Section 8: Highway Emperor Yoshimoto

Oh man, I didn't realize I'd drank quite so much.

Still, at least Commander Kondou understands where we're coming from now...

That ought to get Hijikata's faction to settle down a little now.

...

Ooor not.

Itou... It's time for you to die.

Aww, do I have to?

Ghh!

You're here on Hijikata's orders, right?

Hmm. Who else was left besides Oishi again?

Oh well, who cares? I'll just take you all down and use you as bargaining chips in the next round of negotiations.

Hraaaaaah!

Ghh!

What was Hijikata thinking? Did he really think this was enough people to take me down?

This is exactly the problem with you Shinsengumi. You have no vision.

Die, Itou!

I told you, you didn't bring enough people to take me

...

Huh? Aren't you

(Gurk!) ...Now, Mr. Oishi.

Hya!

I can't believe they'd send someone at death's door after me.

Those stubborn, dim-witted fools with their empty, heartless blades... You just can't reason with idiots...

Really, what can you do about people who worship outright villains...?

That's going to be yourthe Shinsengumi's downfall one day...

How can you not see that!?

...

...

I feel bad for...Commander Kondou...

Hi there. I'm Itou Kashitarou. Nice to meet you.

Mr. Itou here decided to join the Shinsengumi after Toudou's introduction.

...He'll be serving as an advisor.

Wow, he seems really smart.

He is. I heard he even outargued Yamanami.

That's enough, Saito.

Hahaha, it's okay Nagakura.

Mr. Itou is far more knowledgeable about worldly affairs than I am. I'm sure he'll be a great help to us.

Well, even the higher-ups in Kyo know about us now, thanks to the recent Ikedaya incident.

We're on a roll, Hijikata. I bet Kondou's real happy with this, too.

Refer to me as "Vice Commander." And you will address Kondou as "Commander."

What was that?

Now, now. Please, let's leave it at that for today, as a favor to me.

We're here because we're all concerned about the future of our country. So let's work together to build the strongest country we can.

Sounds good to me! Good to have you with us, Mr. Itou!

...

All right. You guys... (Cough, hack...)

Take care...of the rest...

Yes, ma'am. We'll leave Itou's body where we agreed.

Goryoukaku...?

Isn't that

Isn't that the place in Ezo where the Vice Commander

That's right. This is the last bastionor perhaps I should say, mausoleumof the samurai age. But we didn't bring it here all the way from Hakodate.

This is a brand-new Goryoukaku of my own design. In fact, I daresay it is worthy of being called "Super Goryoukaku."

Really? Wow, that's lame.

I see you are as hopeless as ever in matters of style, Okita.

Why are you doing this? No, wait. HOW are you doing this? How is this castle floating?

Well, as you know, the Goryoukaku is shaped like a pentagram.

That allows it to use magecraft to amplify magical energy and enhance the Holy Grail's power.

That power is then fed into the lord of the castle...

...enabling them to wield strength far beyond the capabilities of any Servant.

That lord is the one who will lead this country into a new age...

Lord Yoshimoto, Emperor of the Highway.

Itou...you're talking nonsense.

And I've worked very hard to make that nonsense a reality.

I started by conquering Kai-Shinano and collecting all the spirit ore we could mine, while fighting a three-way war with the Takeda and Uesugi to make sure our secret was kept.

I figured out a way to deal with the Northern God of War that appeared to counter us for breaking the Holy Grail War's rules.

And I came up with a perfect plan to defeat Nobunaga, the Imagawa clan's greatest rival.

It wasn't easy getting all of the pieces in place, but now, they finally are.

I know Lord Yoshimoto said not to let my guard down...

...but I think I can be forgiven for getting a little cocky after all my hard work paid off.

What about that second Imagawa Yoshimoto?

Oh, him? Hmm. I guess I can tell you about him, especially with Hotaru here.

This is essentially an artificial Lord Yoshimoto.

The real Lord Yoshimoto made it by imbuing the Spirit Origin of a Servant he absorbed in the previous war with his magical energy.

Absorbed in the previous war...?

Oh, yes. This Lord Yoshimoto is made from a Servant you know very well, Hotaru.

You don't mean

I do. This is the Archer who was summoned during the previous Holy Grail War...

Saika Magoichi.

No... You're lying...

No, I am not. We were the ones who finished him off after Takeda wounded him in battle.

Then, when you said Takeda got him...

Oh, he did. I just left out what happened afterward.

So, you tricked me.

I suppose you could see it that way. But as someone once said, there are no rules in war, no?

