“Equal” (
Summary[]
Shiba praises Hakuri, along with Isou, for successfully awakening the Storehouse, expressing admiration for Hakuri's growth and potential as a sorcerer. Hakuri, however, attributes his success to Chihiro, who believed in him and left him behind. Chihiro reflects that if he had weakened his resolve back then, they wouldn't have become equal allies. Meanwhile, Enji and Tamaki regain consciousness and move toward the door to prevent Chihiro and the others from accessing the Storehouse.
Chihiro notices a crack on the Cloud Gouger and assumes it's from the blade's final use. Shiba reassures him that the next steps are to retrieve Enten and conclude the auction. Shiba also wonders if Hakuri's Storehouse could provide access to the sub-space controlled by Kyora Sazanami. It turns out that Hakuri and Kyora's spaces are different, despite using similar abilities. Therefore, the only chance to recover the blade now relies on the emergency exit door, which is unfortunately found to be destroyed.
When Enji and Tamaki arrive, they are shocked to discover that what they were protecting has already been demolished.
Kyora Sazanami, the clan head, believes it was crucial to ensure that Chihiro Rokuhira and Shiba could not interfere with the auction. To achieve this, he set them a goal only to destroy it afterward. Chihiro questions whether Hakuri's younger brother Tenri's death was in vain, but Kyora feels that Tenri's death exposed the limitations of the Cloud Gouger user. Despite their demoralization, Enji and Tamaki are determined not to let their younger brother's death be in vain and prepare to confront the intruders. Shiba wonders if their chances of victory were doomed from the start and suggests that Chihiro and Hakuri retreat temporarily, but they refuse.
In the auction room, Hakuri arrives and halts the auction. Kyora Sazanami realizes that Hakuri has discovered that their Storehouses are different sub-spaces. Although the methods to use them are similar, accessing each other's space is impossible without a strong connection. Kyora admits he underestimated Hakuri's potential, but he feels that any connection between them is impossible now, as they are enemies. Nevertheless, Hakuri still longs for his father's recognition.
Driven by a lingering desire to earn his father's recognition, Hakuri Sazanami manages to infiltrate Kyora's Storehouse space. At that critical moment, Chihiro arrives and assists Hakuri with the infiltration.
Hakuri informs Chihiro that while he can only send items into the space from the outside, he can’t alter what’s within. Using his abilities, Hakuri sends Chihiro into Kyora’s Storehouse. Chihiro then finds Enten inside the vault. Meanwhile, Kyora Sazanami, shocked by the intrusion, manipulates the space within his Storehouse to trap Chihiro. Chihiro realizes that he can’t accomplish much with the Cloud Gouger in its damaged state. Despite the situation, Chihiro decides to use one last Mei from the Cloud Gouger to break through Kyora's constraints, resulting in the blade’s destruction. In the end, Chihiro acknowledges that he falls short compared to Hakuri.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Shiba praises Hakuri for awakening Isou and the Storehouse and is impressed by Hakuri's growth and potential as a sorcerer.
- Hakuri attributes his success to Chihiro, who had faith in him and left him behind.
- Chihiro reflects that weakening his resolve would have prevented their equal alliance.
- Enji and Tamaki regain consciousness and move to block Chihiro and others from accessing the Storehouse.
- Chihiro notices a crack on the Cloud Gouger and assumes it’s from the blade’s final use.
- Shiba reassures Chihiro to retrieve Enten and conclude the auction, and speculates if Hakuri’s Storehouse could access Kyora Sazanami’s sub-space.
- Hakuri’s and Kyora’s Storehouses are different sub-spaces despite similar abilities.
- The emergency exit door is found to be destroyed, eliminating the chance to recover the blade.
- Enji and Tamaki are shocked to find what they were protecting has already been demolished.
- Kyora Sazanami intended to prevent Chihiro and Shiba from interfering and set them a goal only to destroy it afterward.
- Kyora believes Tenri's death exposed the Cloud Gouger user's limitations.
- Enji and Tamaki, despite their demoralization, are determined to confront the intruders to honor Tenri’s death.
- Shiba suggests Chihiro and Hakuri retreat temporarily, but they refuse.
- Hakuri arrives at the auction room and halts the auction.
- Kyora realizes that Hakuri has discovered their Storehouses are different sub-spaces and admits to underestimating Hakuri’s potential.
- Hakuri, driven by a desire for his father’s recognition, infiltrates Kyora’s Storehouse space.
- Chihiro arrives and assists Hakuri with the infiltration.
- Hakuri can only send items into the space but cannot alter what’s within.
- Hakuri sends Chihiro into Kyora’s Storehouse, where Chihiro finds Enten inside the vault.
- Kyora manipulates the space to trap Chihiro.
- Chihiro uses the Cloud Gouger’s final Mei to break through Kyora’s constraints, leading to the blade’s destruction.
- Chihiro acknowledges that he falls short compared to Hakuri.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author's Comments | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
I had to stare closely at Nishiki in the studio for the first time in a while. It’s been about a year since I got that fish.
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