Ninth Cup: THE Great Tea Ceremony Battle

Thank you for everything, Mother.

Oh, Koma. I'm so sorry.

I still can't quite believe we have to send our young daughter off to Kyo.

I know this is common in these turbulent times, but still, it just feels wrong.

I hope you can forgive your father and I for being unable to refuse Lord Kanpaku Hidetsugu's request.

Please cheer up, Mother. It's all right.

Becoming Lord Kanpaku Hidetsugu's concubine is one of the greatest honors I could hope for.

Besides, they say that Kyo is as beautiful as Sukhavati, the Land of Bliss.

I've been so excited about this I could hardly sleep. I mean it. I'm so happy to be going.

I see... Well, it won't be all fun and games, you know? There will be hardships as well.

But I do hope you can endure them, for the sake of the Mogami clan.

I told you, it's all right, Mother. You don't need to worry about me. I'm going to have the time of my life!

I do hope so... Take care, Koma.

I will! Well then, I'll be on my way!

...

...Goodbye, Mother. Goodbye, my beloved hometown.

Hello again, Lady Nobunaga, Master of Chaldea. Just the two of you this time?

Wahahaha! It's just a tea-maker and an overgrown fur ball of a god. Nothing I can't handle on my own!

Whatever you're up to, it won't work. Go on. Take a look.

The Ancestral Beast has already clawed its way back from the bowels of eternal darkness. It is spilling its black blood and covering this world with darkness as we speak.

Hey, you never know unless you try, right?

Please, by all means, try.

My, my, aren't we confident? Well, don't come crying to me if things don't go how you're hoping.

Fujimaru, I'm gonna go full blast right from the start. Hit me with a Command Spell, and try not to get burned up yourself.

？！

Good boy. All right, here goes!

Return the gods, Buddha, and the three realms to dust

Pāpīyas Reborn! Demon King of the Myriad Heavens!!!

This is

Small wonder they feared you as the enemy of the Buddha, Lady Nobunaga. You really ARE the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven.

Wahahahahaha! There's no Mystic out there that won't bow down, powerless, before me!

I can see that. No ordinary Mystics could stand a chance against you.

However, that only applies to Mystics that have been discovered and discussed by people.

Your reign may have used the light of a new age to dispel old superstitions and outdated beliefs...

...but it has never shone a light on pure darkness that merely exists, and that no human has ever worshiped.

What's more, the Ancestral Beast's black blood bubbles forth from the pit of eternal darkness without end.

Whereas your flame-wreathed body is clearly already on the verge of falling apart.

I wonder how long that Noble Phantasm of yours will last, seeing as it uses your very life force as kindling.

Wahahahaha! True, this is pretty rough! Especially against a completely OP enemy with infinite HP recovery!

Good thing this is only the opening act!

Oh? So what are you going to try next?

That's it? Any halfway decent evil mastermind knows you're supposed to act shocked at these kinds of revelations.

Aren't tea masters like you supposed to be more considerate of your guests?

Oh, goodness. You're right. How careless of me.

I was so taken with your magnificent blazing figure that I simply wasn't thinking straight.

Right? I wish Mitsuhide could have seen me literally on fire like this. And I bet Monkey would've really loved it!

All right, Iyo, you're up!

The best I can do is stall this thing, so don't waste any time!

Understood! Here I go!

I have no idea what it is you're trying to do, but I won't just be sitting back and letting you do it.

Not so fast, Lady Rikyu. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to step aside.

My, my, it would seem the gang's all here. Not going to betray everyone this time, Lord Yamanami?

Say whatever you like. It doesn't matter.

I'm done running away!

I am Yamanami Keisuke, General Commander of the Shinsengumi, and I'm coming through whether you like it or not!

That goes for Okita Souji, Captain of the Shinsengumi's First Unit, too!

Saito Hajime, Captain of the Shinsengumi's Third Unit, likewise!

There's more of you!?

I must say, it seems a bit unsporting for three trained swordfighters to gang up on a lone tea-maker.

Sorry, but fighting three on one is something of a specialty of ours.

Go on, queen! Now's your chance!

Thank you!

If you think holding me back will be enough to change anything, you're wrong.

And putting your hopes in Lady Iyo? She's a cursed child. That she was known as the shrine maiden of ruin is no accident.

Her very presence leads those around her to destruction. That is the essence of her being. She cannot escape it.

Yes, I know. I'm the shrine maiden of ruin. Just being around me is enough to make people unhappy.

You are the shrine maiden of ruin. By merely existing, the power of eternal darkness within you brings curses, illness, and destruction upon those around you.

That goes for your parents, your family...and even Kunakoku itself.

But Lady Himiko knew that, and she told me...

