Aoba Wakura/Synopsis

## Birth of a Slave

Shortly after Yuuki Wakura is recruited by the 7th Unit of the Anti-Demon Corps, Aoba senses his presence. She decides that she must meet with him if, in fact, he is in Mato.

When the 7th Unit attacks a nearby Shuuki nest, Aoba, accompanied by Kidoumaru, attacks them, quickly defeating Shushu Suruga and Himari Azuma. Aoba and Kidoumaru then combat Kyouka Uzen, Chief of the 7th Unit, and a dog-like "Slave" she is riding. Kyouka identifies Kidoumaru as the "One-Horned Shuuki", which surprises Aoba. Kyouka then asks Aoba who she is, to which Aoba replies that she is the "counter" of the Anti-Demon Corps. Aoba asks Kyouka if she has seen her brother, whom she identifies as the most handsome man in the world. Aoba further explains her history with her brother, detailing how she would punish him and train him to do housework, but she is interrupted by the roar of a nearby giant Shuuki. Furious, Aoba crushes the Shuuki into a ball of meat with her hair and feeds it to Kidoumaru. Kyouka attacks Aoba, declaring that she must be the leader of the Shuuki, but Aoba blocks her and tells her she is only half-right. After tricking Kyouka into separating from her Slave, Aoba targets it, but she hesitates as she realizes it is not a Shuuki as she previously thought and, in fact, may be her brother. Overwhelmed by this discovery, Aoba retreats with Kidoumaru.

After returning to her hideout, Aoba becomes convinced that it was Yuuki that she saw, though she does not know why he looks the way he does. She is overjoyed at being reunited with him and plans to live with him in Mato if need be.

## The Hidden Village

With the help of her comrades, Naon Yuno and Koko Zenibako, Aoba enacts a plan to retrieve Yuuki. While Naon and Koko battle Himari and Shushu after Koko lures them out by pretending to be a Mato disaster victim, Aoba intercepts Kyouka and Yuuki as they rush to aid their comrades. As Aoba moves to grab Yuuki with her hair, she fiercely commands him to stay, which he instinctively obeys, and she is able to capture him. Having successfully retrieved her brother, Aoba summons a squad of Shuuki to distract Kyouka as Aoba retreats and takes Yuuki to the Hidden Village.

After allowing Yuuki some time to rest and recover, Aoba checks in on him, but finds Koko licking his naked body. Aoba angrily punishes Koko, demanding an explanation, and Naon explains that Yuuki was naked and injured after changing back to his human form and Koko was merely healing his wounds with her saliva. Pleased, Aoba apologizes to Koko and thanks her for healing Yuuki. Finally reunited with her brother, Aoba warmly embraces Yuuki and then gives him a change of clothes.

Aoba, Naon, and Koko show Yuuki the Hidden Village, explaining that it is within a large cave system that runs through Mato and has many Peach trees. They further explain that all residents of the Hidden Village are Humanoid Shuuki like them, and they are all former humans (while also reassuring Yuuki that regular Shuuki were definitely never human). Aoba tells Yuuki he can live in the village with them and not be a "slave" anymore, but Yuuki protests, claiming the Anti-Demon Corps can protect Aoba and the other Humanoid Shuuki. However, this enrages Aoba, Naon, and Koko as they declare that the Anti-Demon Corps is their sworn enemy, while also informing Yuuki they plan to attack a certain research institute. Upon Yuuki's inquiry, Aoba tells him that she knew he was in Mato since she could sense his presence and also clarifies that she believes he has grown up into a very handsome man.

Abruptly, Yuuki's stomach growls and Aoba fetches him something to eat. Upon her return, she finds Yuuki pressing Naon's breasts and Koko's butt to his face as he has been intoxicated by a mushroom.

Later, once Yuuki is back to normal, Aoba summons Kidoumaru, Kumadouji, and Akura and introduces Yuuki to them. Aoba explains to Yuuki that they are able to control them only after demonstrating their superior strength to them. Yuuki asks what Aoba had meant about Kyouka being "half-right" in their previous encounter, and Aoba replies that, while she is the leader of the Humanoid Shuuki, she does not control all Shuuki, nor does she know if the Shuuki have a master. Aoba also clarifies that Kyouka does not know why they turned into Humanoid Shuuki, which Yuuki asks to hear more about. Naon takes over, explaining to Yuuki how she, Koko, and several other women were transported to Mato and turned into Humanoid Shuuki after eating a Peach, after which they were taken by the Onmyou Agency and cruelly experimented on. Yuuki is shocked to learn this, but Aoba reassures him that she herself was not captured by Onmyou Agency, but did spend many years in the Hidden Village struggling to keep her humanity. Yuuki suggests that they denounce the Onmyou Agency, but Naon explains that they have already tried, to no avail, as the Onmyou Agency is incredibly influential. Yuuki further protests, claiming that the Anti-Demon Corps can help, but Aoba and the others are still unconvinced as they are sure the Commander of the Anti-Demon Corps is already aware of the Anti-Demon Corps' activities. Suddenly, Aoba senses that the Anti-Demon Corps have arrived and tells Naon and Koko to prepare for battle.

