Chapter Three: Kiheitai

So this is Takasugi Industries...

That's right. And that tower there is the center of the whole city.

It is, in a very literal sense, the cornerstone of the whole Restoration City.

Well damn. It might even be bigger than Lord Toyotomi's castle.

Chacha can't argue. This castle is humongous.

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Right? It's really impressive, if I do say so myself.

I can sense magical energy flowing throughout the entire building as well.

...Wait. Who are you!? Where did you come from!?

Who am I?

Who else would I be?

I'm Takasugi Shinsaku.

Hahaha! Sorry about that.

I was going to greet you all in here at first, the way you'd expect of an evil mastermind running a city like this...

Sakamoto told me he had a fascinating mage for me to meet though, so I just couldn't wait any longer.

So I ran all the way down here to greet you.

You've heard of me before? Well of course you have. I'm famous.

I'm also the most popular guy in Choushu with the ladies, no question.

It really couldn't be more obvious, no matter how you slice it. But don't let that worry you.

It's just not in my nature to look down my nose at all the little people from my high-rise office, though.

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You haven't changed a bit, Takasugi.

Neither have you, Sakamoto. You're still just as shady as ever.

Watch yourselves around this one, people.

If you let him, he'll talk you right into giving him the shirt off your back, along with everything else you own.

H-he's quite the character, isn't he, Master?

Well? Chacha's still waiting for you to offer us some yummy snacks and tea.

Oh, right. Where are my manners?

Hey, you there. Bring my guests some tea. And some snacks to go with it.

Make sure you get Restoration Manjyu, not Kinnou ones.

Right away, sir.

There, now we're all comfortable, let's get down to business, shall we?

As I believe Sakamoto has already told you, I'm the president of Takasugi Industries...

...the evil military conglomerate that runs all of SAITAMA.

I'm surprised to hear you call your own company evil...

Eh, it's all a matter of perspective.

For the people who profited from the Showa Restoration, I'm a hero.

For those who ended up worse off from it, I'm the very embodiment of evil.

That's all there is to it.

You got that right. Same as it is with war.

I'm so glad to hear you understand!

By the way, I really like your armor. Where did you buy it? I'd love a closer look later.

You're getting sidetracked.

Whoops, so I am. Now, where was I...?

Oh, right. So, the people that lost the most from the Showa Restoration...

...

...are the Showa Kinnou Party. And their leader is...

...Takechi Zuizan.

...I never thought I'd see the day you failed me, Tanaka.

I'm so sorry, Takechi-sensei.

It's all right. I underestimated that mage as well.

And once Takasugi decided to interfere, there was only so much you could do.

I'll kill them next time. I promise.

Hmph, still just as sloppy with your work as ever, huh? So much for the great Man-Slayer Shinbei.

Shut it, you damned echo of a swordsman. You're just a damn dog.

What did you say!? Did you just call me a dog!? Say that to my face! I dare you!

Enough, you two.

B-but Takechi-sensei, he

Now, now. Let's all just take it easy, okay?

You had a bad matchup. It happens.

That said, we may indeed have used up more soldiers than we'd planned.

Stop calling them soldiers, Sakamoto. No matter what they may look like, they are still our comrades.

Kinnooobbu!

Oh, whoops. Sorry about that, Takechi. You're right. They're every bit as Kinnou as you and I.

On a different note, it looks like the mage's crew has made contact with Takasugi. I wonder what they're up to.

It doesn't matter. What they're after is clear enough.

I'm...actually not clear on that, Takechi-sensei. What are you talking about?

Don't worry about it, Izo. You're not here to think.

You just need to do what you're told.

Wh-what did you say!?

Understand this: I will not tolerate another disgrace like what happened back then.

...! I-I know that.

Listen up, everyone. We WILL ensure that the traitorous Takasugi faces divine punishment, and that the Kinnou lead Japan once again.

That's right. We're all Kinnou comrades here.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere I need to be.

