Act 1 "Three Animal? Companions"

Imaginary existence defined. Rayshift completed.

Where are we?

Oh! I'm getting a clear visual from you. That's great!

I have confirmed the coordinates as well. You're located on an island near Honshu.

Remember when you Rayshifted to Kyoto before? It's that island you could just barely see then.

I see. So it's from that time...

What's the situation in the surrounding area?

The situation? Let me see. From an overall view of the island...

...

Mash?

...It's nothing. You see... My frame of reference may not be accurate.

Since we've brought someone more knowledgeable about Japan this time, I want to ask her opinion.

Heh heh heh. If our battlefield is the Land of the Rising Sun, then it is only natural for me to lead the charge.

I am unaccustomed to killing monsters, but there is no finer warrior across the Land of the Rising Sun than I!

I will leap even when there are no ships! Your humble Servant, Ushiwakamaru, has hastened here knowing my Master's in danger!

Well, the truth is Fou led me me here, but that's another story. I really wanted that sweet red bean jelly.

(Ohh, so that's why there was some jelly in the Coffin...)

I appreciate your support, Ushiwakamaru. It's very reassuring having you here. It makes sense too, settings-wise.

Of course. I believe so as well. I have a feeling that I will play a great role this time!

Fou!

Yes. Now then, Ushiwakamaru, does anything on this island look unusual to you?

Anything unusual? Let me see...

!!!

I can't believe this... quite mystifying.

The shape...of this island. Can this be the rumored...

...I knew it. There is something wrong here. The shape of this island is inconceivable.

It is just like an illustration from a children's book. So simple... it is like that island

Wait, a reading I've never seen before is approaching your location! What's this... I can't even tell its shape!

It's like an illustration of birds and beasts dancing, frolicking, and playing sumo...

Ooooo... Ooooohhhhhhhh!

Fou!?

How utterly strange! It's like the oni in paintings, my lord!

They're attacking! We have no choice but to treat them as an enemy.

Orders, please, Master!

Ugh, how disappointing. Oni or not, their heads roll all the same.

Fou...

However, the fact remains that they were extraordinary opponents.

Oni are far stronger than humans and are driven by stronger desires. You can call them the manifestation of evil.

Fortunately their numbers are few. However, the problem is

...Yes. It has become more apparent that there is definitely something wrong with this island.

It looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. On top of that, menacing oni actually live on it.

Based on this information, this place must be

？！

Yes. It only makes sense to assume so.

No wonder the data on this island doesn't match that of the previous Singularities. I know it's unbelievable, but it seems we're in the world of fairy tales.

Oni-type Servants aside, the fact that there are plain and simple oni living on this island is all the evidence we need.

It goes without saying, but there is no record of this island in the seas around Japan.

I can't even pinpoint the temporal coordinates of that island. Well, something similar happened last time in Heian-period Kyoto...

Foufou.

That's correct. Even I am not aware of this island. It probably did not exist during my brother's lifetime.

...What a waste. If islands this interesting truly existed, I am certain I could have pleased my brother this time around...

Hmmm. Something that shouldn't exist is there. A fantasy that's never meant to be is manifesting.

That island is also part of the abnormality. In other words, there's a possibility it was created.

An island of this size?

It is not impossible. In Japanese mythology, the islands that make up Japan were created by the gods.

Have you heard the tale of Amenonuboko? The gods formed the island and created the nation with their Authority.

Anyway, I can tell you about that later.

Even though that island was mentioned in human history, it didn't actually exist in history.

So someone made fairy tales, fantasy, into reality?

Yes. That also means whoever made that island must be quite powerful.

Building an island that never existed before... That most certainly is not something a human could do.

It would be difficult for my brother as well. Politically. Which means... Yes, our enemy is clear.

Both oni and the island Onigashima... Yes, I would agree the answer is clear.

But it is still too soon to draw any conclusions. I want you to investigate with extreme caution.

Okay. Let us proceed with care, Master.

The Singularity response I'm picking up is located at the highest, most remote part of the island.

From what I can see, it looks like a steep, rocky mountain is the highest point of the island.

It looks like it won't be easy to reach from here.

Yes. You're right, Senpai.

We should progress steadily, one step at a time Like the journey we've been on so far.

Hehe... That's right. Senpai, you always inspire us to go down the right path with your words.

That may indeed prove to be the shortest way to reach our goal.

？！

Fou, foou♪

By the way, Ushiwaka. Are you familiar with folklore?

Not just tales from your time, but those popular after that as well.

Yes. You need not worry about that. I, Ushiwaka, have been diligently studying such things in Chaldea.

Naturally, the tale of Onigashima, as well as Kobutori Jisan, Shita-kiri Suzume, The Crab and the Monkey, the Thief Ninja Jiraiya,

and many others. I love them! So speaking of Onigashima, the tale of Momotarou is definitely what comes to mind.

