Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?.

Chapter 345: The magic gun hits hard, but the target is a mechanical monster.

Fuyuki City, city center, battlefield.

“Keep going, ahh!!

"You think this is such a small attack?"

Hijikata Toshizo, who was wearing silver-white armor with only two scarlet spots on his visor, had not yet finished a complete sentence.

The sound of fire from two subsequent machine guns set up on the street buried his roar in the din of bullets.

In just two seconds, a dense metal wave was formed in front of him in the space and slammed towards Hijikata Toshizo who was standing in the ruins.

Seeing the intensified attack, Hijikata Toshizo still did not choose to dodge, nor did he go crazy.

Instead, he chose to take the attack head-on like a masochist, accepting the transfer of kinetic energy from the bullet.

He transformed his body and armor into a sampan that was tossed up and down in the strong winds and huge waves brought by the storm.

He acted like a low-intelligence Berserker, waiting for his Master's planned 'prey' to take the bait.

In fact, this servant, who appeared quite frantic and seemed to be deeply affected by [Frenzy], never lost his ability to think from beginning to end.

Even after entering the battle, you can improve your strength by following certain settings and regulations with the help of the [Laws in the Game] skill.

His mind and body became clearer and faster than ever before.

This skill not only improved his physical appearance but also gave him stronger perception.

Have a more accurate judgment of the battle situation.

Feeling the bullet embedded in the armor, and feeling the several "agents" who relaxed their vigilance due to their "performance" and did not distance themselves at the first moment.

The corners of his mouth, hidden under the mask, curled up into a hideous smile.

[Did you use a special bullet with increased power? ]

[It's quite powerful, just enough to serve as my 'food']

Feeling the damage absorbed by the 'special ability' given to him by his master, he was only a step away from getting his first 'harvest' and entering the next stage.

Those machine guns and weapons thrown by the "agents" can no longer benefit their "special abilities".

Hijikata Toshizo felt it was time to crush these annoying "ants".

[Being beaten for so long in vain is really frustrating...! ]

【Since they are enemies, they should all be killed.】

After feeling the [increase in attack power] brought by [low blood volume] reaching the power limit grasped in the last battle.

Hijikata Toshizo, who was twitching from the bullets, only glanced at the two noisy machine guns on the street and casually raised the old musket in his right hand.

“You guys are a bit noisy!!!
“Be quiet!!!”

Bang, bang——

The trigger was pulled, two somewhat low sounds of bullets being fired were heard, and two old bullets flew out.

Under the incredulous gazes of the "agents" of the [Cathedral Church], the two projectiles passed through the impenetrable metal "wave".

It crossed the [Black Key] and officially collided with the two machine guns.

The next moment, the roar of the machine gun stopped abruptly.

Instead, there was a roar like a gas explosion caused by two old bullets, which was inconsistent with the style and size of the bullets.

boom--

As the roar echoed in the air, the buildings on the street began to collapse, and the ground stirred up a cloud of dust.

Those two bullets not only penetrated the hail of bullets fired by the machine gun, but also caused an abnormal explosion at the moment of impact that was inconsistent with the bullets.

It was as if some special device hidden in the iron bomb was activated, instantly bringing the surrounding air into a brief vacuum, and then releasing a huge shock wave.

The 'Agent' guarding the machine gun was reduced to rubble along with the bunker before it could react.

When the 'agents' who were farther away realized what was happening, they were blown several meters away by the sudden explosion and fell into the ruins, gasping in pain.

Hijikata Toshizo stood in the center of the battlefield, the twisted smile under his visor growing more and more intense.

He took a deep breath, enjoying the silence he had concocted.

"It's finally quiet."

He muttered softly, stepping forward somewhat casually, ready to draw in some more hatred as planned.

However, just as he was about to continue his attack, the oppressive feeling in the air that appeared as he raised the knife suddenly disappeared.

A familiar breath came from afar. Although it was faint, he had already sensed the presence of his subordinate.

He also changed his previous 'clumsy' behavior and said a few rational words.

"Huh, it's finally here.

"You are a subordinate who doesn't like pickled radish."

Hijikata Toshizo, holding a katana, uttered some rather cruel words to the figure in the smoke and dust.

"Under other circumstances, I could have spoken to you a few more words, but unfortunately, this is the Holy Grail War where everyone is fighting for their own destiny.

"I won't show mercy just because you're so 'sick' that you can't even swing your knife."

After saying this, Hijikata Toshizo snorted lightly.

He bent his fingers slightly, pressed the katana at his waist, and spoke some rather 'generous' words.

