Sitting together in Homura Akemi's home, Madoka and the others listened silently to the "struggle" Kyoko Sakura spoke of.
Although it wasn't the complete story, just a part of it was enough to make everyone listen as if in a dream.
"That truly is a miracle; a dead person coming back to life just like that."
"Much more honest than this guy."
Kyoko reached out to poke at Kyubey, who was hiding behind the sofa, and remarked.
"Dragon Ball War..."
"Those with a strong will for wishes will be selected?"
"Victory until the end... then any wish can be granted..."
Muttering in a low voice, Homura Akemi's hands trembled slightly.
Regarding Kyoko Sakura's encounter, she suddenly felt deeply envious.
'If only I had been selected...'
In that case, she would definitely be able to free Madoka from this endless "reincarnation".
"Heh, speaking so proudly, but didn't you lose, Kyoko?"
"Shut up! At least I didn't come back empty-handed."
"Haha, yeah, you even made a friend. That person named Jonouchi must be a really good guy."
Hearing Madoka's happy voice at the end, Homura Akemi's mood also gradually calmed down.
This time, facing "Walpurgisnacht"... perhaps this was the timeline with the greatest chance.
"Sayaka Miki", who should have died, was still alive. She was even no longer restricted by the Soul Gem and could use magical power freely.
Kyoko Sakura didn't die alongside her either...
Counting her in, there were at least three Magical Girls present. With the combined power of three, defeating Walpurgisnacht was not impossible.
'Setting other things aside for now, I must seize this opportunity!'
Even if she wasn't selected for the war, Homura Akemi realized the excellent timing before her.
The final outcomes in past reincarnations always ended with only her and Madoka facing Walpurgisnacht...
Repeatedly unavoidable contracts led her to struggle back to the past time and time again, attempting to change the fact of Madoka becoming a Magical Girl.
But now, it was different...
The combat power she could rely on had added "Sayaka Miki" and "Kyoko Sakura".
This time, with the power of three... they could definitely avoid the future where Madoka becomes a Magical Girl!
"Ah, Jonouchi's cards are really magical."
"If I had known earlier, I would have asked for one more. Maybe I could have even resurrected Mami."
With her hands behind her head, legs crossed in a very unrefined sitting posture, Kyoko Sakura spoke regretfully.
"You really are greedy."
"Remember to appreciate others' kindness properly."
"No need for you to tell me!"
"Katsuya Jonouchi... pfft, I kind of want to meet him too."
The haze dispersed. Except for Homura Akemi, the few people present felt surprisingly relaxed.
"Mn..."
Kyubey tilted its head, pondering for a moment.
The story described by Kyoko Sakura was a bit too magical for them to comprehend.
Although relying on contracts could also realize wishes, Kyubey operated on the principle that "Miracles and Magic are not free".
That is, after becoming a Magical Girl, although wishes could be granted, a corresponding price must be paid.
But an existence capable of granting wishes unconditionally and without any side effects...
That was truly concerning...
Want to observe... Want to analyze... Want to control...
Conditions...
Considering the premise of "being selected," Kyubey turned its gaze to Homura Akemi, subsequently forming a bold plan and idea.
Previously, because of Sayaka Miki's abnormal situation, they judged that similar states of affairs should be severed immediately.
After all, once Magical Girls couldn't become Witches, the collection of so-called energy became empty talk.
This was behavior harmful to the universe...
But now, knowing that was just an accidental event and not the norm, they didn't care as much.
On the contrary, the described "Dragon Ball War" made Kyubey want to observe even more.
Need to choose a spokesperson...
With bodies and consciousness like theirs, they couldn't intervene directly. So the best way was to let a certain existence replace Kyubey to go.
And Kyubey had already thought of a suitable target.
Homura Akemi...
This girl had an incomparable obsession with Madoka Kaname. As long as they guided and utilized her well, sooner or later they could make contact with the "Dragon Ball War" through her.
Its tail swayed gently; the policy they had followed all along began to adjust.
...
Bang!
"Sayaka, it went to your side!"
"Roger!"
Just like in the past, performing Witch extermination daily. But this time, Kyoko Sakura and Sayaka Miki coordinated perfectly and solved it easily.
"The more you use magic, the closer you will approach Witch Transformation, won't you?"
"Clearly you could have left it to me. Just watching from the side is fine."
"Hmph! You aren't almighty either. If you accidentally let the Witch start hurting people, it would be too late."
Knowing the other party was worrying about her, Kyoko Sakura pretended to be indifferent.
"You really... can't you be a bit more honest?"
Knowing Kyoko Sakura was being tsundere, Sayaka said helplessly.
Witches indeed occasionally appeared as very strong entities, but currently, Sayaka could handle most of them alone.
Especially under the influence of having no Soul Gem, Sayaka didn't have the previous psychological pressure anymore.
Instead, Kyoko Sakura was the one who made her unable to rest assured.
If the other party kept acting like this, sooner or later, she would also transform into a Witch.
But taking such risks, also helping her from time to time... she could only say Kyoko's heart was really too good.
Knowing the other party wasn't willing to let her fight alone, Sayaka also didn't want to watch helplessly as Kyoko followed in her footsteps.
This girl who once tried to save her... how could she let her experience that kind of pain too?
"Mn?"
"Promise!"
"Hah? Promise?"
Looking at the hand stretched out by Sayaka, Kyoko Sakura didn't understand what it meant for a moment.
"Currently, neither you nor Homura Akemi have any way to avoid that fate... but I won't sit by and watch."
"Even the late Mami-san... I also want to save her!"
"Hah? What exactly are you trying to say?"
"In short...!!"
"This time, it's my turn to save you all!!"
"With the identity of a true Magical Girl!"
Hearing this, Kyoko Sakura froze in place. She finally understood the mindset Sayaka Miki was living with now.
"Just you wait. I will prove it. That whatever Dragon Ball War..."
"Sooner or later, I will go too! At that time, I will definitely come back with the wish to save everyone."
Seeing that Sayaka was so firm and serious, Kyoko Sakura turned her head away and didn't refute anything.
"Idiot..."
"What's the use of thinking so much now? That's not something you can participate in just by saying so."
"Rather than considering that, you might as well think carefully about how to defeat the future Walpurgisnacht."
The corners of her mouth raised slightly. Very happy that Sayaka had such intentions, Kyoko Sakura changed the subject.
She didn't veto or pour cold water on the idea. She understood Sayaka's psychology at this moment very well.
Just like her at the beginning—after being called, without considering the consequences at all, she had plunged headlong into it.
Fortunately, the final result was good. She made new friends and also came back with a gift capable of fulfilling a "wish".
"..."
On the high building, Homura Akemi looked down at the two from above, unknown thoughts running through her mind.
And on her shoulder, Kyubey was tilting its head and wagging its tail.