Exchanging millet dumplings to gain three companions: a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant, and then defeating the oni of Onigashima

Heh heh! Master, if you are Momotarou, then I must be the dog, eh?

I myself am a dog person, so all the better. A cat ignores commands, but a dog is devoted to its master.

If you order me to, I will gladly line the island shore with the heads of all the oni.

...Ushiwaka, it definitely doesn't sound like a joke when you say it... Besides, you ARE a master of combat...

Fou! Foufou!

What? You would like to play the dog as well, Fou!? Well, for certain... You do have the qualifications...

But I shall not be outdone! Whichever of us can perform most like a dog shall be the winner! Let's go!

Fou!

Oh... Ushiwakamaru and Fou have gone running off.

Oh, well. We'll just have to leave the scouting up to those two.

Uh!? It seems Ushiwakamaru has found something. She's rushing back in a hurry... What's the matter?

My lord! I have news! There is someone lying unconscious over there!

...

This... This is a Servant response. He's a Servant! And

Oni! The person on the ground is surrounded by oni!

？！

Yes. Master, orders, please!

My lord, I shall obey your orders to the very fullest! Come, demons! Quench my Usumidori's thirst!

Ugh! There are so many!

Ohhh...

My lord! This one on the floor has regained consciousness.

Who...are...you?

？！

???

...I don't understand, but... I do know...that you're fighting the oni.

All...to save...me. In that case...

...Even though I'm physically and mentally exhausted... Even though I'm weak...

One of the oni just went down! What happened!?

A knife! Nay, a ninja kunai! What a swift, clean throw... Who are you?

...Apologies. Although I'm not anyone of note...

...My name is Fuuma Kotarou. For some reason that is beyond me, I am the fifth Kotarou.

Fuuma Kotarou!? The leader of the Fuuma ninja and disruption brigade of Soshu province that served under the Hojo clan?

...Yes, that one. I really don't want to get boiled in a pot. However, for now

I will repay your help and do what is right. Do not expect much of me, but I will begin exterminating the oni.

You are a young man oddly lacking in spirit, but that is unimportant! Continue, I will leave any backup to you!

Here we go...!

Ooh! Another kunai between the eyes! Now that's flawless accuracy! Well done, Kotarou!

Oh... Thank you. You look awfully cold, but your agility is unparalleled.

Hahaha! To think you'd worry about me on the battlefield! Continue to watch my back, Kotarou!

Those quick and daring movements... So that's a ninja! I have only ever heard of them before.

I too have learned similar arts from the Tengu, but I can tell the real deal is different.

I wonder if my brother would be happy if I mastered such skills? ...After this, please train me!

No, I cannot... I'm no good at teaching people... Um, and you are?

Oh, I beg your pardon. My name is Ushiwakamaru.

Ushiwaka... Ohh, samurai of the Minamoto clan. I don't really like samurai...but... you're a comrade. And if it's Minamoto... things are different.

We can speak later! The third enemy wave is approaching!

Damn, there are too many! They're like a swarm of mosquitoes! They just keep popping up one after the other!

We're completely surrounded!

It seems that all the oni in the area have gathered here... Sorry. I should have been more cautious.

Just as Master says. We should only focus on fighting our way out of this!

Yes. If we had known so many would come, we could have handled it differently...

If only we'd made withdrawing our priority from the start. But, well... Would've, could've, should've...

We just have to watch for our chance now! Fujimaru, give them orders!

？！

Haaa!

...It's a problem that there is no enemy general either. One sure way to victory is to take out the leader first.

My lord, if you command it, I, Ushiwakamaru, am willing to face ten thousand foes to take an enemy general's head

...But if there's no general to begin with, there's nothing that can be done. The problem is simply numbers now.

？！

...There's no point in keeping this a secret any longer considering the situation...

Ushiwaka, girl in the dark armor... and you, Fujimaru.

I am a lone Servant whose fate has called me to this place.

I am still neither your ally nor your enemy.

As such, I have hesitated to show you my trump card... my Noble Phantasm.

But you have, in truth, concerned yourselves over me, a novice. Therefore

I, Fuuma Kotarou, shall live up to my duty, and loyally honor your sincerity.

This is not our sacred Mt. Ashigara, and none of my invisible and swift disruption brigade are present.

I, Kotarou, will entrust you with our secret... Not as the leader of the Fuuma clan, but as a friend.

Senpai, this is a serious situation! The poor lonely fellow is plucking up his courage for us!

My lord! This is serious! It's an important moment for Kotarou!

？！

...Um, may I continue?

Fou.

...Then, once again...

Master. My Noble Phantasm has the ability to summon the Fuuma clan...my followers' spirits into battle. Their numbers alone won't be outdone by these oni.

