We're going to be late, Brother!
Right, right... On my way.
Hurry up, Sugu.
Wait, Brother!
Did you do your homework?
Not yet...
You'd better hurry up,
or summer break will be over.
Ah, Suguha-san!
Kirito-san!
I'm sorry to make
you all come out here...
Oh, it's fine.
But it's strange.
You seem like you'd be really good at sports.
Water's the one thing I'm not good with,
both in real life and in the game.
Still,
it's a perfect day for the pool,
and you have emergency counseling.
Bad luck for you.
Yeah...
First quarter, I tried pretty hard.
Too bad you won't get to
see us in our swimsuits.
But don't get too attracted
to that pretty counselor.
O-Oh, come on... Why not?
Kirito-kun...
N-Never mind...
B-Bye!
I'll be off.
Ah, Sugu...
Be sure to practice hard, since everyone's
being nice enough to teach you.
Right.
Compared to the ALfheim sea,
the school pool is really shallow.
So let's have fun while we practice.
Kirito-kun, see you later!
Tell that pretty counselor hello for me!
Counseling Office
Come in.
Excuse me.
K-Kikuoka-san?
Hey, Kirito-kun.
It's been a while.
What is an elite member of the Virtual Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs doing here?
I wanted to ask you a few things...
And so I had the school set this up.
Then, that emergency counseling...
Sorry.
I thought it would be the only
way to get you to come.
I'll be on my way.
If you need me, I'll be next door
in the prep room.
Well, no sense in just standing there.
Why don't you sit down?
So that we're clear,
I have somewhere to be,
so make it quick.
I'll try.
I'm trying to get a clear picture of what
happened in SAO and ALfheim,
and thought it would be best to ask you.
I must have told you this a dozen times now.
Check the player logs,
and you'll see what you need.
All the player logs tell me is who
was where and at what time.
It doesn't tell me what actually happened.
During the SAO incident,
four thousand people d*ed,
but due to the death of Kayaba Akihiko,
the man behind it,
we still don't really know what happened.
And we have no idea why he did it.
Why did he make the SAO death game?
To really understand, I must speak with you.
You'll help me, right?
And if I refuse?
Who was it that gave you the NerveGear
that was meant to be destroyed?
And who told you where
Asuna-kun was hospitalized?
My department has also been keeping
the media away
from those involved in the SAO incident.
It's a little late to ask,
but is it okay for me to use the school pool?
It's fine.
We got permission.
Your swimsuit is really cool, Rika-san!
Isn't it?
The one I used before SAO
is a little too tight now.
I got a new one.
My size barely changed...
Asuna has a bikini! Nice!
Trying to seduce Kirito with your swimsuit?
Th-That isn't true...
H-Huh?
No one's wearing their school swimsuits?
You said we were swimming
at the school pool, so...
Y-Your school swimsuit is cute, too!
Yeah, it's perfect for you, Suguha!
What does that mean?!
Well? Where should I start?
I'd like to begin by hearing about
the first day of the incident.
Hmm, I believe it was...
November 6th, 2022.
It's already been two and a half years...
Attention, players.
Welcome to my world.
"My world"?
My name is Kayaba Akihiko.
As of this moment, I am the sole person
who can control this world.
Is that really him?
He must've spent a lot of time on this.
I'm sure you've already noticed
that the logout button is
missing from the main menu.
But this is not a defect in the game.
I repeat...
This is not a defect in the game.
It is a feature of Sword Art Online.
A-A feature?
But I want you to remember this clearly.
There is no longer any method to
revive someone within the game.
If your HP drops to zero,
your avatar will be forever lost.
And simultaneously...
The NerveGear will destroy your brain.
There is only one means of escape.
To complete the game.
You are presently on the
lowest floor of Aincrad,
Floor 1.
If you make your way through the dungeon
and defeat the Floor Boss,
you may advance to the next level.
Defeat the final boss on Floor 100,
and you will clear the game.
Clear?
What's he talking about?
Y-You're just making that up!
Clear all hundred floors?
That's impossible.
The beta testers never made
it anywhere near that high!
Finally,
I've added a present from me
to your item storage.
Please see for yourselves.
{\an8}Mirror
Mirror?
Klein?
You okay, Kirito?
Y-Yeah...
Who are you?
And who are you?
You're a guy?
You were lying about being seventeen?
Which means...
You're Kirito? You're Klein?
How?
That scan...
The NerveGear covers your entire head
with a high-density signaling device.
So it can see what your face looks like.
But our height and body shape...
When we first used the NerveGear,
it had us calibrate it, right?
You had to touch your body all over.
O-Oh, right...
That must be where it got the data.
But... But...
Why?
Why do all this, anyway?
I'm sure he'll tell us.