...

...So there you have it.

The Kinnou Party is obsessed with their dream of reviving the Bakumatsu era, impossible though it may be.

It's such a shame. The Kinnou used to be revered for their loyalty to the emperor.

But now that we're in this Restoration period, it's just gotten old. They won't accept that it's over. They keep yapping. Kinnou this, Kinnou that.

It sounds like the Kinnou Party and you are sworn enemies.

Yup, we are.

And unfortunately, they've decided that the ends justify the means they've been using...

...even when those means include vandalism, stealing from merchants, and all sorts of other criminal activities.

Lately, they've even resorted to selling Restoration Manjyu rip-offs called Kinnou Manjyu on the black market.

So, the Kinnou Shishi are selling Manjyus?

And then there are those strange creatures that keep popping up seemingly out of nowhere. They've been a real thorn in our side.

Oh, you must mean Auntie's Mini Nobus.

Chacha knows what you mean. They look ridiculous, but they're surprisingly strong, and a real hassle to fight.

Indeed. But then, as luck would have it, Sakamoto showed up just as I was debating my next course of action.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

Especially since I could have sworn you'd sided with the Kinnou Party.

...About that. Have you seen me before too, Takasugi?

What are you talking about, Sakamoto? I'm looking at you right now, aren't I?

Oh, are you talking about that doppelganger of yours?

Huh. You have a doppelganger?

First I've heard of it.

The real Ryouma's right here, so he's got to be an imposter.

Hmm.

Okay, let's just leave it at that.

At any rate, the Kinnou Party are trying to shape this Singularity to suit their own desires...

I'd like your help stopping them.

Hang on. Um... Takasugi, right?

What about what YOU'RE trying to get out of this? You're trying to shape this Singularity to suit yourself, aren't you?

O-oh yeah, good point. You're very sharp, Lady Chacha.

Hehehe. Flattery will get you nowhere!

Chacha's been burned before in negotiations like this, so Chacha knows we need to be ruthless.

And if things don't go our way, well, that's why Chacha dug both an outer and an inner moat!

You want to know what I want? That's easy. This...Singularity, you called it?

It's a stain that will disrupt the correct timeline if left unchecked, right? Well, I want to destroy it.

Huh?

The Kinnou Party used to be the ones who ruled this Singularity.

After the Bloody Opening of Edo Castle, they began shaping all of Japan into a country of their liking.

But I destroyed their plans and created this Showa Restoration instead...

...using this Holy Grail.

A-a Holy Grail!?

They might call it the Bloody Opening of Edo Castle now, but it was actually a Holy Grail War.

Takechi Zuizan and I died before it happened, only to be summoned back.

We fought each other for the Holy Grail amidst a conflux of events that would never happen in the original timeline...

...and killed everyone who should have survived instead.

Anyway, one thing led to another, and the Holy Grail found its way into my possession.

And with its power, this Singularity solidified into what it is now.

But why? You just said you wanted to destroy this Singularity. Can't you use the Holy Grail to return everything to the way it should be?

Strangely, no. I tried, but for some reason, the Holy Grail's power wouldn't work to repair this Singularity.

So I had no other choice but to reform the city the old-fashioned way, with me in charge.

So there's something here blocking even the Holy Grail's power?

Any idea what it could be, Master?

That's right. The Kinnou Party somehow managed to get their hands on Lady Nobunaga's head.

Huh? The boss's head?

That's right. The Kinnou Party somehow got their hands on it.

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Lady Nobunaga, the supreme warlord of the Warring States period...

I haven't been able to prove it yet, but I've got a hunch her head is mixed up in this Singularity's origin.

Geh! Now that you mention it, Chacha feels like Auntie's head could definitely be involved here.

Especially since Auntie's somehow been behind most of the stupidest Singularities we've dealt with in the past!

There you have it. We're both looking for Nobunaga's head, and looking to dismantle this Singularity.

