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OCTOBER 31ST
“All’s well that ends well.”
The flaming woman and the quiet rotund man stalked off with the object of the last few hours’ destruction, naught but a ruin behind them.
Four pairs of eyes stared after the two, before refocusing on each other. Specifically, the white-haired man who had just spoken up.
Red eyes blinked, part in exhaustion, part in exasperation. “We just ended your family’s criminal empire auction a week before it actually happened. Multiple members of your family are dead.”
“I know, right! This is one of the greatest days of my life!”
Chihiro saw the mirthful expression on Hakuri’s face and could only sigh. As did Shiba, who was already pulling out another cigarette.
You really wouldn’t think we had just destroyed everything his family stood for. Honestly…
The fourth member of the group coughed, moving her katana to sheathe it after the chaos of their battle. “Honestly, I just hope the guys back at Kyoto don’t catch too much flak for this. I mean, I don’t think I did too much to make myself stand out…?”
A blank stare came from Chihiro. “You almost cut Soya in half.”
Ignoring Hakuri’s cheering in the background, Iori groaned. “Yeah, that’s true… and after that craziness on the stage, no doubt news about the ‘Boss of Kyoto’—”
“The ‘Invisible Blade’,” Chihiro added, a slight knowing smile emerging on his face.
“‘She Who Does Not Deem Enemies Worth Her Gaze!’” Hakuri shouted, having returned to the conversation.
“Still can’t believe all this happened ‘cause of teenage rebellion…” Groaning, Shiba sat down next to the three seated teens, silently putting one hand on Chihiro’s back and the other on Hakuri’s.
What the hell did Samura do?! I mean, I didn’t think he’d be this much of a deadbeat!
As Shiba’s mind was half-occupied by thoughts, Chihiro slid his hand into Iori’s and Hakuri abruptly grinned, shortly before Shiba sent the four of them back to the apartment they were appropriating.
“So, Chihiro. Are you really just going to start cooperating with the Kamunabi now?” Iori frowned as she walked over to the table, sitting down in the chair. “You know that’s not really going to work with me.”
Hakuri concurred as he flopped onto one of the beds. “Not with you being the queenpin of Kyoto and everything. And me being a Sazanami.”
Shiba said nothing, but his concerned gaze spoke volumes. Chihiro nonetheless nodded, expression solid despite the implicit questions directed his way.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan. If it works out, the Kamunabi should accept us no problem. I’ll explain the details later, but Hakuri, your sorcery will be crucial to winning them over.”
“And my father, huh…” Iori huffed. Chihiro shook his head.
“We’re not asking them to judge us based on who we are, but what we’ve done.” He nodded towards Iori again. “Rakuzaichi aside, you’ve basically corralled the entirety of the Kyoto underworld together, or in any case kept them in line.”
“And boy, can I tell you what a venture that was…” Iori stretched back, moving forward again as Chihiro sat beside her. “Thank goodness for Ikura and Sengoku–sorry, Mr. Sengoku, couldn’t have done it without them.”
Chihiro thought back to the stoic but well-meaning hotel manager and the unusual but determined student and his mouth creased upwards. “It’s still insane to believe that guy went from student to swordsman so quickly–and he’s somehow still doing well in his studies.”
“Not as well as me, though~” Iori chuckled and rested her hands on the table, tapping with her fingers in some abstract rhythm.
Behind her, Hakuri blanched at the thought of study. “Yeah, no. Risking my life in pitched combat is enough for me, I don’t need to be cooking my brains while I’m doing that too.” He rolled over on the bed. “How was the hotel guy’s teaching, anyway? Didja learn their unique swordsmanship style from him?”
This caused Iori to frown as she shook her head. “We use different sword styles. Mr. Sengoku and I agreed to stop trying once we realised how difficult it was for me to shift from White Purity to Reigen. Chihiro picked it up pretty much instantly, though that’s ‘cause he’s got crazy eyes.”
Chihiro blinked. “It’s not that hard. I just saw how Mr. Sengoku swung his sword and tried to mimic it as best I could. Loads of people do that kind of thing.”
Chuckling came from Shiba’s direction as Hakuri face-faulted and Iori lightly slapped Chihiro upside the head. “Normally, people don’t just end up instantly learning the style that way!”
