Sixth Cup: Decisive Battle! The Dark Battle of Sekigahara

Where the hell is Kobayakawa!?

He still hasn't left Mt. Matsuo yet, sir. We've been setting numerous signal fires urging him to join the battle, but to no avail.

Dammit, Hideaki... Don't think you're still getting the position of Kanpaku when this is over! What about Lord Mouri Hidemoto!?

He's facing down Tokugawa at Mt. Nangu. As for Lord Kikkawa, he said he'll ride out once he has had lunch...

Lunch!? Does he not realize the battle's already begun!? Tell him to get out here, now!

And send the fastest messenger we've got to Shimazu, too! On the double!

Yes, sir!

Damn opportunistic bastards! Don't they realize the fate of the Toyotomi clan is riding on this battle!?

Sir! Lord Kobayakawa is on his way!

Well, it's about time. Now we'll finally have a fighting chance at

No sir, he's attacking Lord Otani's army! He's turned traitor!

He...what!?

Kutsuki Mototsuna, Akaza Naoyasu, Wakisaka Yasuharu, and Ogawa Suketada have betrayed us as well! They're all fighting our forces as we speak!

Why!? Have they all forgotten the debt they owe His Imperial Majesty!?

Does this mean that even while they were receiving His Imperial Majesty's favors and swearing their loyalty...

...they were laughing at me behind my back!?

Those bastards... Those lying, two-faced, backstabbing bastards!

Wait, I know. Lord Hideyori! We'll have Lord Hideyori ride out here! Send a messenger to him at once! Hurry!

Er... Right now, sir?

Silence! As long as we have Lord Hideyori aiding us, the size of Ieyasu's army means nothing!

And with Lord Taikou's glory shining down upon us, victory will be ours!

Don't worry, Your Imperial Majesty! I, your faithful Mitsunari, shall protect the legacy of the Toyotomi to the end!

Haha...

Hahahahahaha!!!

Welp, we've pretty much won already.

The real battle is fought before the war even begins. Remember that.

Why not? The more we tempt it, the less it can do to us, right?

？！

So what's the plan to actually win this?

I'll keep the center of the enemy's forces pinned down. Taking on huge swaths of enemies solo is kind of my specialty.

Alter, you take care of the enemy's left flank: Kukochihiko's forces.

You've got an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm too, so you should be good at fighting lots of enemies at once.

Uh, let's see. The enemy's left is our right.. I hold my chopsticks in my right hand, so...

Got it. Shusha, you stay with Master and be good.

Okay! Good luck!

Hm? What's in that sack on your back, Shusha?

Box lunches! We're gonna eat them together later!

Must be nice to be young and carefree. We haven't won yet, kid.

I believe in you, Nobbu.

Didn't I tell you not to call me Nobbu!?

Anyway, moving on. Okita, Iyo, and Fujimaru, you three deal with the enemy's right flank.

Understood. Okita, I'm sure we'll

Huh? Where's Okita?

She said her stomach was bothering her, and that she would come join us after she's rested up a little.

Theeere's that weakling Servant I know and tolerate. Wait! Are you shitting me!? Get her out here, now!

We can't lose a battle 'cause one of our fighters got a damn stomachache! ...What's that? Takechiyo's heir was late to the battle that decided the fate of Japan?

And all 'cause of some backwater punk named Sanada? Freakin' loool!

What about me? What would you like me to do?

Oh? You're willing to help us?

Well, not for free, obviously. But yes.

Yeah, that tracks. All right, let me have your Tea Nobbus then.

They oughta make for decent soldiers, especially with me calling the shots.

As you wish.

Then I'll prepare some extra special tea to celebrate your victory.

All right... Now we just gotta get the fireworks started.

Tea Nooobbu! Lady Rikyu, urgent message, Nobu!

What? What's all the commotion? Wait. These things can talk!?

I-is that normal?

I think you mean "Mini Nobu."

？！

Oh, yes. While I was teaching them the ways of tea, I found a few particularly intelligent ones.

