Fifth Casino "Shark! Older Sister! Mother!"

All right. Countermeasures.

First, let's figure out what to do about the shark.

Do we know any Servants who would be able to easily handle a shark?

Hmm. I don't particularly care for sharks.

They are so inelegant, so utterly lacking in beauty. I have no use for such things.

I suppose I can at least empathize with their appetite for blood.

And you, Lambda? Didn't you mention something about all sea life being your slaves?

That...THING is no creature of the sea. It has...moved beyond the ocean.

Ugh, just saying that made my head hurt. I'm going to take a dip in the pool.

Let me know when you've decided on your plan of attack.

Hmm. What about other Servants with ties to the sea...?

True, we do know a number of pirate Servants.

Let's try asking around!

A shark? Can't say I've got strong feelings about the things one way or the other. Not much experience with them, either.

A shark, huh... A seaman can't help but run into them now and then.

I'd just as soon not face one again. Though of course, if you want me to, I would fight it with everything I've got.

I love shark fin soup!

Hmm. We're just talking about a plain old shark, right? I don't think you have to be a pirate to beat it.

Honestly? I just can't be bothered.

So much for that...

Shark? Did you say shark? I always knew I'd have to show Mr. Shark Fin which of us was the boss in the kitchen someday.

Oh, you want to FIGHT a shark? Wh...why? That's a terrible idea, woof. I mean, I could fight one, but since I'm a cat, I don't have any combat triangles that overlap.

First off, I'm not a chef, so you're already barking up the wrong tree.

Second, why would you possibly think a chef has advice for fighting a shark? In what way does that make sense?

I don't know what this is all about, but you should take some time to really think about it.

...I can't argue with that.

？！

Yeeeah...

I guess it all boils down to the fact that when it comes to fighting a shark, you need courage more than skill.

I'd agree with that. Those eyes were really scary.

I see... Then we should look for someone who won't be afraid of those dark, soulless eyes.

Someone reckless, or maybe even a little crazy... So, a Berserker then?

？！

I agree.

However, we still need to come up with a big sister countermeasure. Hmm...

...It's no use. I'm just not smart enough to come up with anything...

？！

Yes. At times like this, I think there's only one person to ask.

Settle down, settle down. You can always count on Mister Mystery to help you out of a jam.

Fou, Foulin fou? (Special Translation: Why don't you take a long foul off a short pier?)

Hahaha, my head isn't a piece of gum to be chewed, strange and mysterious animal.

Though I am impressed you figured out how to get past my flower petal shooter. You've really upped your game.

I guess I've shown my cards one too many times since we came to Vegas. There really is something magical about summer, isn't there?

Please calm down, Fou! I wonder why you always get so aggressive whenever Mister Mystery shows up...

At any rate, you're having trouble coming up with a big sister countermeasure?

Oh no. His brainwashing is getting stronger...

(He's struggling to get Jeanne's name out... He's really doing his best to fight the brainwashing!)

？！

Usually, there'd be no harm in her claiming to be your big sister, but it does make for a challenge, no pun intended, when going up against her as a Swimsuit Swordmaster.

But if you stop and think about it, I think you'll find the solution soon presents itself.

After all, even if you did have a big sister...you would also surely have a mother.

A mother...!

Then, if we bring in a Servant who's convinced she's Master's mother...!

What fresh hell is this!?

Personally, I'd prefer it if you didn't make Fujimaru's relationship graph even more complicated...

All right, let's make sure we have everything straight.

We'll need a Berserker to handle the shark, and we'll need someone motherly or big sisterish in her own right to handle Jeanne.

Is there anyone who would be right for that?

...There is.

？！

Th-there is!?

Yes.

There's someone we know who would be perfect for this job... It's almost like she was born for it...

？！

Right.

I'm sure Raikou's maternal sensibilities faded a bit from changing her Spirit Origin from a Berserker to a Lancer.

Maternal sensibilities???

Hm? Where'd Gordy go?

He went down to the cafeteria to make French toast once they started talking about all this motherly stuff.

Apparently, he decided it was time to treat himself.

No fair! I don't wanna face this reality either!

Master, maybe we should try talking to Lord Kintoki about this?

He might know a way to make her more maternal.

