The Okehazama Singularity is a Singularity during the Ordeal Call operation in Fate/Grand Order. The events of Chaldea's visit to this Singularity are covered in an event of Cosmos of the Lostbelt; GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku (ぐだぐだ超五稜郭, GUDAGUDA Chō Goryōkaku?), referring to the eighth collaboration between Fate/Grand Order and Fate/KOHA-ACE.
Setting[]
Map of the Singularity's Japan
History[]
Okehazama Reversal[]
In a forest at night amidst a downpour, Demon King Nobunaga is wounded by a mysterious figure wielding the power of a Holy Grail. Nagao Kagetora and Hijikata Toshizou attack him but it is ineffective, and he wounds them both with a single sword swing. Kagetora realizes they have been led to their deaths. At Nobunaga’s behest, Ritsuka, Okita Souji, Saito Hajime, and Kagetora retreat while she and Hijikata stay to fight the mysterious. Nobunaga and the mysterious figure know each other, having fought before at Okehazama.[1]
Meanwhile, at the Storm Border’s control room, Mash notes Ritsuka’s signal has disappeared. Leonardo da Vinci says they suddenly couldn’t observe Ritsuka anymore after they rayshifted to the Singularity. Mysterious Ranmaru X recalls the Singularity was in Okehazama, Japan. Sion Eltnam Sokaris considers interference a possibility for why they suddenly became unable to observe Ritsuka.[1]
Mori Nagayoshi calls Nobunaga unreliable after all her talk about “Okehazama is my garden, leave it to me”. Oda Nobukatsu dislikes his sister being unreliable and believes something must have happened. He demands the staff to do a search or send reinforcements. Da Vinci tells him it isn’t that easy because even the earlier members were just resourceful based on aptitude.[1]
She agrees with Ranmaru X it hasn't been confirmed yet Nobunaga has been killed and they need to look for Ritsuka, so she’ll work to ensure they can observe the coordinates. Sion notes there is also the issue of resources, and while she can’t provide it right away, she leaves it to Goredolf Musik to assemble a search team.[1]
Back in the Singularity, the heroes continue their escape heading east toward Shinano when they’re ambushed by an armored warrior. Okita and Saito stay to fight him while Kagetora continues to escape with Ritsuka. The armored warrior, however, reveals his actual target was Okita and Saito.[1]
Meanwhile, the mysterious figure kills Nobunaga and renders Hijikata unconscious. He then declares to the world it was here in Okehazama the avenger of his fate, thus, from this time onward, a new world will open. He proclaims himself Imagawa Yoshimoto.[1]
The Killer's License is M51[]
After escaping, Kagetora admits the wound she received from Yoshimoto is deep and has noticed it is very slow to heal. She then suddenly coughs up blood and collapses. She tells Ritsuka they’ll soon be in Shinano and to continue without her, mentioning that she had contacted Chaldea. Ritsuka refuses to leave her behind and has her lean on their shoulder as they continue toward Shinano.[2]
Shinano
They reach Shinano by morning but it looks nothing like anything that belongs in the Warring States period and looks something out of modern day with there even being motorized vehicles; Kagetora wonders if it was thanks to the power of the Grail. She tries to look for a teahouse, but she settles for a nearby food truck and orders dumplings and tea.[2]
She mentions to the clerk that Shinano has changed a lot since she was last in the area. The clerk says it has been that way ever since the Imagawa changed Kai Shinano to Demon Kai in the Holy Grail Rebellion. Seeing Kagetora’s confusion, the clerk just warns her and Ritsuka to be careful, as the weak will not survive in Demon Kai. Kagetora tries to ask what that means when the three of them see soldiers putting villagers in trucks.[2]
The clerk says the villagers are being drafted to be soldiers for the Imagawa. Kagetora knows villagers cannot be used as soldiers right away, though. The clerk explains the villagers are taken to factories to become Imagawa soldiers. She advises Ritsuka and Kagetora not to get involved if they want to live. Kagetora, however, knowing Ritsuka wants to save the villagers, goes off to fight the soldiers in spite of her wounds. Ritsuka goes to help her, but first the clerk sells them an “M51” ticket.[2]
Ritsuka and Kagetora see an old man attempting to comfort a crying boy whose father was loaded onto a truck. The soldiers try to load the boy next when they see the old man. One of the soldiers tries to kill him per their orders since old people are useless, only for the old man to easily cut him down. More soldiers arrive in response.[2]
The old man proclaims himself the strongest Shinsengum――Nagakura Shinpachi. He becomes furious at the soldiers for not knowing who the Shinsengumi are and attacks them. An Imagawa soldier orders him to be surrounded when Ritsuka and Kagetora arrive to help him fight the soldiers.[2]
The Imagawa soldier soon realizes Ritsuka is a Master and moves to kill them. Kagetora tries to stop him, but her wounds suddenly act up. Fortunately for Ritsuka, the Imagawa soldier is shot dead by the clerk from earlier, protecting them because they’re her client ever since they bought the “”M51” ticket from her. She introduces herself as Firefly and helps fight the remaining soldiers.[2]
After the soldiers are defeated, Shinpachi and Kagetora thank Firefly for her assistance. Firefly insists she didn’t help only doing what she asked, saying the “M51” ticket is a sign for killing.[2]
Shinpachi is very pleased that Ritsuka recognizes him as the captain of the Shinsengumi’s second squadron. He recommends they get the villagers to a safe place. Where he wants to take them is far, but fortunately they still have the trucks; Firefly offers to drive. As for a safe place for the villagers, Shinpachi says Shinano is mostly under Imagawa’s power except for the land owned by the Takeda.[2]
Nice Gai[]
Okita and Saito are still fighting the armored warrior when an Imagawa soldier arrives to aid him. The soldier attacks the two Shinsengumi, but they easily defeat him. They then finally recognize from the armored warrior’s dual wielding sword style that he is the Goryo Eji Hattori Takeo. They didn’t recognize him at first because he looks so different from the past. Takeo tells the Shinsengumi it isn’t just his appearance that is different.[3]
The Imagawa soldier gets back up, apologizing to Takero for his inability to help him despite the fact he came to his aid. Takeo thanks him for coming, though, saying with them they are a hundred strong. He then proceeds to kill and absorb him, empowering himself. Okita and Saito battle this newly empowered Takeo.[3]
He is far stronger than they expected, though. He reveals the souls of his comrades flow through his body, their regret lending him strength. Saito realizes Takero absorbed not just the soldier from earlier, but others as well. Takeo asks Saito if he thinks he has the right to accuse him of betraying even his own people. He declares he will avenge his comrades who were killed that day on that street and continues his battle with Okita and Saito.[3]
Meanwhile, the heroes are being chased by a group of sports car driving Nobbu. Seeing they’re catching up, Firefly has Ritsuka take the wheel while she takes the Nobbu one by one. Kagetora has Shinpachi go on ahead while she and Ritsuka help Firefly intercept the Nobbu.[3]
After taking out the Nobbu, the heroes rest in a nearby forest. Kagetora notes how well maintained the roads are in the area. Firefly says much of the area is maintained by the Imagawa. Kagetora asks what the Imagawa’s goal is. Firefly says it is to build a strong country and people by strengthening those chosen with magical energy and turn them into powerful Imagawa soldiers. This is being promoted throughout the country.[3]
Firefly explains in Imagawa country, the strong are right in everything, while the weak cannot complain about what is done to them, so many volunteer themselves to become Imagawa soldiers. Being weak is a crime in of itself in Imagawa country and it’s especially true for children. They are graded on their qualities and either become soldiers or slaves; Kagetora tells Ritsuka such a practice wasn’t uncommon in the Warring States period.[3]
Continuing onward, the heroes are almost out of the woods and almost to Kai when they’re ambushed by Nobbu, commanded by an Imagawa soldier. Kagetora tries to fight, but her wounds stop her. Firefly keeps the enemy busy while Ritsuka escapes with Kagetora.[3]
However, a red sports car stops in front of them. Kagetora tries to push through the driver when he steps out of the car, only for him to easily counter her attack. She recognizes him as Takeda Harunobu.[3]
The Imagawa soldier thanks Harunobu for his cooperation, revealing the Imagawa and the Takeda have an alliance. Kagetora tries again to push through Harunobu but she is too weak, much to his disappointment, and he again easily counters her attack.[3]