So I taught them how to speak so they could be more helpful with my business.

That so, Nobu? Too bad you couldn't do anything about them ending all their sentences with "Nobu," Nobu.

So what's the message, anyway?

The Okita unit handling the left flank just started fighting, Nobu! The battle's already begun, Nobu!

What!? You mean she stole a march on us!? That idiot! What was she thinking, going off on her own!?

Hm? The enemy's making a move, too. What do we do, Demon Whatsit?

There's no stopping a battle once it's started. We'll just have to keep our momentum going.

Everyone, to arms!

Yeah, let's go!

What's a war horn?

？！

Good luck, everyone.

So, it's begun. All right, Chaldea, let's see what you're made of.

Graaaaaah!

Iyo Kiiick!

Yaaaaaah!?

Okita! Okita, where are you!? Nobunaga said she's going to have your head for stealing a march on us!

What do you mean?

Yeah. What would Okita do without hers?

？！

Either way, we need to hurry and rendezvous with her, hopefully before Yamanami's big turn.

...

Oh, speak of the devil! At this point, we might as well just meet up with him and

Ha!

Huh!? What are you doing, Yamanami!?

...

It looks like Okita's not here. Good.

Everyone, charge! Now's our chance to take the Master of Chaldea prisoner!

There's something weird about your sword. I can't tell if it's hiding its true power, or if its true power has left it.

As I thought. You are indeed Chaldea's most dangerous fighter.

No, I'm not. Everyone's always saying how dangerous the Demon Whosit Servant is.

That's not what I meant.

Fine. It doesn't matter; I'm still going to defeat you.

You're welcome to try!

Wahahahaha! Behold the Demon King's Three Line Formation!

Still, this is kinda rough! I think I've fired around ninety shots already!

Hey, what's Yamanami doing with the left flank!? Has he come over to our side yet?

Not yet, Nobu!

Dammit, what's that weakling samurai doing!? You'd think he doesn't know the first thing about taking advantage of an opportunity in battle!

This right here's the whole problem with a club of people who only know how to man-slay!

Fine, then let's keep up the pressure! Hit their formation with guns, cannons, whatever we've got!

Incoming message, Nobu! The enemy army is making a move on the left flank, Nobu!

Oho! It's about damn time! All right, let's hit the center hard! We're gonna turn the tide of this whole battle all at once!

The Yamanami unit's almost wiped out our left flank, Nobu!

Huh? Why? I thought he was our inside man.

The whole army's collapsing from the left, Nobu! The front's falling apart, Nobu!

...

...All right, I'm running for it!

The general's abandoning the battlefront, Nobu! Death to the traitor, Nobu! Behead her, Nobu! It's an uprising, Nobu!

Only a moron would stick around on a battlefield just to die. Now c'mon, bring up the rear!

Do a good job, and I'll give you Nagahama Castle!

I'm afraid I can't let you do that.

Hmph. Figured I'd see you. Have you been pulling the strings?

No. Things simply worked out this way.

Besides, you've been aware I was helping both sides, have you not?

This is why I hate merchants.

You provided Mitsuhide with those guns at Honnoji too, right?

Of course. Just as I did for Lord Kanpaku. A merchant profits regardless of which side wins.

Lord Kanpaku simply happened to come out on top that time.

Hmph. So why're you just waltzing in here? You trying to get on my bad side?

Oh no, nothing like that, Lady Nobunaga. I'm just here to add you to my list of merchandise.

Oh, really now? Well, if you think you can, go ahead and try.

Don't mind if I do.

Wha...!? This is nuts... How is your Spirit Origin even doing this!?

All right, it's time for you to sink into the murky black for a while.

Wait. This stuff is...!? You bastard!

Farewell for now, Oda Nobunaga...Demon King of the Sixth Heaven.

Something-Something Awesome Beam!!!

Yaaaaaargh!

This is crazy. Your silly choice in technique names aside, it's obvious no mere foot soldier stands a chance against you.

Majin fight battles like this all the time.

So it would seem. But there's more to fighting than simply swinging a sword.