A groan from Chihiro suddenly reminded Shiba that all four of them were in varying states of injury and definitely tired. “Alright, I dare say we get some rest. It’s been a long day. Looks like it’s getting dark out, where do you want to–”
As if out of nowhere, a lightbulb seemed to chime over Hakuri’s head. “Mr. Shiba. Since we finally have the time to relax after all that, I reckon we go treat ourselves! Let’s have some fun! It’s Halloween, anyway!”
If unsubtle was a person, that person would be Hakuri as he plodded over to Shiba by the door while winking at him and not-so-vaguely gesturing at the other two in the room. Who were more confused than anything.
Hakuri’s insistence on being a dock owner caused Shiba’s face to impact his hand at high velocity. “Is that fine with you two?”
Vague murmurs of assent came in return.
“Alright. We leave in twenty. I’m getting a smoke.”
“I still don’t see what you see in them. They just happen to know each other and have had similarly bloody teenage years through entirely no fault of their own.”
“With all due respect, Mr. Shiba, maintaining the agenda is our top priority.”
Shiba shut his eyes and pinched his brow as he rested his elbows on the table, the white-haired man opposite him staring at their two comrades at the centre of the room. Giving up and momentarily staring skyward, Shiba leaned on the wall, surreptitiously using their position in the corner to survey the room for any suspicious figures.
…Ah, crap.
It was Halloween.
Everyone looked like a suspicious figure. Even a number of the adults, and why were so many of them in costume anyway?
S’pose it’s no surprise, given sorcerers are so flashy and civilians would want to have a little fun for themselves. Plus there’s a few among the Kamunabi I remember who’d be quite fond of goofin’ off this time of year…
He hoped Hagiwara’s squad had recovered from their battle against Sojo; they had definitely earned a chance to enjoy themselves. It’s insane how they all made it out alive, minus a few limbs.
As for himself, he hadn’t bothered dressing up. Too much effort. Hakuri had, slicking his hair back and untying his braid into two smaller braids. Shiba almost hadn’t realised what Hakuri was going as until he started complaining about not being a foot taller than he was.
“Isn’t going as your brother and source of your trauma going to be extremely painful for you?”
“It is! But you know what they say, the best way to fix your trauma is by facing it head on!”
“...I really don’t think that’s how it works.”
In the end, Hakuri had given up trying to find comically tall shoes and instead stared at the people they walked past with a dead-eyed expression.
Chihiro was originally going to just don his normal jacket and clothing, but after some forceful suggestions from Iori, he had been thrown into a kimono. Iori wore one herself. Thankfully, given the occasion, the two had their blades right alongside them and no one was batting an eyebrow.
Whatever. Back to focus. Who here looks the most suspicious?
There were a few obvious answers, but Shiba slowly narrowed them down one by one. By the end, he had four people to keep eyes on.
A man in a blue suit with a flat-top haircut and a briefcase who was talking in oddly spaced English.
Swear I’ve played some game like that before. Don’t remember the name, but it definitely wasn’t number three.
A decrepit man who looked like he hadn’t seen a shower in decades and was eating like he hadn’t eaten in decades.
Even from across the room, he stinks…
And a blue, blank-faced person next to a purple dinosaur.
“GOD FUCKING DAMMIT KRIS WHERE THE HELL ARE WE”
Never mind, not a threat. In fact, they were more likely threats to each other than to the kids.
Turning his attention back to Chihiro and Iori, he saw the two were chatting, though he was too far away to hear what it was about and too tired to try reading their lips. It looked like they were having fun, though.
…Actually, they were moving pretty close. And getting closer.
“eeeeeEEEEEEEE”
Was that the fire alarm? No…
Shiba turned to look across the table.
No, it’s just Hakuri. At least someone’s excited.
Scoffing, Shiba continued to idly drum his fingers on the table, stopping only to thank the waitress who stopped off to deliver their food before digging in.
Barely an instant after he had started, the door was kicked down.
Are. You. Kidding. Me?!
“CAN I GET A UHHHHHHHHHHHH…”
Hakuri decided at this moment that there was no one alive on the planet he hated more than the two people who had just busted down the door.
Come on! They were just about to realise they were super into each other!
“...BURGER?!”
The obscenely obnoxious speaker was a young man with long pink hair, who looked to be a similar age as Hakuri himself. He had some weird white robes on, was wearing white gloves as well as a paper crown and was waving his arms wildly. It looked like snow falling around him… no, it was paper falling from nowhere above him and trailing all over the floor.
Does he think he’s some kind of snow prince or something?
“AND A LARGE SODA?!”
