Intro: I can't believe that I can turn a story upside down from fluffy to grief hahaha… sorry about that, also thinking this story is 2 years old and nearing its 3rd, thank you for sticking with me!
Also keep safe everyone, the virus is serious so don't take it lightly please, with that said because of lockdown and the earth healing (hopefully) I finished all that is needed and now I can finally have time to write once again!
Disclaimer: I do not own Touken Ranbu and Cardfight! Vanguard and other material which came from the said Game/Anime, they are owned by its original creators. The making of this story and this story is made for the fans and the writer XD. Although the plot and some changes in the story are from me ^_^.
Chapter 30: Change
~Meanwhile in the Dining Hall~
Everyone was instructed by Mina to head over to the Dining Hall while she follow Aichi to the smithing room and prepare for dinner excluding the guests, while preparing for dinner a topic that is common now every time Aichi summons a new sword has been opened.
"So… Who do you think Aichi-sama summoned?" Midare asked everyone in the room opening up the said topic.
"There are many choices but let us minimize it." Tsurumaru said turning his head over to Misaki "Any idea what Aichi-sama made?" He asked
While the four of them, Misaki, Miwa, Kai and Kamui sat near the table watching the toudans prepare, Misaki who is quietly watching was surprised to be asked a question "Oh" she pauses for a moment recalling the type it was from what she was told on the different types of swords "It was a Tachi" Misaki simply answered.
All the toudans think very hard on who could it be but to no avail "Even if we minimize the choices…" Hasebe mumbled.
"There are just too many…" Nikkari spoke.
"Although just a little hint can give us some hope." Yagen spoke making it clear what he meant, the toudans looked at one another with a glint of hope in their eyes.
"I wonder if it's going to be him!" Gokotai spoke to Midare which Midare responded with a smile and a nod.
Although the four did not understand about what they meant the four silently watch them listening to the topic.
"See, ideas like that can give us little hope, hope that someone from our school will be next, even Sayo is anxious" Yagen gave off the idea that someone in their family might be next making it clear for the four about what he had meant.
"For now all we can do is wait." Shokudaikiri ended the topic. Since even if they try to guess all they can do is wait. Somehow the four are fascinated at this bunch, thinking that they were previously swords and now look at them in front of them conversing.
But something about Kiyomitsu is making the others worry being unresponsive all throughout the whole topic "Oi, Kiyomitsu." Yasusada called trying to get his attention.
"Yeah?" Although Kiyomitsu did answer, his mind is still elsewhere.
"Are you still worried about the incident in the kitchen?" Yasusada noted half joking at this matter.
"Oh… partly… but, it's not entirely about it" Kiyomitsu mumbled biting his lower lip.
"Then, what's the matter?" Yamanbagiri asked in concern but Kiyomitsu seems hesitant to answer while silently continuing the preparation.
Then behind Yasusada and Kiyomitsu, Mutsunokami is aiming to jump at them "Y'all are thinking too much, let's just be surprised at this new person coming and welcome him." Mutsunokami said trying to cheer him up by well, yes, surprising them, only to almost make another mess.
"Whoa!" Yasusada and Kiyomitsu yelped, good thing they have avoided a grave mistake having a firm grip on the utensils and plates. While Mutsunokami just laughed it off walking far away from the two then continued to what he was doing before.
Seeing as it's not going to a good end Miwa decided to intervene "You know, it's totally fine that you guys are all in good spirits and all after what had happened, but if you guys are too lively, it's not surprising if guys made another mess, and this time…" Miwa closed off his eyes, his head shaking left and right hinting that it means going to get them in trouble, then as if it had worked…
Tsurumaru felt triggered giving out a menacing aura slowly approaching Mutsunokami "You know… 'surprises' can be good but don't do something that can end to our next eternal slumber earlier than expected!" Tsurumaru was now face to face with Mutsunokami making him gulp and bend over because of the closeness.
