It's reported that the Holy Sword Excalibur has been discovered inside ALO. Hearing the news, Kirito and Leafa decide to take possession of Excalibur before other players get to it first.

Debriefing of the events of Sword Art Online II so far…

Kyouji attacks Shino, saying he'll kill himself after she's dead. Kazuto saves her at the last second by jumping Kyouji. During the fight, Kazuto is hit with Kyouji's poison syringe, but miraculously it doesn't work and Kirito is saved. The next day Kazuto and Shino go to meet Kikuoka, and discuss the incident. Kikuoka has a message from one of the captured Death Guns...

Death Gun's attack is modeled after Star Splash, a SAO skill that doesn't exist in GGO. Death Gun is skilled with not only a gun but a blade as well, and he gradually wears down Kirito's health. Meanwhile, Sinon's scope has been destroyed by Death Gun and she cannot attack, so she's forced to simply watch the fight. She grits her teeth and wonders if there's anything else she can do.

BoB nears its end, and the only surviving players are Kirito, Sinon, and Dark Wind, the second place winner of the last tournament. Since Death Gun may have multiple partners, and Dark Wind may be in danger as well, Kirito decides to defeat him first. He acts as a decoy while Sinon snipes the enemy. Kirito's trust in her pays off as her bullet strikes true, and he finally faces off with Death Gun.

After escaping from Death Gun, Kirito and Sinon lay low in a desert cave. There, Kirito speculates on how Death Gun murdered other players. In doing so, he hits upon a certain terrifying possibility.

Sinon is attacked from behind by Death Gun and paralyzed. He's using a Black Star Type-54, ironically the same gun that Sinon used to shoot the robber. Her memories of the incident come flooding back and Sinon loses control, and Death Gun tries to kill her to make Kirito angry. But just before he can kill her Kirito saves her at the last second. Sinon is out of the fight, and Kirito tries to flee with her but is pursued by Death Gun.

A year has passed since SAO was cleared. Summoned by Kikuoka of the Virtual Division at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Kazuto learns of a series of bizarre murders linked to the popular VR game, Gun Gale Online (GGO), the only game in Japan played by pros.

The final round of Honnouji Academy’s Naturals Election is about to begin and the Elite Four all want to be the first to fight Ryuko. Her homeroom teacher, Aikuro Mikisugi, is concerned if she’ll be able to make it through one fight, let alone all four!

Satsuki Kiryuin reveals her plan to rebuild Honnouji Academy’s order, a free-for-all whose survivors will be able to regain their Goku Uniforms. Despite the resulting chaos, Ryuko and Mako go for a ride, only to wind up in an unexpected situation!

After defeating another group of clubs, Ryuko notices her opponents are becoming more and more absurd. Mako points out the reward for beating her is a Three-Star Goku Uniform and a higher quality of life, which prompts Ryuko to come up with a plan.

Overwhelmed by recent events, Ryuko demands answers from her homeroom teacher, Aikuro Mikisugi. Meanwhile, Uzu Sanageyama, Honnouji Academy’s Athletic Committee Chair and on the Elite Four, makes a request of his own… to challenge Ryuko to a duel!

A mysterious man arrives at Honnouji Academy and quickly proves himself to be more than capable of fighting against a Two-Star Goku Uniform. But when he sets his sights on Ryuko, who will be left standing?

Sirens awaken the No-Star students for the start of “No-Late Day,” where being tardy will get you expelled from Honnouji Academy. With Senketsu in the wash, Ryuko must fight on her own to get through the Discipline Committee’s traps and arrive on time.

Having kept her end of the bargain, Ryuko demands answers from her homeroom teacher, Aikuro Mikisugi, and learns the secret behind the power of Senketsu and the Goku Uniforms. Meanwhile, Satsuki Kiryuin returns home to claim a power of her own.

The final confrontation is at hand! Will Ragyo and Nui bring on the end of the world, or will Ryuko and the others be able to stop them?

The ongoing battle presses towards Honnouji Academy, but Ragyo and the Original Life Fiber stand in the way. Ryuko and Satsuki set off to face them, leaving Nudist Beach’s defense to... Mako?! Meanwhile, a crazed Nui continues working feverishly…

A surprising turn of events catches Nui Harime off guard and gives Nudist Beach a chance to regroup and plan their next step in the fight against Ragyo. But will Ryuko and Satsuki be able to settle their recent conflicts?

Ryuko’s rampage continues, and thanks to Ragyo and Nui she has an unexpected new ally. With Satsuki as the target, will the Elite Four and Nudist Beach be able to withstand the onslaught?

Ryuko is awake and she’s not happy. Intent on killing Ragyo and Nui, she heads out, leaving her allies behind. Without her power, Nudist Beach must decide what their next step is, but a new piece of intel spurs them to action!