Momiji Inubashiri
Momiji Inubashiri's Fantasy Rebirth Story
On that day, I was playing shogi...
Just like always.
Well, I suppose it was a little different.
This time, I was determined not to lose.
Why, you ask?
Momiji
...
Momiji
I lost.
Because I was told I had to win...
By my dear friend...
Momiji Inubashiri.
I came out here because Momiji asked me to...
But what do I do now?
???
Miss PLAYER!
Momiji
Thanks for meeting me on such short notice.
Momiji
Did you have a hard time getting here? I wanted to show you the way myself, but...
Momiji! I was getting scared waiting all alone!
Don't worry. The other white wolf tengu helped me.
Momiji
Phew. Sounds like everything went as planned.
Momiji
I wasn't sure about asking my kin to guide you here. I'm just glad you didn't run into any trouble.
Momiji
(Like, seriously glad.)
What kind of trouble...?
Momiji
I-It's nothing. Forget I said anything!
Momiji
Right then, I'll show you the way from here. In fact, I'll carry you.
Momiji
Hold on tight!
Momiji
Here we are.
What a beautiful view!
Momiji
I'm glad you like it. This place was made so people on the outside can't see you, but you can see them.
W-Wow...!
Momiji
You seem tense.
Maybe a little. I heard humans aren't allowed here!
You told me to stay away from your hidden village.
Momiji
Hmm... I did, didn't I?
Momiji
Only special humans like the Hakurei shrine maiden can come here. Even then, she'd rarely be welcomed in.
So... why does that matter?
Has it got something to do with why I'm here?
Momiji
...
...Momiji?
Momiji
Hm, I think it'd be easier to explain―
(That's one big shogi board!)
Momiji
―with a game of tengu dai-shogi!
Momiji
Miss PLAYER...
Momiji
Let's play!
(Sounds like she's got a plan.)
You're on!
Momiji
Thank you.
Momiji
Here's to a clean game.
Momiji
Good luck!
(Her defense is stronger than ever!)
(I need to plan out my moves better... I know!)
How d'you like this?! *places piece*
Momiji
You moved your Witch to the center of the board!
Momiji
What an interesting move!
Momiji
I see you've realized I'm using a different strategy than usual.
Momiji
I want to show you the struggles I'm facing.
Momiji
And I figured playing like this would be the fastest way to do that.
Momiji
But in order for you to fully understand―
Momiji
―you'll need to beat me.
Momiji
So please, don't hold back.
Momiji
Do whatever it takes to win!
I'm not sure how winning will help me understand...
But if you say it will, then I have to win!
Momiji
I can't go easy on you. It won't work if I do.
Momiji
Ready? It's my move!
And after a hard-fought game...
...a winner finally emerged!
Momiji
...
Momiji
I lost.
I don't believe it...
...I won.
Momiji
That was incredible.
I must've gotten lucky.
We were dead even the entire match.
Momiji
No, it wasn't luck.
Momiji
I was using a new strategy based on the Nine Heavens' Fortress.
Momiji
In the Nine Heavens' Fortress strategy, you use your Kappa and Yamawaro pieces to set up a defense...
Momiji
But this time, I reinforced them with my White Wolf and Crow Tengu.
Momiji
I call it the Inubashiri Fortress.
*gulp* Inubashiri... Fortress!
Momiji
Teehee.
Momiji
However, there's a flaw in the strategy.
Momiji
The defense requires more pieces, which means it takes more time to set up.
Momiji
Ideally, you alter the formation as you go in response to your opponent's moves. But your Witch broke through.
Momiji
Just when I thought you were settling in for the long game, you sent your Shrine Maiden in to finish me off.
Momiji
If I had to give your strategy a name, it would be...
Momiji
...The Wily Witch & Swift Shrine Maiden Assault.
Momiji
If things aren't looking good, you could even transition into the Oni-Horned Shrine Maiden or the Witch's Cross.
Momiji
Your pieces glided across the board, swooping down to strike where I was weakest, like a dragon hunting sheep in the field.
Momiji
Your victory was anything but luck.
Momiji
Which is why the record of this game―
Momiji
―is so very important.
