The Vs. Sojo Arc (
Three years ago, famous master swordsmith Kunishige Rokuhira was murdered in his workshop, and his greatest works, six Enchanted Blades crafted during the Seitei War, were stolen; all due to three sorcerers of the Hishaku. This incident led Kunishige's son Chihiro, accompanied by Kunishige's old friend Shiba, to embark on a relentless quest to recover the stolen blades, armed with Kunishige's seventh Enchanted blade, Enten.
After discovering Char, who claims to have seen an Enchanted Blade, Chihiro comes into conflict with major underworld name Genichi Sojo, bearer of the Enchanted Blade Cloud Gouger, who is chasing after Char. In order to surpass the craftsmanship of Kunishige Rokuhira, Sojo intends to harness the curative power of the Kyonagi Clan, to which Char belongs to. Chihiro, responsible for safeguarding Char, strives to shield her and simultaneously oppose Sojo as a fitting bearer of his late father's sword.
Arc Summary[]
The Path of Revenge[]
Chihiro wields Enten
Kunishige Rokuhira, a revered swordsmith, and his son Chihiro lived a disciplined life crafting katana. Despite his skill and seriousness when conducting his craft, Kunishige was a very energetic and outgoing individual, one of his quirks being talking to the family's goldfish. Chihiro, burdened with responsibilities, aspired to follow in his father's footsteps.
On one occasion, the two were visited by Kunishige's old friend Togo Shiba, who told Chihiro about how Kunishige's blades had a pivotal role in ending the Seitei War of 15 years ago, and noted Kunishige was a hero. Later, Kunishige questioned Chihiro's readiness to take on a swordsmith's responsibility, reminding him of the consequences of crafting katana; particularly how they can be weapons of slaughter as well as tools used to save people. Chihiro was unsure but willing to try.
38 months later, the Korogumi Yakuza held control over a city, with assistance from a certain organisation of sorcerers, their liaison to the Korogumi being a fedora-wearing man with a flame-shaped tattoo on his left hand and sorcery allowing him to summon tree branches from the ground. Chihiro and Shiba confronted the Korogumi Yakuza, foregoing a diplomatic approach after witnessing their brutal methods.
Shiba and Chihiro took down the Yakuza, Chihiro using an Enchanted Blade—a katana infused with sorcery—named Enten forged by his father, which manifested unique powers in the form of goldfish, one among them being a black goldfish that enabled flying slash techniques called Kuro. Chihiro spared the boss in order to extract information about the Hishaku, the group of sorcerers supporting the Korogumi who Chihiro and Shiba are investigating. While the boss was shocked that anyone could oppose the Hishaku's monstrous strength, Chihiro voiced his determination to confront them regardless.[2]
The day the Rokuhiras' life changed forever
As he decided to reveal information, the Korogumi boss's body exploded into a mass of vines, a trap set by a Hishaku sorcerer. Shiba and Chihiro quickly escaped, Chihiro slightly staggering on his feet due to his earlier exertion. They planned to return to Tokyo, and Shiba admired Chihiro's combat progress in only three years, but noted Chihiro has yet to begin channeling the 'true realm' of Enten's powers.
Three years prior, Kunishige was killed by three sorcerers of the Hishaku, who stole the six Enchanted Blades he had forged during the Seitei War and taken back afterwards. Alerted by the barrier around the Rokuhira household too late, Shiba arrived only to see a scarred Chihiro kneeling within a flaming ruin, Kunishige's body and Enten lying before him. Kunishige's mentorship of Chihiro on crafting blades with purpose, emphasizing the world's true needs, resounded within Chihiro, who hollowly wondered why the Hishaku murdered his father and why they couldn't understand his philosophy. A scarred Chihiro weeps for his father and vows to avenge him.
In the present, Chihiro wielded his father's seventh and final enchanted blade, Enten, and is still seeking the Hishaku, who they have found no leads on. The day after Chihiro and Shiba's raid on the Korogumi, in Tokyo, Shiba reported he had dug up a lead on one of the enchanted blades, prompting Chihiro to immediately pursue it.[3]
The Witness[]
Char found herself held hostage by Norisaku Madoka, who had caused the explosion at the restaurant
Three years ago, Shiba told Hinao, proprietor of Cafe Haru Haru, a cafe that links sorcerers to employers, about Kunishige's death linked to the Hishaku. Chihiro, with a visible scar, met Hinao then. Hinao promised to look out for any information, but had not managed to find anything over the three years. In the present, Hinao had contacted Shiba and Chihiro regarding a girl who had possibly witnessed an Enchanted Blade.
The two arrived at Hinao's cafe where the girl, Char, sought protection from someone chasing her, but was hesitant to reveal who or why. Chihiro and Shiba appeared unconvinced that Char had really seen an Enchanted Blade due to her unreliable testimony. Wanting to ask more, Chihiro decided to treat her to a meal, drawing on his sense of responsibility developed after looking after his father.
After Shiba drove them to a restaurant, Chihiro asked for more information. Char was still hesitant to talk about her pursuers but mentioned clouds came out of the sword, which Chihiro recognised. He asked if her pursuer had a flame tattoo on his hand, to which Char said she had not seen any; but the pursuer did have several indiviudals working under him. Abruptly, Norisaku Madoka entered and summoned a Daruma doll that exploded and propelled Chihiro outside. Realizing Char was telling the truth, Chihiro apologizes for doubting her, seeing Char held hostage by Norisaku.[4]
Chihiro immediately used his flying slash Kuro to cut the rope binding Char and called for Shiba, who teleported Char to safety. Shiba explained to an inquiring Char how sorcery is powered by spirit energy, which dwells within everyone. Chihiro engaged Norisaku using long-ranged flying slashes as Norisaku retaliated with exploding Daruma dolls, as Shiba discussed the Enchanted Blades' unique ability to amplify and manifest spirit energy in shapes; Enten manifesting it in the form of goldfish.
