Summer Vacation Spectacular - GUDAGUDA Special 2023

Man, I didn't get a single chance to show off this time...

Hey, don't feel too bad. Your kid played a huge part, right?

I keep telling you, I'm not a kid.

Oh, I just had a flash of inspiration.

"From Papa to Eternity."

That's it.

How is that inspired? Also, what do you mean "papa"?

...Anyway, I really can't believe this is what that super sketchy sword's turned into now.

I guess this is more or less what I looked like as a kid.

Do you think I used to look like Rengoku, Mr. Hijikata?

The hell should I know? Ask your sister or something.

Huh, I didn't know my original had a sister.

I see. Hehe.

It looks like my original's in the same boat as us, Rengoku.

Why are you so happy about that?

Anyway, as I was saying, it's too bad we didn't get a chance to go to a Caribbean resort.

Yeah. It would've been a perfect place to debut my new song for this summer:

"It CAN'T Be Helped"!

That's so awesome, Sister! I bet it'll be the biggest hit in the history of Owari!

This might even be the perfect time to make the leap to being a famous VoidTuber, like you've been talking about.

Huh? What ARE you talking about?

Besides, there are a ton of VoidTubers these days! The competition's fiercer than ever!

That's where Chacha, the Toyotomi princess comes in!

It was so hot and humid in this tearoom that Chacha had to go outside to cool off. And that's where Chacha got a great idea!

We should have a treasure hunt!

But Lady Chacha, we just finished a treasure hunt...

Heh heh heh. Chacha sees you're still as naive as ever, Little Oki

Wait. Why do you look different!? And who's that darling child holding your hand!?

I'm Rengoku. Thanks for always watching out for my wielder.

...Oh. Chacha sees.

Make sure you grow up to be a good girl.

...

Huh? Did Chacha say something funny?

Ah, whatever. As Chacha was saying, Chacha has proof there's still treasure waiting to be found out there!

Come on in, priestess of treasure hunting!

I didn't know what this was all about at first, but it looks like fun, so I'm in.

Yes, I am Lady Himiko, the first queen of Yamataikoku, and the priestess of treasure hunting.

Yep! I can find any treasure, easy as clam pie!

You mean, with your powers of prophecy?

Pretty much.

I haven't done this kinda divining much, so I wasn't sure how it'd turn out, but it worked perfectly!

I'm not sure how it happened, but I AM sure there's treasure out there! I even know where!

Huh? I have no idea what you mean.

Hey, don't look at me.

Anyway, I gave it a shot, and I got a prophetic vision.

Honestly, it seems strange to me that I got one about something so trivial, but anyway, thanks to that, I even know where the treasure is!

？！

Wahahaha! Sounds like fun!

Honestly, I was getting kinda bored. Come on, everyone! Let's go treasure hunting!!!

This'll be a great way to en-Honnoji-oy the rest of our summer vacation!

But, I still haven't finished my summer vacation homework...

Which is exactly why I told you to do a little bit every day instead of putting it all off until the last minute.

Wait, who even gave you homework?

Okay, we Rayshifted here without permission, just like we always do. So far so good.

Man, this Rayshifting thing is really handy. It'd be nice if they could make it so that people could use it from their homes.

Are you sure we're not going to get in trouble with Da Vinci over this?

I hope you do, personally.

Huh, so these are the southern islands I've been hearing about.

I like them! It's so nice and warm here.

Ooh, and there're all kinds of tasty shellfish I've never seen before! Come on, everyone, let's all try them!

I told you, you have to cook them first to be safe. Here, I'll broil them with my jetpack.

Your jetpack? ...Really?

Ooh, that smells goood! (Licks lips)

Gosh, I'm glad I didn't hear about this treasure hunt until today.

If I'd heard about it yesterday, I'd have been so excited we definitely would've had a rainstorm here.

Wow, that sounds like a really annoying way to have a rainmaking power.

Anyway, where do we find this treasure?

Hmm, it's hard to put into words.

Hang on, let me draw you a map.

Okay, I think this place is like this, and over there is like this?

There! A treasure map hand-drawn by the queen of Yamataikoku herself!

Nothing in all the world could be more reliable!

