Ep 21. The Monument of the Swordsmen

Sword Art Online II season 1, episode 21, titled "The Monument of the Swordsmen," continues to follow the adventures of Kirito as he navigates the dangerous world of the gun-based MMO game, Gun Gale Online.

The episode begins with Kirito and Sinon finishing up their training session. Sinon is excited about her upcoming showdown with Kirito, which will determine the winner of the tournament and reveal the true identity of Death Gun. As they prepare for the fight, Kirito asks Sinon about her past and learns that she was once a victim of a violent crime. Although she's still dealing with the trauma, Sinon has found strength in her gun skills and is determined to win the tournament and take down Death Gun.

The scene then shifts to Death Gun, who is revealed to be working with a group of accomplices. They discuss their plan to take out the remaining players, including Kirito and Sinon, and how they can manipulate the game to achieve their goals. It becomes clear that Death Gun is not just a lone wolf but rather a well-organized group determined to succeed.

The tournament begins, and Kirito and Sinon are pitted against each other in the first round. As they engage in intense gunfire, they both demonstrate impressive skills, but it's ultimately Kirito who takes the win. As they exit the arena, Kirito and Sinon are approached by a mysterious figure who reveals that they have a shared enemy in Death Gun.

Kirito and Sinon then set out to uncover more information about Death Gun's identity and motives. They eventually come across a monument dedicated to the Swordsmen of Aincrad, the location of the previous MMO game that Kirito and his friends were trapped in. The monument is believed to hold a clue to Death Gun's true identity, and Kirito and Sinon set out to investigate.

They encounter a group of players who are also investigating the monument and quickly realize that they are all in danger. They are attacked by a mysterious figure wielding a rare sword, and Kirito and Sinon must use their skills to defend themselves. They eventually discover a hidden message on the monument that reveals the identity of Death Gun, setting the stage for the final showdown.

Overall, "The Monument of the Swordsmen" is an action-packed episode that delivers on the promise of the tournament storyline while also providing crucial revelations about the true nature of Death Gun. Kirito and Sinon continue to be compelling characters, and the addition of other players as potential allies and enemies adds an extra layer of complexity to the narrative. The cliffhanger ending ensures that viewers will be eagerly awaiting the next installment to see how the story unfolds.