Norisaku recognized the manifestation of spirit energy as a feature of an Enchanted Blade and revealed he has encountered one before. He warned Char anyone trying to protect her would end up dead like her mother before launching a wave of Daruma dolls exploding around Chihiro. Chihiro responded by calling Aka, a red fish materializing and absorbing the explosion. Chihiro used Aka again to release the absorbed explosion back at Norisaku, damaging and knocking him down. Chihiro promised to protect Char due to their common interests; Chihiro desiring to pursue the people chasing after Char. Chihiro then turned to Norisaku and questioned him about his motives, boss and the whereabouts of the Enchanted Blade Cloud Gouger.[5]
The Bounty[]
The group returned to Hinao's cafe and Chihiro thanked Hinao for her information before leaving in Shiba's car in order to get Char some more food, though Char snuck onto the car. Chihiro took Char to various shops for food.
In an abandoned warehouse, Shiba had taken over Norisaku's interrogation due to Chihiro's injured state, though Norisaku remained evasive, warning Shiba that the forces behind him were of significant threat. At the same time, a man in a bath learned of Norisaku's failure to capture Char. Briefly wondering how a seventh Enchanted Blade could exist, the man began a bolder approach to capturing Char. Back in Shiba's car, Char revealed to Chihiro her mother's words to 'live a happy life', and expressed gratitude for her time with Chihiro.
A spiral of people emerges
Shiba called Chihiro and informed him about their next target, Genichi Sojo (the earlier man in the bath), a weapons dealer, major underworld name, the one pursuing Char and the bearer of the Enchanted Blade Cloud Gouger, the last factor leading the two to suspect a link to the Hishaku. A spiral of identical-looking individuals suddenly emerged from the intersection in front of th car, one among them claiming they've found Char; the drivers around them also appear the same.[6]
The spiral and individuals in the vehicles next to Chihiro and Char dissolved into dirt, encasing Shiba's car. Chihiro immediately escaped with Char on his shoulders and a man appearing the same as the suspicious individuals confronted him; obviously the source of the dirt clones. The Clone Sorcerer revealed Sojo had placed a bounty on Char and Chihiro's enchanted blade, before sending more dirt clones after the two.
Chihiro fought off his pursuers only to end up in an alleyway, the Clone Sorcerer commenting on the difference in the level of power displayed by Chihiro compared to the blade he had seen in the war. The clones rushed in and as Chihiro cuts through them a different sorcerer reached in, his hand aimed towards Chihiro's face. Chihiro suddenly recalled a meal with his father that rapidly cut to his memory of his father's death. As he groggily shook himself out of the memory and noted Char has also been affected, the sorcerer responsible gloated that his sorcery was able to track people's brain waves and trigger their traumatic experiences.
The Clone Sorcerer wondered if they should eat Char due to her being the last surviving member of the Kyonagi clan but is shut down immediately, the Trauma Sorcerer saying Sojo's bounty was the priority and shutting down the rumour of eating a Kyonagi's flesh leading to immortality. Instead, the Kyonagi simply had incredibly powerful healing abilities.
Chihiro uses Nishiki to cut through the Clone Sorcerer's clones
The trauma sorcerer turned to pick up Enten but Chihiro drew his wakizashi and sliced off the trauma sorcerer's sword-holding right arm. Chihiro ground out that the memory of that day was what fuelled him before grabbing Enten and activating Nishiki, his resulting boost in strength and speed allowing him to swiftly behead the trauma sorcerer, subsequently killing the Clone Sorcerer and his clones. Char confessed the sorcerers had been pursuing her for her unique physical abilities, revealing this information as she trusted Chihiro.[7]
Three sorcerers ambushed Chihiro with Char on his back at an intersection but one of Kunishige's old friends Soshiro Azami, an executive member of the Kamunabi, arrived and handily fended them off. They head to Cafe Haru Haru, here Azami clarified due to the Kamunabi's mission to only eliminate threats to the nation, he couldn't assist Char against Sojo, much to his dismay. Shiba revealed he detested the Kamunabi's impersonal attitude, being a primary reason why he left years ago.
Azami chastised Shiba for letting Chihiro's Enchanted Blade be used in public, as now the Kamunabi were aware of a seventh blade, and only the Kamunabi members who had helped Kunishige hide had been privy to this information prior. Shiba replied Chihiro could fight now, leading Azami to admit that Chihiro had gotten skilled in combat with Enten. After prompting from Shiba, Azami then revealed that at the annually held Rakuzaichi, one of Kunishige's enchanted blades Shinuchi was up for auction, having been supposedly submitted by Sojo.
Elsewhere, Sojo met with Yura and the fedora-wearing Hishaku Sorcerer and told them everything was going as planned.
Azami warned Chihiro against confronting Sojo given even the Kamunabi had failed to deal with him for over a decade, and suggested Chihiro leave the auction to the Kamunabi. Chihiro replied he accepted, and Azami groaned at the obvious lie. Nevertheless, Azami warned them of the Hishaku's increasingly audacious actions, suspecting they aimed to use the Enchanted Blades for a greater agenda. As he received an alert that his subordinates had erased the bounty Sojo placed, Azami stressed the urgency of preparing for the auction, which would be held in a month's time.[8]
The Clash[]
Shiba and Azami left to plan their actions, telling Chihiro to stay put. The morning after, Chihiro woke up and thanked Hinao for letting them stay in the cafe's back room, while Char slept on the couch.
