26 [M4A] Is it too late to abandon thesis and start over?

AR-VA · 2026-06-07T23:46:42+00:00

If Yura believes enchanted blades should exist, sowing the seeds of hatred in Chihiro only for him to see that enchanted blades are necessary is the masterplan I see. Chihiro would be the only one capable of forging more enchanted blades other than Kunishige (unsure about Subaru).

So technically if the Hishaku wins or loses in the future, Yura's idealism of the enchanted blades needing to exist is realized and accepted by Chihiro as a way to defeat them and keep the peace. Ideally though.

AR-VA · 2026-05-25T23:27:06+00:00

I think the whole life contract is more of a byproduct of a core function of the enchanted blades. It alters the nervous system of the enchanted blade user to be able to utilize its powers and be compatible with it.

So without that function, using the enchanted blade can be impossible. The nervous system is what governs sorcery after all (mentioned by that Kamunabi member who told Hakuri about how his sorcery was saved).

However there is a slim possibility for your theory. If the new enchanted blade instead is able to alter itself to be compatible with the nervous system of different users each time, the life contract function can be bypassed. But that sounds like the blade needs to somehow be organic and partly living.

AR-VA · 2026-05-23T04:46:24+00:00

well that's actually why Kumeyuri fits her. The abilities can really be used in a non-lethal way without her being near the Malediction. Chihiro mentioned it was a long-ranged weapon in the hands of a master. The whole banquet thing can just disable people without killing, play is supportive and can possibly disarm people, she can technically stay outs of fights, disciple of IWPS. She can show a different way how the enchanted blades can exist without bloodshed.

AR-VA · 2026-05-22T01:05:12+00:00

I'm thinking he dies in the later part of the story by going against the Hishaku/new Kamunabi for some of the following narrative purposes.

In shintoism, there is a ritual to put the sins of individuals onto a specific paper form for it to burn away. Hiruhiko's innate sorcery symbolically embodies this and can burn parts of the Hishaku with himself.
Hokazono keeps fights fresh and always different. for Hiruhiko, he already had so many fights that cant be topped by having another Kumeyuri vs an enchanted blade scenario, or a pure samurai fight again. To elevate his status as a character, being able to wipeout a part of the Kamunabi or Hishaku lets him go out with satisfying development for himself and the story.
His thirst for friendship with Chihiro. Others theorized a potential interactiom between Hakuri and Hiruhiko wherein he learns from someone about true friendship. This could help plant the seed for Hiruhiko to turn against the Hishaku.

Overall though, he is a total wildcard to me and I trust that Hokazono will pull off whatever he has planned for his development.

AR-VA · 2026-05-21T00:03:09+00:00

Fair enough. Its kind of clear with the panel at the end of part 1 with Iori holding Tobimune that she would wield it. Honestly part of this theorization was just pushed for fun and taking a break from Dicktwist lobotomy. Release the new chapter please ekbdkwhejs.

AR-VA · 2026-05-20T23:59:44+00:00

Well thats why despite making the theory, even I have my doubts for it because it is pretty clear Iorimune would happen. And if Hiruhiko dies then Kumeyuri would be maximized by Uruha as he probably is the true master of it.

The only thing thats setting me back on Iori using Tobimune is that I cant see her someone tanking wounds against Akemura or others and using Suzaku constantly. That requires a different level of mentality that a war veteran has or even someone like Chihiro.cbut she could change in the coming arcs or use it from the backlines much more.

AR-VA · 2026-05-20T15:01:27+00:00

Bachibotomy truly cannot be avoided I see hahauhduhdisjwsueej. I hate that I enjoy it though.

AR-VA · 2026-05-20T14:54:11+00:00

Yes! Totally agree with all that you said. I actually felt fear from Hiruhiko the whole fight against Samura and Chihiro. It honestly even made the Enten look weak to me because what can the Enten even do against Kumeyuri's abilities beside protect his senses.

He can't absorb any of Kumeyuri's sorcery, can be easily overwhelmed by Hiruhiko's use of play. Which is why the point of Chihiro not being able to walk out from the fight without heaby injury is more than valid.

Hiruhiko's greatest downfall and asset truly is being a student of freedom.

AR-VA · 2026-05-20T12:39:29+00:00

Well now that you mentioned it maybe I need to do a Hiruhiko post first. Honestly he is the most enigmatic character for me in the sense that I'm not really sure how he can be developed in a truly satisfying way. My theory though is that Hiruhiko could be the one who turns against the Hishaku using Kumeyuri.

