. Before departing, team members make final preparations, gather supplies, and share meaningful conversations. The chapter builds anticipation while providing character development through how each person prepares differently—some check equipment meticulously, others say goodbyes, and some simply steel themselves mentally for what's ahead.

Chapter 26: "The City Of Graffiti"

Team Akuta arrives at Penta, a settlement in the No Man's Land between safe zones. Unlike other communities in The Pit, Penta is covered in vibrant graffiti art—a stark contrast to the wasteland's usual bleakness. The city represents artistic expression as resistance against despair. Residents use art to mark territory, tell stories, and maintain hope. This chapter introduces a different survival philosophy: beauty and creativity as weapons against The Pit's dehumanizing environment. The graffiti designs by Hideyoshi Ando shine here, making Penta visually distinct.

Chapter 27: "A Worthy Successor"

Exploration of legacy and inheritance themes. The chapter delves into what it means to carry on someone else's will—whether through Succession-type Vital Instruments or simply living up to a mentor's teachings. Rudo reflects on Regto's philosophy about finding value in discarded objects, realizing he's becoming a "worthy successor" to those ideals. The chapter parallels Rudo's journey with other characters who struggle with inherited expectations, showing that being a successor isn't about perfection but about honoring core values while forging your own path.

Chapter 28: "Picture-Drawing and Trash-Picking"

A thematic chapter connecting Penta's graffiti artists with Rudo's trash-picking philosophy. Both activities involve finding beauty and meaning in what others overlook or discard. The chapter shows Rudo interacting with local artists who see parallels between his ability to transform trash into weapons and their ability to transform blank walls into art. This connection deepens the series' central message: value isn't inherent—it's created through care, attention, and belief. The juxtaposition of "picture-drawing" and "trash-picking" as equally valid forms of creation challenges conventional hierarchies of worth.

Chapter 29: "Penta: The Desert No Man's Land"

World-building chapter establishing Penta's geography and strategic importance. The No Man's Land is a dangerous buffer zone between controlled territories—too far from Cleaners HQ for regular protection but not claimed by Raiders either. Penta's survival depends on neutrality and self-sufficiency. The desert environment creates unique challenges: extreme temperatures, limited water, and Trash Beasts adapted to arid conditions. The chapter explores how communities adapt to different regions of The Pit, showing that survival strategies vary based on local conditions and resources.

Chapter 30: "Penta: Vwhrrr Ka-Sniff"

Action returns as Team Akuta encounters unique Trash Beasts native to the desert region. The onomatopoeia title captures the strange sounds these creatures make—different from the urban Trash Beasts they've fought before. Combat in the desert requires different tactics: managing heat exhaustion, dealing with sand that obscures vision, and fighting enemies that burrow underground. The chapter demonstrates Team Akuta's adaptability and shows that even experienced Cleaners must constantly learn and adjust to new threats.

Chapter 31: "Visitors"

The volume concludes with mysterious visitors arriving in Penta, setting up future conflicts. These newcomers bring news about the border and hints about the Watchman Series' true purpose. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger that propels the story toward investigating the border's mysteries. Through these visitors, we learn that the separation between The Sphere and The Ground isn't just physical—it's actively maintained by forces with their own agendas. The volume's final pages promise that answers about Rudo's Vital Instrument and the world's structure are coming, but they'll require venturing into dangerous territory.

Art as Resistance

Penta's graffiti culture introduces the idea that creativity and beauty are forms of resistance against despair. In a world designed to crush hope, maintaining artistic expression becomes an act of defiance. The chapter explores how communities preserve humanity not just through survival but through culture, art, and shared meaning-making.

Legacy and Succession

The volume deeply explores what it means to inherit someone's will. Rudo grapples with being Regto's successor—not just of his Vital Instrument but of his philosophy. The theme extends beyond individual relationships to ask: how do communities pass down values? How do we honor the past while creating our own future?

Expanding Mysteries

The Watchman Series revelation transforms Rudo's personal story into a larger mystery. His Vital Instrument isn't just a tool—it's a piece of a puzzle involving the border, The Sphere's separation from The Ground, and potentially the world's entire structure. This shift elevates the stakes from personal revenge to uncovering fundamental truths about reality.

Community Diversity

Penta demonstrates that there's no single "right" way to survive in The Pit. While the Cleaners focus on combat and protection, Penta thrives through art, trade, and cultural expression. This diversity challenges the notion that strength equals survival, showing that different communities can flourish through different values and approaches.

Penta - The Graffiti City

A unique settlement in the No Man's Land, covered entirely in vibrant graffiti art. Represents a different survival philosophy based on creativity and cultural expression.

• • Location: Desert region of No Man's Land
• • Culture: Art-focused, neutral territory
• • Challenges: Extreme heat, limited resources
• • Significance: Shows diversity of Pit communities

The No Man's Land

Buffer zones between controlled territories—too far from Cleaners protection but not claimed by Raiders. Dangerous but offering freedom from factional control.