“The Tip” (
Summary[]
Kyora Sazanami is preparing to showcase Shinuchi's powers to the audience at the Rakuzaichi auction, in addition to using it against Chihiro. The crowd, which includes Kamunabi sorcerers, eagerly anticipates Kyora's demonstration. Sensing danger, Chihiro deploys Kuro on the ground where Kyora is concealed like a cocoon. The narrative then shifts to a flashback featuring Shiba, who speculates about the Hishaku's motives. Shiba believes that the Hishaku are auctioning the Shinuchi to prompt a bid from the Kamunabi. They intend to use the Enchanted Blade they stole, but they can't do so unless the original user is dead, as the Kamunabi closely guard the original users.
Shiba concludes that if the blade falls into the Kamunabi's hands, it will create a distraction, allowing the Hishaku to kill the original users and break the Eternal Contracts. Chihiro then recalls his father, Kunishige Rokuhira, explaining that Shinuchi is an aberration and thus more heavily guarded than other Enchanted Blades. Shiba informs Chihiro that the seals were applied by Kamunabi higher-ups and can only be opened with their bio-authentication. Alternatively, a user could analyze the sealing formula to release the shackles, but Shiba estimates it could take at least ten years for even a skilled sorcerer to accomplish this.
Back in the present, Chihiro spots Shinuchi's box on the ground with its seals broken. The scene then shifts to the Hishaku's leader, who is talking to another Hishaku member. The leader reveals that it took him three intense years to unlock the box. The other member inquires if it's acceptable for Kyora to use the blade. The leader responds that there is a risk involved in demonstrating the blade's full powers while the original user is still alive. He intends to use Kyora as a test subject to observe the effects of wielding the blade.
In the ensuing battle between Chihiro and Kyora Sazanami, Chihiro feels a chilling aura as Kyora emerges from the ground with blackened eyes, brandishing the unsheathed Shinuchi. The scene briefly features the original user of Shinuchi, who chants "Magatsumi," suggesting that Magatsumi might be the blade's original name. Kyora stands in a pool of blood with blood dripping from the blade. Mysterious flowers bloom from the blood, and a butterfly flies toward the blade.
As the butterfly lands on Kyora's hand, his Spirit Energy transforms into a giant butterfly. Kyora then speaks, admitting that he cannot pull the Enchanted Blade out of its sheath. Chihiro is stunned by the spectacle and questions whether it is truly Kyora Sazanami or someone else controlling him. Kyora charges at Chihiro with the blade still sheathed, and Chihiro realizes that even a fraction of Shinuchi's power could be lethal. Meanwhile, the perspective shifts to Hakuri, who is visibly exhausted. He notices Hiyuki Kagari behind him, who appears resolute but concerned about the unfolding events.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Kyora opens Shinuchi's box in an attempt to use the blade for the Rakuzaichi.
- In the auction hall, he projects an image of within the Storehouse, aiming to demonstrate Shinuchi's power.
- Chihiro cuts open the earth Kyora has sealed himself under, but finds only Shinuchi's empty box.
- In a flashback, Chihiro and Shiba discuss the Hishaku's motives for auctioning Shinuchi, and decide it is likely to provoke the Kamunabi to make an opening to kill the wielders of the Enchanted Blades.
- Shiba notes the seal on Shinuchi's box placed by three Kamunabi leaders makes the Hishaku's possession of it pointless, as he estimated the seal to be strong enough to take even highly skilled sorcerers ten years to break.
- Hence he theorises the Hishaku's auctioning of the blade is to shift the status quo in some form.
- It is revealed in a flashback that the Hishaku Leader broke the seal in only three years during a meeting between him and his subordinates.
- His subordinates question why he would give it to the Sazanami and potentially have Kyora remove Shinuchi from the box, and the Hishaku Leader responds it is to test how Shinuchi's wielder would respond.
- In the present, Kyora stands with Shinuchi in hand, and its original wielder calls out its true name: Magatsumi (
勾罪 Magatsumi).- A droplet of spirit energy falls from the blade, forming a circular area around Kyora's feet from which a field of flowers arise. A butterfly emerges from the flowers, imbuing itself within Kyora's hand, and the flowers immediately disappear as a manifestation of spirit energy in the form of an incredibly large butterfly appears behind Kyora.
- Kyora notes he couldn't even draw the sword from its sheathe, but its power was already incredibly great. When he clashes blades with Chihiro, Chihiro notes that even Magatsumi's sheathe can cut like a blade.
- Hiyuki walks down the stairs behind Hakuri and asks about the situation.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author's Comments | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
I went to a public bath for the first time in a long time and I slept really well for a long time. That was a fast fix!
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