Iroha Isshiki, the Samurai

"Uh..." Kirino, standing to the side, looked somewhat surprised and took two steps back. For some reason, she felt the aura of Grand Class galgame protagonist emanating from the boy in front of her.

Among the protagonists she imagined herself as in sister-themed games, few possessed an aura as powerful as his; he was practically the king of popularity and sales in the visual novel genre.

He's not the typical male protagonist who constantly helps girls increase their affection levels; he's Grand Class male protagonist who fights with his life and is then reverse-conquered by a bunch of girls trying every possible way to increase their affection levels.

Kirino nervously reached out, wanting to pull the three-dimensional girl she regarded as her own sister away from this place of trouble as soon as possible.

However, the little girl moved first, nimbly running forward and just managing to avoid Kirino's outstretched hand. "Big Brother Shirou, add me as a friend on this chat app."

"Okay, sure," Shirou replied, pulling out his phone.

"Does Big Brother Shirou play any games?" the little girl asked as she added him as a friend.

"Yeah, I do play FGO for now," Shirou replied.

"Ah! I play FGO too! The Japanese server! It's really helpful for learning Japanese." The American girl opened the game and showed off her fully upgraded Gilgamesh.

"It's that Golden Flash king who always carries an armory..." Shirou said, frowning.

"It's Gilgamesh!" the mixed-race girl with ancient Middle Eastern ancestry retorted, clearly dissatisfied.

"Uh... sorry. Do you really like him?" Shirou asked, surprised.

"Yes! Respect is the right way!" the American girl corrected again.

Although this ancient civilization has long since perished, the reason why the Four Great Ancient Civilizations are praised as civilizations is not because they are old. After all, there are many 'countries' and 'ethnic communities' that are even older than China with its five thousand years of history and Egypt with its seven thousand years of history. If judged solely by age, even Egypt would hardly rank among the top four.

This assessment is based on the fact that these countries have had a significant impact on the world, contributing to the accelerated development of the entire world, and also indicating that humanity has inherited their culture to some extent.

Just like Alexander the Great of Macedon expanding his territory, although the Greek civilization quickly split into three major powers after the death of this brilliant genius in his thirties, it also spread to many corners of the world.

The Romans inherited these, and later Rome transformed into an empire, which then fragmented and was passed down to various Christianity nations in Europe.

The girl was a descendant of the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia, possessing the same brown skin and long black hair as the recorded Sumerians. This people, who revered gold and gemstones, had gods in their epic legends and the Sumerian pantheon who were mostly known for their blond hair and fair skin.

Among the legends passed down within their people, the most famous is that of a king who is one-third human and two-thirds god, with golden hair, red eyes, and white skin, a powerful being who possesses the power to fight against the gods, namely the King of Heroes Gilgamesh.

Such a king naturally earned the admiration and affection of the little girl Ria.

"The King of Heroes is super strong and super cool!" the little girl said, spreading her arms and making a big circle.

"That's right, the King of Heroes is so cool! His Noble Phantasm is amazing too. If he could be modified like I want, that would be perfect, hehehe..." Kirino nodded in agreement. By the way, her online name is "All the little sisters in the world come from my treasure trove".

"There's no way to deny that it's very strong, both over there and in the game after the Noble Phantasm upgrade. But I feel like what you're saying isn't quite the same thing," Shirou said, looking at the girl and Kirino.

"Alright, alright, senior, let's go inside first. The meeting is about to start." At this moment Iroha Isshiki ran out and said. She had come to find the little girl and take her to the meeting room.

"Let's go, everyone, the teachers will be here soon." The girl pushed Shirou inside, urging the two girls onward.

Chapter 208 Iroha Isshiki Warrior

Shirou was pushed inside by Iroha Isshiki, who was using her head to push against his back and her hands to push against his shoulders.

"Speaking of Shirou-senpai, have you kept in touch with Yuihama and Yukino-senpai while you were abroad for exchange activities?" Iroha Isshiki asked the boy in a low voice.

"Yes, we've been in contact," Shirou honestly replied.

