The morning after their leisurely hot spring stay, Hachiman received a message from Nishida. He called Kirito and Lizbeth to join him.
"Sorry for dragging you out again," Hachiman said.
"No big deal, but what's up?" Kirito asked.
"Calling me too? This feels serious," Lizbeth said.
"I'll explain," Hachiman said.
To the slightly tense pair, Hachiman revealed the reason for the summons.
"Nishida-san sent word that the Nuci will spawn today," Hachiman said.
"Who's Nishida-san?" Lizbeth asked.
"A guy I recently reconnected with—a fishing master," Hachiman said.
"Oh!" Kirito said, perking up. "About fifty, mild-mannered, always fishing on this floor?"
"Yeah. You know him?" Hachiman asked.
"Yup, we've fished together a lot," Kirito said.
"Well, this fishing master needs our help. The Nuci's spawning today," Hachiman said.
"The fishing boss?" Kirito asked.
Hachiman nodded. "Hitting it depends on fishing skill, no problem there. But reeling it in relies on STR. Nishida-san can hook it but can't pull it up. Guess why I called you, Kirito?"
"So Nishida-san hooks it, I switch in and reel it," Kirito said.
"Exactly," Hachiman said.
"Why not you?" Kirito asked.
"Honestly, I'm not sure I could handle it, so I went for certainty," Hachiman said.
"Got it," Kirito said.
"I get the plan, but what's my role?" Lizbeth asked.
"I need you to maintain Nishida-san's rod. I'll cover the cost. Reinforce it if you can," Hachiman said.
"Gotcha," Lizbeth said.
"Me and Asuna are on cheer and bento duty," Hachiman added.
"I'm making them now!" Asuna called from the kitchen.
"Feels like a picnic," Kirito said.
"Pretty much is," Hachiman said.
"A fishing boss, huh? Never seen one," Kirito said.
"Wonder what it'll be like," Hachiman said.
"I'm fired up! Maybe I'll try with my own rod," Kirito said.
"Go for it," Hachiman said.
"You two sound excited," Lizbeth said.
"Every guy's heart races looking at a fish encyclopedia," Hachiman said.
"Really…?" Lizbeth said.
Asuna finished the bentos, and the four headed to Nishida's designated fishing spot.
"Nishida-san!" Hachiman called.
"Hachiman-kun! Oh, Kirito-kun too? Been a while," Nishida said.
"Long time no see, Nishida-san," Kirito said.
"Didn't know you two knew each other," Nishida said.
"I was shocked to hear you knew Hachiman," Kirito said.
"Small world," Nishida said.
"Totally," Hachiman agreed.
Hachiman introduced Lizbeth. "This is Lizbeth, our blacksmith, here to check your rod."
"Lizbeth, nice to meet you, Nishida-san!" she said cheerfully.
"Energetic young lady! Nice to meet you," Nishida said.
"Can I see your rod?" Lizbeth asked.
"Here it is. What do you think?" Nishida said.
"Let's see… A little maintenance, and it'll be fine. I'll lighten and reinforce it too," Lizbeth said.
"Nishida-san, I'm covering the cost," Hachiman said.
"No, that's too much, Hachiman-kun," Nishida said.
"In return, show us that Nuci in all its glory," Hachiman said.
"Kirito-kun's handling the reeling, but I'm pumped. I'll hook it for sure," Nishida said.
"Let's do this!" Lizbeth said.
Lizbeth swiftly tuned the rod, proving why Hachiman called her Aincrad's best blacksmith. Nishida swung it a few times, delighted like a kid. The sight warmed Hachiman, Asuna, and Kirito's hearts—Nishida's kind nature had that effect. With time before the Nuci's spawn, the five fished and enjoyed the bentos.
"How do I do this?" Lizbeth asked.
"Hey, Kirito, teach Liz how to fish," Hachiman said.
"Alright, Liz, over here," Kirito said.
"Okay!" Lizbeth said, scampering to Kirito.
Hachiman and Asuna, still new to fishing, managed to catch a few. Suddenly, a crowd of twenty to thirty players, all with rods, gathered.
"So many fishers…" Hachiman said, awestruck.
"The Nuci's famous among fishers. When it spawns, Aincrad's anglers flock here," Nishida said.
"Wow… getting fired up, Nishida-san?" Hachiman asked.
"You bet, Hachiman-kun! We're catching it!" Nishida said.
"Absolutely!" Hachiman said.
"Go for it, Nishida-san!" Asuna cheered.
"Thanks, Asuna-san. Can't lose now. Almost time," Nishida said.
At Nishida's cue, the fishers cast their lines in unison. Cheers erupted whenever someone hooked something, but the Nuci hadn't bitten yet.
"Usually, someone's rod catches it by now, and it's a party. Today's a bit slow," Nishida said.
"Really…?" Hachiman said, his gaze sharpening on a point in the river. "Nishida-san, see that fallen log over there?"
"Yup," Nishida said.
"I sense something huge. Not super strong, but massive," Hachiman said.
"Alright, I'll aim there," Nishida said.
Hachiman guided Nishida, who cast precisely at the spot. "Perfect, Nishida-san," Hachiman said.
"Just years of practice… Wait, this is…" Nishida said.
Something hit Nishida's rod, bending it sharply and jerking side to side.
"It's here!" Nishida shouted.
Hachiman turned to Asuna. "Get Kirito."
"Nishida-san, hold on until Kirito arrives," Hachiman said.
"Leave the wearing-down to me," Nishida said.
Fishers crowded around at Nishida's shout. Kirito and Lizbeth arrived, and Kirito switched with Nishida, gripping the rod.
"Nishida-san, guide me," Kirito said.
