Section 10: The Great Makai Battle of Kawanakajima

And so began a battle that would later go down in the annals of Chaldea Warring States history...

The Great Makai Battle of Kawanakajima.

Hahahahaha! No matter how many I cut down, they just keep on coming!

This makes Toba-Fushimi look like child's play!

Hyahahahaha! Check it out! Heads for me to cut off as far as the eye can see!

You guys better get your asses in gear, too! Win enough glory here, and you might even get your own castle!

I can see my dream house with a massive garage in Hakone right now, nobbu!

Time to show these punks what street racer pride is all about, nobu! Light the nitro! Activate super tailgate mode!

Uninsured cars, get outta the way, nobbuuu!

The battle began with the dawn.

The Chaldea and Takeda forces were outnumbered fifty to one, with barely twenty thousand troops against Imagawa's million soldiers.

With the Imagawa so vastly outnumbering Chaldea, they were expected to dominate the battle.

But the Chaldean Servants, veterans of countless grueling battles, fought ferociously alongside the Takeda army, more than making up in tenacity what they lacked in numbers.

So, it's finally begun.

I don't know what Takeda and the Chaldeans are thinking, so fearlessly attacking our army.

Are they just stupid? They're probably just stupid.

They're using a wedge formation in an attempt to smash through our army's center.

Where's the Takeda general?

Our scouts spotted Harunobu bringing up the rear in his car. He hasn't joined the fighting himself yet.

I see. They know they can't compete with our numbers, so they're trying to make a break straight for Kawanakajima.

But the Goryoukaku is on course and holding steady. Even if they break through our lines, there is nothing they can do to stop it.

Don't be so sure. They're not so stupid as to charge ahead with no plan whatsoever. They must be up to something.

I see. Then what would you like to do, sir?

Nothing. With so great a numbers advantage, we can simply take our time about grinding them down.

Understood.

I will oversee the battle at Lord Yoshimoto's side, so I'd like you to lead our own vanguard, Hattori. Especially since Nagakura and the others are sure to come as well.

Yes, sir. I'll head straight for the front line and stop them in their tracks.

Good luck out there, Hattori. ...All right, I'd better get started myself.

Six hours after the battle began...

...the Takeda and Chaldea combined army had already begun to lose its initial momentum.

(Huff, huff...) I didn't realize fighting all these soldiers would take so long, or be this tiring!

Okita, our left flank's about to fall apart! Go help them while I hold things down here! I'd go, but you're faster!

On it! ...Urk!

Whoa! Are you okay!?

I'm fine! I always regretted not being able to fight in Kai back then, so I'm going to more than make up for it now!

Yeah? Guess I'd better not fall behind, then!

Forward troops, fall back! Rear guard, move up! Don't let the enemy rest. Our numbers remain our greatest advantage. Keep your guard up and focus on the enemy!

Yes, sir! Send up the rear guard's Demonic Beasts as well!

GRAAAAHHH!

The enemy advance is slowing! We'll move in to surround and strike them at our first opportunity!

Not if I have anything to say about it!

There you are, Nagakura.

Yep, it's me. What say we settle this, once and for all?

Fine with me. Today, I finally avenge my fallen Goryou Eji comrades!

Damn, the front line's about to fall apart. This isn't good. Our allies have been fighting for so long, they're getting tired.

Chief Retainer, I think we should fall back for now. Our troops need time to regroup and reorganize.

Understood. My lord, I'm going to head to the front line myself and hold the enemy back to buy our troops the time they need!

I'll go with you. You can fall back for now too, Master. I'll handle this.

No problem, my lord! Mash "Chief Retainer" Kyrielight, moving out!

Understood, Master! I'll be right back!

？！

Heavy cavalry, on me!

The Chief Retainer's heading into battle! 4WD Nobbu Drive Squad, move out!

Despite their valiant efforts, the Chaldean army faced an uphill battle against a constant stream of enemy reinforcements.

However, with the heavy cavalry shielding them, they were able to regroup, and assumed a testudo formation.

But this maneuver slowed their momentum, and by afternoon, they were locked in a defensive battle.

And so, the Imagawa army launched an all-out assault. It looked like the battle's outcome was a foregone conclusion.

The enemy's advance has slowed! One more push, and we'll have won!

Hraaaaaah!

Damn, we're not gonna be able to hold here. Fall back for now!

This is it! Press your advantage! Wipe them out in one fell swoop!

