Act 2 "Attack on Onigashima"

Now that we've come this far, we should be all right.

Whew... Somehow we made it.

Let me express our gratitude again, Kotarou, Kintoki.

...No. I...should be the one thanking you. I was the reason we got into that mess to begin with...

Hmm. Now that we have the opportunity, let me ask you. Why were you surrounded by them back there?

I was...summoned to this island not long ago. I don't know the reason...but I can speculate.

It's the oni. It's because I...am a Heroic Spirit deeply connected with oni.

？！

A secret technique of the Fuuma... is to turn into an oni. That is why... there are tales of me... as an oni.

You can...turn into an oni?

...Not as of this moment. That Noble Phantasm is sealed.

However... There were oni right in front of my eyes.

I thought if I could observe them, study them up close, I might be able to absorb their behaviors and unleash my Noble Phantasm...

Now I know it was a mistake. One group of oni called in another, and that turned into a chain reaction

And things ended up like that.

I haven't even fully grasped the layout of the island yet...

It was a reckless move for me to make... Usually someone else would do the scouting for me...

So I'm not used to doing it myself... I feel so embarrassed right now...

Come on! Don't worry about it, kid! What happens in Onigashima stays in Onigashima, right!?

So what if you lost your way? Speaking of which, I got lost too!

Anyway, I've got to see some more of those fancy ninja moves you have. You're as fantastic as you look!

Oh...um, I'm honored...to hear you say that, Kintoki.

(He's becoming even more embarrassed...)

That's right, thank you Kintoki. You really saved us out there.

Nah, I didn't do anything for you to thank me, Doc. I just enjoyed blowing them away with my ride.

...But ya know. Like that time at Rashomon, things might be complicated here.

...You're right.

We're out of trouble for the time being, but we're simply back to where we started.

What is with this Onigashima? What is up with the oni? The mystery still remains.

Precisely. Kintoki, Kotarou. Our purpose here is to solve the mystery behind this island.

I realize I'm asking you this again, but will you help us?

Yes. I am indebted to you. I shall help you.

...Besides, I think fighting the oni will help me further develop the secret arts of the Fuuma clan.

The same with me. This sounds sappy, but companions make journeys, and kindness makes the world better.

You're already my comrades and riding buddies. Once your butt is on my machine, we go all the way together.

But just like I said with those oni I'm not responsible for what happens to you if you fall off!

...

Besides, I can't just ignore the evil these oni are up to. Ya know, I got a reputation to keep.

As Kintarou, if I don't hunt oni, then what am I doing here? Well, I guess I could ride my bike!

...

...I'm sensing a very passionate gaze. Who is it?

Here, it's me! Please forgive me! I am deeply moved seeing how the great Sakata Kintoki is standing right in front of me!

What? You know me?

Yes, of course. You are one of my ancestor's... Minamoto-no-Raikou's Four Heavenly Kings! The brave exploits of Kintoki are renowned!

There is nothing more heroic than the tales that were made by Kintarou of Mt. Ashigara!

I read all of your stories back in Chaldea!

...

(Kotarou is also nodding silently.)

(...Actually, I was shocked by the foreign-looking blond hair... But it must be some madness.)

(I'm sure it's... you know, like teenage rebellion against his mother or something like that.)

Ehh...well, all I did was go wild with my boss...

You lookin' at me like that is kinda embarrassing. But if my old boss is your ancestor, then you're a Minamoto too?

Yes! My father is Yoshitomo, my mother is Tokiwa, and of course, my older brother is Yoritomo. I am Ushiwakamaru!

Heh-heh! I see, I see... Hold on! Hey! Don't get so close! Quit your jumping up and down too!

Oh! I'm terribly sorry. I'm just so excited!

(Her armor is way too flashy! Is that because she's a Rider!? Is that why!?)

(Is this the default style for later Minamoto generations? I can practically see everything! And on her hips... Those are her panties!)

(Dang! Talk about an aggressive outfit... the Minamoto armor is great, dangerous, and revolutionary!)

Kintoki started blushing and turned away.

His hair is different and he's riding a motorcycle, but he's not any different than the usual Kintoki.

Most of all, he's still a companion that we can rely on. Anyway, I'd like you to start by gathering information

...Wait, something is coming!

Yes! Oni are approaching! But there aren't that many... Probably a scouting party. Stop them before they can call their friends!

Whew, we got through that somehow...

You really are an amazing ninja. Your ability to detect enemies is unparalleled.

Simultaneously! It was simultaneous!

There's a time lag, you know, so he has the advantage.

？！

I'm very sensitive to the presence of others...

I will do my best to be of assistance to you.

...

What seems to be the matter, Kotarou?

...No, it's nothing.

(...I sensed someone looking at me just now... Was it just my imagination?)

All right, I've sent Kotarou and Kintoki out on a recon and scouting mission.

As for us, we should go to check on the safety of the area.

Yes. First of all, let's take a peek over that cliff and get a look around.

