I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR SWORD ART ONLINE'S CHARACTERS I ONLY OWN THE OC'S I HAVE CREATED THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING!
(IN EVERY WHAT IF I WILL NEVER GIVE NARUTO WHISKERS BECAUSE IT'S UNNECESSARY AND HE LOOKS BETTER WITHOUT THEM)
(This is a completely unique story, as this is the SWORD ART ONLINE verse instead of the NARUTO verse, so please don't judge what I do)
(P.S, I love SAO and all of its seasons even though season 2 ALO was kinda mid I still loved it and plan on doing EVERY SINGLE SEASON THAT IS OUT. I have watched it over and over again so many times so this story will take place above all else. I will try my best to update the other ones, but don't expect them to be updated over this.)
Author's note: if you love Samehada and Kisame Hoshigaki and the Hozuki clan this is the what if for you, and the pairing is Naruto X Sinon, because Sinon is the best girl IMO, and maybe Suguha too if I feel like it.
Chapter 5: Murder Mystery.
Timeskip - 4 months later
Scene change: Assault team meeting
POV: Kirito
We see a meeting where a bunch of top leaders and important people from the assault team are gathered.
Suddenly Asuna slams her hand onto the table.
(Asuna): Lure it to the village!
That's how we get the boss!
Hearing this makes everyone look at Asuna in shock.
(Kirito): Wait, you can't be serious, if we do the boss will go after the villagers!
(Mito): Yes that's the Idea, and while the boss is busy killing NPCs we can attack it and kill it.
(Kirito): But there not just objects NPCs are different from rocks and trees look there-
(Asuna): You think they're alive?
Really?
In this game, they are just objects.
(Mito): And unlike us, if they are killed, they can always respawn.
(Kirito): Sorry, but I'm not cool with that plan.
(Asuna): I'm running this operation, ok?
In case you forgot, I'm still second in command of the Knights of the blood oath.
(Kisame): Big words, Asuna.
If you forgot not all of us are from that Guild, you can't control us like with your little pawns over there.
Asuna and Mito give a glare to Kisame and Kirito.
(Asuna): You'll both obey my orders, like it or not.
Timeskip - 10 minutes later
Scene change: outside the meeting cave.
We see Kisame and Kirito walk off towards their next destination until they hear them being called out by Agil.
(Agil): Hey!
What's with you guys?
(Kirito and Kisame in sync): Huh?
You and the second in command Kirito.
You're always getting into it and not in a good way.
I know why Kisame and Mito butt heads, because they're just defending their Teammates, but I don't know why you and her always fight.
(Kirito): I guess we just don't click Agil.
Kirito then gets a flashback to floor 1 about the advice he gave Asuna
(Kirito): Well she took my advice, but who knew she'd join the top guild, and be a floor clearing badass.
(Kisame): I did, once I saw her get that fire in her eyes for battle I knew she would be a natural at combat.
(Kirito and Agil in Sync): Yeah right smart ass.
Timeskip - 5 months later.
We see Kirito and Kisame laying on the ground doing nothing but relaxing.
Asuna and Mito then walk up, unknown to the 2 sleepy heads.
(Asuna): What are you 2 doing?
(Kirito and Kisame in Sync): Huh?
Kirito and Kisame open their eyes to see Mito and Asuna standing over them respectively.
(Kirito): Oh hey, what's up?
(Kisame): What do you 2 ladies need this time?
(Asuna): Everyone in the Assault team is working their butts off to clear the dungeon.
And where do we find you 2?
(Mito): Out here taking a nap in the middle of the day.
Even if you are a solo duo you should take this more-
(Kirito): Bet you didn't know this is Aincrad's nicest season.
(Kisame): Yup, and today's weather is at its optimal setting.
(Asuna and Mito in Sync): Huh?
(Kirito): It be a waste to have to go to work on a day like this
(Mito): Whatever.
(Asuna): I can't believe you, do you even understand what's going on?
(Kisame): Yeah, we're relaxing on a nice day, thank you for noticing.
(Mito): You do know every day here is a day lost in the real world right?
(Kirito): Yeah but we're not in the real world are we?
We're alive in Aincrad.
Suddenly the breeze kicks up.
(Kisame): Feel that breeze?
And the Sun?
Can't you feel how nice it is today?
(Asuna): Oh come on, the weather is always the same here.
(Kirito): If you laid on the grass for a little bit, you'd understand
Asuna then stares at Kirito as the breeze kicks up.
(Mito): Well Asuna good luck trying to wake these two up I'm off to do some level grinding.
Mito then leaves the field off to a hunting spot.
Timeskip - 1 hour later.