Sojo faces a memory
It is revealed that following Shiba's interrogation, Norisaku had been told by Shiba to start a new life, away from being a sorcerer. Norisaku took this advice to heart and decided to reconcile with his family, first calling his sister and then planning to visit their mother to apologise. However, when Norisaku entered his sister's car, Sojo is in the back seat, and Sojo kills the two due to Norisaku's failure and decision to quit. Sojo was then contacted by the Trauma Sorcerer's younger brother, who has the same sorcery. The brother had located Chihiro and urged Sojo to get revenge for him, and Sojo agreed before aiming to kill the brother as a warm-up. The brother managed to trigger Sojo's trauma, but Sojo ignored it, commented on the interesting sorcery, killed him and moved on.
Sojo then walked to Cafe Haru Haru, opening the door and immediately locking blades with Chihiro. Hinao quickly dashed to the back room to find Char as Sojo activated Cloud Gouger and called Mei, the ensuing lightning bolt blasting Chihiro through a wall, but Chihiro used Aka to absorb the lightning bolt's damage, unseen by Sojo. Woken by the noise, Char peeked into the front room and is terrified by Sojo's presence, before Hinao quickly told her to hide.
Chihiro and Sojo ready Enten and Cloud Gouger
Chihiro then emerged from the hole in the wall, questioning if the blood on Sojo's blade was that of evildoers. As Sojo responded he doesn't care about that sort of thing, Chihiro activated Enten and declared Sojo has no right to wield Cloud Gouger. Sojo was excited at seeing Chihiro prepare to battle, and the two summoned their respective cloud dragons and goldfish in preparation for their clash.[9]
Several hours before Chihiro's clash with Sojo, Azami and Shiba discussed Sojo's possession of Cloud Gouger and the irregularity of his recent actions; particularly his auctioning of Shinuchi and issuing of a bounty on Char and Chihiro. Azami postulated Sojo was baiting the Kamunabi due to believing he can overpower them using Cloud Gouger. Azami then brought up the recent Seitei War anniversary exhibition and Kunishige Rokuhira's status as a hero, and stated the potential collateral damage from a public battle between Enchanted Blades would tarnish Kunishige's reputation.
Chihiro internally questioned Sojo's sole focus on Enten rather than Char, but decided to use it to his advantage, jumping out the door with Sojo hot on his heels. The two leaped across rooftops, Sojo unleashing an ice wave with Yui that Chihiro cut through with Kuro. As the two continued to fight, Chihiro discovered Sojo's fighting ability far surpassed his own, Sojo not even being winded. Abruptly, Sojo expressed his admiration for Kunishige Rokuhira, having great respect for his blades. He questioned Chihiro's motivation for wielding his Enchanted Blade, and was dismayed when Chihiro voiced his desire to defeat evil and protect the weak, believing Chihiro to not understand Kunishige's true meaning.
"I'll tell you what he wanted."
Sojo responded that Kunishige's true purpose in creating the blades was for them to be instruments of massacre, and backflipped into a crowded street while charging Mei. As Sojo lands, Chihiro rushes down and uses the Mei he had absorbed in the cafe to redirect the lightning towards himself, taking severe damage in the process. The blinding display caused the nearby civilians to rapidly evacuate. Sojo attempted another Mei but was unaware Cloud Gouger needed time to recharge after a highly-charged Mei. A heavily injured Chihiro prepared to unleash Nishiki and kill Sojo before the Kamunabi can arrive.[10]
In the meantime, Hinao and Char left the cafe and began moving away from Chihiro and Sojo. At the battle, Chihiro activated Nishiki, amplifying his body using spirit energy. Sojo criticised Chihiro's altruistic motives for wielding Kunishige's weapons of destruction, enraging Chihiro and inadvertently causing him to reveal his lineage as he shouted at Sojo and attacked. Sojo noted Chihiro's increased power and speed as the two kept fighting, neither able to find an advantage though Chihiro began to reach his limit.
The Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces confront Sojo
Chihiro then saw a car affiliated with Sojo with Char's leg visible inside, shifting his focus from Sojo. Chihiro immediately sped after the car, prioritising rescuing Char rather than fighting Sojo. Sojo quickly fired a Mei after him, but it was blocked by Shiyumi Harima's Gansui. The rest of the Kamunabi's Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces (minus Kazane Machi) arrived on-scene, alongside Azami and Shiba on a nearby rooftop. Sojo deemed it best to avoid their collective threat, summoning a cloud of mist using Kou and escaping. Chihiro intercepted the car, killed all but one of the men in the car and discovered Char's severed leg inside. Interrogating the last man, Chihiro learned they had cut off Char's leg to mislead him.
Far off from Chihiro, the car exploded as Chihiro executed the man. Shiba teleported in and helped support a swaying Chihiro, telling Chihiro about Sojo's escape. Chihiro decided Sojo had no place holding Cloud Gouger and vowed to confront and kill him. Elsewhere, Sojo arrived in the car actually containing Char, where his mohawked henchmen were experimenting with Char's healing. Sojo, now aware of Chihiro's identity, believed he needed to deepen his understanding of Cloud Gouger and expressed his desire to talk more with Chihiro. In addition, now with 'the material', Char, back, he aimed to continue his plan 'to surpass Kunishige Rokuhira'.[11]
The Plan[]
Five days later, Chihiro woke up in a hospital. Shiba and Azami entered, both relieved, and the latter explained that while a Kamunabi hospital would've treated him faster, it would also mean revealing Chihiro's lineage to the Kamunabi. Shiba told Chihiro that Hinao was merely knocked unconscious by Sojo's underlings and was recovering well, but Char was still missing after being taken by Sojo. Shiba also disclosed that Sojo was in possession of some Datenseki; the Enchanted Blades' source material.