I'm sorry. You're so gullible, I just couldn't help myself.

Honestly, I don't know how you got by in the Saika Group like that, let alone became their leader.

You're just not cut out for this line of work.

Bastard...

Oh, while I'm at it, this Lord Yoshimoto was made from Oda Nobunaga, the Fool of Owari you know so well.

Then, back when we first got here, Nobbu was

This is partly your fault, you know. If you hadn't abandoned her, she wouldn't have lost to Lord Yoshimoto.

But I guess you Shinsengumi just can't resist abandoning the people you call allies, can you?

You son of a...

Anyway, I've worked too hard and come too far to risk letting you all spoil things now, so I think it's time for you to die.

At this altitude, I doubt even a Servant could escape unscathed.

But if you'd like to jump off anyway, by all means, do so. You'll only be easier targets as you fall.

Both of these Lord Yoshimotos are incredible shots, as you'd expect from the best archer of the Highway.

Well, best archers, plural, now.

True, this height does seem like it'd make us easy targets.

...I'll handle them.

Can you even move, kid?

Don't worry. I'm good at stalling. Besides, I have a reason to stay behind now.

Yes, yes, never mind all that now.

Please tell your Master I'm sorry I was so stupid.

No way. We're all getting out of here together, so you can tell him yourself.

But how are we supposed to do that?

I'm afraid the kid's got a point, Okita. I don't see any easy way out of this.

Both those Yoshimotos have almost the same amount of magical energy as the original.

...

Even if she stays behind, Hotaru there won't be a match for the Lord Yoshimotos. She's welcome to try, of course, but she'd just be wasting her time.

Hey, Mr. Itou. I get that you're using your knowledge of the future to help Imagawa...

...but how much of the future does that knowledge cover?

Where'd that come from?

I just found it strange. I know you're smart, but I don't see how even you could have built a flying castle like this.

The Holy Grail certainly helped with that.

But it was absolutely my knowledge of magecraft, technology, history, and other things this era could never dream of that got us to this point.

I see. Then did you also see what I brought here?

What you brought here?

Hehehe... Prepare to be amazed.

Ta-daaa! It's time for Okita's surprise off-season swimsuit show!

...

...

...

Are we... Should we be laughing now, Saito?

Uh...I guess?

Wait. You were wearing your swimsuit underneath your clothes? Does that mean

That's right. Hang on tight, you two!

She jumped!? No, she's...floating?

Heh heh heh...

What in the world is going on?

I am the wings of the Shinsengumi! My name is Okita J. Souji!

Huh? Okita Jay? Wait never mind that. How is she floating!?

Oh, I usually use special optical camo to keep it hidden so no one can see...

...but since we're old friends, I'll make an exception for you.

This is Jet Tennen Rishinryu's super-science crown jewel: the M-Drive jetpack!

See you later, Mr. Itooou!

...

...

Dammit. I knew Okita was still terrifying...

We're flying... We're actually flying...

Why would you even bring this with you, Okita!?

Well, before we left...

Oh good, I found you. You're about to head out to that new Singularity, right?

That's right. Is there something I can help you with, Himiko?

Hm? Me? Oh, no. I just wanted to mention that you should probably bring your swimsuit with you on this Rayshift.

My swimsuit? But, we're going to Okehazama...in the winter. I'm pretty sure we're not going to visit the beach.

Hmm. All I know is, when I woke up this morning, I heard a voice saying, "The sickly swordfighter should bring her swimsuit."

Sickly swordfighter, huh? Well, I guess that could pretty much only be me.

Oh, wait! Mr. Takasugi probably qualifies, too!

Look, just wear it instead of underwear, and you'll probably be glad you did.

Okay, bye!

S-see you...

So I took her advice and wore it under my clothes.

That's the queen of Yamataikoku and friend of the Shinsengumi for you! Her prediction was right on the money!

I doubt even Mr. Itou could have seen this coming!

I...can't see how he could have.

...!

Something's coming! Dodge it!

Huh? Did you say somethi

Sorry, there's no time.

Whoa, whoa, why're you firing your gun all of a sudd

Huh!?

Shit! Is that magical energy!?

What the...!? Was that

Did you get them, left Lord Yoshimoto?

...

I can't even see them anymore, but I'm guessing that's a no. Would you take the next shot then, right Lord Yoshimoto?

...

A giant arrow... Did Imagawa fire that?

He can see us all the way out here?

Never mind that. I deflected the first arrow, but there's another coming!

Khh! It's too fast! I can't dodge it!

It hit the left thruster!? Crap, we're gonna crash!