"But as your superior, I allow you to draw the first blow in this fight.

"Come and reminisce with me,

"Captain of the Shinsengumi's First Division, a genius swordsman!"

However, as the smoke cleared, the true appearance of the figure was revealed.

Hijikata Toshizo's ferocious eyes also froze.

Because the person who walked out from the ruins at the other end of the street was not the Okita Souji he perceived, but an old man wearing a cloak and holding a long stick, who did not exist in his perception.

[Is this old man also a Servant? ]

"Hey, old man, be smart.

"Don't disturb me and my subordinates."

As he uttered the words, Hijikata Toshizo subconsciously raised the long sword in his hand and was about to point it at Li Shuwen.

However, the next moment, the words that came out of Hijikata Toshizo's mouth came to an abrupt end like a fragment of a novel.

Forced to remain silent, he also sensed something that made him a little panic.

Before the other party could make a move, his body was in shock and unable to move.
-

Looking at Hijikata Toshizo who was constantly drawing magic power from the 'spiritual veins' not far away, turning the land beneath his feet into a desert, but was unable to move under his 'skills'.

Li Shuwen, who quietly emerged from the smoke and dust, nodded with satisfaction.

【According to the Master and the main family that worships me, killing someone will destructively drain the magical energy from the land.】

Judging from the desert beneath his feet, the person the master wants me to kill must be him.

After confirming that the target was correct, Li Shuwen shook one shoulder, and the fur-collared cloak he was wearing slipped off.

He raised and swung his free right hand, and skillfully threw the gorgeous coat given by [Tōsaka Tokiomi] to [Kotomine Kirei] who appeared quietly not far away.

"Master, please keep it for me for now.

"After all, the movement is too big, and it would not be good if this precious dress gets dirty.

"To be on the safe side, take it away and stand back, just like that swordsman, and be a good spectator."

Kotomine Kirei, who had taken over Li Shuwen's fur-collared cloak, was shocked when he saw Hijikata Toshizo, who was unable to move, and Okita Souji, who had to grit his teeth and blush to move a few steps behind Li Shuwen.

[Is this the combination of his newly mastered 'realm' and the 'Qi-swallowing' of the 'circle realm'? ! ! !]

[It actually has such power!!]

While suppressing his shock, Kotomine Kirei also looked at the swordsman lady who appeared in everyone's sight for the first time.

【New Servant? 】

After using his abilities as a Master to assess the other party's basic attributes and style, Kotomine Kirei couldn't help but feel a bit doubtful.

[Strength is B+, Agility is A++, Noble Phantasm is only B, holding a sword, most likely Saber or Assaasin. ]

But he recalled the job information and existing intelligence that the church had previously obtained.

[Kotomine Kirei] couldn't help but feel a little confused again.

【But these two classes should be full.】

The 'Undead' who could compete with Zhao Yun, Master Li beside him, the Saber praised by Gilgamesh, and the woman holding the holy sword.

The four of them should have already taken up all of Saber and Assasin's [Classes].

Although he was somewhat doubtful, Kotomine Kirei did not take the other party seriously.

Since [Li Shuwen] said that the other party is an "audience", and the other party cannot resist [Li Shuwen's] "skills".

Moreover, an opponent with low attributes and poor [Noble Phantasm] is not a threat.

The opponent probably couldn't even force out the Berserker's [Noble Phantasm], let alone threaten [Li Shuwen] who could kill the opponent with one move.

Thinking of this, he quickly stepped back a few steps while holding his fur-collared cloak, and watched his servant's superb skills in holding a gun.

【There shouldn't be any surprises.】

However, the next moment, something strange happened.
-

“Old man! You seem pretty strong!!

"If it weren't for the ability my Master gave me, I would have been killed by you without any resistance."

The words were intermittent and weak, but they caused a huge commotion like a huge rock thrown into a calm pond.

This made Li Shuwen, who was originally calm and composed, tighten his grip on the wax stick.

He looked at the 'target' that was going to test his skills and couldn't help but frown.

Hijikata Toshizo, who was originally unable to move in the field, raised the katana in his hand tremblingly and spoke provocative words to himself.

Although Hijikata Toshizo's feet still felt extremely heavy, he was unable to move.

But one thing is beyond doubt.

The other party is adapting to his own "situation" and "spirit".
-

Observing Hijikata Toshizo's attitude, Li Shuwen did not respond to the other party's provocation, but nodded with a slight approval.