Kirito wakes up to see Asuna next to him and a Note on the wall that has the words "WIll be back, hanging out with Agil - Kisame" on it.
(Kirito): Damn it Kisame!
Kirito yells at the note in anger, almost waking the sleeping Asuna up.
Timeskip - 7 hours later
Scene change: Agils shop
POV: Kisame
We see the door open to a shop and a guy with a spear walks out.
(Agil): Thanks my man, come back anytime!
(Kisame): or don't and get brutally murdered by monsters!
Both Agil and Kisame laugh at this joke.
Kirito then walks in.
(Kirito): Looks like you're still running all the suckers down with all those hard deals of yours.
(Agil): No way, first Kisame and now you Kirito!
Buy cheap and sell cheap, that's my motto, I'm a businessman you know that.
(Kirito): That selling cheap parts is a lie though.
(Kisame): Pfft, you said it man.
(Agil): Aye don't yall go slandering my good name brother.
Agil then see's Asuna causing his eyes to widen and pull Kirito over the counter.
(Agil): What the hell has gotten into you!?
You're supposed to be a solo player with Kisame, what are you doing hanging around Asuna!?
I thought you guys hated each other's guts straight up
What's the deal!?
(Kisame): Yeah I noticed you invited her to the party, mind if I ask why?
Timeskip - 10 minutes later
(Agil): His HP dropped to zero in a safezone?
You sure it wasn't a duel?
(Kirito): Well..no one saw a winner Icon.
(Kisame): I mean he could have upped and ran for it after hanging him.
(Kirito): That's true.
(Asuna): Well we can also rule out the murder being a sleep PK, he was walking with Yoruko before it happened.
(Kirito): Yeah, and besides his death was too elaborate to be some random duel, the PKer who did this had it planned out.
We're pretty sure of that, and then there's this.
(Kisame): Pretty cool weapon if you ask me, but not as cool as Samehada.
(Asuna): I still can't believe you have had that same armor and sword for the past 59 floors.
(Agil): Yeah I checked his armor stats and Samehada's stats and he wasn't lying, they definitely grew stronger with him.
Anyway, let me take a look at this.
Agil picks up the weapon and checks it out.
(Agil): A player made this.
(Kirito): Really?
(Asuna): Who was it?
Can you tell?
(Agil): Grimlock, never heard that name before, he's not one of the top blacksmiths, that's for damn sure, as far as I can tell there's nothing special about this compared to something like Samehada that can steal health and heal its master.
(Asuna): Yeah, but it's something to go on right?
(Kirito): Mhm, is there..like an item name listed?
(Agil): You'll love it, Guiltythorn, there's a name for ya, it kinda fits though don't ya think?
(Kisame): Yeah it does, considering it's prickly like a bush full of thorns.
Agil hands the weapon back to Kirito.
(Kirito): Seriously?
Guiltythorn?
The group looks at the blade for a second until Kirito holds it up to stab his hand with it.
(Kirito): Here goes.
(Asuna): Wait, stop!
(Kirito): What's the matter?
(Asuna): What do you mean what's the matter!?
Are you out of your mind!?
That thing is already one person!
(Kirito): I know, but we need to find out what it's capable of don't we?
(Asuna): What if it was poisoned!?
Test it on Kisame if you're gonna try and use it!
(Kisame): Wait What!?
Why me!?
If it's poisoned what makes me any better then him!?
(Asuna): In case you haven't noticed, not all of us are immune to poison.
(Kisame): Who told you that I was Immune?
Asuna and Agil look at Kirito in a comedic fashion.
Kisame walks over and hits Kirito on the head, causing steam to come from Kirito's head, and a twitch mark to appear on Kisame's forehead.
(Kisame): Well I can assure you just because I'm made of water doesn't mean I'm immune to poison, I've had poison resistance training both in game and in real life, but I am certainly not immune. I can tell you that much.
(Asuna): Either way he should stop being so reckless.
Agil, would you please hold onto this for us?
(Agil): Uh, Yeah..
(Kisame): Well it looks like i gotta go Agil, Kirito is on an adventure and he's gonna need his Duo with him.
(Agil): Heh, cya my man!
Timeskip - The morning.
Scene change: Empty Restaurant.
POV: Kisame
We see Kirito and Asuna sitting at a table across from Yoruko and Kisame.
(Asuna): So uh….Yoruko, we uh..we were wondering if you had ever heard the name Grimlock.
Hearing this name makes Yoruko gasp and get a shocked look on her face until calming down and looking somber.
(Yolko): Yes….I have, actually until a few months ago he was in the guild with me and Keinz.
Hearing this makes Kirito, Asuna, and Kisame nod at each other.
