The Sword Bearer Assassination Arc (
After recovering Shinuchi, Chihiro agrees to hand it to the Kamunabi on the condition that he joins forces with the organization. With Hakuri's newly awakened Storehouse, Chihiro plans to make contact with each of the former Enchanted Blade wielders in order to transport the blades away from the Hishaku. However, the Hishaku have plans of their own, aiming to kill the former wielders to render the blades in their possession usable.
Arc Summary[]
Having found out the Kamunabi had taken possession of Shinuchi, the Hishaku delighted in how everything was proceeding according to their plans. Yura then announced that their next plan of action would now commence.
One day after the destruction of the Rakuzaichi, on the 9th of November at 11:00 am, Chihiro and Hakuri woke up in a room, Shiba greeting them and noting they had fallen asleep after the auction house was destroyed. Char, Hiyuki and Tafuku were also present in the room, Hiyuki and Tafuku having been playing video games with Shiba while waiting for Chihiro to wake up (and Shiba winning). Hinao then arrived to pick up Char, Char telling Chihiro that Yuu said 'thank you'.
Hiyuki then brought the topic back to business, thanking Chihiro, Shiba and Hakuri for their help in rescuing the prisoners and destroying the Rakuzaichi. Shiba noted the chaotic series of events had seriously worried him, and he was very glad they were all okay. Hiyuki handed Enten to Chihiro and told him Shinuchi had been taken to Kamunabi headquarters, adding they would head there now. Shiba questioned Chihiro's decision, though acknowledged how the presence of the Hishaku at the auction had helped facilitate it, instead bringing up other ways they could prepare without involving the Kamunabi, considering how the Hishaku had planned for the Kamunabi to take possession of Shinuchi.
Hiyuki rejected the proposal, Tafuku adding it was ultimately up to the leadership to decide whether to seal Shinuchi or to use it, especially as its power could help break the deadlock with the Hishaku. Chihiro proposed an alternate option to break the deadlock; use Hakuri's registration and transportation to transport the Enchanted Blades from the Hishaku back to their wielders. He asked Tafuku how to get to the former wielders, and Tafuku revealed they were being held in fortresses called 'Sanso', heavily guarded by Kamunabi sorcerers. Hiyuki was onboard with the plan, but explained to Chihiro the hard part would be convincing the Kamunabi leadership. Hiyuki and Tafuku then took Chihiro and Hakuri to the meeting room in Kamunabi Headquarters.[1]
The bearded leader opened the meeting, recapping Chihiro's plan and informing Chihiro that there was already sufficient protection in the form of each fortress's guard force of elite sorcerers. The diminutive leader then asked Hakuri to demonstrate his sorcery to prove Chihiro's plan was viable. Hiyuki and Tafuku briefly explained Hakuri had only recently awakened his sorcery and had then exhausted himself, and thus it would take around a week for him to recover. Hiyuki personally vouched for the usefulness of Hakuri's sorcery, but begrudgingly noted his loyalty lay foremost with Chihiro.
The blond leader then inquired about Cloud Gouger and lambasted Chihiro for destroying it, then asked if he recognised some of the leaders in the room who had helped Kunishige find a hiding place, which Chihiro declined. Chihiro then cut through the leader's next question, asking him to judge him by his actions rather than his lineage. Hiyuki also voiced her support for Chihiro, stating he would not do harm to the wielders, some of the leaders surprised by her support.
The blond leader then stood up and strode to the centre of the room, questioning what Chihiro would do upon recovering the blades, vocally doubting whether Chihiro would return them to the Kamunabi. He snarked that Chihiro's arrogance and stubbornness was proof enough that he was Kunishige's son. He then proposed killing Chihiro instead, readying his sorcery, and relaying Enten's contract to a Kamunabi member. Azami and Hakuri were both shocked and immediately prepared their sorcery.
The meeting was then interrupted by a Kamunabi member reporting the Kokugoku fortress had been attacked and destroyed, with several Enchanted-Blade-like spirit energy manifestations as well as a sorcerer bearing the Hishaku insignia spotted. Chihiro spoke up, admitting he didn't intend to give up the Enchanted Blades to anyone else, but countered the idea of killing him as a new wielder would need too long to master Enten, and thus he was their best option. The bearded leader reluctantly agreed, cutting through the blond leader's complaints. He received a new report revealing former wielder Yoji Uruha, previously housed at Kokugoku Hot Spring, had escaped alive and fled, and ordered Chihiro and Hakuri to find him and protect him at all costs.[2]
Story Impact[]
Characters Introduced[]
Characters Introduced
Battles & Events[]
Terminology Introduced[]
- Sanso: Fortresses where the wielders of the Enchanted Blades were kept protected following Kunishige and Misaka's deaths. A number of elite Kamunabi sorcerers are stationed by each one.
Locations[]
- Kokugoku Hot Spring:
- The fortress where Yoji Uruha was located prior to the Hishaku's attack. It was destroyed following the attack.
- Senkutsuji Temple:
- The fortress where Seiichi Samura is located. Due to Samura's strength, Uruha regards the fortress as 'invincible'.