#Ibara Ichijou

[ecargmura]

Ayaka: A Story of Bonds and Wounds Episode 10 Review: Jingi Did WHAT?

I’m mind boggled—flabbergasted even. Did…did Jingi seriously become the best boy of this episode? After being a hopeless bum 90% of the show, he actually did something? My mind is still processing everything that happened. For now, I have to say that I seriously misjudged Jingi’s character.

Don’t get me wrong. He was clearly irritating in the beginning but now, it all makes sense. He was being all lackadaisical about everything because he knew there will be a day where he would die for Yukito. He just needed to find the courage and resolve to do it. It turns out that he was the first and only one out of the three students that knew of Yukito’s secret. It was something he shared with Makoto and considered it precious. However, after the whole ordeal ten years ago, he learned the spell of how to resurrect the water dragon from reading through Makoto’s old notes. Seeing him work hard as a child was surely a weird feeling as he was mostly shown as a slacker back in Episode 7. He didn’t mind dying for him because he loved Yukito as a little brother despite the feeling dissipating after the ten year separation.

Why he was being flippant makes total sense now.  He knew he was going to die early one day, so he lived life the way he wanted to as much as he could; learning this made me actually feel sad for Jingi. Damn it, GORA. Why did you have to make me feel something for Jingi? Now I feel conflicted over my feelings of hatred and my feelings of pity for him. I remember replying a comment where I joked about Jingi becoming likable. Welp, that sentiment came back and uppercutted me.

What Jingi did was so powerful and so memorable that I had to go back and rewatch the episode again because I forgot what everyone else did. Aka had a demon form. Cool. Haruaki had major death flags waving about. Glad he didn’t die. Ibara, Yako and Chataro did stuff. Good job. Yukito became the water dragon. BUT AT WHAT COST?

Overall, I’m just conflicted because I didn’t expect to like a character I disliked in one episode and then he dies. However, this pegs the question: is he really dead? Does GORA actually have the balls to kill off an important character? To be honest, I want him permanently dead because if he lives, everything he was preparing for would be for naught. If you’re going to kill someone off, be brave about it (and I’m not saying that because of my dislike for Jingi or anything…). Do you like Jingi? Do you think he’s dead? Let me know!

[itsuki-minamy]

"AYAKA - SIDE STORIES" (Complete)

Brothers

Izakaya "Kappa", Prosperity Story

A strange customer in GOZ

After the rain

The way of Ibara

Escape

Return

Promise

The day Yukito arrived

The paradox of Kameido Aki

Jingi, a dream after a dream

Lonely boys

[metalandmagi]

The Real Anime Awards of 2023 part 2

Every year, I become increasingly disappointed in the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, so I started making my own Anime Award lists THAT ARE FOR THE ACTUAL YEAR IN ANIME! IF CRUNCHYROLL WON'T INCLUDE FALL SHOWS THEN I WILL! I've already done my silly version for 2023, so now it's time for my serious picks. But it's still just for fun, so don't take any of my nominees too seriously or get offended that I didn't include your favorites. Even I can't watch everything.

Full disclosure, I don't include all the same categories that Crunchyroll does (just most of them). These are also only for television shows, so I didn't include any movies (and I really don't watch enough anime movies on a yearly basis to include a movie category).

Anime of the Year

Vinland Saga season 2

Zom 100 Bucket List of the Dead

Oshi no Ko

Frieren Beyond Journey’s End

Pluto

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (I don’t care what MyAnimeList says. It’s made by Science Saru, so I'm counting it.)

Best Continuing Series

Vinland Saga season 2

Dr. Stone New World

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2

Spy x Family season 2

Attack on Titan the final season (just assume I mean the last special from here on out)

Best New Series

Buddy Daddies

Oshi no Ko

Tengoku Daimakyou

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Migi to Dali

Best Animation

Tsurune season 2

Trigun Stampede

Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village arc

My Happy Marriage

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2

Attack on Titan the final season

Best Character Design

Overtake!

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War part 2

Oshi no Ko

Blue Lock cour 2

Tokyo Revengers season 2

Mou Ippon! (Yes I'm 100% serious. I actually respect this show’s character design a lot, considering the artists were able to make realistic, distinct, varied female characters of all shapes and sizes without making them into moe blobs. So that's why this is on here instead of another shounen of the week.)

Best Romance

Tomo-chan Is A Girl

My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999

Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts

Skip to Loafer

Insomniacs After School

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces

Best Comedy

Buddy Daddies

Cool Doji Danshi cour 2

Skip to Loafer

My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999

My New Boss is Goofy

The Hundred Girlfriends Who Really Really Really Really Really Love You

Best Action

Trigun Stampede

Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village arc

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2

Attack on Titan the final season

Hell’s Paradise

Honorable mention: Bleach Thousand Year Blood War season 2 (sorry, I just wasn’t as impressed with the action in this season, but it still deserves a shout out)

Best Fantasy

To Your Eternity season 2 cour 2 (is it cheating if it's only counting the last cour of the season 😅)

Ousama Ranking: Yuuki no Takarabako

Hell’s Paradise

Mononogatari season 2

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Mushoku Tensei season 2

Honorable mention: Hikari no Ou (I never finished it but the vibe was there.)

Best Drama

Vinland Saga season 2

Oshi no Ko

Pluto

Ooku: The Inner Chambers

Tengoku Daimakyou

Migi and Dali

Honorable mention: Undead Girl Murder Farce- it's more of a mystery than a drama, but I still wanted to include it somewhere.

Best Slice of Life

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces

Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible

Cool Doji Danshi cour 2

My New Boss is Goofy

Insomniacs After School

My Clueless First Friend

Best Protagonist

Thorfinn (Vinland Saga season 2)

Mitsumi Iwakura (Skip to Loafer)

Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries)

Arikoto Madenokoji (Ooku: The Inner Chambers)

Frieren (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)

Kouya Madoka (Overtake!)

Best Antagonist

Eisuke Nikaido (Tsurune season 2)

Canute (Vinland Saga season 2)

Millions Knives (Trigun Stampede)

Taiju (Tokyo Revengers season 2)

Ibara (Dr. Stone New World part 2)

Reiko Ichijou (Migi to Dali)

Honorable mention: *SPOILERS* The Bureau of Traditional Music (Mononogatari season 2). These guys were squad goals, not gonna lie.

Best Boy

Vash the Stampede (Trigun Stampede)

Every Single Boy from Cool Doji Danshi cour 2- THEY’RE ALL GOOD BOYS OKAY!?

Sousuke Shima (Skip to Loafer)

Taiyou Takada (My Clueless First Friend)

Einar (Vinland Saga)- Yes Einar instead of Snake. Snake is a lovable antihero, but Einar is best boy material

Yukichi (The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today)

Best Girl

Tomo (Tomo-chan Is A Girl)

Runa Shirakawa (You Were Experienced, I Was Not: Our Dating Story)

Kana Arima (Oshi no Ko)

Amit (Niehime to Kemono no Ou)

Akane Kinoshita (My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999)

Mitsuri Kanroji (Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village arc)

Best Score

Trigun Stampede

Vinland Saga season 2

Insomniacs After School

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War part 2

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Best OP (yes there are 8 nominations, I couldn't decide 😭)

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 (“Specialz” King Gnu)- I really think this season’s OPs should be taken as a pair, but when it comes down to which OP will stand the test of time, I think this one will be more iconic.

