Heading Out! To Dazzling Las Vegas!

...I can't believe this is happening. I was just traveling around like always.

I never dreamed I'd end up in a predicament this dire. Who could have?

How did this...

Hahaha, guess I'd still be in this boat even if I had seen this coming!

I've been traveling without a cent to my name this whole time. It was inevitable I'd go a little nuts from hunger!

Haha, then again, I probably shouldn't be making light of this.

I've been caught up in all sorts of weirdness, but I don't think I've ever had to rack my brain like this.

This must be unprecedented for me! At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if hell froze over and pigs grew wings!

There's no way I can hack and slash my way out of this one! I need a good tactician, or at least a hero who can think on their feet!

Aw man...

Where's Fujimaru when I need him!?

So we know that Hokusai's Spirit Origin has changed...but we still don't know why.

Scáthach's group doesn't seem to know anything about it.

That's true...

Oh, maybe! If past summers are any indication, that does usually seem to be the case...

？！

Oh for... What's the sense in runnin' yourself ragged thinkin' about things you can't know!?

Never mind about me! All that matters is what I'm gonna do and where I'll do it!

And on that note, heh, this looks like the perfect place.

There's heroes from pretty much any walk of life you can name 'round here, right? I even get the sense they show up in this room especially often...

W-well, yes. This is the cafeteria, so...

Oh, wait! Does that mean you still have some memories related to Chaldea after all?

Oho. Interesting.

Hm?

I have heard one comes across these frequently during the summer. So this is what they were talking about.

You must be one of the new Swimsuit Swordmasters.

As one Servant under the same Master to another, might I ask your True Name?

...Huh? Wh-what are you talking about, Yagyu?

Ah, forgive me, Lady Mash. I was not addressing you, but this young woman here.

From the katana you bear, and the way you dress, it is clear you can be none but a Swimsuit Swordmaster.

？！

Indeed.

There is still much I have to learn about the modern world and its customs, but even I have heard of this.

Every year, in the far-off lands of western North America, there is a grand competition held to determine the greatest Swimsuit Swordmaster in the world.

It is known as...the Championship Match...

...the Seven Duels of Swordbeauties!

？！

Thus, given that this young lady carries swords and wears a swimsuit, I can only assume she must be one of the Swimsuit Swordmasters taking part.

？！

I would never dream of deceiving you, Master. I swear on my honor that everything I have told you is true.

If you desire proof, you need merely behold the Swimsuit Swordmaster standing right there.

Why else would she be dressed like that unless she were one of the competing Swimsuit Swordmasters?

Swimsuit...Swordmaster...

Y-yeah! That's gotta be what I am!

I mean, I'm definitely wearin' a swimsuit here, and since I'm wearin' swords, I must be some kinda swordsman...

E-even though I've never actually fought a single battle...

Or studied anything in the way of form or technique... Or ever did anything more than a few practice swings...

(Sniff)... (Sniff)...

？！

Wh-what's with the look of pity!? I'm Katsushika Hokusai! I ain't gonna go out as just another ukiyo-e painter!

I already made up my mind that I was gonna be a painter-slash-swordswoman-slash-fairy! As my Master, all you gotta do is sit back and watch me succeed!

I'll be fine! My ancestors were swordsmen, so that makes me one, too! I can SO do this!

That's right! I'm gonna be the Swimsuit Swordmaster to end all Swimsuit Swordmasters!

Um, I'm afraid I'm still not sure what it is you're talking about...

But I guess this means Hokusai was one of those, um, Swimsuit Swordmasters all along then, Senpai?

I-I see...

That's true!

...Huh? Um, Senpai? I don't see how that actually explains anything...

？！

Fou...

H-hold it! Hold everything!

What the hell are Swimsuit Swordmasters!? I've never heard of them, and there's nothing in the database about

...Oh, wait. Yes there is.

？！

Sorry about that. See, I couldn't find anything about the term "Swimsuit Swordmaster," or where it originated.

I even checked past legends and historical documents, and none of them turned out anything either.

But when I tried having Sheba do a plain old run-of-the-mill scan, there it was.

What was, Da Vinci?

In western North America, right around the Grand Canyon...

...there's a minute Singularity.

!

I see... Now I understand what my body has been aching for.

Wh-who ordered the tall drink of water?

Hm? Whoa, my skin's getting all tingly... Wait. Are you...?

Lord Siegfried.

I'm not sure when I acquired this new outfit, but it seems I too have been

Indeed.

You must also have been chosen to be a Swimsuit Swordmaster, Lord Siegfried.

In other words, you must now set off for the western lands and take part in a series of championship matches.

If you do not, your new clothing shall eventually turn its fangs towards you.

I know little of these Swimsuit Swordmasters, but it seems I had best accept my fate.

