Episode 9

## Video

This is the ninth episode of the Aincrad Arc, and the ninth episode of Sword Art Online Abridged overall.

## Plot

On October 19, 2024, in the Floor 50 city of Algade, Kirito is in Tiffany's Shop where he finds out that one of the Aincrad Liberation Front Soldiers he rescued was livestreaming the entire event, becoming very frustrated and embarrassed that his rant has been immortalized. As Tiffany laughs at the video, Lizbeth enters the room with a box in her hands, reassuring Kirito that none of the players care about his adorable little freak out, as they're too busy being in awe with his ability to hold two swords at the same time. As Tiffany and Lizbeth laugh at Kirito's newfound fame, Kirito asks what in the box Lizbeth's carrying, asking if it's more junk to make her next masterpiece. Lizbeth tells Kirito that it's all she could salvage from the wreckage of her shop after Asuna burned it down. Just then, as if on cue, Asuna appears to tell Kirito that the leader of her Guild wants to see him. However, before she can say it, Lizbeth freaks out upon seeing Asuna again and jumps out of a window with Tiffany, leaving Kirito alone with Asuna, who asks what Asuna was trying to say.

Asuna then takes Kirito to her Guild's headquarters, in the Floor 55 city of Grandzam, where he meets Heathcliff, the Commander of the Knights of the Blood Oath, Asuna's Guild. Before Heathcliff can explain the reason for the meeting, Kirito notices that Fluffles, the former Mafia leader, is also part of the Guild. Kirito then proceeds to seemingly have a conversation with the former Mob Boss, with Kirito asking how Fluffles survived his fall after their fight and Fluffles apparently explaining that he survived using a method that even Kirito didn't consider. This prompts Heathcliff to ask Asuna if Kirito can understand Fluffles or if he's messing with them, to which Asuna responds it might be both. With things apparently getting heated between Kirito and Fluffles, Heathcliff tries to stop the aggressions by saying, "You can't fight in here this is the war room", only to be disappointed when no one acknowledges/gets his reference to the movie Dr. Strangelove.

Getting back to the point, Heathcliff tells Kirito that everyone in Aincrad has seen the video of him Dual-Wielding, much to Kirito's annoyance. Heathcliff comments how amazing it is that Kirito practically defeated a Floor Boss singlehandedly, pointing out how inspiring a feat like that is, and states that it could motivate the other players to take action. With all this in mind, Heathcliff asks Kirito to join the KOB. However, Kirito declines, which catches Heathcliff off guard. Kirito tells Heathcliff that he's not interested in joining, as Guilds and him don't work well together. Fluffles seems to agree with this, causing Heathcliff to wonder why he let a cat join his council. Not wanting to take "no" for an answer, Heathcliff asks Kirito what it will take for him to join, offering to give him money, items and even Asuna, which she finds offensive. Eventually, Kirito agrees to join the Guild, but only if Heathcliff beats him in a duel, which Heathcliff of course accepts.

The next day, on October 20, 2024, in the Floor 75 city of Collinia, players from miles around flock to the colosseum to see the battle between Kirito and Heathcliff, with many fans cheering for the Dual-Wielding master. The event is even commentated by two players named Sam and Bob, with Bob hyping up the crowd with questionable comments that confuse Sam. In the arena, Kirito voices his shock at the size of the crowd, which Heathcliff says is proof that Kirito has become a beacon of hope for the players. Heathcliff then states the crowd might also be there because someone was foolish enough to challenge Sword Art Online's best player, to which Kirito reminds him that he was the one that challenged him. While shocked by Kirito's ego, Heathcliff admits he shouldn't underestimate him, before inviting him to "go ahead, make my day". Despite mocking him, Kirito acknowledges that Heathcliff isn't a force to be taken lightly and decides to strategize in his head. However, because he's so focussed on coming up with the perfect strategy to defeat Heathcliff, Kirito doesn't notice that the duel has already started, and Heathcliff knocks him down in four seconds. Naturally, the crowd are furious with how quick the fight was, particularly because Kirito didn't even fight. Even though the KOB offer the players a refund, the players start rioting over the disappointing match.

