Okay, be careful.
I encountered an aradama while pursing the escapees
Juujou Hiyori and Etou Kanami, and suppressed it with their help.
However, I was unable to secure them, and they managed to get away.
I am very sorry.
You did well enough in ascertaining their location.
You can come back.
Yes, ma'am.
If only we had permission to attack.
It's been 30 hours since the incident occurred.
Currently, a gag order is being imposed regarding this incident.
We have investigated the other Toji that participated in the final match.
However, it appears that they carried out this crime
on their own without any other accomplices.
Just how many more charges are those girls going to add?
What are you doing, elite guards?!
Yukina...
Yukina-chan.
If you have identified the location of the traitors,
why haven't you dispatched the military units?!
With all due respect, Renpu President,
while they may only be middle school students,
they are Toji who have received battle training.
Not to mention they are in possession of okatanas.
Jurisdiction is—
Then you must attack and defeat them!
We would like to be able to do that, too.
Since we are being ordered to guard Yukari-sama,
we cannot make a move right now.
Investigate the footage from the security cameras in the area where they disappeared.
Yukina...
Both of you share the blame for raising traitors
who would dare turn their blades on Yukari-sama!
She used to be such a sweet girl. Always calling, "Senpai, senpai," after us...
I wonder when she became so blunt.
Sayaka, head to Tokyo
and defeat those cowering traitors.
Yes, ma'am.
You may have lost the match, but my opinion of you hasn't changed.
You are the greatest Toji and the pride of Renpu.
You aren't a prototype, like the elite guards.
Yukari-sama, why won't you give me any orders?
I do not recall summoning you.
I came here at my own discretion.
If the elite guard are unable to make a move,
then please leave everything to us at Renpu.
Even though you are at her side, you are useless!
My apologies.
Katana Maidens
Episode 3 Innocent Sword
Is this the right place?
Yeah, they said this place on the phone.
If you have any trouble, please contact this number.
The note that was in my bag...
It's not Mai-chan's handwriting,
but...
If it's a trap, we might have to fight.
Mai-chan gave me this letter, so I don't think it's a trap.
Oh! There you are!
You two are absolutely soaked!
You must be Hiyori-chan, which means you are Kanami-chan.
That's right.
My name is Onda Rui.
Nice to meet you.
Okay, then. Here, take this.
Are you acquainted with President Hashima?
Yep, I'm from Minoseki.
What?! So that means you're my senpai, right?
Right, and since I'm still on good terms with President Hashima,
she called and asked me to look after you two.
Then that note...
...is from the president.
It's huge!
Now, come on in, you two.
Okay! Thanks for having us over.
You live by yourself?
Yep, isn't it great? It's spacious, if a little far from where I work, though.
If you're from Minoseki, then that means you are also...
Yes, I'm a former Toji.
I'm retired now. I've given back my okatana.
Are you from the Sword Administration?!
Not at all. Don't worry.
I'm not involved with the Administration or the Origami family.
What sword style did you study, Rui-san?
Aren't you cold like that?
Take a bath first.
I'll put out a change of clothes for you, and then we'll eat.
The bathroom was really spacious, too.
Could you at least try to be a little more suspicious?
Take your okatana in the bathroom with you.
What? I don't know that I really need to take my okatana in there, though.
The situation is what it is.
I'm taking mine with me.
Uh...
The customary tournament between
the Five Schools was held by the Origami family of Kamakura,
and many students participated this year, as well.
We'll move on to the weather next.
Yes, well, today cold spring rain is falling in the Kanto region.
However, this rain won't be around long, and is expected to stop tonight.
So there hasn't been any announcement from the police.
How much do you know?
I know the rough details, more or less.
I can't believe you turned your okatana on the hero, Origami Yukari-sama.
Well, I won't press you about the subject, though.
I have to get up early in the morning, so I'm going to bed.
I'll leave a spare key on the table in the morning.
Use it freely while I'm gone.
Thank you so much.
Okay, night!
Good night.
I wonder if this is okay? She's doing so much for us.
Kanami, got a moment?
Tell me more about what you saw behind Origami Yukari's back.
Oh, okay, well...
It was only for a moment, so I don't really recall,
but it looked like it was glaring at you.
Glaring... An aradama? What form was it?
Um...
You saw it, right?
I saw it, but it didn't really have a form.
It seemed like it was just a pair of bulging eyes.
Eyes? You're sure you're not mistaken?
Yeah.
How can you be sure?
Because I'm a Toji, too.
You said it was only for a moment. Does that mean the aradama disappeared?
I wouldn't say that it disappeared,
but it did something like when a Toji generates utsushi.
Kind of like it dove back into the netherworld.
I think I saw it when the head of the family took out her okatana.
She took it from the underworld?
That was Oodenta and Onimaru?
She took those two swords from the netherworld?
Is such a thing even possible?
Hey, why don't we tell the others about her true identity and get their help?
No way.
Huh?
The Sword Administration and the Special Religious Military Units
are completely under Origami Yukari's control.
We would be crushed.
You're planning on challenging the head of the family again, aren't you?
Yes, I'm going to vanquish the aradama pretending to be Origami Yukari.
There's no other way.
I don't think I'll get a second chance...
But as long as I'm alive, I just can't give up.
Even if you were to manage to face her one-on-one,
you probably wouldn't win.