So, I must go west. That's the most exciting news I've heard in a long time, to put it mildly.

N-now you're a Swimsuit Swordmaster(?) too, Siegfried!?

W-wait! I just realized something!

You don't have your sword on you anymore!

Lady Mash.

I appreciate your concern, Mash. But you need not worry. Even in this outfit, my Noble Phantasm remains unchanged.

I was always a swordsman; now, I wear a swimsuit as well. Thus, I am a Swimsuit Swordmaster. Amazing.

？！

You're too kind, Master.

？！

？！

......

...Damn, this Swimsuit Swordmaster stuff is pretty serious business, ain't it?

All right! Now that I got a look at the tall drink of water's face, I've got a pretty good handle on what it entails, and I'm ready to take it all on my own self!

Arrows? Bullets? Cannonballs? Lightning? Bring 'em! I'll handle 'em all without breakin' a sweat!

I ain't stoppin' till I've won all Seven Duels of Swordbeauties!

...Broadly speaking, you have three primary goals for this Rayshift.

First: uncover what led to this change in Katsushika Hokusai's Spirit Origin. Second: find a way to stabilize Siegfried's new outfit.

And third: erase the absolute hell outta this minute North American Singularity!

To repeat, those'll be your three main goals during this Rayshift.

We'll be sending Fujimaru, Mash, Hokusai, and Siegfried...

I assume that you won't be joining them, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami?

I am afraid I cannot. Only those clad in swimsuits are fit to enter this latest Singularity.

...Hahaha. I can only imagine what kind of weird-ass Singularity this must be!

All right, I think that should do it. So, everyone ready?

Then let's get this Rayshift started!

H-hold it! Hold everything!

Swimsuit Swordmasters!? There's nothing in the records about those...

Let's see... There isn't anything about them in the database, either... Right...?

...Wat.

Is something wrong, Da Vinci?

It's here.

There really is a database entry about them!

？！

Hehe, sorry about that. I couldn't find anything about the term "Swimsuit Swordmaster," or where it originated.

I even checked past legends and historical documents, and none of them turned out anything either.

But then I tried a plain old run-of-the-mill scan, and there it was.

What was, Da Vinci?

In western North America, right around the Grand Canyon...

...there's a minute Singularity.

!

I see... Now I understand what my body has been aching for.

Wh-who ordered the tall drink of water?

Hm? Whoa, my skin's getting all tingly... Wait. Are you...?

Lord Siegfried.

I'm not sure when I acquired this new outfit, but it seems I too have been

Indeed.

You must also have been chosen to be a Swimsuit Swordmaster, Lord Siegfried.

In other words, you must now set off for the western lands and take part in a series of championship matches.

If you do not, your new clothing shall eventually turn its fangs towards you.

I know little of these Swimsuit Swordmasters, but it seems I had best accept my fate.

So, I must go west. That's the most exciting news I've heard in a long time, to put it mildly.

N-now you're a Swimsuit Swordmaster too, Siegfried!?

W-wait! I just realized something!

You don't have your sword on you anymore!

Lady Mash.

I appreciate your concern, Mash. But you need not worry. Even in this outfit, my Noble Phantasm remains unchanged.

I was always a swordsman; now, I wear a swimsuit as well. Thus, I am a Swimsuit Swordmaster. Amazing.

？！

You're too kind, Master.

？！

？！

......

...Damn, this Swimsuit Swordmaster stuff is pretty serious business, ain't it?

All right! Now that I got a look at the tall drink of water's face, I've got a pretty good handle on what it entails, and I'm ready to take it all on my own self!

Arrows? Bullets? Cannonballs? Lightning? Bring 'em! I'll handle 'em all without breakin' a sweat!

I ain't stoppin' till I've won all Seven Duels of Swordbeauties!

This is what you wanted Rayshift authorization for? Swimsuits and swordmasters?

Didn't I tell you there was to be no more than one attempt at humor every two months? Or has the summer heat already gone to your head?

Still, I can certainly understand the desire for a summer vacation.

And naturally, it's incumbent upon every leader to be sensitive to their subordinates' total welfare. One can't have labor without welfare, after all.

But, as I've said far too many times already...

...we are still dealing with an urgent and ongoing crisis!

Have you forgotten that the entire surface of the Earth has been bleached white!? There's not a single blue ocean left for you to go traipsing off to in a swimsuit!

We don't have the luxury of dreaming about a relaxing summer vacation in some nice resort! Do you get that!?

？！

Oh no you don't. Not by half!

Put yourself in my shoes for a second. What am I supposed to think upon hearing you'll be Rayshifting to western North America because you have to deal with Swimsuit Swordmasters!?

