Kagurabachi chapter 52: Hirohiko tries to brand Chihiro Rokuhira a villain as their battle resumes

Kagurabachi chapter 52 came out on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 12 am JST in Weekly Shonen Jump's 45th issue. The chapter saw Hirohiko playing psychological games with Chihiro Rokuhira, almost branding him a villain to the eyes of the common people. However, the Enten user remained unfazed by the Hishaku sorcerer's words.

The previous chapter focused on Samura, who demonstrated his Iai sword-drawing technique to decimate the Hishaku assassins at the Senkutsuji temple. Additionally, the chapter revealed that Samura is the contractor bearer of the Enchanted Blade, Tobimune.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Kagurabachi chapter 52.

Kagurabachi chapter 52: Hirohiko takes a backseat and lets the Datenseki users handle Chihiro

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Kagurabachi chapter 52, titled Just the Two of Us, begins with a conversation from the past between Hiyuki and Chihiro, where the former reveals that the Kamunabi hasn't been able to gather intel on the Hishaku's actual motives and whereabouts. That's why, they have been constantly on the back foot. Chihiro firmly believes they need to break the pattern.

The narrative for Kagurabachi chapter 52 then returns to the present and shows Chihiro Rokuhira's battle against Hirohiko. The Enten user plans to incapacitate Hishaku and learn about their goals and plans. He cloaks himself with Nishiki to prepare for the battle.

Hirohiko, as seen in the chapter (Image via Shueisha)

Meanwhile, Hirohiko is enthralled to see Chihiro rearing to go, as he has been eagerly awaiting it. The Hishaku sorcerer adds that he's the same age as Chihiro. Kagurabachi chapter 52 reveals that Hirohiko learned the option of killing people at the age of three.

However, he laments that he couldn't find anyone sharing the same ideals. Yet he feels he and Chihiro are similar. As such, Hirohiko wants to become friends with the Enten user. The Hishaku sorcerer's words remind Chihiro of the horrors committed by Hishaku.

He refuses to be equated with him and his horrendous actions. Yet, Hirohiko sticks to calling Chihro as his equal. Kagurabachi chapter 52 then shows the Hishaku sorcerer demonstrating his origami sorcery powers to create a diversion. Using that opportunity, he escapes the scene, leaving the Datenseki users to fight Chihiro.

Chihiro fights against the Datenseki users (Image via Shueisha)

Meanwhile, Hirohiko enters a theatre hall, where the announcer begins the Battle of Sano Island stage play. The Hishaki sorcerer wants to enjoy the play and let the assassins at the Senkutsuji temple handle Uruha. As the play begins, Hirohiko converses with the people seated next to him. One of them notices a wound on Hirohiko's stomach.

The sorcerer tells him that it's the work of a person with an Enchanted Blade and that he should also be careful. Kagurabachi chapter 52 then switches the perspective to Chihiro Rokuhira, who is seen combating several Datenseki users alone.

Chihiro Rokuhira, as seen in the chapter (Image via Takeru Hokazono/Shueisha)

Meanwhile, Hirohiko realizes the immense potential of Datenseki. Yet, he knows that an amateur can hardly use it to its full potential.

That's why, he has selected three rogue sorcerers who could pose a challenge to Chihiro. While they may not have perfect coordination, Hirohiko can guide them by remotely using his origami papers.

Yet, the Hishaku sorcerer knows that it won't be enough. Kagurabachi chapter 52 then shifts the focus to the play, where the announcer summons the "ultimate challenger" to the stage. At that exact moment, Chihiro Rokuhira drops to the stage, along with the dead bodies of the sorcerers he killed.

Hirohiko is amused to see Chihiro (Image via Shueisha)

The sight terrifies the crowd, who frantically escape. Meanwhile, Hirohiko understands that a weakness of Dataseki is its short usage. At the same time, he feels he shouldn't have underestimated someone with three years of experience wielding an Enchanted Blade.

Yet, with Chihiro on the stage, Hirohiko thinks he has countless weapons to leverage. The Hishaku sorcerer tells Chihiro that to the average person, he appears as a monster.

The Enten user aptly accuses the sorcerer of turning him into such. Kagurabachi chapter 52 ends with Hirohiko reminding Chihiro that only he can understand him. However, Chihiro remains unfazed, as he doesn't care about what he thinks.

Final thoughts

Chihiro and Hirohiko (Image via Shueisha)

Kagurabachi chapter 52 has perfectly up the dynamic between Hirohiko and Chihiro. Almost like Batman's Joker, Hirohiko tried to get into Chihiro's skin. However, the Enten user remained unaffected by his psychological attacks.

Besides that, the chapter explored more of Hirohiko's abilities. It was revealed that he could remotely control his origami papers. At the same time, he had full belief that the assassins at the Senkutsuji temple could do their job. Yet, given how the chapter ended, it will be interesting to see the direction Takeru Hokazono takes for the Chihiro vs. Hirohiko fight.