At least Hakuri wasn’t alone in his fury. Half the room had turned to the entrant in a mix of annoyance and disgust. Including the other person who had walked in.
“Hiruhiko, get your act together. This is a high-class establishment, and your manners are almost getting worse than your swordsmanship.”
The other man looked to be slightly older than this Hiruhiko, with black hair, a weird nose ring and an outfit that looked like he had walked straight out of Europe from centuries ago, black gloves completing the ensemble.
“Anyways. Three seats, your second-best soup, and whatever your recommended red meat is for today. The bloodier, the better. Place the order name under Kuguri.”
That his expression did not shift from cold neutrality made it very clear that this man was bloodthirsty - literally. He was also carrying around a sword, but that wasn’t as much of a concern to Hakuri; most of the room were carrying swords.
The patrons slowly began shifting back to their meals, though a few still shot Hiruhiko dirty looks as he and Kuguri took seats at a table for three near the centre.
Gah, these two better not try anything this close to Chihiro and Iori. Not when they’re about to have their moment!
Hakuri narrowed his eyes as he concentrated once more on the duo, only to realise Iori was the only one staring at her tablemate. Chihiro’s gaze was locked onto the pink-haired man for whatever reason.
The hell does he think he’s doing?! What in the world’s going on, don’t ruin this now!
Then Chihiro unsheathed Enten and levelled it at the two in one swift motion, sending the room into panic.
The Hishaku! These two must be part of the Hishaku! Those white gloves can’t cover up the insignia that easily, and the tall swordsman must be another of them if he came in with this lunatic.
Chihiro’s mind whirred with thoughts as he stared the two surprisingly cool-headed individuals down.
“So what are two members of the Hishaku doing here? Here to finish the job?”
Neither of them were there three years ago… how many members are there? I need to take them out and question them as soon as possible.
The pink-haired man (Hiruhiko, his mind supplied), looked utterly unbothered. “Well, we were here to just have some fun during Halloween actually, and grab some dinner while we were at it. We were meant to meet with a friend here too. It was our boss who recommended this place, actually.”
So they have a leader… and this ‘friend’ of theirs must be another member entirely.
To the side, the tall swordsman (Kuguri, he thought he remembered hearing) clicked his tongue in frustration. “Tell him everything, won’t you?”
Aggravatingly, Kuguri looked more frustrated with Hiruhiko’s antics rather than his own threat. Chihiro shot his gaze towards him.
“No, go right ahead. I’m all ears.”
The voice of Iori beside him suddenly broke Chihiro out of his single-minded focus. For a split-second, Chihiro let his eyes drift around the room, where several of the patrons were looking at him fearfully. There were a few that seemed a tad more composed, though. Shiba and Hakuri in the corner, some weird guy in a blue suit who seemed oddly familiar, and a really dirty lanky guy who still hadn’t stopped eating.
Plus a weird blue person whose face was hard to read and a very angry purple dinosaur.
Wait a moment.
There was another person who was very familiar. Someone who he had initially thought was just dressed as a rikishi, but was actually a very familiar rikishi.
A nod was all Chihiro needed to send his way for him to get the message.
“Attention, everyone! This is an actively developing criminal situation! As authorised by the Kamunabi, please evacuate in an orderly fashion! We will handle the situation!”
Glad to hear Tafuku had a handle on things, Chihiro’s eyes steadfastly bored into the pink and purple staring back at him.
“Making some space, hmm? I approve. I’ve been meaning to find a proper opponent skilled in the art of the sword to converse with, and I don’t want anyone else to get in the way.”
Kuguri’s voice was stonily calm, though a tinge of excitement had dripped in. Hiruhiko, however, sulked.
“Come on! We could’ve held those guys hostage!”
“Shut it.”
The two’s bickering was stopped as a second katana joined Enten as it was held before the two. Iori stared down with frosty, unblinking eyes.
“These two are Hishaku, aren’t they.”
It was a statement, not a question. Chihiro minutely nodded.
Suddenly, the space around them shifted. Quitened. Suddenly, the four of them were the only ones he could see in the room; barring the form of Tafuku, most likely, who Chihiro and Iori knew would be somewhere around, holding together the space.
And in that moment of transition, Hiruhiko enveloped his and Kuguri’s positions in papers.
“A little warning, next time? Some of that got in my mouth.”
“Had to do it fast, you know…”
Kuguri grimaced as he drew his sword, but a sliver of his grin emerged on his face. “Well, whatever. I’ll be sure to make the most of this opportunity.”
