Part 40: Mission 16 (Japan Route) - A Compromising Soul - Part 2
We still need to kill everything (both Lu Bu and Diaochan this time) but do note that while you don’t need to worry about Kouichi and Joe anymore, you still DO to make sure Soubi survives. And that can be a problem with all the fresh Armas, plus the two Shura. Rush your guys up, kill Yulianne ASAP (so that she doesn’t further weaken the Talisman) and make sure you keep a steady pace ahead of Soubi.
Also:
Secret Alert! SD Gundam Secret – 2nd step: once again, have Sun Quan shoot down Lu Bu.
Same tactics as before apply.
Fafner Mark Fünf (Mamoru Koudate)
Pilot Skills:
Synergetic Code L1
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L2
Spirit Commands:
Invincible
Vigor
Strike
Mech Features:
Gun
Aegis – negates any damage below 3000(!)
Siegfried System
Squad Bonus: Melee weapons +100, HP +500 (Melee weapons +200, HP +1000, Armor +125)
Mamoru’s voice actress: Mitsuki Saiga (other roles: Rossiu in TTGL, Revive in 00 Gundam, Jun in the Mazinkaiser OVA and many more)
Fafner Mark Acht (Kenji Kondo)
Pilot Skills:
Synergetic Code L2
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L2
All Attack L1
Spirit Commands:
Invincible
Focus
Mech Features:
Sword
Gun
Norn System
Siegfried System
Squad Bonus: Armor +100, EN +50 (Armor +150, EN +100, Exp +15%)
Kenji’s voice actor: Minoru Shiraishi (other roles: himself in Lucky Star, Taniguchi in Haruhi Suzumiya, and some more)
Fafner Mark Drei (Sakura Kaname)
Pilot Skills:
Synergetic Code L2
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L1
All Attack L1
Spirit Commands:
Fighting Spirit
Invincible
Focus
Mech Features:
Gun
Norn System
Siegfried System
Squad Bonus: Crit rate +10, melee weapons +100 (Crit rate +20, melee weapons +200, HP +1000)
Sakura’s voice actress: Satomi Arai (other roles: Fa and Haro in Z Gundam, Lala Hiyama in Knights of Sidonia, Kuroko Shirai in A Certain Magical Index and stuff, and several more)
The Mark Acht and Drei are mostly squaddie material, though rather high tier ones.
Kenji’s got the same Medusa cannons Koyo did, making him an easy fit with snipers. His Squad Bonus is geared towards units like the Hind, though the Acht hasn’t a whole lot of tricks beyond that. It just packs a decent punch.
Sakura’s the best pilot of the trio, with stats a step below Kazuki’s but with even better morale gains thanks to her
altered consciousness – pretty good for a non-protag. While the Drei’s a weaker unit than the other two, its Piram does carry the Mobility/Movement Down debuffs, which aren’t bad, and Sakura’s very crit-happy.GOUBINE, however, is the star here and the Mark Fünf is straight-up the best Fafner we have right now by a decent margin: a lot of armor, that beautiful Aegis, and surprisingly high attack power for a non-protag unit. For example, his Goubine Smash is only 200 points weaker than Kaido’s Gazanto, but the kicker is that the Fünf follows a B-type weapon upgrade path, while most protag units, if you remember, are C-types.
Mamoru’s got top morale gains, a lot of defense and all-around decent stats, too. The Fünf’s only major issue is that it’s somewhat lacking in range, but that also applies to many other units. The Synergetic Code already gives Mamoru an increase to Evasion and Accuracy, so the enemies will have a tough time doing lasting damage. You can also use Skill Parts to give Mamoru Prevail and/or Guard and it’ll take a big boss to even touch him.
I say these three are very easy to fit in any team, especially with that combined attack setting them pretty high in the damage ladder.
And speaking of that attack…
Secret Alert! Fafner secret #2 – 3rd and 4th step: we haven’t reached the 1st and 2nd steps route flags yet, but you can already do these. You have until stage 34 to use the Triple Dog Formation attack 5+ times (the event one doesn’t count) and until stage 37 to get 150 kills between Mamoru, Kenji and Sakura.
Pretty simple, really, so long as you remember to do their combo attack at least once every other mission. Kenji’s weak will gains can be a hindrance, but it’s nothing we can’t handle.
Now let’s rain hell on Yulianne and carve a path to Lu Bu.
SRW UX - Linebarrel
: Had your fun? I hope so, ‘cause you’re about to be on the receiving end of everything the Linebarrel’s got!
: Oh, my, you’re already healed up? Then I suppose I better answer in kind and give you a taste of everything my Tsubaki-hime’s got!
SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!
: Seems the cards up my sleeve trumped yours!
: Hmhmm… I’d taken you for just a random dunce, but I was wrong. You’re a somewhat competent dunce!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9LGHLVuesw
And, finally, I get the show off the DK for the Juuma’s best attack!
