information
Character Information
General
Canon Source: Katanagatari
Current Canon Point: Pre-Episode 11
Character's Name (western): Shichika Yasuri
Character's Age: 25
Abilities
Character's Canon Abilities: Shichika's main ability is to use Kyotō-ryū, a sword style that uses no swords. With it, the arms and legs of the body are lethal enough to take down their opponents, and do so according to the training they've undergone. Essentially, a martial art involving sword based combat. However, as the user's body itself becomes a sword, it will be unable to wield a sword as well.
His body itself can be seen as a sword in more ways than one as well-- Shichika's entire body is tempered, able to withstand massive amounts of damage depending upon the strength of the person he's fighting. Against shuriken, his body was able to heal almost instantly; however against the insane strength of Konayuki, his arm was broken. His strength, while not on par with the Itezora Clan or Nanami's, is extraordinary as well. He was able to pick up a large man wearing a suit of armor and toss him a considerable distance, though he was unable to even pick up the sixth sword, which Konayuki could do with one hand. Finally, a temperature change rarely has an effect on him; he doesn't feel when it gets too cold. The only time he was able to feel a change in the temperature was when he was surrounded by snow, traveling up Mount Odori.
Weapons: Technically, none. In terms of the series, his entire body is a weapon thanks to the abilities of Kyotō-ryū. In particular, the edges of his hands and feet could pierce one's body and "tear it to pieces" as he puts it.
History/Personality/Plans/etc.
Character History: (PROLOGUE)In the time of warring states in Japan, a man stood inside of a castle. Inside, he faced many soldiers, each carrying swords. Despite the skill they may have had, every single one of them that stood in front of this man had fallen. Each of them, struck down indiscriminately, if they were foolish enough to attack him. At the top, sat another man-- the leader of a rebel army. He had turned to face the man that had come for his life, and accepted his fate. He knew, he was to die there. Standing, he drew his sword. In almost an instant, the fight had begun and end-- with the rebel leader dying.
The rebel leader's name was Hida Takahito. The man who took his life was Yasuri Mutsue, the sixth generation head of the sword style Kyotō-ryū. The ultimate way of the sword that in fact, used no swords. The current leader of the country, Yanari Shogun, both acknowledged and feared the great strength that this man possessed. As a result, he banished him and his family to an uninhabited island, which no other person outside of the Yasuri clan would step foot upon for another twenty years. It is here that, those twenty years later, one year after his death, that we meet his two children: Nanami and Shichika. The two seemed to live alone on this island in a small house, isolated from the rest of the world, until one fateful January morning.
(EPISODE 1: ZETTOU KANNA)
On this morning, a woman traveled by boat to this island, in search of the Kyotō-ryū head. This same morning, the two siblings had a fight as Shichika went to go draw water from a nearby pond when it was Nanami's turn to since it was cold and she was battling an illness. Calling it a form of training, Nanami questioned why he trained and continued to come up with finishing moves if Kyotō-ryū will perish with his generation. Despite that, she brought up the idea of him putting together a boat and leaving their island, as it was only their father who had been exiled from the island. Shichika was annoyed at the idea, and told her not to say dumb things-- to which she apologized for bringing it up so early in the morning and let him go about retrieving the water. Although he was bothered by the idea, he felt that he had knew that the conversation would come up one day. Though he was slightly curious, the island was the only thing he had inherited from his father and he wanted to enjoy it a bit longer. As he thought about it while walking, he happened to find fresh footprints. There was someone else on the island.
Following the footprints to a nearby pond, he happened to see a woman drinking from it. She introduced herself as Togame, a strategian that worked for the Shogunate that had business with the head of Kyotō-ryū. While she came looking for Yasuri Mutsue, Shichika informed her that he was dead. Not to be deterred, she repeated: she was looking for the current Kyotō-ryū head. Therefore, whatever she was coming to see Mutsue about, she could now discuss with Shichika. Drawing a sword, she felt she should test him, in order to properly determine whether or not he was the real thing. Luckily (for her), she tripped onto her face without even reaching him. And thus, this is how the two would meet for the very first time.
Taking her back to his home, Togame regained consciousness and told both Shichika and Nanami of the reason she had come to the island in search of their father. Telling the story of Shikizaki Kiki and his swords, as well as the Shogun in the past who had obsessed over collecting them, she made her intention clear: she planned to collect the 12 final swords that Shikizaki had crafted. While Shichika understood that it was a big deal, he wondered why she had decided to come to them to begin with. As it turned out, they were actually her third choice. She had first hired a clan of ninja to help her seek out the swords-- however, she was betrayed once they learned the real worth of the swords. She then hired the strongest swordsman in Japan, Sabi Hakuhei, to help her retrieve one of the more difficult swords to find. However, due to the "poison" in all of Shikizaki's swords, Hakuhei betrayed her as well and kept the sword for himself. Therefore, as she came to the island, she kept in mind that both money and honor were worthless when it came to searching for the swords. With that in mind, she figured that there was one thing that he could work for: love. And thus, Togame ordered Shichika to fall in love with her.
There was an awkward silence.
That silence was soon broken by shuriken piercing the walls of the house, Nanami pushing Shichika and Togame out of harm's way as they kept coming before finally ceasing. Shichika found himself enraged at this happening, seeing as how the shuriken had damaged the house that his father left for him. Shichika led the assailant to the shore, although when he got there, the assailant claimed that it was he who actually lead him to the shore. He introduced himself as Maniwa Koumori, one of the twelve heads of the Maniwa Corps and one of the ninja that had betrayed Togame. While Shichika idly wondered why he (and for that matter, why Togame) talked so much, Koumori reveals that he in fact, carries the first Deviant Blade: Zettou Kanna. In fact, he reveals it in an interesting way. Reaching inside of his mouth, he pulls the sword out from within his body.
