“Lukewarm” (
Summary[]
While lying on the floor, covered in blood from protecting Chihiro during Hiyuki's attack, Hakuri reminds Chihiro of how he once saved him from an earlier fight with Sojo, having drawn the entirety of Sojo's charged Mei to himself and saved the lives of many people, including Hakuri. Hakuri questions Hiyuki's actions, emphasizing Chihiro's dedication to saving lives. He urges Chihiro to defeat Hiyuki and the sumo wrestler, Tafuku Mihara, so they can refocus on obtaining Shinuchi. Brushing aside Hakuri's words, Hiyuki once gain asks Chihiro to hand over his enchanted blades, again warning him of their dangerous nature and explaining that he can't leave until the battle is considered over.
Another side of Hiyuki's attitude emerges as she comments on how she hates killing weaklings, and wonders where Chihiro's skills when he killed Sojo were. Hiyuki demands Chihiro to stop being so lukewarm about fighting if they're going to properly battle.
Chihiro admits interally that the Enchanted Blades are dangerous, and knows full well their capability for killing people, remembering the words of Sojo, Hiyuki and his father. However, he also notes the Enchanted Blades have limitless potential, and thus they can just as easily be weapons that save lives, with Hakuri's and his father's words ringing through his mind. Chihiro resolves to not hand over Enten to anyone, so that he can fully realise its potential to protect the weak; and to do so, he must master the blade through fighting.
After gathering his thoughts, Chihiro prepares to face Hiyuki, and immediately activates Nishiki. Observing his increase in speed, Hiyuki orders Rikuo to summon Ribs, acting as a flaming barrier to ward off Chihiro, forcing him to circle Hiyuki's position. Hiyuki is impressed at Chihiro's speed, knowing this is the speed that took down the lightning-fast Sojo, and doubles down on her aim to defeat him.
Chihiro spots an opening within Hiyuki's barrier, and when Tafuku sees Chihiro rushing in he notes Hiyuki has set a trap. As Chihiro slashes forward, Hiyuki grabs what she believes is his Enchanted Blade; but in reality it is his wakizashi, Chihiro having seen through Hiyuki's plot. Chihiro speeds behind Hiyuki to launch his real strike, but Hiyuki then proceeds to do something that shocks Tafuku and Chihiro; she takes Chihiro's attack without attempting to block or evade. Tafuku and Chihiro share a feeling of confusion, both of them knowing full well Hiyuki could have dodged.
Hiyuki is revealed to be angered, as Chihiro had attacked her with the flat of his blade, which injured Hiyuki's forehead but dealt no serious damage, indicating to Hiyuki that Chihiro is still not attempting to go for the kill. She directs a flaming fist at him remotely, forcing Chihiro to move back, all the while demanding Chihiro quit his lukewarm fighting and stating she couldn't fight as she liked unless Chihiro came at her at full force with true murderous intent, seemingly enjoying the thrill of fighting with her life on the line.
The onlookers, Tafuku and Hakuri, both find Hiyuki's attitude towards this unsettling. Tafuku is especially concerned at the lengths Hiyuki is going to make her point clear. He realises Chihiro is an honourable individual, choosing to focus on Hiyuki even though Tafuku had stated it was his sorcery sealing the area; Tafuku had even been prepared for Chihiro to attack him. Tafuku concludes Chihiro is sincerely choosing to meet Hiyuki's challenge head-on, and giving it his all; leading Tafuku to respect him more.
Moving on to Hiyuki, Tafuku realises she's also recognised this, but her position and ego blind her from acting rationally, instead just lashing out. Hiyuki curses at Chihiro due to his lack of killing intent preventing her from truly attempting to kill him, and her frustration leads her to scream that she'll kill Chihiro anyway, much to Tafuku's confusion.
Hiyuki then demands the Spinal Column from Rikuo, visibly alarming Chihiro and Tafuku, the latter who realises Hiyuki is serious about killing Chihiro. Abruptly, Tafuku then notices Hakuri is about to lose consciousness, and immediately alerts Hiyuki, who orders Rikuo to cancel her request. As Hakuri passes out, Tafuku's battle-space disappears, the four once again appearing in the outside world, and Chihiro takes the opportunity to flee with Hakuri in tow.
Observing the threat posed by Chihiro is gone, Hiyuki allows herself to fall forward, Chihiro's forehead attack clearly having done at least some damage to her. Tafuku catches her and she orders a status report from him on Chihiro and Hakuri, before questioning why Tafuku's sorcery had stopped. Tafuku responded it was due to Hakuri losing consciousness, which the battle-space had acknowledged as the conflict's conclusion. Hiyuki is confused, as she had held back immensely when hitting Hakuri, but the two realise Hakuri is just incredibly weak. Tafuku inquires what they will do now, and Hiyuki replies that they already know the two are heading after Shinuchi at the Rakuzaichi, so they will do the same.
Elsewhere, in the stadium where the Rakuzaichi is held, a white-haired man stands in the centre of the empty stadium, musing how this year's Rakuzaichi would be especially chaotic. The man is revealed to be Kyora Sazanami, head of the Sazanami Clan and lead auctioneer of the Rakuzaichi. Kyora comments that their headliner for the year would be unprecedented; Shinuchi, lying before him, still in its case. Kyora states Shinuchi, used by 'that master swordsman', is unrivalled even amongst the Enchanted Blades, and the undeniable masterpiece of Kunishige Rokuhira.
His gloved right hand reaches forward to reach for the case, before pulling back. Kyora notes due to Shinuchi's Lifelong Contract with its wielder, its true value is unusable for now. Kyora decides no matter what happens during the Rakuzaichi, they will protect it as they always have; but he does note that he cannot help but feel a bit nervous.
As everyone prepares to head to the Rakuzachi, the chapter concludes with the imprisoned enchanted blade wielder, presumably the wielder of Shinuchi; who seems to partially resemble Genichi Sojo.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Hakuri reminds Chihiro of saving him from a previous fight with Sojo, highlighting Chihiro's dedication to saving lives.
- Hiyuki lets Chihiro land a hit on her with the flat of his blade and reveals her nature as despising fighters who refuse to kill, herself being unable to fight properly against such opponents.
- The battle between Chihiro and Hiyuki is left inconclusive, as Hakuri passing out triggers Tafuku's sorcery, leading Chihiro to flee.
- Hiyuki decides to pursue Chihiro to the Rakuzaichi, as Hakuri had revealed he and Chihiro were after Shinuchi.
- Kyora Sazanami, head of the Sazanami clan and lead auctioneer of the Rakuzaichi, is introduced. As with all goods to be auctioned, Shinuchi is within his possession.
- The chapter ends with the imprisoned enchanted blade wielder, who bears a striking resemblance to Genichi Sojo, especially the shadows under his eyes.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
Author Comment | |
Takeru Hokazono | |
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