 |
Published In:
|
| Publication Date: June 3, 2020 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
Anime Adaptation:
| |
Notes:
| |
Manga Summaries
Volume 6
1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15
16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|27|28|
Top
| Chapters Originally Published in: | |
| Shonen Sunday 2020 Vol. 27-28 - 39 |
Chapter
49: 白骨洞
Byakkoddou
(White Bone Cave)
Shiranui relates a story from his childhood in centuries past. The master had collected promising young pupils for their entrance ceremony. Their task was to wander through Byakko Cave (White Bone Cave) a series of maze-like caverns. Their task was simple- survive and reach the exit. Shiranui wandered blindly in the darkness, the bones of his long dead predecessors snapping under his bare feet. Shiranui lived on groundwater and insects he found inside the cave, unaware of how many days had passed. Eventually as he was about to give up he noticed a boy, a stranger who was not one of his classmates, wandering in the cavern. He said the boy moved without hesitation, pausing to listen occasionally but never faltering. Shiranui followed him and the boy found the exit as Shiranui crawled out weakly behind him. The boy was Mao, who was greeted by the master. The master was surprised to learn that Mao had made his home in the caverns and navigated them by listening to the flow of water and the air currents that wafted through. Mao made his way out of the cavern despite everyone else having a three day head start. The master then turned to Shiranui, noticing he had crawled out after Mao. He told Shiranui he owed his life to Mao and from that day forward he saw to it that Shiranui was mercilessly punished. Mao realizes that when he discovered their master's corpse it must have been Shiranui who was responsible. Shiranui laughs and reminds Mao of the man in the shadows who sprung out and slashed his face with a katana leaving the scar that still lingers beneath Mao's eye. That too was Shiranui. Outside Mao's katana is leading Nanoka and the others to the chamber where Mao and Shiranui are. As Mao lays there weakly, Shiranui demands he tell him about Taizanfukun, the most secret and powerful of the onmyoji technique that can extend life. Mao slowly pulls himself up, insisting that before they discuss that he wants to know about Sana. Why is she alive and now working for Shiranui? Shiranui is caught off guard, wondering if he met "Yurako". Before he can answer Mao rubs his own blood on his hands and seizes Shiranui, causing his clothes to burn away where Mao's blood touched them. Nanoka arrives and hands Mao his sword as he steadies himself and demands that Shiranui tells him what happened to Sana.
Chapter
50: 不知火の足
Shiranui no ashi
(Shiranui's Legs)
Mao prepares to battle Shiranui as Hyakka and Kamon hurry down to join him. Both are surprised to find their former comrade doing battle with Mao. Mao demands to know why Shiranui is with Sana, but Shiranui teases that this is what she has always wanted. Mao then recalls an off-hand remark she once made that she will always do as her father desires. Furious, Mao's katana begins to crackle with electricity and he swings a powerful blow, slicing off Shiranui's legs. Much to everyone's shock, prosthetic legs clatter to the ground and watery dragon's legs form from beneath Shiranui's robes. It seems that when Mao first was possessed by Byoki he cut off Shiranui's legs in an uncontrollable fit of rage that day so long ago. Consequently Shiranui took his own legs from a sea serpent. Because of this he can now never be away from the water. As the water in the chamber rises, Kamon uses his roots to pull Mao away, cursing him for nearly falling into Shiranui's clutches. Elsewhere Sana weeps alone in a room as Captain Shirasu watches over her. She wonders aloud what Mao thought of her appearance and Shirasu murmurs an apology to her while thinking "monsterous".