Though Shichika is surprised, he doesn't miss a beat as soon as Koumori starts attacking. Taking his stance, he dodges Koumori's attacks before the ninja dashes in with a stab attempt, using a technique to attempt breaking the sword. Immediately though, he notices that he can't just yet-- it's too tough. He does let Koumori know that he does plan on breaking Kanna-- to which Togame appears and immediately specifically tells him not to. After all, she needs all twelve swords, and if Shichika breaks just one, then her plan to collect all of them will have been ruined. While she's making requests, she also tells him to finish Koumori off with a flashy move, something that will make her report exciting to read. Immediately following the brief distraction however, Koumori puts the sword back into his mouth-- kicking up sand and attacking Shichika with shuriken again, in order to give him time to escape with an unconscious Togame in tow.
Shichika searches for the two, and is soon caught off guard by the sudden sound of someone's voice. Immediately delivering a sharp kick to whoever it was's stomach, he takes a moment to register that he just kicked Togame. Except, she had spit up Zettou Kanna, so it was Koumori. It was true-- the real Togame was bound to a tree, and Koumori had morphed his body completely to become a perfect replicate of her. He hadn't however, counted on one fact: due to only seeing his family members on the island for twenty years, Shichika found himself unable to quickly register another person. Undeterred by the unexpected development, Koumori decided to let Shichika in on what Togame's true intentions were.
Togame had planned only on using the twelve Deviant Blades to rise in power in the ranks of the Shogunate. While she was the general army director and a self-proclaimed "strategian", she wanted to rise up to become the right hand of the Shogun Yanari himself. Then, eventually, take control of the country. This way, she could avenge her father-- the man that Yasuri Mutsue killed, Hida Takahito. Koumori claims that this is why he had betrayed her, and that she really was cruel, using whoever and whatever she wants to get what she wants. After Shichika asked, Koumori stated that the only ones who really knew about it were Togame, and he himself. Therefore, Shichika decided to finish him off there.
Laughing at the fact that he would fight despite knowing what she was like, Koumori decided to take another form: that of Shichika himself. With Kanna in hand, he planned to finish off the Kyotō-ryū head once and for all. However, there was one thing he hadn't counted on: Shichika's inability to use swords. As Shichika explained it, Kyotō-ryū wasn't a sword style that doesn't use swords, it was a style that can't use swords. With Koumori wide open, Shichika debuted his new finishing technique, the name of which he had just then decided: Shichika Hachiretsu. In mere seconds, he takes Koumori apart, killing the ninja. He then takes Kanna, and goes off in search of Togame.
He finds her bound to a tree upside down, as she had been attempting to escape on her own. Showing her the sword, he states that he had collected it in a way that sounds as if he's just starting. He then says that he'll go ahead on this journey with her-- as he had fallen for her. And thus, the two made arrangements to leave the island, leaving Nanami behind.
As they made their way to their next destination and the second Deviant Blade, Togame issued four rules that Shichika was to uphold throughout the journey.
►Protect the swords. If they were to be broken, then the journey would be for nothing, as she told him before.
►Protect her. If she dies, no matter how many swords they've collected, there would be no reason to continue.
►Protect himself. Claiming to not be considerate of him at all.
►Protect himself-- this time, being considerate of him.
With the rules set, the two set off to their next destination; Kyoto, to gather provisions and prepare for the rest of the journey as Nanami watches on, concerned at the lack of strength that Shichika actually possesses, wondering if they'll be okay.
(EPISODE 2: ZANTOU NAKAMURA)
Their first order of business in Kyoto was to get Shichika a change of attire. His clothes as they were weren't a good fit for the trip, and seemed remarkably cold; as Togame put it, he looked nearly naked. And so, it's in Kyoto that Shichika finds and begins wearing what would become his trademark outfit, chosen as he's not as restricted in it, yet he's not completely naked.
In their downtime during this period, Togame allows him to wrap himself in her long hair and feel her, in order to recognize her clearly. Not wanting what happened to Koumori to happen to her, she wanted him to have her texture, scent, taste, everything about her memorized so that he's able to recognize her from everyone else.
Soon after leaving Kyoto, the two find themselves traveling the Inaba desert in search of Gekoku Castle, where they'll find Zantou Nakamura and the man holding it, a ronin named Uneri Ginkaku. Along the way, Shichika finds out that no matter how much Togame wrote and rewrote the report regarding Koumori's defeat and the two taking Kanna, he wasn't able to stand out at all. While he didn't see the problem with having a weak personality, she told him straight up that it would be a problem if he continued to sound like a half-naked idiot. With that in mind, she decided to start on figuring out his catchphrase. Their discussion regarding catchphrases went on long, with Shichika deciding on one that she hadn't thought about much: "However, by that point you'll have been torn to pieces." Through this process, Togame introduces her own catchphrase: "Cheerio!", which is usually said as she punches him in the chest. Though, this is more of a misunderstanding on her part: she meant to say "chesuto", which is a phrase used to raise one's spirits. It'll be three months before she actually realizes her mistake.
As the sun begins to set, Shichika idly asks if they should find a place to stay, since traveling during the night could possibly be a hassle to her. Though, they don't find time to as Togame trips over the remains of a discarded Maniwa ninja (which Shichika has shortened to Maniwani) and through the illusions of the desert, are able to finally notice Gekoku Castle in front of them. However, with the remains of the Maniwani in front of them, it became clear to Togame that they were racing to collect the swords themselves. Therefore, they couldn't waste any time, they had to go in.
