After SaiDain's Beast Power Bloom, Rio realizes that he and the others exposed to it had become stronger than Maku. He tells Geki Red to defeat Maku and end to the war between their mentors so that their own war may commence. Upon Maku's defeat, Rio resumes his place as leader of the Rinjū Hall. Long reveals himself and offers Rio greater power under Gen Jūken's guidance, and Rio later undergoes the Blood-Oath Ceremony, gaining a new fighting form, , that gives him mastery over the style. Rio spares Jyan again so he can grow stronger for their final confrontation, and when Rio is later defeated it allows him to awaken as the Destroyer, his mind corroded into a base desire to kill everything. He is restored by his feelings for Mere as she explains how Long used them. Long then abducts Mere, and Rio joins the Gekirangers to defeat Long and rescue Mere, renouncing his position as the Genjū King in the process.