Aramaki has been released from police custody and is meeting with the Japanese Minister of Justice about prosecuting Yakushima. Unfortunately, Section Nine is still considered to be a bunch of rogue agents on the run. Saito and Ishikawa are captured by Umibozu Special Forces operatives and Baitu and Kusanagi are the only free Section Nine agents. Batou ends up endangering himself to recover a sentimental watch belonging to the Major.
Batou manages to hold his own until he is attacked by two armored combat suits. Batou is unexpectedly helped by the arrival of the Tachikomas. The Tachikomas give their lives to save Batou and Kusanagi evacuates him. The Major attempts to flee the country at the airport with Batou but she is promptly assassinated by Umibozu.
The body isn't wearing her special watch, though.
- Calling the Cops on the FBI: Section Nine's biggest threat comes from the Japanese government rather than themselves.
- The Cavalry: The Tachikomas provide help that Batou desperately needs in order to deal with the enemy.
- Darkest Hour: Section Nine is hunted by the government, the military has forces ready to terminate them, and half are already captured. It becomes Batou's here when he ends up cornered by two armored tank suits that he's only saved from through the Tachikoma's Heroic Sacrifice.
- Elite Mooks: The Umibozu prove themselves to be the equal of Section Nine in combat and overwhelm Batou.
- Faking the Dead: The Major is implied to have done this using one of her remote bodies.
- Heroic Sacrifice: The Tachikomas give their life in order to make sure that Batou lives.
- The Most Wanted: Section Nine has become the most wanted criminals in Japan.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: Despite the fact Yakushima has been involved in massive numbers of crimes, Section Nine's bad publicity mixed with fights with the JSDF means that they're still fugitives.
- What Measure Is a Non-Human?: The Tachikomas prove their personhood beyond a doubt to the Major with their Heroic Sacrifice.