This would probably be an invaluable historical artifact, too.

Now I see. So according to this map, there are some mysterious ruins at the center of the island, and the treasure is hidden somewhere inside them.

Hmm... I do think I sense some kind of signal...

Wait! I'm sensing something else, too!

Aah! Where'd that come from!?

Gunfire!? There are pirates of the Caribbean out here too!?

Nobbu, nobunobu!

What the hell? Where'd they come from!?

Yeah, we've never seen Mini Nobus in summer before!

Or have we?

？！

Nobbu, nobunobu!

Come on, Rengoku! We can't take this lying down!

Right. I've got this, Wielder.

Although, I think I've sensed something similar before...

Phew, that takes care of that. They were weirdly aggressive, though. Almost feral, really.

Huh? N-no way... Are those the legendary Mini Nobukin!?

？！

That's right. They're a mysterious, legendary tribe said to have lived on this island since ancient times.

Get to the point.

Hm, I don't really know much about them, except that they attack anyone who tries to enter their island.

Anyway, I'm just on my way to a summer pirate con on the next island over, so I'll be going now.

That was nice of Blackbeard.

If these guys have been around since ancient times, then I guess they aren't part of one of Nobbu's evil schemes.

Just how much evil scheming do you think I get up to, anyway!?

Don't forget, I almost brought order to Warring States period Japan, you know.

And I would've done it too, if I hadn't gotten Honnojied just when things were getting good.

Either way, we'll never find out what's going on until we get to these mysterious ruins.

Aah! When did you get here, Echigo's god of war?

The path from there was fraught with danger.

At times, they were attacked by man-eating piranhas.

What the heeeeeeeeell!?!?!?

Yay! Look, Ryouma. Oryou caught some.

That's great, Oryou, but maybe don't use Izo as bait next time?

At others, by giant land-dwelling, man-eating hermit crabs and man-eating chickens.

Wahahahaha! You wanna piece of me? How 'bout I have a piece of you instead!

Hell, I used to eat raw snakes and stuff all the time back in the day!

Ahahahaha! That sounds like it would go perfect with a good sake!

Is it just Chacha, or are there entirely too many man-eating creatures here?

Nobusen nobu! Nobbuuu!

The battles between the primitive Shinsengumi and the original Shinsengumi were long and fierce.

Whoa, whoa, primitive Shinsengumi? What're you even talking about?

I am! The Caribbean! Shinsengumiiiiiiiii!!!

That's not a thing, either!!!

At times, it seemed as though the very jungle itself was fighting our intrepid explorers.

A-a bottomless void swamp? Here!?

O-oh no, I'm trapped... My identity is sinking into the red ocean of the white-hot competitive VoidTuber space!

The hell!? Even our scene transitions are getting sloppy!

Come on, Narrator! Do your job properly!

I-I keep sinking, Sister! I can cling to your leg to save myself, right!? (Cling)

Don't worry, Sister! I'll follow you anywhere, even to the depths of hell!

Gah! Get off me! Let go alreawaaaaaah!

...

And so, after braving all manner of dangers, our intrepid explorers finally arrived at the ancient ruins in the heart of the island.

...How was that?

You're welcome.

Just try to give me a little notice next time, okay?

Oh no, that's all right.

I'm worried accepting compensation will only encourage more requests like this in the future.

？！

Okay then, see you later.

I can't believe Master, Rengoku, and I are the only ones who made it...

Not even touching that one.

So, these are the mysterious ruins...

What can you make of them, Rengoku?

Why would I know anything about this place?

Well, actually, I'm still sensing the same faint magical energy signal from before...

Good point. But be careful, Wielder's Master.

There could be something very dangerous lying in wait in there.

...!

You're right, Master. We have a duty to everyone who gave their lives so we could see this battle through to the end.

That sems to have you weirdly fired up, Wielder.

？！

I thought these were supposed to be ruins, but it looks more like a cave.

There's something strange about this cave, Wielder's Master. I don't think it was formed naturally.

It looks like it was hollowed out by a huge drill or something.

If that's what you think, Rengoku, then it must be true.

We'll just have to be extra careful.

？！

Master!?

