The War of Soba Noodles

Raid Event: Fortune from Afar

Episode 4

The War of Soba Noodles

Previous Quest

Serving One's Nation

Next Quest

New Year's Eve Clash

Summary

The hospitality face-off begins with a warm-up bout, and Ieyasu's attendant Sazanka is victorious over Botan in a war of soba noodles. The next competition is a mock battle with Ieyasu where the winner will receive New Year's gifts known as an "otoshidama."

Dialogue

Whoa, man. Look at THAT! I have been around for a very long time, and yet this is a first even for my eyes! I have seen this room a thousand times, and yet with these decorations in place, I would swear that I had entered the great hall of some other nation. I am delighted that it pleases you. The soba noodles are ready! Please eat quickly before they grow soggy. Oh man, these smell better'n hot bread on a cold morning! This must be some kinda Hinomotoan specialty, yeah? Indeed they are. And while we eat them at many times of the year, those served at New Year have extra significance. In that case, I'm gonna shove noodles down my gullet till I puk— HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! Er, Botan? I ALSO MADE SOBA NOODLES, FOR THEY ARE ALSO MY SPECIALTY! So drop those zero noodles and get with my HERO noodles! Is it my imagination, or is your soba absorbing all of the broth? Th-that's how it's supposed to be! Mine are just awesome like that. I...see. Well then, maybe we should call this the warm-up round of our hospitality face-off. It's a soba skirmish! A noodle knock-down! Capital idea, bub! I accept this challenge, for my noodles will bring naught but glory unto the name of Master Ieyasu. Sounds like it's time for a taste-test. NOODLE TIME! I'll start with Sazanka's. Wh...WHAT?! Th-this is... Oh dear. You appear to be shaking. Have my noodles given offense somehow? THESE! ARE! AMAAAAZIN'! Huh? *sniff* I'm actually tearin' up here... They're so delicate—and yet the flavor is so complex! Well, I was quite careful with the stock. Still, it pleases me to see you enjoy my humble dish so. Yeah yeah, it's a transcendent experience, blah blah blah. Try mine already! Right! Lemme just pick yours up here and see how...it... Muh? These feel rather...mushy? S-such an aggressive flavor... *cough* *hack* *wheeze* W-water! Water! Bring a bucket! This soba's soggy as hell. Did you even taste it before you slopped it down? How dare you, sir?! You have besmirched my name with your wild accusation! But if it makes you happy... *nibble* HURRRGH! SO SALTY! Have you selected a winner yet, Euden? Well, they're both good...in their own way. Oh, and on a related note, we'll all be having seconds of the winning soba! DON'T SCREW THIS UP, Euden! Ulp! ...Er, I'm sorry, Botan, but I have to give this one to Sazanka. I am humbled beyond words. That's my darling! I always believed in you! Pretty obvious if you ask me. Yeah, okay. You may have won the warm-up, but New Year's doesn't even start until tomorrow—so get ready! That reminds me—what are we actually DOING on New Year's? We shall eat osechi in this room and demonstrate traditional games of the holiday season. What's osechi? A traditional meal eaten in Hinomoto at New Year. It is made of various ingredients, each with their own intrinsic meaning. For example, shrimp are for longevity, herring roe is for prosperous offspring, and so forth. Absolutely fascinating. I would love to hear more about Hinomoto. In that case, I think you will find our concept of "otoshidama" interesting. The term originally referred to receiving the good fortune shared by Amaterasu. However, it now refers to a more tangible gift given with the goal of making the recipient happy. That sounds awesome! And lucky for you, we just happened to bring a few of those New Year's gifts with us! YESSSSS! Holy crap, are ya sure? Of course. We want you all to enjoy the Hinomotoan New Year's celebrations, after all. Also, both the shogun and Amaterasu have commanded that we impart a sense of fun when giving these gifts, so I must make certain we can fulfill that obligation. Thank you, Ieyasu. I'm sure you will. To that end, you must battle me! Er, come again? We must battle—for a gift handed over is not nearly as fun as one that is earned! Now then! If you defeat me in a contest of martial arts, I will give you your gifts. This will be fun, no? Aw, come on! I gotta EARN my present? You afraid of Master Ieyasu? I mean, he's an expert even by Hinomotoan standards, so I won't blame you for being a little chicken. So yeah, maybe just give up now— even though you'll miss out on your chance to eat osechi. Cram it, pal! I'm gonna fight for this gift, and I'm gonna WIN! And I'll show you what a sylvan archer is capable of when there's loot involved! And what exactly will you do, Euden? Addis speaks with his usual swagger, but it really is just a game. Just some light sparring. In that case, you're on! Are you certain, Your Highness? I am. At the very least, I'd like a chance to see what Hinomotoan martial arts are all about. I'm in, too! Oh, but I'm gonna fight with Euden. Huh? Why are you joining us? Because I don't wanna lose to Ieyasu! That means I'm kinda with you guys by default, right? It matters not; I've trained my whole life to fight off superior numbers. See? He's fine it with, I'm fine with it, everybody's fine with it. Now let's GO! Well, I suppose it's all right. Oh yeah! We're gonna have victory for DAYS up in this joint! Let us move to an open area, then. It wouldn't do to cause damage to this lovely castle. Bring it on, pal! We're gonna wipe the floor with ya and then take some sweet, sweet New Year's giftage! YEAH! (Is it really okay that I agreed to do this...?)