Kagetora tells Firefly to escape with Ritsuka, but Firefly does nothing. Harunobu reveals Firefly was a mercenary for the Imagawa during the Holy Grail Rebellion. Kagetora tries to activate her Noble Phantasm, but she no longer has the magical energy to do so. She assumes Shinpachi, who had gone on ahead to Kai, is one of Harunbou’s. She also assumes the situation is related to hers and Harunobu’s former relationship and says Ritsuka has nothing to do with it. Harunobu tells her to shut up for a minute and knocks her unconscious.[3]
The Imagawa soldier thanks Harunobu and prepares to capture the heroes when Harunobu suddenly knocks him away, much to the soldier’s surprise. Harunobu demands he leave and announces the alliance between the Imagawa and the Takeda is dissolved. The soldier orders the Nobbu to kill Harunobu, but they decide to join the Takeda mostly because they liked Harunobu’s car. The soldier flees, swearing Harunobu will regret betraying Yoshimoto.[3]
Harunobu tells Ritsuka to follow him, saying they need to talk. He proclaims the Takeda and Chaldea have formed an alliance to defeat Kenshin.[3]
Meanwhile, Hijikata wakes up in a prison cell greeted by Takeo. Another person whom Hijikata is formerly acquaintance with then soon arrives.[3]
The Northern God of War[]
In the past, Itou Kashitarou informed Hijikata of his departure from the Shinsengumi, though not wanting to be forced to commit seppuku like Yamanami Keisuke, he claimed his was a separate unit assigned to guard the imperial mausoleum. He further claimed this was a ruse in order for him to investigate the inner workings of the imperial court, Satsuma, and Choshu. Commander Kondou Isami already agreed, but he still wanted Itou to get Hijikata’s approval. He never got Hijikata’s approval but still left anyway.[4]
He and Takeo later met with Shinpachi in private. Itou tried to convince him to join his new unit, the Goryo Eji, claiming it was a detachment of the Shinengumi and that he had Kondou’s permission. Shinpachi declined even after Itou told him Saito had joined, promising not to say anything to neither Kondou nor Hijikata.[4]
Interior of Imagawa Yoshimoto's castle
In the present, in his castle, Yoshimoto commends Itou for his knowledge and insight, revealing it was the latter who planned out the ambush all so the former could kill his rival Nobunaga.[4]
Itou reports they are running the production of Imagawa soldiers at full capacity. Yoshimoto tells Itou he is leaving the building of their nation’s strength to him, for he will be unable to move until the Grail has become accustomed to the magical energy it had captured.[4]
He warns Itou not to underestimate Ritsuka. Itou knows since killing Nobunaga was their first priority they had to let Ritsuka go. Pursuerers have already been sent out, but Itou and Yoshimoto have surmised where Ritsuka went: Kai.[4]
Meanwhile, with the heroes, Harunobu repeats they are going to defeat Kenshin, but he does not mean Kagetora. He then tells Kagetora to stop pretending to be unconscious, knowing full well his earlier attack wouldn’t kill her. Kagetora gets up, admitting she was hoping to catch Harunobu off guard.[4]
Harunobu points out that her wounds have already begun to heal. Kagetora notices her stomach wound that had been unclosed for a long time is starting to close. Harunobu reveals Kagetora’s wounds inflicted by Yoshimoto were healing slowly because she was still in the latter’s territory. That is no longer the case now that she is out of Shinano.[4]
Kagetora admits she was surprised that even Shinano had been conquered by the Imagawa. Harunobo says the Imagawa wouldn’t have taken Shinano if it weren’t for Firefly. Firefly confirms she had fought for Imagawa in the earlier Holy Grail Rebellion.[4]
Harunobu asks Firefly why she is with Chaldea. Firefly replies she only wields her power for the sake of her contractors. Her contract with Ritsuka has already expired and the only reason she followed them was because they were going in the same direction. Harunobu presumes she wants to sell her services to the Takeda now that the Imagawa have become too strong, but he doesn’t want them.[4]
He then suddenly attacks her, saying he is going to kill her. Ritsuka implores both of them to calm down when they get ready to fight, but Harunobu reminds Ritsuka that the Saika (Firefly's clan) will join any side for money. It would be troublesome if she got on the Imagawa’s good side again and he sees no reason to keep her alive.
Ritsuka asks Firefly if she has any more tickets. Firefly is surprised they want to make another contract with her since it’s true her clan is a group of mercenaries who will follow anyone depending on the reward. Ritsuka nonetheless makes a contract with her, which Harunobu accepts. Kagetora suspects Harunobu actually wanted Firefly on his side and calls him out for his habit of publicly breaking alliances.[4]
Changing the subject, Kagetora asks Harunobu about Kenshin. Harunbou agrees to tell everyone about Uesugi Kenshin.[4]
Meanwhile, at Yoshimoto’s castle, Itou says he expected Harunobu would break the alliance between the Takeda and the Imagaw, though he still finds timing annoying. Yoshimoto says breaking alliances is Harunbou’s speciality and suspects he took advantage of the fact he couldn’t move. He finds it rather auspicious Harunobu had remained quiet until now. Regardless, they will have to wait and see how things play out with the Takeda.[4]
Moving on, Yoshimoto asks Itou if the dependents of Nobunaga’s power he absorbed will be of any use. Itou remarks the Nobbu are enough of a force to be reckoned, though individual differences in terms of loyalty and wonders if mental adjustment will be an issue in the future. Yoshimoto concludes the Grail can be used to mass produce the Nobbu and if they can prepare enough for the north, then the Takeda will be easier to deal with.[4]
Arriving in Kai, Harunobu takes the others to an empty field, whereupon he summons his castle. Inside, they find Shinpachi angrily chasing Nobbu around. He assumes they’re with the Imagawa until Harunobu informs him they had defected to the Takeda.[4]
Shinpachi confirms he was able to get the villagers to safety thanks to the assistance of RItsuka, Kagetora, and Firefly. Harunobu thanks Ritsuka for saving his people and swears to never forget this debt.[4]
Moving on, he asks Ritsuka if they’re ready to make a decision on allying with the Takeda. Ritsuka asks how long the alliance will last for. Harunobu suggests until the Imagawa are defeated since that seems to be Chaldea’s goal anyhow. Firefly has no issues in fighting her former employers.[4]
On to the main topic, Harunobu explains to the north there is another Kenshin different from Kagetora. She suddenly appeared one day during a battle between the Takeda and the Imagawa. The Takeda were losing and were preparing to retreat and rebuild their army when Kenshin appeared and started killing the Imagawa’s forces at a tremendous rate. Firefly remembers the Imagawa were so panicked that Yoshimoto himself decided to go into battle. It was then that Kenshin suddenly started to kill the Takeda’s forces.[4]
Meanwhile, Kenshin senses a disturbance in the balance and flies to a village under attack by Imagawa soldiers looking for new conscripts. She calls the soldiers weak and kills them all, saying Bishamonten will save them. An old man, whom the soldiers were going to kill, thanks Kenshin for saving him. Kenshin, however, calls him weak and kills him, saying Bishamonten will save him.[4]
Lively Aburanokoji[]
On November 18 1867, Hijikata informed Shinpachi that Itou had been killed and his corpse was left on Shinchijou Stret. Other members of the Goryo Eji quickly found him, but Takeo realized too late it was bait and they quickly found themselves surrounded by the Shinsengumi.[5]
Shinpachi soon arrived to fight Takeo himself when Saito suddenly stabbed Takeo in the back. Takeo had realized Saito was a spy leading him to ask Shinpachi if this was meant to be the Shinsengumi’s sincerity. He implored his compatriots to flee, not wanting them to die in vain, but Saito said none of the Goryo Eiji would be allowed to escape. Takeo, disgusted by the Shinsengumi, swore there will come a time they will pay for their twisted sincerity before fighting Saito and Shinpachi, despite his dire state.[5]
In the present, Harunobu explains Kenshin kills the Imagawa or the Takeda whenever either side gains momentum in order to maintain balance. He doesn’t know why she is going through the hassle, but if nothing is done about her, they’ll be unable to defeat the Imagawa.[5]
He asks Shinpachi if he received any reports. Shinpachi answers he just got a report saying Kenshin killed Imagawa soldiers that had attacked a village to the north but also the villagers. Harunbo, like Kagetora, cannot understand Kenshin’s actions, but they cannot let her continue killing the Takeda, so tomorrow morning they head north to take her out.