While Naon and Koko go ahead to confront and battle some of the Anti-Demon Corps, Aoba stays behind with Yuuki and Kidoumaru. Soon, they are met by Kyouka and Tenka Izumo who have located them via Kyouka's Slave ability. While Aoba is distracted, Tenka appears from behind with her Ame-no-Mitori and grabs Yuuki. Enraged, Aoba attacks, but Tenka teleports away with Yuuki and Kyouka to another part of the village. Through observation, Aoba determines the gist of Tenka's ability.

Joined by Kidoumaru, Aoba quickly tracks them down and tries to attack Kyouka and Tenka, but Yuuki blocks her path demanding she listen to him and Aoba agrees. Yuuki explains Aoba's situation to Kyouka and Tenka and also informs Aoba that, although he is treated like a slave, he has chosen to fight alongside the Anti-Demon Corps. Kyouka is surprised to learn about the Onmyou Agency's experiments and assures Aoba they will put a stop to it, but Aoba still insists that she and the other Humanoid Shuuki will destroy the Agency, believing that Kyouka and Tenka will not be able to do anything. Seeing they are at an impasse, Aoba, Kyouka, and Tenka agree that they will have to fight. Aoba asks Tenka what Unit she is from, and she replies that she is from the 6th Unit. Tenka further states that she is dating Yuuki, while also calling Aoba "sister", causing Aoba to become utterly livid. Despite Yuuki's pleas for her to back down, Aoba ties him up with her hair to keep him out of the fight. Tenka asks Aoba one last time if she is really sure about fighting them and finding a cure for their condition, and Aoba informs her that one of the Humanoid Shuuki in the village can heal them, albeit temporarily, and they are trying to find a way to make the heal permanent. Tenka suggests they work together if that is the case, once more referring to Aoba as "sister", but Aoba still refuses and demands that Tenka not call her "sister".

The battle begins with Kidoumaru going up against Kyouka, while Aoba focuses on Tenka. Aoba rushes around the room at incredible speed, keeping Tenka from honing in on her location. Conversely, Tenka's teleportation ability allows her to dodge all of Aoba's attacks. To gain an advantage, Aoba eats another Peach, despite Tenka's warning that doing so could be dangerous. Aoba attacks once more, but Tenka continues to dodge her by teleporting. Although Tenka continues to evade, Aoba believes she can eventually wear her down. Upon seeing an opportunity, Aoba tries to kick Tenka, but instead kicks Kidoumaru and Kyouka slashes Aoba with her sword, breaking her rhythm. Aoba goes on the offensive against Tenka once more, but Tenka creates a vortex that greatly injures Aoba. Tenka nearly finishes her off, but hesitates, allowing Aoba the chance hit her with a devastating energy blast. The blast hits Tenka dead-on and she falls to the ground, defeated.

Aoba asks Tenka why she hesitated, to which she replies that Yuuki would have been sad if she had finished her off. Aoba is greatly pleased that Tenka considered Yuuki's feelings and calls Tenka a "good girl". Tenka calls Aoba sister once more, but Aoba still insists she not call her that. As Kyouka rushes to Tenka's aid, Aoba orders Kidoumaru to stop and tells Kyouka that they may retreat, but Kyouka still refuses to let her attack the Onmyou Agency.

Suddenly, Naon and Koko arrive with Kumadouji and inform Aoba that they were defeated by the Anti-Demon Corps. Himari, Yachiho Azuma, Shushu, and Sahara Wakasa arrive right after them. With Aoba outnumbered and her allies injured Kyouka asks if she will surrender, but Aoba stubbornly refuses. Suddenly, two figures, a black-haired girl and a winged woman, burst through the ceiling and descend. The winged woman grabs Aoba and Naon and the black-haired girl introduces herself and the winged woman as the Eight Thunder Gods who control the Shuuki. Aoba struggles and tries to attack the winged woman, but she is thrown aside. Naon and Koko also try to attack, but the black-haired girl releases a swarm of snakes that put them into a deep sleep. Aoba furiously charges the intruders and summons Kidoumaru and Kumadouji in an attempt to rescue Naon and Koko. However, they, as well as most of the Anti-Demon Corps are blown away by the winged woman who releases a tremendous shockwave. Aoba recovers and tries another attack, but Kidoumaru turns on her and knocks her down as Shikoku has reverted him to his old self. The Thunder Gods retreat with Naon and Koko in tow and Kyouka destroys Kidoumaru after an intense battle.

