02: It's a Pleasant Workplace

Geez, Kojirou, when you said you only knew how to handle a katana and a hoe, I didn't think you were being literal.

Hahaha. I have long been a recluseno, let us say "a man of refined taste"who lived by the principle "plow in fair weather, read in foul."​

And you, Lancer. Have you done anything besides light up?

Hey, this old man's no expert in business or the art of making money.

Told you as much already, didn't I?

No, you did. You're right, that's on me. Different jobs are suited for different people.

Soldiers, generals, kings, company presidents... Each has their own role to play.

Indeed. So since you're the president, I expect you'll be giving us the jobs best suited to each of us?

First things first. If we're gonna make a big company, we're gonna need a lot of funding, fast.

Well, sure. Gotta have a war chest to wage a war. So, how are we going to go about getting one?

Hang on. Let me think...

Hey, what're you doing?

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Snack? Are those rations you brought along from Chaldea or something?

Anyway, sure, I was just feeling a little peckish myself. Don't mind if I do...

What is it? Why did you stop talking?

I knew I'd come through. I just thought of a great way to secure the capital we need.

Well, that's good to hear. So what is it?

This. These snacks right here. Don't you remember how symbolic they were for SAITAMA as a whole?

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That's right. We're gonna bring back SAITAMA's most famous food.

Manjyuuu, manjyuuu. Get your manjyuuu! Two for one cut, or four for two cuts.

Anyone want some yummy Restoration Manjyuuu?

So, is this really your secret plan, Prez?

Yup. The factory those old stuffed shirts of the Showa Kinnou Party used to use for their knockoff manjyu is still here.

I checked, and the factory itself's been almost completely automated, AND it's still got a ton of ingredients in its storehouse.

Man, I never thought Takechi's sabotage attempt would end up being so useful.

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Honestly, I hate to admit it, but their Kinnou Manjyu tasted basically the same as my Restoration Manjyu.

Takechi really did his damn homework when he studied how to make manjyu.

Oh well, at least it all worked out in the end now that their hard work is helping me instead of hurting.

All that aside, do these manjyu things really sell that well?

Oh sure. I made a killing off them back when I first started Takasugi Industries. SAITAMA's citizens can't get enough of them.

So we're gonna sell them all the manjyu they can eat and then some! Now come on, Fujimaru, you try!

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Hahahaha! With all the money we're gonna make off them, we can celebrate with a steak dinner tonight!

Uh, Prez? These manjyu aren't selling. At all.

H-huh? That can't be right...

Excuse me, good sir, but would you care for some delicious Restoration Manjyu?

Although it is admittedly my job to say this, between its soft mochi skin and delectable flavor...

...it truly is a delicious treat for your taste buds.

Oh. Restoration Manjyu, huh...

That's right. The same Takasugi Industries Restoration Manjyu you know and love.

Oh my, Restoration Manjyu? Nobody cares about those anymore. These days, it's all about Shouin Daifuku.

Oh yeah, there's nothing better than Shouin Daifuku. Those rice cakes give you quite a burst of energy! I love it!

As long as we citizens do what the Yoshida Concern tells us, we know we'll never have to worry about anything.

Oh man, just talking about those daifuku is making me want one.

Come on, let's go buy some right now!

Well damn. I can't believe the Restoration Manjyu brand has fallen so far...

So what do we do with this truckload of manjyu now?

That's what I want to know! Damn, this plan really didn't work...

Hm? What's in that bag you've got there?

...Shouin Daifuku?

The hell? When'd you get your hands on this?

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Man, you just do whatever the hell you want, don't you!?

But in this case, this is good. Like the saying goes, if you know your enemy and know yourself, you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

All right, let's see what the secret to these things is.

Oho, so these are Shouin Daifuku. They certainly look like delicious, chewy daifuku.

Sure, but they also look like the same kind of Japanese sweets you can get anywhere in this country. But I guess I can try one myself after a quick smoke break. I'm pretty beat from all that selling.

Hm? Hang on! This daifuku...

What about it?

Analyze.

Uh, why're you staring daggers at a daifuku?

...Now I see. So that's their trick.

Hektor, can you find out where they're making these?

...Seems like you've got an idea.

You want me to track down where they're manufacturing these things? Yeah, I can do that.

Suits me a lot better than hawking manjyu on the street anyway.

Great. Then get started now, please. In the meantime, you and Kojirou come with me, Fujimaru. There's something I need to prepare.

Oh, and don't eat that daifuku. If you're hungry, there's a small mountain worth of Restoration Manjyu to choose from.

I'll even give you an employee discount.

So you mean to take money from your own workers...

So this is it, huh? That was fast. Good work. Guess you're not just a lazy, chain-smoking, window seater after all.

I may have to increase your bonus for this.

Well thanks. I guess I'm just an old hand at scouting out enemy territory. So, what do we do now?

For now, we make our way inside. You DID figure out how to get inside too, right?

Of course I did. Come on, follow me.

There's a freight entrance around back. Not much in the way of guards. Shouldn't be a problem for us.

By the way, what's with the big sack you've got there, Kojirou?

The president made me bring all this from the office.

I am used to carrying around long things, but my good looks are wasted with this large bag.

Think of it as a chance to show off the muscle you built from all your sword swinging and hoe hacking. Besides, I make it a point to never carry anything heavier than a shamisen.

