AT-5 Legacy of Ruin

Put me down, I can walk on my own.

Alright.

Wh-What happened?

My room, it's a complete mess... have Kinbee's guys been here already?

Careful, someone might be lying in ambush—

Ha...

...suke?

H-How could this happen...?

Who cut my Hasuke?

Cut?

Hasuke is a tree?

A sapling! It didn't grow much because I haven't taken good care of it.

Who did this? And why? Why? Why?!

Momoka, calm down—

Let me go! I'll get revenge for Hasuke!

Here, have some water.

It must have been Kinbee's people who did this to Hasuke, right?

Very likely.

But... why?

Did they cut Hasuke to vent their anger just because I wasn't home? How could they do this?

Judging from what I see in the trash can, Hasuke wasn't in very good shape—

Of course Hasuke's in bad shape! How could it be anything else, when all my time is occupied with work?

Huh?

Of course I wanted Hasuke to grow up healthy and keep changing its pots until it's too big for my room!

But I have to do overtime when the agency asks. I don't get home until 3 or 4 in the morning, and a lot of times I don't even remember when I last watered it.

But that's okay. I could take notes and measure the water.

But the people at the agency laugh at me when I say I want to take Hasuke with me on long trips!

I tried those blogger tips and put eyedrop vials in the soil, but it doesn't work. Hasuke's leaves are always yellow when I come back from a long trip, and it almost wilted a few times!

I had to work hard to save it every time. How could it grow when it's always on the brink of death?

It's very important to you. Is it...?

Is it... a gift from someone dear to you?

No, I picked it up from the roadside.

The roadside?

I came to Mitsukue with Hanamaru, a cloudbeast I had kept for a long time.

As my work got busier, I no longer had time to care for her, so I gave her away along with her climbing rack. I bought a similar one to remember her.

I knew I didn't have time to keep a pet, so I thought I would keep a plant.

And that was Hasuke?

No, my first one was Ran.

I tried my best to make time to take care of Ran, following the instructions in the manual to the letter, but after a few months...

A little seedling sprouted in Ran's pot. I asked the flower shop owner and he said it was a berry seedling, and suggested that I changed pots. That was Ichigo.

Then the windows of my room broke on a windy day, and by the time I got back home...

Ran, Ichigo, Matsumaru, Toge-dono... my plants always die in strange ways. Toge-dono died because of a flood upstairs!

I started suspecting that plants and I just weren't good together, but I couldn't keep a pet because I might have to go on a long trip at a moment's notice at any time.

But I would come home to an empty room, without even a single blade of grass I could talk to without putting on a mask... I couldn't take it anymore, which was why I got Tamasaburou.

This electronic pet? What happened to Tamasaburou?

When I talked to the repair shop owner, he said it left the factory with a defective motherboard.

......

I picked up Hasuke with its pot from a trash dump on my way back from the repair shop.

When I found Hasuke, I made up my mind... I would give up on keeping a plant if I couldn't keep it alive.

What is this?

My Mama and Papa.

You don't mean—

No, no, it's not that.

I grew up in Gokawa, near the southern border.

It was a small backwater nomadic city, in Kaneshiro territory. It was known for its plastics and chemical plants, and nothing else.

......

Waste from the factories had polluted the water supply. People didn't know they were drinking polluted water until a few years before I was born.

I managed to grow up pretty healthy, but my parents were not so lucky.

Papa died when I was very little, around five or six years old. I was brought up by my mother.

I don't remember much about Papa. As for Mama... she was never in good health. She complained about not being able to see clearly, feeling numb in her hands and feet, and was also prone to falling.

The Kaneshiro clan hushed things up, giving people with clear health problems a pittance, while finding all sort of excuses to deny relief to people who could still take care of themselves.

Mama's condition had really deteriorated by the time Kinbee's agency scouted me, partly by persuasion and partly by coercion. She passed away not long after my debut.

I wanted to attend her funeral, but the agency wouldn't let me, because I had become somewhat well-known by then, and they didn't want people to know that I came from Gokawa.