Did you expect me to say, "Bye, everyone! Have a good time and bring me back something nice"? I've got half a mind to issue an order for a psych evaluation on the lot of you!

All right, Director, eeeasy does it. Just calm down, okay?

Do you really think repeatedly punching me in the stomach will help me calm down?

Come on, think about it. It's not like this would be the first Singularity that came about when someone made a wish on an almost Holy Grail amount of magical energy resources, right?

This particular Singularity happens to involve Swimsuit Swordmasters in western North America, that's all.

Is it really that strange compared to some of the other things we've seen?

... ...

...Is it me? Am I the odd one out here?

Hahaha. I take it that means we have your permission then, Director?

How can you laugh while keeping your face so eerily straight, Administrative Advisor!? It's freaking me out!

...Broadly speaking, you have three primary goals for this Rayshift.

First: uncover what led to this change in Katsushika Hokusai's Spirit Origin. Second: find a way to stabilize Siegfried's new outfit.

And third: erase the absolute hell outta this minute North American Singularity!

To repeat, those'll be your three main goals during this Rayshift.

We'll be sending Fujimaru, Mash, Hokusai, and Siegfried...

I assume that you won't be joining them, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami?

I am afraid I cannot. Only those clad in swimsuits are fit to enter this latest Singularity.

Hmm, is that so? Does that mean you can't even go unless you're wearing one?

I wonder how much truth there is to that... I wouldn't have minded checking it out for a bit myself...

...Ahem.

Da Vinci.

Yeah, yeah, I know. Okay, just let me get my head back in the game... There.

Oh, so Mash, don't forget that the Ortinax is still undergoing maintenance, so try to avoid fighting as much as possible, okay?

All right, I think that should do it. So, everyone ready?

Then let's get this Rayshift started!

Whoooa! I've never seen anythin' like this!

That's Himeji Castle, an Egyptian pyramid, a European castle, modern buildings...!

They got anythin' and everythin' under the sun 'ere! A really, really hot sun!

Man, just look at all those glitterin' towers! Now I know why they call 'em skyscrapers. They really do seem like they're scraping right up against the sky!

This is amazing! I had no idea this is what big cities on the other side of the ocean were like!

Senpai, I'm certain this area was originally supposed to be desert.

And then there's this city's atmosphere...

There's something about it that reminds me of the largest city in Nevada...Las Vegas.

？！

Right! If you go there by plane, there are slot machines waiting for you right there in the airport...

...and there are casinos on the first floor of every famous hotel that let you play a quick game as easily as grabbing something from a vending machine.

Las Vegas is famous for its entertainment and excitement, and this city looks just like it!

？！

Yes, I'm told the real Las Vegas is brutally hot too, given that it's in the middle of a desert.

"Imagine an enormous hair dryer approximately one kilometer in diameter blasting the town with superheated wind at all hours of the day, and you will have some idea of what Las Vegas heat is like."

That description from Chaldea's database was so vivid that I still remember it word-for-word!

And now that I'm at a place so similar to it, I have to agree! Not to mention Fou looks like he's absolutely roasting in his fur coat!

Fooou... Sooo fouttt...

So Las Vegas served as the model for this Singularity...

It amazes me that people were able to create a city this large in the middle of a desert. The power of civilization is truly staggering.

However, while this city may seem similar to Las Vegas, it is but an imitation of the real thing.

Yes. Everything here was most likely made by a Holy Grail.

At a glance, it would seem to have the same landmarks as the real Las Vegas...

...but there are key differences in their size and positioning.

Not to mention that the real Las Vegas doesn't have an enormous swimming pool surrounding the entire city.

Still, maybe it's thanks to that pool that this heat is bearable. In fact, the sunlight feels kind of pleasant.

A swimming pool, huh... (My experiences with water haven't been altogether pleasant, but I suppose they don't need to know that right now.)

...My clothing is restless. It's telling me that nothing about this city is right.

Everything here was made solely for the battles to be held between Swimsuit Swordmasters.

？！

So this whole city's here just for us ta show off our skills!? That's awesome!

An arena the size of a city? As troubling as that sounds...I must admit, to my embarrassment, that the prospect does excite me.

I can almost feel this outfit of mine roaring with exhilaration...

......

(I can't believe the tall drink of water can say that with a straight face.)

(He's good... I think I'll try takin' a page from his playbook.)

I-I can sense it too.

But it ain't me who's excited. It's my four katana here. They're tellin' me they wanna fight.

They wanna cut down anyone who stands in the way of us becomin' the greatest Swimsuit Swordmaster ever.

I see...

It must be hard for you, having your swords be so restless.

!!!

(Yikes! He really knows how to hit where it hurts!)

(Not good. If I let my guard down even for a moment, he might take me down 'fore I even know what's happened!)