In his laboratory within Kaburato Castle, Sojo explained the properties of Datenseki to his inquiring mohawked henchmen. Datenseki had been discovered during the Seitei War and only 250 kilograms were known to exist. When spirit energy was transmitted into the mineral, it was magnified greatly, but when this spirit energy was returned to the wielder, the wielder's body exploded due to being unable to contain it. However, Kunishige had been the only one in history able to work with the material and weaponise it into a form that was safe to use: the Enchanted Blades. Sojo then turned to a researcher and ordered for the day's testing to begin.
Shiba stated Sojo wanted to use the Datenseki and Char to create a new weapon, and Chihiro was momentarily horrified at what experimentation on Char might be conducted on her that very moment, and despaired at his failure to save her. Recovering, he asked about Enten and Azami assured him that it was safe. Azami then carefully explained the Kamunabi had put together an elite squadron, the Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces, and invited Chihiro to share his knowledge of Cloud Gouger with them. After Shiba vouched that they were all loyal to Azami, Chihiro accepted.
The ACGSF enter the hospital
The ACGSF (minus Makoto Kasahara) then noisily entered. Their captain Ikuto Hagiwara quickly explained Kasahara was out searching for Sojo's newest base of operations (as he had evacuated his old one) and asked for Chihiro's info. Chihiro replied he would tell them if he could join the operation. Kazane vehemently disagreed, but Kiyohiko Uzuki calmed him down and noted Chihiro's skill during his fight with Sojo, particularly his protection of the civilians. Shiba then intervened, stating Chihiro had incurred serious wounds and the muscles of Chihiro's left arm were in a dire state, and so Chihiro would not be combat-ready for another month. Hagiwara then came up with a compromise: the ACGSF would fight Sojo while Chihiro covertly rescued Char. Chihiro agreed without hesitation.[12]
After discussing the plan, the Kamunabi Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces left to locate Sojo's hideout. Forty-nine hours later, Shiba noticed Chihiro's determination at such a young age, comparing it to his own far more immature time as an 18-year-old alongside Azami and Kunishige. Chihiro then received a call from Kamunabi, signalling him to move out.
Sojo left Kaburato Castle to be guarded by several guards and sorcerers, and entered a bathhouse to contemplate Chihiro's words. He found it unbelievable that Kunishige Rokuhira had a son and reckoned the seventh Enchanted Blade was strong evidence in favour of it, but was disgusted by how Chihiro's ideals completely contradicted his own. Sojo redoubled his need to understand Cloud Gouger better and headed outside, already aware of the ACGSF awaiting him; now with all six members present. Sojo grinned and called for Cloud Gouger to activate.
In the meantime, Chihiro had arrived at Kaburato Castle and killed all but one of a small group of guards, preparing to interrogate the last one.[13]
The Squadron and the Raid[]
Sojo sized up the squad as Harima used Gansui to launch several large pieces of earth into the air beneath Sojo, the Kamunabi squad following. Previously, in the hospital, Chihiro had briefed the ACGSF on Cloud Gouger's three abilities: Yui/Ice, Water/Kou, and Lightning/Mei. Harima requested Azami back them up, but he explained only the six members of the ACGSF were assigned. Hagiwara and Uzuki elaborated that the Kamunabi were also wary of the upcoming Rakuzaichi and the actions of the Hishaku. Hagiwara added that rather than pure strength, a strategy would be what they needed to counter an Enchanted Blade.
Kazane protected Harima as she focused on maintaining the floating earth pieces, while the other four squad members barraged Sojo with attacks. Chihiro had advised them to do so in order to prevent Sojo from charging Mei, which would increase its power to an extent where it could kill someone if it hit. In the present, Sojo picked up on their strategy and used Kou to spray the area with water and quickly followed up with Mei, the resulting lightning striking the soaked Kamunabi sorcerers. Despite the lightning bolt's low level of charge, the Kamunabi were visibly pained and staggered back, giving Sojo time to charge up a stronger Mei.
Hagiwara uses Jikai against Sojo
In the hospital, Chihiro had told the ACGSF that Sojo was likely to chain Kou and Mei, and told them to let him land the attack so Sojo would charge Mei, as Sojo would be vulnerable as he was charging. In the present, the Kamunabi recovered and all but Hagiwara jumped out of the way, and right as Sojo unleashed his charged Mei, Hagiwara used Jikai to repel the ground, Sojo and the water flying upwards as Sojo's lightning flowed through the water uselessly, completely missing the Kamunabi. Kasahara, Uzuki, and Hajime Kugara then rushed in to attack, taking advantage of Mei's enforced downtime.