(Kirito): Listen we took the spear that impaled Keinz to an appraisal, we had him go over it carefully and we found out Grimlock made it
Hearing this makes Yoruko gasp in shock and cover her mouth in fear.
(Kisame): Can you think of any reason Grimlock would want to make a weapon like that?
(Yolko): Yes….I can….I should've told you everything yesterday…It's just….I couldn't it's something I've been trying very hard to forget….but now I have no choice..
I should tell you about how my guild….was destroyed….
When we formed it, Golden Apple was the name we chose.
6 months ago, we killed a rare monster.
It dropped a powerful ring that raised a player's agility by 20.
Some of us wanted to keep it for the guild, others wanted to sell it and split the earnings.
We couldn't agree and in the end, we put it to a vote.
It was 5 to 3 in favor of selling it.
Our leader, Griselda, took it to a large town on the frontlines.
She was going to sell it to a broker and was staying overnight.
We waited and waited, but she never came back….
It wasn't until later, we learned our worst fears had come true, Griselda was dead.
To this day, I still don't know how she died….
(Kisame): Nobody would leave a safezone, not with an item like that anyway.
(Kirito): You think someone pulled a sleep PK on her?
(Asuna): Not if it was six months ago, that method is still sort of new.
(Kirito): You're right, but she wasn't a random victim either.
(Kisame): Which means the killer was after the ring, so it has to be someone who knew she had it in the first place.
(Kirito): Which means….
(Yolko): The killer is one of the seven others in our guild….yes….
(Kirito): We have our suspects, now we just have to figure out who didn't want to sell the ring.
(Asuna): I doubt the killer waited until after Griselda sold the ring.
She was killed before she sold it, that's my guess.
(Kirito and Kisame in sync): Probably…..
(Kisame): What can you tell us about this Grimlock?
(Yolko): Well I guess for starters, he was Griselda's husband, oh but not in real life, just in the game.
Griselda was a powerful swordswoman, she was beautiful, and smart.
Grimlock was kind, and I can't remember a day when he wasn't smiling.
They made a great couple, and got along as husband and wife.
If Grimlock is who killed Keinz then, he's probably going after the 3 guild members who were against selling the ring.
Keinz was 1 of the 3 who wanted to keep the ring for the guild, I was the other one.
Hearing this shocks Kirito, Asuna, and Kisame.
(Kirito): Then who's the 3rd person?
(Yolko): The other's a tank named Schmit, and he, the last I heard, is on the frontlines with the Holy Dragon Alliance.
(Kirito): Schmit huh?
I've heard that name before.
(Kisame): That's because he's the leader of the defense unit of the Holy Dragon Alliance, we have run into him a couple of times, and he is an exceptional soldier who wields a lance like an expert.
(Yolko): Wait, you 2 really know Schmit?
(Kirito): Well, we cleared bosses with him.
(Yolko): I need to see him right away, could you please take me to him?
If he is on the frontlines then he probably hasn't heard about the murder.
He needs to know, before what happened to Keinz happens to him….
(Asuna): We'll help you get in touch with Schmit.
I know someone in the Holy Dragon Alliance, he'll help us out.
We'll visit their HQ.
(Kirito): Ok, but first we should make sure she gets back to the inn.
Scene change: Town Alleyway
(Asuna): Ok so, how do you think a murder like this happened in a safezone?
(Kirito): There are 3 ways this could have happened.
(Kisame): Like I said yesterday it could have been a fair duel and the guy just hightailed it.
(Kirito): Or maybe someone took advantage of a bug that combines a bunch of different kill methods,
(Asuna): Yeah, I can see both of those methods happening, so what do you think the third option is Kirito?.
(Kirito): Use something to bypass the protection of a safezone.
Some kind of skill or maybe an item.
(Kisame): That third Idea is impossible.
(Asuna): What do you mean Kisame?
(Kirito): Kisame is right.
It would be unfair, I kinda hate to admit it, but it's true.
The rules of SAO are essentially fair for every player in the game, so there's no way the game would allow murder in safe zones.
(Kisame): You're right about that, SAO is fair that way, even though there isn't magic in the game you can still get elemental properties on your swords, that way you can counteract my immunity to damage, so if SAO does that for players there's no way that It would allow stuff like safe zone murders.
(Asuna): I see….
Timeskip - 5 hours later.
Scene change: Yoruko's Inn room.
We see a man with brown hair spiked up with sideburns wearing armor, the man is in a thinking pose tapping his leg on the ground in nervousness, this man is named Schmit.
Behind him are Kisame, Kirito, and Asuna.
Sitting in front of Schmit is Yolko.
(Schmit): So that's what killed Keinz, and you're sure about the spear?
