In the woods, Miyamoto Musashi pointed to the right."I found a natural hot spring over there. We can hold the contract ceremony there. I already told Doraemon that we'll be gone for a day or two of 'training.' Don't worry about us."
"Musashi, are you running low on magical energy?"
"No. The spirit core gives me enough for about three days."
Muramasa Shirou frowned. "Then why the rush?"
Musashi turned red but answered boldly:"Because… it means I can get closer to my Master."
As expected, Berserker-class Servants are a little off in the head.
This Berserker Musashi was far more carefree than the Saber-class Musashi Shirou knew. Frankly, Shirou suspected her real reason for choosing this place was simply the hot springs.
After walking through the woods, they found a cobblestone path leading to a hot spring inn. The building had no staff, yet all the facilities worked as if by some unknown principle.
"This is it."
Musashi grabbed Shirou's hand and pulled him inside without hesitation. After nine turns, they arrived at an open-air bath. Steam rose from the milky water, carrying the faint scent of sulfur.
"Master, wait here."
She left, then returned carrying a tray: a bottle of sake and skewered dumplings."Snacks are fine, but no wine for you," she said cheerfully.
"…"
Shirou looked down at himself and sighed, preparing to speak.
Meanwhile, Musashi set the tray down, removed her blade, and began undressing without hesitation. Though not tall, her years of training had given her a balanced, slender frame… with curves that were impossible to ignore. Her pale skin gleamed like cream as the steam condensed into droplets that slid down, sparkling in the light.
Testing the water with her toes, she slipped into the bath with a satisfied sigh.
Shirou averted his eyes, steadying his heartbeat. Though he was a grown man inside, he didn't lose his composure. He disrobed in silence and joined her at the edge of the spring.
"How is it? Comfortable, right?" Musashi smiled.
"Yeah. It's a good thing you found this place."
"Actually, it's more like I came here on purpose. It's rare to visit such an interesting world. My creed is to enjoy every moment—so that even if I die in battle, I won't have regrets."
Then, with a mischievous grin—"So, hey!"
She splashed Shirou with hot spring water and pulled him against her."Wine, snacks, and my Master—this is what makes life worth living!"
Shirou stopped struggling and sighed. Something heavy rested on his head. "Musashi, tell me about your past."
She took a sip of sake before answering."My father was a martial arts instructor for the Shinmen family, lords of Takeyama Castle. He was called Shinmen Munisai, a famous swordsman. He gave me the Shinmen surname from the lord."
Her voice softened."Though his swordsmanship was unmatched, to me he was nothing but a brute… someone who abandoned his own child simply because she was a girl. I trained so I could surpass him, cut down his ideals, and prove him wrong. But that was long ago."
Even her bitterness was drowned out by a quiet homesickness.
"Here, the name 'Miyamoto Musashi' is legendary. But me? I'm just a small fry who happened to inherit the name. Sometimes, I feel ashamed. Perhaps the Musashi of this world could serve you better."
She smiled faintly, then straightened."But I am confident in my sword. I've devoted my whole life to it. I will never lose to the Miyamoto Musashi of this world."
"That's not necessarily true," Shirou said honestly.
Musashi puffed her cheeks and tugged on his face. "Master, don't you believe in me?"
"Do you know Sasaki Kojirō?"
"That name… rings a bell."
"He reached the void itself. And even he was defeated by this world's Musashi."
Musashi fell silent for a moment, then laughed and tightened her embrace."Hah… worthy of the man who beat the void. That stings… but what matters more is your answer."
She shook him gently."If you had the choice, would you prefer the Musashi of this world instead of me?"
Shirou shook his head."No. I'd choose you without hesitation."
What a joke. With Doraemon's help, the Holy Grail was already as good as theirs. The Servant's strength was just a bonus. Better to have this Musashi—one who matched him perfectly, and who was beautiful to boot.
Musashi blushed, hugging him tighter."Heh… I'm glad."
Their bodies touched. Their spirits resonated, reaching the perfect state for the ceremony.
Shirou gently slipped from her arms, reaching for a small glass bottle near his clothes.
"What's this?" Musashi asked, peering at the colorful pills inside.
"[Efficiency Improvement Pills]. They raise the success rate of the contract ceremony. Don't mistake them for candy."
Her eyes lit up."Another of Doraemon's treasures? Then I have to try one!"
She popped one into her mouth before Shirou could stop her.
At once, her body trembled. Her consciousness sharpened into a single point, her will hardened like steel. Infinite possibilities collapsed into one.
Memories flooded her—endless battles across countless worlds, duels against foes of overwhelming strength. She relived every clash, every strike, every desperate escape.
Her mind fractured into countless selves, each facing a different enemy. From above, her higher self watched them all.
A thousand Musashis swung their swords in unison, refining technique after technique, until every motion was distilled into the nine basic cuts:
Tachi-giri.Kesa-giri.Reverse kesa.Left horizontal.Right horizontal.Left upward.Right upward.Against the wind.Thrust.
And with those alone, every enemy fell.
Her spirit, sword, and faith merged as one. The excess fell away. Complexity gave way to simplicity.
In that instant, she crossed the boundary she had always dreamed of.
The void.
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