Kagurabachi Chapter 67: Bloodshed as the Way of Life

Hokazono's newest chapter brought action and some very interesting discussions that will potentially impact the main character of Chihiro. The chapter titled 'Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel' sees Hiruhiko showcasing his power, Chihiro and Iori having important discussions, and Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel being true to its name—full-on bloody and murderous.

Hiruhiko Is Simply Insane

In the previous chapter, Chihiro, Ro, and Iori give the teenager a choice—to remember her father, Seiichi Samura, or learn the harsh truth. In this chapter, we witness members of Hishaku, Ms. Toto and Hiruhiko, arriving at the Bloodshed Kyoto Hotel, trying to find Iori. The workers of the hotel (well, mercenaries to be precise) try to stop Hirohiko, who cannot use the Enchanted Blade due to him trying to avoid Samura actually arriving and killing him on the spot. But he uses the sword skill learned from Kuguri and slashes through one of the warriors.

This is where the general manager and the master of Reigen One-Sword Style step in—he even manages to mention his sword technique is unique for its 150 years of existence. However, that doesn't affect Hiruhiko at all—he absolutely murders Yojiro Sengoku. When asked whose disciple he is, Hiruhiko says that he is a 'student of freedom.'

Iori and Chihiro Have a Heart to Heart

In the meantime, somewhere in the hotel, Chihiro looks after Iori, who is sleeping after learning the truth about her father, Samura. Two teenagers, vastly different but peers nonetheless, talk deeply about their lives. Chihiro talks about his life path, how his life is filled with bloodshed, seeking revenge for his father. On the other hand, Iori mentions how she loves her peaceful life at school, her friends, and stealing desserts during school lunch being her biggest problem in life. She then mentions what she remembered about her childhood: the graffiti mentioning her father as a murderer and that if she comes back to 'her original self,' she will never be able to come back to school.

This is where Chihiro mentions his last name and tells Iori that his father Kunishige and hers, Samura, were comrades and very close friends. He mentions both of them are children of 'war heroes' and that even when the truth hurt, he wanted to know everything. However, the conversation is cut short when someone rings at the hotel door.

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Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel Lives Up to Its Name

Chihiro immediately learns that the hit was put on his head—every person in the Bloodshed Kyoto Hotel wants to kill him. He tells Iori to stay back because he will protect her at all costs. Chihiro closes the door and procures one of the bloodiest scenes in the Kagurabachi manga, killing every single person in his way. Iori witnesses that and is absolutely horrified. When he kills everyone, Chihiro tells the other teenager that they need to reach the hotel roof, but Iori goes and asks him a question—if he's scared of killing people. Chihiro says no and tells her that this is what separates them from each other. He concludes that both truths are her truths and that none of them could be correct in the end, making her decision important.

Iori confesses she wants to return to school, separating herself from all the bloodshed. As she says that, elevator doors open, revealing Hiruhiko carrying the head of the general manager of the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel. The Hishaku member tells Chihiro he is ready for him, making Chihiro promise Iori that he will make sure her wishes come true, that in the end, she will return to school.

Conclusion: What Is the Way of Life?

This chapter was very action-packed but also quite enlightening, especially from Iori's point of view. She wants to learn the truth, but the murders, bloodshed, and simply the baggage coming with her learning the real truth and returning to her 'old self' make her decision and will for peace that much easier. Chihiro is her mirror into what awaits her if she wants to learn the truth about her father, Seiichi Samura—she will never know peace in her life.

On the other hand, it was cool seeing Hirohiko fighting without using his powers, showcasing his improvement due to being mentored by his fellow Kishaku member and swordsmanship enthusiast, Kuguri. However, seeing the general manager of the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel being so easily defeated after the author, Hokazono, hinted at his excellence and power is kind of, for the lack of a better word, lame. We as fans expected much more from that character, but in the end, at least we will get the long-awaited Chihiro vs. Hirohiko fight.

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