The Dragon of Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin—originally Nagao Kagetora—was a legendary warlord from Japan's Sengoku era, hailed as a god of war. But for Izumo no Okuni, this larger-than-life figure, who died young, was already gone by the time she was six. Though they lived in the same era, their paths never crossed.
So, it's not that surprising that Okuni, a fan of Kenshin's, would want to snag an autograph from the hero after being summoned, right? After all, the Dragon of Echigo wasn't just a battlefield beast—his literary flair and calligraphy left a mark on history, too.
"Uh… so that's how it is, huh?" Ritsuka scratched their head, looking a bit awkward. "So, the Heroic Spirit who just bolted was the Uesugi Kenshin?"
"Yup," Okuni replied.
She shifted her stance, clutching her naginata close, her face still sporting a pout that somehow carried a hint of playful sulking. Her cheeks puffed out just enough to make it borderline adorable.
Nero let out a sigh and glanced back. "You say that, but let's be real—you couldn't catch up to her even if you tried."
"Ugh!"
Okuni's attempt at a comeback fizzled as her cheeks flushed a faint red. She blinked, then instantly switched to a pitiful expression, hugging her weapon tighter like a nervous kid. "W-Well, what else am I supposed to do? Lord Uesugi sees me and runs. Doesn't even give me a chance to talk…"
Nero, faced with this shapeshifting woman, was at a loss for words. She turned to Ritsuka. "So, what's the plan? We helping her out or what?"
"Honestly, I'm more curious about how she managed to make a war god run at the sight of her…" Ritsuka muttered.
Okuni's face reddened again, somehow looking even more charming. "I-I don't know, okay? Maybe I came on a little too strong the first time we met?"
Silence fell over the group. A chilly breeze swept across the plains, making Nero and Ritsuka shiver.
Nero, marveling at how this Heroic Spirit's arrival had shifted the whole vibe, spoke up. "Look, we've got something we need your help with."
"What kind of help?" Okuni's eyes sharpened, her lips pursing as she muttered, "For me, the only thing that matters right now is getting Lord Uesugi's autograph. Everything else can wait."
Ritsuka shrugged. No way around it. "Fine. We'll help you get that autograph. In return, can you at least hear us out?"
A promise for a promise. Fair deal.
"Deal!"
In a flash, Okuni's face lit up with a dazzling smile. She winked at Ritsuka. "So, what's it you need me to do?"
Izumo no Okuni, what a terrifying woman.
Nero shook her head, quietly reeling. Despite Okuni's modest shrine maiden outfit, every move she made felt like a flirtatious tease, like she was trying to charm everyone around her. And the scariest part? It didn't feel forced or fake. Nero knew Okuni was probably playing a role, but somehow, it was impossible to actually dislike her.
Izumo no Okuni, what a terrifying woman.
Still, they'd won her over. Ritsuka was already explaining the situation with the sealed cave. Okuni listened, nodding along with little "mm-hmm" sounds.
When Ritsuka finished, Okuni tilted her head and grinned. "Sounds doable. But I'll need to see it for myself to be sure."
"Great." Ritsuka let out a relieved breath.
Nero, ever the realist, dumped cold water on the mood. "Hold up. How are we supposed to catch a war god on a chariot? Speed-wise, none of us can keep up with that thing."
That snapped Ritsuka back to reality. They turned to Okuni. "Miss Okuni, what's your class? Rider?"
Okuni twirled her naginata behind her, the white sleeves of her outfit blooming like petals. "Nope! I'm a Lancer."
It wasn't a martial stance—it was a dance. As the founder of kabuki, Okuni's spearwork was a sight to behold. Ritsuka pressed, "Then what about that horse from earlier?"
"Oh, just a stage prop!"
Nero and Ritsuka froze. Okuni giggled at their stunned faces and summoned it again. "No lie, this guy's a prop for my performances. But it's also a puppet shikigami us shrine maidens use."
A small wooden box unfolded into a black wooden horse, standing motionless on the grass. It didn't look like it could gallop across the plains.
On closer inspection, Nero noticed a few talismans stuck to its body, though they were subtle.
"But this thing still can't outrun Uesugi Kenshin," Nero said, ruthlessly poking at Okuni's sore spot.
"S-Shut up!"
Okuni hugged the horse's neck, her cheeks red as she stuck her tongue out at Nero.
And so, the strategy meeting kicked off again. This time, the topic was how to catch the war god Uesugi Kenshin.
Since outrunning her was a pipe dream, a trap was the only option. But setting a trap meant predicting Kenshin's movements, and the only one with any insight on that was Okuni.
The plan came together quickly.
First, Okuni would track the chariot's ruts like before. Once Ritsuka and the others were in position, she'd start the chase again, luring Kenshin into their ambush. Nero would handle knocking the war god off her ride, Ritsuka would step in to smooth things over and recruit her, and Okuni would get her precious autograph. Flawless!
This was also why Ritsuka was willing to help Okuni. A lone Heroic Spirit like Kenshin was too valuable to let slip away. Even if she didn't join, they had to at least try.
The operation began.
On the plains, the tracks of Kenshin's chariot were unmistakable. This was why, no matter how fast the war god moved, she couldn't completely shake Okuni. Since being summoned to this Singularity, Kenshin had been circling the plains ever since her first encounter with Okuni.
Not much choice, really. The Singularity wasn't that big, and a chariot wasn't built for weaving through forests. If Kenshin veered into the trees, Okuni's mechanical horse could catch up easily.
That's why both of them had stayed on the plains south of the town. Without the Sphinx's tip, this chase might've gone on indefinitely.
Clad in armor, standing beside her trusted steed, Uesugi Kenshin shivered at the thought of the woman tailing her.
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