 |
Published In:
|
| Publication Date: June 17, 2020 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
Anime Adaptation:
| |
Notes:
| |
Chapter
51: 菜花の疑念
Nanoka no ginen
(Nanoka's Suspicions)
Mao and his comrades make their way out of the chamber, Mao cursing his luck that Shiranui narrowly escaped and Kamon wondering about who the metal controlling shikigami in Shiranui's employ must be. Hyakka asks Mao if he truly does not recall severing Shiranui's legs, and Mao admits that he recalls nothing clearly from when Byoki possessed him. Mao stumbles and kneels on the ground, unable to walk due to the accumulation of injuries. With little other choice, Nanoka slices her finger to offer Mao her blood to help heal him. Sharing her blood with Mao leaves Nanoka weakened and she asks to be taken back to the gate that will lead to the present day so she can recuperate. Nanoka leaves abruptly, still feeling frustrated and uncertain about Sana's return and her feelings for Mao. She ponders the way Mao reacted when he found out Sana was allied with Shiranui and wonders if Mao is jealous of the water-wielder. Walking home she thinks about her crush on Mao and how Sana spoke that echoing command to "move". Nanoka still wonders if it could really be Sana. Just then she looks up and finds Byoki is standing on the sidewalk awaiting her. Suddenly her legs lock up and the cat speaks into her mind asking if she gave his blood to Mao once more. Bracing herself, Nanoka asks Byoki to tell her about Sana, knowing that he was once her pet Haimaru. Meanwhile in the past a town is ravaged by metallic soldiers who massacre everyone in the small village. Days later Hyakka reads an article in the newspaper where the postman discovered the murdered villagers and reported the "iron scarecrows" that he saw.
 |
Published In:
|
| Publication Date: June 24, 2020 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
Anime Adaptation:
| |
Notes:
| |
Chapter
52: 呪いの家
Noroi no ie
(House of Curses)
Sitting in the park, Nanoka talks to Byoki about Sana. The cat relates a story about how he would sit with his mistress and watch black, snake-like whisps flutter into the sky and vanish- curses being cast from their home. He tells of his his mistress would relate to him stories of powerful men that came with their enemies hair and fingernails in order to have her father cast curses upon them. Byoki tells Nanoka that every night a curse was commissioned by someone, Sana's father would sneak into her room while she was asleep and summon a black entity from her mouth and cast it into a scroll which he would then pass along to one of his underlings to deliever. Byoki states that Mao and the others were not aware of the curses drawn from Sana's mouth. When Nanoka asks Byoki if he thinks Sana could be alive in the Taisho Era the cat looks surprised and states it is impossible. He saw her dead body and says her heart was taken, she is not alive. Meanwhile in the past Hyakka, Otoya and Mao journey to the village where the slaughter took place. Mao is surprised to find there are no police or newspaper reporters at the now desserted village. Hyakka explains that twenty years ago, during the Russo-Japanese War he was helping a farmer when these mechanical creatures attacked just like the ones described as murdering the villagers. Hyakka says in the past no one reported the attack, but as he is explaining what happened to him the metal soliders suddenly attack, their extending blades flashing out from under their cloaks. Standing of a roof nearby is Captain Shirasu who tells Hyakka that he might let him see his face before he takes his remaining eye.
 |
Published In:
|
| Publication Date: July 1, 2020 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
Anime Adaptation:
| |
Notes:
| |
Chapter
53: 仮面の下
Kamen no shita
(Under the Mask)
Hyakka recalls one day long ago in a simple rural village not unlike the one he finds himself in now. He returned from work to find many of the villagers murdered and the iron scarecrows slashing and killing. Using his fire powers he destroyed a number of them until their master threw a curving arc of metal towards him, slicing across his face and destroying his right eye. Hyakka tells the others that was twenty years ago. Captain Shirasu dismisses Hyakka, telling him he is unlucky to stumble into places like this which are merely good places to test out his metal soldiers. Mao immediately recognizes the metal belt-like shapes as identical to the ones used by the cannon-like creature that attacked him. With this he knows the masked man is working with Shiranui. Mao slashes at Shirasu's arm but the attack is ineffective as Shirasu reveals a gattling gun hidden in his hand. Seeing this Hyakka smirks and reminds the masked man that twenty years ago he cut off the arm that is now replaced by a mechanical one. Shirasu says that he has lived for centuries amassing such injuries and removes his mask. Mao instantly recognizes him as Hakubi. It was Hakubi that told Hyakka that Mao was the one responsible for murdering Sana. When Mao asks Hakubi if he was summoned to the five-sided room Hakubi looks at Hyakka, deducing he was the one that told Mao about the room and consequently must have been one of the people hidden in the room that night.