Though Togame had brought Shichika to begin with, she explained that first, she'd have to at least negotiate with Uneri before any fighting could ensue. The two found Uneri in a small room, simply sitting. From across the way, she negotiated the best he could with him, claiming that it would be in his best interest to relinquish Zantou Nakamura, and that it could assist with uniting the country. However, Uneri simply commented on how they were negotiating so far away from each other. Before Togame could take one step closer, Shichika pulled her back, watching as he had cut her clothes slightly. Utilizing his Zerosen technique, Uneri planned to kill her instantly as she walked in the room.
Though Shichika and Uneri were ready to fight then and there, Shichika took a moment to think and decided to confirm something, asking Uneri to give them a moment as they stepped outside to strategize. Surprisingly, Uneri was willing to let him. That happened to be what Shichika wanted to confirm as well. If Uneri was to leave the room at all, then he would lose the advantage that he had in being in a small room: the secluded space is lost, and his Zerosen wouldn't be able to reach him. However, he knew that winning by luck again like he did with Koumori wouldn't work forever, so he decided to face Uneri head on.
After coming up with a plan, the two went back into the castle, telling Uneri that they were ready. After Shichika got into a stance that one would see for track, Uneri laughed and shrugged, claiming that he wasn't being taken seriously, declaring that Kyotō-ryū wasn't a worthy opponent. However, as they started, Shichika quickly rushed into the room, measuring the distance between the entrance and Uneri to three steps as Uneri cut into a feint, leaving him open to an attack. Uneri found himself standing, getting excited at the surprises that Shichika had provided for him. Grinning, he cut his own shoulder, letting the blood soak between the sheath and the blade of Zantou Nakamura, which would cause the friction to disappear and allow Zerosen to reach the speed of light.
Getting into position (and trying out his new catchphrase), the two matched their skills together again, with Shichika providing another feint and kicking off of Togame's face in order to get directly above Uneri-- the one place that his Zerosen wouldn't reach. With one more attack, he was able to defeat and kill Uneri, leaving Zantou Nakamura with them.
(EPISODE 3: SENTOU TSURUGI)
With Zantou Nakamura in their possession, another month had passed and the two found themselves in Izumo. There, they were to face off against the owner of Sentou Tsurugi, Tsuruga Meisai. After climbing the 1000 step stairway, they were greeted personally by Meisai herself. After she lets them that know her real name has been lost to her, Togame asks if she can speak to her alone-- where the two discuss Sentou Tsurugi and the terms which would have to be fulfilled before she would hand it over. Togame was given the task of finding the first of the one thousand swords that made up the Deviant Blade, while Shichika, if Togame was successful, would have to defeat Meisai in a one on one fight. If they lost however, they would have to give up both Kanna and Nakamura. Despite Togame's wishes to not fight at all, she agreed to those terms.
However, as Togame went to search for the swords, Shichika's role simply seemed to be to stay back and not wander around at all. However, out of boredom, he did so anyway. He found himself helping the shrine maidens and revealing that he didn't feel that the swords that Meisai's assistants were carrying didn't feel like Shikizaki's swords. Finding it interesting, Meisai invited Shichika to sit and drink with her, as she explained the shrine and the shrine maidens to him; Sentou Tsurugi was in their possession as the "poison" of Shikizaki's Deviant Blades acted as medicine for them, due to their abused hearts and bodies. This is why Meisai could not give up Tsurugi.
When asked, Shichika tells her his reasons for fighting and searching for the swords: all for falling for Togame. There was no other reason he had, and he hadn't even contemplated any other reason being suitable. He was still learning more about the world and was still considered to be a monkey from an island far from humanity. When asked how many people he has killed already, he started by saying two. But then he revised it and said three: in addition to Uneri and Koumori, he had also been the one who killed Yasuri Mutsue-- his father. They didn't have much time to think about this revelation though, as they were greeted by a guest: Maniwa Kuizame. Despite Shichika's insistance on defeating him though, it was Meisai that slew him. Togame at that point had been looking all over for him, in order to show that she had found the original sword.
The next day, Meisai and Shichika were to fight. While Meisai only had one sword to begin with, she, over the course of the fight, revealed that Sentou Tsurugi was crafted on the thought that swords can be disposable and could be utilized as such. Meisai had swords tucked away everywhere, in an attempt to trap and defeat Shichika. Unfortunately, her plan had one flaw, as Shichika pointed out. One can't keep traps around their house, lest they find themselves trapping one that wasn't related to the fight. After leading her back, Meisai commended Shichika on his reasoning and gave him a list of demands for when she was gone: for the Shogunate to find someone to take care of the girls and the shrine. Despite the tone of her words, she wasn't going to give up. She saw the fight to her end, and in the end, was defeated and killed by Shichika; Tsurugi now belonged to him.
(EPISODE 4: HAKUTOU HARI)
As they left Izumo for Suou and March came to a close, Togame would find herself receiving a challenge letter from Sabi Hakuhei. As old-fashioned as he was, he sent the letter, simply getting straight to the point and saying that he wanted to duel for the swords-- Kanna, Nakamura, and Tsurugi for Hakutou Hari. As both the series and Togame had been making a point out of, he had already gained a reputation as the strongest swordsman in Japan, and defeating him would be no easy task.
