This land situated in a cold region in the northenmost part of Japan, formerly known as the country of Ezo, still has much primitive wildlife due to the fact that it's complex geography and harsh natural environment are not suitable for living in.
All living things in the Ezo region participate in a merciless battle of life and death every day.
Cold cold cold cold!
I'll die I'll die I'm gonna die!
And it was in a region which even in Ezo is known to have especially harsh snowstorms and is designated a first class disaster region, the region of absolute freezing - Odoriyama,
which Strategian Togame and 7th head of Kyotouryuu Yasuri Shichika are climbing for their dear lives.
Dammit, piling up on my head's like this!
Annoying snow!
Ouch!
That hurts!
It's your own fault for not dodging!
Well you say that...
But this really is amazing.
This is "Ezo snow" huh?
The snow is quite something, but what's really amazing is the wind.
Because the wind is so strong, snow only ever builds up to knee height.
It's like a constant avalanche.
Don't describe it like that, you'll make me feel cold to the heart.
But we aren't even half way up the mountain yet!
I can't even imagine what it's going to be like at the peak.
And they live up there, right?
This Itezora clan, was it?
Just what kind of folk are they, Togame?
P-Probably folk who look like snowmen.
No, they could be covered in thick fur and look like the abominable snowman.
Well, no doubt they must be resistant to the cold, anyway.
"No doubt"?
Don't you know, Togame?
{Sign: Soutou Kanazuchi - Hammer, The Pair}
Nope.
Don't know a thing.
While we're on the topic, I haven't heard a single rumour about Soutou Kanazuchi, either.
Soutou is written "pair  of swords", so it could be a set of two swords.
The Itezora clan's ancestors were apparently the giants of Izumo.
What useful information - wait a  minute, Togame!
How  are you going to make plans with such little  information?
Does "Strategian" mean "someone who doesn't make plans"?
?
Moron!
I would never make a plan!
What I make are schemes!
By schemes, do you mean "guessing as you go along"?
Wh-What!
Why you!
Ch-Cherirurero!
You get your tongue in a twist when it's cold, I see.
If you've got the time to waste talking, hurry up and climb!
If you don't hurry up, I'll turn into a snowman!
But even so...
That woman really is impossible to read, going straight from Satsuma to Ezo.
She should have heard about my return to power by now.
Is this meant to be a show of confidence?
What do you think, Emon Zaemon?
I really couldn't say.
Boring!
What a boring man you are.
Have you forgotten who went to the effort of putting a mask over that face of yours, darker than darkness itself, and even wrote "unsneaking" on it?
{Norg: I have a feeling that last EP I suggested it was Mitomezu...
(misread the kanji .
_.
) it’s Shinobazu}
My princess, that would be your-
Shut up!
I'm not asking for an answer.
I don't need an answer!
I deny it.
I deny the day I employed you!
If they're in Ezo, they'll be heading towards the frozen land designated as a first class disaster region, Odoriyama.
That's where the Soutou Kanazuchi which they seek is held by the Itezora clan.
I thought as much.
But even so, does that woman think it will be easy?
By which you mean?
Do you know why Odoriyama was designated a disaster region?
Is it not because it's known for Japan's worst snowstorms?
I expect that unpleasant woman thinks the same.
The disaster designation was given to the area because of the owners of Soutou Kanazuchi, the Itezora clan, who have lived in Odoriyama since the distant past.
It seems things will get interesting.
She should just keep flirting with that Kyotouryuu till she realises what the real situation is.
S-Shichika...
If I die...
Huh?
If I die, please make "cheerio" a catchphrase throughout Japan to mean a shout to fire oneself up.
What!
What are you saying!
Pull yourself together, Togame!
I can't take it anymore...
H-Hey!
It seems this is it for me...
So please Shichika, "cheerio" is the one thing I care...
.
You're speaking nonsense!
It's impossible to make "cheerio" a catchphrase with the wrong meaning!
I can't do that by myself.
You can do that...
You are the sword I've chosen.
That's impossible!
I can't do anything without you!