During his three-week absence, he kept in touch with his colleagues in the Service Club from time to time. After all, communication was so convenient, and when necessary, Xiao Da, the FGO system spirit, would occasionally fly over to visit. For her, who could traverse the online world, Europe and Asia were not far at all.

He knew a little about the battle situation there, and he still felt somewhat guilty about sending girls to fight.

However, there's no need to worry too much, since they are all very strong. The girls have now mastered the art of combat, with Asuna, a top-tier fighter with exceptional combat awareness, handling close-range damage; and Mash there, providing absolute defense.

The calm Yukino Yukinoshita as a strategist, devising safe and effective plans; while the observant and kind-hearted Yuihama is always able to detect the emotional changes of her companions, mediating conflicts and enlivening the atmosphere at appropriate times, and helping everyone Matsushita when things are tense.

This team is practically perfect; dealing with ordinary monsters shouldn't be too difficult.

He recalled the photos he had received from Yuihama earlier, showing several girls in swimsuits. It seemed that even though it was still quite cold at the beach in Okinawa, they were enjoying their trip in the hotel's swimming pool.

Yukino seemed rather unwilling, being held down by the two girls on either side. Although she still tried to maintain her usual icy beauty poker face, her slightly flushed face lacked some of her usual imposing presence.

Yuihama one arm, while raising her other hand in a V-shape in front of her face, smiling playfully with one eye closed.

On the other side, the girl embracing Yukino's arm is the virtuous and loving Asuna. Her long, flaxen hair is now braided, and she's wearing a blue bikini. A kind and tolerant smile graces her lips, making her seem even more mature and intellectual.

Mash looked great in the pink bikini that matched her hair. Despite being a junior, she had a remarkably outstanding figure. She blushed and seemed a little excited as she hugged her upperclassmen and took photos together.

When he saw these photos, he was completely relieved.

Just as I was pondering these things, the voice from behind seemed to lower somewhat.

"Huh... my senior didn't contact me first, but he did keep in touch with the other seniors..."

The thrust from behind stopped, and Shirou turned around to look at the girl, only to see her puffing out her cheeks in a sullen manner.

"I was only away for three weeks during the holidays, and if you're ever in trouble, just tell me, I won't refuse to help you," Shirou said to his junior.

"Hmph! Shirou-senpai, you just wait! I'll definitely make you suffer until you're exhausted, and I won't let you rest for the rest of your life!" Iroha Isshiki said angrily, pulling down the lower eyelid of one eye, making a face, and then turned and ran away.

"It really is true." Shirou watched helplessly as the girl ran into the conference room, then strolled after her.

By this time, quite a few students had arrived in the conference room. Inside, Shirou saw the ping-pong boy who had competed with him in China, the Go master, and of course, the senior students from the Light Music Club in Britain.

"Hi, Shirou."

"Oh, how are the results in the table tennis competition?"

"..." The boy turned around abruptly.

The student playing Go next to him patted him on the shoulder, and the two walked away arm in arm. Even if he lost, he still got a scholarship, even if he lost everything. He started by getting a zero, and all his subsequent matches ended with him being given a one-point handicap. He still tried his best.

"I'm sorry..." Shirou apologized inwardly. He genuinely felt that after fighting in so many schools, he was finally able to achieve some results.

In fact, after learning from this experience, the school has decided to hire more professional Chinese players as coaches. If the Japanese method doesn't work, then they will train under the guidance of Chinese people, just like in China. That way, even if the population base is smaller, at least they can hope to produce one or two genius heroes to compete with the Demon King candidates over there.

"We're looking forward to your great performance in the cooking club after school starts!" The girls gathered around and gave you a thumbs up.

"No, senior, I'm not in the cooking club." Shirou waved his hand, having gotten the premise wrong from the start.

"Eh?!"

"Hmph!" Just then, a future member of the culinary club walked by.

The proud blonde girl Erina, walked over to the group of junior high students and sat down. However, after this semester ends, when the cherry blossoms bloom in spring, she will also be attending the International High School at the Chiba Branch School with Komachi.