(EPISODE 5: ZOKUTOU YOROI)
As April turned into May, the two had Hakutou Hari in their grasp and they moved onto Kyushu, where Zokutou Yoroi was waiting for them. Between Ganryuu Island and Kyushu however, Shichika was challenged by numerous swordsmen, in order to defend his title as the new Strongest Swordsman in Japan. Many tried, yet none succeeded. This made it easier for him to arrive in Obon, which had been running public swordfights. There, Togame and Shichika witnessed a fight between an unnamed swordsman and the man that they had come to fight: Azekura Kanara, who was wearing Zokutou Yoroi, a deviant blade that was in fact, a suit of armor.
The two mulled over how they were to defeat Azekura and take Zokutou without damaging it at all, considering that was one of the rules that Togame had set in place regarding their journey. As they did that, they would be visited late at night by Azekura himself, establishing the fact that he knew a lot about the two, including Togame's position in the Shogunate and Shichika's heritage. He also revealed that he understood what Togame was going to do, which was leave Satsuma immediately after gaining control of the armor. Though, even so, as the leader of the local band of pirates, his men would more than likely prevent them from leaving by boat.
Despite that, he had come to challenge Shichika to a duel, guaranteeing that both his men and the townspeople would stay out of it. However, he had a few terms: the fight had to take place in Obon. No one would interfere, and they would all come to see Japan's Strongest Swordsman. If the two were to win, they would get a ship and be able to sail to Owari in order to rest up and report.
And if Shichika were to lose, Azekura would take Togame. He had fallen for her at first sight.
Though Shichika mulled over the idea of giving Togame up to Azekura, the next day they would be greeted by another guest: Maniwa Houou, the leader of the Maniwa Corps. He expressed his concern in how Koumori, Shirasagi, and Kuizame were dealt with, as well as three additional Maniwa that they hadn't encountered: Chouchou, Kamakiri, and Mitsubachi. Thus, Houou claimed that if they were to continue fighting over the swords as there was a three way struggle between both parties and the sword owners themselves, it would be reckless. Therefore, he proposed a temporary truce. They could go after the swords in reverse order while Shichika and Togame went along their way. Though Togame was hesitant, she accepted-- if they were to collect any swords, all she and Shichika would have to do is steal them from the Maniwa Corps.
Before he left, Houou revealed one more important piece of information. Togame had been saying "cheerio" instead of "chesuto". It has more than likely taken you less time to read this post than it had for Togame to finish reacting to this news.
Either way, Togame accepted Azekura's conditions. The duel was set. Though, before the battle, Togame had one condition for Shichika: win without killing or incapacitating Azekura. Shichika thought about this condition hard, even as he stood in the arena with Azekura. As the fight began, Shichika's plan was to finish it in one blow. However, the technique that he had practiced, an armor piercing technique, had not landed-- Zokutou Yoroi prevented it.
Momentarily, Shichika lost his resolve. If Togame had the support of the pirates to search for the swords, then maybe winning was pointless anyway. That was when Togame piped in, saying that if a man can't show his face to the woman he had fallen for, then he's worthless. After her pep talk, Shichika's resolve returned, and the two resumed their fight. As Azekura used a technique to take Shichika head on, the Kyotō-ryū head was able to hold him off, using the one thing he had other than the Kyotō-ryū skills: the tempered and strong body gotten through years of training. With this body, he was able to lift Azekura into the air and throw him, giving him one warning: Don't Touch My Woman.
With his defeat, Azekura was forced to give up Zokutou Yoroi and give them a ship to take to Owari. However, Shichika and Togame wouldn't get that time to rest-- as revenge for being rejected by Togame, Azekura had instead sent the ship on course to Ezo, a northern region with irregular weather patterns throughout. There was one region in particular with harsher conditions-- the area around Mount Odori. Set in a constant snowstorm, Mount Odori is home to the Itezora clan, the clan which holds Soutou Kanazuchi.
(EPISODE 6: SOUTOU KANAZUCHI)
The two traversed up the mountain, cursing the cold winds and the massive amount of snow before Togame dramatically announced her death approaching-- followed by Shichika falling face forward into the snow. Though he hadn't felt cold at all, his limbs had still been frostbitten. Exhausted, Shichika closed his eyes, and was unable to react to Togame's slaps to the face. Though this seemed like the end, the two were soon saved by a member of the Itezora clan-- Itezora Konayuki.
Though Konayuki was only 11, she was remarkably strong and in fact, carried both Shichika and Togame to a cave and a fire in order to unfreeze. Though they were able to rest, Togame did get straight to business and ask for Konayuki to take her to the Itezora village in order to find the sword. However, an avalanche knocked out the entire village, leaving Konayuki as the only survivor. They hadn't revealed any of the clan secrets to her as she was just a child, so she had no idea about Kanazuchi or where it could be. However, Togame figured that it may be near where the Mayor was-- to which Konayuki said she would go and attempt to fetch it. The snow wasn't a problem to her, since she had lived in those conditions for all of her life.
As the two waited for her, they rested together and Togame asked if there was anything else that Shichika knew about, other than that "Cheerio" was wrong. And so, he revealed two important pieces of information: that he had killed his father with his bare hands, and that she was Takahito's daughter. Through this, Togame was able to properly determine that Shichika had fallen for her, all the while telling him to not tell anyone else about what he just told her. As they laid together, he asked, what would happen to him after the journey was over-- he was planning on staying by Togame's side no matter what, so what would she do with him? She hadn't a clue yet.
