Metamorphosis (
Summary[]
Recalling the guard he had interrogated had received a call promising money to attack his room, Chihiro surmises Hiruhiko and the Hishaku were responsible. Hiruhiko confirms he had located Chihiro's room and many of the hotel's guests were on the way as they spoke, with no manager and little staff to rein them in. Hiruhiko then turns to a terrified Iori, thanking her for being born for her use as Samura's weakness. Hiruhiko then flings forward Sengoku's head, slicing through it and aiming the slash towards Iori, but Chihiro blocks the attack and notices a nearby elevator ticking downwards from the roof.
Hiruhiko comments that Samura is currently moving to kill the remaining sword bearers, insulting him for not even knowing his daughter was at risk. Chihiro slams Hiruhiko into the elevator he was in, coldly stating Hiruhiko would not harm Iori, and she was no longer part of their conflict. He slices the cords holding the elevator in place and the room falls downwards. Still in the hallway, Iori is in shock that Chihiro had left her, remembering there were numerous yakuza on the way. Elevators behind her open to reveal the yakuza in question, and Iori repeatedly hits the elevator button in panic before the elevator Chihiro had seen opens to reveal Ro, who calmly tells Iori to enter the elevator.
Iori does so and Ro quickly dispatches the yakuza, coming back in and sending the elevator upwards. He tells Iori that the Masumi have completed the seal, and Iori can return to her normal life soon. Iori is still concerned that things will really return to normal given the events that had happened at her school, and Ro replies the previous days' events will be hazy in people's memories, though those who have been killed will stay dead. He further notes it was the Masumi's fault things had come to this point, having constructed the seal insufficiently the first time to account for parent-child relations; but now, they could create a completely airtight seal.
The only thing they were missing was a key; specifically, the key to the hotel's barrier-powering lantern. The Masumi had talked to Sengoku earlier and arranged to borrow it temporarily to complete the seal, though it was now downstairs. Iori tells Ro that Chihiro had headed downstairs (in a sense), and Ro decides to leave it to him.
Within the falling elevator, Chihiro and Hiruhiko struggle mid-air before the room falls to the first floor, Chihiro sliding away from the wreckage. Chihiro consolidates his knowledge on Hiruhiko's unorthodox sword style and recalls while Hiruhiko's lack of experience was evident, Hiruhiko's slashes were loaded with spirit energy. A nearby staff member on the ground then calls out to Chihiro, recognising his allegiance with the Masumi and giving him Sengoku's key, which Chihiro takes, knowing its purpose.
The staff member reports what he had seen earlier; Hiruhiko was clearly an amateur, following no established style and swinging wildly, but managed to cut off Sengoku's arm. The staff member thought it to be a lucky strike, having built up a trust in Sengoku after training under him for seven years. One potent memory was that of Sengoku highlighting there were no 'geniuses' in the world, and hard work and diligence could not be surpassed. In the present, recalling Sengoku's death at the hands of Hiruhiko, the staff member breaks down into tears as he swears that there are geniuses in the world. He tells Chihiro that Hiruhiko's swordsmanship seemed invisible as the youth himself darts out of the broken elevator.
Observing the approaching Hiruhiko closely as he rapidly switched his sword arm and grip, Chihiro notes Hiruhiko takes full advantage of his flexibility and movement, consistently changing how he holds his sword and where he positions himself to advance into enemy blind spots and ensure his enemy loses sight of his sword. Having gained an understanding of Hiruhiko's unpredictable 'freedom' sword style, Chihiro moves his head out of the way of the slash and counters with one of his own, the two darting away from each other quickly. Hiruhiko is shocked at Chihiro's counterattack and speed, growing excited in anticipation. Chihiro notes disgruntledly that Hiruhiko had evaded his attack, and that his speed and his White Purity Style speed needed to be faster. Determined, Chihiro voices he will kill Hiruhiko and make it to the roof.
With Ro and Iori, Ro asks if Iori has made her decision to return to her normal life. Iori internally summarises that she will be returning to her peaceful, false life, and notes she doesn't just want to reject her true, horrific past. In addition, having heard her father's attention was elsewhere, she assumes Samura is okay with forgetting her, and that she was the only one struggling with a hole in her heart. She then confirms her decision with Ro.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Hiruhiko is immediately attacked by Chihiro and forced into the elevator.
- Chihiro cuts the elevator wire and sends the two falling down.
- Ro comes down another elevator and escorts Iori to the roof.
- On the way, Ro confirms the new seal will be absolute in ensuring her memories are locked, and reveals the need for a key to unlock the hotel's barrier-powering lantern to use a power source for the seal.
- Chihiro and Hiruhiko land on the first floor.
- Chihiro encounters a staff member who gives him the key and recalls Sengoku's death as well as Hiruhiko's unorthodox, 'invisible' sword style.
- Hiruhiko attacks Chihiro but Chihiro, having recognised the technique behind Hiruhiko's sword style (a focus on inherent unpredictability in contrast to commonalities present in most sword styles), dodges and counterattacks.
- Hiruhiko evades the counterattack and Chihiro voices a declaration to kill Hiruhiko.
- Iori confirms to Ro she wishes to erase her memories.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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