Vinland Saga season 2 OP2 (“Paradox” Survive Said the Prophet)

Oshi no Ko (“Idol” YOASOBI)

High Card (“Trickster” Five New Old)

Hell’s Paradise (“Work” Millennium Parade)

Tengoku Daimakyou (“Innocent Arrogance” BiSH)

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War part 2 (“Stars” w.o.d.)

The Legendary Hero is Dead (“Shinda” Masayoshi Ōishi)

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (“Song of the Dead” Kana-Boon)

Honorable mention: Link Click season 2 (honestly this is probably the best OP of the year, but since the show isn’t Japanese, I have to exclude it 😣)

Best ED

Tengoku Daimakyou (“Dare mo Kare mo Doko mo Nani mo Shiranai” ASOBI Doumei)

Oshi no Ko (“Mephisto” Ziyoou-vachi)

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (“Anytime Anywhere” milet)

Dr. Stone New World part 2 (“Suki ni Shinayo” Anly)

Spy x Family season 2 (“Todome no Ichigeki” Vaundy ft. Cory Wong)

Migi to Dali (“Skyline” Nulbarich)

Best VA Performance Japanese

Uemura, Yuuto As Thorfinn (Vinland Saga season 2)

Takahashi, Rei as Tomo (Tomo-chan is a Girl)

Satao, Gen as Ganta Nakami (Insomniacs After School) His laugh is so pure and genuine, I could listen to it forever!

Inoue, Marina as Armin Arlert (Attack on Titan the final season)

Tanezaki, Atsumi as Anya Forger (Spy Family season 2)

Nakamura, Yuuichi as Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen season 2)

So there you have it! My picks for the real anime awards of 2023. Like I said, don't take this seriously at all, it's just something fun I like to put together every year. I always try not to nominate the same things, but it's easy to end up playing favorites. It's so hard to try to include a variety!

[supergenial]

[Translation and Lyrics] 久遠の星空 by Ariabl’eyeS

Yet another one of those emotional Rena tracks that I have a weak spot for, which it hits for massive damage. Instead of the usual praise I’ll shift into saying that I always wondered whether the vocalists get along well and I gotta say given that Luna wrote the lyrics for this whole album, and likely knew this would be a Rena solo, they probably get along pretty well because it’s pretty good, no throwing the other under the bus or anything like that, which is nice. On the topic of Luna writing lyrics: what is her problem? She’s way more likely than Lyse to use unusual readings, outdated kanjis, made up readings or just going off script entirely. This is the kind of stuff where if I was more knowledgeable I’d think it’s pretty cool but otherwise just puts me through the coals. Anyway, lyrics down there, see you next time.

04 kuon no hoshizora (Starry sky of eternity)

lyrics: luna compose: lyse vocal: rena

matataku hoshi ni negai himeta junpaku na koigokoro michite wa kakeru tsuki no you de kanaderu kodou ao ni somete setsuna no toki wo utsusu kagami wo yubi de nazotte

secretly wishing under the twinkling stars with a pure heart in love, to be fulfilled like this full moon this melodious heartbeat is painted in blue after those sad times, tracing my finger through this mirror

saki midareru bara komorebi no naka de hohoemu anata wo zutto miteita no

the roses are blooming under the shade of the trees because you always cared for them

namonaki itami ga futo mebuite ibara no umi wa fukaku demo anata wo omou to keshiki ga irotsuki hajimeru

when a nameless pain sprung up and I found myself in a sea of thorns as I thought of you the scenery started to turn red

matataku hoshi ni negai himeta junpaku na koigokoro michite wa kakeru tsuki no you de kanaderu kodou ao ni somete setsuna no toki wo utsusu kagami wo yubi de nazotte kuchizusamu uta wa sotto kaze ni sarawarete kieta

secretly wishing under the twinkling stars with a pure heart in love, to be fulfilled like this full moon this melodious heartbeat is painted in blue after those sad times, tracing my finger through this mirror that humming melody was softly blown away by the wind  

sora mo ki mo hana mo anata to no hibi ga chiri bamerarete kirameite mieru

those days with the sky, the flowers and you spending them together was what truly made them shine

tokiori anata ga hanasu yume no aoi hoshi no monogatari ureshisou na yokogao ga itoshiku hoshizora terasu no

sometimes you'd tell to me stories of the blue planet you dream of  and I'd loved that happy face brightened by the starry sky

hakanai omoi mune ni taguri dakishimeta joukei ni kuchizukete inori wo sasageru natsukashiki hi no yume ni sugaru ichiru no hikari hitori egakeba kaki tesareteku  tsuioku no yami kizamareta kotae no nai shirube

those fleeting feelings reeling me in as you bring me to your chest and hold me in a kiss as we're swallowed by the scenery praying for those nostalgic ideal days to come back, but that ray of light has faded away and the darkness that has settled over those memories is the proof that our prayers won't be answered

hakanai omoi mune ni taguri dakishimeta joukei ni kuchizukete inori wo sasageru natsukashiki hi no yume ni sugaru ichiru no hikari hitori egakeba kaki tesareteku 

those fleeting feelings reeling me in as you bring me to your chest and hold me in a kiss as we're swallowed by the scenery praying for those nostalgic ideal days to come back, but that ray of light has faded away

matataku hoshi ni negai himeta ichijou na koigokoro michite wa kakeru tsuki no you de kakushita kimochi kagi wo kakete seinaru izumi tataete odoru kuon no sora ni kogareru omoi katayoku no tori no you ni

secretly wishing under the twinkling stars with a pure heart in love, to be fulfilled like this full moon those hidden feelings (of love) were the key to open the sacred spring where we'd dance under the endless sky but those yearning feelings were like a bird with only one wing

as usual, my askbox is open to all suggestions, corrections, complaints, insults, etc

[ecargmura]

Ayaka: A Story of Bonds and Wounds Episode 12 Review - An Ayakastic Finale

It’s the finale! What are my thoughts on how everything ended? To be honest, I think it was a good wrap-up to everything; it’s not great, but good enough for it to resolve everything and have good conclusions for the main characters.

Jingi’s revival was predictable, but my gripe with it is that he still retains that flippant, lackadaisical attitude; then again, seeing Jingi behaving like an adult would be out of character for him. I did like that he did realize that he appreciated living and wanted to keep on living more when he was in the Ley world. Despite that, I think the revival was treated in a comical manner because Inou was flipping out while Momoko was way too chill.

Haruaki and Aka are finally able to make amends with themselves and each other over the guilt from ten years ago. They cooperated and that led them to finding Yukito and Jingi, and taking them out of the world. It was as if they finally made peace with each other and finally moved on. Heck, the ordeal calmed Aka down so much that he’s seen using regular Ley spells for Ara-Mitama purging and not dark magic in the epilogue. That’s development right there.