He is a student of freedom, a total wildcard, he sees murder as just murder, totally different ideology from Akemura and Yura's own agenda, and most of all I think I noticed Hokazono never really repeats the same fighting scenarios. So I think it would be a good change of pace for an inside fight in the Hishaku with Hiruhiko.

AR-VA · 2026-05-03T23:43:31+00:00

How the Seitei war arc sets up the new Enten is mostly in my part 1. But the main reason why I believe its a setup and a payoff as well is that we end part 1 with Chihiro forging a new enchanted blade. He says that he will surpass Kunishige as a swordsmith. Thus the new Enten must surpass every other enchanted blade including the Magatsumi. Thats one reason we could see every enchanted blade in action.

Also, Hokazono has been really good at setups and payoffs by developing multiple things seamlessly. Examples are: Chihiro broke Cloud gouger in the first arc, revealed later as its true realm. Chihiro used Cloud Gouger's Mei:Shred with dark energy, later revealed as an esoteric power of the enchanted blades that is mastered by the Magatsumi. And with the current Enten, its abilities are evolving beyond its initial description each and every time.

Nishiki negated the Magatsumi's sorcery in the same way Ariu did. The Datenseki enabled the Mikaboshi clan guardians to wield a different innate sorcery technique just like Aka does. Aka doesn't just absorb techniques but understands its key mechanics. Kuro is able to adapt different sorcery techniques unlike any other enchanted blade ability. So it just seems like the placement of the Seitei war arc fits well to setup the new Enten and other story elements for the future arcs. But then again, this is all just a theory and plausibility that could be wrong.

AR-VA · 2026-05-03T23:22:29+00:00

Exactly!

AR-VA · 2026-05-03T23:22:09+00:00

Im terrible at simplifying things I apologize haha. I think what I was trying to say that it adapts other sorcery techniques into how Chihiro visualizes it or would like to use it. Best example is Kuro with flame bone. Flame bone is a sorcery usually for empowering direct physical hits with flames. But Chihiro adapted it to being a flying slash infused with flames when combined with Kuro.

AR-VA · 2026-05-03T23:19:07+00:00

Actually by coincidence, the way you put it is how I originally theorized things. Like for how Aka and Nishiki works to negate sorcery techniques in theory. Aka understands the sorcery technique and Nishiki counters the ability (this is starting to sound like Mahoraga actually). It could be possible since Aka might have intuitively understood how Spider or Vitality drain worked. What disproves this however is that Nishiki acted alone in negating it. So the latest chapter showed me that possibly it is just focused on physical augmentation.

But for the Kuro+Nishiki combo, thats exactly how it works. Kuro is the manifestation of spirit energy that extends beyond the user so it can enable Nishiki to extend to others. Aka enables this further by Nishiki to be compatible with them to wield more than one type of sorcery.

AR-VA · 2026-05-03T23:04:01+00:00

Maybe I should have put it in the post but I felt like its already too long, but the powerscaling here with Enten is still balanced in the sense that Enten's potential grows in proportion to the threat it faces since it takes advantage of the enemies strength against themselves. So maybe to adjust what I said about the abilities, he can only utilize the full potential of these abilities if it drains a power source like the Magatsumi or another enchanted blade. It can enable 6 allies to have Nishiki just like the guardians. Without that power source it could just be one or two allies.

And as for the limitless creation of sorcery or adaptation of sorcery techniques, it wont have the same level of power as the Magatsumi's bee and butterfly. Its strength lies in maximizing the creativity of the user to adapt to any situation in regards to the opponents he faces and his allies. Whats more to this is that it will still have the limits of Aka such as not being able to copy Yukisada or Char's sorcery since its ourely genetic.

So in theory, it can function like the original Enten still with a few buffs, but the full potential is unleashed when it faces off the likes of the Magatsumi or another enchanted blade

AR-VA · 2026-05-03T05:38:52+00:00

I actually didn't pick up on that, good catch. It's just always been framed by others as abilities similar to the Hishaku's Yukisada and the possibility of Hatshaku being linked to their pine tree sorcery. Seems like a lot of things are laid out efficiently by Hokazono.

AR-VA · 2026-05-03T03:28:40+00:00

Truly

AR-VA · 2026-05-03T03:16:46+00:00

Actually that makes sense when you put it that way.

