Volume 3

**The Hero and the Princess** (炎炎ノ消防隊 03, *En En no Shōbōtai 03*) is volume 3 of the *Fire Force* manga series.

## Summary

Captain Princess Hibana is hiding secrets about the origins of Spontaneous Human Combustion, and it’s Company 8’s job to expose them! Shinra and the team head to Company 5 to learn the truth and to rescue Sister Iris, who has fallen into Hibana’s clutches. Can Shinra defeat the princess and prove that heroes really do exist?

## Chapter 16

Main article: Chapter 16

The strange looking 5th member explains Setsuo's new strength due to him intaking experimental drugs. As he reveals his new weapon placed on his arm, Setsuo begins his assault on Arthur. Managing to defend successfully from Setsuo's attacks, Arthur remarks himself as a knight. Princess Hibana, residing in a different location from the fight, asks for an update of what's going on between the two brigades, in which a 5th bodyguard informs her of the confrontation between the 5th Angels Three and Hinawa, Arthur and Setsuo, and Akitaru is still no where to be found. Hibana states that she wants to find the secrets of the Spontaneous Human Combustion and that worms like the 8th don't deserve to know. Arthur becomes cornered while Setsuo hammers into him. Persistently trying to attack him, Arthur doesn't manage to land a hit, to which Setsuo declares that he is a weakling who stays calm even though they aren't fighting well. Arthur pauses to think and realises something has been wrong the whole time; Excalibur is held in his left-hand even though he is right-handed. As Setsuo charges up his final attack, in a flash, Arthur strikes him with Violet Flash, splitting the Infernal in half, ending in a quick and unexpected defeat. The strange looking 5th member looks in amazement at Arthur, and Arthur swings his sword stating he knew something was off.

## Chapter 17

Main article: Chapter 17

As the fight between Maki Oze, Takehisa Hinawa and the 5th Angels Three reaches its climax, Shinra storms Hibana's household. When he enters, Shinra is attacked by the 5th Angels Three, but quickly makes work of them. In the meantime, Hibana recollects her past with Iris, until she is interrupted by Shinra. Asserting his presence, Iris shouts out to Shinra in worry, claiming he won't be able to beat her as she's a Battalion Commander, but Shinra exclaims their fight won't go like their previous confrontation. As he dashes toward her, Hibana gazes at the boy and uses her heat fever to make him fall to his knees in dizziness. Hibana explains her ability to Shinra, and he begins to think nothing of it but his own imagination, which allows him to gradually stand up using sheer willpower. Then exclaiming he'll use his imagination to become a hero instead, Hibana pulls out her iron fan and displays her Ignition Abilty as she prepares to take on Shinra. Iris looks at the two as she doesn't want them to fight, but Shinra claims that he'll fight Hibana in order to open her eyes to reality.

## Chapter 18

Main article: Chapter 18

Enraged by Shinra's gimmicks, Princess Hibana unleashes her Ignition Ability, cutting and making him dizzy in the process. Shinra struggles to fight back due to the dizziness, and Hibana continues her assault on him. Iris begs for her to stop, though Hibana points out that if she wants her to stop, she should be praying to her phony god. Hibana goes on to speak about her ideal of true salvation, using other people for personal gain, looking down at the flock while you thrive, referring to her personal experience of all the sisters of The Holy Sol Temple burned, falling to the phenomenon, while Iris and Hibana were salvaged. Reminiscing, Hibana recalls herself being the only sister within the temple to not be enthusiastic about the religion and praying countless times everyday, and despite this, she was saved from being burned while the other sisters fell to the phenomenon, and all she felt was powerful to have survived. As Shinra gets up and speaks of his relation to her past of the flames, Hibana claims that heroes don't exist in this world. Hibana attacks him with a gale of flames, but Shinra remains firm-footed and claims that he will become a hero for Hibana's sake, much to her shock. Declaring that he'll beat her for her own sake, Hibana tries to mock Shinra and his goal of becoming a hero, saying they don't exist, but Shinra retaliates with a determined punch, shouting that he'll become a hero for her sake, landing a heavy blow to her face.

