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

"Dong dong dong."

"Enter."

"Master Saniwa".

Ichigo Hitofuri took a deep breath, slowly pushed open the heavy door of the conference room, and stepped into the room with slightly heavy steps.

His gaze was lowered, deliberately avoiding eye contact with the girl sitting at the other end of the long table—the Saniwa Nobuko Sagawa, for fear that the undisguised hatred and resentment in his eyes would be revealed in that instant.

"Heh, why aren't you saying anything? You weren't like this at the exchange meeting the other day, weren't you talking quite happily?"

Nobuko Sagawa leaned back lazily in her chair, a playful smile on her lips as she looked at the only tachi in Kuritaguchi—Ichigo Hitofuri—with amusement.

Does she not know what the spirits in her citadel really think of her?

Of course she knows.

However, Nobuko Sagawa's twisted mind relished watching these tsukumogami struggle and suffer in front of her; it was a kind of morbid pleasure.

"Ichigo, Ichigo, I heard you've been planning to leave the citadel to save your younger brothers, is that right?"

Nobuko Sagawa's voice suddenly turned low and cold, like an invisible blade silently piercing Ichigo Hitofuri's heart.

! ! ! !

Upon hearing this, Ichigo Hitofuri abruptly raised his head, a look of disbelief and astonishment flashing in his eyes.

How could she know?

The fact that I privately confirmed with Kashuu Kiyomitsu that my younger brother's sword had not been broken was done when the Saniwa and Mikazuki Munechika were out, and there were no other Touken Danshi around at the time.

Could it be... that someone secretly informed the Saniwa of their actions?

Or did the Saniwa use something they didn't know to learn about his actions?

"Tell me, who could have leaked your plan to me? Why don't you take a guess?"

Nobuko Sagawa's words, like the tongue of a viper, gently conveyed both temptation and threat, and she was enjoying the inner struggle and pain of Ichigo Hitofuri.

As Nobuko Sagawa spoke, a figure involuntarily surfaced in Ichigo Hitofuri's mind.

Kashuu Kiyomitsu...

The idea was rejected by Ichigo Hitofuri as soon as it came up.

Given the relationship between the swords and the Saniwa in this Honmaru, Kashuu Kiyomitsu, who is also a Tsukumogami, has no reason to betray himself.

Therefore, it couldn't be the Kashuu-dono; the Saniwa must have found out through other means.

The Saniwa's words were merely a game born from her twisted personality; she wanted to create division while simultaneously finding amusement in it.

"Master, you are joking. As the master of this citadel, nothing can escape your eyes."

Ichigo Hitofuri put on a smile and spoke in an intimate tone. At this moment, he did not look like the usual gentle and refined Ichigo Hitofuri. Instead, he looked a little listless and seductive.

This was a habit he had developed over a long period of time in this citadel: if he could make the Saniwa like him a little more, then his younger brothers would suffer less harm.

Unfortunately, he underestimated the extent of Nobuko Sagawa's madness.

Seeing Ichigo Hitofuri's prolonged reaction, Nobuko Sagawa knew her little trick had failed, but she didn't expect the group of tsukumogami to start fighting amongst themselves.

With a soft sigh, Nobuko Sagawa said with a hint of resentment, "Sigh, I knew I couldn't fool you guys. You're all so boring."

Ah~ Speaking of which, you know about Hirano and the others. Let me think about how to 'entertain' you next~

The girl, sitting languidly in the chair, slowly raised one hand and gently stroked her freshly done manicure, her eyes sparkling with a nonchalant light.

The rhinestones on her exquisite nails shimmered brilliantly under the light, creating a stark contrast with the coldness in her eyes.

A moment later, as if she had suddenly thought of something interesting, a playful smile appeared on her lips as she looked at Ichigo Hitofuri.

"Okay, I can tell you that your brothers are indeed safe and sound."

I originally thought that they would break their swords quickly after I cut off their spiritual energy supply, but I didn't expect them to be so persistent, which surprised me.

Okay, I'll give you a chance, a chance to save your brother, as long as..."

Upon hearing that the Saniwa was willing to lend a helping hand, a faint glimmer of hope ignited in Ichigo Hitofuri's heart.

Although he knew that this woman would not let them off easily, much less be kind enough to help unconditionally, the deep longing and concern for his younger brothers' safety still made him pay attention to what the Saniwa was about to say.

Until he heard...

"If you personally clear California of the knife, I will save your brothers."

So, isn't this a great deal? One California clearing can save the lives of your six younger brothers.

Oh dear~ This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so you'd better make the most of it~

Ichigo Hitofuri's pupils suddenly dilated, and the formulaic smile on his face began to disappear, replaced by disbelief.

He stood there, stunned, staring in disbelief at Nobuko Sagawa, whose face held only pure malice and mockery.

A chill rose from the bottom of his heart and quickly spread throughout his body. Ichigo Hitofuri clenched his fists tightly, and his body even began to tremble slightly.

"Heh heh heh heh~ I knew it, you tsukumogami are always like this, it's really 'touching'! Hahaha~"

Nobuko Sagawa laughed so hard she almost fell over, her bright red lipstick gleaming under the light as if it were stained with blood.

"Since you've entertained me, now get out of here. And tell Mikazuki Munechika and Kogarasumaru to behave themselves. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind letting you enjoy a 'show' of broken swords every day."

……

"Well!"

After leaving the Saniwa's room, Ichigo Hitofuri returned to Kuritaguchi's room with a somber face. After closing the door tightly, he finally couldn't help but gag.

From the moment he stepped into the meeting room, Ichigo Hitofuri keenly sensed the nauseating dark aura emanating from the Saniwa.

Unlike the ferocity and coldness of swords when they fall into darkness, it is more sticky and sinister, like a demon crawling out of the abyss, silently eroding people's will and mind.

Every moment spent with the Saniwa, Ichigo Hitofuri could feel his mind being subtly influenced by the Saniwa's aura.

However, Ichigo Hitofuri, who was immersed in pain and discomfort at the time, did not notice that a thin black thread, like mist, had been wrapped around his ankle.

As if these thin lines were alive, as they solidified, the red color representing corruption slowly reappeared in Ichigo Ichisen's eyes.

As a longsword that cannot move, Yu Bai can only stay in the house in Kuritaguchi every time he transmigrates. Unless someone takes him in their hands, Yu Bai cannot go anywhere.

As soon as he arrived today, he encountered Ichigo Hitofuri looking like he had been hit by a negative energy buff, so he quickly used a healing spell on Ichigo Hitofuri.

As Yu Bai's spiritual power flowed into Ichigo Hitofuri's body, the ominous black line on his ankle gradually disappeared, as if it had never existed.

A warm glow slowly emanated from the unlit room, which was undoubtedly very noticeable.

Qi Yizhen was drawn to the sudden light. He slowly turned his head and his gaze fell on the slightly trembling black longsword.

"Spiritual power?"

Hesitantly approached the longsword, and as the distance closed, he felt the discomfort he had brought back from the Saniwa slowly dissipating, and his previously confused mind gradually regained its clarity.

"Who are you? Did you just help me?"

However, Yu Bai, being a long sword, could not answer his question with words.

He could only tap the table lightly, making a "clack, clack" sound as a response to Ichigo Hitofuri.

"You, are you also a tsukumogami?"