"Kneel." At Tadakatsu Honda's command, the young Futayo immediately knelt before him like a samurai of the Warring States era.
"Where is your weapon?" Tadakatsu rose, gripping the Tonbokiri in hand. The young Futayo hurriedly raised her spear with both hands above her head.
Slash! The light of the Tonbokiri flashed between her palms. Futayo frowned as her spear fell to the ground.
When she drew back her hands, there were two wounds across her palms—cuts from the Tonbokiri.
"If you've truly discarded the sword of your right hand and the ring of your left, then pick up the spear with both hands," Tadakatsu said, looking down at the kneeling Futayo.
Her pupils shrank sharply—but the stinging scent of blood brought her back. Reaching out, she picked up the spear.
The blood from her palms stained its shaft. "I have long since abandoned the freedom of my right hand and the oath of my left," she said. "I now wield the spear with both hands by my own will."
"Then turn around. Look upon the land behind you. Does it bring you pain? Do you wish to protect it?"
Futayo turned. Before her stretched a blood-soaked hill, corpses scattered across the field. Countless orphans wept as they searched for their loved ones' bodies. The sound of mourning tore through the air. Tears filled Futayo's eyes once more as she shouted, "Yes!"
"Then will you offer your tears and blood to this land? Will you dedicate your life to the people of Mikawa?"
"Yes!" Her answer was firm and resolute. Crystalline tears and crimson blood fell from her hands onto the hill.
"Who are you?" Tadakatsu asked.
"I am now Honda Futayo the Second. One day, I shall inherit the name Tadakatsu Honda," she declared, her face tense with determination.
"Tadakatsu Honda was the strongest warrior of the Warring States. Can you become the same?"
"Yes!" Futayo's voice did not waver in the slightest. She spoke with utmost solemnity.
"Strength is not your glory—it is your responsibility. Can you bear that burden?" Tadakatsu pressed on.
"Yes!" she answered again without hesitation.
"Do you still remember what I told you on your fifth birthday? If you do, then swear it here before Mikawa." Tadakatsu stood tall and straight.
"I have cast away freedom and oath. From this day forth, I shall live for loyalty and righteousness," Futayo declared, raising her bloodstained spear once more—not toward Tadakatsu, but toward the heavens.
"Heaven above, I, Honda Futayo the Second, swear upon the spear in my hands—my eternal loyalty to Mikawa, and my service to the lord of Musashi." She knelt deeply, dedicating her entire life with that single bow.
"Rise. From this moment, I acknowledge you as Honda Futayo the Second. I will no longer call you 'Honda the Second.'" Tadakatsu spoke firmly, his posture still as straight as a spear. Futayo rose, her own body equally straight and proud. The two stood like twin spears piercing the heavens, as if their will alone could uphold the sky.
Behind Futayo stood Kurumi, still invisible. In her wine-red eyes shone deep pity and helpless sorrow.
"Little Futayo... I see now, there are three great mountains between us. Both hands on the spear—indeed, such is the way of one like you."
Kurumi reached out, gently stroking Futayo's cheek, though Futayo could not feel it—her senses were wholly within the dream projection.
"Foolish little brother, if you wish to cry, then cry aloud." Kurumi froze. Futayo's memory wasn't over yet—and suddenly, on the battlefield, she heard the voice of young Kimi Aoi.
Next came the sound of Aoi Toori's sobbing cries. He fell upon a bloodstained figure. There was no mistaking who it was—it was their father.
"Cry! Shout! Let all your pain and sorrow out!" Little Kimi held Aoi Toori tightly as they both wept uncontrollably.
Soon after, Little Kimi rose and made contact with the Asama Shrine that served her family—requesting that Tomo Asama find her a Goddess of Dance.
"All you orphans gathered here today—you've lost your families. But I, Kimi Aoi, will become the elder sister to you all. From now on, you are my foolish little brothers and sisters—my family. Cry, cry your hearts out. When you tire of tears, your elder sister will bring you laughter again."
The young Kimi stood proudly atop the hill, her small figure shining with radiant light. Around her, the divine glow of a Shinto contract illuminated the darkened battlefield, drawing every gaze to her.
Kimi knelt on the ground and began to make her divine pact: "O Goddess of Dance who spreads joy, I, Kimi Aoi, offer my own happiness as tribute—to bring laughter to others."
"Contract established." The divine contract manifested as a small spirit—an ethereal dog-like god—appearing before her. Kimi had become a Shinto Performer.
