Chapter 65 Status Checks
Now that we're well into the arc, I want to take stock of where our major players are.
All Those Guilty MFers and the Hishaku
Chihiro: still doing MC things with the plot, nothing's happening without him any time soon (probably). Beat up and tired but still going. He's guilty over a few things, namely 1. being a "murderer" that ignored the adults who wanted him to avoid their mistakes and 2. Hakuri being out of commission in the hospital. Vowed to become Hakuri's samurai, protect Iori, and learn the Iai White Purity style in 24 hours.
Hakuri: recovering off-screen in the Kamunabi hospital by getting special treatment to heal the nerves he damaged, as far as we know. Not likely to appear soon but he's definitely not forgotten. Guilty over what happened with Ice Lady and Uruha, feels like he needs to measure up to Chihiro's assessment of his "value". Asked the Masumi to protect Chihiro in his stead.
The Hishaku: John, Hiruhiko, and Worst Jeanist are holed up in what passes for the Hishaku's HQ it seems, letting Kuguri and Toto do the dirty work of capturing Iori. The whereabouts and status of Hatshaku, Jane Hishaku, Samurai Hishaku, and the other two core members are unknown.
Iori: Successfully rescued by Chihiro and the Masumi and safe for at least the next 24 hours. Told to make her choice about keeping her memories or returning to blissful ignorance once she gets them all back.
The Kamunabi: Observing the situation by letting Chihiro and the Masumi handle it on their behalf. Doing something shady with Uruha's corpse too, no doubt. No updates on what Hiyuki and Tafuku are doing at this time.
The Masumi: Protecting Chihiro because they feel indebted to Hakuri after he saved their lives. Letting Chihiro steer the course while they devote themselves to protecting him and Iori. Want to re-apply the seal on Iori's memories but will likely respect the choice she makes.
Samura: Hiding out somewhere in Japan waiting for someone to try and use an Enchanted blade so he can teleport to their location and murk them. Guilty as fuck over whatever The Incident was during the Seitei War, killing in general, and being a bad example for Iori to follow.
Shiba: Doing offscreen things as usual probably. Guilty as hell about not doing enough to steer Chihiro away from the path he chose or being able to stop him from risking his life.
Where Are All the Blades, Anyway?
Enten- with Chihiro, but he can't use it right now. Unknown if he bonded to it again or not yet.
Kumeyuri - with Hiruhiko, but he can't use it right now. Bonded to him and he intends to master it purely on instinct, much to Kuguri's disgust.
Kuregumo - broken by Chihiro. The hilt was used up and crumbled into dust, but Chihiro still has the tip of the blade in his possession (per Word of God in an interview).
Magatsumi/The Shinuchi: resealed and with the Kamunabi.
Tobimune - with Samura, who is using the Owl power to suppress the usage of other enchanted blades.
Unknown Blade 1 - implied to be with Kuguri. Likely belongs to the Sushi Chef bearer, with whom its bond is still active.
Unknown Blade 2 - presumed to be the Girlish Bearer's blade that she's still bonded to; with the Hishaku.
Who Are/Were the Bearers?
Chihiro Rokuhira: Kunishige's son and the main character. We know who he is.
Hiruhiko: A member of the Hishaku that's the same age as Chihiro, but with way more screws loose. Enjoys killing and thinks friendship means trying to kill each other over personal differences. Has a father-son like relationship to John.
Misaka: Kuregumo's former bearer; the first to die to the Hishaku three years ago before the rest were rounded up into the sanso. All other details unknown.
Seiichi Samura: Seitei War veteran who blinded himself out of guilt over killing. Iori's absent father who wanted her to forget him. Assistant Master of the Iai White Purity style and Uruha's former instructor. Intends to kill both the Hishaku and the rest of the living Bearers then himself. Current obstacle for Chihiro to overcome this arc.
Genichi Sojo: Parasocial obsessive fan of Kunishige's who worshipped his headcanon of the man instead of the real thing. Child torturer, murderer, and the genius who provided the Hishaku with usable datensenki shards. Fought Chihiro with Kuregumo and died explosively.
The Sword Master: Magatsumi's weilder, currently imprisoned in Kamunabi HQ. Doesn't seem wholly sane.
Unknown Man: A sushi chef with one blind eye. A Seitei War veteran who really likes making sushi. Bonded to the blade Kuguri's carrying.
Unknown Woman: A young-looking woman. Bonded to the other unknown blade in the Hishaku's possession.
Yoji Uruha: Kumeyuri's former bearer; a Seitei War veteran who was killed by Samura. User of the Iai White Purity style, Samura's former student. Body is currently in autopsy at the Kamunabi's medical facilities.
