Kagurabachi chapter 53: Chihiro Rokuhira becomes the monster as the fight against Hiruhiko ends

Kagurabachi chapter 53 was released on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 12 am JST in Weekly Shonen Jump's 46th issue. The chapter revealed Chihiro Rokuhira's ideals as a swordsman, as he planned to take the Hishaku down to Hell with him. He knew he had become a monster when he killed a person for the first time. As such, he didn't hesitate to show his true colors to Hiruhiko.

In the previous chapter, Hiruhiko tried to psychologically break Chihiro, portraying him as a villain in the eyes of the normal folks at the theatre. Besides that, the Hishaku sorcerer demonstrated his origami Sorcery Power to guide the Datenseki users against Chihiro Rokuhira.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Kagurabachi chapter 53.

Kagurabachi chapter 53: Hiruhiko makes his move against Chihiro

Samura trains Chihiro (Image via Shueisha)

Kagurabachi chapter 53, titled Darkness, begins with a flashback, where Samura teaches Chihiro the art of swordsmanship. Shiba feels the boy will catch on quickly since he has Rokuhira's eyes. However, Samura pokes Chihiro's eyes and tells him that he shouldn't look at him with the eyes of admiration.

The blind swordsman reminds the boy about how many people he has killed in the war. As such, a real battlefield is different, where a swordsman has to cut people, not straws. Following that, Kagurabachi chapter 53 returns to the present, where Hiruhiko feels he and Chihiro could be friends since he's the only one who can understand him.

However, Chihiro doesn't understand what the Hishaku sorcerer is talking about. He wonders whether the sorcerer wants to kill him or not. Hiruhiko thinks for a while and tells Chihiro that he wants to kill him and become friends at the same time. The sorcerer feels they can become friends if they try to kill each other.

Hiruhiko conceals his presence from Chihiro (Image via Shueisha)

The next panel in Kagurabachi chapter 53 illustrates Hiruhiko using his origami papers to almost conceal his presence from Chihiro. The Enten user feels Hiruhiko is only good at running away, but the sorcerer knows it would be suicide to confront Chihiro in close combat.

Just then, Hiruhiko uses more papers to completely conceal himself. Chihiro swings his blade but stops midway as he notices a normal citizen entrapped in the papers. Kagurabachi chapter 53 then shows Hiruhiko entangling several audiences with his papers.

Chihiro Rokuhira notices innocent people caught in Hiruhiko's move in Kagurabachi chapter 53 (Image via Shueisha)

Gradually, Chihiro observes that Hiruhiko can detect his location with his papers and send paper cranes strong enough to slash through his body in his direction. Likewise, the Hishaku sorcerer judges from his battle against Chihiro that the Enten user's power to absorb doesn't apply to physical objects.

He wonders what Chihiro will do in this situation. If he uses Kuro, he might hurt innocent bystanders. Likewise, if Chihiro uses Nishiki to maneuver quickly, the paper cranes may also hurt innocent people. On the other hand, if the boy focuses on defense, he will be doomed to death with a thousand cuts on his body.

Kagurabachi chapter 53: Chihiro turns the tide against Hiruhiko

Hiruhiko uses his paper cranes in the chapter (Image via Shueisha)

Although Hiruhiko's plan corners Chihiro, he tries to help the bystanders. However, one of them becomes terrified to see Chihiro, who appears as a monster in their eyes. Meanwhile, Hiruhiko recounts the narrative of the play that was interrupted.

In the play, there's a scene where the enemy takes hostages. The play's hero, Sasuke, becomes paralyzed and the enemy gets away. Hirohiko feels Sasuke is worthless because on a real battlefield, one cannot worry about a hostage or two, or else they may die.

He reminds Chihiro that he's a killer, so he shouldn't try to act like a hero. Hiruhiko wonders whom Rokuhira will sacrifice in Kagurabachi chapter 53. However, something unusual happens, which catches the sorcerer off guard. Instead of protecting others, Chihiro Rokuhira decides to take the flesh-cutting paper cranes head-on.

Chihiro Rokuhira tanks Hirohiko's paper cranes (Image via Shueisha)

Hiruhiko thinks Chihiro is just like Sasuke. Meanwhile, Kagurabachi chapter 53 delves into another flashback, where Samura reveals the other reason why he blinded himself besides cutting himself off from worldly desires. The first time he cut a person, he couldn't stand to see their severed flesh.

Yet, even though he blinded himself, he tells Chihiro how the horrific image has been engraved into his eyes. He could almost see himself becoming a monster. Even then, the blind swordsman chose to wield an Enchanted Blade and flail through the darkness.

Chihiro and Samura, as seen in the chapter (Image via Shueisha)

He reminds Chihiro that he shouldn't admire him because that's not something he should do. The boy then decides to respect him instead, which Samura likes. Kagurabachi chapter 53 returns to the present, where Hiruhiko wonders whether the fortification of Nishiki can increase Chihiro's defense.

Meanwhile, Chihiro finally understands the guilt-ridden path his father and the Enchanted Blade holders traversed in their lives, as he apologetically walks on the same path. Kagurabachi chapter 53 then shows Chihiro Rokuhira using Kuro to engulf his surroundings into complete darkness.

Chihiro Rokuhira corners Hiruhiko in the chapter (Image via Shueisha)

He uses the opportunity to cut one of Hiruhiko's arms and corner him. The Enten user assures Hiruhiko that he's a sinner as well. When he killed a person for the first time, he accepted being a monster.

As such, he the least he can do is to refrain from causing harm to others and take Hishaku down to hell with him. Kagurabachi chapter 53 ends with Chihiro interrogating Hiruhiko about the Hishaku.

Conclusion and review

Chihiro Rokuhira stares at Hiruhiko in Kagurabachi chapter 53 (Image via Shueisha)

Kagurabachi chapter 53 featured some of the stunning panels from Takeru Hokazono. The mangaka portrayed Chihiro's resolve in exhilarating panels, highlighting his growth not only as a swordsman but also as a human being. As the chapter explained, Chihiro knew he wasn't treading on a heroic path.

Ever since he began walking on the path of vengeance and spoiled his hands with blood, he no longer remained a hero. Rather, he became what Hiruhiko called—a monster. Yet, the chapter emphasized that Chihiro strove hard to ensure he wouldn't let any innocent person die.

The chapter also highlighted Hiruhiko's Sorcery Power, as he used his papers to detect Chihiro's location and simultaneously sent flesh-eating paper cranes. However, it remains to be seen whether the Hishaku sorcerer has any other plan. As for Chihiro, he demonstrated his defensive capabilities, by tanking thousands of paper cranes through sheer force.