Fight Alongside (
Summary[]
Sumi reminds Hakuri that 30 minutes is the minimum time he needs before his sorcery can be used without risk, and only 10 minutes have passed; using sorcery in his current state could permanently damage his ability to use sorcery or even prove fatal. A message from Chihiro then comes through, reporting Hiruhiko's statement that the majority of the Hishaku's forces were aimed at Senkutsuji. Sumi immediately arranges for a nearby monk Fuura to escort Hakuri and Uruha to the emergency exit, before leaving with Moku to join Samura in battle.
Hakuri is surprised, given how the Masumi had previously advised leaving Samura alone in combat. Uruha tells Hakuri that the Masumi are different, while Sumi and Moku wake up their commander Ro. In the temple hall, Samura prepares to engage the Hishaku Sorcerer, though the sorcerer does not descend from his position above on the branch, acknowledging the need for specific tactics to engage an individual of Samura's calibre.
He detonates explosions amidst the branches, aiming to disrupt Samura's smell and hearing. One sorcerer at his command rushes forward and is cut down. Realising Samura was detecting his enemies' hostile energy, the Hishaku sends forth his pine branches, noting with satisfaction that Samura had difficulty reacting to inanimate objects when Samura was injured by an attack. He proceeds to command the sorcerers forward whilst attacking in tandem using his sorcery.
Meanwhile, Uruha hears the explosions and recognizes the enemy's tactics used against Samura, making it even more of a hazard for anyone to attempt to assist him. He and Fuura tell Hakuri that the Masumi are an exception, being ninja trained to cloak their scent, sound and killing intent to become effectively invisible on Samura's battlefield, not becoming potential targets to Samura. The Masumi advance to the temple hall, twin blades in the hands of each member, assisting Samura. Samura recognises them and acquiesces to their help so long as they don't risk their own lives.
Fuura continues escorting Uruha and Hakuri until several Datenseki-wielding sorcerers cause an explosion that fatally blasts Fuura aside and forces Hakuri and Uruha to retreat. The Masumi and Samura begin struggling against the opponents' superior numbers. Sumi begins forming a plan, but notes they'd need one more ally present for it to work. Uruha and Hakuri then enter the area, Uruha shouting the rear exit was not an option. Viewing from above, the Hishaku sorcerer is pleased all his targets are in one place. Seeing his allies' situation, Uruha immediately readies his blade and leaps in, to Hakuri's shock at seeing Uruha risk his life by fighting alongside Samura.
Uruha and Samura fight side by side
As Uruha comes close to Samura, he recalls his time learning the Iai White Purity Style alongside him and all the times he had witnessed Samura's attacks, before the two slashed by each other, Uruha narrowly dodging around Samura's attack to slash at the enemy behind while only losing part of his topknot. Samura immediately identifies Uruha's scent and is angered at Uruha's reckless action. Uruha replies he would adapt to Samura's actions, which Samura reluctantly agrees to.
Sumi then begins her plan, gesturing for Moku to help and beginning to draw a transportation mandala. A nearby Hakuri asks about its purpose and Sumi states its destination is the front of Senkutsuji, far enough for Hakuri and the two sword bearers to escape. Hakuri asks about the Masumi, to which Sumi replies they will stay and fight to draw their attention. She reckons that if the majority of the Hishaku's forces are at Senkutsuji, exhausting the enemy's Datenseki weapons while protecting the sword bearers and buying more time for Hakuri's recovery would be a large step in their favour, believing the Masumi's sacrifice to be fine to that end. Believing himself to be the only one who hadn't done enough so far, Hakuri readies his Storehouse, a cracked mask forming across his face.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Sumi arranges for Fuura to escort Uruha and Hakuri out of Senkutsuji upon the group hearing from Chihiro that the majority of the Masumi's forces are concentrated at Senkutsuji.
- Sumi and Moku wake up Ro and move to fight alongside Samura.
- The Hishaku sorcerer uses explosions and his tree sorcery to disrupt Samura's amplified senses of smell and hearing on top of his detection of killing intent.
- At the rear exit, Datenseki-wielding sorcerers kill Fuura and Hakuri and Uruha are forced to move to the temple hall.
- Samura and the Masumi start to be gradually overcome by the enemy forces.
- Uruha arrives and fights alongside Samura, voicing that he will adapt to and dodge Samura's attacks if need be.
- Sumi prepares a mandala to transport Hakuri, Uruha and Samura out of the temple.
- Hakuri attempts to activate his Storehouse sorcery.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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