(No, stop that. Come on, Oui, get it together. Ya can't go losin' the fight before you've even drawn a sword!)

(I-I can give as good as I get! I can act like the greatest swordswoman ever, better than anyone else!)

(Grandpas! If you're out there, I could really use ya help right 'bout now!)

......

Um, Hokusai? Is everything okay? You suddenly went very quiet...

She is simply coming to terms with her destiny. She'll rejoin us when she's ready.

O-okay.

Indeed.

...

Hokusai!

I know what she's doing. She is trembling in anticipation of battle, as any true warrior does.

(I-I can't believe this guy! He just ain't letting up with the compliments!)

Hehe.

You have an indomitable smile. Truly, I would expect no less from a warrior carrying four swords.

...

Hokusai!

To think she was still not done trembling in anticipation...

Oh yeah, I been meanin' to ask. What are these casino things ya been talking 'bout?

Well, um, they're another word for "gambling house."

Ooh, a gambling house, huh! Business oughta be boomin' if they're lettin' people gamble in broad daylight!

Gambling, huh...

I read that casinos used to be funded and operated by mafia and organized crime gangs...

...but in modern times, they're run by hotels and other legally sanctioned companies, and are safe for tourists to casually enjoy.

What, you're tellin' me the yakuza got nothin' ta do with gamblin' anymore? Hahaha, that's the best joke I heard in a long time!

Um...

？！

That sounded like a hawk...

I... I made it...

I can't believe I finally found a city only to walk another half a day before I could actually get to it...

Hours and hours of walking without so much as a burger or a bowl of udon in sight...

But now... At long last...

I finally made it!

？！

And it looks like my good luck is still going strong!

Just when I thought I couldn't take another step, I run into you guys again! It's a miracle!

(Oh, wait! I almost forgot! I shouldn't be going by "Musashi" for this event!)

Scratch that! Here, let me start over!

Howdy, partner! Nice ta meet y'all! I'm a local Heroic Spirit that jus' happened ta find mah way to this little neck of the desert!

You're a local? As in, American...?

You know it! Just take a gander at this here red, white, and blue bikini! Can't ya tell I'm a rootin' tootin' gunslinger?

This is great! I always wanted to try dual-wielding katana and revolvers. Now I finally got my chance! Yeehaw!

？！

"Yeehaw"?

Still, damn if you ain't a sight for sore eyes, 'specially with those crazy weapons! Makes me wish I'd brought along my brush 'n canvas!

Ya know this lady, Master?

Master, isn't she

Look out! Get down!

Did that hawk just dive-bomb us!?

Khh!

Siegfried!

Th-the hell was that!? Do hawks usually go 'round attackin' people in desert cities like this!?

Oh, that's an imitation condor! Be careful! It's about as strong as a Demonic Beast!

Here it comes again!

O-oh y-yeah!? Th-this is perfect! B-b-bring it on then!

I'm a Swimsuit Swordmaster of Las Vegas now! If it's a fight ya want, it's a fight you're gonna get!

My four katana are so sharp they'll send you to the beyond 'fore you know what hit ya!

(That... That was awesome! Way to go, me!)

Here it comes!

Y'know...

I think I'm gettin' the hang of this! Hrah!

Ain't nobody stronger than me around!

Yay! I did it!

Look out! It's not finished yet!

Huh?

Aaah!

Wow! That was close. Phewww...

Good, everyone's all right. This battle is over, Master.

Right! I can confirm that the enemy hostile has vanished!

That creature didn't seem to be part of a normal ecosystem. It looked more like an avian Demonic Beast, or even some kind of golem!

The pseudo-bird must have been created by the magical energy of the Holy Grail that spawned this Singularity!

......

...Hey. You, uh, really saved my rear back there. Thanks.

Looks like you're pretty good with a blade, too.

Heh heh heh. I guess I am, aren't I?

Even though I'm exhausted from walking for over half a day, it was easy to shrug off now that I'm a Heroic Spirit.

And besides, I knew my trusty Niten Ichiryu wouldn't let me down!

Niten Ichiryu! Th-then, does that mean your True Name really is Miyamoto

Yup! Everything I said about being a local American Heroic Spirit was just something I came up with on the spot!

In a Western, I'd be the woman with no name who rides into town and only wants a good meal and a place to sleep as payment for protecting someone's life and property!

Yes, it is I! The ingenuous drifter, Shinmen Musa...

I mean, the innocent rookie who always finds a way to triumph in the end...

Miyamoto Iori!

？！

Aww yeah! Nice to meet you, people I've never seen before in my life!

Aha! Now I gotcha!

So you're Miyamoto Iori, adopted child of the unrivaled master swordsman Miyamoto Musashi!

Well, as the only one to inherit Niten Ichiryu, it's no wonder you're cut out to be a Heroic Spirit and Swimsuit Swordmaster!

