Why did Hikigaya save the anime girls in Sword Story?

"Please continue to be kind to me, Asuna."

"Well, please give me your guidance from now on, Hachiman-kun."

Their lips gently pressed together under the starry night, with only the program-generated inorganic sky as witness to this moment.

SAO: Chapter 77 Vacation Ends, Urgent Communication

The next morning, we spent a leisurely time at the hot spring hotel.

Hachiman received a message from Nishida, and after reading it, he immediately summoned Kirito and Lisbeth.

"I'm so sorry for calling you two out two days in a row."

"That's nothing, but what happened?"

"Even I was called here, it doesn't seem like a small matter?"

“That begins to explain.”

Hachiman began to explain the reason for gathering the two people today to the slightly nervous people.

"Actually... Mr. Nishida sent me information today saying that the Pond Master King is about to spawn."

"Who is Mr. Nishida?"

"It's an old acquaintance I recently reunited with, the Fishing Master."

"what!"

Kirito reacted to this.

"Is Mr. Nishida the kind-looking man, about fifty years old, who often fishes on this floor?"

"Yes, you also know the people from the Tong III Division, the Phosphorus 7 Er 2 Division, Ba Si/-?"

"Yeah, we used to go fishing together a lot."

"Anyway, this fishing master, Mr. Nishida, sent a distress signal. It seems the King of Pond Owners is about to spawn today."

"The King of Pond Owners...is he a fisherman of the Three-legged Land System?"

Hachiman nodded in response to Kirito's question.

"While hooking seems to rely entirely on fishing skill, reeling in the line requires strength. Mr. Nishida can hook the fish, but he can't reel it in. Now, you should understand why I called Kirito, right?"

"You mean, after Mr. Nishida hooks the fish, I'll take over and reel in the fishing rod?"

"exactly."

"Hachiman, can't you?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure either. I want to make sure everything goes well this time."

"I see......"

"I see. What about my mission?"

"I'd like to ask Liz to maintain Mr. Nishida's fishing rod. Of course, I'll pay for it. It would be even better if I could strengthen it at the same time."

"learn."

"By the way, Asuna and I will be in charge of the cheering and lunch boxes."

"I'm making a bento now!"

Asuna's voice came from the kitchen.

“It’s like a picnic.”

“That’s actually the case.”

"But the King of the Pond Owner... This is the first time I've seen a fishing-type boss."

"What will we catch?"

"My blood is boiling. I want to give it a try with my own fishing rod."

"Oh, go ahead and give it a try."

"You two look like you're having a lot of fun."

"Any man would be moved by looking at the fish encyclopedia."

"That's it..."

After Asuna prepared her lunch, the four of them set off for the fishing spot designated by Nishida.

"Mr. Nishida~"

"Hachiman-kun! Hey, Kirito-kun is here too. Long time no see."

"Long time no see, Mr. Nishida."

"I didn't realize Hachiman-kun and Kirito-kun were friends."

"I was also shocked when I heard that Mr. Nishida and Hachiman knew each other."

"This is fate."

"Indeed."

Hachiman nodded and began to introduce Lisbeth.

"This is Lisbeth, the blacksmith hired specifically to maintain Mr. Nishida's fishing rod."

"I'm Lisbeth! Hello, Mr. Nishida!"

"What a lively girl! Thank you for your guidance, Miss Lisbeth."

"Okay, can I see the rod first?"

"This is it, what do you think?"

"Then I'll check it out first... A little maintenance should be fine, and I'll also try to lighten and strengthen it."

"Ah, Mr. Nishida, I'll pay for it."

"How can this be so embarrassing, Hachiman-kun."

"It's okay, it's okay. In exchange, please let us see the true face of the King of the Pond."

"I'll have to ask Kirito-kun to take care of the fishing line, but I'm definitely going to get it to take the bait this time!"

"Okay, let's work hard together today!"