Early in the morning, the two would be startled awake by Konayuki, who had in fact, found a sword. Though Togame wasn't sure if it was Kanazuchi to begin with, the doubt would fade when Konayuki tossed Kanazuchi towards them, it falling into the soil due to it's weight. Shichika approached it, unable to lift it and was able to sense-- it was Kanazuchi alright. Due to the Itezora clan's strength, they would be the only ones able to lift it. Despite that, while Konayuki lifted and easily wielded it around with one hand, she revealed that she was the weakest of all of the Itezora-- and that the sword couldn't just be given away. Shichika would have to prove himself to be worthy of taking the sword.
Per Togame's requests, Shichika knew that he was not to injure Konayuki, and would have to win without hurting her that much. Though he tried with an attack, he was only able to knock her into the snow, just for her to pop up immediately, unharmed. She went on the attack after that, revealing that she was able to freely change direction of the swing in mid-air. It left Shichika to force a guard-- which was unable to stop his arm from breaking. Six months and five swords into their journey, and Shichika had suffered his first loss to Konayuki.
With his arm in a sling, he was forced to sit and recover until he was healed. Both Shichika and Togame felt as if they could share the blame for what happened, with Shichika unable to protect himself and underestimating what had happened, and Togame being unsure of what advice to give Shichika. However, Togame was able to deduce one thing-- it was possible that what Konayuki told them was a lie. Shichika didn't have to prove himself worthy; she was just lonely and didn't want them to leave.
As Shichika ate, the two heard the sound of wolf being attacked. As they rushed out to see, they found a Maniwani on the ground, with Konayuki holding Kanazuchi. Though, Togame identified her as Maniwa Kyouken and was surprised that it was a woman, the Maniwa was more determined to avenge her friends and kill Togame. However, Kyouken's body had been damaged by Konayuki, therefore she was unable to actually do much of anything with her body. With that though, she placed her hand on Konayuki and performed a ninpou, her body collapsing and turning into dust and all the while taking over Konayuki's body. Surprised at how strong the body is, she thought about taking over an adult woman's body-- though, she then found out that the village had been wiped out. Not by an avalanche, but a person. She couldn't identify the person, but it was of no concern to her. What was of concern was Shichika behind her, who had been given the order to kill her.
Though Kyouken had her body, she was more of an experienced assassin, and had easily readable movements. Due to that, Shichika was able to fight her and it either way, defeat her using an attack to her shoulders-- only attacking the tattoo that distinguished Kyouken from Konayuki which would drive her out of her body. Shichika had beaten Konayuki technically, yet not killed her. Togame was learning the resolve he had as a human, as opposed to a sword. Their victory would be short lived however, as both Houou and a second Maniwani, Maniwa Kawauso, appeared. Houou lamented the fact that the truce that they had established the month before had already ended. Houou had Kawauso move forward, revealing his power of psychomancy, being able to identify memories just based off of touching inanimate objects. However, if he were to use his ninpou to help Shichika and Togame, then Togame wouldn't trust him. And so, Houou decapitated Kawauso-- bringing the number of Maniwani down to 4. Houou did this only to prove that they prove no threat to her if the truce were to stand, and if they couldn't overlook it, Houou would have to fight them there and then. Togame let it pass.
Before he was to leave after thanking her, Houou explained something else to her. The person holding a sword in Shireizan had changed. The new holder was a person that had destroyed Shireizan completely in a half an hour-- and now held it. After seeing Konayuki off to Owari to deliver the sword, Togame and Shichika were off to Shikoku, in order to search for the next sword.
The sword that was in fact. In the possession of none other than Yasuri Nanami.
(EPISODE 7: AKUTOU BITA)
This brought Shichika and Togame to Tosa, where they were met by Souda Emonzaemon, an associate of the Princess of Owari. Emonzaemon revealed who the culprit was and how shameless she had been in her actions, and where she was staying. When they went, Nanami was already waiting for them-- and a duel was quickly set up. Though they were going to fight seriously, Shichika wasn't prepared to even think about injuring Nanami, much less killing her. Nanami remarked that this was a serious duel and he'd have to come at her with the intent to kill, though she questioned the fact that he had grown softer since he left the island. Their father didn't raise them to question who owned them, as swords.
The fight soon began, and Nanami's freakish power overwhelmed him from the getgo. No matter how fast Shichika attempted to strike her, she dodged it, not a single blow landing on her. Though they were in the middle of a duel, Nanami explained that just by seeing a technique once through her eyes, she can take the power, no matter what it is, and use it against the user. The ability to see anything, weaknesses, strengths, movements, anything. Nanami was able to see it. As Shichika went into hit the Shichika Hachiretsu technique, Nanami lamented his lack of strength and threw him into the ceiling. Thanks to her having wiped out the Itezora village, she had gained their amazing strength as well-- becoming much stronger than Konayuki was.
Shichika asked why she would do such a thing, and Nanami sighed, claiming that it was wrong for her to leave him in Togame's hands, due to his new found humanity. She explained that she had went through numerous battles to get there too-- she was the one who had killed Maniwa Corps members Chouchou, Mitsubachi, and Kamakiri. As well as the Itezora village, and Shireizan, where the seventh Deviant Blade was being held. Though she knew that Shichika had been through a lot of battles as well, he was still considerably weaker than her. She demonstrated it by combining an attack, striking Shichika numerous times before he fell back, soundly defeated.
However, Shichika knew that there was no way that Nanami, with her fragile body, could pull off an attack like that. This was where Nanami showed off Akutou Bita, which had become embedded in her body. It was a sword designed to rejuvenate the body, eliminating weaknesses. As Shichika was, he would be unable to defeat Nanami, and she left him there to be attended to by Togame.