I gotta say though, this is still a huge surprise!

I had no idea Miyamoto Iori was a woman!

...Though rare, there are occasions when the particulars of myths, legends, and history do not line up with fact.

I guess not...

Then again, I s'pose I'm a prime case of that too, seeing how I'm the peerless Katsushika Hokusai!

Uh, but that doesn't mean I'm ignorin' you, okay, Toto-sama? So don't go squirtin' ink on me!

？！

That's me.

？！

Oh, have you met my mentor before? Hahaha, I guess you're not the first to say we kind of look alike.

Kind of? If anything, I'd say you're the spitting image of her... Are you related by blood somehow?

Of course not! Can you imagine Iori being my actual

?

Uh, I mean, think about it! The Musashi you know is a female Musashi who isn't from Proper Human History, right?

Well, I'm a Heroic Spirit from Proper Human History, so there's no way we're related!

It's just a coincidence that we happen to look alike. Yup, that's all. Coincidence.

？！

...S-stare at me all you want. I'm still not budging on this!

To reiterate, I'm Miyamoto Iori, one of the Swimsuit Swordmasters invited here to Las Vegas!

And I just so happen to know more about the championship match...

...aka the Seven Duels of Swordbeauties, than you do.

Wouldn't you like to know what I know?

？！

Hehehe, right? Okay then, I'll go ahead and tell you everything I know!

All I ask in return is a bowl of udon and a juicy burger!

？！

Aah!

I mean, there was a dish called, um, ooh-dun that was all the rage in Vegas a while ago!

But I doubt they still have it these days, so...just the burger is fine...

...Dazzling Las Vegas!

You've probably already figured this much out, but this isn't the real Las Vegas.

You're from modern times, so you can kind of tell something's off just by looking at it, right?

This entire city is designed to serve as an arena for the Swimsuit Swordmasters who come to do battle here!

But at the same time, it also serves the same function as the normal Las Vegas.

In other words, this is a single gigantic glittering casino city where you can not only fight but also gamble to your heart's content!

Any swordmaster can fight. Anyone in a swimsuit can gamble.

But only a true Swimsuit Swordmaster can master fighting and gambling! Makes perfect sense, doesn't it!

In the real Las Vegas, casinos are run by legal corporations and major hotels...

...but here in Dazzling Las Vegas, all the big casinos are run by Swimsuit Swordmasters!

And since there are five big casinos in total, that means there are five Swimsuit Swordmasters running them!

As you'd expect, none of them are your average Swimsuit Swordmasters.

And even among them, there's one in particular who's said to be the strongest of all...

Altria Ruler, the Summer Lion King!

As the manager of Casino Camelot, she basically rules over all of Dazzling Las Vegas!

Yeah, okay! Now I get what's goin' on!

Altria Ruler? So she's the one overseeing all the championship matches!

This'll be over and done with sooner than I thought!

I see. Now I understand.

Then it would seem we need to find this Altria.

As the one who rules over this city, there is a strong possibility that the Holy Grail is in her possession.

What's more...

...this Holy Grail probably has something to do with these outfits and the change to our Spirit Origins.

Right!

If we can secure this Holy Grail for ourselves, this minute Singularity should go away soon after.

？！

(Munch munch)

Thanks for the burger! That really hit the spot.

So you want to go to Casino Camelot, huh? Well, that's easy enough. It's that white castle right over there.

Although...

......

...I don't know if I'd recommend going there right away.

Why not? I hate beatin' 'round the bush! If it's right there, what's to stop us from just goin'!?

C'mon, Master!

You too, Siegfried! Hurry up, or I'll leave you behind!

I already cut down that giant bird blottin' out this here Las Vegas sky! Now I'm gonna dominate this champioship match, you see if I don't!

...

(She's acting just like a newly minted samurai still high on the excitement of winning her first real battle...)

(In some ways, she reminds me of a newborn doe that's still learning how to stand on its own feet...)

(But, I can sense she's got incredible potential, and I also like how she wasn't content to settle for anything less than four katana.)

(Maybe she really can pull it off...)

C'mon, or else I really am gonna leave ya behind!

Bwa!?

Wh-what's goin' on? I can see the castle from here...so why can't I get any closer!?

It feels like there's some kinda invisible wall here... I wonder if...

Khh!

I knew it! I can't cut through it!

...I commend your spirit.

Heh. I never dreamed there would be one daring enough to try and charge in alone, without so much as a letter of challenge.

I will not condemn you for this. Indeed, all Swimsuit Swordmasters should aspire to such audacity.

No doubt you were overcome with the urge to see how far your grace and skill with the blade could take you.

However, as the one known as the Summer Lion King, I will not abandon the laws governing all Swimsuit Swordmasters.

