Raiden Tameemon slowly slurped up his Chankonabe, the soup and its contents delicious as always. He even got his own bowl, big enough to fit in his hands. It wasn't a commodity he had back in the old days. One of the perks serving Chaldea now, he supposed. Another one was the amusement he was getting from this place. Servants from all over the world and history. Matching his skills with them was quite the new experience. Helping whipping the people in this place into shape was certainly a good way to pass the time as well.
Last but not least... the man sitting in front of him. He cracked a smile when he saw the flat look he received from Harunobu. But just as he opened his mouth, a piece of meat was pushed into it, chopsticks held by his fellow warlord, who just lovingly sat next to him, eyes only on him. That caused two individuals, poorly hiding around the corner to narrow their eyes in frustration. One could almost mistake them for mother and daughter with their similarities. Which made sense since they were basically the same person to begin with.
Raiden shrugged as he finished up his bowl. Being a Heroic Spirit was weird. With a satisfied breath, he put his bowl away, putting it on the fifteen other bowls he had eaten. Rubbing his hands together, he crossed his arms, his robe easily managing the movements, before a small smirk appeared on his face.
"Quite popular, are you not?"
"Hahahahaha... " Harunobu scratched the back of his head, taking a drink from his water. "What can I say, for some reason people are attracted to me?"
"That's one way to put it." Raiden chuckled warmly. He wasn't much for friendships in his life, so seeing someone nurturing relationships like these and attracting them with ease, he coulnd't say he was not a bit jealous. Still, he wasn't the type to hold it against him, so he merely nodded in approval. "Well, I cannot fault good charisma."
"I can! Go explode, normie!"
Harunobu's eyebrow twitched while Raiden laughed as he slapped his stomach. Ah yes, rivalries. Another thing he missed out on in life. Turning to the entrance, they saw the familiar sight that was around lately. As in, Nobunaga Oda, legs crossed and a superior smirk, while sitting on the back of her retainer who was crying pathetic tears.
"L-Lord Oda, mayb-"
Hideyoshi Toyotomi, uniter of Japan, was interrupted by a boot on his head. He whined, as his lord repeatedly kicked him with a smile that belonged to the devil himself.
"You still haven't repented enough for your actions in that Lostbelt! So shut it and keep movin'!"
The victim held his shaking fist in front of him. His mutterings were hard to hear, but Raiden got the gist of it. All he could do was shake his head in pity. To be condemned for the crimes another version of you did, so to say. Then again, while it was a 'Lostbelt' version, it meant that the same 'potential' rested in all Hideyoshi out there in the multiverse, including him. At least that was the logic Nobunaga Oda used.
The sumo wrestler suspected it was just an excuse to abuse him. But before the famous monkey could rage against his oppressor, a small girl knelt in front of him. Grasping his hands, an almost too innocent smile appeared on her face.
"You can do it, Lord Toyotomi!" The one known as Chacha cheered him on. Almost instantly, his demeanor changed. With a fire in his eyes, he put his hands on the ground and crawled faster on all fours than most horses would.
"Ooooooooh!"
As the Demon King laughed loudly, the Oda clan rushed for their food. Meanwhile, Raiden and Harunobu sipped from their water at the same time, smacking their lips in satisfaction.
"I wonder how long he'll be a pack mule."
"Knowing Oda, pretty long." After they shared a small laugh, Harunobu sighed, his mood becoming more somber as he rested his arms on the table. "We have quite the battle to fight, hm?"
"Oh yes. I'm actually looking forward to it," Raiden replied, a smirk on his face.
"Didn't your Lostbelt Self give up?"
And a shameful thing to read about that was. Raiden could only shrug nonchalantly.
"He was alone. I however, have fellow Rikishi on my side." He leaned back, jokingly raising his eyebrow at Harunobu. "Even if they are smaller than me."
"Heh."
Suddenly, the Tiger's face was grabbed and forcefully turned, facing the pouting Kagetora. His face turned red just the slightest bit as she pressed her forehead against his.
"Haru~! Don't ignore me~!"
"You really got more attached," he said with exasperation, rolling his eyes. Kagetora tilted her head a bit, her eyes turning a bit dark in that moment.
"Is that so wrong?"
In response, Harunobu raised her into the air. She let out a surprised yelp, before literally purring as she was seated on his lap, her hair being brushed.
"Oh no, I love it."
"Hehe~!"
Raiden's mouth twitched. Alright, he was not the most social guy, but even he thought this was excessive. Trying to shift gears just a little bit, he cleared his throat.
"Do you believe that master will be alright?"
"I think so. call it a gut feeling but I believe he'll be pleasantly surprised," Harunobu replied with a smirk. As if heard by reality itself, a loud, excited scream sounded through the hallways, causing the servants around to smile.
Seems like their master got some happiness by the end of this.
/
When they first saw that Saint Graph, they were confused at first. Ritsuka didn't know when they ever met an Alter Ego in the Japan Lostbelt. Much less the Saint Graph that indicated that the Yellow Emperor was there. Then what followed was a hope. He recalled, with much pain, the one time he heard that name in the Lostbelt. However, he didn't want to hope too much. So when the summoning was executed, he kept his expectations low.
Which was why he was at the verge of tears now. The girl in front of them was unmistakable. In that moment, he felt immense fear. But then, the servant squealed in excitement and threw herself at him and Mash.
In that moment, the tears flowed. Together as three, they wept in joy, their words complete nonsense. Apologies were repeated, hugs were almost bone crushing. But in the end, it didn't matter.
