The Rakuzaichi Arc (
In order to pry deeper into the Rakuzaichi auction, where the Enchanted Blade Shinuchi is said to be auctioned off, Chihiro allies with Hakuri Sazanami, whose clan, the Sazanami Clan, organizes the auction, in order to steal Shinuchi and thereby destroy the auction. After a violent encounter with Hiyuki Kagari, an infamously powerful agent of the Kamunabi, Chihiro decides to attack the head of the Sazanami Clan, Kyora, to pry Shinuchi's whereabouts from him directly, but fails and is forced to retreat. Chihiro and his allies prepare to raid the Rakuzaichi itself to retrieve Shinuchi, defeat Kyora and destroy the auction.
Arc Summary[]
The Renounced Heir and the Soldier[]
A young man named Hakuri Sazanami, after losing contact with his family, witnesses the clash between Chihiro Rokuhira and Genichi Sojo in the streets of Tokyo, and is inspired by Chihiro's acts of bravery, thinking of him like a samurai.
Later on, on November 1st, 18 days after Sojo's death, he manages to save a girl from being kidnapped by Yakuza, but is captured himself and taken to the Yakuza's apartment base. Chihiro then arrives and kills the Yakuza. Following Sojo's death, Chihiro and Shiba had found that he was not the true submitter of Shinuchi and that he had nothing to do with the auction at all, so the two decided to investigate as many Yakuza gangs as possible for links to the Sazanami clan, the family that administrates the Rakuzaichi, where Shinuchi is to be sold.
While Chihiro tries to interrogate the boss of the Yakuza, Hakuri interjects and loudly thanks him for saving him. Chihiro attempts to walk away from him but hears Hakuri introduce himself with his full name, and decides to hear him out as he is a Sazanami.[2] Hakuri states he wishes to destroy the Rakuzaichi, explaining that the Sazanami children are all raised to protect the auction first and foremost, and he was exiled due to both being incompetent at sorcery and disagreeing with the family's policies, which included the sale of humans.
Chihiro then asks about whether he knows where the goods to be sold are, explaining that he wants to steal Shinuchi, and as Hakuri asks why he cautiously reveals he is worried over the possibility of the enchanted blade being used to cause bloodshed, remembering Sojo's actions.
Hiyuki arrives with Flame Bone active
Shiba then calls and informs Chihiro that Azami has alerted them to a pursuer; Hiyuki Kagari, strongest fighter of the Kamunabi and wielder of the Flame Bone of the Starving. As Chihiro and Hakuri descend down the lift to the ground floor, they walk into an unfamiliar environment conjured by Hiyuki's subordinate Tafuku Mihara, where Hiyuki is waiting for them. Hiyuki summons a flaming skeletal fist over her hand and despite Chihiro's refusal to fight, immediately engages Chihiro, slamming him into a wall despite his use of Aka.
Hiyuki demands Chihiro hand over his enchanted blade as well as Cloud Gouger. Upon seeing Chihiro's disinterest in fighting her and refusal to hand over his blade, Hiyuki states no individual should use the immense power of an enchanted blade for their own benefit, and that the blades should be under the control of the Kamunabi for the sake of the nation. She uses the example of the Anti-Cloud Gouger Forces as to why individuals cannot be allowed to wield enchanted blades, and the memory of Sojo chills Chihiro, slowing his movements.
Noticing Chihiro taking the defensive, Hakuri leaps in to try to help but is hit by Hiyuki's flaming fist. Despite Hiyuki holding back, Hakuri is still brought to the verge of unconsciousness.[3] Knocked on the ground, Hakuri reminds Chihiro that he saved him twice, and that his katana suits him, urging him that they need to keep going after Shinuchi. The statement prompts Hiyuki to resume her assault, reminding him that until a loser is found and the duel is considered over they cannot leave Tafuku's pocket dimension. She additionally expresses her distaste for fighting weak opponents, telling Chihiro to put effort into fighting.
Chihiro realises he can't hold back with his blade and that he has to keep testing its limits so as to better defeat evil and protect the weak. Knowing this, he activates Nishiki and rushes in. After a brief back-and-forth Chihiro manages to land a hit on Hiyuki, but Chihiro and Tafuku are both surprised as Hiyuki deliberately took the hit as Chihiro had used the flat of his blade. Hiyuki is furious at Chihiro for continuing to not fight 'properly' and demands Chihiro come at her for real, chilling Hakuri and Tafuku.
As Tafuku realises Chihiro's a good person, Hiyuki decides to use Flame Bone's Spinal Column, but Hakuri's falling unconscious prompts her to immediately cancel it as Tafuku's sorcery is dispelled due to there technically now being a loser in the fight. As the sorcery is dispelled, Chihiro grabs Hakuri and speeds off, while Hiyuki plans to follow Chihiro to the auction where he aims at Shinuchi.
In the auction hall, Kyora Sazanami, lead auctioneer of the Rakuzaichi and head of the Sazanami clan, comments on the headliner of this year's auction, Shinuchi, the most renowned and powerful of the six enchanted blades. He muses that this year might get rowdier than normal, but that the Sazanami clan would continue to protect the auction as always; though Kyora does admit he is a little nervous.[4]
The Estate[]
Chihiro takes Hakuri back to his base and briefs him on his situation, prompting an emotional response from Hakuri. Shiba wonders if its okay to tell all the information to a Sazanami, but Chihiro vouches for him. Hinao and Char then arrive, Hinao having been looking after Char while Chihiro was investigating various Yakuza gangs. Char offers to try healing Chihiro's arm, but Chihiro has her help Hakuri's face first. Post-recovery, Hakuri reveals Shinuchi, as with all goods, resides in the 'storehouse', the Sazanami clan's storage space. He reveals the only person who knows the storehouse's location is his father Kyora, even though all of the Sazanami clan members have been there before.
Elsewhere, Hiyuki and Tafuku arrive at the Kamunabi Tokyo Headquarters, meeting with the bearded Kamunabi leader and the diminutive Kamunabi leader. Hiyuki reports her failure and proposes a collective strike at the Rakuzaichi to obtain Enten and Shinuchi, but the bearded leader refuses as the Kamunabi would be bidding for the sword. Hiyuki is infuriated by this statement, thinking the Kamunabi to be giving in to evil and not taking the opportunity to destroy the auction. The diminutive leader acknowledges her point but argues there would be too many casualties in such an armed conflict, and it would be preferable to obtain Shinuchi without losing anyone.
The Sazanami Estate
In a car driving away from the auction hall, Kyora Sazanami calls a member of the Hishaku, questioning them on why they have decided to auction off Shinuchi. The Hishaku member admits they can't say anything, but states they won't do anything to jeopardise the auction. Shifting focus, the Hishaku member questions Kyora's lack of concern over the seventh blade, and Kyora, while well aware of his lacking strength compared to an Enchanted Blade, maintained Shinuchi would not pass into the hands of non-bidders.