What are you saying?
I've taught you all I could.
You don't need my schemes anymore.
What!
You still have things to do!
Through this journey with you, I realized for the first time...
What I did so far is worth nothing in fact.
Eh?
Real happiness is becoming a mother and going living life with someone.
Up to now, I haven't noticed even such a thing.
Togame, isn't it too early for you to realize that...
For 20 years, I've trodden this path.
It's only been a half year since we met, but you taught me how a human being should live  life.
No, I haven't done anything to change your view of life yet.
Huh?
My body seems strange somehow...
What are you doing!
Shichika?
Shichirin?
Hey Shichika!
Shichika!
I thought you'd died!
What's wrong?
My limbs won't move like I want them to.
Wha- you've got frostbite!
Fool!
If it's cold, why don't you say so!
I didn't think you were putting on a strong face!
N- no, I'm not cold, but I'm kind of losing control of my body.
You idiot!
Just how dull are you?
So this is the sensation "cold"...
Don't do that!
Don't go to sleep!
If you sleep, you'll die!
Shichika!
Open your eyes!
Open them-
Wake up!
Open your eyes, please!
Shichika.
What do I do...
What should I do...
Um...
{Konayuki makes her appearance!
<3}Are you okay?
Here we go!
It was just at that time when Strategian Togame and Shichika was saved by Itezora Konayuki that the 12 heads of the specialist assassins - the Maniwa corps were gathered in the Maniwa villiage.
Though, having said “12 heads”, there are really only 6.
"Phoenix God" Maniwa Houou,
"Long Lived Sea Turtle" Maniwa Umigame,
"Mandarin Duck the Rewind" Maniwa Oshidori,
"Otter the Investigator" Maniwa Kawauso,
"Penguin of Reproduction" Maniwa Pengin,
and the formless "Infectious Rabid Dog" Maniwa Kyouken.
That's right, the Maniwa Corps have been halved in number this past half year.
The effective leader of the Maniwa Corps, Maniwa Houou, was reporting to the other 5 heads how in this crisis he had gone to Satsuma and formed an alliance with the strategian Togame.
Therefore we must all move together, as a unit from here on.
It can't be helped, if it's true the Insect squad has been exterminated.
I know you were on close terms with the Insect squad's Chouchou.
In which case, I expect this alliance is against your wishes.
No, Chouchou and I merely serve the Maniwa Corps.
I wouldn't consider going out for revenge.
Agreed.
If we're talking revenge, I have a burning desire to take revenge for that Koumori idiot.
He was my friend.
But bearing this pain is what a shinobi should do.
If we can achieve our goal in the end, that should make up for their losses a little.
To do that, we need to start collecting swords as quickly as possible.
Right.
And while avoiding conflict with Togame-chan, right?
The 3 swords I told the strategian about were at Shireizan, Tendou and Edo, but for some reason they headed for Ezo.
Um, i-isn't Ezo where S-S-Soutou Kanazuchi is?
Your ability to gather information is as impressive as ever.
Now we no longer have Koumori, it isn't an exaggeration to say that the success of our plan to collect the swords is resting on you.
So we should search for the other swords than those 4.
That's correct.
Um...
Um um um um!
What's up, Pengin?
Continuing from our earlier conversation, or rather, on the topic of the swords' whereabouts...
Shireizan...
.
Shireizan?
There's n-no longer a sword in Shireizan.
Or rather, Shireizan itself...
I-I don't know wh-who it was, but someone drove Shireizan to destruction in only half an hour, taking the s-sword.
What an occurrence...
If such a monster exists, I think you'll have to make a move for us, Kyouken.
Kyouken?
Kawauso, how long was Kyouken here?
Give me a break.
If she moves seriously then even I, another member of Beast squad, can't follow her movements.
Though I had a feeling Kyouken was still around when you were talking about that Ezo stuff.
This is bad.
It means she's gone after the strategian.
That Kyouken is especially emotional, after all.
I doubt we’ll be able to stop her.
Agreed.
If kyouken is making a move...
