Part One: Sudden Rise! Chaldea Clan's Ambition!

I see... So that's how you two ended up here.

Yes. I'm guessing this is some sort of Singularity...

...but without a way of contacting Chaldea, we can't really be sure.

Hmm. I wish I could help, but I'm afraid I'm in much the same boat as you.

Food's ready! I'm sorry we can't offer you more, but you're welcome to what we've got.

Thank you so much! We'd be grateful to accept. Right, Senpai?

So you lost your way, eh? Well that's a real shame. This little village of ours is right around the Echigo border.

Echigo... I think that's the old name for a region in Japan.

(I knew it... No wonder I recognize this place.)

This area's seen nothing but fighting lately... Our crops had it bad enough with all the fighting going on nearby, even before those soldiers attacked us in broad daylight.

Again, I can't thank you enough for helping us out back there.

Nothing but fighting... Sir, could you remind me what year it is again?

Hm? It's the twelfth year of Tenshou. Why do you ask?

The twelfth year of Tenshou... That's a Japanese era name. I remember seeing it in a book I read at the library once.

Let's see... The twelfth year of Tenshou would correspond to 1584, when Japan was in its Warring States period.

If I'm not mistaken, I think Nobunaga died about two years before this.

I see... Wait. Nobunaga?

Did you just say Nobunaga died?

Well now, that's a surprise. I had no idea you were friends of the Oda family.

N-no, it's nothing.

...Nobunaga...

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Yeah, things've been real tough everywhere since Lord Nobunaga came back to life at Honnoji.

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Ever since the Lord Nobunaga that died at Honnoji came back to life, all the others have been relentless.

That's why it's been nothing but war every which way as of late.

Does this mean Nobunaga has been occupying Echigo after coming back to life?

Yes, that's right. Is this the first you're hearing about it?

(I never thought things would turn out like this after I died...)

What about the other daimyo? I'm sure Takeda and Houjou aren't going to take this lying down.

Takeda? Houjou? What're you talking about?

You know, Takeda, from the Kai Province, and the Odawara Houjou from the Kanto region.

Don't be ridiculous, young lady.

Everyone knows the daimyo from Kai is one of the Nobunagas, that fool Oda Kippoushi.

I can't believe that Oda managed to claim Kai...

I'm pretty sure he's supposed to be dead at this point in time...

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Anyway, did you hear that, Senpai!? There's something very strange going on here!

In Edo, you've got Kaiser Nobunaga with the Imperial Capital!

Huh? I-Imperial Capital? Kaiser? What in the world are you talking about?

In fact, back up: What do you mean "one of the Nobunagas"? That makes it sound like there's more than one...

Then in Toukai, you've got the best singer in all the land, Summer Nobunaga!

Senpai, what's going on!?

And in Owari, you've got the genuine article, Real-Deal Nobunaga! Though I'm still not sure what's supposed to be genuine about that one.

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In Kaga, Echigo's neighbor's neighbor, you've got the leader of all the Mini Nobus, Big Nobbu!

And finally, in Azuchi, you've got the one blocking the way to the western paradise: the mysterious Demon King Nobunaga in the Demon King Castle!

Western paradise...?

Oh yeah. They say you can live it up real good if you head out west towards Osaka.

We planned on moving there ourselves someday...

...but that's out the window now that Demon King Nobunaga's blocking the way there.

...S-so who's the daimyo here in Echigo then?

The famous Oda Nobbu, the Demon King of Echigo and incarnation of the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, of course.

Wha... What in the whaaaaaa!?!?!?

There certainly were a lot of surprising revelations yesterday, weren't there, Senpai?

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(Sigh) I knew I should have done something about Nobunaga while I was still around...

Did you say something, Otora?

Oh, sorry, just thinking out loud.

I swear, how did it come to this?

For the time being, let's just stay on this path the villagers told us about and head for my

I mean, Oda Nobbu's Kasugayama Castle in the north of Echigo.

Yes, that seems like the best plan of action for now. If we're lucky, maybe we'll find the Nobunaga we know there.

...Is that Kasugayama Castle over there?

Huh? It sounds pretty lively over there...

No, wait! I think they're fighting a battle there!

What should we do, Senpai?

...

...!

...Wait, this could be a great opportunity!

Huh? Where are you going, Otora!?

Why are you having so much trouble with them!? This should be easy for you!

The enemy has a frighteningly powerful armored warrior on their side, my lady! It's only a matter of time until they break through the castle gates!

Dammit, Imperial Capital me! Do you HAVE to be a jerk and invade your opponent right after starting a new game!?