Was it really Grimlock's
Yoruko nods at this.
(Yoruko): There's no doubt….
Hearing this makes Schmit widen his eyes and stand up.
(Schmit): But then why would he wait six months to kill him!?
Unless…Wait could he have stolen the ring!?
Do you think it's possible he killed Griselda after all!?
Schmit sits down and hits the table in front of him.
(Schmit): Does Grimlock want to kill the three of us because we didn't want to sell the damn ring?
Is that why he's after you and me now?
(Yolko): Maybe Grimlock made the spear for someone else in our guild and maybe there the one who killed Keinz.
Or maybe…Griselda has come back from the dead to get her revenge.
(Schmit): Huh….?
(Yolko): A player can't kill another player inside a safe zone, but something else like a ghost could….
Hearing this freaks out Schmit and makes Kirito and Asuna look at each other.
(Kisame): Impossible, ghosts aren't real.
(Asuna): Right and water people with alive Shark swords are.
(Kisame): Fair point
Yolko stands up with a scared face and starts yelling.
(Yolko): I couldn't sleep at all last night, so I stayed up thinking….
It was everyone's fault, everyone in the guild is guilty, her blood is on all our hands!
Our fate was sealed when that ring dropped, we shouldn't have voted!
We should have done whatever Griselda told us to do!
Hearing this makes Kirito, Asuna, and Kisame sweat as they watch Yoruko slowly back up to the window and calm down a bit.
(Yolko): Grimlock was the only one….the only member of the guild who said we should leave the decision up to Griselda….
You see..he's the only one of us who can avenge Griselda….
He's the only member of our guild who has the right to avenge her….
(Schmit): You gotta be kidding….You gotta be kidding….
Why now!?
After all this time!
Why kill us now!?
Schmit stands up and reaches an arm out to Yolko.
You can't be ok with this Yolko!
You can't be ok with being killed over some stupid vendetta!
Kirito grabs Schmit's arm, making him look back at him.
Suddenly a stabbing noise is heard and Yolko widens her eyes as she leans over to show the knife, everyone in the room widens their eyes as Yolko falls out the window, Kirito rushes towards the window to catch but is too late.
(Kirito): Yolko!
Yolko hits the ground of the town and bursts into blue glass particles leaving the knife there on the ground.
Kirito looks up to see someone running away on the rooftops.
(Kirito): Kisame!
(Kisame): On it.
(Kirito): Asuna, keep an eye on him!
(Asuna): No wait!
Kirito and Kisame jump out the window chasing the Mysterious killer as they run on the roof tops, Kirito on the killers left while Kisame is on his right.
Kirito reaches for his sword and Kisame reaches for Samehada unwrapping it all the way to reveal its unsealed state, but Kirito see's the teleport crystal the killer pulls out and throws pins at them to be blocked by a purple barrier.
(Kirito): Kisame, they have a teleport crystal, do it now!
(Kisame): Got it!
Kisame then swings Samehada as Samehada extends towards the killer with its mouth open, tongue hanging out ready to bite the killer's legs.
Samehada get's right at the killer's legs and goes for a bite, until suddenly the bell tower rings and the killer teleports away, leaving Samehada to bite the air and return all the way to Kisame, as Kisame jumps over to Kirito's roof and they stop running.
(Kisame): Damn it!
They got away.
(Kirito): Shit.
Scene change: The inn room
Kirito and Kisame with a resealed Samehada open the door to the Inn as Asuna unsheathes her Rapier getting ready to defend the terrified Schmit until recognizing who walked through.
(Asuna): You idiots!
What's your problem!
(Kirito and Kisame in Sync): Uh….
Asune then sighs and resheathes her rapier, putting her hands on her hips.
(Asuna): Well?
What happened?
(Kirito): We lost him.
(Kisame): He teleported away somewhere like a coward.
Kirito then grips his hand in regret as Kisame puts a hand on his shoulder easing him a bit.
(Kirito): The system is supposed to protect players inside the inns, I thought if anywhere she'd be safe in here.
Kisame then hits the wall in anger making the immortal object text pop up.
(Kisame): Damn it!
If only I was a little faster I would have caught the guy's legs in Samehada's mouth stopping him from running, but I wasn't fast enough.
(Schmit): That robe was Griselda's….
That was Griselda's ghost….
She's come back to get revenge on us!
Schmit then chuckles to himself a little while shaking.
(Schmit): Think about it….
Only a ghost can PK someone in a safe zone!
(Kisame): That wasn't a ghost, whoever it was, they were real.
(Kirito): Someone is using the system to kill, that's the only way these murders could have happened in a safe zone!
I know it.