The alliance will fall apart within the first month of formation...
Now it's come to this, there's no helping it...
We're going, Kawauso.
As you wish.
{choco: This original Japanese sentence means That's just what I want to do.
}
Strategian-chan, Kyotouryu-kun...
You are the first people to make me this angry!
I'll never forgive you!
I'll avenge my friends!
Listen!
You’d better not freeze to death until I get to Mt.
Odori!
You're a quite powerful girl.
You carried Togame and me on your shoulders in this blizzard with that little body, didn't you?
Otherwise I couldn't live in such a mountain.
You yourself are someone.
You climbed up to the halfway point of this mountain with a person on your back.
You have a lot of guts as an land dweller.
A land dweller?
Say Onee-chan and Onii-chan, may I have your name?
Huh?
Oh, I'm sorry.
Army general director in support of critical tasks under direct control of Yanari Shogun of the Owari Shogunate, Togame the StrategianI’m the 7th generation Kyotouryuu head, Yasuri Shichika.
Togame Onee-chan and Shichika Onii-chan?
I’m Itezora Konayuki, 11 years old.
Nice to meet you!
Itezora...
I see.
Meeting you here must be a fate.
We came here all the way because we have an errand to do with your clan.
Really, I'm surprised!
I'm sorry to ask this right after being saved, but could you guide us to the Itezora clan's village in the morning?
Um, well...
This is very hard to say, but the Itezora village was wiped out in an avalanche just last month.
Wiped out?
Yes.
I'm the only survivor.
So, what do we do about our sword gathering?
Sword gathering?
What's that?
Could it be that we have a sword which Togame Onee-chan and Shichika Onii-chan are looking for?
Yeah...
Your clan has Soutou Kanazuchi, one of the 12 Perfected Deviant Blades which Shikizaki Kiki created.
Have you heard of it?
Oh, Kanazuchi!
You know about it?
Not at all.
Sorry, as you can see, I’m a child.
I don't get told about important matters or clan secrets.
Then, was there anyone in the clan who used a sword?
Well we don't really use blades, whether we're hunting, cooking or building.
Oh!
Now I think about it, the Mayors eldest son...
What's up?
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
More importantly, what was that about the mayor's eldest son?
I heard he uses a sword when hunting.
But I haven't seen it, and I don't know if it's Kanazuchi...
What do you think, Shichika?
Dunno.
If you have your hopes on my 6th sense, you're out of luck.
{Norg: He's saying 共感覚 which means synesthesia (sensing smell from sound etc) but I doubt he actually means that...
so I've gone with 6th sense in the TL}
It's such a faint sensation that it could be my imagination.
Then our only hope is to dig up the area the mayors house stood.
But the village was buried in an avalanche, right?
Have you any idea where it would have been?
Oh, yeah.
In that case, shall I just go get it?
"just go" ?
I lived in the village for 10 years, so I have a good idea where it will be.
But it's a ferocious snowstorm outside.
For us, the amount of snow falling makes no difference.
The snow is part of us.
Oh, I said "us", but I'm the only one left now.
I'll just go retrieve it.
Please wait here.
She said she'd go retrieve it...
so will she give it to us if it's Kanazuchi?
I don't know.
It's not clear what meaning Kanazuchi had to the Itezora clan, but it doesn't seem that girl has any attachment to it.
Which means we may be able to collect this sword with only negotiations, and no battle.
...
Is Konayuki kind to us because she feels lonely to have lost everything, I wonder.
What.
I thought it was strange for you to consider someone else’s pain as the emotion 'lonely'
Is that meant to be a complement?
Yes...
but I'm concerned at the same time.
Concerned?
Over what?
Can you fight?
Yeah, my legs and arms are fine now.
I'm not asking that...
I was asking if you could fight Konayuki.
It should be easy against a child.
I see...
That's fine, then.
But to think the village got destroyed by an avalanche, despite them having lived here for hundreds of years...
I guess these things do happen sometimes.
{choco: It's surprising that these things do happen sometimes.
