Chapter 13: Reverse Blade

Are we... really doing this?

I feel like there should be a more... normal way.

Alright...

Let's just get it over with then...

(This is so corny...)

(Where did he learn to talk like this...)

(If it wasn't to distract the guards like the Lady of Tobunkai told us to, I would never do something like this!)

Hey, what's the big idea!

Alright, here they are...

Limp wrists!

Gah!

Groundless footing!

Guh!

No will to kill!

Ughhaah!

My lady! Are you alright?

Master, I failed to coach the lady in kendo, please do not blame her.

Shut up! I will deal with you later!

Maki! Get up! Lift your chin up!

You shouldn't be playing with something like that when you need to work on your kendo!

Master, the lady made this kendama for your birthday...

...

You are distracted by toys!

!

Weakness will only get you killed!

Get up! 1000 vertical strikes, 1000 horizontal strikes, and 1000 blocks, now! No rest until you are done!

Guh... cough...

My lady! Sorry, I'm late.

That's alright. What's the situation outside?

Everything is going as planned. They've distracted the guards outside, and I've led the ones inside away as well.

This day has finally come.

It's nighttime. Time to close in on the target.

Hurry! We need reinforcements!

No chance.

No, something is off...

That Radiant with the big sword and the casual look on his face wasn't here.

We were treated as hostile when we were just at the kendama stall minding our own business.

But now that we've caused a scene, he's-

Hey! You, stop pretending to be dead.

Huh? I've been found out!

Where did the other Tobunkai guards go?

T-they've been called away to the 3rd generation leader's home.

!

It's a trick!

Kasumi will follow the duties and never commit betrayal.

Master, this wooden box...

No one other than us knows about this box, right?

... That's correct.

Your loyalty has impressed me since childhood.

Now, only the last step remains. Do what you must do tonight.

Understood!

The dawn of the Tobunkai is upon us...

Who's there?

Don't block the way!

At last... Beyond these gates lies the abode of the 3rd generation leader.

You've been careful your whole life, but your pride has finally gotten the best of you.

...

What's wrong, Kasumi? We have to keep going.

Understood!

Hyah!

!

What? Where are they?

...

Target located. Closing in.

Finally. I was about to fall asleep.

I've been waiting for you, Maki.

At last, I truly see. All the elites of the Tobunkai are here.

You came here in such a hurry, Maki. Are you here to reminisce about old times?

I came here to dispose of your leadership and restore my rightful ownership of the Tobunkai.

Dispose of me? You and what army? With your swordsmanship? With that Reverse Blade of yours?

With the Dream of this Lens! I have proof of you using the Tobunkai to selfishly kill innocents!

The Tobunkai established itself among the Eastern Capital yakuza based on compassion and chivalry! You have no right to be the leader of the Tobunkai.

What do you have to say, Sakai?

Hmph! Ridiculous!

What do you want me to say? So what if I did it?

Weakness is a sin! Showing compassion to enemies will only destroy the Tobunkai.

As the 3rd generation leader of the Tobunkai, I hereby remove Tobun Maki's inheritance to the Tobunkai leadership!

To be punished according to the familial laws!

I just can't wait!

Head of the Murasaki family! Murasaki Saya!

You two!

Heh, a swarm of ants are still just ants. Come on!

Gah! They're too strong! We have to retreat!

Guh!

You've lost.

Why aren't you standing up? When you seized the leadership, purged the dissidents, and slaughtered innocents, you weren't this weak.

1000 vertical strikes, 1000 horizontal strikes, and 1000 blocks...

I never stopped training since that day. Now, I can finally block your blade.

Finally, today, I wield my blade in the name of the Tobun family.

Today is my coming of age, and a day of change for the Tobunkai.

For your crimes!

I hereby abolish the leadership of Tobun Sakai!

To be punished according to the familial laws!

...

Well, do you have any last words?

It is what it is.

What could I have to say?

...

As you wish!

!

Mercy, master! This is the one time that I will protest against your wishes.

My lady, the 3rd generation leader bequeathed me this...

This?

It is better not to reach than to go too far.

Master...

My death will wipe away the debts of my sins. Power will be given to Maki.

Time is running out. I have but one request to you. You must complete it.

I am listening, master.

After I die, bury me with this box...

Senchu the Reverse Blade does not kill. Head of the Murasaki family, his life is yours.

Step aside, Kasumi!

My lady...

Step aside. The blood debt to the Murasaki Tribe must be repaid.

Well done. You've matured, Maki.

The dark past of the Tobun will be made up with the life of a criminal.

The dawn of the Tobun will be lead by the Reverse Blade.

Head of the Murasaki family! Please gift me the kiss of death!

The spirits of the Murasaki will finally be at peace!

With this, the debts between the Murasaki and the Tobun are settled.

I do not wield the blade for murder. It was only after I died that I realized this.

The Tobun family can sort out the rest of their troubles themselves. Farewell.

Do you think Saya was right to do that?

... Yeah.

My beloved Leader! Saya! I hope you didn't forget to buy me souvenirs!

Uh...

Haha! Stop pretending! Were you planning on surprising me?

I already secretly looked through your bags! My souvenirs are in this package, aren't they?

Wait! Isn't that the package that Kasumi gave us when we left?

If it's from the Tobunkai, it might have something like a cut-off finger...

Woah! This is incredible!

Thank you so much, Leader and Saya! I love you guys!

Is this a... kendama?