『Nobbu, Nobu!』
"What? An enemy squad? Alright, move out, you lot! Let's cut them off at the source! Eat your radishes and get fired up!!"
"OHH!!"
"Are radishes really supposed to be used as supplements...?"
And so, the Gudaguda party—having already consumed a massive amount of the word count just by talking—launched their assault on the sprawling enemy forces.
The sun set, and the moon began to peek through the clouds.
A massive army of wicked Chibi Nobbus spread across the plains. Seeing so many strange, tiny creatures swarming the fields was, frankly, a bit of a horror show.
"Look, Sesshu! This formation! This sheer volume! Victory is a matter of numbers, brother!"
Excitedly huffing with pride was Minamoto... no, 'Imagawa Yoshitsune.' A figure resembling Ushi-waka was prancing about, full of herself.
"It is unwise to be overconfident, Lord Yoshitsune. Even a layman can see this isn't exactly a 'proper' army."
Offering a stern warning was Musashibo Sesshusai. Someone who wasn't quite Benkei was cautiously trying to restrain Yoshitsune.
"It's fine. I won't fall prey to negligence or pride like some kings I know. After all, I'm a genius!"
"What you're doing right now is the literal definition of negligence and pride..."
Facing this overwhelming formation, our "Gorgeous Oda-Shinsengumi" was...
"Hahaha, listen to her talk. Fuhaha."
...Hiding in the shadows, waiting for their chance.
—So many Chibi Nobbus... They really are a wonderful military force. Maybe we could use them as a patrol squad for Chaldea?
(The mages back home would be so confused.)
"Right, let's establish a hiring system."
(Seriously?!) Fou barked.
—Shh! Fou, quiet!
(S-Sorry. I just couldn't help myself...)
"The enemy is many, we are few. Their main camp is close. —Aha! I've found the optimal solution!"
Nobunaga's Nobu-colored brain cells whirred as she formulated a tactic.
"This calls for a night raid! My life-defining 'Okehazama' move is the perfect answer!"
"Like the time you kicked the Imagawa's teeth in!"
Yes. The Battle of Okehazama—famous as Oda Nobunaga's greatest "all-or-nothing" gamble.
Back then, the "Fool of Owari" was forced to fight the massive Imagawa army led by Imagawa Yoshimoto. Despite the impending battle, she had spent her time fooling around, driving her retainers to despair.
But, catching the moment the Imagawa army lowered their guard to rest, Nobunaga launched a surprise attack with a small force. The Imagawa army, stretched thin, couldn't react in time to the force charging their headquarters—
『Look at that, Imagawa! This is!! The Fool's Art of War!!』
Blessed by a torrential downpour that masked their approach, Nobunaga took the head of the powerful general. In Japan, this remains one of the most famous battles in history.
"Though, to be honest, that was so desperate I'd rather not do it again."
Okita and the Master nearly tripped at Nobu's blunt admission.
"So you didn't even have a plan back then?!"
"Of course not! There are plenty of mysterious victories, but there's no such thing as a mysterious defeat! If you don't lose, you win!"
"Haphazard Nobbu."
"Well, it'll work out somehow. Goldie can just throw some treasure at them."
"Dependence Nobbu."
"Don't say that. Even I can read the room during a bit of fun. ...Wait, does this mean I don't have much of an advantage in a gag event?"
In gag events, strong enemies rarely appear. There is nothing more hollow than a Level 99 character bullying a Level 5 Slime. Strength is meant to be shown against those worthy of it. In that sense, this was a lackluster battle for the King of Heroes.
"Still, your composure while I'm holding 90% of your assets is impressive. I suppose having your right-hand princess here makes a difference."
—!
"You understand, Oda?"
Nobunaga nodded in response to the King's question.
"A 'yes-man' is useless, but that princess polishes her loyalty of her own free will. Her spirit—valuing Nobbu without mourning the loss of riches—is top-tier. No businessman would be unhappy with a beautiful, talented secretary!"
—Th-Thank you very much!
Ere bowed repeatedly at the praise.
—I'll work even harder to live up to your expectations!
"And we have the frontline team! Rikka! Give the order!"
"Right! Here we go—!"
Just as Rikka was about to give the command—
"Um, everyone! Your voices...!"
Mash finally tried to intervene, but... it was a second too late.
"Hmph! You there!"
A cheerful, refreshing voice cut through the air.
"Oops, found out. Okita—be quiet!"
"I didn't do anything?! I don't even know what you were talking about!"
"In short, we just have to kill 'em all, right? Simple enough. No need to overthink it."
"Oh, because it's 'Gudaguda'?"
"Shut up, Okita!! Master, we'll stir up the main camp! We're leaving the rest to you!"
"Right!! Shinsengumi, advance!!"
With the Master's approval, the Shinsengumi pair leapt toward the enemy camp—!
"All units, draw swords!! KILL THEM ALLLLLLL!!!"
「「「「NOBUUU—!!?」」」」
A demon and a genius swordsman fell upon the sea of Chibi Nobbus—!
—...
(Ere?)
—I know life is fleeting... but I've grown so attached to them...
Seeing the Chibi Nobbus scattered like leaves pained her, which only strengthened her resolve to not let the Nobbus who followed her be sacrificed.
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