Section 5: Reunited at Kai

Kouyou Chinbutai...?

That's right. We just got the order straight from the shogunate. From now on, the Shinsengumi will be called the Kouyou Chinbutai.

And we're going to intercept the SatChou forces at Koufu Castle while they make their way along the Nakasendou highway, huh?

The shogunate and Aizu are funding this mission. They're also providing us with cannons, guns, and soldiers.

Damn. Awfully generous of them. I guess Kondou's negotiating paid off.

And if we do a good job with SatChou, they say we can keep Koufu Castle for ourselves.

What, seriously? There's generous and then there's...THAT!

Then again, maybe they're just that desperate...

That's not all. Listen to this. Once we take Koufu Castle, we're going to welcome Lord Yoshinobu there, and he's going to give us command of the whole shogunate army.

Lord Yoshinobu?

Are you shitting me?

Even if you're not, that ain't happening unless we can beat the SatChou guys first, right?

Right. Which is why we need to win, no matter what. It's our last chance.

This isn't going to be another Toba-Fushimi.

Toba-Fushimi...

So, you really think we can stop the SatChou forces all on our own, huh?

Ha! Not bad! If you're gonna gamble anyway...

...then go big or go home!

One more thing. We're leaving Okita in Edo.

Oh... Yeah.

...Guess that's just how it has to be.

...

On another note, Hijikata, I just can't get used to that new getup of yours.

It's not just the outfit. I'm changing up my weapon and my fighting style, too. Those SatChou bastards aren't going any further, not if I have anything to say about it.

I see...

All right! I'll go deal with the soldiers meeting up with Shimada then. Motley crew or not, we oughta make sure they can at least hold their own.

...

...No way is Lord Yoshinobu coming to visit us. No way.

And giving us Koufu Castle if we beat SatChou? Please. This is just a pretense to finally get rid of us.

Even an idiot like Shinpachi can see what's really going on here.

...I bet.

So even knowing all that, you're still taking us into this fight?

It's not like we'll see any action if we stay in Edo. The only use those shogunate cowards have for us is as meat shields.

So even if our odds of winning are slim, we're still gonna bet on the move that gets us back in the action.

...

This isn't over. We're not done yet.

The Shinsengumi will never end as long as Kondou is still around.

There IS no Shinsengumi anymore.

That's why...

...we're the Kouyou Chinbutai now.

Hey there, Master. Everything good with you?

Y-you!

What do you want, Gramps... Wait, is that

Did you just call me "Gramps"!?

No way! It really is you, in all your thickheaded glory!

What the hell kind of lunge was that, Shinpachi? You going soft in your old age?

Don't you call me thickheaded! Anyway, I'd recognize that annoying-as-hell swordplay anywhere. So, it really is you, Saito.

What the hell are you doing here?

Funny, I was about to ask you the same.

...

...

Do those two know each other? They don't seem to like each other very much.

？！

It's good to see you alive, Shinpachi!

You too, Saito!

Last I heard, you were living in Ezo. Man, it's been forever, huh?

Well, since we're Servants, I guess neither of us is really alive anymore, huh?

Got that right.

I sure as shit never expected to run into you again, and here of all places! Hahahaha!

...Never mind. I guess they're friends after all?

So what's a bastard who left his unit high and dry doing here now? A bit too little, too late, isn't it?

Say what, punk? Got a lotta nerve, saying that to my face after you ran to SatChou like a little bitch and started drawing a damn pension.

Looking to die, old-timer?

What, you think YOU can kill me? Your funeral, you smug prick.

You want a piece of me?

Damn right.

Aah!

Where'd that come from!?

My Master requests you both sit down and be quiet. If you don't obey, my next shots won't be warnings.

？！

...Sorry about that, Master. Guess I let my temper get the better of me.

Me too. Apologies.

And hang on. Who's this cutie? No, wait, don't tell me. I can guess.

Met yet another cute girl on your journey, huh? Well, it's your funeral.

I'm not cute...

I'm Hotaru of the Saika. Don't worry, he and I have a contract, Now, who are you?

Saika? As in the Saika Group? Man, Master, you sure get around.

Oh, and I'm Saito Hajime, one of Master's Servants.

Huh? You mean you're contracted to this kid, too?

Uh, yeah you could say that. Hell, I came to this Singularity with him.

But the enemy ambushed us, so I had to run away with my tail between my legs.

So that's why the Imagawa were chasing you back then.

？！

...I'm sorry. They've been captured.

What? You mean you ran off and left your comrades behind so you could save your own skin!?

