Sword Art Online Crossover: They're all close friends, how did I become a player?

"My lord, you seem to be sleeping rather soundly these past few days. Are you feeling unwell? Should I call Yagen over to take a look at you?"

"It's nothing. Hasebe, I have to go out today, it might take a day or two. Tell Shokudaikiri not to ask me to stay for dinner tonight. I'll leave the arrangements for the next few days in the citadel to you, can you do that?"

Waking up once again to Hasebe's calls, Yu Bai held his throbbing head and refused Hasebe's offer to have Yagen examine his body.

Thinking about the scene he witnessed last night, Yu Bai decided to go and check out the advanced map that Ichigo Hitofuri had mentioned in the citadel today.

Because his current citadel is just a beginner's citadel, even with a max-level Yamanbagiri Kunihiro leading the team, the maps where the tsukumogami can operate have only been pushed up to Honnoji. However, while the tsukumogami can't go due to their level, he can!

The teleporter has limitations for tsukumogami, but naturally it has no limitations for the master of the citadel.

"Hasebe, I obey your command, sir! But my lord, where are you going? Would you like to take a few swords with you?"

Hasebe was naturally eager to accept the task assigned by his lord, but at the same time he was a little worried that his lord would be going out alone for a few days.

"No need, I'll tell you what it is when I get back, okay?" Yu Bai gently ruffled Hasebe's hair and said softly.

"Yes, yes, my lord," replied Oshikiri, somewhat dazed by the Saniwa's friendly attitude.

It's not that Yu Bai doesn't want to tell them now, it's just that if he does, they'll definitely worry about the swords and knives at home, and it will take up some time.

Yu Bai, however, did not believe that his targets could afford to delay any longer.

……

"Cough cough cough... Namazuo-kun, are we going to die here?"

"Don't talk nonsense, I will protect you."

"But...but Lord Yamato no Kami's condition is getting worse and worse, what should we do? Waaaaah...It's all my fault, if it weren't for saving me, Lord Yamato no Kami wouldn't be so badly injured." Akita Toushirou choked up, while tightly supporting Yamato no Kami Yasusada, who had fallen into a coma due to serious injuries.

Inside the dimly lit cave, several short swords, covered in wounds, sat around a faint flame, while the only simple cushion made of dry grass lay the unconscious Yamato no Kami Yasusada.

Ever since they were abandoned in this high-level map by the Saniwa and all their spiritual power was cut off, they have survived on their own until now. However, due to the vast difference in level, they are simply unable to withstand the attacks of the Time Travel Army.

Just when Akita Toushirou was almost seriously injured by the spears of the Time Travel Army, Yamato no Kami Yasusada suddenly appeared and blocked the attack for him.

The Yamato no Kami Yasusada who appeared before them had a haori that was once as blue as the sea now tattered and battered. He was already in a state of moderate injury, and after taking this attack, he was seriously injured.

Afterwards, while protecting the short sword, Yamato no Kami Yasusada was seriously injured and fell into a coma, almost to the point of the sword breaking.

At first, Namazuo Toshiro and the others were very surprised when they unexpectedly met Yamato no Kami Yasusada in this place.

Because a long time ago, the Saniwa told them that Yamato no Kami Yasusada and their expeditionary force had all their swords shattered when they encountered the Kenbishi, and none of them returned.

But considering their current situation, they understood the inside story. They just hadn't expected that the Saniwa's behavior had already shown unusual signs long ago.

Afterwards, Yamato no Kami Yasusada told them that his expedition team had also had their spiritual power cut off by the Saniwa in the same way, leaving them injured and abandoned in a high-level map.

Because they discovered that the Saniwa was secretly selling swords to each other on the black market, Fudo Yukimitsu wanted to tell the other swords in the citadel and the Time Government, but the Saniwa caught him and smashed his sword in front of them.

"It's just a mere clone of a sword. I was already annoyed by this guy's constant references to Oda Nobunaga. If he likes his former master so much, why did he become my sword? After becoming my sword, he keeps talking about his former master. I've been wanting to find a chance to get rid of this guy for a long time."

"It's a pity. I originally planned to sell him on the black market, since there are still some people who like this type, right? But what can I do? You guys discovered our secret, and I don't want to be easily wiped out by the Time Government. So, I have no choice but to deal with you."

Yamato no Kami Yasusada can still recall the mocking and disdainful expression on the Saniwa's face when he said those words.

Later, due to the lack of spiritual power and the continuous battles, they also reached their limit.

The reason why Yamato no Kami Yasusada has been able to keep up until now and still encounter Namazuo and the others is entirely because the other members of the group, especially Ōdenta Mitsuyo, concentrated all their spiritual power on him on their deathbed.

In fact, given Ōdenta Mitsuyo's own spiritual power, he could have been the one who lived the longest in the group.

Unfortunately, Odenta Mitsuyo, the leader of Yamato no Kami Yasusada's citadel, was severely depressed and had a very weak will to live.

He used to wonder why rare five-star swords like Ōdenta Mitsuyo, Mikazuki Munechika, and Kogarasumaru had such drastically different personalities from the swords in other citadels.

After learning about the Saniwa's hidden secrets, Yamato no Kami Yasusada can confirm that the swords with drastic personality changes are very likely the swords that the Saniwa bought from others.

“The spiritual energy is becoming increasingly scarce. Without its nourishment, Lord Yamato’s injuries cannot heal at all. If this continues, we will also be forced to revert to our original forms due to the depletion of our spiritual energy, losing all our consciousness,” Hirano Toushirou said with a frown.

"If all else fails, let's just grab a Saniwa! As long as..."

Before Ran Toushirou could finish speaking, he was interrupted sharply by Honebami Toushirou, who had been silent all along.

"That's nonsense! That kind of thinking is absolutely unacceptable!" Honebami Toushirou's tone was firm and unwavering.

"But... alright~" Seeing Honebami Toushirou's serious expression, Ran Toushirou couldn't help but pout, clutching the hem of his skirt, and dared not say anything more.

“But I think there’s some truth to what he’s saying,” Yagen Toushirou said calmly, adjusting his glasses.

"Given Yamato no Kami's current condition, without the help of a Saniwa's spiritual power, his sword might really shatter. I know you don't want us to harm innocent Saniwa, but we can indeed ask a Saniwa for help."

However, the Saniwa must be chosen carefully, and cannot be someone with evil intentions.

Although they are now wary of human Saniwa due to their Saniwa's presence, Yamato no Kami Yasusada's situation cannot be delayed any longer.

"I... I'll go find the Saniwa." Akita Toushirou, who was sitting next to Yamato no Kami and taking care of him, stood up and wiped away his tears.

Yamato no Kami-den was injured, and he wanted to do something for Yamato no Kami-den.

"I'll go with you." Honebami Toushirou had barely finished speaking when he was already standing next to Akita.

No one felt comfortable letting Akita go alone to find a stranger for help, and no one felt comfortable letting Ran or Hirano's two younger brothers go with Akita either.

Because of the Saniwa's neglect, most of the short swords are not of high rank. As the older brothers, Namazuo, Honebami, and Yagen have always shielded the other short swords behind them, so their injuries are not much better.

Yagen originally wanted to go with Akita, but Honebami Toushirou was faster. Honebami Toushirou, who didn't talk much, directly showed everyone his choice through his actions.

"Alright, fine. Be careful."