Timeskip - 2 hours later
Scene change: Town square bench
(Asuna): I don't know what to think.
Was that black robed figure Griselda's ghost?
After seeing 2 people die mysteriously, I'm starting to think it's possible.
(Kirito): No, Kisame is right, it definitely wasn't a ghost.
(Kisame): I'd bet my life on it that it wasn't a ghost, because why would a ghost need a teleport crystal if they could just disappear?
(Kirito): Teleport crystal….?
(Asuna): What is it?
Kirito just sits there in thought for a minute, while Kisame widens his eyes and looks at him understandingly.
(Kirito): Nah it's nothing…
Asuna then hands Kirito a purple bag.
(Asuna): Here.
(Kirito): What is that for me?
(Asuna): Well, what do you think I'm doing, showing it off?
Are you gonna take it or what?
Here you take one to Kisame.
(Kisame): Oh nah I'm good I don't need to eat food.
(Asuna): What do you mean?
(Kirito): Kisame has a weird body, he doesn't need food to survive in SAO, he only needs to drink water and that's it, he only ever eats whenever he wants something tasty and supposedly it works like this in the real world too.
(Asuna): Wait really!?
Wow I never knew….
Well then I guess I'll eat this one for later, anyway you better eat it fast before it disappears, it's durability is almost down to 0.
Kirito then takes a bite of the sandwich and looks at it for a minute.
(Kirito): It's delicious.
(Kirito): When the heck did you find time to pick this up.
(Asuna): I had a feeling we wouldn't have time for lunch today, so this morning I packed one for us, hurry up and eat it okay?
(Kirito): Gotta hand it to you, for a second in command of the Knight of the Blood Oath, you rock.
Where'd you buy these anyway?
(Asuna): I didn't
(Kirito): Huh?
(Asuna): I made it.
Yes, I can cook, so what.
(Kirito): Uh.
Kirito then swallows a gulp and looks back to his sandwich.
(Kirito): Wa-wow I don't even know what to say, I mean if you're looking for a second career you would make a killing selling these.
Kirito and Kisame chuckle to themselves until Asuna stomps the ground causing Kirito to accidentally drop his sandwich that blows up into blue glass particles.
(Asuna): Should have been eating instead of talking.
(Kisame): Ha!
Lucky me, water doesn't have durability, it's a natural source.
Sucks to be you right now Kirito.
Kirito then falls to his hands and knees on the ground.
(Asuna): Are you crying?
(Kirito): Sh!
No way!
That's right, that's it!
(Asuna): What's it?
What did you just figure out?
(Kirito): I, no wait.
We never saw a thing!
We just thought we did, but we were seeing something else!
(Kisame): No way, you don't mean!
(Kirito): Yeah, we were right.
The game doesn't allow killing inside a safe zone, there's no weapon or system exploit!
Scene change: Floor 19 Griselda's grave
POV: Schmit.
(Schmit): Griselda, the only way I can be saved now is if you forgive me….
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!
Please forgive me Griselda!
I never thought this was going to happen!
You have to believe me!
(Griselda): Oh really?
This voice echoes through the misty forest, scaring Schmit and widening his eyes in terror.
Suddenly Schmit hears a noise coming at him from behind and looks behind him, only to see a rat.
Turning back around Schmit see's a figure in a black hood staring at him, scaring him and making him put his hands on his mouth to stop himself from screaming.
(Griselda): What did you do to me?
Tell me, Schmit.
Tell me what you did!
Tell me now!
What appears to be Griselda pulls out a weapon, seeing the gleam makes Schmit bow his head in fear.
(Schmit): Ok, ok….
The day we voted to sell the ring, I-I looked at my belt pouch and there was a crystal and a note with instructions.
(?): Who were they from?
Who gave you them?
Schmit looks up to see a man appear next to Griselda.
(Schmit): Grimlock….
You're dead too…?
(Grimlock): Tell me, I want to know who gave you those instructions.
(Schmit): I don't know!
I swear, I don't know!
The note said for me to bind the crystal to Griselda's room at the inn she was staying at, so whoever it was could get in….
Then I had to put the crystal in the Guilds shared storage….
(Grimlock): Then what?
(Schmit): That's all I did, I swear!
I didn't want her to die, I didn't want to be part of that!
Please, believe me!
The mist lets up a bit.
(Yolko): We recorded everything you said, Schmit.
Schmit looks up to see Yoruko and Keinz scaring him.
Scene change: Back with Kirito, Asuna, and Kisame
POV: Kisame
(Asuna): Wait there alive?
(Kirito): Yup there alive.
Both Keinz and Yoruko.
(Asuna): But- I.