Don't be silly. Good power, bad power, it's all in how you use it.

So now, I'm going to use my power for good!

Everlasting night covers the primary heavens... A beast in the progenitor. Let the stars fall, let the heavens sink...

Twilit Jewel of the Moon!

So this is your grand plan? To be swallowed whole?

Or are you simply trying a desperate attack, even if it costs you your life?

Either way, all you've accomplished is saving us time by offering yourself up as a sacrifice.

That's right. I'm the shrine maiden of ruin, a child of the inverted moon who harbors the power of eternal darkness!

I can call upon shining dark light that destroys anything it touches, even an ancestral beast god!

What!? You mean to destroy the Ancestral Beast by destroying yourself!?

Wahahaha! Looks like you didn't see that coming, Rikyu!

Just goes to show that even ostracized angels of death have their uses! Look! The big fur ball's Divinity is dropping like a stone!

This is ridiculous! No more! I'm ending this now!

How many times do I have to say it? It'll take more than a mere tea-maker to break through the Shinsengumi's certain death formation.

Maybe so, but it still sucks that we can only hold her back, even with all three of us ganging up on her.

If you've got time to grumble, then you've got time to keep your sword moving!

You two have no idea how hard it is for a regular old nongenius swordfighter to keep up, do you!?

Go, Sannan! You look awesome! Good luck, Shinsengumi!

Can't say I've ever had a cheering section on a job before. I mean, who'd bring a woman to a duel to the death?

I have to say, it's really nice hearing a lady's voice cheering me on. I feel like there's nothing I can't do now!

All right! Sannan's gonna give this everything he's got!

Wow, you've really changed, Yamanami.

Have I? Maybe so.

I never thought I'd see the day a man like me could wield his sword with such a clear heart!

I swear, you look like the weight of the world's just been lifted off your shoulders.

Whup. Sorry, not letting you get any easy shots in today.

You people just can't stand still, can you? How irritating. Still, valiant as Lady Iyo's desperate attempt may be, it's still all for nothing.

The pit of eternal darkness is bottomless, as is the black blood welling up from it.

Lady Iyo's power may have lowered the beast's Divinity for now, but in time, it will swallow even that, and we'll be right back where we started.

The truth is, I don't need to do anything to stop you. The more time passes, the more certain my victory is.

Yeah, yeah, we already know you're using an infinite regen cheat. But the thing is, we're still just getting started.

Let's see if you can keep smirking after you get a load of what we've got in store next.

Oh? Fascinating. By all means, show me your next fruitless endeavor.

Fujimaru! Second Command Spell, go!

？！

You got it!

In the name of my wielder, I, Rengoku, shall act on behalf of the Counter Force!

Vastness, freedom, and boundlessness...

Stack all three rays to create endlessness!

What in the world were you aiming for? All that bravado and you've only managed to dig a hole.

You didn't even touch me or the Ancestral Beast.

No, that was perfect. I may be even better at using this body than Wielder.

Er, no. Just kidding. Don't tell her I said that.

All right, now we're finally ready!

Hope you're ready for Chaldea's once-in-a-lifetime tea party, Rikyu!

Th-this is why you dug that hole in the ground?

The color... The aroma... I-is that...matcha!?

Thanks for waiting, Rikyu. I, Jibu-no-Shou Ishida, am finally ready to present you with tea like you've never seen before.

Go on! Have a drink!

Now, Iyo!

I'm sorry, but it's time for you to go back to the Age of Gods!

Second Queen Iyo's Ultimate Kiiick!!!

Darkness... I must cover this world in darkness!!!

Sorry, Rikyu... But you're going into the pit with the Ancestral Beast.

It's over.

Little Okita! Get Chacha over there! Wait. Something's different about you!

You only just noticed!? Anyway, I know! Here goes!

Chacha!

Did she really just jump into the pit of eternal darkness!?

？！

Oh, no, you don't!

I'm not about to lose you again! Lady Chacha! Lord Tsurumatsu! Please, take my hand!

Mr. Ishida, your hand!

Aaaaaah!

I'll help you, Mitsunari!

Come on, Future! Let's get in there, too!

Yaaaaaah!!!

...

...Mo...ther?

...Yes, Sute. I'm here.

Mother is...right here...

Farewell, dregs of a dark age... Farewell, unspeaking god.

The human world no longer has need of your power.

Phew! Looks like it's finally over.

So it would seem.

Thank goodness. I really have to ask: How do you keep getting caught up in all these crazy incidents, Wielder's Master?

...

Kukochihiko... You're...

It seems the time has finally come for me to return to the light.

Thank you so much. For everything.

I'm still not always sure what's right or wrong, but I do know you really were Kunakoku's heroic sword of beasts.

Shrine maiden of ruin. Himiko.