...I didn't run off. I'm actually here as a messenger for the Imagawa, Master.

A messenger for the Imagawa...?

But I thought you were on our side.

You bastard, you don't mean...

Here's the message: they want to help Chaldea defeat the Northern God of War.

The Imagawa want to help us?

Are you serious? You're saying the enemy wants to work with us now?

That's ridiculous. Takeda just cut ties with them.

What, are you going deaf? I said they want to help Chaldea, not Takeda.

Don't you treat me like an old man!

Why not? If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

Anyway, that's the message they gave me. What happens now is up to you, Master.

Oh come on. Just like that?

...Will do.

？！

Damn. If they've got hostages, I guess we don't got a choice. Still, it's weird...

I can understand where they're coming from. The god of war is a problem for them, too. Still...

Shinpachi, if you're here too, then I've got something else to tell you.

What is it?

...Itou's working with the Imagawa.

What!? Itou!? As in, of the Goryou Eji?

That's right. Itou Kashitarou.

So he's mixed up in this...

And that's not all. Hattori's there, too.

He is, huh... Well, not too much of a shock since Itou's there.

He always did hang on Itou's every word.

All right, Master. I gave you the message I was supposed to, so now I'm going to head back to Imagawa to give them your answer.

And, if I get a chance, to bust the Vice Commander and Okita outta there.

Shinpachi here might be an idiot, but look out for him anyway. If nothing else, he can be a good meat shield.

Stop calling me dumb and just go already!

Bye, Shinpachi.

Later, Saito. Don't come back alive.

He's gone... That bastard better know what he's doing.

...The shinobi are gone, too.

Huh? There were shinobi here?

I thought it was weird when they didn't attack us. Maybe they were just here to keep an eye on that guy.

I see. Looks like you Saika are the real deal.

But what could they all be thinking...?

Ah, dammit, look at the time. We've gotta go after the generals.

Hop on. I'll catch up in no time.

...

What're you doing? I'm pretty sure this race isn't over yet.

Get off.

Okay, I'm off. Now what?

I want you to fight me.

Huh? Where's this coming from? You really want to do this before we face the god of war?

I mean, I don't mind or anything, but do we have to do this right now?

If I beat you up too badly, you won't be any help in battle.

I want to make sure of something before we fight Kenshin.

What's that?

I want to make sure...

...you're not actually Kenshin yourself.

You think I'm Kenshin?

I mean, I do go by Kagetora now, but I'm also obviously Kenshin.

Draw your weapon.

Is this why we went on ahead by ourselves? I swear, if you wanted to fight me, just say

If you won't make the first move, I will.

Okay! You've obviously got something on your mind! But fine! If you want me to beat you down again, I'm happy to oblige!

This'll be good payback for your "welcome" yesterday!

Bullshit. You're going down.

Ahahahaha! Is that so? Let's see how you and your tactics do against overwhelming force!

Have at you!

Wha...? He said yes? Is the Master of Chaldea a moron or something?

Why're you so surprised? This whole thing was your idea.

Well damn. I was only trying to use you to figure out what his next move would be.

Still, he actually agreed to a proposition so obviously shady?

What do you think we should do now, Saito?

Don't ask me. How should I know?

Well, I suppose this is fine. If they really do take down the Northern God of War for us, I couldn't ask for anything more.

She's been a constant thorn in our sides and we've not been able to do anything about her so far.

Okay then... I guess I'd better send them some reinforcements.

Would you mind, Hattori?

You want me to help Chaldea fight the god of war?

I do. Lord Yoshimoto is still immobilized at the moment, and you're the only one who can hold his own against the god of war anyway.

Oh, don't go telling your Master about this, okay, Saito?

Ahh, I don't know what we're going to do until Lord Yoshimoto can move again.

Yeah, yeah, I didn't hear nothing.

All right, I'm pretty beat, so I'm gonna go rest.

Do we really want Saito moving about freely, sir?

It's fine. In fact, let's take this opportunity to show him exactly what it is we're making.

Understood.

Welp, I guess we'd better get to work. Things are about to get pretty busy around here.

But it's worth it. For everything we do, we do for our emperor, Lord Yoshimoto!

...

F-for Lord Yoshimoto!

Thanks for obliging me.

I was a Takeda from the day I was born. And I had the strength to go with it.

Lord Tarou is gifted at both martial arts and strategy. He's practically the second coming of Sun Tzu.

...Is he now?

No other man could compare to me. At the time, I truly believed I was the strongest in the world.

And the truth is, I was.

