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Tessai-san has been inside for quite a while. I'm starting to get worried...

Don't worry about him. The Old Man at his forge is like you singing on stage, Hoshiguma punching someone, or me at a pachinko machine.

Are you really good at pachinko?

Ah—hehe...

Trying to change the subject, Kichisei takes a cookie from the plate in front of her and puts it in her mouth.

Uh oh, I've almost eaten all the cookies.

Why are all the cookies here Ninomiya's classic cystymilk flavor? Is it Tessai-san's favorite?

Tetsuya used to like it.

If Tetsuya realized what kind of man Kinbee was...

He would have realized it a long time ago if he could.

To be fair, Tetsuya following Kinbee around is really just the effect. The root cause goes back to Old Man Tessai—

If only Tessai had half your wisdom, Kichisei-san.

Kinbee?!

Go inside, Momoka! I'll hold him off!

Let's not rush to a fight, kiddo.

My, my. How honored I am, to be welcomed by the oyabun himself.

Where is Hoshiguma?

She is enjoying the hospitality of my people, and is unable to help you.

Despicable scum!

Blame yourself. I was trying to bait her with Moriuchi, but she bit the hook before I even had time to set the bait.

But I don't like to kill unless I have to. These are more civilized times.

I'm here to extend a sincere invitation to Chairman Tessai to attend my accession ceremony.

Your what?

You heard me.

If Chairman Tessai will not hand over Kajimachi whatsoever, then I must take the small liberty of taking over the leadership of the Kinsekikai. After all, the position is already little more than a figurehead.

If you are too embarrassed to attend, you can simply hand over Hannya, and the ceremony can take place without you.

Hannya is not the symbol of succession, never was!

It is if everyone believes it is.

You favored Hoshiguma too much. You never even realized it, did you?

Or did you choose to give Hannya to Hoshiguma before she went to Lungmen for the sole purpose of snubbing me? What did she have that I didn't, that you would detest me so?

You think too highly of yourself.

Yes! That's what I wanted to hear!

It's not that I think too highly of myself, Old Man. You look down on everyone except for your beloved Hoshiguma!

Standing alone at the door, Mifune laughs.

Momoka and Kichisei slowly move back behind Tessai.

Perhaps your son would not have turned against you if I told you this sooner.

Why bring up Tetsuya? Did you think I opposed you in order to pass leadership onto that kid? He's not made for it.

I know. He's another one you look down on.

Enough talk. I may not be able to beat you, but it's not so hard to stall you until Hoshiguma gets back. This is my house, after all.

Also, it'll be a good chance to try out the reforged Hannya.

Tameshigiri? Wonderful.

I have something to show you before that, though.

Mifune reaches into his clothes.

Tessai keeps a careful eye on his movements, but all Mifune does is take out a few photos, casually tossing them to the floor.

Tessai catches a glimpse of one of the photos, which falls face-up in front of him—

Tetsuya?!

Tetsuya.

Such a good boy. He did everything I asked of him to the limits of his ability, whether he could ultimately handle it or not.

For example, he really did find the Northern Court spy... himself.

Why—you?!

I was surprised when I first saw the photos, but then it started to make sense.

Tetsuya's mother may have missed her family in the north, but she steadfastly refused any approach to become a spy.

Yet the mark of Hoashi was on all the weapons that we, the Kinsekikai, procured in secret.

My fault, I suppose. The Kinsekikai's TV station wasn't as powerful as it is now, and those who wanted a piece of the Kinsekikai would have set upon the news like hungry beasts.

Eventually, I helped you find a place for the weapons, but you had to take care of the aftermath. You were forced to place the blame on Tetsuya's mother, as you once placed it on Hoshiguma.

To you, the Kinsekikai is the King on the shogi board.

You will preserve it at all costs, never hesitating to cut other pieces loose, be it a Queen like Hoshiguma, or Promoted Rooks like me that you look down on.

I'm curious myself... what does Tetsuya mean to you?

Is he a Rook? A Bishop? Or is he so incompetent that you see him as a Pawn you wouldn't mind losing?

If that was really so, we would have to have a fight here and now. But he isn't, is he?

He is incompetent, but he's not a shogi piece. He's your precious son, not to be placed on the board—

Shut up!

Clearly on edge, the old man seems ready to charge at Mifune with shield raised at any moment.

But Mifune can see Hannya trembling in his hands.

His mother's name will never be cleared. If the same fate befalls your only remaining child...

I said, SHUT UP!

You're hesitating. You're contemplating whether there's a chance the reforged Hannya will allow you to neutralize me in one blow, and bargain my life for Tetsuya's.

Chance. What an obnoxious word.

Are you scared?

Unfortunately for you, there is more than one person who carries out my will.

I'm not claiming strength in numbers, but the moment you swing Hannya at me, a button will be pressed, and these photos will show up on Kinseki Channel.

And you'll be free, once and for all, when Tetsuya realizes that he was right, and his father never cared about him, just as his father never cared about his mother.

What do you say, Old Man?

What do you say, Old Man?

What...?

No, it's not true! It can't be!

Tell me this isn't real!

Tetsuya frantically shakes the shoulders of the ninja who brought him here, but he cannot even tell if the ninja is looking at him.

After so many years, you have finally delivered Hannya into the hands of its true master.

Unfortunately, I still have to complete certain task entrusted to me. Where is the deed to Kajimachi? No rush, the one who gave me the task wanted it done cleanly. For now, you can simply follow me.

Those two...

The girls? I'm certainly willing to do you a favor, since you've been cooperative so far. Come quietly, and I'll spare their lives.

You can go to hell, Kinbee! I'll cut your tail off and make a belt out of it—

Kichisei!

His father's angry voice comes through the TV's speakers somewhat distorted, giving the scene a sense of surrealness.

Papa... Papa!

Where are you taking him? Let him go! You want to get me, come for me! Why him? Why?!

Mio-san. Where is the Ao-Oni?

Mifune-san's orders were to let her go when the time is right, and allow her to return to Kajimachi.

What of the boy? When do we let him go? Or are there other plans?

I don't know. The orders from upstairs were to keep him in the room, and don't let him break anything in it. I wasn't told anything else.

I see.

Mio-san... see, I'm not sure how long I'll have to watch him, and I was up all night last night... I'm very tired, to tell the truth...

You can go.

Arigatou!

What's on the TV?

Let me go.

I asked a question.

Let me go!

Mifune-san's orders are that you are not to leave this room.