So I'd like to form an alliance with you in the hope of accomplishing both of those goals.

What do you think, Master?

I agree. Takasugi might be an oddball, but he's a trustworthy oddball.

I don't think he'll let us down.

Wow, Sakamoto. This guy really trusts you, doesn't he?

I sure wouldn't place much trust in a snake like him, but you do you, I guess.

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...All right, glad we've reached an agreement.

Now, the first thing I'd like you all to do...

...is die.

Huh!? What's the meaning of this!?

The meaning? Exactly what it looks like.

Huh? Chacha thought we were going to work together!

And now you're smiling at us and telling us to die!? Who do you think you are, His Imperial Highness!?

Oh, that? That's a different matter.

How do you figure that!?

Never mind that now. I'd get ready to fight if I were you, or my soldiers here will riddle you with holes.

...!

You got guts, I'll give you that!

But these clowns aren't gonna do much for you when you're dead!

Hmm, I see. You're pretty strong, aren't you?

And that armor of yours has some fascinating mechanisms, too.

So I guess I'd better power up my soldiers a little more.

Huh? You think a bunch of grunts're gonna be a match for friggin' Servants!?

In fact, yes.

Okay, I've figured out how it works.

...Innovate.

They have armor now!?

As long as they have the will to fight, I can endow anyone with the power of a thousand ordinary soldiers.

That is my Noble Phantasm...

...Kiheitai.

Well damn. You made short work of my Kiheitai militia.

I really thought my Noble Phantasm was going to work better than that. I'm a bit shocked, actually.

You're going to pay for threatening Master's life!

Too late to beg for mercy! Hey, Boss, you don't mind if I kill this guy, right!? Great! Don't mind if I do!

...Well, well.

That was magnificent!

Now I'm especially glad we'll be working together.

Huh? What in the world are you talking about now!?

Hm? What do you mean? I had to make sure you all had the skill to make an alliance worthwhile. You passed with flying colors.

Perfectly logical, right?

Or am I missing something?

Oh, for... You could have TOLD us that was what you were doing.

Hahaha, I could say the same to you. Didn't you say you wanted me to see for myself how capable you all were?

Did I?

Okay, killing them both!

Right there with you!

Impressive. You handle those unruly Servants so easily.

Who cares if they're not technically siblings? At this rate, they might as well be.

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I assume you wouldn't want to team up with someone you didn't feel you could trust either, no?

Well, now you know how my Noble Phantasm works. Think of this as a show of my sincerity.

？！

There we go!

Then our alliance is official! Glad to be working with you!

I promise you'll have my full support, as well as that of all Takasugi Industries.

This is great. Having you on our side should be a big help, Takasugi.

Hahaha, well I sure wouldn't have agreed to an alliance if it had just been you, Sakamoto.

No, it was all thanks to this young man. I've already taken a liking to him.

You were right, Sakamoto. He really is fascinating!

Well, if you're sure about this, Master, then I'll go along with it...

Are you SURE about this, Boss? Guys like him are pretty much permanently up to no good, you know.

Haha! I'm glad you understand me at least!

Oh, right. So, changing gears, this city is divided into different blocks, with this Restoration Tower in the center.

Each block also has a Magical Reactor named after that particular block...

...which provides the people who live there with the resources they need.

Unfortunately, the Kinnou Party's sabotage has disrupted that state of affairs and brought resource distribution to a halt.

So if you could guard the Magical Reactors while you're investigating this Singularity...

...I would be happy to share some of the resources generated with you.

Do a good enough job, and you'll have all the Restoration Manjyu you can eat.

Really? Those manjyu were so good, Chacha would definitely be willing to help out with that!

Anyway, now that we've agreed to an alliance, I look forward to working with you, Takasugi.

That's great! Don't you worry about a thing. Now that you're on Takasugi Shinsaku's side...

I'll lead you all to victory!

Why is he still acting so smug even after we handed him his ass!?