Right now, you're probably
wondering, "Why?"
Why would Kayaba Akihiko,
developer of Sword Art Online and
the NerveGear, do all this?
My goal has already been achieved.
I created Sword Art Online for one reason...
To create this world and intervene in it.
Kayaba...
And now, it is complete.
He made SAO to intervene in it?
That's what Kayaba-sensei said, yes?
Yes.
And what did you think about that?
Who knows?
I was just busy trying to survive.
I didn't have time to think about Kayaba.
That's right...
To survive, I abandoned Klein.
All right.
Then let's say goodbye here.
If something happens, send me a message.
Will do.
Okay, goodbye, Klein.
Kirito!
Hey...
Kirito.
You were actually pretty cute.
That's my type.
And that unkempt face of yours
suits you ten times better.
I'm... I'm...
I'm going to survive...
In this world!
Having the whole pool to ourselves is so great!
It feels different than usual.
I'm first!
That's not fair, Liz-san!
Hey, guys, you should stretch first.
There!
Don't get so excited!
It's so cold!
Where'd you get this thing?
This won't help you learn to swim!
No, stop...
I'll sink without it!
Don't worry!
You have two big, buoyant things right here.
You won't sink.
Hey, don't touch me there!
What do you have to eat to get them so big?
It isn't fair...
No!
Liz...
I'm sorry.
Let's start by having you hold
your face underwater.
Once SAO became deadly,
most players joined parties to survive.
But up till the end, you stayed
solo nearly the entire time.
In a world where you die if your HP
reaches zero, why take such a risk?
I didn't want to be a solo player at the start.
But...
Why?
Why did you let Diabel die?
Let him die?
Of course!
You knew that technique the boss used!
If you'd told us about that up front,
he wouldn't have d*ed!
He must be a beta tester!
That's how he knew all the
boss's att*ck patterns.
He knew, but he didn't tell us!
Other beta testers are here, too, right?
Come out!
A beta tester?
I wish you wouldn't compare
me to those newbies.
Wh-What?!
Most of the thousand beta
testers were beginners
who didn't even know how to level up.
You guys are better than they are.
But I'm not like them.
I made it higher than anyone
else during the beta test.
The reason I knew the boss's skills
is because I fought monsters with
katana skills on floors far above us.
I know a lot more.
Way more than any information broker.
Wh-What?
That's...
That's way worse than a beta tester!
You're cheating! A cheater!
Yeah, a cheater!
A beta tester and a cheater...
A beater!
A beater...
I like it.
That's right...
I am a beater.
From now on, don't confuse
me with the other testers.
{\an9}Coat of Midnight
Then, you claimed the word "beater."
You played the villain, to keep the other
beta testers from being hated.
That must have been painful...
It wasn't. Not really.
Sachi!
Kirito!
Sachi!
Real pain is the result of losing
someone you care about.
Well?
Getting used to the water?
Yeah...
I can keep my head underwater now,
but I still can't open my eyes.
You don't need to rush yourself.
Take your time and get used to it.
Let's take a break.
Roger!
It sure feels like summer...
It really does.
The next quest area is set to
always be summer, isn't it?
It's far to the south, in Sylph territory.
So it should be pretty hot.
There are things there
we've never seen before.
I can't wait.
We'll just have to be careful
that Kirito doesn't get overly
excited and run ahead of us!
I've been wondering...
How did all of you meet my brother?
When I was att*cked by monsters,
Kirito-san rescued me.
Pina!
Pina... Pina!
Pina.
Pina...
Pina...
Pina!
Pina... Pina!
Pina...
Why would you do all this for me?
If you promise not to laugh, I'll tell you.
I promise.
It's because you look like my little sister...
I'm sorry.
Only he could say that with a straight face...
But Suguha and Keiko really don't
look that much alike, do they?
Wh-What are you comparing?!
After that, Kirito-san and I
began an adventure to save Pina.
Take it.
{\an8}Pneuma Flower
This will bring Pina back, right?
Yeah.
I'm so glad...
But there are lots of strong
monsters around here.
Let's revive her after
we get back to town.
I'm sure she'd prefer it that way.
Calm down, Silica!
It's really weak!
K-Kirito-san, save me!
Don't look, but save me!
That's impossible.
That's enough!
Did you see?
My first meeting with him wasn't
as dramatic as Silica's...
Welcome to Lisbeth's Smith Shop!
W-Well...
I'd like to order a custom-made w*apon.
Does he have enough money?
At the moment, metal prices are high.
Don't worry about the cost.
I just want the best sword
you can make right now.
That's somewhat vague.
Could you give me an idea of
the stats you're looking for?
Oh, I see.
Then, something as good as this or better?
An Elucidator...
