The Raid on Kokugoku Hot Spring is a battle fought by the Kamunabi's guard force at Kokugoku Hot Spring against Hiruhiko and several hired sorcerers with Datenseki weapons.
After the 208th Rakuzaichi concludes and the Hishaku confirm the Kamunabi possess Shinuchi, they proceed with their next move; an attack on Yoji Uruha's Sanso, Kokugoku Hot Spring. The attack force consists of hired sorcerers, some with semi-stabilized Datenseki, and is led by one of the Hishaku's own: Hiruhiko.
Prologue[]
In the aftermath of the Rakuzaichi, the Hishaku notes that the Kamunabi would take Shinuchi, just as they had planned. With no other option, there was nothing the Kamunabi could do but play into the Hishaku's hands. Yura states it is time for their next move. Desiring for Hiruhiko to gain more experience with the world and Chihiro before he takes an Enchanted Blade, Yura places organization for their next operation under Hiruhiko's command; engaging the Sanso and assassinating the sword bearers. Knowing full well Hiruhiko was quite likely not to succeed, Yura has set a number of backup plans in play, including the Hishaku's trump card.
For the purposes of his mission, Hiruhiko is given command of the Hishaku's full resources, including 68 hired sorcerers, 34 Datenseki weapons and the ten Hishaku members themselves. Hiruhiko elects to take himself and around a half-dozen sorcerers, each with Datenseki weapons, with him to attack Kokugoku Hot Spring, Sanso of Yoji Uruha.
Battle[]
Hiruhiko orders the Datenseki wielders to engage first, himself refraining from attacking for the time being. The attackers quickly destroy much of the building. When the attack is detected, the Kamunabi garrison immediately spot the emblem on Hiruhiko's hand as well as the Datenseki reactions, reporting the information to headquarters immediately. Uruha is quickly ushered to the exit, where Fushimi states that the attackers had some odd weapon, and while their likelihood of success was minuscule, they could buy time for Uruha's escape. He yells at Uruha to run to Atago Station, as they would contact headquarters for new bodyguards. Fushimi emphasizes to Uruha to ensure he is not killed otherwise the Kokugoku guards would curse him, and Uruha flees to the station.
Kokugoku destroyed.
Closing the door, Fushimi asks a clerk about the situation. The clerk reports that the facility was heavily damaged and four guards were heavily wounded; but the rest were fine. Fushimi yells for tag number 108 and the clerk throws it at him, Fushimi inserting it into a mechanism. A specific steam signal begins emanating from the vents, and the Kamunabi sorcerers outside immediately realize it is the signal that Uruha has escaped. They simultaneously know it is now their duty to keep the enemy focused on them and finish them off if at all possible.
The Datenseki-wielding enemies attack with great strength and speed, but even as one downs a Kamunabi sorcerer, two more Kamunabi sorcerers rear in and restrain him. Fushimi flies by the Datenseki wielder and uses Smoke Axe to land a fatal slash as he dashes past. Fushimi smirks that his statement that they were sacrificing their lives may have been an over-exaggeration, as he and the Kokugoku Steam Squad delay the Datenseki wielders enough for their bodies to burst due to Datenseki usage.
As they regroup, one of the steam squad members notes they have received a report that Uruha had met with escorts, and they were headed to Senkutsuji Temple. They decide to get there first to surprise Uruha and welcome him. Hiruhiko then attacks the squad, taking advantage of their previous exertion and handily killing the squad with little to no difficulty.
Aftermath[]
The corpses of the Kokugoku Steam Squad members
Hiruhiko takes four of the squad's corpses to a train station that Uruha is scheduled to pass (based on the fact they are headed to Senkutsuji). He intends for the sight to provoke Uruha into attacking, but when the train stops in the station, Uruha merely stares impassively. Hiruhiko then boards the train with several hired sorcerers, preparing to attack.