## Chapter 19

Main article: Chapter 19

Iris carries a knocked out Hibana onto her lap, and as she's unconscious, she recalls her history with the flames. Being the only Third Generation at The Holy Sol Temple, all of the fellow Sisters were always enthused to see her display of flowers made of flames. As Iris watches timidly from a corner, Hibana spots her and welcomes her to come closer. Sumire walks over and tells Hibana to stop playing with fire as it poses a threat, but Hibana says its safe. As all the Sisters go into the chapel, Iris stops Hibana and pleads to see her fire flowers again. Hibana makes a promise that she'll show her the flowers once Iris breaks out of her shell a little more. As they walk into the chapel, they are overwhelmed by the scenery of all the Sisters burning and falling victim to the Human Body Ignition Phenomenon. Covering the eyes of a young Iris, they escaped the temple to salvage themselves. Experiencing the trauma and once thinking of the flames as a beautiful thing, Hibana changed her concept of reality into one that devoted her time into researching and experimenting on Infernals, eventually twisting her personality into that of a self-proclaimed demon. Years passed and Hibana ultimately left her residence with Iris to pursue her goal of discovering everything there is to know about the phenomenon and living her own life. She ended up selling her research to Haijima Heavy Industries, and by giving them what they wanted, she attained the status of Battalion Commander as well as the funding for her experiments. Hibana finally awakens, finding herself on Iris' lap. Questioning Iris' resolve to help and comfort her, Iris explains that Hibana was seen as the beautiful, smart and amazing role-model of the temple, which all the Sisters saw her as being a hero in their eyes. Hibana claims that although that may be the case, she never had someone to look up to. Shinra steps in, claiming that if she's looking for a hero, he's the man for it, to which she blushes. Iris asks Hibana if she can finally see the fire flowers again, so Hibana uses her ability create iris-shaped flowers, to which Iris bear hugs her. Hibana then looks to Shinra to fill him in on a secret of the phenomenon.

## Chapter 20

Main article: Chapter 20

Takehisa calls Akitaru and informs him on the situation at Special Fire Force Combine 5, much to Akitaru's shock at how quickly they finished the job. Initially meant to be a pretend collaborative-combat training between the two brigades so that they have an explanation for their fued, Shinra, Hibana and Iris discuss how they are going to explain their two brigades' confrontation if it ever comes down to it, and decide to hold a dinner party with both brigades instead. Shinra alludes to Hibana's sudden cooperativeness, which Hibana feels as though she can't help it since she's fallen for his heroic nature. At the dinner party, Hibana and Akitaru start talking about the recent events. Akitaru questions her decision to share her secrets of the phenomenon with the 8th, to which Hibana expresses that her mind had been enlightened by none other than Shinra, to which Akitaru agrees the boy is an important member of the 8th. Hibana then reveals that since she'd experimented on various dead Infernal bodies, she realized that some of them differentiated from each other, and suspects that somebody is creating artificial Flame Humans; though this isn't the entire truth of the phenomenon. She goes on to assert her desire to crush the person behind this, as they may have been the ones who burned the sisters as The Holy Sol Temple. Akitaru, initially uneasy by Hibana's experimentation on dead bodies, acknowledges and states that they share the same goals. Hibana then claims that all the artificially-created Flame Humans are concentrated around the Shinjuku district, which happens to be area the jurisdiction of the 1st Special Fire Brigade. At the Cathedral, Karim Flam, Rekka Hoshimiya and Foien Li all rendezvous with Leonard Burns about the supposed combat exercise between the 8th and 5th, understanding that the 8th has finally made their move.