It's one of the best magic swords
you can get from a monster drop.
Can you do it?
How about this one?
It's the best
that I've ever made.
It's a little light...
I used a speed-type metal to forge it.
May I test it a little?
Test it?
Its durability.
W-Wait!
If you do that, your sword will break!
If that happens, it'll just be...
He broke one of the swords from my shop.
What a terrible first impression.
I'm s-sorry...
Sometimes, Kirito-san does
the craziest things...
Falling into a dragon's nest with him,
or him throwing dragon poop at me.
I don't have any good memories at all...
I'm sorry, Liz.
Looking back, they're good memories.
It's warm.
You and I are both data in
a virtual world, but...
Liz...
Amazing!
Kirito!
You know something?
What?
I...
I like you!
What?
I can't hear you!
It's nothing!
Tell Asuna what you just told me.
Liz...
I'm fine!
Only, this warmth will linger for a while.
Therefore, please...
End this world.
Until then, I'll keep working.
You know...
I wonder if he's having fun with that
pretty counselor right now...
Here, Kirito-kun... Here.
Where?
Here, here.
Where is "here"?
These coordinates...
Are all of these high-level players
gathering for a boss fight?
I was just thinking that even
the ultimate solo player
showed up for the boss fights on each floor.
Of course I did.
The Floor Boss wasn't something
you could b*at on your own.
Even in raid parties, most of
them were dangerous.
The sword skills of Illfang the Kobold Lord,
the Floor 1 boss, wiped out half the raid.
Diabel!
Watch out!
I'll get you first!
Crap!
I managed to b*at the boss of
level 74, The Gleam Eyes,
by using my dual-wield skills.
But it almost k*lled me.
Starburst Stream!
What is that skill?
Faster...
Even faster!
But in Aincrad, some things were even
scarier than the Floor Bosses.
Oh? What were those?
The players.
The players?
Yes.
Bosses had incredible stats,
but they were only programs.
Once you knew their att*ck patterns,
you can adjust for them,
and since they didn't leave the final rooms,
you could run if necessary.
But red players were humans just like you.
They kept coming up with new
ways to k*ll other players,
and many d*ed at their hands.
Paralysis poison?
So you're afraid of dying, after all?
That's right...
I can't die yet!
Really?
That's just the way I like it!
Die... Die.
Die!
And it wasn't just fighting the red players.
I had many difficult duels,
some of which were pure sword fights.
Even a top guild never has sufficient
members for the front lines.
His shield?!
Splendid reaction time.
I can break through!
What?
And this amazing player
was the leader of the Blood Alliance
Knights guild, Heathcliff, yes?
Yes.
And ironically, that duel with him
provided the clue as to his true identity.
I made a lot, so eat all you want.
I brought a lunch, as well.
If you like, help yourselves.
Let's eat!
Who's that from?
Kirito-kun...
He said to eat without him.
Then, I'll eat his part...
That's mean.
We have to leave some for him.
Asuna-san's lunch is so cute!
I wonder if my brother only likes girly
girls who make lunches like that...
What's wrong, Suguha-chan?
N-Nothing...
I was just wondering how you met my brother.
I want to hear about that, too!
But...
Come on...
We told you our stories.
That's right!
You're the only one who hasn't.
Oh, fine...
All right!
I met Kirito-kun in a city called Tolvanna,
where a meeting was held about
defeating the Floor 1 boss.
Back then, all I thought about
was b*ating the game.
Do you really think it's good?
Of course.
I've been eating at least one daily,
ever since arriving in this town.
I do change it up a little, though.
Change it up?
Try putting some on the bread.
Cream?
But Kirito-kun showed me that there
was joy in living, even in Aincrad.
What?
It's you.
The other lead group members are all
working hard to clear the dungeon.
Why are you out here taking a nap?
Even if you're a solo player,
you need to be serious－
It's Aincrad's nicest season,
and today is its nicest weather setting.
Entering the dungeon on a
day like this is a waste.
Do you not understand?
Every day we spend here is one
we've lost in the real world.
But right now,
we're alive here, in Aincrad.
See?
The wind and sunlight feel so good.
Do they?
There's nothing special about this weather.
If you'd lie down for a bit,
you'd understand.
Hey, look.
Asleep already?
Some people don't work too hard.
Who are they? Jeez...
I didn't think she'd really fall asleep.
What...
Morning.
Sleep well?
One meal...
One meal!
I'll buy you one meal of any kind.
Then we'll be even, okay?
From the sound of it, you fell
in love with him first.
Th-That isn't true...
Don't try to hide it.
When you came to get your sword sharpened,
you told me it was still a one-way thing.
How did you get the rest of the way?
Um, well...
Then where would you
like me to cook it?
Well...
You probably don't have
any cookware at your place.