}
The Itezora clan's village is on the mountain peak, right?
Now you mention it, that does seem unnatural.
Shichika, there's something that's been bugging me since we were in Satsuma.
What is it?
How did you know about that "chest" expression?
I'd just heard it from my father.
You were saying it so boldly that I thought maybe my memory was wrong...
I see...
there isn't anything else you know but aren't telling me, is there?
Erm, there are some.
There are?
!
Honestly...
Come on, tell me them all while we're on the topic!
U-understood.
Let's see...
I killed the previous head of Kyotouryuu Yasuri Mutsue, my dad, with my own hands.
I also know that you are the daughter of the influential mastermind behind the rebellion, Hida Takahito.
Who told you about my father?
That ninja I fought on Fushou Island, Maniwa Koumori.
Of course.
I had the most dealings with him of any of the Maniwa corps members after all.
The problem is, who else has Koumori told besides you.
I think I'm the only one he told.
He seems to be saying it to buy some time after I cornered him.
And I expect he intended to kill me afterwords, so I don't think he intended to leak the secret.
Now I think about it, he was competing with the other 12 heads to collect the swords.
I guess he withheld information from them to gain an advantage.
Just like that shinobi to be so impudently treacherous.
Huh?
Wh-what.
Which means, you chose to be my sword after learning about my father?
Yeah, what about it?
While knowing that...
No, because of who I was, you fell for...
Togame?
No no no no no no no!
'hat're you doing?
Sorry, I was covering up my embarrassment.
That just now was?
There are no doubts if that's the case.
This doesn't change the situation.
No, it may even have improved.
Shichika...
allow me to restate my orders.
These two facts must never be spoken to anyone besides myself.
Understood.
Hey, Togame.
Assuming we collect Kanazuchi okay.
We're not assuming anything.
We're getting it.
Yeah, that's right.
We collect Kanazuchi.
Then collect the remaining 6 blades and, as planned, gather all 12.
Yes.
After that, just what do you plan to do?
As your sword, I intend to accompany you in all facilities of your life and stay by your side wherever you go.
But what about you?
Once we finish gathering swords, what do you intend to do with me - your sword?
I don't think there's been a day you've surprised me more than today.
Really?
Do you mean to ask how I intend to treat you, the Kyotouryuu sword?
The treatment of yourself, someone who should be the subject of my revenge?
Now then, what should I say.
Oh, I'm not playing innocent.
I'm just thinking...
We're still mid journey...
For now, we need to collect all of Shikizaki Kiki's deviant blades first, right?
I don't know if it's okay to call it a reason, but that's why I don't want to decide an answer to your question yet.
Sorry.
...
Shichika?
You're sleeping!
Honestly...
Come to think of it, today is the first time you've slept before me.
Night, Shichika.
Sorry to keep you waiting!
Togame Onee-chan, Shichika Onii-chan.
This is the sword the mayors eldest son had.
This is...
?
That's not a very promising reaction.
Isn't this the sword you were looking for, Togame Onee-chan?
Unfortunately...
That's strange.
According to the writeup which was with it, this is Kanazuchi.
What?
Can you show me that a minute?
Okay.
This is it.
This is Kanazuchi.
Hey!
I see.
Kanazuchi is the heaviest sword ever created.
And the Itezora clan are...
the strongest clan ever.
The thing won't even budge for you, who pride yourself on strength.
No wonder you're so immensely strong.
Oh no, I'm not strong.
In the test of strength event, I was always last place.
Of course, I couldn't compare to the adults.
But I was the most weak among my peers too.
W-weak...
?
Oh yeah, I forgot to say, but according to the writeup the sword shouldn't be given away easily.
What?
If any land dweller says they really want it, they have to prove they have the qualifications to take it using Kanazuchi.
Are you ready, Shichika Onii-chan?
Yeah, but it's cold.
Let's start this already, right Togame?
Yes.
Start the fight!
Here I go!
So that's where you were, Shichika Onii-chan!
This is kind of hard.
Oops, I'm not meant to be cutting her.
Hold back, huh.
