act44side

Are you really going to Kajimachi, Mifune-san?

This is between me, Tessai, and Hoshiguma. I have to put an end to it personally.

If things go according to your plan, Tessai will yield, even without Hannya.

Does the idea of Hoshiguma coming back upset you so?

I don't see the need for it.

True, you would have much more work to do if she came back. I'll tell you this plainly, since you'll someday take over for me.

What do you think is the most important to living well in Mitsukue?

Unity?

No... the most important thing is beauty.

A fine appearance will turn the people's prejudices on their head. You and I, we all benefit from it.

If I kept looking like a thug, they would've kicked me off camera the first time I was on TV. I never could have built Kinseki Channel into what it is today.

It's important that we conduct our business with the proper look, with beauty.

There is an Ursine author—his name escapes me—he says that if a gun appears in the first act of a story...

Then a Lateran must hold it by the third act, at the latest.

I believe there is a Columbian group by the name of Blacksteel that uses guns as well, Mifune-san.

Well, you know what I mean.

Mitsukue is too big, and it has grown too quickly. A lot of times, it's hard for us to tell if we're doing the right thing...

And so, we must make sure that everything we do has a proper beginning and end, that everyone is in their proper place, and the trigger of every gun is pulled by the end. This is the proper appearance. This is beauty.

If I get your meaning... you want to see everything through to the bitter end.

Think of it however you want. Feel free to put my words to the test, once you become the Fourth Chairman of the Kinsekikai.

Right now, though, you should prepare to deal with Hoshiguma.

She is a tough one.

But she is an Oni, and one who has already gone berserk once.

Have you heard of an individual by the name of Qui'lon?

All I know is that he lived a very long time ago, and had something to do with the Oni and the temples.

Setting aside those old warrior stories, it's this legend that Tessai talked about the most.

I don't know if they are true, and they're often contradictory. For example, Tessai has told at least three different versions of how Qui'lon died.

But my favorite version is cruel... and beautiful.

Before he reached nirvana and entered Kaśjñāna, Qui'lon heard the cries of the last Oni when they were forced to become people of Ashihara.

By then, however, Qui'lon no longer had the strength to leave Ashoka, nor wield a sword to save his people, or even keep his fiery blue wrath in check—

The flames of rage took over Qui'lon's soul. He lost all reason, and in his mad rampage destroyed an entire army even as he lay at the gates of death, but the kin whom he was trying to protect were also destroyed by his sword.

It is unknown whether Qui'lon died of exhaustion, or took his own life, or whether he was so heartless that he attained nirvana, fully at peace with himself, in spite of what he did.

I'm not sure why you're telling me the legend of Qui'lon right now.

An Oni is at its frailest when it realizes its own powerlessness. As to whether what follows next is depression or madness...

Our foe has already demonstrated the answer, once.

Now, get some rest. I have a guest to greet.

Mifune-san... I bid you good health.

You're not hurt, are you?

No, no! I haven't slept better in a long while!

Yes, in your line of work, it's important to be of good humor, to smile...

To be inquisitive.

Call Hoshiguma. Tell her that... I have something to discuss.

See, Mifune-san... Hoshiguma helped me a lot, you know...

Helped you discover the truth of the Wanyuudou?

Yes—

But not only that, right?

What was going through your mind when you stood in front of your yatai, at a loss? Thinking about all those years you wasted chasing the kaidan, weren't you?

Now you know it was all fabricated. You were fooled by me and these kaidan stories I made up.

Why... Why did you do it?

None of your business. Just think of it as a stroke of bad luck. But life goes on, after all. So, if you're willing, there's something more concrete you can seize.

Are you trying to bribe me?

Bribe? No. Make the call, and you can keep up your little information broker gig going. Refuse, and you know what the Kinsekikai does to our enemies.

Mifune-san—

Would you like a reminder of how you lost your right eye?

I haven't forgotten. I barged in on one of your <i>negotiations</i> while chasing a kaidan...

I took one eye because you saw what you shouldn't have seen. I let you keep the other because I valued your talent, and as a warning to you.

Now, it's time you showed some gratitude.

Please, give me a few minutes to think—

Mifune slowly draws his blade.

Moriuchi's gaze is fixed upon the blade's tip, as it slowly moves to his own throat.

He gulps, unsure whether to open his mouth or close it—

What's that sound?

The office door is kicked open before Moriuchi can even react.

H-Hoshiguma?!

Go!

But you...

He can't keep me. And I have questions for him.

Moriuchi takes one long look at Hoshiguma and hastily leaves.

You don't seem anxious that I took someone from right under your nose.

Why should I be anxious, when something that I thought would take so much effort suddenly sorted itself out on its own?

Why did you forge that letter to bring me back?

It's complicated. I just told the story to somebody else, and I'm not in the mood to tell it again.

But the Old Man must know the simplest reason, however slow he might be... Hannya.

Hannya?!

You didn't even think of that? Some yakuza! No wonder he made an enemy out of his own son, him and his beloved Ao-Oni of Kinsekikai!

Mio!

I'm afraid your break's over. Stall her.

Alright.

You think your boys can beat Uncle Tessai if you stall me? Keep dreaming.

Why do you think victory is just a question of combat?

What are you planning, then?

You'll see.

Now, I'd better be going.

Hold it right there—

You'll be the one holding it, actually.

Fire, and humming.

The scattered screens continue to stand, unmoving.

They've escorted Mifune-san away. I will be your opponent.

Your blade. Draw it.

No need for the blade if it's you.

Is that so?

With the unpleasant sound of metal against metal, a black ethereal hand appears from behind Mio, leisurely wrapping itself around a white tantou.

Three hands, three blades.

You're strong, but that doesn't mean you have what it takes to get away from me, much less without drawing your blade.

You think the sword's my only weapon?

Before she finishes her sentence, Hoshiguma raises her right leg high and brings it down on the round table beside her, with great force.

The table flies into the air, blocking her opponent's view.

With a powerful leap, Hoshiguma points her sheathed sword at her foe's head—

Three flashes greet her, cutting the table open like a hot knife through butter.

The sheath encounters the black hand, delivering great force—