Okita Souji. Called a genius swordsman of the Edo period, a pillar of the Shinsengumi who died of illness just before the Meiji Restoration.
But who would have thought that due to the so-called Innocent Monster, she remains weak even after death and is a woman.
So that's why she was alone.
"I'm sorry for having to be supported like this..."
"It's fine~ This is nothing."
So, she had weakened to the point that I supported her. Of course, Merlin immediately healed her, but he said that vitality is a mental aspect, so she'll have difficulty moving for a while.
"I guess I'll have to become an Assassin until the next fight."
She said she'll be healthy when she's an Assassin, but will that really be the case?
We returned to our lodgings. The barrier had disappeared, and it became clear weather where people's figures could be seen again.
"So our base was discovered right from the start. What could they be thinking? At least if it's that guy..."
"Whatever that guy does, he's not the only one. That emperor woman isn't helpful. Why not call her herself and have her clean up directly?"
"I see what you mean. If the origin is the same, it might be an extension of Heian-kyo? It's one of two things~ Either an awakening, or she tried to do it herself and failed."
"The possibility is higher for the latter, but she might awaken first..."
I don't understand what they're talking about, they're having a conversation only they know...
"For now, rest with Ritsuka. We'll go check if anything has changed nearby. There might be something that prevents us from seeing even in the present time."
Merlin, Nobunaga, and Musashi left the room. The room had only me and Okita. First, I let Okita lean against a doll.
"It's soft..."
"Right? ... Okita, I have a lot of questions. Where should I start asking..."
"... Since it's just the two of us, shall we have a serious talk?"
Okita, leaning against the cute doll, starts a conversation with me.
"You want to become friends with us, right?"
"Yes, that's right. Since we live together, I want to get along well."
"But that's a bit unreasonable. We basically dislike Masters other than our own Master. But you don't know the reason, do you?"
"Yes, that's right. I don't know... Is there a reason?"
"Yes, there is. Master, Dumpty, suffered because of other Masters."
Because of other Masters...?
"You might have heard, but Master wasn't strong from the beginning either. He was the same as you, Ritsuka. After好不容易 restoring human order, some took away opportunities, others said they could have done better, or looked down on him for being ordinary. Whatever the purpose or reason, the important thing is that they were Master's enemies. And then later they become allies, it's shameless."
"... Thinking about it, there is such a person. Since that person is like that, it probably doesn't matter."
"What do you mean by 'like that'?"
"There is, someone called Ms. Zuo Meiren."
Who is Zuo Meiren?
"There's a person whose bond with Master is so high that they're divided into right and left, engaging in an affair that's not an affair. Maybe because her husband is a robot, her sensibilities are strange. That her husband acknowledges it, honestly, it confuses me too."
It's certainly a confusing relationship. Who is it? I'm not good with world history...
If it's Umiin, is she Korean?
"Ahem...! To continue the story, most view you with suspicion. A representative reason is that you rely on Master. They say you're taking advantage of Master's kindness."
"That can't be... They might see it that way. But I never thought that."
On the contrary, I'm trying not to rely only on Dumpty. Every day, I diligently do loops, and everyone is gradually getting stronger and in sync.
There are fundamental issues like the amount of my magical energy, but still, I don't want to depend only on Dumpty, I want to repay him, so I'm trying hard.
But, I see, that's the evaluation I receive.
"... Of course~ I have no particular evaluation of you, Ritsuka."
"Huh?"
"Just in case you misunderstand, I'm saying that such things are meaningless from the start. I am merely a sword that follows Master's will. If Master orders to kill, I'll kill even someone who was a friend until just before. I've been like that since I was alive. Good or evil, there's no such thing. I just want to be with Master until the end."
In a way, Okita is a twisted person...
"... That was a bit serious. This doesn't suit me. Master likes the cute Okita, after all. The point is... I see you favorably because Master sees you favorably."
"The front and back of your words feel a bit different..."