I sighed inwardly at my opponent. [His ability to adapt? He's almost cracking my 'skills'. What an interesting opponent.]

[As expected, people become weaker as they age.]

This is correct nonsense, and it is also a fact that the elderly Li Shuwen knows very well.

It is also the true feeling of Li Shuwen, who has only C strength, D endurance and A+ agility, about his current body.

As people age, their wrist strength weakens and their physical strength declines.

The speed of punching and shaking the gun will also decrease, and the killing technique will become dull.

These are objective laws that cannot be violated.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help feeling a little melancholy in his heart.

If he had the body of his youth, he would not be able to break free from this skill.

But soon he closed his eyes and began to regulate his breathing and concentrate.

【However, it shouldn't affect my ability to kill him.】

In his old age, he gave up training and accepted a dull life. After the violent part of his youthful nature disappeared, he also gained some new ideas to make his skills stronger.

It just wasn't fully realized.

This time, when he was summoned to the world, with the help of some inexplicable factors, he has realized almost all of these ideas.

All that remains is the desire to find a powerful warrior to fight.

Now facing this enemy, it is time to test my skills.

[That’s the feeling!]

[See the opportunity from the shadows, and explore the path from the light.]

Although I'm not proficient enough yet, by fusing 'contemplation' and 'intention' using the method of [Yin Yang Interweaving], I can compress them into my weapon, mimicking the technique of 'Qi Swallowing' that presses down on the enemy's body! ! !

Li Shuwen, who had found his senses, suddenly opened his eyes, and his peaceful face suddenly became a little ferocious.

"Then please try my trick.

"If you can survive this move, I will help you.

"I'll let you fight that female swordsman you're familiar with for one round before I kill you."

[Yin and Yang Intertwined] [Circle] [Chinese Martial Arts: Liuhe Spear]

As the 'environment' and 'intention' around him flowed into the weapon and then merged, the original white wax stick in his hand also groaned as it could not bear the weight.

Hijikata Toshizo, who sensed that the enemy was brewing powerful skills, did not panic, but instead showed an even more fanatical smile.

After adapting to the situation several times, he twisted his neck and stared at Li Shuwen, his eyes flashing with desire for battle.

"Come on then, old man.

"My subordinates seem to be eager to reminisce with me over knives."

At the same time as the [Battlefield Ghost] that amplified his own power was activated, a somewhat tattered flag appeared above Hijikata Toshizo's head.

It is the [Noble Phantasm] [Shinsengumi: Eternal Sincerity] that has the effect of [Delaying Damage Settlement].

However, Li Shuwen did not give Hijikata Toshizo the chance to finish his words.

【The God Gun is the best】
-

With a low shout from Li Shuwen, the white wax rod in his hand suddenly burst out with astonishing speed like a liberated beast and stabbed towards Hijikata Toshizo.

With this sudden thrust, the houses on both sides of the street seemed to be affected by some irresistible force. They were deformed and twisted in an instant, and then they were "uprooted" like paper crafts and "flew" away intact.

Hijikata Toshizo, who was the target of this shot, had a deeper understanding of this attack.

The power contained in that spear is far more than what it appears to be.

The moment the tip of the spear broke through the air, Hijikata Toshizo felt an indescribable feeling of suffocation.

The old man's blow devoured all his space and freedom.

The world before his eyes was becoming narrower, and the air around him seemed to solidify, filled with the invisible power brought by the ash stick.

The air currents lingering on the spear cut through his skin like a knife and quickly approached his body.

[Can't avoid it.]

Hijikata Toshizo's mind went blank. He felt that he had lost control of his hands and feet, and his muscles seemed to be bound by invisible ropes.

It became extremely difficult for him to make even the slightest movement.

[This attack exceeded the damage limit of the [Noble Phantasm].]

Even if [Battle Continuation] like [Intense March] triggers and continues me for a little longer, I will still die.

All he could do was watch helplessly as the ash rod in the other person's hand pierced the air and cut through his sight.

His vision went dark, and the flesh and armor on his upper body turned into a pile of debris, and then turned into a wisp of black smoke and disappeared into the air.

I wanted to say something to help Okita, the half-baked fellow who was unable to fight alongside everyone due to illness and ultimately died of guilt, to stop feeling stuck in his thoughts.

[It seems too late now.]

If only I could live a little longer.

Hijikata Toshizo, who had already lost consciousness and was feeling the trigger of [Intense Movement], thought so.
-

At the same time, at Emiya's residence.

Cheng Xiang once again took on the red archer's [Noble Phantasm], but did not continue to advance under the enemy's firepower.

