Mochizuki Chiyome
Snakes... They Coil Around Me
Shuten-Douji:
Oh, hello.
Shuten-Douji:
What a coincidence, running into you here.
Shuten-Douji:
I think this might be the first time for us to bump into each other without anyone else being around. Do I have that right?
Shuten-Douji:
Usually you look away or hide in Master's shadow the second you see me.
Shuten-Douji:
Let's see, I think your name was Paraíso...?
No, no, wait, I've got it.
You're that Kouga Mochizuki clan ninja.
Chiyome:
Ulp...
Chiyome:
A-ah...ah...
Shuten-Douji:
Now what was your name again? Mochizuki...Chiyojo? Chiyome? Mmm... Chiyome's muuuch cuter, so let's just go with that.
Shuten-Douji:
What's your class, Chiyome?
Assassin?
Shuten-Douji:
Why, what a coincidence! Mine too!
Will wonders never cease.
Shuten-Douji:
After all, you and I are both clearly...
Chiyome:
A-aaah... Aah...
Ulp...
Chiyome:
(She's...looking at me...)
P-please...stop... No... No...
Chiyome:
...Forgive...me...
Chiyome:
...!
Shuten-Douji:
My, my... She really doesn't care for little old me, does she?
Shuten-Douji:
Why, it makes me feel like a frog staring down a snake.
Shuten-Douji:
...Hmm?
Medusa:
Um, did you want to talk to me about something?
Medusa:
I'm in a bit of a hurry.
I have to bring my sisters their meal.
Shuten-Douji:
Oh, don't worry, this will only take a moment.
You see...
Shuten-Douji:
(Mumble, mumble... Whisper, whisper)
Medusa:
What, is this supposed to be a secret?
Hmm... Are you sure she'd like that?
Shuten-Douji:
You're a god too, right? Come on, can't you do an oni a favor? Pretty pleeease?
Medusa:
...Nnn... I'm not sure...
But, well... Hmm...
Shuten-Douji:
It's not like this would be your first time, right?
Medusa:
Nnn...
Chiyome:
...Master?
Fujimaru 1:
Chiyome?
Chiyome:
Yes, Master. It is I, Mochizuki Chiyome,
Kouga Jonin.
Fujimaru 2:
Shuten asked me to come here...
Chiyome:
I-is that so.
Chiyome:
I am here on behalf of the Lancer, Lady Medusa,
who asked me to come to the Command Room.
Chiyome:
But, I see she is not here...
What is going on?
Shuten-Douji:
Good evening, all.
You see, I'm what's going on!
Shuten-Douji:
Lovely night, isn't it? Really gets my blood pumping, if you know what I mean.
Shuten-Douji:
Mind helping me take the edge off with a bit of exercise? Chaldea's got that “simulator” thing, yes?
Fujimaru 1:
You want to do combat training?
Shuten-Douji:
Yeah, that sounds good. Seeing how we're the same class and all, I was hoping she could give me some pointers.
Fujimaru 2:
You mean, you want to spar with Chiyome?
Shuten-Douji:
Sounds like Master's on board with it.
What do you say, Chiyome? Care to join me?
Chiyome:
!
Chiyome:
I-if Master commands it...I would happily go to the ends of the earth.
Shuten-Douji:
Fufu, that sounds like a yes to me! That's the spirit.
All right then, let's get started!
--BATTLE--:
Chiyome:
...
...
Chiyome:
...Snakes, snakes, snakes. So many snakes!
Chiyome:
Wh-wh-what is the meaning of this!?
Chiyome:
There are so many snakes!
It's like you're...purposefully...
Shuten-Douji:
Oh?
Fujimaru 1:
Are you afraid of snakes, Chiyome?
Chiyome:
I-I...
Fujimaru 2:
You're doing this on purpose, aren't you, Shuten?
Shuten-Douji:
Not a big fan of snakes, are you?
Chiyome:
!!!
Shuten-Douji:
Chiyome of the Kouga Mochizuki clan. You use your curse sooo expertly, yet you don't seem at all accustomed to it.
Shuten-Douji:
What a waste. Don't you know how hard your ancestors worked to pass it down across generations?
Shuten-Douji:
They sure didn't go to all that effort just so you could cringe in terror at an illusion of a snake...
Chiyome:
I... That's...
Fujimaru 1:
Hold up.
Fujimaru 2:
Are you trying to torment Chiyome?
Shuten-Douji:
Fufufu, you stay out of this, Master...
or I just might have to eat you.
Shuten-Douji:
Come on, you know how it is.
Shuten-Douji:
Humans love overcoming their weaknesses, right?
