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Published In:
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| Publication Date:November 24, 2021 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
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Manga Summaries
Volume 14
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| Chapters Originally Published in: | |
| Shonen Sunday 2022 Vol. 12 - 22-23 |
Chapter
129: 井戸の邪気
Ido no jaki
(The Evil Aura of the Well)
A mass of black hair explodes from the well followed by a thick, writhing worm-like creature with a pale face. Nanoka asks if this is a water god but Otoya quickly explains this is a hugely powerful ayakashi instead. Mao tosses his paper talismen at the creature but they disintegrate before they touch the creature. Mao slices the ayakashi in half but it quickly fuses itself back together once more. Nanoka realizes the creature must be water-aligned given that it was living in the well and confers with Otoya, asking if an earth elemental will indeed beat out a water elemental. Nanoka draws the Akanemaru and slices the creature in half with a wave of blood despite Otoya trying to stop her. This time the ayakashi seems pained, but it quickly grows another head from its body. Mao, Nanoka and Otoya flee upstairs and the creature seems incapable of following. Nanoka slumps against the wall, struggling to stay awake after the blood strike drained her. Slapping her face she tries to wake up she refuses to let Mao give her any of his own blood as she knows that will leave him weak as well. As they rest a moment, Mao explains that the creature is a cursed god rather than an ayakashi or water god. Mao explains that digging a well requires a great deal of proper spiritual thought and directional influence. With the well improperly sealed miasma from other water sources seeped into the well creating this creature. Otoya calls to Mao and they see the creature has flooded the bottom floor and is slowly making its way up the staircase towards them.
Chapter
130: 祟り神
Tatari gami
(Tatarigami)
Mao, Otoya and Nanoka stare in shock as the worm-like water god crawls slowly up the stairs to where they are sheltering on the second floor of the house. Everyone hurries into a room and Mao seals the door with his paper talismen to hold the creature back and buy some time. Mao explains that the source of the cursed god's power must be from the well, but Nanoka points out that there is no way to reach the well with the water god's body filling the whole ground floor. Mao smashes the rotten floor with his sword and reveals that they are directly over the well as miasma pours from it in the flooded downstairs area. Mao tells Nanoka he has to go into the well, and Nanoka tries to insist she should come with him, but Mao tells her that she lost too much blood when she was using Akanemaru and that he will go alone. He gives her a reassuring smile, promising he will be alright before diving into the dark water. Soon after Mao disappears into the well Otoya points out that the sound of the creature banging at the door has stopped and Nanoka watches as the water begins to drain back into the well in pursuit of Mao. Nanoka watches through the hole in the floor and sees the head of the cursed god below, with a leaping slash she cleaves the head off once more, but watches as it immediately grows back like before. She is weakened due to every swing of Akanemaru robbing her of blood. In the water Nanoka presses her feet to the ground and feels a surge of power, she recalls the teachings of Natsuno as the charm she gave Nanoka dangles from the hilt of Akanemaru. She feels the power of the earth flowing into her and the water is pushed back as she steadies herself and faces off against the cursed god.
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Published In:
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| Publication Date: February 22, 2022 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
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Chapter
131: 地の気
Chi no ki
(The Earth's Chi)
As her blood pours into Akanemaru Nanoka quickly feels energy from the earth rushing to takes it place. As Nanoka contemplates the lessons she learned from Natsuno the cursed water god becomes angry, swearing at Nanoka as it speaks for the first time. Otoya calls down, warning Nanoka she cannot simply cut this creature like the ayakashi she has battled up to this point. Deep in the well Mao sees a swell of miasma rushing towards him from the depths. Nanoka slashes the god and it sloshes apart but in the water she sees dozens of spiral patterns that remind her of the patterning on earthenware, ceramic bells. Nanoka slashes at the spirals, each flick of her bloody sword purifying the poison in the water. Otoya calls out to Nanoka to look out behind her as the skeletal remains of the creature bear down on her. With a final slash she purfies the corruption and then rushes to the well to check on Mao. Struggling out of the pit, Mao brings up a white snake, the purified water god as Nanoka throws her arms around him. Nanoka tells Mao how worried she leaving him with a stunned expression at her compassion.