Hm...

...!

(Wh-why's it so heavy 'round here all of a sudden? It feels like the damn sky collapsed!)

(W-wait. Is this the aura only a true swordmaster would possess!? Or maybe it's just bloodlust!?)

(Whoa! Does this mean I'm finally able to pick up on that kind of stuff myself!?)

(That must mean I really have become a swordfighter-slash-swordsman-slash-swordmaster now!)

Heh. Four swords, hm? Interesting.

Between your appearance and your arsenal, you remind me greatly of a certain someone.

...What is your True Name?

K-K-Katsushika Hokusai! I'm an ukiyo-e artist, a master swordfighter, and I'm workin' on becomin' a fairy, too!

My, my. Quite a list of titles.

S-so what!? Ya got a problem with that!? I'm deadly serious about each an' every one of 'em!

What's wrong with havin' a buncha ways to make your name known!? Maybe I'll even take your Lion King title while I'm at it!

Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold your horses there! You can't just run off on your own like that, you know?

Iori! C-c'mon, I can't help if y'all walk too slowly...

Iori?

That's me! Miyamoto Iori of Niten Ichiryu!

And this is the Dragon-Slayer-of-the-West, his Master, and his Master's kouhai!

Indeed.

That's right! My name is Mash Kyrielight!

I am the Summer Lion King, and the manager of Casino Camelot.

Since you appear to be unaware, allow me to inform you that the bunny outfit is nothing less than the formal dress of casinos everywhere.

I trust you feel smarter now that you have learned something today?

I am the Summer Lion King, and the manager of Casino Camelot.

Rest assured, my clothing...is water-resistant.

？！

Fooou...

I must say, Miyamoto what's her name, it was quite clever of you to partner up with another Swimsuit Swordmaster.

I, uh, don't know what you're talking about. Nope. Not a clue. (Hoo, hoo♪)

Hm? What is she doing?

I can only hazard a guess, but I think she's probably trying to whistle...

???

Besides, is there a problem with forming a partnership?

'Cause I'm pretty sure I didn't see anything in the rules for the champion match against it!

The only thing stopping the others from doing something similar is that they refuse to put aside their differences!

...Hehe, very true.

Huh, really? I thought this swordfighter thing was s'posed to be all one-on-one stuff.

...Wait, no they don't! Otherwise, we wouldn't have had the forty-seven ronin invadin' the Kira estate!

Plus, now that I think about it, I heard the famous Miyamoto Musashi took down the entire Yoshioka clan all by himself!

......

...Then again, I do kinda feel like there's somethin' special about swordfighters facin' off one-on-one.

Like at the battle of Ganryu Island! You know that one, right, Master? The one between Shinmen Musashi and a Ganryu sword prodigy! Oar vs. sword!

That sorta thing's just impossibly cool!

(Coolness... So that's the key thing for swordfighters as far as Hokusai's concerned, huh.)

So I'd be lyin' if I said I didn't care about fightin' one on one.

Now that I've materialized as a swordfighter, I can't help but wanna fight a duel, even if I only get ta do it once!

...I can understand how you feel.

!

R-right? I figured you'd understand!

I get how you feel too, but, history's written by the victors and all that.

I mean, we might be up against a Swimsuit Swordmaster with a Holy Grail on their side, right? It'd be way too dangerous to face an opponent like that one-on-one.

Personally, I think it'd be way better to face them, say, six-to-one.

(Glance)

N-no I'm not.

Hoo, hooo♪

Ah, she's trying to whistle again!

？！

...A fair and square one-on-one duel, you say?

That is indeed a lovely idea. Very well, I will grant your wish here and now.

Wait. What!?

As you say, Miyamoto something or other, dueling a Swimsuit Swordmaster strong enough to run a casino is a losing proposition.

But, the same cannot be said of dueling a wayward, casinoless Swimsuit Swordmaster.

Thus, the answer is simple.

You can duel her yourself.

Wh-whoa, whoa! Just hang on! That's not

You brought her here. Thus, the task of teaching her what it means to be a Swimsuit Swordmaster falls to you.

Worry not. Just this once, I will open a battleground without requiring a letter of challenge.

I am the Summer Lion King. As the manager of the largest casino in Dazzling Las Vegas, and the one who stands above all Swimsuit Swordmasters.

...I have the authority to bypass the usual formalities if I so please.

Now... Come forth, my dancing spray, and perform for all who reside in this city!

Seven Duels of Swordbeauties!

What the!?

Wh-wh-wh-what's goin' on!? Everythin' here feels completely different alluva sudden!

This dense magical energy...! Master!

Is this a kind of Reality Marble? Senpai, we've been completely cut off from Chaldea!