For days, Shichika laid around and felt depressed until Togame came in to knock sense into him. He wasn't sure as to why he felt disheartened, considering he was just a sword. Togame has to remind him that he was her sword, and that she had lost thousands of times before meeting Shichika, and this was nothing to feel ashamed of. However, being depressed and doing nothing but sulking due to that was. Togame slapped him, and gave him the question, a teary look on her face: will he fight Nanami again.
He agreed.
The two discussed the weakness of Shichika Hachiretsu, and Togame was able to determine that it was the fact that the armor-piercing move, Ryuuryoku Kakou, had a movement that created a huge hole in the seven technique combination. If an opponent was to see through it, it would be devastating, just as Nanami had shown. Therefore, Shichika would have to revise the Shichika Hachiretsu in order to defeat her.
As Togame continued to plan, Shichika spent time in the forest, going through as many combinations of the technique as he could. His plan was to find the one with the lowest amount of holes, out of 720 possible combinations if he used Ryuuryoku Kakou as a starting move. It would be from sun up to sun down before Shichika was able to get through all 720 combinations, and late that night, the battle would be set-- in front of the Buddha at the temple.
The fight began with Shichika advancing-- right before the candles that were lighting the temple went out, shrouding the two in darkness. Since Nanami couldn't see, she was unable to properly counter or evade the Shichika Hachiretsu Kai, a revamped rendition of the finishing move. With Togame lighting a lantern, she was able to see clearly: Nanami had been defeated, and Shichika was able to take Akutou Bita from her body.
However, he hadn't killed her, thanks to Togame's scheme. She rose, believing that using Akutou Bita in the end was pointless, as it simply dulled her strength by rejuvenating her body, and gaining everyone's ability to get weaker was pointless. All that was left was Shichika to kill her. Togame shouted that there wasn't any reason to fight, that they already had Akutou Bita and the battle was over. Nanami used an attack directed at Togame and cut her long hair short, claiming that next, it would be her head. Shichika's anger grew, and Nanami smiled-- they had a reason to fight.
And fight they did. Be it for a few minutes, both Shichika and Nanami pushed each other to their limit. However, as Nanami's body had already been weakened by Akutou Bita, she couldn't go that long. Her body had grown faint, and as Shichika used the Shichika Hachiretsu Kai technique again, she simply attempted to dodge each strike-- and ultimately failed, being finished off by the final attack: Kyotō-ryū's Dandelion, piercing Nanami's chest and impaling her, finishing her off.
(EPISODE 8: BITOU KANAZASHI)
After that, Shichika and Togame were finally sent on their way to Owari, the homeland of the Shogun Yanari. As they got there, Shichika noticed a flashy, tacky looking mansion. He laughed about it for a while, asking who would live in a place like that. Togame would-- it was her house. As Togame went to take care of business at the castle, Shichika was in charge of watching the mansion. There was nothing for him to do, so he went to the courtyard to train, where he would be visited by Emonzaemon. He had arrived to pass along information from Princess Hitei to him, in order to have them meet with her. When Togame returned, she seethed about it, but there was no choice.
Immediately, Hitei started off by mocking Togame and her new short haired look. Shichika could only watch in awe as the two traded verbal jabs, and was even more astonished at finding out that those were just greetings. As they got down to business, Hitei told them that Shikizaki Kiki had a workshop on Lake Fuyou in Edo, which confirmed information that they had gotten from Maniwa Houou earlier. However, something called Biyorigou was guarding something there-- which possibly could be the workshop. And as they turned to leave, Hitei told them that Emonzaemon would take them there himself.
Upon arriving, they immediately noticed Biyorigou, a living doll that was guarding the premises. Togame needed information about it though, and Shichika advanced upon it, only for it to about face and attack him. Through that one swing and Shichika's senses regarding the swords, it was easy to see: Biyorigou itself was the next sword, Bitou Kanzashi.
Later that night, the two discussed the leniency of the definition of what Shikizaki Kiki was a sword. Though, Shichika himself was both a sword and a human. He then asked about Princess Hitei, with the thought in mind that not only will they see her again, but at that point, he'd have to fight Emonzaemon. Though, he wondered if Hitei had already known about Biyorigou being Bitou Kanzashi itself. Though, despite that, the two had to focus on Biyorigou itself for now. Through observing the lake the entire next day, Togame was able to create a map of the entire lake. As she observed, she also marked Biyorigou's path as well. Using deductive reasoning, she figured that his workshop must be in the middle of the lake. The time had come to defeat Biyorigou and take it back. However, first, Shichika held Togame before sleeping.
With Togame's scheme failing, she was immediately forced to come up with another one based on observation, thus Shichika was forced to wait until the next day to attempt taking it on again. This time, he was given strict orders to only use strikes and attempt to not strike it's chest or head, and was to memorize Biyorigou's movements. The scheme worked to an extent: Togame chose that day to be the showdown between Shichika and Biyorigou as it was overcast and she had figured out that it was solar powered and as a result, fighting with Shichika fully exhausted it's fuel source, allowing them to safely take it and ship it away.
(EPISODE 9: OUTOU NOKOGIRI)
With the eighth Deviant Blade sealed away, Shichika and Togame traveled to Tendou Shougi Town in October, to battle for Outou Nokogiri. It proved to be more of an ordeal than the two thought: Kiguchi Zanki, the holder of Nokogiri, had terms for the two to follow. First, Togame would have to beat her in a game of Shougi in order to set up the battle. Togame won, and as the fight was set up, Kiguchi exploded at the thought of Shichika fighting her using Nokogiri without armor or a weapon. Thus, Shichika was forced to wear armor and use a bokken-- and lost easily due to his being unable to use a sword.