Although it won't annihilate them, it will create a diversion.

Understand that this could be the chance to turn the tables on them. Upon your signal, I will release my Noble Phantasm.

I see. So you will distract them. However...even if there is that chance...

We need a burst of heavy firepower to cut through the enemy ranks. My Noble Phantasm is Anti-Personnel, and Mash's is for protection...

Kotarou, it pains me to say this, but we don't have the strength to overcome the situation

Huh!? What's that sound!?

S-Something is approaching! With immense intensity, too!

It's coming from...the top of that cliff!

That's...

That's...!?

He jumped...right off...the top of that cliff!?

Fou!

Hey there! I came here to see what's stinkin' up the place and what do I find?

It's a golden party, guys! Don't you agree, Boss!

You'reKintoki the Axe Bearer! No, I mean, Mr. Golden!

What? Kintarou? Where is he, Mash?

The only thing I see is a disgusting creature who's trying too hard to look like a foreigner...

What!? That's...Sakata...Kintoki?

Yes. You may find it hard to believe, but that there is Mr. Golden.

We were shocked by him at first too! Oh, but... today he's worse than usual...

Th-That's right. What the heck is that metal, shiny, motorcycle-like thing!?

...Tch! Can't you hear that? Listen! Listen to it! You know you can hear it! Listen to this bad boy!

Come on! Clean out your ears and listen to this! This here is my one and only partner!

The awesome acceleration blasts it across a hundred miles in an instant! This jet engine would blow away a hundred bears if they stood in your way!

This is This is truly goooooooolden! This baby here is the legendary bear on Mt. Ashigara!

This is the Hyper Ultra Dangerous Machine Golden Bear!

Heh heh! I knew you'd get it, Boss! This Bear here is one hellavuh beast, isn't he!?

Foufou!

Hey, pup! You get it too, huh? You show promise! How about I dye your fur gold, huh?

...Foun...

...

...

Dang... You guys... Yeah, I know, I know...

Everyone is the same at first... This baby is so impressive that you can hardly breathe, let alone speak...

That's what makes Bear here so awesome... He even frightens me deep down...

？！

You really are an idiot, aren't you? Enough of that, Kintoki!

Would you take a look around!? Quit acting like some high-school kid who just got their drivers license!

Hey! I'm an adult, man! I've got my license for large motorbikes!

...Wait, that's not the point. Okay, fine! Say no more, Mad Doc!

I heard about everything at the mountain pass teahouse!

What? Mad Doc? Me?

Hey, what the hell are those oni over there!? Is that some kind of joke? Some face they got there!

I'm an expert in killing oni, ya know! But even I never saw anything with such a cartoonish, dopey face!

Dang! I don't know why, but that is hilarious! This is so funny, I'm dying of laughter! Gyahahahaha!

Is that... really... Sakata...Kintoki!?

Stop! Stop, Mr. Golden! This is no time to be laughing your head off!

Only the bad guys do that kind of stuff! You'll disappoint the children!

What? Really? The last thing I want to do is disappoint the kids...

...Ah, well, gee. Sorry. I wonder what got into me...

For some reason, I couldn't help laughing when I saw those guys. I must have seen them somewhere before...

Ya know... It's like one of those strange memories from childhood that hits you right in the funny bone.

Gahr... Gaaaaaaahhrrr... Gyaaaaaaaaarrrrrr!

Oh, I guess this is no time for me to be laughing.

As usual, I have no idea why I was summoned, but it's obvious what I have to do.

I'm needed at this instant! That's what my Rider Suit is telling me!

It's saying, "You must ride faster than the wind, Golden!"

Then the only thing left to do is to exterminate those oni! Right, Boss? Right, missy with the shield!?

Yes! Kintarou the Axe Bearer You're needed front and center, Mister!

Yes. Let's go, Master!

M-Master?

I'm a little surprised by your unusually high spirit... In any case!

？！

Kotarou, please!

Oh... Right!

My immortal shinobi, I shall prep you here once more Go! Immortal Chaos Brigade!

Hey! Hey! What the heck is that, you...

Oh... I'm sorry. Have I...done anything to offend you?

That's one hellavuh cool name for a Noble Phantasm!

You've got damn good taste, dude! Just stick a "Golden" in there, and it'll be perfect!

R-Right... Thanks...

Hah! But I won't be bested I'm blowing these guys away!

Come on, you stinking oni! Imma send you back to hell!

Quick as lightning, faster than a bullet, with a body as bright as gold! My sacred steed, Bear!

Anyone who can keep up, follow me! Ride behind if you'd like!

But make sure you're insured if you do!

Because I ain't got no brakes! If you get thrown off, you'll end up in the depths of hell!

!!!