Not me, of course. The very idea fills me with dread.
Shuten-Douji:
But you're a human-based Heroic Spirit, right, Chiyome? Don't you HAVE to overcome your weakness? Don't you want to?
Chiyome:
I-I...
I have no fear of...snakes...
Chiyome:
Indeed, I have no weaknesses whatsoever!
Shuten-Douji:
Oh, really? How silly of me. My bad.
I'm relieved to hear that.
Shuten-Douji:
Then we can keep going without worrying about needing to hold back.
Chiyome:
...
...
Fujimaru 1:
Chiyome.
Chiyome:
P-please do not worry about me.
I have no issue with this whatsoever.
Fujimaru 2:
We can always stop the simulator if you want.
Chiyome:
D-do not be ridiculous! I was already swallowed up by a snake long ago! I have nothing to fear from one now!
Shuten-Douji:
All right then, here goes nothing...
Shuten-Douji:
I do hope you'll forgive me if I end up squashing you like a bug.
Fujimaru 1:
Chiyome!
Fujimaru 2:
Here she comes! Hang in there!
Chiyome:
Yes, Master...!
Chiyome:
I, Mochizuki Chiyome, shall carry out your orders to the letter!
--BATTLE--:
Chiyome:
Snakes, snakes, and more snakes...
I have had enough!!!
Chiyome:
Just...
Chiyome:
Just wh-what do you want with me!? Fine, I confess!
I have been terrified of snakes since I was a child!
Chiyome:
But so what!? What would you know of the pain and suffering that comes from being born with the curse of Orochi!?
Chiyome:
How could you possibly know what it is like to be burdened with the knowledge that you will one day grow scales and become a serpent!?
Chiyome:
That day may be today...or tomorrow...or any of the days yet to come!
Chiyome:
Or worse, perhaps that fate will not fall to me, but to my child, or my grandchild, or my distant descendant...
Chiyome:
But regardless of who is made to endure that fate, it is one that all of Orochi's shrine maidens born to the Mochizuki clan must bear!
Chiyome:
Even in death, in this new, transient life as a shadow, my curse has not been lifted...
Chiyome:
Do you have any idea how this feels!?
Shuten-Douji:
Hmm.
Shuten-Douji:
Nope!
Chiyome:
!!!
Chiyome:
Then cease your torment of me and allow me to serve the new master I have found in peace!
Chiyome:
After all this time...!
Chiyome:
I have finally found a master that does not see shinobi as disposable pawns, but treats me with kindness and respect!
Chiyome:
I can hardly fathom my fortune in meeting [♂ him /♀️ her}!
I can never hope to adequately pay [♂ him /♀️ her} back!
Chiyome:
That is why I at least want to be of as much use to [♂ him /♀️ her} as I possibly can, to my very last breath!
Chiyome:
And yet...!
Chiyome:
You CEASELESSY seek to prevent me from doing so!
Why!?
Fujimaru 1:
Chiyome...
Chiyome:
Forgive my loss of temper, Master, but I am afraid my patience has reached its absolute limit!
Chiyome:
Lady Shuten-Douji!
Shuten-Douji:
Yeees?
Chiyome:
You are Shuten-Douji of Mt. Ooe...
The oni of the Heian period...
Chiyome:
No! As far as I am concerned, you are no oni of Mt. Ooe! You are nothing less than the child of the great serpent god responsible for my curse!
Chiyome:
I know that the ancient serpent, or perhaps dragon,
known as Yamata-no-Orochi, was once worshipped as Ibuki Daimyojin...and that he had a single child to his name!
Chiyome:
You, Lady Ibuki-Douji!
Shuten-Douji:
...Well, well. You've got guts,
calling me by THAT True Name, hmm, Chiyome.
Shuten-Douji:
My, my... You must reeeally hate me...
Shuten-Douji:
I was hoping for something like this, but I really must admit, you've surpassed all my expectations.
Shuten-Douji:
What is it they say these days about courage? Ah yes. You've got balls of steel...figuratively speaking.
Shuten-Douji:
I do love a good display of courage.
Shuten-Douji:
Just look at you shaking in your boots, digging your heels in like a child trying to look taller than she really is.
Shuten-Douji:
You really care for Master that much?
You wanna serve [♂ him /♀️ her} so badly it hurts?
Chiyome:
...I do.
Shuten-Douji:
Then...
Shuten-Douji:
...are you having a steamy romance with [♂ him /♀️ her}?
You ARE a widow, as I recall.
Chiyome:
L-l-loyalty and longing have nothing to do with one another!
