Prologue: The Mystery of the Disappearing Nobbu Head

So, let's talk about my missing head.

The hell!? I thought this was about a bust or something! I didn't expect your ACTUAL HEAD to be gone!

Chacha's heard the story of Hoichi the Earless, but Chacha never expected to see Auntie the Headless!

Damn, Boss, someone actually managed to take your head? Must be one helluva warrior!

I wonder if they'd be interested in being my retainer? Wahahahaha!

Th-this is terrible... What will I do now that I can't look at Sister's beautiful face?

Dammit! Who's the lucky bastard hogging her head for himself!?

You're right. Let's just have a nice cup of tea while we figure out our next

Wait! I can't even drink tea right now! Hey...I can't drink ANYTHING!!!

Hmm, good, but cliché. Three points from Chacha for that one.

Out of how many...?

You think this qualifies? Listen, if Micchi was here, he'd have an army on Mt. Tennou searching for my head before you could say "Honnoji."

Wahahahaha!

Though, if Brother Hidenaga was here too, that army would be as good as dead.

Which would be a fitting end for that backstabbing bastard!

？！

This really isn't the time for that.

So, Nobbu, where did you last see your...uh, head?

I wish I remembered, but I have no idea.

Wait. You think I'd just leave my head lying around like a pair of reading glasses!?

Okay, I understand why you came to me for help, but can you come back later? I'm kind of busy right now.

Hey, what gives!? Why the cold shoulder!?

You can hardly blame her, Nobbu. Believe me, I think anybody would respond that way. I wish I had.

Hey, YOU try analyzing those weird GUDAGUDA Particles or whatever every time one of these events rolls around.

But...damn, your head really is missing, huh? I didn't know you meant it literally. Should I call Hessian?

I think the most Hessian could manage on seeing Nobunaga's predicament would be a wry smile... Not that we would be able to see such a thing, of course.

All right, (since this looks hilarious,) I swear on the Atlas Institute that I will take a look at this myself.

Hmm... You are indeed missing part of your Spirit Origin... Or is it that its phase alignment shifted?

Anyway, it probably just fell off when you tripped or something. You know, like glasses.

We already ruled out the glasses theory! Come on, you two are our top engineering minds! Can't at least one of you take this seriously!?

Besides, if you find my head, you're not just going to get a "thank-you" from me, you know?

At this point, I'll be even more generous with you than I was with Mouri Shinsuke after he brought me Imagawa Yoshitomo's head at Okehazama!

Sisteeer! I've got great news!

Thanks to my countless years of faithful service, I, your loyal Nobukatsu, have brought you your head!

Really!? YOU found it, Nobukatsu!? I don't know how you pulled it off, but great job!

Well, what are you waiting for? Hand it over!

Haha, right away, Sister! Here you go!

...

...

...

(Smiling happily)

...Nobukatsu.

Yes, Sister!?

This is NOT what I meant.

Oh... I-I'm sorry.

Holy Honnoji!

...Okay, while you guys were all fooling around, I found the Nobbu Head signal.

As much as it sucks sometimes, I'm still a genius. Once I start on a task, it doesn't take long for me to finish.

As names go, "Nobbu Head" might be a little on the, um, nose. At any rate, it does appear to be in this Singularity.

Now we're talking!

I knew your genius wouldn't let me down, Da Vinci!

All right, everyone! We're going straight to that Singularity and taking my head back!

Hell yeah! I'm gonna be the first to sling your head over my spear, Boss!

Chacha thinks you may not fully apprehend the purpose of this campaign!

So where's my head hiding anyhow?

Let me guess: Honnoji?

I am afraid it is not that simple...

Why? Is there a problem?

According to our observations, this Singularity is located in 1870s Japan, near Tokyo.

Historically speaking, during the period the Meiji Restoration was in full swing.

The Meiji Restoration. I feel oddly nostalgic about that period...for no particular reason.

You know, I feel like I've been there before.

You have, Sister! That was the Singularity where we were finally reunited!

That was a little different, since it was a uniquely enclosed space.

Now, as it turns out, it seems there are a few conditions in place limiting the Spirit Origins that can Rayshift to this Singularity.

What kind of conditions?

Hmm. Well, taking the Servants here as an example...

It looks like Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Souji, and Saito Hajime are all unable to Rayshift there.

Huh!? Why not?

...

Huh. That right? Is it 'cause we're Shinsengumi?

No, it is not that.

These same conditions also prevent Li Shuwen, Okita Alter, and Mash from Rayshifting there.

So I'm out too, huh...? Now I'm really curious about these conditions.

Majin Shock...

Well, that's okay. I'll just go in this new beach Counter Force swimsuit form I acquired this year then.

That will not work, either.

Nooo.

You really didn't have to change for that, you know.

Hmm... Too bad.

Incidentally, Nobunaga can Rayshift there just fine. What is with these weird restrictions?

Hmm, maybe I'll sit this one out. I mean, just look at me.

Well if Sister's not going, then neither am I!

Then who IS going to accompany Master this time?

Just leave it to Chacha and Nagayoshi, the Warring States Cutie-pie and Genocider!

