Kuki Shinobu didn't really know what a Noble Phantasm was.
But judging by the name, it sounded like some kind of powerful treasure.
"Then… what exactly is this treasure?"
Valerius smiled and shook his head.
"This isn't the kind of treasure you're thinking of."
"A Noble Phantasm is the ultimate armament wielded by Heroic Spirits.
A miracle given physical form.
Proof of heroism."
"It can be a weapon, a symbol, or even a manifested ultimate technique."
Yet another string of unfamiliar terms.
Still, the phrase Heroic Spirit stirred something in Shinobu's memory.
Suddenly, she recalled a previous lottery draw.
"Heroic Spirit… You don't mean the one Lady Furina summoned before, right? That Heroic Spirit warrior?"
"Hm… there are differences," Valerius said thoughtfully, "but broadly speaking, they're similar."
Only then did he remember—Furina had drawn Valhalla before.
From that perspective, the concepts were related. After all, they shared the same mythological roots.
[Furina]: Heroic Spirits!!! And they all have Noble Phantasms?!
Still spectating in Fontaine, Furina was utterly shocked.
So the thing she had drawn back then was actually this powerful?
She could elevate the dead into Heroic Spirits as a Valkyrie.
If those spirits all wielded Noble Phantasms…
Just how terrifying would that be?
Shinobu's Noble Phantasm alone was worth six points.
If she could elevate more Heroic Spirits—
That would be an entire arsenal of Noble Phantasms.
Interesting. Very interesting.
She made a decision on the spot.
Once this game ended, she'd definitely test it out.
[Neuvillette]: Heroic Spirits??? You mean the ones summoned by Lady Furina?
[Herta]: Probably not the same system.
[Ruan Mei]: I'm curious. I'd like to study them.
[Herta]: Weren't you only interested in life sciences?
[Ruan Mei]: Heroic Spirits should still count as life, shouldn't they?
After hearing Valerius's explanation, Shinobu examined the Noble Phantasm in her hand.
The more she looked at it, the more ominous it felt.
"So… what Noble Phantasm is this?"
Valerius glanced at the black-veined, glowing orb and replied calmly:
"This is the Noble Phantasm of the Kōga ninja Mochizuki Chiyome."
"Spirit Summoning — The Origin of Ibuki Daimyojin."
"Ninja… Mochizuki Chiyome!"
The name immediately felt familiar.
Almost… Inazuman.
That made her feel a little more at ease.
"As long as you activate this Noble Phantasm, you can summon a giant serpent that instantly blankets the battlefield."
"And… anyone touched by it will have their abilities sealed for a period of time."
Hearing the effect, Shinobu nodded in satisfaction.
Summoning a massive serpent and sealing abilities?
That sounded pretty solid.
However, inside Tenshukaku, Raiden Ei frowned.
[Raiden Ei]: A giant serpent…? Why did something like that show up?
She disliked serpents on instinct.
There was already one sprawled across the western islands of Inazuma—and now another?
[Yae Miko]: It's not the same one. Why are you panicking?
[Raiden Ei]: True. If it's not canonically correct, I'll just cut it down.
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: ...
What could she even say?
Yes, yes—you're amazing.
If not for the Game Arena suspending the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree, Kokomi would've already raised the banner of rebellion.
"I've talked enough. You won't really feel it just by listening."
"Better to see it for yourself."
Explaining Noble Phantasms verbally was too abstract.
Valerius snapped his fingers.
A light screen appeared.
On it, a petite woman sliced her finger open as magical energy erupted around her.
"I curse my blood,
I call calamity upon my sins.
No matter how many ages pass,
that which cannot be cleansed—
I now unleash this Noble Phantasm!"
"Spirit Summoning — The Origin of Ibuki Daimyojin!"
In an instant, an enormous spectral serpent with eight heads manifested above the battlefield.
Its overwhelming presence dwarfed everything around it.
All eight heads struck at once.
The battlefield vanished beneath its shadow.
"So big?!"
Shinobu stared in awe.
She knew the serpent wouldn't be small—but this was on another level.
If she used this in Inazuma without warning…
it might cause outright panic.
Even Valerius was momentarily stunned.
Wasn't this supposed to be an Anti-Unit Noble Phantasm?
That scale was absurd.
"Ahem… so? Not bad, right?"
"Very good. I'm quite satisfied."
Shinobu carefully stored the Noble Phantasm away.
This time, her boss really hadn't screwed her over.
"You're not going to use it here?" Valerius asked, surprised.
"You're taking it back instead?"
"I'll report it first."
Shinobu knew the history of the great serpent's invasion.
Better to give advance notice—just in case the Shogun disliked the symbolism.
"Fair enough."
It was her item. How she used it was her choice.
Valerius didn't push further.
He packed away the lottery machine, waved to them, and left the room.
Jean remained standing there, watching Shinobu with unmistakable envy.
[Kujou Sara]: Huh? She's not using it now?
[Arataki Itto]: Hahahaha! See that? I picked it for Shinobu—she's definitely bringing it back for me!
[Thoma]: I really admire how completely unaware you are.
[Ranpa]: Ninja… banishers of evil… Noble Phantasms… manifestations of the ninja way…
[Boothill]: Speak human.
[Ranpa]: I want one too.
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