Good idea. If the view is good, we might be able to see something.

I, Ushiwaka, have great confidence in my vision. That's because I was raised on Mt. Kurama!

How is it? Can you see anything?

...Yes. I can see oni... and humans as well, gathering in an open space.

Humans? I see, so there are some on the island. What is the situation like?

A forced labor camp... It looks like oni are supervising the humans and making them work.

Yes. They're wielding whips and shouting It looks like there are some oni that understand human language.

The humans there are digging holes in the ground, and carrying dirt and logs...

Hmm. That really does sound like a forced labor camp. I wonder why the oni are making humans do that?

I don't know. All I know is there are a lot of oni gathered there.

Even if we want to free the people working there, we'll just end up in the same mess as before.

...That's right. And there's more than just that one place where oni are forcing humans to work.

To try and free everyone from all those camps... I wouldn't say that's a realistic idea.

It would be best to keep making our way inland, and do something about the mastermind... I think.

Fou!?

I'm sorry... I'm a ninja so...

E-Even when Kotarou sneaks up like that, you're still not phased. You really are something, Master.

？！

The information I have is just as I said. I found several work locations, and...

A way to get to the middle of this islandto the highest point.

Oh, so you've found a route there?

Simply put, there is an easy path. It is not difficult to traverse. But

...But what?

To get to the top, we have to go through three gates that the oni have constructed along the way. There is no way around them.

And...they seem to be closed at all times.

To open those gates, you need the keys from three great oni who appear to be the gate keepers.

Three great oni guarding the three gates... I see.

They also appear to be the ones commanding the lesser oni...

They are far more powerful than the lesser oni, with strength I've never seen before.

And what's more, I think...the oni have hired a terrifying guard.

Unfortunately, that's when it got away from me...

It got away?

The oni that I extracted this information from. I'm sorry, but I'm not very good at interrogation.

However, that oni didn't seem to be lying, so I believe it was a good trade-off...

Hahaa! You didn't have the desire to go after it and kill it, huh? You are very kind, Kotarou.

If it had been me, I'd have gone right after it, and made it regret its cowardice.

No, that would have been a waste of time...

...Ushiwakamaru, who grins while speaking of violence, and Kotarou, always calm and unnervingly rational...

Japan's Heroic Spirits are, how to put this... They look approachable enough, but are actually terrifying...

？！

...No, I'm terribly sorry. I should have been more diligent with my work...

I should have finished it off. You see, this is what happens

The beasts have been set upon us. No matter how pitiable they are, oni are still oni.

No, it isn't wrong to be compassionate, Kotarou! The ones to make a mistake are the oni coming to retaliate!

Attack! We'll cut our way through them, Master!

Kintoki should be back here soon. Where is that guy?

I wonder if something happened to him... I should have been the one to do all of the scouting.

I mean...that thing he rides... It's so...noisy...

(Nods in agreement.)

No, it's presumptuous to think he would ride the whole time... I mean, seriously, why would he do that...?

Hahaha! I'm really glad you have common sense, Kotarou.

Uh?

Let's not be negative all the time and think something positive. We have to give some credit to the mobility of that Bear.

He could be cruising around the lower part of the island at full speed. Let's wait a little longer.

You're right. It is presumptuous of me to worry about him...

Shh! Quiet. Mr. Roman, do you detect anything?

Spot on, Kotarou. Something is approaching. It definitely isn't Kintoki.

Understood. Let's hide for the time being and watch.

Whew! ...What a pain. I'm beat... This is rough... This is hell, man...

...They've come from the labor camp.

It seems they really can communicate. They look a little bit higher-ranked than those earlier ones...

...They're probably like middle management. But I can't be sure right now.

Whew! ...It sure ain't easy making humans work. They start slacking off if you aren't watching...

Then again, if you so much as whip them, they die. I wish they'd learn to be more brawny like us.

What the heck do they eat anyway? ...They should eat rocks! That'll build up their grit...

Absolutely right! To be honest, I'd rather do the work... I mean, that'd finish the castle way faster, right?

The boss should've just asked us to do it... We'd get the work done in less than two days.

Then we could go party in town! I'm dying for some girls...

Gyahahaha! With a face like that, your mom wouldn't even wanna be around! Anyway, I'm hungry. I'm gonna have some of that liver I brought.

Seriously? You brought a lunchbox? You never forget, do you? And you're only a prison guard!

I didn't bring this. I plucked the head off that useless old guy back there. It's a lame liver as well.

...These oni... We might be able to talk with them, but oni and humans...

Stay calm, Mash. Oni have lives too, so they have complaints as well.

Well, at any rate, my lord, if you order me to do so, I will slice their heads off right away. How about it?

W-Wait, Ushiwakamaru! Let's observe a bit longer

That's right. This could be an ambush. Let's observe for a little longer

？！

...Hmm? I'm detecting something... Is this a Servant? But Kintoki hasn't returned yet. What's this?

Ah! Fujimaru, over there!

You there! What do you think you're doing?

