Nobita's Time Heist

"Okay... let me confirm first, you have a weapon, right?"

"..." The Autobot let out a mocking sound, stretched out his hands, and two pistols automatically transformed from his body, which, from a human perspective, looked no different from two cannons. The compressed plasma gleamed in the barrels, emitting an icy blue light.

He practically got such overwhelming combat power for free by spending five thousand US dollars; only he could have done that.

"Okay, there are people chasing us outside. Please, help me drive them away." Da Xiong specifically instructed, "Just make a show of it and scare them away."

A hint of confusion flashed in the blue optical lens, but in the end, perhaps it was the nature of military products that made him choose to obey orders and nod his large head.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Dutch, three minutes are up, come out... don't make things too ugly." Milton timed it perfectly, and seeing the sudden silence inside the villa, a bad feeling rose in his heart. "At this point, you're not going to stand me up again, are you?"

"Dach??"

He waved his hand, signaling the people behind him to come closer.

However, after witnessing Dutch's incredible marksmanship, everyone was afraid of being the first to get shot in the head. After hesitating for a long time, no one dared to step forward. Finally, Agent Ross, eager to make a name for himself, snorted and quickly ran up the stairs. He tilted his head, pressed his ear against the door, and tried to figure out what was going on inside.

then……

"Thump—!!"

A tremendous force erupted from within, smashing the door panel away. Poor Agent Ross was not spared either, flying ten meters away with the door panel and landing headfirst in the small river next to Shedi Belle.

Milton's pupils dilated instantly, and he stood there stunned, unsure how to react.

A monster.

A giant of steel rolled out of the villa, providing the group of Pinkerton detectives from 1899 with an unparalleled visual experience. With their existing worldview, they simply couldn't comprehend what this thing was; this enormous, metallic-gleaming body seemed far removed from the traditional concept of a demon.

How did he suddenly appear out of Dutch's lair? Were those incredible attacks just now also his doing?

"boom!"

Unable to contain their fear, someone fired the first shot.

"when!!"

With a crisp crack, the bullet struck him and bounced off without leaving even a scratch. It was as if the revolver barrel was filled not with bullets, but with gummy candies.

"Roar------!!"

He let out a metallic, guttural voice perfectly befitting the stereotypical "monster," and fired a volley of shots into the open space. The compressed plasma slammed into the ground, sparks flying, turning everything instantly charred as if struck by lightning. Trees, rocks, fences... whatever the material, everything that touched that lightning-like light was reduced to a pile of charcoal.

Why would Milton need to issue any orders? Anyone who dares to use this thing again must be getting paid a fortune a month!

"monster----!!!"

After a round of deterrent firing, the scene was chaotic, with people scrambling to escape for their lives, fearing they would be too late.

After the second round of shooting, although the Autobot who faithfully followed orders still hadn't actually wounded a single person with his pistol, the large group of Pinkerton detectives had scattered like birds and beasts, leaving only a mess behind.

……

Arthur cautiously pushed open the door and checked several times. All the Pinkerton detectives had disappeared. The impenetrable encirclement they had just faced seemed to have never existed.

“No matter what happens today, I won’t be surprised… Is this thing alive?” Arthur glanced at the heavily armed steel warrior beside him, showing no fear, but even a bit of excitement. He immediately took out his notebook from his satchel and sketched it. “How did it go from… that shape to what it is now?”

"It was just simple hypnosis. I made him believe he was a Transformer, that's all." Nobita patted his metal thigh and pondered, "What should I name you...?"

"What are you talking about?" Asur couldn't understand at all. "The hypnotic horn's effects will wear off soon, and then it will turn back into that outdated old jeep. What's the point of giving it a name?"

"Ugh... Luh..."

The large man spoke in a low, somewhat deep voice, and his clearly metallic face displayed an emotion described as "discomfort." It was evident that he fully understood human language, but was unable to express his own will.

"What kind of talk is that? He's alive, and he just did us such a big favor, didn't you see?" Nobita said seriously. "Maybe he only lives for a day, half a day, or even just a week, but as long as he's willing to believe he's a Transformer, then he's an independent life. We should give him a name."

Asur stared at him blankly for a long time, as if looking at a monster, then turned his head away and muttered under his breath, "Nonsense..."

