Intro: hhmmm… the title needs to change….
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 40: Underground Treasure Chest!
~Smithing Room –Friday Morning-~
Aichi wanting to grant the wishes of the toudans of wanting to go to the beach has asked Kon for permission to create Hakata, and as approved by Kon has decided to give an advised recipe for Hakata Toushirou.
Aside from that Aichi suggested to Mina, Kon, and Konnosuke that to lessen the costs, he suggested that he would make an outfit that they would need, which is swimwear.
Mina suggested to Aichi that it would be better to make them something simple so that it would be easy for him to finish, such as a shirt with a hoodie and a zipper with a matching short. This idea is to lessen his time into making them rather than make different styles as it will take longer for him in designing them also, and also to minimize the materials.
While those filled Aichi's thoughts he silently wait in mind of the castle and successfully attaining the gold as he sat there in the smithing room waiting for the 20 minutes mark for the new Tantou that would help them into granting their wish.
As the 20 minute mark finally came, Aichi readies the talisman and as the light disappears "My name is Hakata Toushirou! Because I'm the Toushirou that was discovered in Hakata, I was named such. I might be a Tantou, but I am manly!" Aichi is to be honest was worried if Hakata will be the one to hear his heart but thankfully he was the one that showed up.
Thinking back at what Mikazuki has thought, it seems that his speculations about the swords answering to his heart is really one of the hints of who will show up.
As Aichi informs Hakata of the situation like he normally does, he proceed to give him a tour at the whole citadel and also introducing him to the others, and as usual after this he takes his measurements with the Awataguchi's who were with them throughout the tour.
"So that's all of it, if there is anything that I might have forgotten then you can ask me, Yagen, Midare, or Gokotai" Aichi smiles "Although you just came I will be asking for your help tomorrow morning."
"Just leave it to me!" Hakata said as he flex his muscle and place a hand on it.
"Alright I'll be heading off then." Aichi smiles again as he readies to leave but then Yagen called his attention.
"Aichi-sama do not overwork yourself." Yagen tries to remind Aichi to take it slowly who they know is always pushing himself.
"Don't worry, I am doing fine" Aichi answered as he simply smiled and places a hand at his nape though his reaction tells them otherwise.
"Aichi-sama if you need help just tell us!" Midare raised a hand.
"Just tell us if we could help in something!" Gokotai said as the tiger cubs roared as if to say the same.
Aichi chuckled "Don't worry I am not pushing it." Though in his mind he said the word yet after he finishes his sentence.
This time he left the area and remembered that he hasn't finished a batch of Taroutachi's IA outfits and pajama, he thought that it would really be busy indeed as after he successfully brought summoned Hakata, he needs to continue his normal daily training.
As he take a look at his schedule, it's mostly regarding about training the morning and afternoon, on the evening he would be cardfighting with either, Miwa, Misaki and Kamui, smiling at the thought that from time to time the toudans usually watch them, thinking about it he doesn't have time anymore except late at night to make the swimwear and their IA and pajamas before the end of the summer break.
~Afternoon –Training Hall-~
After finishing the set of training of the guardians and Aichi it was time for the toudans to step up the stage as stated by Mutsunokami before as to why they wait for them to finish "We can get wilder if we have the whole place!"
"Alright however wins gets to take the losers dessert at dinner later!" Kiyomitsu smiled as he toss over a wooden sword to Yasusada.
Successfully catching the wooden sword Yasusada points it toward Kiyomitsu as he smiled and said "So you're my opponent today?"
"This feels like swinging swords in front of a mirror? Doesn't it?" Kiyomitsu said as he charges to Yasusada.
"Hey that's cheating!" Yasusada said, though he was surprised he deflect his attack as he tries to get all his strength to strikes forward to overthrow Kiyomitsu.
Kiyomitsu dodges as he jumps backward "You should be ready at all times." He jumps forward again as their sword clashes together.
"If it's going to be like that, then!" as the two started bickering and sparring at the same time, the others laughed at the display of the two.
"Aichi-sama, I'll be preparing for dinner now." Horikawa notified Aichi as he left the area.
Though Aichi noticed something is off, Aichi knows Horikawa, he knows that he always has a smiles on his face and is optimistic but this time it looked weird, his expression was different from his usual ones, to answer his curiosity he decided to find out the reason and followed him.
~Kitchen~
Aichi headed to the kitchen and went to check on Horikawa "Aichi-sama, what brings you here? Do you have a meal you would like to request?" it was Hasebe who noticed him first as he approach him.
"Uhm, no… I was just looking for Horikawa" Aichi said as he examined the room.
"I haven't noticed him coming though." Nikkari said as he looks at Aichi who is standing beside the door.
