Chapter 41

**Chapter 41** is titled "Nanashi the Samurai".

## Short Summary

Nanashi uses his unique Samurai abilities to try to discreetly free Hachimaru. Meanwhile, Ata prepares to head to Mandala's Box and Hachimaru's siblings prepare to kill him to balance their power and become complete Spare Keys. Before they can succeed, Hachimaru has an epiphany that shows him how to escape his captivity. Using this, he prepares himself to push back against the Ususama.

## Long Summary

As Nanashi tails Ryūki, Two of his holder's heads warn him not to go inside, but the third head is confident their partner's Incarnate can sneak in easily. As he uses his Samurai Soul to create a copy of himself, Nanashi comments on the fact that his strongest Samurai ability is being ignored. However, since his incarnate can get to Hachimaru easily, he is thankful for it. He then fires his Incarnate at Ryūki.

Meanwhile, Ata is informing Kala of Hachimaru's capture, who orders him to go to Mandala's Box and drain Hachimaru's power along the way. Ata asks for the coordinates to the Box, so Kala tells him that a planet in the Ball Galactic Sector is Mandala's Box itself. Ata recognizes the planet as Thorn Planet, his old mater's home planet, and a place where he was trained. He then heads to the storage room for Hachimaru's Key, Princess, and Holder are being held and has his seven students prepare to steal Hachimaru's power. Ann demands to know what he has done with her partner, and he informs her that Hachimaru will not die yet.

As he guides his subordinates in draining Hachimaru's Key, Ann tries to steal one of Ata' swords, but his sheath has bio-encryption, so she can't draw it. He warns her not to interrupt if she wants to live, and watches as Hachimaru's siblings link with his Key. Meanwhile, Nanashi's incarnate reaches Hachimaru, who doesn't recognize him at first. He identifies himself and explains that he became a Samurai and changed his name from Nanashi (七志, *ナナシ*?) to **Nanashi** (七し, *志なな*?): a name that is legendary among his town's orphans.

Nanashi notices that Hachimaru has lost his *underwear* - referencing one of the sayings he shared when they first met - but Hachimaru tells him it is much worse. Ata has taken everything from him, including his Princess. Nanashi tells him that Hagamichi told him about the Ususama and what happened to Furuta, and that he has resolved to pay him back for his help by helping his save Ann. Hachimaru doesn't believe he can escape, and Nanashi scolds him for allowing himself to stay trapped. He counters that he isn't giving up, but since even his master couldn't stop Ata, there isn't an easy fix. Nanashi reminds him of another saying he told him: a blade has to be drawn to know how well it can cut. Nanashi tries using his Samurai Soul on Hachimaru's bindings, with no success.

Hachimaru can't understand why Nanashi is trying so hard to help. He explains that he wants to help his first friend, who gave him a dream and a Calling: to always have his back. He goes to remind him that he talked about becoming a shooting star like Fudo Myo-o, but Hachimaru is no longer sure it is possible. Despite his lack of faith, Nanashi still believes, seeing him as a shooting star that made his dream come true. In his eyes, Hachimaru **is** Fudo-myo-o.

Nanashi's bold statement reminds him of the vague wisdom he received when he spoke to Fudo-Myo-o in person. As he thinks, he realizes the meaning of the war god's words. Hachimaru then thanks Nanashi for helping him understand as he begins to transform back into a Locker Ball. Nanashi worries that he is dying, but Hachimaru calms him. He realized that like Fudo-myo-o is both living and dead, he can choose whether he is living or dead. Meanwhile, inside his brothers' Inner Space, the Spare Keys see that their spaces are not filling up with their last brothers' power. Rather, they are inexplicably changing shape.