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

Just as Yama was worrying about his subordinate, a spiked club suddenly grazed his cheek with astonishing speed. Then, with a deafening roar, the heavy weapon slammed into the wall behind Yama.

The wall was instantly covered with cracks, and large sections of the wall surface peeled off, leaving a shocking dent.

King Yama suddenly turned around, his gaze falling on the ravaged wall, cold sweat rolling down his forehead like broken beads.

"I have a feeling you're thinking about something rude." Hozuki withdrew his hand, which had been in a throwing stance, and casually patted the dust off his shoulder.

"Aha... Hahaha. Hozuki, what exactly happened?" King Enma chuckled awkwardly and began to inquire about the reason for Hozuki's situation.

Wow, this guy is scarier than a ghost! I'm his boss, for goodness' sake, can't he at least show some respect? Didn't you see the tengu and Minamoto no Yoshitsune all looking utterly dumbfounded?

……

Over there, Hozuki was telling King Enma about his encounter with Yu Bai. Of course, he cleverly concealed the fact that he was the "mastermind" behind Yu Bai's accidental fall. After all, if anyone should take responsibility, it should be that confused divine beast; he hadn't dug any pits in the human world.

Seeing that Hozuki and Enma Daioh were too preoccupied to care about him, Yu Bai went to Minamoto no Yoshitsune's side.

After a pleasant conversation, Yu Bai learned that Yoshitsune had come to hell after committing suicide due to persecution by his elder brother in the mortal world.

Because Sakura believes that suicides do not deserve to go to heaven, and in addition, he was originally a military commander during his lifetime. In the late Heian period, those who know about military commanders understand.

Therefore, even if Minamoto no Yoshitsune had not committed suicide, he would not have been able to go to heaven.

Having arrived in Hell, Minamoto no Yoshitsune is now the leader of the Karasu Tengu Guard, responsible for maintaining order in Hell. This slender and beautiful young man harbors a dream of becoming a muscular hunk.

Yu Bai looked at Minamoto no Yoshitsune, whose eyes lit up at the mention of muscles, and for a moment he didn't know what expression to make.

The thought of a pretty boy turning into a muscular hunk is terrifying.

"By the way, Yoshitsune-sama, do you have a sword called Imagina among your collection?"

Yu Bai suddenly remembered something and asked. According to official historical records, Minamoto no Yoshitsune should not have had a sword called Imaizumi, but since there is a tsukumogami (spirit of Imaizumi) in the Time Government, there must be some reason and basis for this.

“This sword? I do not possess such a sword.” Minamoto no Yoshitsune shook his head slightly, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"However, I once read the 'Yoshitsune Chronicle,' which records that the Imagina sword was offered by Sanjo Munechika to the gods and Buddhas of Mount Kurama for prayers, and was later given to me by the abbot of Kurama-ji Temple, Tokobo Rennin. Although I do not actually possess this sword, I think I would be very happy if the account in the book were to come true one day. The Imagina sword sounds like a fine sword, and I really want to see it."

Minamoto no Yoshitsune, with his handsome face, answered Yu Bai's question earnestly; he truly loved the sword named Imagin.

"...Master Yoshitsune, there is a friend of mine who greatly admires you. I wonder if I could meet him?"

Listening to Minamoto no Yoshitsune's words, Yu Bai thought of his own white-haired, heterochromatic-eyed little swordsman. Since the other protagonist was right in front of him, why not let the two of them meet?

After all, every sword spirit of the Time Government has a deep attachment and longing for its former master.

Furthermore, Yu Bai also wanted Imaizumi to know that Minamoto no Yoshitsune liked him very much. At the same time, he also wanted Yoshitsune to meet Imaizumi, whom he had just mentioned wanting to see.

"Is Lord Yu Bai's companion my admirer? I am truly honored." Upon hearing this, Minamoto no Yoshitsune smiled shyly.

“Since Lord Yu Bai says so, I would certainly like to meet him. However, if we want to meet, wouldn’t it require that friend… um… to ‘die’ a little?” He scratched his head and said somewhat embarrassedly.

He liked the deity in front of him very much. Unlike his own slender figure, the deity was also tall and slender, but Yu Bai's arms, which were exposed by his short-sleeved shirt, had obvious muscle lines.

This might be the legendary "looks slim in clothes, but muscular when undressed." Minamoto no Yoshitsune, whose dream is to become a muscular man, is extremely envious.

