Chapter 188

**What I Once Sought to Destroy** (かつて消 (け) そうとしたものは, *Katsute Kesō to Shita Mono wa*) is the one hundred and eighty-eighth chapter of the *Dr. Stone* manga.

## Summary

The chapter begins immediately from where the last one left off, with Tsukasa, Hyoga and Kohaku facing off against Maya and the rest of Stanley's men. Their objective is to destroy the transceiver, stopping the Americans from being able to communicate with Corn City where the Kingdom of Science's hostages are being held.

They engage, disarming several of the Americans. Kohaku's shield gets destroyed by gunfire. She notes that rather than feeling cold, her back feels warm because Hyoga and Tsukasa are helping her. Maya pushes a tree over into their path, aiming to crush Kohaku, but Tsukasa jumps in and wedges his sword in the way, stopping it.

After Kohaku calls his name, two of the Americans realize that Tsukasa is *the* strongest primate highschooler, MMA champion. This riles Maya up, who goes all out to kill him with her sword. Tsukasa blocks, the majority of Maya's blows striking the fallen tree Tsukasa was holding up. He comments that no one has ever pushed him that hard in battle before. However, in one punch, Tsukasa sends Maya flying, knocking her out.

Once Maya's fallen away and there's no risk of friendly fire, one of the Americans shoots Tsukasa several times in the abdomen. Kohaku calls out, momentarily distracted, and almost gets shot by Stanley. Instead, Hyoga takes the bullets. As he falls, Hyoga asks her why she's standing around gawking when she's got a job to do. Kohaku runs off, tears in her eyes, and slashes apart the communication device on Leonard's back, succeeding in their mission. Stanley comments "not bad" before shooting Kohaku twice and leaving them to die.

The mortally-wounded Tsukasa awakens by nightfall, observing the footsteps left by the Americans and the broken transceiver on the ground. On his left lays Hyoga's lifeless body, shrouded in shadow. Tsukasa compliments them to himself, commenting that they finished the job and expected nothing less. In the distance past some rocks, Tsukasa also sees Kohaku's bloodied body, commenting they don't have much time left.

Before he dies, Tsukasa thinks about the power of the petrification device. He wonders if it can even heal the dead, thinking about how it healed his sister and himself from near death, commenting that perhaps only in-tact cellular structure is required. He surprises himself, and wonders when he decided to entrust his fate to Senku and his science.

With a backdrop of stars despite the dense jungle canopy, Tsukasa dies saying that "what I once sought to destroy has become a shining star of hope" leaving the rest up to Senku.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Tsukasa Shishio
* Hyoga
* Kohaku
* Maya Biggs
* Stanley Snyder
* Leonard Maxwell *(Pictured)*
* Ukyo Saionji *(Flashback)*
* Mirai Shishio *(Flashback)*
* Senku Ishigami *(Pictured)*
* Kaseki *(Pictured)*
* Chrome *(Pictured)*

## Chapter Notes

* The American soldiers' transceiver is destroyed.
* Tsukasa, Hyoga and Kohaku are presumed dead.
	+ Tsukasa is shot several times in the abdomen after defeating Maya.
	+ Hyoga is shot several times after blocking Stanley from shooting Kohaku.
		- Tsukasa immediately states Hyoga has passed, and that he and Kohaku will shortly follow him.
	+ Kohaku is shot twice by Stanley after destroying the transceiver.

## Trivia

* Tsukasa seems to be famous world-wide, as the American soldiers recognise his name.
* Tsukasa appears to be stronger than Maya even when injured. He notably still has a calm face, implying the Stone Wars Saga helped him grow stronger.
* Hyoga's request that Kohaku stop gawking at him may be a reference to Chapter 83, where Kaseki asks if Ginro and Kohaku "would want people standing around gawking" while they took away friend's life.

## References

1. ↑ Dr. Stone Manga: Chapter 83, Page 15