Chapter 345: Holy Grail War
[Galactic Baseballer]: "Everyone! Who wants to join the Honkai: Star Rail Holy Grail War?"
[Ahoge King]: "Wait, you guys have a Holy Grail War over there, too?"
Artoria was stunned. A long time ago, Hoshi (Stelle) had invited her to join the Express crew. Who would have thought that world would also create a Holy Grail?
[Galactic Baseballer]: "I just found out too! It's on Penacony! A lot of group members have been there. The Holy Grail War is being held here."
She thought it sounded pretty fun.
[Star Forger]: "I can modify the Grail a bit, so you can summon a Heroic Spirit based on your own intention. The original random summoning will still be an option."
As for winning or losing, it's the participation that counts.
I'll set up a few extra Master slots.
[Ghost of the Uchiha]: "If there's a Master slot open, count me in."
As for the Heroic Spirit... Hashirama, I choose you!
Hahaha! (Madara's maniacal laugh)
He just wanted to go and play. He definitely didn't just want to hear Hashirama call him "Master."
[A Mere Mortal]: "Count this old man in."
The Old Master was interested in the Servant summoning ritual.
Who should I summon... My master, Zhang Jingqing?
Forget it. Making my master call me Master... that's 'a reversal of the natural order.' I'd probably have to kneel to him.
Then... I'll have to... my 'sworn brother,' Huaiyi. You'll just have to be the one to 'suffer'.
You wouldn't want me to summon our Master, would you?
The Old Master thought of that scene and a mischievous smile appeared on his face. He was really looking forward to it.
I'll have to fully charge my phone. Can't just take pictures. I must record this.
A scene that fun... how could I watch it alone? I should share it with my Junior Brother Jinzhong.
As they say, 'Joy shared is joy doubled'.
...
The group members all arrived on Penacony. Aside from those participating, the rest were spectators and tourists.
The Planet of Festivities, Penacony.
"Madara, the one you want to summon is definitely your old 'flame,' right?" Hoshi teased.
"What 'flame'? Hashirama and I are just rivals and best friends!" Madara Uchiha couldn't be bothered to explain anymore.
It was a pure friendship, but everyone just had to look at it through 'tinted glasses'. What could he do?
"But... you're right. He is the one I'm summoning."
Fighting side-by-side after so long... As for the 'Master' title... all Servants say that. It's not a big deal.
"You two are such 'good brothers.' Have you been waiting for this day for a long time?" Naughty Xi (Hexi) asked.
"Er... I never had this idea before. It just came to me."
Madara Uchiha hesitated slightly. He had once... wanted to beat Hashirama until he called him "Daddy."
"Everyone, you can begin."
Kenji used his creation power to modify the Holy Grail's base logic, making it a bit more fun.
Several red summoning circles spread across the ground, waiting for the Masters to summon their compatible Servants.
"Thy body shall serve under me. My fate shall be thy sword."
"Heed the call of the Express, and follow the 'deliciously crispy Pom-Pom Pie'!" (As expected of Pom-Pom)
...
"He who crosses the Wheel of Balance, Guardian of the Scales, appear!"
The summoning circle blazed with light, and a storm of energy swept out.
The summoned Heroic Spirit descended.
"I ask of you... are you my Master?"
Hashirama Senju, wearing his red Warring States armor, opened his eyes, looked at his best friend's face, and asked instinctively.
"Yes. That's right. I am your Master," Madara Uchiha nodded, the corners of his mouth twitching, unable to suppress his grin.
Hold it in... must not laugh maniacally.
"Huh? MADARA?!"
Hashirama Senju reacted belatedly, shouting, and giving off an incredibly "himbo" vibe.
"Didn't I... stab you to death?"
"Hmm?"
Madara Uchiha's smile vanished. The last thing he wanted to be reminded of was being backstabbed.
This must be from a parallel world. The 'Hashirama' from my world's soul... knows I'm alive. He wouldn't ask this.
But, whatever. Same face, same 'himbo'.
"Is this... the 'Impure World Reincarnation' that desecrates the dead... again?"
Hashirama Senju muttered. Just a moment ago, he was playing mahjong with the other Kage in the Shinigami's stomach.
"Don't overthink it. Just consider yourself my 'hired muscle'," Madara Uchiha said.
"Madara, what Class is your Servant?" Daigo asked.
"Let's see... Hashirama is an Assassin."
Madara Uchiha glanced and said it casually.
"Wait, he pilots a 'Gundam' (Wood Golem)! What kind of Assassin does that?"
Daigo and the others were stunned. In the anime, Hashirama Senju's fighting style had nothing to do with 'assassination,' right?
He claps his hands, and summons whatever he wants.
"Don't get it wrong. In Japan's past, a ninja's missions included assassination. The 'ninjas' from Madara's world are the weird ones, with all those elemental ninjutsu," Shizuka Hiratsuka said.
A 'proper' ninja... doesn't pilot a 'Gundam'.
Their core mission is intelligence, and assassination is just one tool.
[Servant: Hashirama Senju]
[Class: Assassin]
[Stats: Strength, A (Monstrous); Endurance, A; Agility, B...]
[Skills: Wood Style, Sage Art...]
[Inherent Skill: Clap Hands, Summon Whatever...]
...
Damn! Everyone saw Hashirama Senju's Servant sheet. He's an Assassin, but his stats are comparable to a main combat class.
"Hashirama! Let's have a battle, for old time's sake!"
Madara Uchiha had no interest in the Grail. He was only interested in Hashirama.
"Fine... I'm still a bit confused, but... Madara, you are too dangerous," Hashirama said, dead serious.
Madara Uchiha: "..."
Isn't that... what you said to the Nine-Tails?
What? You want to 'head-pat' me... and then 'seal' me?
Madara Uchiha: Hashirama, I'm the Master!
Hashirama: Madara, you'll regret this!
Door—SLAM! (No door to slam. Wood Style solves it.)
...
"Another Holy Grail War? And this King gets to participate?"
Gudako used the Uruk Grail and summoned Gilgamesh. His shining golden armor... gave off a "new-money" vibe.
His crimson eyes looked at Gudako, and he couldn't help but cover his forehead.
Seeing this "Last Master of Humanity," he was reminded of that "Chaos Evil Gudako"... She... won't just 'transform' into that state, will she?
That... indescribable monster that could beat Goetia to a pulp.
"Oh, King! We meet again! This Holy Grail War isn't in 'Nuke-pocalypse' Fuyuki. It's in another world!" Gudako said with a laugh.
"Hmm... this is... a world of dreams?"
Gilgamesh instantly understood the situation and became slightly interested.
He wasn't interested in the Grail, but if it was an "other world"... it was worth the price of admission.