"Got it. Go for it, Kirito-kun," Nishida said.
"Yes!" Kirito said.
"Kirito, you got this!" Lizbeth cheered.
The fishers, eyes gleaming like kids, joined in cheering Kirito. Even with their support, the Nuci was tough—Kirito's strength struggled to reel it in. But with Nishida's precise instructions, Kirito weakened it. The Nuci's movements slowed, and it became visible nearing the shore. Just then, Hachiman got a message.
"A message now? Asuna, prep your weapon and stand by," Hachiman said.
"Got it," Asuna said.
As Hachiman checked the message, Nishida shouted, "Now, Kirito-kun!"
"Raaaah!" Kirito roared, yanking the rod.
A massive creature burst from the river—a rugged, axolotl-like fish with limbs and sharp teeth. The Nuci, with huge eyes, landed before Kirito and Nishida, glared, and charged at them with surprising speed.
"W-whoa!" Kirito yelped.
"Argh!" Nishida shouted, both scrambling away.
It wasn't strong, so Lizbeth laughed hysterically. Asuna stepped in front of them.
"Linear!" Asuna called, thrusting her rapier.
The Nuci fell easily, not disintegrating. Nishida erupted in joy, the crowd cheering wildly. Kirito high-fived Lizbeth. Hachiman, who'd been checking the message, was now beside Asuna, arm around her shoulder, watching the scene. As the cheers settled, Nishida shouted, "How about a group photo?"
Nishida had secured a record crystal for the occasion. They took a photo of everyone present, then one with Nishida, Hachiman, Asuna, Kirito, and Lizbeth using Hachiman's crystal. Afterward, a few fishers approached Asuna.
"You're the Flash, right? We're huge fans! Keep it up!" one said.
"You're married? Congrats!" another said.
"Uh, y-yes, thank you!" Asuna said, clinging to Hachiman's arm.
Teasing and congratulations followed, and Hachiman scratched his head, embarrassed. Kirito and Lizbeth watched from afar, but Hachiman beckoned them over.
"What's up?" Kirito asked.
"Didn't want to say it now, but our vacation's over," Hachiman said.
"What do you mean?" Kirito asked.
"Heathcliff just messaged. The Floor 75 boss room was found," Hachiman said.
"Damn…" Kirito said.
"A scouting party of twenty went in. Ten reached the center, but the door locked, and when it reopened, they were gone," Hachiman said.
"Ten dead? Confirmed?" Kirito asked.
"Yeah. It's a crystal-invalidating zone, and the door locks from both sides," Hachiman said.
"Trouble," Kirito said.
"Heathcliff wants you at headquarters," Hachiman said.
"Got it," Kirito said.
"Hachiman-kun, that means…" Nishida said, pained.
"Yeah, Nishida-san. Our vacation's done," Hachiman said.
"I'm so sorry, putting this burden on you…" Nishida said.
"It's okay. We're called the Big Four for a reason," Hachiman said.
"Kirito-kun too?" Nishida asked.
"Yup, he's one of them," Hachiman said.
Hachiman changed into his Knights of the Blood strategist uniform, announcing he'd make a statement. It was unlike him, surprising Asuna, Kirito, and Lizbeth. Seeing his resolve, Asuna and Kirito switched to their battle gear. The crowd murmured.
"That's the Knights' uniform, right?"
"I've seen Asuna's, but that other design's new."
"I saw it in a guidebook. That's the strategist uniform, never filled until now."
"Wait, that's…"
"The Black Sword, right? All in black."
Amid the buzz, Hachiman addressed the crowd.
"Sorry for the sudden speech. As you see, my wife Asuna and I are newlyweds, so our commander gave us a vacation, letting us join you today. But we just got word from him. The three of us—me, Silver Shadow, strategist of the Knights of the Blood; Asuna, the Flash, vice-commander; and Kirito, the Black Sword—end our vacation today to face the Floor 75 boss. With weapons forged by Aincrad's greatest blacksmith, Lizbeth, we'll fight for all of you and win. We'll free everyone from this world someday. Please support us until then."
It was a bold, uncharacteristic display from Hachiman, a sign of his growth. What would his Sobu High friends think? The crowd roared with cheers. Nishida, teary, shook hands with the four, promising a future reunion. They left for the Knights' headquarters, though Lizbeth headed to the secret base with a mission to gather the others.
"Since when do you make speeches, Hachiman?" Kirito asked.
"Seeing Nishida-san and everyone, I wanted to reassure them," Hachiman said.
"You were so cool, Hachiman-kun!" Asuna said, starry-eyed.
"My legs were shaking," Hachiman admitted.
"Still, you were amazing. My husband's the best," Asuna said.
"Glad you think so, but I was also hyping myself up. Honestly, I'm nervous about what's ahead," Hachiman said.
"Even perfect Hachiman's human, huh?" Lizbeth teased.
"Rude. I'm peak human," Hachiman said.
"Haha, there's the old Hachiman," Lizbeth said.
"Hey, my legs stopped shaking. You're something, Liz," Hachiman said.
Lizbeth looked a bit down. "That's all I can do."
Kirito stepped in. "Not true, Liz. Hachiman said it—we fight with your weapons. Without you, we wouldn't be here. Be proud."
"Exactly, Liz. We're all grateful," Asuna said.
"Got it! Floor 75's boss will be tough, but come back safe. Silica, Argo, and I will be waiting," Lizbeth said.
"You bet," Hachiman said.
"Leave it to us," Kirito said.
"We're off to headquarters. Liz, gather everyone as planned," Hachiman said.
"On it," Lizbeth said.
Thus, Hachiman and Asuna ended their vacation, returning to the battlefield.
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