Yah!

Good grief. You two are such a handful.

Probably because you're both weirdly cavalier about your personal safety.

Hey, that was uncalled for. I may not be great about myself, but I'll definitely keep Master safe!

Still, thank you, Rengoku. I appreciate it.

...Forget it. Let's just keep going.

Hehe. Come on, Master. I'll keep an eye out for you, too.

Hmm... Maybe she's feeling shy?

？！

Hurry up and follow me! It's this way!

It's way more spacious in here. What is this place?

？！

Huh, look. You can see the sky in here, even though we're still in a cave.

It's almost as though time and space themselves are distorted in here.

...Huh!? Oh no!

I recognize this signal! I can't believe I didn't realize it sooner!

Come on, Wielder! We have to get out of here, now!

What are you talking about, Rengoku!?

There you are, Futuro! I've been looking for you!

We're in big trouble! It turns out the mysterious treasure is actually

I remember those...

It's one of those adorable haniwa we so desperately back in that nation of rice, time, and dreams!

THAT is adorable!? Wielder, you have seriously weird taste!

Get ahold of yourself, Wielder's Master! You're starting to talk funny!

I understand how you feel, though!

？！

But, what's it even doing here!? We destroyed them all, didn't we!?

Well, I do feel like we may have unwittingly let one or two get into the village, but still.

I never told you guys this before, but back then, right after all the giant haniwa appeared, there was one that fell apart on its own almost instantly, and we never learned why!

It was called the Ominous God of Storms, aka Storm Nobu!

？！

I thought I'd purified all the other Ominous Gods' remains and returned them to the light.

But since Storm Nobu fell apart deep in the mountains, I kind of, well, forgot about it.

After that, the haniwa that survived must have gathered up its remains, crossed the ocean, arrived on this island after a long voyage...

...and have bided its time, gathering animosity here for the day when it can make their comeback.

？！

Then we just need to defeat this one! Let's go, Rengoku!

Okay, but this thing is

Be careful! I can tell Storm Nobu has been building its strength for hundreds upon hundreds of years!

It might even be stronger than the Ominous Gods you faced in Yamataikoku!

Ghh! It's strong! Really strong! Much stronger than any of the haniwa we faced back then!

At least we managed to stop it for now, but it won't be long before it starts moving again!

This is worse than anything I'd imagined... I can't believe it's grown so strong.

No, not grown... It reached this point by gathering untold quantities of human thoughts and feelings!

This is very bad, Wielder's Master.

If things take a turn for the worse, it could grow into a calamity that will erode the entire world!

？！

Yes, Wielder's Master. If and when the world truly ends, it will be something absurd that does it. Just like this.

Wielder and I have seen it countless times over the course of our long...very long battle.

It's never some big, epic, sensible thing that ends the world.

It's always some silly thing like this that comes along and ends it whether we're ready for it or not.

Again, Wielder and I have seen it happen countless times.

...Countless, countless times.

I'm so sorry! I wish I could come and help, but there's a powerful Bounded Field blocking the way, and even I can't get through.

Oh no! I can't even hold our connection anymore!

It's okay, Master! No matter what happens, I'll find some way to keep you safe!

I can promise you at least that much!

A promise, huh...

You're right, Wielder. That's the one thing we have to do.

Listen to me, Wielder. I'm going to get you and your Master back alive.

That's what I just said! ...Wait. What?

...I'm sorry, Wielder, but this is the end for me.

I wish I could have fought beside you for the rest of time...

But this is as far as I go.

Wh-what are you saying, Rengoku!?

Wielder's Master, I finally understand why I gained a part of her Spirit Origin to materialize as a Divided Spirit.

...It's so I could blow this thing away for good.

N-no! You can't! Didn't I tell you!? You and I are staying together forever!

Listen to me closely, Wielder's Master.

I know I said I was Wielder's sword, but that's not entirely true.

I'm actually a fail-safe, a means of keeping my wielder's guardian power in check.

If she were to unleash her true power, she could end up an enemy of the entire world...

And I'm the key that could destroy her if that ever came to pass.

？！

Hey, it's not like possibly world-ending crises and such tend to come with much forewarning.