And then there's that Kaiser Nobunaga or whatever bringing in robotic warriors, even though it's the Warring States period...

What kind of Nobbu Sue power fantasy BS is that!? And calling herself "Kaiser," of all things!? Puh-lease!

Me, on the other hand, I'm the only general in this castle! I know it's hard to find good retainers, but this is nuts!

Now I'm gonna have to go out there myself!

Lady Nobunaga! We've got another threat at the back of the castle now!

They've got a beautiful but frighteningly strong warrior in their ranks too! It won't be long before they break through the rear gate!

Well this sucks.

I just had to end up with a weird Spirit Origin after I get sent here! I mean, is it me, or is my cape a different shape?

While you were blabbing on about nonsense like that, Lady Nobunaga, I just received report that the enemy have broken through the rear gate!

Their general seems weirdly familiar with the castle's defenses! We can't even slow her down!

Dammit! All right, you lot handle the front gate for a while!

Try to hold them off while I see to these invaders at the rear gate myself!

Also, is it just me, or are you speaking awfully casually to me for a lowly infantryman?

It's just you, my lady!

Now hurry up and get out there already!

That's exactly what I'm talking about!

Ahahahaha! Did you really think this would be enough to stop me? This is the funniest thing I've seen in ages!

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Right. For some reason, she seems to know the way to the castle very well, and she's batting aside the enemy soldiers like gnats.

That's far enough! You, in the white! I'm putting a stop to your little escapade myself!

Let's make this snappy! I need to hurry up and get back to the front gate!

Well now... I don't think I've ever seen such a boldly unabashed thief before.

And talking to me like that, in this castle? How low the Fool of Owari has fallen.

There's no way you can beat me, so I suggest you just hand over the castle now.

What was that?

I'm sure I heard you wrong, because it sounded like you called me a fool!

And I think you even added some nonsense about me not being able to beat you?

I don't know who you think you are, but you should know that while I can forgive a joke or two, I will not tolerate any true insult!

Oh, I'm sorry, let me say that again then. You can never beat me, Fool of Owari.

You're dead!

Three Line Formation!!!

Fate is decreed by the heavens...

(Huh!?)

(What's going on? Why didn't my shots hit her?)

...Armor is strengthened by the heart...

(No, it's not that... My shots are avoiding her!)

...And glory is gained on foot!

I am none other than the avatar of Bishamonten, Nagao Kagetora!!!

Well, well. I certainly wasn't expecting to run into Nagao Kagetora of Echigo here.

Yes! Uesugi Kenshin was known as Echigo's god of war, the strongest general of the Warring States period!

Uesugi Kenshin was the daimyo of Echigo, and known far and wide as the strongest general in the Warring States period! So much so that she eventually came to be known as Echigo's god of war!

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And if I'm not mistaken, her birth name was Nagao Kagetora!

Though I didn't know she was a woman up until now!

I'm sorry for hiding my identity from you.

I knew of my fame and didn't want to frighten you off...

Although... Did you say "the strongest general of the Warring States period"?

I-I mean, that's not wrong, but still...

And wait: "Echigo's god of war"? Is that really what they call me in your time?

Ahahahaha! Echigo's god of war! I like that! I think I'll start going by it right now, in fact!

So there you have it, you villainous scum-of-the-earth, Oda Nobunaga! Nagao Kagetora, Echigo's god of war, is here to bring you to justice!

Hey, come on. I haven't done THAT many villainous acts...yet.

Wait, hang on. Fujimaru? Mash? I thought that was you!

It sure does!

I'm touched you came all this way to help me out!

Yeah, my Spirit Origin started acting up when I first materialized here. Got a new class and everything, too.

Is that okay? Should I do an Ascension?

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I take it this is the Nobunaga you two are friends with then?

Lady Nobunaga! I'm sorry to interrupt, but the enemy has broken through the front gate. It won't be long before they take the castle.

Crap, that's right! I forgot I was under attack on both sides!

Would you give me a hand here, Fujimaru?

I'll reward you with anything you want!

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Very well. Besides, this did used to be my castle. I certainly can't have anyone making trouble here.

Let's go, Fujimaru!

Hyahaha! What kind of pitiful castle is this? There's nothing but weaklings here!

How'm I gonna get a high score like this? And then there's this armor slowing me down... Man, this battle is boring!

Where's the boss of this place already!?

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You'll not set one step further into my castle! As Nagao Kageto

Shaddup! Less yapping, more fighting! Or I'll chop off your head while you're makin' your introductions!