Oh yes. Lord Tarou is the perfect heir to the Takeda clan.

...Don't you tell me what to do, monk.

But my father didn't want me to carry on in his stead. Why? I think it's just that he didn't like my face.

But Father, it makes no sense for me to inherit the clan instead of my brother! I can't accept this!

Shut up! It's already been decided. Don't breathe a word to Harunobu!

I can't do that, Father! He's the only one fit to lead the clan!

This discussion is over. We'll talk more once I've returned from Suruga.

Father...

There was some conflict over whether my brother or I should be the one to inherit the clan...

...but thanks in part to some clan members who were opposed to my father's methods, I ended up banishing him and taking over the clan.

Things went like that pretty often back then.

Once I'd taken over, I was pretty much unbeatable. I won every battle I fought, and I was beloved by my people.

With most of Kai-Shinano under my control, the Takeda clan grew bigger and stronger than ever.

I thought there was nothing I couldn't do. And the truth is, there wasn't.

...Until I met her.

Nagao Kagetora.

I was right about one thing: no other man could compare to me. But one woman could.

That's right. She completely demolished me.

She beat me in combat, outplayed my strategy, and did it all with a smile.

If that wasn't bad enough, then she said:

I, Nagao Kagetora, fight for justice!

Bullshit! You expect me to believe you fight not to expand your territory, but for justice?

That you build your alliances on principle alone? Ridiculous!

I'm so sick of you coming over from Echigo, at the worst possible time, and doing nothing but fight me before leaving with that smug, satisfied look on your face.

Go away! Get out of here! Don't rally your army on a damn whim!

In the end, I never did manage to surpass her. Not once.

Was I too weak?

No, that can't be it. She's just a freak. That's got to be it.

Honestly, I hope she really is Bishamonten. If I knew I was always losing to a god instead of a human, then I could accep

...Like hell I could!

And now, even though I never wanted to see her again, here she is.

With that same damn smile!

Ghh...

Ahahahahaha! You're still as weak as ever!

...?

No... You're not, are you?

What? Giving up already?

It's not that... Why aren't you using both hands?

Oh, that? Don't worry about it. One arm's all I need to take you.

What's that supposed to mean?

Exactly what I said. I don't need both hands to take you as you are now. That I'm still standing is proof.

...

Now come on. Hit me with your Noble Phantasm.

Do you actually have a death wish?

If you really think you can kill me, you're welcome to try.

Okay then. If you're that eager to see it, I'm happy to oblige.

But don't blame me if you end up dead. I've never been good at pulling my punches.

Bring it.

As Himezuru flies, Sanchoumou plays... As Tanikiri crosses, Gokotai falls back...

As Saiken worships and Shichisei flies by... What Taimatsu lights up is the treasured spear of Biten...

I am the avatar of the Eight-Bladed Guardian, Touhachi Bishamonten!

...

Is that all your Noble Phantasm's got?

What are you talking about now? You've seen my eight flourishes before.

Besides, this is more than enough to kill you.

So, that's everything, huh.

All right, Harunobu, I've drawn my Noble Phantasm. Go on. Put on your Takeda armor.

No need. It's over.

Huh? Over?

I knew it. There's no way you can beat me as you are now.

What are you talking about? I was beating you just a moment ago, remember?

What happened to your swords?

My swords? What, can you not see my Himezuru Ichimonji and Yamatorige right here?

...I see. Never mind then.

Don't you tell me what to mind.

Hmm... Know what, I think I really will kill you now!

Look. Your Master just caught up.

Oh. So that's what you meant.

Fine, fine. If my Master is here, then yes, my hands are tied.

But what was that all about, anyway?

You challenge me to a fight out of nowhere so you can, what, tire me out? Why?

I don't want to hear it. Not from a lady who invades neighboring territories for no good reason whatsoever.

Did you say something?

You heard me. ...Come on, let's go.

The Imagawa said they want to team up?

Not with you, though. They said they want to team up with Chaldeawith Master.

Ahahahahaha! So they finally see that there's no point in forming an alliance with Harunobu. Took them long enough.

What could they be thinking? What could they have to gain by helping us?

It's all a guy named Itou Kashitarou's idea.

Itou's working for the Imagawa now?

You know who he is?

Takeda ninja know their stuff. He's the guy who brought all this knowledge of future stuff to the Imagawa.

It's 'cause of him that Yoshimoto used the Holy Grail's power to make all those paved roads and cars. He's the reason why Kai-Shinano transformed overnight.

He's also why this place is so messed up.