I have to win without injuring the opponent...
If not, we can't get her to carry Kanazuchi to Owari.
Kyotouryuu "Rose"!
Kyotouryuu "Rose"I'm over here!
Now for it!
Kyotouryuu "Violet"!
Kyotouryuu "Violet"
H-how's that?
Kona.
.
yuki...
He he he.
It's fun, isn't it?
Shichika Onii-chan.
I-is it?
I'll stop thinking about the details and try to finish this quickly with a technique.
What do I do?
The only way I can counter Konayuki's strength is through speed, Kyoukasuigetsu is my only choice.
Shichika Onii-chan!
It's my turn.
Wha!
Konayuki can even manipulate the path the sword takes?
!
S-stop it!
And so the first defeat was marked in Yasuri Shichika's journey collecting swords.
So that's Odoriyama, nothing special.
Now then, how should I serve Strategian-chan and Kyotouryuu-kun.
Everyone is looking forward to that.
I'll send them into limbo in a way that suits them best.
By the way, Houou...
.
I'm disgusted with myself as a commander of Beast squad, but I still don't know about Kyouken's ninjya arts well.
You and Kyouken have dealings with each other as ninja peers for a long time, don't you?
This is a good opportunity to know, so tell me.
That's not accurate.
In terms of a long time, she is alone and is in a league by herself.
"Infectious Rabid Dog"...
To give it a name, she’s a resident consciousness.
resident consciousness?
In fact, the individual called Maniwa Kyouken died a long time ago.
Eh!
Aha, I see.
She can move herself from a body to body freely.
That's a quite convenient ninja art.
Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be done freely.
I've heard that only women can be a target to be possessed.
Uh-huh.
I didn't know that either.
She has many secrets.
The horror of Ninja Art Kyouken will be beyond all description if the Kanazuchi's owner is a woman.
According to pengin-kun's information, all members of the clan are incredibly powerful.
Whatever the case, we must at least prevent the worst result to lose Kyouken and tear up the alliance with the Strategian.
Indeed.
So Kawauso...
You must die in case.
Gotcha.
I've gone through many things as a ninja, but have never died yet.
Now that I think about that, I'm looking forward to it　surprisingly.
Koumori may be feeling lonely up there, too...
.
Let's hurry.
Okay.
○蝦夷地・踊山（朝）猛吹雪。
Shichika Onii-chan, I'm really sorry!
That's enough.
Don't worry.
I never expected Shichika Onii-chan is such a weak person.
Ugh...
Are my handmade jerkies delicious?
Yeah.
The rabbit one is especially good.
Okay, rabbit!
Then, I'll hunt a lot of delicious rabbits for Shichika Onii-chan to get cured soon.
So have a good rest.
Oh, thank you.
I-I'm sorry.
Why, all of a sudden?
Well, I think the result this time is my mistake.
Surely, you aren't bearing a grudge about what I said?
Like, "A broken sword is useless.
" or "How disgraceful is it that even though you are my sword, you lost!
" or "Go back to your home island.
"
Or, are you angry about my violence?
I'm not angry nor bearing a grudge.
It's true that I lost.
Even though I knew she was immensely strong, I think I was underestimating her somewhat.
Well, I don't know if I could have beaten her even if I was on guard.
You rate her awfully highly, even though she looks like an amateur.
To be frank, that kind of opponent is the hardest to deal with.
Those who blow away sense and logic, and are simply strong.
I see.
You saved me with that swift decision.
If the battle continued like that, I could have been killed.
You would thank me, huh.
I broke the promise, huh.
"Protect the swords, protect Togame and protect myself"
I wasn't able to protect myself.
Don't be too hard on yourself.
I already blamed you enough.
No, too much.
Sorry.
Getting an injury like a fractured arm which will heal in a little over half a month doesn't count as breaking your promise.
And this was my miscalculation.
I don't intend to count it as a disloyalty.
Well, thanks.
So, what do we do?
I still can't kill Konayuki, can I?
I guess we'll be having a rematch once my left arm heals, though.