Hiruhiko shot back a casual smile in return. “Eh, no matter what we do, Yura’ll be fine with it since we can blame other things.” With a clap of his hands and a quick murmur of “Chizuru,” an array of cranes emerged between his hands.
“Of course he would.”
Following Kuguri’s quip, the two spoke no further as they watched the swirling mass of papers in front of them, one with eyes and the other with sorcery.
Until in an instant there was a kimono-clad swordswoman with eyes shut and blade rearing towards Kuguri’s throat.
Grunting, Kuguri parried the blade quickly, forced back by the power behind Iori’s attack.
“The ‘Invisible Blade’, huh… didn’t expect you to be in league with Chihiro Rokuhira.”
Iori did not even twitch as she leapt back.
“People don’t expect a lot of things regarding me.”
Like how I really just want to get all this stuff with the goddamn Blades and people trying to lock me up or kill me out of the way so Chihiro and I can live our lives in peace!
With a quick shifting of her katana in her grip, Iori darted forth again, Kuguri ducking to the side but Iori pivoting and slashing out towards his leg. Kuguri hastily positioned his sword vertically to block, even as his eyes widened in shock.
“That’s the Iai White Purity Style! How the hell did you figure it out?! I never heard of Itsuo Shirakai acknowledging a third successful student!”
Not bothering to reply, Iori shifted back in one swift motion, spinning her blade around to parry the three cranes headed in her direction.
“Chihiro!”
“On it.”
A black blur leapt over Iori and promptly locked blades with Kuguri before he could race forth into a counterattack, while Iori expertly dismantled the flock of cranes peppering in her direction.
Kuguri’s eyes narrowed. “Chihiro Rokuhira in the flesh, huh…”
In an instant the two split apart. Kuguri leapt backwards to lean off a wall before kicking forward, katana levelled forth. Enten shot forth and attempted to leverage Kuguri’s blade upwards, but Kuguri redoubled his forth downwards, converting his thrust into a vertical slash as he attempted to slam down. Chihiro blocked, letting little more than an exhale escape his mouth at the effort.
“Are you here on orders? Have I already done too much for you to handle?”
Kuguri scoffed. “Hardly. As that loose-lipped fool Hiruhiko’s already let slip, we were just here for dinner.” His eyebrows inclined as he increased his exertion, his suit threatening to tear in at least three separate areas.
“Dinner, huh? And you said you were bringing a friend? You were recommended here by your boss?” Chihiro suddenly ducked under and swept under Kuguri, attempting to kick out his feet as he moved to Kuguri’s other side, but Kuguri quickly rolled to the ground and turned around. Not a moment passed before Kuguri swung again, Chihiro leaping to evade and forcing Kuguri on the defensive as he sliced down from above.
Kuguri snarled. “Only Yura would–no, never mind that!” Kuguri forced Chihiro back and slashed out again, Chihiro ducking to the side, hissing as his arm was grazed. “Talk with your blade, not with your words!”
Pacing back quickly, Chihiro sized up the adversary before him.
He’s strong, and fast. The fluidity of spirit energy with his swordsmanship is top notch - way better than my own. I need to even the odds, and defeat him as fast as possible.
In an instant Kuguri was before him again, but Chihiro was ready and moved Enten first, Kuguri hastily aborting his attack and deflecting the strike.
Which means...
“Nishiki.”
“So you’re that crazy girl I’ve been hearing about so much whenever I visit Kyoto, huh?”
Iori glared at the pink menace in front of her, blade at the ready. In contrast, Hiruhiko was almost lax, hands casually in his pockets even as papers spun around them.
“I gotta say, I’m just glad to find another person like Chihiro to be my friend. You’re 18 too, right?”
Iori’s eyebrows raised.
What is this lunatic on about?
Hiruhiko sighed and pulled his hands from his pockets, reclining them behind his head. “Killing people. We’ve all done it. We understand each other in a way that no one else does.”
He smiled. “We’re the same! We should be friends, you and me, and Chihiro too!”
Iori’s katana was promptly readied in front of her, in position, but she did not move. “What are you on about?”
“You can call me Hiruhiko, by the way.”
Iori’s face was creased with confusion more than irritation at this point. “...You just tried to kill us. Those cranes were aimed to kill.”
“Of course they were! I mean, that’s how it is, right? We become friends by trying to kill each other! Combat brings closeness and all that, even Kuguri understands that!”
