Section 4: Battle Front

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Why did we bring this dumb little bug with us? He's ugly. We should have left him behind.

Well, Izo and I go way back.

Okada Izo of Tosa was pretty famous in Kyoto back when the Tokugawa shogunate was on its last legs.

Is that so? So you know each other?

KNOW each other!? This coward betrayed us!

...And I said I was sorry about that.

Sorry!? You think just saying sorry makes up for what you did!?

How about I cut you to ribbons right here, and then we'll see how sorry you are?

...

...I see. I didn't realize you hated me that much.

...

...All right. If that's what it takes to make you feel better, go ahead.

Kill me.

Huh? No. That doesn't work for Oryou.

It's all right, Oryou. Please, stay out of this.

I'm serious about this, Ryouma!

I'm a man of my word! If I say I'll do something, I will damn well do it!

？！

Wha...!?

Wh-why didn't you dodge, Ryouma!?

Ryouma! That's a serious wound!

...What, this? It's nothing. If it helps Izo feel better, I can deal with it.

Besides, if he'd really meant to kill me, I'd be dead.

...Isn't that right?

Wha... I-I knew you were a coward, but I didn't think you were an idiot, too! I swear, as long as we've known each other...!

Dammit! Just go ahead and die for all I care!

Haha... Well, that should help keep the peace around here, right?

...Oh, would someone mind grabbing those bandages for me?

...Phew. Thanks, Oryou.

Oh, and I'm good on saliva, thanks. Besides, it's...pretty sticky.

Shut up. If you die, Oryou dies too, you know. Be careful.

...Hmph.

This doesn't mean I've forgiven you!

I, uh... I just don't feel like killing you now, that's all!

I know. Thanks, Izo. Holding back for now is more than enough.

Why you... Do you EVER shut up...!?

Now, getting back to our previous discussion...

I've managed a bit of investigating. Between that and the data Chaldea gave us, I think I've more or less sorted out how things work here.

There are anchors made from fragments of the Holy Grail located at several points around the city...

...and each of them commands its own Servant.

Every Servant with an official class has their territory set around their anchor.

The rules of this Holy Grail War are simple: fight the other Servants, gain their territories, and become the sole victor.

...Exactly!

Damn, I wanted to be the one to explain all that.

That's right! Geniuses are the best at dramatic entrances! Even if that wasn't quite what I was aiming for this time.

Thank goodness you're all right, Senpai!

Thanks to Da Vinci's analysis, we've figured out a way to bring you back.

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...So!

Since the anchors holding that place together are made from Holy Grail fragments...

...all you have to do is destroy them, and that world's foundations should come crumbling down, taking the Singularity with them.

Even better, once that's done, the signals jamming our observations should disappear too...

...which will make Rayshifting Fujimaru back to Chaldea pretty simple.

Still... We have a goal, but actually making it happen is a bit more difficult.

And then there's the whole twisting a Holy Grail War into some sort of Servant war game thing...

Why would anyone go to the trouble of setting up this Singularity to run on a system that is such a complete pain in the ass?

...

We'll keep an eye on that as we investigate.

For now, Fujimaru, I'd like you to focus mainly on destroying the anchors.

Aw crap, are we out of time already? Okay, one last quick thing.

You know the Servants' territories? Well, they look like they're linked to the anchors too.

The more you whittle down enemy Servants' territories the less assistance they'll get from the Grail.

All right, looks like we're out of time, so, later!

Oh, Senpai, about the tan Okita next to

...She seems a little too friendly with you.

...Yes.

...I see. A lot, huh.

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At any rate, now we know what our goal is.

We need to whittle down each Servant's territory and sever their connection to the Grail. Yeah, that's a lot more clear-cut.

Which means this is where we get serious. If we all work together, I'm sure we can pull it off.

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...Huh?

You will help us, right, Izo?

Are ya insane!?

Why would I ever help YOU lot!?

I'm ONE of the Servants in this Holy Grail War, you know!

I don't expect you to help for nothing, Izo.

Sure, you're a genius with the sword. But even you can't take them all on alone, can you?

Don't bother trying to butter me up! All you ever do is trick me into going along with you!

...Izo. You saw that enemy Saber for yourself, remember?

She's tough. Really tough.

...You mean the one in the haori?

I'd recognize that detestable blue haori anywhere... Ryouma, does that mean

That's right. She's part of the strongest group of master swordsmen of the late Tokugawa shogunate...

...the group you and I have a long history with...

...!?

Hey, you...

...!?

Are you with Satsuma, or Choushu?

...!?!?

Well, I guess it doesn't matter. Get in my way...

...and I'll cut you down where you stand!

...!?!?!?

Not yet... I'm not done yet...!

Cut them up...!

Advance...!

CUT THEM UP...!

ADVANCE...!

This is...

...the Shinsengumi!!!