There were also a few unfamiliar European faces, who seemed to be exchange students visiting like the little girl. I wondered if they were transfer students like Mashiro.

At this time, Principal Chiba, as well as the principal and director of the junior high school branch, came over. Teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka and the teachers leading the teams from several countries were also there, seemingly exchanging their experiences. Some people also mentioned the achievements of this exchange activity.

First, Principal Chiba will speak on stage.

"First of all, welcome back to school. After a three-week trip, I'm sure you've all seen many new things. Perhaps you can't feel it all yet, but as long as you practice hard and experience life to the fullest, sooner or later these experiences will become your valuable assets..."

"... I must commend the students who went to Paris and Bristol for their culinary and cultural exchange. They received high praise from the schools there, especially in Paris, where they followed the guidance of their teachers and organized various activities that brought joy to people who were feeling down due to the pandemic. They did a fantastic job! Remarkable! Truly worthy of being students of our school!"

"Bristol in Britain, Paris in France? Do we have any students at our school who are really good at cooking?"

"France also seems to have a genius chef in the Paris team; she's the heiress of the Nakiri Group."

"Britain cuisine? Hmm... their TV dramas are pretty good."

"It's delicious! Shirou-kun's cooking in Britain is really good!" said the adorable girl who knew the inside story.

"Eh? Shirou, do you mean that Shirou?" the third-year girl asked in surprise.

"Yes, yes. Listen to me..." The girl was tirelessly promoting the boy's story.

In fact, many teachers looked towards Shirou when they heard the principal say those words.

Erina glanced at Shirou, then snorted and turned her head away, seemingly indicating that she was not pleased with this misplaced flattery.

Some students with better observation skills have already noticed these things, such as Iroha Isshiki, the girl with her big, round, blinking eyes.

"Shirou-senpai, you are indeed very skilled at cooking. But my brother is also amazing, especially his vegetable dishes, which are as delicious as any hotel's."

For example, Eriri...

"Even in Paris, you're helping people everywhere? Shirou, you're such a nice-natured idiot." The blonde twin-tailed boy glanced at the boy and said.

For example, there's Kirino...

A round-faced girl with long, bright brown hair looked at the boy over there with her big, round eyes, and said in a low voice with a slight pout.

"Is that loli-obsessed protagonist actually a very powerful guy?"

"Big Brother Shirou?" The little girl with black hair and brown skin standing to the side blinked in confusion upon hearing the girl's words.

After the speeches by the leaders, we finally arrived at the main event: the distribution of bonuses.

"This is...?" Shirou was stuffed into a thick envelope, which was noticeably thicker than the others.

"This is a well-deserved bonus. Not only did you leave a good impression on the branch schools in various countries, but the media also reported on what you did in Paris. Moreover, we heard that the child prodigy painter Shiina Mashiro, came to our school because of you?" The principal deliberately lowered his voice when he said the last sentence.

Before the boy could reply, he burst into laughter and patted the boy's shoulders repeatedly.

"Hahaha! I hope you'll continue your efforts next year and strive for even better results," the principal said, looking at the boy with great anticipation.

"Haha... Thank you, Principal. Although you probably misunderstood something, I'll do my best." Shirou accepted the prize money. Although he didn't spend much money, he would probably never have enough when he needed it. In any case, his savings had increased again.

Shirou had just returned home when he found no one there. Mashiro had gone to see her manga editor and hadn't returned yet, so Artoria escorted her to a nearby cafe.

Komachi went out to play. Since she had already decided on the high school she would attend, she no longer felt the pressure of being a graduating student. Japan has three holidays a year, but because it needs to accommodate international students, the holidays start in winter, although they don't officially begin until spring. Komachi still has a long time to enjoy herself.

He changed out of his school uniform in his room, and suddenly felt very sleepy. His eyelids were about to close, so he sat on the bed and then lay down.

"It's still early... I should have enough time to sleep for a couple of hours before getting up to make dinner..."