Yeah, we're not gonna be able to fight you off while we're falling back. But you know...

Don't you think you might've gotten just a liiittle bit ahead of yourselves?

Huh!? Those mountains... It's an ambush!

I have a message from my lord! The enemy has overextended themselves! Now's our chance!

Understood. Good job holding out all this time. This has been well worth the wait.

Listen up! The enemy has left themselves vulnerable! We're going to charge in now and tear their flanks to shreds!

Follow the Dragon of Echigo, men! Let's show the Imagawa what the strongest cavalry in all of Japan is capable of!

Ahahahaha! Kill them!

Dammit! Everyone, halt!

All right! Now's our chance to turn things around! Come on now! Put your backs into it!

Hyahahahaha! Are you guys coming or going? Make up your minds!

Having overextended their forces, the Imagawa suddenly found themselves fending off a surprise attack from Nagao Kagetora and the troops she had lying in wait.

Break through the enemy formation! Everyone, follow my lead! Bishamonten's protection is with us!

Now that's what I'd expect from the Dragon of Echigo! The enemy's all in a panic!

Don't forget it's thanks to us drawing them in! It's not fair, giving her all the credit!

Now gimme your heads, dammit!

Having been taken by surprise, the Imagawa army's confusion enabled the Chaldean forces to break through and make their way to Kawanakajima.

...Or so it seemed.

All right, that's far enough.

Fire at will.

Fireee!

They've got gunners stationed behind anticavalry palisades!?

W-we can't stop our cars now, nobbuuu!

Did you really think we were sitting around twiddling our thumbs while you were off fighting? Of course not.

Besides, nothing stops the Takeda clan in its tracks quite like a three line formation.

Or are you all unfamiliar with the Battle of Nagashino?

The three line formation... That was Demon King Nobunaga's

That it was. Knowing history does come with its little advantages.

So what!? If we've fallen into your trap, then we'll just smash our way out of it!

No, you will not.

Guh!

Yoshimoto...! Ghh!

As I thought. You are nothing compared to the Northern God of War. Still, you have annoyed me long enough. It's time I ended you.

Th-this power... This is from my other self's Spirit Origin!

I don't know what your parents were thinking, bringing a child born of human and god into this world. How foolish.

Human and god? What are you talking abou

I see. Another child ignorant of their parents' intentions. Better that you die now, before you're burdened with the truth.

Ghh... Urk!

Go on, everyone. Once we've wiped this detachment out, the Takeda cavalry will be truly done for.

Aah! The hell!? These aren't regular bullets! It feels just like the boss is firing on me!

Well spotted. These Imagawa gunners were specifically based off the Demon King Spirit Origin Lord Yoshimoto absorbed.

There is nothing their bullets cannot pierce. Even Servants.

Nobbwah!? My tires burst, nobbu! I'm stuck! Somebody call me a tow truck, nobbu!

Dammit! I'm not dying to freakin' guns again!

Th-the Takeda cavalry isn't stopping them!? Aaaaaah!!!

Master! Something's not right on the front line.

？！

Of course. Please, go see what's happening! Ranmaru and I will handle things here. Hotaru, would you please cover him?

Yes. I'll make sure he gets there safely!

Normally I'd insist on escorting Master myself, but I'll let you have this one. Take good care of him!

I will. I promise. And the Saika always keep their word.

What the hell...?

What's going on? Everyone around me's collapsing...

It's just like that battle...

Back when those SatChou bastards shot us all down before we could so much as touch them...

It's all happening again...

That's right... Back on that battlefield, I... I...

Die!

Aaargh! H-Hattori!

So much for the Captain of the Second Unit. I knew it. You should never have been part of the Shinsengumi.

You were too decent a man for them.

What was that...?

Servants are supposed to be summoned in their prime. So why did you manifest as an old man?

Want to know? You regret being part of the Shinsengumi. You can't accept who you were when you were young.

You can't forgive yourself for the time you spent among them!

...!

Don't be ridiculous. I don't regret a thing...

Not a damn thing!

Then why did you come here?

What brought you to this land of Kai, where you parted ways? To the Goryoukaku, where the Shinsengumi met its end?

You're wrong. I... I...!

This is what led to the Shinsengumi's demise. You were doomed the moment you began acting against your ideals.

...

But it's over now, old soldier. I'll put you out of your misery before you can fall any further behind the times.

...