Yukito is finally able to accept himself as himself now. It was very evident that Yukito’s entire arc was coming to terms with accepting himself and maturing. He didn’t remember anything from living on the island and had no friends; he chose to avoid people after hurting someone in the past. Spending time on the island made him realize that he likes the Ayaka Islands and wants to protect it. Learning that he is the water dragon and going in to save Jingi by his own volition gave him the courage to finally accept himself. I think the meeting he had with his father also helped shape who he decides to become because he spent most of the show wondering about his father and such. He wasn’t particularly attached to him because he barely knew him, so the small bonding time they had helped Yukito open up to him.

Makoto seems like the “good” mastermind behind everything. While he is truly dead, he’s the reason why Jingi’s soul hasn’t completely disappeared into the Ley energy. He’s also the reason why Yukito was separated from the island so that he’d see himself as more of a human rather than a dragon. He has been chilling in the Ley energy for the past decade in order to pacify the fire dragon before it rampages. It’s unfortunate that we only learn about Makoto for two episodes, Episode 7 and 12. I’d like to learn more about him as he only feels like plot device in a way. I do find it amusing that he and Jingi have the exact same personality with their habit of not communicating well.

I think the epilogue of Yukito going to school on the First Island with his friends is such a touching ending. It’s what he deserves after years of loneliness. The whole portion is also good closure for everyone. While Ara-Mitama still lurk about, the way they’re pacified by Ayaka Security is more peaceful. The fire dragon is also at peace as Yukito promises that he’ll come back in the future.

Overall, this anime was a decent watch. Compared to K, It’s a lot weaker for GORA’s comeback show. I think it’s rather straightforward and that’s a good thing. It doesn’t divert too much from the main plot and I think that’s a good thing. The characters are a bit simplistic too, but they work. The main characters are the ones that grew a lot and it showed from beginning to end. Though, due to time constraint, some things have to be rushed like Jingi still behaving like he usually does after resurrection. For a small cast, they did a good job giving a good amount of screen time to each character; though, I do wish Mayor Inou was utilized a bit more. To be honest, this is one of those niche anime that isn’t too recommendable, but still watchable. I’ll be anticipating GORA’s next work, though. What are your thoughts on this anime as a whole?

[ecargmura]

Ayaka: A Story of Bonds and Wounds Episode 9 Review - Yukito's Truth

The truth about Yukito comes to light in this episode: he is the water dragon. I think anyone who watches this show saw this coming. Gathering up all the clues throughout the show made everything piece together. I’m actually glad they revealed it early rather than dragging it towards the last quarter of the episode.

I do like how while Yukito is still trying to process the information, he still wants to help out. Whether it be helping out at the evacuation or helping Haruaki and Aka out with their fight against the Water Dragon. I do like how Yukito decides that while he is the water dragon, he’s still Yukito Yanagi and that everything that he decides is because he’s Yukito. He doesn’t remember much of the island, but he has friends and a place to live, so he likes it there; that’s really sweet. I’m glad that he still has his will and what not. I know that he’s not the most experienced Ley Master, but I do wonder what will happen between the confrontation between the Fire and Water Dragons.

While I always think Yako and Chataro are cute, they were a bit annoying with their indecisiveness. They wanted to help, but they were told to evacuate. They want to respect their master’s words but they’re also worried about him. It’s good that Ibara came and straightened them out with the majority rule (she counts as two because she’s stronger than them). I know that the two aren’t strong Ley Masters, but it’s better than not helping and then regretting not doing anything. I’m glad that they all came to the consensus of helping because they are Yukito’s friends.

Aka and Haruaki are still on bad terms, but it does seem as if they still do care about each other even if they don’t want to admit it. I mean, if you didn’t care about your friend, would you go out of your way to grab his arm and try to drag him away from the dragon? It’s kind of surprising to see Aka’s dark magic not having any effect on the dragon; was it all for nothing? I do wonder what will happen with them now that Yukito and friends are in the battlefield.

Jingi goes back to being worst boy as he flies away from the disaster. Why are you like this, JingI? I thought you were getting better. Why must you leave when everyone needs you the most, especially Yukito?

Anyways, this was an episode that mainly focused on introducing the final boss and the revelation of Yukito’s true self. The latter was more of importance, so it seems. I did like seeing the animation of how Yukito came to be. Overall, I hope that everything resolves peacefully in the end. What are your thoughts on this episode?

[ecargmura]

Ayaka: A Story Of Bounds and Wounds Episode 8 Review - Festival Time

After all the warm fuzziness I felt seeing Yukito hanging out with his friends at a festival, that feeling went away towards the ending. Man, that ending was quite shocking. I didn’t expect the endgame to come this soon!

This entire episode was Yukito hanging out with his friends and it was super cute! The way Yukito chats with his friends and then spending quality time with them in their yukatas was so cute. They’re so cute! I’m so happy Yukito’s getting friends. Although he never had friends, he is very considerate of them. They’re all so considerate towards each other too! Like when Ibara got a blister, they were asking if she’s okay and they offered to get a medical kit for her. I think the way Yukito said that he also feels uncomfortable in clothes he’s not used to wearing caused Ibara to smile and it’s cute!

I think the best thing about Yukito in this episode is that he managed to put Jingi in his place. He was rather baffled when Jingi was wanting to sponge off of him and when he went to the shrine to pick up Yako and Chataro, he snitched about Jingi to Haruaki, causing the former to be forced to work by the latter. For once, Yukito bites back and it’s nice to see. Though, he does have appreciation for his mentor as he thanks him towards the end of the episode after he calms himself down after his powers got a bit out of control. He’s such a good boy.

Ibara gets a lot of ship tease with Yukito in this episode. She blushed when he complimented her yukata. She then takes pictures of her friends, but only Yukito is visible in the picture while the other two are in the background and cut off. Poor them. I think her bluntness towards Yako and Chataro throughout the episode was hilarious. She’s like “I was glaring at Haruaki because he’s Aka’s enemy” and then Yako was like “You’re not glaring at us, despite us being Haruaki’s disciples”. Her response? “Well, it’s cause you two are weak.” Talk about a blow to their ego. I also found Aka calling Yukito and asking if Ibara is having fun super cute. Maki teased him having fatherly affections for Ibara, which does seem to be the case; it’s also nice to see Aka have some care for his subordinates in a way.

I’ve always theorized that Yukito was the water dragon and I think that theory is all but verbally confirmed in this episode. In the beginning, Yukito gets the usual dream of him being submerged in water, but it gets an extension where he meets the fire dragon in his dream, causing him to almost drown and wake up from his dream. It feels like a sign that the fire dragon is calling out to him. When Yukito’s powers start going out of control, he isolates himself from his friends to a secluded area. In dim light, Yukito sees his shadow take the form of a dragon. The spirit of his father visits him, praising him and then mentioning “the truth about his true self”; note that Yukito is unable to recognize him because his face was covered. Then, at the end of the episode, the Fourth Island’s volcano gets erupted, signaling the fire dragon’s reawakening. I hope it’ll be fully confirmed next episode, but given that we have four or five episodes left, I feel like it’ll drag on; it better not.

I’m worried about what’s to come. What’s going to happen with the island? What will Yukito do to help out? Will our main characters team up to stop it or will it be a solo mission for Aka? I just hope that this sudden endgame route will be handled well.