The car arrives at the Sazanami estate and Kyora heads to his office for meditation. Upon entering, he sees Chihiro and Shiba and idly wonders how they got in, considering a barrier prevents those who are not Sazanami members or affiliates from entering. He comments on Chihiro's blade, having just been talking about it, and Chihiro silences him, demanding Shinuchi's location. A black shadow and white eyepiece engulf Kyora's left eye as he asks if they will leave if he tells them.[5]
The tell-tale black shade of Kuro flares across Enten, but Kyora reveals he does not plan to fight, and takes a moment to praise the quality of Enten, noting Chihiro's possession of it must make him the son of Kunishige. Shiba notes Kyora is oddly calm, and even knows Chihiro's full name, suspecting the presence of a mole within the Kamunabi.
Earlier, after learning their plans, Hakuri advised Chihiro and Shiba to watch out for the Tou, the Sazanami clan's 4 strongest sorcerers of the clan's 50 and Kyora's personal guard force. In the present, Shiba wonders why Kyora hasn't called for the Tou yet. Kyora then gestures, and Shinuchi appears beside Chihiro, seemingly from nowhere. Chihiro immediately attempts to grab the box, but his hand passes through; it is merely a projection. Chihiro rushes over, readying Enten at Kyora's throat, demanding Shinuchi's true location.
A projection of the Storehouse's interior
In response, Kyora states the Storehouse is a subspace created by sorcery. He projects the contents of the storehouse around them as he does so, and reveals authority over it only resides in the Sazanami clan. Kyora concludes by stating that if he dies, the storehouse will disappear, and everything within will be destroyed; to Chihiro and Shiba's consternation as they see living people among Kyora's projected images.
Ultimately, Chihiro lowers his sword, and Shiba tells Chihiro they should leave for now. Kyora then interrupts; three members of the Tou then appear in the room, and Kyora states they should at least leave a 'gift' behind in the form of Enten, to compensate for intruding. Kyora asks where the fourth member, Soya, is, and Tou member Tenri Sazanami responds he's looking for Hakuri. The three then prepare to battle Chihiro and Shiba.
Outside the apartment serving as Chihiro's base, Hakuri descends the stairs on an errand for Hinao before running into the tall figure of Soya, who warmly greets Hakuri. Hakuri, on his part, is frightened.[6]
Kyora declares though Chihiro and Shiba originally came as the hunters, the Sazanami are the hunters now. Shiba once again voices to Chihiro that they should fall back temporarily, but Chihiro refuses, remembering his father's words that he believed Shinuchi is the one blade that can never be used again due to its power and 'different' nature, and if they let it go now it risks falling into the Kamunabi's hands at the auction (the bidding plan revealed to Shiba and Chihiro by Azami). Ultimately, Chihiro decides they know too little about the storehouse and need to continue investigating. A loud ringing sound then resounds from Shiba's pocket.
Soya states he has very much missed Hakuri, and Hakuri immediately jumps off the stair ledge. Soya catches him but Hakuri believes Soya is here to kill him for ruining the 'merchandise', and would rather die on his own terms than suffer such a fate. Soya refuses this, as they are brothers. A profile of Soya is revealed; he is five years older than Hakuri and truly loves him, but presents this love through violent means.
Placing his hands on Hakuri's shoulders, Soya comments he'll tell their father Hakuri only 'rebelled' because of that 'merchandise woman', who was now dead, and urges him to return. Hakuri still refuses as Hinao comes out, having heard the commotion. Soya, seeing her, blames her for Hakuri's rebellion as tears fall from his eyes, and decides to kill her. Hakuri tries to hold him back but Soya punches him into the ground before demanding Hinao return his little brother. Shiba then arrives on scene, immediately striking Soya and teleporting the two high into the sky. Black shadows flare over Soya's left eye as the two prepare to clash.
Hakuri asked why Shiba was here, and Hinao reveals she had signalled him using her phone; that was the ringing sound. When Chihiro heard it, he immediately urged Shiba to teleport over, stating he would work things out. Tenri, Enji, and Tamaki—the Tou members— activate Isou and shades of black flare over their left eyes as the three and Chihiro rush out of a window to begin their fight. Kyora sips on his tea from a window.[7]
Kyora summons weapons for Tenri
Soya activates Isou, entering a state where he is able to create and manipulate shockwaves to boost his offense and movement capabilities. Shiba dodges out of the way out of a shockwave that tears through the building behind him and worries for Chihiro, deciding to teleport with Soya back to the estate to support Chihiro whilst maintaining Hakuri's safety.
Chihiro meanwhile tears through several of the Tou's weapons, but Kyora, having now walked into the courtyard where the battle is taking place, summons weapons from the Storehouse within reach of the Tou in order to rearm them. Kyora stays well back from the battle proper as he ponders Shiba's disappearance. Shiba then returns with Soya, and as Soya shouts that he had just seen Hakuri, Kyora immediately realises Hakuri has been supporting Chihiro and Shiba and makes use of Hakuri's 'registration' to bring him into the courtyard and take him hostage.
While reluctant to kill his own son, his disappoint in his worthlessness is even stronger, and as he moves to swing his blade Chihiro declares Hakuri means a lot to him and agrees to give up Enten to save Hakuri, much to the latter's later grief at causing Chihiro to lose his beloved blade. Chihiro then states it was okay, as he had riskily planned on-the-spot to make use of the situation in order to get Enten into the Storehouse and then remotely activate it. Following the trade, Kyora places Enten within the Storehouse and adds it to the list of items to be auctioned. Among others, the bearded Kamunabi leader receives the news.[8]
Two days later (on November 3rd), Hiyuki and Tafuku are also alerted to Enten's auctioning and theorise why Chihiro would have done so. Chihiro himself, now in a car with his allies (Shiba driving) details how he had previously charged Enten with spirit energy and would now attempt to perform reconnaissance on the Storehouse from the inside. While Chihiro was incredibly reluctant to let go of it, Hakuri's words to him during his battle with Hiyuki reminded him that Enten would always be his blade, no matter the distance.
Chihiro concentrated and formed a small black goldfish out of Enten within the Storehouse, which he could see and hear through. Inside the Storehouse he spotted Kyora observing Shinuchi's box. Hearing something, Kyora abruptly turned around, but Chihiro quickly moved the goldfish away in time. Kyora speculated why Chihiro would give up Enten so easily, and relished the challenge in matching wits with Chihiro.
Five days later, on November 8th, the day of the 208th Rakuzaichi, two sorcerers, one with an oni-like mask and another bald with tattoos, discussed the two Enchanted Blades on auction and the commotion that they would likely cause. The two watched as various criminals entered the doors of the Rakuzaichi building (which had been open since 11:00 am), and prepared for the auction's beginning at 12:00 noon.[9]
The Auction[]
At roughly 11:53 am, Kyora mused on how Chihiro hadn't tried anything over the last five days, but set the matter aside as he prepared to take the stage. On a balcony overlooking the Rakuzaichi's front entrance, a sunglasses-wearing guard briefed an investigating Shiba on the security situation: as with all Rakuzaichi events, three people per party were allowed to enter the underground auction hall, while the rest banded together to guard the outside and ground floor; a longstanding tradition imposed by the Sazanami Clan. The Sazanami Clan's sorcerers patrolled the building's interior. The one thing different, remarked the sunglasses-wearer, was the 50-million yen bounty placed by the Sazanami on Chihiro Rokuhira, owner of Enten.