...How dare you kill an innocent old man for no reason! Like I thought, you're rotten to the core.

Gya!? Y-You're...

My blade is unwavering. Swift as thunder, glittering like the snow, and merciful like the raining heavens.

Here is your punishment! May you die in incredible agony!

Gyaaaah!

S-Senpai! A black-haired beauty is cutting down all the oni!

(What incredible swordsmanship! She slices through an oni's hard flesh like it was tofu!)

Foufou!

？！

R-Right! Let's go, Master!

I'm not detecting any more enemies... But...I don't know...

？！

...Yes. I'm not sure how to put it, but there wasn't as much punch to them...

Looking at the data, it seems they're made up of spiritual bodies on the inside.

They appear rough and crude, but in reality they could just be beings of higher spiritual existence.

I can't say all of the phantasmals in Japan are like this. Ushiwaka, what's your take?

You were raised by Tengu, right?

Hmm, I was often told it was forbidden to speak about my masters, so I can't really give you the details, but...

Mystical creatures from this land are not terribly different than those from the West. They are mostly categorized as spiritual beasts or spirits of the dead.

Spiritual beasts are physical existences hidden from the human world. The other is born into this world as a living curse without physical form.

These oni are the latter. When I cut into them, there is no substance.

They are like smoke that would kill you if inhaled. They are born of a curse created by human deeds.

So they're not a living creature of any proper ecosystem. Okay, then that makes sense.

But this is no time to be talking casually! Fujimaru, put that pretty woman on camera!

I've got to talk to her! She's got huge boo... I mean, she's got to be a huge source of information!

My, where is that voice coming from?

I sense someone both sensitive and discreet, and though he is timid, has high marks in versatility and reason...

Oh, shush Fujimaru, you don't have to compliment me like that.

Fufufu... Don't mind me too much. I am merely a warrior passing by.

？！

Either way, let me express my gratitude for your efforts, nameless foreigners.

Such unusual attire. How did you come to this island? There won't be any ship coming into the harbor for a while...

Oh my! Oh, my oh my oh my! Such a preciously cute warrior. Who might you be?

My name is Mi... I mean, Ushiwakamaru. I admire how you did not give any ground when facing the oni.

You appear to be no ordinary swordsman. You look as if you are a warrior of great renown.

Well...fufufu... (Pat Pat)

Wha!? ...Uhm, uhh...

Honestly, though, you really shouldn't pay me any attention.

This time, I was only doing things for my own ends, and you only did what you did for yours

As a result, our paths just happened to cross.

If fortune brings us together once more, then so be it.

Now then, I will be going.

She left...

You should've stopped her! Aww man, I really wanted you to stop her!

...No, we never could have stopped her. To question the activities of someone of such high rank is tantamount to rudeness.

...I am a man that lives in the shadows, but even I could tell what her rank is.

She was a woman with an odd aura. A magnanimous, maternal aura.

Uhmmm... That person... Hmmm?

？！

No, it's definitely the first time I've met her.

But her aura is one that I seem to know from somewhere, her aroma... How can I put it... It's kind of nostalgic... Hmm?

(She's moving her hands like she could physically rewind her brain.)

Well, there's no use pondering over what we don't know. At any rate, right now weHuh?

Sorry about that! I'm a little late.

Bear here is getting way out of hand! We rode way further than I originally planned.

Ah, Kintoki.

...You're all right. It's good to...see you back again...

...Huh? What's this? Have you had yourselves a fight? Damn! I missed out on the fun. That's not fair, you guys.

Actually, we ourselves aren't entirely satisfied with the battle either...

Most of this was handled by an armored warrior that just happened to be passing by. We hardly participated at all.

An armored warrior? There was someone like that here?

Yes. You could say she had terrific skill, as well as terrific va-voom... she was in many ways the essence of maternity...

Huh?

Though she wore armor, she stood slender and tall, and she was soft...or you could say attractive, I guess.

At any rate, she carried herself with such charm that she gave off a lovely aroma. It appeared as if she was a warrior with renown, but...

...What? You sure? Could it be...?

Yes, Kintoki?

Oh, no, it's nothing. Forget about that. What's the situation now?

You're right. Let us compare notes. First

So... we can't get to the top without taking out three great oni, huh? And those dudes are golden strong.

All right, this is getting interesting! There's nothing better than an easy-to-understand situation!

I knew you'd say something like that, Kintoki!

I...agree.

Ahh... It's always like this with people that are always ready for a fight... Kintoki, what did you find out on your recon?

Oh, yeah. Well, you already know about the labor camps where the oni are making humans work...

But I also found a place similar to a human settlement. I only got a glimpse of it from far away though.

A settlement, huh? Obviously it would be inefficient to keep them working constantly. It's necessary to give the humans a place to live as well.

It's dangerous, but we might be able to get more information if we go there.

We'll defeat the great oni defending the gates, and get their keys. Then we'll go to the settlement for information.

We have a mission for the moment. Let's be careful, Master!