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Published In:
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| Publication Date: March 2, 2022 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
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Chapter
132: まっすぐ言葉
Massugu kotoba
(Blunt Words)
Nanoka ponders her reaction to Mao coming out of the well safely, deciding she is not embarassed by her openly embracing him. Soon Mao returns with the small white snake, the water god. Explaining that the property owners want the god returned to the well after Mao gave them directions to ensure is is properly purified. Mao and Otoya explain that it was thanks to Nanoka purifying the miasma during her battle with the cursed god that Mao was able to locate the true form of the water god deep within the well. Mao is shocked that Nanoka is not suffering from severe blood loss after swinging Akanemaru so many times. Nanoka explains that it is the technique that Natsuno taught her that allowed her pull earthen energy from the ground to replace the blood she lost to her sword. She adds that the ceramic bell Natsuno gave her no doubt helped channel the power to her as well. Mao invites Nanoka to visit the onsen with him and then takes her out for shaved ice after. As they eat Mao asks Nanoka why she hugged him when he emerged from the well, and she explains that she was worried about him. Mao apologizes for worrying Nanoka, but she quickly tells him not to apologize, that she was happy he was safe. After they finish their meal they walk outside and watch the fireworks as Mao comments "it's pretty". Nanoka thinks he means the fireworks, but he tells her he means her yukata which stuns her. Mao is typically so reserved and now he is openly complimenting her. Nanoka tells Mao that is the first compliment that he has ever given her and Otoya confirms that is the case when Mao is stunned that could be true. Nanoka blushes and Mao thinks that he would like to have Nanoka with him forever.
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Published In:
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| Publication Date: March 9, 2022 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
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Chapter
133: 呪い屋の姉妹
Noroi ya no shimai
(Daughters of the House of Deadly Curses)
Mao, Nanoka and Otoya are lead through the halls of a mansion by a woman who explains that the head of the family recently passed away, leaving her husband, the eldest son, to become the new man in charge. She explains that she believes her husband has now become cursed. Mao and the others are lead into his bedroom where they find him sleeping with a silver fox spirit hovering over his face. The man's wife explains that he collapsed and has not woken up since. Suddenly a young man comes to check on his brother, asking his sister-in-law who Mao and the others are. The young man tells his sister-in-law there is no such thing as a curse and hovers over his unconscious brother. He tells her she should call a doctor rather than an exorcist but she explains the doctors have already said they cannot understand what is happening to the sleeping man. The man leaves calling back to his sister-in-law that Mao is just trying to con her out of her money. When he leaves, the woman explains that is Tatsuhiro, her younger brother-in-law. She goes on to explain that the recently deceased former head of the family had left it in his will that only a male heir should inherit the head status of the family. As a result, if her husband dies from his curse Tatsuhiro will take over due to the fact that she only has daughters. The woman reveals that their driver reported Tatsuhiro had asked to be taken to a home known for casting curses as well. Mao begins his work as Nanoka points out that the cursed man has needles in his face as the silver fox hovers over him. Mao explains that it is curse with a metal alignment and so he imbues a wooden doll with a fire spell and throws it at the fox. The fox dissolves and elsewhere a woman driving needles into a straw doll has the needles fly back at her, nearly piercing her skin. Outside the room Karagi watches in delight, revealing that the curse-caster is her elder sister, Ayame. At the mansion the cursed man wakes up seemingly no worse for wear as Mao and Nanoka take their leave. Nanoka wonders if it is really safe to leave the man alone, but Mao says they could not prove anything to the police. At a cafe Tatsuhiro suddenly visited by a swarm of demonic creatures as Ayame tells her father that her curse was reversed. Kagari delights in telling her father and elder sister she can do a better job and should be allowed to attempt the contract herself. Over a drink, Mao reassures Nanoka that he sent the curse back, not only to the curse caster but also towards Tatsuhiro, the man who commissioned the curse. Tatsuhiro, frightened by the demonic creatures, calls the Hosho family to cancel the curse contract. Seeing an opportunity to curry favor over Ayame, Kagari decides to visit Tatsuhiro and offer her services to carry on the curse.
