Lukewarm (
Summary[]
While lying on the floor covered in blood, Hakuri reminds Chihiro of how he once saved him from his earlier fight with Sojo, having drawn the entirety of Sojo's charged Mei to himself and saved the lives of many people there. Tafuku notes that Chihiro is quite a good guy and Hiyuki tells him to shut up. Hakuri shouts that Chihiro's blade suits him and urges him to hurry and defeat Hiyuki so they can resume their pursuit of Shinuchi. Hakuri wearily notes he is close to passing out as Hiyuki and Tafuku take in that Chihiro is also after Shinuchi.
Hiyuki once again tells Chihiro that his Enchanted Blade should be in the hands of the Kamunabi, and tells Chihiro to cooperate if he is really a 'good guy'. She maintains that Tafuku's sorcery ensured they would not be leaving until the duel was over, and if he refused, he would die and his Enchanted Blade's contract woudl be passed on. Another side of Hiyuki's attitude emerges as she comments on how she hates killing weaklings, and questions where Chihiro's skills when he killed Sojo were. Hiyuki demands Chihiro to stop being so lukewarm about fighting if they are going to battle properly.
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 defeat evil and 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 around herself, 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 by the flat sides; 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.
"I can't do this unless you come at me for real! My life has to be on the line too!"
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 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 has also recognised this, but her position and ego are blinding 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 Rakuzaichi auction hall, Kyora Sazanami, head of the Sazanami Clan and lead auctioneer of the Rakuzaichi, stands on the stage, noting the auction would likely be chaotic this year. 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 bearer, its true value was unusable for the time being. Kyora decides no matter what happens during the Rakuzaichi, the Sazanami Clan will protect it as they always have; but he notes that he cannot help but feel a bit nervous.
Chihiro and Hakuri as well as Hiyuki and Tafuku prepare to head to the Rakuzaichi. Soga is shown looking upwards, having twitched as Kyora handled his blade's case.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Hakuri reminds Chihiro of the previous time Chihiro had saved him during his first battle against Sojo, telling Chihiro that his blade suits him and urging him to hurry so they can get to Shinuchi.
- Hiyuki reiterates that the Enchanted Blades should be under the Kamunabi but adds that she despises fighting weak opponents, demanding Chihiro give it his all.
- Refusing to hand over Enten and knowing he needs to master the blade, Chihiro prepares to fight.
- Some clashing later, Hiyuki lets Chihiro land a hit on her as he had used the flat of his blade, yelling that she cannot fight properly unless Chihiro really goes all-out and her life is also on the line.
- Hiyuki readies the Spinal Column but immediately cancels it after Hakuri passes out and Tafuku's space closes, returning the four to the regular world.
- Chihiro flees with Hakuri.
- 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 going through a run-through of the Rakuzaichi within the auction hall. As with all goods to be auctioned, Shinuchi is within his possession.
- Soga, wielder of Shinuchi, minutely reacts to Kyora approaching the blade.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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