A Desperate Situation, Surrounded / Escape from the Bandit Camp

The stove that once stood in the middle of the room had been extinguished, and the floor was a mess, littered with overturned empty wine jars.

On the left and right sides were more than a dozen wooden plank beds, but the people lying on them had a bunch of white, fleshy legs sticking out from under the blankets. On the left were women wearing various styles of kimonos, who should all be young women who had been kidnapped to the village. Shirou scanned the corner of the room but still did not find a single man's body.

Recalling when I entered the camp, there was no sound around me, no chirping of insects or birds in the woods, everything was too quiet.

Shirou's expression changed, and he shouted to the two girls, "Oh no! We have to go!"

Chapter 235 The Desperate Situation of Being Surrounded

The black-haired, red-eyed girl —no, it should be called Demon Nobunaga —smirked triumphantly; her plan was complete.

For this plan, she only explained it to Okada Izou and asked him to lead his men to ambush the enemy. She didn't even tell the lowest-ranking bandits the exact time the samurai would attack, only mentioning to their scouts that they should be wary of a night attack.

So, the bandits who were originally the lords of the mountains and had no natural enemies would never have sent any night watchmen. Now that they have, they're just going to take a nap outside.

However, this level of vigilance was just right. It wasn't that there were no precautions, but the lack of discipline among the bandits meant that some would inevitably slack off.

That's why Shirou inherited Muramasa's rich battlefield experience, was able to take the bait and enter after dealing with the two guards.

Torches appeared, and people from all directions ran over carrying torches, surrounding Shirou and the others.

"As expected! They've come! And they even killed two people! Bastards!"

"Those villagers are insane! They dare to defy us and even brought in warriors!"

"Hahaha, I've been waiting for you! Here you are! A powerful samurai! Someone who can be my opponent." A madman dressed as a samurai, with long, curly bangs that covered half his face, walked out from inside.

"A samurai! He's just another henchman that Nobunaga, the Demon Nobunaga, summoned," Shirou said.

"That assassin impersonating Ryoma that we met in the capital!" Okita Souji exclaimed.

The man swung his knife and slashed at him, shouting, "My name is Okada Izou! Remember that!"

Okita Souji instantly drew his sword to block the opponent's attack. Their blades met, and he asked with a cold smile, "Aren't you going to mention your Ryoma this time?"

Okada Izou unleashed a murderous roar, his voice like that of a killer maniac. "Ah! Saber from the Imperial Capital! So you've come here after all! Last time you were killed by old man Li Shuwen with his fists, but this time I won't let you off so easily. Let's settle this once and for all! Hahaha!!!"

"Then listen to me clearly! I am Okita Souji! Captain of the First Shinsengumi! Tenchu! You anti-shogunate faction who use the name of righteousness to distort the truth! Die!" Okita Souji swung his sword and slashed.

Okita Souji and Okada Izou were contemporaries; one was one of the Shinsengumi's top genius swordsmen, and the other was one of the four great swordsmen of the late Edo period.

Okita Souji was a genius among geniuses who created his own unparalleled killing technique within the Tennen Rishin-ryū.

Okada Izou possesses the talent to steal and learn any swordsmanship technique he has ever seen. Although this learning ability is limited to skills below the Noble Phantasm, he is still a first-rate samurai in this world, and his learning ability is among the best.

Moreover, they all died in their twenties, less than three years apart. However, Okada Izou was arrested as a serious criminal for assassinating officials. Under severe torture, he revealed the whereabouts of his accomplices and then died in remorse.

However, after the victory of the anti-shogunate faction in promoting imperial rule and expelling foreigners, he was regarded by word of mouth as one of the most talented swordsmen among the many masters who emerged at the end of the Edo period.

As Servant, he simply enjoyed fighting with the strong and taking their sword techniques. After arriving in this world, he initially just wanted to enjoy dueling with samurai, but limited by this era, the strong were ultimately no match for the Holy Grail War.

Upon hearing that he could encounter true powerhouses here, Okada Izou accepted the Demon Nobunaga's invitation without much thought and became one of the forty mountain bandits.

Just then black-haired, red-eyed girl was about to speak.

However, just a moment earlier, Shirou spoke up.

"Soji! Nobu! Find a way to escape!" Shirou had already unpacked the package on his back, pulled out some gadgets, and shouted loudly.