？！

Yes, Master!

Then I guess I'll be on my way too.

So this is Las Vegas... Not bad. I like this dry air.

Ya don't get this kinda heat back in Japan! And I dig the way this haze makes everythin' look all shiny!

Aw yeah, this is how I always imagined America was like!

Well, since I became a Heroic Spirit, anyway. And my belt buckle agrees.

...But enough about that. The bigger question here is...

...how much longer do I gotta hold off on gettin' the thick, juicy, American steak I've been droolin' over just so I can stand around here doin' diddly-squat?

Don't ask me. I didn't demand that all these people crowd around to take pictures of me.

I guess it's just the price I have to pay for being a fox of such impeccable beauty.

Besides, you were the one who offered to keep me safe on this trip since we're both Japanese Heroic Spirits, right?

And since I decided to take you up on your kind offer...

...I'd reeeaally appreciate it if you kept working as my bodyguard until I'm good and ready to leave♡

Over here, Ms. Tamamo! Give us a smile!

Aw yeah! That's the stuff!

Just don't forget the QP. Smiles this good aren't free, you know.

Would you mind collecting his fee, Kintoki?

Yeah, yeah, I got it! Man, I can't believe I forgot how shrewd you can... Hm?

Hey, that's Master over there. Yo, Master!

？！

Hehe, nice to see ya so excited, Master! I guess Vegas's dry air agrees with you too!

Master!

It feels like it's been aaages since I saw you during summer! You little scamp, you♡

And now she's at least thirty percent more excited than she already was!

...Hang on. What's that?

Aah! My camera!

Oopsies.

It looks like my charms are so potent that they've caused the nearby Demonic Beast wildlife to start running amok.

Dammit! If only that Nero gal were here, they could've canceled each other out!

Um, Kintoki, I think that would probably only make things worse before it made them better!

Oh yeah, maybe you're right!

Anyway, let's catch up after we make these things settle down!

Hm? Hang on. If I'm not mistaken...

...this is a prime opportunity to say that line.

？！

Hey, you! Give us a moment here, all right!?

Okay then, on three. One, two...

？！

We've got wyverns!

Awww yeaaah!

...What's that all about?

Beats me. But it's definitely got them fired up!

...There we go.

All right, now that the wybird's outta our hair, what'd ya wanna talk to me about?

There some wild wild west trouble happenin' in these parts ya need my help with?

？！

...That's just nuts...

This is some real dangerous fire you're playin' with here, Master. Raikou's already got the power of a prefect.

If ya add maternal instincts on top of that, she'll go right back to bein' a Berserker.

And if that happens, she could easily end up forbiddin' her precious child from fightin' a shark...

...and assign you a whole mountain of summer homework.

Oh come now, even she must know that Master's not in elementary school anymore.

Either way, if Minamoto-no-Raikou refuses to go along, that's going to be a problem in more ways than one.

I don't think there's any other Servant out there who could possibly defeat both a shark and a big sister.

Basically, we want her to face Jeanne as a Lancer while maintaining her maternal instincts...

Well damn, Master, I don't know what to tell ya... I wish I could help, but I don't know of anyone who could manipulate Boss Raikou that precisely...

Oh, I can think of someone. This is Raikou we're talking about, yes? Then look no further than little old me♡

I once twisted entire countries around my little finger. A lone firecracker is nothing compared to that.

A little no-holds-barred service time from Beast Mode Tamamo and she'll be putty in my hands!

I'm a little worried how excited she is 'bout all this, but whaddaya think, Master? Wanna give her a shot?

Yooou got it!

Just sit back, relax, and leave eeeverything to me♡

Not at all, Master♡

Not only does my Eightfold Blessing of Amaterasu miraculously make me all but impervious to harm...

...but my Tokonatsu Nikkou - Goddess' Love Parasol that disbands harems and eradicates cheaters wherever I go is a force to be reckoned with in its own right.

And of course, I'm happy to put aaall of them to use for your sake, Master!

？！

...I see.

So you want to defeat a Servant calling herself a Swimsuit Swordmaster.

That's the long and short of it, Boss Raikou.

I would love to do just that...

But the very existence of people calling themselves Swimsuit Swordmasters is already unacceptable.