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Published In:
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| Publication Date: March 16, 2022 | |
| Pages: 1 (full color) 18 (black and white) | |
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Chapter
134: 針と刀
Hari to katana
(Needle and Sword)
Tatsuhiro cowers in his bed as Kagari hovers over him with a simpering smile telling him she is from the curse shop and is there to fulfill his commission despite his insistence that the work was cancelled. When Kagari asks if Tatsuhiro saw anyone that could have been responsible for reversing the curse he describes Mao and Nanoka. In the countryside Mao is tending to an ailing centipede ayakashi and tells Otoya and Nanoka it might take awhile so they should head back to the city. As they walk Nanoka notices a glinting flicker in the sky and yanks Otoya aside as a series of needles rain down from on high. Kagari confirms that Mao was the one responsible for reflecting the earlier curse but rather than being upset over it Kagari seems delightedly pleased saying it embarassed her sister tremendously. Consequently if Mao can best Ayame then Kagari can prove she is better than her sister by defeating Mao. Drawing Akanemaru, Nanoka deflects Kagari's needles and worriedly thinks back to when Kagari managed to control Mao using the puppet needle. Drawing power from the earth, Nanoka flings a rivulet of blood at Kagari and then dashes in, striking her in the stomach with the hilt of her sword. Kagari realizes that Nanoka can fight, but is hesitant to kill and tells her that is her weakness. She flings paper katashiro slips depicting the silver fox at Nanoka which transform into large fox paper dolls. These prove distracting long enough for Kagari's needles to stab Nanoka's arm.
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Published In:
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| Publication Date: March 23, 2022 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
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Chapter
135: 力の差
Chikara no sa
(Strengths and Weaknesses)
Kagari sneers at Nanoka as her needles stick her rival's arm keeping her paralyzed. Wrapping Nanoka tighter and tighter in the paper katashiro foxes as a storm of needles darts towards Nanoka. Suddenly the paper bursts into flames as a small katashiro bird rippling with flames ignites the paper. Mao runs down the steps from the centipede's home and leaps into battle against Kagari. Kagari has succeeded in luring Mao into battle and unveals the Puppet Needle once more. She tells Mao that only she can use it and Hakubi depends on her to subdue Mao. Tossing the needle Mao blocks it with a storm of paper talismen that deflect the needle back towards Kagari. She scoffs, catching it easily, but is shocked when the needle bursts into flames and draws blood from her fingers. Mao coldly tells Kagari he has cursed the Puppet Needle and it will burn every time she touches it. Menacingly he tells Kagari that she should never try to use the needle again. Mao warns her that now is the time she should leave this revitalized Goko Clan and put this part of her life behind her. Suddenly the needle spins on the ground and flies through the air and into the hands of Ayame, Kagari's hated sister who has suddenly arrived. Ayame drops the needle into a box and realizes that it was Mao that reversed her curse earlier. Watching from the ground Nanoka wonders if Ayame has come to save Kagari.
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Published In:
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| Publication Date: March 30, 2022 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
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Chapter
136: 姉の立場
Ane no tachiba
(The Plight of the Elder Sister)
Mao asks Ayame if she is going to attempt to get revenge for his deflecting the curse she sent day ago. Ayame explains there is no money in doing so and that the commission was withdrawn. Ayame scolds Kagari for allowing the Puppet Needle to be cursed and thus made useless. Ayame announces that she is going home and Mao asks her to take Kagari with her. He then turns and breaks the needles' curse that is keeping Nanoka from being able to move. Ayame seems amused at how easily Mao was able to break Kagari's curse. She goes on to explain that she had been invited to join the Goko Clan but declined as she will be the one to inherit the Hosho family curse business. Ayame and Karagi take their leave and Mao asks Nanoka why she did not flee from the fight and chose to battle against Kagari instead. Otoya points out that Nanoka's earthen alignment and Kagari's metal alignment impart no special affinities and so the better fighter won- Kagari. Mao explains that he is not mad and thinks instead that he is simply relieved that Nanoka is alright. Days later at Shiranui's ocean temple he speaks with Hakubi about the curse that has now been placed on the Puppet Needle. Hakubi explains to Shiranui that he cannot use the Puppet Needle himself and depends on Kagari to wield it. He passes her the needle and watches at it bursts into flames and she has to drop it in pain. Shiranui takes the needle and attempts to use his water abilities to break the fire-curse Mao placed upon it. An initial attempt fails but Shiranui explains he can likely break the curse after 49 days of purification. Kagari is relieved that the the needle will be usable again and begs to be able to stay at the temple as she feels she can no longer live at home with her sister. Shiranui agrees that she remain and be trained. After Kagari steps away Shiranui uses his water mirror technique to show Hakubi the Five-Colored Temple. Shiranui explains that he had been unable to use the water mirror to watch the temple for the past four hundred years, but recently something has changed. Looking at the old temple they spy the broken remains of an earthen golem. Back at his home, Mao tosses ashes on Nanoka to ensure there are no lingering curses left on her from Kagari.