[ecargmura]

Ayaka: A Story Of Bonds And Wounds Episode 6 Review: Conflicts From The Past

This episode was good! I enjoyed it a lot! Yukito participates in his first fight and succeeds and the conflict between Haruaki and Aka is shown in full details after it being told back in Episode 3. These two important points were handled well.

Yukito finally participates in his first fight against an Ara-Mitama and succeeds with the help of Ibara, Yako and Chataro. They are young, but it was nice to see them show team work despite having conflict and not knowing each other very well. The fact that Ibara said that she’s a Ley Master is what brought them to cooperate. Responsibility comes first in dire situations. The coordination between the four young Ley Masters was excellent. Yukito was the water mage that helped bring an opening for the fighter Ibara. Yako and Chataro are fire and wind mages who mainly use their magic to debuff the Ara-Mitama and to help buff Yukito’s magic. It was so nice to see them work like an RPG party. I don’t know why Chataro and Yako are so doubtful of themselves; they’re fully capable. I’m actually surprised that Yukito’s training with Jingi actually has results.

I do like that while they succeeded in pacifying one Ara-Mitama, they cannot handle three new ones. They’re still too inexperienced to handle three and even Yukito was running low on stamina. Fortunately, Aka and Haruaki come in to save the kids. I do like that they struggled against the newly arrived Ara-Mitamas because the one they faced was already too much for them to handle. The writers did a good job showing just how much energy is wasted into pacifying one of these spirits. It’d be highly improbable if these four were to swiftly handle three at once.

This is where their conflict comes in after they pacify two of the three. They start fighting over the third one with Aka trying to consume it like how he did back in Episode 3 while Haruaki does his best to stop him by throwing his own wind magic at him. I like that this conflict was told back in Episode 3 and is fully shown in this one. Haruaki and Aka are at odds because the death of their master affected their viewpoints. For Haruaki, it’s to respect Makoto’s teachings and pass his knowledge and wisdom onto his own disciples. For Aka, it’s to find a way to get rid of his regrets for being so weak. I do like that their conflict is also reflected on their clothes. Haruaki wears traditional shrine clothing as a way to show that he’s by the book and wants to uphold tradition. Aka wears a suit and uses a gun to show how he’s trying to move forward by clinging onto his ideals that coincide with modern outlooks. It makes me intrigued with how this conflict will be resolved in the future. The post-credit scenes show that both have a burn scar from what happened ten years ago. Haruaki’s scar is bigger.

I’m surprised that Jingi was the mature one in this situation. Usually with how frivolous he is, he’d be super immature, but he wasn’t. He didn’t even have any crimes today! What a surprise! He was the one to break up the fight between the older characters by pacifying the last Ara-Mitama last minute. It makes me wonder what sort of role Jingi will play in later episodes. Will he be the mediator between the two going forth or will he still stay the same Jingi?

Yukito awkwardly becoming friends with Ibara was super cute. He’s super awkward and he’s out of touch with technology. He doesn’t even know how QR codes work! While their masters are at odds, it’s nice to see that their disciples get along and are more united in a way. I do hope this will be a factor to resolving the adults’ tension in the future. I just want to see more Yukito, Yako, Chataro and Ibara friendship going forth. These four have potential to have cute and hilarious moments.

This episode ended off with me wanting to know how the tension between Haruaki and Aka will be resolved. I know for a fact that it won’t be resolved next episode. I’m also curious about what Aka meant by Makoto dying because they were too weak. I have a feeling that the past will now be a tangent for the second half of this anime. What do you think will happen in the next episodes? How will their tension be resolved?

[ecargmura]

Ayaka: A Story Of Bonds And Wounds Episode 5 Review: Fire And Water

This episode was good! This is the first time we get a two-parter! Yukito’s training is actually paying off. Jingi’s being competent again. Ibara gets some focus and more Ayaka Islands lore is told. I even got a theory about Yukito’s identity after watching this episode.

In front of Makoto’s grave, the lore about the dragons was told. There were two dragons, fire and water. Fifteen years ago, the water dragon disappear, disrupting the balance of the islands and the energy, which was why the fire dragon became out of control and started the catastrophe that happened ten years ago. Giving the clues, I predict that Yukito is either the water dragon himself or the water dragon is sealed inside of him. It makes sense given that he’s practically a water mage and is associated with water. If this becomes true, I called it. But the fact that the Ayaka Islands are a part of a volcano and that the fourth island got obliterated from the face of the Earth due to imbalance is terrifying. No wonder they take spiritual energy so seriously.

Makoto’s legacy allowed the people of Ayaka to live peacefully because he gave up his life to stop the fire dragon. Yukito cannot remember much of his earlier life, but still prayed for his father. What a good boy. Another key detail in this episode is him trying to befriend Ibara by apologizing for the noise when he learned that her parents’ death anniversary was the same day as them partying in front of Makoto’s grave. He also tried returning her keys after finding them. I hope that Yukito befriends Ibara. They seem around the same age, so it’d be nice for him to have more friends.

Ibara is very quiet, but becomes reckless when it comes to fire Ara-Mitama. She lost her parents on the same day and Aka came to protect her on that day. While she’s a skilled martial artist, her recklessness was deterring her. Fortunately, Yukito comes in to be the water shield. I think that’s what Ibara needs. It’s also a good friendship flag. Will it become romance? I don’t know. I can’t really see these two in a relationship. While not fully explored, it seems that she has an attachment to Aka because he had saved her that day. I honestly want to see what sort of duo she and Yukito will be next episode. I do wonder if she’s related to that purple-haired security guy with the bangs. Also, I did mention back in Episode 3 that Ibara reminded me of Sophie from Tales of Graces and I still stand by that.

Jingi being competent is still surprising. His only crime for this episode is trying to offer Yukito, fifteen years old, alcohol. Other than that, he’s actually training Yukito in water magic. He taught him how to make a shield and sat on top of it to test out Yukito’s concentration and the shield’s durability. A brittle shield is useless in a fight, after all. He is also seen helping civilians by rescuing them from burning buildings with water magic. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this guy is actually becoming likable.

Makita is formally introduced. He seems to be the bartender of the bar the group frequents whenever they come to the first island. I wonder if he’s also a Ley Master. In fact, I’m interested in all of these Ayaka Security guys. They all have intriguing designs.

This was mainly a buildup episode and how fire energy is being all chaotic due to the fire-water-balance lore. Hopefully, Ibara’s fire will finally be extinguished now that Yukito comes to her aid. What I want to see is awesome action between the two and a good conclusion.

[itsuki-minamy]

[itsuki-minamy]

[itsuki-minamy]

"AYAKA: Muzzle Flash Back!" (Complete)

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* Chapter 1: PDF / MEGA * Chapter 2 (1): PDF / MEGA * Chapter 2 (2): PDF / MEGA * Chapter 3: PDF / MEGA * Chapter 4: PDF / MEGA * Chapter 5: PDF / MEGA * Chapter 6: PDF / MEGA

Please buy the Original manga to support the mangaka, when it is available at your place.