Now come on, let's go.

...Hmm, I see. I knew it.

Does that mean you're finally gonna let us in on whatever the hell's going on?

Sure. After I analyzed this daifuku with this eye of mine, I found out it's got a surprisingly nasty effect.

Yup, I can. It's part of my Noble Phantasm. But never mind that now.

Don't give it a weird name.

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A nasty effect... Do you mean some sort of ingredient to make consumers addicted, or numb their taste buds?

Even worse. It makes whoever eats these things become total adoring simps of a certain chairman.

They're probably using the Holy Grail's power on top of Sensei's natural charisma.

Damn. So, it's a kind of brainwashing then?

Yup. Dammit, Shouin-sensei, what the hell're you thinking, trying to rule these people by controlling their minds?

Shit, I didn't think they'd notice us so quickly.

So, first you run away with your tail between your legs, now you're sneaking around like a common thief.

Shouin-sensei! Were these daifukuno, was this kind of mind control really your idea?

And what if it was?

But, this is

No different from what you attempted to do with your Kishin Project.

According to the records I saw, you tried to control the populace yourself by building an artificial god, no?

Ulp. I guess you've got me there. That IS pretty much what I was trying to do.

I don't suppose you've got anything good to say in my defense, do you?

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Why're you clamming up!? Come on, that makes it seem like I'm completely indefensible!

As I thought. You act simply on impulse, with no thought given to your goals.

That's how it always is with you. You act without thinking, and those around you pay the price.

That's not true. I was thinking when I came here.

I was thinking I'd take some of this daifuku, analyze the hell out of it...

...and add the same effect to my own manjyu.

Huh? That was the plan?

That'd make you the same as your teacher here.

What's your point?

Hahaha, I would be hard-pressed to say who the true villain here is.

But no more. That kind of tiptoeing around doesn't suit me, anyway.

Shouin-sensei! No... Yoshida Shouin!

For all your big talk, you're not doing anything more than following in my footsteps.

You are my sensei no longer! I, Takasugi Shinsaku, will destroy whatever ambitions you may have!

Huh. That's a terrible thing to say, and yet, I also find it strangely convincing...I think.

Well, now who's talking big? That's all very rich, coming from such an abject failure.

So, what exactly are you planning to do then?

Well, for a start...

...I'm gonna burn this place down.

...What was that?

Kojirou! Grab those Molotov cocktails I had you bring and get to tossing!

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Very well then. I was wondering what we were going to use these for. Now I see they are for lighting a fire, just as one would think.

Arson may be a serious crime, but this is for the greater good. All right, I will burn this factory down, along with the nuisance president and hardheaded sensei's mutual antagonism.

Hahahaha! Flattery will get you nowhere, you know!

Now go on! Keep them coming! Man, this takes me back to the time I set fire to that other building!

Are you an idiot!? No, wait. That's exactly what you were, wasn't it!?

This is rash, even for you! Kiheitai! Hurry up and stop them!

Yes, sir!

All right! I finally wiped that smug, superior smirk off your face, Sensei! Who knew pissing off your mentor could be so much fun!?

Ah crap, I called him "Sensei" again. That's gonna be a harder habit to break than I thought.

Oh well, fighting does go hand in hand with sabotage.

Indeed. At any rate, now that we are surrounded by enemies and flames alike, we will need to find an escape route.

Okay then, I'm counting on you guys to secure one!

Sheesh. I'm still not sure how we made it out of there. Are you okay, Master?

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Man, I honestly thought we were gonna burn to death back there. Maybe my company did TOO good a job on those Molotov cocktails.

I couldn't believe how quickly that fire spread. I bet I could make a bundle if I sold them to the wrong crowd.

You really do fly by the seat of your pants, don't you, President?

I like to think of it as being flexible.

Anyway, this ought to prevent them from shipping any daifuku for a while, which'll give our Restoration Manjyu a chance to bounce back.

I hope you're right. If you're wrong, we've made so many manjyu that we'll be stuck living off them for who knows how long.

Having nothing but manjyu for every meal is a trial unlike any I have experienced. Would you mind if I took my leave now?

Ah, don't worry. We can fry them, steam them... There's all sorts of ways to change how they taste!

Now then, I need to go pay my respects to our customers, along with some...other errands, so why don't you all head back without me? Okay, see you all back at the office!

Hmm. If nothing else, he would certainly seem to be a hard worker. Very well then, I suppose I shall have a manjyu.

You know, I was under the impression that all CEOs just look down their noses at the little people from up in their fancy suites. It seems there are other kinds of CEOs as well.

It IS great having youth on your side, isn't it? Just full of energy, these youngsters.

Hm? Say, I wonder if those daifuku were the reason Emiya Alter went over to the enemy's side?

Good question.

Wahahahaha! I'm so lost!

I don't know the first thing about this eastern backwater. If only Takechiyo were here to help.

All right, Oda, let's just stop and take a moment to think. It's a safe bet that Master's not dead.

In the meantime, I might as well refuel with this snack I picked up earlier... (Munch, munch)

Mmm, that's good stuff! Most people don't know this about me, but I actually have one hell of a sweet tooth! Let's see... Shouin Daifuku, huh? Not bad! Not bad at all!

Wahahahaha! Hm? That's odd. I'm getting a weird feeling all of a sudden...

...Oh well, it can't be helped!