"But since I have to choose a name anyway, I'd like one with a Western theme. This is really giving me a headache~~~"

"How about we call it 'US Dollar'?" Arthur said, half-jokingly. "I've lost everything I own, so I should at least have something to remember it by, right?"

……

Nobita and Asur exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat surprised.

"Wait a minute, I was just kidding. Such a powerful character shouldn't have such a tacky name! It should at least be something like 'Western Legend,' 'Midnight Death Knell,' or 'Dreamcatcher,' right?!"

"What are you talking about, Arthur? Isn't this a great name? The West, the wilderness, America, and all those other elements are there!" Nobita's eyes lit up with excitement. "It's decided! You'll be called America!"

“ku~~~lululu——!”

Overjoyed at receiving his new name, the US dollar raised his hands and fired several shots in celebration.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

No one realized it, not even its creator. At that moment, a completely new and different species, independent of Earth's ecosystem, was born so casually.

Chapter 37: After Doraemon left, I became Doraemon!

"It's so cold...so cold!"

Upon arriving at the snow-capped mountain again, Asur rubbed her hands together, constantly breathing on her palms to warm them. Even though Da Xiong had used the "Clothes Changing Camera" to add a thick layer of winter clothing for her, the little girl didn't seem to be very resistant to the cold. After standing there for a while, her nose turned red from the cold, and she couldn't help but ask, "Are you serious? You're going to build them houses on the snow-capped mountain? Even if you're being a good Samaritan... there should be a limit, right?"

Amidst the stark white backdrop, Nobita, clad in a thick blue cotton-padded coat, gazed into the distance, his eyes darting back and forth among several large forests of varying distances. Arthur, meanwhile, circled the pink Anywhere Door, his expression a numbness born from utter astonishment.

This high-tech contraption would confuse even a 21st-century person, let alone a cowboy living in 1899. He kept stepping in and out of the door, having given up trying to understand its principles, simply treating it as some kind of magical prop. No one wanted to expose the magic; everyone willingly accepted being fooled and believing in this incredible thing.

"Don't you like building houses?" Nobita's tone was eager, like a child seeing snow for the first time and ready to show off his skills on the snow. "It's really fun! I once built a house with water, although the whole process had nothing to do with me... but the moment it was completed, I felt an amazing sense of accomplishment. Maybe that's what... what did Suneo call it again?"

"DIY?" Asur rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Yes, that's the fun of DIY!" Nobita nodded with a smile.

“Ah~~~ You didn’t understand what I meant. I meant…” Asur glanced back and saw that Arthur’s attention was still on the Anywhere Door, so he lowered his voice and whispered, “You don’t need to care about these people at all.”

"Why?" Nobita's smile remained calm. Rather than answering a question, he seemed more like a patient and encouraging teacher. "Because they are bandits?"

"No, because they are all dead!"

Asur asserted, “To us, they are all people living in the past. No matter how much effort you put in, they are all destined to die. The end is predetermined; it’s just a matter of how to complete the journey. Even if you can help one or two, there may be many more Arthur Morgans out there, swept away by the tides of time, leaving not even ashes behind.”

……

The two strolled to the edge of a dense forest, where a few inches of sunlight peeked through the clouds and fell precisely on Nobita's shoulder. In winter, coupled with the snowflakes swirling like diamonds, he looked like a serene statue.

Which era did you visit earliest?

"...Huh?" Asur thought he had misheard and took a long time to process what he was trying to ask.

"Weren't you a scavenger before? You must have traveled through different eras, right?" Nobita asked patiently again, "So, Asur-chan, which country and era did you visit first?"

Seeing his serious expression, Asur thought for a few seconds before replying, "If I had to say, it would be around 206 BC, right?"

"My earliest journey was to Japan 7 years ago," Nobita said calmly. "Me, Gian, Suneo, Shizuka, and Doraemon... the five of us ran away from home for the first time ever, wanting to go to a land where no humans had ever lived, to live our happy days."

"You wouldn't believe it, would you? It turns out that humans already existed 7 years ago, albeit in primitive tribes. We spent a few days with a tribe called the 'Light Clan.' Their living conditions were extremely difficult. On snowy days, the only things they had for warmth were thatch and animal hides. Everyone had endless work to do every day. The women had to gather wild fruits and collect edible crops from the ground; the men had to hunt to provide enough food for the tribe, and even the children did the same."