Incidentally, a chair leg shot from the clash of metal that was Kuguri and Chihiro to the side, narrowly missing Hiruhiko’s head.
Iori lowered her sword. “No. That’s not how it is. Friends are people with common interests, who get along, who talk, and don’t fight each other to the death. Friends wish the best for each other, and if they fight, it’s to protect one another, not against one another.”
“Pffff. No.” Hiruhiko sighed in a manner that conveyed his utter distaste with Iori’s statement. “We’re different. We’re different compared to ordinary people. We have blood on our hands, and we can’t fit in with their standards anymore. Don’t you understand? I mean, you must have fought and killed loads to get where you are today.”
In return, Iori merely stared pointedly before returning her sword to her side. “No. I haven’t killed a single person. I don’t mind telling you this, but all that stuff about getting a reputation and everything? Most of that was accidental. I defended myself against everyone in a hotel and suddenly I’m being praised as some turf lord.”
Very deliberately, Iori left out exactly how and why she had ended up in said hotel.
“Everything I’ve done, helping Chihiro and everything, has been for the sake of letting people live their normal lives. And when everything’s said and done, and you Hishaku are over, we’re going to go back to our ordinary lives. Because life isn’t about fighting, or bloodshed, or killing people. It’s being able to live in peace with those you care about.”
Later that evening, Iori would re-think the wording of her statement and realise exactly what she was implying. In the present, Iori was more focused as Hiruhiko groaned again and waved his arms around impatiently.
“We’re not going to get anywhere like this! Whatever, Miss Turf Lady. Let’s just do things the simpler way.”
With a clap of his hands and a mock-bow, Hiruhiko disappeared into the papers behind him. When his voice came again, it was almost directionless.
“Whoever’s right will be the one standing at the end!”
Iori shut her eyes, unsheathed her katana and dashed straight in that direction, but apart from completely shredding apart the storm of papers in that area, there was no effect. Grimacing, Iori sheathed her katana again and tried to detect Hiruhiko’s location, but the storm of papers threw her off completely.
There’s no way to tell where he is! There’s way too many vibrations!
Eyes widening, Iori sensed movement behind her and quickly parried the cranes coming in her direction, though a few made it through and impaled her chest and shoulders.
Gah!
“Little too slow, I’m afraid!”
Another burst of movement quickly led Iori to speed forward, a large vertical slash clearing a space within the papers, yet nothing was there again.
I need to clear out these papers as quickly as possible to find Hiruhiko, but indiscriminate cuts will just leave me wide open…
“You know, I just thought of something. With Chihiro and I, we’re both guys, we’re friends, that’s cool and all, but you’re a girl. With how we’re fighting so hard like this, does that mean we’re on a date? Are we dating?”
Iori’s brow twitched and she momentarily froze.
At least until Hiruhiko appeared right in front of her, eyes wide with earnest curiosity while his mouth was formed into a cheeky grin.
Before he could approach or do anything, Iori rapidly lunged forwards, Hiruhiko leaning back so his chest was merely lightly gashed and disappearing again.
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”
Despite Nishiki’s speed, Kuguri was still managing to keep up with Chihiro’s slashes, sword weaving in for offence and rearing back for defence in a dance of fluid motion, impeccably managed.
Chihiro viewed this with annoyance as he attacked again and again, only to quickly parry another of Kuguri’s attacks as the taller swordsman expertly dodged. Even the strikes of the Reigen One-Sword Style, built around amplifying the force of straightforward slices, barely pushed Kuguri back. Their dance of blades continued, neither apparently gaining any ground.
Before Kuguri grimaced.
“Are you serious? Your spirit energy coating’s fine and all, but it’s not nearly in line with your sword as it should be. You’re using a mix of a style and your own moves, but it’s not a fluent synthesis. And you call yourself a swordfighter?”
“I’m learning through experience.”
Kuguri scoffed at Chihiro’s monotone reply, even as his expression soured. “If that’s the case, the girl’s a far better prospect than you are, even with an Enchanted Blade. To think there was another proficient in the White Purity Style…”
Chihiro promptly sheathed Enten and readied it vertically.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me–”
In a blitz of speed rivalling Iori’s, Chihiro burst forwards towards Kuguri, whose katana was already in position.
Kuguri huffed. “While that could be better, you’re at least trying.”
Before Chihiro could strike again, papers began flooding the area around them, as the sound of metal ringing on metal (from another direction) became clearer and clearer.
