level_act44side_07_end

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.

That's right, I'm here... come on now...

One of the spotlights suddenly turns on, shining straight into Mio's eyes. Then another, and another, and another—

Then they all turn off at the same time.

Mio's hesitation lasts only an instant. She takes a moment to collect herself, then charges at the console—

Bang!

A falling spotlight narrowly misses Mio's head. By the time she turns her gaze back to the control console, there is no longer anyone there.

While Mio is occupied with the console, Kichisei, Momoka and Sarasa begin running towards the side stage exit.

She locked the door! Let's try another—

Click, click, click.

They hear the sounds of locks being engaged...

The lights above their head turn back on.

Mio slowly walks towards the gathered trio.

The lights are no longer under your control. Resistance is futile.

You think so?

Sarasa closes her eyes and raises her lamp-shaped staff.

Mio's pace quickens.

Suddenly, the tip of the staff emits a blinding light, and the spotlights above the stage turn off again.

Not just the spotlights. All the light that remains on the stage is trapped in the liquid bouncing at the tip of the staff—

Lights out, ice queen!

—and even the last glimmer of light is utterly consumed.

Sarasa?!

Let... me sleep... I'm... so tired...

(Whisper) Wh-What do we do? I can hear Mio-san's footsteps! She's coming!

(Whisper) Let's try the other side of the stage. Maybe the door there's still unlocked...

(Whisper) No, it's too far. She'll find us!

(Whisper) This is where we fell, isn't it? Can we go back the way we came?

(Whisper) The vents—

Kichisei puts Sarasa on her back and was about to move, when they hear Mio's voice coming from center stage.

Don't bother. I can hear you.

What do we do?!

It's all or nothing. I'll deal with her—

Suddenly, she hears the sound of knocking behind her.

Is it locked? I guess we'll have to do this the hard way.

Get out of the way!

A massive crash, and the locked door swings open, bringing in light from beyond.

The next instant, as though answering the call of the light coming in from the door, bright orbs of light float up from Sarasa's staff and go back to where they came from—

...Sarasa?

I thought I would get to sleep for a little longer...

There'll be no light here as long as I'm still asleep...

Sarasa yawns, and the spotlights above flicker.

Mio does not move from her position, so Sarasa begins walking towards the console.

Momoka follows hesitantly, but Mio remains in place.

Aren't you going to stop them?

No. Your blade is drawn.

My duty is not to deal with them.

I doubt your minions have what it takes to beat Kichisei and Sarasa.

In that case, there's nothing I can do.

What about Mifune?

I don't care.

You...

Our battle has nothing to do with him.

The last TV station's back online, Detective Koretou!

I hear you.

The guys assigned to the fireworks show want to know what to do. The citizens are still uneasy after that scare.

Any risk of a stampede or other serious accident?

Minimal. The situation's very much within expected parameters.

Then the show will go on. Mifune likes excitement. We'll give him excitement.

We're getting calls from citizens asking what happened. What do you think...?

What do you think I think? Tell them we're investigating.

Kinseki Station is, of course, responsible for the erroneous announcement of a Northern Court invasion, and we're taking this very seriously—

Detective Koretou, you have a visitor!

Who? Kouhei Mifune?

Detective Koretou.

If it wasn't Mifune, I thought it would have been his Diet friend paying a personal visit.

Making insinuations will do no favors for your career. Besides, you overestimate your own importance.

Should I take that as an admission?

I've come to warn you.

The police must bear responsibility for the chaos that occurred on Nita Street tonight. We do not wish to see the chaos spread any further.

Bear responsibility, eh? Oh dear, I think I just peed my pants.

Watch your attitude. You still have a chance to settle this matter peacefully.

Do I? Pray enlighten me.

Cancel all events scheduled for tonight. Focus your forces on restoring order at Kinseki Station, and begin a search for those responsible.

Such as? The number one suspect is, I'm sure, Kouhei Mifune, considering that it was his station that broadcast that—

Your men are not allowed to touch him—

Have a nice day.

If you refuse to obey orders, you may go once you have signed this resignation.

Feel free to discuss any concerns with your supervisor.

Wow, I still have a chance to turn back?

It's too late for that.

Like you said, it's too late for that—

The detective reaches out with his foot...

You—

...He trips the visitor, takes the piece of paper with the name of the detective's supervisor on it, and tears it to pieces.

Oh my, I didn't expect you to fall like that. I thought our diet friend would have a tougher secretary.

How... how dare you?!

Go tell your boss that the police are here to protect his bloody life, not his bloody money.

If he really thinks someone's after his life, he can come personally to the station and file a report, and we'll take it into consideration.

Now, get lost.

White sword, black gloves, white hand, black sword, white tantou, black ethereal hand—

It is a dizzying exchange of black and white. Contrary to the impression she gives, the Liberi's swordplay is overwhelmingly aggressive, with only attacks, feints and more attacks, with not the slightest attention paid to defense.

The moves of the one-horned Oni, on the other hand, are almost staggeringly basic. Dodge, parry, backstep, sidestep.

Twelve.

You just blocked twelve attacks in quick succession.

Why don't you fight back? Are you still afraid of your sword?