"No TV programs, no comics, no cell phones. It was this kind of poor and hard life that continued from generation to generation, which is why we are who we are today."

Da Xiong stroked the bark of a maple tree, gently caressing it, and then pressed it twice, as if to test whether it could bear the weight.

"It's strange. Primitive people also had 24 hours in a day, just like us, and even worked harder than us to live, yet we felt nothing about it. At that time, writing had not yet been invented, and the only remnants we could see were the murals carved on the cave walls."

"At a glance, countless people's long lives have passed by my eyes."

He pulled the Robinson Drifters from his pocket, turned halfway around, and stared at Asur.

"The rise and fall of a gang may not even leave a mark in history books. But for gang members who are caught in the torrent of historical change, this is the life they have lived. They are not data or background, but living, breathing people."

"If I have the ability to help even just one or a few of them, to change their terrible fate and live a better, more stable life than they do now, I will definitely do it. Because..."

Da Xiong nodded to her, revealing a warm, spring-like smile.

“A long time ago, someone helped me in the same way.”

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Osaka Castle, Tenshukaku (castle tower).

Nobushige built antler-like structures around the castle, dug deep trenches, and cut openings in the walls so that musketeers could use the walls as cover to suppress the soldiers who had finally broken through the antler-like structures. He himself led a light cavalry unit out of the side gate, charged into the enemy ranks, and decisively defeated the Tokugawa army.

The castle remained unconquered after a prolonged siege, and coupled with Nobushige's formidable reputation, the morale of the Tokugawa forces began to waver. The war once again entered a stalemate, while the ronin and samurai within the castle saw an opportunity to turn the tide. As the tide turned, even late at night, Osaka Castle remained brightly lit and filled with cheers.

Unnoticed by anyone, two figures, taking advantage of the moonlight, tumbled up and down the majestic roof of the castle tower as if it were empty, and with a few leaps, they reached the top of the tower.

"Wow!! Awesome... This souvenir is so useful!" Fat Tiger took the scroll he had been holding in his mouth, his jaw chattering with excitement. "Suneo, we've hit the jackpot!"

"Shizuka's room is upstairs." Suneo, completely unimpressed by the whole setup, said irritably, "We didn't need to start from the first floor at all..."

"What do you know! Jumping from the lowest point all the way up to the rooftop, leaping to the highest point of the attic, that's what a ninja is all about! Haha, I've wanted to try that for ages!" Fat Tiger excitedly swung his fists twice in the air. "It's exactly like the scene in my dreams!"

"Thanks to these two [Advanced Ninjutsu Scrolls] brought back from Ninja Planet, hmm, let me take a look..."

Suneo focused his gaze on the lower right corner of his field of vision. The advanced ninjutsu that should have been learned through arduous training were now all "unlocked," giving him a strange sense of satisfaction, like after losing a cheat code.

His gaze swept downwards, as if he had seen something extraordinary.

"What the heck is this 'Flying Thunder God'?"

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Ninja's Dynamic Vision!

On a moonlit night with few stars and a gentle breeze, a group of friends and Nobita boarded a train from the Galactic Railway for what seemed like their umpteenth unforgettable adventure. Then, predictably, they found their place on a remote amusement planet, where they defeated a tiny enemy from the galaxy—a parasite.

This adventure certainly left Nobita with many memorable scenes and showed everyone just how much potential he could unleash when pushed to the brink... But, logically speaking, Gian and Suneo didn't lose out either.

After the adventure, to recognize their contributions, the organizers let each of them choose a souvenir: Nobita received the "Floating Gun," a gadget from Western Planet; Doraemon received an "unlimited dorayaki meal voucher"; and Shizuka received a "Transforming Dress" that could be changed into different Disney princess outfits at any time.

Gian, the hidden MVP of this adventure, chose, after careful consideration, what he and Suneo desired but could not obtain on Ninja Planet.

[Advanced Ninjutsu Scroll]: A special product developed by Ninja Star. Users can unlock advanced ninjutsu techniques after completing the corresponding training courses. Simultaneously, the holder of this scroll is considered to have simultaneously completed the beginner and intermediate ninjutsu courses, thus gaining free access to those techniques. The courses are quite difficult; currently, only two people have fully unlocked the advanced ninjutsu scroll and are recorded by the system.

