Lost Sword story · Event story
A Shinobi Appears!
3 scenes, 201 lines
1. A Shinobi Appears! Episode 1
95 linesIt's been a while since the sky was this clear, not a cloud in sight.
I dropped my fishing line while watching the full moon reflected on the water. The moon looks unusually big tonight, and it's got a nice charm to it.
Phew, I can finally breathe. How long has it been since I've had this kind of downtime...
There were days I struggled just to survive. Compared to that, this is paradise.
Even the teammates who pester me every day are gone for a few days. I'm going to rest up properly - eat, loaf around, the whole deal!
Just as I clenched my fist in triumph...
KABOOOM!!
A massive pillar of water suddenly shot up, then came crashing down like rain.
...What the heck?
Did I catch something?
(No, that's impossible. Unless it was a whale...)
As I tilted my head, a dark shadow whooshed down, blotting out the moonlight as it fell.
Huh...?
BAM!
Gah!
Kyaaaah!
First a random splash attack, and now people are falling out of the sky? If I'd been a little less lucky, I'd have spent my hard-earned vacation stuck in bed.
Ugh... what is going on...?
A-Are you okay?!
It was a girl I'd never seen before. The face, the outfit - all of it.
(Wait... something's different. Not the Eastern Empire... could this girl be...?!)
This is... a lakeshore? What happened?
Hwaaah?! S-Sorry!
What the heck is this... huh?
The sky got dark again? I looked up suspiciously, and a few more shadows were dropping down.
Seriously, what is this?!
[Scene Transition]
A warm cup of tea helps me calm down. The problem is, everything still aches and throbs.
I glared at the three troublemakers responsible for my sore muscles, one by one.
So you three are...?
I'm Asuka! And this is Yumi!
(Bows.)
And over there is...
Just a passerby, that's all.
A passerby... no you're not, Hikage...!
Why are we casually introducing ourselves in the first place? We were fighting Yoma just a moment ago.
Because... we got flung to some strange place...
How did this happen? The moment we all activated the Shinobi Barrier at the same time, this is what happened.
The Shinobi Barrier isn't an ordinary technique.
It seems like when we deployed it simultaneously, something collided somewhere.
Hwaaaah... no way!
Calm down, Asuka. Let's figure out what's going on first.
Mm... I'm glad you're here, Yumi. Heh-heh!
Me too... I'm glad I'm not alone.
Hey, uh...
I'd been listening in silence with my arms crossed, but I raised a hand and stepped in.
From what I'm hearing, something definitely went wrong...
Looks like you're going to help us!
You seemed like a nice person.
Yeah? To me, you just look like an idiot.
....
I don't even know what to say. Who are these people?
Sorry about that. You can ignore what Hikage says.
We're Shinobi. We were fighting terrifying Yoma, and then a blinding light covered us... and we ended up here.
We got thrown somewhere completely different...
Yeah. So we need to know where this is, and how to get back. Can you help us?
...Sounds like you might be from another world.
Another world?
Another world... is that what you mean?
D-Do you know Hanzo Academy? Or the Gessen Girls' Academy?
Nope.
You caught on fast that we're from another world.
Because... I used to live in a world like yours, and I got pulled over here too.
I shrugged. It felt nice to have that shared bond... and I couldn't help feeling a little proud, being the senior in this whole isekai-transfer thing.
Meanwhile, Asuka and Yumi's faces quickly fell.
I never imagined the Shinobi Barrier could have a side effect like this... how could this happen...?
Hwaaah! What do we do now? If we can't go back, everyone's going to worry!
And I'm worried about the Yoma situation too...
Don't worry. I know how to get back.
There's a way?!
I was on a journey to get back myself.
Says the guy who was just relaxing and fishing.
Adventures require proper rest! Besides, people call me a Swordbringer around here. I'm not exactly lounging around!
And you call yourselves Shinobi - you couldn't even land properly. You used me like a cushion!
It's a miracle nothing broke, you know? I'm currently very grateful for all my training...
Tch...
I'm sorry...
Anyway, to go back, you need to find the Holy Sword. In my case, that was the condition.
It'll be a problem if it takes too long...
It'll be different for you. Space is still warped, right? If it's a spell that twists dimensions in an instant...
I nodded, thinking of someone.
Someone I know might be able to do it.
Really? Wow... that's great!
Where can we meet that person?
Not far from here. It's my mentor - folks call them a Sage.
A Sage...?
Then we have no choice but to go. I don't have time to sit around chatting with you.
No - before that, there's something we need to do.
What is it?
I grumbled, pointing at the monsters gathering around us.
Your flashy entrance drew attention. If we want to go anywhere, we have to break through those monsters.
That'll be easy. We'll show you what we can do!
Fired up, Asuka lowered their stance and charged the monsters.
2. A Shinobi Appears! Episode 5
20 linesAfter the first round of fighting, Asuka clicked their tongue and scanned the area.
There are this many Yoma...
