Kamen Rider Punch Hopper part 2

Yaguruma states that he envies Kageyama, because his own tears had dried up long ago. He also envies Kageyama because the hell he saw was different from this. If Kageyama crawls on the ground, he can see the light, but they cannot be together forever. Not understanding this, Kageyama goes on to meet Ucaworm. Adding even more to his humiliation, Ucaworm tricked Kageyama, baiting him into an assault on the Native worm. But he immediately discovered this was a set-up and found himself under assault from Pupaworms and ZECT Troopers alike. Battered and broken in both body and mind, he was saved by Yaguruma, who told him he needed to smile. Yaguruma once again invites Kageyama to hell, this time giving him the other Hopper Zecter as a present which allows him to transform into Kamen Rider Punch Hopper. They walk towards the darkness, and into the darkness with no goal at all. He now bears a scar that runs across his face due to the beating he received from Shadow and the Worms and he refers Yaguruma as "aniki" (older brother). In a twisted partnership, both Kageyama and Yaguruma set out to for revenge against Kabuto.

The unison of their power is shown as they ambush Kabuto and Gatack within an abandoned factory. Kick and Punch Hopper demonstrate their new abilities, easily defeating Kabuto and Gatack in a matter of minutes after the two were weakened by the activation of the 'Red Shoes' system. Unlike Yaguruma, Kageyama is not completely into the darkness yet and Yaguruma often corrects his way of thinking whenever Kageyama shows signs of 'reaching the light'. This is first shown when he tries to grab onto a bit of light after meeting a young girl who he defends from Leptophyesworm. Yaguruma tells him that his way of thinking is wrong and even the slightest bit of light will destroy them. After discovering the girl Kageyama saved early had become a Worm, Punch Hopper along with Kick Hopper annihilate the Worms together, and they manifest in their own power. Kageyama once again questions the value of the light, but Yaguruma tells him that they live in a world of darkness, and that he should not seek the light.

Kageyama works with Yaguruma in an attempt to destroy a confused and weakened Rena Mamiya during episode 40, in hopes of eliminating her early. Their attempt almost works, but Rena is saved by Kamen Rider Drake along with Gon, who distracts them, allowing their party to escape. Their plan did have a side-effect however, resulting in a recovery of Rena's worm memories. Kageyama later asks Yaguruma why he didn't kill her, and an extremely happy Yaguruma answers by saying that he has indeed taken a liking to her. Even more so, Yaguruma protects Rena from Substworm when she is endangered. This led to an infuriated Kageyama, as it went against their beliefs of abandoning the light. Yaguruma is shocked however, when he gets rejected by a temporary Ucaworm, and his bond with Kageyama is restored.

During episode 41, Kageyama and Yaguruma capture Tsurugi, and through a loss of memory, Tsurugi is tricked into thinking that they are his family and he is the little brother. The trio then eventually encounters Reiji Nogi who makes short work of them using "Freeze" to cause all their Rider Finishers to collide. Kageyama and Yaguruma watch as Reiji Nogi advances on Area Z during episode 44, and Kageyama wants to help them fight, but Yaguruma laughs at him for trying to be an ally of justice. Kageyama reverts to his old self briefly and picks up the abandoned TheBee Brace, until threatened by Yaguruma. Ultimately, he returns to his old style and becomes Punch Hopper again. Kageyama also follows Yaguruma's way of regaining the darkness by binding himself with chains. He ignores Tendou's request for help, stating that he will not help humans. Along with Punch Hopper, Kick Hopper defeats Cassisworm Clipeus in episode 46. The two Hoppers utilize the Rider Jump function to send Cassisworm flying into the air, destroying him with a Rider Kick and Punch as he falls down.

Kageyama then becomes one of the many looking for the Worm identification necklaces, believing them to be useful in his mission. Upon seeing Kageyama with a Worm identification necklace, Yaguruma scolds him for using such a device. In episode 48, Kageyama tells Yaguruma that he has become a Worm and can no longer control himself due to fact that having three Native necklaces sped up his transformation. As a show of pity, he uses a Rider Kick to end Kageyama's suffering. As Kageyama dies in Yaguruma's arms, Yaguruma mentions that after all they've gone through, the two will always be partners. They will look to the light for a new future.