If I was, it wouldn't have left its sheath to begin with.

You, on the other hand, look all polite and cultured, but your moves are pure aggression and ferocity. That's not Kinbee's style.

My sword has nothing to do with him.

Then why do you give your life for him?

Since when have I given my life for him?

Stop fooling yourself.

Hoshiguma takes a deliberate look around.

Kichisei is sending explosions everywhere with her grenades, while the stage equipment has turned into a giant monster under Sarasa's control.

With Momoka doing an impressive job of not getting caught, the trio is more than holding their own.

There is only one last thing to do in their battle plan...

The only thing I'm trying to protect is the Kinsekikai.

And Kinbee has to lead it?

The Kinsekikai needs to be a place where the dregs of society can survive, those who have nowhere else to go.

And Tessai couldn't give you that?

No.

You can keep parrying—

But you'll eventually show an opening.

Finally, you're attacking.

All I got was the edge of your clothes.

There is blue fire burning around you. Is that your Arts?

Blue fire?

You're right. I didn't notice.

Back to the question. What is it that Tessai couldn't give you, but Kinbee can?

Tessai could not even protect himself—

Hoshiguma thrusts. The attack is simple, but the flames upon the sword force Mio to leap backwards.

That's not what I wanted to hear.

Your flames are burning even fiercer.

Tell me. Why couldn't Tessai give you what you wanted?

Because Tessai couldn't protect himself. Mitsukue didn't need him, nor did it need a Mio working under Tessai.

You?

A silent, ragged orphan who only fights tooth and nail when someone steps on her is a subject of scorn.

An equally silent, well-dressed assistant who only draws her sword when the company's interests are compromised is the subject of admiration.

I thought you came from some noble martial family fallen on hard times.

Hah.

Tessai wanted to give dregs of society like us a home, and so he's dead.

Mifune knows we don't deserve a home, and so he lives on.

Is that how Mitsukue judges the Kinsekikai?

Always has.

Hoshiguma is almost completely engulfed in the azure flame.

The Liberi wonders if the flame will consume the Oni before it consumes her.

You are angry.

Were you angry like this too, twenty years ago?

Does that matter?

Mifune-san wants you to lose your reason, as you did twenty years ago. He believes it will turn you into a crazed beast, one that everyone will be eager to put down.

You know this is what he wants, and so you suppress yourself, which is why you didn't draw your sword the last time.

...Hmph.

Are you inviting me to give in to anger? Complete the mission your master assigned?

It's not what I want, but I would have no issue with it. It would be a shame, that's all.

Why?

A perfect opponent, who could never stand before me in perfect condition, forced to either suppress herself, or lose control entirely.

But that's all.

Take this.

Mio once again prepares to attack.

Three hands, three swords, a posture seemingly without form or order, but ready to pounce on any weakness—

Catch!

Who's there?!

This is crazy heavy!

You know how hard it was to get it out of Kinbee's room, even with all that chaos at the TV station?

...Catch!

Moriuchi swings his entire body to throw Hannya in the direction of the standoff.

Mio's ethereal hand is the first to catch Hannya's handle, but Hoshiguma leaps and spins one hundred and eighty degrees like she is dancing, forcing the ethereal hand to loosen its grip, allowing her to take Hannya's handle.

Suppress, or lose control?

It won't happen. With or without Hannya.

Hoshiguma tightens her grip around the ribbon on her sword.

Hannya's an old friend, after all. Maybe you had a chance just now... but not any longer.

Rage.

The rage that seemed compressed around Hoshiguma now spreads outwards, burning on her arms, her shield, and her sword.

Hoshiguma takes a step forward, and the flames of rage almost catch the hem of Mio's clothing.

Good.

It's good enough for me to know that you won't lose control.

Hoshiguma faces off against black and white, hands human and not, swords long and short.

The Liberi shows no fear. The edges of her mouth angle ever so slightly upwards.

Any last words?

Be kind to the Kinsekikai.

Be kind to Momoka.

My conscience is clear on all other matters... except her.

I'll remember.

What about Kinbee? Any last words about him you want to say?

Him? Is there any need to talk about him, here and now?

Hah. Good point.

Hoshiguma shifts her posture to one that makes it easy to unleash her power. The blue flames continue to burn intermittently around her.

The face of Hannya glares with wide-open eyes on the face of the shield. The edge of the sword seems ready to seep blue blood—

Hah!

Is this... Hannya?

Yes, this is Hannya.

Your swords are worthy of you. They took the full brunt of Hannya and survived.

You can pick them up, then we'll continue.

There's no need.

You've made your strength clear. There's no point in trying to fight you anymore.

I must prepare.

For what?

For the aftermath.

For a Kinsekikai without Mifune-san.

How's things on Momoka's side, Moriuchi? Are they ready?

Just waiting for you to finish fighting. Sarasa?

Aye aye, sir! Momoka?

Momoka stands in the middle of the stage with the spotlight on her.

Kichisei has done her best to clear a space, though there are still a few yakuza lying on the ground near her.

I... I'm ready to begin!

Alright then...

Kinseki Station's biggest program of the night begins now!