Lisbeth quickly finished adjusting Nishida's fishing rod, worthy of being the chief blacksmith of Aincrad recognized by Hachiman.

Nishida tried swinging the fishing rod a few times and shouted "Great" like a child. The three people watching this scene felt warm in their hearts, which must be due to Nishida's personal charm.

There is still some time before the King of Pond Owners refreshes, so the five of them are leisurely fishing and enjoying their lunch boxes.

"How do I do this?"

"Hmm... Hey~ Kirito, teach Liz how to fish."

"Okay, Liz, come over here."

"Ok!"

Lisbeth happily ran towards Kirito. Hachiman and Asuna, though new to the game, were fishing quite well.

Soon a crowd of about twenty or thirty people suddenly gathered around, all holding fishing rods.

“I didn’t expect there would be so many fishing enthusiasts…”

Hachiman said with emotion.

"The King of Pond Owners here is very famous among anglers. Every time it refreshes, anglers from all over Aincrad gather here."

"I see. Your blood is boiling, Mr. Nishida."

"Yes, Hachiman-kun! I'm definitely going to catch it this time!"

"Ok!"

"Mr. Nishida, please keep going!"

"Thank you, Asuna-san. We must not lose this time. Ah, time is almost up."

Before he finished speaking, the anglers all swung their rods towards the river. Every time someone took the bait, there was a cheer, but no one ever caught the king of the pond owners.

"Strange, usually around this time someone would catch the Pond Master King and cause a commotion, but it seems a little late today."

"Is that so... huh?"

Suddenly, Hachiman's sharp eyes locked onto a certain part of the water surface, as if he had noticed something.

"Mr. Nishida, do you see that fallen tree-like thing over there?"

"Ah."

"There's a huge aura coming from over there. Although it's not strong, its size is astonishing."

"Okay, let's try aiming there."

"clear."

As soon as Hachiman finished speaking, Nishida accurately dropped the bait into the designated spot.

"As expected of Mr. Nishida, perfect."

"No, after all, I've been fishing for so many years... Wait, this is..."

Nishida's fishing rod suddenly bent violently and swung wildly from side to side.

“Here it comes——!”

Amidst Nishida's shouts, Hachiman asked Asuna to call Kirito.

"Mr. Nishida, please hold on until Kirito arrives."

"Leave it to me. I can still do it even if it consumes my physical strength."

More and more anglers gathered after hearing the noise. When Kirito and Liz arrived, Kirito took over the fishing rod.

"Mr. Nishida, please give me detailed instructions."

"Understood, keep going, Kirito-kun!"

"Yes!"

"Kirito! Come on!"

Lisbeth cheered loudly, and the other anglers also cheered with shining eyes like the teenagers.

With the support of everyone and the guidance of Nishida, Kirito gradually consumed the physical strength of the Pond Master King. Finally, the Pond Master King's movements became slow and he was visibly approaching the shore.

At this time, Hachiman received the message.

"I'm sorry to hear this at this time, Asuna. Prepare your weapons and stand by."

"clear."

Suddenly Nishida shouted:

"Right now, Kirito-kun!"

"Oooo!"

The moment Kirito pulled his rod with all his might, a massive creature leaped out of the river—a bizarre fish, the king of pond dwellers, with limbs resembling a giant salamander. Its eyes were wide and its mouth was filled with sharp teeth. It landed and immediately pounced swiftly at Nishida and Kirito.

"Whoa whoa whoa!"

"Ahhh!"

Nishida fled in a hurry, Kirito also retreated reflexively, and Liz burst into laughter when she saw that the King of the Pond Masters was not strong. At this time, Asuna stood in front of the monster with great spirit.

Linear Thrust

The beloved sword was sent lightly, and the King of the Pond Master fell to the ground. It seemed that he would not disappear.

“Success—————!”

Nishida's cheers set the entire crowd ablaze. Kirito and Liz high-fived in celebration, while Hachiman, unknowingly, had his arm around Asuna's shoulders, contemplating the scene.