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Published In:
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| Publication Date: April 6, 2022 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
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Chapter
137: 裁きの面
Sabaki no men
(Mask of Judgment)
A man runs through the forest carryin a parcel and being chased by a masked figure that then spews something from its mouth. Once he arrives home, Mao is called to treat the burns on his upper arms. Mao immediately notices that the burns were caused by a fire-based curse. Feeling better, the man explains to Mao, Nanoka and Otoya that he was selling his dried fish throughout small mountain communities when he became lost and stumbled upon a strange village he had not visited before. He watched as a group of masked people carrying torches tied up a man and said that the "Mask of judgment" would see if he was telling the truth or not as they held some sort of mock trial. The lead masked figure breathes fire after explaining the fire will not harm the man if he is truly innocent. As the fire passes over the victim he burns to a crisp causing the fish-seller to cry out in horror. Upon hearing of this mask Mao surmises that it is another of the lost Goko Clan's cursed items. Otoya, Mao and Nanoka take a train to the countryside to begin their search. Using the absorbed curse, Mao breathes on it, causing black butterflies to lead the way to the source of the burns- the fire breathing Mask of judgment. In the hidden village some of the townsfolk have tied up a man named Soncho. Soncho, they explain, is the son of Shokichi, the man the fish-seller saw put to death a few days earlier. It seems Soncho came seeking to steal the mask that was used to kill his father. Soon the butterflies lead Mao and Nanoka to an ashen spot in front of a building, the spot where Shokichi was murdered. Two young children see Mao and try to flee but the doctor is able to stop them before they escape. The two children explain that Soncho is their elder brother and he went to destroy the mask that killed their father. The children explain that their father was accused of stealing rice, a crime they know he was innocent of. The mask should not have harmed him when it blew fire, but for some reason he was judged as guilty regardless and was killed. Suddenly the masked men are dragging Soncho out to be judged just as their father was a few days ago. Soncho shouts that their father was blamed because he was popular within their community and that the village headman was simply jealous and killed Shokichi because of it. Mao steps in, slashing his sword to stop the man wearing the Mask of judgment. Hidden on a nearby rooftop the shikigami Mizuchi and Sasuga the water-user watch and surmise that Mao must be there to collect the mask for himself.
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Published In:
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| Publication Date: April 20, 2022 | |
| Pages: 18 (black and white) | |
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Chapter
138: 火脅
Hi odoshi
(Threat of Fire)
The masked headman of the village tells Mao that by interfering in the judgment of Shokichi's son he will receive the same judgment as well. Mao is shocked by how spry the masked man is as he dodges Mao's sword slashes. As Shokichi's children flee with Nanoka some of the other masked men suddenly appear and Nanoka snatches them. They quickly confess that they were forced into an alliance with the man wearing the Mask of judgment against their will. As Mao battles against the headman he wonders if the mask has taken control of the man. Nanoka is told that the man was once banished from the village after the death of his parents and he returned with the mask, promptly executing the prior village elder and beginning his reign of terror. It seems the headman found the mask on the corpse of a dying priest with instructions that the Mask of judgment should be sealed. The headman decided to keep the mask rather than honor the priest's wishes. Mao realizes that the headman is not a trained onmyoji. While watching the battle, Sasuga asks Mizuchi why Mao is concerned about the mask and the man using it. Mizuchi explains that the man seems unusually suited to the Mask of judgment despite his lack of training. They recall Shiranui sending them on this mission, and he called the Mask of judgment the "Threat of Fire Mask" and says that it can only be used by a skilled onmyoji or a truly evil person. Shiranui's request is not only for the mask itself, but for the person who has begun using it. Sasuga doubts they will be able to subdue the masked man, but Mizuchi explains they will let Mao do it for them. Soon the villagers arrive, having been told to come and witness the earlier planned execution. Mao realizes they will complicate this battle and shouts for them to flee. When they try the headman kills some of them with the mask. Mao summons Genbu as he knows that in a battle of elements water will defeat fire. Genbu blasts the masked man with a spurt of water, but much to everyone's shock the man uses the Threat of Fire Mask to decapitate Genbu.
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Published In:
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| Publication Date: April 27, 2022 | |
| Pages: 1 (full color) 17 (black and white) | |
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