A young child named Yuu, wearing a helmet with a lightning bolt on it, then walked up to the Rakuzaichi gates. While Yuu used to be scared of thunder he now calls himself Mr. Inazuma, telling himself that he will be a hero that will enter the 'den of evil' in order to save his sister, who is slated for auction. As Yuu walked into the building, a foyer guard saw him and picked Yuu up by the neck. Yuu then stabbed the forearm of the guard holding him, aggravating the guard.
Chihiro readies Cloud Gouger
The sunglasses-wearer then noticed a familiar scarred face approach the entrance, but Shiba interjected, stating the young man approaching had both arms whereas the notice stated Chihiro had only one. Shiba checked his watch, which read 11:58, and realised Chihiro had shown up earlier than expected. Shiba immediately ducked into the foyer and observed Yuu's situation. The guard holding him pulled out the knife and prepares to stab down at Yuu, but Chihiro then entered and sliced off the arm holding Yuu, saving the child. Shiba then detached the chandelier above from its position, immediately bringing the room into darkness. Chihiro and Shiba had planned to begin their operation at noon; and as the clock struck twelve and Kyora took the stage, Chihiro prepared to use Cloud Gouger.[10]
Cutting back to November 4th, during the second day of Chihiro's Storehouse recon, Chihiro shared with Shiba that he was sure the Storehouse was a subspace disconnected from the regular world. Chihiro asked Hakuri about how clan leadership was passed down, and Hakuri replied that a long time ago Kyora took over from Hakuri's sickly grandfather through a ceremony performed in the Sazanami Clan's underground cemetery. The group planned to use the ceremony to place Hakuri in charge of the Clan and thus the Storehouse.
Two days after that, on November 6th, Chihiro shared with Shiba the existence of a door to nowhere within the Storehouse that nobody used. The two speculated that it might lead to somewhere in the real world, as an emergency door in case the clan head died without passing down Storehouse authority. Hakuri also recognised the symbol on the door, adding evidence to Chihiro and Shiba's hypothesis.
The Naginojoen, the Sazanami Clan's underground cemetery
In the present, at noon, Kyora heard the chandelier falling and realised Chihiro was present and that he knew about the Storehouse's emergency door; it was located within the Naginojoen, the Sazanami cemetery located on the floor below the underground auction hall. Kyora was glad, as through Chihiro's death Enten would be rendered usable and thus its value would increase.
Simultaneously, Shiba quickly teleported Yuu into a car containing Hinao, Char and Hakuri. Shiba grabbed Hakuri and teleported back into the Rakuzaichi building. In the foyer, Chihiro unsheathed Cloud Gouger, with only a short stub of the blade remaining, and placed it within his mouth to hold as he used Mei to emulate Sojo and cloak his body with lightning, massively increasing his speed. Chihiro drew his wakizashi and sped through the guards, slashing through them. Suddenly, the chandelier lit up again; four sorcerers had fixed it and reattached it to the ceiling. At the same time, Hiyuki busted through a nearby wall, Tafuku hot on her heels.[11]
In the auction hall proper, two members of the Kamunabi's Shinuchi Bidding Team discussed their priority: retrieving Shinuchi, with no focus on anything else, including Enten. In the foyer, Chihiro recallled refusing to be teleported down to the bottom floor by Shiba in favour of dealing with Hiyuki early on. Chihiro and Hiyuki then rapidly rushed at each other, slashing and slamming their way through the mass of guards, before coming face to face. Tafuku quickly grabbed a guard and opened his battle subspace, removing the four of them from the outside.
Hiyuki remarked she and Tafuku had been assigned to watch over Chihiro and prevent him from dying, and that if he resisted they'll arrest him. She questioned why he handed over Enten, and Chihiro replied he was investigating the Storehouse, offering to share the info he had learnt. Hiyuki refused and nonchalantly revealed the Kamunabi were bidding on Shinuchi, to Tafuku's annoyance. Chihiro then brought up the moral grievances of the auction, attempting to reach Hiyuki's more moral side.
While originally stone-faced, Hiyuki's temper rapidly soured to the point of reopening her wound inflicted by Chihiro through sheer rage. She declared to Tafuku that she had enough of picking her battles and just wanted to destroy it all. Tafuku turned to Chihiro and stated that Hiyuki probably aimed to let Chihiro go for now and kill him after he had retrieved Enten and Shinuchi. Upon Chihiro's acknowledgement, Tafuku knocked out the guard he had grabbed, closing the subspace, and Chihiro charged off downstairs while Hiyuki and Tafuku prevented the guards from reaching him.[12]
The Mastermind[]
During their planning phase, Shiba had told Chihiro he would deal with the Tou. Hakuri brought up that while Soya usually acted highly intelligently at a level similar to Kyora, he acted completely differently around Hakuri, which was a weakness Hakuri and Shiba planned on taking advantage of. While usually the Tou were posted at the four corners of the auction hall's stage, this year Kyora had posted them by the Naginojoen's door. The four discussed the reasoning behind their non-standard posting, assuming their father believed Chihiro would show up and deciding to focus on their post. Abruptly, Hakuri peeked out from the other end of the long corridor where the Naginojoen door was. Hakuri disappeared back up the stairs and Soya immediately charged after him, shouting for him to come back.
Hakuri is blocked off by a wall of trees
As the other Tou members questioned Hakuri's presence, Shiba teleported in front of the door, seemingly unable to teleport into the room due to its heavy sealing. He recalled thanking Hakuri for agreeing to distract Soya, and Chihiro instructed Hakuri to run towards the surface so Chihiro could back him up against Soya. In the present, Hakuri aimed to reach Chihiro as fast as possible, dashing up the stairs and into a hallway where Chihiro was descending the stairs on the other end.
Only four guards stood in Chihiro's way; but as Hakuri came close, he saw one of the guards giving Chihiro trouble before a wall of trees suddenly emerged from the ground, preventing Hakuri from advancing. Soya caught up and grabbed onto him, but as Hakuri wondered if he should head back to Shiba as the older sorcerer had told him or wait for Chihiro to come save him, he decided not to take advantage of their kindness and stand up for himself (motivated by an image of his pet praying mantis Samurai). Black shadows erupted from Hakuri's left eye as he pulled away from Soya and declared he was going to defeat him, readying his hands to activate Isou.
