Chapter 2

## Chapter Chronology

**“Heaps”** (累 (るい) 累 (るい) , *Ruirui*) is the second chapter of the *Kagurabachi* manga series, written and illustrated by Takeru Hokazono.

## Summary

Shiba untied the bound hands of the victim while the man expressed gratitude. Meanwhile, Chihiro was questioning the Yakuza boss about a group named Hishaku. Shiba joined Chihiro and jokingly cautioned the boss to listen to Chihiro's questions. Chihiro continued to inquire about Hishaku, mentioning they had heard various unconfirmed rumors about the group, such as them being small-scale practitioners of witchcraft. As the boss was about to respond, his facial expression suddenly distorted. His eyes moved upwards, while the rest of his face seemed to shift downward. In a matter of seconds, his face exploded, and a large branch on what seems to be a tree sprouted from his head.

In the nick of time, Shiba managed to quickly escape with the victim while the victim displayed visible panic due to the unfolding events. Shiba then returned inside to check on Chihiro, who was unharmed, unlike the boss. When the boss attempted to divulge information about Hishaku, his head abruptly exploded, suggesting that the group possessed significant expertise, seemingly silencing him with some form of sorcery. As they discussed returning to Tokyo, Chihiro became visibly exhausted and nearly collapsed, but Shiba promptly provided support, standing by his side. Shiba couldn't help but notice Chihiro's determination to learn combat, despite having no prior experience just three years ago. He expressed admiration for Chihiro's progress, acknowledging that he had come a long way, even though he was only halfway to mastering the Enchanted Blade's real potential.

Three years ago, Rokuhira Workshop and their residence were shielded by a protective magic barrier, isolating them from the outside world, having it configured to alert him on any interference. On one occasion, he sensed something amiss and hurried to their location. To his shock, he found Chihiro sitting there, cradling his lifeless father, surrounded by a burning and ruined home. As he approached Chihiro to understand the situation, Chihiro recounted that three sorcerers had suddenly appeared. However, the rapid sequence of events and him being badly hit caused him to lose consciousness. When he awoke, all the concealed katanas his father, Kunishige, had crafted were missing, their house lay in ruins, and his father lay lifeless on the ground. During the war, Kunishige had released six enchanted blades into the world, but after the war, they were secured in the cellar of his workshop. Now, they were stolen. Despite the loss, Shiba was relieved to find that Chihiro had survived, albeit injured.

Kunishige had introduced Chihiro to the enchanted blades he had crafted, each possessing unique abilities, in which his son aspired to create such remarkable blades. However, Kunishige emphasized that Chihiro shouldn't merely aim for crafting powerful enchanted blades. He encouraged Chihiro to see the world from his own perspective and consider what kind of katana the world truly required and why. This thought occupied Kunishige daily, though his earnest advice was met with a lighthearted remark from Chihiro, suggesting that Kunishige should wear a more solemn t-shirt if he intended to convey serious thoughts.

Kunishige lay lifeless on the ground, bearing visible injuries, while Chihiro wept and questioned the identities of those responsible, wondering if they understood his father's deep attachment to those katanas. Amidst the destruction and the overwhelming thoughts about his father, Chihiro couldn't help but cry and repeatedly ask why this had happened. Shiba, meanwhile, expressed his regret for not arriving sooner and contemplated how the attackers had located Rokuhira's residence. Fueled by anger, Chihiro asserted that those responsible needed to understand his father's beliefs and vowed to demonstrate it, stating his intent to confront and defeat them.

The katana Chihiro now wields is the one Kunishige dedicated years to crafting after the war and ultimately sacrificed his life to protect. Since that fateful day, there has been no reliable information regarding the Hishaku, the group linked to these enchanted blades. Chihiro presently sats down by the window, gazing out at the tranquil city of Tokyo, pondering the unsettling thought that someone might be using his father's swords for nefarious purposes. He feels an urgency to locate the Hishaku and the enchanted blades promptly.

Currently in Tokyo. Shiba entered Chihiro's room with news of a significant development. He conveyed that they had finally received a lead, suggesting a potential sighting of one of the enchanted blades.

## Quick References

### Chapter Notes

* Three years prior, Chihiro's life took a devastating turn when sorcerers invaded their home, taking Kunishige's enchanted blades. This event, marked by Chihiro's survival and the loss of his father, serves as a tragic turning point that drives Chihiro's determination to pursue the Hishaku group.
* **Kunishige's Philosophy:** The chapter delves into Kunishige's philosophy of creating meaningful enchanted blades. He believed in considering the world's needs and perspectives when crafting them, emphasizing the importance of his legacy and principles. This philosophy influences Chihiro's actions and motivations.
	+ **The Enchanted Blade:** The katana that Chihiro wields holds deep sentimental value as it was crafted by his father and represents his legacy.
* Shiba's revelation of a potential lead in Tokyo. Their mission is to locate the Hishaku and the enchanted blades forged by Kunishige.

### Characters in Order of Appearance

**Hostage**
**Shiba**
**Chihiro Rokuhira**
**Yakuza Boss**Deceased
**Kunishige Rokuhira**Flashback