Thank you so much!^^

Translation & Editing: Naru-kun

[itsuki-minamy]

"AYAKA" (VOICE DRAMA 05)

Translation: Naru-kun Audio: Here

>> Previous chapters: 01 / 02 / 03 / 04

Ibara: Makita, I'm leaving now.

Taihei: Hm? Oh, you're going to visit the grave today. Go carefully.

Ibara: I understand. I'm leaving then.

Taihei: Oh, yes, wait, Ibara. Come on, get your key out.

Ibara: My key?

Taihei: Come on, put this on it.

Ibara: Huh? A keychain?

Taihei: It's from my restaurant. GOZ's mascot, GOZ Futaku. He is someone devoted. I did it because they told me that "From now on, it's a character business."

Ibara: Nothing was sold...

Taihei: Haha, that's all. Sorry for the unsold. Today, this guy is the representative of all of us at Ayaka Security. Say hello to your father and mother for me.

Ibara: I understand.

(On the sea train from Ichinoshima to Ninoshima.)

Ibara: I have to introduce you to the two of them... Dad, mom, this is GOZ Futaku. He is a friend. A partner in GOZ. Dad, mom, I... *Deep breath* ...I'm fine, I have a team. I can fight even if I'm alone.

[itsuki-minamy]

"AYAKA" (VOICE DRAMA 09)

Translation: Naru-kun Audio: Here

>> Previous chapters: 01/02/03/04/05/06/07/08

Yukito: Alright, let's move! Come on! Hey, can we go to Shinoshima by train?

Yako: The teacher moves using the Shukuchi technique, but... because we don't have enough training...

Yukito: I was wondering if we should go by boat or something... Is this something that can move freely?

Yako: Beyond the island of Yonnoshima there is a hidden kingdom where ordinary people cannot enter. The means of transportation to get to that place is in charge of the Kasen Shrine.

Chatarou: In other words, now that the teacher is gone, we are the ones in charge!

Yako: It seems that, in the old days, as Yukito-kun said, they used a ferry... Gliding through the natural barrier in a vehicle equipped with a life preserver. The basic principle of that. Also, by the sea train route. It also has the magical meaning of connecting seven islands like a dragon's spine.

Ibara: Come on, because the reasoning is good.

Chatarou: Hey, don't cut suddenly, on one side.

Ibara: It's time to go.

Chatarou: That's right!

Yukito: Ichijou-san-san... Ibuki-san and the others must be worried, I understand. Let's hurry.

Chatarou: Ah... Oh, what's wrong? Is it a worried face?

Yako: I think we should hurry too. The teacher is...

Chatarou: Well, I'm worried too, go ahead everyone!

Yukito: Uh, somehow... isn't the train fast?

Chatarou: It's funny, it shouldn't go that fast.

Ibara: The power of the life line is getting stronger.

Yako: Ah... Maybe due to the influence of Yukito-kun's power...

Yukito: Eh... is it my fault?!

Chatarou: Haha, that's great, it's a limited espresso.

Yako: We'll get there soon!

Ibara: Yanagi Yukito... Well done.

Yukito: Ah, thank you...

[itsuki-minamy]

"AYAKA" (VOICE DRAMA 03)

Translation: Naru-kun Audio: Here

>> Previous chapters: 01 / 02

Taihei: Hey, Ibara, good job!

Ibara: I'm not tired. The boss is more tired than me.

Taihei: I'm worried about you, Boss.

Aka: Do you think I'm training so gently as to be lazy?

Ibara: But, Boss, you were suffering.

Aka: Take care, you don't look good.

Ibara: Huh? *Sound of stomach crunching* Ah...

Aka: Are you hungry?

Ibara: I missed my lunch.

Aka: Makita, do something.

Taihei: Oh, me? Can it be a hot dog?

Ibara: Yes.

Aka: Put some vegetables on it.

Taihei: As you say. *Starts making hot dogs*

Ibara: Boss, can I ask you something?

Aka: What?

Ibara: What does an Aramitama taste like?

Aka: It tastes like a mixture of mud and moss.

Ibara: Was it delicious?

Aka: That's not the reason.

Ibara: Then it's not delicious.

Aka: Why do you look sad? Even if you make a mistake, don't think about eating that.

Ibara: Yes.

Aka: If you want to eat something delicious, there is a good place. The grilled thigh meat there is delicious. If you're interested, I'll take you next time.

Ibara: ...Interested, yes. I understand.

Taihei: Grilled thighs are fine, but for now, eat this. The hot dogs are ready with a salad.

Ibara: Itadakimasu.

Aka: Eat without leaving the vegetables.

Taihei: That's right.

[itsuki-minamy]

"AYAKA - THE EVE OF A SPECIAL WEDDING" (Novel)

TRANSLATION: NARU-KUN

CHAPTER 6: DECISIVE BATTLE AT KISUI PALACE (Part 1)

* List of Chapters

Breakfast was buffet style.

The dining room itself was small, but the food on display was first class to anyone who looked at it. Seafood salad with lots of crab, marinated salmon, Spanish omelette with cod and avocado, creamed scallops, mussels in wine, fried sea bass, seafood paella, raw oysters, grilled prawns, etc. A beach restaurant. It's a resort, there's a lot of seafood, but it's so luxurious it's hard to believe it's breakfast. Still holding the tray, Yukito looked at the delicacies around him in confusion. He wasn't used to that kind of breakfast. While he stood there stunned, he was suddenly slapped on the back.

"Good morning! Yukito!"

"Good morning."

They were Chatarou and Yako. Yako was well dressed, but Chatarou's hair was disheveled. Feeling relieved, Yukito also returned the greeting.

"Oh, good morning to you both."

"Is this breakfast? It's amazing! It's like a resort!"

"It's extremely luxurious. Will it be profitable...?"

Surely. As Yako said, the dining room was empty, or rather, only Yukito and his friends were there. He wondered what will happen to such a large amount of food.

However, it seemed like Yukito and Yako were the only ones who cared about that. Chatarou quickly placed the plate on the tray and began to chop the food with tongs. Yukito and the others looked at each other for a moment, then laughed at the same time and followed Chatarou.

A few minutes later, the three of them came out to the terrace with a large amount of breakfast on the tray. Ibara was sitting in a seat overlooking the white beach and the blue sea.

"Oh, Ichijou! Good morning!"

Ibara, who was looking at the horizon, looked at Chatarou. Chatarou didn't care and he placed the tray in front of Ibara and settled down. Yako sat next to her. Ibara remained expressionless and narrowed her eyes.

Yukito said in panic.

"This is good?"

Ibara looked at Yukito. He felt that there was a slight smile in those eyes.

"You're already seated, right?"

"That's right. Don't hold back, Yukito."

"You should hold back a little more."

Smiling bitterly at Ibara's blunt words, Yukito placed the tray next to Ibara.

She began to look at the horizon again. Aside from Chatarou who hurriedly started eating breakfast, Yukito and Yako also turned their attention there.

Yako muttered to himself.

"That's amazing, huh?"

Yukito looked into the distance and nodded with a shudder.

A grayish-white wall appeared on the horizon.

The huge wall blocking the sky was a mass of thick clouds. The bluish-white lightning flashing inside can be seen even from a distance. He wondered if the distant roar of the sea is the sound of the angry waves there. However, the blue sky stretched over the hotel and the morning sun was shining brightly.