Due to his loss, Kirito is forced to join the KOB. On October 22, 2024, Asuna gives him his KOB outfight, which Kirito hates, as it makes him look like a tool. Asuna comments that at least Kirito is dressed appropriately now, to which Kirito is unable to come up with a rebuttal. Kirito is absolutely distraught that he's been forced to join a Guild yet again, causing Asuna to point out that he shouldn't've challenged Heathcliff, as he's so powerful that his heath has never gone into the yellow. Kirito claims that he would've won if Heathcliff didn't catch him off guard, but Asuna doubts they'll have a rematch anytime soon, due to their last arena getting set ablaze. Asuna then tries to cheer Kirito up, having been made aware of happened to the last Guild he joined, and tells Kirito that she won't die like "that dumb bitch Sally". Kirito tries to tell Asuna that her name was Sachi, but she tells him it doesn't matter, as she's dead now. Asuna then promises that things will be better now.

However, this is almost immediately proven wrong, as the next day, on October 23, 2024, Kirito meets Godfree, a member of the KOB who is fond of roleplaying as an overly enthusiastic knight, much to everyone else's annoyance. Godfree tells Kirito that he has been ordered by Heathcliff to train Kirito. Kirito feels that Godfree's services are unnecessary, since he went head-to-head with their Guild's leader, but Godfree points out that Kirito lost that fight. With Kirito declaring his hatred for him, Godfree tells Kirito to follow him, as they shall "avaunt for adventure and a valuable learning experience". Kirito then realizes this is what his life will be like from now on, stating that he is in hell.

Kirito then meets up with Godfree outside the base, to complete his training exercise, only to find that Godfree has brought a fellow member of their Guild, Kuradeel. Godfree explains that he heard of Kirito's and Kuradeel's "petty squabble" and decided to smooth things over between the two by taking them on a team building exercise. As Kirito voices his confusion with Godfree's word choice, as Godfree seems to be unaware that Kuradeel broke into Asuna's house, Kuradeel apologizes to Kirito for his previous actions, even bowing his head to Kirito and admitting he was out of line. Kirito is surprised by Kuradeel's new attitude and jokes that his dagger must've caused some brain damage when it dropped into his head. Godfree then tells Kirito that he should respect the elderly, as they have experience that makes up for their lack of good looks. However, Kuradeel reveals that he's only twenty-six, much to Godfree's awkwardness. Godfree then tries to clear the air by cheering the two onwards, but this only causes Kuradeel to voice his hatred of the game.

On the way to the Dungeon that Godfree has chosen for their training exercise, Godfree announces that they should take a lunch break before going any further. As Godfree divvies up the lunch, while making a not-so-subtle hint at what's to come, Kuradeel whispers under his breath that Godfree will die screaming. Kirito hears this, but before he can react, both he and Godfree are paralyzed by their poisoned water. At first, Godfree thinks this is a joke and asks Kuradeel for the antidote, but Kuradeel slashes Godfree with his sword. Kuradeel then proceeds to hack away at Godfree, remarking how annoying Godfree's roleplay persona is. With his life in danger, Godfree agrees to stop roleplaying and asks Kuradeel to put the sword down, which Kuradeel agrees to with a sinister tone. Thinking he's resolved the conflict, Godfree tries to turn the situation into a lesson for Kirito, saying there's nothing they can't accomplish when they talk out their differences. However, just as Godfree states they'll look back on this and laugh someday, Kuradeel plunges his sword down into Godfree's back, making him scream until he dies.

