Arknights story · Ato
AT-7 Cold Moonlight
Fireworks show and accession ceremony... before they begin, Sarasa gives Mifune an unpleasant surprise by hijacking Kinseki Channel and playing an emergency broadcast announcing a Northern Court invasion to the entire city. The rest make their moves accordingly.
2 scenes, 413 lines
1. Before Operation
149 linesGazing down from the top of the TV tower, one can see fireworks rise in the night sky before falling gently and disappearing from sight.
The fireworks show has not begun yet. This is simply the warmup for the warmup.
The Phidia gazes at his own reflection in the window, and that of the reforged Hannya behind him.
...Hannya.
I finally have you, after twenty years... too late. Too late.
What could you possibly do for me, other than acting as witness to this ceremony in Tessai's place?
As the Phidia gazes upon the reforged Hannya, he realizes that there are remnants of what seemed to be straps of some sort on the handle on the back side.
The back side is untouched?
A good shield. But nothing more.
Mio!
How long until the start of the ceremony?
Around an hour.
I'm going downstairs for some fresh air.
Hoshiguma may crash the ceremony, Mifune-san.
So much the better.
What do you mean?
If she does, it would mean one of two things: either she's been driven to madness, or she has somehow managed to stay calm after Tessai's death.
On my turf, in front of my camera, and on television, however, she'll be nothing more than a crazed murderer.
Nothing more than a footnote in the accession ceremony. A failure driven to madness. Even if I'm not a match for her, the ones upstairs will take care of her.
About Momoka...
Getting soft-hearted?
Well, we could certainly keep her around for a while longer, extract every last bit of value from her. We have plenty of ways to persuade her—
But we'll have to leave that Kichisei alive, too, so that Momoka is not driven to despair. You haven't dealt with her yet, have you?
No.
Good.
What about Tetsuya?
......
Mio?
...He escaped.
He what?
Mifune's voice turns sinister in an instant.
The truth.
...I let him go.
Soft-hearted, again?
Yes.
Is that all?
That's all.
I'm disappointed in you.
I'm prepared to accept my punishment.
It can wait. But this necessitates a change in your responsibilities.
You will face Hoshiguma, if she does come.
It's my duty.
Don't be in such a hurry to say yes.
You know what awaits if she shows up before me still living and breathing.
......
...Yes.
Two ninjas will keep a constant eye on you. Don't try anything funny.
Now, I need to get that fresh air. Make sure everyone is ready for any unexpected situations.
The fireworks show won't start for a while. Let's walk around.
No, darling, we should go straight to the site of the fireworks show on the other side of the river. They're saying on the intercity net that this area's not safe now.
Rumor has it that the oyabun of the Kinsekikai is dead, killed by the Ao-Oni, the one in the kaidan.
Oh—that media mogul? What's his name... Kin...
No, that's Mifune. It was Tessai who died.
Huh, you know, I actually thought Mifune was the one who died, since he's always showing up in public.
There's been rumors coming from Kajimachi, plus the Northern Court spy that they're talking about... anyway, we should go over to the other side of the river.
Kaidan. Hot topics. Manipulation of public opinion.
It has become second nature to him.
Who would have thought that all the kaidan of Mitsukue originated from Shimasu's attempt to blackmail him over the Diet candidate affair, only to end up slain by his sword?
Shimasu's death needed to be covered up. The fledgling TV station needed relevance. The diet member whom he was trying to butter up was waiting to see him prove his quality.
So he linked Hoshiguma with 'Sawara the Silentious' of Shin-Aki, and reported on the Haunted House for a week. It was a smashing success.
The intensive reporting dispelled any suspicions that viewers had, and left behind plenty of room for him to clean up and misdirect.
Relevance from the kaidan became money. Money moved diet members and shackled the police, made the Kinsekikai grovel before him, and rendered Tessai powerless to intervene.
Everything snowballed from there. The Haunted House became the ideal place to dispose of people who got in the way.
But the trick could not continue forever. Interest would fade, and revenue would decline, while Tessai's suspicions and the pressure of public opinion grew.
When the last gangster who knew how the Diet candidate died was dealt with, he began to expand the scope and channels of the 'kaidan'.
It could involve the kami or accidents, even a fabricated story that was sufficiently interesting and frightening.
He, too, wondered why the people of Mitsukue were so obsessed with kaidan.
They feared any potential danger in life, but they could not control their own curiosity. The prospect of danger seemed to represent a fatal attraction.
The TV station provided the Kinsekikai with a constant source of income, funding the crystalline component industry, making him someone whom Tessai looked down on, but could not do without him.
