Chapter 221: Demon King Nobunaga Attacks
In response to Tawara's question.
The black-haired girl, Nobu, immediately stepped forward, tilted her head back, and said with an adorable, arrogant tone: "I am Nobunaga! Everyone! You are free to praise me all you want!"
The girl's voice was very unique; although full of arrogance, she seemed so endearing that even if she were to scold someone unreasonably, they wouldn't get angry at all.
"Nobu? Miss, are you famous? The name sounds familiar, though," Tawara asked with some confusion.
"Miss Nobu, is it? Pleased to meet you," Hōzōin Inshun said, unfazed, as expected of a monk.
No one connected her to the historically famous figure, the handsome, mustachioed man.
"Pff hahaha, Nobu, how pitiful! No one connected you to the person you were in your previous life." The pale-pink-haired samurai girl next to her pounded the wooden floor of the steps and burst into laughter.
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Okita, you introduce yourself quickly and see what they say!" Nobu was so angry that her black hair seemed about to turn fiery red, and she cursed repeatedly.
Souji straightened up and bowed to the two seniors, introducing herself: "Hello, Lord Tawara and Lord Hōzōin. I am Okita Souji, a swordsman practicing the Tennen Rishin-ryū style. Please guide me."
"Tennen Rishin-ryū?" Hōzōin Inshun seemed to have no memory of later eras and asked curiously.
"Ah, the Tennen Rishin-ryū was created by the founder, who studied the 'Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū' of the Warring States period and incorporated his own understanding and experience," Souji explained.
"Ah, so you are a distant descendant of Ienao-kō. He was a great martial artist in the early Muromachi period, said to have never been defeated in his life. Are you his successor? I can tell your skill is very good. You must be a famous swordsman," Hōzōin Inshun praised her.
"No, I am actually still immature, cough, cough!" Souji rubbed the back of her head, feeling a little smug about being praised by a legendary martial artist. However, the good times didn't last. She collapsed onto the floor again, coughing up blood.
"Hey, are you alright?" Tawara asked, worriedly.
Souji smiled with blood at the corner of her mouth and said, "I'm fine. This illness no longer affects my health. I just need to get used to it. Pah!"
Hōzōin Inshun's eyes were sharp. He seemed to understand something and said with a smile: "Hmm... is this blood-coughing a disguise? I seem to sense a chilling killing intent from you. Are you an assassin?"
"No! I am a genuine swordsman!" Souji retorted vehemently.
"Pff haha, Souji, with such useless stats, you are definitely better suited to be an Assassin, even in the world of samurai," Nobu chuckled behind her hand.
"Hmph! I'll cut you down! Nobu, whose identity no one believes!" Souji used her finger to lift the sword guard. Kaga Kiyomitsu was slightly drawn from its sheath, flashing a cold light, ready to unleash a battōjutsu (drawing cut) at any moment.
"How irritating! I'm not afraid of your useless stats, Souji! If you want to fight, bring it on!" Nobu drew her sword with one hand and summoned her sole arquebus with the other, pointing it at Souji.
"Shirou only needs me. Nobu, who only causes trouble, you should just concede here."
"No, Souji is the one who always coughs up blood at crucial moments. We don't need you here."
The two girls glared at each other, cold lights flashing in their eyes.
"No, I didn't actually plan for either Souji or Nobu to participate in this battle," Shirou said abruptly.
"Eh?"
"Nao-nao?"
"Ah-ah..." Young Yukino nodded in understanding, thinking: 'Master is so sharp. I must prove myself to be more capable than these two to be chosen. Since there are two useless people here, maybe I'll look more reliable by comparison!'
Young Yukino secretly clenched her small fists, full of ambition.
"Wait! What's going on?"
"Eh! Shirou, you don't want us to participate?"
Shirou looked at the two girls, then fell silent.
"Why are you silent!" Souji asked in surprise.
"Say something, nao!" Nobu protested.
The two girls ran up to Shirou, looking determined not to give up until he clarified.
"No... Well, Souji, Nobu, of course I know that you would be very strong if you could exert your full strength. Oda Nobunaga, the ruler and Sixth Heaven Demon King who established the
unified state of Japan; and Okita Souji, the genius swordsman of the Mibu Wolves (Shinsengumi), are both famous figures," Shirou said, waving his hand.
"Then let us join!" Souji and Nobu shoved past each other, squeezing in front of Shirou.
"No..." Shirou smiled bitterly. He had just happened to encounter the two girls, and they looked quite pitiful, so he brought them back, intending to look after them. However, he truly had no intention of bringing them into the fight. After all, he didn't know what kind of enemy they would face next, and he felt they might drop the ball at a critical moment.
Tawara laughed heartily and said, "Hahaha, there's nothing wrong with it. Even if they aren't the most reliable samurai, they are trustworthy people. Being with them will make the journey enjoyable. That's very important for alleviating tension on the battlefield."
At that moment, everyone looked up, sensing a burst of wild, magical pressure from above the roof.
"Who is it!" Hōzōin Inshun shouted, his eyes sharp, looking toward the roof.
"Uwahahaha! So you noticed my presence! I commend you!" The girl's maniacal laughter came from the rooftop.
"No, with such massive movements, and that magical energy reaction, I knew it was you without even thinking," Shirou said helplessly.
"Hmph, Shirou, I've come for you. I originally just wanted to come and conquer you, to pin you down beneath me. But I heard something interesting." She never intended to hide in the first place.
"Ah! The bad Nobu has appeared!" Souji exclaimed.
"Bad Nobu! What are you doing here? Get back into my body!" Nobu demanded.
"How annoying! My name is Demon King Nobunaga. Go away." Demon King Nobunaga flicked her cloak, blocking Nobu's line of sight, and threw it right onto Nobu's head. The cloak wrapped around Nobu's head, causing her to lose her sense of direction and stumble towards the corner of the wall.
Then, she turned and looked at Shirou, walking up to him, a domineering smile on her face.
"Demon King Nobunaga, what business do you have here?" Shirou asked, looking warily at the newcomer.
"The differential treatment is too much! Shirou, when you met me before, you were relaxed while talking to me, weren't you? What is with this state of facing a great enemy?" Nobu, who had fallen to the ground and finally managed to pull the cloak off her face, said, clearly hurt.
"Since you want to be the hero who saves the villagers, then I shall be the demon king who conquers the village!" Demon King Nobunaga said, laughing wildly.
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