At Kaburato Castle, the guard Chihiro was interrogating revealed the sole entrance to the laboratory where Char was held was in the basement, guarded by sorcerers including the mohawked sorcerers. After dealing with the guard, Chihiro descended to the basement and hid in the rafters, watching the mohawked twins stand guard. He recalled his father stating the Enchanted Blades had a True Realm beyond their base theoretical values, and their abilities and limitations could shift greatly based on their bearer.[14]
Right before the Kamunabi had left, Chihiro revealed his father's knowledge of the True Realm to the Kamunabi, which the squad took careful note of. In the present, Shiba teleported near a shed close to Kaburato Castle; he had come to raid Sojo's base alongside Chihiro. The interrogated guard had revealed the shed was connected to an underground storage room guarded by several sorcerers, and Shiba and Chihiro had decided to split up to investigate, as they were present not only to rescue Char but to find any links between Sojo, Shinuchi, and the Hishaku. Before they split up, Shiba told Chihiro to avoid combat wherever possible.
In the present, Chihiro continued observing from the rafters but was ambushed by a visor-wearing sorcerer and forced to the ground. In his weakened state and fighting with his non-dominant right arm, he was unable to fight properly and cut the light with Kuro, escaping. Shiba heard noise from the castle but was confronted by several sorcerers, forcing his attention away.
Chihiro accesses the True Realm
Chihiro hid behind a room of shoji doors, cursing his weakness and abruptly wondering if he could save Char even if he had been at full strength. He suddenly remembered his father's words, telling him to calm down and be flexible whenever he became too narrow-minded. Fuelled by the memory, Chihiro confronted the searching visor-wearing sorcerer, summoning a school of black goldfish and preparing to use Kuro: Shred, promising not to let Char suffer any longer.[15]
In the past, Char's mother advised Char to keep her rapid healing abilities a secret to keep herself safe, right before Sojo's arm rang the doorbell. In the present, Chihiro used Kuro: Shred to bisect the visor-wearing sorcerer. Each of Kuro: Shred's 20 small goldfish consumed the same spirit energy as a standard full-size Kuro, thus the attack consumed far more spirit energy than a regular Kuro; however, Chihiro's ranged slashes were now far less taxing on his body. Rather than a conscious creation, Kuro: Shred had been a breakthrough crafted by Chihiro's instinct, and during this state of intense focus Chihiro's understanding of Enten rose to unparalleled heights. Chihiro then activated Nishiki, beginning to speed through the castle.
In a flashback, Sojo recounted the Kyonagi Clan's fate, having been hunted to near-extinction not long after the Seitei War due to the false rumour that eating their flesh granted immortality. However, Sojo revealed 'a certain man' (heavily implied to be Char's father) had sold information that a single 13-year-old girl survived the massacre, and now had a child of her own, to Char's mother's horror.
Over an unspecified period of time, Sojo committed countless experiments on the two in order to find a way to harness Datenseki, and Char's mother wished dearly that her daughter could live a happy life. To this end, she broke out of her cell with Char, found the only unguarded exit that only Char was small enough to fit into, and ordered her daughter to run and live a happy life, while she caused chaos, set fire to the research facility, and killed several researchers; but she was eventually killed. Char ran away, eventually meeting Chihiro. In the present, the mohawked sorcerers mocked Char's mother's attempt at freeing her daughter, which ended in failure.
Chihiro sped through the Kaburato Castle courtyard, dicing up every single sorcerer and guard and once again reaching the basement, beheading both of the mohawked sorcerers. After defeating the guards, Chihiro offered Char a sandwich, and they shared an emotional reunion. Char, overwhelmed, told Chihiro he had arrived late amid tears, proving she had always believed Chihiro would come, no matter what despair she was feeling.[16]
Chihiro was visibly tiring after his usage of Nishiki, despite having used it to support his movements rather than strengthen them. Char noticed this, especially the devastated nature of Chihiro's left hand, and utilised her power to heal it, remembering her mother's words that the source of their regeneration was their desire for the pain to stop. As they entered the courtyard, Chihiro passed Char over to Shiba, who was concerned over Chihiro's state, but the three abruptly noticed a presence by the front gate. Shiba and Char both warned Chihiro to be careful as Shiba teleported Char to safety, and Chihiro unsheathed Enten.
Sojo cloaks himself in Mei and takes back Cloud Gouger
Sometime beforehand, Sojo had continued to battle the Kamunabi. The Kamunabi implemented a strategy to knock Sojo off the airborne island and seize Cloud Gouger. Though the Kamunabi seemed victorious, Sojo revealed he had previously 'cloaked' himself with a prior use of Mei, and after using a second Mei he created an attraction force between himself and Cloud Gouger, speeding across and catching the blade in his mouth, while inflicting heavy damage on Kugara and Kasahara in the process. As Hagiwara ordered Kazane to use his sorcery, Kaichi, Sojo immediately zoomed over at lightning speed and sliced off Kazane's arm. The floating pieces of earth were later seen having crashed in the ocean as Sojo confronted Chihiro in the Kaburato Castle courtyard.
Sojo recognised Chihiro had also advanced his understanding of his Enchanted Blade, and wished to discuss further; though he understood that at that moment words weren't what they needed. The two activated Nishiki and Mei and sped off, preparing to clash; their time limits of remaining activity were 12 seconds.[17]
The Duel[]
The Twelve-Second Duel begins
The two immediately dashed into the air and locked blades. Rather than communicate through words, the clashing of their blades did the talking for them; represented as the two sitting in a tearoom on two sides of a table, atop which sat two cups of tea and two plates with tricolour dango on them. Sojo revealed his desire to talk further with Chihiro, and stated he acknowledged Chihiro's altruistic beliefs, no longer dismissing them, but asserted his own beliefs as superior.