Kuradeel then turns his gaze to Kirito, stating that Godfree was right, as he's laughing already. Kirito asks Kuradeel if he's really going to kill two people because Kirito humiliated him, stating that it couldn't be the first time someone did so. But Kuradeel states that, while getting back at Kirito is an unexpected side benefit, he's motivated by a different reason, revealing his tattoo of the former Murder Guild, Laughing Coffin. This confuses Kirito, as he thought most of the Murder Guild were in prison. Kuradeel laments that this is true, as Laughing Coffin were stupid enough to give away the exact location of their secret base to every player in the game in an advert that was narrated by Johnny Black.

Despite this, however, Kuradeel blames Kirito for Laughing Coffin's defeat, as he was the one who inspired the Murder Guild to be more public, blinding them with the prospects of wealth and fame, and starts mutilating Kirito. However, during his rant, Kuradeel mentions that he wishes he could've met Laughing Coffin in their prime. This makes Kirito realize that Kuradeel wasn't a member of the Murder Guild, but a fanboy, and is mad at Kirito for not only causing Laughing Coffin's demise, but for making them "sell out". Despite repeatably getting stabbed by Kuradeel, Kirito declares that this is the greatest day of his life. Hearing this, Kuradeel asks Kirito not to ruin the moment, but he continues to laugh at the fanboy, saying that if he's going to die anyway, he'll make sure Kuradeel doesn't get to enjoy it.

Luckily, just as Kirito's about to die, Asuna comes to the rescue, slamming Kuradeel into a wall and restoring Kirito's health with a Healing Crystal. Though thankful for the save, Kirito asks how Asuna knew he was in trouble and how she got there so fast, to which Asuna admits that she was tailing the trio ever since they've left. Hearing this, Kirito states that he's never been so happy to be dating a stalker. With Kirito now safe, Asuna focuses her sights on Kuradeel, who staggers to his feet. At first, Kuradeel isn't concerned, as he believes Asuna's nothing more than a damsel in distress, but Asuna shows him how strong she really is, striking Kuradeel across the cheek with her sword before following it up with a flurry of sword attacks. With Kuradeel's health almost depleted, he gets on his knees and begs for mercy. At first, Asuna seems to give in to his pleas, claiming that Kuradeel isn't worth killing and that she'll let Heathcliff deal with him. However, when Kuradeel asks if she means it, she almost immediately impales him with her sword, ending the fanboy.

With the threat now over, Kirito's paralysis wears off and he manages to get up. He then thanks Asuna for saving him, stating that he didn't want the last thing he saw to be "Kuradeel's 'O face'". However, Asuna sits down next to Kirito and breaks down crying, much to Kirito's annoyance. Asuna condemns Kirito, stating that this is the second time he's almost died that week, and asks him to consider how she feels. She then whines about how she wants to almost die once in a while to make Kirito cry, before chastising herself for being "such a girl". Kirito then compares Asuna's cries to a surly drunk's, causing Asuna to state that it's Kirito's fault she feels this way. Hearing this, Kirito grabs Asuna and kisses her, establishing that they are now part of each other's lives.

Back in Asuna's place, in the Floor 61 city of Selmburg, Kirito and Asuna have dinner. Although the food still tastes like garbage, Kirito is still satisfied with how filling it is. Kirito then asks if it's okay for him to be over so late, to which Asuna asks, "Why wouldn't it be?". As Kirito starts rambling about the "dubious implications" of the situation, he notices that Asuna has stripped down to nothing but her underwear and invites him to have sex, which Kirito wholeheartedly accepts. As Kirito and Asuna climax, Kirito screams out to Rosalia and tells her to suck it, as he was able to accomplish the one thing Rosalia said he'd never do. However, Asuna is confused by this outburst and is infuriated that Kirito called out another woman's name in bed. Before Kirito can explain himself, however, Asuna charges an attack and punches him in the face.

After the credits, a little girl is seen in the middle of a forest, calling out for her mama and papa.