At least we Takeda can use the paved roads and cars.

I see. So that's why you teamed up with the Imagawa.

And you broke your alliance once you'd learned everything you wanted to know from them and no longer needed their support.

But then, I'm not surprised to see you milk something for all its worth and then toss it aside like garbage. Master, why don't we break our alliance now, since we know how it's going to end up?

Oh?

G-good point... We may as well get all the use we can out of them first.

？！

Our deal with them involved an exchange of the rare ores you can only get in Takeda mines.

Rare ores? You mean a gold mine?

No. These Takeda ores contain spirit power. No other province has anything like them.

That's not true. Echigo has its own gold mines. Especially Sado.

Sado? There's a gold mine on that tiny island?

I didn't know about it in my time, but it was eventually discovered.

Man, this whole knowledge of the future thing is really handy.

？！

You all lost that battle in Okehazama earlier because of their knowledge of the future.

The right knowledge can be a powerful asset.

That Itou person is also the one who hired the Saika to fight for the Imagawa. Yoshimoto trusts him enough to leave him in command of his armed forces.

I bet he does. Itou always was a sharp one. I wish you'd told me about this sooner, General.

We used to be part of the same organization.

Oh, right. The Shinsengumi you told me about.

That's right. I'm still surprised to hear he went over to the Imagawa side.

It does sound like he's pretty intelligent. So why would someone like that want to cooperate with Chaldea?

I doubt he does. He probably just wants to keep an eye on you, or strike when you've let your guard down or something.

You'd sure know about all that, wouldn't you?

Either way, we can't count on their help. We're still going to have to defeat the Northern God of WarKenshin, on our own.

She's just up ahead, at a prairie past these woods.

Whenever she's not busy killing people, she always just sits still as a damn statue. Doesn't move a muscle.

If you already know where she is and what she'll be doing, shall we try ambushing her under the cover of night?

Is that what you would do?

No. If we're really going up against me here, ambushing me by night will never work.

I would just walk right up to me and challenge me to a fair fight.

Yeah, I never had any luck with underhanded stuff against you.

So, what are we going to do then?

You heard her. Tricks won't work, so we march right up and challenge her.

Kagetora, the Master of Chaldea, and I will approach from the front. Shinpachi, you take the right. Saika, you bring up the rear.

The rear...

Is that a problem?

No, it's just that I'm actually more proficient at close rangI mean, never mind.

Understood. I'll cover you with all the firepower I've got.

Sounds good to me. I'll take a simple contest of strength any day of the week.

Agreed. Then I'll engage her from her relatively unguarded left.

Great, then

Huh? Who're you!?

Ah, yes. I suppose I can't blame you for not recognizing me.

It's Hattori Takeo, of the Goryou Eji. Good to see you again, Nagakura.

Hattori!? Why do you look like thano, that's not what I should be asking!

What're you doing here!?

Oh? I thought Saito had already covered this.

You mean, you really are here to help us?

Hello again, Master of Chaldea. I've come to help as proof of our alliance.

Huh. Even with Mr. Itou's instructions, I wasn't expecting you to be so accepting.

It seems I've misjudged you. You're much more open-minded than I believed.

Awesome? Me?

I'm, uh, not quite sure what to say to that... But I suppose I'll take it as a compliment.

？！

Can we really count on you?

Of course. Unlike the Shinsengumi, the Goryou Eji always keep their promises. Consider me at your service for this battle.

Fine. Then you can take the left.

Whoa, hang on, General. Are you sure about this?

Better than having him sneaking around behind our backs. If you don't like it, you keep an eye on him.

This may not be my place to say, but if anyone should be watched, it's Nagakura. You can't trust anyone from the Shinsengumi.

What was that?

Well, whatever. If you try anything funny, I'll just cut you down on the spot.

Just to be clear, the Imagawa have only teamed up with the Master of Chaldea.

We aren't throwing our lot in with the Takeda anymore, so don't misunderstand.

You should also know that I eventually intend to pay you back what I owe and then some, Nagakura, so be ready for that.

Fine. I've got my own business to discuss with my comrades. Once we're done, you and I can settle our score.

So, getting back on track...

The plan is for all of us to attack the Northern God of Warthat is, this other me, at once, yes?

Yeah, that's right. We'll make our move at dawn.

Understood. I'll go get in position.

Great, thanks.

I understand as well.

Yes, do please all come at me at once.

...

Correct. I am Bishamonten, and the arbiter of war: Uesugi Kenshin.

？！

Huh...?

And now, Bishamonten shall kill you.