Sorry I took so long.

Oh, you're normal me's old colleague. Are you here to help? Oh, that was a secret, wasn't it?

You're late. This one damn Servant alone nearly ground me down.

Well, no more. Or can you still fight after seeing this?

...

Iyo... Master!?

？！

As you can see, we have the Master of Chaldea in our custody. If you value his life, I suggest you lower your sword.

...So that's how it is.

Continue to resist, and I cannot guarantee your Master's safety.

...

？！

I'm sorry, Master, but I can't do that.

Hrn!

Master...

What are you doing!? She'd already lowered her sword!

Don't be ridiculous. She's the most dangerous of them.

She could annihilate all of us on her own if she wanted to. Look. Even a blow from the sword of beasts hasn't destroyed her.

At any rate, Lord Ishida wants all of them brought in. Those are our orders.

Hmph. Go ahead, then. Do with them what you will.

...

Well, Lady Nobunaga, how does losing a battle you entered with such spectacular confidence feel?

A true general knows better than to gloat.

Anyway, why go to all the trouble of lining us all up here rather than just having our heads off and being done with it? Just amusing yourself here or something?

You never shut up, do you? I can only imagine how His Imperial Majesty must have felt working under you.

Oh, yes. Is there anything you'd like to say to the traitor, Master of Chaldea?

Come here, Yamanami Keisuke.

...

？！

Nothing to say for yourself, Yamanami? Well, I can't blame you.

This is the second time you've pretended to be on their side only to betray them.

At this point, it's no shock you lack the spine to face them.

Now that you've captured us, what are you going to do?

Nothing. I captured you for a reason.

Oh?

You're bait.

The bait I need to ensure New Yamataikoku's glory and prosperity for the next thousand years.

What are you talking about?

Take them to the dungeon. Oh, and make sure to give them enough tea to keep them alive.

Yes, sir! Get moving, all of you!

You'd better pray you don't regret not killing us when you had the chance, Mitsunari.

Why, I'd like nothing more, Lady Oda NobunagaDemon King of the Sixth Heaven.

Hahahaha!

Haaahahahahaha!

Are we finally going to get our comms back online?

Yup. Da Vinci should be finishing up her adjustments and reopening the line pretty soon now.

We just need to be patient for a little longer.

Well, that's a relief. Chacha was a little worried once we lost contact.

Maybe this means they've already resolved the Singularity!

Wahahahaha, I hope not! Then I won't get a chance to gain some glory myself!

If I didn't get a chance to wield my spear, this would all be pretty boring.

By the way, what happened to the Tosa gang? They weren't here when we were drawing lots.

It turned out that Izo still hadn't paid Miss Crane back for that Spiritron Dress...

...and he was running around trying to avoid being caught after he found out how much he owed in interest.

Then Sakamoto and Oryou bought out his debts, captured him, and put him to work.

It sounded like they won't be back until he's paid all that off...

The hell are those people doing...?

Never mind them! I was told we'd received a message from Sister! Now hurry up and open the line already!

Yes, yes, I'm working on it. Just give me a moment.

Hmm? That's weird. Oh well, it's probably fine. Okay, here goes!

Good day, people of Chaldea.

I am Sen-no-Rikyu, a merchant from Sakai.

Huh? A merchant from Sakai? Who is this person?

The hell? Don't give me that crap. There's no way Rikyu-Koji could be a little girl.

Well now, if it isn't Lord Nagayoshi. How good to see you again.

Tell me, how is that Sawahime tea jar doing? The one I helped you borrowed money from His Imperial Majesty to purchase?

Huh? If you know about that, then you really must be Rikyu-Koji.

But then, why're you a lady now? Is this another tea wabi-sabi thing?

Don't be ridiculous! Who becomes a woman just out of wabi-sabi!?

I'm glad to see you doing well too, Lady Chacha.

Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt, but would you mind putting Fujimaru on?

Yes, of course. That's actually why I'm calling. It's an urgent matter, so I'll let someone more familiar with it fill you in.

Hello, everyone. Long time no see.

