Asumu
Please sit in a well-lit room, at a comfortable distance, when watching.
Hibiki is a man who transforms into an Oni and saves people.
Since meeting him, something within me, Adachi Asumu, has begun to change.
After I was released from the hospital following my operation, Hibiki came to see how I've been doing.
At the same time, Hibiki's comrades were fighting yet another battle...
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Volume Sixteen
Roaring Oni
Zanki!
Listen, Todayama.
I'm leaving this to you.
Huh?
I'll handle the Douji and Hime. You take down the Yamaarashi.
Use this.
Ah...
Here.
Zanki...
I'm counting on you!
Todayama!
Right!
Now, Todayama!
Right!
Use the Slashing Sound!
Okay!
Zanki!
I'm sorry!
Can I come in? I bet you're having a good time.
- I've brought you both some tea. - Come on in.
- Here, sorry for the wait... - You don't need to do all this, really...
No no, it's fine!
I simply must thank you for all you've done for my Asumu.
It's no problem.
Did you thank him too, Asumu?
- He came all this way to check on you... - I did already!
Ah...
Guess I'll have some.
Oh, right! What about that compass thing?
He treasures it... Here, show him!
Let Hibiki see it, c'mon now!
There we go...!
This is it.
Say, Hibiki! I'm supposed to exercise regularly, so do you wanna go for a walk with me?
Yes, yes, later, alright?
Oh, sure. Yup.
The weather's nice, so I might as well accompany you while you train.
- Hold on, he just got here! - Thank you for having me.
Now get dressed. Okay, bye!
How disappointing! What the—
Aww...
How'd it go?
Unfortunately, both the Douji and Makamou seem to have gotten away.
Also, Ishiwari has taken Sabaki to the hospital.
So all that work without rest really was the cause, huh?
Yeah... it would seem so.
What about Zanki and Todayama?
Well, Zanki is in no condition to keep this up anymore,
so he'll be leaving things to Todayama from now on.
This will be his debut battle.
Hello!
Huh? What's wrong?
Well, you see...
Zanki...
I'm sorry about earlier.
I screwed up.
Hmm...
That you did.
Yes.
But, well, suddenly being thrown into a real battle...
I mean, it's what I've been working toward all this time, but...
I see.
It really was sudden, wasn't it?
I'm just using that as an excuse, really.
I just can't see myself replacing you, Zanki.
You're looking at this all wrong.
- It's true you made a mistake earlier, but... - No, I mean...
To be perfectly honest...
I... know that it takes a sound attack to defeat a Makamou, but...
I basically keep thinking about how you've gotten me where I am...
And... I just can't see myself being the one to deal the finishing blow.
Alright, I get it.
Huh?
Listen, Todayama.
Yes?
You know these two years you've spent with me?
Yeah?
Forget them.
We will defeat those Oni without fail,
and fill the village with your quills.
Say, boy...
That compass...
Do you always carry it with you?
Yeah, pretty much.
That so?
It's been like...
a good luck charm for me, during tests and stuff.
I'm glad to hear that.
Y'know, when I was hospitalized,
this helped take my mind off things.
I mean, I knew I'd be in the hospital for about a week,
but there wasn't really anything to do.
Having all that time and nothing to fill it with made me uneasy.
Yeah...
When that happened, I'd look at this compass you gave me,
and it helped me through.
It's because you're truly working hard to train yourself.
I guess.
I'm not sure how to put this...
Why I took a liking to you, or... more like, why we get along so well?
I can't really explain it well, but...
I think it all turned out this way because...
you've always been the type to work hard.
Ehh...?
I suppose I should say... you're someone with promise?
I am?
Yup.
Oh, but, when we first met,
I got the feeling you were kinda earnest and unreliable.
But even after meeting me,
seeing that monster...
Yeah...
And finding out that I'm an Oni,
you still passed your exam.
Yeah.
By the way, I heard about what happened recently.
Midori told me about your run-in with a shoplifter.
Oh...
But, well,
society really shouldn't turn a blind eye to wrongdoings, right?
In that sense, you and I think alike, boy.
Um, Hibiki?
Hm?
Would you consider making me your apprentice?
Simply put...
you rely on me too much.
Do things in your own style.
Forget about my methods and instructions.
If you don't take charge of yourself and do things your way,
you'll keep making mistakes.
To be frank, I don't have any intention of making you my apprentice, boy.
Oh.
And you don't want to become an Oni either, right?
Right, sorry.
But, well, you're bettering yourself in your own way,
so maybe I could be considered your mentor in that regard.
If anything ever happens, you can always come to me for advice.
Okay.
