“Deal” (
Summary[]
As Hinao checks on Hakuri, Shiba prepares for the Sazanami Family's fighting technique: creating and commanding shockwaves. Soya properly activates Isou, reaching both hands behind him and propelling shockwaves from his hands, blasting him forward as he reaches out to grab Shiba. Shiba dodges and aims his fingers at Soya's head, but Soya reacts quickly and aims a shockwave-forming hand at Shiba. Shiba hastily dodges as the resulting shockwave slams through the air and destroys the stairwell of a nearby apartment building.
Kyora provides Tenri with additional armaments.
Shiba notes though Soya might be the strongest of the Tou, Chihiro is still fighting three individuals nearly as strong as Soya, and thus decides to teleport Soya back to the estate to make it a 5-on-2 battle. Chihiro, for his part, uses Nishiki to easily evade the Tou's shockwaves, slicing through Tenri's two blades. Tenri quickly shouts to his father for more blades, black 'bubbles' forming by his feet in response. From the bubbles two swords emerge, Tenri grabbing them and continuing to fight as the bubbles dissipate.
Chihiro assumes the bubbles are formed due to Kyora pulling weapons out of the Storehouse. Kyora, now sitting on a bench nearby, ponders Shiba's disappearance, and realises his teleportation must be how they had gotten in. Tamaki calls for a stronger weapon as Tenri prepares to hold off Chihiro. Tenri crosses his blades in front of him, producing a shockwave that immediately halts Chihiro's Nishiki-boosted momentum. The other two immediately rush in, Tamaki with a larger blade and Enji with an armed shockwave.
Suddenly, Shiba teleports in with Soya, using Soya's shockwave to cancel out Enji's shockwave. Chihiro immediately strikes Tamaki, knocking her back several metres. Shiba questions how good his timing was, and Chihiro replies it is perfect. As the Tou react to Soya's sudden appearance, Soya is perplexed, especially as he had just found Hakuri. Hearing this, Kyora immediately realises Hakuri is the one who led Chihiro and Shiba to the estate and summons him, just like he did with the weapons.
Kyora stands up, drawing a saber, and reveals he can withdraw any 'item' registered in the Storehouse; which is how he summoned the Tou. All members of the Sazanami are registered at birth in a ceremony, which allows Kyora to protect his children in case of emergencies. Sorcerers can detect the 'registration'; but Hakuri could not, due to his lack of sorcerial talent.
Kyora proceeds to use Hakuri as a hostage, aiming his saber at Hakuri's neck. Shiba bluffs that they don't need him anymore, and that they barely know him anyway. Kyora notices Shiba watching his shaking hand, and reveals he's not hesitating. Rather than hesitation, his hand shakes due to rage and sadness at Hakuri's uselessness to the family.
Despite his worthlessness, Kyora still knows having to kill Hakuri would sadden him, and so he banished him instead. However, Hakuri continued to cause detriment to the Sazanami. Kyora raises his saber, but Chihiro interrupts him, sheathing Enten. Internally, Chihiro apologises to Shiba and his father, and states Hakuri is worth a lot in his view, as he 'saved' Chihiro. Kyora asks Chihiro to show him just how much Hakuri is worth.
Chihiro, Shiba and Hakuri arrive at their previous apartment and Hinao finds them all in a state of dismay, especially Hakuri, who is incessantly apologising. Elsewhere, in his office, the bearded Kamunabi leader reads a report given to him by a subordinate, discovering a new item for the Rakuzaichi. In the Sazanami estate, Kyora comments this is the first time Hakuri has ever been useful, and that they shall have the greatest edition of the Rakuzaichi ever. It is revealed Chihiro had given up Enten to be sold at the auction.
Hakuri apologises for Chihiro having to sacrifice his blade for him, and Shiba apologises for bringing Soya back, but Chihiro calms them down, even apologising himself for choosing to stay behind. He then clarifies it's nobody's fault, and that he had planned to give them Enten. Droplets of water drip up from Enten as it resides in the Storehouse, as Chihiro states nothing has gone wrong; a clear indication that Chihiro is maintaining control of his blade remotely.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- The battle between Shiba and Soya continues.
- Soya activates Isou and unleashes a barrage of shockwaves against Shiba, but he dodges them all.
- Shiba worries over how Chihiro is faring and teleports him and Soya back to the estate.
- The battle between Chihiro and the Tou continues.
- Chihiro breaks the Tou's weapons but Kyora repeatedly summons new ones from the Storehouse to give to them. Kyora sits by the side of the courtyard, away from the action but close enough to support his children.
- The Tou members display further usage of Isou shockwaves to enhance their defence and offence.
- As Shiba teleports to the estate with Soya, Soya lets slip that he has found Hakuri.
- Kyora immediately realises Hakuri has been funneling information to Chihiro and Shiba and summons him. Due to every Sazanami child being registered in the Storehouse, Kyora can summon them from any location at any time.
- Kyora states sorcerers can detect this registration, which is why Hakuri did not know about it.
- Kyora uses Hakuri as a hostage to force Chihiro and Shiba to make a move.
- Shiba initially calls his bluff, pretending to not care about Hakuri. However, Kyora then voices that he is perfectly willing to kill Hakuri, despite the sadness it would bring him, because of how useless and obstructing Hakuri was.
- Chihiro states Hakuri holds value to him and trades Enten for Hakuri.
- Enten is placed on the list of items to be auctioned.
- The Kamunabi find out about it.
- Hakuri blames himself for Chihiro doing so, but Chihiro calms him down, stating he has a plan.
- Droplets of water drip upwards from Enten, even when sheathed, indicating Chihiro is keeping it active remotely.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author's Comments | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
When I hear “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” I need to wave my arms, so I have to suddenly stop working. I can't find a solution to this.
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