Chapter 26. The Peerless Sword Saint Appears, and Hideyoshi's Gender Is… Hideyoshi!
[Three days ago.]
[Ryuudou Temple, under the moonlight.]
["The original manuscript of Niten Ichi-ryuu written by Miyamoto Musashi himself — I've finally obtained it."]
["It really took quite a bit of effort…"]
["So now I can summon Musashi, right?"]
["Japan's number one swordsman. As a local Servant, that's already impressive — but with the popularity buff, if I can get the Saber class, I'll definitely win this Holy Grail War!"]
[In the quiet temple, a crisp and clear voice echoed — gentle, yet distinctly "girl".]
…
Moscow, Washington, Libya, Singapore…
Countless people raised their eyebrows with interest, eyes glued to the Celestial Curtain.
After team Archer, it seemed another intriguing team was about to take the stage.
"They're trying to summon Musashi?"
"That's someone with good taste."
"But from the Tsubame Gaeshi shown in the PV… it looks like they actually summoned Musashi's eternal rival — Kojirou."
"If we go by legend, Sasaki Kojirou is still really strong!"
"Hiken Tsubame Gaeshi is unbeatable!"
…
In Japan.
A mountain range, covered in layers of mist and forest.
"Musashi, huh…"
Shuten Douji murmured, her eyes filled with nostalgia and a faint trace of excitement.
Hundreds of years ago, that powerful swordsman once stood before her and unleashed a sword strike without thought.
Brilliant, dazzling beyond belief — the memory not only refused to fade with time, but fermented even more deeply, becoming a vivid and indelible hue within her soul.
"Even if it's not you… let me see just how powerful your rival — Sasaki Kojirou — truly is!"
The woman sitting atop a throne laughed heartily as she drank.
The parallel world theory… how fascinating!
...
["Your flesh shall serve under me, and my fate shall be with your sword."]
["Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail, Answer, if you would submit to this will and this truth!"]
["An oath shall be sworn here. I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven; I shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell."]
["From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power…"]
["Come forth from the ring of restraint, protector of the holy balance!"]
As the summoning chant was recited bit by bit…
The camera slowly panned — and countless people went silent on the spot.
Especially the high school students from Fumizuki Academy, who all gasped in disbelief when they saw that familiar silhouette.
"What the hell?! Isn't that Hideyoshi?!"
…
Inside the Celestial Curtain…
All eyes instantly turned in one direction — filled with astonishment.
Kinoshita Hideyoshi — wearing a sailor uniform, with features identical to a beautiful girl — was just as bewildered.
Why on earth was he appearing in this storyline?
Wait… could it be — he was the Master of the Sword Saint Sasaki Kojirou?!
…
[Ahead stood a beautiful girl with chestnut-brown hair, wearing a super short white skirt, her face solemn.]
[White thigh-high socks accentuated her stunningly long legs, blending the aura of a schoolboy with an irresistible allure.]
[The Command Spell on her hand glowed an increasingly brilliant red.]
[On a high altar, a sacred Holy Relic was being offered.]
[An ancient manuscript fluttered in the wind, its faded ink infused with the scent of time.]
[A blue magical radiance spread from beneath her feet, instantly enveloping the entire vast temple.]
[A surge of icy wind rose violently, gusts howling through the air.]
[Amidst the radiant light, a relaxed figure suddenly appeared.]
["Yo. I am Assassin, summoned in response to your call. So, you're my Master?"]
[The swordsman smiled casually, dressed in a pale blue kimono, his deep blue hair tied back in a ponytail, arms crossed, a twig held between his lips.]
[Handsome in appearance, graceful in tone — that was the first impression he left.]
[Still a bit confused, Kinoshita Hideyoshi spoke the first words of their encounter.]
["Are you Miyamoto Musashi?"]
["No. I am Sasaki Kojirou — just a nameless nobody~."]
[The blue-haired swordsman replied with a calm smile.]
(note The author actually calls Hideyoshi "her".)
Looking at the elegant swordsman in the Celestial Curtain, everyone's eyes were filled with awe.
"So handsome!"
"So cool!"
"Oh my god, this way of speaking is so charming!"
"Everyone, look here! I declare — I'm a huge fan of Kojirou-sama!"
"Another talented and beautiful pair, wonderful, wonderful!"
"I totally love the outfit of this girl!"
"This Master is so cute…"
"Cute? This is clearly my wife!"
"My wife, my wife, my wife, my wife, my wife, my wife!!"
"People up there, wake up! Stop daydreaming in broad daylight!"
"You heartbroken otaku!"
The world was abuzz with countless discussions.
Compared to the mysterious and unpredictable Archer, the name Sasaki Kojirou was like thunder in their ears!
This was the sword saint who carried a legendary lifetime.
It was said that even the swallow in the sky couldn't escape the reach of his sword.
Superb swordsmanship, once unrivaled, he was the talented prodigy who suppressed an entire era during Japan's Warring States period!
At the same time, Kojirou's Master — Hideyoshi — also received countless attention. His remarkable looks won over many, with people constantly shouting "wife."
However…
Just as the refined voice of Celestial Curtain rang out, the hearts of thousands of young men shattered simultaneously.
[Ryuudou temple, the swordsman slightly curled his lips, his eyes narrowing, a somewhat arrogant smile forming: "I didn't expect that in this summoning, I'd get to collaborate with such a beautiful girl, this truly makes me happy."]
[The "girl" with brown hair slightly blushed: "Ah… Sasaki-san, you're mistaken."]
["What's the matter?"]
[The swordsman was puzzled, wondering if the fact that he wasn't Miyamoto Musashi had disappointed her.]
[The "girl" awkwardly scratched her head: "…Could it be… I'm not a girl?"]
["…"]
[Kojirou stared blankly, carefully looking at the opponent's white neck, and upon seeing the Adam's apple — immediately fell silent.]
[Men these days… have they really turned out this way?]
At this moment — the entire world was shaken!
"It's a TRAP."
"I don't believe it! I don't believe it! That's definitely a girl!"
"It's all fake! Everything's fake! How could someone this beautiful be a guy?!"
"Damn it, clearly looks like a true bishojo!"
"I thought girls only had female rivals… but turns out… sob sob…"
"So I lost to a guy… what's with this complicated feeling…?"
"Damn, I almost became gay."
"I rarely feel moved like this, yet I lost so completely… how could this happen?!"
"It's okay, I actually like this kind of thing!"
"Curse Chef, The Great Sage of the Heian Era once said: "All the Hole is a GOAL". Keep going, guys!"
...
"I already told you I'm a guy!!"
Inside Celestial Curtain, Hideyoshi helplessly covered his face with his hand.
These idiots… at least they should seriously accept reality!