act44side

Until the fourth...

The Ao-Oni?!

It's the Ao-Oni! Call the Kinsekikai!

I suggest you make way while I'm still asking politely.

No?

They have her surrounded. They outnumber her many to one. Yet, for some reason, there is a thought in all their minds that they cannot shake...

She outmatches them—one against many.

This is for your own good. Maybe some of you have heard about what the 'Ao-Oni of Kinsekikai' did twenty years ago, right here in Mitsukue.

Even if we're no longer clan-family, even if your oyabun... killed Uncle Tessai, I don't want to fight you, if I don't have to.

Make way. I want to see Kinbee. Don't make me do this.

Y-You won't get away!

The Kinsekikai never issued a notice of 'expulsion' or 'no-contact' to you! You're still part of the Kinsekikai, and to attack us is to attack your own family!

Do you really believe that?

No one answers.

Hoshiguma continues walking, almost nonchalantly.

There is no sound of footsteps behind her, only a slight whoosh of something flying through the air.

She does not even cast a glance at it. Be it knife or flash drive, shuriken or just a handful of beans, none of that matters anymore.

When you're throwing a knife, you really should throw it like you mean it. You might as well have been throwing roasted soybeans.

<i>Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi,</i> that's the old saying? Oni out, fortune in?

Surrender, and we can keep it at that. There's no bad blood between us.

No bad blood? Maybe you're right. But back in my day, we had a different slogan when we threw beans in Kajimachi.

We said, 'Fortune out...

'Oni in.'

She draws her sword.

The yakuza who have heard of the Ao-Oni instinctively take a step backwards. Only one of the younger members steps forward, seemingly oblivious to what he is risking for a chance at glory.

Alright then.

No one saw what the one-horned Oni did. All they saw was a blue flash, and the young yakuza fell to the ground, a bloody gash on his thigh.

Th-There's only one of her! Get her!

We're the Kinsekikai! We're the strongest! Get her! We must not disappoint the Kinsekikai or Chairman Mifune!

That's more like it.

They rush toward the striding Oni like the tide.

The Oni takes step after step forward, until the distance between her and the figure ahead closes to a hair's breadth—

Once again, the blue light, but this time, everyone sees the true nature of the Oni, no longer attempting to suppress her fury.

Hoshiguma's blade moves through the air.

Before long, there is no longer anyone standing in her way. The injuries are not fatal, but no one has the strength, or the stomach, to oppose her anymore. Only the one-horned Oni still stands tall.

Sad.

The TV station's in total chaos...

Wow...

Grandma told me stories about Northern Court special forces infiltrating Mitsukue in her youth.

I didn't think much of it at the time. Thinking about it now, though, what we're seeing is just a fraction of what could really happen...

What do you think about my surprise for Kinbee?

I think it might be a little <i>too</i> big...

Well, we should focus on our own tasks. Moriuchi-san has already infiltrated the TV station. We need to head to the accession ceremony.

There shouldn't be many people there at this time, but you'll need to help out if there's any resistance.

Gotcha.

All that's left to do is act! I'll lead the way. Climb up this vent!

Follow me!

I-I'm coming!

It... it's so high...

Don't worry, I've got a light. Hold my hand, and I'll lead you on.

Momoka tries not to look down, but she cannot keep herself from shaking.

They are moving through massive formations of steel rebar. The darkness of night hangs above, while it is bright as day underneath their feet.

TV station staff, yakuza, and ninja form a picture of chaos beneath them.

How are you doing, Kichisei?

A-Alright.

Good.

You don't come up to this kind of place often?

Who does? Are you a deserting ninja or something?

No, I got used to this kind of place while hiding from ninjas.

Hiding?

That's not important—we're here!

Hmph, we've got people down below...

Momoka, jump over this gap and follow those pipes down to the stage. You should be able to stay out of their view.

That far?!

I, I'll try...

Momoka clenches her fists, her eyes fixed forward, and kicks the ground hard—

The steel structure suddenly starts moving, and the platform beneath Momoka's feet begins to vibrate irregularly.

Why did it start moving all of a sudden?!

I, I think I'm falling!

Watch your head!

What's going on...?

Whoa!

She fell?!

We're going down too! Sarasa!

Ya—hoo!

Are you alright, Momoka?

I'm alright! Hanging in there.

Get on the stage! I'll get the console! Start once the lights come on!

I can't wait for Momoka's show—

I'm afraid I can't let you do that.

Mio-san...?

...Momoka.

You've come to stop me, haven't you?

Yes.

Why?

For the Kinsekikai.

I know what you're going to say. That will ruin the Kinsekikai.

Mio-san, Hoshiguma has shown up at the door of the TV station. You should go now, according to Mifune-san's instructions—

Hoshiguma showed up for her.

But Mifune-san—

The other one watching me, I know you're there. Go and tell Mifune-san that Hoshiguma will definitely come, and I'll be waiting for her here.

Now, Momoka, Kichisei-san, and that girl hiding behind the console, whose name I do not know.

I suggest you stay put until Hoshiguma shows up.

Your grievances against Mifune-san and Kinsekikai are certainly legitimate. But this place is also home to me, and to many others.

I can't let you destroy it.

She's bluffing! Momoka—

The black ethereal hand suddenly appears in front of Kichisei's neck. She instinctively takes a step back and pulls the trigger.

The ethereal hand shreds the bead-shaped grenade.

The lights go out, and the stage darkens, illuminated only by a faint light in the direction of the console.

Mio walks towards the light, sword in one hand, tantou in the other.