Aaaaaaaaah!

So, you let them get away.

I do think we managed to shoot them down, but I'm afraid we have no way of confirming the kill.

No matter. Anyone capable of outsmarting you must be a truly formidable opponent.

I'm not sure I'd call them "formidable" so much as just..."bizarre."

I'm still trying to figure out how swimsuits and jetpacks could possibly be related.

Regardless, now that the castle is on the move, we will not be offering our enemies an opportunity to interfere.

Continue the preparations.

Yes, my lord. It is only a matter of time until we succeed.

As they say, do not be so quick to count your chickens. Both of you, be ready for anything.

Understood, my lord.

Yes, my lord. This unprecedented war is going to inscribe a brand-new name in history. No time to begin like the present.

Is that...the Goryoukaku floating in the sky!?

Goryoukaku...?

Oh, right, I guess you wouldn't know. It's a star-shaped fortress that was built in Ezo during the Bakumatsu period, right before the shogunate crumbled.

Then the remains of the shogunate army occupied it, and it was the stage for the Battle of Hakodate.

Yeah. It was the Shinsengumi's last stand...

Hm? Now that you mention it...

？！

Wow, a flying fortress? I'm impressed the Edo shogunate managed that.

Of course it didn't fly back then! Besides, that thing's way bigger than the one in Ezo.

Hey. What the hell is that?

A fortress, apparently.

Not that, idiot. Something's falling towards us.

Hm? Whoa! It looks like...a shadow?

Waaaaaaaaahhh!!!

Huh?

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! Well, that could have been worse...

Looks like we're still alive.

Whoa, whoa, who the hell are you people... Wait, Saito!? And...is that you, Okita?

Huh? Who're you, Grandpa?

Don't tell me you don't recognize me! It's me! Nagakura Shinpachi!

Huh? Mr. Nagakura? Wow, you really got old.

Forget that! Wh-why the hell're you dressed like that!? Have you no shame!?

Actually, no. You never did, did you!? Not then, and clearly not now!

Oh, come on. What, you've never seen a naked woman before? I swear. Old or young, you're the exact same guy.

It would've been better if she WAS naked! What the hell kind of outfit is that!? It's practically just a few strips of cloth and some string! Have you lost your mind!?

What, this? Swimsuits like this are completely normal nowadays. You should see some of the ones other ladies at Chaldea wear.

Ooh, is this a hot spring? That's perfect. 'Scuse me.

Ahhh, that's the stuff.

Gaaaaaah! Listen to me when I'm talking to you, dammit!

Shut up for a second. I get that these two are with you. But there's something else we need to address.

...

So you escaped the Goryoukaku and flew out here.

That's right. But I took an arrow to my jetpack along the way, so I had to make an emergency landing.

All right, I understand how you ended up here. But what's the Saika girl doing with you?

It looks like Itou tricked her.

...

That so? Then we'll just have to dispose of her.

？！

You forget how she shot me in cold blood?

Well... Yes, I know, but...

...I don't care if you kill me.

Just tell me one thing first. Who killed Magoichi? You, or Itou?

What difference does that make?

Huh?

If it was me, you kill me. If it was Itou, you kill Itou. Is that the only thing that matters to you?

I-I...

Is that what the Saika means to you?

...!

That's what the Saika means to me.

What does it mean to you, Hotaru?

...

Here. Magoichi gave this to me for safekeeping.

Figure out the rest for yourself. If you still want to fight me after that, then bring it.

Magoichi's gun! Why do you have this?

He asked me to give that to anyone who showed up calling themself "Saika."

Don't know why. Don't care.

Magoichi did that...?

...

I need some time to think...

I don't know what that was all about, but anyway, you never answered her question. DID you kill Hotaru's predecessor?

You could say I did. You could also say Itou did.

What does that mean?

None of your business. Besides, you wouldn't understand.

More importantly, you two have a message for us, yeah?

Oh, right, we SHOULD be focusing on that.

Master, the Vice Commander said to tell you that the Imagawa plan on smashing the Goryoukaku into the ground.

What? Is that true?

Why would they do something like that?

I think Mr. Itou said something about destroying this whole country, then remaking it.

Remake the country...

Mass destruction. The Northern God of War. A pentagram-shaped fortress...

...!

Kagetora, do you remember where the Northern God of WarKenshin was camped out?

That other me? Wasn't it Kawanakajima?

That's right. Kawanakajima. So that's their game...!

What are you talking about? Kawanakajima is just a plain.

No, it's not. It's a dragon's den; there, the longmai from Kai and Shinano intersect.

