By 2008, Ryōko is dying from a fatal disease with Shinji stealing jewelry to give to her as presents. But thanks to Wataru Kurenai, Shinji manages to grant Ryōko her final request to see the tree that they planted, learning that she knows he was never human and still loves him anyway. But with his wife dead, Shinji goes berserk and attacks Ixa before attempting to kill Mio Suzuki after determining her true identity as the new Queen. The attempt on Mio's life leads Wataru to unlock the true power hidden within Kiva and uses Emperor Form's Emperor Moon Break to mortally wound the Grizzly Fangire as he crawls to Ryōko's body to see her one last time.