Episode 21

紙の舞！ 吹き込まれた命！

Paper Dance; The Bounded Destiny

In the 1^st match of the Urabutousatsoujin, the Hokages had obtained 2 wins and a draw. For the 4^th round, Recca faced Saicho, who used the Hokage maudough – the paper animator...

Both Recca and Saicho attacked each other, using normal punches and kicks before falling back into a non-fighting mode. Both teams were impressed their opponents. Saicho recalled the memories of the past – his fellow students of Ku had become assassins who dishonoured the name of Ku. He hoped to win the Urabutousatsoujin and regained the lost dignity. He couldn’t afford to lose despite having a traitor like Fujimaru.

He chanted some words and flung out strips of paper in a spiral manner. Recca used his flame but the paper wrapped itself around the flame and putting it out. Saicho said that his paper cannot be burned by flame. Recca used Nadare but the paper avoided the fireballs and proceed to wrap Recca up into a mummy. He explained that if  Recca was unable to break free in time, he would die of suffocation. In the room, Kurei watched the wrapped up Recca struggling and hoped that Recca could do a bit more, but since, he was going to die, might as well. Back to the fight, Saicho told the referee to announce the winner so that he could release Recca.

Bright light shined and a fiery blade shots out from the paper, freeing Recca from his bondage. The fiery blade somehow had a mind of its own and almost cut off Recca’s head. Recca yelled at the dragon – Saiha to control himself. Saiha obeyed and formed into a solid fire blade on Recca’s cast. Saicho, undaunted, said that he would defeat him in 10mins.

He chanted again, Recca strikes but was blocked by a paper sword (Kami no Ken) that Saicho had created. This was the famous paper sword that had made Saicho famous in Japan. They fought fiercely. Genjurou explained that Recca’s fire blade was unable to burn Saicho’s paper sword because there was barrier on the paper sword. This barrier was created by Saicho’s will power. Kukai warned Saicho of the time. Saicho chanted for the 3^rd time, releasing 5 coloured paper cranes onto the launching Recca. Each of them, striking at the limbs, Saicho jumped forward and slashed him on the chest. Recca fell, facedown on the ground. Saicho asked the referee to end the match but Recca got up. Saicho could have killed him if the chest wound was more severe and if he had concentrated a bit more. He questioned Saicho about him wanting the match to end quickly; especially his repeated words that he would defeat Recca within 10mins. Recca believed  what Saicho really meant was that he could only fight for 10 minutes.

Saicho admitted that Recca was correct. His time limit was caused by a fatal chest wound that he had received during his fight with the traitors of Ku while protecting Kukai’s daughter in the dojo. That fight had taken a 1000 men’ lives which had caused his fame. With little time that he had, he would still defeat Recca.

Recca used Nadare but his fireballs get blown away by the spinning paper, falling onto the floor. Saicho leaped up and stabbed Recca’s ankle. While Recca rolled onto the floor in pain, Saicho was beginning to feel the effects of the chest wound. He asked Kukai for the time. Kukai saw that it has been over 10 mins. He handed Saicho a bundle containing a thousand paper cranes, telling him that if he had to die in order to win, so be it. Saicho took the paper cranes, remembering that they were made by Kukai’s daughter (who looks like Fuko) as a farewell present. He asked for her forgiveness and chanted for the last time. The army of paper cranes floated up, charging towards to end Recca’s life.

Recca summoned for Nadare. The fireballs that were previously lying at the floor shoot upward, consumed the paper cranes. All along, Nadare had been lying on the floor waiting patiently for Recca’s signal. Saicho became weak, finally admitting that he had lost and lost conscious. Recca caught him but was relieved that he was still alive. The referee announced the winner – team Hokage.

Kukai gave Recca the weapons of Ku, telling him to win for the next battle. He walked away, carrying the unconscious Saicho. Out of the blue, Recca threw Kukai’s weapon (A necklace of large brown beads), which hit on the back of Kukai’s head. Kukai glared him.

Recca was displeased with Kukai for walking away just like that. Was all the talk for gaining Ku’s honour a joke? He challenged Kukai to fight with him. The Hokages shrieked at him for being a complete imbecile. What wsa the point of fighting when they had already won? Even if Recca lose, they would still win. Recca tells to shut them because he had already made up his mind. The Hokages sighed in frustration for their friend's stupidity. .

However, Kukai accepted Recca’s challenge, warning him not to regret his decision.

Screen caps

Saicho showing his paper animator	Saicho with his Kami no Ken (paper sword)	Recca with Nadare