Meanwhile, to him, Tessai was already nothing more than a...
...?!
Emergency...
Emergency, emergency.
This is not a drill. This is not a drill.
What's going on? Earthquake?!
Mitsukue is under attack by the Northern Court. Repeat, Mitsukue is under attack by the Northern Court.
For your own safety, please follow these instructions:
What? A Northern Court invasion?!
If you are inside, close all doors and windows and await further instructions.
If you are outside, go to the nearest shelter immediately.
Sh-Shelter? Do we have those in Mitsukue?
There used to be announcements, but now... we'll have to look for the signs...
On Nita Street and beyond, all of Mitsukue is suddenly filled with red lights, with the exception of the oblivious fireworks.
A fear that was once forgotten has been reawakened.
Conflict between North and South has only increased since the Bloodpeak Campaign, but rapid economic growth caused the attention of the people to drift away from the gunfire on the border.
Mizukue and Kusarigawa continued to treat each other as potential adversaries, even after the '90s, but the average folk have long since forgotten the possibility.
This fear, which has lain forgotten for many years but never truly left, seized the hearts of Mitsukue's people more powerfully than any kaidan.
Mifune-san!
What the blazes is going on?!
Someone hacked into Kinseki Channel's broadcasting network! They tampered with the backup emergency footage provided by the government and are broadcasting it all over the city!
We're not sure how, but they even managed to take over the networks of some of the other stations. Even our partners are affected.
They're spamming our phone lines, thinking that we approved it!
Moshimoshi? What's going on—
It's the Diet?!
How's the infiltration going?
Couldn't be better. Total chaos right now. Had no difficulty breaching.
Don't go too far, Sarasa. There might be unintended consequences to spreading fake news.
Don't worry, I avoided crowded places like the fireworks show, and places like hospitals, schools, and old folks' homes, where people tend to have weak hearts.
I also set a retraction video to play after the warning's looped a few times, telling people that it was a mistake.
I'll go to the ceremony now with Momoka and Kichisei.
Time for you to create more chaos, Hoshiguma.
On it.
Hoshiguma walks in the opposite direction of the panicking crowd, towards the TV station.
As Sarasa said, the broadcasts are now changing to play the retraction video, and the crowd gradually begins to calm down.
As Hoshiguma walks, she wonders if she might see the reaction she hoped for from the crowd.
It need not be an awakening or an awareness of vigilance, nothing so heavy.
She just wants to see them shiver and remember what fear truly is, not just a little punctuation to spice up a happy life.
But all she hears is people excitedly repeating a single word...
'Kaidan.'
The one-horned Oni walks inside without hesitation, passing by one, two, and three station staff without being noticed.
Until the fourth...
The Ao-Oni?!
It's the Ao-Oni! Call the Kinsekikai!
I suggest you make way while I'm still asking politely.
......
No?
They have her surrounded. They outnumber her many to one. Yet, for some reason, there is a thought in all their minds that they cannot shake...
She outmatches them—one against many.
This is for your own good. Maybe some of you have heard about what the 'Ao-Oni of Kinsekikai' did twenty years ago, right here in Mitsukue.
Even if we're no longer clan-family, even if your oyabun... killed Uncle Tessai, I don't want to fight you, if I don't have to.
Make way. I want to see Kinbee. Don't make me do this.
Y-You won't get away!
The Kinsekikai never issued a notice of 'expulsion' or 'no-contact' to you! You're still part of the Kinsekikai, and to attack us is to attack your own family!
Do you really believe that?
No one answers.
Hoshiguma continues walking, almost nonchalantly.
There is no sound of footsteps behind her, only a slight whoosh of something flying through the air.
She does not even cast a glance at it. Be it knife or flash drive, shuriken or just a handful of beans, none of that matters anymore.
When you're throwing a knife, you really should throw it like you mean it. You might as well have been throwing roasted soybeans.
Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi, that's the old saying? Oni out, fortune in?
Surrender, and we can keep it at that. There's no bad blood between us.
No bad blood? Maybe you're right. But back in my day, we had a different slogan when we threw beans in Kajimachi.
We said, 'Fortune out...
'Oni in.'
She draws her sword.
The yakuza who have heard of the Ao-Oni instinctively take a step backwards. Only one of the younger members steps forward, seemingly oblivious to what he is risking for a chance at glory.
Alright then.
No one saw what the one-horned Oni did. All they saw was a blue flash, and the young yakuza fell to the ground, a bloody gash on his thigh.
Th-There's only one of her! Get her!