Somehow, I get the sense that her strength
is on a totally different level.
I put all the power I have into the fastest jin'i.
It was faster than a speeding bullet.
Even if my opponent had been accelerated by jin'i,
she shouldn't have been able to avoid it, let alone follow it with her eyes.
But she avoided it so easily!
No, wait...
Even I couldn't see her movements when I was accelerated.
But she was able to see it?
Mai-chan...
If my opponent is aiming for my forearm, I take my kozume and draw it.
If they come at me in the overhead position, I challenge them directly.
If they come at me in the middle position, I counter with the kuneriuchi attack.
But if they come at me in the lower position?
You can just use the kuneriuchi attack for that, too.
Oh, you made it. I've been waiting.
Man, I've been so bored.
I've been training in my head this whole time.
All right, let's do this, then!
Sure.
Huh? What's the matter?
You down or something?
Well, I'm just really not sure what I should've done.
I see.
Mai-chan has probably had a rough time because of me.
But you were able to save another friend, right?
I think what you did is very like you, Kanami.
Because you are the way you are,
your friend sent you off without saying anything.
You think so?
Yes, I do, I do!
Now, let's spar already!
Jeez, that's all you care about.
Well, it's the only thing I have to look forward to!
No fair...
They still haven't found Kanami.
I wonder what happened to her.
Mai's staying behind, too.
I'm sure something will happen after we're back at Minoseki.
Everyone's going home.
That girl is from Renpu?
Hey, Milady Yanase!
Osafune's representatives?
I'm Kohagura Ellen!
And this is Kaoru.
Mashiko Kaoru.
Good work on your mission.
I'm sure you're worried about your friend, but don't be sad!
O-Okay...
I'm so glad we could meet.
Your dad and my parents are work partners.
My father?
Hey, Ellen, hurry up.
Um... are you going somewhere?
We are finally free!
We're going on vacation in Shonan!
It's perfect beach weather.
Isn't that an aradama?
He's my pet.
Nene is Kaoru's friend.
Let's go.
Let's meet again sometime!
See you, Mai-mai!
Mai-mai?
Okay, all set.
What are you doing?
Since she's letting us stay here, I figured I might as well clean up, but...
This will do!
Use as you please. —Rui
That is the end of my report.
So that was a waste of time.
Why didn't you immediately request back-up?
I decided that collection of the noro took priority.
Forget about the noro!
Of all the things to suppress...
You didn't help them escape, did you?
No!
No matter. Renpu will be handling the rest.
You may leave.
Excuse me.
Yanase-san.
President...
You know, I understand how serious everything is,
but I have faith in Kanami-chan!
Those two will be fine.
President?
Hey there! Is it true that you let those two go after finally finding them?
You're from the elite guard!
You're so weak!
You wouldn't have been able to beat them in the first place.
Tsubakuro-san, put your okatana away.
Yes, ma'am!
Amazing! You're really good at cooking, Hiyori-chan!
I often used to make this for my mother.
I rarely get the chance to do so anymore.
Your mother?
Yes.
My mother was once a Toji, too.
She passed away last year after a prolonged illness.
I see. So your mom is gone, too.
They're wearing coats to cover themselves, but there's no mistake.
Those are the Heijou and Minoseki uniforms.
Go after that vehicle!
I'm home!
Whoa!
It's like I just moved in!
Hiyori-chan and I cleaned up as a way to say thanks for letting us stay here.
Thank you!
What? Something smells good.
Wow!
Hiyori-chan made it.
Let me try it.
Yep! It's delicious!
I'm shocked! Hiyori-chan is so feminine.
I-It's not that big a deal.
Say, there's something I want you both to see after this.
We have determined the location.
The apartment belongs to Onda Rui.
She's a former Toji from Minoseki.
She returned her okatana ten years ago.
She currently works at Yahata Electronics.
Yahata Electronics means...
Yes, it is one of the companies engaged in the development of the S Equipment.
Understood. I will start the mission now.
"Hello, Gladdy's friends."
Hello, Gladdy's friends. We welcome you.
"We welcome you"?
Gladdy?
Answer however you like.
Who are you?
Um...
"Ally."
You are the only two rebels.
You have the letter, don't you?
Are you ready to face this?
It was just completed today!
Go to the following location.
Kanami, go get Chidori!
Right!
You get inside!
O-Okay!
You're from Renpu!
How is she so fast?
She's using jin'i for an extended period,
rather than just momentary acceleration?
I didn't think a person could do that.
Hiyori-chan!
Not yet...
Then I, too, will have...
to reach much, much deeper!
Is this an effect of the technique?
She doesn't seem to be able to generate utsushi anymore.
No way!
Without her utsushi?!
I'll have to cut her down.
Stop!
Step aside, Hiyori-chan.
I'll be her opponent.
Are you prepared to kill her, then?!
I won't kill her!
Her sword wasn't like this before.
Nothing is coming from her sword.
You won't be able to cut anything with a soulless sword like that!
She took her okatana?
Do you remember me?
I'm Etou Kanami. We fought each other in the first round of the tournament.
That match was a lot of fun!
Your techniques had my heart pounding the whole time!
Will you spar with me again sometime?
It's a promise!
The only choice that occurred to me was to kill her,
but Kanami...
Next Episode The Burden of Resolution