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“That's why we need an all-powerful weapon. In other words...the Enchanted Blades.” ― Kasen's insistence on utilizing the Enchanted Blades.[source]
Kasen (
Due to his actions and role, he is a major overarching antagonist in the series as a whole.
Appearance
Kasen is a tall, well-built man with long hair flowing down his back as well as a prominent beard with several beads tied within. He wears standard Kamunabi attire in addition to a dotted vest over his uniform, indicating an elevated status relative to his colleagues.
Personality
As befitting his status as leader of the Kamunabi, Kasen is a stoic, even-tempered man who maintains his composure even in tense situations. He is wholeheartedly focused on the Kamunabi's duty of maintaining order within the nation, and places it above all else. When various other leaders begin disagreeing with each other during meetings, Kasen is usually the one to calm them down and ensure meetings progress. He is highly cognisant of the Kamunabi's position on the stage of affairs within the nation, as seen when he refuses to engage in open combat against the Sazanami Clan due to the loss of Kamunabi manpower it would incur, which would impact the Kamunabi's operations elsewhere.
However, Kasen's focus on order is to such an extent that he is willing to even work with criminals such as the Hishaku in order to achieve this. Kasen's ultimate view is that the Enchanted Blades must be used by the Kamunabi to ensure the clans of sorcerers within the nation are made to comply. Though he has generally hid the fine details of this view from his fellow leaders, Kasen has made no secret about how vital it is that the Kamunabi must control the Enchanted Blades. For law and order, Kasen has accepted making many sacrifices, including that of Kunishige Rokuhira's life, which was necessary to remove the Enchanted Blades from the Rokuhira residence.
Relationships
Plot
Past
At the end of the Seitei War, Kasen attended the signing of the peace treaty with Ichiki, shortly before the "Master Swordsman" committed genocide with Malediction.[1] After the end of the war, a seal was constructed by Kasen, Ichiki and Yatsuru on Shinuchi's box that required authentication from the three of them to open.[2]
Sometime at least three years ago, Kasen began covertly providing information to the Hishaku for the end goal of killing the Master Swordsman and the sword bearers in order to render the Enchanted Blades usable, so the Kamunabi could pressure the powerful lineages of sorcerers across the nation into compliance. As part of accomplishing this goal of establishing true order, Kasen leaked Kunishige Rokuhira's location to the Hishaku.[3]
Over four months before the Hishaku's attack on Kamunabi Headquarters, Kasen took the Kamunabi's backup device for preparation of a Vessel for the Core Station and gave it to the Hishaku, allowing one among their number to become another Vessel. This did not raise suspicion, possibly because Kasen substituted it with a fake.[4]
Vs. Sojo Arc
Meeting after Sojo's death
On the 24th of November, 10 days after Genichi Sojo's death, Kasen presided over a meeting of the Kamunabi leaders to discuss their next course of action. After Azami reported the deaths of Sojo and four members of the Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces, Kudo noted Shinuchi's sale was still going through under a different name. The neckscarf-wearing leader noted having Azami and Hiyuki as well as Kaichi would be useful for the Rakuzaichi, Izaru noting Hagiwara's squad had done well to retrieve Cloud Gouger. Yatsuru questioned who should take Cloud Gouger's contract, but Ichiki posed the question of whether they held possession of Cloud Gouger in the first place.
Kasen revealed Kazane's report which stated Chihiro Rokuhira, not the Kamunabi, had killed Sojo and retrieved Cloud Gouger, and was wielding a seventh Enchanted Blade. Izaru then proclaimed Azami knew the truth of the Chihiro situation from the beginning, blaming the Enchanted Blades' theft on those who hid Kunishige after the war. Kudo shot back that they had only done so because people like Izaru wanted to steal the Enchanted Blades for their own purposes. Interrupting the argument, Kasen reminded the group that they had argued enough before and their mission was to retrieve the Enchanted Blades. After ordering for an internal investigation to be conducted sometime later, Kasen ordered for Hiyuki Kagari to be dispatched after Chihiro, given they were facing a threat of two Enchanted Blades.[5]
Rakuzaichi Arc
On November 1st, eight days after her dispatch, Hiyuki and Tafuku arrived at Kasen's office. Hiyuki reported that they had encountered Chihiro, but he had escaped, apologising for her failure. Ichiki entered and questioned Tafuku on how Chihiro had slipped away, Tafuku mentioning there had been some interference.[6]
Hiyuki continued by saying they had come to learn the Kamunabi's plans regarding the Rakuzaichi, aiming to plan around retrieving Enten and Shinuchi. Kasen brushed her request off as they would be bidding on Shinuchi, citing that they couldn't act hastily and risk casualties. Hiyuki interrupted him, stating the true issue was the fact that they weren't taking the opportunity to destroy the auction, especially given its perpetuation of human trafficking, thinking the current plan was only encouraging the auction.