We're the Kinsekikai! We're the strongest! Get her! We must not disappoint the Kinsekikai or Chairman Mifune!
That's more like it.
They rush toward the striding Oni like the tide.
The Oni takes step after step forward, until the distance between her and the figure ahead closes to a hair's breadth—
Once again, the blue light, but this time, everyone sees the true nature of the Oni, no longer attempting to suppress her fury.
Hoshiguma's blade moves through the air.
Before long, there is no longer anyone standing in her way. The injuries are not fatal, but no one has the strength, or the stomach, to oppose her anymore. Only the one-horned Oni still stands tall.
Sad.
2. After Operation
264 linesThe TV station's in total chaos...
Wow...
Grandma told me stories about Northern Court special forces infiltrating Mitsukue in her youth.
I didn't think much of it at the time. Thinking about it now, though, what we're seeing is just a fraction of what could really happen...
What do you think about my surprise for Kinbee?
I think it might be a little too big...
Well, we should focus on our own tasks. Moriuchi-san has already infiltrated the TV station. We need to head to the accession ceremony.
There shouldn't be many people there at this time, but you'll need to help out if there's any resistance.
Gotcha.
All that's left to do is act! I'll lead the way. Climb up this vent!
Follow me!
I-I'm coming!
It... it's so high...
Don't worry, I've got a light. Hold my hand, and I'll lead you on.
Momoka tries not to look down, but she cannot keep herself from shaking.
They are moving through massive formations of steel rebar. The darkness of night hangs above, while it is bright as day underneath their feet.
TV station staff, yakuza, and ninja form a picture of chaos beneath them.
How are you doing, Kichisei?
A-Alright.
Good.
You don't come up to this kind of place often?
Who does? Are you a deserting ninja or something?
No, I got used to this kind of place while hiding from ninjas.
Hiding?
That's not important—we're here!
Hmph, we've got people down below...
Momoka, jump over this gap and follow those pipes down to the stage. You should be able to stay out of their view.
That far?!
I, I'll try...
Momoka clenches her fists, her eyes fixed forward, and kicks the ground hard—
The steel structure suddenly starts moving, and the platform beneath Momoka's feet begins to vibrate irregularly.
Why did it start moving all of a sudden?!
I, I think I'm falling!
Watch your head!
What's going on...?
Whoa!
Are you alright, Momoka?
I'm alright! Hanging in there.
Get on the stage! I'll get the console! Start once the lights come on!
I can't wait for Momoka's show—
I'm afraid I can't let you do that.
Mio-san...?
...Momoka.
You've come to stop me, haven't you?
Yes.
Why?
For the Kinsekikai.
I know what you're going to say. That will ruin the Kinsekikai.
Mio-san, Hoshiguma has shown up at the door of the TV station. You should go now, according to Mifune-san's instructions—
Hoshiguma showed up for her.
But Mifune-san—
The other one watching me, I know you're there. Go and tell Mifune-san that Hoshiguma will definitely come, and I'll be waiting for her here.
Now, Momoka, Kichisei-san, and that girl hiding behind the console, whose name I do not know.
I suggest you stay put until Hoshiguma shows up.
Your grievances against Mifune-san and Kinsekikai are certainly legitimate. But this place is also home to me, and to many others.
I can't let you destroy it.
She's bluffing! Momoka—
The black ethereal hand suddenly appears in front of Kichisei's neck. She instinctively takes a step back and pulls the trigger.
The ethereal hand shreds the bead-shaped grenade.
The lights go out, and the stage darkens, illuminated only by a faint light in the direction of the console.
Mio walks towards the light, sword in one hand, tantou in the other.
That's right, I'm here... come on now...
...!
One of the spotlights suddenly turns on, shining straight into Mio's eyes. Then another, and another, and another—
Then they all turn off at the same time.
Mio's hesitation lasts only an instant. She takes a moment to collect herself, then charges at the console—
Bang!
A falling spotlight narrowly misses Mio's head. By the time she turns her gaze back to the control console, there is no longer anyone there.
While Mio is occupied with the console, Kichisei, Momoka and Sarasa begin running towards the side stage exit.
She locked the door! Let's try another—
Click, click, click.
They hear the sounds of locks being engaged...
The lights above their head turn back on.
Mio slowly walks towards the gathered trio.
The lights are no longer under your control. Resistance is futile.
You think so?
Sarasa closes her eyes and raises her lamp-shaped staff.
Mio's pace quickens.
Suddenly, the tip of the staff emits a blinding light, and the spotlights above the stage turn off again.