They gave me the surname name 'Hanyuu', which sounds northern, because the surname 'Shino' might clue people in on where I came from.

My relatives took care of the funeral, but the agency prohibited me from telling them the true reason why I couldn't go back.

They cut ties with me after sending Mama's spirit tablet and ashes to me.

The agency told me the best way to comfort my parents' souls was to become a star.

Like force-feeding a fowlbeast, they kept telling me to become the biggest star in Mitsukue, in Higashi, on Terra, that it was the meaning of my entire existence.

And so I kept walking down this path, forcing myself to believe that they were right, until a few days ago.

My performing career was the entirety of my life. Anything that could help my career, I had to do, no matter how unwilling I was. Anything that could hurt my career, I couldn't touch, no matter how attractive it was.

But... I'm tired. I would be, even without all those strange kaidan that keep me on edge every day.

It's not that I don't like my work, but... who can I talk to about things other than work?

So... this is what it's come to. Nothing I kept ever lived long, their memories forming a long row on my window sill...

Silly, isn't it? A girl who kills anything she tries to keep.

Momoka Hanyuu should go home alone, take off her makeup, shower, brush her teeth, and go straight to bed, then straight to work the next day when she wakes up...

Momoka Hanyuu should do exactly as her agency says and stop trying to have a life outside of her performing career.

But Hasuke lived for a long time, even though I never took good care of it. But now... now!

Momoka—

Sorry, what's your real name?

Haruka.

Mama and Papa gave me the name because they wanted me to go far away. Away from Gokawa, away from the dirty water that killed without taste or smell, to live in freedom.

I made it far away, alright. As for living in freedom...

......

Should I call you...?

No, don't. Call me Momoka. Momoka Hanyuu.

Sorry.

It's not that I don't like the name my parents gave me... how could I not like it?

But... I've come too far. I don't have a choice anymore.

Haruka Shino has no parents, no relatives, no friend who knows the name. A breeze... a breeze is all it takes to blow her away.

All I am is Momoka Hanyuu, the performer.

Even if the agency doesn't want me anymore, even if Kinbee wants me to get Oripathy, even if he's trying to silent me, Momoka Hanyuu is the only thing I am, and the only thing I can be.

Then... pack up, Momoka. We're leaving.

Kinbee's ninjas could come back at any time. We need to go to Kajimachi.

Yeah.

Say, can we go and see the fireworks tomorrow? I've been living in Mitsukue for so many years, but I've never had the chance... never had the time to go.

I used to tell Mio-san that I would go to the riverside and watch the fireworks if I ever lost my job. Now, it looks like...

Well...

Bring it on, bakayaro!

I'll pay you double what that gomikuzu Kinbee is paying to cut off that white tail of his! I wanted a belt to go with this outfit anyway—

Stop throwing this crap! What's in it? Kinbee's dirty photos or something? How much do you have to hate it to throw stuff like this?

Watch your tongue.

That's what I was waiting for!

A jam?! Are you kidding me?

Ouch!

My hand... I can't move it...

What do those famous people say in their death poems? 'In the fifty years of human life'? Well I haven't lived that long...

Shut it. I was just planning to take you to the oyabun, but it looks like Mitsukue would be a better place without you.

Ha, now ain't that an honor...

Shut up and accept your death, lest your spirit become a ghost that shall not know rest—

What's that?!

My blade! It was broken by a shogi piece?!

Careful, Tessai! They mean business!

Take this, old bastard!

Gugh...

Th-Thanks, Old Man... you saved my skin...

You want to sleep, do it in a bed. You still have to mind the parlor tomorrow.

Alright...

Footsteps! Are there more of them?

Hoshiguma... Momoka too! Are you alright?

Were you crying, Momoka?

I'm fine.

Kichisei, you...?

Would be dead if the Old Man didn't show up.

Uncle Tessai, Momoka's being hunted by Kinbee's people and has nowhere to go. I want to hide her in Kajimachi for a while...

No problem! Plenty of space in the Old Man's pachinko parlor—

What I mean is, she can stay upstairs in my shop!

Hmph, suit yourself.