We get MORE Ishigami’s Deluxe Sushi from her!
: Tsk, things have really taken a turn for the worse…: Fine, I’ll let you have this one. See you later, honey!
: (The Katou Organization… Why do they want to destroy all Machinas? What for…?!) SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
SRW UX - Shadows that Rend Darkness
: Lepton Vectrer, output stable! Internal pressure, all green…!: Initiating counterattack!
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens
: (Shouko, Koyo… watch over us!): (And I promise I’ll drop some enemies for you guys too!)
SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit
: Joe risked his life to give us a shot at winning this… and I won’t let it go to waste!
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens
: Your wishes are all with me, Hazama, Kasugai – now and forever!: Mobile Samurai Goubine… FORWARD!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smIw8rflNBY
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens
: (This is so scary, mommy… Still, I…!): (I’ll fight as best I can… I gotta! For Shouko and Koyo!)
SRW UX - Linebarrel
: You goons got a whole lot to answer to after putting our friend through the wringer! Say your prayers!
: Come on, Deceive! We’ll pay them in full for what they did to Joe!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2DV2xdFWKg
Now for an attack showcase. Here’s Sakura’s best non-combined one…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wdkf0834RM
And Mamoru’s…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZCHYoQf3DI
And Kenji’s… second best. I’m pretty sure his Medusa looks the same as Koyo’s, but I couldn’t use it today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMZJaMQpsI4
Soubi had the bright idea of pursuing Lu Bu. The fool…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4tQlTroFvg
Finally, Diaochan’s Funnels.
Dynasty Warriors 6 - Theme of Lu Bu -DW Prime Mix-
: Wh-What kind of monster is he…?! All this bloodlust…!
: Hah… Do I frighten you? However, that fear shall not cease unless you take a stand and fight!: U-Uwaaaaaaaaah!
: You’re gonna be dealing with me now – and I won’t stop until you’re down on the dirt!
: Where did your previous bloodthirst go? If you truly wish to best me, then awaken the demon inside you!
: So you’re fighting not to protect something, but just to sate your own yearnings…?: What do you think you’ll find beyond all those battles?! Is there even anything?! : My soul is one with the fires of war! War and Life are synonyms in my eyes!
: Hahahah, yes, this is it! This battle is precisely that which I sought!: This thrill! This scorching excitement! It ignites—MY SOOOOUUUUL!!
: Stay vigilant, my friends! A clean hit from that attack will be deadly! Dynasty Warriors 6 - Theme of Lu Bu -DW Prime Mix-: I hope you’re ready for some pain! No one can handle me when I’m combined with Tobikage!: You have piqued my interest! Let us see the extent of the grand power that emerged from the void!
: I challenge you, Lu Bu!: You surprise me. I did not expect that mewling child to grow into a man of this stature…: However, it is still not enough. You are hardly your father and brother’s equal!
Lu Bu attacking: “I shall deliver you to your father and brother’s side!”
Sun Quan: “In the name of my father, Sun Jian, and my brother, Sun Ce! Your end is come, Lu Bu!”
Lu Bu drops a Mirishan Rice Ball (+10 Skill and Melee, +5 Evasion)
: Hahahah… I must commend you for rousing my soul to this point!: But you must grow even mightier! Much more! And when you do… I shall appear again!
: (Curse you, Lu Bu… I’ll yet avenge my family…!) SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: Away with you, young tigress! Or do you wish to lose your life for naught?
: Don’t you belittle me! I am also a proud Sun, the daughter of the Tiger of Jiangdong!
Shangxiang attacking: “So what you’re a Shura! You don’t scare me one bit!”
: Hrm… They are far mightier than I expected…! Forgive me, Fengxian!
: Pah! She’s only quick on her feet when it comes to running away!*Tobikage splits off!*
: All enemy units are gone! No further contacts detected!
: Oof… I was really worried there for a sec.
: …: Looks I was wrong about you people.: Soubi…: Please join me at my house. I’d like for us to speak again…Just one convo we missed because Joe couldn’t reach Yulianne before the Tobikage event:
: And just what are you planning to do by yourself, Mr. Nameless?: You wanna know? Fight me for real and you might find out, villains!
Back at Soubi’s place, our folks are treated to some mighty tasty food – it’s got Joe and Damian flipping out. Kindly old lady Kaoru tells everyone to have as much as they’d like, as there’s plenty to go around. Kouichi looks at the quiet Soubi and inches over to Domyoji, confused: he thought they were going to talk Machinas, not have just a regular old dinner.
Domyoji suggests he keep that stuff to himself for now – Soubi’s demeanor did a full 180 ever since Kaoru turned up. It’s possible he keeps the Machina stuff a secret from her. When Kaoru asks, Shizuna confirms that she’s from around Tokyo (Haneda, with the airport), which actually isn’t too far from where Kaoru was born.