Good thing I made it in time. Are you okay, Mr. Nagakura? ...No, you're not, are you? You're bleeding like crazy.

Okita...

That haori...

Oh, right. I'd almost forgotten about you.

That goes for you too, Okita. You were never more than a heartless bladea tool those two faux samurai used purely for their own ends.

And even now that you've become a Heroic Spirit, you're still letting the Shinsengumi use you? Even so long after they're gone?

With all due respect, Mr. Takeo, the Shinsengumi isn't gone yet!

What are you talking about?

The ShinsengumiMr. Hijikata, is still fighting as hard as ever!

Of all the foolish things to say. Your Vice Commander was forsaken even by his beloved shogunate.

That's why he ended up dying all alone in the far north reaches of Japan.

You're wrong, Mr. Takeo. Mr. Hijikata isn't dead. He's still fighting with the Shinsengumi as we speak.

Now you're just being ridiculous. Hijikata died. The Shinsengumi went away. These are historical facts.

Forget the facts. They don't change that Mr. Hijikata is still fighting hard.

Right, Mr. Saito?

Damn straight he is. And he's doing it up in the Goryoukaku, no less!

You too, Saito? I didn't take you for a romantic.

Saito... You too...

Shinpachi, the Vice Commander's still fighting up in the Goryoukaku. He hasn't even realized he's already dead.

Hasn't realized he's dead...?

I know. It sounds like a joke, doesn't it?

But Mr. Hijikata really did keep on fighting. He said as long as he's around, the Shinsengumi will never die.

I'm positive he's still up there fighting hard enough for all of us, flying the same banner he always did.

You guys...

Now come on. How much longer are you gonna keep up this whole senile act?

You were never a thinker. Just charge right in, like always.

Exactly. Like I told you, let Mr. Yamanami and Mr. Kanryusai worry about the tough stuff.

And you know Okita of all people's not one to talk.

Now get on your feet. Or are you so old and decrepit that you need a walker?

...What was that?

Huh?

...Who're you calling decrepit!?

Ghh!

Hah! I must've put on a pretty sorry show if I had an invalid worrying about me.

Nagakura...

...

If Hijikata's still up there fighting, guess I can't just go around living out my old age in Ezo, can I?

Shinpachi...

That's exactly how you sounded back then...

That's right. I'm Nagakura Shinpachi, Captain of the Shinsengumi's Second Unit!

Come on, Mr. Saito! Let's do this!

You got it. Don't worry, I've got your backs. Now get in there, Stupid Shinpachi!

Don't you worry. I'll give you a private performance of the greatest swordsmanship in all the Shinsengumi soon enough!!!

Hehehe, good. This time, we'll truly find out once and for all which of us is the strongest member of the Shinsengumi!

Here's to a proper, honorable fight!!!

This is it!

Hya!

C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!

Guh!

The dragon's rending fang...

Smash it up! Ryuhiken!

Graaaaaah!

W-well done...

Ain't about to apologize, Hattori.

Heh... I wouldn't accept it even if you did.

That aside, you went right back to the same banner, huh? I knew it.

The Shinsengumi really are a band of idiots...

Damn straight. And we'll stay that way till we take our last idiot breath.

A band of idiots? I don't think that's fair...

I don't know. I'm kind of with Takeo on this one.

Who cares? We've still got something bigger and nastier to worry about.

So get psyched.

That's rich, coming from a guy who was a doddering old man not five minutes ago.

What was that?

We're here, Master! Look! It's Yoshimoto!

M-Master...

Master! It's the Imagawa general himself. Once we're past him, the way to Kawanakajima will be clear!

Good grief. I guess three of you were just too much for Hattori to handle, even with his enhancements.

Hey there, Itou. Been a bit, hasn't it?

Oh my, look at you, Nagakura. You're in much better health than the last time I saw you.

And you brought friends, too. Trying to relive the glory days, are we?

Shut up. Just get out of our way.

Mr. Itou... I'm so...sorry...

Now, now, it's quite all right, Hattori. You performed your job admirably. Take a look.

Their time's already run out.

Is that... No way!

That's right. Goryoukaku Just arrived at Kawanakajima.

Lord Yoshimoto, would you do the honors?

Yes, I think I will. Once, I brought the Imagawa name to ruin. Now, the time has finally come for me to restore its rightful glory.

Fall, my pentagram keystone! Let your impact burn away my sins!