That's right, it's those two, Gian and Suneo... The souvenirs they received are a cracked version, theoretically not meant to be distributed to the public. A high-level ninjutsu scroll is basically like a small magic bag; perfect, if you just gave them the bag directly, they probably wouldn't understand how to use it. This scroll is actually more to Gian's liking, allowing him to unleash 120% of his potential.

"According to the information Shizuka found out, all the dragon pills are stored in the barn... Where is the barn again?"

"Honestly, you can't even understand it, why did you snatch the map?" Suneo said irritably. "These past few days, I've thoroughly explored the terrain inside and outside Osaka Castle. You just follow me. Remember, this infiltration is just a preliminary operation to collect some Dragon Pill samples to analyze their composition. We're not here to fight, so don't cause any trouble!"

"Don't worry." Fat Tiger said smugly, putting the scroll in his mouth again. "When have I ever messed up something like this?"

"You... um..."

Suneo quickly recalled the events in his mind and was surprised to find that he had never let the team down even once. This guy was actually similar to Nobita; they were definitely big-game performers. The more precarious the situation, the more reliable he became, making him the most dependable link in the team. In some situations, Gian, as a surprise weapon, often achieved very good results.

"Alright, stop wasting time, let's get started!" Fat Tiger formed hand seals in a serious manner, "Ninjutsu: Grasshopper Leap Technique!"

With knees bent, he suddenly exerted force.

"Thump—!"

The leaping figure was like a spark, falling onto this land of uncertain light and shadow.

"There was no need to say it... Besides, what's the point of taking the high ground if we just jump down like that?" Suneo shook his head helplessly, and followed suit, using his ninjutsu to leap into the air.

Two figures moved swiftly through Osaka Castle, and in the blink of an eye, they reached the edge of the barn. With a light touch of their toes, they vaulted over the wall and headed straight for the top beam.

From the not-so-solid gaps between the bricks and tiles, they heard a trembling sound.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Really... really can it be like you say?"

In the dim candlelight, a tall young man dressed in brocade robes swallowed hard, looking at the shadow warrior covered in blue armor. Beside the stacked military rations, a row of neatly packaged wooden boxes was prominently displayed, covered with white cloth, looking suspicious no matter how you looked at it.

Fat Tiger and Suneo exchanged a glance, both seeing unexpected joy in each other's eyes—this saved them the trouble of searching, and they hadn't expected to run into them unpacking the box here.

"This guy is Hideyori," Gian said with some surprise. "How come he's so tall?"

"Historical records show that Toyotomi Hideyori was nothing like his father. Hideyoshi looked like a monkey and was also short. But Hideyori was a tall man of 1.8 meters, with a heroic and outstanding appearance. It seems that Tokugawa Ieyasu met Hideyori in Osaka Castle before he decided to get rid of him."

"Really? The father is only 1.5 meters tall and looks like a monkey. How could his child grow to 1.8 meters? How good must his mother's genes be?" Fat Tiger shook his head repeatedly and complained, "Could it be an illegitimate child or something?"

"Actually... there have been similar rumors circulating, saying that Hideyori is not Hideyoshi's biological son, and that his biological father is someone else."

"Who?"

Gossip is indeed a common trait of all mankind. Fat Tiger's interest was immediately piqued, and his eyes lit up.

"Ah... well..." Xiaofu felt a little embarrassed and chuckled awkwardly. "I don't know either. It's just unofficial history. It may not be true, but it's definitely unofficial. There are different versions of this and that, and they all seem to make sense. How can I tell the difference?"

In fact, there aren't that many uncertain arrows. Even in unofficial histories, the general direction of inference is consistent.

They believe that Toyotomi Hideyori's biological father may have been Sanada Nobushige.

People never believe that true, pure emotions, untainted by personal motives, exist in this world. Loyalty, righteousness, faith… these are just words on the lips, used to deceive others. Only self-interest is the eternal, unchanging chain that binds people together. They cannot understand why Nobushige would resolutely go to Osaka Castle, a place of death, to serve the Toyotomi clan to the death, if they were two completely unrelated people.