Later outside a boy asks Firefly to show him her gun. Harunobu said guns would eventually play a leading role in warfare, which is why the boy wants to grow up to be a gunslinger and fight alongside Harunobu. The Imagawa killed his father, so he’ll protect his mother instead.[5]
Firefly shots past the boy and warns him to remember that guns are powerful but also very dangerous. Any human can easily kill someone by simply pulling the trigger. If she had shifted her hand a little to the left, she would have shot the boy dead. She tells him that when he does grow up to take the gun not kill but to protect his mother. The same applies to swords and spears as well.[5]
When the boy says he likes guns because they’re cool, Firefly remembers she once gave the very same reason for why she uses guns even though she is more suited to martial arts. She commends the boy for having good taste. She then tells him to go home, seeing it’s almost sunset. The boy goes home saying he’ll see Firefly tomorrow.[5]
Ritsuka notes to Firefly that she likes kids. Firefly replies she dislikes people who don’t like children. However, she admits the Saika will side with anyone if hired and kill children and adults alike. She therefore asks Ritsuka why they hired her. Ritsuka tells her she saved those children. Firefly realizes they’re talking about Shinano but insists that time was different and goes to bed.[5]
At Yoshimoto’s castle, Takeo reports to Itou on Kenshin’s latest appearance. He questions, though, why Harunobu broke their alliance now when it was formed to fight together against Kenshin. Itou suspects it has to do with Chaldea because before, even though he was allied with the Imagawa, Harunobu had no choice but to remain static against Kenshin. Unless something is done about her, the Takeda and the Imagawa will have no choice but to continue their stalemate.[5]
He wonders if Harunbou sided with Chaldea because it would increase his odds against Kenshin. Takeo remarks Ritsuka didn’t seem all that impressive, which Itou agrees with only to realize why Yoshimoto is concerned. He suspects Harunobu allied with Chaldea to break the Takeda’s stalemate with the Imagawa without losing any of his troops, since unlike Yoshimoto he cannot get new recruits so readily. He cannot be sure of Harunobu’s intentions, but he suggests against using this opportunity to attack Kai and instead prepare for the possibility of Kenshin attacking.[5]
The next day at Shinano, Harunobu says they will head north and defeat Kenshin. Firefly asks what their odds are when even Yoshimoto avoided Kenshin. Harunobu says their odds shot up when Ritsuka arrived with a certain someone. Kagetora shows up in a new outfit and surmises that “certain someone” is her.[5]
Harunobu explains to head north they will need to first pass through an Imagawa Border checkpoint. He will go ahead first and get the soldiers’ attention while the others follow after him. Kagetora asks Ritsuka if she should accompany Harunobu to monitor him. Harunobu tells her that her horse can’t keep up with his car, only for Kagetora to call her horse, which she inexplicably turned into a motorcycle, much to everyone’s astonishment; she had figured out Harunobu’s car was originally his horse.[5]
Harunobu and Kagetora proceed to race toward the northern border with their mounts. Firefly agrees to follow after them with Ritsuka when someone asks if they can accompany them.[5]
A flashback reveals Itou had requested Saito to do a favor for him involving Chaldea, though Takeo doesn’t trust Saito ever since he betrayed the Goryo Eji that day. Saito reluctantly agrees to Itou’s request given Okita and Hijikata are now hostages. Itou sends Takeo to help as well to act like a decoy.[5]
Reunion of Kai[]
On February 1868, somewhere in Edo, Hijikata informed Shinpachi and Saito that the shogunate had officially given the order for the Shinsengumi to fight as the Koyo Chinbutai. The shogunate and the Aizu will provide the funds for the army, and in addition, equipment and soldiers will be provided. If they successfully defeat the SatchoWP, they can keep Kofu Castle as their residence. They will also command shogunate forces with Lord Keiki; they cannot allow a repeat of Toba-Fushimi. Okita, however, would be sadly left in Edo.[6]
Shinpachi then pointed out Hijikata’s new uniform. Hijikata said it wouldn’t just be their uniforms but their weapons and fighting style would change as well. Shinpachi left afterward to potentially recruit folks from Shimada. Saito expressed doubt they could defeat the Satcho, but Hijikata still wanted the Shinsengumi to fight even if their chances of winning were slim. He believed the Shinsengumi would never end so long as Kondou remained. Saito, however, lamented they were no longer the Shinsengumi but the Koyo Chinbutai.[6]
In the present, Shinpachi and Saito seem poised to fight one another, but Firefly at Ritsuka’s behest puts a stop to it with a few warning shots. After the Shinsengumi apologize for their conduct, Saito explains he, Okita, and Hijikata were captured by the Imagawa. Shinpachi accuses Saito of abandoning his friends and running away, but Saito reveals he returned to Ritsuka on an errand from the Imagawa: they want Chaldea’s help fighting Kenshin. Ritsuka agrees to help, which baffles Firefly since the Imagawa are the enemy.[6]
Saito informed Shinpachi that both Itou and Hattori are with the Imagawa. He says he will find an opportunity to help Hijikata and Okita and asks Ritsuka to take care of Shinpachi before leaving to give the Imagawa Ritsuka’s reply. Shinpachi questions what the Imagawa’s actual objective is. He, Ritsuka, and Firefly then go after Harunbou and Kagetora.[6]
Harunobu stops his and Kagetora’s race to challenge her to a fight. Kagetora doesn’t mind, but she thinks now isn’t the time since it will be a problem later if she injures him. Harunbou still challenges her regardless because he wants to be certain Kagetora is how he remembers her before he fights Kenshin. He attacks her, which she easily dodges, and the two rival generals begin their battle.[6]
At Yoshimoto’s castle, Itou is surprised Ritsuka had actually agreed to help. He tells Takeo to go and cooperate with Chaldea against Kenshin since he is the only one beside Yoshimoto who is unable to move for a while that can fight Kenshin. Saito agrees not to tell anyone what he just heard about Yoshimoto.[6]
Harunbou recalls how he ousted his father and became the Takeda’s leader. Through his leadership, the Takeda were always victorious in battle, and they grew larger and stronger. He believed no one could compete with her until the day he met Kagetora; he never surpassed once in his life.[6]
Kagetora asks Harunobu why he doesn’t use both of his hands. Harunobu replies that one arm is enough for her and dares her to unleash her Noble Phantasm. Kagetora activates her Noble Phantasm only for Harunobu to suddenly stop the fight, saying he doesn’t want to lose now. He asks her what happened to the sword, much to her confusion, since her swords are present. She considers killing him but decides otherwise when Ritsuka and the others arrive.[6]
That night, Ritsuka, Firefly, and Shinpachi inform Harunobu and Kagetora that the Imagawa wants to join forces with Chaldea.[6]
Shinpachi mentions Itou, whom Harunobu knows is the Imagawa’s advisor and had brought them knowledge of the future. He was the one who remade Kai Shinano by making modern roads and vehicles possible through the power of Yoshimoto’s Grail. Harunobu admits the roads and vehicles were useful to the Takeda though. Kagetora figures that is why he allied with the Imagawa and broke off their alliance once he obtained the necessary knowledge and technology. She expected as much from him, so she advises Ritsuka they break off their alliance with him.[6]
Harunobu reveals Itou traded with the Takeda in exchange for the magical ore extracted from Kai’s gold mines. Kagetora mentions there are gold mines in Echigo, like on Sado Island. She, like Harunobu, never knew before there was a gold mine on Sad Island, but she now knows it will be found sooner or soon, and thus knowledge of the future is very useful. Harunobu says the earlier ambush at Okehazama was only possible thanks to knowledge of the future.[6]
Firefly recalls Itou was the one who hired the Saika to fight for Imagawa during the Holy Grail Rebellion and Yoshimoto entrusted him with managing the army. Shinpachi isn’t surprised given Itou was smart to begin with, revealing he was once a member of the Shinsengumi. But he is surprised Itou is still with the Imagawa.[6]