Although he was prepared for a fight to the death, Shirou slammed the tool he was holding onto the ground with a loud bang, sending up billowing white smoke.

"Now's the time! Charge out!" Shirou shouted, throwing several shurikens directly at the torches surrounding the area, which were shrouded in white smoke. The bandits who had gathered around became sitting ducks, with no way to dodge or escape.

While they were staring blankly at the white smoke, they were hit by the Hidden Weapon that Shirou kept throwing.

Shirou throws kunai, long needles, and various shuriken with his skillful and powerful hands.

The bandits at the front, if unlucky, were struck in vital areas by darts and died instantly. If lucky, they were also deeply embedded in their bodies by senbon and kunai.

The swastika-shaped shuriken, spinning and flying through the air, traced a sharp and swift arc, bypassing the people in the front row and heading towards the bandits in the back rows.

The ninja tools made by Muramasa have unique grooves with specially treated serrations inside. They do not obstruct the insertion of the tool, but when you try to pull it out, the hook-shaped serrations will mercilessly tear open the wound, causing a lot of bleeding.

Basically, once a bandit is hit by a dart and pulls out the Hidden Weapon, he loses his fighting ability.

Muramasa a samurai and a swordsmith. With the same personality as Shirou, whom he possesses and summons, he has no ulterior motives. He hopes to achieve justice, yearns to bring peace to people, and seeks a way to free the people of the world from their fate of suffering.

Once he has made up his mind, he will no longer have any confusion. The weapons he forges are killing machines created to end killing, so he will never cut corners; they are absolutely the best and sharpest.

Even compared to other weapons of the same level in terms of forging craftsmanship and sharpness, it is the most durable.

Perhaps compared to other masters, Muramasa's swords may lack a certain 'Tao' (the Way) quality, but they are undoubtedly the most practical and synonymous with quality assurance.

Because it was so sharp, even the wielder could get injured if he wasn't careful, and in later Muramasa was even given the name of 'demon sword'.

Furthermore, because the Tokugawa Shogunate was wary of it and issued an order banning Muramasa swords, it was even more coveted by the anti-shogunate faction, with almost everyone wishing they had a Muramasa.

The so-called swords are weapons of destruction, and it was Muramasa who understood the true nature of sowing discord. Perhaps it was because of this that Muramasa was able to forge divine weapons later on, becoming the only person in Wa Province to truly ascend to the level of a god of swordsmithing.

If killing is used to stop killing, then Shirou will not be confused! Although he doesn't think it's right, it's something he has to do to protect the villagers, so every move he makes is a deadly strike.

Taking advantage of Shirou's disruption of the encirclement, Okita Souji a step and ran quickly towards the outside, cutting down a bandit blocking his way before escaping to the side!

"Tch! Don't even think about running away!" Okada Izou gritted his teeth and chased after him.

Even the Demon Nobunaga hadn't expected Shirou to suddenly unleash such destructive power, and she stamped her foot and chased after Okita.

Shirou tucked the few remaining ninja tools from his pack into his robes, drew his sharp sword, and, using the white smoke to blind the bandits, swung it at the bandits carrying torches.

"Koga-ryu Ninja Art: Great Storm!" On the rooftop, Mochizuki Chiyome appeared, looking down from above. At this moment, a phantom of an evil python appeared behind her. The python opened its mouth and roared, creating a gale that dispersed the white smoke.

Shirou's figure was also exposed, but he did not hesitate at all. He swung his sword in front of him, then turned around and slashed behind him. At this moment, two more souls were killed by the sword in his hand.

The bandits with ghostly horns sprouting from their heads were all terrified and retreated. In their eyes, the man under the moonlight now looked more like a real ghost.

"So you've come out too, ninja," Shirou said coldly, looking at Mochizuki Chiyome standing on the roof.

"You won't be so lucky this time! I've regained my power!" Mochizuki Chiyome launched a rocket into the sky, then gripped a kunai in both hands and leaped down, using the momentum of her fall to slash at Shirou.

"Don't just stand there, attack! As long as he's injured, we'll win!" Mochizuki Chiyome commanded.

"Yes!" The bandits gritted their teeth, raised their swords and spears, and surrounded Shirou once more.

