Why did Hikigaya save the anime girls in Sword Story?

"Everyone, how about taking a commemorative photo?"

Nishida pulled out the recording crystal he'd prepared. They took a group photo, then used Hachiman's crystal to take a photo of the four of them. Then, several players surrounded Asuna.

"You're Shining Asuna, right? We're your fans! Keep up the good work!"

"(I) Another one, so you're married. Congratulations!"

"Thank you, thank you!"

Asuna held Hachiman's arm, and Hachiman shyly scratched his head as she gave him the blessing. Kirito and Liz, who were watching from a distance, were called over by Hachiman's wave.

"what happens?"

"I hate to say this right now, but it looks like my vacation is almost over. The 75th floor boss room was discovered. Ten members of the reconnaissance team entered, and the door suddenly closed. When it reopened, everyone was gone."

"Oh my god...is the death confirmed?"

"Well, the interior is a crystal invalid area, and the door cannot be opened from either the inside or the outside."

"It's tricky."

"So Heathcliff wants Kirito to come to headquarters as well."

"understood."

"Hachiman-kun, what you just said..."

Nishida, who was listening, had a bitter expression on his face.

"Yes, Mr. Nishida, our vacation is coming to an end."

"I'm sorry for always letting you guys carry the heavy load."

"It's okay. We are masters known as the Four Heavenly Kings."

"Kirito-kun too?"

"Yes, Kirito is also one of the Four Heavenly Kings."

As Hachiman spoke, he changed into the Blood Alliance Knights' staff uniform and expressed his determination to the three of them.

This unusual behavior surprised the three, but Asuna and Kirito, seeing Hachiman's gaze, immediately changed into their armor. The crowd of onlookers became agitated:

"That's the uniform of the Knights of the Blood Alliance!"

"I've seen Asuna-san's before, but the other person's is a style I haven't seen before."

"I saw it in the guidebook. It's a uniform reserved for staff officers."

"Hey, could that be..."

"The legendary black swordsman? The one who's completely black?"

Hachiman announced to the crowd:

"Everyone, excuse me for interrupting you suddenly.

As you can see, Asuna and I are on our honeymoon trip, but we just received a call from the leader. The three of us - Blood Knights' staff officer Silver Shadow Hachiman, vice-leader Flash Asuna, and black swordsman Kirito - will end our vacation and set out to fight the 75th floor BOSS.

With weapons forged by Aincrad's chief blacksmith, we will triumph together with everyone, and one day liberate everyone. Please continue to support us!"

This aura is completely different from the Hachiman of the past. If his friends from Sobu High School saw it, they would definitely be surprised.

Amidst the support of the crowd, Nishida shook hands with the four people in tears and agreed to meet again. After saying goodbye, the four rushed to the headquarters, while Liz was ordered to go to the secret base to gather other members.

"But Hachiman, why are you so handsome all of a sudden?"

“When I saw Mr. Nishida and everyone else, I wanted to reassure them.”

"That was so impressive just now! So cool!"

"Actually, my legs are shaking."

"But this is my husband!"

"To be honest, the future is full of unknowns, and I'm also very uneasy."

"So even the perfect Hachiman gets scared!"

"How rude Liz, I'm just a human being."

"Haha, you've turned back into your usual Hachiman."

"Ah, your legs aren't shaking anymore, Liz is indeed yours."

"That's all I can do."

Looking at the lost Liz, Kirito encouraged:

"That's not true. Hachiman also said that we all fought with the weapons you forged. Without Liz, we wouldn't be where we are today."

"Yes, everyone is grateful to you."

"Yes! There will definitely be powerful enemies on the 75th floor, but everyone must return safely! Silica, Argo, and I will be waiting!"

"Oh!"

"Leave it to us."

"Then let's go to headquarters and Liz will gather everyone as planned."

"clear."

Just like that, Hachiman and Asuna ended their vacation and returned to the battlefield.

SAO: Chapter 78: Hachiman's Final Decision Meeting

"I'm so sorry you three are here. I wanted to let you enjoy your vacation for a few more days."

"It's an emergency, there's nothing we can do."

(But leaving aside Mr. Akihiko's timing, he should have been mentally prepared for the sacrifice.)

Although Hachiman thought so, his face did not show it at all.

"So what's the situation now?"

"As stated in the message. Since reconnaissance is no longer possible, we will gather our elite troops for a general meeting tomorrow and officially launch the offensive the day after tomorrow."

"There's really no other way. Since I can't use crystal items, I can only rely on potions for recovery, right? Do you have enough?"

"The reserves are so large that they can't even fit in my personal storage bin."

"clear."

"Since even Kirito-kun has come all the way here, I'll explain the details myself once more."

"Thank you."

Heathcliff then began to tell the story in more detail.

"In this case, it's clear that crystal items can't be used, right?"

"Indeed, although we haven't yet confirmed the enemy's form, at least until the door closes, there's nothing inside."

"But the door closing means that some condition has been triggered, and in the boss room, this can only be a signal for the boss to appear."

Kirito supplemented Hachiman's statement.

"So, even though the people outside the door couldn't see it, the boss had actually appeared?"

"exactly."

"The logic is very clear."

"As expected of my little Hachi!"

"Ah... yes, Asuna."

Heathcliff seemed to be seeing Asuna like this for the first time and looked a little confused.

"Then I'll still be in charge of the overall command, right?"

"Yes, I'm sorry to have you face such a difficult floor on your first command."

"I've always made suggestions before, so it's no problem."

"My Xiaoba is definitely capable of doing this, Captain!"

"It's...it's Lerlin, you're so cold, Asuna."

Heathcliff still looked confused and whispered to Kirito:

"Kirito-kun, when did Asuna start to be like this?"

"Hmm? The captain just doesn't know. It's actually been like this for a long time."

"That's it..."

"Then let's finalize the details before tomorrow's meeting, Captain."

　"Okay."

The four discussed the anticipated situation, material preparations, and team formation. Hachiman secretly observed Heathcliff's reaction each time someone spoke. The pre-council meeting concluded successfully and the meeting was disbanded.

"Then, Captain, see you tomorrow."

"Thank you for your hard work!"

"Good-bye, Heathcliff."

"Well, see you three tomorrow."

After leaving, the three headed straight for the secret base.

"Awaited."

"fine."

"We just arrived too!"

"Okay, let's start the meeting immediately."

"I heard this is a difficult time?"

"Yes."

Hachiman first explained the whole incident.

"...It sounds dangerous. Is that really okay?"

"We really need more information, Argo. Any leads?"

"After searching everywhere, I discovered that the enemy likely wasn't humanoid. There's absolutely no information on their race."

"That's probably an evolved form of the enemies in the maze area. What's the current distribution of enemy types in the maze area?"

"60% insectoid, 30% humanoid, and the rest scattered."

"It seems the boss is likely an insect, and there's a high probability it will attack from above."

"Can all this be inferred?"

"Since there's no sign of the boss in front of or on either side of the entrance, this must be the case. The system won't set up completely invisible enemies."

"Makes sense."

"When you think of insects clinging to the ceiling, what comes to mind?"

"Black Devil..."

Lisbeth uttered the word with disgust.

"Please don't let it be the black devil..."

"I agree. It's completely unacceptable physiologically."

Klein agreed, and Agil nodded.

"Are there any other possibilities?"

"Centipede or something?"

"Or a spider?"

"Could it be a flying-type boss like Wasp?"