For the other chapter named Daybreak, see Chapter 73.
Daybreak (
Summary[]
Hakuri immediately passes out after trying to activate his Storehouse sorcery, and Sumi is reluctantly pleased, not wanting Hakuri to strain himself so much so early. She continues drawing the mandala as Uruha, Ro, Moku and Samura fight around her; even as the attacks of vines and the horde of Datenseki-wielding sorcerers rages on. Uruha notes the attacking sorcerers almost seen brainwashed in their mindless determination to keep attacking, and realises their greater number will soon overpower them. To the side, Sumi notes only a maximum of four people can use a transport mandala, and so they needed to evacuate the sorcerers from the raging Datenseki-wielding sorcerers as soon as possible, before the Masumi held off the rest themselves.
In an aside, it is revealed that the Masumi are a centuries-old clan of ninja, having selected and dedicated themselves to a chosen master throughout history, viewing themselves as tools. In the Seitei War, they assisted the precursor organization to the Kamunabi, and many clan members died in the conflict; in the present, their descendants continue to serve the Kamunabi. In the Masumi's view, they are tools to protect their master.
Sometime after Samura initially met Ro, Moku and Sumi three years ago at Senkutsuji, Samura comments the Masumi's actions were excessive; not the bodyguard aspect, as they were logically the only individuals that could fight near him safely, but rather how they served him in menial labour aspects of his daily life. Samura reckons the three are too overprotective and Sumi responds their job included the likes of attending to his needs, Ro adding they as ninja didn't need Samura's empathy; they were tools that would lay down their lives for him if need be.
Samura was vehemently against this idea of them sacrificing themselves for him, especially due to the Masumi's younger age compared to himself, and disapproved of them viewing themselves as tools as well. He notes if they will live each other, they'll live together as equals and share the burden between them.
In the present, Samura yells that they will destroy the enemy. Uruha crouches near Sumi and says to her that Samura would be completely against the notion of being transported, and Sumi realises the truth in his words; even against an overwhelming force, there was no way Samura would entertain the notion of abandoning them. After saying something to Sumi, he jumps back in, urging her not to hesitate.
Seeing the building to crumble for good, the Hishaku Sorcerer comments they needed to finish the battle. In the midst of battle, Samura, with senses of smell and noise overwhelmed, relies solely on his detection of bloodlust and killing intent, following the beacon; eventually he ends up following Uruha's, where he now stands with blade locked with Uruha's over the mandala, Hakuri unconscious nearby on the ground. Uruha's earlier comment to Sumi had been his plan to lure Samura over the mandala, and as Samura is shocked, Uruha apologises and Sumi activates the mandala with a hand sign, thanking Uruha.
Uruha, Samura and Hakuri are transported to the temple's entrance and Samura immediately turns to rejoin the battle, but Uruha is against the idea, as they should take Hakuri, venture down the cliff and escape into the approaching darkness; this was the victory they needed to make the most of through the Masumi's lives. Uruha shouts that the Masumi weren't throwing their life away as tools. Within the temple, the Masumi continue to fight, recalling how Samura had never allowed them to exert themselves or sacrifice their lives for him; their respect for Samura being simply more reason why they are determined to ensure his survival.
Uruha tells Samura that the Masumi are fighting in order to delay the enemies from them as long as they can, and the best way they could honour their sacrifice was by continuing to live. Thinking back to the Kokugoku Steam Squad's deaths, Uruha voices that their lives as Enchanted Blade bearers were gravely consequential. Samura narrows his brows as he rejects Uruha's statement, responding that he didn't need a lesson or admonishment. A black flare then erupts from the barely-conscious form of Hakuri on the ground, before he reaches up and grabs onto Samura's hand, nose bloodied and Storehouse mask cracking. Moments later, Samura unsheathes Tobimune and activates Crow, filling the air with black feathers.
Samura regains his blade
In an instant, Samura speeds into the temple, black feathers coursing through the air. The Datenseki-wielding sorcerers are confused and shocked as a swift form blitzes through and slashes down all of them, eventually culminating into a whirlwind of black feathers around the form of Samura as he stands in the middle of the rubble that used to be the temple hall. He loudly shouts that the Masumi are fired.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Hakuri falls unconscious. Sumi continues drawing the mandala.
- Samura, Uruha, Ro and Moku slowly begin losing ground to the attackers, who appear almost-brainwashed in their frenzy.
- It is revealed that the Masumi have centuries of history where they choose and protect a chosen master, dedicating themselves selflessly as tools to protect.
- In the Seitei War, the Masumi supported the Kamunabi's precursor organisation, and many of the Masumi died; after the war, they now support the Kamunabi.
- While Ro, Moku and Sumi initially treated Samura as they would any other master upon first meeting him, Samura refused to let them perform menial tasks for him or sacrifice their lives on his behalf, voicing that they live together as equals and impose on each other.
- In the present, Uruha lures Samura over Sumi's transportation mandala using his bloodlust. Against Samura's will, Sumi transports the two and Hakuri (who is also on the mandala) to the front of the temple.
- Uruha is adamant they make sure the Masumi do not die in vain while Samura instead wishes to re-enter the temple to continue fighting alongside the Masumi. Hakuri interrupts their argument by registering Samura and transporting Tobimune to him.
- Samura immediately unsheathes Tobimune and activates Crow, which summons large amounts of black feathers and amplifies Samura's speed to the point where he can speed past and slash through the entirety of the Datenseki-wielding sorcerers.
- Samura announces the Masumi are fired.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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