The Truth Behind the Seitei War Revealed in Kagurabachi Chapter 72

The newest chapter of Kagurabachi truly puts us within the history of an important event in Japanese history, the Seitei War. Chapter 72, titled simply 'Future,' sees interaction between Samura and Yura, the truth behind the Seitei War and Sword Masters, and more details about the bond between Samura and Iori. A truly remarkable piece of Hokazono's skills.

Yura Tells Samura About the Prophecy

In the previous chapter of Kagurabachi, we witnessed a background story of Samura and his daughter Iori and the fact that Yura, the leader of the Hishaku group, found Samura during very difficult times for his family. In the most recent chapter, we see the continuation of the same flashback, in which Yura reveals to Samura that he knows the real truth behind the atrocities of the Seitei War. Long story short, Yura tells Samura that he knows the Japanese government hid the real truth behind their victory in the war against the invaders. The citizens of the small country (the invaders) were immune to a rare material, datenseki, which we know Kunishige Rokuhira used for crafting enchanted blades.

The people of the country weren't bloodthirsty monsters, as the government told their citizens; they were innocent people who wanted to stop fighting after Sword Masters and enchanted blades emerged. One particular sword, Shinuchi, was pivotal in turning the tides of the Seitei War, and the royal family ruling the small country wanted to stop the war by peace treaty.

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Seitei War Is Tainted With War Crimes 

However, even the signing of the peace treaty didn't stop one particular Sword Master, with the most powerful blade, Shinuchi, from going berserk and wiping the whole country of 200,000 people. The berserk nature of the Sword Master awakened Shinuchi's real power—malediction. The abilities the Sword Master evoked within the blade were pure force of obliteration. Witnessing true bloodshed and murder, five other Sword Masters (who included Samura, Uruha, and others) went on to stop the terrifying man, which eventually led to Kamunabi and the rest of the government hiding a real truth behind the genocide.

Samura is flabbergasted at how Yura knows that much about the event and is even more shocked when Yura reveals why he is truly there—he came to deliver a prophecy. As long as the Sword Master lives, that calamity known as the malediction will occur again in the near future. Yura's parting words are brief—Samura has a job to do for the future.

Iori wakes up from her slumber and hears some of the words Yura said to Samura. The father eventually placates his daughter and promises he'll never leave her. Samura immediately visits Kamunabi headquarters to discuss the prophecy and details about the mystery man (we know it's Yura). Samura meets his old friend, presumably then a leader of Kamunabi who mentored Azami and Shiba, and they discuss everything that occurred during the visit. However, if the worst-case scenario happens and the Sword Master is freed, he would need to be killed but at the cost of all Sword Masters dying with him. The eternal contract of Shinuchi is different from the rest—if the Sword Master in the nucleus of the eternal bond dies, every other Sword Master will die with him. The old man promises Samura that as long as the Sword Master and Shinuchi are sealed, nothing will happen.

Iori Learns the Craft of Swordsmanship

The old man acknowledges Samura's daughter and ensures Samura that he and the other four of his comrades (Sword Masters) are truly heroes, due to them trying to actually save the citizens and not falling down the same route as rogue Sword Master. After the meeting at Kamunabi HQ, Samura visits his dojo, where he witnesses Iori already showing promise as a fighter. What's really interesting is that she adopted the fighting style as her father, who is blind.

After one of the students asks Samura what the difference is, the Sword Master explains that those who close their eyes eliminate extraneous thoughts. Iori realizes her father has arrived and gains praise for her effort and skill set. This propels the young Samura to promise to her father that she will be the best fighter ever so she can protect him as well. Samura smiles and tells her he cannot wait.

Conclusion: One Particular Sword Master Is a Monster

Amazing lore dump by Hokazono once again, and after 70-odd chapters, we finally learn more about the Seitei War. What is incredibly interesting is the reveal of another Sword Master, whose powers prevail over the rest of the Sword Masters of the Seitei War. This reveal 'throws a wrench' in many theories of Kagurabachi fans, and it truly changes the viewpoint regarding Samura's character—he is truly a war hero, but at what cost?

Special shoutout to Iori, whose skills seem ever more impressive, especially after we learn she imitated Samura and his style of combat—she will have a huge role in Chihiro's story.

On the other hand, the leader of Hishaku, Yura, is still a mystery. How he knows about the details of this huge secret of the Japanese government, only time will tell, and until then, we'll have to wait for more chapters of Kagurabachi, which feels like it's hitting its true stride of the story. Incredible artwork once again by Hokazono, who is by far the most exciting current mangakas in the manga sphere.

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