Huh? You're...!

Yamanami! What are you doing there? Actually, how the hell are you alive!?

Saito? I almost didn't recognize you without your haori.

Haori?

Well, you know, this outfit just seems to fit better as a Servant, so.

...

I'll explain more later. Right now, what you need to know is that your Master is in danger.

What happened to him?

He's been captured by Ishida Mitsunari, Jibu-no-Shou of this Singularity, New Yamataikoku.

N-New Yamataikoku?

Did you say Jibu-no-Shou Ishida?

What's going on!?

Ishida Mitsunari has founded New Yamataikoku here in this Singularity, and is trying to use it to create a new Toyotomi era.

Your Master and his Servants were taken prisoner while battling his forces.

What!? What happened, exactly!?

Director! I didn't know you were here!

I was just taking a nap after lunch when I heard our Master had been captured! How did this happen!?

So how did you end up there, Yamanami?

I'm not sure why myself, but I guess something kept me from passing on. Then I ran into your Master's group here, and I've been helping them since.

Anyway, can you get some reinforcements out here to rescue them, and quickly?

We'll send you the exact coordinates.

Leave that to me.

Okay, I understand the situation. Can I just double-check some things first?

All right, but please be quick. There's no time to lose.

According to my analysis, there're some nasty particles flying all around that Singularity's atmosphere. Is that true?

So you already know that much. Just as I would expect from Chaldea.

Yes, that's right. There is something mysterious in the air all throughout this Singularity. It's capable of halting even most Servants in their tracks.

Fortunately, my tea can counteract its effects.

You do make some good tea, that's for damn sure.

Is that really what matters right now?

Anyway, that's what Jibu-no-Shou's up to, huh? I never did like that guy.

So Mitsunari's taking matters into his own hands again!? I see Sekigahara taught him nothing!

Hold on, I have a question too. What's this about a "New" Yamataikoku?

Oh my, if it isn't Lady Iyo's predecessor, Lady Himiko.

Iyo? Is Iyo there, too?

She is, yes. Presently, she's being held along with the Master of Chaldea.

Please hurry. Jibu-no-Shou Ishida is already making preparations to welcome a new Toyotomi ruler.

Toyotomi ruler? You don't mean

I do. Lord Kanpaku's son, and the rightful heir to the Toyotomi legacy...

...Lord Hideyori.

Wh-what? What did you say, Rikyu?

Did I hear you say "Hideyori"!?

Forgive me, it seems we've transmitted as much as we can.

I'll send you the coordinates now, before we lose connection. Please hurry, Chaldeans.

Wait! Rikyu! What was that about Hideyori!?

P-please calm down, Chacha!

Silence! If Hideyori is alive, I must go after him!

All of you! Hurry up and get ready to Rayshift! Now!

Whoa, whoa, hold your horses.

Right now, we have to focus on rescuing Fujimaru and

Just shut up and do what I say, or my wrath will be swift and merciless!

Hoo boy. This ain't looking good, huh, Vice Commander?

Yeah. She's tough to handle when she gets like this.

Sorry, Lady Chacha, but I need to kill you for a little bit.

Ghh! Nagayoshi... Curse you...!

What are you doing, Mori!?

Sorry 'bout that. It's just that when Lady Chacha gets like this, the only way to stop her is to kill her a little.

It's okay. I'll apologize to Master myself.

...Nnn.

Oh hey, she's still alive. That's lucky. No wonder His Imperial Majesty chose her.

Anyway, don't worry about her. I'll keep her in check myself. If she actually dies, I'll commit seppuku to make up for it.

Well, that was...something.

It's a good thing Mori stepped in when he did. Her very Spirit Origin was on the verge of changing.

There's no telling what may have happened if he hadn't intervened.

Let's worry about Chacha later. Right now, we need to help Fujimaru.

Vice Commander. Yamanami said "haori"...

Yeah... That bastard.

So what do we do now?

With Fujimaru gone, who's going to give us Servants orders?

Wh-what should we do, Director?

Great question!