(Kisame): Inside safe zones a player's HP doesn't deplete on its own, but the durability of an object can deplete, like the sandwich you gave Kirito, you saw how it shattered.
(Asuna): What?
(Kirito): That day, the spear was sticking out of Keinz's armor, it wasn't draining his HP though.
(Kisame): Which means it was draining the durability of the armor he was wearing.
(Asuna): But then…His body didn't disintegrate, it was….
(Kirito): Yup, just his armor, nothing else.
(Kisame): And at the perfect timing, he teleported out of his armor when it exploded, making it look like he had died when in reality he was fine.
(Asuna): Then what happened to Yoruko?
(Kirito): I bet the dagger was rigged to her back the whole time.
She had it all planned out.
(Asuna): But we would have seen.
(Kisame): If she had turned around yeah, but throughout that entire conversation she was facing us, even when she went towards the window she backed up into it instead of walking to it.
(Kirito): She kept an eye on her equipment's durability level while she was talking, when it finally hit 0, all she had to do was act like she got hit by a dagger.
(Kisame): One that was thrown from outside the window.
(Asuna): Who was the person in the black robe that you chased?
(Kisame): It had to have been Keinz, it couldn't have been Grimlock.
(Kirito): Yeah, I'm sure of that.
He and Yoruko, were in it together, they figured out how they could use this method to fake their own deaths.
Getting people to think they were murdered in a safe zone was a calculated twist.
(Asuna): Everything they did was to draw out the person behind Griselda's murder…and expose him.
The only way to find out for sure was by faking their deaths and creating an illusionary avenger….
(Kirito): And Schmit was the person they had picked for it.
(Kisame): They probably chose him from the beginning considering he was the only other person to have a reason to kill her.
(Kirito): Hey, you still have Yoruko on your friend list don't you?
Hearing this makes Asuna realize this as she checks her friends list to see where she is.
(Asuna): Right now she's in the field on floor 19
It looks like she's on a small hill, just outside of town.
(Kirito): That's it then, they can pretty much handle it from here, our jobs pretty much done now, wouldn't you say?
(Asuna): Mhm.
Scene change: Griselda's grave
POV: Schmit
(Schmit): You were…recording?
So, that's how it is huh?
You cared about what happened to Griselda after all.
(Keinz): Of course we did, but you didn't betray her because you hated her did you?
(Schmit): N-No I didn't hate her, honest.
I mean, sure I feel guilty getting money for my part of it, but the rare weapon I bought helped me get into the Holy Dragon Alliance so…
Suddenly Schmit gets hit with a paralysis dagger rendering him unable to move.
(Schmit): Paralysis?
(?): One down!
Suddenly 3 people wearing cloaks appear holding weapons, a dagger, a sword, and a big cleaver.
(?): That's a hell of a catch, a big shot from the holy dragon alliance.
(Schmit): Laughing coffin.
The Murder guild.
(Boss): Alright, what game should we play with these three?
(Dagger minion): Oh I know!
I know!
Let's play the game where they have to kill each other!
Last one standing wins!
(Boss): I know it's your favorite, but last time you killed the winner anyway.
(Dagger Minion): Oh c'mon!
You spoiled it!
It's no fun if they know they're gonna die!
(Boss): Alright, let's get this show on the road.
The Laughing Coffin boss then goes in for a cleaver strike to kill Schmit but gets blocked by Samehada as Mist starts to appear and the Laughing Coffin trio jump back seeing Kisame and at the sound of a horse.
(Kisame): Looks like we made it just in time, now back away from them or I'll slice you to ribbons.
(Kirito): We've got 30 players from the Assault team coming, you guys wanna stay and fight them?
Kirito walks over as he unsheathes his sword, as silence occurs the Boss snaps his fingers and the other members put their weapons away.
(Boss): Kisame the Monster of the Mist, the Ally Kille, what a surprise to see you all the way down here.
I would like to invite you into Laughing Coffin personally.
(Kisame): Sorry, but I'm gonna have to pass, I don't kill people for fun like you guys do, I try to avoid it at all costs.
(Boss): What a shame, we'll see you around.
C'mon.
The three Laughing Coffin members then walk off into the distance of the mist until they are out of sight, leaving the others in silence.
Kirito and Kisame put away their weapons as they look back at Yolko and Keinz.
(Kirito): Nice to see you alive again, Yolko.
(Yolko): You won't believe me, but after it was over I was going to tell you the truth.
I am sorry, we had to trick you in order to help us out.
(Kisame): It's fine, just ask next time instead of ya know, making the entire playerbase terrified of dying in a safe zone.
(Schmit): Kirito, Kisame, thank you for saving me, but…
How did you figure it out?