Chihiro vehemently refused, having worked with his father every single day. Sojo was momentarily captivated by the chance to learn more about who Kunishige truly was but rejected it in favour of maintaining his own agenda on the Enchanted Blades. Sojo ate a piece of dango as he revealed Cloud Gouger had accepted and harmonised with his desire to slaughter, just as Enten had harmonised with Chihiro's desire to rescue Char, and concluded anyone could speak on behalf of Kunishige's vision for the blades, which was what gave their battle meaning.
In reality, the two combatants were evenly matched. As the time hit 9 seconds and Sojo reared in with an attack that Chihiro could not dodge, Chihiro sacrificed his right arm in order to buy time to gain some distance from Sojo, grimacing at Sojo's higher level of speed through his lightning cloaking, while Sojo mused that Chihiro's Nishiki was far faster than the last one he had used. The time hit 7.68 seconds as Sojo consolidated his knowledge on Chihiro's abilities and weighed his own options. As the time hit 6 seconds, Sojo increased the amount of spirit energy present in the lightning cloaking him to twice his body's limit, doubling his power but halving his remaining time to 3 seconds. Sojo slashed in but Chihiro dodged and even managed a counterattack that Sojo himself barely evaded.
In the tearoom, Chihiro picked up a stick of dango and ate all three pieces, grimacing at the taste. He pondered his father's words that Chihiro would have to make his decisions through seeing the world himself, and ultimately acknowledged that they could both speak on behalf of his father; but refused to show Sojo any respect, and would simply cut Sojo down with even thicker bloodlust.
The duel concludes
In reality, Chihiro sliced off Sojo's left arm, Sojo quickly realising Chihiro had increased the spirit energy cloaking himself to triple his body's limit, Chihiro's remaining time being 1.47 seconds. Chihiro swerved in again but Sojo predicted his move and struck Cloud Gouger behind him. However, Chihiro had predicted Sojo would react this way, and cancelled Nishiki to slow himself down, keeping himself out of Sojo's reach. As Chihiro prepared a point-blank Kuro at 0.89 seconds, Sojo attempted to parry and charge one last Mei, but Chihiro's resulting attack not only dealt severe damage to Sojo but bisected Cloud Gouger, cancelling the lightning.[18]
Sojo collapsed, fatally wounded, not only injured by the attack but also exhausted by over-coating his body with spirit energy. Chihiro was barely standing, exhausted for the same reason. Sojo begrudgingly muttered the Enchanted Blades must have chosen Chihiro. Chihiro admitted they had chosen Sojo too, and as he moved to continue the scene transitioned to Shiba teleporting in to support a collapsing Chihiro. Near the courtyard entrance, a Hishaku sorcerer took a briefcase Sojo had brought, disappearing before Shiba noticed him.
In the meantime, Sojo crawled away towards the castle's interior, and Shiba suggested finishing him off, but Chihiro deemed it unnecessary. Char insisted on healing Chihiro's severed arm, but she failed and was dismayed, Shiba quickly assuring her she most likely did not have mastery over the ability yet and Chihiro reminding her that her healing of his arm had allowed him to defeat Sojo.
Meanwhile, Sojo dragged himself into the laboratory, and grabbed onto the Datenseki, believing his knowledge of the Enchanted Blades sufficient to use the mineral. However, as Sojo input spirit energy into the stone, it rebounded onto Sojo's arm, confusing him as he frustratedly wondered what he was doing wrong. The words Chihiro had said to Sojo were then revealed; that no matter whether the blades accepted Sojo or not, he would not even come close to measuring up to his father. Sojo tried one last time to use the Datenseki, screaming Kunishige's name, and the castle violently erupted in a great explosion, Shiba teleporting the three out of the explosion radius.
The Kamunabi leaders convene
Ten days later at Kamunabi Headquarters, Azami reported on the events at Kaburato Castle to his fellow Kamunabi leaders, detailing Sojo's death and casualties among the Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces, with all dead except Kazane and Hagiwara. The leaders discussed Shinuchi's continued auctioning under a different seller's name and re-emphasised their need to recover Shinuchi, before moving to the topic of who should form the next Lifelong Contract with Cloud Gouger. In an aside, Lifelong Contracts were explained, which limited the use of Enchanted Blades' techniques to their owner while the owner is still alive. Hence the Kamunabi had protected the former Enchanted Blade bearers to ensure the Hishaku could not kill the sword bearers and make use of the blades.
Kasen explained that according to Kazane's report it was Chihiro Rokuhira, claiming to be Kunishige's son, and holding a seventh enchanted blade, who defeated Sojo and took Cloud Gouger. Izaru accused the incident's cause to be Azami's hiding of Kunishige and Chihiro, and as tensions rose Kasen intervened. He ordered an internal investigation to be conducted later and focused on retrieving the blades, deciding to deploy Hiyuki Kagari, the Kamunabi's strongest fighter, against Chihiro and the potential threat of two active Enchanted Blades, granting her permission to use Flame Bone up to the torso.[19]
Story Impact[]
- Chihiro Rokuhira, his father Kunishige Rokuhira and Kunishige's close friend Togo Shiba are introduced.
- Kunishige is a renowned blacksmith and creator of the six Enchanted Blades, legendary creations that brought Japan victory in the Seitei War 15 years ago. Chihiro aspires to follow in his father's footsteps.
- Shiba frequently drops in to inform Kunishige on happenings nearby.
- One day, three sorcerers affiliated with the Hishaku organisation attack the Rokuhira household, kill Kunishige and steal the six Enchanted Blades. Shiba arrives to see the house in ruins and Chihiro clutching Enten.
- Chihiro swears to instil the meaning of what his father believed in into the Hishaku, vowing to cut the Hishaku down and retrieve the Enchanted Blades.