As the cave begins to collapse, Aoba has one final meeting with Yuuki and Kyouka and concedes that she was unaware how dangerous Kidoumaru was. Tenka joins them soon after and Kyouka asks Aoba if she still plans to attack the Onmyou Agency, to which she replies that she is no longer in a position to since Naon, Koko, and their Shuuki are gone and, instead, she will focus on rescuing Naon and Koko. Thus, the two sides agree there is no more need to fight. Although Yuuki implores Aoba to let the Anti-Demon Corps protect her, Aoba insists that not all of the Anti-Demon Corps can be trusted and, instead, she will move to a different village; a decision that Kyouka and Tenka agree with. Kyouka says she will start looking into the Onmyou Agency and, once she becomes Commander of the Anti-Demon Corps, she will prioritize eliminating Shuuki and curing Aoba and the other Humanoid Shuuki. Aoba agrees to accept the Anti-Demon Corps' protection if Kyouka can become Commander. As another earthquake hits, Aoba and the others realize they must flee and, thus, Aoba says farewell to her brother once more, stating that she will be watching over him. Yuuki declares he will find a way to cure her and Aoba happily embraces him, awarding him a quadrillion "points" before they part ways.

## The Azuma Banquet

At the Hidden Village, Aoba is visited by Tenka who gives her an update on Yuuki, which she has been doing routinely. Aoba thanks Tenka for giving her regular updates, even knowing it puts her position in the Anti-Demon Corps at risk.

## Battle in Yokohama

Having traversed to the human world, Aoba happens upon Yuuki and Kyouka, the former of whom is being assaulted by the Thunder God Kuusetsu. Aoba quickly and angrily strikes Kuusetsu, knocking her away. Aoba then senses that Naon and Koko's life force are within Kuusetsu and she joins Yuuki and Kyouka who had been battling her. However, Kuusetsu clones herself (via the All-Killing ability, which she had just absorbed from Mira Kamiunten) and summons a giant Shuuki. Nevertheless, Aoba and the others remain steadfast against her and are soon joined by Tenka. Tobera Azuma and Maia Azuma also arrive and Tobera baits a large number of Kuusetsu's clones into attacking them. The giant Shuuki is then suddenly destroyed by a humongous energy blast, delivered by Ren Yamashiro, Commander of the Anti-Demon Corps, all the way from Washington D.C. Meanwhile, Tobera eliminates Kuusetsu's clones with her Transience ability. Aoba rushes to attack the original Kuusetsu, but Kuusetsu dodges and gives Aoba a powerful blow to the stomach. In retaliation, Yuuki and Aoba destroy more of Kuusetsu's clones, but Yuuki is injured in a sneak attack by Kuusetsu. Seeing this, Aoba grabs the original Kuusetsu with her hair and then hits her with an intense energy blast, but Kuusetsu withstands it. Aoba collapses, exhausted from the effort. Aoba watches as Yuuki and Kyouka battle Kuusetsu and, as they prepared a technique, Yuuki suddenly vanishes. Aoba is momentarily confused, but realizes that Yuuki has merged into Kyouka's sword. Yuuki then flies out of the sword and penetrates Kuusetsu's body, rescuing Naon and Koko to Aoba's immense relief. After Kyouka seemingly destroys Kuusetsu, Aoba grabs Naon and Koko and makes her escape while Tenka pretends to attack her to keep up appearances with the other Anti-Demon Corps members.

Two days later, Tenka teleports Yuuki to the Hidden Village, and Aoba, alongside Naon and Koko, greet him happily. While Aoba visits with Yuuki, she and Tenka explain that Tenka was the one who brought her to Yokohama and that Tenka has been providing supplies to the Hidden Village. Afterward, Aoba and Tenka excuse themselves so they can discuss the situation with the Anti-Demon Corps. Tenka assures Aoba that the Anti-Demon Corps are overlooking the Humanoid Shuuki for the time being as they are more preoccupied with the Shuuki that attacked Yokohama.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 5
2. ↑ Chapter 6
3. ↑ Chapter 7
4. ↑ Chapter 8
5. ↑ Chapter 28
6. ↑ Chapter 29
7. ↑ Chapter 30
8. ↑ Chapter 31
9. ↑ Chapter 32
10. ↑ Chapter 33
11. ↑ Chapter 37
12. ↑ Chapter 38
13. ↑ Chapter 39
14. ↑ Chapter 40
15. ↑ Chapter 41
16. ↑ Chapter 42
17. ↑ Chapter 67
18. ↑ Chapter 77
19. ↑ Chapter 78
20. ↑ Chapter 79
21. ↑ Chapter 80
22. ↑ Chapter 81
23. ↑ Chapter 82
24. ↑ Chapter 83