Chapter Seven: Let My Voice Carry to the Stars

Okay, before we launch a sneak attack on their headquarters down there, let me go over the plan.

I know I might not look it, but I'm an expert commander. In fact, I trounced a shogunate army like it was nothing back when I was still a young man.

Well, not that I ever had a chance to become an old one.

Can the damn tangents before you really piss me off. Anyway, you knew where their headquarters were this whole time?

I did, but I didn't have any reason to actually go until now.

Then why did you send us out to look for them!?

Because they've got that box that spits out those weird creatures.

Besides, I was hoping to put off fighting them until later.

But, oh well. In war, improvisation is an important skill, and nothing beats attacking when it seems like it'd be fun.

Fun, huh... I didn't think that was usually a factor in war.

So? What's the plan?

I'll tell you. We're going in loud and flashy.

This here is my secret weapon for making that happen. I'm going to attach it to your armor.

Trust me, it's crazy awesome.

Huh? What is this thing? It just looks like a big cylinder.

Is it some sort of bazooka or something?

I had my entertainment department cook it up: an extra large, rapid-fire fireworks launcher.

Huh? What are we going to do with fireworks?

Uh, launch them? What else?

Just light the fuse here, and... Okay, off you go!

Hey! What do you think you'reAaaaaah!!!

Hahahaha! Now that's what I'm talking about!

Ahh, it's great to see the people who work for you outdo themselves. Just look at those brilliant colors!

You turned Nagayoshi into a human firework!?

Don't worry, I've got one for you, too. This one's a sparkler.

Huh? Chacha doesn't need any boring fireworks! For that matter, Chacha doesn't need fireworks from you at all!

Round two! Fire!

Chacha's going to tell His Imperial Highness about thiiiiiis!!!

What are you thinking!? Seriously!? Do you WANT them to find us!?

Obviously. Why do you think I had these made?

Kin kin kinnooobbu!

Dammit! Here come those things again!

Chacha may not mind flashy shows like that, but that doesn't mean Chacha wants to be part of one!

Oho, look at them go. Just what I'd expect from Warring States period Servants.

I knew a few surprise fireworks wouldn't get them down.

Now, while those two are loudly drawing the enemy's attention, the rest of us will sneak in more stealthily. We'll go in two squads: me and my Kiheitai, and you all plus Okuni.

And you're only telling us this now!? What the hell, guy!?

Well yeah. It's more fun keeping it a secret up to the end.

？！

C'mon, now. Those two are plainly useless in stealth missions, but they're making killer diversions.

I'm just deploying soldiers to the parts of the battlefield they're best suited to.

Hmph. Fine, I guess that makes sense. But don't think this means you're off the hook!

Well, Lord Fujimaru, it looks like we don't have a choice.

Let's go sneak in! Zaburo and I will be right behind you!

Now we're talking.

Oh, now that I think about it, would you rather have been part of the diversion? I assume you'd like the attention, given your profession and all.

Shut up, you! Come on, Lord Fujimaru!

Wake up, Zanzaburo! It's showtime! Activate Stealth Mode!

Fiiiiii!

Wow, he's actually being quieter! Also, why do we need to split into two groups?

To increase my chances of not being spotted, of course. In fact, I'd really appreciate if you guys botched the stealth part and drew some attention yourselves.

Now I see. When this is over, I encourage you to take a long walk off a short pier.

...I'm very disappointed in you, Izo.

Yet again, you betrayed my trust in you. No, not only me... You betrayed all of our Kinnou Party comrades.

Me, betray you? I never planned on letting you use me in the first place!

...

Ha! I'm done being a puppet for you, or anyone else who thinks they know better than everyone!

Shut up! Don't you talk to Takechi-sensei that way!

Hmph. You never learn either, do you, Shinbei?

Did you know it was Takechi who used your sword when we killed Anegakouji?

...

Then he gave your sword to me so he could pin the murder on Satsuma!

...I know.

Huh...?

...So what!?

I'd give my life for Takechi-sensei. How is that strange?

Y-you...

In fact, I'll go further. As a warrior, nothing would make me happier than to die in pursuit of Takechi-sensei's ideals!

Get it? I'm nothing like you!

You're a pathetic excuse for a samurai who sold out his comrades just to save his own skin!

Ugh! I am taking your head here and now!

And when you see our other comrades in hell, you're going to prostrate yourself and beg forgiveness!

...That's enough, Tanaka. Just toss him in the cell.

Huh!? But why!?

What could you possibly hope to gain from keeping trash like this alive, Takechi-sensei!?

I'm sure you'll figure it out once you've cooled down.

Now, be quiet and do as you're told.

Gnn... B-but

...What's going on?

Enemy attack, sir! And what's more, they're charging straight at the front gate!

It must be Takasugi... It certainly sounds like something he'd do.

Ignore the diversion. We know he's going to make his way here. Make sure our defenses are airtight.

Knowing Takasugi, it's probably just the first of several waves.

I'll take care of it.

You don't mind, Sakamoto?

Hold it, Takechi-sensei. I can handle them myself.

You don't need to get involved here, Sakamoto.

No, I think we should let Sakamoto handle this one.

But

Don't worry about it, Tanaka. We're all comrades here, right?

Yes, we are. We are united in our desire to see a Japan ruled according to Kinnou ideals.

...

...

Looks like our stealth mission is going well so far.

I hate to say it given how infuriating that president is, but he does know his stuff.

Come to think of it, Lady Okuni, you knew Lord Takasugi during the Holy Grail War, right?