## Cast

* **Octopimp:** Tiffany
* **YamatoSFX:** Kirito
* **Megami33:** Lizbeth
* **xbubblemunkyx:** Asuna
* **Takahata101:** Heathcliff
* **Fluffles:** Himself
* **eagle8burger:** Sam
* **Lanipator:** Bob
* **MrBuddyVA:** Angry Mob
* **AntFish:** Godfree
* **Hayabusa449:** Kuradeel
* **Sonicring123Dubs:** Johnny Black
* **redasatomato:** ???

## Music

* **Thirty Seconds to Mars:** "This Is War"
* **Sword Art Online Original Soundtrack vol.1:** "Feel Uneasy", "A Strategy Meeting", "A Close Battle"
* **Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Original Soundtrack 1:** "Nightfall in Central City", "Mortal Sin", "Interlude", "Beneath the City"
* **Your Lie in April Original Song & Soundtrack:** "Shikai ga Akai!?", "For you ~Tsuki no Hikari ga Furisosogu Terrace~"
* **Blood Blockade Battlefront (Original Series Soundtrack):** "Blood Blockade Battlefront (Theme)", "Footloose/Run for Cover/Footloose"
* **Brütal Legend Original Soundtrack:** "11 O'clock Is a Direction"
* **Busou Renkin Original Soundtrack:** "Kyodai na Teki"
* **Hunter × Hunter (2011) Original Soundtrack 1:** "Kyoushuu", "I Ain't Ojisan!", "Yuuhi ni Mukatte"
* **Hunter × Hunter Select x Best xα** "The Emperor's Time"
* **Harmony of Heroes:** "Kumite"
* **Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game (Original Videogame Soundtrack):** "Area Clear"

## Differences from the Original

The following is a list of differences *only* from this episode. To view any differences for the characters, view their pages, or if you want to see more click here.