32 seconds earlier, Chihiro had seen Hakuri and quickly placed Cloud Gouger in his mouth, slashing through three of the guards. The fourth managed to parry and dodge his attacks, and remarked on Cloud Gouger's diminshed potency due to being broken. Chihiro barely noticed the wall of trees forming behind him as he noticed the signature tattoo of the Hishaku on the man's right hand.[13]
Chihiro immediately flashed back to the Hishaku's attack on his home, eyes throbbing and sweat pouring down his face. Chihiro then slammed the Hishaku member, Yura, into a wall and levelled both blades at him, emotionally breaking down but still retaining enough stability to try and interrogate him. Yura coolly replied he was the leader of the Hishaku, and directly responsible for orchestrating the murder of Chihiro's father, though he wasn't present in person. Yura then quickly knocked Chihiro back before kicking him into the wall of trees, branches reaching out and restraining Chihiro. Yura quickly hushed Chihiro as Kyora's voice blared out of the speakers.
"Why did you kill my father?!"
Kyora declared he would reveal the auction's special item for today, before introducing the conflict from 18 years ago, the Seitei War, where Japan was attacked by an enemy and were disadvantaged even after gathering sorcerers from all over Japan. However, then the hero Kunishige Rokuhira changed everything. With Chihiro, a myriad questions arose in his mind and two questions regarding Shinuchi's auction and the Hishaku's goal spilled out of his mouth but the one resonating the clearest was 'Why did you kill my father?'
Kyora's speech continued, as he recounted how five enchanted blades were enough to turn the tides of war, whilst the sixth led Japan to victory. As he used his powers to display an image of Shinuchi's box, Kyora announced the Enchanted Blade Shinuchi would once again be unleashed after 18 years. Simultaneously, Yura answered his three questions at once; it was all so he could wield Shinuchi. To this end, the Hishaku had assisted the Sazanami Clan in making sure the auction progressed smoothly. While Chihiro still had questions, he dismissed them as irrelevant; he already knew Kyora and Yura were vile and needed to be stopped.
Yura remarked that Enchanted Blades don't choose people, and that anyone can enslave them; which Chihiro seemed to recognise. Yura mused that since Chihiro was in no place to fight back, he planned on having a chat in order to see what 'sprouted' from the 'seeds of hatred' he had 'planted' three years ago. Chihiro was shaken at the statement, but his emotions then once again refocused on rage, resolutely stating they needed to be stopped; they being the Hishaku, the Sazanami, the Kamunabi if need be, all of those who wished to lay claim to the blades. Chihiro declared internally that rather than letting Cloud Gouger die in another's hands, he had spent years at the blade's side, and thus believed it was only right Cloud Gouger should die by his side. Black lightning crackled around Chihiro as he called Mei: Shred.[14]
Chihiro uses Mei: Shred against Yura
Compared to his prior lightning cloaking, the black lightning amplified Chihiro's power and movement speed even further, Chihiro easily bursting from the wall of trees and severing Yura's right arm, before landing several blows on him while dodging all of his counterattacks. Despite this, Yura was nonchalant at his injuries as he commented on Chihiro's increase in strength. Chihiro was peeved before seeing the hole in the wall of trees repair itself behind him. Chihiro gauged that Cloud Gouger had three full-strength bursts of strength left, and he would need to use one to burst through the wall if he were to do so. Assessing both the unknown threat posed by Yura, and his concern over Shiba and Hakuri's situations, Chihiro made his choice.
On the other side of the wall, a few moments prior, Hakuri's attempted Isou failed once again. Wanting Hakuri to recognise his worthlessness, Soya began brutally kicking him, but Hakuri ignored him as he saw a flicker of black lightning momentarily surround the wall of trees and recognised it as Chihiro's, assuming he was trying to break through the wall (this lightning in fact having been Chihiro using Mei: Shred to burst out of the wall). Soya continued beating him and began blaming Chihiro for Hakuri's change, prompting Hakuri's ire.
Sometime prior to the Rakuzaichi, Shiba was reviewing the basics of sorcery with Hakuri, and how a prerequisite to using sorcery is using spirit energy to enhance the body's abilities. Noting Hakuri's ability to survive an attack from Hiyuki's Flame Bone, Shiba hypothesised Hakuri was already capable of enhancing his body with spirit energy and was thus ready to use sorcery. He encouraged Hakuri to let go of his self-doubt that he had built up over years of bullying, which was holding back his potential.
Hakuri uses Isou
In the present, Hakuri embraced these words, standing up and successfully using Isou, blasting his brother several metres into the wall of trees. Soya was begrudgingly impressed, but still viewed Hakuri was weak due to the shockwave only moving him a few metres. Abruptly, Chihiro burst through the wall of trees and slashed through Soya's back. On the other side, Yura was impressed at Chihiro being able to let go of his hatred, as Hiyuki emerged on the stairwell behind him.[15]
The Brothers[]
Hakuri asked if Chihiro had defeated his enemy, and Chihiro responded in the negative as the wall of trees closed behind him. On the other side, Hiyuki prepared to confront Yura (a brief aside revealing Tafuku was still in the foyer, the two having defeated all the guards), but Yura remarked he had already achieved what he wanted (a meeting with Chihiro) and teleported out with his severed arm still in his grasp, fire enveloping his location. Sazanami Clan members then entered the area, and Hiyuki prepared to fend them off.
Shiba interrogates Tenri
Several years in the past, Kyora had brought a young Hakuri and Tenri to the Rakuzaichi stage inside the empty auction hall, instructing them on the importance of the Rakuzaichi and the sanctity of its stage, highlighting the importance of the Tou in ensuring no non-Sazanami sets foot upon it and concluding by telling Hakuri and Tenri that they are special. In the present, a slightly bruised Shiba lighted a cigarette and holds it to Tenri's eye, interrogating him regarding how the Naginojoen door is opened; Shiba had defeated all three Tou members present.
Wanting to save Tenri's life, Enji called out to Shiba, telling him he would reveal how to open the door. Tenri violently refused from his position on the floor as Shiba walked over. In a flashback, Tenri recalled how his elder-brother-of-one-year Hakuri was not special, directly contrasting Kyora's statement from the past, due to Hakuri's complete and utter lack of talent at sorcery. Seeing Kyora's private lament over Hakuri's failure, Tenri resolved to be even stronger to make his father proud, eventually becoming the youngest individual to ever become a member of the Tou. In the present, Tenri's determination to make his father proud spiked, as bubbles appeared next to him; Kyora placing a package of Sojo's stablilised Datenseki near him.
Sometime after Sojo's death, Yura had given Sojo's briefcase to Kyora, revealing the Datenseki within had been temporarily stabilised by Sojo; though it still caused its wielder to explode, they were able to make use of its benefits temporarily. As Tenri gazed upon the Datenseki, Kyora remotely commanded him to defend the Rakuzaichi to the death. Tenri sounded his agreement and grabbed the Datenseki, standing up and manifesting excess spirit energy in the form of a jellyfish. Above, Chihiro and Hakuri prepared to leave but Soya stood back up, a newfound cold seriousness on his face. Hakuri urged Chihiro to head downwards and leave himself to deal with Soya so as to conserve Cloud Gouger's energy, and Chihiro reluctantly agreed.[16]
When Hakuri was 8 years old, Kyora's father Sora Sazanami had died and Kyora had taken up the position of clan head. Kyora talked with Soya, Hakuri and Tenri within the Naginojoen after the funeral, and explained he had inherited the power of the Storehouse. He taught Hakuri and Tenri about how the first Sazanami clan head was the one who had created the space and a method to pass his power down, and stated he would one day pass the power down to one of the three of them.