Just this once,
and only because the ingredient is
so good, we can use my place.
Right.
Then, party up with me. It's been forever.
Also, black is my lucky color this week.
What?
But what about your guild?!
We don't have any leveling quotas.
Th-Then what about your escort?
I'll ditch him.
{\an8}Asuna invites you to join her party.
The front lines are dangerous.
F-Fine.
Y-You were more direct than I expected.
I guess you have to be that
forward to get anywhere.
I h-had to!
I mean, I liked him...
Right, right.
That's enough.
So, how far did you go?
Even if it was a game, you guys
did marry, so I'm sure you...
I'm sorry...
This was...
This was my fault, wasn't it?
Asuna...
I'm sorry!
I...
I shouldn't...
I should stay away...
...from now on.
My life belongs to you, Asuna.
So I will use it for you.
Let's stay together until the end.
And I... I'll protect you, too.
I'll protect you forever.
So...
I'll see to it that you can go
back to the other world,
no matter what happens.
Asuna...
Today...
Tonight, I want to stay with you.
Okay.
D-Don't look over here.
Hurry and get undressed,
too, Kirito-kun.
It's embarrassing, being like this alone...
Sorry, I woke you, didn't I?
I was just dreaming a little.
About my old world.
It's strange...
In the dream,
I wondered if everything here, in Aincrad,
if everything that had happened
with you, was only a dream.
I was really scared.
I'm happy this wasn't a dream.
You're so strange...
Don't you want to go back?
I do.
I do, but...
I don't want my time here to disappear.
These two years have been
very important to me.
They seem that way now.
Hey, Kirito-kun.
Do you think it would be okay
if we left the front lines for a bit?
Somehow, I'm scared.
If I return to the b*ttlefield,
it feels like something bad will happen.
Maybe I'm just a little tired.
Yeah...
I'm tired, too.
In the southwest part of Floor 22,
there's a small village surrounded
by forest and lakes.
Let's move there together.
And...
And?
Let...
Let's get married.
Yes!
Hey, what's up, Asuna?
N-N-Nothing!
I didn't do anything, okay?
I wish I could get married.
And you even had a cute girl like Yui-chan.
I'm super jealous!
She is our beloved daughter.
Oh, you're still a teenager,
and you're doting over your daughter.
I'll take that as a compliment.
Okay, let's work hard at our quest today,
so that Yui-chan will be happy!
Auna?
Kito?
Hey, Yui-chan, what were
you doing in the forest?
Do you have a mom
and dad somewhere?
I don't know...
I don't know anything.
That's awful.
Hello, Yui-chan.
Can I call you Yui?
You can call me Kirito.
Kito?
Kirito.
Ki-ri-to.
Kito.
Maybe it's a little hard.
Whatever is easier for you.
Daddy.
M-Me?
Auna is Mommy...
That's right.
I'm your mommy, Yui-chan!
Mommy!
Daddy!
Mommy!
You must be hungry!
Let's eat.
Yeah!
Yui-chan?
Yui...
Daddy... Mommy.
I remember everything.
Mental Health Counseling
Program, prototype 1.
Code name: Yui.
That's me.
You aren't just a program that
the system controls anymore.
So you should be able
to say what you want.
What do you want?
I...
I...
I want to stay with you forever...
Daddy, Mommy!
Together...
We'll be together forever, Yui-chan.
Yeah, you are our child.
Kirito-kun!
Are you okay?
What's this?
Before Yui's admin credentials were revoked,
I split off her main program and
turned it into a game object.
Then, this is...
Yui's heart.
So you met Yui-chan inside SAO?
Yes.
And ever since then, she's been our child.
Okay!
Let's get back to practice.
All right, Suguha...
Let's get you swimming like
a fish, to surprise Kirito!
Yeah.
It's nice to be young...
And it's thanks to you that they made it back
to the real world safely, isn't it?
I didn't do anything.
But it's true that you learned
Heathcliff's true identity,
and defeated Kayaba Akihiko
in the final battle, right?
I don't know if you can call that a victory.
I'm sorry, Asuna...
You, at least, need to live.
Farewell, Kirito-kun.
No, Asuna...
This can't...
This can't be...
I'm sorry.
Goodbye.
It's over now...
I believe in you, Kirito-kun.
Not yet...
Not yet!
Is this good enough?
As of 14:55, November 7,
the game has been cleared.
The game has been cleared.
Kayaba-sensei lost his fight with you,
and then b*rned out his brain
with a prototype NerveGear.
That matches the coroner's report...
Anyway, I hate to say it...
But it's strange that you made it back alive
after you d*ed in battle with him.
Was it something on the system side,
or was it Kayaba-sensei's will?
Quite a view.
