“Selection” (
Summary[]
Within the audience of the Rakuzaichi, two members of the Kamunabi are present, being the members of the Kamunabi's Shinuchi Bidding Team. The female member admits she's nervous at having to ignore the sale of people for the sole purpose of buying Shinuchi. The male member acknowledges her point, but states there's a limited number of things they can choose to protect, and that the course of action that would benefit the nation most would be buying Shinuchi, its power capable of saving millions of lives.
In the foyer, the sorcerers on the chandelier wonder about Hiyuki's identity, recognising her flaming arm. To the side, Chihiro recalls a conversation he had earlier with Shiba before the auction, where he refused to be teleported directly underground as security would inevitably be a problem and he wanted to find an opportunity to deal with Hiyuki early on; to negotiate with her.
Chihiro and Hiyuki then charge through the crowd, using Cloud Gouger and Flame Bone to tear through the masses of guards before arriving face to face. Tafuku grabs a conscious guard before activating his sorcery, the four of them appearing to disappear from the guards' view as they entered Tafuku's battle dimension. Tafuku notes Chihiro had been telling the truth when he said he broke Cloud Gouger, though it was still working. Hiyuki then informs Chihiro of her assignment to protect Chihiro and prevent him through dying, and to arrest him if Chihiro were to resist, in order that Enten does not become usable.
Hiyuki then asks Chihiro why he gave Enten to the Sazanami Clan, and Chihiro responded that he was learning about the Sazanami Clan's Storehouse. He offers to provide information, but Hiyuki crassly brushes him off, responding that they were already going to buy it, Tafuku slightly peeved at Hiyuki's blatant reveal of the Kamunabi's plans. Chihiro was also surprised Hiyuki revealed the information that easily, before bringing up how humans are sold at the auction, using the example of Yuu attempting to save his sister. Chihiro once again reiterates that the Kamunabi's plans are to not interfere with the Rakuzaichi, buy Shinuchi and 'protect' Chihiro so as to prevent Enten from being usable, which Hiyuki coldly confirms.
To the side, Tafuku mentally notes Hiyuki was initially heavily opposed to the idea of not interfering with the auction, believing saving all lives was the most important thing, and only begrudgingly agreeing at the last minute. Tafuku recalls Hiyuki had agreed in the end due to knowing the importance of recovering Shinuchi, being personally acquainted with Enchanted-Blade-level strength. Chihiro, meanwhile, picks up on Hiyuki's lack of willingness to follow the plan and decides to appeal to her emotional side, asking if Hiyuki was really okay with letting innocents suffer just for the sake of recovering Shinuchi.
Hiyuki cuts him off with a stomp that shatters the ground, telling him that his jabs weren't going to yield him Shinuchi. Despite her statement, Hiyuki is visibly torn by Chihiro's words, conflicted to the point of reopening her head wound she had incurred from Chihiro. Exasperated, Hiyuki finally decides to forget the plan, and tells Tafuku that she would simply destroy all of it, not bothering to pick battles anymore. Seeing Chihiro's confusion, Tafuku interpreted Hiyuki's statement for him, telling Chihiro that Hiyuki would likely aim to kill him after he had retrieved Enten and Shinuchi. Chihiro asks if Tafuku is okay with it, and Tafuku nonchalantly states it would get him out of trouble with the higher-ups.
Chihiro thanks him, prompting Tafuku to tell him to get moving, before letting go of the guard he had been holding and knocking him out with a palm strike. As Tafuku's room fell due to the guard being knocked out, Chihiro and Hiyuki moved in, cutting through more guards. Chihiro quickly rushed downstairs, while Hiyuki and Tafuku prevented the other guards from following.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Two members of the Kamunabi's Shinuchi Bidding Team are seen discussing the moral importance of recovering Shinuchi.
- Chihiro sees Hiyuki and recalls he had wanted to negotiate with her first, to prevent any disruption on her part, rather than be teleported by Shiba underground directly.
- Chihiro and Hiyuki confront each other within Tafuku's subspace, and Tafuku captures a guard inside as well.
- Hiyuki reveals Chihiro must not be allowed to die in order to prevent enemy hands from using Enten, and so he must be protected, or arrested if he resists.
- Hiyuki asks why Chihiro handed over Enten and Chihiro reveals his investigation of the Storehouse. Hiyuki refuses Chihiro's subsequent offer of information he has learnt as the Kamunabi are already bidding on Shinuchi.
- Chihiro confirms the Kamunabi plan on letting the auction proceed (including the sale of humans), only buy Shinuchi and 'protect' Chihiro so as to retrieve Shinuchi and ensure Enten is rendered unusable.
- Hiyuki was previously heavily opposed to this idea and only begrudgingly agreed in the end due to knowing the sheer power of the Enchanted Blades, being in control of similar power herself.
- Chihiro recognises Hiyuki opposes the Kamunabi ignoring the moral problem of the auction and presses her on her ignorance of the injustices committed against the innocent.
- Hiyuki is angered to the point of reopening her wound inflicted by Chihiro, and in a fit of rage decides to simply forget about her orders and just 'destroy it all'.
- Tafuku interprets her statement as deciding to let Chihiro go until he retrieves both Enchanted Blades and kill him after that happens.
- Tafuku knocks out the guard, closing the subspace, and Chihiro dashes off, Hiyuki dealing with any guards that approach him.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author's Comments | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
There're so many movies I want to see! I haven't been to a movie theater in forever. I want to experience that smell! I need to work out my schedule.
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