Defend to the Death (
Summary[]
Hakuri asks if Chihiro defeated Yura, and Chihiro admits he did not.
On the other side of the wall, Hiyuki prepares to engage Yura (Tafuku still in the lobby above where he had defeated all the sorcerers and yakuza present). Yura reflects on Chihiro's statement that he would kill Yura some other time, before noting that defending the Rakuzaichi was the Sazanami Clan's duty, grabbing his severed arm and forming a hand sign before teleporting out. Hiyuki barely has a moment to realise Yura's allegiance to the Hishaku before Sazanami Clan members arrive on scene, and Hiyuki prepares to fight them.
While Kyora conducts the raucous chaos in the auction hall, the scene shifts to many years ago as Kyora talks to a young Hakuri and Tenri, the three and Soya on the stage in the empty auction hall. Kyora states the Sazanami stand at the top, ruling the passion that drives auction-goers to visit and bid. He tells Hakuri and Tenri that they are special, which is why they have to be strong and defend the stage, as outsiders are forbidden from setting foot upon the stage; a tradition the Tou have defended over the years, proof that they are special.
Shiba interrogates Tenri
In the present, Shiba lights a cigarette and holds it to a defeated Tenri's eye; Enji and Tamaki's defeated forms elsewhere in the room. Shiba questions Tenri regarding how to open the door leading to the Naginojoen. He notes that with the strongest Sazanami, the Tou, defeated, the Rakuzaichi would soon be finished. Knowing Shiba's strength far surpasses theirs, Enji speaks up and tells Shiba he will give him the info, but Tenri shouts his refusal to admit defeat, adamant in his determination to defend the Rakuzaichi.
An internal note from Tenri reveals that his elder brother of one year, Hakuri, was not special, and would be seen as a disgrace for his lack of talent with sorcery. Seeing his father's dismay at realising Hakuri was a failure, a young Tenri's resolve crystallises. Years later, Tenri is promoted to a member of the Tou, the youngest member in history, after defeating a faction defecting from the Sazanami single-handedly. Kyora notes his pride in Tenri for his accomplishments, Tenri smiling back.
Tenri activates the Datenseki
In the present, Tenri furiously notes he has to make his father proud, just as Kyora transports a piece of semi-stabilised Datenseki in front of him. The Datenseki had been given to Kyora by Yura, who at the time noted it was the handiwork of Genichi Sojo, whose genius allowed him to achieve partial stability over Datenseki, a feat surpassed only by Kunishige Rokuhira.
Kyora communicates with Tenri, stating he must defend to the death. Screaming his acknowledgement and ignoring Enji's panic, Tenri grabs onto the Datenseki and stands up, his amplified spirit energy manifesting in the form of a jellyfish. Upstairs, as Chihiro and Hakuri prepare to descend, Soya stands up, face turned serious, which Hakuri realises he has never seen. Hakuri urges Chihiro downstairs in order to maintain Cloud Gouger's remaining energy, while he confronts Soya.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Yura notes his satisfaction with Chihiro's ability to ignore his revenge in favour of the Rakuzaichi and teleports out with his right arm.
- Hiyuki realises Yura is a member of the Hishaku before being confronted with a squadron of Sazanami sorcerers.
- In the past, Kyora tells a young Hakuri and Tenri that the Sazanami Clan's traditions, particularly the one dictating only members of the clan may set foot on the stage in the auction hall, make them special; which is why as Sazanami Clan members they had to be strong.
- Shiba is revealed to have defeated Enji, Tamaki and Tenri, and is now questioning Tenri on how to open the door to the Naginojoen.
- Kyora delivers a piece of semi-stabilised Datenseki (donated by Yura and developed by Sojo) to Tenri, who uses it to amplify his spirit energy.
- Soya stands up and Hakuri urges Chihiro downwards, leaving himself to confront Soya.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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