Surpass! (
Summary[]
Various prisoners from the Storehouse emerge outside the Rakuzaichi building. From a car, Hinao recognises them and leaves to check. Char and Yuu look to see if Yuu's sister is among them.
Yuu's sister is in fact still within the Storehouse, her cell having been encased in earth by Kyora. Kyora comments on how tragic it is for Chihiro's rescue attempt to have failed, and Chihiro retorts that their fight proper will begin now. Kyora muses that Hakuri was already on his limit, the youth himself with blood flooding out from his nose and his head ringing; the physical toll of using his sorcery extensively. Seeing how much his father was accomplishing with seemingly little-to-no strain, Hakuri was shocked.
Kyora voices that the two will not surpass him, and that in history countless Sazanami Clan members have dedicated their lives to the Rakuzaichi; now, with two Enchanted Blades slated for auction, the Rakuzaichi had reached its peak. The previously fleeing auction-goers are galvanised upon hearing Shinuchi will be auctioned early, forgetting their previous panic.
The female member of the Kamunabi's Shinuchi Bidding Team is shocked to see the auction-goers were still willing to stay, and her partner replies the auctioning of an Enchanted Blade is a rare occasion. He remarks that Kyora was recently replaced by a projection, and given Hiyuki hadn't reported back regarding Chihiro, he wagers Kyora must be busy in combat, though he was still simultaneously conducting auction proceedings and refusing anyone entry onto the stage.
Within the Storehouse, Chihiro picks up on Kyora's sudden emotion, wondering why Kyora did not display such emotion when his sons were defeated and in Tenri's case killed. Kyora merely takes off his suit jacket and states the Rakuzaichi isn't over, so grieving has no use; he would simply proceed with his duty. Chihiro is furious that Kyora would dare call himself a father, though Kyora refuses the title and loosens his tie; in his view, he is the head of the Sazanami Clan.
The ground beneath Chihiro drops suddenly, and four spikes shoot out towards him. Chihiro sheds his coat to dodge, relying on Nishiki to dart out of the way of several more pillars. Internally realising his energy is running out, Chihiro knows he has to end things quickly but Kyora's barrage makes doing so impossible. Kyora meanwhile begins bleeding slightly from his nose and realises he can't afford to let things proceed for too long either. Believing Hakuri to be out of comission, Kyora plans to use grenades once again.
Chihiro collects the remaining black goldfish that had previously been headed towards the prisoners and uses them as part of Kuro: Shred, the flurry of slices forcing Kyora to assemble a wall from the ground. Chihiro then flings Enten towards Kyora, who transports a saber into his hand and deflects it upwards. Kyora realises Chihiro was out of range and compensated by throwing Enten as a last-ditch effort, and summons grenades around Chihiro, detonating them in a massive explosion.
Chihiro slashes Kyora
Kyora sighs, but then notices something behind him and instinctively slashes back; Chihiro, appearing to have grabbed the falling Enten and in position to slash forwards. Kyora realises Hakuri has transported Chihiro there, but believes it to be in vain as Kyora's saber cuts through; however, the image of Chihiro turns out to be a projection. The real Chihiro is above, and he lands a devastating slash across Kyora's torso.
A flash of memory arises: around the time of Sora's funeral, within the Naginojoen, Hakuri tells Kyora that he will become a leader surpassing even him. Kyora replies he has great expectations for Hakuri. In the present, Kyora screams in agony, earth arising and encasing Kyora, hiding him beneath the earth. Kyora realises his wound is fatal, and he will die; but is resolved that the Rakuzaichi must proceed, no matter what. He then transports the box of Shinuchi next to him in the small room underground.
Within the auction hall, the male bidding team member speculates that Shinuchi's box's additional sealing is a possible indicator that its Lifelong Contract alone was not enough to limit it, and that was why it was sealed more heavily and the other blades were not.
Within the Storehouse, Kyora reiterates his unshaken determination to proceed.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- The fight between Chihiro and Kyora continues.
- Kyora realises Hakuri is weakening and redoubles his assault.
- Chihiro is furious that Kyora shows no signs of care that his children have sacrificed themselves, and Kyora replies he is not a father, but the head of the Sazanami Clan.
- Kyora detonates grenades around Chihiro but Hakuri appears to transport him behind Kyora. Kyora slices through Chihiro, but this Chihiro is actually a projection, the real Chihiro descending from above and landing a devastating slash on Kyora.
- Kyora descends into the earth and transports Shinuchi's box to himself, resolving to do whatever it takes for the Rakuzaichi to proceed.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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