Kayaba Akihiko...
The SAO mainframe, within
the fifth-level basement
at my corporate headquarters,
is deleting all data on its storage devices.
In ten minutes or so,
everything in this world will vanish.
What about the people down there?
You needn't worry about them.
Just a moment ago,
the remaining 6,147 players were logged out.
What about the ones who d*ed?
What about the 4,000 people who d*ed?
Their minds will never return.
In every world, once you die, you're gone.
Why...
Why did you do this?
Why, huh?
I forgot a long time ago.
I wonder why...
When I began developing the full-dive environment system...
No, long before that,
I dreamed of nothing
but creating that castle,
a world that surpassed all our laws
and all our restrictions.
And now I have seen
someone surpass even my own world's laws...
How old must I have been,
when I was obsessed with the
fantasy of a steel castle
that floated in the sky?
I wanted to leave the ground,
to fly to that castle.
For a long, long time,
that was my only desire...
You know, Kirito-kun,
I still believe
that in some other world,
that castle truly exists.
Yeah, I hope it does.
I forgot to say this.
Congratulations on winning the game,
Kirito-kun, Asuna-kun.
Now then, I must be going.
By the way,
before he vanished,
did Kayaba say anything about why
he started this deadly game?
I don't know... I don't remember.
Who's it from?
Your princess, huh?
You had quite a time...
You finally made it out of SAO, and then...
Yes, it was rather difficult.
Because a certain someone failed to notice
the huge crime occurring in ALO!
I'm afraid I can't really explain myself there.
We only learned that the three hundred
SAO players who hadn't woken up
were being experimented on by Sugou Nobuyuki
after you, a simple high school
student, solved the case.
Why didn't you stop him beforehand?
Sugou was in the same lab as Kayaba Akihiko,
so we did run a check on him.
But the six thousand players' sudden reemergence
meant we were busy with their physicals
and trying to get them reintroduced into society.
I can't deny that our watch on
Sugou temporarily lapsed.
And none of us believed that Sugou had an
illegal experimental lab in the game.
Nothing he did in the real world
was suspicious in the least.
Would you tell me, Kirito-kun,
how it was you realized what he was doing?
At first, I didn't realize it...
This is our laboratory chief, Sugou-kun.
I'm Sugou Nobuyuki.
Nice to meet you.
Kirigaya Kazuto.
Kirigaya-kun,
I'll see you again.
I heard that within the game,
you were living with Asuna.
Yes...
Then I suppose that complicates
our relationship.
What we were just discussing
was Asuna's marriage to me.
Stop it.
Are you trying to take
advantage of the fact
that she's in a coma?
Take advantage?
No, this is my right.
Listen, Kirigaya-kun.
Do you know what happened to Argus
after they developed SAO?
I heard they went bankrupt.
Yes.
The development costs,
plus the massive damages
they were forced to pay,
bankrupted the company.
And the maintenance of the SAO servers
was entrusted to the
electronics manufacturer RCT,
whose CEO is Yuuki Souzou.
And I work for its Full-Dive
Technology Research Division.
You could even say
that I'm the one who's
keeping Asuna alive...
So I can ask for a little something
by way of compensation, can't I?
I don't know what sort of promises
you made to her in the game.
But I'd prefer that you never come back.
Or have any contact
with the Yuuki family.
The ceremony will be held in this hospital room
in one week, on January 26th.
The Japanese calendar has more
auspicious days for a wedding,
but it's a day that brings misery
to friends, so I'll invite you.
Enjoy your final goodbye,
Hero-kun.
And you didn't find him suspicious then?
I was too busy thinking about Asuna.
The only clue I had was the image of an
avatar that looked just like Asuna.
And with that information
alone, you went into ALO?
I would've done anything with even
the slightest chance of success.
Please help me one more time.
Link start!
ALfheim, Ancient Forest, Neutral Territory
January 20, 2025
I'm back...
After everything that happened.
It's me, Yui!
Do you remember me?
I got to see you again, Daddy!
Yui...
Daddy!
Daddy!
Daddy...
Miracles really do happen.
Actually, it seems Asuna...
Your mommy is here.
Mommy?
What do you mean?
Even after SAO was cleared,
Asuna never woke up in reality.
I heard about someone who
saw her in ALfheim.
So that's what happened...
What are you doing? Run!
Three heavy fighters attacking a single girl?
That's kind of lame.
What did you say?!
Stay out of this, newbie.
As I recall, this Leafa player was
your younger sister, right?
Yeah.
I never imagined I'd run into Sugu—
I mean, my sister in ALO.
Wow!
You can swim twenty-five meters now.
And you can do a full lap.
You really are good at sports, Suguha-chan.
Thank you.
Hmm? Are you sad without your brother?