- Three years and two months afterwards, Chihiro and Shiba wipe out the Korogumi Yakuza in search of links to the Hishaku but fail to learn anything, Chihiro wielding his father's seventh and final Enchanted Blade, Enten.
- The first of Enten's abilities, Kuro, is revealed to be a ranged slash attack.
- Hinao, a broker between sorcerers and those seeking to hire them and an old friend of Shiba's, discovers Char who has reportedly encountered an Enchanted Blade and promptly informs Chihiro and Shiba.
- While out eating soba, Chihiro confirms from Char that what she saw was an Enchanted Blade shortly before the two are attacked by Norisaku Madoka. Chihiro defeats him and decides to continue protecting Char due to pursuing her pursuers.
- The second of Enten's abilities, Aka, is revealed to be the ability to absorb and re-emit attacks.
- After Norisaku is defeated, Shiba interrogates him and learns Norisaku works for major underworld name Genichi Sojo, who wields the Enchanted Blade Cloud Gouger.
- Sojo places a bounty on Char and Enten, and Chihiro and Char are soon attacked by the Clone Sorcerer and Trauma Sorcerer, who Chihiro defeats.
- The third of Enten's abilities, Nishiki, is revealed to be a cloak of spirit energy that enhances Chihiro's physical abilities.
- Char reveals she is being targeted for her special regenerative abilities, choosing to trust Chihiro with this information.
- Another old friend of Kunishige, Soshiro Azami, is introduced, who works for the Kamunabi.
- The Kamunabi are an organisation of sorcerers who work for the government, with their primary mission being the security of the nation.
- Azami reveals to Chihiro that Sojo has put the Enchanted Blade Shinuchi up for auction at the Rakuzaichi, the underworld's largest auction, which is expected in slightly more than a month. While originally cautioning Chihiro away from dealing with Sojo and the auction, Azami eventually tells Chihiro to ready himself as best he can.
- The next day, Sojo attacks Cafe Haru Haru and enters battle with Chihiro.
- Cloud Gouger's three powers, Mei (lightning), Yui (ice) and Kou (water) are revealed.
- Sojo reveals his idolisation of Kunishige and his belief that the Enchanted Blades are weapons of massacre.
- Chihiro inadvertently reveals his lineage.
- Sojo's men capture Char.
- The arrival of the Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces alongside Shiba and Azami cause Sojo to retreat.
- Chihiro falls unconscious for five days and wakes up in a civilian hospital.
- Shiba informs him of Sojo's possession of Datenseki and Char, and states Sojo plans to create weapons from Datenseki in order to surpass Kunishige.
- Azami invites the Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces to meet Chihiro and they form a strategy on how to kill Sojo.
- Chihiro decides to rescue Char while the squadron fight Sojo.
- The Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces confront Sojo.
- They are able to trick Sojo into charging Mei and causing it to discharge into Kou, forcing Mei into cooldown.
- Hagiwara and Kugara deal severe damage to Sojo using an impromptu electromagnetic cannon-esque attack, and Kasahara snatches Cloud Gouger from Sojo.
- Previously, Sojo had accessed the 'true realm' and cloaked himself with Mei rather than using it to attack. Sojo uses the lightning he had cloaked himself with to blast himself back to his blade and deal severe damage to the squadron, killing all but Hagiwara and Kazane.
- After he lands, Sojo returns to his lab at Kaburato Castle.
- During the same time as the ACGSF's battle, Chihiro and Shiba raid Kaburato Castle.
- Shiba investigates a shed leading to an underground warehouse.
- Chihiro covertly searches for the lab entrance only to find it guarded by sorcerers. He is quickly found and finds a place to hide.
- Though initially doubtful of his own abilities, Chihiro recalls his father's words to calm down and be flexible whenever he found himself narrow-minded, and unveils a new technique: Kuro: Shred through accessing the True Realm, which allows him to strain his body less as he attacks.
- Chihiro kills all the sorcerers and guards before rescuing Char, handing her off to Shiba as the three walk into the courtyard.
- As Sojo enters the courtyard, Shiba teleports out and Chihiro and Sojo notice they both only have twelve seconds of activity left.
- Their ideological confrontation is represented in a tearoom. Sojo states he accepts Chihiro's beliefs but refuses to change his own, as he believes they are correct given Cloud Gouger resonated with them. He states their battle is important because they can both speak on behalf of Kunishige.
- Sojo slices off Chihiro's right arm and Chihiro slices off Sojo's left.
- Sojo cloaks himself with twice his body's capacity worth of spirit energy but Chihiro does the same with three times his body's capacity, outspeeding Sojo.
- Chihiro accepts that they can both speak on behalf of his father, but refuses to show any respect to Sojo and his views and proves his own beliefs as superior by landing a fatal blow on Sojo, cleaving through Cloud Gouger.
- Shiba teleports Chihiro out as Sojo blows Kaburato Castle and himself up as he tries to use Datenseki.
- The Kamunabi leaders convene ten days after the battle.
- Lifelong Contracts, which limit usage of Enchanted Blade techniques strictly to the bearer while the bearer is alive, are explained. Due to their existence, the Kamunabi are protecting the former Enchanted Blade bearers.
- The Kamunabi learn of Chihiro's existence, possession of a seventh Enchanted Blade and his victory over Sojo, presumably having taken Cloud Gouger with him.
- The Kamunabi decide to refocus on reclaiming the Enchanted Blades and dispatch Hiyuki Kagari after Chihiro.
