Finishing Touches (
Summary[]
Hokuto laughs, drawing the other three's attention, only interrupted by a small wince of pain before he continues laughing. Yura chides him half-heartedly before Natsuki interrupts to confirm sorcery was allowed in their bout and if so, why he was the only one who had used his so far. He turns to Uruha in particular, who admits the option had slipped his mind after 18 years of fighting without it. The two continue bickering and Hokuto apologises for having made it an option, commenting he thought Natsuki might be scared without his 'electrical leak' ability. Natsuki is immediately enraged and Hokuto winks slyly at him, praising his swordplay and admitting he had no need to worry. Natsuki begrudgingly takes the compliment and lets the insult to his sorcery slide. To the side, Yura neutrally takes in his injury where Uruha stabbed him.
Natsuki sets their prior discussion aside and maintains the Hishaku can go to hell, a notion Uruha seconds. Uruha then mentally evaluates the two Hishaku combatants. Yura was not quite a master swordsman but excelled in athleticism, having landed plenty of attacks despite his inconsistent swordsmanship. Hokuto, on the other hand, was still holding back; Uruha finds it creepy how Hokuto wanted to savour the duel rather than kill them outright. Uruha confirms to himself the real reason the Hishaku can go die was his belief Hokuto wasn't bluffing with his statements that he had killed Ibuki and Kunishige and that Yura was their leader. Fighters of their caliber were rare.
Hokuto himself voices that they each had inflicted plenty of solid injuries, stating injuries are good as they sharpened one's focus and gave one a solid adrenaline rush. Excitement palpable in his expression, Hokuto remarks they were nearing the climax and expresses his delight that everyone was still fighting, noting they could take a break after the first one died. Yura tells him he was talking too much and Hokuto states he is done. The four level their swords at each other before advancing. Hokuto slices down at Uruha but Uruha blocks behind his body with his sheath while his katana slices forth at Yura. Yura blocks with his own katana, though Natsuki's right katana slashes towards him while Natsuki's left moves in as well. The four descend into rapid motion and combat.
Bingo's head transformed
Elsewhere, on Level 5, two Kamunabi agents see a wall busted down, one of them recognising the Hishaku insignia on the intruder's hand. The intruder is Bingo, with a Kamunabi agent in his grip. Bingo's head is transformed into a massive form resembling one of his charms, the mouth of which rapidly grabs and bites down on one of the agents. The other agent stares in horror, only for Uran to appear behind him and chastise him for collapsing. With a single breath, Uran freezes the agent in ice instantaneously. Uran comments that she thought the Kamunabi were strong, but these agents were little more than cute. The Hishaku medic walks through the hole Bingo had made and responds that Uran and Bingo were simply very strong, to Uran's delight.
Bingo then rears his head over and devours the head of the frozen Kamunabi agent, chewing through and swallowing it. An unnerved Uran asks Bingo if it tasty, and Bingo responds in the negative; just like every other time she had asked. As his head transforms back to his normal bald appearance, Bingo snarks that he had no choice but to eat in order to use his sorcery. Uran notices Bingo is overeating again, wondering if he would get sleepy. In response, Bingo comments while these agents were weak, elite fighters would show up soon, so he had to fuel up when he could, which Uran acknowledges.
As if on cue, Bingo spots a Kamunabi agent land further down the hallway, and yawns as he tells Uran to prepare. Uran smiles as he notices him yawning, knowing she is right that he would get sleepy. The blond agent tells the intruders that they would be halted here as he draws a comb, while more agents turn the corner. The first one walks forth and notes the Hishaku had indeed attacked, and they were quite strong. Deciding to minimise Kamunabi losses, he tells his subordinates he will advance alone, and after keeping them busy for some time and giving the signal, the Kamunabi agents should focus their fire and blast him along with the Hishaku away. He takes the comb and brushes his hair (styled in a chonmage) before tossing the comb behind him (where it is caught by the previous agent) and telling the Hishaku they would begin.
Elsewhere, Kiri and Hakuri rush down a hallway before spotting Azami, Ichiki riding on the taller man's shoulders. The two leaders greet Kiri, who remarks their timing is perfect and tells them to escort them to Shinuchi. The four then enter an elevator. Hakuri states he thought Azami was at the top floor and Azami responds they had shut down the Threat Elimination Grounds, as there was too much internal chaos. He apologises that Hakuri had to go through that and expresses his gratitude that Hakuri is okay. Hakuri is dismayed that so many people had fought to protect him, and Azami notes his thanks that Uruha was alive. Ichiki calmly notes they will mourn Kudo and the others properly once the situation was sorted, hoping the next day will be calm.
Hakuri is adamant that it will, as they would settle things properly for good; he would transport Shinuchi to the Storehouse and the Hishaku would have no way of acting on it. Azami admits it wouldn't be that easy, to Hakuri's confusion. Ichiki explains they had surrounded the Hishaku invaders, and while they were expert fighters they were still individual sorcerers, and would be contained eventually. It is revealed that Yukisada has been engaged by three Kamunabi sorcerers, including the goggles-wearing subordinate of Natsuki's. However, Ichiki knows the Hishaku couldn't have expected to charge in with such few numbers and defeat the Kamunabi's forces; there was something else at play, such as the Shinuchi situation.
The Hishaku had put Shinuchi up for auction at the Rakuzaichi, all but intending for it to end up in the Kamunabi's hands. Had the Hishaku somehow programmed Shinuchi to be operated remotely, it would effectively turn into a bomb that could be activated at any time. Ichiki states they had ruled out the possibility after inspecting Shinuchi during the resealing process, though he still held doubts; Hakuri questions if they should be okay, and Ichiki admits he is still worried. The elevator arrives at Shinuchi's sealing room, and Hakuri manifests the Storehouse mask over his left eye.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Uruha dissects Yura and Hokuto's capabilities; Yura is less a swordsman and more a talented combatant, while the extent of Hokuto's swordsmanship abilities were as-of-yet unknown, as he was still holding back.
- The four resume their battle.
- Bingo, Uran and the Hishaku medic proceed elsewhere on Level 5.
- It is revealed that Bingo can transform his head into a biting charm and use it to devour enemies; he must do so in order to use his sorcery, though he abhors the taste.
- It is revealed that Uran's sorcery involves breathing on people before they freeze.
- One of the Kamunabi elites prepares to engage them.
- Kiri and Hakuri meet up with Azami and Ichiki, who have descended from the Threat Elimination Grounds due to the internal chaos. The four enter an elevator.
- Ichiki voices his suspicions that the Hishaku's plots simply amounted to their attack; he believes there is something else at play.
- The four arrive at the Shinuchi sealing room and Hakuri activates his Storehouse sorcery.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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