Chapter 1

## Chapter Chronology

**Oni Blood** (鬼の血 (おにのち) ) is the 1st chapter of the Tougen Anki manga series.

## Synopsis

Having overheard that Shiki Ichinose was caught fighting and has been expelled from school, Tsuyoshi Ichinose confronts his son and an argument ensues. Shiki tells his father that he's glad they're not related by blood and Tsuyoshi leaves to complete a business delivery. When the doorbell rings a few moments later, Shiki goes to answer it only to be blown backwards by an explosion. He sees Samidare Momoya standing in the doorway, who is immediately crushed by Tsuyoshi's car as he tells Shiki they have to run.

As they flee, Tsuyoshi tells Shiki that Samidare is still alive and that he is a Momotarou who is targetting Shiki because he is actually an Oni. He explains that the myth of Oni and Momotarou is actually true and that the descendants of both have been at war for thousands of years, with Momotarou eventually banding together to form the Momotarou Corporation - an organisation which hunts for Oni who hide among the general public.

Samidare quickly catches up to the pair and attacks their car with a sword made of black mist and restrains Shiki with a web of the same material. Tsuyoshi confronts him in battle, producing a cleaver-like sword made of black mist himself, revealing that he is also a Momotarou and a former member of the Corporation, and is now a target for extermination for harbouring an Oni.

When Samidare cuts Tsuyoshi down during the battle, Shiki becomes angry and frustrated at not being to protect him and, as his rage builds, his killing intent towards Samidare triggers his Oni awakening. In a mindless, berserk state, black horns sprout above his head, his body appears to be dripping in blood and he manipulates that blood to produce a number of massive firearms.

Samidare comments: *"Oni have the trait of fighting while controlling blood... but that's not the reason why they're fearsome. This is the real reason why we have to hunt Oni... that ferocious and the decay of their minds."*

Like this, he relentlessly attacks Samidare but, as the Momotarou struggles back to his feet, Shiki begins to return to his prior state and regain consciousness. Taking advantage of his confusion, Samidare tries to land a killing blow on Shiki but is instead met with an attack from Tsuyoshi, who slashes his side. In spite of this, Samidare manages to stab Tsuyoshi fatally through the chest.

A helicopter arrives to retrieve Samidare and he makes his escape as Shiki attempts to chase him down. With Tsuyoshi bleeding out, Shiki tries to help him to his feet and find help but his father explains that it's too late. He tells Shiki that he wants him to become strong - strong enough so he doesn't lose to neither the Momotarou nor his Oni blood. As his father dies in his arms, Shiki cries and apologises for having said that he was glad they weren't biologically related.

Silently, Naito Mudano appears behind Shiki and immediately knocks him out. Making notes on a scoring sheet, he comments that he intends to put Shiki through an examination... and that he has low expectations for him.

## Characters

In order of appearance:

* Shiki Ichinose
* Tsuyoshi Ichinose
* Samidare Momoya
* Naito Mudano