"That's not necessary."

Dying is out of the question. Swords and blades are very difficult to restore once they're broken. Even though he has Changge's resurrection skill, he can't just keep doing this.

With that in mind, Yu Bai began to summon Imaizumi, who was currently in the citadel.

Fortunately, although he is not currently in the human world, he is still in the same world and timeline, so summoning the sword spirits in the citadel is not a problem.

"My lord! I miss you so much! Do you want to play with the little tengu?" A wisp of cherry blossoms drifted by, and a petite figure suddenly pounced on Yu Bai.

Yu Bai caught the flying short sword with practiced ease and then ruffled Jin Jian's smooth hair.

"I want you to meet someone. Look over there." He gently put down the short sword, gesturing for Imaizumi to look in the direction of Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

"Who are you?" The moment the little tengu saw Minamoto no Yoshitsune, it immediately quieted down and even awkwardly hid behind Yu Bai.

Jin Jian didn't understand why, but when he saw the boy who wasn't much taller than him, an inexplicable emotion welled up inside him, making his eyes feel a little hot.

Why do I have this feeling even though I've never seen it before?

Deep down, a voice was telling him who the person in front of him was, but he was hesitant to go forward and acknowledge them.

The usually cheerful Little Dagger became a little nervous at this moment.

Yu Bai noticed Jin Jian's change at this moment, but said nothing. He simply patted the silver-haired little dagger's head gently and then pushed him forward lightly.

"Go."

"My lord." Jin Jian, who had been pushed forward a few steps, turned to look at Yu Bai. Seeing the encouraging smile on Yu Bai's face, he felt a little relieved.

He hesitated as he approached Minamoto no Yoshitsune: "Y-you, hello, I am Imagina, I am, I am Minamoto no Yoshitsune's guardian sword..."

Well, I shouldn't get involved in the reunion of the sword and the former master. Yu Bai watched the two boys of similar height talking over there, and then his gaze shifted to Hozuki and Enma Daioh, who had finished talking at some point.

"Excuse me, Mr. Hozuki, Lord Enma. I had a very pleasant conversation with Yoshitsune just now. He happened to be the former master of my family's tsukumogami, so I had my servant come out to meet him. Hello, Lord Enma, I am Yu Bai. Just call me by my name." Yu Bai stepped forward and said apologetically to the two of them.

"It's alright, it's alright. I didn't expect Yu Baijun to have a tsukumogami protecting him. Hozuki has already told me everything that happened. I'll have him take you to the Gates of Hell later."

King Yama waved his hand and gave a somewhat goofy smile. He stood next to Hozuki, his figure a stark contrast to Hozuki's slender frame. Yu Bai had to look up to see King Yama's face when he came to him.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Hozuki." Yu Bai turned to Hozuki and nodded slightly to express his gratitude.

“…Hozuki.” The expressionless Hell Assistant glanced at Yu Bai, turned his head to the side, and said in a low voice after a long while.

"What?" Yu Bai, who hadn't quite heard, asked again with a puzzled look. Meanwhile, King Enma, who was standing right next to Hozuki and had heard his subordinate's words clearly, looked at Hozuki with a look of horror.

Good heavens, is my subordinate really not possessed? He didn't look like this when he met the fox demon Daji from the Celestial Empire, did he? He even said that the great beauty was an extremely sadistic monster.

Now that things have turned out this way, it's like the sun has risen in the west.

but……

When Yama looked at the white-haired god before him and met his gaze into those golden eyes, he was always drawn to the purity and warmth within them, making him want to drown in this golden ocean.

It seems that no matter who you are, no matter what past you have or what flaws you carry, you can show your true self without reservation. Because of this deity, he never judges anyone with worldly eyes, nor does he feel disgust for others because of their shortcomings.

Such gentleness is irresistible to anyone, not even the cold-hearted gods and spirits. Bathed in this golden light, all indifference and hardness melt away, leaving only the softness and warmth deep within one's heart.

Thinking this, a sudden sharp pain shot through his waist, instantly snapping Yama back to his senses from the golden sea of ​​memories.

Ouch! This is terrifying! Seriously terrifying! And Hozuki, could you please stop pinching me? Pinching is one thing, but could you please stop twisting my waist and rotating it 360 degrees?

Ouch, that hurts!!!

qaq

……

King Yama: Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Let go! I'm your boss!

Hozuki: I did this to test your willpower.