 |
Published In:
|
| Publication Date: July 15, 2020 | |
| Pages: 3 (full color) 16 (black and white) | |
Anime Adaptation:
| |
Notes:
| |
Chapter
54: 白眉
Hakubi
(Hakubi)
Mao and Hyakka think upon Hakubi, the man known calling himself Shirasu. They remember the trust their master had in him, and he was called upon to do work for the imperial family due to his skill and expertise. Mao recalls in the days after Hakubi would meet with their master that a sundry of gifts would soon arrive along with whispered rumors of rival lords death, imply his success in cursing someone to death. Hakubi tells them that over the centuries since Mao's betrayal he wandered the country and took place in countless wars and battles. Each time he died in combat he would later reawaken. He smiles and tell Hyakka that he knows he is much the same, which Hyakka silently acknowledges. Hakubi says something changed twenty years ago when Hyakka cut his arm off however. The missing arm and the burns on his face would not heal, and it gave him pleasure. Hakubi attacks, launching buzzsaws from his missing arm as Hyakka counters with dragons made of flame. Otoya watches and knows that fire counters metal and Hyakka should have a decided advantage in this battle. However even with these natural counterbalances Otoya acknowledges that the more clever practitioner will have the edge. As Hakubi's saw blades melt and burn, they turn into molten shrapnel that rains down on Mao and Hyakka. Mao barely has time to raise his sword and create a barrier to protect them. Hakubi scoffs at Mao's cursed blade saving him, wondering why a blade given to Mao by their master would protect a traitor. Mao explains that the sword is cursed with Byoki's blood, just as he himself is. Hyakka scoffs that Mao would call the blade "cursed", telling him that it is Byoki's way of protecting Mao. Hakubi then throws a necklace of pearls around Hyakka's arm. As pearls come from the water, it immediately binds Hyakka's ability to summon his flames. With Hyakka out of action, Mao continues his battle against Hakubi.
 |
Published In:
|
| Publication Date: July 22, 2020 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
Anime Adaptation:
| |
Notes:
| |
Chapter
55: 御降家の女
Gokouke no onna
(A Woman of the Goko Clan)
Mao continues his battle against Hakubi who explains how he came to be involved with Shiranui. According to Hakubi around the end of the Tokugawa shogunate he heard a rumor about someone peddling a life-extending technique and passing themselves off as a member of the Goko Clan- Mao, Hyakka and Hakubi's former school. Following the rumors Hakubi passed through a gate in the ocean and was teleported to a temple where he was greeted by Yurako- the woman Mao believes is Sana. Hakubi then stabs his metallic blades into Mao but watches in confusion as Mao's blood starts to dissolve them. With that he rams hundreds of metal shards into Mao's stomach which causes Mao to transform into his cat-like form due to being close to death. Hyakka is shocked to witness this transformation for the first time when Hakubi attacks again Mao is able to rip through his metal attacks. With his usual offense nullified Hakubi pulls out his paper sutra.
 |
Published In:
|
| Publication Date: July 29, 2020 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
Anime Adaptation:
| |
Notes:
| |
Chapter
56: 相剋の外
Soukoku no soto
(Beyond the Five Elements)
Mao continues his battle against Hakubi, who has now seen him transform into his cat-like form. Trapped inside the metal ensnarement, Hyakka and Otoya watch helplessly. Hakubi stares at Mao, angered that this cat form has nothing to do with the enternal conflict of elements of Onmyoudo. As he stares at it he wonders why their former master would have had any interest in Byoki and matters such as this that seem outside of their discipline. Hakubi surmises correctly that Byoki was created from Haimaru, Sana's cat via a process of enhancement through a battle of poisonous creatures. Had Byoki been used according to plan he wold have been the perfect, uncounterable weapon against other Onmyoji users according to Hakubi's logic. While Hakubi and Mao battle, Otoya is able to use one of his hairs to severe the sealing-bracelet that is keeping Hyakka's power's sealed. At the same time Hakubi is able to strip Mao of his seven-tailed form due to the fact he has taken the spear that once wounded Byoki and merged it into his body. When it looks as if Hakubi has the advantage Hyakka sends a tornado of flames at him, causing him to flee through a portal to safety. Mao immediately falls asleep as he reverts back to his human form and Nanoka arrives at his office wondering where everyone has gone. Meanwhile Hakubi flees back to Shiranui's lair on a boat at sea, pondering the potential of using Mao as his master had apparently planned to use Byoki.