Though this was a battle for our lives, I only fought by your sides here as a fellow survivor of the Age of Beasts.

Now, I want you two to surpass beasts and begin the Age of Humans.

We will. I promise we'll keep a close eye on them.

You know, there's still one thing I've been wondering about. How did you come back in the first place, Kukochihiko?

I didn't. I only borrowed this body briefly. Except for my head, of course.

You...borrowed it?

A certain someone we both know kicked me up here. He said his body was too heavy to bring all the way to hell, so he foisted it on me.

I swear, I've never met a more arrogant man.

I see. Serizawa did that, huh...

Kukochihiko...

I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you, Mitsunari.

Before I go, at least let me apologize for dragging you into this and using you for my own ends.

What are you talking about? I'm the one who used you. You're ultimately no more than

No...you were a far better friend than I deserved.

I see... Well, this means I'll never have another cup of that disgusting tea. Never again.

...Farewell, Mitsunari. My friend from a far-off time.

...Hmph. I'll have you know the worse tea tastes, the better it is for you.

Looks like you had two things that were too good for you, Mitsunari. The sword of beasts, and Kukochihiko...

Sannan...it looks like I have to get going too.

I'm sorry you got put through all of this because of me, Akesato.

Please, don't be. Rikyu's tea was delicious, and I think I had even more fun here than when I was alive!

Oh, wait! I almost forgot!

...

What is it?

Mr. Yamanami... Thank you for coming in today.

I am truly delighted to see you.

That's...

Hmm...nope. Still no good. I really hoped to get better at the Kyoto dialect before you visited again...

...but I just wasn't smart enough to do it. I'm sorry.

Akesato...

Please, don't be. I'm the one who should be apologizing for taking so long to come back.

Not at all. I really was happy to see you!

Well, I'd better get going. Goodbye, Sannan.

...I see. So you were the one who called me here.

Goodbye...Akesato.

...

It's not too late to go with her if you want, you know.

No... I've already decided: I'm done running.

Welp, it's only a matter of time 'till this place falls apart, so how 'bout we get outta here before that happens?

Besides, I'm tired of drinking nothing but tea all the time. I'm overdue for some fizzy soda!

Nobbu, could you please just shut up for a second.

Mother... I have to go now, too.

...I see. I wish I could go with you, but I know I can't.

I'll be okay! I'm your AND father's son, after all! I can go by myself no problem!

...By yourself, hm? I see.

...Sute. No... Tsurumatsu.

Please...take care.

I will, Mother. Until we meet again.

Goodby

Oh, no, you don't!

You're not going anywheeere!!!

That's right: tea. Rikyu's tea counteracts that black blood.

So if we pour a ton of it into that big hole...

...I think we should be able to stop the Ancestral Beast in its tracks.

Whoa, whoa, you can't be serious. You saw how big that hole was, right?

You'd need enough tea to fill a small lake.

No, I think this could work. Do you remember His Imperial Majesty's siege on Takamatsu Castle?

As if I'd ever forget. I was on my way to see it when I got Honnojied.

Takamatsu Castle... Do you mean how Taikou Hideyoshi diverted a nearby river to flood it?

Exactly. If we can somehow dig a canal towards that hole, we should be able to flood it with tea.

But then we'd need a Noble Phantasm that can carve out a canal in an instant.

Aaand look who just showed up. Perfect timing, Alterman.

Enough with the "Alterman" already. Anyway, yes, I should be able to do something like that, even without my wielder.

But only with a major boost to my magical energy.

Fujimaru and his Command Spells should be able to manage that.

The real question is, can you actually make that much tea, Mitsunari?

I'm afraid you'll just have to trust me when I say I can.

I've been overseeing the cultivation of all the tea distributed throughout New Yamataikoku, at Rikyu's behest.

The whole reason I was able to undercut your tea shop back then is because we had an enormous supply of it.

Yeah, that sounds right up your alley.

I never planned to use it for something like this, but if I can have all the tea in every region brought here posthaste...

...then I should be able to arrange for the amount you would need.

That's great and all, but we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place if it wasn't for you.

Come on, Saito, you don't have to bring that up now.

No, he's right.

Even if I did do all this to bring about a new Toyotomi reign, I still forgot myself...

No. I've been doing everything I could to avoid facing my own role in the Toyotomi's downfall.

Once this battle is over, I will accept whatever punishment you decide is fitting.

Hmm. What will you do, Master?

I thought you might.

And there's that baseless optimism again.

？！

Don't worry. His Imperial Majesty always said...

...Sakichi always did whatever he was asked to perfectly.

Lady Chacha. You're awake.

We've always put so much on your shoulders, Sakichi. We did it then, and we're doing it again now.