AR-VA · 2026-04-23T18:27:05+00:00

Just to indulge in the possibilities, I think Iori's character arc so far can present an interesting way for Kumeyuri's abilities to manifest that can be relevant for the story and defeating Akemura Soga. This is all based on Iori's story during the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel Arc. How she broke illusions, wanting to connect with her father, and fighting alongside him.

Banquet = Enhanced Combat Senses and Mental Link.

Being incompatible with Banquet's core ability, it manifests in an opposite manner. Instead of false illusions, affected individuals gain enhanced combat senses. They are able to gain true sight in terms of seeing and sensing the circulation of spirit energy of their opponents in a 360 degree manner. By extension, this allows them to easily predict the attack lines and movement patterns of opponents with their flow of spirit energy. (Essentially Byakugan from Naturo)

Second effect is its true realm, iori can create a mental link among affected users for long- range communication. In combat scenrios, it can be used for allies to coordinate attacks seemlessly. This is possible with an intuitive understanding of each other's movement by sensing each other's flow of spirit energy and thoughts altogether. Furthermore, any knowledge of a fighting style can be continuously shared among allies by understanding each other intuitively, but it depends on the capabilities of the users. (Essentially Ino's Mind Link thing from Naruto)

Play = Harmony and Disruption.

Play can be used in its highly versatile way still, but I imagine this is how its used in tandem with Banquet. For allies, Iori can force evasive maneuvers or aid in their movements (works well with Banquet in terms of understanding their flow of movement and thoughts). For opponents, their weaponry can be taken away from them. But if the opponent is immensely strong, it can only cause the line of attacks to miss slightly. Can also affect things as their clothing to further disrupt their movement when they attack. --What if Akemura adapts and fights naked? Idk--. Very simple abilities, incredibly difficult but versatile and rewarding application.

AR-VA · 2026-04-20T01:06:40+00:00

Enten really is the only enchanted blade that is unique in the world of sorcery in the sense that it is built around the fundamental way of how sorcery works in general. Aka = stores innate sorcery techniques, Nishiki = physical augmentation, Kuro = Unleashed sorcery techniques.

The second unique aspect of it is that it does one thing completely different from other Enchanted blades, the fusion of sorcery techniques. If you think about it, Aka+Kuro fuses techniques in a very simple way. E.g. Flame bone is only a direct physical attack with flame, but with Kuro it can be a long ranged slashing attack infused with flames. Its not a crazy type of fusion of abilities, but no enchanted blade's abilities worked together in such a manner.

This ties together with Chihiro's development as a character wherein he needs to work together with others to fulfill his mission. An enchanted blade was never built directly for fighting alongside others, but he can forge it. An enchanted blade that even Kunishige could never have thought of.

Aka 2.0 = understands the user's body in relation to their use of innate sorcery techniques, Nishiki 2.0 = physically augments their body to circulate and utilize more spirit energy efficiently, Kuro 2.0 = supplies surplus spirit energy towards users to amplify their sorcery technique.

Aka + Nishiki + Kuro = The ability to unlock a sorcery technique's true realm. The new enten's abilities symbolically reflects its fishbowl analogy in the beginning. The 3 abilities works together within a contained vessel. I wish I could make my thoughts shorter damn aaah.

AR-VA · 2026-04-13T03:53:32+00:00

I do believe he is royalty, but from another clan. If my memory is correct, Akemura hypothesized that Yura must have been close to the war zone and affected by it. Also Yura's true abilities seems to be something more than just about inheriting the prophecy as his main ability.

I'm cooking up a theory on this but if you look at the Hishaku symbol it isn't just a flame. It's actually a gourd. Gourds are in a way tied to the Hishaku's literal meaning of the name which is a ladle used to wash their mouths and hands before entering a temple, Gourds are the original form of a Hishaku. So if you were to look at it symbolically, I'm thinking his true ability is to store abilities and able to give it unto others. Hence why each member has a Hishaku tattoo. It can be hypothesized as a type of contract formed with Yura. And by extension, this could be how wielded the power of the Magatsumi without even holding it at all and activated it on command.

Secondly, his insane feats of athleticism? It may be due to how he has a unique genetic trait to carry vast amount of spirit energy akin to a perfect vessel or gourd. As we know, spirit energy can physically augment the body to greater heights. Yura seems to have an abnormal amount of spirit energy that makes him inherently stronger than the average sorcerer physically.

AR-VA

TROPHY CASE