You're pushing it, Yukina.
Sh-She's so strong.
So this is Origami Yukari.
How immature...
If you would draw Juzumaru, we could break through this much easier.
A momentary victory is meaningless.
I've been abandoned by Princess Tagitsu and Princess Takiri
and now I wander this world alone...
Yukari, I am exhausted.
Really? If you can still talk so much, then you're fine.
Let's go.
You slave driver.
Katana Maidens
Episode 20 The Last Goddess
They escaped?!
Nevertheless, your skill in finding Origami Yukari is appreciated.
I will send over reinforcements promptly, so please take care of this tonight.
If I didn't have to handle negotiations with those philistines,
I'd go take care of things myself.
It's a matter of being the right person for the job.
You simply need to handle the tasks that only you can do.
Princess! Leave it to me.
Make sure you make it interesting.
According to the report I received from Rui-san,
she parted ways with my sister and Princess Ichikishima on the Choshi coast,
and they are heading north trying to avoid notice.
We've confirmed that Princess Tagitsu's forces have already made contact with them,
but in light of public opinion and the government,
we believe even they can't go all out because of the attention it would draw.
Which means we will need to secure them promptly
without drawing attention, either.
That's right, and while you're at it, please secure Rui, too.
While we're at it?
Rui-rui lived a life unloved by her job and superiors.
Tap, tap! The Sword Administration Bureau is a black company after all.
Don't go spreading jokes on the Internet
that will turn public opinion further against us.
Are you trying to make me stop growing or something?
Stop growing?
Hey, stop it. Don't look at me with such an innocent gaze.
You seem relaxed now. You should get going, then.
Yes, ma'am!
Etou, have you got a moment?
What is it? You're being so formal, Shidou-san.
I'm only going to say this to you, but about Juujou Hiyori...
I know. She hasn't been focusing on anything.
Of course you've already noticed.
There's been so much that's happened
with things twenty years ago and now with Princess Takiri and Princess Ichikishima.
She could be dangerous like this, so be careful.
You seem to be a bit tense yourself, Naa-chan.
You haven't called me that in a long time, Akane-chan.
The imperial guard's movements are far too precise.
It's as if they have completely grasped the bureau director's actions.
The mastermind must be...
...her, right?
As a vice captain, she was able to make quick and precise movements
by reviewing every situation.
She was a reliable comrade to have twenty years ago.
So even you get tired.
You would be, too, fending off such attacks in rapid succession.
They have all devoted themselves to Princess Tagitsu.
My wish is
to sublimate humans to great heights by fusion with aradama.
I just wanted to prove that my existence wasn't unnecessary.
But no one desires such lofty ideals.
I am so tired.
Are you giving up?
No one around me will forgive me.
I see. That is none of my concern.
Yukari?
I made the decision to protect you whether anyone forgives you or not.
Yes, that's right.
Regardless of what anyone wants,
I won't hand you over to Princess Tagitsu.
I don't understand.
Why don't you break?
We were with you for twenty years,
and yet you constantly endured our intrusion.
Where does such strength come from?
Do you want to know?
Then I will tell you.
You won't be able to understand just by watching, so speak with me.
Communicating your intentions through conversation?
Humans are indeed immature, as you've said.
To say that we can understand each other without speaking is nonsense.
After speaking with you... For example,
I was surprised to learn how unexpectedly talkative you are.
I used to think you were the silent type.
Honestly, it puzzled me at first.
Well, um...
I'm not very good at it myself, but this is how humans understand each other.
Though it can be troublesome to understand each other too much...
Yes, you would be the only one to trace me here, Yuzuki.
You're easy to figure out, Yukari.
It's been a while, though I guess I can't say that.
I was just with you doing research until recently.
But it's been about twenty years since I last saw you being fully yourself.
Twenty years is a long time.
Why are people so easily...
What has this girl done?
While maintaining such a precarious balance...
Why is the world so unfair?
Unfair.
This is to resist that unfairness.
I had a dream I wanted to realize,
even if it meant turning my back on the right path and going down the wrong one.
But the true identity of the dream that I believed was noble
was just the ugly and misguided extremes of my ego.
And I forced my egotism onto those girls.
You didn't come all this way just to reminisce, did you?
No, I had faith that you would repel the imperial guard,
protect Princess Ichikishima, and come to me.
Please condemn me, Yukari.
I have sinned too much.
I don't have the right to condemn you.
Why, Yukari?
I gave Yume a transient happiness that lead to cruel end.
I crushed the earnest feelings of young girls.
All of it was because of my weakness.
That's why I came in their place.
Twenty years ago... no, even before then,
I always depended on you,
and you always supported me.
I am the one who should be condemned, since your weakness
is the weakness I have given you.
Yukari...
Yomi.
Princess Ichikishima, I have to come for you on my master's orders.
Princess Tagitsu, huh?
You let me come here?
Yukari!
Yukari...
Satsuki Yomi will be in command going forward.
Please have the imperial guard and other units
follow the aradama signal I attached to the target and gather there.
