Collapse (
Summary[]
In the theater, Hiruhiko notices Tobimune has disappeared and groans in exasperation.
At Senkutsuji Temple, the swarm of feathers fades away as Samura finishes killing the Datenseki-wielding sorcerers. Moku is immensely surprised by Tobimune's sheer power as Samura turns to look for the Hishaku Sorcerer. In a branch high above, said Hishaku sorcerer is amazed by Samura's sheer speed with his Enchanted Blade, and acknowledges the shift it will bring to the battle to come, teleporting away in a burst of flames with a hand sign.
Samura notices the enemy's disappearance only slightly too late and is annoyed, while Uruha and Hakuri re-enter the temple hall. Ro apologises to Samura for having to save them, and Samura brushes them off, gesturing for them to thank Hakuri instead. Hakuri voices to Uruha that he believes he can transport Kumeyuri too, but Sumi stops him, stating his adrenaline was fuelling his sudden steadiness and his blood loss at dangerous levels, so they would resume the treatment once they had arrived at another of the Sanso. Uruha adds that soon enough they would retrieve all the blades from the Hishaku.
The Masumi note as Samura had Tobimune, he wouldn't need bodyguards anymore, and Samura agreed, reminding them that he had fired them, particularly so they wouldn't almost get themselves killed again. He asks whether everyone is alright, and the group moves around the temple, eventually seeing Ryo Fuura, lethally impaled after being attacked by enemy sorcerers. Sumi tells Uruha about Fuura's background, while Samura grits his teeth at the casualty. Sumi states Fuura did not die in vain, and that his protection of the blade wielders had resulted in achieving a major turning point in the battle. Samura disagrees, noting unfortunately that this would be just the beginning.
Within the theater, Hiruhiko reveals they had failed and lost Tobimune, though internally reckons the Hishaku's ultimate destination still remains the same, regardless of the path, voicing to Chihiro they would kill the "Master Swordsman" and Yura would wield Shinuchi. Chihiro states that the Hishaku were running out of options, and that he and his allies would prevent every one of the wielders from dying. Hiruhiko views Chihiro's protection of those 'heroes' as another reason why Yura called him 'green', and recalls how in school, they taught that the wielders were all heroes, and how under the leadership of the Master Swordsman the six wielders used their Enchanted Blades to bring peace to the nation.
Internally, Chihiro recalls that was what he had learnt from books as well, as his father had never spoke of Shinuchi or the Master Swordsman. Hiruhiko reckons Chihiro has little knowledge of the wielders' true natures, though may have had an inkling after seeing Shinuchi's power at the Rakuzaichi.
Chihiro brushes it off but his mind returns to the thoughts and doubts he had during the Rakuzaichi, about the power of Shinuchi and whether it really was for saving people. He had originally penned the reasoning for the Master Swordsman's security and his father's refusal to let Shinuchi ever be used again to Shinuchi's devastating abilities, but after sensing a second presence within Kyora when he wielded Shinuchi, Chihiro began wondering about whether the Master Swordsman was responsible for the deaths at the Rakuzaichi that Shinuchi incurred (which seemed to be out of Kyora's control), questioning Hiruhiko whether he was trying to say the Master Swordsman wasn't a hero to be protected.
As Chihiro's mind clouds with continued thoughts, the chaos of the day resounding within him, he misses Hiruhiko's response that Samura's believal of the Master Swordsman's guilt was what led him to make a deal with Yura three years ago. Chihiro maintains that no matter what the truth of the Master Swordsman's actions were, Shinuchi in the hands of the Hishaku would destroy the nation. Hiruhiko understands why Chihiro was so adamant to protect the wielders, but then reveals that Samura believed the wielders should all die. Chihiro is shocked by the statement and its implications, overcome by the idea that Samura could have links to the Hishaku. Hiruhiko tells Chihiro to forget about it, as all they had to do was fight to the death.
At the same time, Hiruhiko's butterflies drop Kumeyuri, momentarily taking Chihiro's eyes off Hiruhiko. Hiruhiko grabs his severed left arm with his teeth and throws it at Chihiro to distract him. At the same time, two projectiles are hurled through a window towards Chihiro's location. Chihiro questions whether there are reinforcements present, before noticing Hiruhiko has grabbed Kumeyuri's grip with his teeth.
Hiruhiko then calls the blade's name, the call of Kumeyuri simultaneously causing paper butterflies in the air to unfold into ordinary paper; a tell-tale signal that Hiruhiko's sorcery is no more. Two faceless geisha-like beings of spirit energy manifest, Kumeyuri recognising its new wielder, and Chihiro is flabbergasted as he frantically questions what could have happened to Uruha. Black bubbles then appear around him, a tell-tale signal of Hakuri's Storehouse powers.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Samura defeats the Datenseki-wielding sorcerers and the Hishaku Sorcerer teleports away.
- The Masumi, Uruha and Hakuri regroup with him and plan to head to another Sanso to resume Hakuri's treatment.
- Hiruhiko and Chihiro debate the morality of the Master Swordsman.
- Hiruhiko reveals schools teach that the wielders are all heroes who brought peace to the nation, but reminds Chihiro of Shinuchi's power. Chihiro internally recalls from his interaction with Kyora that a second presence was within him, which may have potentially been the Master Swordsman.
- Chihiro ultimately maintains that regardless of the Master Swordsman's morality, the wielders must be protected so the Hishaku cannot use the blades.
- Hiruhiko reveals Samura believes the wielders should die and that he made a deal with Yura three years ago. Chihiro is shocked by the statement.
- Hiruhiko drops Kumeyuri, distracts Chihiro, rushes to the blade and activates it, calling its name. Two geisha-like entities are manifested.
- Chihiro worries about Uruha's condition and Hakuri's Storehouse sorcery activates near him.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
 |
Takeru Hokazono |
| |