About that, Shichika.
You probably won't have to fight Konayuki any more.
What do you mean?
As I see it, that stuff about qualifications was her telling a lie.
A lie?
Why would she tell such a lie?
She's lonely, that girl.
If she hands over Kanazuchi we'll go away again, leaving her alone.
She only just lost her family to an avalanche.
Even if she's acting cheerful, she must be yearning for company right now.
So...
she told that lie to hold us back?
Quite a cute lie.
Hey, look.
This is what I hunted.
I can hunt all by myself now.
...
I know I shouldn't lie...
But I wanted to play...
Only a little longer, OK?
After that, I'll apologize for lying.
Everyone!
I'm so lonely no one is with me.
Konayuki, are you OK!
Y-yes.
I'm OK.
Maniwani!
Was she someone you know!
I just attacked subconsciously...
Didn't this woman tell her name?
If my memory is correct, she is one of the 12 Maniwa Ninja Corp's heads, Maniwa...
Maniwa Kyouken or something.
You are that Maniwa Kyouken.
You are a grand person, even among the 12 heads.
I didn't think you were a woman.
Being knocked out right after showing up reminds me of Maniwa Shirasagi.
Shi- Shirasagi, Koumori, Kuisame, Chouchou, Mitsubachi, Kamakiri...
You certainly killed my companions in a flashy manner, Strategian-chan.
Thanks to you, the Maniwa corps is a total mess!
So what.
I've protected my companions at the Maniwa villiage as the observer.
Don't take me lightly!
I'll get revenge for them!
I'll send you off  to the other side with these very hands!
It's all well and good to be lively, but you don't look in any condition to be killing me.
You'll just get yourself killed.
Really, what a poor fated woman.
Don't feel too depressed, I lost to that girl too.
Really, that's good to hear.
I was feeling uncertain, you know.
About whether I could defeat you with this body.
This body with only the merit of speed.
Maniwa ninja art, activate Rabid Dog!
Ｔ『真庭忍法狂犬発動』
Maniwa Ninja Art - Rabid Dog Activation
Wha!
What's that?
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Strategian-chan and Kyotouryuu-chan.
I'm one of the 12 Maniwa corps head's, Maniwa Kyouken-chan!
Amazing!
Simply amazing!
Power flows through my body!
This is more amazing than any other body I've taken control of before.
It's perfect!
The Itezora clan, was it?
It's such a shame I never knew about them before!
I see, so this is how she's lived for so long...
What is this, Togame?
Basically, she can jump between bodies...
She's a resident consciousness.
A resident consciousness!
Do you know what that means?
No, not a clue.
{sign: Cheerio!
}
Cheerio!
Togame, I just want to check, but I can kill that now, can't I?
Shichika...
can you kill her?
It's true that with this left arm isn't going to be difficult.
She's an opponent who I'm not sure I can beat even in good condition.
It's kind of the same thing.
Understood.
Shchika, it's not “okay to kill her”.
Kill her.
Cut her down.
I know, if I go to the Itezora village and switch to an adult woman, her body might be even more amazing.
Oh?
The Itezora clan got wiped out?
She can even take over memories!
What...
what the...
what's this memory?
What on Earth happened?
What has caused this devastation?
The village, the Itezora clan was extinguished!
Meh, whatever.
Later on, I'll see soon after I ask Kawauso or Pengin to check.
Hey.
Stop talking gibberish.
You came here to kill me, didn't you?
I'll play host with you, Maniwa Kyouken.
That's correct, Kyotouryuu.
Shirasagi, Koumori, Kuisame, Chouchou, Mitsubachi, Kamakiri.
I'll be sending your adversaries over to where you are soon, so make sure to share them out before eating their flesh!
These movements...
maybe...
I'll tell you something good, Kyotouryuu-kun.
I don't just take over memories.
I inherit them.
{I guess having the knowledge of the current body VS having the knowledge of every body she's ever taken over.
}
I've taken over more than a couple of thousand bodies in my lifetime.
Most of them were female ninja, highly skilled in martial arts.