Ichiki acknowledged the validity of Hiyuki's point, but emphasized that violent opposition would result in too many casualties, and thus they had decided given the circumstances that bidding would ultimately be worth it to retrieve Shinuchi without losing anyone.[7] Hiyuki still disapproved of the plan up until the last minute, believing that the lives of all individuals were important, only acquiescing due to knowing the importance and devastating power of Enchanted Blade-level strength; being privy to such strength herself.[8]
Sometime later, Kasen would learn that Enten would be sold at the Rakuzaichi.[9]
Sword Bearer Assassination Arc
Leaders' meeting with Chihiro
Following the end of the Rakuzaichi on the 9th of November, Chihiro offered to join the Kamunabi, and was escorted alongside Hakuri Sazanami by Hiyuki and Tafuku into the meeting room where the leaders had gathered to discuss his proposal. Kasen opened the meeting, stating that the Enchanted Blade bearers were already secure within the Sanso's guard forces. Ichiki asked if Hakuri could demonstrate his Storehouse sorcery, but Tafuku stated he had exhausted himself over yesterday's events, Hiyuki also defending the potency of his sorcery. Accepting that Chihiro's plan was thus feasible, Ichiki then noted the topic of discussion would be whether they should give Chihiro access to the sword bearers; whether Chihiro was trustworthy.
After further discussion, Izaru stood and proposed they kill Chihiro to transfer his contract with Enten to a Kamunabi member instead. The meeting was interrupted by a Kamunabi member reporting Kokugoku Hot Spring, Sanso of Yoji Uruha, had been attacked by sorcerers with Enchanted-Blade-like spirit energy manifestations and a member of the Hishaku. Chihiro voiced that the Kamunabi needed immediate fighting power and proposed himself as their best option. Izaru was enraged but Kasen decided to accept Chihiro's proposal on the basis that they indeed did not have time to choose a new bearer. Kasen ordered him and Hakuri to locate and protect Uruha, though threatened that the Kamunabi would not give him free reign with the Enchanted Blades.[10]
After the meeting, Kasen, Ichiki and Yatsuru began the sealing process once more. Prior to commencing sealing, the three investigated Shinuchi for anything suspicious such as foreign spirit energy, but did not discover anything, as Kasen had covered up the presence of Yura's spirit energy within the blade.[11]
Meeting after the events at Senkutsuji Temple
At 3:14 am on the 10th of November, the Kamunabi leaders met and Azami relayed Uruha and Samura's final conversation as overheard by Hakuri. Izaru was aggravated that Samura had betrayed them and Ichiki noted though they had lost two Enchanted Blades to the Hishaku, they would still proceed with their plans. The topic of Hakuri's current situation was brought up and Azami noted he was in intensive care to see if they could treat his exhausted sorcery.
