Interception (
Summary[]
Prior to Hiruhiko's attack, Chihiro informed Hakuri that 18 years prior the Enchanted Blades had protected Japan; but now, they were at risk of being used to bring Japan into chaos, hence protecting the sword bearers was paramount to the nation's safety.
When he was younger, Chihiro had been told by Kunishige that though Shiba constantly spoke of him as a hero, he considered the sword bearers to be the true heroes: the ones who risked their lives to wield the blades and support his ideals in the Seitei War. Kunishige had several photos of the sword bearers in his house, including Uruha and Samura. Chihiro noted Kunishige had said that over a hundred times, prompting Kunishige to jokingly consider whether he could reach a thousand.
Hakuri and Uruha are teleported to Senkutsuji
In the present, Uruha tells Hakuri that though Chihiro had taken the main threat away, they still had to stay on their guard as they headed to Senkutsuji Temple. Hakuri recalls there would be people at the next station waiting to take them there. The two sorcerers in question; Sumi and Moku, are drawing a mandala on the ground using a marker, idly discussing the Hishaku's attack on Kokugoku. Uruha and Hakuri step off the train, and Uruha recognises the two from the Masumi ninja clan, the three exchanging a quick greeting. Sumi says they will be using the mandala to head directly to Senkutsuji, where Samura is waiting, and Uruha reminisces that it has been a long time since he has seen him.
The four are transported to Senkutsuji Temple. Elsewhere within the temple, Samura stands near a monk, with a cigarette in his mouth and what appears to be a walking stick in his left hand. Hakuri and Uruha relay their plan to the Masumi duo, when suddenly Samura dashes up to the group and greets Hakuri warmly. However, after a brief sniff and grabbing his face, Samura is confused, having detected Chihiro's scent on Hakuri, but the man himself clearly not being present. Samura and Uruha casually greet each other while Sumi explains that Hakuri will be transporting the Enchanted Blades.
Uruha is more concerned with the fact that Samura used to know Chihiro, and Samura elaborates that he hadn't known for about a decade after the war, as Kunishige's whereabouts were kept secret, and he had only encountered Chihiro by accident. A mildly hysteric Hakuri then frees himself from Samura's hand, half-shouting that he was Chihiro's friend, and Chihiro had told him about Samura.
In the past, Kunishige had agreed to let Shiba take Chihiro out on trips to have some fun away from home. On one such trip, Samura had encountered Shiba, having recognised his scent, and grabbed his face friendlily, annoying Shiba. Samura then commented he had recognised Kunishige's scent as well, taking that as confirmation Shiba was involved in Kunishige's disappearance after the war. Samura then turned to Chihiro, instantly recognising him as Kunishige's son given the similarities in how they smelled. Chihiro and Shiba were initially concerned, but Samura was mainly glad that Kunishige hadn't been living alone over the last decade.
Chihiro then spoke up, telling Samura that his father had said a lot about how he and the other sword bearers were the true heroes of the war. Samura refused to accept it, telling Chihiro to inform his father that he was the hero, and all Samura had done was wield the blade he had forged. Chihiro noted with slight exasperation how both of them considered the other one to be the hero, as Samura asked for Chihiro's name, to which Chihiro responded. Shiba told Samura that was all they could say, and Samura understood the importance of keeping everything secret, given the nature of several Kamunabi members; though he admitted he felt slightly lonely. While he spoke, Samura grabbed Chihiro's face, to Chihiro and Shiba's shock, for the purpose of identification.
Back in the present, Hakuri recalls Chihiro had said a lot about Samura, including his weird tendencies. Samura smiles as he supposes he must have left a strong impression, and comments he'd like to see Chihiro again. As he moves to ask about where Chihiro is, the monk Samura had been standing near suddenly bangs on a drum, an indicator of the enemy's presence; several Hishaku-contracted Datenseki-wielding sorcerers were approaching the area.
Samura and Moku begin mobilising the temple's defence forces while Sumi guides Hakuri to a treatment room in order to shorten his sorcery's recovery time. Samura tells Uruha to rest as well, and leave fending off the enemy to him. With a neutral expression, Uruha follows Hakuri to the treatment room. Hakuri acknowledges the idea of treatment as he enters the room and climbs on a bed, but reports his injury is less physical and more mental, which Sumi understands given her own experience with sorcery.
Hiruhiko questions Chihiro's choice
With Chihiro, Hiruhiko playfully asks if Chihiro made the right decision leaving Uruha despite having an Enchanted Blade and thus depriving him of his strongest protection. Hiruhiko recalls Uruha was headed to Senkutsuji, and considers the prospect of two sword bearers in one place a very good target; and thus a location primed for heavy bloodshed. Chihiro merely stares back in grim silence.
Hakuri is concerned as he sees a large explosion in the distance and realises another attack might lead Senkutsuji to the same outcome as Kokugoku, but Uruha reassures him, telling him to focus on the treatment. Uruha informs Hakuri that the security at Senkutsuji far surpasses that of Kokugoku's, but not because of the guard force being superior. Uruha notes with a slightly regretful tone that if he were as strong as Samura, there would have been zero casualties at Kokugoku. Samura's strength is what makes Senkutsuji 'invincible', and is the reason why Chihiro was not hesitant to leave Uruha and Hakuri on their own. Uruha adds Chihiro will do whatever's necessary to prepare a counter-attack. Hakuri sees Samura reach for his walking stick, which is in fact a katana in its sheathe, and thinks to himself that if Uruha, an incredibly strong fighter in his own right, is speaking highly of Samura, Samura's combat prowess must be extremely formidable.
Uruha tells Samura that Chihiro will arrive soon with information on the Hishaku, and Samura smiles at the thought of seeing him again, saying it would be a shame to deprive Chihiro their reunion. Sumi then turns to Samura, saying she will require 30 minutes to recover Hakuri's sorcery, and thus Samura needed to fend off the attackers for 30 minutes; which Samura reckons will be no problem.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Chihiro recalls Kunishige had told him that the bearers of the Enchanted Blades who fought in support of his ideals were the true heroes.
- Hakuri and Uruha are escorted to Senkutsuji Temple by Masumi members Sumi and Moku, where they meet Samura.
- Samura grabs Hakuri's face and is confused as it does not match Chihiro's, having thought Hakuri was Chihiro based on their similar scent.
- Uruha and Samura briefly exchange greetings as Sumi explains Hakuri's role in the plan to transport the Enchanted Blades from the Hishaku.
- Samura reveals he had accidentally encountered Chihiro in the past.
- Chihiro and Shiba had been on an outing (permitted by Kunishige) where they had happened to encounter Samura. Samura quickly deduces Shiba had helped Kunishige hide and also realises Chihiro is Kunishige's son, but promises not to publicise the knowledge.
- Chihiro recounts how Kunishige had called the sword bearers the true heroes of the war, but Samura rejects this, stating Kunishige is the hero.
- A nearby monk alerts Samura to the presence of Datenseki-wielding enemies nearby. Samura and Moku mobilise Senkutsuji's defences while Uruha and Hakuri are led by Sumi to a room where Hakuri's sorcery recovery can be sped up.
- Hakuri is worried but Uruha tells him not to worry as Senkutsuji could be considered 'invincible' with Samura's presence.
- Sumi tells Samura she will require 30 minutes to recover Hakuri's sorcery.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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