Shirou, relying on the weapon he carried, fought off the bandits wielding swords. But then, Mochizuki Chiyome launched a rocket into the air, its beam blazing brightly—it was actually a flare! The bandits, armed with bows and arrows, finally saw Shirou's location, rushed to higher ground, aimed at the man who resembled a demon, and drew their bows...

The samurai fought fiercely, their blades flashing and sparks flying as they clashed. They fought further and further away from Soji, completely losing contact with Shirou was surrounded.

Soji and Shirou got separated. Soji was forced by Okada Izou to the edge of a cliff on the mountain. He used the Executioner, which was amplified by the Holy Grail's magic. His hair turned into an eerie gray-blue, and the madness in his eyes increased rather than decreased.

"Izou, stop! Let me talk to her." At this moment, a dignified young girl's voice rang out.

"Tch! Boss, don't interrupt my rare moment of enjoyment," Okada Izou complained, putting away his sword in annoyance.

"Don't be impatient, there are still four more down the mountain." The black-haired, red-eyed girl walked out with a cold smile.

A gust of wind swept across the high mountain cliff, billowing the cloak of the black-haired, red-eyed girl. Thousands of muskets appeared behind her, firing directly at Soji.

"You! So you're a bad Nobu after all!" Soji's eyes widened as he realized what was going on. He raised his katana and pointed it at the black-haired, red-eyed girl, shouting.

"That Nobu was always wandering around the mountains, and she was so weak, so I just defeated her and tied her up on the mountain," Demon Nobunaga said with a laugh.

"Waaah... Nobu, the main body has been defeated by the evil clone time and time again, what's going on?!" Soji covered his face in anguish, then glared at Demon Nobunaga and said, "You deceived us, how despicable!"

Demon Nobunaga laughed loudly, "Hahaha! Blame it on none of you for not noticing! How stupid of you! Prepare yourself, Okita!"

"Shut up! You're all one person! How would we know! You're the one who's being sensible! You bad nobu!" Soji used the Shrinking Earth Technique to rush in front of the girl the instant the musket fired, and thrust at her.

"Hmph!" Demon Nobunaga also drew his sword, blocking Soji's thrust.

Soji kept closing the distance, preventing the Demon Nobunaga from having a chance to fire the musket on his back. Finally, he seized an opening and was about to deliver the final blow.

"One step beyond the sound! Cough!"

Unexpectedly, in the midst of the fierce battle, the weakness that Soji had been suppressing suddenly flared up, and the secret sword technique of the Three-Stage Assault of Mystery failed to activate.

"Damn it! Why does it always flare up at this time! Cough!" Blood trickled from Soji's mouth as he cried out in despair, then turned and jumped off the cliff.

"Ah! Why did you jump down! If you had begged for mercy, I might have spared your life. Well... we'll meet again in the next battle soon. Oh well, I'd better go greet Shirou!" Demon Nobunaga muttered to himself, raised his hand and waved his cloak, putting the previous incident behind him.

To Nobunaga's surprise, Soji did not fall to the bottom of the cliff.

After the girl jumped off the cliff and fell several meters, there was a hole protruding outwards at the bottom of the cliff. A hand reached out from there, grabbed Soji was falling, and pulled her up.

"Thank you... I almost thought I was going to fall to my death and leave the stage like this, Nobu! You're such a good Nobu!" Soji looked up and saw a girl who looked exactly like the person who had just cornered him.

"It's me, Okita! You're really weak to be forced into this situation by another version of me. Luckily, I'm here to save you," Nobu said, covering his mouth and chuckling.

"No, I don't want to go out and play, get kidnapped, and have some bad Nobu infiltrate the team and say something like that," Soji retorted.

"What! That bastard Nobu went into the village? As expected of me, he's so reckless!" Nobu exclaimed in surprise.

"Is this the time to brag? That guy betrayed us! We don't even know what's become of Shirou now!" Soji said angrily.

"So that's why you got kicked off the cliff," Nobu said, suddenly realizing.

"Stop nagging! Hurry up and find a way to get out and help! You good-for-nothing!" the Soji said anxiously.

"No, no, I was just careless for a moment! Besides, I've already escaped through the tunnel! Don't worry, if we go out the same way, we'll be discovered and surrounded immediately. We need to find an escape route first," Nobu retorted, waving his hands.

"Don't you know how to export?!" Soji shouted in a frenzy.

"Shut up, shut up, shut up! I'm looking for it now!" Nobu shouted angrily.