Is this a kind of Reality Marble? Senpai, we've been completely cut off from the Wandering Sea!

...Guess there's no turning back now.

Once the Summer Lion King summons a battleground, the designated Swimsuit Swordmasters have no choice but to fight.

Whaddaya mean we got no choice? It's not like we gotta fight if we don't wanna, right?

Well, yeah, that's technically true!

But the thing is, if we don't fight now...

...we'll never be able to leave this space!

!

You're kidding... Then, not fighting really isn't an option...

Is that so? That is pretty rough.

But ya know, I'm still a Swimsuit Swordmaster.

I may not know a lot about what that means just yet, but I do know this.

Bein' a Swimsuit Swordmaster obviously involves swimsuits and swords.

In other words, you gotta have grace AND blades! So then...

Well, it ain't like we're gonna have to kill each other, right? Not a whole lotta grace in butchering each other.

Right. A loss might be painful, in more ways than one, but you'll still walk away alive.

Not to mention that all Swimsuit Swordmasters are Heroic Spirits. As long as our Spirit Cores are intact, we can always recover from our injuries.

Right? That's just what I thought.

So I'm game.

Hokusai...

I already decided I was gonna be the greatest Swimsuit Swordmaster of all time! Ain't no way I'm passin' up a chance to take on Miyamoto Iori of the legendary Niten Ichiryu!

Now c'mon, let's do this!

If you wanna play gunslinger with those things, Lady Iori, then go ahead and draw! I'll cut you down 'fore you can even pull the trigger!

There, I've drawn my swords! Well, Lady Iori? Are ya gonna draw yours!?

(I like your spirit, Katsushika Oui! All right, I'm in! Let's see if you can get us out of this!)

Well said, especially for a novice swordfighter! How could I decline after that? If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get!

Your skills might still be rough around the edges, but if you're truly to become a sage one day, they'll surely ascend to the heavens. As one fated to face great evil, this battle should be the perfect warm-up!

I hereby cast everything I own in with your destiny! From here on, I, Miyamoto Iori, shall be your opponent!

Oh, but first, do you mind if I change outfits real quick? I'd prefer this one for an official match!

Iori's outfit just got much more, um, athletic!

？！

It wouldn't be very elegant to go up against my first opponent in my western outfit, right? So I decided to go with my poolside self, since it's perfect for summer!

Of course, that doesn't mean I'll be holding back! Not by a long shot! You ready, Katsushika Hokusai!?

You know it! Now c'mon! Let's have a good, clean fight!

She's strong!

But so what!? So what, I say!?

I might have a foul mouth, but my heart is pure and true! Swimming to the famed waterfalls, on a journey to enjoy the summer cool!

Now, you gotta see it to believe it!

Kirifuri, Kannon, Aoi, Rouben, Yoshitsune, Yourou, Ono, Amida!

A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces!

What the!?

...You win! Your Tour of Waterfalls was incredible!

(Huff, huff...) (Gasp, gasp...)

...Huh? You mean...I won...?

Enough! This match is over!

The winner of the first match is the Splashing Beauty, Katsushika Hokusai!

They were both magnificent fighters. Though it did seem to me like Iori's swords had a hint of hesitation in them...

No, it was probably just my imagination. I'm glad I got to see such a wonderful duel.

(Gasp...) I-I won! Did ya see me out there, Master!?

？！

Hell yeah!

Well, Miyamoto Iori sure lost that one hard. Maybe this is the heavens' way of telling me it's time to train the next generation!

Hokusai, you have a real talent for the sword. I mean it.

I even have a feeling that by the end of this thing, your technique is gonna shock me down to my soul.

???

Hehe.

It would seem you do indeed possess latent potential, Splashing Beauty Hokusai.

As for you, Miyamoto something or other, I am disappointed to see how far you have fallen.

Despite being one of the eldest of all the Las Vegas Swimsuit Swordmasters, you have been reduced to wandering aimlessly, without even a casino to your name.

You are a disgrace to all Swimsuit Swordmasters. If you wish to remain one, I encourage you to redeem yourself with all possible haste.

Now then, if you will excuse me.

Ah! Wait! Hold up, Ms. Summer Lion King!

...Yes?

You're this Las Vegas place's top brass, right? So that means you're the judge of these matches, yeah?

Yes, I suppose it does.

Well, seein' how I just won this here match...does that mean I'm the strongest Swimsuit Swordmaster of all now?

... ...

Hah. Of course not. Did you really think a single victory was all it would take to reign supreme over Las Vegas?

!

Then, that battle was just

Only the first battle! Only the one who has witnessed all seven beauties that epitomize grace and blade alikewill be deemed the greatest of all Swimsuit Swordmasters, the greatest Swordbeauty!

Seven beauties... Does that mean she'll need to win seven battles in total then?