They’re coming over here?
Chihiro focused as Kuguri’s form disappeared, Enten ready to strike. He resolutely called forth a Kuro, black goldfish circling him in concentration for any signs of pink hair or white or black suits.
Over there-
Chihiro hastily halted Enten as the form of Iori nearly barreled into him, the swordswoman setting her own blade aside almost simultaneously.
“Sorry! Can’t see anything with that guy’s paper around everywhere.”
“We need to take him out quickly. What did you notice regarding his sorcery?”
Iori hmmed in thought as her eyes darted around the area. “While he can move the paper around him as he likes, those sharp cranes of his only come when he claps and sends them out. After I blocked them, they didn’t come back, so I assume they can only strike once. He’s mainly been hiding and throwing volleys of cranes–watch out!”
As if on cue, cranes came from the storm, almost invisible as they attacked the two in all directions. Back-to-back, Chihiro and Iori cut down as many as they could, even as some managed to get through.
Iori opened her eyes and huffed as the cranes ceased. “He’ll wear us down at this rate… Last I managed to catch a glimpse of him, he blocked my attack with a sword, but he’s mainly stuck to his cranes and hand-to-hand.”
Chihiro nodded. “My opponent just fights with a sword. He hasn’t shown any indication at all regarding his sorcery.”
“Given his demeanour, I’m inclined to think he just foregoes it entirely.” Iori presumed. “So, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Deal with the paper guy.”
“You got it.”
“AAAAAAAAAA!”
Shiba raised an eyebrow as Hakuri squealed in the empty restaurant, Storehouse mask on his face and eyes shut in concentration.
“Uh… are they doing well?”
Hakuri nodded enthusiastically. “More than well! They’ve got a plan to take down these Hishaku suckers, and they’re collaborating awesomely!”
“That’s a word?”
A quick shush came in response. “Anyways, more important than that is the fact that my ship is sailing!”
Shiba blinked.
Last I recall, Hakuri’s family were a land-based group. I didn’t know they worked offshore as well.
“To where?”
At this, Hakuri actually opened his eyes and stared at Shiba.
Throwing his hands up, Shiba leaned back apologetically.
Sheesh. Kids these days.
Such were the thoughts in Shiba’s mind as he took out a pack of cigarettes while Hakuri closed his eyes once again.
“Can you see them, Hiruhiko?”
“Got ‘em! Just follow the way.”
Kuguri nodded wordlessly and marched in the direction the paper arrow in front of him was indicating, the storm parting before him.
“I’ll approach on the other side. Don’t worry about me, I’ll follow your lead.”
Scoffing, Kuguri replied with a quick “Sure you will,” before crouching slightly and readying his sword as he approached the kimono-clad people ahead of him.
Three, two, one… go.
Kuguri sprinted out and his blade sang as it tore through the air, caught on the end of Iori’s katana as Iori herself stared him down. Grin escaping his stoic expression, Kuguri let himself flow into the almost automatic combat reflexes he had honed over years, using everything to match the sheer speed of Iori’s strikes.
“This is it… this is what I’ve been waiting for! Finally, a proper swordfight against a master in her art!”
Chihiro barely paid a cursory glance to the two behind him, eyes waiting for the arrival of the second Hishaku member.
If one’s attacking, the other will strike soon, either in-person or by cranes. Though given the desire for combat Iori said he had, he’ll be here any minute now.
Kuguri grunted slightly as Iori landed a slash on his forearm, but narrowed his eyes upon seeing her ignore the opening he had let slip around his neck.
“Not going for the kill, are you? Is that beneath you?”
Iori frowned. “You Hishaku are all bloodthirsty lunatics… don’t you understand that I don’t kill people?”
Realising Iori was referring to a certain one of his colleagues, Kuguri barked out a laugh. “I don’t care. Makes the fight better!”
As the two continued clashing, a pink blur shot forth from above, Chihiro quickly raising Enten to catch a smiling Hiruhiko’s blade.
“Don’t feel left out just yet!”
Hiruhiko darted to the ground before spinning forth with a kick, Chihiro knocked some ways but quickly rolling into a dash behind Hiruhiko. A leap sent the pink-haired man upwards, his blade lashing out downwards to Chihiro’s head, but Chihiro ducked until the blade shot over and leapt up to swing at Hiruhiko, deeply slashing into the side of his torso.