Now I see. You're one of those types.

You do seem to know your way around a battlefield... But I warn you, you underestimate me at your own peril!

Kagetora didn't even bat an eye at his surprise attack!

No wonder she came to be known as a god of war, Senpai!

Huh... Where've I heard that voice before...?

Also, for the record, this is still MY castle, got that?

Stand still, will you!? Rrrgh, stupid heavy armor!

It would seem this battle is over...

And I've won!

...

...Now then, where were we?

It's not over yet!

Huh!?

Laugh! Ningen Mukotsu!

He wounded me!? How? It was like his spear passed through my armor...

My Ningen Mukotsu cuts through armor like tissue paper!

Ahh, I feel a lot better without that stuffy helmet on.

Thanks! Now die!

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Could he be a Heroic Spirit known for being immortal!?

I don't think so... I'm guessing that's his armor at work.

Look, he's using it to absorb magical energy from his surroundings. I think it's some kind of spell designed to boost healing.

Really? How did you figure that out?

Uh, well, it's less that I've figured it out, and more that I already know who he is...

And it's not right for him to have an ability like that.

So we're dealing with someone unkillable, huh!? Well, maybe not impossible to kill, but difficult... Either way, this is going to be quite a hassle!

Hahahahaha! I still don't like how heavy this armor is, but damn if it ain't useful!

Let's do this, punks! I'll kill every last one of ya!

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Hmm. Since it's his armor healing him, I think if we can blow him AND his armor away at once, that would stop him.

...All right, guess that means it's up to me then.

Hey, Echigo's so-called god of war! Make sure you dodge this!

Dodge what!? I'm a little busy right now, youUh-oh!

Get ready, Katsuzou! I'm hitting you with everything I've got!

This is the Demon King's true Three Line Formation!

A-are you...!?

Nobunaga's Three Line Formation seems to have worked on that warrior...but it seems to have hit Kagetora, too...

(Cough, cough). You really did it that time, Nobunaga. It's a good thing bullets can't hit me, no matter how many you shoot at me.

Why do you think I went all out like that?

Now, how's Katsuzou doing...?

Hahahaha! I really thought I was done for there, Boss! You're still just as wild as ever, aren't you!?

Seems he's fine. Good. He did look cramped in there.

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This is Mori Nagayoshi. Katsuzou was his childhood name. He was one of my retainers back when we were both alive.

Mori Nagayoshi... As in, the head of the Mori clan?

Hahahahaha! That's right! I'm Mori Nagayoshi, the great Oni Musashi himself!

Long time no see, Boss!

The Mori clan were one of Nobunaga's most loyal retainers, right? Do you have some connection to Mori Ranmaru then?

Oh? You know about Naritoshi, girlie? Don't tell me he's more famous than me?

Yeah, he is Mori Ranmaru's older brother. All right Katsuzou, why they hell did you attack my castle?

Hahahahaha! Thanks for blasting that heavy-ass armor offa me, Boss!

I was getting real pissed off about bein' forced to do what it wanted me to do!

'Course, now my body's shot to shit!

Yup, looks like this is it for me. But hey, what're you gonna do?

I'm just a Berserker without a contract! Ain't no magical energy coming my way anytime soon!

I thought as much...

I knew there had to be a reason you'd try to attack me on someone else's command.

Hey, uh, Fujimaru...?

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...

Thanks, Fujimaru. Sorry for the hassle.

All right, Katsuzou, this is your chance to turn things around and

Hahahahaha! You soft in the head or something!?

You want to form a contract with me? Do you even know who I am?

The Oni Musashi of the Mori clan... I've heard rumors about him in Echigo too, and none of them were good.

Are you sure about this, Fujimaru?

...

...

...

Good grief. You certainly are an unusual Master, aren't you?

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Hahahahaha! I like you, Master! I think you and I are gonna get along just fine!

From now on, your enemies are mine, and my enemies are yours too. I'll kill anyone you want! Even the boss!

Man, I didn't think this was going to be so exhausting.

All right, how 'bout we talk all this over back at the castle?

What do you mean I'm Fujimaru's retainer now!? Why's he get to be the lord of this castle!?

Because it makes sense.

You and I are both Fujimaru's Servants now, after all...

...so it's only right that he be the one to rule over this province as this castle's lord.

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Besides, you said it yourself not too long ago.

Would you give me a hand here, Fujimaru?

I'll reward you with anything you want!

What was I thiiiiiiiiinking!?