## Chapter 21

Main article: Chapter 21

Shinra and Akitaru are trailing after Masao, and finally put and end to the Infernal's life. A bystander calls out to the 8th brigade, calling them murderers and to bring back Masao, but they finish their task and go back to the Matchbox. Akitaru, Shinra and Arthur discuss the event, saying that even though the Flame Human was due to die anyway, people don't accept the loss of a person who is important to them. Back at the Special Fire Cathedral 8, Akitaru is annoyed to find that his locker has graffiti all over, with a note on it signed by Shinra. Bursting through the door, Akitaru calls out Shinra, but he denies doing anything. Hibana interrupts, saying that she made Shinra food and to leave him alone. Taking a second to think about it, he questions Hibana on her presence at the 8th. Hibana made lunch for Shinra, commenting that it tastes nice. Ultimately, Akitaru becomes stressed at the fact that nobody is focusing on the investigation of the 1st Special Fire Brigade except himself. Hibana then uses her Ignition Ability to create pretty flowers, infatuating Maki and Iris. Akitaru tells Takehisa that they're playing fire, but Takehisa doesn't retaliate and says he's finished with people playing with fire, irritating Akitaru further. The girls decide to take a shower, and since the women's bathroom doesn't work, Hibana offers to take them to the 5th instead of using the men's bathroom, which Akitaru jokingly states that she's trying to hire members to her brigade. As they shower, Iris asks about Hibana's goals at the 8th, which she says she will help the 8th's investigation on the 1st brigade. As they gather back with the others, Shinra picks up on the fact that the three get along really well, which Hibana states they bonded over being naked together, causing Shinra to pose a vigorous grin and bleeding nose. Arthur jokingly insults Shinra for putting on a face of a pervert when he's supposed to be a hero, causing the two to scuffle playfully. All of their blabbering leads to Takehisa to shout furiously at them for causing stress on Akitaru. Akitaru then stands from his seat, exclaiming he has came up with an idea, and then screams both Arthur and Shinra to get out of the 8th brigade.

## Chapter 22

Main article: Chapter 22

Shinra and Arthur become discouraged by Akitaru ordering them to leave the 8th, while Iris and Maki tell him to have some compassion, even though they can be idiots. Claiming that they have jumped to conclusions, Akitaru calmly explains his plan to infiltrate the 1st; Shinra and Arthur will leave the 8th to utilise the training program for rookies which is situated at the 1st Special Fire Fighting Cathedral, to which Hibana agrees is a good plan. Akitaru reminds everyone that the 1st could potentially be creating artificial Infernals in the area, in which Shinra states he will never forgive the person creating them. Realizing that if only 8th brigade members show up it will seem suspicious, Hibana forcefully invites Tōru Kishiri to join them in the infiltration. At the Special Fire Base 2, Juggernaut is approached by other members of the 2nd, recalling how big he is physically but in comparison to his spirit, is very small. Gustav Honda bursts in enthusiastically, stating that Juggernaut will be attending the training program with members of the 8th and 5th, to which Juggernaut becomes startled over. When the group arrive at the Cathedral, they meet Karim Flam, who quickly insults Shinra and Arthur, displaying zero respect for the Fire Officers. As Karim leads them to Leonard Burns, the Battalion Commander of the 1st, Shinra reminisces, remembering that Burns knows about the history of his family and the fire incident 12 years ago. The group of trainees salute arrive in the central hall and salute to Burns, but Burns tells them that they should do a gesture of praying instead, as they are in a Cathedral. He introduces them to the Company Commanders of the 1st, Karim Fulham, Rekka Hoshimiya and Foien Li. After talking for a while, Shinra confidently questions the Commander on whether they can practice their skills in a confrontation with members of the 1st, to which Rekka says there's no need. Burns agrees to Shinra's question, which makes Rekka become suddenly fired up about fighting. Juggernaut is frightened at the thought of fighting against them.

## Chapter 23

Main article: Chapter 23

At the Special Fire Cathedral 8, Akitaru and Takehisa feel worried about Shinra and Arthur not getting in touch with them about the investigation. Hibana is scared at the fact that Shinra might be getting himself in trouble with Leonard Burns. Meanwhile, at the training grounds of the 1st, the newcomers prepare themselves to face off against them in a practice fight. Tamaki spots Shinra through the wired fence of the training grounds, commenting on her unwillingness to forgive him if he harms Burns. Fired up for combat, Rekka challenges Takeru, to start off the session. A scared and shaky Takeru ignites flames on his hands and summons a myriad of flame-shaped missiles. Rekka exclaims his ability and firepower as a Third Generation is amazing. The others watching take notice of his power and hide in a safe place. As he launches the missiles, Rekka manages to swiftly dodge them all with a jolly smile on his face, and so they are then directed at Karim, much to his annoyance. Readily, he pulls out his weapon and bell, and uses his ability to transform the blazing fire into a spiked-pillar of ice, much to everybody's amazement. Comically launching the pillar at Rekka as revenge, Karim explains the missiles would have hit the Commander if he wasn't present. After explaining his ability to transform heat into sound, and sound into ice, Shinra looks in awe at the three Priests, suggesting that any three of them could potentially be the creator of the artificial Infernals. After Foien and Tōru refuse to fight, with an intensely intimidating face, Leonard challenges the 8th Brigadiers to fight.

