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

(If you'd like to see concept art in the comments, please keep an eye out for it.)

As a whale (a player who spends a lot of money on in-game purchases), Yu Bai's forging speed was undoubtedly fast. He started all five swords at once, and with a quick scattering of speed-up charms, the entire forging room was instantly filled with fluttering cherry blossom petals and the entrance voices of the sword warriors.

"Hasebe... What a strange name, isn't it?... He's that kind of person, that guy named Oda Nobunaga!"

"I am Shokudaikiri Mitsutada. I am the sword used by Lord Date Masamune. ...After all, it is a shokudaikiri, so it's good that I'm cutting things that sound cooler."

“My name is Maeda Toushirou, the last in line of the Toushirou family. I have no great achievements, but I will serve you well.”

"..."

"..."

Amidst a shower of cherry blossoms, five sword spirits of different shapes respectfully offer their loyalty to their future masters.

"My name is Yu Bai. I hope to get to know you better in the future."

Yu Bai felt very lucky this time. Not only did he forge the Shokudaikiri Mitsutada he wanted and the Yashikiri Hasebe recommended by Kitsunenosuke, but he also forged two other swords: Yagen Toushirou and Maeda Toushirou, as well as a Wakizashi Horikawa Kunihiro.

The Saniwa-sama looks like she's still in school. Has the Time Government started arresting child laborers?

Looking at the excessively young face of the Saniwa before him, Yagen questioned the limits of the Time Government's current practice of accepting Saniwa.

However, upon sensing the immense yet warm spiritual energy emanating from the Saniwa, he stopped thinking about it.

Although their general is still young, he is undoubtedly powerful. And how could a sword spirit, whose true form is a weapon, not like such a powerful yet warm master?

"Oh my gosh~ Now you have six swords, Master Saniwa! We can send the Tsukumogami out to gather resources and experience so that you can all level up."

"No rush." ​​Yu Bai stroked the soft fur on Kitsunenosuke's body as he turned to the group and said, "Currently, my citadel only has six of you swords. Beibei is the highest level, and he will lead you into battle as the captain in a short time."

He pulled Yamanbagiri, who was hiding outside the door, inside, and then took out several amulets he had bought at the general store the day before and stuffed them into the hands of the five people.

"Rest assured, Master, I, Hasebe, will do my utmost to complete your mission!"

Touching the still-warm amulet in his hand, Hasebe knelt on one knee and solemnly said.

Ah, isn't this a bit too formal? So, this is the kind of personality Hasebe Yagiri has?

Yu Bai, whose impression of "Hanamaru" had long faded, naturally did not know that Hasebe was a well-known master swordsman, and even had some very famous titles among his colleagues.

The trio of Yagen Toushirou and Shokudaikiri, known as the "disqualification-making machine," are famous. Not to mention the other three: Shokudaikiri Mitsutada, who is an excellent cook; Horikawa Kunihiro, who is considerate and gentle but a little fanboy; and Maeda, the little angel.

"You can find your own rooms first. There are plenty of rooms available in the citadel, so feel free to move in. Meet in the front yard in two hours to prepare for the sortie."

After gesturing for the others to do as they pleased, Yu Bai released Kitsunenosuke and turned to head towards the castle tower.

He also needed to prepare, as this was the citadel's first sortie.

"May I ask which floor the Master lives on?" After watching his master leave, Hasebe asked Yamanbagiri Kunihiro. He planned to occupy the room closest to his master so that he could deliver any needs his master might have immediately.

"The castle tower is on the second floor, the tsukumogami live on the first floor, and the first room at the corner of the stairs is mine." Yamanbagiri pulled his cloak tighter, making the fabric cover him more completely while also declaring that he was the one living closest to the master, and that Yashikiri shouldn't even think about it.

As fellow beings centered around the Saniwa, hoping their master would see them and make good use of their tsukumogami, Hasebe naturally understood the purpose behind his questioning.

"……All right."

Although he wanted to live closest to the Saniwa, he couldn't help it since he wasn't the first swordsman.

Sometimes I really hate the special treatment each starting sword receives.

Hasebe thought angrily to himself as he ran towards the castle tower without stopping. If the closest option wasn't possible, then the second closest would do.

The mobility that the Saniwa praised as the perfect mount was on full display at this moment.

"As expected of Hasebe Yashikiri, he's still in control as always." Shokudaikiri Mitsutada smiled helplessly as he watched Yashikiri running ahead at breakneck speed, as if afraid someone would snatch him away.

“After all, he’s Mr. Hasebe. But I would also like to stay in the room next to the Saniwa. I’m sure Mr. Ken would be very happy if he came to the citadel in the future,” Horikawa Kunihiro said with a smile.

"Yagen-nii, let's go choose rooms too. Let's get there early and secure a good spot~" Maeda Toushirou tugged at Yagen Toushirou's sleeve, also somewhat eager to join in.

"Okay." Pushing up his glasses, the high mobility of the short swords made them disappear without a trace as soon as he stepped out of the forging room.

"Well then, Mr. Shokudaikiri, I'll be going now too~"

"Oh, really, this citadel is so energetic. Can't it be a little more cool?...Wait for me!"

……

Boom ~ boom ~ boom ~

The assembly bell rang in the front courtyard, and all the swords were already dressed in their battle uniforms, awaiting the arrival of the Saniwa.

"Speaking of which, Lord Yamanbagiri's rank is really high, completely unlike what one would expect from a citadel."

As everyone waited, Shokudaikiri Mitsutada looked at Yamanbagiri Kunihiro standing to the side, sizing him up and down. He was somewhat puzzled. Was the level of this Yamanbagiri Kunihiro in the citadel too high? Wasn't the Saniwa a newcomer?

Shokudaikiri Mitsutada's words were captivating, drawing everyone's attention to Yamanbagiri Kunihiro.

Yamanbagiri Kunihiro, who was in the center of everyone's gaze, felt a little uncomfortable, but he couldn't escape everyone's eyes. Just when he was at a loss, a gentle voice saved him.

"BeiBei is the initial sword that the Time Government specially gave me because I'm too young. Don't underestimate BeiBei, he's very powerful."

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the newcomer, and they couldn't look away for a long time.

The Saniwa holds a guqin in her arms; her body is entirely black with a gold tinge, and the head of the guqin is decorated with plum blossoms.

She was dressed in what appeared to be the magnificent attire of ancient China, with pure white and vibrant green intertwined, resembling newly blossoming flowers and tender leaves in spring. The exquisite embroidery patterns revealed twinkling stars as she moved.

What's most striking are her long, silvery-white hair and the silver eye patch covering her eyes. Although the silver eye patch conceals her beauty, it cannot hide the Saniwa's handsome appearance. On the contrary, the thin and transparent material of the eye patch adds a touch of mystery and fragility to her appearance.

"The Saniwa's outfit is really nice, it looks like the clothing of ancient China."

"Yes, that's right. I'll be going into battle with you all today."

"What? My lord, wouldn't you like to reconsider? Going into battle is too dangerous. What if something happens to you..."

"Yes, it is very dangerous for our lord to go into battle."

"..."