"Personally, I was a bit wary, but if Master's intention is such, then I am too. Well, for those like Ushiwakamaru and me, that's how it is. You want to be friends with the others and are trying hard, but it won't be easy. Will you still continue?"
Okita looked at me with serious eyes. As if testing me...
I answer without tension, speaking my true feelings.
"Yes. I have no intention of giving up. I want to be friends with everyone."
"... Huh, now I see why Master sees you favorably. At the core, are we the same?"
"?"
"I have one curiosity, what is your grip strength, Ritsuka?"
Suddenly? That's too abrupt...
"I haven't measured it, so I don't know?"
"Is that so. It's just idle curiosity... whether you're a Berserker or not."
What is she talking about... Now that I think of it, I remembered something I was curious about Okita.
"Do you like pickled radishes too, Okita?"
"No, I won't eat them even if given."
She says with a stern face... Is it trauma? Since Hijikata always unconditionally eats pickled radishes, she must have had a hard time. Still, it's better than mayonnaise.
Shall I ask one more thing?
"Hijikata seems to quite like women, but in life, did you two have something like a fling or anything?"
"No, it's a joke."
"Even as a joke, please don't say such things. I don't want anything to do with that pickled radish."
She's very serious...
A short while later, the door opened and everyone came in.
"You're back, how was it?"
"Should I say it's an unexpected harvest? Or should I say it's果然 me...! First, I should say it's a gift for you. Fufufufu...!"
"Huh?"
Merlin showed a mischievous smile, and behind them, there was a woman I hadn't seen before.
She came forward and immediately knelt on one knee, bowing her head to me.
"Nice to meet you. I am Kato Danzo, a karakuri ninja."
"Uh... Danzo, like from Naruto's...?"
"That's not it, kid. Why is it that only that point is similar to Master?"
Actually, I'm weak not only in world history but in history itself... But I only remember Naruto's trash?
"To introduce her simply, she is a ninja made by the first Fuuma Kotarou, a mother-like ninja who raised the ninjas up to the fifth generation of the Fuuma clan. She was stopping functioning and dying, but I retrieved and revived her. How about it? My evaluation has skyrocketed, hasn't it!?"
"Wow... amazing, you revived a dying ninja?"
"Fuhu~ That's me for you!"
"You said Danzo, right? Can you use ninjutsu? Like log substitution!"
"Yes, it's possible."
Poof~!
Smoke burst out, and in that place, only a log dressed like Danzo remained, and she disappeared.
"What in the world!? More than that, she's really a karakuri!?"
"Yes! I am a karakuri!"
"Perhaps this child's sense of shame is broken..."
"You don't have shame either."
"This Danzo-chan seems particularly loose in the head..."
=========================
Knock knock knock...
"Yes~ Come in~"
The woman lying in the room gave a positive answer, and soon the door opened.
"Hmm, very fortunate indeed."
"What brings you here~?"
The boy of modest height, Dumpty, entered with Sakura, his hands in his pockets.
"Du, du, du, Dumpty-kun!?"
That was the room of Romani and Sheba. Romani was startled and covered himself with a blanket, while Sheba stretched nonchalantly.
"What is it, Master~?"
"No, Bilqis, aren't you bothered at all...?"
"Well, because it's Master? Originally, besides me, there are 999 women, so what are you saying...? Moreover, you even like VTubers..."
"Magi☆Mari is a special case! She's just an idol of admiration!"
"Ahh~ Is that so?"
"... I'm worried that someday you'll take the red pill."
"?"
"That would be the doctor's karma... I have something to talk about. It's not that big a deal, just that I think we need to deal with Merlin a bit."
"... Well, if it's that, I should help~"
The Queen of Sheba, thinking it's about Sakura's medicine, decides to pretend not to know and cooperate.
Of course, it was about Ritsuka's matter, and Dumpty was moving while drawing a picture in his mind.
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