Th-That isn't it...
I was just thinking he was late.
You and Kirito-san are really close, aren't you?
I'm an only child, so I'm jealous.
A-Are we?
Yup.
But...
Before my brother was trapped inside SAO,
we weren't that close.
I wanted to know
about these virtual MMOs
my brother loved so much.
So I started playing ALO.
I'm a big gamer now, too.
You were the one who brought him
to the World Tree, weren't you?
Yes.
But when I first met him, I didn't
realize he was my brother.
I thought he was kind of rude.
But at other times, he seemed really stressed.
I didn't know why, but I just couldn't ignore him.
Daddy?
I'm sorry.
But I need to reach the
top of the World Tree.
Why is it so important?
I'm looking for someone...
What do you mean?
It's not easy to explain.
Thank you, Leafa.
That information helped a lot.
Wait.
Are you going to the World Tree?
Yes, I need to see for myself.
It's crazy...
It's far, far away, and there are
a lot of strong monsters.
Sure, you're strong, but...
Then, I'll take you there!
We made it there in only three days,
so it was pretty rushed.
Thank you, Suguha-chan.
No, there's no reason to thank me.
I had fun, too.
Yeah, it was hard,
but my adventures with Kirito-kun were fun.
Tired?
Not yet...
You're pretty tough.
But our journey in the sky
is at an end for a while.
Huh, why?
You see that mountain, right?
It's above the altitude limit,
so to pass it, you have to
go through the caves.
It's the toughest part of the trip
between Sylph territory and Arun,
or so I've heard.
I've never been past this point, either.
Really...
Caves, huh?
Are they long?
Yup.
Supposedly, we can rest at a
neutral mining town midway.
Do you still have time today?
It's 7:00 PM in the real world, huh?
I can keep going for a while.
Okay...
Then we can keep going for a while.
We can rotate out here.
R-Rotate?
We each log out and rest,
while the other watches.
You can't log out instantly
in the neutral area.
So you log out in turn,
while the other guards your empty avatar.
I see... Got it.
You go first.
I'm excited.
Kirito-kun...
It's not that I'm in love
with him or anything.
Or that I'm glad to have someone
to go on adventures with.
I'm just looking forward
to visiting a new world.
So when you were adventuring with him,
what did you think of Kirito?
You didn't know he was your brother, right?
My first impression was that he was quick...
But more than that, the way he
took every battle seriously
was different from anyone else.
That's enough Kirito-kun.
If we lose, we'll just have
to fly a few more hours!
Let's give up!
No way.
While I'm alive, I won't let
any party members die.
I will never let that happen!
What the hell?
What's he doing?
When I realized that the source
of that seriousness was his desire
to protect someone,
I thought I could have faith in him.
In the end,
it's just a game, so do what you want.
If you want to k*ll someone, k*ll them.
If you want to steal, you steal.
I've met more people who think
that way than I'd want.
In a way, it's true.
I used to think the same way.
But it's not true...
There are things you have to protect
especially because it's a virtual world.
I learned that from someone important.
If you give in to your impulses in this world,
the price is that it changes your
personality in the real world.
The player and the character
are one and the same.
I like you, Leafa.
I want to be your friend.
I'd never att*ck someone like that
just for my own benefit.
So, no matter whom he fought, my brother...
Kirito-kun would never run.
I believed he'd never lose.
Kirito-kun!
Die!
It's nice that you two are close,
but I'm worried about it
becoming forbidden love.
What are you talking about?!
Forget it, let's just practice!
Okay, let's swim a bit more...
If only I'd known before I fell in love with him.
Is that you, Brother?
Sugu?
Suguha?
This is awful.
This isn't fair...
It isn't...
S-Sugu?
{\an8}Are you sure you want to log out?
Sugu!
I... I...
I...
I betrayed my own heart!
I betrayed my love for you...
I was about to forget it, to give it up.
To fall in love with Kirito-kun...
No, I already had!
But...
But...
L-Love?
But we're...
I know.
I already know!
You and I aren't really siblings!
I've known for
the last two years.
Wasn't the reason you quit kendo
and started avoiding me
because you knew the whole time?
Weren't you avoiding me
because I'm not your real sister?!
So...
So why are you being nice to me now?!
I was so happy you came back from SAO.
I was so happy you were being nice to me,
like when we were little.
I thought you were finally giving me a chance.
But...
If I'd known
this would happen, I wish
you'd kept being a jerk.
If you had,
I wouldn't have realized I like you...
Or been sad to learn about Asuna-san...
Or tried to fall in love with Kirito-kun instead!
I'm sorry.
Leave me alone...
Why?
Why?
I wanted to apologize to you...
But I didn't know what to say.
So I wanted to give you a free sh*t.
