Zero's declaration to aid in the Special Administrative Zone of Japan proves controversial among the Black Knights. In spite of Zero's support, no Elevens sign up to join.
Suzaku continues to ponder if Lelouch regained his memories. If he had, he wanted to ask him why Euphemia had to die. As he was deep in thought, an Eleven disguised as a soldier attacks him with a knife. Under the effects of Lelouch's Geass, and his command for him to "Live", Suzaku fends off the assailant. He curses Lelouch for forcing him to live on, even though he sought redemption for his past deeds through death.
After Lelouch makes his preparations with Diethard over the phone, Rolo reminds him of their promise. Lelouch remembers, but he also rejects the Britannians' claim to control their destinies. They are joined by Villetta, and Lelouch asks her if she misses Ohgi...
At the Dallas Research Institute in the Britannian homeland, Nina Einstein conducts secret experiments under the guidance of Prince Schneizel. During the Black Rebellion, Nina, mad with grief over Euphemia's death, had constructed a dangerous bomb. When she tried to detonate it, however, the bomb failed to go off. She was detained afterwards, but Schneizel had her released. Now, she works on creating a working version of the bomb she had conceptualized for the Britannian military.
Back in Area 11, Suzaku and Anya meet on Ashford's campus when they are approached by a military officer requesting authorization from a Knight of the Round to execute the Eleven that tried to assassinate Suzaku earlier in the day. Suzaku hesitates, and Anya signs the authorization for him. She questions if he's a masochist, since he is hated among the Japanese for fighting on Britannia's side and having killed Zero. Suzaku, however, does not expect, nor desire, the love of the Japanese; there was one who understood, and one who loved him - Euphemia. They are then approached by Gino: Zero is about to make contact...
Over teleconference, Zero talks with Suzaku, Gino, and Anya, along with Lloyd, Cecile, and Nunnally's aide. To start, Lloyd asks Zero if he is the same instigator behind the Black Rebellion from the previous year, or a copycat. Zero answers that whoever bears the name and dons the mask of Zero is not important: it is what lies in the heart that makes a person "Zero".
Zero then explains that he has the support of over a million Japanese, all ready to participate in the Special Zone. There is one caveat: in exchange for their support, Zero demands to be exiled from Area 11. Because there is legal basis for him to be exiled, Zero suggests that his exile be announced at the Special Zone's opening ceremony. It's an excellent arrangement, but Suzaku questions where the justice is in letting Zero go.
At the Fuji Mausoleum, which had been constructed after Euphemia's massacre a year before, Suzaku and Nunnally light a candle for Euphie. Suzaku notices that someone had lit a candle for her before they arrived. Lelouch then tells Rolo that he has nothing left to hold him back to Area 11.
The Shizuoka Ghetto plays host to the new Special Administrative Zone of Japan. With the possibility of a riot at the announcement of Zero's exile, the Britannian military, including Knights of the Round, stay on standby.
At the opening ceremony, it is announced that all participating Japanese with criminal records and charges would be given a clean slate, but Zero was to be exiled from Area 11. Zero makes contact with the people at the ceremony, then asks Suzaku a question he had asked Todoh after announcing his support for the Special Zone: "What does it mean to be Japanese?" Suzaku says it's in the heart, unwittingly echoing Zero's previous declaration that what lies in the heart is what makes one "Zero". Zero wholeheartedly agrees with Suzaku, stating that one is Japanese no matter where they are.
At that moment, a smokescreen envelops the Shizuoka Ghetto. When it clears, all one million Japanese present in the Special Zone appear donning Zero's outfit! Since they are all Zero, the real Zero declares that, by Viceroy Nunnally's decree, they must all vacate Area 11! Not only that, but the Chinese Federation has given them a massive iceberg ship to ferry them away!
With a million laborers poised to leave en masse, Nunnally's aid takes aim at the Zeroes. Suzaku, flashing back to Euphemia's massacre, stops her. While she advocates executing the subversives, Suzaku advocates letting them exile themselves. He asks Zero to promise him he would lead the exiles to salvation, and Zero makes that promise under the condition that Suzaku do the same for the Elevens that remain behind.
As the Zeroes make ready to leave, Suzaku comes to the realization that the success of Zero's gambit hinged on one factor: Suzaku's willingness to protect the Japanese and prevent another massacre like last year. While Suzaku curses Zero for having used him, and continues to wonder if Lelouch had regained his memories, he nonetheless places his faith in Zero to look after the emigrating Japanese.
With Sayoko, who had escaped to the Chinese Federation with Rakshata and Diethard, at Lelouch's side, the one million Zeroes leave for the Chinese Federation.
