Kuniko muses on the vision of Atlas, and decides to finance a rebellion against Atlas by selling the community's graphite (which is rich in carbon). Escorted by Momoko (over Takehiko's objections), she travels to the black market in Neo-Akihabara, a place still populated by electronics shops and otaku. In Atlas, we learn that Mīko has become a trusted retainer for Mikuni. Meanwhile, Karin and her companions become aware that someone else is manipulating the carbon market. Karin concludes that to do so, this other party must have duplicated their computer system, and she focuses her own search on Akihabara. While searching there, she sees Kuniko through a security camera.