At the dawn of Episode 3 in *Gachiakuta*, as a doctor tends to Rudo's wounds, Enjin engages in a clandestine conversation with an unseen figure, boasting about a prodigious talent he's unearthed and expressing an urgency for their imminent meeting. Following this, he whisks the young boy away for a lunch outing, a gesture of benevolence that seems at odds with his previous demeanor. The protagonist, Rudo, is once again jolted into the realization that the Ground is far from the desolate wasteland he had envisioned; instead, it teems with bustling cities and a throng of people.
Enjin then proceeds to enlighten Rudo about Anima, the mystical force woven from the tapestry of emotions. It is this Anima that gives birth to the trash beasts, creatures that typically shun human settlements but can, at times, encroach upon them. These beasts are impervious to conventional weaponry, requiring a force of equal nature to vanquish them. Thus, the Cleaners must wield their "vital instruments"—objects cherished and nurtured with such devotion that Anima imbues them with power.
In essence, the Cleaners serve as conduits, channeling the power of their instruments to obliterate the trash beasts. Yet, the ability to harness Anima in such a manner is a rare gift, and the ranks of the Cleaners are perpetually in need of replenishment. Learning that Regto's theories about emotions residing within objects were true, and hearing Enjin lavish praise upon his gloves, nearly moves Rudo to tears.
However, just as the boy begins to let his guard down, Enjin's darker side resurfaces. He confesses to having sold all of Rudo's clothes, using the proceeds to foot their lunch bill. Before Rudo can muster a response, Enjin disappears, claiming he needs to find Rudo's trainer.
In a twist of fate, a mischievous cat pilfers a small pouch containing Rudo's remaining money from his attire, prompting the boy to give chase through a labyrinthine alleyway. Spotting a stick, he seizes it in a desperate bid to reclaim his lost fortune. But his actions do not go unnoticed; a Cleaner emerges from the shadows, livid at Rudo for co-opting his stick.
This Cleaner is none other than Zanka Nijiku, the very individual tasked with training Rudo. Zanka's fury is palpable, but Rudo manages to defuse the tension by recounting the entire ordeal and offering a sincere apology. The Cleaner's anger subsides, and in an instant, he transforms into a figure unrecognizable from his earlier self, leaving Rudo astounded. Rudo observes the dramatic shift in Zanka's demeanor, noting the emergence of a smile, and he mirrors the expression, finding himself caught in the unexpected warmth of the moment.
However, Rudo is absolutely hopeless when it comes to smiling; every attempt makes him look like he's spinning a web of lies. Even as he tries to remedy the situation with another grin, all he manages is the creepiest, most unsettling smile imaginable. Zanka's fury boils over once again, convinced that the boy is deliberately taunting him, and a brawl erupts between them.
To Zanka's utter astonishment, Rudo snatches a random, discarded object from the trash heap and, with a mere touch of his gloves, transforms it into something extraordinary. It turns out that anything his gloves come into contact with can be magically converted into a weapon of vital importance. Despite this newfound power, Zanka still has the upper hand, leveraging his greater experience to overpower Rudo.
Yet, the tide of battle shifts dramatically when Zanka realizes Rudo is wielding a plunger as his weapon of choice. As the boy flails it around wildly, the air fills with the repulsive residues of garbage and, well, you-know-what. Zanka finds himself fleeing for dear life, all the while attempting to explain to Rudo the sheer absurdity and disgust of his actions.
Alas, misfortune strikes Zanka as he stumbles and falls. Seizing the opportunity, Rudo proceeds to smear the contents of the plunger all over Zanka's clothes and, to add insult to injury, a bit of his face as well. When Enjin catches sight of this comical catastrophe, he bursts into uncontrollable laughter, leaving the boys feeling even more mortified and humiliated.
With the chaotic fight finally behind them, they make their way to the Cleaners HQ, accompanied by Riyou, another member of the cleaning crew.