Shuten-Douji:
Mm... Is that so? Then what would you do if [♂ he /♀️ she} asked you to share [♂ his /♀️ her} bed?
Chiyome:
If that is what my Master requires,
I would not hesitate!
Shuten-Douji:
Then you ARE having a little romance with [♂ him /♀️ her}.
Chiyome:
I-I told you that loyalty and longing have nothing to do with one another! Now, cease this at once! I will not have you slander Master's good name any further!
Chiyome:
Even if you are the daughter of Ibuki...
I will not let you insult [♂ him /♀️ her} again...
Chiyome:
...no matter how much the cursed blood of my ancestor, Kouga Saburou, may torment me!
Chiyome:
Be warned, Lady Ibuki!
Your next word will be your last!
Shuten-Douji:
Come get me.
Chiyome:
...Very well then! Have at you!
--BATTLE--:
Chiyome:
(Huff, huff...huff...!)
Her magical energy seems...inexhaustible!
Chiyome:
(Huff, huff...)
(Gasp...) We shinobi...do not usually find ourselves out of breath...
Chiyome:
So this is the power of an oni... Nay, the true power of Shuten-Douji, daughter of Orochi!!!
Chiyome:
...And apparently, she is still only using a fraction of it.
Chiyome:
Yet here I am, employing my full strength, to no avail. Is this is her oni power at work, or her serpent power?
Chiyome:
Nonetheless...
I will not admit defeat yet...
Chiyome:
...I refuse to lay down my blade until the very end!
Fujimaru 1:
That's enough, Chiyome!
Fujimaru 2:
Stop this! Both of you!
Shuten-Douji:
That's some fighting spirit you've got.
Still not enough to take down an oni, though.
Shuten-Douji:
But hey, you tried.
Shuten-Douji:
...
...
Shuten-Douji:
Well, I'm satisfied. I give up. You win, I lose.
See you around.
Chiyome:
...Huh?
Ibaraki-Douji:
...
...
Ibaraki-Douji:
...I was watching the whole time, Shuten.
Shuten-Douji:
Hey now, what's with the pouty face? I was just about to take a hot bath. Step aside, will you?
Ibaraki-Douji:
Do you have a thing for getting mixed up in other people's business or something?
Ibaraki-Douji:
Why else would you go around teasing that half-assed snake demon who clings desperately to her humanity?
Ibaraki-Douji:
Come to think of it, you did the same thing with that whole pagoda thing a while back. It's almost as if...
Shuten-Douji:
Yes?
Ibaraki-Douji:
Have you...
Ibaraki-Douji:
...Don't tell me you've started feeling sorry for humans?
Shuten-Douji:
Fu...
Hehe, fufufu.
Shuten-Douji:
Fufufufufufufufufu!
Shuten-Douji:
Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!Hehe, hehehe!
That's the funniest thing you've ever said, Ibaraki!
Shuten-Douji:
You've got it completely backwards!
Ibaraki-Douji:
Backwards...?
Shuten-Douji:
Fufu. It doesn't matter how many oni descendants or cursed bloodlines we get here. Those cowards could never be up to the task, since they wouldn't last a single breath against either you or I.
Shuten-Douji:
Humans, Heroic Spirits...they're all the same.
Shuten-Douji:
Just one little puff, and poof...they're gone.
Ibaraki-Douji:
???
Shuten-Douji:
Oh, I'm just thinking out loud.
Don't mind me.
Fujimaru 1:
You did great, Chiyome.
Fujimaru 2:
Way to go!
Chiyome:
Thank you!
Chiyome:
Although, I am still not sure if she was taking that fight seriously... I feel as though she was merely testing me.
Chiyome:
But regardless, my resolve will waver no longer.
Orochi's curse may never leave me...
Chiyome:
...and I may never entirely overcome my fear of it...but now I won't ever lose sight of where my loyalties lie.
Chiyome:
So please, worry not, Master!
Fujimaru 1:
Not a problem.
Fujimaru 2:
Glad to have you with us, Chiyome.
Chiyome:
Thank you!
Chiyome:
...I suppose I never did tell you about my ancestor, Saburou, and his curse.
Chiyome:
I am truly sorry for that, Master!
Truly!
Chiyome:
...
...
Chiyome:
I trust it hardly need be said at this point, but, yes, I am cursed, and there is nothing that can be done about it.
Chiyome:
So, if you wish to end our contract, and be rid of me and all the trouble I bring, I will understand...
Fujimaru 1:
I'm not ending anything.
Fujimaru 1:
You'll always be welcome here, Chiyome!
Chiyome:
Thank you, Master!!! I promise to serve you to the very best of my ability!