Thinking this, Shirou closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep. Suddenly, a beam of light appeared in his subconscious and formed the shape of a door. Shirou's soul was directly sucked into the door of light and arrived in a world between dreams and reality.

Where is this place?

"Dream?"

Here he was dressed in a high-shouldered kimono robe like those of ancient samurai, with an exquisite samurai sword at his waist and straw sandals on his feet, giving him a somewhat resemblance to a contemporary of the assassin he had seen guarding the gate.

Shirou tried to draw his katana. Although it wasn't Noble Phantasm, it was extremely sharp and a rare and excellent sword.

The boy's face was reflected in the smooth, silver blade. He seemed to have matured by more than ten years, and even his hair had turned the orange-red of his previous life. Although he had a baby face, so he didn't look too different, his physical age had changed significantly. Although this body was not Servant, it was in its prime.

Shirou tried to move his body, and sure enough, his body had been well-trained and was much stronger than before.

Shirou was standing on a small hillside, behind which was a high cliff. Looking down the path at the bottom of the hillside, he could see a castle standing in the distance.

Under these circumstances, Shirou decided to go into the town. This town, which was neither too big nor too small, had a decent population, but it was also a mixed bag, with all sorts of people.

"Samurai, would you like to buy something to eat?" an old woman selling snacks on the street asked you.

"No, I don't have much money right now..." Shirou touched the inner pocket of his long sleeve and pulled out a small bag of money. He then changed his mind and said, "Then please give me some dango and sakura mochi, and tea as well."

"Okay." The old lady smiled and went inside to the stove to get busy.

So Shirou put the sakura mochi into his bag, drank a cup of tea, ate some dango, and walked down the main road.

At that moment, a brightly colored figure ran towards them; a pink-haired samurai girl was being chased.

Shirou immediately recognized her as the pink-haired samurai girl Servant had been recorded by Chaldea and placed in the FGO system. Strangely, why was someone with such superb skills and unparalleled swordsmanship being chased and forced to flee?

According to records, this great swordsman was not the type to be bothered by trifles; he would use any weapon, whether it was a sword, a wooden blade, or a boat oar, as long as he could win. If he couldn't win, he would turn and run away.

At this moment, the girl opposite also noticed the boy, her eyes flashing with surprise. She waved her hand holding the phone and called out sweetly.

"Shirou... Shirou-senpai! Please save me!"

Only then did Shirou notice the Servant's unusual behavior: the cell phone in her hand and the affected, sweet voice.

"Huh? You're not Isshiki, are you?" Shirou asked, looking at the pink-haired swordsman with a puzzled expression. At this moment, she didn't exude any sharp killing intent; instead, she seemed as soft and cute as a spoiled girl. Upon closer inspection, she also appeared somewhat childish.

At this moment, the girl, dressed in a gorgeous purple kimono, carried a samurai sword in her hand and had a shorter sword hanging at her waist.

"It's me, senior! But this isn't the time for this! Run! There are a lot of enemies chasing me!"

"Huh? What exactly happened?" Shirou asked.

"I don't know either. When I first came here, I told the Princess of Himeji Castle that she made me some beautiful clothes, but I borrowed a lot of Oban Koban. Then the debt collectors came after me! They all cursed at me and said all sorts of things."

"I was so angry that I beat them up, and then they chased after me with samurai swords."

"Shirou-senpai, is this a dream? So, someone as reliable as you would definitely have a solution in my dream, so please save me quickly." Iroha Isshiki hugged the boy's shoulders and pleaded, because the girl felt that this was a dream, and that the body she was in wasn't her own.

So they became even more unrestrained than usual.

"Stop! Stop! If it's a girl, she's not wearing anything under her kimono!" Shirou shouted.

"Eek, saying you're not wearing anything, Shirou-senpai is such a pervert. What does it matter? It's just a dream, it's not like I'll lose a piece of my flesh..." Isshiki chuckled and patted the boy's shoulder, then fumbled with his own clothes before suddenly falling silent.

"..." Iroha lowered her head, lowered her hands from the boy's, and silently created some distance between them.