Grayish-white walls stretch around Gonoshima. Yukito murmured anxiously.

"I guess that's the technique of a spiritual person after all..."

"Of course."

Yukito instinctively straightened up at the voice that suddenly rang.

Ibuki placed the tray next to Yukito and sat down. What's on the plate is like meat, meat, meat, fish, fish, fish, fish. No matter how you look at it, it wasn't a breakfast menu item, but Ibuki casually took his fork out of it and threw it into his mouth along with the sauce that dripped.

Ibara looked at Ibuki and muttered in shock.

"Boss. What does that look like?"

Ibuki was wearing completely different clothes than usual. A bright red Hawaiian shirt, white shorts, and beach sandals. Coupled with his sharp and unyielding face, he looks like the leader of a group of half-grays on vacation.

Ibuki swallowed the meat and grumbled bluntly.

"I borrowed it from the manager."

Apparently, he had not brought a proper change of clothes since he planned to stay for a short period of time. Ibara didn't press any further and simply put the seafood salad in her mouth.

Ibuki said unamused as he looked at the wall of writhing clouds in the distance.

"The old man and the others certainly seem to have a powerful connection. The master is the only user I know who can manipulate nature on such a large scale."

As Yukito released the grilled fish with the tips of his chopsticks, he felt his heart swell.

He had seen the old man in Ninoshima. He just can't seem to connect that gigantic wall of clouds with the old man's cheerful smile. However, he was undoubtedly Gonoshima's strongest connection, and Tsugishima assured him that he would be no match for him even in the East.

That's why they called Kurama last night.

Yukito looked at Ibuki. Ibuki was eating meat in silence.

He had to teach him that. He had to tell Ibuki the information Kurama obtained. To help Jingi, Kurama and Ibuki's cooperation was absolutely necessary. This is not the time to disagree.

Yukito gathered his courage, took the step and opened his mouth.

"Ibuki-san. Um, we contacted Kurama-san yesterday..."

Ibuki looked at Yukito.

Seeing the look in his eyes, Yukito felt an instinctive fear. Feeling prey when a predator appears. Yukito swallowed and continued with a trembling voice.

"It seems that they have discovered the whereabouts of the "Kisuirin". It seems that it is currently kept in the Kisui Palace due to the strategy of a spiritual man."

Ibuki's eyebrows raised. Yukito continued forward with momentum.

"So, um, I explained that Ibuki-san was here, and then Kurama-san said that until I went..."

"Yukito."

There was nothing resembling temperature in the voice that murmured. Yukito's body trembled and he looked down. What little courage he had vanished into a single voice. He couldn't even look at Ibuki's face.

"You guys are free to call him whatever you want. But that has nothing to do with me. I'll do whatever I want. It's okay."

"......"

"If you understand, please answer."

Yukito nodded sheepishly.

He wondered if Ibuki was satisfied with that? Anyway, he left his empty plate where he was and left the terrace.

Once he was out of sight, they let out a collective sigh. Chatarou and Yako also seemed to have stopped breathing, as did Yukito. Yukito threw himself on the table and said in a pitiful voice.

"...Sorry. It didn't work at all."

"No, no! Yukito did a great job!"

"That's right. If it were us, we probably wouldn't have been allowed to say the first word."

Chatarou and Yako comforted Yukito. That agreement was made when they contacted Kurama last night. For Ibuki, Yukito is his younger brother. That's why they thought it would be better for Yukito, who is the one involved, to intervene in the ''family affairs''.

Ibara let out a small sigh.

"I was hoping that they would join forces to bring back Sagawa Jingi, but it seems that our expectations were naive. Well, enough is enough. Instead..."

Ibara turned her gaze towards the wall of clouds in the distance.

"Will that person really come?"

Of course, there is no one there who can answer that.

The technique of a spiritual man who can even control nature. There's no way it can seem meaningless. Perhaps yesterday's communication with Kurama was captured by the spiritual man. They don't know if the content of the conversation was leaked, but they are sure that they discovered that Yukito and his friends were at the hotel. And help will come from outside.

The barrier to that is probably that wall.

Ibara said as she poked the bacon and lettuce with a fork.

"Get organized. Our purpose is twofold."

She raised the fork in front of her and twirled it, causing the lettuce to flutter.

"One is to rescue Jingi Sagawa. This is our first objective. The other is the discovery and capture of the "Kisuirin". This is a secondary objective, but it is a high priority."

"If we take the "Kisuirin" and return it from Jingi-san's hands to Kisuinomiya Sango, the "contract" between those people will be invalidated."

"But will it really be that convenient? They are the kind of people who forcibly kidnap people one by one. Even if they fight back, aren't they ignored?"

"I have no choice but to trust Tsugishima Sakurainochi. He is the one who knows the most about the customs of spiritual people."

Chatarou groaned and fell silent. Ibara was right. Even if there are risks, you have to believe in something when you act.

Ibara twirled the fork again.

"Back to the topic. It is absolutely necessary to recover the "Kisuirin". Otherwise, Sagawa Jingi will be hunted forever. It is certain that that spiritual person has it, but I don't know where it is hidden. We have to sneak into the Kisui Palace and find it."

"Oh, us? I wonder if he's okay..."

"It's definitely not right. The other side has better connection skills, so it's better to think that they will find it first. That's why..."

Ibara pointed her fork at Yukito.

"Yukito Yanagi and I will make a distraction."

"Hey..."

Yukito is confused by the sudden nomination. Chatarou made an accusatory sound.

"Wait, why Yukito? Taking on such a dangerous role..."

"Because Yukito Yanagi can't use the "hidden technique"."

Hidden technique: It is a trick to hide yourself. Certainly, Yukito cannot use it. In fact, he did not even know that such a technique existed.

"You can use it, so you are suitable for infiltration and search. Yukito Yanagi can't use it, but he is strong. In that case, he is more suitable for the role of being violent and attracting attention."

"Ah..."

"Besides, we're not the only ones acting as a distraction. When we board the ship, the boss will be with us. So we can't say which one is more dangerous. Even if they get caught, there won't be anyone to help them."

Anxiety crossed Chatarou and Yako's expressions. It would be better if Kurama came, but with that wall of clouds blocking them, they don't know what will happen. If Kurama doesn't show up, they'll have to infiltrate Kisui Palace alone.

A shadow of suffering covered Yukito's heart. He looked at the roasted fish that had cooled and muttered to himself.

"Is it okay to ask that person for help?"

Everyone instantly knew who he was referring to.

"No! What are you talking about, Yukito-kun?"

As if involuntarily, Yako raised his hips and screamed loudly. What flashed in his eyes was a look of impatience and concern. Yukito flinched at Yako's flustered expression.

"Yako is right. Forget about her, Yukito."

The usually cheerful Chatarou's deep and low words echoed. The eyes behind the glasses looked accusingly at Yukito.

He understands what they mean. Making a deal with a witch is not something Yukito wants at all. Although it was to help Jingi, it was too high a price to pay to stop being Jingi's disciple.

But...

Yukito stared at the small black box in his hand. Sagaramurudi gave it to him when they separated.