Chihiro uses Yui
Outside the Naginojoen in the present, Tenri engaged Shiba, the older man noting Tenri's speed and his shockwaves' strength had been greatly increased. Enji also joined Tenri in combatting Shiba, and the two began fighting on more even terms with him. Kyora summoned a barrage of blades which Tenri launched with a shockwave at Shiba, but Chihiro then arrived and froze the blades in place with a quick Yui. Chihiro reported to Shiba that he had around 1.7 more uses of a fully powered Mei, and asked about Tenri's new strength. Shiba replied with his observations, the two quickly determining Datenseki was likely the cause.
Noting Tenri was highly likely to die, Chihiro shouted at him about the risks of the Datenseki, but Tenri angrily shouted back that he had to fulfill his duty. Remembering Hakuri's own words in the past that he had just wanted his father to be proud of him, and his own relationship with his father Kunishige, Chihiro decided to fight Tenri and give him an honourable death where he would fulfill his duty. Upstairs, Hakuri and Soya fire simultaneous shockwaves at each other.[17]
Three months earlier, during August, Hakuri had been assigned with his first job in a long while, feeding a woman residing in a warehouse several hundred metres from the Sazanami estate. The woman was kept in a separate room from other people to-be-sold due to her body's properties of radiating cold, which could injure other people. She had not eaten or drunk for two days in an attempt to die rather than be sold at the Rakuzaichi.
While initially refusing to eat, the woman noted meals were meant to be enjoyed with other people, and stated she would eat if Hakuri kept her company. Hakuri reluctantly agreed for the sake of keeping her alive for the Rakuzaichi, and the two regularly had conversations over the following three weeks. During one such conversation, Hakuri told her of Soya's treatment towards him and how the elder Sazanami frequently used various tools to harm him which would always mysteriously vanish. The woman recognised the two of them were both rejects, sympathising with Hakuri's plight.
Over the next three weeks, the two gradually talked more openly. On one occasion, Hakuri broke down over his failure to accomplish anything and his perceived lack of value, and the woman commented that he held value to her through conversing with her, the statement moving Hakuri greatly. On the day in which the woman was due to be transferred to the Storehouse, Hakuri grabbed the keys, planning to free her.
As the woman left, she grabbed a knife and held it to her neck, explaining to Hakuri that the entire point of persuading him to let her go was so she could kill herself, as she had already lost all hope in the world after being sold to the Sazanami by her significant other, believing she would only ever live life as something to be gawked at or used. Hakuri was distraught by the event, realising his own involvement in her death and how the Rakuzaichi, previously the only he had been raised to value, had destroyed her; from that point on, he began wanting to oppose the auction.
In the present, Soya's shockwave had easily overpowered Hakuri's and blasted him into the wall, Soya wanting to kill Hakuri to preserve his defenceless image in his mind. Soya walked over to Hakuri, lying on the floor, and blasted him with another shockwave, dealing even greater damage to him, before turning to head back downstairs. Suddenly, Soya heard a sound and turned around; black bubbles had deposited a pair of pliers on the stairs behind him, and a strong black flare was rising from Hakuri's face.[18]
Hakuri's Storehouse
On the ground, Hakuri recalled Shiba's words to him regarding spirit energy; telling him that once he finally managed to use sorcery, Hakuri needed to grasp onto that feeling in order to fully grasp the extent of the sorcery within him. Soya, looking back up the stairs, began seeing more and more tools materialise about of bubbles, recognising them. On the ground, Hakuri suddenly discovered he possessed two types of sorcery; in addition to Isou, he also possessed a Storehouse of his own.
Soya was shocked as he recognised the ability, remembering a meeting he had with Kyora where his father explained only one other individual in history had possessed two types of sorcery; the first Sazanami Clan Head, who also wielded both Isou and the Storehouse, and stated he would pass down the Storehouse to Soya. In the present, a stunned Soya could only watch as Hakuri hauled himself back on his feet, the signature eyepiece of the Storehouse resplendent over his left eye. Soya screamed, incredulous that Hakuri of all people would be the one to wield two types of sorcery, speeding towards and slamming Hakuri into the wall, his sudden movement causing his wound from Chihiro to begin more severely affecting him.
Soya angrily began slamming Hakuri into the wall again and again. Hakuri began thinking back to his failure to protect the icy-skinned woman, having realised how much their encounter had helped him and cursing the fact that he hadn't done more for her, which might've prevented her death. Promising to prove there was hope in the world just as Soya dropped him, Hakuri landed in the same stance as Chihiro after taking Soya's fully charged Mei, before redirecting all of his spirit energy to Isou and blasting Soya with an extremely powerful Isou, defeating him.
Below, Chihiro had deigned to use Mei: Shred against Tenri due to his sheer speed, the two's rapid dashes becoming near-untrackable. As Shiba and Enji watched from the sides, Chihiro narrowly dodged away from a shockwave and his wakizashi reared in at Tenri's neck but Tenri's body was ravaged by explosions before Chihiro could land the finishing blow, Chihiro distraught as Tenri begged for his father to his end. Hakuri then descended the stairs into the room, declaring that they would reach the door and end the Rakuzaichi together.[19]
The Auctioneer[]
Chihiro, Hakuri and Shiba entered the Naginojoen, Shiba amazed at Hakuri's dual powers. Hakuri asked if Chihiro left him to fight Soya because he knew Hakuri would awaken to his potential, and Chihiro admitted he also wanted not to make decisions for Hakuri so as to establish their position as equal allies. Cloud Gouger then cracked, its energy critically low, Shiba reassuring Shiba that they would soon enter the Storehouse and retrieve Enten.
Having an epiphany, Shiba asked if Hakuri could transport Kyora's items out of the Storehouse, but Hakuri replied he couldn't, as the two's spaces and registered items were different. Chihiro snapped open the lock on the door-containing building and the three entered only to find the door shattered; Kyora had foreseen their plan and used the emergency door to position Shiba to fight the Tou; despite Tenri's death, Chihiro's group had been weakened. Suddenly, Enji and Tamaki burst into the room, shocked to see the door destroyed but preparing to fight anyways. Hakuri then abruptly told Shiba to teleport them somewhere.
That place was the auction hall, Hakuri walking down the stairs summarily ignored by the audience. Kyora recognised Hakuri was attempting to interfere with his Storehouse, which Hakuri tested by depositing his registered pliers into Kyora's Storehouse. While admitting fault for not recognising Hakuri's talent, Kyora already viewed him as an enemy; their prior connection now being meaningless. Hakuri, while wanting to similarly abandon his connection to his father, had still wanted Kyora to praise him for a long time. Hakuri then begged Chihiro to kill his father and transported him into Kyora's Storehouse, to which Chihiro agreed.