"Oh, Aichi-sama." It was Horikawa with his usual smile and expression on his face.
"Oh perfect timing, Aichi-sama is looking for you." Hasebe informed of him as to why he was in the kitchen.
"Me? Do you need something from me Aichi-sama?" Upon seeing Horikawa, he instinctively used both his hands and held Horikawa's cheeks, surprising Hasebe, Nikkari, Sayo and Gokotai, of course it surprised Horikawa more.
But looking at his current expression, this expression of his now is very different from what he has seen before, since right now he has his normal expression so maybe it was only his imagination.
After sighing he smiles and finally notices what he was doing hastily drawing back his hands "Oh, Uh… s-sorry, it's nothing" panicking he ran leaving them surprised and curious.
~Saturday Morning –Center of the citadel-~
Kon said that they should do their first Underground Treasure Chest now since tomorrow will be his last day, so he instructed Aichi to pick six toudans that will be coming with them, and to assemble everyone at the center.
In the time that Kon gave him Aichi has assembled Hakata Toushirou, Gokotai, Nikkari Aoe, Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki, Taroutachi, and Captain Kashuu Kiyomitsu at the center for this exploration.
"Alright Aichi-kun, this time I will be accompanying you so that the next time you want to head to UTC you know the coordinates, but keep in mind that you need Konnosuke to come with you." Kon glanced on Konnosuke before he hops on to Aichi's shoulder as he tells him the chant to their location, the year, exact location.
Kon strictly instructed Aichi to follow this instruction correctly as this could have a different outcome, as this dimension is very delicate "The only one you will change is the number of the floor, there is a total of 100 floor, every month the maximum is 2 only, to tell the truth you can go to this place once a month really only, the second one is just if ever you will be really needing it, like for emergency. If you remember I said that is it only in times of need, also you can decide not to come every month since the amount of money you get there can seriously last you up to a year, which is of course if you use it well."
Kon looked at Hakata "Aichi-kun and Mina-kun, just teach Hakata the ways of trading in this era and you won't even need to come back there" Kon wags his tail but then he remembers something "You don't have to literally be the one to teach him though, just give him like websites or books so he could learn!" Aichi and Mina sweat drop on what he said it last since they don't know much about trading.
"Just thinking about it, I'm already surprised at the amount of money we could get there." Tsurumaru can feel the seriousness in his tone since it would be a really large amount if it could last a year.
"I agree, at this era if it could last a year with double by Hakata, if what Kon-san said is true then we can roughly get about 6 million yen since that is a comfortable living if you earn that per year for a normal number in a family if it's in this number for us in the citadel and a year then…" Shokudaikiri paused as did the others.
The word six million yen stuck to their head over and over again until they froze up at the realization, like robots they mechanically turned to Kon making all attention went to him as he only continue to smile and wag his tail in amusement.
"It is a buried treasure after all" Was Kon's only answer.
"You've got to be kidding…" Miwa is the first to recover "With today's trading, if you can really put it into stocks and sharing and other ways of making money especially if you really knew how to make them, you really would be earning billions."
"If it were making money, the first thing you will think about is to make a business." Misaki was next to recover then the others followed suit.
"I own a cafe though" Mina spilled out as she herself froze from surprise as she covers her mouth.
"Mina-nee, you own a cafe?!" Aichi was surprised at this discovery.
"Wait, if you are here who manages it?" Misaki asked.
"Yeah, I mean wouldn't the owner be needed there?" Miwa added.
Mina sighed and slumped down though she herself thought that this day would come but to her it's not today "Yes, I do own a café, the café is called Sakura no Yume (A Cherry Blossoms Dream) and a very dear friend is the one managing it in my place." Mina answered all the questions at once "Although my café is not a priority topic here, I'll mention it in later times."
Everyone did not dare ask anymore as they all know that Mina doesn't like it if they kept repeating something she doesn't want to, though somehow to Misaki, it's weird but she knew she could have sworn that she knew that name but right now it's not the time for that, as Shin once said if the person is ready he will tell it to them and just wait for that time.
When the commotion had died down Kon spoke up "Alright let us start then, Aichi-kun"
Aichi nodded as he started the chant "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 travel and explore the vast area beneath Osaka Castle to find the buried treasure that is hidden within!" Aichi threw the talisman and envelops them of light but something surprising happened that surprised everyone, petals of cherry blossom came with it as they were eaten by the light and disappears the ones who were left in the citadel were all surprised.
~Osaka Castle -?-~
As the light disappears the petals that showed when they left did too as they appeared here "It's the same as when I summoned everyone…" Aichi is at a loss for words when he saw the petals burst out.
"Aichi-kun you remember what we practiced right?." Before Aichi could ask why Aichi hastily pulled out a talisman with light written on it before the light from the pillar disappear.