"Are you stupid? Offering your emotions as tribute means you must always remain happy. Should sadness take root in your heart, the contract will break. You'll suffer divine backlash and die. In other words—"
"If you become sad, you'll die, is that it?" Little Futayo said, speaking more than ever before. She had just sworn to protect Mikawa, only to be faced with Kimi's reckless act.
"Hmph! You're the last person qualified to lecture me," Kimi said, folding her arms with a dazzling smile. Yet both girls glared at one another, eyes filled with irritation.
For in truth, to each of them, the other was someone they could never save.
Pfft! A mouthful of blood burst from Kurumi's lips. She bit down on her handkerchief, sobbing miserably.
"Uuuu... God, why are you doing this to me? I just discovered the three mountains blocking Little Futayo, and now I see the chains binding Kimi too... uuuu..." Kurumi sat on the ground, bemoaning her miserable fate.
"Calm down, Kurumi-chan! You're a god yourself. Believe in yourself! You can conquer them! But first, focus on overcoming Little Futayo's trial." She slapped her cheeks lightly, then stood up and shattered the dream-space containing Futayo's memory.
Crack! Crack! The space fractured, breaking apart. Futayo's dream self returned to her body. Sitting on the ground, she opened her eyes, grasped the Tonbokiri, and rose to her feet. Her eyes were crystal clear—utterly calm.
The world reverted to the boss chamber. The cold, emotionless Dream Demon stood before her.
"Your greatest opponent will be yourself," came the icy declaration. Kurumi had now assumed Futayo's form.
Before their eyes, the loli's body began to grow—transforming into the blue-haired, shoulder-length beauty of the adult Futayo Honda. (Kurumi in Futayo's form will be referred to as Futayo; the real one as Little Futayo.)
"I desire beauty—unmatched, divine beauty."
At her words, the blue uniform turned into a luxurious, radiant crimson-violet gown. Futayo's already beautiful face became breathtaking—capable of toppling nations.
The space shifted again. Countless people knelt at her feet, enthralled by her divine beauty. At the same time, Little Futayo's HP began to drop again.
"I desire power—unrivaled, invincible power."
The gorgeous Futayo stood tall, stepping forward with elegance. Her right hand formed a fist before her chest as a sword materialized in her grasp. A crimson cloak billowed behind her as she raised the sword high.
The space changed once more. Countless warriors knelt, defeated by the strongest Futayo—conquered by her peerless martial prowess.
Meanwhile, Little Futayo's HP fell further—from orange to yellow. Still, she showed no emotion, simply watching her dazzling self in silence.
"I want to stand above all others, to draw the gaze of everyone wherever I go."
The more Futayo gained, the brighter her light shone. And the faster Little Futayo's HP continued to drop.
"I want my words to command the world. I want all powers to bow before me."
Thousands worshipped the radiant Futayo, while Little Futayo's HP fell lower and lower.
"I want everything without effort. I want the favor of the gods."
At those words, Little Futayo's HP turned red—dangerously low.
"I want a harem of three thousand beauties. Love and desire, all mine to command."
"I want the world to turn at my word alone."
At the peak of power, Futayo's voice echoed as Little Futayo's HP reached critical level—only a single sliver remained.
"Uuuu... why am I in her harem?!" Asuna cried, flustered beyond words.
"No, wait—why would Honda-senpai, a woman, even want female concubines?!" Kirito exclaimed.
Kurumi, still acting as Futayo, nearly broke character. Damn it—she'd accidentally infused her own desires into Futayo's dream.
"Why won't you die?" The peerless Futayo glared down at Little Futayo. That final trace of life refused to fade, immovable as a mountain.
"Ever since I came to this world, my Tonbokiri has been sealed. But now... now I can feel it. I can use it—against myself. For no one knows me better than I do." Little Futayo's hands tightened on the Tonbokiri. Its tip reflected the image of the radiant Futayo before her.
"No! Stop! I have everything! I can live in your place! I have everything—the world moves for me! I want to live! I want to replace you!" the exalted Futayo shouted in panic, retreating.
"Connect, Tonbokiri!" came the clear, unwavering voice. The spear flared with radiant light. A single slash split through Futayo's waist. Her HP bars began to drop, one after another.
"Why? I have everything... why kill a self like that?"
"At least tell me... why does that final sliver of HP remain?" The divine Futayo's face was filled with despair.
Little Futayo lowered her Tonbokiri, her expression firm as her own HP turned red, swiftly draining to zero. Calmly, she said:
"If all of my wishes could come true..."
"...then the world I live in must be false."
As her HP reached zero, her body began to shatter. Kurumi dropped the act, reverting to her true self, and a wickedly beautiful smile curved her lips.
"Stylish."