--- If that's what you want, I'll help you right away.

She will never change her words. If Yukito wishes. And what they were about to travel was an infinitely difficult path. Under such circumstances, is it really possible that oneself does not want the help of a powerful connection?

If Kurama appears, that anxiety will disappear. But for now, all he could do was turn his gaze from him to the wall of clouds with deep anxiety.

+++++++++++

"Are you sure you're going?"

Yang's voice had a rather amused tone.

Kurama did not respond, instead he looked towards the enormous cloud rising in front of him. As he approached he realized that it was more of a storm than a cloud. The roaring wind, the rain falling like gravel, and the eerie bluish-white lightning bolts are blocking the view of him.

The two are at Shinoshima Station. The place where Yukito and his friends were sent away, and is the source of Kurama's regret.

Standing on the edge of the white platform, Kurama closed his eyes loosely.

This storm could not have been natural. The vitality is too strong. It must have been the work of someone, more precisely a spiritual being. That old man, known as the Elder, is so powerful that he can stop the sea. If so, it would be possible to cause a storm.

He doesn't know anyone other than Yanagi who has that kind of power.

"This is the end, my farewell. My life is at stake."

"Very well. From now on, it is my responsibility. Not yours."

"That's good. It would be helpful if you could convey that to the others as well. That I have done my duty properly."

Kurama looked at Yang's narrowed eyes suspiciously. Although Kurama didn't trust the man who came from that continent, it was true that he was still useful.

Yang's lips curved into a tight smile as if that thought had been conveyed to him.

"In my hometown there is a saying: "It's easy to make a lot of money, but it's hard to make friends." I want to earn the trust of other people on this island. That's all."

"I see."

There seemed to be some credibility in those words. Although he didn't know how he planned to use it, Kurama still bowed deeply to Yang.

"Thank you for your help, Yang-sensei. I hope we continue to unite for the peace and harmony of Ninoshima."

Yang waved a hand.

"Good luck, Kurama-sensei. I hope you come back alive. Trusting the dead won't help you."

Kurama narrowed his eyes, but said nothing.

Wait. The train tracks go on and on, disappearing behind the angry clouds. As if to challenge it, Kurama quickly made a seal and released a spell.

"Man, earth and sky. Between heaven and earth, it is empty and never ends, and it moves until it finally comes out."

Kurama's legs left the platform and he slid through the air. Thus, his body was submerged in the raging storm.

"......!"

The inside of the storm bothered Kurama even more than what he saw from the outside. The roar deafened his ears and the violent wind threatened to blow him away. The raindrops obscured his vision, making it impossible for him to see even a few meters ahead. Inside, the only guide was the train tracks passing below.

Railways connect all the islands. In theory, if they followed this line, they could even reach Nananoshima.

Therefore, Kurama flew just above the sea surface. The high waves hit again and again, soaking Kurama's hunting clothes from head to toe. Even so, Kurama did not close his eyes. He was now jumping into the middle of the enemy's techniques. He had to open his eyes to see what was going to attack him and what kind of glare would appear.

Finally, the end of the line was in sight.

Even in the midst of the storm, the platform stood out in white. Kurama stopped his jutsu and landed on the platform.

The station name board with the words "Gonoshima" written on it continues to sway while exposed to strong winds.

At this moment, a familiar voice rang out above the sound of the wind.

"Master!"

"Kurama-sensei, this way!"

Kurama took a breath and looked towards the voice. On the other side of the platform, Chatarou and Yako stood in the pouring rain and wind.

Without umbrellas, they were soaked, smiling and waving.

"...Chatarou. Yako."

Kurama approached them, raising his wet hair. He asked in a low voice to the two disciples, who were smiling as if their faces were glued together.

"What happened to Yukito-kun?"

The two spoke in unison while smiling.

"Yukito is dead!"

"We kill him!"

"The same thing will happen to you from now on, master!"

At the same time, their upper bodies writhed. With claws growing on all four of their hands, Chatarou and Yako... The illusion that took their form attacked Kurama from above.

Kurama made a seal at lightning speed.

"A fish must not escape from the abyss. A dishonorable ship must not be shown to anyone!"

A flash of light scattered the two approaching shadows. His final screams didn't sound like screams. The sound of the ocean could be heard in the distance, or maybe it was something like that.

Kurama calmed down and observed his surroundings.

His feet are on the platform. However, Kurama had no idea it was real. There are a wide variety of techniques to refine and manipulate life energy. He knew there were many ways to deceive and dazzle people.

Is the owner of this illusion the same one who created the storm?

Or was there another genjutsu lurking within the storm technique?

Kurama stopped thinking at that. He closed his eyes, he made the sign again with his hands and began to draw life energy from his life vein.

A voice sounded as if he wanted to interrupt that.

"Master."

"Master. Kurama-sensei..."

It sounded like it was coming from beneath Kurama's feet, like he was coming from the depths of the earth. At the same time, something grabbed his ankle.

Kurama didn't open his eyes. Illusions are nothing more than things that disturb the mind and deceive the ears and eyes. It is not enough to be afraid if you close your heart and cover your eyes and ears.

"Man, earth and sky!"

Chatarou and Yako's curses continue to echo through the spaces between the murmured spells.

"Why?"

"Why did you bring us to this place?"

"Master, it's cold."

"Master, it's dark."

"It's cold and dark."

"Master, please come with me."

The disciples shouted in anger, but Kurama's heart was not disturbed. He knew for sure that it was just an illusion, that the real Chatarou and Yako were on the real island of Gonoshima.

Kurama took a deep breath and opened his eyes, trying to complete the spell.

At this moment, another voice rang.

"Why, Haruaki...?!"

Kurama's breathing became erratic for a moment when he felt the ugly, distorted right hand that was wrapped around his feet.

The next moment, something wrapped around Kurama's neck. The platform that should have been under his feet disappeared and a tremendous force dragged him into the water. The cold seawater soaked his entire body and his breath foamed out of his mouth. The pale, shimmering surface of the sea was receding rapidly.

There was a muffled female voice in his ear.

"My order is not to allow anyone to enter the island, Kurama Haruaki-sama."

Kurama closed his eyes again as he was dragged to the bottom of the dark ocean.

+++++++++++

Yukito watched anxiously as the sun set and fell beyond the storm wall.

Two days had passed since then. Tonight, the celebration will begin in "Kerukaiden". The mission to rescue Jingi and escape from this island is about to begin.

Despite that, Kurama was nowhere to be seen.

"Master..."

Yako, who had approached him before he realized it, muttered to himself. Yukito looked at his profile. His normally gentle expression was filled with deep anxiety.

It was not surprising. Kurama is his master. The master did not come to the place he said he would come and could not contact him. His concern for his safety was probably even greater than Yukito's.

However, Yako looked at Yukito and forced a smile.

"It's okay, I'm sure he's having trouble getting through that storm. Sensei will be here soon."

Yukito blinked a few times and nodded. Yukito wished he could have said something witty, but the words never came to mind. Yako always cared about him, but he felt bad for not being able to do the same.

Chatarou and Ibara left the room almost at the same time.

"Hey. You're early, both of you."