The only thing that mattered was that the Alter Ego they summoned was Amako Seiryu herself. It was a miracle. None of them knew how it happened, but they didn't care.
"Only explanation I got is that the Yellow Emperor himself took pity and accepted me as an avatar?"
"Not exactly the most thorough of explanations," Goredolf muttered, having sacrificed his breakfast in an act of goodwill. Oh, he pretended it was because 'all that crying ruined his appetite' but by now Ritsuka knew what a softie he could be. Anyway, Amako, with her eyes red, threw her hands up in the air, puffing up her cheeks.
"Hey, I'm no Sherlock Holmes!"
"Are you sure you're alright?" Mash suddenly asked, her voice quiet. "I mean... we des-"
"Nope, not hearing it." She frowned at them. "I'm not happy about what happened, but I don't blame any of you. We're gonna kick some Alien ass instead!" She threw her arms around their shoulders, giggling happily. "Besides, but hey, friends forever, right?"
Ritsuka smiled brightly. Even if he still had blood on his hands... he was grateful for this one exception. For the one chance one of his victims could come back in a way.
Still a small part of him, even as they celebrated wondered about one simple thing. Where were Sherlock and Da Vinci anyway?
/
In a private room, three figures sat at a table. On it were the reports from Ritsuka's latest adventure and that one note he had received from Susanoo. At the thought of the god, Da Vinci and Sherlock turned to their third addition, the one who would know the most about him.
"Any insight on your... brother?"
Tamamo-no-Mae pouted as she rested her chin on her hand palms.
"Mou, you two are as unpleasant as always! Making a maiden remember her past!" Her dramatic pose wavered, her tails barely rising before her ears lowered with a sigh. Shaking her head, she crossed her arms, expression conflicted. "Fine. What exactly do you want to know?"
"Why he was summoned. It was clearly not just for that Lostbelt, as his last... present indicates," Sherlock commented, observing Tamamo who hummed in thought.
"Hm. Well, if it were in any other situation, I'd say he would've been summoned for me. Or rather, my past."
"Your potential of becoming a Beast," Da Vinci added. The Caster rolled her eyes, waving her hand dismissively, trying to brush it off. Yet the other two could clearly see her biting her lip, averting her eyes as she tried to avert her own memories.
"Yes, yes. The evil old me."
"Like a Grand?" Da Vinci frowned before shaking her head. "But wait, he is a god."
"And he should not belong to the exceptions," the detective added, furrowing his forehead. To their surprise, Tamamo snorted in amusement.
"Oh no, he wouldn't be."A dry smile was on her face as she leaned back. "You seem to misunderstand. He wouldn't be summoned to deal with a Beast." She pointed at herself, almost mockingly. "He would be summoned to deal with 'me' specifically."
"Ah. Anti-Amaterasu then." Sherlock nodded in understanding. Da Vinci on the other hand had to mull the idea over a bit in her head, before she snapped her fingers, smiling in comprehension. Tamamo on the other hand sent them a dirty look before letting out a huff.
"Ugh, do you have to say that out loud? Anyway, yeah. After all…" Tamamo's expression softened up. In a way, it was but exasperated, but also sad and fond at the same time. "He is the one who defied the sun and didn't perish in the end. The perfect, annoying brother, wouldn't you say?"
"Hm, hm." Sherlock narrowed his eyes. "But as far as we know, Tamamo Vitch desires to become an existence separate from Amaterasu."
"Yes, which means that Susanoo wouldn't be summoned for her. Or you, since you are on our side." Da Vinci paused before shrugging helplessly. "At least it's unlikely."
"Scary, scary... "
The artist blinked. With Sherlock they both looked at Tamamo, biting her thumb. Tilting her head, she twirled her hand at the fox.
"What do you mean?"
The Caster in question blinked, as if only realizing now she was talking out loud. Clearing her throat, she tugged at her clothes with an uncomfortable expression.
"Well, he is clearly gathering power." She raised her fingers to count off. "Taking on his Lostbelt self. Taking the legendary blade Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi. Taking the Grail. That are three boosters, so to say."
"You are afraid of what warrants that," Sherlock stated, causing her to nod lowly.
"He is strong. No one can deny that." Her skin turned quite pale as she gulped. "Whatever he plans to face down there... has to be like the Orochi to him. Only much much stronger, as he has his Divinity this time."
"Hm... "
"Oi, I know that look. Care to share?" Da Vinci said with narrowed eyes. Sherlock sighed, leaning back as he shook his head.
"I have no evidence to support my hypothesis." He turned to Tamamo. "Still, if I am correct... your brother will need all the help he can get."
"Haha... no rest for the wicked!" Da Vinci groaned dramatically as she stretched her back, standing up from her seat. "Guess I have to work hard then!"
"You should always work hard," Sherlock said dryly, following her out. Tamamo stayed behind, pressing her lips together as she stared at the note Susanoo threw at Ritsuka.
"...Don't be an idiot, Su... "
She ignored the coordinates, the math and meanings flying over her head. No, she read through the warning once again, worry filling her heart.
"A Great Calamity looms below. The Eternal Sin will descend and desire the Symbol of Vengeance. Blood and Strife shall serve his plan. Go and gather the protectors, God of the Storms. Go and bring the key to free me before the dead will become slaves, before the world, every world, will be ended, dragged into the depths of the Deep Sea."
[To Be Announced: ? - Abyssal Hunting Grounds Of Vengeance]