Thanks, Old Man! I'll take her—

One moment. Do you really plan on parading her through the town as though that son of mine doesn't exist?

You mean... Tetsuya?

He's been snooping around. The girl can stay at my place until he leaves.

...He won't go there.

Well, let's go home—

Tetsuya?!

The Lucky Star ain't open today. What are you trying to do, barging in while I'm out?

Er, I...

I'm sorry! I was looking for the Northern Court spy, and I haven't searched your home yet, so...

I'm the only one here. Do I look like a spy to you?

......

Wait, how did you get hurt? Was it the Northern Court—

Why would a Northern Court spy attack me? Just got in a little fight, that's all. All I need is a good night's sleep.

Er, how about I bandage it up for you?

I almost forgot. You started studying medicine before working for Kinbee, and wanted to try your skills on anyone in town who had a bump or bruise. Must've read too many swordfight manga...

Fine, suit yourself. Let's see if your skills have improved.

Who did this to you? It almost went all the way through.

Would you believe me if I said it was Kinbee?

Don't talk bad about Mifune-san, Kichisei. He's doing it for the greater good.

Forget the greater good, I remember how YOU were crying about how you were gonna become a swordmaster and clear your mom's name.

What happened to that with the development of Kajimachi? Did the window displays in the luxury shops eat up all your time?

I left. I didn't have to live off compensation money like you all, and I didn't want you to think that I was working for him out of greed.

What kind of bloody baka are you?

I'm not kidding, it was Kinbee's men who did this to me! I would be dead if your pop didn't step in!

—What?

Ouch!

Sorry! But—no, why would Mifune-san want to kill you? It must be a misunderstanding!

Misunderstanding? I saw Hoshiguma once at the shrine, and then his men started tailing me. You tell me where the misunderstanding is!

I-I'll go and find him! I'll smooth things over, if he's really angry at you for some reason.

Are you his son?

......

You're beyond saving. Seriously, I want to introduce the muzzle of my gun to that dumbass mouth of yours.

Now get lost, before I actually do it. I'll wrap the rest of the wounds myself.

...What a loser.

So that's the truth behind the kaidan?

What about your family home? Shimasu, Sanoguchi... that bastard Kinbee killed all of them?

Strictly speaking, I only have proof for Sanoguchi.

Do they have evidence, then, Moriuchi, Momoka, and that so-called kami?

Do you have proof for the Diet candidate dying by your hand twenty years ago?

I...

I could never forget what happened that night.

You came back with blood all over you, standing at the door of this very manor, not saying a single word.

I thought you had failed to stop Kinbee, but you told me that the Diet was dead, and you killed him.

You accidentally killed Shuuji, whom you were close to, while trying to stop Kinbee. Then you went berserk and started killing indiscriminately...

The Diet candidate was dead by the time you came to your senses.

Who can prove that you did it? Only yourself, when you don't even remember what happened?

......

If you think that Mifune didn't kill Shimasu and the others, what makes you say that you killed the Diet candidate?

Well...

There was a succession crisis brewing, and you did, indeed, kill brothers of the clan—not one, but several.

You thought the people wouldn't accept someone who would kill her own brothers. Indeed, you couldn't accept it yourself.

The Diet candidate was dead, and my relationship with you was much better than with Kinbee. Placing the blame on you would prove that I was fair and unbiased, at least.

Kinbee was a valued administrator who was conducting the bulk of Kinsekikai's transformation. He put in honest work back then, and was more valuable than someone like you, who only contributed to fighting.

All of these were things that you said to me the next day, when your reason had fully returned. Your arguments were valid, for the greater good, and impossible to ignore at the time.

Did any of it have to do with who killed the Diet candidate, though?

I wanted a straight answer. Did you kill the Diet candidate by the name of Koretou? Yes or no?

You said... 'Yes'.

......

The rest was history... I pinned the blame on you, then smuggled you to Lungmen. To everyone else, you had gone missing, having likely committed suicide because you feared punishment for the murder.

But one lie must be covered up by another lie. If you had killed the Diet candidate, then Kinbee and his people must have gone to protect him... things snowballed from there.

