Resurrection (
Summary[]
At 3:14 am on the 10th of November, the leaders of the Kamunabi convene within their headquarters. Azami finishes recounting Hakuri's recollection of Uruha and Samura's conversation, and the leader with mutton chops is disgruntled at Samura's betrayal, believing him to be the last person they needed opposing them. The gas-mask-wearing leader and the diminutive leader take note of Uruha's death and the Hishaku's acquisition of two usable Enchanted Blades, but state their plans will continue moving.
The neckscarf-wearing leader asks about Hakuri's state and Azami reports that while physically he was alright, his neural pathways governing his sorcery were damaged to the point of requiring intensive care, with no guarantee his sorcery would recover. The leader with mutton chops is frustrated but accepts it, while the gas-mask-wearing leader acknowledges Hakuri had greatly assisted them, and their own understanding of the situation was incomplete. The leader with sideburns reckons Shinuchi to be their only remaining option, asking about the sealing progress, to which a reply comes that it is three-fifths complete.
One leader asks if they should consider using Shinuchi, but the leader with mutton chops rejects the idea, telling his colleagues to acknowledge the presence of Owl in the sky. He evaluates that given their branches spread across Japan had all recorded sightings of it, its detection strength would only be enough to detect Enchanted-Blade-levels of spirit energy. He recalls Samura was adamant that he would prevent the Hishaku from haphazard usage of the Enchanted Blades and believes they can trust this statement, before asking if the other two Enchanted Blade wielders were hidden. The gas-mask-wearing leader outlines they had hidden the restaurant along with Subaru, his colleague with sideburns beside him chuckling as he notes the wielder in question would undoubtedly walk off without a place to make sushi.
The diminutive elder considers that with the two wielders hidden, the information war would be set in stone for several days. The leader with mutton chops adds that they should let Samura and the Hishaku wear each other down and avoid interfering, suggesting they save Shinuchi as a last resort. Rather, he suggests they consolidate their defences and ambush the enemy.
Elsewhere, Chihiro lies in a hospital bed. Shiba walks in and sits beside him, asking about Chihiro's injuries, but Chihiro is focused on the fact that Uruha had been murdered and Samura was an enemy, who had nearly killed him. Shiba replies that Chihiro was in fact killed, with his heart having stopped. However, several minutes after his death, his slash wound to his lungs and liver healed and closed; blood loss aside, Chihiro's body was almost back to normal. Chihiro realises his contract with Enten is broken and asks for the blade's location.
Rather than answering Chihiro's question, Shiba speculates that Samura planned for Chihiro's revival, the ability possibility relating to Tobimune. Chihiro asks why Samura would only kill him temporarily, and Shiba puts forth two reasons. First among them being a warning to Shiba that he couldn't protect Chihiro, and second a message to Chihiro by breaking his contract and halting his mission for revenge. To the former, Chihiro comments Shiba must have received the message quite clearly.
Ro meets Chihiro
Shiba recalls this is the second time he has failed to protect Chihiro after the Hishaku's attack three years ago, and as Chihiro questions why Samura would want to avoid killing him Shiba notes Samura has no reason to kill Chihiro. Chihiro then asks why Samura would have a reason to kill Uruha, and pleads with Shiba to tell him about what happened in the Seitei War, but the two are interrupted by the door opening to reveal Ro. Ro greets Chihiro and introduces himself as head of the Masumi ninja clan, having been bodyguards for Samura for three years.
Ro admits his team were perplexed as well, having been knocked out before they could do anything and fired as guards. He asks if Chihiro has heard about Hakuri's situation, and says Hakuri had blamed himself for Uruha's death and asked the Masumi to look out for Chihiro. Ro states it's their duty, though recently they had let their personal feelings get involved. Recalling how Hakuri had saved their lives through transporting Tobimune, Ro is adamant that they want to do what they can to resolve the situation.
Chihiro asks if Uruha was killed as well and Shiba notes he had the same thoughts, hence he had contacted the morgue and was currently negotiating for information, though usually the forensics wouldn't release information without authorisation. While Shiba states they haven't heard anything and advises Chihiro not to get his hopes up, Chihiro grits out that he refuses to believe it, having no way to make sense of anything and there being too much he couldn't accept. Ro sympathises with him, also knowing nothing and having no idea what Samura's thoughts were like.
Chihiro tells Shiba that he can't stop now, not after taking people's lives. He recounts his father's words that he had to see the world with his own eyes and develop his own point of view, and demands Shiba tell him the truth. Chihiro is also determined to make Samura understand he is already going to hell, and there was no stopping him. Ro speaks up, glad that the two both agree action must be made, and tells Chihiro to rest for a few days before they give him a new assignment; along with the Masumi, they would meet with Samura.
Still worried, Shiba points out that Samura likely didn't place too much focus on retrieving Enten as it had been left to Chihiro by his father, but if Chihiro were to die again Samura would undoubtedly keep the blade. He asks Chihiro if he is ready for that, internally apologising to both Kunishige and Samura for not stopping Chihiro from embarking on his bloody path at the very beginning, as he reaches behind a curtain and hands Enten to Chihiro. Chihiro is determined as he states he will not die again, and Shiba holds him to that statement.
The Kamunabi leaders discuss that Samura is a greater threat than the Hishaku at present, so they should arrange a force to counter Samura, questioning if they have enough fighters. The leader with sideburns points out Chihiro's resurrection and the Masumi's abilities. Elsewhere, the Masumi arm themselves and arrange a new uniform for Chihiro, consisting of a new coat, a shirt-and-tie combination and black gloves. Back in the meeting, the bearded leader muses that the Masumi's abilities rendered them the only ones able to fight alongside Samura; and also, in this case, potentially his most deadly opponents.
In a park, an elevator arises, and Chihiro and the Masumi step out.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- The Kamunabi leaders convene at 3:14 am on the 10th of November.
- Azami reports Hakuri's overhearing of Uruha and Samura's conversation and notes his current state is physically okay, but his sorcery is at risk of being lost.
- One leader contemplates using Shinuchi, which is currently three-fifths of the way through its sealing. The leader with mutton chops rejects the idea given Samura's activation of Owl means he can easily detect Enchanted-Blade levels of spirit energy and could serve as a check on the Hishaku's own blades.
- It is revealed the remaining two Enchanted Blade wielders have been hidden away; one, Subaru, alongside his sushi restaurant.
- The leaders decide to let Samura and the Hishaku wear each other down before ambushing them.
- Shiba arrives to meet with Chihiro in his hospital bed.
- He states Chihiro was killed, but mysteriously recovered several minutes afterwards, speculating it to be Tobimune's power and Samura's doing to stop Chihiro's quest for revenge.
- Ro arrives and introduces himself as head of the Masumi clan, and recalls Hakuri had told them to look out for Chihiro, announcing his own dedication to resolve the situation.
- Chihiro refuses to set aside his mission and is determined to learn the truth of the Seitei War from Shiba and tell Samura that he is already going to hell on his mission.
- Ro agrees with Chihiro's dedication and tells him that after a few days they will head out to meet with Samura.
- Shiba hands Enten to Chihiro after Chihiro states he will not die again.
- The Kamunabi leaders decide to arrange Chihiro and the Masumi into a strike force against Samura.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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