Cloud Gouger's final attack
Kyora placed a projection of himself on stage to carry out auction proceedings while he himself entered his Storehouse, immediately spotting Chihiro and raising two pillars of earth around Enten's box to attack Chihiro. Chihiro internally asked Cloud Gouger to summon every last bit of its energy in one final Mei, blasting straight through the pillars and letting Chihiro drop down and retrieve Enten. Chihiro thanked Cloud Gouger as it disintegrated, and reflected on his inability to finish Soya and Tenri due to his own failings; him viewing them as Hakuri's family; before redoubling his need to kill Kyora; otherwise, he had no right to wield an Enchanted Blade.[20]
Before sending him in, Hakuri had explained to Chihiro that once he had registered Chihiro, Enten had been registered as well due to having his spirit energy imbued within it. Chihiro refused to have Hakuri transport Enten to him directly, instead aiming to kill Kyora based on the realisation that Hakuri could simply take over Kyora's Storehouse once Kyora died. In the present, Chihiro activates Nishiki and prepares Kuro: Shred, a school of black fish surrounding him. He noted even in this situation Kyora seemed calm, Kyora replying he could accept any result so long as he had defended the Rakuzaichi with his best. Chihiro snarked back that Kyora's best would've been believing in Hakuri rather than neglecting him, and Kyora brushed him off, not interested in arguing and preparing to fight.
Chihiro dashed through the school of Kuro, scattering them in all directions, as he aimed a slash at Kyora. Kyora quickly sent giant earth columns with blades embedded within them to force Chihiro upwards, before sending the prisoners and other merchandise to the edges of the floating island so as to create more room to battle; judging that using them as hostages was no longer an option due to needing them to have them be alive to sell. While earlier on his call with the Hishaku Kyora had stated he didn't have good odds against an Enchanted Blade, the Storehouse was his world to control, giving Kyora much greater confidence.
Hakuri transports Kyora's grenades
Kyora launched more and more pillars to slam at Chihiro, embedding grenades into one of them to pressure Chihiro even further. As some rolled into point-blank range, Chihiro rapidly bisected all of them, Enten still coated in Nishiki's spirit energy. Kyora was initially confused, but then saw Hakuri transport the now-registered-by-proxy grenades into the auction house, detonating amongst the various bidders. Kyora still maintained his confidence, but then realised most of his prisoners were missing; Kyora quickly caught on that Chihiro had used the goldfish from his earlier Kuro: Shred to 'tag' many of the prisoners with his spirit energy, allowing Hakuri to transport them out. Kyora quickly used earth to cover up the remaining prisoners.
On the outside, several people had begun to run away, but Kyora called them back, stating the auctioning of Shinuchi had been moved up and would be done at that very moment. Both Chihiro and Kyora prepared to end the other even faster.[21] As Chihiro prepared to engage Kyora properly, Kyora noted Hakuri's deteriorating state, as transporting so many people had taken its toll on him. Kyora declared there was zero chance for the two of them to surpass him, especially as the Rakuzaichi had reached unparalleled heights with the auction of two Enchanted Blades.
In the auction hall, the various bidders forgot their panic as their excitement reignited. The female Kamunabi bidder was shocked to see their continued enthusiasm, and her colleague noted the auctioning of an Enchanted Blade was a special occasion. He reckoned the auction might get cut short, considering he had recognised the Kyora on stage was a projection and the fact that Hiyuki hadn't reported in about Chihiro yet, thinking Kyora was currently occupied in battle.
Within the Storehouse, Chihiro recognised Kyora's emotion and demanded why he would not even grieve his sons' deaths, criticising him for daring call himself a father. Kyora removed his suit jacket and replied rather than a father, he was the head of the Sazanami Clan, whose duty was to protect the Rakuzaichi above all else. The ground suddenly vanished beneath Chihiro, earth spikes impaling his previous location; but Chihiro had already dashed off, Nishiki still active as he dodged Kyora's attacks. Kyora decided to use grenades again, believing Hakuri to be too impaired to transport them again.
Chihiro gathered the remaining goldfish from their positions near the walled-off prisoners and used Kuro: Shred, the array of slashes crashing upon a wall that Kyora raised from the earth. Chihiro threw Enten at Kyora, who quickly summoned a saber and parried, knocking Enten into the air, before summoning grenades near Chihiro and detonating them in a massive explosion. Suddenly suspecting something, Kyora turned and noticed Chihiro right behind him; Hakuri having transported him within the Storehouse. Kyora immediately decapitated him, but the Chihiro he cut was a projection; the real one reared in from above, landing a devastating slash on Kyora's chest.
Chihiro slashes through Kyora
As Kyora recalled a young Hakuri declaring he would one day surpass him (and Kyora's own praise directed towards Hakuri following the statement), he screamed in pain and summoned earth to cover himself beneath the ground. While knowing his wound was fatal, Kyora summoned Shinuchi's box next to him, planning to use it to defend the Rakuzaichi. In the auction hall, the male Kamunabi bidder speculated that Shinuchi's additional sealing compared to the other blades might be due to a way to bypass its Lifelong Contract; in other words, there might be a way for people who were not the wielder to use the blade's techniques.[22]
The Procession[]
Abruptly, the screen displaying images Kyora was projecting changed to display a view of the Storehouse's interior, the various auction-goers anticipating a demonstration of Shinuchi's power. To ensure Kyora was dead, Chihiro sent a Kuro down into the earth where Kyora was, successfully hitting him.
Sometime before the auction, Chihiro and Shiba had discussed why the Hishaku would put Shinuchi up for auction. Shiba surmised it was likely to get the Kamunabi to bid for it in order to shift the status quo, given how the seal on Shinuchi's box would take even an extremely skilled sorcerer ten years to break. In the present, Chihiro is horrified as he stares into a hole in the earth, seeing Shinuchi's box opened.
Elsewhere, Yura reminisced on how he had devoted all his time and energy into breaking the seal, cracking it in three years. His fedora-wearing subordinate wondered why he gave Shinuchi to Kyora to use, and another colleague questioned whether Kyora would even use it in the first place. Yura replied Kyora would do everything in his power to protect the Rakuzaichi; including using Shinuchi if necessary. In addition, he revealed he was aware of the risk present in wielding Shinuchi, as its original wielder was still alive and thus could interfere with their attempts to use the blade; hence his decision to have Kyora test how the master swordsman would react to Shinuchi being removed from its box.
Kyora wielding Magatsumi, a butterfly of spirit energy behind him
Within the Storehouse, Kyora stood holding Shinuchi, facing Chihiro, seemingly unfazed despite his fatal wounds. A droplet of liquid fell from the end of the sheath closest to Shinuchi's hilt. Within his pillar-room, the blade's wielder called out Shinuchi's true name, Magatsumi, activating it. The droplet fell and rapidly covered a small circular area under Kyora's feet, flowers emerging from the ground. A butterfly of spirit energy materialised and flew into Kyora's hand, before a massive butterfly of Kyora's now-amplified spirit energy emerged behind Kyora.