Realizing that it was unfair (though she based that on Shichika being weak), Kiguchi offered to let Shichika train at her school, to be able to efficiently use a bokken. After ten days of training with her and random romantic misunderstandings on Togame's part, the strategian finally came up with a suitable scheme to use against Kiguchi; Shichika's role was to win by fluke. However, as Shichika wasn't technically an amateur at swords due to the training, the plan would have failed. So Togame kissed Shichika in order to get him to forget. With the same rules as last time, Togame faced Kiguchi in a best of 9 series of Shougi games. Though Togame lost the last one, she had already gotten five wins, so she had been able to set up a battle between the two again.
Though as the battle began, Togame began to chant Shogi moves, throwing Kiguchi's concentration off as she thought of moves and counter moves, allowing Shichika to get in one swift and incredibly clumsy blow. As Togame was the referee of the battle, she decided the rules, and as a result, Shichika was able to defeat Kiguchi, both in kendo and in an actual fight using only 60% of his true strength. As the month grew to a close, the two left Tendou and stopped at Owari momentarily before pressing onto Oushi in order to find Seitou Hakari.
(EPISODE 10: SEITOU HAKARI)
Oushi happened to be not only Togame's homeland, but the place where the rebels, led by Hida Takahito, were executed. Though it was jarring for both of them, they stayed on task, searching for the holy man known as Higaki Rinne. What Shichika found however was a little girl, who claimed to be him. She then proved it by projecting an image of Takahito for Togame to see, telling her where to find Seitou right before disappearing. While Togame would dig, Shichika found himself facing Higaki, and in turn, facing himself for the first time. Rather, facing the guilt of having to kill Tsuruga Meisai and losing to Konayuki, Nanami, and Kiguchi.
As Togame continued to search for Seitou, Higaki continued showing Shichika memories of the four, forcing him to come to terms with his curse: being unable to use even a bokken. Within talking with Kiguchi again and encountering Nanami, Shichika decided to challenge Higaki to a fight. However, the fight resulted in Higaki not planning on fighting and simply dodging all of his attacks as it was Seitou's focus: "True Defense". Once he saw no point in continuing the fight, Shcihika found himself facing more images placed in his head to face what he's doing, showing him memories of fighting with Konayuki and speaking with Tsuruga. Through facing the truth of what he fights for and the fact that he's killing people for Togame.
As Togame faced her own past with Hida Takahito, she was able to find Seitou underground, and thus, they had defeated Higaki in their own way. Upon speaking with Higaki before leaving, they found out that Shikizaki felt that the completion of the Deviant Blades was going to happen soon-- however, after forging the 12 Deviant Blades, he created the final Deviant Blade: Kyotou Yasuri. Kyotouryuu itself was a creation of Shikizaki Kiki, and this was why as a curse, he was unable to use a sword. Thus, as the two made the move to leave Oushi, they would be heading off to search for the 11th Deviant Blade... until finding a surprise on the road.
Character Personality: As a child, Shichika hadn't learned much in the way of being human, only that of being a sword. He had primarily learned how to take care of himself and how to provide for his family, though he had learned that death happens, and he shouldn't feel worried when it occurs. Within the Yasuri family, it's common for family members to cut each other down, as the allegations against Yasuri Mutsue for killing his wife stood, as well as Shichika killing his father and later, his sister.
Most of Shichika's growing personality and character development can be attributed to his relationship with Togame. As he started, he didn't understand much and wasn't very good at thinking for himself. He couldn't understand why one wanted to have a good image or a catchphrase or anything to that extent. For the most part, the one thing he knew a lot about was training, and that was one thing that hasn't changed. Shichika, once he realizes that he needs to train and become stronger for an upcoming battle, will do nothing but until he feels he's ready. Even when he's bored, he'll decide to keep busy by training, whether he's told to or not.
That said, Shichika is very good at following directions. Though he's not immune to slipping up, he's generally been exceptional at following what Togame tells him. After all, he feels as if he weren't to do exactly what she were to say, he would fail as a sword. He feels regret when his arm is broken, believing that he had broken one of the orders she had given him at the beginning of the series, though he's able to overcome that for the sake of their journey.
Speaking of feeling regret, most of Shichika's time spent feeling depressed is caused when he has lost or been injured in some way. Feeling that it's his duty to never break or allow Togame to fail as a Strategian, he'll feel down when this sort of thing happens. However, he also feels listless once he realizes that Togame could have a better sword than he is. He's very proud of his position, and wouldn't give it up to anyone else, be it Azekura or Nanami.
Throughout Katanagatari, Shichika has learned how to balance not only being a sword, but being a human being as well. Though at this point he hasn't completely adapted, he's still learning quite well. He now understands that there's a right and a wrong time to say things, such as when a person related is nearby. He's also picking up on littler things, such as how a human should react to temperature and how there's a sense of style with some people. Referring to Togame's mansion as gawdy and realizing the leniency regarding what Shikizaki Kiki created as "swords".
As a human though, he has realized the importance of another person's life, mainly thanks to Togame. He was nearly going to finish off a few bandits that had come his way at the beginning of his journey, but was informed that even though they're not very good people, they don't have to die immediately. Despite his irritation over Azekura's going after Togame and losing his resolve momentarily, he chose not to let his anger get the better of him and kill him. He even understood how lonely Konayuki could be after the Itezora clan had been wiped out by Nanami, and hesitated on hurting her at all. Not to mention, though she had made him angry and had been given a reason to fight her, he still had tears in his eyes when it came to killing Nanami.