Hahahahaha, this is great! So you're gonna be Master's retainer now, huh?

See, Boss? I told you I knew how to pick 'em!

I knew I made the right choice joining, Master! Not even His Imperial Highness could bring the boss under his wing!

Why're YOU looking so smug about this!?

This is amazing, Senpai... You're a Warring States daimyo now!

That reminds me. Since you're closer to Fujimaru than anyone, Mash, you should be his chief retainer.

Me? Senpai's chief retainer!?

You're happy about this!?

Nobunaga, Nagayoshi, why don't we all start over as infantry? Being rewarded for the glories we earn is the way of the Warring States, after all.

Sounds nice and clear cut to me! So, which Boss do we kill first?

"Which Boss first"!? ...Bastard.

Ah well, it does seem like copies of me are running rampant here, so I guess we'll have to take them all out eventually.

Still, I can't get over how I used to be THE Warring States daimyo, and now I'm just a lowly foot soldier...

Then let's start our meeting right away, shall we? Mash, would you be so kind as to tell us where we currently stand?

Right! I, Mash Kyrielight, chief retainer of the Chaldea clan, vow to serve Senpai with all my heart and soul!

Now we're the Chaldea clan!?

Ahem. Given the circumstances, I'd like to run this meeting in a manner befitting the Warring States period.

We still don't know how or why we ended up here, but it's clear this history is not the one we know.

Thus, I suggest the Chaldea Security Organization's first order of business is to gather more information about the situation.

We still might not know right from left here, but now that you're a daimyo, Senpai, it's incumbent upon you to ensure your domain is stable.

So, to start... Infantryman, bring in the map, please!

Yes, ma'am! Here you go, ma'am.

Our domain is currently surrounded by three other Nobunagas, and we have little in the way of influence or soldiers.

It's no exaggeration to say ours is the weakest of all the daimyos' domains.

Speaking as someone from Owari, Echigo seems way too remote to be useful.

The only thing here is snow, snow, and more snow. Not the best plot of land.

(Sigh) This is exactly why you're known as the Fool of Owari...

Echigo isn't destitute by any means, if I may say so. One of its best resources is its ramie.

Exactly. In our history, Kagetora built a thriving textile industry in Echigo thanks to its ramie plants.

We should be able to fund our army by trading that ramie in this history as well.

Yeah, yeah, you guys can handle all that boring stuff. Just tell me who we're gonna attack first, Master!

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Well, the first target who comes to mind is the daimyo who oversees the vast domain in southern Kanto...

...Kaiser Nobunaga, the Nobunaga of the Imperial Capital.

Hell yeah! Let's do it!

Just cause she's the boss doesn't mean it's okay for her to stick some weird armor on me and boss me around!

Seriously, why "Kaiser"? I can't tell if it's so bad it's good or so good it's bad.

We could also go after the Fool of Kai, Oda Kippoushi.

Kai doesn't have many resources either, but it does have that gold mine Shingen opened.

We shouldn't take them lightly.

Kippoushi was my childhood name, by the way. Man, I was really wild back then.

Then in the west, there's Big Nobbu, the leader of the Mini Nobu brigade, though we don't know enough about them to say how formidable they might be.

I think I can guess what they're like, but...then again...

There you have it, Senpai. Those are the three factions that surround our Chaldea clan. What would you have us do?

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Whichever we attack first, we should start by recruiting more soldiers and filling our coffers.

Echigo has a harbor we can use for trade to earn money and gather power. Once we're ready to head out, we can decide which Nobunaga to tackle first.

Hahahahaha! Now that's more like it! Just you wait, Master! We're gonna kill us a whole bunch of Bosses!

Yeah! Down with Nobunaga!

There you go again. You're way too disrespectful for a lowly infantryman. Should I chop you up? Is that what you want?

Excuse me, but I think we're both in the infantry now. In fact, you should be addressing me with respect, since I've been here longer than you.

So on that note: make us proud out there, Nobbu.

Hahahahaha! It can't be helped!

Hahahahaha! Me, an infantrywoman! That's the worst joke I've ever heard in my life!

Anyway, a word of advice: Make sure you keep an eye out for revolts and coups d'état. Trust me on that one!

Infantrywoman Nobbu pledged her loyalty to you. (You can now choose her as an NPC.)

Hahahahaha! I'm the invincible Oni Musashi! Just point me at the people you want dead, and I'll kill every last one!

Don't worry, Master! From now on, your enemies are my enemies too!

Mori Nagayoshi pledged his loyalty to you. (You can now choose him as an NPC.)