Undeterred, Hiruhiko slammed his skull into Chihiro’s and kicked off of his chest to backflip towards Iori and Kuguri, aiming his katana towards Iori’s back.
Dammit!
An off-balance Chihiro pulled himself up from the ground just in time to see Iori stabbed through the back as she scored Kuguri’s chest deeply.
Hakuri’s loud curse as he unconsciously leaned forward was easily enough for Shiba to tell something was wrong.
The shout of Iori’s name also helped.
“I’m getting Char, wait here!”
And with a pop, Shiba disappeared.
“KURO!”
The flying slash hit only Hiruhiko, given Iori and Kuguri had been sent crashing to the ground. With the white-suited menace flying back, Iori and Kuguri began trying to pick themselves back up, blood flying from their mouths as they attempted to ready themselves to fight once again - though Kuguri was looking in noticeably better condition, an odd countenance of irritation on his face.
In an instant Chihiro was at Iori’s side, Nishiki active once more and eyes locked on the positions of the two Hishaku.
“Iori!”
“I-I’m fine, Chihiro, I just… let’s just get these bastards. They’re on their limits, right…?”
Despite her brave words, one look was enough for Chihiro to realise Iori had been seriously wounded.
She needs help now. We need to get out of this room, now. Which means we have to deal with them. Now.
“I’m sorry, Iori…”
“...Make it up to me later, kay?”
“...”
For a single moment, Chihiro weighed up all of his options. And instantaneously, he knew exactly what he needed to do.
I have to take them both out in an instant.
“Kuro.”
And the world went black.
One moment, Iori could see Chihiro beside her in her semi-hazy vision. The next, everything had been reduced to darkness.
Barely two seconds later, the darkness cleared and Iori saw Chihiro with Enten pointed at Hiruhiko’s throat. Kuguri was ten metres away from where he was previously, katana loose in his hands, cuts covering a not insignificant amount of his body and eyes on a swivel, evidently affected by what he had just seen (or perhaps more accurately, not seen).
Chihiro stared down coldly at the form of Hiruhiko beneath him.
“I’ve heard enough nonsense. Now talk.”
But before Chihiro could ask even a single question, a bloody Kuguri suddenly ran right next to them, looking as if a stiff wind would blow him over. Nevertheless, Kuguri moved… and slammed the pommel of his sword directly into Hiruhiko’s skull.
And the world shifted.
“They’re back?”
“Shh, Char, stay hidden!”
Shiba quickly hid Char behind a desk as he stared at the four people who had just reappeared in the room.
Chihiro’s got those two dealt with. But Iori…
Shiba’s hand flew into position as he prepared to move in and assist Chihiro. But he was interrupted by a fire flaring from nowhere, and someone else appearing in the room.
The person was a young woman of average height, with short light hair. Her ensemble seemed to fit perfectly with the suit the taller of the two Hishaku members was wearing, looking like a lady straight out of the European aristocracy with her dress and attire. Though with the red running down near her mouth, and those wing-like accessories…
Is she meant to be a vampire?
But even as Shiba set the ridiculous thought aside, the woman grabbed the two Hishaku members and Shiba barely glimpsed the same emblem on her hand before she disappeared, even faster than Chihiro’s swipe with Enten downwards. The last thing Shiba saw was an angered, chastising look on the woman’s face.
Well, if that’s done…
Shiba exhaled in relief and lifted Char onto his back, running towards Chihiro and Iori. As did Hakuri, barely a second behind him, worry plastered all over his expression.
“Iori! I’ll help you!” Char shouted from her perch on Shiba’s shoulders, and Shiba could see Chihiro’s shoulders sag in relief.
He really cares about Iori, doesn’t he? Maybe Hakuri really is onto something.
Whatever the case, while their dinner had been ruined, they had at least gained some new intel.
Two more members of the Hishaku identified, and confirmation that they have a leader. I assume that woman is the ‘friend’ they mentioned earlier, given she’s a member too.
Though as Shiba sat by the two teens exhausted from combat and watched as they embraced each other, he still couldn’t help but smile.
This isn’t for nothing. They have a future to look forward to at the end of all this. Rokuhira… you’d be proud at seeing how he’s come so far. Samura will too, once we see him.
As Shiba opened his phone to call Azami to book a hospital room, he suddenly remembered one very pertinent thing.
I wonder if the food’s still intact?
Actually, make that two things.
What happened to that Kamunabi agent?
