"Interlude, First Gate"

I see. Chaldea, Servants, and Rayshifts, oh my...

I've never heard of any of those, but I have an idea of who you are now.

And you're saying I'm one of those so-called Servants?

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...Hmm... That doesn't sound right... I definitely don't remember getting treated like a hero, or a famed swordsman...

And it's not just 'cause I don't remember much about myself, y'know?

That kinda...makes my nose itchy. I can just feel that something about that's a bit off.

I don't think I'm the same swordsman you know of, Fujimaru. That's for sure, but...

Eh, the little stuff can wait! Let's fill up our tummies first!

Miss, bring more dumplings! Also, bring me some udon! Plain or not doesn't matter, just gimme what you got!

Tee hee hee. Just knowing my name's making this better.

Besides, there's no use worrying about what you don't know, right?

...! Don't tell me... Fujimaru, you don't have any money?

Hmm... Okay, let's just sell the shop owner something of ours! This sword guard is quite well-crafted, no?

Don't worry, if I sell it, it'll cover travel expenses for a while. I'll share some with you too, Fujimaru.

I mean, selling it'll kinda ruin its legacy and stuff... Eh! Luckily, I still have other swords.

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Anywho, you woke up on this island, and you remember having being here before... Am I correct?

How did you get back to your original world before? I wonder if that strange hole is somewhere on this island, too?

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Yep! Already got used to it. Happens to me a lot. I just kinda meander into weird worlds.

Last time, I ended up in the western part of this place called "America." I had to fight a bunch of guys with pistols.

The priestess that took care of me then said that I was a stranger.

Apparently, I'm the sort who gets spirited away all the time. That's why I end up in all sorts of places.

Usually, there's a hole to return to the original world nearby. So, long as I can find it, I can get back to the previous world.

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Naaah! That's just how things have always been for me! It's not like I'm dying or anything!

I see. Openhearted and cheerful like in all the stories.

Even in a predicament that would kill an ordinary person, she just shrugs it off... I'm at a loss for words.

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No, hold on, Master from Chaldea.

I am Sukeroku. Raiden-no-Sukeroku. Caretaker of the fields and farms on this island.

An oni making a meager living in Onigashima, a land that lost its master and is now fated to disappear.

I couldn't help but be concerned about that woman saying she was Musashi. That's why I followed you...

Oh, right. Don't just stand there. Care to sit next to me?

No, I can't sit next to Miyamoto Musashi, even if you're only claiming to be him. I'm afraid my head would come toppling off my shoulders at any moment.

I think I'd prefer to stand. ...Also, I came here bearing good news.

Onigashima is an island someone created, then abandoned. This place doesn't exist in the real world anymore.

This is the boundary of dreams and illusions.

These days, the only visitors we get are oni with nowhere else to go... Just like us...

But today must be quite the special day. Many travelers have wandered into this dream.

Three great oni occupying the gates. A Master of Chaldea washing up ashore.

And, a lady swordsman calling herself Miyamoto Musashi tumbles into a place she's wholly unconnected to.

Each of you with unknown origins, but doubtless foreigners. If so, you want to return to your native worlds, yes?

Yes. The dumplings here suck!

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Well, then matters are simple. Head for the summit of Onigashima.

"Her" shrine still sits on the summit of Onigashima. A sanctuary shrouded in her divine aura.

This world's god will reject anything that's deemed unnecessary.

Given that, foreigners like you should get "bounced back" to your original world the moment you reach the summit.

That's splendid. Thanks for the advice, Lord Raiden-no-Sukeroku.

S-sure, you did spare my life, so I owed you one. No need to than

Okay! I, Fujimaru, and Lord Sukeroku, shall proceed to the summit of Onigashima!

We just need to go past that gate in the distance, right? You can guide us, hold our luggage, and make our meals!

Oh, and I'm not really asking. I'm telling.

Defy me, and I'll give you some PAIN! So, better just do what I say!

Whaaaaaat!?

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In the first place, Miyamoto Musashi is known as the most powerful swordsman in the history of Japan. He is said to have lived in the early Edo period.

The "Niten Ichiryu" he created is a style that utilized both long and short swords, and is considered the quintessential "dual-wielding style" in Japan.

The many duels Musashi fought with other swordmasters while he was in his twenties are known across the land, and serve as inspiration for a great deal of literature and entertainment.

Among us oni, Musashi is synonymous with the dual-wielding style, and is both feared and loved at the same time.

So much so that many oni children would swing around two clubs pretending to be Musashi.

The Niten Ichiryu... The Book of Five Rings... The Throne of Void... Ah... I am starting to remember things...

I haven't reached the fifth blade yet.

When I was out in the Sagami area in hopes of training, I met a strange old man in a gazebo while sheltering from the rain...

...I see. They say Musashi was born in Ohara, Sakushu.

His father's name was Shinmen Munisai, the martial arts coach of the Shinmen clan in Takeyama Castle. His lord was the one who gave him the name "Shinmen."

Munisai set up a dojo for jitte skills in Miyamoto, Yoshino. Musashi considered this home, so later used Miyamoto as a surname...

Stories of Miyamoto Musashi are popular, but Shinmen Munisai was incredibly skilled as well.

Consider that the name he gave himself is "Muni," which means "unique." You have to be quite skilled to consider calling yourself that!

To be unique is to be the singular, ultimate one. In other words, it's a show of a powerful ego asserting none follow in his footsteps.