Kagetora questions why the Imagawa wants to cooperate with Chaldea. Harunobu thinks it’s more like they want to keep an eye on them and keep them occupied. Either way, they cannot count on the Imagawa, so they will deal with Kenshin themselves. She is just up ahead on a plain through the woods and, except when killing, she is still as a statue.[6]
Since according to Kagetora fighting her---Kenshin---head on is the only way, Harunobu decides he, Kagetora, and Ritsuka will attack from the front, Shinpachi from the right while Firefly covers them from the rear. Takeo suddenly arrives, saying he will attack from the left then. He reassures that, unlike the Shinsengumi, the Goryo Eji keeps its promises.[6]
Harunobu agrees to leave the left to Takeo and tells Shinpachi to watch him if he doesn’t. Takeo says Shinpachi should be the one to monitor, not trusting of anyone from the Shinsengumi. Shinpachi feels the same about him and swears he’ll kill him if he tries anything funny. Takeo responds by reminding him that the Imagawa allied with Chaldea, not the Takeda, and tells him to be prepared to repay his debt sooner or later.[6]
The party’s attack is set to commence at dawn. However, everyone is caught off guard when Kenshin suddenly appears unexpectedly, saying Bishamonten will them.[6]
Salt, Sword, and Bishamonten[]
A flashback shows a retainer of Kagetora informing that the Hojo and Imagawa have cut off the Takeda's salt supply in response to Harunobu breaking their pact, leaving Kai impoverished. He implored Kagetora to take advantage of the situation to attack Kai. Kagetora, however, instead ordered salt be sent to Kai, believing the people shouldn’t have to suffer for Harunobu’s error, and decided to attack the rising Ikko-Ikki. She ordered preparations to be made while she went to pray to Bishamonten. The retainer was left utterly baffled by his lord’s decision, for it was in the Uesugi’s best interest to take this opportunity to invade Kai Shinano.[7]
Praying before her shrine dedicated to Bishamonten, Kagetora admitted she doesn’t understand the human heart, which is why many of her vassals are willing to betray her. She wondered if Harunobu is having similar difficulties, having heard Takeda clan numbers are noisy as well.[7]
Later in Kai, a retainer of Harunobu reported to him that the Uesegi had sent salt along with rations for the army; Kagetora had also sent a letter. Harunbou ordered him to use his name to spread word among the people, not wanting the other clan members to speak with him. The retainer left to fulfill Harunobu’s orders while Harunobu read Kagetora’s letter, irritated by what she wrote.[7]
In the present, Kenshin immediately attacks Shinpachi, Takeo, and Firefly, though she is surprised they didn’t die. Kagetora attacks her with her Noble Phantasm, but it’s completely ineffective. Kenshin calls Kagetora her distortion and wounds her when she again ineffectively attacks her with her Noble Phantasm. She tries to finish her off only to be Harunobu, who challenges her. Kenshin boasts Harunobu is no match for her, calling herself an incarnation of Bishamonten.[7]
Harunobu orders Shinpachi and Takeo to stall for time while he sets up a chance for them to win. While they fight Kenshin, he tells Kagetora to stand down as she should know from her fight that the power of man cannot harm her other self, who is a god. He then requests Ritsuka form a contract with him and give him a Command Spell as the support he receives from the land of Kai isn’t enough for him to match Kenshin.[7]
Ritsuka contracts with Harunobu, followed by empowering him with a Command Spell. Afterward, Harunobu tells Kagetora his plan requires her.[7]
Meanwhile, Shinpachi and Takeo continue to struggle against Kenshin, unable to penetrate through her Divinity. Kenshin attacks them with her flames and prepares a powerful attack to finish them off when she is interrupted by Firefly’s gunfire. Firefly keeps her distance and fires again at Kenshin but is ineffective and Kenshin easily defeats her.[7]
She prepares to finish all of them off when the area is struck by a magical blast from Harunobu’s castle he summoned. Reinvigorated, the heroes fight Kenshin.[7]
A flashback shows Seigan-In telling Nagao TamekageWP that Bishamonten had entered her body. Tamekage considered this to be a good omen and believed the child his wife would bear would save their family. Seigan-In additionally believed the child would save this war-torn world. Said child was eventually born, but both parents were deeply disturbed the child was born laughing.[7]
Harunobu provokes Kenshin into calling upon her Noble Phantasm and allows himself to be hit. Kenshin finds herself unable to remove her sword when Harunobu reveals it originally belonged to the Takeda. He takes it and tosses it to Kagetora. At her behest, Ritsuka empowers Kagetora with a Command Spell and she strikes Kenshin with the sword, bypassing the latter’s Divinity.[7]
Kagetora reveals using Kenshin’s own Noble Phantasm against her to bypass her Divinity was Harunobu’s plan. Harunobu had informed Kagetora earlier that the Noble Phantasm was the sword he gifted her as a thank you for the salt. It is both his and hers and if used in Kai, it would be a Noble Phantasm capable of bypassing Kenshin’s Divinity.[7]
Yoshimoto suddenly Kenshin, whom he was able to harm thanks to losing her Divnity, and absorbs her. At Itou’s urging, he decides to kill the heroes who are wounded and exhausted from their battle with Kenshin and challenges Harunobu to battle. Shinpachi realizes this was the Imagawa’s’ intention in allying with them all along and Takeo was monitoring them for that. Harunobu prepares to fight Yoshimoto despite his earlier wound from Kenshin when he is suddenly shot in the back by Firefly.[7]
Saika's Elegy[]
Firefly was a slave who was brought over to Japan. One night the ship she was transported on was attacked by Saika MagoichiWP, who set the ship ablaze and killed the crew, including the merchant who purchased Firefly. Magoichi told her to either follow him, allow herself to burn to death with the ship, or try to swim back to her country. Firefly, making a choice of her own volition for the first time, decided to follow Magoichi, and thus she became Saika.[8]
Harunobu realizes Firefly had been waiting for the opportunity to shoot him. Itou reveals Firefly did it out of revenge for Harunobu killing the previous Magoichi in the Holy Grail Rebellion. He further explains Magoichi had a Skill that upon his death automatically summoned the next generation of Saika to take over as leader. Firefly, the third generation Saika Magoichi, was thus summoned. Kagetora realizes Firefly joined them to get closer to Harunobu.[8]
Firefly asks Harunobu why he let her join him when he knew she sought to kill. Harunobu tells her he won’t be killed by her and that he only allowed her to join because she was useful. Firefly prepares to kill him when Kagetora grabs Harunobu, urging Ritsuka and Shinpachi that they all immediately retreat.[8]
Yoshimoto, at Itou’s urging, moves to kill Harunobu and Kagetora both, only to be blocked by Takeo. He tells Firefly to stand down and urges Ritsuka to escape. Yoshimoto, and particularly Itou, are surprised by his treachery. Takeo explains his pact with Ritsuka has not been broken and breaking a pact is a violation of a samurai’s code, in which case he sees the Imagawa no different than the Shinsengumi. He is prepared to fight even if it is against Yoshimoto, who accepts the challenge.[8]
The heroes take this opportunity to retreat, but not before Harunobu asks Firefly if she is sure the Imagawa is her Saika.[8]
Yoshimoto swings his sword to execute Takeo for treason, but the latter survives. Yoshimoto is pleased by Takeo’s strength and allows him to live. Takeo considers his agreement with Ritsuka now fulfilled, so next time he will fight for the Imagawa without hesitation.[8]
Noting Kenshin has been removed and Harunobu is unlikely to recover from his wound anytime soon, Itou asks Firefly if she will continue her contract with him until she kills Harunobu. Firefly replies that she intends to.[8]
Itou tells Yoshimoto after all that has happened, they can now finally head for that land. Yoshimoto proclaims it is the key to the Imagawa’s reign, which will begin from now------Kawankajima.[8]
Meanwhile, the heroes have escaped to a forest. Kagetora says they need somewhere to rest and recover from their wounds. Harunobu reveals there is a hidden Takeda hot spring beyond the pass. The heroes head there.[8]
