Awaken (
Summary[]
In his hospital room, a heavily bandaged Chihiro stirs awake. Shiba and Azami enter and Azami explains Chihiro is in a public hospital. Azami notes while a Kamunabi hospital would offer better treatment, they wanted to avoid Chihiro's lineage appearing in the records given the number of Kamunabi members with more negative views of Kunishige Rokuhira.
Chihiro quickly asks about Char and Hinao, and Shiba informs him that Hinao was recovering well, enough to be eating Shiba's apples in any case (which she disliked). As for Char, Shiba explains that she should be alive. He elaborates on Sojo's intentions that he had learned from interrogating Norisaku Madoka, mentioning Sojo possessed Datenseki, Chihiro promptly recognising it as the Enchanted Blades' source material.
Within Sojo's laboratory, Sojo explains to the mohawked sorcerers that Datenseki is an ore discovered during the Seitei War, with only 250 kilograms known to exist. Sojo highlights its unique trait: any spirit energy inputted into Datenseki would be amplified exponentially to the point where the human body could not contain it. One of the henchmen notes the property is identical to the blades, and Sojo elaborates that rather than manifesting, the energy would return to the user's body, which would cause it to promptly explode from spirit energy overabundance.
However, Kunishige had been the sole individual in history capable of stabilizing the Datenseki and rendering it usable. A nearby researcher informs him the preparations are ready for the day's experiments and Sojo orders for the day's portion of cells to be added.
Within the hospital, Chihiro is confused as to why Sojo had Datenseki given only his father could stabilise it and Shiba reveals Sojo believes that the Kyonagi Clan's cells held the key to stabilising Datenseki, explaining Sojo's intention to utilize Datenseki and Char to craft a new weapon. Chihiro asks Shiba about the term 'use' and Shiba's expression sours considerably.
In a cell in Sojo's laboratory, Char stares with dead eyes at a tray of mush given to her as food. Moments later, researchers enter and move her to the operating table. Sojo watches as the researchers identify specific anatomical features they required and extract various internal organs from within Char's body.
Back at the hospital, after learning about what Sojo was likely doing to Char, Chihiro's eyes widen in horror.
With the organs set, Sojo orders for Char to be returned to the cage and orders the injection of cells into the vat where a piece of Datenseki is held. One of the mohawked henchmen raises the idea of fattening her up for more effective use of her flesh, prompting Sojo to dismiss the notion, citing the repeated shaving of her flesh as the preferred approach instead.
Chihiro was deeply frustrated for not being able to save Char, and his expression crumbles in anger, right hand grasping at the bedsheets. In a moment of realisation, Chihiro asks where Enten is and Azami assures him it was safe. Shiba apologises for underestimating Sojo's abilities and letting him get away. Azami brings up the Kamunabi and explains they have arranged an elite squad to counter Sojo, the Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces, elaborating on his desire for Chihiro to meet with them in order to form a strategy on dealing with Cloud Gouger. Azami asks Chihiro to trust him and Shiba explains the squad worked directly for Azami and were reliable. Chihiro agrees to Azami's request.
Ikuto Hagiwara, Shiyumi Harima, Hajime Kugara, Kiyohiko Uzuki and Kazane Machi of the Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces then enter. Kugara shouts loudly and listens to the echo, to Harima's amusement. Hagiwara shouts for the squad to be quiet and Uzuki does the same at a lower volume, while Kazane clicks his tongue in annoyance at Chihiro. The squad commander Hagiwara sits and reveals they had searched the location Norisaku had told Shiba about, but it was empty, so they had begun searching again, and needed information from Chihiro to compose a strategy against Sojo.
Chihiro agrees on the condition that he be part of the operation. Kazane dismisses the notion, thinking Chihiro believed himself deserving of preferential treatment given his lineage, and Uzuki excuses him as being a jerk upon seeing young individuals with potential. As Kugara moves to annoy Kazane and ask about his 'jerky' behaviour, Uzuki turns to Hagiwara and notes that Chihiro had completely prevented civilian casualties during Sojo's attack and was thus a notable factor. Harima is amazed given the widespread lightning attack and asks how it was possible, Chihiro replying he had redirected the lightning towards himself using Enten. His bravery sparks admiration from Kugara, though Chihiro plays down his actions, citing Sojo's apparent inexperience. Kugara thinks him cool though Hagiwara spots that he's quite hot-headed.
Shiba speaks up and highlights Chihiro's severe injuries, particularly to his dominant left hand, and estimates he wouldn't be in full shape for a month. Hagiwara is internally shocked he fought Sojo in that condition while Uzuki voices they had already begun searching for Sojo's base when Chihiro collapsed five days earlier. Chihiro is shocked by how much time had passed and worries about Char's condition, voicing that he had to participate in the mission.
Hagiwara explains that their goal was solely to eliminate Sojo, not rescue Char. However, recognising Chihiro's impulsiveness and the likelihood of him rushing in even if they were to refuse, Hagiwara proposes a plan: while the Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces dealt with Sojo, Chihiro could coverly rescue Char. Hagiwara reckons it a good plan given Chihiro's current physical state and his hot-headedness, though Harima lampshades the plan's spontaneity. Hagiwara asks Chihiro if he agreed to the plan, and despite wanting to confront Sojo, a burst of pain from his left hand reminds him of his current physical condition. Remembering Char's current state in imprisonment, Chihiro voices his agreement.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Chihiro wakes up in a hospital, wrapped in bandages.
- Shiba and Azami meet with him, the latter explaining Chihiro is in a civilian hospital to avoid detection on Kamunabi records.
- Chihiro asks about Char and Hinao, finding out Hinao is recovering while Char's cells were being used in experiments alongside Datenseki, the source material for the Enchanted Blades, in an attempt to stabilise it.
- In his laboratory, Sojo explains Datenseki was discovered during the war and only 250 kilograms were known to exist.
- Their primary property is massively amplifying spirit energy imbued into it, but unlike Enchanted Blades that manifest the energy afterwards Datenseki redirects it back into the body, causing one to explode from overabundance.
- Kunishige Rokuhira was the only individual in history that could stabilise Datenseki and use it in forging weapons.
- Azami explains the Kamunabi have put together an Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces and invites Chihiro to meet with them in order to utilise Chihiro's knowledge on Cloud Gouger. Chihiro agrees.
- The Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces (minus Kasahara) arrive and their captain Hagiwara explains they are currently searching for Sojo's new base and are requesting information from Chihiro for their strategy.
- Chihiro expresses his desire to join the mission which Kazane heavily disapproves of, but Uzuki notes Chihiro had prevented civilian casualties during his battle with Sojo, and was thus a notable factor to account for.
- Shiba notes Chihiro has severe injuries, particularly to his dominant left arm, and thus he won't be in full shape for another month.
- Chihiro is determined to join the mission after learning he has been unconscious and Char has been kidnapped for five days, but Hagiwara explains their mission is solely to eliminate Sojo, not rescue Char.
- Hagiwara proposes that while his squad deal with Sojo, Chihiro will attack his headquarters to rescue Char. Chihiro agrees.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
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Takeru Hokazono |
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