But then suddenly all the toudans felt a powerful surge of power making them cringe from the shock but in an instant it was suddenly replaced with a feeling as if they were bathed in warm sunlight and the feeling made them pause as if time had stopped.
Although it felt like it was only a second they didn't realize it took longer than they have thought, it was thanks to Mutsunokami for falling on his back because of Tsurumaru waking them up from the feeling as if they were in cloud nine "Wa… wha-what was that…" Imanotsurugi spoke still feeling the warm sunlight within him.
Then feeling overjoyed they looked at one another glancing to their left or right checking if they have felt the same, only to see the grim faces on Kiyomitsu and Yagen looking at the bells on their wrist.
Add to it that all the toudans felt the same but it was different from the four "Somehow I think I felt a cold draft pass by for a second…" Misaki spoke even Miwa, Kai, and Kamui felt the same as if there was something that went past them.
The others look at Misaki, Miwa, Kai, and Kamui then looking at the other's expression "What happened?!" Kai asked when the four also noticed the grim expression from Yagen and Kiyomitsu, it was rare for him to act nor speak hence it was surprising for them, making them feel more that something is wrong than right.
Yagen opened his mouth with a grim look making the others' attention go to him "T-the bell… glowed orange for a moment!" he panicked looking at the others, then he noticed the same grim expression on Kiyomitsu but it quickly changed to anger.
Yagen's panic became contagious and now their happiness was replaced with anxiousness and looked at the bell "Don't tell me that the feeling of warm sunlight was because it glowed orange!" Hasebe spoke, the toudans who are still holding on to something placed it down immediately and hurried to the door, even the four stood up from their seat and decided to join them.
There was no asking of what could have happened or who did it happen to, all their instincts gave them the idea of who it was, what that was, and where it was.
But then, before they could hurry up and open the door, someone from the other side has already beat them to it, much to their surprise it was Aichi "Uwah!" He squealed seeing almost all the toudans on the door who all stopped upon seeing him "Aichi-sama!?" some of the toudans spoke his name
"w-what is going on?!" Aichi took steps backward in surprise from the stampede of toudans thankfully he was caught by Mikazuki once again with a gentle smile still on his face saving him.
Noticing the man who caught Aichi who was clothed in blue their anxiousness and worry was instantly replaced in awe.
Noticing the expressions from the toudans Aichi wasn't able to help but chuckle waking them up from the mesmerizing fellow in front of them "I feel like that is how I looked like when I first saw Mikazuki."
Aichi continued to chuckle making all their worries disappear "All right!" Konnosuke shouted. Making everyone's attention turn to him.
"Oh, Konnosuke we were looking for you all day." Yasusada spoke giving him tons of nod from the others as the others not just him was looking for him.
"You were?" Somehow Konnosuke feels touched and almost blushed but he was able to get over it "Ahem" he collected himself "Before you all get mad at Mina, which I know some of you will feel that she have placed Aichi's life in danger…" he stopped "which she actually almost did" He watched the toudans expression "But…" and he was pleased that no one interrupted him "If it wasn't for Aichi's resolve Aichi wouldn't be able to surpass his ability therefore breaking his limits and was able to break through. Meaning with Aichi's resolve he was able to become stronger unlocking some hidden powers from within" from here on the four guardians felt that Konnosuke is like an announcer who is very much excited about sharing the news "That he was able to summon a rank 5 sword, highest of the ranks and hardest to attain, with only 14 successful summon! Although from here on out I'm sure he would get a hard time summoning same rank but hopefully he will be able to in the future, with Tsurumaru a rank 4 toudan as evidence of how powerful he became, we have someone who is at the highest rank which is Mikazuki Munechika!" added to it he was wagging his tail with one of his front paw pointing at Mikazuki as he finishes his story.
All the toudans sweat drop at the scene but then "Wait a minute! Mikazuki Munechika?! Thee Mikazuki Munechika?! One of the Sanjou sword!?" Tsurumaru raised his voice a little in shock and so does everyone.