Sensing that Hijikata Toshizo was in poor condition, he felt something in his heart.

[Is the bait going to die? According to the plan, we need to keep him there for a while longer.]

He twisted his body abnormally and began to dodge the [Noble Phantasm] while raising his right hand.

"By commanding by the [Command Seal], Berserker Hijikata Toshizo, your [Noble Phantasm] will be amplified.

"I command you with the Command Seal. Berserker Hijikata Toshizo, please hold on a little longer.

"With the Command Spell."

After giving three crisp and clear commands, and using up all the Command Seals on his body until only one stroke was left, Cheng Xiang passed an order to his servant.

[You have to hold on for a while. After I'm done, I'll use the last stroke of the [Command Seal] to transfer you.]

However, these words of the abandoned child and the blessing of the three-stroke [Command Seal] cleverly combined with the desire in Hijikata Toshizo's heart, triggering a "miracle".

Then I unexpectedly heard the prompt sound: "Affected by [Module·Limit Breaker], your Servant [Hichikata Toshizo] broke through the limit [Noble Phantasm] [Eternal Sincerity] and merged with the skill [Eternal Creation] inherited from you."

Cheng Xiang once again showed a rather ferocious smile to the red archers not far away and uttered some cruel words.

“It seems like luck is on my side.

"Let's continue.

"There was a little incident, but it shouldn't have kept you waiting too long."

But Cheng Xiang didn't see that Fang Yi, holding "Prometheus", had appeared not far away.
-

[Li Shuwen] Seeing that the upper body of Hijikata Toshizo had been turned into powder, he felt the white wax rod in his hand, which had some tiny cracks appearing.

He shook his head with some regret.

"I didn't control the shot well enough in such a hurry, and it actually caused some damage to the gun.

"Failure!"

He turned to the swordsman lady not far away, and was about to say something to encourage her to become stronger and fight with him.

Unexpectedly, the swordsman lady who had gradually adapted to the weakened 'state' looked at Hijikata Toshizo, who was left with only half of his body beside Li Shuwen, and said something that shocked everyone in the field.

"You've fired your gun, and your turn is over.

“As promised, it’s my turn now.

"To be fair, I'll only use 'one strike'."

[Li Shuwen] was stunned at first, then turned to look at the dead enemy beside him, and after sensing it, he subconsciously made a judgment.

"A resurrected [Noble Phantasm]?
“Then just kill it again.

"But as a swordsman, you absolutely cannot deliver a fatal blow. Even if you try..."

Looking at Hijikata Toshizo who was drawing the magic power from his 'spiritual veins' to restore his body as if time had gone back, Li Shuwen, who had noticed something unusual, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

He moved his body, narrowly avoiding the sword swing of the 'resurrected' Hijikata Toshizo, and at the same time, he received some urgent information from Kotomine Kirei in his heart.

[Master Li, there's something wrong with that Servant. He...]

Before Kotomine Kirei could express his judgment, Hijikata Toshizo beside him had already blurted out his own transformation.

"Nice gun, old man.

"Thanks to you and the Master's abilities, my strength has grown.

"It's like I got a chance to reminisce with my subordinate with a knife."

After Hijikata Toshizo raised the katana in his hand and confronted the swordsman lady beside him.

Kotomine Kirei's somewhat hesitant judgment finally reached Li Shuwen's heart.

[Most of his attributes changed from C to B+, and his [Noble Phantasm] also changed from [C] to [B+]. ]

【After being attacked, he can not only adapt but also become stronger.】

"Master Li, if you want to kill him, you might need to use a stronger attack than the one you just used."
-
Before Kotomine Kirei could finish his words, the swordsman at the side had already drawn her long sword.

"Vice-Captain Hijikata, as you said, this is a Holy Grail War where each side takes its own course.

"For my Master's sake, I will not reminisce with you.

"Instead, I will kill you, my superior, and allow my Master to obtain more of the Command Seals those 'agents' have spoken of."

The swordsman named Okita Souji looked at his superior, declared his intention to fight, and then clenched the sword in his hand and took a fighting stance.

[[Wu Ming San Duan Ji] is not enough. With only one chance to strike, I must use a more powerful move.]

The swordsman closed her eyes and began to grasp the vague skill that seemed to be rooted in her blood.

She had a blind confidence in the move she had not yet seen the full picture of.

[As long as I use that move, I will definitely be able to kill him and gain more advantages for the Master.]

　The actual word count is 6000.

　
(End of this chapter)