They're not Yoma. They're monsters. Creatures that live on the continent, just like humans do.
Coexisting with monsters... what a harsh world.
Yeah. And every country has a blade pointed at the next. It's a place where primal conflict never ends...
Can't be helped. That's human nature.
To have lived somewhere like this for so long... it couldn't have been easy on your own.
I wasn't alone. I've got companions.
Companions...
People I met here. Sure, they've got their quirks, but they're good folks.
Merlin - the one I'm going to introduce you to - is the same.
I see... I thought you were a good person, and it seems you have good karma too.
Right! You understood us even after we flattened you!
You're the only one who flattened him, Asuka.
Urgh...
Karma, I don't know. But popularity? Maybe. Three beauties popping out of nowhere and tackling me and all.
Maybe because it was praise I never hear, I puffed up without thinking. Seeing that, Hikage pointed behind me.
...Looks like those guys think so too.
3. A Shinobi Appears! Episode 10
86 linesAt last, the Orc chieftain revealed themself.
Flanked by burly Orc warriors, the chieftain bared their teeth and threatened us.
What an oni-like face.
Scared? Then you can hide behind me if you want.
W-Who would?!
That much is nothing. I get why you'd be tense, living all cozy and carefree.
Still, it's a monster from another world... how are you so calm?
It reminded me of the first time I ran into Orcs. Back when I'd never even thrown a punch, they were a terrifying foe.
But these Shinobi are different. They've taken down countless monsters, and they don't hesitate even in front of a hulking brute like that.
I don't have emotions to begin with.
Hikage answered curtly, licked the blade with their tongue, and strode forward.
The fight ended so quickly it was almost anticlimactic.
Just like they said. An Orc chieftain was no match for a Shinobi.
Nice work. Now we can head back.
You were testing us... weren't you?
Huh? What?
The fact you were fishing alone out there... means you could've handled the monsters and gotten back by yourself.
But you still asked us to fight with you - so you could judge us.
Even if you believed we came from another world, you'd still need to know what kind of people we are.
Huh...? Really? That's what it was?!
Uh... well...
You can relax. We're Shinobi of justice.
Aren't there some who aren't...?
You're still saying that?
You said you'd introduce us to your companions. For their safety, you had to verify us.
Sensei... do you trust us now?
S-Sensei...?
Yeah! Yeah! You guided us when we were lost and panicking, so that makes you Sensei.
....
(I didn't mean it like that at all... though it was kind of nice... Ahem...)
Their outfits alone were nothing like the enemies around here. There wasn't much reason to be wary...
More importantly, the person I'm introducing them to is Merlin. If anything, they're the ones I should be worried for...!
...Even so, I nodded with a forced calm expression.
To see through me that far... you're impressive Shinobi.
Heh...
A-Amazing... that's Yumi for you...
You've proven it. If you're not enemies, there's no reason not to cooperate. Shall we go?
Please.
Hmm... feels like this guy wasn't thinking anything at all, though.
H-Hey, hey! L-Let's just get going!
I led the way, breaking out in a cold sweat.
After hearing the whole story, Merlin smiled with ease and spoke.
What an amusing story. I wondered why you'd brought a bunch of cute girls along, of all things... heh.
...Not like it doesn't suit me. I get along great with women, you know?
To get straight to the point: it's possible. Twisting space open isn't that hard.
Oh! Knew it!
But you can't do it alone. It takes an enormous amount of mana.
I can create and activate the magic circle. But only if Morgana helps will we gather enough power.
That brat can help...?
They're the Fairy Queen. Even like this, Morgana's power is far from weak.
I was just kidding. Hmm... then I'll bring Morgana at first light. I'm counting on you.
Unfortunately, there's one more condition.
Merlin continued, pointing to the moon outside the window.
The next time we can run the circle is on the night of the next full moon. Opening space requires the moon's mana too.
What?!
W-Wait! Um... you're Merlin, right?
We have to go back soon! We can't just sit around sucking our thumbs until then!
Oh my, don't worry. You won't have to sit quietly and wait.
Merlin's hand, which had been pointing out the window, shifted toward the kitchen.
Until then, I'll have you help with the housework. And if you help this idiot here hunt monsters too, even better, right?
Whaaat?!
Of course. I knew you weren't the type to help for free...
It can't be helped, Asuka. Just finding a way so quickly is already a relief.
Heh, I like that upbeat spirit. You two are settled... what about you?
I'll cook.
Tch... what a pain... I'll do the dishes.
Good, that got sorted quickly. I was nodding at them when Merlin's sharp gaze turned my way.
...?
Then you'll do the laundry. It's piled up quite a bit, you know? I'll need it done right away.
Huh? Wait! Merlin, I'm on vacation right now...
You're the one who brought uninvited guests and made things troublesome.
With more people in the house, Merlin's home was noisy all night. But I didn't hate it.
Those three who rose from the lake reminded me of feelings I'd forgotten a long time ago.
Someday... I'll make it back too. No matter what.