Besides, I was sick and tired of seeing my wielder being forced to fight in a place like that.

...I couldn't take it anymore.

Rengoku...

So I took all the bad parts from her Spirit Origin into myself, so I could disappear with them.

That's right. That's why I did this. How could I have forgotten?

No... No, Rengoku, you can't do this! I... I won't let you!

I knew you'd say that, Wielder.

You've always been pressed into fighting battles like this. Battles I simply couldn't stand.

And you never once complained.

How is that fair? It's not right. It isn't.

...

So I'm asking you, Wielder's Master: please, set my wielder free.

...It's okay. I'll take it all with me.

...

...No.

...

...Weren't you listening to me, Wielder? You're better off without me.

No! I refuse to accept that!

You and I are always going to be together!

Besides, I already made up my mind.

I told you, we're going to protect Master together forever!

That's right. Together, you and I are going to protect Master, and this world he loves, forever and ever!

？！

But, Wielder...this is the only way you and your Master can make it out of here alive...

Wahahahaha! What's this now?

I'd expect much grander proclamations from someone who inherited my power!

Don't you think, Rengoku's mommy!?

Who are you calling a mommy?

Still, you have a point. That sounded a liiittle bit underwhelming coming from the beloved sword of the one who inherited my blade.

My original...and the Sixth Whatsit!

Oh come on. You couldn't even remember my name now, of all times?

I'm Nobunaga, okay? Oda Nobunaga. I'm kind of a big deal, you know?

Yes, yes, never mind that now.

？！

Oh, that? The others busted their asses to make sure that at least the two of us could make it here to help.

And now, here we are. Though unsurprisingly, it looks like this situation is all Nobbu's fault yet again.

Hey now, that's not fair. If you ask me, that Yamataikoku queen's responsible for this.

I'm just unlucky enough to keep getting mixed up with this sort of thing.

...All the banter in the world won't change the facts.

Even with your help, we can't possibly defeat that thing.

Pretty soon, we won't even be able to touch it.

You two must sense that too, right?

...Hmm, yeah, I guess so.

Huh? In fact, now that I'm getting a better look at it, it really is on the verge of transforming into something pretty bad.

Something really nasty is thrashing around in there, trying to get out...

And it doesn't look like our coming here's gonna make any difference against it.

What? How can you say that after our awesome, dramatic entrance!?

But that's not true for you, is it, Okita Alter?

...

You're going to protect Master no matter what, right?

...!

Yes! That's right! I'm going to protect Master!

And not just him. This world and the people he cares about, too!

Right? That's just the kind of Servant you are.

Now, is that really all you have to say to your wielder after she's shown how committed she is?

You're just gonna ignore all that heartfelt stuff and blow yourself up?

I...

It's okay, Rengoku. I'm happy for us to fight together forever.

It isn't painful for me at all. As far as I'm concerned...

...fighting together is both an important promise, and a wonderful time that'll end all too quickly no matter how long it lasts.

...

？！

Ugh! This is exactly the problem!

What's wrong with you!? Both of you!?

You keep getting used and used over and over, and you just take it all with a smile!

I hate that!

Ugh, are all humans like this!?

...I don't get it!

...I really don't.

Thank you, Rengoku. But it's okay. Really.

Now, come on. You and I are going to do what we do best together, like always:

We're gonna protect the people and things we care about!

...Okay, Wielder, you win.

I'm sorry. I'm your sword, aren't I?

Your prized demonic sword that cuts down your enemies in the blink of an eye.

Isn't that right, Wielder's Master?

？！

Raaah!!!

Whup, it's starting to move again.

Considerate of it to wait until all that got wrapped up. Just goes to show it really was born from me.

Okay, Alter me, this is it.

It's time for you to do whatever you have to, to keep your promise.

Right. Let's go, Rengoku!

You got it, my lifelong wielder!

In the name of Oda Nobunaga, Demon King of the Sixth Heaven!

Now is the time to use Okita Souji's ultimate sword!

For you are...

Majin Saber! Guardian of the Counter Force!!!

All right, everyone, it's BANQUET TIIIME!

Yay, a banquet!