“Never. Again. Oh my goodness, never again…”
A very bloody rikishi sighed as he sat in the back of a car. The bespectacled woman in the front passenger seat grimaced at the sight, as did the stick-chewing man driving.
“The hell happened?”
Tafuku chuckled mirthlessly. “The Hishaku happened. Spent the entire time trying to evade these razor-sharp cranes that came from nowhere and were pursuing me the entire time. Plus there were papers everywhere, so I couldn’t see anything.” Sighing, Tafuku stared upwards.
A hum came from the stick-chewing man. “This info is valuable, though. This is the most we’ve learnt about the Hishaku in one go, possibly ever.”
Tafuku’s response was merely to nod, just as he received a message asking where he was from that blond guy. Quickly typing out a reply, Tafuku made himself as comfortable as he could, trying to sort out the info he could recall in whatever coherent report he could.
Oh wait, Chihiro’s planning to join the Kamunabi. He can just give the report himself.
Nap time it was.
But what if the leaders reject his application?
…Shit.
“...the most stupid, the most brainless action you could have possibly thought of, I mean the two of you are battle lunatics when you’re in the mood, but I swear, you are going to DIE one day and I won’t even know…”
Toto paced back and forth as her mouth ran like a motor in the Hishaku’s current hideout. In front of her, the team’s medic was busy patching up the two injured fighters, Hiruhiko still unconscious and Kuguri looking thoroughly chastised. Toto’s Halloween dress swung around as she turned to point accusatorily.
“Yura! I can’t believe you were there and didn’t do anything!”
The blue-suited man with the briefcase and the ringed eyes merely chuckled in response. “There wasn’t anything I could do, and I believed that they would make it out. In any case, Kuguri would know when to fold.”
“As much as you don’t, I’m sure…” Kuguri grumbled, hissing slightly as the medic accidentally poked one of his wounds.
A man in the room reclining back on a chair then stretched as he looked towards the group. “Well, don’t leave us hanging! How was the fight!”
Kuguri turned to a smirking Hokuto. “In a way, it let down and exceeded expectations. It’s hard to explain. But that girl… she’s good. Really good.”
The voice that then spoke up from opposite Hokuto was teasing, despite the coldness latent within its owner. “In what way? Does our dear Toto have competition now?”
“Get your head out of the gutter, Uran. Clearly, Kuguri’s just found another capable opponent.” The yawning voice of Bingo floated over from the nearby couch, in between crunching as he munched on popcorn, only half-listening. His black-haired colleague sitting on the chair next to him was equally invested in the movie the two were watching, Yukisada paying the conversation only the barest of minds.
“And Chihiro Rokuhira?” Now it was the hat-wearing man in robes who spoke, from where he was attending to a bonsai tree in the corner.
Kuguri sighed. “He’s not masterful in sword skill, but he already would’ve beaten us if I hadn’t intervened and Toto hadn’t gotten us out of there.”
Yura set his briefcase down as he moved to the sink to fill himself a glass of water. “Fascinating. Though that is an Enchanted Blade you were up against, of course… even if his understanding is nowhere near a master’s.”
“Are we changing the plan?” The medic’s voice was soft but inquisitive as he lifted his eyes from his work. Wordlessly, the attention in the room shifted as each member of the Hishaku looked to their leader.
“For the most part, no. We may need some slight adjustments, but our trump card is still in play. In fact…”
Yura thought back to the young woman he had seen in the restaurant. The one with sword skill faster than almost any other style, who closed her eyes when she moved with her sword in a very particular way.
“...he may be more under our control than ever before.”
“Trick or treat!
The door opened and an amused parent opened the door only to see a dilapidated, filthy-looking man who looked like he hadn’t seen a shower in two decades.
And was grinning like a child.
While holding out a candy basket.
The purple-haired woman was slightly confused, but smiled and threw some candy in the basket.
He’s just enjoying Halloween like anyone else.
“Yay! Wait, hold on-”
Briefly, the man turned around, hiding his face, before turning back, now with a shoddy green mask over his face.
“OOGA BOOGA!”
“Woah!” The woman was briefly startled, but quickly started giggling. “You know, you remind me of my–”
“AY!”
In a swift motion, the dilapidated man stared down at the pint-sized figure in a skeleton costume, before smiling wildly. “AY!”
“IT IS THE SPOOKY MONTH!”
And alongside an equally pint-sized figure in a pumpkin costume, the three began dancing happily, enjoying the merriment of Halloween.