Kagurabachi chapter 31 was released in Weekly Shonen Jump's #22-23 issue on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 12 am JST. The chapter highlighted Chihiro Rokuhira's confrontation against the Hishaku member and revealed the shocking reason why the organization sent the Shinuchi blade for auction.
In the previous chapter of Kagurabachi, Shiba and Hakuri infiltrated the Rakuzaichi establishment's basement to reach the Sazanami family's graveyard and locate the mysterious storeroom's emergency exit door.
While Shiba faced three members of the Tou, Hakuri locked horns with his elder brother, Soya Sazanami. On the other hand, Chihiro Rokuhira surprisingly confronted a Hishaku member.
Kagurabachi chapter 31 highlights: Chihiro meets the Hishaku's leader for the first time
Picking up the events from the previous chapter, Kagurabachi chapter 31, titled Greeting, starts with the Hishaku member telling Chihiro Rokuhira that he has grown up. Despair kicks in as Chihiro remembers his traumatic past. Enraged, he charges at the sorcerer and bombards him with questions such as what his intentions are.
The dark-haired man is surprised that he (Chihiro) can interrogate him while maintaining enough composure. At that moment, Kagurabachi chapter 31 reveals he's the leader of the infamous Hishaku, the person responsible for Kunishige Rokuhira's murder.
He provokes Chihiro to try and kill him if he can. A fight begins, but Kunishige's son realizes that he's no match for him. The Hishaku's leader corners Chihiro without even using sorcery. The man observes Chihiro's Cloud Gouger blade and feels it has less output than before.
He wonders whether the Enchanted Blade is losing its powers because it's broken or because its wielder (Chihiro) has just started using it. The Hishaku's leader firmly tells the protagonist that it will be difficult for him to even break free at his present level.
He wants him to stay still because he doesn't want anyone to mess up the auction. Following that, in Kagurabachi chapter 31, the Hishaku's boss hushes Chihiro and says the auction is starting.
The focus of the chapter shifts to the auction stage, where Kyora Sazanami reveals the "special item," the Shinuchi blade, and recounts its historical significance.
According to Kagurabachi chapter 31, 18 years ago, during the Seitei War, Japan fell into chaos at the hands of an "enemy" (the chapter doesn't reveal their identity). Although several sorcerers gathered from all over Japan, they were still at a disadvantage.
However, the "Hero" Kunishige Rokuhira changed everything. The five Enchanted Blades he forged turned the tables in their favor, while the sixth blade, the Shinuchi led to the country's victory.
The Hishaku leader's true motive is revealed
Meanwhile, Chihiro Rokuhira asks the Hishaku's leader why he has put the Shinuchi up at the auction. Filled with despair, he also asks him why he killed his father. Kagurabachi chapter 31 then shows the Hishaku's leader answering Chihiro's questions, and declaring war.
According to the man, he did it all to wield the Shinuchi blade. The leader explains that adding the Shinuchi to the auction is part of his grand plan. Hence, the organization has been helping the Sazanami clan so often lately.
Chihiro cannot understand how auctioning the blade can let the man wield it. Even if he does, the protagonist can't fathom what purpose he wants it for. However, he knows that he cannot let a crooked person like him carry the blade.
When Chihiro resists, the Hishaku's leader reminds him that the Enchanted Blades don't choose their wielder; anyone can enslave them. Following that, in Kagurabachi chapter 31, Chihiro asks the man why he hasn't killed him already.
The Hishaku's boss explains to him that he isn't ripened enough to harvest. At the same time, he feels Chihiro doesn't pose a threat with a dying Cloud Gouger. As such, he proposes to have a chat and see what has grown from the seed of hatred he sowed all those years ago (when he killed Kunishige).
Since the Rakuzaichi auction has just begun, the man says they have all the time they want. The Hishaku's leader then provokes Chihiro by recounting what happened when his father, Kunishige Rokuhira, died.
The Hishaku leader's words begin to hurt Chihiro. However, he channels his hatred to his blade. He calls out to the Cloud Gouger, asking the blade to die as his by his side. Kagurabachi chapter 31 ends with Chihiro Rokuhira forming a deeper connection with the Cloud Gouger, and activating Mei: Shred.
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