I don't know how many years experience you have, but I have several thousand times more.
All I've got is 20 years of training, and I haven't even done real battle 20 times.
Wait, if this how it is, I should try that.
What:s that, an escape move?
How pathetic, you call yourself a swordsman?
Well, there's something which I wanted to confirm.
What?
Confirm?
Why don't you go confirm your corpse!
Damned blockhead!
This is it.
Kyotouryuu "Plum"!
Kyotouryuu "Plum"
It succeeded!
What was that, Shichika?
I don't know why, but since she took Konayuki over, I've been able to see her movements clearly.
I get it, you couldn't read Konayuki's movements because she was a complete amateur, but Kyouken is a mature assasin shinobi...
On top of that she has the experience of thousands.
There's no way you couldn't read her movements!
Shichika, This is an order.
If the woman takes over my body, kill me without hesitation.
And as brutally as you can.
Got it.
Don't think a hostage is a workable strategy against my sword.
For your information, the strength of my body is similar to shouji paper.
I'm confident about dying by only falling over.
I'm confident about losing to a rabbit's attack.
If you still want to take over my body, do that all you want.
However, by that point you'll be torn into pieces.
I'm one of the 12 Maniwa Ninja Corp's heads, Maniwa Kyouken!
Now you pay your debt of revenge to my companions!
Eat this!
I see.
That's why that sword is called a pair of swords.
Because it’s vague which end is the base and which is the tip, it means you’re free to hold it either way.
Soutounoken!
{Note: sounds like 'two bladed sword, but is written 'two bladed dog'}
Soutounoken
Kyotouryuu "Hikarakuyou"!
Kyotouryuu "Hikarakuyou" {note: Airborne Flower, Falling Leaf}
The tattoo!
Maniwa Kyouken's tattoo is vanishing!
What is this, Shichika...
I thought that maybe if I only attacked the tattoo, I could defeat Kyouken without killing Konayuki.
It seems to have worked.
I’m relieved.
We have to get Konayuki to carry Kanazuchi to Owari, right?
Y-yeah.
That's right.
Well done, Shichika.
This is the first time Shichika has made the decision not to kill his opponent...
against my orders.
Kyotouryuu as a single Japanese sword.
But before that, he’s also a human.
I though I would wake up that human side in Shichika.
To make him form his resolve as a person, not as a sword.
Telling myself there would be insurmountable situations if I did not do so.
But now it’s come to this, was I right?
Perhaps over the past 2 months everything I’ve done has just blunted his blade.
Just because I couldn’t handle the sword.
{couldn’t handle him as a sword?
hmm}"Cheerio"
It seems we’re too late.
I'm one of the 12 Maniwa Ninja Corp's heads, Maniwa Houou.
Likewise, I'm one of the 12 Maniwa Ninja Corp's heads, Maniwa Kawauso.
You people have some guts to show your faces to me.
Don’t glare like that, Togame-chan.
We worked evil together as acquaintances, right!
Rubbish!
So we’re in the worst case scenario.
Agreed.
Which means strategian-dono has lost her trust in us.
I had no trust in you lot from the start!
Don’t jump to conclusions.
Kawauso and I came to stop Kyouken.
Kyouken’s actions were of her own decision, I don’t want you to think the Maniwa Corps agreed to it.
However, it wouldn’t be surprising if you wanted to break up the alliance.
The alliance is already over.
Don’t say that.
We were in the wrong this time, please allow us to take responcibility.
Responcibility?
Kawauso.
Right away.
Togame-chan, you know what my ninja arts do, right?
Maiwa Ninja Art - Record Tracer.
Record Tracer?
Kyouken was searching Konayuki’s memory, remember?
Kawauso can do the same thing with inanimate objects.
To put it shortly, it’s phychometry.
Sai-ko-me-tree...
{Norg: Ulrezaj, check how you want to put this}
Things have a spirit the same as people do, Kyotouryuu.
Well, it doesn’t mean I can read absolutely anything, and conversely to Kyouken I can’t read people’s memories.