The center of Yoshimoto's castle
Saito breaks Okita out of her, and the two try to escape from Yoshimoto’s castle. They come across what Saito presumes is the castle’s center, where they find Hijikata imprisoned in what seems to be a magical barrier. Okita tries to break it with Lightless, Three-Stage Thrust only for it to immediately regenerate. Saito concludes they will need to destroy the source.[8]
Hijikata wakes up and implores Saito and Okita to escape and inform Ritsuka what Itou, or rather the Imagawa, is trying to do. He reveals the Imagawa’s ambitions go beyond the Singularity, for they seek to destroy and remake the entirety of Japan’s history. Itou appears and confirms that is indeed their goal.[8]
Okita immediately tries to attack Itou, but Firefly stops her with her bullets. Itou asks Saito to join him in creating a new era, believing he’d understand as one who too left the Shinsengumi. Saito refuses and demands Hijikata to be released, so Itou proceeds to torture Hijikata via electrocution.[8]
Saito, angry at Itou, challenges him and Firefly to a two-on-two battle. Itou responds that Okita might kill him again, revealing she was the one who killed him in life and that it was Hijikata who planned the assassination. Okita says she’ll kill Itou again when Itou calls for Yoshimoto.[8]
Yoshimoto immediately attacks Saito upon arriving. Hijikata again implores his comrades to escape and tell Ritsuka of the Imagawa’s plans. However, Itou refuses to let them escape when Okita dodges an attempted sneak attack from another Yoshimoto. Firefly is confused by this and even more when Itou has one of the Yoshimoto attack her.[8]
Saito is appalled by Itou’s actions, remarking that Firefly is on his side. Itou, however, refutes that she isn’t on his side as the Saika will do anything for money. He knows the Saika always follows their agreements and they can be either friend or foe depending on the contract, but it’s pointless to keep such people alive and that is why the Saika perished. He thus tells “Yoshimoto” to kill Firefly before she can become an enemy and because she has outlived her usefulness.[8]
Okita protects Firefly, much to the latter’s confusion. Itou is also confused, questioning why Okit would protect the enemy. Okita responds that if Ritsuka signed a contract with Firefly, she has to believe it much to Itou’s incredulousness. She and Saito then escape with Firefly, promising Hijikata they’ll come back for him.[8]
Relaxing in the hot springs, Harunobu decides they will attack the Imagawa next, like they intended from the beginning. Shinpachi says that will take a lot of work, though. Kagetora notes Yoshimoto seemed more powerful than in the previous battle and there is also still the matter of Firefly. On the subject of Firefly, Harunobu confirms he did indeed kill her predecessor when Shinpachi asks him.[8]
Kagetora asks Harunobu what kind of war the Holy Grail Rebellion was. Harunbou recounts that when he was summoned to Kai, the Imagawa had already controlled most of the land. By that point, the Holy Grail Rebellion was a proper Holy Grail War with Servant contending; Shinpachi realizes that is why he was summoned. But things escalated when the initial Archer and the Caster disappeared simultaneously for unknown reasons and a new Archer was summoned: Yoshimoto.[8]
Harunobu believed the one who summoned Yoshimoto was the Caster, whom he thought was Taigen SessaiWP, but he was wrong. He also thought Itou could have been responsible, but the order isn’t quite right. If Yoshimoto summoned Itou, he used the latter’s knowledge of the future to establish Imagawa rule. But if Itou was summoned first, it would be strange for someone with no connection to the Imagawa to lead it.[8]
Shinpachi proposes the idea that Itou used the Grail to summon and manipulate Yoshimoto. Harunobu dismisses the idea, believing no matter how powerful the Grail is, it is impossible to control Yoshimoto. Kagetora knows Yoshimoto isn’t a general of that caliber even though he had reestablished the Imagawa. Shinpachi realizes things are out of order regarding this subject as well. Harunobu says he can speculate on that at this time. But the more fundamental problem is what the origin of the Singularity is because there has to be someone who first obtained the Grail and created the Singularity.[8]
Goryōkaku
All the sudden violent tremors start happening, followed by a massive shadow being cast over the area. The heroes look up to the sky to see Yoshimoto’s castle, including the surrounding land, floating. Okita, Saito, and Firefly, who were trying to escape, are baffled by the sight. Itou confronting the three calls it the wedge that opens a new era, the aerial citadel GoryōkakuWP.[8]
Seaway's Supreme Ruler, Yoshimoto[]
On the night of November 18 1867 on Shinchijou Street, Itou was ambushed by Shinsengumi sent by Hijikata. He easily defended himself until Okita stabbed in the back, leaving him open to a fatal attack from Oishi KuwajiroWP. He died and his corpse was left on the street just as planned.[9]
In the present, Saito and Okita remember Goryōkaku was in EzoWP where Hijikata had fought. Itou reveals this Goryōkaku isn’t the original brought over from Hakodate but rather it is a recreation he made he calls Super Goryōkaku, He further reveals the fortress uses it shape as a pentagram to amplify the power of the Grail and direct into the fortress’s ruler. It enables the latter to wield a mighty power that cannot be contained within a Servant container. It is through this power that Yoshimoto will bring about the new era.[9]
Itou reveals it was he who planned the Imagawa’s conquest of Kai Shinano, all of which was to extract magical ore from the various mines. They continued to fight the Takeda and Kenshin to distract from Super Goryōkaku’s construction; Kenshin was summoned in response to them breaking the rules of the Grail War. Itou also admits the ambush on Nobunaga, the Imagawa’s revenge, was prepared by him.[9]
He then reveals one of the Yoshimoto is actually the Archer Magoichi cloaked in Yoshimoto’s magical energy, whom the latter absorbed in the previous Grail War. Firefly thinks Itou is lying, but Itou reveals they killed Magoichi while he was wounded following his battle with Harunobu. Firefly realizes Itou had lied to her about Harunobu being her predecessor’s killer, for which Itou considers her gullible and thus unsuitable to have led the Saika. As for the other Yoshimoto, his true identity is Nobunaga. Itou says the heroes’s fault, remarking the Shinsengumi is good at abandoning their friends.[9]
As he cannot let his hard work go to waste, Itou prepares to kill the heroes. Firefly tells Okita and Saito to escape while she holds off the enemy, apologizing for her stupidity. Okita refuses and asks Firefly to escape with them, but the latter says it isn’t easy to escape from Super Goryōkaku; Saito agrees with Firefly.[9]
Okita then suddenly asks Itou how far his knowledge of the future goes, doubting even someone of his intellect could build a flying fortress. Itou admits some of it is thanks to the Grail’s power, but it was he who brought in the knowledge to develop technology once unthinkable in this era. Okita decides to show what she brought and reveals she has been wearing her swimsuit underneath her clothes the whole time, much to everyone’s surprise.[9]
Having Saito and Firefly hold on to her, Okita floats up into the air, confusing Itou as to how she is able to. Okita undoes the optical camoflague on her jetpack and gives a very brief description of it before flying off at high speed with Saito and Firefly. Itou is left baffled and remarks that Okita is still scary.[9]
While flying, Okita confesses before going to the Singularity, Himiko had told her to bring her swimsuit, so she wore it underneath her clothes. She is very pleased Himiko’s prediction proved correct, and Itou didn’t notice a thing.[9]
Suddenly, though, Firefly warns they're under attack and uses her bullets to deflect an arrow of one of the Yoshimotos. Unfortunately, an arrow shot by the other Yoshimoto hits the left thruster of Okita’s jetpack, sending the heroes plummeting.[9]
Inside the castle, Itou gives his report regarding Okita, Saito, and Firefly to Yoshimoto. Yoshimoto says they cannot allow any interfere now that the castle is on the move. He tells Itou to proceed as he had long prepared but cautions him and Takeo to be careful. Itou declares the beginning of an unprecedented war that will make a name for itself in history.