Kyora noted while he couldn't draw the sword from its sheath, even the small amount of the blade's power he could access was truly remarkable. Kyora then dashed forward and Chihiro hastily blocked his slash, noting Magatsumi's sheath could cut like a blade. As Hakuri worried, Hiyuki walked down the stairs behind him, asking about the situation.[23]
Kyora kicked Chihiro away from him as he noticed a foreign presence in his mind, deducing it to be either the blade itself or its wielder. While his physical state had recovered from its near-death state, Kyora's mental state began deteriorating rapidly, the abnormal conditions reflected upon the Storehouse as it began fragmenting. Regaining his composure, Kyora's projection announced he would be demonstrating Shinuchi's power through killing Chihiro and claiming Enten, sparking the audience's interest. Kyora locked Chihiro in place using Spider before launching Dragonfly towards him, but as Chihiro prepared to counter with Aka, Hiyuki suddenly appeared and destroyed the ground the advancing flower field was encroaching upon.
Hiyuki, Kyora and Chihiro prepare to resume their fight
The two briefly conversed, Chihiro learning that Hakuri had registered her (Hiyuki being surprised by Hakuri's more assertive attitude) and Hiyuki wondering if Shinuchi's abilities were what was keeping Kyora alive, before the two prepared to face off against Kyora. Chihiro activated Aka: Flame Bone, the technique briefly surprising Hiyuki, and sent a flaming slash at Kyora. Kyora blocked but was soon confronted with Hiyuki from behind, forcing him to parry once again. Kyora then used Centipede to blast the two away from him, his projection beginning the bidding as the three prepared to resume their fight.[24]
Sometime before, right as Hiyuki was about to descend the stairs (and encounter Yura), Tafuku asked if Hiyuki was really able to kill Chihiro, given Chihiro would never do the same to Hiyuki. Hiyuki unconvincingly replied that the only reason she wasn't doing so was because she had the Rakuzaichi to focus on, but resolutely stated she would kill him next chance she had.
In the present, Hiyuki was doing exactly the opposite; helping him. Tafuku and the bidding team members watched anxiously from the auction hall, and were abruptly surprised as Kyora's projections vanished, the elder bidding team member suspecting Shinuchi to be involved in the disappearance. Within the Storehouse, Chihiro and Hiyuki rushed Kyora as the Storehouse began crumbling even faster, but the three were suddenly sent outside the Storehouse into the auction hall, Kyora using a quick Centipede to blast Hiyuki and Chihiro away from the stage.
Kyora knelt down, screaming in pain as Magatsumi began exuding a black liquid, causing small plants to grow out of Kyora's skin. The black liquid expanded across the stage as a flower field grew around its edges and auction-goers who came in contact with it had plants abruptly grow from inside them, killing them from the inside out. Shiba, who had just arrived, was horrified at the sight of Shinuchi being used. Hiyuki planned to rush ahead but Hakuri stopped her, as killing Kyora in his current state would destroy the Storehouse entirely. Chihiro then piped up, asking Hakuri to transport him into the Storehouse so he could tag each prisoner with spirit energy, allowing Hakuri to transport them out.[25]
Chihiro entered the Storehouse and began tagging the prisoners, Hakuri counting 36 in total. Shiba was doubtful of the plan, as he believed Kyora's will would soon erode and the Storehouse would be destroyed. At the same time, many auction-goers including the Kamunabi bidding team began fleeing the building. On stage, Kyora briefly remembered the dying words of his wife, criticising the Rakuzaichi for brainwashing him out of being a better person, though at the time he was indifferent. Confused as to why he was remembering his wife's words, Kyora's mind brought up an image of him, his wife, Soya, Hakuri and Tenri in a normal family setting.
Kyora then shattered the thought, his father Sora's words entrusting the Rakuzaichi to him resonating in his mind, and he stood up as the flower field evaporated, shouting that he would ensure the Rakuzaichi proceeded no matter what, his devotion shocking a watching Shiba. Kyora ordered for the auction-goers to kill the intruders, and Hiyuki fended off any trying to approach Hakuri. As Kyora's physical state worsened further and further, Chihiro tagged every one of the prisoners, and Hakuri transported them all outside, plus Chihiro onto the stage, Hakuri coughing out blood at the effort.
Kyora's death
Chihiro faced a once-again kneeling Kyora, who told Chihiro that he was right, and that the reason he had failed was because he was the only one who failed to fulfill his duty; as a father. Still retaining his sense of self and refusing to give up his mind, Kyora set down Magatsumi and died.[26]
The auction-goers saw Kyora was dead and that Shinuchi was free to be taken, and rushed the stage, but Shiba teleported onto it with Hakuri and grabbed Chihiro, Chihiro quickly aiming to grab Magatsumi before the three disappeared. In the meantime, Hiyuki had been laying waste to the building, which began collapsing. As Shiba landed outside, he noticed Chihiro was not present; Tafuku had transported him into his battle dimension, and Hiyuki apologetically prepared to take Shinuchi from him.
Sometime later, Shiba and Hakuri noticed the building fully collapsing and Chihiro, Tafuku and Hiyuki walking out. Shiba noticed Hiyuki was holding a fully bandaged Shinuchi, but Chihiro assured him that they had made a deal regarding what was to happen next. Chihiro sat on the ground and asked Hakuri what he would do. Hakuri responded that Shiba had convinced Enji and Tamaki to take care of the remnants of the family, though he was reluctant to return as he would be considered an enemy. While originally hesitant on what to do, upon seeing Yuu reunite with his sister Hakuri was reminded of the hope he had helped preserve in the world and thought back to his talks with the icy-skinned woman, and Hakuri ultimately asked to keep fighting with Chihiro.
The end of the Rakuzaichi
For over two centuries, the Rakuzaichi had assigned values to peoples' lives in a hivemind of villainy; now, after all that time, the auction was finally over.
Previously, Chihiro told Hiyuki that after seeing the horrifying nature of Shinuchi's power he couldn't let it be on the loose, and was willing to have it be sealed by the Kamunabi, but was wary of the risks, as the Hishaku had planned around the Kamunabi obtaining Shinuchi. Hiyuki acknowledged his point but maintained that they would be able to reseal Shinuchi and stop the Hishaku. Chihiro then stated their goals were the same, and so he offered to join the Kamunabi; this way, the Kamunabi would be able to keep tabs on Enten and Chihiro would be able to continue actively opposing the Hishaku.[27]
Story Impact[]
- The Sazanami Clan, who run the annual black-market auction the Rakuzaichi, are introduced. Chihiro and Shiba have been investigating the underworld since October 14th in order to find links to the Sazanami and take Shinuchi from them before the auction can begin.
- On November 1st, Hakuri Sazanami, who was recently banished from the family, encounters Chihiro Rokuhira and the two ally with the aim of stealing Shinuchi and destroying the Rakuzaichi.
