Act 3 "The First Great Oni Appears!"

By the way, my lord.

Thanks to your integrity, you have gained both Kotarou and Kintoki as companions.

When we arrived here, we went over this once, but how about we discuss our roles one more time?

I say this as I believe if we settle it beforehand, we will be able to better fulfill our roles.

Yes! The three animal companions of Momotarou, obviously! The original famed oni-exterminating companions!

Yes, that's exactly right. Since we are exterminating oni, then it is a great honor!

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First of all, naturally I am the dog

Fou! Foufou!

Oh, that's right. Fou and I are still in competition.

Regardless, whether we aim for the same role or not, we should declare which one we desire.

From here onward, I think it best for our lord to decide which role is appropriate depending on our actions.

Now then, Mash, what about you?

What? Me? I'm not particularly...

Mash is also very much like a faithful dog. How about that?

Really...

Fouu?

Doctor! You keep out of this! I don't need any kind of role!

You have no desires, Mash? Then, how about the pheasant role...

Uh?

On close inspection, you seem like you might be a bird, Kotarou. Your hair style and color kind of remind me of one.

...Are you happy with being the pheasant?

A bird... Yes, that's nice. If you don't mind me playing that role, then I don't mind.

Oh, that was a quick answer. Well, that settles the role of the pheasant. Next is Kintoki

No can do, Ushiwaka. That's not something I'm going to do. I just ain't into it.

What? Why not? (He must have known I was going to make him the monkey!?)

My name is Golden. Call me Golden. I mean, you and I have fought together in many battles.

We're already best buddies, right? So just call me by my True Name.

Isn't that right, Kotarou? You're thinking the same!

...W-Well, yes. Golden...does have a nice...ring to it, I think...

Also, Ushiwakamaru, I'm not so sure about making Kintoki the monkey. I mean, there isn't a monkey as strong as he is.

If there were, then that would be the end of Japan. The future Nikko Edomura Park is still to come, you know.

W-Well, yes, I understand that, but... Why do you have to get so defensive, Kotarou?

(Yes, when it comes to Kintoki, Kotarou's eyes become quite serious...)

...Hmm. What you say does make sense though, Kotarou.

Kintoki... I mean, Golden is best suited for the role of Momotarou.

But our Master is in that role. Perhaps we will have to employ a double-Momotarou system

What? The monkey role? Nothing wrong with that. I'll take it. I was raised in the mountains, so I'm perfect for it.

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I don't mind at all. You don't realize how strong a monkey is, do you?

The monkeys that lived on my mountain were crazy strong.

They're on par with bears. There was even this one monkey I had a damn long sumo battle with.

He had wicked thick arms and pitch-black hair. But he had these sad eyes with a deep understanding.

That one was a wise mountain sage. But when he got excited, he was like a storm!

He'd pound his chest like a drum and walk like a beast, dragging his huge fists on the ground.

It was like all his wisdom transformed into muscle... Dang, thinkin' about this has me in the mood for some sumo!

...Hmm, that probably wasn't a monkey, but more likely a mountain goril...

What kind of ecosystem was on that mountain that you grew up on?

...Wow. I had no idea animals like that lived on the mountain... my training is still far from finished...

At any rate, we've settled all three of the companions' roles! Now we can make headway as oni exterminators!

All right, let's be going, my lord! First we go to the great oni that's nearby!

It seems...we're on the right track.

I've identified a conspicuously large heat source! It's him! Just looking at this I can tell it's different than other oni!

...No, wait! There's alsoa Servant there!

Could this be the formidable guard that we heard about? Who is

...Aah.

...

Would it be all right if we spoke first? I have a little something I wish to ask.

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I am Sasaki Kojirou. The radiance of my secret technique was requested, so I was hired by the oni as a guard

Then, based on the absurd... Nay, bold idea that "Swallows and pheasants are all birds so they are basically the same, right?"

...I was given the role of a 1-star pheasant-terminator, with the mission to slay the evil bird that could shoot beams out of its beak.

...

...Now, where's the pheasant?

He is right here.

...Hello.

You're a person! What? Where is your beak!?

That's what you're upset about?

Of course I'm angry! I may be a recluse, but I don't have that much free time!

You see... I came here seeking a swallow that is equal to the one I fought that day...

But all I find is a spy with hair that looks like a bird! This isn't what I was promised!

You'd think you'd at least bring a Heroic Spirit that's a falconer, or one that turned into a bird in legends, or has some connection to birds!

Ohh...I'm sorry... I don't think I can shoot beams, nor do I have beak...

...Uhm, My name is Fuuma Kotarou. I'm the pheasant of the group. If it's ninjutsu you need, I might be able to do something...

What? Fuuma Kotarou? The Fuuma Clan that's second only to Iga and Kouga ninjas?

Well well, my apologies. If I could cross swords with the leader of the Fuuma, that would be enough to satisfy me.

You have a good name, too. Kotarou. Kojirou. A peerless pair of names we have, and the beginning of a friendship.

No, there will be no beginning. From now on, I shall become the Kojirou-terminator.

Why!? We are both Japanese Servants, right!?

Silence! Timid I may be, but there are three things that I cannot forgive!

One, people who don't take care of their weapons. Two, subordinates who chase away the deliveryman.

And finally, three Anyone who dares to rank my Fuuma Clan lower than Iga and Kouga!

You, sir, have crossed the line! As the fifth leader of the Fuuma ninja, I shall take that rare sword as a trophy!

There's a bit of self-interest in that anger, Senpai!

Whoa! That's pretty dang impressive! Maybe we outta change your role from the pheasant, eh?

I see. I may not have stepped upon the tiger's tail, but it seems I have ruffled the bird's feathers. Disappointing, yet pleasing as well.

Enough talk. Now we fight to the death.

However, my good Kotarou, as an apology for my impolite remark earlier, let me give you some advice.

This great oni's name is Kazakoemaru. According to the Oni King, he is heralded as the embodiment of speed.

He cannot be beaten when it comes to speed. Even up against my sword. Heed that when you face him.

Hey, hey! His speed can't be beaten? We'll see about that when he faces me and my Bear here!

All right! It's time to challenge him to a speed battle! You climb on that oni and ease up to the line!

No, I don't think he means that kind of speed. Probably...

That is so like you, Kintoki. Overcoming an opponent in their area of expertise, that is what you would call a true victoryIsn't that right?

It is an attack they won't see coming. It's bound to deal a huge blow to them psychologically.

However, our opponent seems pretty confident in its ability. It might be difficult to beat it if we charge recklessly

In fact, if we are to take it on with speed, then I think we need to make the appropriate preparations.

Do we fight against its strong point, or do we try some other method? I leave the decision about that up to you, Master.

Whatever you choose, I will support you completely. This could be a long fight, so let's all do our best, Master!