At the hot springs, Shinpachi is astonished to see Goryōkaku floating in the sky. He explains it was a star-shaped fortress in Ezo built at the end of the Edo period. As soon as it was built, the shogunate fell, and it became occupied by the old shogunate armyWP and became the scene of the Battle of HakodateWP. But the Goryōkaku Shinpachi knew didn’t float, nor was it as large.[9]
Okita, Saito, and Firefly fall into the hot spring. After relaxing some, Okita puts her clothes back on and tells Ritsuka, Kagetora, and Harunobu what had transpired. Harunobu questions why Okita and Saito took Firefly with them, though. Saito says she was deceived by Itou.[9]
Firefly tells Harunobu he can kill her if he wants, but first she wants to know if it was him or Itou who Magoichi killed. Harunobu asks her if her goal is to kill either him or Itou and if that is her Saika. Firefly remembers Magoichi asked her the very same thing.[9]
Harunobu gives her Magoichi’s gun, telling her to figure out the rest on her own. Magoichi gave him the gun, asking him to give it the one claiming to be Saika if they appeared. Firefly leaves to contemplate what she’ll do next. Harunobu remains vague about whether it was him or Itou who killed Magoichi.[9]
Saito and Okita pass on Hijikata’s message that the Imagawa plan to bring Super Goryōkaku here and destroy and rebuild the country. Harunobu quickly realizes something and asks Kenshin if she remembers where Kenshin was. Kagetora remembers it was Kawankajima.[9]
Harunobu reveals Kawankajima is where Kai and Shinano’s leylines intersect. Kagetora realizes Kenshin stationed herself at Kawankajima because the immense magical energy from the leyline intersection meant she could keep herself replenished. Harunobu suspects if the Imagawa were to hit the leylines’ keystone with their flying fortress, it would cause the entire region to collapse.[9]
Shinpachi doesn’t understand why the Imagawa would do that since they’re nothing without land to rule over. Saito adds Hijikata said the Imagawa’s goal is not limited to the Singularity. Shinpachi now understands that to create their new era the Imagawa seek to remake the entire country.[9]
Harunobu says the Imagawa’s plot to destroy and rebuild the country is only speculation at this point, but it makes sense considering the order in which they executed their plan. First, they collected magical ore, followed by the construction of a fortress with a mechanism to amplify magical energy, and finally eliminate those who are in the way of their desired destination. Now with Kenshin gone, all that remains for them is to move their fortress to Kawankajima and drive it in like a wedge.[9]
The heroes resolve to prevent the Imagawa from executing their plan, but attacking Super Goryōkaku will prove quite the challenge. Fortunately, its movement speed seems to be slow. It will take the heroes two days to Kawankajima, but Harunobu wants them to first return to Kofu and formulate a plan there.[9]
Ritsuka and Shinpachi later find Firefly deeper into the forest. Firefly confesses she is not from Japan, but rather she was kidnapped from her home country and sold. But she was fortunate because Magoichi had recruited her into the Saika when he attacked the merchant ship she was on. Many children with similar backgrounds lived in the village of the Saika and were trained to be the next generation of Saika. They had no family and nowhere to go, so they had no choice but to live in the village. Still, it was much better than them dying of starvation on the roadside.[9]
The Saika grew in power and eventually became a force that influenced the course of warfare in various regions. But hired by the Oda, they eventually forgot their principles of fighting for the weak. Magoichi wanted to change that, but he was betrayed by his friends and died. Thus, the Saika became everyone’s friend and enemy, leading to their downfall.[9]
Firefly laments that, just like in life, she failed to avenge Magoichi and was left as the last remaining Saika. But Shinpachi believes Magoichi summoned her to the Singularity for a reason. Ritsuka believes that reason was to protect the weak, which Shinpachi thinks is why Magoichi gave his gun to Harunobu. Firefly resolves to be Saika in her own way in honor of her predecessor.[9]
Full Speed! Kawanakajima in 24 Hours[]
Inside Harunobu’s castle, the heroes prepare to discuss how to stop Super Goryōkaku. But first Harunobu asks Firefly why she is here, well aware Ritsuka has a contract with her. Firefly tells him even though she was tricked, she still shot him so he can kill her if he wants. Before that, though, she would like to help defeat the Imagawa and once that is done, she’ll leave her fate to Harunobu. Harunobu allows her to join with the warning he’ll kill her immediately if she does anything suspicious. Returning to the main topic, he informs the others there is only one way to stop Super Goryōkaku.[10]
Meanwhile, inside Super Goryōkaku, Itou reports to Yoshimoto that they reach Kawanakajima in a day or two. Takeo finds it obvious that Harunobu will try to sabotage them and requests Yoshimoto entrust the army to him and suppress Harunobu. Yoshimoto refuses, for they will win this war with all of the Imagawa’s forces, vowing not to lose like he did in life.[10]
He then commends Itou for the copy of him. Itou says there are four each to protect the four directions created using spiritual material taken in so far as a basis. They are Tokaido Conqueror, Nankaido Conqueror, Saikaido Conqueror, and Hokkaido Conqueror. In addition, there are hundreds of thousands of Imagawa soldiers, all of whom are supplied with magical energy from Super Goryōkaku to keep them fighting until they’re dead.[10]
Back with the heroes, Harunbou explains the plan is to go to Kawanakajima ahead of Super Goryōkaku and catch it with his castle. Fortunately, the roads in Kai are well maintained, so if they set off now, they should reach Kawanakajima tomorrow.[10]
Suddenly, Nobbu rush in and report that a large Imagawa army has appeared on the road leading to Kawanakajima led by four Yoshimotos. They are moving south and closing in on Takeda territory. Furthermore, the enemy numbers one million.[10]
Despite this new information, Harunobu asserts the plan remains unchanged. The only way for them to win is to defeat the enemy and rush into Kawanakajima. They will do so using a spearhead formation, though they are few. Harunobu also needs the others to ensure he reaches Kawanakajima, as he cannot fight and he’ll a boost from a Command Spell to catch Super Goryōkaku. Kagetora is concerned that the only ones who can still fight are her, Firefly, Okita, and Saito when Nagayoshi bursts into the room accompanied by Ranmaru X and Mash.[10]
Mash explains the three of them were the only ones who could have been sent from Chaldea because, according to Da Vinci’s analysis, only those related to the Singularity can rayshift to it. Ritsuka can understand why Nagayoshi and Ranmaru X but not Mash. Mash reminds them that though it was a different Singularity, she was a member of the Chaldea clan who came to govern the land, so there is a connection.[10]
Pleased they have more now, Harunobu goes over the plan again. They will go with a spearhead formation with him in his car at the rear. Once a position in the enemy opens up, he will rush in and head for Kawanakajima at once.[10]
Shinpachi and Nagayoshi both decide they’ll be in the vanguard, though they end up arguing, which leads to a fight. Kagetora decides Ritsuka and Mash will accompany Harunobu. Ranmaru X decides she’ll provide cover from the sky. Saito and Okita decide they will accompany the Nobbu. With nearly everyone’s roles decided, Mash blows the conch to mark their departure.[10]
Makai Great War, Kawanakajima[]
Kawanakajima
The forces of Chaldea and Takeda battle the Imagawa’s massive army, with Takeo serving as the enemy frontline commander. They struggle against them until an ambush led by Kagetora catches the enemy off-guard, allowing the allied forces to breakthrough them and approach Kawanakajima. Unfortunately, Itou ambushes them with the same tactic Nobunaga employed at the Battle of Nagashiro.[11]
Kagetora tries to take on the enemy herself when she is suddenly attacked by Yoshimoto. He calls her parents foolish for thinking they could manifest a god into the world, but does not elaborate. He says only children do not know their parents’ hearts and thinks it better for Kagetora to die ignorant. On Itou’s orders, the Imagawa forces start eliminating the allied forces using bullets made from Nobunaga’s Spirit Origin.[11]
At the base camp, Mash and Ritsuka both are worried something has happened to the frontline, so they head out with Ranmaru X and Firefly.[11]