* No one was livestreaming Kirito's fight with the Gleam Eyes. Agil finds out about the fight via the game's newspaper.
	+ SAO is never stated to have livestreaming.
* Kirito saying he's abandoned his house, due to players swarming it to find out how he got the Dual Blades Skill, is skipped.
* Agil and Lisbeth don't laugh at Kirito's fight with the Gleam Eyes. Agil laughs about how the other players are reacting to the news and Lisbeth tells Kirito he shouldn't have told everyone their secret, as she was aware of the Dual Blade Skill prior to the incident.
* Kirito saying that he's abandoned his house, due to players swarming it to find out how he got the Dual Blades Skill, is skipped.
* Asuna now delivers the message with a lot less urgency.
* Agil and Lisbeth don't jump out of a window out of fear of Asuna.
* In the original, Kirito and Heathcliff mention that they've before at Boss raids. In the abridged version, their meeting in this episode the first time they've met.
* Kirito mentioning the incident with Kuradeel, as well as Heathcliff apologizing, is skipped.
* Heathcliff doesn't state that Kirito has become an inspiration to the other players.
* The meeting between Kirito and Heathcliff isn't about whether Kirito should join the KOB or not. It's about whether or not Asuna gets granted her leave from the Guild, as she was one of the KOB's best players and they couldn't afford to lose her.
	+ Kirito doesn't challenge Heathcliff to their fight in the original, Heathcliff challenges him.
	+ Heathcliff does ask Kirito to join the Guild in the original, but it was as a condition if loses the fight.
	+ Asuna doesn't point out that using her as a bargaining chip is a bit sexist.
* The scene between Kirito and Asuna before the fight, where they talk about how powerful Heathcliff is, is skipped.
	+ Asuna saying that Heathcliff's health has never turned yellow is moved to after the fight.
* The fight isn't narrated by an intellectual named Sam, or an overly loud manly stereotype named Bob.
	+ The nicknames said during the match are never mentioned in the original.
* In the original, Heathcliff was the one who commented on the amount of players in the audience, apologizing to Kirito. In the abridged version, Kirito was the one who comments on the turn out.
	+ Kirito asking for a share of the profits is skipped.
* Kirito and Heathcliff don't debate about which one of them is the best player in the game.
* In the original, Heathcliff is so certain that he's going to win the duel that he states the fight is Kirito's first mission as a member of the KOB. In the abridged version, he states that he'd be a fool to underestimate Kirito and tells him to "make his day".
* Kirito isn't knocked down by Heathcliff within four seconds of their fight. The strategy he comes up with is how the duel goes down in the original, but Heathcliff blocks the final attack and bashes him to the ground.
	+ Asuna watching the fight is skipped.
	+ Heathcliff doesn't call Kirito a noob.
* In the original, Kirito complains that his KOB uniform is too flashy and Asuna says he looks great. In the abridged version, Kirito says he looks like a tool and Asuna comments that he's dressed appropriately now.
* In the original, although disappointed by the situation, Kirito says that him joining the KOB will be good opportunity, and that he went as far as he could as a solo player. In the abridged version, Kirito is absolutely distraught that he has to join a Guild.
* In the original, Kirito tells Asuna about what happened to the Moonlit Black Cats after his fight with Heathcliff. In the abridged version, Asuna seems to be already aware of what happened.
	+ Asuna doesn't call Sachi "Sally".
* Asuna no longer says that she can't die because she has to protect of Kirito.
* Asuna now reassures Kirito that things will be different from his time with the Moonlit Black Cats.
* Kirito contemplating embracing Asuna, before deciding not to, is skipped.
* Godfree doesn't speak in Ye Olde English nor is he stated to be roleplayer.
* In the original, Asuna is the one who complains about Godfree's involvement. In the abridged version, Kirito is the one that complains.
* Godfree no longer states that he's commander of the front lines.
* No one mentions Kirito's fight against Heathcliff, nor does Godfree make a snide comment about how Kirito lost the fight.
* Asuna complaining that Godfree's training ruins her chance to be alone with Kirito is skipped.
	+ Kirito reassuring Asuna that he'll be back soon is skipped.
* Godfree dragging Kuradeel out from hiding is skipped.
* In the original, Godfree mentions that another member of the KOB would be joining them when he told Kirito he needed to train but didn't say it would be Kuradeel. In the abridged version, he didn't tell Kirito there would be a third person at all until Kirito saw Kuradeel.
* In the original, Godfree's training is an expedition to the Floor 55 Dungeon. In the abridged version, it's a team building exercise that Godfree not so subtly implies involves trust falls.
* Godfree doesn't refer to Kirito and Kuradeel's conflict as a "petty squabble".
* In the original, Kuradeel apologizes to Kirito for being rude to him. In the abridged version, he apologizes for going overboard with his duties.
* Godfree doesn't think that Kuradeel is an old man that Kirito can learn from, nor does Kuradeel inform him he's 26.
* The part where Godfree asks for Kirito and Kuradeel's Crystals, to test their reactions in dangerous situations, is skipped.
