Just the Two of Us (2
Summary[]
A flashback from Chapter 2 recalls the only things Chihiro and Shiba knew at the time about the Hishaku were that they were a small, elite group of sorcerers and that they changed their method of operation starting from four years ago. After Chihiro's meeting with the Kamunabi in Chapter 46, Hiyuki had informed him they began their most devastating moves from three years ago, with Kunishige and Misaka's murders, but when the Kamunabi began mobilising the Hishaku ceased activity. Despite the Kamunabi's efforts to gather information, they still did not know much about the Hishaku, which was the reason they were constantly on the back foot.
In the present, Chihiro is adamant that the pattern be broken, reminding himself of the importance of uncovering the Hishaku's operations and internally declaring he will force information out of Hiruhiko, activating Nishiki. Hiruhiko is glad to see Chihiro's willingness to fight, having been eager to fight himself, and notes he is 18 just like Chihiro. Hiruhiko continues, recalling he was first introduced to murder at 3 years old, but none of the children around him had been like that, and there was no one around him he felt he could relate to. Seeing Chihiro also has blood on his hands and is around his age, Hiruhiko gleefully remarks the two of them could be friends.
Chihiro is outraged, remembering the Hishaku's murder of his father and Hiruhiko's handling of the Kokugoku Steam Squad's corpses, and is incensed by Hiruhiko's implication that they could be equals in any way. He slashes forward and Hiruhiko ducks, Chihiro shouting at Hiruhiko for his audacity of equating the two of them. Hiruhiko idly comments that they were equals, and adds Chihiro can call him Hiruhiko. He then claps his hands and orders the three 'Anti-Enten Special Forces' sorcerers to do as they had planned, summoning a storm of papers and using the cover to dash away. Chihiro reasons that Hiruhiko's earlier threat to kill may have been a bluff as he prepares to face the remaining three Datenseki-wielding sorcerers.
Meanwhile, Hiruhiko ponders how to deal with the situation and finds a nearby theatre, entering and taking a seat to watch a stageplay: "The Battle of Sano Island". He decides to take a moment to enjoy himself and not hasten to reach Senkutsuji Temple to assist the sorcerers there. Hiruhiko asks the person next to him if it is his first time watching, and the other man quietly confirms it is. Hiruhiko proceeds to blatantly spoil key details of the play's plot while criticising the hero's personality and the play's fight-acting, calling the play as a whole boring, the other man left reeling in bewilderment.
The other man then notices the wound on Hiruhiko's stomach is bleeding, and Hiruhiko pays it little mind, idly revealing an individual with an Enchanted Blade inflicted it upon him, and states the other man should watch out. Hiruhiko then closes his eyes, paying attention to Chihiro's battle using a paper butterfly flying close to the skirmish. Hiruhiko uses the storm of papers to surround Chihiro and disorient him as the other three sorcerers attack, the battle having shifted locations to the rooftop.
Hiruhiko mentally notes while the Datenseki is powerful, acknowledging its role in helping destroy Kokugoku Hot Spring, it would have been more ideal if he didn't have to step in himself. He muses that the main issue is the wielder's skill level, with sorcerers of lower ability being able to use the Datenseki to a lesser extent of its full potential. The random sorcerers they hired were of varying skill levels, and their coordination was near non-existent, but the three battling Chihiro were personally selected by Hiruhiko, with adequate skill and Hiruhiko's papers to help coordinate.
Chihiro crashes into the theater
Chihiro, as he fights the Datenseki wielders, notes while the papers are not actively attacking him, they are obstructing his movements and guiding the sorcerers. Hiruhiko forms an arrow in front of a sorcerer standing behind Chihiro, who takes it as his cue to leap skyward and slam down. In the theater, Hiruhiko notes the good part of the play is starting, with the arrival of the villain. As if on cue, the roof of the building caves in, Chihiro expertly slicing through and killing all three sorcerers mid-air, spotting and glaring at Hiruhiko before landing dextrously on the stage.
Blood splatters on the first few rows, Hiruhiko pondering the other problem of the Datenseki; how short its time limit is. Their limited duration means users cannot master using the stone properly; even Sojo needed two weeks to hone his mastery of Cloud Gouger. As a result, Chihiro was completely unscathed following his battle with the three sorcerers, which Hiruhiko attributes to his three years of experience. The audience freaks out and begins to flee en masse, while Hiruhiko internally recognises he can leverage the civilians' presence to his advantage.
Hiruhiko and Chihiro's brief exchange
He comments that Chihiro must also know he is likely viewed as a monster to most people. Chihiro snarks back, rhetorically asking whose fault that is, but is interrupted by Hiruhiko's ecstatic shout that he is the only one who can understand Chihiro. Fed up with Hiruhiko's insistence they are equals, Chihiro voices his disagreement as he readies himself to resume combat.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Following Chihiro's meeting with the Kamunabi leaders, Hiyuki notes the Hishaku began bold moves three years ago, specifically murdering Kunishige and Misaka, but quickly stopped when the Kamunabi began mobilising.
- She states their lack of information is what keeps them on the back foot of the conflict.
- The battle between Chihiro against Hiruhiko and the 'Anti-Enten Special Forces' continues.
- Hiruhiko reveals he is 18, just like Chihiro, and had been exposed to the concept of murder from a young age, viewing the two of them as equals for knowing the feeling of having blood on their hands.
- Chihiro is disgusted by the idea of the two of them being alike.
- Hiruhiko uses a swarm of paper to distract Chihiro as he flees to a nearby theater, using the paper to obstruct Chihiro while his three allies attack.
- After a brief clash across the rooftops, the four combatants fall into the theater and Chihiro slices through the three Datenseki-wielders, killing them.
- The theater-goers move to flee as Hiruhiko and Chihiro prepare to resume their clash.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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