Upon hearing his name and school a smile was formed upward from Imanotsurugi's face "Oh! Oh! Oh! Someone from my school!" Imanotsurugi jumped up and down making sure he gets noticed.
"Said to be the rarest of rare swords and the most beautiful of the Five Great Swords of Japan!?" Kiyomitsu spoke in shock.
"Oohhhh…" Most toudans said even Miwa.
But then something they didn't think would happen or would someone do, Mina bowed at the toudans then turned to Aichi while still bowing "I'm sorry!" she started that greatly surprised everyone "If it wasn't for me and if that resolve of you didn't break through your limits your life would have been in danger!" she hastily positioned back to normal.
Aichi smiled at Mina that made her flinch "It's alright Mina-nee if it wasn't because of what you instructed me, I think I wouldn't be able to surpass my limit, so, thank you for this chance"
Mina felt like she wanted to cry "Aichi, you are too kind you know, that it's too much, and it can be scary." Every toudans nodded, even Miwa, Kamui, and Misaki and a sigh from Kai.
"E-eh…?" Aichi was completely clueless as to what that meant earing sighs from everyone.
"Anyways… can we head to dinner now?" Konnosuke spoke the same time as his stomach grumbled making everyone in the room fell silent.
~After Dinner~
After finishing their dinner, Imanotsurugi, Gokotai, Sayo, Nikkari, Hasebe, and Yasusada are the ones who are cleaning out the table, while making small talks "Uhm, I think I've decided…" they heard Aichi say that made all attention to him.
"I want to test if I did change… so, will you, Mina-nee and Konnosuke, allow me with 6 chosen toudans to go to the front lines today?" Aichi asked with eyes that says I won't accept no as an answer.
Konnosuke smiled "Fine by me…" he said while wagging his tail, surprised and happy at the same time.
"If we decline, I'm sure you would just try everything to make us say yes…" although a little hesitant she knew herself that Mina wanted to try out how much he changed.
Aichi smiled while the toudans "hooohhhh… now that is a surprise" Tsurumaru with the others toudans seemed on fire and pumped up at what they had heard, even the six toudans who were cleaning though inside they knew they have 0 chances of getting to the front lines with what had happen.
"So who will be in your team Aichi-sama?" Shokudaikiri asked, gearing up for the front lines.
Aichi stood up from his seat then as Aichi breathed everyone in the room becomes tensed as they all want to go to the front lines… well most of them… "I will call the name of captain last" finally the four guardians was able to see Aichi as a Saniwa once again commanding them for battle "Sayo Samonji" Aichi called the first toudan
"If that is where our enemies are..." Sayo mumbled though to be honest he is happy that he was chosen and for Aichi he knew it all too well making Aichi smile at him.
"Gokotai" Aichi called the second toudan.
"O-... Okay!" Gokotai.
"Yamanbagiri Kunihiro" the third
"Are you... sure I'm the one you want?" Yamanbagiri asked bowing his head down but Aichi reassured him with a smile and nod giving him some confidence.
"Heshikiri Hasebe" the fourth
"Allow me to humbly accept this appointment." Although outside he has a calm face but inwards he is saddened about the fact he was not chosen as captain nevertheless he was happy that he was included because of the certain incident.
"Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki" the fifth
"Mahahahaha! Leave it to me!" He said as he points to himself with a grin.
Then the tension grew and the four guardians felt it, since some wanted to be captain and others doesn't although some seem to have figured out already who he was going to choose and decided to give up on the spot.
"Mikazuki Munechika" the sixth and the last, the captain of the team.
"Captain? Alright, understood." Mikazuki smiled having a carefree and somewhat ditzy atmosphere around him, the others have forgotten that he is much stronger than all of them and but thought twice cause of the somewhat air around him and became worried for Aichi until everyone noticed the exchange of look from the two as if Aichi trusts him wholeheartedly which they found.