 |
Published In:
|
| Publication Date: August 5, 2020 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
Anime Adaptation:
| |
Notes:
| |
Chapter
57: 覚めない
Samenai
(He Won't Wake Up)
Having transformed into his demonic form, Mao, now human again, has fallen into the deep slumber that always follows in the wake of his transformation. As Mao sleeps at his doctor's office a number of demons burst in needing medical attention. Hyakka insists that Mao be awakened to deal with them, but Otoya insists that they let Mao rest and try to treat the demons on their own. He tends to the injured demonic umbrella while helping a long-necked woman, a pig-creature and a multi-eyed blob with a hurt eye. When a creature with a tree stump for a head comes in asking for an ax to be removed, Hyakka yanks it free and nearly decapitates Mao in the process. Hyakka then causes a skeleton to crumble by removing a bone from its neck (that he thought was stuck in its throat). Fed up, Hyakka tries to wake Mao who sleepily knocks him away. The office soon falls into chaos as everyone tries to tend to the various monsters and demons without waking Mao. When the doctor does finally wake he finds everyone else passed out and exhausted. He smiles at his friends wishing to help him and dutifully starts to patch up his remaining patients.
 |
Published In:
|
| Publication Date: August 19, 2020 | |
| Pages: 3 (full color) 16 (black and white) | |
Anime Adaptation:
| |
Notes:
| |
Chapter
58: マオグイ
Maogui
(Maogui)
Nanao sits at school, frustrated and daydreaming as she ponders Sana's ability to speak curses and the history of Haimaru. After class she is able to connect with her classmate Shiraha who helps her research the history of cats and their non-relationship to onmyoji. Cats had their origins in Egypt while onmyoji developed in China before the introduction of the domesticated cat in the east. Nanao comments on the lack of a cat in the Chinese zodiac, suggesting it was due to the legend of the mouse tricking the cat when animals were being picked to be in the zodiac. Shiraha explains this story is found only in Japan and is a retrofit. It was not until the Asuka period that cats made their way to Japan alongside the arrival of Buddhism. Cats were brought in order to keep mice from eating paper scrolls and sutra and by the Heian period cats had become pets kept in the homes of lords. However, Shiraha explains that China does have a history of cats used in curses- they do have creatures called maogui. Maogui translates to "cat demon" in Japanese and Shiraha explains that they are cat demons that would devour their way out of the stomach of their prey and were used to curse people to death. Soon Nanoka returns to the past and shares the fruits of her research with Mao. Mao suggests that he has wondered if Haimaru was not a real cat prior to being tossed into the poison pit. He says that Haimaru made no attempt to escape from Mokuzu when he was tossed into the pit and asks how it is possible that an ordinary cat could have killed boars and wild dogs that were also thrown in with it. Instead he suggests that Haimaru was a cat demon, a maogui, from the very beginning. Mao soon has to put aside his curiosity about Byoki when strange reports begin to filter in about odd happenings in town. While visiting with Tenko she tells them of a local man who had been to Dr. Domon who healed him. The man said he had never felt better before suddenly dissolving into a pile of earth leaving only his clothing behind. It seems a local healer has been using earth in his treatments and seems to have incredible healing powers until his patients disappear leaving behind only dirt and soil.
 |
Published In:
|
| Publication Date: August 26, 2020 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
Anime Adaptation:
| |
Notes:
| |
1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15
16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|27|28|
Top