Really?

I see. A longmai, or dragon vein, is a given land's flow of magical energy, and a dragon's den is where two or more longmai intersect.

So that's why my other self was there. I thought it was strange that she had so much magical energy to work with.

If she was constantly replenishing it from the dragon's den, that would explain a lot.

Wait. You think the Imagawa mean to strike the dragon's den?

If we take them at their word, yeah.

If that much mass and magical energy were to smash into the longmai, that would definitely be enough to destroy the whole area.

But even if they could destroy this place, why would they want to?

What good's a new Imagawa order if there's nowhere left to govern?

The Vice Commander also said that they weren't planning on staying confined to this Singularity.

Now that you mention it, Itou did say they mean to make a new era. I guess he was serious when he said he wanted to remake the entire country then.

So, their plan actually is to destroy and then remake the whole country?

But that's absurd.

I don't know. This is just a guess, but considering everything they've done till now, it does make sense.

They started in Suruga, then came to Shinano to mine spirit ore.

They then used that ore to build a fortress that can amplify magical energy.

And finally, they tried to eliminate the one blocking the path to their destination.

Then, is that why my other selfthe Northern God of War was protecting that place? Because she knew what they were up to?

Beats me. Knowing you, you might've just wanted to make sure you had access to the longmais' magical energy.

Hey, I'm not THAT stupid. I don't think.

Anyway, now that the most serious obstacle to their path is gone, there's really nothing left to stop them.

All they have to do now is move the fortress to Kawanakajima and punch it in as an anchor.

Probably. Except we're not going to let that happen.

Damn right, we do. I'm not about to let them drop that thing on my Kai.

？！

We'll just have to stop them ourselves.

Okay, but that fortress is huge, and not exactly easy to reach. Just figuring out how to get up there will be a major challenge.

From what I can see here, it's not moving too quickly.

Not much of a surprise, big as it is.

Looks like about two days until it gets to Kawanakajima. I say we make our way back to Koufu and figure out our next move there.

That includes you, Master of Chaldea. You're going to help us, too.

Good. Now come on. There's no time to waste.

That's just my best guess. Now come on, we need to hurry.

？！

...

There you are, girl.

Shinpachi...

Oh, no, don't mind me. It's the kid here who wants to talk to you.

It's you...

？！

...

I'm not originally from this country.

I came here from...very far away, where I was kidnapped and sold to a slave trader.

Damn... I can't imagine how hard that must've been.

But I was lucky.

One day, Magoichi, the leader of the Saika Group, attacked the merchant ship where I was being kept.

Then he took me in and made me a Saika.

There were other children from similar circumstances in the Saika village. They were all being raised to be the next generation of Saika.

And in your mind, that's lucky, huh?

They were all orphans with no other family. We had no choice but to make do there.

It was still much better than watching other kidnapped children slowly starve to death.

Oh... Yeah. I guess, compared to that...

Guns were still rare back then, and the Saika were exceptionally good with them. Over time, they became strong enough that they started battling across the country, and often winning.

But one day, it all fell apart. People were divided over whether or not to join forces with Oda, who had conquered the five Kinai provinces near Kyo at the time.

Members of the Saika Group wound up fighting each other. By the time we realized we had been taken advantage of, it was too late.

We thought we were fighting for people who were too weak to fight themselves. But at some point, that stopped being the case.

Magoichi talked to other members to try and do something about it, but they ended up betraying and killing him.

By then, the Saika were already known for being willing to join and fight anyone...

...and they died out because there was no one left who was willing to join them.

...

I left the Saika so I could avenge Magoichi's death, but I just ended up dying too.

And now, it's happening all over again. Magoichi died, and I'm still here.

It's always like this. In the end, I'm the only one left. Stupid, useless.

...The only one left, huh.

But, hang on. That same Magoichi also called you here, right? He must've had a reason for that.

A reason? Why would he ever call on me?

？！

He wanted me to protect the weak...?

That could be it. Maybe that's why General Takeda gave you that gun.

Magoichi's gun...

I can only guess what happened between them, but I'm sure he wouldn't have given a mortal enemy his gun for no reason.

I'd bet they had some kind of unspoken understanding.

He left this gun...for me...?

？！

...

That's so like him... He saved me without asking, raised me without asking, and died without asking.

Then he pawned everything off on me, even though I'm too stupid to be helpful...

It's true. It's always the good ones who die first...

...

Hey. Is our contract still on?

The one from when we first met...

So you remembered...

？！

...Okay. I'll give it another shot.

I'll try being the kind of Saika I want to be.