"Hurry take the torches over there, we'll need them when we go through." Kon motions to go to the corner where a big door lies next to it are wooden crate boxes that has torches, wood, cloth, and other stuff.
Kiyomitsu, Mutsunokami, and Nikkari took torches though Gokotai and Hakata took extras just to be safe "Alright Aichi-kun" Mutsunokami, Nikkari, and Kiyomitsu places together the tip near Aichi to let him light it up with the talisman with fire.
"Alright now that it is lit Aichi-kun you can take away that light talisman now, you do know that even though it is more likely to be used but it might deplete your powers, so we need to play safe first" Aichi nodded as did everyone as all of them are now looking at the darkness that is in front of them.
"The tiger cubs can be our radar if something is incoming since they are more used to darkness, good thinking of bringing Gokotai Aichi-kun" Kon praised.
"It was just a coincidence, I really didn't think of that to be honest." Aichi was surprised since he really didn't think of that from the start
"Regardless it is a good thing that you chose him to come with us." Kon said trying to make Aichi have more confidence.
"Then we'll be counting on you Gokotai and little tiger cubs." Aichi smiled and petted the tiger cubs one by one.
"Y-yes, Aichi-sama." Gokotai answered as Aichi slowly turned his head as he finally noticed the darkness ahead of them.
Kiyomitsu notices this and without a moment's notice he grabbed onto Aichi's hand "Alright let's go, so we could go home early."
Aichi is very surprised as he hasn't grabbed onto Kiyomitsu's hand yet, but when his focus was now on it Aichi was thankful that the darkness can hide his flushing face as he grab hold onto Kiyomitsu's hand making the both of them smile.
Since Kon was sitting on Aichi's shoulder his ear moved in this development as everyone is now walking to find the hidden treasure.
~A Little while later~
"This place sure is one sided though, we have been going straight and no intersection." Mutsunokami said as he scan the area.
"I agree, there is nothing here." Nikkari said as he noticed that something seems wrong.
"There is nothing worth mentioning above too" Taroutachi said as he inspects the ceiling.
"There are no turns either." Kiyomitsu added, at this point though he knew that Aichi is already stiff because of the surroundings.
"There are nothing but walls and woods that support this place" Hakata added.
"There are other paths here though and it is said that if you bring a Tantou there is a chance that the dice will point us to the path where there are few resources that we can take back." Kon explained.
"Then this is somewhat a kind of expedition." Gokotai mused.
"Yes, but this is a treasure hunt!" Kon said who seems to be enjoying this. "Also, the reason why Hakata is needed, he is the luck we need to get to the right path as it can sway and steer the dices to the right path, adding that he is also a Tantou it can guide us to the right direction." Kon further explained.
"I see you guys are our hope here then!" Mutsunokami brushes the head of Gokotai then Hakata.
"Just leave it to us!" Both Hakata and Gokotai smiled.
But then someone had a weird idea "I wonder if there are ghost here." Nikkari smiles at the thought.
"Then we will be ghost hunting and treasure hunting at the same time!" and it seems to be quite amusing idea for Mutsunokami.
Though for Aichi, Gokotai and Hakata it isn't a very good news for Aichi he instinctively placed his other free hand to the hand that Kiyomitsu's holding onto.
Although he was surprised he instantly understood why Aichi did that as Kiyomitsu sighs and scolded the two "Hey stop that."
Though it doesn't look like it will stop them "Don't worry I will slash it if it dare comes here, fufufufu…" though right about now Gokotai, Hakata, and Aichi are much more scared of Nikkari.
Finally after a long while of walking there is now two paths in front of them one that leads straight and one that leads to the right.
"Finally, I thought we were going back in circles because of that" Mutsunokami said though if you think about it is straight path and all.
"Aichi-kun the dice please." Kon called Aichi as Kiyomitsu let's go of his hands for Aichi to get the dice and roll it.
While Aichi was looking for it Kon started explaining again "The maze will get harder and harder every floor, though for my experience every 10th floor will make big changes making it harder and harder to find the treasure. Keep in mind that we can get out but we will come back from the start, and we can only go to one floor each month."
"So is it alright to keep coming back here as long as we haven't found the gold?" Kiyomitsu remembers his explanation before.
"Correct, since this dimension knows that you already took the gold so it won't allow you to disturb it anymore. This dimension is very sensitive. Also the lower we go, the longer the time we would take in each floor." Kon added.
"The path we need to take is forward." Aichi pointed as they all started to walk towards the path from the given direction of the dice, although this time Aichi is holding onto Kiyomitsu's arms.
After successfully going through the path, the path they saw next was a right turn only and no other more except.