How did you end up working together?

That? Well, see, I had a very specific purpose for responding to the summon to that Holy Grail War.

It's sort of a long story, but...

Okay, the short version is that I'm looking for the evil god who destroyed my hometown.

？！

That's right. It's a very common story. It's so common, it wouldn't even make a good theater program blurb.

It's really not worth going into.

Zan...

Oh...

While we're on the subject, what brought you here, Ranmaru?

Well, it began when I heard someone calling to me...

Ngh! Th-this feeling...!

Are you okay? Woah, your eye is glowing!

Ghh... Th-this way, Master.

Ah! Where's Ranmaru going?

Come on, Lord Fujimaru, we've got to keep up!

Th-this is it! It's inside this room!

I have no idea how you'd know that, but there's only one way to see if you're right.

Zanzaburo!

Zan!

It looks like this is...some kind of shrine? Or maybe it's set up for some sort of ritual...?

And look! There, on the platform!

It's that box, Master!

Urk!

Th-this feeling...coming from the box...

Ranmaru. I want you to take my head and escape.

...!?

Th-this memory... No... This isn't my memory...

Whoa there. I can't let you guys take that.

You! You're the imposter Sakamoto Ryouma!

Ouch. Rude. But you're wrong about me being an imposter. I really am Sakamoto Ryouma.

Never mind that! Why do you people have this box!?

It contains...

Hmm. I thought I was just imagining it, but it seems I was wrong.

You really are connected to that Servant...Mori Ranmaru.

？！

Master, that box... It contains...

...Lady Nobunaga's head!

Huh!? You mean...THAT Nobunaga!?

Since you've learned that much, I'll just have to kill you all right here.

But how!? How did you people get your hands on that box!?

That belongs to me! A different me!

That's right. This is the Noble Phantasm I stole from Mori Ranmaru during the Holy Grail War...

The head of Oda Nobunaga, Demon King of the Sixth Heaven.

The Holy Grail War...?

So this Mori Ranmaru Servant also fought in that war? And I didn't know about him?

That's right. You probably didn't know about him because he was the first Servant I killed.

But who cares about the particulars?

The important thing is, this head is a Mystic Code with unbelievable power.

You mean the power to create an unlimited number of those strange creatures?

Hm? No, those are more of a bonus. Useful, though.

This Noble Phantasm, Nobunaga's head, was lost in our original timeline. It shouldn't even exist.

And as you all know, Nobunaga's death was a critical turning point in Japan's history.

It marked both of the end of the Warring States period, and a new beginning. It was as clear a historical crossroads as you could get.

And so, by combining this impossible head with a Holy Grail...

...we gain the ability to create as many impossible historical crossroads as we like.

We're able to use it to make Singularity crossroads.

Usually, Heroic Spirits summoned to Holy Grail Wars disappear when the war ends.

Either they fall in battle and disappear, or they vanish once their purpose is fulfilled.

But in this Singularity crossroads, we don't have to worry about vanishing anymore.

That's why me, Takasugi, Takechi's group, and Okuni there are all still around.

Singularity crossroads... The head of Lady Nobunaga held by another Ranmaru...

I was surprised to learn Ranmaru was still taking great care of his lord's head, even after he died.

So much so that he made it into his Noble Phantasm.

...Give it back.

Give it back...now!

Lady Nobunaga's head belongs to the Ranmaru who made it his Noble Phantasm to keep it safe! Now give it back!

I can't do that. This head is a crucial part of our plan.

And on that note, this conversation is over. You're up, my devourer of nations.

Graaaaaah!!!

Zanzaburo! I'll back you up!

Zan!

...You're pretty tough.

It looks like you've grown stronger, Ranmaru. Is that because of this head?

I can tell the Ranmanium coursing through my body is furious!

It's telling me I have to take that head back, no matter what!

Huh? What's that rumbling!?

Looks like our time is up. I'd better get going. I thought I'd be able to finish you all off by now, but oh well.

This is a very important deal, you see, and I really have to be there for it.

This aura...! Is that Lady Oryou's power!?

N-no, it's not. It's...!

He's gone!? Well, that's okay! My right eye can still sense Lady Nobunaga's head!

Let's go after him, Master!

What is that rumbling...?

Hiya, Takechi. Long time no see.

Takasugi... I should have known it was you.

This is quite the surprise. After all that time you spent running away from me...

...you finally decide to show yourself.

Me? Run away? Oh, I'd say it was more playing for time.

Sorry I'm late, Takechi. Things didn't quite go according to plan.

That's fine. More importantly, Takasugi has at last deigned to join us.

We can finally deliver the divine punishment he deserves for monopolizing the Holy Grail for his own selfish purposes, rather than helping us to build the world we all seek.

...Tanaka!

Yes, Takechi-sensei. Allow me...

Get ready, Takasugi. I'm going to pay you back for everything you've put us through and then some.

Kiaaaaaaaaah!!!

Haha! I could never forget that piercing shriek of a voice!

I don't think I stand a chance against you, but luckily for me, they should show up any second here.

You're not getting away from me!

President! So this is where you went!

Oh good. It looks like our actors have taken the stage.

It doesn't matter how many of you there are. We'll dispose of you all just the same.

...Kill them!

HI-YAAAAAAH!!!

Wha... What are you...doing...Tanaka!?

Huh? I... I... What have I...!?

What the...!? Did that man-slayer really just cut down Lord Takechi!?

Ah...!?

AAAAAAAAAAHHH!?!?!?