Not just the spotlights. All the light that remains on the stage is trapped in the liquid bouncing at the tip of the staff—
Lights out, ice queen!
—and even the last glimmer of light is utterly consumed.
Sarasa?!
Let... me sleep... I'm... so tired...
(Whisper) Wh-What do we do? I can hear Mio-san's footsteps! She's coming!
(Whisper) Let's try the other side of the stage. Maybe the door there's still unlocked...
(Whisper) No, it's too far. She'll find us!
(Whisper) This is where we fell, isn't it? Can we go back the way we came?
(Whisper) The vents—
Kichisei puts Sarasa on her back and was about to move, when they hear Mio's voice coming from center stage.
Don't bother. I can hear you.
What do we do?!
It's all or nothing. I'll deal with her—
Suddenly, she hears the sound of knocking behind her.
Is it locked? I guess we'll have to do this the hard way.
Get out of the way!
A massive crash, and the locked door swings open, bringing in light from beyond.
The next instant, as though answering the call of the light coming in from the door, bright orbs of light float up from Sarasa's staff and go back to where they came from—
...Sarasa?
I thought I would get to sleep for a little longer...
There'll be no light here as long as I'm still asleep...
Sarasa yawns, and the spotlights above flicker.
Mio does not move from her position, so Sarasa begins walking towards the console.
Momoka follows hesitantly, but Mio remains in place.
Aren't you going to stop them?
No. Your blade is drawn.
My duty is not to deal with them.
I doubt your minions have what it takes to beat Kichisei and Sarasa.
In that case, there's nothing I can do.
I don't care.
You...
Our battle has nothing to do with him.
The last TV station's back online, Detective Koretou!
I hear you.
The guys assigned to the fireworks show want to know what to do. The citizens are still uneasy after that scare.
Any risk of a stampede or other serious accident?
Minimal. The situation's very much within expected parameters.
Then the show will go on. Mifune likes excitement. We'll give him excitement.
We're getting calls from citizens asking what happened. What do you think...?
What do you think I think? Tell them we're investigating.
Kinseki Station is, of course, responsible for the erroneous announcement of a Northern Court invasion, and we're taking this very seriously—
Detective Koretou, you have a visitor!
Who? Kouhei Mifune?
Detective Koretou.
If it wasn't Mifune, I thought it would have been his Diet friend paying a personal visit.
Making insinuations will do no favors for your career. Besides, you overestimate your own importance.
Should I take that as an admission?
......
I've come to warn you.
The police must bear responsibility for the chaos that occurred on Nita Street tonight. We do not wish to see the chaos spread any further.
Bear responsibility, eh? Oh dear, I think I just peed my pants.
Watch your attitude. You still have a chance to settle this matter peacefully.
Do I? Pray enlighten me.
Cancel all events scheduled for tonight. Focus your forces on restoring order at Kinseki Station, and begin a search for those responsible.
Such as? The number one suspect is, I'm sure, Kouhei Mifune, considering that it was his station that broadcast that—
Your men are not allowed to touch him—
Have a nice day.
If you refuse to obey orders, you may go once you have signed this resignation.
Feel free to discuss any concerns with your supervisor.
Wow, I still have a chance to turn back?
It's too late for that.
Like you said, it's too late for that—
The detective reaches out with his foot...
You—
...He trips the visitor, takes the piece of paper with the name of the detective's supervisor on it, and tears it to pieces.
Oh my, I didn't expect you to fall like that. I thought our diet friend would have a tougher secretary.
How... how dare you?!
Go tell your boss that the police are here to protect his bloody life, not his bloody money.
If he really thinks someone's after his life, he can come personally to the station and file a report, and we'll take it into consideration.
Now, get lost.
White sword, black gloves, white hand, black sword, white tantou, black ethereal hand—
It is a dizzying exchange of black and white. Contrary to the impression she gives, the Liberi's swordplay is overwhelmingly aggressive, with only attacks, feints and more attacks, with not the slightest attention paid to defense.
The moves of the one-horned Oni, on the other hand, are almost staggeringly basic. Dodge, parry, backstep, sidestep.
Twelve.
You just blocked twelve attacks in quick succession.
Why don't you fight back? Are you still afraid of your sword?
If I was, it wouldn't have left its sheath to begin with.
You, on the other hand, look all polite and cultured, but your moves are pure aggression and ferocity. That's not Kinbee's style.
My sword has nothing to do with him.
Then why do you give your life for him?
Since when have I given my life for him?
Stop fooling yourself.
......
Hoshiguma takes a deliberate look around.
