Kagurbachi Chapter 68: Beginning of the End

The new chapter of Kagurabachi just dropped, and it is absolutely amazing. We're always saying this, but chapter 68, titled 'Metamorphosis,' is truly remarkable in the way it showcases the fight and internal thoughts of the characters. In this chapter, we see an epic fight begin between Chihiro and Hirohiko, the Masumi Clan saving Iori and Samura's daughter having an internal battle over her final decision.

Epic Battle Begins

In the previous chapter of Kagurabachi, we witnessed a heart-to-heart talk between Chihiro and Iori, the boy vowing to make sure Samura's daughter gets her happy ending and Hirohiko wreaking havoc in the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel. In chapter 68, we see Chihiro facing off against Hirohiko, who is carrying a severed head of the general manager of the hotel. The Hishaku member points out in front of Iori that he will use her against Samura, who is busy dealing with hunting contracted Sword Bearers, but Chihiro immediately promises to her that he will save her and make sure she will be fine when all is over.

Hirohiko points out that with the general manager dead, everyone is going to hunt for Iori and try to take her, but in the last moment with dozens of assassins trying to reach the girl, Ro steps up and saves her.

Ro Saves Iori From Certain Death  

While they ascend to the roof of the hotel, where the new seal is being prepped by the rest of the Masumi Clan, Ro explains the situation to Iori. He tells her that if she's really ready to forget everything, they are preparing a better and much stronger memory seal since the last one didn't work and Iori started remembering everything. The leader of the Masumi Clan also explains it is her responsibility to take care of Iori. The girl, however, is skeptical that returning to school will be without problems, since Hishaku members literally killed her class' teacher on the spot. Ro reassures her that it will be easy to forget everything for her school friends since it happened so quickly and suddenly. Moreover, Ro mentions that general manager Yojiro was supposed to give him a special key for the seal, and since he is dead, Chihiro will have to take it from Hirohiko.

However, it seems that everything that had happened to her in the last few days got to Iori because her decision to return to school is seeming more and more shaky.

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Hiruhiko Is a Genius

Just as Iori starts to ascend the hotel with Ro, we're back to Chihiro and Hiruhiko battling it out in hotel hallways. Chihiro realizes that Hiruhiko has a strange technique that he never encountered in his years as a Sword Bearer. In the background of the fight, there is one of the very injured staff members of the hotel, who we learn is a disciple of Yujiro and his Reigen One-Sword Style, citing his former master's teachings—only the hardest-working warriors will be the best in their craft.

Seeing Hiruhiko beat his master and later Chihiro fighting him makes the staff member question Yujiro, finally believing that genius can take one very far. We learn that Hiruhiko is a genius, and with his unique fighting style, he can make his weapons disappear during combat. Chihiro reads the move on time and counters the Hishaku member, who is in awe. On the other hand, Chihiro isn't happy that his White Purity Style was dodged by Hiruhiko and vows to the man that he will kill him and get the key to the roof, helping Iori get her wish. In the last panel, we see Iori weighing her decision, and after realizing that she will fully forget her father, she starts to doubt her willingness to forget everything, making us wait for the next week's chapter of Kagurabachi.

Conclusion: Final Decision That Will Change the Path of This War

It was a joy reading this chapter. It was such a cinematic experience that only a few mangaka can showcase in their manga panels and artwork, and Hokazono once again proved his talent is unmatched in those situations. Chihiro and Hiruhiko's fight was top tier, but seeing Iori's thoughts about her final decision and discussing it with the leader of the Masumi Clan, Ro, is what we expect to reach its peak in the next chapter—her doubts will probably lead to actually acknowledging her father and the painful truth that will come with him.

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