It does indeed.

Including myself, there are no fewer than five Swimsuit Swordmasters who manage casinos here.

If you truly wish to claim that you are the strongest Swimsuit Swordmaster of all, you must defeat every last one of these casino managers.

I strongly doubt that you will be able to do so, but if, by some freak accident, you do manage to win...

...then, at the very end...

...I, the Summer Lion King, ruler of all of Dazzling Las Vegas, shall face you as your final opponent.

Khh...!

(This aura... Bloodlust... Whatever ya call it, it's massive! She really must be the strongest of 'em all!)

(C-can I really beat her? Is it even possible!?)

If you wish to be the strongest Swimsuit Swordmaster, Splashing Beauty...

...then you must fight as if dancing, and dance as if fighting, in a manner befitting Dazzling Las Vegas.

I have high hopes for you.

Sh-she's gone...

On a different note, though: Hot damn, there sure are some bangin' beauties out there!

I mean, you're prob'ly one of the five prettiest ladies I've ever met too, Ms. Iori, but that Summer Lion King's on a whole 'nother level... (Sigh) I feel like I could gaze at her for days on end...

Huh? Wait, are you saying I'm beautiful? Ahahaha, oh stop, hehehehe, you shouldn't tease me like that, teehee.

Huh? You think I'm beautiful too? Ahahaha, now don't you start, ahahaha, I mean, I just lost a match, right? Teehee.

(C-cough, hack!) A-ahahaha, don't be silly, I keep telling you, I'm Miyamoto Iori!

？！

Fooon...

Anyway! What're you guys gonna do now?

You've gotta ask!? I ain't backin' down now! Not after everythin' that Summer Lion King gal told me!

I'm gonna beat all the casino managers an' be the one to represent all aspects of beauty and grace.

I ain't stoppin' till I'm officially the strongest Swimsuit Swordmaster ever!

I was unable to lend my assistance in your earlier battle since it was a one-on-one duel, but from here on, I will be fighting alongside you.

I have no interest in the title of "strongest Swimsuit Swordmaster" myself, but if this is what we must do to obtain the Summer Lion King's Holy Grail, then I will not hesitate to draw my own blade.

Now that I know she will show herself again if we make our way through the casino managers, it is clear that this is our only option.

I-I agree. The Bounded Field surrounding Casino Camelot is very powerful...

...but from what she told us, it does sound like we'll see her again eventually as long as we keep winning!

？！

Hell yeah! That Summer Lion King gal's goin' down hard!

Ahh, that's just the sort of teamwork I love to see from you and your friends, Fujimaru☆

In that case, I'll show you all around town as your guide-slash-bodyguard!

I might've been wandering around in a daze outside this city 'cause of...reasons, but I actually know my way around Dazzling Las Vegas pretty well.

How about I start by quickly going over each of the five casinos?

You got it! That said, they're all pretty much what you'd expect a casino to be.

They mainly focus on slot machines and table games like roulette and blackjackgames of observation and luck where you can spend QP to win more QP.

Naturally, each casino has its own charm thanks to the Swimsuit Swordmaster who manages it.

There's Himeji, a casino that focuses on those battle royale games that are all the rage these days.

There's Pharaoh, a high-class, high-roller casino that's almost like a museum in that you have to be royal, rich, or both to get in.

Then there's the single most popular casino: the Dragon Palace in the middle of the desert, which is already booked solid for the next six months!

This one is called Suiten Palace, and its biggest draw is the opening show put on by the most charismatic figure skater in the U.S....

...Mysterious Alter Ego Λ (Lambda)!

Next, we have Cirque du Requin, the next most popular casino after Suiten Palace!

Its draw is a stage show consisting of dolphins and enough special effects to rival the latest Hollywood blockbuster!

Finally, there's the most powerful and influential one, Camelot, the casino dominated by the Lion King and her invincible card dealing skills.

And there you have it. Those are the five casinos you'll need to conquer to defeat the other Swimsuit Swordmasters.

Let's see, I'd say the easiest one of those would have to be...that one.

Oh my, somebody's in a rush. But hey, that'll make things easier for me, so sure, let's go pay it a visit.

？！

Okay, follow me! I'll take you to the casino run by the first Swimsuit Swordmaster right now!

HIMEJI Survival Casino!

Oh, right, I almost forgot.

You'll need a certain amount of QP to enter each casino. Table stakes, basically. So before we head in, we'll have to do a little grinding!

？！

Don't worry, it's easy. Just take down a few condors and stray machines and you should have enough in no time!

Stray machines...?

I don't know what you're talking 'bout, but there ain't nothin' me and my four swords can't handle!

Let's do this, Master! Raaah!

Ah! Hokusai, wait! Hokusaaai!