	+ Godfree doesn't ask Kuradeel for an Antidote Crystal.
* Kirito and Kuradeel's half-hearted cheering is replaced with Kuradeel saying that he hates SAO.
* Godfree now states that the Floor 55 Dungeon entrance is the halfway point of their expedition.
* The part where Kirito briefly imagines eating one of Asuna's sandwiches is skipped.
* Kuradeel doesn't mutter to himself that Godfree will die screaming.
* Godfree doesn't initially think that Kuradeel poisoning him and Kirito is a prank.
	+ Godfree stating that Kuradeel was in charge of packing the lunches is skipped.
* Kuradeel kicking away one of Godfree's Antidote Crystals and calling him an idiot is skipped.
* In the original, Kuradeel explains what his cover story is while he's hacking up Godfree. In the abridged version, he rants about how annoying Godfree is.
* Kuradeel now lets Godfree think he's stopped trying to kill him before dealing the final blow.
	+ Godfree doesn't try to turn this situation into a lesson for Kirito, nor does he state that the three of them will look back on this and laugh.
* Kuradeel stating that Godfree's death was Kirito's fault is skipped.
* Kirito asking Kuradeel why he's in the KOB and not one of the criminal Guilds is skipped.
* Kuradeel was a member of Laughing Coffin, as opposed to a fan. He was recruited after his fight with Kirito by PoH, who escaped being arrested.
	+ Kuradeel didn't try to kill Kirito because he was mad that Kirito made Laughing Coffin "sell out". He did it because Kirito humiliated him and because PoH told him to, in order to enact revenge on Kirito due to him being a part of the raid that arrested the other Laughing Coffin members.
* No one mentions the fact that most of Laughing Coffin have been imprisoned during Kuradeel's attack.
* Kuradeel stating that he better stop monologuing or else the poison will wear off is skipped.
* Kuradeel stabbing Kirito's arm is skipped.
* Kuradeel asking Kirito to describe his pain is skipped.
* Kirito wondering if he's going to die, and thinking about Sachi, is skipped.
* In the original, Kirito initially accepts his fate before realizing he wants to see Asuna again and begins weakly fighting back, which delights Kuradeel. In the abridged version, Kirito mocks Kuradeel and refuses to fight back to make sure Kuradeel can't enjoy his death.
* Asuna's relief that she made it in time is skipped.
* In the original, Asuna was keeping tabs on Kirito, Kuradeel and Godfree via the map, and came to rescue him after she saw Godfree disappear. In the abridged version, she was following them ever since the three left.
	+ Kirito doesn't make a joke about how he's glad he's dating a stalker.
* Kuradeel isn't implied to have an abusive mother who beat him so much he got sexually aroused by it.
* In the original, Kuradeel doesn't initially view Asuna as not a threat due to his prior experience with her. He tries to explain what happened, but she attacks him before he can finish his excuse.
* Kuradeel doesn't call Asuna a bitch after her first attack, nor does he try to insist that it's a compliment out of fear.
	+ Kirito doesn't call Asuna a bitch as a compliment, echoing Kuradeel's last words, before they kiss.
* Asuna doesn't claim she'll let Heathcliff deal with Kuradeel.
* Asuna doesn't kill Kuradeel, she hesitates at the last second, prompting Kuradeel to disarm her. Kirito then blocks Kuradeel's attack with his arm, losing a hand, before killing Kuradeel by jabbing him in the heart with his other hand.
* Asuna doesn't start crying over general worry for Kirito's safety. She starts crying because she feels like the whole situation with Kuradeel was her fault and she feels like she should stay away from Kirito for his safety.
* Kirito and Asuna expressing their feelings and promising to protect each other no matter what is skipped.
* Kirito asking to stay at Asuna's house for the night is skipped, so it's not really explained why Kirito went there in the abridged version.
	+ Asuna does strip out of nowhere, but she didn't do it because she wanted to and/or because Kirito pointed out the "dubious implications" of him staying over so late. She does it because she somehow confused Kirito asking to stay over as "let's have sex tonight".
	+ In the original, Asuna gave Kirito more of a warning that she was going to do something before she stripped. In the abridged version, she turns the lights off and strips when Kirito wasn't paying attention.
	+ Asuna isn't as confident to strip in front of Kirito in the original.
	+ Kirito doesn't squeal like girl when he that realizes him and Asuna are about to have sex.
* It is never stated that they did have sex in the anime, although it's heavily implied.
	+ Asuna does punch Kirito, but it's because she blamed him for *her* mistake, not because he called out someone else's name during sex.
* The spooky scene of Yui in the woods is shown before Kirito and Asuna get married.

## Trivia

* The sex scene in this episode is, to date, the most awkward thing Something Witty Entertainment has recorded. YamatoSFX recorded it when Hayabusa449 was out of the studio and xbubblemunkyx recorded it when Dizzasta was in the room.
* This is the last episode in the Aincrad Arc to have its outro.
* Originally, the end gag was going to be the scene where Kirito proposes to Asuna, but it was moved to the beginning of episode 10 and replaced with the scene of Yui in the woods.