The notion of using Shinuchi was brought up but Izaru dismissed it given Owl's presence over Japan. After Izaru confirmed with Kudo and the leader with sideburns that the other two sword bearers had been hidden, Ichiki commented that the information warfare would be at a standstill for some time. The leaders decided to ambush Samura and the Hishaku when the time was right, and arranged Chihiro and the Masumi as a force against Samura.[12]
On the morning of the 14th of November, after Owl had disappeared, the Kamunabi leaders met and Azami relayed the Masumi's report that they had encountered Samura and three members of the Hishaku who had Kumeyuri with them. The Surveillance Sorcerer then reported that the Hishaku were attacking the Headquarters' barrier, and Kasen ordered for the barrier to be taken down around the first level to avoid battle taking place on the streets. Doing so, the Surveillance Sorcerer detected seven entrants which Ichiki reasoned were the seven remaining members of the Hishaku, and Kasen directed that a force be assembled to intercept them, Azami volunteering.[13]
After the meeting, Kasen descended to the Shinuchi sealing room, watching from the observation area above. When Ichiki, Azami, Kiri and Hakuri entered, Ichiki and Kasen neutrally greeted each other and Ichiki was relieved to see the seal was intact. Kasen noted Hakuri had made it and Ichiki stated he would be transporting Shinuchi to the Storehouse as planned. Kasen, however, responded in the negative. A burst of spirit energy suddenly emanated from Shinuchi, Ichiki aghast at the sight. Realising that Shinuchi must have been compromised before the seal, Ichiki turned to Kasen with wide eyes as he pondered the possibility that one among the three who sealed the blade may have covered up the interference.[14]
Kasen explained that powerful clans of sorcerers had existed since ancient times, and the Kamunabi, though government-appointed, was far newer in comparison, many clans refusing to acknowledge their authority; one example being the Rakuzaichi's continued existence which the Kamunabi had no choice but to allow to exist. Kasen voiced his belief that if they could bring the clans under the Kamunabi's wing, true order could be established in the nation; hence the need for powerful weapons such as the Enchanted Blades.
Ichiki brought up that Shinuchi had caused the atrocity Malediction, but Kasen countered that it was the fault of the Master Swordsman. Ichiki shot this point down as they couldn't rule out the possibility of another Malediction, so using the blade was not an option. He maintained that they needed to build a peaceful world. Kasen acknowledged that this was the decision reached 18 years ago, but they couldn't rule with that approach; they needed the Enchanted Blades. Kasen had hid his ambition and maintained his authority for many years solely for this moment. Ichiki noted he was still consorting with criminals, and Kasen stated he was prepared to make many sacrifices, be it his pride, the lives of the sword bearers, Kunishige's life, or the others in the room, Kasen readying his sorcery. Azami then punched Kasen in the face, slamming him into a wall, before leaving to confront Yura. Weakly, Kasen stated resistance against Shinuchi was futile. Ichiki, however, held confidence in Azami.[15]
Ichiki ordered a Kamunabi agent go contact Shiba and Hiyuki to get them to head to headquarters, though the agent quickly returned stating he could not get through. Noticing Tobimune and Enten outside but having not entered yet, Ichiki quickly realised Kasen had done something, and Kasen noted his comrades had done good work. After some thought, Ichiki noted that even if Kasen's treachery had prevented them from entering, it would only last a few minutes with how much it was taxing the barrier. Kasen laughed and stated a few minutes would easily be enough for Shinuchi to unleash devastation.[16]
Soon after, an announcement came detailing that a second Vessel was present in the building. Ichiki quickly clued in that Kasen was responsible and ordered Kiri and Hakuri to deal with the threat.[17]
Abilities
Overall Abilities: As the leader of the Kamunabi, Kasen is an extremely skilled individual and one of the most powerful sorcerers in the Kamunabi.[18] He has an incredible amount of experience in the field of sorcery and, alongside Ichiki and Yatsuru, was able to create an incredibly strong seal on Shinuchi.[19][20] Azami estimated his knowledge to be around double that of the Kamunabi's Level 2 library.[21]
As a sorcerer, Kasen has accomplished the first stage of spirit energy usage, being able to use his spirit energy to strengthen his body to superhuman levels.
Combat Prowess
Sorcery
Etymology
Trivia
References
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 72 (Page 4).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 40 (Page 5).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 95 (Pages 1-8).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 97 (Page 9).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 18 (Pages 11-19).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 22 (Pages 6-9).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 22 (Page 12).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 29 (Page 12).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 25 (Pages 16-17).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 46.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 94 (Pages 3, 15).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 60 (Pages 1-4, 17-19).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 78 (Pages 14-18).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 94 (Pages 6-8, 14-15).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 95.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 96 (Pages 3, 8-11).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 97 (Pages 8-10).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 94 (Page 3).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 40 (Page 5).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 94 (Page 3).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 94 (Page 4).