We look the same, but men call us monsters. If we shadows, which lurk between eras, are destined to die, then I shall fall with the cherry blossoms. Then, I shall fall with the cherry blossoms.
Edo Castle
A truly joyous occasion.
I am told it is thanks to Tenkai-dono that the castle has disappeared.
Impressive...
I am terribly sorry.
The Murakumo disappeared?
Destroyed, I would understand, but...
How was this done?
The work of some supernatural creature?
The Shielding Eye Is Deceived
Thanks for the meal!
Thank you.
Hey... It was over there, right?
That strange castle.
Yes.
I wish I could've seen it...
I hope it comes back.
I don't think it will.
Ever again.
Oh, you're working in the shop again?
I'm fine now.
But it took so long for you to wake up...
Hachisu?
Hibiki, you're awake.
Where's Hachirou?
I see.
He doesn't get it.
I knew Hachirou wouldn't get it.
Rui...
You're back.
Thanks.
And sorry, but could you and Utsutsu patrol tonight, too?
I was asked to run an errand, so I'll be at Namenba and Gorone-dono's place.
Okay.
But how long are we going to keep patrolling, even during the day?
We still don't know what happened to the Joujinshuu.
At least, that's what Gorone-dono says.
How long is this going to take?
Damn, now I've gotta go, too...
I can't take my Saibougu off here.
Use leaves.
Even cheap paper is expensive.
Harsh...
Spring is so awful.
So you're back to being Lazy Gorone again?
When they were here, you had your act together.
Sounds like you want them to come back.
Don't say that, even if it's only a joke!
But the way the Joujinshuu and the Murakumo just vanished...
If anything, it's more suspicious.
But we saw it burn and shatter ourselves.
You saw it burn until there was nothing left?
No...
But it disappeared.
It disappeared, but that's all.
It's too early to sleep soundly at night.
Who's there? Is someone there?
What?
Impossible.
Who's there?! Show yourself.
Are you some sort of monster?
You won't be able to use your magic on me.
Show yourself.
Shichigen...
Shichigen.
Shichigen...
Mother?
Shichigen...
Mother!
Shichigen. Shichigen.
I saw nothing.
I mustn't... have looked.
Wait! You can't do this!
Please! Give us the money you said you would!
Then, come with me to the inn.
Many people there would pay a hefty price.
Nonsense.
Stop it! Let me go!
Let me go!
I saw nothing...
I mustn't... have looked.
Combining our techniques worked splendidly.
Adamantite Prison
I captured him within the Adamantite Prison.
And the statue of Kannon was Demon Beast Summoning.
Demon Beast Summoning
Destiny's Passage
And Destiny's Passage showed him a terrible sight.
Now, that man will always be our slave, no matter what.
Kyoto
A question. Is this where Honnouji is?
Honnouji? That's near Kamagawa Village.
No. The old one.
The one where Nobunaga-dono was slain.
Oh, that's just up ahead, you're right.
But there's nothing there now.
No, isn't there? You know, the ghost.
The ghost?
Well, a lot of people have said they've seen ghosts, lately.
Pale shadows, moving around at night.
They say that, perhaps, Nobunaga-sama's soul is wandering there, trapped.
A shard of glass?
Secretly running away again?
Saizou...
That isn't a nice thing to say. I'm not running anywhere.
But you don't plan to come back, either.
Just like always, you never make up your mind, leader.
You put those around you ahead of yourself.
But then you say you don't want your bloodline binding you.
Shichigen, Shikibu, and the Igas...
They've spent their whole lives waiting for a word from their leader.
You know that, right?
Well?
I'm going to accept that offer.
That offer?
The one that involves Joujin trying to revive Nobunaga.
If I can meet Nobunaga's ghost, that would make this faster.
Hachirou?
Why?
Joujin is here.
He's close.
We have to run.
It's too late.
But...
It's too late, Hibiki.
So now, I'm going to tell you how I really feel.
I love you.
You'll be mine, won't you, Hibiki?
Yes. Forever.
I want you!
Me, too!
I see.
You'll be mine, then?
Kouga Hachirou?
I see you're no ghost.
Nonsense...
Did you think that would be enough to destroy the Joujinshuu?
Of course not.
Why have you appeared here, Kujaku Tsuibamu?
That's my line.
Are you trying to revive Nobunaga?
I see.
That is what you have come to learn?
Either way, it is a strange fate that brought us here, together.
May I ask you for a duel?
You would fight me with that branch?
It is spring, and the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
I thought it would be entertaining, perhaps.
As elegant as I'd expect from you...
is what I'd like to say, but I don't know.
Isn't it because you fear my skill?
A blade would cause my Spearing Eye to activate.
But a branch would cause no great damage.
Don't overestimate your own techniques so much.
Joujin-sama's order not to slay you remains in effect.
I won't use Ouka anymore.
I told you not to overestimate yourself.
That incomplete technique you could not control...
Perhaps Joujin-sama gave up on it.
Then, why still come after us?
I couldn't say...
If you wish to know, ask Joujin-sama yourself.
I shall take you to him whenever you like.
Hibiki!
What's wrong, Hibiki—
Now, think about it...
Will your Spearing Eye work on my Reverse Halberd of Time?
I know your weakness.
Once you've used the Reverse Halberd of Time, you can't use it again for a while.
Why not try it?
Let us see what happens when we use our techniques on one another.
Why?
You used your Spearing Eye, yes.
But why did it not work?
That is simple.
It couldn't reach me.
I see that what is emitted by your eyes
cannot overcome the reverse flow of time.
You seem unable to accept that...
Want to try again?
What?
If you're certain I cannot immediately use the Reverse Halberd of Time again,
then no need to worry about a thing.
If I only used it for a moment, a moment is all it takes to recover.
This time, I will show no mercy.
Utsutsu, what's wrong?!
Hibiki...
Follow Hibiki...
Hurry!
Hibiki...
Hibiki! Hibiki, wait!
Hibiki, what happened?
You, huh?
Neirichiou?
You...
As I thought, this technique doesn't stop at stealing an enemy's will to fight.
No...
When its limiters are removed, it can do harm, as well.
Just as Joujin-sama said.
Now come, Iga Hibiki...
Joujin-sama is waiting.
My... face!
Preview
You wish to recover Iga Hibiki-dono, who's trapped within the Murakumo.
I wish to recover Tadanaga-sama.
If we want the same things,
The Massive Castle Rumbles
there is no reason for us not to work together.
How about it?