You did?
I'm sorry.
I am, too.
I haven't really returned
from that world yet.
It hasn't ended.
Until she wakes up,
I'm not really back in reality.
That's why
I don't know how to think of you yet.
I'll be waiting...
I'll be waiting for you to
come home for real.
So I'll help you, too!
Hey, Suguha!
We can't do this without you!
Right!
So with your sister's help,
you reached the World Tree,
and you completed the Grand Quest,
which Sugou had set to be impossible,
and you saved Asuna-kun.
No, I didn't win on my own.
Just a little more...
Just a little more...
Kirito-kun!
That's dark magic...
Dragoons, ready breath att*ck!
Sylphs, prepare additional offensives!
Fire breath...
Go!
Fenrir storm...
Fire!
It was Leafa, Recon, Sakuya, Alicia,
and the Sylph and Cait Sith warriors
who won that quest.
I only reached Asuna with all their help.
I see.
But then the King of the Fairies
Oberon, or Sugou, appeared.
I'd think
normally, that it's impossible for a mere
player to b*at a GM like Sugou.
Yes!
Great! I love it!
NPC women can't make that face...
I love this smell.
Replicating your scent from
the real world was hard.
I hope you appreciate how much work it took
to get an analyzer into your hospital room...
Stop it.
Sugou...
My, my...
You need to stay on the ground...
Writhing!
Kirito-kun!
System command!
Change pain absorber
from level 10 to level 8.
Hurts, doesn't it?
I'll gradually let the pain increase,
so you have something to look forward to.
Of course, below level 3,
it will start to affect your physical body.
Now, then...
S-Sweet...
So sweet!
Sugou, you bastard!
You bastard!
You bastard, I'll k*ll you!
I'm going to k*ll you!
Are you going to run away?
No...
I'm going to accept reality.
Then you give in to it.
To the power of a system you once denied.
I don't have a choice.
I'm a player, and he's a GM.
Those words make a mockery of our battle.
Our fight showed me the
power of the human will.
And the possibilities held by the future.
You're...
Stand up, Kirito-kun!
It's true that a GM has great power.
In that world, a GM is almost a god.
But that power is simply given
to you by the system.
You didn't find it or train yourself in it.
Real power is always within you.
Both in the real world and the virtual one.
After swimming, the best thing is ice cream.
That's a great idea!
Sugou destroyed himself.
He believed too much in power
that was given to him.
I understand... He destroyed himself.
You know what happened after that.
That's enough, right?
After this, I'm supposed to
meet everyone in ALO.
So I'll be leaving.
Oh, yes.
One last thing.
Have you ever heard the name, "The Seed"?
Yes, of course.
I'll see you again, Kirito.
ALO, Turle Island
July 25, 2025
You know, Kirito, I've never been so happy
that ALO's time isn't linked to the real world.
In the real world, isn't it night?
This is how to enjoy the ocean!
Blue skies.
White sand.
The sound of waves.
The dazzling sun.
And...
Hey, I'm here.
What's with you two?
It's so cold!
I'm putting my whole STR stat into this.
I won't lose.
Pina, water breath!
Go!
Way to go, Pina!
You did it!
Leafa-chan, do you think your
practice this afternoon helped?
Y-Yeah, it worked great.
I'm not scared anymore.
As long as my feet can touch the ground...
Ah, glad to hear it.
But where we're going...
That's right.
I wonder how deep the undersea dungeons are.
I think about a hundred meters underwater?
A h-hundred meters?
No, I'll do my best!
It's for Yui-chan.
Thank you, Leafa-chan.
And then, the moment Kirito-kun
saw the big fish in the lake, he screamed!
Yggdrasil City
July 25, 2025
"Ahhhh!"
I-It wasn't that loud.
It was more of a, "Hiii!"
That's nice.
I wish I could've seen that fish.
Once New Aincrad reaches level 22,
we'll buy that log cabin again,
and go fishing at that lake.
But he's really big... That fish.
You might cry, Yui.
I will not cry!
No matter how big it is,
given the size of the lake,
it can't be bigger than a whale in the real world.
Yui-chan, have you seen a whale?
No, I just estimated its size using
the numbers and video data.
I can't see things in the
real world like you can.
Oh.
You're right.
If only there were whales in ALfheim,
then you could see them.
They're really big!
They leap out of the water,
and then slam back down—
What?
I've heard about them.
I heard that in the southern Sylph area,
they found a quest in which whales appear.
Really?
I want to ride a whale!
I don't know if you could ride one...
Hey, Kirito, you're sure whales are in this quest?
Yui-chan's really excited.
If it turns out to be clione or jellyfish,
she's gonna be really upset!
I'd kind of like to see a giant clione...
Agil, did you hear any info?