So that's why you called me here...?
Momiji
Yes, because of the Lost Word Incident.
(It can't be!)
Momiji
Do you know what's been happening on the Youkai Mountain lately?
Momiji
Certain youkai have taken a keen interest in you...
Momiji
And it's beginning to seem like conflict is inevitable.
No way!
Momiji
The whole mountain now knows the Lost Word Incident is approaching.
Momiji
Independent societies like us tengu and the kappa have been able to maintain order...
Momiji
But there have been unsettling reports of the other youkai and some of the wild gods gathering.
Yikes...!
Momiji
I'm talking about youkai who don't belong to our tengu society, youkai that despise us...
Momiji
And wild gods with a proclivity for violence.
Momiji
They're reckless. And what's worse, none of them are particularly fond of you.
Momiji
Some even believe you to be the cause of the incident.
Momiji
The youkai who you've befriended have been helping me talk to the others and keep them under control...
Momiji
But we can't keep it up forever. By their nature, youkai attack humans and are deeply uncooperative.
So it's me causing the conflict on the mountain...
Momiji
...
Isn't there something I can do to help?
I want to protect Gensokyo...
Momiji
Currently, the only ones aware of this issue are me with my clairvoyance and the white wolf tengu in the patrol squad.
Momiji
But word will soon spread. And when it does, I can't be sure how the tengu society elites will react.
Maybe I should just leave Gensokyo...
...Is there really nothing I can do?
Momiji
I knew you'd say that.
Momiji
And the answer lies in our match from earlier.
Is this... the game record?
Momiji
Take a look at my Inubashiri Fortress.
Momiji
The general is at the top, stood firm with their troops placed below.
The formation almost looks like a mountain.
Momiji
Exactly. This is the strategy I foresaw using my clairvoyance.
Momiji
It's a simulation of how the youkai who oppose us will fight.
Momiji
Which is where your Wily Witch & Swift Shrine Maiden Assault comes in.
Momiji
It will be the key to stopping the youkai unrest that will surely occur as a result of the Lost Word Incident.
Momiji
And your victory today proves that if you and your allies work together, it can succeed.
So you were testing my strategy?!
Momiji
It allows the witch and shrine maiden to attack while having the ability to call in backup, should the battle drag on.
Momiji
If you use all your pieces―no, all your friends―you can determine the outcome of this conflict.
Momiji
This game record is proof of that.
Momiji
I'll do all I can to help you pull it off. If I show the tengu society elites the record, they should support us.
Momiji
I'll make sure you and your friends are able to work together―
Momiji
―and keep any troublemakers out of your way.
Momiji
I'll do whatever it takes to ensure your safety.
Thanks. It's good to know you have my back.
Momiji
I know I can protect you.
Momiji
After all, protecting things is what white wolf tengu do best!
...Momiji, before I forget, I have something for you.
Momiji
What is it?
Momiji
Is this a gift from the secret god?
Open it. I'm sure it'll suit you.
Momiji
What a wonderful dress! I'm not sure why I'm receiving it now, but I couldn't be happier!
Momiji
Thank you, Miss PLAYER. And please thank the secret god for me too.
Momiji
...There's a note in here.
Momiji
"I spare no expense to support those who protect Gensokyo."
Momiji
With my clairvoyance, I thought I had to warn you about the coming unrest...
Momiji
That's why I did what I did. But it seems the secret god is way ahead of me. I've been well and truly outdone.
Momiji
It sounds like a battle formation centered on you is already being devised... but for a greater purpose.
Momiji
I wonder if I'm fulfilling my role.
I'm sure you're an important part of the plan.
Momiji
Miss PLAYER...
Momiji
Thank you for today. I know what I have to do now.
Glad to hear it!
Momiji
Teehee. OK, I'll take you back to Hakurei Shrine.
Momiji
Hold on tight!
Wh-Whoaaa!
Momiji
Right now, I'm sure―
Momiji
―you're the one I need to protect!
Costume Presentation
Momiji
Some tengu don't think much of humans, but I've decided to report to my superiors... that everything's fine. You, along with Reimu and the others, will resolve this incident. You're a skilled general, after all. But you won't win our next match!
