Race (
Summary[]
Preparing to fight Kyora, Chihiro immediately activates Nishiki.
Earlier, when Hakuri and Chihiro were on the stairs, Hakuri tells Chihiro that the 'Kyora' on stage at the moment was a projection, with Kyora himself inside the Storehouse. He registers Chihiro and tells him he can send him into the Storehouse. In an aside, it is noted that registration can be counteracted by spirit energy, which sorcerers capable of manipulating their spirit energy were easily able to do. As Chihiro's spirit energy was latent within Enten, Kyora was unable to register and thus transport it. Hakuri notes that after registering Chihiro, he had registered Enten as well due to their spirit energy linking them.
Hakuri comments that Enten could be retrieved from the Storehouse, and Chihiro asks what would happen to Kyora's Storehouse if Kyora himself were to die. Hakuri hypothesises that it won't be destroyed instantly, agreeing with Chihiro's previous theories. Chihiro considers Hakuri could take over management of Kyora's Storehouse were Kyora himself to die, and tells Hakuri to forego transporting Enten in favour of sending Chihiro to the Storehouse.
In the present, Chihiro additionally uses Kuro: Shred, a school of small black goldfish materialising around him. Kyora calmly tells Chihiro that he will take Enten back as it is his according to their deal. Chihiro picks up on Kyora's apparent calm and Kyora informs him that he will still place everything on the line for the Rakuzaichi. Setting aside any further arguments, Kyora states they shall now battle to the death for Enten and the Rakuzaichi, and Chihiro darts forth using the black goldfish as a smokescreen, scattering them every which way.
Enten's blade nearly reaches Kyora before Kyora sends earth upwards, katana blades embedded within to slash at Chihiro. As Chihiro takes note of Kyora's capabilites, Kyora ponders that after revealing his dedication to the Rakuzaichi, using the prisoners as hostages wouldn't work, so instead moves them aside to create an open plain to use as a battleground. Kyora proclaims that the Storehouse is his world, and while outside Chihiro may have the edge, within the Storehouse Kyora was at his strongest, and could kill Chihiro.
Hakuri transports the grenades into the auction hall
Pillars of earth barrage Chihiro, constantly forcing him to use Nishiki's speed to evade. Adding grenades into the pillars, Kyora began bombarding Chihiro with explosives, Hakuri recognising Chihiro could not dodge all of them. In a flash, a dozen grenades fall around Chihiro, Kyora grinning in triumph. Chihiro quickly bisects each one and shouts out to Hakuri, who recognises that with Chihiro's spirit energy imbued within, Hakuri can transport them. The grenades explode, but Hakuri transports them into the crowds at the auction hall, killing many and causing chaos within the building.
Kyora is dismayed at the unsuccessful attempt, and asserts that Chihiro's counterattack seems pitiful in the face of his endless material. He shouts that he will protect the Rakuzaichi only to abruptly notice most of the cells within the Storehouse are empty. Remembering how Chihiro had scattered the black goldfish, Kyora immediately realises Chihiro had imbued the prisoners with spirit energy and Hakuri had evacuated them.
Mood souring rapidly, Kyora raises walls around the remaining prisoners while his projection slams down his gavel, calling to the fleeing crowd that the auction shall proceed, and the auctioning of Shinuchi would be moved up immediately. Inside the Storehouse, Kyora coldly remarks he will annihilate Chihiro and Hakuri, while Chihiro notes they need to go faster.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Prior to sending Chihiro within, Hakuri had realised he had registered Enten in addition to Chihiro due to being linked by spirit energy.
- Chihiro and Hakuri come to the conclusion that killing Kyora will not destroy to the Storehouse.
- Chihiro uses Nishiki and Kuro: Shred, scattering black goldfish around as he attacks Kyora.
- Kyora demonstrates control over the earth within the Storehouse, forcing Chihiro into evading the constant attacks.
- Kyora attacks Chihiro with grenades and Chihiro slashes through them, the spirit energy imbued through Nishiki allowing Hakuri to transport the grenades into the auction hall.
- Kyora notices the black goldfish have tagged various prisoners and Hakuri has evacuated them.
- Kyora immediately raises walls around the prisoners and his projection announces the early auctioning of Shinuchi.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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