By the way, when you say you're a Genocider, what exactly do you mean?

It means I'm gonna butcher me some heads! I'm gonna hunt down every head in the Singularity and serve 'em up to you on a silver platter, Boss! Count on it!

Had to ask, didn't you?

Mmm, this isn't looking promising. Guess I'll have to give up on Komaki and Nagakute!

Hey, why're you wearing that armor, anyway?

Oh, this? Other one's still all bloody from the last hunt.

Yes, these two Servants qualify. They are both from Japan, and they appear to meet this other condition as well.

Say, what about the God of War and the Yamataikoku chick?

They left Chaldea yesterday to go looking for clams...

...and they still haven't come back.

Still? What in the world are those two doing?

For that matter, are there even any clams around here? 'Cause I sure didn't see any back when I still had my head.

Ah well, I doubt that matters to them.

Still, just Chacha and Katsuzou? That's it? That's not nearly enough.

Those two can't possibly find my head on their own!

Especially not when even Micchi couldn't!

Isn't that just because it burned up at Honnoji, along with everything else?

Must you ALWAYS be such a wet blanket? Knock it off.

This is my head we're looking for here, remember!?

Come on now, we'll come with you.

Mr. Sakamoto!

And Oryou. That head is as good as found.

Besides, this Singularity's in the Meiji period, right? I've always wanted to see it for myself.

Oh, yeah. You didn't get to see it while you were alive, did you?

Unfortunately not, no. It would've been great to see you in your police uniform, Saito.

...O-Oryou's sorry, Ryouma.

Oh, you don't have to be sorry, Oryou. I didn't mean it like that.

You could've been a little more tactful too, you know, Saito.

That's pretty rich, coming from you.

But hey, I am sorry for bringing you down, floating lady.

Hmph. You've got some nerve, acting high-and-mighty about the Meiji era to Ryouma, human.

Cut that shit out.

The point is, we're leaving this one up to these guys, right?

Pretty much. Meanwhile, we'll keep looking into the Singularity's Rayshift conditions.

All right then! If that's all settled, then let's get this Rayshift star

Hold it! Aren't you forgetting someone important?

That's right. You almost forgot about me and my new, stylin' look!

Well?

...

...

Okay, Mr. Sakamoto, Chacha, Nagayoshi, we're all counting on you.

Watch yourself out there, Chacha. Make sure you keep an eye on her, Katsuzou.

What the heeeeeeeeell!?

Don't you ignore me! Are you not seeing this stylish new Western outfit!?

I had it tailored specifically for occasions like this!

So I see, Izo. It looks great on you.

Right? Right!? Forget about your old-fashioned white suit.

I look way better in this getup than you ever did in yours.

Don't you mouth off at Ryouma, Izo.

Where did you even get that outfit, anyway?

Oh, this? You know Crane's? That clothing shop that just opened? I ordered it from the lady there. You know, the one who always wears white?

'Course, I don't have a lot of scratch on me right now, so I had her put it on credit.

Sounds like you've got lines of credit all over Chaldea.

You should probably pay those off sooner than later.

Ha! Don't worry about it. It ain't much money, anyway.

I'll pay 'em all back once I hit it big at the gambling tables.

The point is, with me there, Master'll be perfectly safe. So safe you and Oryou won't even have to come along, Ryouma.

O-oh. Sure thing...

Don't worry, I've got this covered!

And just what is that supposed to mean!?

？！

Okay, okay, enough of that. You're all ready to go, right? Then get going! Now, where was this Singularity again...?

Oh, right! Fall, 1870s, near Tokyo, I think?

Huh? Weird, coordinates're a little off. Ah well, close enough.

"Close enough"!?

All right, get ready to Rayshift!

Please be careful over there, Senpai!

？！

They're already gone, huh. Well, I'm sure they'll be fine with Sakamoto there. Probably.

Okay, I'd better get back to this other thing I need to look into.

An alarm!? What's going on!?

Huh!? An unidentified flying object appears to be rapidly approaching Chaldea's airspace!?

It's moving at... What!? Mach 49!?

Let me get a better read on it!

Huh? It is already too late!?

It broke in!?

No, wait. It looks more like it slipped in? How the hell did it do that!?

I cannot get a read on the target's level of technology.

This signal... It is about to make contact with us!

...So, this is the place.

What are you doing here, you knave!?

Heh. I've always wanted to call someone a "knave."

Huh? That sounded like... But no, never mind that now!

This is Shinsengumi territory. You're not getting past me!

Move aside.

Tch! Come on! What're you just standing there for!?

I'm here, Mr. Hijikata! But what was that? Some kind of multiplying short sword?

The hell's going on here!?

Make way!

Hrn!

Ow! Gonna take more than that!

Hm? Should I stop them?

Ha!

So, there are a lot of experienced fighters here!

Then it seems I have no choice! Ranmaru Strahl!

Aah! So bright!

...Hm? Did they just say "Ranmaru"?

Now! Fly, Ranmaru Blade!

No way! Whoever that was just wormed their way into the Rayshift!

But that is just...crazy!

This feeling... I knew it.

...Are you calling me?

...Don't worry.

I'll definitely find you!