## Chapter 24

Main article: Chapter 24

As Shinra and Burns are about to face off against each other, Arthur interrupts, desiring to fight against the Battalion Commander first. He thrusts forward with Excalibur in-hand, shouting with passion, but treads backward, intimidated by the sight of Leonard lifting his arm. A bold Arthur steps in again and strikes Leonard with his plasma-sword, only for him to stop Excalibur, and push Arthur away from him, surprising everybody. Without hesitation, Shinra leaps into the air, pitying Arthur for failing so easily, and charges in recklessly. As Shinra deals many fiery blows to him, eager to get information out of the Commander about the incident from 12 years ago, Leonard effortlessly blocks and redirects his kicks. After Shinra deals a heavy blow to Leonardo's chest, Burns questions the boy on his reason for joining a Special Fire Brigade. After explaining, Leonardo, tempered and unnerving, tells the boy he still has a long journey to go, and swiftly launches him backward.

Seemingly relaxed and with the battle regiment over, Leonard invites the newcomers to reside at the 1st, though Shinra becomes mad at himself for not being a match against Leonardo. Tamaki steps in and accidentally trips on one of her "lucky lewd" accidents, but Rekka manages to catch her. Tamaki gets down and rambles at the newcomers of the 8th. Shinra starts to think about Leonardo's words to him, still being far from becoming a hero. Karim takes it upon himself to take care of the 8th while they reside at the Cathedral. A little while later on at an unknown location, a shadowed figure wearing the same robe as the Priests of the 1st is seen talking to an unknown caller in a telephone box, confirming that their operation is going smoothly but the 8th are likely to interfere. Soon after, the person begins walking, and the three priests are seen together, talking about the newcomers showing some promise, with one of them thinking that if the newcomers were to intrude, they would have to be killed.

## Chapter 25

Main article: Chapter 25

Shinra awakes in the morning, only to find Takehisa spying on him through the window. Takehisa queries about the investigation, but Shinra is too embarrassed to talk at the sight of some Sisters walking by. Soon after the other newcomers wake up and start a conversation about their reasons for joining the brigade. Suddenly, Tamaki bursts in, and Arthur accidentally lifts her skirt, and as she runs away from him, lands flat on Shinra. While blaming Shinra for hitting on her, the bell goes off, alarming the Officers of an Infernal appearance in the city. Shinra and Arthur join Karim Flam's squad during the mission, being ordered to solely help with information and not the purification of the Flame Human. As Karim extinguishes one of the five Flame Humans wondering about the area, Shinra catches a glimpse of an arm replicating the robe of one of the Priests injecting a bystander with something, immediately igniting them and turning them into a Flame Human. Without hesitation, Shinra informs Arthur and begins chasing the individual down the street in hope of catching him. Bouncing from wall to wall with his fiery movement, Shinra comes to the end of the alley, only to find Karim and Rekka Hoshimiya standing there.

## Reception

* In its first week of sales, Volume 3 reached the 23rd place on the official Oricon manga rankings chart, and has sold an estimated amount of 37,077 copies.

## Trivia

* This volume also included an official character profile for Iris revealing personal information about her such as her height, weight and favourite food.

## References

1. ↑ Kodansha Comic's Official Website
2. ↑ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Force-3-Atsushi-Ohkubo/dp/163236378X/ref=sr\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478340279&sr=8-1&keywords=fire+force+3
3. ↑ http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-06-22/japanese-comic-ranking-june-13-19/.103493