How did you know those 3 would attack us here?
(Kisame): We didn't figure anything out, Kiritogot a bad feeling and we acted on it, that's all.
(Kirito): Kisame, it's ok to say you were worried too.
(Kisame): Hey!
Shut up!
(Kirito): Yeah, yeah, whatever.
Hey Yolko, Keinz, level with me.
You guys asked Grimlock to make the spear and the knife didn't you?
(Yolko): We did, but he was against our plan from the beginning.
All he wanted was to let Griselda rest in peace.
(Keinz): He did forge the weapons for us, but only after we got down on our knees and begged him.
(Kisame): I'm sorry to disappoint you, but he had a different reason for not liking your plan.
(Kirito): Griselda, had nothing to do with it.
He was worried faking PK's in a safe zone was gonna draw a lot of attention.
(Kisame): He didn't want anyone looking around for answers because he didn't wanna get caught.
(Yolko): What do you mean!?
(Kirito): We figured the whole thing out about half an hour ago.
Flashback - 30 minutes ago
Scene change: Restaurant table
(Kirito): We ended up playing right into Yolko's hand didn't we.
Ya know what, I really mind.
(Asuna): Yeah, me neither
(Kisame): Well I do, can't believe I fell for an easy trick.
(Kirito): Oh quit being a baby about it.
(Kisame): What was that!
(Asuna): Hey, if you were in their guild and a super rare item had dropped, what would you guys have done?
(Kirito): Well I don't really know, me and Kisame play as a Solo duo, part of it is to avoid situations like that.
(Asuna): In my guild the one who got the kill gets it.
(Kirito and Kisame): Huh?
(Asuna): Those are the rules we have to play by.
Ya know how in SAO if a player gets a drop no one knows unless that person reports it.
Our way, no one can hoard stuff because we worked out who gets what ahead of time, also the rules my guild plays by gives the concept of marriage in this world real meaning, think about it, if you marry you have to share your item storage.
If you're single you can hide what you want, but if you're married you can't hide it anymore.
I think sharing storage with the person you're married to is wonderfully pragmatic.
At the same time I also think it's very romantic.
(Kisame): Eh, sounds creepy to me.
(Asuna): Oh shut up!
You're just a water boy with a shark sword.
What would you know about love!
(Kirito): Hey.
(Asuna): Yeah, what?
(Kirito): So uh, how many times have you been married anyway?
Hearing this makes Kisame laugh and Asuna grab a fork and point it at Kirito and Kisame
(Kirito): Wait, I didn't mean it!
That didn't come out right!
(Kisame): Talk about blunt dude!
(Kirito): Shut up, she was talking about how it was romantic and plastic and-
(Asuna): I did not say that and shut up you ass!
Asuna then kicks Kirito and the laughing Kisame's legs causing Kirito pain in his leg and Kisame's leg to splash into water and reform.
(Asuna): What I said was it's romantic and pragmatic
For your information, the word Pragmatic means practical!
My god, I swear boys these days.
(Kirito and Kisame in sync): You think marriage in SAO is practical?
(Asuna): Of course!
If you're married everything's out in the open, ya know cause of common storage.
Kirito and Kisame then gain a look of realization, confusing Asuna at their sudden change in behavior.
(Kirito and Kisame in sync): That's it….
(Kirito): Wait, you figure it out too?
(Kisame): Yeah, common storage.
(Kirito): Ok, say your spouse dies, what happens to the items?
(Asuna): Huh?
(Kisame): Think about it, Item storage is shared right?
So when one person dies, what happens to their stuff?
(Asuna): If you're talking about Griselda and Grimlock.
Hm, if one of them died.
(Kirito): Everything would go to the surviving spouse right?
Hearing this gives Asuna realization and dawns a serious face.
And if everything goes to the spouse then the ring in Griselda's storage.
(Kisame): Should be sitting in Grimlock's storage, not the person who killed her, giving him ownership of the ring.
(Kirito): It's been sitting there this whole time.
(Asuna): It was never stolen in the first place.
(Kirito): No, it was stolen.
It doesn't matter it's still there, Grimlock was stealing it the minute he put his plan into action.
Flashback End
Scene change: Griselda's grave
(Schmit): It was Grimlock?
Then those were his instructions, and he killed Griselda too!
(Kisame): Nah, I doubt he's the one who killed her considering everything Yolko told us about him.
(Kirito): I'm pretty sure he found himself a red player to do it for him.
(Yolko): My god…but then he really did have her killed, why would he go through all that trouble just to help us out?
(Kisame): You explain your plan to him in full detail, so he just manipulated you to cover up his own act.