Kaoru’s from Kamata herself, and remembers well growing in what used to be renowned as the film capital of Japan… but her tale is interrupted when a hacking cough sets in. Soubi rushes to her aid – this is why he’d asked her to keep resting. Still, Kaoru says she’s fine. “I haven’t felt joy like this in a long while. Please, just tonight…”
Over by the hot springs, our folks ponder this very strange village: a place that has a Machina worshiped as a demon and villagers that are martial artists on par with ninjas. To say nothing about Kaoru, someone not native to this place, and her caretaker, Soubi, the ONLY young person in the entire village.
Arnie remembers Domyoji saying something about there being a curse here? Yeah, but the more he’s pondering this, the more complicated things seem. He turns to Damian and asks if he found anything significant when he was sneaking around the place.
“Hmhmhm, I’m glad you asked! Yes, I did uncover a major secret!” Damian gloats – what could it be? “Now listen to this! The mountain behind this village has been worshiped as sacred for ages… but, at the foot of that mountain, there’s an open air Furo. And that Furo - drum roll please - has a sign written ‘Ladies’!”
As Arnie stares blankly, Joe’s starting to get a picture of what happened. Did Damian get caught because he was distracted peeking into the ladies’ bath? O-Okay, that’s enough questions for a day… besides, as Damian skillfully changes the subject, there’s something more important for them to consider! That is: our ladies are in that very Furo right now! Mamoru, Kenji and Kouichi stand at attention.
: Aah, the water’s just great. I’m feeling so refreshed…
: Um, I don’t know if I should ask this but… aren’t you worried about rusting or something?
: Rusting? Why?: O-Oh, never mind… Guess I was wrong…: If you say so. And, hey, did you girls see Joe and Ylbora today? They were both pretty cool, huh?
: Yeah… You know, they might always be at each other’s throats, but I think that, deep down, they respect one another.: That’s the impression I got from my late brother and Zhou Yu too… Ooh, this brings back memories…
: Hmmm, I've been working with those two for a while and, if you ask me, I really don’t see things being like that between them...
: …
: But, on that subject... Princess! Which one of them do you like best?: …?!: Wh-What…?! Where did that question come from?!
: Oho, looks like there’s something there, alright.: P-Please, I-I don’t like one over the other! They are both dear…: …: Hmm? Dear… what?: Th-That’s…!
: Come on, Shizuna! Can’t you see that she’s having a tough time with that?: Right; this isn’t the sort of thing where you can force an answer. Her heart will sort out how it feels on its own, and then she’ll know what she wants. : Well, who am I to disagree with you on that subject...: ?! Everyone shush! Did you hear something…?: Huh?! What is it…?: This sensation… This wild, uninhibited urge, like that of a wild beast…: C-Come on, don’t scare us like that. All bears and boars are hibernating at this time of the year, right?!
: D-Do you think it’s actually a ghost now…?!: Psh, everyone knows ghosts don’t exist! Here, let me handle this!: Behold, the deadly… KATENROU!!
*Craaaash!*
: EEEARRRGH!
: Hey… did you hear that? Sounded like someone dying way out in the distance…
: Ignore it. I’ve an inkling it’s just fools getting their just desserts.: Hey, kids, did you see Ylbora around?
: Ylbora? No, he didn’t come here…
: He’s not at the Elshank?: He was – looked like he got a call from someone. I wonder where he went…?: Do you think that scream just now was him…?: H-Huh…?!: … Nah, I doubt it. Ahahaha…
Location: Akoro’s Outskirts
: …: So glad you took my invitation, Ylbora…
: Hmph, what are you playing at, Grathan? Why did you call me out here?
: Hmhmhm… I just wanted to chat with the great Ylbora face-to-face. Even Emperor Annex acknowledges your skill as a warrior, you know.: Unfortunately for you, I am not here to talk. What I want is only one thing…*
*: And that is to kill you, Grathan!: And what will that get you, Ylbora? You’ve been fighting us out of your sworn duty to Planet Ladorio, but I’m afraid I’ve bad news: it’s gone. Planet Ladorio is no more!: Wh-What…?!: Heheheh, it’s true. The Boom Army launched an all-out assault and destroyed it! Yours and Princess Romina’s homeworld has been wiped from the face of the universe!: I-It can’t be…!: Oh, but there’s more: Emperor Annex The Boom is headed towards Earth, bringing all of his fleet along for the ride. : You’re a smart fellow, so I’m sure you know what that means.: …: So let me get straight to the point: bring Romina and surrender to us before this planet winds up just like Ladorio!: …?!: That is the only way you and your beloved princess can get through this with your lives!: You vermin…!: Heheheh… What will it be, Ylbora?: …: I… I…!