Nope.
It's a quest out on the world map's very edge.
Hardly anyone even knows of it.
But it seems to be true that a huge
aquatic monster lies at its end.
That sounds pretty promising!
Okay, let's do this!
Everyone, it's about time to get going!
Okay, on our way!
Everyone...
You'll be wearing that equipment
during the entire quest?
Of course... Because we'll be fighting.
You change, too.
So, everyone, I'll be your party
leader for today's quest.
If we see the giant whale during the
quest today, follow my instructions.
Okay!
I'll repay you someday... Probably.
Let's do our best, everyone!
Yeah!
The coordinates should be around here.
You don't think that's it?
Okay, I'll cast Water Breathing.
Leafa-chan...
Wow!
There's someone over there!
It's a quest NPC.
Underwater, the only people who'd
need your help are mermaids!
I'm coming to help you, mermaid girl!
May I help you with something, young lady—
It isn't a young lady. It's an old man.
What's wrong, sir?
{\an8} Do you want to begin the Deep Sea Invaders quest?
Fairies of the surface world,
are you here to help this old man?
What's wrong, Leafa-chan?
Ah, nothing...
I was just thinking I'd seen
that man's name before.
You see, thieves living in this temple
stole a present I was going
to give to an old friend...
I'd like you to regain it for me.
Leave it to us.
Oh, thank you.
The present is a pearl, about this big.
Huge!
Don't walk off and try to sell it!
I w-won't... Not this time, anyway.
Thank you, fairies.
If you can get the pearl back,
I'll reward you well!
Looks like our quest is to
recover a missing object.
But there should be monsters inside the temple.
Those of you at the front, remember that
your weapons are slower underwater.
Those at the rear, remember that
you can't use lightning magic.
Okay!
Let's go, then.
Hey, Kirito...
Leafa-chan isn't good at
fighting underwater, right?
Shouldn't you help her out a little?
You okay?
Yeah, but...
It's one thing if it's just the two of us,
but when we're all in a party,
I don't really know how to act around her.
Just act natural...
You're her big brother, so take care of her.
But the first time I met her,
I had no idea she was...
Who walks into a trap they can see?
Jeez.
To think these guys were once among
the best players SAO had to offer.
It's okay.
No matter what you're like, Kirito-san, I still—
Daddy, behind you!
Is that it? The whale?
No...
Definitely not.
Prepare for combat!
You can't damage it by hitting its head.
I'll draw its attention,
and you hit it from the sides!
Right!
Leave it to me!
Let's go, too.
Yeah!
Me, too!
Leafa...
You and Asuna, back us up with magic!
Asuna and everyone else
were nice enough to train me.
Thank you, Leafa!
I decided I'd go anywhere with
my brother and the others!
Leafa-chan?
I'm fine.
This time...
Leafa-san!
Kirito-san, Leafa-san's in trouble!
Kirito!
Kirito-kun!
That's right...
When I was little, I fell into a pond.
And then... What happened next?
Sugu!
Brother?
Brother,
you saved me again, didn't you?
I don't want to see shrimp
or crabs for a long time...
No squid or octopi, either.
We never did see the whale.
But Yui-chan seemed to have a great time.
We've brought your present back.
This is definitely it.
We never saw the thieves who
supposedly stole the pearl.
Now that you mention it...
Kirito-kun, wait!
This isn't a pearl... It's an egg!
A-An egg?
Are we the Deep Sea Invaders?
Now, hand it over.
If you will not give it over,
then I have no choice!
A kraken...
The sea monster from Norse mythology?
I thank you, fairies.
A barrier kept me out of that temple,
but you retrieved the Prince's Egg from it...
Now, hand it over!
We refuse.
We're taking the egg back to the temple.
Foolish insects...
Then I'll send you to the abyss!
Kirito!
Daddy, that octopus's stats are too high!
They're much higher than a
New Aincrad Floor Boss!
This trident...
It's been a long time, my old friend.
I see you're up to your old tricks.
And how long will you be satisfied
as a servant to the Aesir?
You're an embarrassment to
the name "King of the Sea."
I am satisfied with being a king.
And this is my domain.
Knowing that, do you still wish
to fight, King of the Depths?
For now, I shall withdraw.
But I shall not give up, my friend!
One day, I shall claim the Prince's Egg,
and make the accursed gods pay!
Until that day!
That egg belongs to the one that will
someday rule all the sea and air.
I must find it a new home,
so I shall take it back.
Then that's the end?
I'm not sure what just happened.
I couldn't follow what the old guy and
the octopus were discussing at all.
For now, that's fine.
Come, I shall return you to
your own country, fairies.
R-Return us? How?
Whale-san is really, really big!
Incoming Call: Kikuoka Seijirou