Musashi, his son, calling his own style "Niten" is surely respect for his great father

Hmm? I'm getting a chill somehow. Do oni catch colds as well?

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Oh! Right! There's not much point in trying to recount Musashi's history with her standing right here, is there? It's certainly nothing she doesn't know!

Sorry about that. A slip of the tongue. It's just, none of the oni are interested in stories of this sort, so...

I... I can't help but be attracted to swords. Because of that, I've spent a lot of time rifling through books and documents alone.

Well, I've never heard of any oni versed in swordsmanship. On the other hand, I have heard of people becoming oni-like in pursuit of swordsmanship.

Oh well, I already knew that was the version of the story in your world.

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In my world, Shinmen Munisai was as violent as a storm,

and his child was abandoned simply because she was a girl.

But wait! She wasn't discouraged by the abandonment! Nope! She built a shed to live right under that bastard father's nose!

I don't know what kind of swordsman Miyamoto Musashi was in the worlds of Lord Sukeroku or Fujimaru.

But in MY world, "Miyamoto Musashi" is still a nameless swordsman that lives each day in self-indulgence.

...Well, someone once told me I was from a world that went toootally off the railsa Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon. That's why I'm different than the other Musashi, they said.

But the Musashi in your world became famous? That's pretty awesome.

When you get down to it, Miyamoto Musashi is just a careless sorta fellow. But in his version, he was at least able to touch the Throne of Void.

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Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon...? I've never heard the term before. What does it mean?

Who knows? Perhaps it's a destiny like the morning dew. I don't know all that much myself.

This is the first great gate. This was the gate Kazakoemaru guarded in the past...

Hoooooohohoho! How dare you show up, seedy bald oni and country girl who doesn't even have a long-sleeved kimono!

It's the New Year! The first dawn of the year! The neighborhood overflows with New Year gifts and the pharaoh's sun!

No day is as joyous as today! In other words... Yes, in other words, it's MY turn!

Hiiiyah!

Hiiiyah!

...

...

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Eh... What is this... This quiet as if this was a mall where every store was shuttered and closed...

...That was a mistake. Making an elegant and conservative entrance just because it is the New Year... What was I thinking!?

Right! A pharaoh must be brazen like the glimmering sun for any and every occasion!

Just like the great Ozymandias! And Nitocris!

You know I'm not like that.

Yes! I appreciate your support from the bottom of my heart, Pharaoh Nitocris!

That's... That's really not...what I meant...

All right! Now that I have my support, let's try this again!

Hiiiiyah!

Hooohohoho! Surprised you made it here, scrawny ugly oni and girl with three Buster Cards!

But your advance ends here! I will not allow any further violence!

That's because... Yes, that's because... I'm going to turn this island into my second castle!

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Right! I couldn't borrow a pyramid from Pharaoh Ozymandias this time...

...But I have superior money management skills! Give me three days, and this gate will be renovated into a classy spa!

Once I'm done, you will all be able to rest to your heart's content! The first three days of the year are special, so take it easy!

Really? We have no money but you'll let us stay in an inn?

Heh, of course, samurai girl. That obi you have is quite exquisite! I am always looking for new girlfriends!

So she says. No idea what she's talking about, but she seems awfully generous, I guess?

It's the New Year, right? How about we forget about going to the summit and just rest here?

Heh... To think you would call me out on that. I expect nothing less from the Master who saved humanity.

Six hours per shift, two shifts a day, each separated by a six-hour break.

With this miraculous labor law, I can turn a single working day into two. That's how you lot will build my new castle!

...!

N-no, you can take longer than those special three days. I mean, some schools are taking the entire week off, no?

Who knows? I heard people are starting to work a lot sooner now.

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...I knew it! She runs a shady business!

The only real miracle in the world should be udon! Let's defeat her and move on!

She holds her head so high...! Not only do you not go with my plan, but you accuse me of running a shady business! Now I MUST fight!

I am the final heir of the Pharaoh Fighting Style... The very incarnation of beauty, Cleopatra VII Philopator!

I don't know what Heroic Spirit you are, but I'm not just a supreme beauty!

What... Pharaoh Fighting Style...!?

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Yes... In a land far to the west, someone devised a magical attack strengthened by pompous acts and laughs!

The more pompous and cocky you act, the greater king you become... To think those are the requirements to inherit such a fighting style...

Obviously, I don't need to tell you that once you inherit the style, you always look at people with your head held

Okay, stand back, Lord Sukeroku! That girl's weapon is a sickle chain as big as Baiken's!

Kyaaah...!

Amazing! The match is over!

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Ah, hearing that declaration of the victor felt so good! Thanks, Fujimaru!

Tch... You people don't know a good opportunity when you see one!

This is where you should be praising me! This is your chance to receive the greatest New Year gift ever: my unparalleled beauty!

But I will not give up! My dream of a fitness boot camp island

For the sake of my dear Caesar, I will make Cleopatra Fitness Island a reality!

Huh? She disappeared. I didn't even hit her that hard, though...

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I see. Glad I didn't end up killing her. Okay, moving on!

From the look of things, these, um... Servants, you call them? I bet they'll be at the other gates, too.

It'll be good if we can talk things out with them, but if we have to fight, that's fine too!

Wielding my sword will probably restore my memories, and I'm happy for any chance to fight a strong opponent!