Asumu
Please sit in a well-lit room, at a comfortable distance, when watching.
This is Armed Saber.
If they could master it, what would happen?
Their Oni power would be greatly amplified.
I understand that, but...
isn't it strange? That they became unable to transform if they can't use it.
That is because their daily training is lacking!
Todoroki!
You...!
This is bad!
Alright.
Screw you!
Got it! Mine now! Mine!
Give it back!
Gimme, gimme.
Gimme.
- Okay, here. - Thank you.
Give it back!
What are they?
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Volume Thirty­Three
Armored Blade
No good?
Yeah...
It's no use. No matter how often they do it.
How strange.
What in the world happened?
It's Mr. Kogure's fault!
It's because of that weapon he made, Armed Saber!
Now we can't transform!
What's with that tone?
You're the one who took Armed Saber without permission.
And whose fault is it that the enemy stole it?
W-w-well...
I'm sorry!
There, there.
But I'm stumped. What's wrong with our bodies?
You were hit with Armed Saber's powerful aura, so your physical strength declined.
But beside that, it seems like nothing else is wrong.
Danki just called. It seems he and Shouki have regained the ability to transform.
So losing the ability to transform is only temporary.
So if you can just restore your physical strength, there won't be any problem!
Umm, how long... will that take?
Seems that it took Danki and Shouki about a month.
A m-month?!
Hibiki!
So this is an Oni weapon?
Nice...
Nice...!
I want it...
I just want it for a bit...
Shall we examine it?
We might reap some of the secrets of Yoshino's technology.
What an intense aura.
I'm getting excited.
What are you doing?
What should I do?
I'm suppressing the aura.
It'd be unmanageable​ as it is, right?
I can't even transform for a month!
I don't know what I should do.
About all of this.
The weird weapon that Kogure guy made is to blame!
Man.
I don't care if he is Yoshino's head of development.
That guy is unbelievable!
Come on, don't say that.
Despite how he seems, he—
Hey!
So you're over here secretly badmouthing people?
Ah... No... It's been a long time.
Really?
You are... his master, right?
Your teaching was poor! That's why you raised this half-ass!
I'm sorry.
Please.
Thank you very much.
Zanki!
I'm sorry!
Just how long is he planning to stay with us?
Mr. Kogure...
Man! He... even got Zanki!
Unforgivable!
Now now, don't say that. Despite how he seems, he's not truly a bad person.
Your face is twitching, Father!
But... it's not like what he says is wrong.
Yeah! I actually quite like that type.
Like the kind that'd flip this table over with a crash. He's like a classic old Japanese man.
You're too easygoing, Hibiki!
We can't transform for a month!
Now now, just relax.
Well, I'll handle it somehow in the meantime. I'll do my best to cover for you two.
Well, aren't you boastful?
With that wan body...
will you be okay?
You're certainly modern...
from head to toe.
Huh?
Mr. Kogure. What happened to your usual vigor?
Well, it doesn't matter what you say to this type.
It's like water off a duck's back.
I see.
Um, Mr. Kogure. There's something that worries me.
What is it?
About Armed Saber.
Since the Makamou stole it, the enemy might find out about our technology.
I know.
That's why I can't let Hibiki and Todoroki take a month off!
What does that mean?
We will begin special training!
Starting now.
Special training?
Hey! What's wrong?
That's no good! Your voice must come from the stomach!
Umm... is this really special training?
Of course!
Take in the aura of the cosmos.
The goal of this special training is to recreate the aura in your heart!
Do it again!
You're too out of tune!
Try it again on your own.
Yes.
Once again!
Wait up.
Hey, wait!
What is it? Why are you walking so fast?
Could it be... you don't like going home with me?
That's not really...
Boy!
Hibiki!
In any case, I'm happy for you.
You made friends with another boy.
Speaking of which, you were really only friends with cheer girl Mocchi before, right?
No, I don't know if we're friends yet.
Hey! Is that true?
No... it's just complicated...
More importantly, Hibiki.
Can I ask you something?
What do you think of Adachi?
Why do you associate with him so much?
You'll understand someday.
When you're more mature.
I'm mature already.
Really.
There are various people in the world.
Amazing people. Honorable people.
People you want to see again.
By meeting various people... you become stronger and stronger.
You two should get along.
Vocal exercises​?
What strange special training!
No, no, that can't be called special training!
He just wants to show off his singing.
I really can't do it anymore.
Really? Mr. Kogure is certainly a critical person, but I don't think that's all.
He became Yoshino's head of development, after all.
Even Father respects him, deep down.
But!
He said I'm tone-deaf! Tone-deaf!
That can't be! I was once...
in a band!
That reminds me, I've never heard you sing, Todoroki!
My love...
How good.
Please accept...
my overflowing feelings...
with both hands...
My looove!
Oh? Hinaka? What's wrong?
I'm so sad!
We won't be able to sing a duet together like this.
No! I'm so sorry, Hinaka!
I... will work hard on my special training!
So... don't cry.
Please!
Hey! You okay? Pull yourself together.
This is pretty tough.
Will this really help us transform again?
I hope it at least cures me of my tone-deafness.
Well, without saying that...
Believe in Mr. Kogure's words. Do your best.
Working hard?
Oh, Zanki.
Zanki. I'm doing what I can...
but this is some strange special training.
You're mistaken about him.
It's okay. You can trust Mr. Kogure.
He was active as an Oni before joining Yoshino's development department.
He knows more about being an Oni than anyone.
He was an Oni?
Long ago, I heard...
about a legendary...
Yeah.
About an Oni called the Steel Cyclone who defeated ten Makamou in one day. A legendary person.
Ten in one day?!
For real?!
Seems like he's a modest person.
He doesn't want to brag.
It wasn't ten, it was twenty!
Mr. Kogure.
To be exact, it was thirty.
I tore apart the attacking giant Makamou, one after the other!
That's definitely boasting.
But...
The twentieth Makamou was a strong one!
It was truly strong, but I did not lose!
I drew power from my stomach...
and defeated the enemy with my deadly punch!
Amazing! That's so inspiring!
Is that so?
Yes!
Ah! I'm going to train.
I'm off.
Todo.
Yeah.
Wait, wait! Rock, paper, scissors.
Rock, paper, scissors.
Go!
Yay!
I'm so good!
Shall we get going?
Let's go home.
Run away. Run!
Put some spirit into it!
I want to be able to transform soon.
Soon you will be able to transform~ Do your best~
Excuse me.
Ah, Hinaka?
Ah, Todoroki. I just got a call that a Makamou appeared.
It seems Ibuki is having a really tough time with it.
Transform! Hibiki! Todoroki!
I did it! Mr. Kogure! I believed in you from the start!
Mr. Kogure. Watch this.
Don't be afraid, Hibiki! As you are now, you can use it! Armed Saber is your weapon!
Alright.
What just happened?
Excellent! That is the power of Armed Saber!
Fight, Hibiki!
Right.
He got beaten.
Alright, let's go home.
This is amazing.
Hibiki... is armored.
Come, my friends...
The ship is waiting...
Santa Lucia...
This really is great. Something truly worth celebrating.
Yeah. But, boss...
That story about Mr. Kogure beating thirty giant Makamou...
No... I heard it was ten.
Where'd the other twenty go?
That was wonderful, Mr. Kogure!
Another one, please! One more!
Please, Mr. Kogure.
Alright... then next...
I will sing "Boy"!
Armored Blade
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!
You won’t get through here!
Die!
But I don't think your Oni job and real life are separate.
Hibiki, haven't you ever fallen in love?
Volume Thirty­Four
Loving Bonito
Volume Thirty-Four: Loving Bonito.