Kichisei is sending explosions everywhere with her grenades, while the stage equipment has turned into a giant monster under Sarasa's control.
With Momoka doing an impressive job of not getting caught, the trio is more than holding their own.
There is only one last thing to do in their battle plan...
The only thing I'm trying to protect is the Kinsekikai.
And Kinbee has to lead it?
The Kinsekikai needs to be a place where the dregs of society can survive, those who have nowhere else to go.
And Tessai couldn't give you that?
No.
You can keep parrying—
But you'll eventually show an opening.
Finally, you're attacking.
All I got was the edge of your clothes.
There is blue fire burning around you. Is that your Arts?
Blue fire?
You're right. I didn't notice.
Back to the question. What is it that Tessai couldn't give you, but Kinbee can?
Tessai could not even protect himself—
Hoshiguma thrusts. The attack is simple, but the flames upon the sword force Mio to leap backwards.
That's not what I wanted to hear.
Your flames are burning even fiercer.
Tell me. Why couldn't Tessai give you what you wanted?
Because Tessai couldn't protect himself. Mitsukue didn't need him, nor did it need a Mio working under Tessai.
You?
A silent, ragged orphan who only fights tooth and nail when someone steps on her is a subject of scorn.
An equally silent, well-dressed assistant who only draws her sword when the company's interests are compromised is the subject of admiration.
I thought you came from some noble martial family fallen on hard times.
Hah.
Tessai wanted to give dregs of society like us a home, and so he's dead.
Mifune knows we don't deserve a home, and so he lives on.
Is that how Mitsukue judges the Kinsekikai?
Always has.
Hoshiguma is almost completely engulfed in the azure flame.
The Liberi wonders if the flame will consume the Oni before it consumes her.
You are angry.
Were you angry like this too, twenty years ago?
Does that matter?
Mifune-san wants you to lose your reason, as you did twenty years ago. He believes it will turn you into a crazed beast, one that everyone will be eager to put down.
You know this is what he wants, and so you suppress yourself, which is why you didn't draw your sword the last time.
...Hmph.
Are you inviting me to give in to anger? Complete the mission your master assigned?
It's not what I want, but I would have no issue with it. It would be a shame, that's all.
Why?
A perfect opponent, who could never stand before me in perfect condition, forced to either suppress herself, or lose control entirely.
But that's all.
Take this.
Mio once again prepares to attack.
Three hands, three swords, a posture seemingly without form or order, but ready to pounce on any weakness—
Catch!
Who's there?!
This is crazy heavy!
You know how hard it was to get it out of Kinbee's room, even with all that chaos at the TV station?
...Catch!
Moriuchi swings his entire body to throw Hannya in the direction of the standoff.
Mio's ethereal hand is the first to catch Hannya's handle, but Hoshiguma leaps and spins one hundred and eighty degrees like she is dancing, forcing the ethereal hand to loosen its grip, allowing her to take Hannya's handle.
Hoshiguma tightens her grip around the ribbon on her sword.
Hannya's an old friend, after all. Maybe you had a chance just now... but not any longer.
Rage.
The rage that seemed compressed around Hoshiguma now spreads outwards, burning on her arms, her shield, and her sword.
Hoshiguma takes a step forward, and the flames of rage almost catch the hem of Mio's clothing.
Good.
It's good enough for me to know that you won't lose control.
Hoshiguma faces off against black and white, hands human and not, swords long and short.
The Liberi shows no fear. The edges of her mouth angle ever so slightly upwards.
Any last words?
Be kind to the Kinsekikai.
Be kind to Momoka.
My conscience is clear on all other matters... except her.
Him? Is there any need to talk about him, here and now?
Hah. Good point.
Hoshiguma shifts her posture to one that makes it easy to unleash her power. The blue flames continue to burn intermittently around her.
The face of Hannya glares with wide-open eyes on the face of the shield. The edge of the sword seems ready to seep blue blood—
Hah!
Is this... Hannya?
Yes, this is Hannya.
Your swords are worthy of you. They took the full brunt of Hannya and survived.
You can pick them up, then we'll continue.
There's no need.
You've made your strength clear. There's no point in trying to fight you anymore.
I must prepare.
For what?
For the aftermath.
For a Kinsekikai without Mifune-san.
Just waiting for you to finish fighting. Sarasa?
Aye aye, sir! Momoka?
Momoka stands in the middle of the stage with the spotlight on her.
Kichisei has done her best to clear a space, though there are still a few yakuza lying on the ground near her.
I... I'm ready to begin!
Alright then...
Kinseki Station's biggest program of the night begins now!