Meanwhile, outside, Shirou, surrounded, kept moving to avoid being targeted by archers. He parried Mochizuki Chiyome's attacks while also keeping an eye on the approaching bandits. Fortunately, the giant snake behind Mochizuki Chiyome was terrifying, and the intimidating presence of his previous attacks prevented them from charging forward.

Shirou has managed to hold on until now, but if this continues, he will eventually die from exhaustion.

Shirou gritted his teeth, unleashed his greatest strength, and rushed in front of Mochizuki Chiyome. Every move he made was a killing move that risked injury for life. He swung his sword to force back the attacking female ninja, and then threw a flying knife to take the life of a bandit who surrounded him.

As long as Mochizuki Chiyome still wanted revenge against Oda Nobunaga, she couldn't possibly fight Shirou to the death; she could only dodge.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shirou plunged into the woods and quickly hid inside.

Chapter 236 Escaping the Bandit Camp

This was originally a secret escape passage known only to the three leaders of the mountain bandits, because it would be very troublesome if Nobu were discovered by Mochizuki Chiyome, who had a grudge against him.

So the Demon Nobunaga kept it a secret from everyone, and tied up Nobu and locked him in the former leader's room.

However, during this time, Nobu broke free of his ropes and discovered a tunnel under the bed of the former leader, whom the Demon Nobunaga had never used.

This tunnel leads directly to a cave below the cliff. Nobu had heard the noise outside and wanted to rush out, but after thinking about it carefully, he realized that there were some troublesome executioners and ninjas outside, and the other bandits with strange horns on their heads also seemed quite difficult to deal with.

So Nobu escaped, taking advantage of the opportunity when some samurai attacked from outside, she escaped through this tunnel to this place.

After coming down, Nobu was also looking for an exit, heading towards the cave entrance where there was light.

However, when she was about to step out of the cave, she realized she had gone the wrong way. It turned out to be a cliff, but the scenery outside was nice, so Nobu stood at the cave entrance and looked at the scenery, reaching out to touch the clouds. Unexpectedly, a familiar figure suddenly fell down from above.

Without thinking twice, she reached out and grabbed the falling Sakura Swordsman girl, finally managing to pull her up by crawling on the ground.

At this moment, Shirou, who had sneaked into the woods, faced the direction from which the bandits had come. He set up his longbow and quietly squatted on the ground. With the camp gate surrounded, he had no way to escape, and there were archers lying in ambush outside. Fortunately, he hid in the bushes.

While keeping a watchful eye on what lay ahead, Shirou mentally assessed the few weapons he possessed and the remaining arrows.

Using mortal bodies to fight against these bandits who have been corrupted and turned into demons by the Holy Grail doesn't actually give them much of a strength advantage. If these demon bandits had charged at them recklessly from the start, they would probably have been hacked to death in an instant.

The fact that I've been able to persevere until now is largely thanks to the Muramasa has put in, his sturdy body honed through countless trials, his combat experience, and his skillful use of various weapons.

Since escape was hopeless, he decided to use all the tools at his disposal and rely on his archery skills to take down as many bandits as he could.

Fortunately, he found reliable partners this time, and he could entrust everything to them.

Although I was summoned to this world by possession and borrowed the body of someone very similar to myself, I caused that person to meet their demise. I am truly sorry to them.

However, in the midst of the battle, seemingly absorbing the influence of the slain degraded demon, Muramasa's remaining consciousness gradually revived, telling him in his Inner World that what he did was right.

Then there's nothing to hesitate about.

Just then, the bushes to the side rustled and shook. Shirou instantly turned his bow, aiming a sharp arrow at that spot.

"Shirou! It's me!" the black-haired, red-eyed girl opposite her called out.

"Nobu! I'm so glad you're alright!" Shirou put down his bow and exclaimed in surprise.

"Ah, but the situation is really bad, Shirou. It seems we've completely run into their ambush and are now surrounded. We're in a hopeless situation," said the black-haired, red-eyed girl.

"Hmm, where's Soji?" Shirou asked with concern.

"Okita, she's already..." The black-haired, red-eyed girl shook her head and didn't finish her sentence.

"What exactly happened?" Shirou asked anxiously.

"She has done her best as a samurai, and we are also nearing our limit. Shirou, you should think about what to do. If you surrender now, I have a way to save both of us," said the black-haired, red-eyed girl.