Seeing his allies being gunned down around him, Shinpachi is reminded that the same thing happened when he fought in the Battle of the Toba-Fushimi. Takeo takes advantage of his distress to severely wound him. He tells Shinpachi he should have never been a member of the Shinsengumi since he is too honest to be among them. He believes the reason he was summoned as an old man instead of in his prime, like Servants usually are, is because he regrets being a Shinsengumi. Shinpachi tries to deny he has regrets, but falls silent when Takeo points out his actions in life were the opposite of the ideal he sought to achieve.[11]
Takeo tries to finish him off, but Okita arrives just in time to block his blade. He asks her even as a Heroic Spirit if she still wants to be Shinsengumi even though it is long gone. Okita refutes that the Shinsengumi is gone because they, specifically Hijikata, are still fighting as the Shinsengumi. She doesn’t care if it’s a historical fact that Hijikata and the Shinsengumi perished.[11]
Saito ambushes Takeo, agreeing with what Okita said. He tells Shinpachi that Hijikata had been fighting for a long time without even realizing he had died. Okita remembers Hijikata said as long as he is around, the Shinsengumi will never end. Reinvigorated by his comrades, Shinpachi inexplicitly returns to his prime and fights Takeo.[11]
Shinpachi defeats Takeo with Dragonflight Blade. Takeo realizes Shinpachi truly is Shinsengumi, whom he calls a bunch of idiots before collapsing.[11]
Ritsuka and Firefly join up with the Shinsengumi and get ready to break through Yoshimoto and into Kawanakajima. Itou, however, reveals they’re too late, as Super Goryōkaku has reached Kawanakajima. Yoshimoto, proclaiming the time has come for the name of Imagawa to regain its prestige, commands the flying fortress to fall.[11]
Decisive Battle Super Goryōkaku[]
Super Goryōkaku falling
Itou boasts that nothing can be done to stop Super Goryōkaku’s fall. Kagetora asks him since he has knowledge of the future if he knows about the Battle of KawanakajimaWP. Itou knows it was a meaningless battle between the Takeda and Uesugi where both sides had much to lose and little to gain. Kagetora is pleased that battle hadn’t gone unnoticed and tells Harunobu he has successfully beaten the woodpecker this time.[12]
To the surprise of Itou and Yoshimoto, Harunbou suddenly comes from behind the latter. At his behest, Ritsuka empowers him with a Command Spell, changing him into his third Ascension. He declares now is the time to protect Kai with his own body.[12]
Before the heroes had set out, Harunobu explained his march to Kawanakajima would be based on the woodpecker plan from the last time he and Kagetora had a real battle. Originally devised by his military strategist to kill Kagetora, the strategy involved having one unit draw out the enemy’s forces and then strike them with another unit in a pincer attack. But this time, it will be the opposite.[12]
Kagetora pointed out to Harunobu the enemy might notice his detour just like she did. Harunbou replied they’ll use the road she used to avoid being noticed: the road leading south from Echigo. From Kai, he will pass through Ueno to Echigo and head straight for Kawanakajima. To further divert the enemy’s attention, he will have a duplicate of his car made. Ritsuka will drive it and Harunbo will make it so the enemy won’t be able to tell it’s not him driving from a distance. Mash and Ranmaru X will escort Ritsuka.[12]
Super Goryōkaku destroyed
In the present, Harunobu destroys much of Super Goryōkaku, its remains scattering throughout Kawanakajima. Afterward he calls Yoshimoto Ujizane, pointing out the real Yoshimoto would have seen through his plan. He had been bothering him who was the originator of the Singularity, but then “Yoshimoto” said he was the Imagawa who destroyed it.[12]
Kagetora remembers Ujizane was Yoshimoto’s eldest son. He succeeded his father following his death, but he was unable to maintain the clan and became a wanderer. Itou confirms “Yoshimoto” is Ujizane. Harunobu accuses Itou of being the mastermind behind Ujizane, deducing the Grail was used to clothe the latter in Yoshimoto’s Spirit Origin and harness his power.[12]
Itou vehemently denies he manipulated Ujizane for his own ambitions for he has been single-mindedly serving him ever since he summoned him, He asks the Shinsengumi, who killed their comrades, and Harunobu and Kagetora, who only cared about their fiefdoms, what they make of his loyalty. Ujizane commends Itou for his loyalty, saying none of the aforementioned people have any right to criticize him.[12]
He calls Harunobu the one who truly destroyed his Imagawa, which confirms to Harunobu that Ujizane created the Singularity. He knows he is to blame for the downfall of his clan and that he will be recorded down in history as a fool, along with his father, who lost at Okehazama. But he questions what right people who never knew his father have to call him a fool and humiliate him. He proclaims they do not need such a history, so he will destroy it and inscribe the name of his father onto the new history.[12]
Itou reveals they of the Goryo Eji who were summoned in response to Ujizane’s grief and indignation had the same aspiration as him, which is to take revenge on the Shinsengumi. Shinpachi asks him if that is why he gathered them all here. Itou replies Goryōkaku was the last place of the Shinsengumi, so it was inevitable they would attract those related.[12]
He calls for Ujizane to kill the heroes, repeatedly saying they can start over again. But Firefly, who snuck up behind him, says there won’t be a next time and shoots him. She asks him if what he said earlier was true, why he used Magoichi, certain he wished to revive the Saika. Itou tells her he told Magoichi they would restore the Saika in the new history, but Magoichi said he fought for the weak. He was incompatible with their aim for a strong nation, so Itou had him killed when he was wounded in his battle with Harunobu.[12]
Takeo appears still alive and attacks Itou much to the shock of Shinpachi and Okita. With both him and Itou now near death, he requests for Ujizane to absorb them both. Saito is shocked Takeo would request that, but Itou says the Goryo Eji are volunteers who are loyal to Ujizane; it is unlike the Shinsengumi.[12]
Ujizane absorbs Takeo and Itou and their power, in conjunction with the others he had absorbed, causes not only his magical energy to increase but his body to grow as well. He tells the heroes his castle was designed to only make him stronger, so it would have been somewhat better for them if the Singularity was destroyed. He declares he has surpassed his father and proclaims himself Seaway’s Supreme Ruler “Ujizane”.[12]
The heroes try fighting him but he is far too powerful, leaving only Harunobu, Kagetora, and Ritsuka, who survived thanks to hiding behind Harunobu, as the ones left standing. Harunobu eggs Ujizane into attacking him, but his armor does not protect him, making him realize the attack Ujizane had used contained Kenshin’s divine power.[12]
Ujizane thanks Kagetora for reaching the level of a god, having heard that Bishamonten entered her mother’s body, Seigan-In, when she was conceived. Kagetora thought that was just a dream her mother had, but Ujizane informs her that her mother truly did try to conceive the child of a god by consuming the bones of a Buddha she had obtained from a visiting monk. It is unknown if the bones were truly those of Buddha, but the fact remains, Kagetora was born with a power that can only be described as divine, even being called the incarnation of Bishamonten.
The idea of creating a god from a human is not a sane one, but Seigan-In sought the power of Bishamonten. Ujizane doesn’t know the truth, but he knows from absorbing Kenshin that Kagetora has inhuman power. That power is incomplete, however, so Ujizane will absorb Kagetora to obtain the rest of it. Kagetora, too distraught, leaves herself open to Ujizane’s attack and is subsequently absorbed by him.[12]
Presumably inside Ujizane, Kagetora encounters Kenshin. Kenshin explains to her she was originally meant to be her----the arbiter of war who brings peace to a turbulent world as a literal incarnation of Bishamonten. Kagetora had certainly lived her that way, but when she met Harunbou, she became obsessed with fighting him. Her obsession with him led her to trying to know the hearts of the people, thus she stopped being the arbiter of war she should have been.[12]
Kagetora questions who Kenshin, who was summoned to the Singularity, is then. Kenshin reveals the Singularity was originally a place where those who wished for a future they could never reach were summoned, therefore she materialized as the arbiter of war Kagetora should have been. She declares the two of them will disappear together.