You stay right here, Fujimaru. I'll take care of everything myself.

As the shadow prefect, it is my job to protect public decency wherever I go.

Whoa, whoa, not so fast, Boss. There won't be any point if ya do it all alone.

Master's gotta be there to face her too.

I understand how he feels, but

Oh, what's the harm?

I agree with Raikou, Master. You should let her take care of everything herself.

Wha!?

Y-you're...Tamamo-no-Mae!

The most notorious veteran of all the unacceptable summer Servants...!

I sure am.

So, as you were saying, Raikou, you're volunteering to handle eeeverything by yourself, right?

Then this will be a perfect time to enjoy a long, luxurious vacation with just Master and me♡

Come on, Master, let's go to the pool first!

After we go for a swim, we can rub tanning oil on each other, give each other massages, maybe even do a little skinny-dipping...

Hold it right there!

Y-you won't be doing any of that on my watch! It is absolutely unacceptable!

Aww, why not?

It's not like Master will have anything else to do with you taking care of everything, right?

I-I... That's...!

But... Well... The thing is...

(Sniff...)

？！

(I know, Master, I feel bad for her too. But we've just gotta grin and bear it!)

Well, come along, Master.

You and I are going to have looots of fun together during this hot, steamy summer♡

(I'm impressed, fox lady. You've honed your honey trap skills to an art, but I can tell it's all just an act... It's written all over your face.)

(So that's how she brought those nations to their knees... Though she did always claim she had nothin' to do with any of that.)

...No.

Hm?

(Oh? Did Raikou fall for it!?)

You will not be doing anything so...so...indecent!

Not on the head prefect's watch!

I shall send any evil temptress who would lead my dear child astray down to the pits of hell myself!

All right, it worked! Well, that's it for me. Good luck with the rest, everyone!

So ya knew this was gonna happen!? No wonder ya had me come along!

Eh, whatever I guess.

All right! Let's do it!

Havin' a match with the greatest Genji general of all time oughta be a great warm-up for a Swimsuit Swordmaster duel!

...Man, I had no idea bein' a Servant would open the door to so many amazin' experiences!

Oh man, Minamoto-no-Raikou is a legend among legends.

Under different circumstances, I'd be rattling my sworduh, champing at the bit for a duel...

But I guess that'll just have to wait! In the meantime, I'll use the back of my blades to knock her back to her senses!

(Gasp!)

...Oh my, this is so embarrassing. I guess I got a little carried away...

Oh no, not at all... ...

Oh yes, I'm fine now.

...It seems Tamamo put one over on me this time, but that's all water under the bridge now.

？！

Then, does that mean...

Yes. Although this time I will help you not as the shadow prefect, but as your mother.

I will make sure to give this battle against the Swimsuit Swordmaster my all...

...all while maintaining my sanity!

Oh man, this is amazin'!

I can't believe I'm gonna get ta fight alongside the famous general of the Seiwa Genji that defeated the Giant Spider of Kyoto!

Hm? Excuse me, but would you happen to be a Saber?

Sure am! I'm still just startin' out, but I've been real lucky with my opponents. They've helped me all the way to becomin' a full-fledged swordfighter.

I see. That's wonderful to hear. However...

I noticed during our fight that your form could still use some work.

If you like, I could give you some pointers on the way back to the hotel.

Whoa, really? You'd do that for me?

Yes, of course.

I would be more than happy to teach you all about the proper execution of certain oni and furry monsters.

Whoops! I don't like the sound of that one bit, so I think I'll be going my own way from here!

Oh, and Master, if you ever feel like taking a load off, come see me in my room whenever you like♡

Okay, ta-ta for now♡

Senpai, what did Tamamo say to you just now?

Ah! Why did you turn away from me, Senpai? Senpaaai!

Oh, yes, I nearly forgot.

A proper match should be held in accordance with proper customs. That's an important part of good moral character too.

Is there any custom like that for Swimsuit Swordmasters? ...Hmm, a letter of challenge, huh. I see, I see.

Then we'll have to be sure to obtain one of these letters first. Yes, even if your opponent seemingly no longer cares about them.

For that is how one properly participates in an official match. Are we clear?