Chatarou smiled and patted Yukito on the back. Yukito didn't miss his always cheerful manner, but for a moment he turned his gaze to the other side of the clouds. Chatarou is also afraid. He just tries not to show it.

"Come on."

He murmured and started walking, taking the lead.

He walked towards the hotel along the dock that leads to the floating cabin. Ibuki was already waiting on the beach at sunset. Instead of wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, he was wearing his usual black suit. He was standing with his arms crossed, but he wasn't looking at Yukito or the others.

The person he is looking at is a vague looking man standing by the beach. A spiritual man.

If he remembers correctly, I think his name was Taro. He was the spiritual man who took Yukito and his friends to the Kisui village that day.

Employees like them were always monitoring Yukito's movements. He never gets in his way or tries to cause him any harm. But they were always there.

"I guess they'll keep an eye on us and let us know if anything happens. They're his henchmen."

Ibuki had said that at some point. Yukito thought that was true. They were enemies. And Yukito learned that there are some types of enemies that won't attack you.

"Boss. Everything ready."

Ibara called out to Ibuki, who was looking at the spiritual man. Still, Ibuki didn't turn around. Instead, he approached the spiritual man and his footsteps crunched on the sand.

Yukito and the others looked at each other.

Ibuki had also been informed of the details of the plan: Yukito and Ibara would act as a distraction, and Chatarou and Yako would take the opportunity to infiltrate. Ibuki agreed and announced that he would also participate in the detour, but he did not say anything about specific arrangements. There's no point in talking unless they get to Kisui Village first, but...

"Hey."

Ibuki spoke to Taro and Taro responded politely.

"What's up, customer?"

"Give me your car keys."

A hint of confusion appeared on Taro's impassive expression.

"The car is property of the hotel."

"I know. But lend it to me. I need it."

Taro let his gaze wander from him. He is certain that no client has ever made such an unreasonable request. When Taro realized that there was no help around him, he said in a weak voice.

"If you need help, please contact us..."

"My job is to attack your village. Do you plan to help me with that? No problem, just lend it to me."

When Taro opened his mouth, Ibuki slowly took out a gun from his pocket and pointed the barrel at him.

A minute later, Ibuki was listening to Yukito's furious protests as he inserted the car key into the tuk-tuk's key cylinder.

"It's a disaster! Why did you do that?! Is it a robbery?!"

Frowning in annoyance, Ibuki started the engine and grabbed the steering wheel.

"They kidnapped Jingi and tried to imprison you. There's no point in being polite to them."

"It's not because of that...!"

"If you have any complaints, get out of the car. You're going to walk to town."

Yukito gritted his teeth and closed his mouth.

Ibuki stepped on the accelerator.

The tuk-tuk jumped and began to run along the rugged roads of the southern country. Chatarou and Yako clung to the side bar in panic. While doing so, Chatarou asked Ibara.

"Oh, is your boss always like this...?"

"Well, mostly."

Ibara's voice was full of resignation.

The tuk-tuk moved at high speed through the trees and along the road that runs along the coast. It was already dusk and a wall of thick white clouds still separated the sky from the sea. Until the crescent moon cloak hid everything, Yukito watched the scene with a slight hope that Kurama would appear.

Finally, twice as fast as when Taro was driving, the tuk-tuk reached Kisui village.

The town was bright and deserted. There was a large path running through the center, and on either side were many bonfires that illuminated the area in orange, but the villagers who were supposed to have lit them were nowhere to be seen.

Parking the tuk-tuk on its side, Ibuki jumped out of the car first. His eyes moved left and right, his eyes alert. After that, Ibara got out of the car, followed by Yukito, Chatarou, and Yako.

"There is nobody here?"

Ibuki looked at Chatarou who muttered in a low voice.

"We will split up here. You guys will infiltrate. Me, Ibara and Yukito will go from the front."

"Hey..."

Ibuki continued to stare coldly at Chatarou, who made a confused sound. Chatarou swallowed and nodded deeply.

"Oh, I get it!"

"Please be careful."

Ibuki snorted at Yako's words and took a step forward.

They then looked at Yukito and Ibara. Chatarou lightly patted Yukito on the shoulder, frowning worriedly.

"Be careful, Yukito. And Ichijou too."

"Uh, yes. That too..."

"At best, they won't find me."

"So how to say it!"

After saying that angrily, Chatarou laughed. That laugh infected Yako and then Yukito. And also Ibara. Her mouth curved into something resembling a smile, and Chatarou smiled at her, as if to give her something.

Then, the two looked at each other, clasped their hands, and shouted at the same time.

"Man, earth and sky! I can see this, but I can't see it, so I'll give it a name and call it Yi!"

A sudden gust of wind enveloped Chatarou and Yako. The next moment, they were nowhere to be seen, as if they had been blown away by the wind.

"Come on."

Ibuki called to Yukito who was looking around and continued forward. Yukito began to walk alongside Ibara.

Yukito stared at the crackling bonfire as he walked. The bonfires that illuminated the main street, however, did not illuminate the gaps between the houses. Something could be lurking in the shadows. Spiritual beings, or perhaps they were connected to them? Every time Yukito remembered the image of them chasing him across the ocean, he felt his arms tremble. The Kisui Palace looked like a huge wall in the dark. A torch was tied to the top of the door, but it was as expected.

There was no one there. Without hesitation, Ibuki walked up the stone steps and through the door. Ibara and Yukito did the same.

After taking a few steps through the entrance hall, a sharp metallic sound echoed from behind.

Yukito instinctively turned around. An iron-barred door blocked his escape route. However, Yukito was the only one with a scared expression on his face. Both Ibuki and Ibara walked down the hallway with cold faces and finally suddenly stopped at the same time.

Before he knew it, two men were standing in the center of the hallway.

They were two contrasting people. One was a large, tanned, muscular man, with almost no expression on his face. The other is a handsome man, with light skin, with a smile on his thin lips.

Both spirits seemed familiar.

A light-skinned man named Josei stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"We have been waiting for you, Yukito Yanagi, Ibara Ichijou and Aka Ibuki. By order of my master, Sango Kisuinomiya, I will guide you from here."

"Which one is the old one?"

Ibuki asked absently. Josei bowed his head.

"None of us are old. The one here is Uzura, and I..."

"If you're not the old man, you don't have to say your name. He's the only one I don't trust."

Ibuki didn't want to say anything else. He started walking slowly again. Josei looked at him suspiciously and raised a hand to stop him.

"Please wait, Ibuki-san."

With a gesture as natural as taking out a wallet in a store, Ibuki took the gun out of his pocket, took aim, and pulled the trigger. The water jug across the hall shattered and a light stream of blood flowed from Josei's cheek.

In an instant, the emotion disappeared from Josei's well-groomed face.

Ibuki looked at him amused and muttered to himself.

"There are still more "congratulations". Feel free to accept them."

"Uzura!"

At the same time as Josei's shout, Uzura slammed both fists. As if in response, Ibara put on her gauntlets and spirits with weapons in their hands emerged from the hallways everywhere.

Yukito gulped. He didn't expect it to start so quickly. However, he remembered that they didn't come there to argue. They came to rescue Jingi by force, so he also made a seal.

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