I'm truly sorry for what happened at Sekigahara.

No, Lady Chacha! You have nothing to apologize for!

I'm the one who sealed the Toyotomi clan's fate by picking a fight with Lord Ieyasu I should have known I couldn't win.

I was always so ashamed of what happened that I could never bear the thought of seeing His Imperial Majesty and Lord Hideyori in the next life...

His Imperial Majesty would never hold a grudge over something like that. Do you know what else he always said?

That he was proud to call you his son.

Lady...Chacha...

You were Toyotomi Hideyoshi's right-hand man for a reason. Your skills always rivaled those of Guan Zhong and Yan Ying.

So once you make a promise, I have absolute faith that you will keep it.

Well, now that you've heard all that, there's no way you're gonna refuse now, right?

Right. I'll take care of it.

On my honor as Jibu-no-Shou Ishida, I WILL get you as much tea as you need for this plan.

I got very good at arranging all sorts of things for Lord Taikou's wars. Now, I'll put those skills to good use.

Heeheeheehee. Looks like all that care and attention you put into your tea is about to backfire on you, Rikyu.

Prepare to be hoisted by your own petard... Or strained by your own teapot, in this case.

Okay, that just leaves Iyo...

...

Future...

Yes, it is. So please watch your step.

？！

...

I was just thinking about Kukochihiko.

...

He definitely wasn't very nice...

...but he was always doing the best he could for his homeland.

Kunakoku was never the richest country...

...so we often had to steal from neighboring ones just to make sure everyone could eat.

Not to say that makes it right, of course.

...That's why it ended up getting destroyed.

...

And then, he came back. And he wanted me to make amends, since I'm the shrine maiden of ruin.

What do you mean?

Really? Like what?

？！

This feeling... It's Lady Himiko! Future, Lady Himiko is contacting me!

...

Lady Himiko...

Yes. I can hear it too...

I can hear Kukochihiko's voice...

...

Future...!

？！

Okay! Hang in there, Lady Himiko! You too, Shusha!

I can scarcely believe what I'm seeing. This is beyond ridiculous.

Are you actually trying to fill the pit of eternal darkness...with matcha?

What a joke!

What kind of pathetic excuse for a tea ceremony is this!?

I'm surprised to hear you say that, Rikyu. Weren't you the one always saying that flexibility is the heart of a proper tea ceremony?

Hahahahaha! Maybe you're not the great tea master you claimed to be after all!

Silence, Ishida! It's all your fault I failed to spread darkness across the world!

It's your fault I got tossed into that dumping ground like so much trash!

I will never forget what you did! Now you will know my wrath!

Ancestral Beast! Devour that man with the vexatious face now! Don't leave so much as a single drop of blood!

...!?

What!?

It's all right to get carried away now and then, Mitsunari. But try to wait until after you've won.

Not to say I actually dislike that about you.

Kukochihiko!?

Iyo. Shrine maiden of ruin. You have used your power well.

That's nice of you and all, but I still haven't forgotten about all that stinky meat you used to feed me.

Now, now. This isn't the time to argue. Let's all just enjoy some yummy rice and make up.

Silence, Himiko. I'm not here to help you.

I'm here to help Jibu-no-Shou Ishida Mitsunari, even if he is a damn stubborn mule.

Kukochihiko... Why would you want to help someone like me?

Difficult to say.

Does one need a reason to help a friend?

Friend? You think of me as your...friend?

How!? How did you escape my darkness!?

Rikyu, it is time I repaid my debt to you.

Kuna's legendary sword of beasts. Shrine maiden of ruin. Queen of light.

Our Noble Phantasms are the culmination of our ancient people's wisdom and accomplishments. Now feel their might!

Sword of beasts! Show us the power you held on that day, when humans and beasts joined hands as one!

Iyo, I'm going to go all out! Follow my lead, okay!?

Guides of the stars who rule the sun, the moon, and the heavens... Banish darkness from the world, and restore light to its true splendor!

Eternal Mirrors of the Stars!

Follow YOUR lead? Let's just see if you can keep up with mine!

Light that crawls across the earth, while darkness covers the heavens. Sink them all to the abyss where time cannot reach.

Twilit Jewel of the Moon!

Oh, no, you don't! I still have untold wrath! Untold darkness! Untold retribution to enact!

I will not stop until the strong of the world, like you, have been dragged down into a darkness teeming with the cries of the weak!

No one can stop me now! No one!!!

Fujimaru! Don't miss this chance!

Now's the time to hit her with everything we've got and finish this!

？！

Leave it to me! I'll fight hard enough for both me and my wielder!

Okita! Saito! Shinsengumi, advance!

First Unit, moving in!

Third Unit, likewise!

Do iiiiiit!!!