Characters Introduced[]
Characters Introduced
Battles[]
Terminology Introduced[]
- Rokuhira Swordsmith: A workshop in the backyard of the Rokuhira residence. The workshop was where Kunishige and his son, Chihiro, diligently worked and trained together.
- Seitei War: A significant conflict that occurred 18 years ago, where Kunishige gained fame for forging the Enchanted Blades, which played a pivotal role in ending the war.
- Enchanted Blades: Seven highly powerful katana forged by Kunishige, each possessing unique abilities, six of which were stolen by the Hishaku and are now pursued by Chihiro.
- Enten: The seventh and final Enchanted Blade Kunishige created. It is now possessed by Chihiro, who uses it as his primary weapon in his quest for revenge. Its powers include Kuro, a ranged projected slash, Aka, a defensive technique that absorbs and reflects attacks, and Nishiki, a cloak of spirit energy that enhances Chihiro's power and speed.
- Korogumi Yakuza: A specific Yakuza organization who have taken control of a local city. They are supported by the Hishaku in exchange for regular payments.
- Sorcery: Any supernatural force wielded by individuals capable of manipulating their spirit energy, capable of influencing events or manipulating elements around them.
- Hishaku: A group of highly-skilled sorcerers responsible for stealing the Enchanted Blades and murdering Kunishige. They are the primary targets of Chihiro's revenge.
- Barrier: A sorcery-based force field set up around the Rokuhira residence to isolate and protect it, serving to alert to any potential threats or interference.
- Cloud Gouger: One of the enchanted blades forged by Kunishige Rokuhira. It was given to Genichi Sojo by the Hishaku and later broken by Chihiro. Its powers include Mei (lightning), Yui (ice) and Kou (water). How Enchanted Blades such as this one should be used plays a central role in the conflict between Chihiro and Sojo due to their differing viewpoints on the matter.
- Kamunabi: A government-affiliated organization that deals with large-scale threats to the nation. It is heavily involved in events related to the enchanted blades. The leadership of the organisation is comprised of nine individuals, including Azami, who have varying opinions on Kunishige Rokuhira and the Enchanted Blades. Following Chihiro's battle with Sojo and the Kamunabi's sudden awareness of the existence of Kunishige's son and a seventh blade, the Kamunabi dispatched Hiyuki Kagari in pursuit of him.
- Datenseki: The source material of the Enchanted Blades, capable of massively amplifying spirit energy to unsafe levels, causing one's body to explode. Sojo planned to use it for crafting a new weapon similar to the Enchanted Blades.
- Kyonagi Clan: A clan of peoples who were hunted to extinction sometime after the Seitei War due to a false rumour that one would become immortal if they ate the flesh of the Kyonagi clan. The sole survivor, Char's mother, eventually had a daughter, Char, before the two were targeted by Sojo due to their regenerative capabilities. Char's mother sacrificed herself to help Char escape Sojo's prison.
- Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces: A group of Kamunabi sorcerers specifically tasked with opposing Cloud Gouger. They plan and execute strategies against Sojo with the help of information provided by Chihiro. They are led by Ikuto Hagiwara.
- Lifelong Contracts: A system that limits the use of Enchanted Blades to their owner while said owner is still alive.
Locations[]
- Rokuhira Swordsmith:
- A workshop located in the backyard of the Rokuhira residence where Kunishige and Chihiro worked to forge katana.
- Korogumi Yakuza Base:
- Headquarters of the Korogumi Yakuza.
- Cafe Haru Haru:
- A café owned by Hinao which links sorcerers to clients looking to hire their services. It served as Chihiro and Shiba's temporary base of operations up until the location was targeted and damaged by Genichi Sojo.
- Interrogation Site:
- An abandoned shed where Shiba interrogated Norisaku Madoka.
- Babylonia Shop:
- A shop where Chihiro purchased sandwiches for Char.
- Tanda Shop:
- Another shop visited by Chihiro and Char to buy ice cream.
- Bloom Shop:
- A shop where Chihiro obtained a coke float for Char.
- Rakuzaichi:
- A venue where a famous annually-held black market auction takes place. Sojo is said to have submitted the Enchanted Blade Shinuchi for auction here.
- Rooftops in Tokyo:
- The setting of the first confrontation between Chihiro and Sojo, where they leap across rooftops and combat using Enten and Cloud Gouger.
- Kunishige Rokuhira's Heroic War Exhibit:
- A war exhibit emphasizing the historical context and Kunishige Rokuhira's status as a hero, discussed by Azami and Shiba.
- Hospital:
- A civilian hospital where Chihiro was treated for five days following his first battle with Sojo.
- Kaburato Castle
- Sojo's base of operations after relocating. His research laboratory, where he attempts to work with Datenseki, was located here, guarded by several sorcerers. Chihiro and Shiba attacked here in order to rescue Char and learn information about the Shinuchi. This location was also the site of Chihiro and Sojo's final confrontation, which resulted in the destruction of Cloud Gouger and Sojo's death.
- Tearoom:
- A metaphorical area resembling a meal set for two, where Chihiro and Sojo engaged in dialogue and an ideological clash, mirroring their physical clash in the real world.
- Kamunabi Headquarters:
- The headquarters where Azami reported on the events at Kaburato Castle, and his fellow leaders of the Kamunabi discussed Sojo's death and how they should adjust their plan to retrieve the Enchanted Blades.
References[]
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 14 (Page 1).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 1.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 2.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 3.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 4.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 5.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 6.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 7.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 8.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 9.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 10.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 11.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 12.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 13.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 14.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 15.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 16.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 17.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 18.