As they scanned the whole area Mutsunokami had a discovery "W-woah! There is gold on the wall!" he exclaimed as he lights the area where the gold is so the others could see.
"There is but only very small amounts" Taroutachi said as he looked around the whole area.
"Maybe the others are still underneath." Nikkari said while placing a hand on top of the wall.
"I see we went to the resources that's good news since the influence of the Tantou, which is Gokotai and Hakata with is working, be mindful that we can only get little amount which is only the parts that is protruding here" Kon jumped off of Aichi's shoulder as he dropped on the ground then rummages for something in the bag that he is carrying around. "Alright I'm just going to get…"
And they were surprised that inside the bag he pulled out two pickaxe "Taroutachi, Mutsunokami please use this to get pieces of gold"
They silently took the pickaxe as Mutsunokami handed his torch to Hakata while still surprised that he has a bag that has those inside them, thinking that he can also sprout "Wait why don't you have torches there and other stuff?" Hakata was curious so he was the first to dare ask.
"No, it's flammable I don't place things like that here." He said as watches the two picks the gold while Nikkari looks around the area some more, on the other hand although Kiyomitsu wants to do the same he decided not to leave Aichi's side.
After a while "Alright, we got tiny bits of it" Mutsunokami said as he and Taroutachi handed them to Aichi which Kon had given him a pouch bag before.
"Alright let's move forward." Kon jumped to Aichi's shoulder again as Mutsunokami and Taroutachi continued on holding the pickaxe while Hakata handed to Mutsunokami the torch.
On their next one it was another resource area where they took some gold again but this time Kon took the pickaxes when they finished and continued on to the next area which is a path that lead to the right. The next one has two paths that leads to the left and to the right, though the dice told them to go to the left. And shortly though they were surprised that there is already a turn.
Though at their next turn "Uwah!" Aichi tripped on a rock that he wasn't able to notice, almost dragging Kiyomitsu with him as he lost his balance and since he was still holding on to him so he only kneeled on the ground while Kon jumped off of Aichi and then jumped off to Hakata.
Taroutachi took the torch from Kiyomitsu upon noticing that it might fell unto them as all the toudans called his name in worry as they noticed his position.
Aichi let's go of his grip to Kiyomitsu as he positioned himself to sit on the ground "Aichi-sama are you alright?" Kiyomitsu said as he hastily positioned himself to face Aichi.
Aichi winced in pain which made them more worried than ever "Did you hurt yourself? Where" Kiyomitsu asked.
"On my ankle… and knee." Aichi answered.
Kiyomitsu hastily examined his ankle "It's swollen." Nikkari said as he was lighting them.
Kiyomitsu then proceeded in taking off his hakama until his knee to check "You grazed it, its maybe because of the fall." Kiyomitsu then showed his back to him "Hop on." Aichi nodded as Nikkari and Mutsunokami both helped him on climbing onto his back.
"Alright let's go." Kiyomitsu said as he positioned Aichi better upon standing up.
"Sorry, I'm being a burden again" Aichi apologized.
"Don't say it like that, we already know that you are clumsy…" Kiyomitsu started.
"Though we are not used to seeing you getting hurt because of it." Nikkari added.
"It's been awhile since we saw Aichi-sama's clumsiness." Gokotai chuckled.
"But at the least you are fine so it's alright, Mahahaha." Mutsunokami laughed.
Aichi laughed as he embraced Kiyomitsu tighter surprising him, truly a warm feeling both from everyone and the one he is embracing.
Taroutachi and Hakata looked at each other since they are new they are not used to this warmness but because of it they felt that they are in good hands and it also put a smile onto Kon.
Until finally they have reached the end "It's a dead end" Taroutachi said worried that they might be lost.
Kon jumped off from Hakata "Alright time for you to dig come here!" Kon pulled out shovels and pick-mattock which right about now didn't surprise them anymore.
Kiyomitsu sits Aichi on the ground while Aichi took the torch Taroutachi is holding, then Nikkari gave his to Gokotai, and Mutsunokami gave his to Hakata, as Taroutachi and Mutsunokami took the shovel while Nikkari and Kiyomitsu took the pick-mattock when Kon pinpoints where the treasure is and they started digging.
Until finally Taroutachi landed on something that seems to be wood as they hurried to get it, it was a box meaning it might be the treasure, as they gulped and slowly opened up the box "Wohoo!" they all cheered to max as they finally found the treasure even the tiger cubs roared with them.
Outro: Now that I think about it, I feel like changing the title, mizu nee suggested many but what I liked was Cards and Swords, then the idea that I liked that I thought about it The Divine Vanguard, I'm not good with naming, do you have a suggestion? Pm me or comment if you thought about something!
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.