Let me ask you again, Hoshiguma: Did you kill the candidate?

If the answer is yes, then there is nothing else to say. I did my best after you committed the deed, and it is my fault that the Kinsekikai has become what it is today.

If not...

...The only thing I hoped when I came back was that my sacrifice was not in vain, and that things had gotten better for the Kinsekikai.

But I was wrong.

So you didn't kill him?

No, I...

I don't know.

I remember nothing from when I accidentally killed Shuuji until I saw the candidate's lifeless body. All I know is that I had gone on a rampage.

Then why did you say 'Yes'?

......

Because of your father?!

Yes, your father had killed Tetsuya in his madness. But what do Setsuko and my mother's death have to do with him? Hadn't he been protecting them?

I told you, Tetsuya... not just him, but what happened to your father too, it was all the fault of those wandering Oni! None of this would happened, if not for them!

Besides, since when did I say that you needed to take responsibility for what your father did?

I'm not taking responsibility for him.

All I know is that... I was just like him at the time.

It was either me or Kinbee who killed the candidate. It wouldn't have been anyone else.

But it could have been me.

And if things had gone on, it would have been me, sooner or later.

Yes, I was angry at your father, but you've always been like a daughter to me!

Do you know who I was thinking of when I made that Oni face on Hannya? Do you know why I gave you the shield before you left?

It was for you that I made Hannya, so that you wouldn't repeat the mistakes of your father!

That fallen noble house where I bought the materials and craftsmanship once had a splendid collection of legendary weapons.

The stories say that they stole the secret arts of a temple, allowing them to craft weapons that were not only incredibly sharp, but also able to suppress the madness of the Oni.

I didn't know if it was real, but the craftsmanship certainly was, and I made the shield intending for it to be my final work.

But I felt hesitant at the ultimate step.

The handle?

The handle.

According to the laws of the secret art, the part connected to the palm must be polished by the wielder personally, until it fits comfortably in the bare hand.

It was like someone had poured cold water over me... the intention, clearly, was to make one learn self-discipline.

What discipline would it take to polish a piece of metal until it fits comfortably in the hand? There would be no need for any secret art!

So I never gave you the shield, which was why everyone who felt themselves up to it had designs on the clan's leadership.

That's why there were so many internal clashes at the time. High-ranking members looked for any opportunity to take each other out, but it was the rank-and-file who suffered the most, and even the honest folk of Kajimachi became caught in the struggle...

...That's how the events of that night came to be.

Karma, karma!

Right or wrong, things have come too far. There is no way to turn back the clock.

How has Lungmen been?

If life hasn't been kind, take your weapon, and we'll have Kinbee's head, if that's the last thing we do. We're descendants of warriors, and we'll have a warrior's death.

If life has been alright, then leave now, and never think about Kinbee or me again. What happened between your father and I is between the two of us. It's not your fault.

Stop going against your heart for the greater good. It's not your place to do so.

......

Lungmen...

...has been kind to me.

I'm glad to hear that.

But I'll go with you.

Why?

If this is indeed karma, then I want to clean up the loose ends before I go back to Lungmen.

Very well.

Give Hannya to me.

You've decided how to reforge it?

The reforged Hannya would already have been yours, if you haven't been running around with that Momoka girl.

What's this ribbon?

A gift from my friends in Lungmen. I've been using it.

Take this. It's a step forward that you've learned to make compromises. I wouldn't bet against you, if you faced Chi Xiao once again, wielding the reforged Hannya.

It's a good thing to reforge Hannya, but... there's someone I need to rescue. Kinbee's got Moriuchi.

The information broker who sells oden?

The reforging of Hannya can't wait.

The kaidan were fabricated by Kinbee. The only people who know this are you, me, Momoka... a certain kami, and Moriuchi. Kinbee would never let him walk.

It's partly my fault that he's in danger. I need to help him, fast.

I've got something for you, if you need a weapon.

What's in the box?

Your old outfit and sword. I've kept them in decent enough condition.

......

The one that you wielded that night. Take it.

Unless you mean to tell me that you've not changed one bit these twenty years.

