The Delinquent's Grand Order

Dragon vs. Oni Island

"Keiji-dono."

"Yes?"

"Before we go forward with our plans, there is still something that we must go forward with. Our established roles for this adventure."

Keiji held back his sigh, well aware what she was referring to. "Is it to do with Momotarou and his companions?"

Ushiwakamaru nodding. "That's exactly right. While I am safe with my role as the dog, we still have not decided who is the pheasant and who the monkey may be. It may very well prove important going through Onigashima to keep these in mind."

"I mean, I can't be the only one who thinks that Mash can fit the role of a dog. She is loyal to her Master," Romani commented.

"Doctor, I am very tempted to hit you with my shield. I'll have to decide whether or not I want to use the blunt end or not," she threatened, making him quick to retract the statement. That made things easy for Ushiwakamaru, who could now focus on passing on the next two roles to Kotarou and Kintoki.

Mash shrugged her shoulders as Kotarou inquired about the necessity of this, but that was just the right amount of attention being brought onto him for Ushiwakamaru to push her focus onto the ninja. "Don't tell me I have to do it as well?" Mash asked. "I'm just Keiji-senpai's Servant."

"I understand that, but would you not be good as the pheasant?"

Kotarou stepped forward. "Ushiwakamaru. I don't mind taking that role. I do think that being a pheasant would suit me quite well."

Ushiwakamaru took a moment to think it, a cutesy look as she juggled the options. "Yes. I can see it in you. A fleet-footed ninja like you would very well be able to glide from place to place, reach great heights with calmness, even through blizzards. Then you will be the pheasant. I suppose that leaves Kintoki being the monkey."

"Hold it just a moment," Kintoki told her.

"Guess even golden has its limits," Romani commented.

"Is it because you also share the role of Momotarou? I suppose implementing a double Momotarou system might be needed since Master is already Momotarou."

'I'm not even going to bother continuing with this conversation,' Keiji thought, allowing Mash to be his secretary of speech in case anyone called out to him before Ushiwakamaru's madness finished.

Kintoki cleared her concerns being himself. "I ain't got no problem with being a monkey. I was raised in the mountains, it's more fitting actually. I remember some golden strong monkeys, would do sumo from time to time."

"The life of Sakata Kintoki is an interesting one," Mash commented, with Romani and Kotarou in agreement whilst Ushiwakamaru had no need to further usurp leadership with the roles all cemented.

***

Making their way to the first gate, the sight of a nodachi put them on guard as a samurai appeared to block them. Majestic purple hair came down him, tied up elegantly so as to not allow the nodachi to be swept up in his battle.

"A Servant? It does make sense that this would be the opponent to face."

The samurai stepped up. "Before we talk, I must announce myself. I am Sasaki Kojiro. I was hired by the oni of this region to slay the evil bird that shoots beams from its beak. I don't understand how they fall under the same category of swallows and pheasants being related. Still, who is the pheasant among your group?" he asked.

'Is that really Sasaki Kojiro? The famous rival of Miyamoto Musashi? Well, he's not a girl, so I guess he might have some basis to him. Still, I can't help but think something funny is with him.'