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

I thought it would take some time for these swordsmen to spend all the money I gave them, but to my surprise, they all returned one after another after only an hour.

Everyone brought back different snacks. Kashuu Kiyomitsu and Yamato no Kami Yasusada brought back different flavors of Mitarashi Dango, Shokudaikiri Mitsutada brought back special plum blossom cakes, and the little swords also brought back all kinds of pastries and even bought different snacks. Amidst the expectant gazes of everyone, Yu Bai chose the stinky tofu that Hirano Toushirou had bought.

That's right, it's stinky tofu.

Heaven knows where Hirano bought it; from the moment they met, Yu Bai could smell that pungent, fragrant odor of stinky tofu. Yu Bai remarked that tea and stinky tofu actually go quite well together, don't they?

Wow, this chili sauce is so authentic! Little Dagger is truly an angel! He knows me so well!

As for why we didn't choose mung bean cake?

How can mung bean cake compare to stinky tofu? Delicious mung bean cakes are all the same, but delicious stinky tofu is one in a million. Not to mention this is the land of cherry blossoms. Do you know how difficult it is for me to get such an authentic bite?

Besides, I ate too much mung bean cake a few days ago, and now I'm a bit tired of it, so I want to change things up. That's how Yu Bai is when he eats; he really likes to stare at one thing until he gets tired of it, then he'll switch to something else and keep staring at it.

Although Ichigo Hitofuri, who bought mung bean cakes, didn't expect the Saniwa's taste to have changed, thankfully the Saniwa ultimately chose his younger brother.

This brother-obsessed man is happy as long as his younger brothers are happy.

After patting the head of the little dagger, whose face was beaming with joy and whose eyes were sparkling, and straightening the crooked military cap on his head, Yu Bai led a group of swordsmen to Deyue Tower ahead of time to wait for Wu Yan and Shu Yue.

Due to the large number of people, Yu Bai arranged two separate private rooms for the swords, leaving only Hasebe, who had previously served in the Sagawa Nobuko Honmaru. (Hereafter, Yu Bai Honmaru will be referred to as Hasebe, and Sagawa Nobuko Honmaru as Hasebe.)

"Master Saniwa..." Hasebe's voice carried a hint of surprise and trepidation; he hadn't expected Yu Bai to leave him behind alone.

Hasebe, a renowned master swordsman, always confidently believes that he will do his utmost to complete any order given by his lord. He always puts his lord first, earning him the nickname "the machine that creates invalid judgments."

However, his loyalty and faith became a tragedy when his master was an incompetent Saniwa.

The sword, Yagiri, was like that. In Nobuko Sagawa's citadel, he constantly struggled between his lord and his companions, between emotion and reason. Until the powerful figures in the citadel vanished from the realm of the Saniwa, they too found new places to go.

Initially, Hasebe was hesitant about joining Yohaku's citadel. After all, Yohaku already had a Hasebe in their citadel, and he worried that his addition would be superfluous.

What worries him even more is whether the Saniwa will still trust and use him after he has his own "kin".

Driven by these feelings, Hasebe originally planned to go to another citadel like Mikazuki Munechika. However, just as he went to find the Time Government, he happened to run into Yu Bai, who was there to hand over another Hasebe.

Watching the conversation between Yu Bai and Hasebe, and the subconscious trust Yu Bai showed towards Hasebe; seeing the loyalty and reverence in Hasebe's eyes for his master, and the smile on Hasebe's face.

As I watched the press cut, I became somewhat distracted, and without realizing it, a sense of envy and jealousy welled up inside me.

At that moment, a strange impulse surged within him. He changed his mind, abandoned his plan to go to the staff office, and returned to the room he had prepared earlier. In the end, he followed Kogarasumaru, Higekiri, Ichigo Hitofuri, and the other swords into Yuhaku's citadel.

Generally speaking, Hasebe Yashikiri considers himself to be no less skilled than others, but after entering Yuhaku's citadel, he became somewhat timid.

He longed to become a close attendant to his lord, like another member of the Hasebe clan, assisting his master in handling various affairs, and hoping to appear before his master at the first moment when needed.

But reality left him somewhat frustrated. He didn't even dare to address Yu Bai directly as "Lord," but could only cautiously call him "Master Saniwa." As for the title "Lord," he only dared to call it silently in his heart, never daring to actually say it aloud.

When Yu Bai suddenly left him alone, he could hardly believe his ears. He wondered if he had misheard, thinking that the Saniwa meant to leave behind another Hasebe, not him, Yukiri.

However, when he saw Hasebe's meaningful glance as he left, he became certain that the sword left behind by the Master truly belonged to him.

Before leaving, Hasebe glanced at Yu Bai, knowing his master well, and knew what Yu Bai was thinking.

Coincidentally, he saw that this guy, Hasebe, was completely unlike himself and would cower in front of his lord. Although he felt a little uncomfortable, he was more disappointed in him.

He vehemently denied that he could be so spineless!

"Yashikiri, you've been in the citadel for a while now. How are you feeling?" Yu Bai looked at Yashikiri with a smile, his eyes full of tenderness and care.

Hasebe raised his head, glanced quickly at Yu Bai, then quickly lowered his head again and said softly, "...It's fine. The other tsukumogami get along very well, and you, Master Saniwa, are very kind to us too."

Yu Bai smiled slightly and continued, "I've always thought that Hasebe is a very good sword. Although he can be a bit stubborn and prone to getting stuck on things, he's extremely loyal and has outstanding abilities. Moreover, Hasebe is quite lovable, don't you think, Hasebe?"

"I……"

Hearing the Saniwa describe him as "cute," Shichikiri's cheeks flushed slightly. He felt a little shy, and also a little apprehensive, because he had never imagined that the Saniwa would describe him in such a way.

In reality, he harbored some inferiority complex, always feeling inadequate. His performance at Nobuko Honmaru in Sagawa didn't exactly demonstrate loyalty. If he were truly as loyal as he claimed, then back then…

Thinking about this, I suddenly felt a pang of self-loathing.

Yu Bai saw through Ya Qie's thoughts; this guy was getting stubborn again.

He lowered his eyebrows, feigning sadness, and covered his eyes with one hand, saying, "Yashiri, you've always called me Master Saniwa, haven't you truly accepted me yet? Fine, fine, I forced you in the end."

"Absolutely not! I'd do anything for you! Slay my own retainers? Burn down temples? Give me whatever you want." Seeing the Saniwa's reaction, Yu Bai panicked instantly. He wanted nothing more than to strip away his loyalty and show it to Yu Bai.

"Oh? Is it true? You don't need to lie to me, Yachi." Yu Bai peeked out from between his fingers, secretly observing Yachi's expression.

"Of course! As long as it's the Master's order, Yashikiri will do his utmost!"

Oh no! Feeling his lips trembling so badly he could barely contain himself, Yu Bai quickly moved his hand down from his eyes.

"Then call me 'My Lord' and let me hear it~"

"My lord, my lord."

……

Yu Bai: (Lifts his chin and smiles wickedly) Call me lord, and I'll give you my life.

(Shyly) My lord, my lord~