- The two encounter Hiyuki Kagari and Tafuku Mihara, who have been assigned to retrieve Enten.
- Hiyuki wields the Flame Bone of the Starving, which is said to hold power on par with the Enchanted Blades. After a short battle between Chihiro and Hiyuki, Hakuri takes one of Hiyuki's hits and passes out, and the four leave the scene.
- Chihiro and Hakuri return to an apartment which they now operate out of. Hinao has been taking care of Char during Chihiro and Shiba's investigations into the underworld. Shiba initially distrusts Hakuri but changes his mind upon seeing Hakuri's nature.
- Kyora Sazanami, head of the Sazanami Clan and lead auctioneer of the Rakuzaichi, is introduced, having just finished a run-through of the Rakuzaichi.
- As Kyora returns to the Sazanami estate on his car, a Hishaku member contacts him to ensure everything is running smoothly.
- Chihiro and Shiba attack Kyora in his room, aiming to interrogate him regarding Shinuchi's whereabouts.
- Kyora responds by revealing it is in his Storehouse and claims that killing him would destroy the Storehouse and everything in it, and uses prisoners in his Storehouse as hostages to dissuade Chihiro and Shiba from fighting. He then summons three of the Tou: Tenri, Enji, and Tamaki.
- The fourth member, Soya, is overly attached to Hakuri and finds him near the apartment. Shiba immediately teleports over when Hinao alerts him and engages Soya.
- Chihiro holds off the Tou members supported by Kyora as Shiba teleports back with Soya.
- Soya reveals he had seen Hakuri and Kyora notes Hakuri must have led them here, transporting him to the estate and holding him hostage, forcing Chihiro hand over Enten to rescue Hakuri.
- Chihiro reveals he planned to use Enten's placement within the Storehouse to investigate the Storehouse.
- Over the next week, Chihiro and Shiba learn that the Storehouse is a subspace, that authority over it is handed down in a ceremony, and that an emergency door exists within that connects to an identical one in the real world; they speculate that due to this connection, the Storehouse does not actually disappear when Kyora dies.
- Also during this time, Shiba guides Hakuri on how to make use of his spirit energy to perform sorcery, encouraging him to let go of his self-doubt.
- At noon on November 8th, start time of the auction, Chihiro enters through the front door, rescues a young boy named Yuu trying to rescue his sister and quickly negotiates with a rapidly arriving Hiyuki and Tafuku for them not to pursue him until after he retrieves Enten and Shinuchi.
- Chihiro is now using the remains of Cloud Gouger to augment his speed, with his wakizashi as his main weapon.
- Shiba teleports with Hakuri outside the Naginojoen, the location of the emergency door, where Kyora has stationed the Tou. Hakuri lures Soya away while Shiba confronts and defeats the other three.
- As Hakuri runs upstairs into a hallway, he almost makes it into contact with Chihiro, who is heading downstairs, but Yura, the leader of the Hishaku, creates a wall of trees that isolates Hakuri with Soya so he can speak to Chihiro one-on-one.
Characters Introduced[]
Characters Introduced
Battles & Events[]
Terminology Introduced[]
- Sazanami Clan: An extremely infamous underworld clan who run the Rakuzaichi, the most famous black market auction, which is held once annually. Its eleventh and current head is Kyora Sazanami.
- Tou: The four strongest sorcerers of the Sazanami Clan, who act as the clan's special forces. Their members as of the 208th Rakuzaichi were Soya, Tenri, Enji, and Tamaki.
- Isou: The Sazanami Clan's signature sorcery technique, which allows them to create and control shockwaves for the purposes of offense, defense and mobility.
- Flame Bone of the Starving: Hiyuki's sorcery, which allows her to create giant flaming skeletal limbs for the purpose of combat.
- Storehouse: A location where most goods set for auction are stored. It is a subspace created by the first Sazanami Clan head, who wielded a sorcery technique capable of manipulating space and passed this technique down through his descendants. Kyora is currently in possession of this sorcery.
- Emergency Door: A door located within the Storehouse that serves as the sole entrance into the Storehouse that does not require a Storehouse manager's involvement.
- Shinuchi/Magatsumi: One of the six original Enchanted Blades, and the one said to have 'led Japan to victory' in the Seitei War. Its true name is Magatsumi, though aside from its wielder, everyone has called the blade Shinuchi. Uniquely, its box had a seal constructed around it by three Kamunabi leaders, due to its unique ability to bypass its Lifelong Contract. Kunishige has told Chihiro that Shinuchi is 'the one blade we can't let anyone use ever again.' Its power include Spider, which freezes an enemy, Dragonfly, which extends a lethal flower field, and Centipede, which unleashes an omni-directional blast.
- Shinuchi Bidding Team: Two members of the Kamunabi sent to bid on Shinuchi. Alongside the two, Hiyuki and Tafuku were also assigned to the Rakuzaichi, though for a different purpose of keeping watch on Chihiro.
- Spirit Energy: More information on spirit energy is revealed; before being used for sorcery, it must first be circulated within one's body to reinforce it and improve one's physical capabilities.
- Dual Sorcery Techniques: Very rarely, it is possible for someone to have the ability to access two types of innate sorcery rather than one.
Locations[]
- Kamunabi Tokyo Headquarters:
- The headquarters of the Kamunabi within Tokyo. At least two of the Kamunabi's leaders operate from here. Hiyuki and Tafuku reported here following their first encounter with Chihiro.
- Storehouse:
- A subspace created by sorcery and passed down through the Sazanami Clan's clan heads. Rakuzaichi auction items are stored here prior to their sale.
- Sazanami Estate:
- A massive, isolated estate in the woods, whose appearance is shrouded to outsiders with a sorcerous barrier. The estate contains multiple interconnected buildings, houses the numerous servants and members of the Clan, and serves as a training ground for junior members.
- Rakuzaichi Auction House
- A large three-storied auction house where the Clan's yearly auction takes place. The grounds possess an elaborate front entrance, an underground venue where the auction takes place, and the Naginojoen on the bottom floor.
- Naginojoen:
- The Sazanami Clan's ancestral graveyard, which is kept inaccessible to public visitors on the bottom floor of the auction house. Leadership of the clan is passed over in a ceremony here. It is said to possess a sacred power, and serves as the hidden location of the emergency access door to the Storehouse. Of the Sazanami Clan, only Kyora and the Tou are aware of the door's purpose as an emergency access door.
- Temporary Storage Warehouse:
- A warehouse several hundred meters away from the Sazanami Clan estate, used to hold merchandise before they are taken into the Storhouse. Its interior includes numerous cages for merchandise and at least one specialized room for merchandise with unique properties, such as the Girl with Icy Skin.
References[]
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 23 (Page 1).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 19.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 20.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 21.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 22.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 23.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 24.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 25.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 26.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 27.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 28.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 29.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 30.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 31.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 32.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 33.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 34.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 35.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 36.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 37.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 38.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 39.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 40.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 41.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 42.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 43.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 44.