(Kirito): Your plan was the perfect chance to bury the ring incident and any witnesses one and for all.
(Kisame): And all he would have to do is wait for you 3 to get together, and you would all be in his little trap.
(Schmit): That's it.
That's why, they knew we would be here because he hired them!
(Kirito): Yeah, my guess is, he probably hired the same bunch that killed Griselda.
(Yolko): Oh my god.
Yolko suddenly stumbles a little and Keinz catches her as Asuna walks up with a man.
(Asuna): Found him!
(Kirito): If you wanna know more you can ask the man yourself.
(Grimlock): Hello, long time no see comrades.
(Yolko): I can't believe it.
Did you?
Did you really plan this?
How could you Grimlock!?
Answer me!
Why did you kill Griselda!?
Was it the money!?
Was the money so important that you would kill your own wife for it!?
(Grimlock): Hpmh.
Money?
Did you say Money?
Grimlock starts to chuckle at this question.
(Grimlock): It wasn't for the money.
I had to.
No matter what, I had to kill her while we were stuck in this world.
I had to kill her while she was still my wife.
And because she was also my wife in the real world.
Hearing this makes the group gasp in surprise.
(Grimlock): In a way she was the perfect wife.
Ideal.
So pretty, so submissive.
The whole time we were together we never had a single fight, but when we were trapped in her, in this world, she changed….
In here, I was the one afraid, terrified of playing this death game, but she looked so much happier here, more alive then she ever did in the real world.
There was nothing I could do about it, she changed, the Yuko I loved was gone….
Gone!
But then I realized I didn't have to live with the way she was, Murder is part of this game!
If I couldn't have the Yuko I loved back, I would settle for the memory of her and who could blame me!
(Kirito): That's why you did it?
That's the reason you killed your wife?
(Grimlock): It's reason enough.
And someday you'll understand too.
Once you've found love, believe me you will do anything to keep it.
Asuna then sheathes her rapier causing Grimlock to look back.
(Asuna): Your wrong Grimlock.
You've got it all wrong.
You didn't love Griselda, that's not what you felt.
You stopped loving her when you became selfish and possessive!
Hearing this makes Grimlock widen his eyes and fall to his knees looking down at the ground as Keinz and Schmit walk over to his side.
(Keinz): Kirito, Kisame, we appreciate your help, but I think this is our problem to deal with now.
(Kisame): Hmph.
(Kirito): Ok…
Keinz and Schmi then hold Grimlock up and start to walk off as Yolko starts to follow, but turns around and bows, causing Kirito and Asuna to do the same, Yolko then walks off catching up with the trio.
The sun then starts to rise as Kirito stretches.
(Asuna): Hey.
Say it was you and you married someone, and later on, you found out she had a side to her that you didn't know about.
How would you feel?
(Kirito): I guess, that I was lucky?
Uh, because, I mean if you marry someone that means you like whatever you already know about them doesn't it, and if you discovered something you didn't know about them before and fell in love with that too then…that would be awesome?
(Asuna): Right, good answer.
(Kisame): I mean, me personally I probably wouldn't have cared.
Asuna then punches Kisame in the face, making his face turn into water and reform.
(Asuna): And that was the wrong answer!
(Kisame): Did you have to hit me?
(Asuna): Yes, yes I did.
Anyway, his ignorance aside I'm hungry after all this, I didn't really get to finish my dinner.
(Kirito): Oh…yeah you didn't.
(Asuna): We should get back to work tomorrow, we've been off the frontlines for 2 days
(Kirito): Yeah, I was hoping to have this floor totally cleared by the end of this week
(Kisame): I hope the next floor is a water floor.
(Asuna): Of course you would say that.
Asuna then starts to walk off but gets tapped on the arm and as she looks back she see's Griselda's ghost standing there smiling at them one moment and gone the next, widening her eyes, Asun then looks at Kisame and Kirito's reactions to see their mouth gaping.
(Kisame): Well I'll be damned.
(Asuna): Hey, Kirito, Kisame, do you guys wanna friend me?
(Kirito and Kisame): Huh?
(Asuna): It's kinda silly not to, it's convenient, we are all on the same assault team after all.
(Kirito): But, we're solo players.
(Asuna): Hey, I didn't say you had to form a party with me.
You guys should try and make some friends instead of just each other while you're here.
(Kirito): Yeah, I don't know.
It's not that I don't want-
Asuna then slaps Kirito on the arm.
(Kirito): Aye!
(Asuna): Think about it while we eat, no pressure, I already know Kisame is going to.
(Kisame): I mean I don't see a reason not to, so sure why not.
(Asuna): C'mon let's go back and find a good restaurant
(Kirito): Uh, ok.
To be continued...