Suddenly Kagetora hears Ritsuka and Harunobu calling out to her. Kenshin compares them to those who distorted her, asserting that people are irredeemable. Kagetora refutes her for people like Ritsuka and Harunobu is what she always sought and clung to. She then deduces Kenshin is actually her mother as she was the one who sought the form of the child she wished for, similar to how Ujizane sought his father.[12]
She could never be what her mother wanted her to be, but she still wanted to know people, though laughing was the only human quality she was able to acquire. She doesn’t know from whom exactly she received her divine power, nor does she have any way to know. Regardless, she demands her mother give back her power.[12]
Seigan-In is surprised her daughter wants to rejoin the likes of Harunobu, even though she can never be a normal human nor a Buddha. Kagetora laughs, remarking she had nothing to begin with, and tells her mother to be happy she can finally have an attachment to people. Seigan-in is traumatized to hear her daughter’s laughter again and loses Kenshin’s Spirit Origin. Kagetora bids her mother farewell, apologizing for being such an unskilled child.[12]
Ujizane boasts he is now all powerful, but Harunobu and Ritsuka both believe in Kagetora. He tries to demonstrate he wields the power of the incarnation of Bishamonten when it starts leaving him and a familiar voice is heard from within him calling itself the incarnation of Bishamonten and the Dragon of Echigo.[12]
Kagetora, now Kenshin, emerges from Ujizane ready to fight him. Ujizane boasts he is still stronger than her and Harunobu when Hijikata suddenly arrives, much to the surprise of his fellow Shinsengumi. Firefly then arrives with Ranmaru X, Nagayoshi, and Mash, who had rescued Hijikata from Goryōkaku earlier. Hijikata is ready to fight in spite of his injuries.
Ujizane asserts it doesn’t matter how many weak people for the weak are still weak and only the strong the victors will be written into history as righteous. Harunobu calls him out for saying that when he absorbed his own people and vassals to maintain his inflated state. Kenshin tells him it is because they’re weak that people help each other, so she asks what will remain for him who clings to the strong and rejects the weak. Ujizane refuses to answer her question and battles the heroes.[12]
At the battle’s climax, Firefly suddenly hears her predecessors’ voice from within Ujizane telling her to live her Saika. Firefly proclaims herself Saika Magoichi then shoots Ujizane with Gun God - Yatagarasu. Ujizane finds himself unable to move. Hijikata, Okita, and Saito all attack him at once, followed by Shinpachi hitting him with Dragonflight Blade. Harunbou then assaults him with Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain and Kenshin finally defeats him with Bishamonten's Eight Phases - Shiranui.[12]
Ujizane laments he had gone to such extreme lengths to live up to his father’s reputation but could not clear his name because he was weak. Harunobu sympathizes with Ujizane when it comes to fathers. Ujizane warns Harunobu not to assume he has won because, though he may have lost, it still isn’t over yet. He then orders Itou whom he separated from himself to “do it”.[12]
He can no longer write his own history, so as a last resort he will have his own body, which has accumulated tremendous levels of magical energy, detonate and destroy Proper Human History. All Itou has to do is snap his fingers and it will be done. Itou loudly declares to the Shinsengumi that this is his revenge.[12]
Red and White Symphonia[]
A flashback all but confirms Itou used the Grail to grant Ujizane his father’s Spirit Origin after the latter summoned the former and Takeo. Ujizane The two Goryo Eji requested he use his newfound power to erase their regret and use them in any way he saw fit for that purpose.[13]
Ujizane asked them why they would accept his summons when they surpass in both knowledge and military prowess. Itou told him it was for revenge against the Shinsengumi who framed them. Ujizane thus made a pact with the Goryo Eji for him to clear his father’s name and for them to get their revenge, not caring what happens to him as long as it’s for that purpose, and told them to use him as they wish. Goryo Eji pledged their loyalty to their new lord.[13]
In the present, Itou decides not to detonate Ujizane, believing they do not need victory in exchange for their lord’s life, to which Takeo wholeheartedly agrees. Ujizane thanks the Goryo Eji for their loyalty and tells the heroes again it is the victors, the strong, who are qualified to walk into the future. He disappears, hoping his father will rebuke him for his inadequacy.
Hijikata tells Itou it was he who ordered him and Takeo killed, so if he wanted revenge, he should have just killed him. Itou, however, reveals his revenge was to repudiate the Shinsengumi’s ways by doing what they couldn’t: They of the Goryo Eji would fight with their lord for his ideals and die with him.[13]
Itou tells Firefly now is her last chance to take her revenge. But to his surprise, Firefly refuses, realizing nothing will come of revenge. He thinks everything would have been resolved if she killed him sooner.[13]
He apologizes to Takeo, thinking it must have been difficult for him to even have his spirit tampered with. Takeo tells him no harm was done, as he will accompany him to the end. Itou accepts he lost and disappears, telling the Shinsengumi to keep historically humiliating themselves. Takeo disappears afterward, happy he was able to properly fight Shinpachi, Saito, and Okita this time, but doubts they will ever meet again.[13]
With the Imagawa defeated, Firefly reminds Harunobu he can punish her for shooting him even if she was deceived into the act. Harunobu boasts a bullet from an unknown woman like her wouldn’t kill, though Kenshin points out he was very close to death, much to his surprise. But he believes the bullet that hit Ujizane was very much the bullet of “Saika Magoichi” for it had the spirit of the man who almost killed him. Though it sounds strange, Firefly thanks Harunobu for fighting Magoichi.[13]
Starting to disappear, Firefly asks Ritsuka if they still have that “M51” ticket, which Ritsuka confirms they do. She tells them to keep it, promising her Saika will protect them if they call out to her whenever they’re in trouble. She says goodbye and disappears.[13]
The Shinsengumi prepare to be unsummoned, but Okita is curious as to what happened to Nobunaga, remembering Ujizane had absorbed her at Okehazama. Kenshin thinks it’s safe to say Nobunaga was freed too, but she doesn’t see her. Harunobu says the Singularity originated at Okehazama so now that Ujizane is gone it will be corrected and Nobunaga will be back.[13]
Everyone except Kenshin and Harunobu depart from the Singularity. The two rival generals then do battle to see who is the strongest, starting off by clashing their Noble Phantasms.[13]
Makai Gold Rush[]
GUDAGUDA Bar-Hopping[]
Participants[]
Servants
| Designation | Identity | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Saber | Hattori Takeo | Imagawa Clan |
| Saber | Okita SoujiWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Saber | Saitou HajimeWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Archer | Saika MagoichiWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Archer | Imagawa YoshimotoWP | Imagawa Clan |
| Lancer | Nagao KagetoraWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Rider | Takeda ShingenWP | Takeda Clan |
| Caster | Unknown | N/A |
| Berserker | Shinpachi NagakuraWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Berserker | Hijikata ToshizouWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Berserker | Mori NagayoshiWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Avenger | Nobunaga OdaWP (Demon King) | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Avenger | Mysterious Ranmaru X | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| N/A | Kashitarou Itou | Imagawa Clan |
| Ruler | Uesugi KenshinWP | Counter Force |
Non-Servants
Characters utilizing the Saint Graphs of proper Heroic Spirits whilst not being true ones themselves.
| Designation | Saint Graph | Identity |
|---|---|---|
| Archer | Imagawa YoshimotoWP | Imagawa Ujizane |
| Ruler | Uesugi KenshinWP | Seigan-In |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Prologue: Okehazama Reversal
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 1: The Killer's License is M51
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 2: Nice Gai
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 3: The Northern God of War
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 4: Lively Aburanokoji
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 5: Reunion of Kai
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 6: Salt, Sword, and Bishamonten
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 7: Saika's Elegy
- ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 9.15 9.16 9.17 9.18 9.19 9.20 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 8: Seaway's Supreme Ruler, Yoshimoto
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 9: Full Speed! Kawanakajima in 24 Hours
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 10: Makai Great War, Kawanakajima=
- ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 12.16 12.17 12.18 12.19 12.20 12.21 12.22 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 11: Decisive Battle Super Goryōkaku
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 13.8 Fate/Grand Order - GUDAGUDA Super Goryōkaku, Section 12: Red and White Symphonia