Akaba

Akaba (赤羽), born Masaru Ooyama (大山勝), was one of the boys who hailed from Hokuto, part of the Hokuto Three Crows led by Kazumi Sawatari. He was able to change into the Castle Hard Smash (キャッスルハードスマッシュ) at will by using the Castle Fullbottle. After being administered by Hazard Trigger, he became Castle Hazard Smash (キャッスルハザードスマッシュ).

Becoming Akaba
Masaru Ooyama was a longtime employee on Kazumi Sawatari's farm, alongside Syuuya Aikawa and Syoukichi Mihara. After the Sky Wall Disaster rendered Hokuto's soil infertile, Sawatari used his savings to continue providing for his workers. Eventually, Sawatari volunteered for Faust's experiments, allowing himself to become a weapon of war for the sake of his workers. Out of loyalty, Ooyama and the others volunteered as well, becoming Hard Smashes to aid Sawatari. Ooyama was given the codename "Akaba".

Invasion of Touto
When Hokuto Prime Minister Yoshiko Tajimi declared war on Touto, Akaba was part of the advance guard with Aoba and Kiba. Through his power as a Smash, Akaba launched a premature strike at the city. Disregarding Kiba's warning against disobeying the boss, Akaba called out to their superior who was engaged elsewhere, asking if he was finished.

Akaba and the others later tracked down Sento Kiryu and Ryuga Banjou, and transformed into their Hard Smash forms. After successfully knocking them out of their transformations, Akaba demanded that they hand over their Fullbottles, prompting Aoba and Kiba to argue with him over who should get said Fullbottles. By the time they had pulled themselves together, Sento and Ryuga had absconded.

Later, they found Sento consoling Misora Isurugi as she lamented her role in allowing evil to wage war, and told Sento to hand over his Fullbottles. This time, Sento gave them a challenge with a determination he gained from Misora, using RabbitTank Sparkling Form. However, Akaba, Aoba, and Kiba still quickly gained the upper hand, until Ryuga appeared with the Sclash Driver and transformed into Kamen Rider Cross-Z Charge. Ryuga and Sento easily defeated them, causing them to drop the Phoenix, Robot, Wolf, Smapho, Kuma, and Televi Fullbottles. Kazumi Sawatari arrived shortly after to challenge Sento and Ryuga.

Death
"Boss.. Thank you... for everything!"

- Akaba's final words to Kazumi as he join his fallen friends.

Kazumi left Akaba in a warehouse with the task of protecting the Pandora Box while he, Sento, and Ryuga would be protecting several dummy locations - the intent being flushing out Seito's spy. Before Kazumi left, Akaba proposed to bury Aoba and Kiba's dog tags in the Sky Road passage between Touto and Hokuto. Akaba dutifully kept his eye on the box, with Gentoku Himuro eventually bursting through the door, shocking Akaba, who wondered how he knew the box's true location. Refusing to hand the box over to Gentoku, Akaba transformed into the Castle Hazard Smash while Gentoku transformed into Kamen Rider Rogue. Rogue brutally beats Akaba in his Smash form, even tearing his right Ground Rampart shield from Akaba's Smash body in the process. Rogue was surprised that Akaba kept on fighting, even when he was at his limit. Holding his dog tags, Akaba prayed for Aoba and Kiba to lend him their power as he lunged forward for a final blow, but only for Rogue to send him back flying with a Crack Up Finish Rider punch; Kazumi, with Sento and Ryuga beside him, arrived just in time to watch the fight's end. Dying, Akaba reverted back to his human form and spotted Kazumi. Akaba stood tall and turned to Kazumi. With the last of his strength, Akaba thanked him for everything as he disintegrated in a red smoke, his dog tags falling to the ground and Kazumi running toward him, calling him by his birth name.

Personality
Akaba is a delinquent right down to his appearance and personality. He is cruel and careless, not hesitating to attack a civilian population out of boredom. Akaba sees himself as superior to his comrades, barring his boss, who he deeply respect.

Akaba, not unlike the rest of his team, is very petty and immature, even arguing over who would take Sento and Ryuga's Fullbottles after defeating them. He and his team were called idiots by Ryuga within minutes of meeting him.

Despite his negative traits, he and his fellow teammates all wanted to protect their families back in Hokuto. He also feel frustrated since he can't help his Captain much during the war. In the end, he, along with Aoba and Kiba, took Stalk's offer to strengthen them into Hazard Smashes, knowing that it could cost him his life. Kazumi himself commented that Akaba's indeed the most stupid, but also the bravest of the trio.

Aoba's death at the hands of Build using the Hazard Trigger made Akaba, as well as Kiba, initially hostile and violent towards Sento and Ryuga. However, after Kazumi decided to become Sento's ally, so that the group could better protect both Hokuto and Touto from the forces of Seito, Akaba begrudgingly forgave them, eventually forging somewhat of a decent comradery with the Touto Riders.

Equipment

 * Castle Fullbottle - Transformation trinket

Portrayal
Akaba is portrayed by Eishin (栄信). His suit actor as the Castle Hard Smash is Yuji Nakata (中田裕士).

Etymology
Akaba's name translates to "red wings", sharing a color theme with Kiba (黄羽) and Aoba (青羽).