"You all have 30 minutes for preparation, the center of the citadel is the place where we will all meet, that is all." Aichi breathed out then left the room with determination in his eyes but before that "Mikazuki, can you follow me to my room?" Mikazuki then stood up from his seat upon calling his name and followed Aichi to his room.
~Center of the Citadel~
All the toudans even the four guardians were present at the center with Mina and Konnosuke waiting for Aichi and Mikazuki, slowly they heard footsteps and saw Aichi dressed in white yukata with sakura flowers and branches pattern and a red hakama with a blue cape with gold linings everyone was in awe looking at the two enter together "Are you all ready?" Aichi asked that snapped everyone back to reality.
"Yes!" The five toudans chosen spoke in unison.
As Aichi stepped forward everyone has noticed the changes, he was more determined, more serious, and more powerful than before, although it was just in the blink of an eye, they all thought that they just looked away for a second and he has changed.
As Aichi reached the center Aichi chanted the words to open the portal which they haven't heard for so long "Oh Akashic records that is the compendium of the past, present, and future, I ask that you give us a path to access time to heal the scars that was made by damned and to repair the broken fate!" Aichi let's go of the talismans and made their way to their corresponding positions "Open a path to …" everyone waited for the place of sortie "Meiji Restoration - Toba" The portals opened as the seven of them were swallowed by the pillar.
The ones who were left behind were surprised "Toba?" Yasusada spoke.
"That's too high level." Shokudaikiri added.
"Well maybe that is how much he trusts their abilities." Tsurumaru said looking at Mina.
"I'm sure they will be fine" Horikawa ended the conversation.
Nodding to Tsurumaru Mina readied her talismans and summoned a mirror that can show what is happening within the sortie.
Miwa was surprised "Wow, you can also do that!?"
Mina nodded "Although if we watch the events happening there that means connecting the time in the present and in the past synching them, making us able to see through the events on the exact time and place, on the other hand if we do not watch and just wait the time that they will be taking will be different on their side and on our side. Meaning to say that the time there will usually past by faster in this time so they will be able to come back faster and we will wait less. For example the time they will finish is 40 minutes but maybe it will be more than 1 day there." Mina carefully explained how the time flows on the other side and in present time.
Looking at the expression from the four they seem to be amaze at how much they can do.
"To think that there is something like this that can only be from stories to real life huh…" Miwa chuckled as if his mind hasn't accepted all of the new information yet.
"Things with time, teleportation, and giving personalities to swords and such" Kamui looked at Miwa same as him his mind seems to be going short circuit now but he did understood about it but at the same time it is scary.
"You are the ones given special privileged, think of it as being assistants. Also you don't have the same amount of privilege as Aichi, you four have limitation, as for Aichi too, even me, so do not worry about too much stuff." Mina further explained their status.
"Even me!" Konnosuke wags his tail "I can come with them or not, as long as there is someone with them it's alright if I don't come, even though I am still needed in sorties, or expeditions, hehe…" Konnosuke laughed it off earning a sigh from most of the people in the area.
"Still, it's amazing thinking of what you can do." Misaki praised Mina.
"She is Aichi-sama's teacher after all!" Midare cheered that made Mina smile.
"There will come a time that Aichi can be able to do the same things that I can." Mina spoke with a hint of sadness from her eyes closing the conversation and continued to watch the whole sortie unfold.
Silently watching the others sat at the veranda holding their breaths at what would happen next.
~Toba – Sortie Team~
Upon successfully teleporting to the area even Hasebe was surprised at what Aichi had chosen, which he was reluctant to ask thankfully he was answered although Aichi somewhat hesitated "I decided to go to this area since we needed the coolant and the charcoal…"
The whole group fell silent and then as if time stopped "EEHHH!?" Mutsunokami and Hasebe shouted in shock the same with Gokotai, Sayo and Yamanbagiri though theirs wasn't needed to be expressed in shouting, even the ones left behind in the citadel had the same shocked expression that is each to their own.
"Well that's part of it" Aichi looked from afar, their destination and said "I figured you could get more experience this way." The party's expression turned from stunned to serious.