Well, I better get going.
Oh, about what you said a while ago,
asking me to help out Akira...
Oh, right.
I've been hospitalized, so...
That's true.
When I'm back in school again, I'd like to try.
Alright, I'm counting on you.
Right.
Stop by Tachibana's to hang out again sometime, okay?
Sure.
Okay, bye!
Hello?
I see...
So Todayama...
Yeah.
It must be tough for him to be striking out on his own when the schedule's so tight.
Yeah...
It's kept Akira from going to school quite often, too.
Sorry about that.
It's okay.
In high school, I'd already become an Oni, so I was hardly ever able to attend, either.
That's true.
As a result, I didn't have a chance to make friends in school,
so I'd really like you to go as much as possible.
Thank you.
No luck there...
Come to think of it...
Huh?
At the last year-end party,
you beat Hibiki at arm-wrestling, didn't you?
Ah... yes.
After that,
everyone kept saying "Todayama's already so independent."
Kinda made me seem like the bad guy, still being active and all.
Yeah...
Thinking back on everything,
I've enjoyed working with you.
Ah, that's...
I've enjoyed working with you too, Zanki.
I wish we could stay a team forever...
Sorry for throwing in the towel so suddenly.
I still want to keep working too,
but this body of mine just won't have it.
We've got a hit!
Anyway...
this is your fight from now on.
Right.
I'm counting on you.
Right.
I'm back!
Huh?
I'm back!
Welcome back.
Yup, I'm back.
- Say, did Ibuki and Akira come back already? - Yeah.
Okay, then.
- Hold on, Hibiki... - Hm?
We got a call from Zanki earlier,
and he said...
...he's retiring.
Retiring?
What, for real?
Yeah...
So Todayama's taking over for him and is making his debut today.
I see.
Hey.
Ah, hello?
Hey, Hibiki, what's up?
I hear you're retiring.
Yeah, that's right.
This is pretty sudden, isn't it?
Well, you've gotta listen when your body tries to tell you something.
Guess so!
Sorry to hear it, though.
Yeah, me too.
Hey...
Thank you for everything.
Yeah, thanks.
So, how's Todayama?
I'll put him on.
Yes?
You're suddenly in a tough spot, huh?
No... not at all.
Gettin' nervous, are you?
C'mon, stop that.
But y'know,
it'd be pretty dangerous if you are.
R-right!
Todayama!
Yes!
Just be yourself,
and do your best.
O-okay.
Thank you very much!
We're all rooting for you.
Right.
Okay.
Later.
Yeah, goodbye.
The next one's going right here.
Damn monster!
Lightning
Todayama!
Don't copy my methods. Do it your own way!
Right!
Slashing Sound: Seismic Thunder!
Seismic
Thunder
Roaring
Zanki...
Well done.
Alright.
From now on, you'll succeed me and take on the name Zanki.
Ah, no, I... can't do that.
Huh?
I mean...
I'll accept that this makes me a full-fledged Oni...
but you should keep on being Zanki.
Then what name do you intend to use?
Well, um...
Take your time thinking it over.
Right.
Also... remember to only undo the transformation on your face. That's just embarrassing.
Eh? Ah, sorry about that!
Wait up, Zanki! Zanki...
Hold on! Zanki!
Alright, good work.
You seem to be doing a lot better.
Do I?
Yup.
Way better than when you were hospitalized.
That's probably true.
You'll be coming back to school tomorrow, right?
Yeah.
I need to train, after all.
Huh?
Ah, nothing.
So...
I've been thinking of joining the band.
Eh, really?!
Yeah.
I've got it.
How about "Todoroki"?
Huh? As in "Roaring Oni"?
That's a good one!
I like it!
Wait, could it be...
you came up with that name based off my fighting style?
Don't get ahead of yourself.
I based it off your name.
"Todoroki" starts with "to", just like "Todayama".
Ehh?!
But I guess it's too cool a name for you, huh?
Wait, hold on a second! Zanki!
Wait! Zanki!
There's still more here!
I've still got more to pack, Zanki!
Roaring Oni
It is as if you are wholly transparent
As if everything is passing through you
Is that not how it feels?
Boy! If you are going to journey...
Then you must have clear skies in your heart!
Hit the beat! Keep your beat!
Seek out the places that move your heart!
Hit the beat! Keep your beat!
Find what no one else can do!
That is your resonance!
Ibuki apparently saw a Douji and Hime in town.
We're not about to lose to them, y'know.
There'll be way too many victims if they surface in a crowded area.
We have to stop them quickly.
Volume Seventeen
Targeted Town
Volume Seventeen: Targeted Town.