Hokazono had foreshadowed Samura's betrayal in Kagurabachi with a clever misdirection

Samura's betrayal in Kagurabachi has become a hot topic of discussion following chapter 57's release. It was revealed that the blind swordsman had believed that the Sword Saint, i.e., the Shinuchi Enchanted Blade and the other contracted sword bearers were never the heroes who protected the nation.

That's why, he formed a pact with Yura, the Hishaku's leader, three years ago. Although the chapter revealed these shocking facts from Hiruhiko's perspective, it confirmed Samura as the traitor. The chapter also implied that he killed Uruha, allowing Hiruhiko to activate the Kumeyuri Enchanted Blade.

Undoubtedly, Samura's betrayal in Kagurabachi may come as a shocker. However, upon closer inspection, mangaka Takeru Hokazono foreshadowed Samura's real nature and his betrayal in a subtle manner. From Samura's past conversations with Chihiro to Yura's exchange with a Hishaku sorcerer, several moments signaled the blind sorcerer's involvement in the narrative as a traitor.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Kagurabachi.

Samura's ideology about the heroes shaped him as a traitor in Kagurabachi

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Takeru Hokazono's narrative for Kagurabachi had subtly foreshadowed Samura's original identity as a traitor. During the many flashbacks to his conversations with Chihiro Rokuhira, fans learned about the intense regret he had as a swordsman. When he cut flesh for the first time, the sight left a permanent imprint on his mind, which never went away even after he blinded himself.

Later, he acquired an Enchanted Blade and flailed in the darkness. He thought he had found a meaning to his life. Yet, the heaps of killing only added misery. Samura had shown intense hatred for what he did in the war, and never considered himself or the other Enchanted Blade users heroes. That's why, he didn't want Chihiro to become a swordsman.

The complexity of the flashback scenes added layers to Samura's character, portraying him as a character who regretted his past. However, the narrative cleverly hid that his hatred for his actions would become the main driving force behind his betrayal.

Samura, as seen in Kagurabachi (Image via Shueisha)

The narrative confirmed that Samura never believed the Enchanted Blade users as heroes, and fans accepted it as a casual remark. The intensity behind his ideology or words was never in-depthly probed. In other words, Takeru Hokazono cleverly misdirected fans into believing that Samura's regret was limited to his characterization.

However, Hokazono's masterstroke was turning Samura's philosophy into obsession. The blind swordsman hated Enchanted Blade users being called heroes and "wanted to them gone"; the the author cleverly concealed the phrase underneath the narrative.

Samura and Uruha in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

To some extent, Takeru Hokazono misguided the readers, or rather set up a clever misdirection to understand the real Samura in Kagurabachi. The last couple of chapters gradually set the stage for his betrayal. It was revealed that he wanted to protect his loved ones, including the Makizumis.

Somehow, Samura knew it wasn't possible as long as weapons of destruction, the Enchanted Blades existed. Besides that, his ideology is also completely opposite to Uruha, who felt the Enchanted Blade users' lives weighted more with the burden.

Uruha, who embodied the values of a hero, or rather, had a picture of himself and the other Enchanted Blade users as heroes, could never belong to Samura's world. Ryo Fuura, one of the monks' deaths, had a huge impact on Samura, not on Uruha or others who believed the boy died protecting the Enchanted Blade users.

Samura's ideology was built on the question, "Why the Enchanted Blade users?" He refused to let anyone sacrifice their life for the Enchanted Blade users. That's why, he was willing to betray the comrades, with whom he tainted his hands with blood in war, and join them later in Hell.

Other ways Hokazono foreshadowed Samura's betrayal in Kagurabachi

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If a reader goes through the previous four to five chapters of Kagurabachi after reading the latest chapter, they would realize Takeru Hokazono had meticulously foreshadowed Samura as the traitor. Besides Samura's conversation with Chihiro and his perception of an Enchanted Blade user, the manga had a couple of moments, which in hindsight prove the latest revelation.

For example, when Chihiro Rokuhira stabbed Hiruhiko with a blade and leaped out of the train's window, the Hishaku sorcerer asked him whether it was wise to leave Uruha on his own. Notably, Uruha and Hakuri's plan was to get to the Senkutsuji temple to meet Samura.

Hiruhiko's remark about Uruha being "alone," subtly foreshadowed that Samura was not on Chihiro's side, but the Hishaku's. Likewise, in chapter 50, when one of the monks said that the enemy would reach the Senkutsuji temple soon, his sentence was interrupted by Samura's arrival to the scene, implying he was an "enemy."

Yura, as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Besides that, in Kagurabachi chapter 54, Yura appeared eerily calm and collected about the whole situation. He knew that even if Hiruhiko had lost, his plan would have worked since the Hishaku had a "trump card." Samura being that trump card makes sense because in any scenario, the organization would have gotten an Enchanted Blade.

According to the latest chapter, Samura made a deal with Yura. However, its details weren't revealed. It's possible Samura maybe only wanted to eradicate the Enchanted Blade users, and later eliminate the Hishaku organization. Chapter 54 also implied that Hiruhiko had some personal enmity with using the "trump card."

Hiruhiko in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Maybe that's why he deployed all the Hishaku guards at the Senkutsuji temple. It was a win-win situation for Hishaku. Had they been successful in eliminating Samura (and possibly Uruha), they would have gotten two Enchanted Blades.

On the other hand, if Samura defeated the Hishakus, and waited for Hakuri to retrieve the Enchanted Blades, he could have killed Uruha, thus allowing the Hishaku to gain Kumeyuri, i.e., an Enchanted Blade. That's why, Yura thought the Hishaku's plan was foolproof.

Conclusion

Samura uses Tobimune in Kagurabachi (Image via Shueisha)

Takeru Hokazono had nicely foreshadowed Samura's betrayal in Kagurabachi, with a complex narrative. He left a few minute details for the fans, without giving away the details. It was almost as if, Samura's actual character was right in front of fans.

However, the way Hokazono constructed Samura's character and his ideology, it was easy for a fan to brush it off as a motive. Besides that, the subtle details, such as the remarks made by the monk at the Senkutsuji temple or by Hiruhiko after leaping from the train are the icing on the cake.

That said, Kagurabachi manga hasn't properly revealed Samura's perspective on the whole matter. It remains to be seen whether he truly wants to help the Hishaku, or just continue on his own rampage to kill the remaining contracted sword bearers, including possibly Chihiro Rokuhira.