You can't have summer at the beach without at least one barbecue!

Now, let's JET cooking!

I still can't believe you managed to defeat that Ominous God. I don't think even I could have pulled that off.

Just goes to show that nothing can stop Master, Rengoku, and me when we're together!

Hrm, what was it I decided to say at times like this? Oh, right!

Heh...

Another formidable foe felled by my blade.

That doesn't sound as cool as you think it does, Wielder.

Aww, really?

I thought it would sound great...

Hmph, you're sure experts on making trouble for everyone around you. We worked our asses off to bail you out, you know?

No, I didn't know that, Okada. Thank you so much.

How many times do I have to tell you!? Call me Izo, dammit!

I swear, you never give me the respect I deserve.

Hahaha, it might not seem like it now, but Izo here really gave it his all to help you guys out.

Wh-what are you talking about, Ryouma!? Don't be an idiot!

Oryou put in a lot of work too, of course. It's not easy beating enemies black-and-blue.

Thank you both so much. And thank you again too, Okada.

And don't even get me started on your sloppy swordplay! You always leave yourself wide-open!

For the hundredth time, fighting with a sword is all about

You never change, do you, Okada?

Don't worry about me. I can always just shoot lasers if things get dicey.

(Munch, munch, chew, chew) Exactly.

If anything can save the Servantverse, it's lasers!

(Munch, munch, chew, chew) So what do you say, Okita Alter?

Together, I bet you and I could team up for a shocking theatrical release to tie in to the season three finale.

You can't count on lasers! Lasers aren't included in the way of the sword!

Here, have some of these.

Oh wow. Your precious chilled pickles?

That's so kind of you. Thank you, Mr. Nice Gu

...No, wait, I remember. Mr. Hijikata.

...Hmph. Never mind my name. Just eat up.

You're really that happy about this?

Hey! Did you just give Alter me some chilled pickles, Mr. Hijikata!?

What in the world's gotten into you? You love chilled pickles more than anything besides the Shinsengumi...

Well, if you're giving them away now, I want some too! I mean, I don't WANT them, but it's the principle of the thing!

Why would I ever give you any of my chilled pickles!?

Whaaat!? So you'll give some to the other me, but not to ME me!? Now you're just being Okitaist!

Well, well... Would you look at that.

But then again, our vice commander always has been more considerate than he seems.

Really?

Really. Wanna hear a funny story about the time he

SHUT UP, Saito!

Whup. Looks like I just poked the bear.

Come on, Little Okita! Over here!

You'll get forehead wrinkles if you keep hanging around scary-looking men like that!

Nagayoshi! Could you whip up one of your specialties!?

Sure! This roasted giant hermit crab Lady Chacha and I caught is a lot tastier than it looks!

Go on, eat up! 'Specially if you're gonna grow back to your old size!

Thank you... (Munch, munch)

Rrr're right! Thish ISH good!

Rrr, Rengoku, oou've got to try thish! (Munch, munch)

Don't talk with your mouth full, Wielder.

Ahahahaha! Forget the formalities! Tonight, we all let our hair down!

Here, try this juice! It's delicious, too!

As Echigo's god of war, I insist you share a drink with me as well!

I've also got salt! Caribbean salt!

My wielder's still too young for alcohol. And those snacks are pushing the limit, too.

...

You know, I can't help but wonder why everyone's so weirdly...nice? Protective? Of Alter me.

Beats me.

I guess there's just something about her that makes you want to take care of her.

Some people are just lucky like that.

？！

Master! Come join us!

I want to set off fireworks together!

Come on, Rengoku, you too!

Fine, fine. Let me just get a trash bag first...

Hey! You're not supposed to hold a bunch in both hands!

Not you too, Wielder's Master!? Stop swinging those sparklers around!

All right! I think I'll shoot a Three Line Formation (firework version) too!

I thought you might say that, Sister, so I brought some along!

I call them "Summer Sister Three Line Formation"!

...

Hehe.

Are you enjoying yourself, Wielder?

Yes, I am.

Just between you and me, I've been enjoying myself this whole time.

I see... I didn't know that.

It's true.

It may have been a long, long time...

...but I never once stopped enjoying myself.