Since I’m a bit shy.
Wha-  If you can do that...
So even you understand just how useful this man’s Ninja Art is in the sword gathering.
That’s quite the secret weapon they had hidden up their sleeves.
So, what do you mean by responsibility.
Hurry up and tell us.
Right.
Even if I offered to lend you Kawauso’s ability, you wouldn’t trust us.
So my only choice is to do this.
With this, the 12 heads of the Maniwa Corps including myself are down to 4.
With this, we couldn’t be said to be posing any real threat to you.
Could you overlook this minor violation of the alliance?
You...
and you call yourself a leader?
I told you before, that’s an overvaluation.
The Maniwa Corps need no leader.
Shinobi merely live and die.
What will you do?
If you insist that we still pose a threat to you without Kawauso’s Phychometry, there’s no helping it.
I’ll have to fight you here.
I also have an urge to avenge my companions.
I’ll let it pass!
It isn’t a problem now.
So hurry up and get out of my sight.
Don’t show me that unpleasant grin of yours any longer.
I thank you for the generous treatment.
Oh yes.
About the information I have you the other day.
Apparently the owner of Shireizan’s sword changed just days ago.
The owner changed?
It means there’s someone besides yourselves and us gathering the swords.
It seems the new owner got on the boat from Roku to Shikoku.
Shikoku...
I reccomend you deal with it soon.
After all, whoever it is is the sort of monster that destroyed Shireizan within half an hour.
I'm sorry to have lied.
That's all right.
All things aside, please take care of Kanazuchi.
Only you can do that.
Sure, leave it to me!
I'll carry it to Owari.
Yup.
Keep it up.
And, with regard to Sanzu shrine where you are going to live, don't worry.
I've heard that your ancestors originally come from Izumo.
Fate meant for this to happen.
Yes!
Togame Onee-chan, Shichika Onii-chan.
Thanks for playing with me a lot!
I really had a good time.
The time has come.
We are going to Shikoku, Shichika.
We can see the giant statue of Sword Buddha which you wanted to see.
{check: need to match TL of 刀大仏 with what the narrator says later}
Yeah...
Huh?
What's up?
You look down.
What should I say, I have some regrets.
What!
A change of heart?
I didn't know you have a thing for very young girls!
You say you prefer such a young girl to me...
.
Nah, not a change of heart, but some regrets.
You know, we managed to defeat Kyouken, but ended up being defeated by Konayuki.
Winning against Kyouken adversely makes me have some regrets about Konayuki.
I explained this to you several times.
That was down to Konayuki being an amateur, she just happend to land that hit on you by a fluke.
There’s nothing to get upset over.
That wouldn’t normally even count as a loss.
Is that right.
No matter how many times I hear it, I don’t really understand.
You really haven’t had a change of heart have you?
Do you want to wrap my hair around yourself again?
A change of heart can’t happen.
I’m Togame’s sword after all.
Okay then, that’s fine.
Don’t make me worry...
Well, if you insist that you decide the outcome of the battle with Konayuki, do that after finishing the travel of the sword collection.
Okay.
Got it.
Togame.
Shichika’s human nature was growing up well in the middle of the travel of the sword collection.
Next month’s deciding battle will take place in the holy ground for swordsmen, Sayabashirizan - inside the Seiryouingoken temple where the Buddha of swords sits.
Shichika has experienced victory without killing the owner twice in sucession with Azekura Kanara and Itezora Konayuki.
Next time he will experience the killing of his own sister.
{NETABARE!
}
Will the sword, the heart or both be broken?
The story of Katanagatari on this month and this evening ends here.
To think that Shichika would experience regret over another woman!
I’ll wrap him up tight in my hair tonight, so he doesn’t forget me!
Now then, about the sword holder next episode...
To think it would be her standing in our path...
What’s she thinking, isn’t she a Yasuri woman?
Next time on Katanagatari - Akutou Bita
We’ll show you Shichika’s new ultimate move!
Well, I’m thinking it up now...
Cheerio!
{sign: Akutou Bita}