Alright.

I see you haven't lost any of your guts.

I've been meaning to ask. What have you been doing in Lungmen?

Your clothes are a little too plain for a triad, but it doesn't seem like you've been leading a quiet life either. What's going on?

Oh, er, I joined the Lungmen police.

......

Come again?

I work for the L.G.D., the Lungmen police.

You—pfft, hahahahaha!

No wonder the room stinks of cop!

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 negotiations 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—

What's that sound?

H-Hoshiguma?!

Go!

But you...

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

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.

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?

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?

Hyaaah!

...Impressive power.

Why don't you draw your blade?

None of your business.

You're afraid.

Afraid? Me?

You're afraid that drawing your blade will cause something that you don't want to happen.

Qui'lon's death... I see.

What?

But what you fear will happen, whether you draw your blade or not, it will be your inevitable end. Assuming Mifune-san's predictions are accurate.

I don't really get it.

Despicable.

Me?

No, not you.

Me.

Huff... huff... huff...

*cough* *cough*

D-Did I shake them?

You got out on your own?

Who's there?!

Forgot me so soon?

K-Kami-sama?

Don't look at me like that. I'm not here to help you. I don't like the answer about the kaidan that I got at your yatai.

I kind of hate it.

I... I get that.

I had planned on cutting ties with you and the kaidan entirely, perhaps even leave Mitsukue and take a trip to the north.

But someone asked me to do something.

The kannushi? He asked you to find me?

Not him.

Who else could it be, then?

......

You don't mean—

It asked me to bring you a single message.

'Meet me on your usual rooftop.'

C-Could it be...?

I've delivered the message. It's time to go.

......

...Is this how you repay him, when he's searched for you for so many years?

You know what, it's none of my business.

Father... I think there's something behind the Kamidana.

Behave yourself, Tooru! This is a sacred shrine!

But it's really there...

Come, Tooru, it's our turn to pray.

Please, Kami-sama, keep our family safe, and may we repay our debts soon...

......

......

There... the debt should be settled, with some money left over even...

We're out of the woods!

Wh-What are you doing here? Are you bored of the shrine?

Kami-sama, arigatou!

Father's mood has gotten a lot better, and mother has had time to take me out.

......

Can I come and see you again?

......

—No, I'll definitely come and see you again!

Our shop just opened! It's really pretty. Do you want to come and see it?

I'm sorry, Kami-sama, I've been busy helping out at home and haven't had time to come see you... please, don't be angry and let me see you?

K-Kami-sama? Are you still there? Did you leave? Or... do you not want to see me anymore?

I-I'll treat it like you don't want to see me, but you're still listening to me, okay?

Some things have happened at home. Father may have to go back to manual labor.

Mother's been sewing clothes for other people. Her eyesight's declining.

But I'm sure none of that has anything to do with you. You gave so many blessings to our family. Surely you wouldn't take it all back...

Surely...

Kami-sama, Father...

Father is dead. Overdrinking. The blow was too great for him.

...Where are you?

Please, Kami-sama... where are you?

This haunted house...

It's empty... something's not right!

It's connected to the nomadic city's superstructure?

H-How am I suppose to search this place? This is far more than just one house or Kajimachi. The whole plate might be connected...

No, don't get discouraged. As long as I find that bastard—

Wh-What's this?!

It's... weapons?!

Katana, crossbows... grenade launchers...

Is that... the Hoashi emblem? That major Northern Court clan? Is this where they hid their weapons?

Th-The Northern Court weapons that Papa says aren't here? But they are—

You've gone too far, boy.

Who are you?

Oyabun wanted you to look for traces of Northern Court spies. It's enough that you found them. You've made a lot of work opening these up, one-by-one.

...Did you just take my picture?

This is big, after all. Best keep some evidence, to prevent disputes.

Let's go.

Where to?

To see Mifune-san.

W-Wait, you were stalking me?

That's not important. What's important is that you're working for Mifune-san, and so am I.

......

And take that mask off.

Huh?

You're meeting the oyabun. It's a little disrespectful to have your mask on, isn't it?