Now then, please excuse me, President Souraku.
You don't need to purge the traitor?
You have done your duty by leading me
to Princess Ichikishima.
I see. So I'm not going to be condemned or killed.
So that is my sin.
Honestly, I do not really care about what happens to you.
However, I will say this...
It's entirely on you if you wish to condemn yourself as a corrupt sinner.
But even if it is ugly and misguided,
we are the ones who chose this way of life for ourselves.
We will not be condemned by anyone.
We've fought this many times before.
Satsuki-san called on her aradama again here.
Hiyori-chan?
Yeah, you're right.
Hiyori-chan!
What's with you all of a sudden, Kanami?
For now, let's follow the tracks and go after them!
After that... We'll figure out the rest.
Figure it out?
H-Hey, Kanami.
Nene-chan has apparently found Princess Ichikishima.
Let's meet up with the others.
Got it, where at?
This place is like a labyrinth.
Rather fitting for someone like me, who cannot see where she is going.
However, all the things that are here are indispensable to human livelihoods,
which is vastly different from my useless existence.
This may sound like a joke,
but is it possible for you to fuse with me again?
It is not.
Once the three of us were gone, you were no longer...
Origami Yukari-sama, Princess Ichikishima,
we will be taking you in!
Sorry we're late, Yukari-sama!
You...
We'll deal with them. Get as far away as you can!
Leave this to us, and go on!
Yes! I got to say it. Now I have no regrets.
I'm sorry!
Wait!
Wh-What?!
So flashy!
Amazing.
Let's go, girls!
Right!
Kanami-chan and Hiyori-chan, you two go guard Yukari-sama and Princess Ichikishima!
Hurry!
Got it!
Come on, Hiyori-chan.
Okay.
Etou-san!
I've been waiting so long for this.
For the day when I could fight you.
Let's do this, Etou-san!
We can have a totally serious clash like we did at Ichigaya.
A-Ayumu-chan...
Yomi...
What is she doing without her utsushi?
I do not have any more of my life to give to defeat you,
so please come at me with intent to kill,
and I will do the same.
Kashima Shrine... dedicated to the god of thunder and martial arts, Takemikazuchi.
And the home of the Kashima Shintou style.
I've visited here with Kagari and Yuzuki before.
Is something wrong?
It is the humans that you need.
While I...
Why do you think I was able to hold on to myself
while playing host to the great aradama?
It is because you were with me.
Me?
Tormented by Princess Tagitsu's relentlessness and Princess Takiri's rationality,
day by day, my humanity was gradually slipping away.
But I was able to remain a person because you,
the cautious, timid, and self-deprecating Princess Ichikishima,
were within me.
You are not an unnecessary existence.
I need you more than anyone else.
Yukari...
Are you finished?
Have you been well? I've missed you, Princess Ichikishima.
Princess Tagitsu...
Be mine, and I will give you meaning.
Princess Tagitsu... I won't let that happen!
Kanami!
Go, Hiyori-chan!
Okay!
Please stop this, Ayumu-chan.
Why should I?
This is my mission, and we're Toji. Toji are meant to fight together.
And I got stronger so I could fight with you.
That's why I'll fight you with everything I've got!
Yomi, you can still come back from this!
And you are all right with suppressing aradama, Shidou-san?
I am, because I have someone more reliable than an aradama now!
Well, that is rather jarring, but I'll accept the flattery.
Is this really the strength you wanted?
Yes, so I could fight with you!
See? I've gotten stronger, haven't I?
Okay, then I can't fight with you.
Why not?
Princess Ichikishima, hurry and get away from here.
You doddering old fool.
You were even once our...
No, now you are just a broken vessel.
Stop this, Yukari.
You are not an unnecessary existence.
I need you more than anyone else.
Yukari...
Do not...
...touch Yukari!
Yukari, just hang on a moment!
All right, I will then.
The first time I met you, I thought,
"This girl loves swordfighting just as much as I do,"
and I was so glad.
I thought that it would be fun
if we gradually strengthened our swordsmanship together.
Fun? I don't understand any of that!
I know.
Because I just put everything into this strike.
I know you will able to accept it.
You are... Princess Ichikishima?
I want you to lend me your power.
No, I want to entrust my power to you.
Don't be ridiculous!
You used to be part of Princess Tagitsu!
You're no different from the great aradama who tormented my mother!
So why would I...
Even so, I want to entrust myself to you, Juujou Hiyori.
I want to save Origami Yukari.
It is all right if you resent me.
You are welcome to resent me as well, Yomi-san.
You can't come back anymore, can you?
No, I can't.
No matter how twisted the path might be,
as long as that person walks it...
Now, then, it is time to die.
Takemikazuchi? It can't be!
Kogarasumaru? Juujou Hiyori...
So you have found a new vessel, Princess Ichikishima.
Hiyori-chan! Yukari-sama!
Hiyori-chan! What in the world is going on?
Where's Princess Ichikishima? Where is she?
Hey, Hiyori-chan?
H-Hiyori-chan...?
Next Episode Sword of the Thunder God