"Alright let's see, the map we would be proceeding has two intersection…" Aichi threw the die on top of the map where they should be heading next "So which will it be…" when the die stopped it showed the character for the horse.
"So it's Charcoal then…" Mutsunokami commented.
"Onwards" Hasebe directed which they proceeded to go.
"It's a good thing that this doesn't require a day, if we can do it faster we can make it up to a half or less." Yamanbagiri speculated while walking.
"Aichi-sama do you think your stamina can last long if we run?" Hasebe suggested.
"Uhm…" Aichi can't decide since he knows all too well that his stamina can't last that long, turning his head Aichi's eyes trailed off to Mikazuki asking for help which the latter is now nowhere to be found "Eh? Mikazuki?!".
Everyone looked around the area and saw Mikazuki heading in the wrong direction "AHHH!" Hasebe and Mutsunokami screamed while hastily going after where Mikazuki wrongly headed off to while the others continue on to their paths.
"Fufufufu…" Mikazuki chuckled as if nothing happened while being dragged back to the group "Keep him in front of us" Hasebe irritably instructed and scolded Mikazuki.
Few moments later… while walking through the area there is a carefree look on Mikazuki eyes which makes the others worry but then he suddenly stopped from his tracks.
Gokotai and Sayo immediately went in front of Aichi, while Hasebe and Mutsunokami were behind him, in front of the Tantous is Mikazuki while beside Aichi is Yamanbagiri "You need not wield a weapon Aichi-sama, we can handle this" Hasebe reached and drew out his sword, while the others followed suit except for Mikazuki who continued to stare off with a carefree look on him.
Aichi nodded and waited for the enemy to come out, finally a rustling from the bushes made them aware of where the enemy is and a fast moving Tantou enemy came out from it, in front it was going to head onto Mikazuki, "Mikazuki-san!" Gokotai alerted Mikazuki but without a moment's notice Mikazuki himself ran head on with the enemy, drawing out his sword with haste as he perfectly sliced it in half.
Everyone was in awe from the moment and while they were taken aback, it was the perfect chance for the enemies to come out one after another.
Hastily Mikazuki continues to successfully hit and slice the enemy though the five won't let them be easily outshined, some enemy came after Yamanbagiri, though he successfully sliced them, some was fast enough to dodge and headed for Gokotai if not to Sayo, behind Mutsunokami uses his gun for escaping enemies, while Hasebe carefully sliced incoming enemies going after Aichi "You shall not pass!" the five said in unison creating a barrier around Aichi.
Though at one point while they were busy a strong Wakizashi was able to pass through Sayo sadly Gokotai was not fast and the others was not near enough and was nearing Aichi. Aichi who seems ready for the attack readying his talismans was surprised by the swift Mikazuki, and was able to protect him while they keep it true that he won't be needing do draw a weapon and protect him "You have no right to injure nor touch him." Finally they saw a different side to Mikazuki, stern eyes pierced the disappearing enemy that is filled with thrill and anger.
Mutsunokami whistled at the swift defense he made from that afar as if he teleported to the Area where he was understanding the looks and reaction from them "I am not fast, I am just simply ahead of time." Mikazuki spoke and returned his sword signaling that the swarm of enemies is gone.
"Amazing…" Yamanbagiri muttered as if agreeing to him the others stared at him in awe.
"Th-thank you everyone!" Aichi thanked the toudans for not letting even one touch nor injure him.
Although they seem to be unresponsive mixed feeling filled the five from Mikazuki, they returned their sword from their sheath unable to accept the fact that they almost unable to protect and defend.
Outro: welp I hope you like it, this is not the actual battle though as this is not the boss node, the boss node will have more action, if I can do it though, hope you enjoy it, keep safe everyone!
I'm very sorry for my lack of vocabulary and wrong grammars and wrong spellings, but I hope you like the story nonetheless, and thank you for everyone's continuous support!
Thank you for reading! Please review or pm for any suggestions or problems on the story.