On that note, Shichika is a tough nut to crack. While saying that he's cool would be a lie, he's definitely usually calm. He's not the type to fly off the handle or yell if someone intentionally tries to piss him off. Shichika may get frustrated, but he's not the type to get overly pissed off unless something close to him has gotten attacked or destroyed. Otherwise, Shichika very rarely gets angry. He has an odd way of showing his jealousy as well, teasing Togame by tripping her or anything else that comes to mind, as shown when he's jealous of Azekura and his possible usefulness. Though in that respect, he's also started gaining a bit of a sense of humor. He plays around a lot more with Togame when he can, and has grown to start tickling her as well.
However, his biggest asset can also be seen as his greatest weakness too. While he has fought three times without Togame being there to see, he has yet to actually adapt to a point where he can be on his own for that long without getting restless. He hasn't matured to a point where he's comfortable being on his own without Togame around to help him, though he's still learning.
Shichika's humanity continues to be more and more apparent past Episode 8, particularly in his fight against Biyorigou. As a sword, he used to have no free will of his own, no feelings of justice, no morality or anything. Now as a human, he understands that he's fighting for Togame out of his own free will, and searching for the Deviant Blades because he wants to, not because it's something that Togame commands of him. At this point, he also showed more signs of humanity and is developing more; him becoming flustered and embarrassed at the prospect of being kissed is an indicator of that, as well as him facing Higaki Rinne. He's also capable of picking up on littler things, such as jealousy and the like.
Battling Higaki was an awakening to him, and as well as searching for the blades because he wants to, he's also fighting for Togame's sake, in order to accomplish her dream and live up to what's expected of him. He has also come to terms with having the memories of what he's done in his head, having killed numerous people and met people with interesting personalities that he's had to slay or defeat.
Appearance/PB:
Shichika is tall, described in canon as one with a big body with nothing that looks weak on him. He has black eyes, his head topped off with long and big brown hair, usually tied up in a ponytail. His outfit consists of a black hakama with a red sash that covers his lower half, the only article of clothing on his upper half being two sleeves, red from the shoulder to his elbow and black from forearm to his wrist.
If you need a better idea of how Shichika looks, feel free to check out his userpics!
As Katanagatari is not a popular series in any means, I will be doing my best to explain this to you guys. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know!
General
Canon Source: Katanagatari
Current Canon Point: Pre-Episode 11
Character's Name (western): Shichika Yasuri
Character's Age: 25
Abilities
Character's Canon Abilities: Shichika's main ability is to use Kyotō-ryū, a sword style that uses no swords. With it, the arms and legs of the body are lethal enough to take down their opponents, and do so according to the training they've undergone. Essentially, a martial art involving sword based combat. However, as the user's body itself becomes a sword, it will be unable to wield a sword as well.
His body itself can be seen as a sword in more ways than one as well-- Shichika's entire body is tempered, able to withstand massive amounts of damage depending upon the strength of the person he's fighting. Against shuriken, his body was able to heal almost instantly; however against the insane strength of Konayuki, his arm was broken. His strength, while not on par with the Itezora Clan or Nanami's, is extraordinary as well. He was able to pick up a large man wearing a suit of armor and toss him a considerable distance, though he was unable to even pick up the sixth sword, which Konayuki could do with one hand. Finally, a temperature change rarely has an effect on him; he doesn't feel when it gets too cold. The only time he was able to feel a change in the temperature was when he was surrounded by snow, traveling up Mount Odori.
Weapons: Technically, none. In terms of the series, his entire body is a weapon thanks to the abilities of Kyotō-ryū. In particular, the edges of his hands and feet could pierce one's body and "tear it to pieces" as he puts it.
History/Personality/Plans/etc.
Character History: (PROLOGUE)In the time of warring states in Japan, a man stood inside of a castle. Inside, he faced many soldiers, each carrying swords. Despite the skill they may have had, every single one of them that stood in front of this man had fallen. Each of them, struck down indiscriminately, if they were foolish enough to attack him. At the top, sat another man-- the leader of a rebel army. He had turned to face the man that had come for his life, and accepted his fate. He knew, he was to die there. Standing, he drew his sword. In almost an instant, the fight had begun and end-- with the rebel leader dying.
The rebel leader's name was Hida Takahito. The man who took his life was Yasuri Mutsue, the sixth generation head of the sword style Kyotō-ryū. The ultimate way of the sword that in fact, used no swords. The current leader of the country, Yanari Shogun, both acknowledged and feared the great strength that this man possessed. As a result, he banished him and his family to an uninhabited island, which no other person outside of the Yasuri clan would step foot upon for another twenty years. It is here that, those twenty years later, one year after his death, that we meet his two children: Nanami and Shichika. The two seemed to live alone on this island in a small house, isolated from the rest of the world, until one fateful January morning.
(EPISODE 1: ZETTOU KANNA)
On this morning, a woman traveled by boat to this island, in search of the Kyotō-ryū head. This same morning, the two siblings had a fight as Shichika went to go draw water from a nearby pond when it was Nanami's turn to since it was cold and she was battling an illness. Calling it a form of training, Nanami questioned why he trained and continued to come up with finishing moves if Kyotō-ryū will perish with his generation. Despite that, she brought up the idea of him putting together a boat and leaving their island, as it was only their father who had been exiled from the island. Shichika was annoyed at the idea, and told her not to say dumb things-- to which she apologized for bringing it up so early in the morning and let him go about retrieving the water. Although he was bothered by the idea, he felt that he had knew that the conversation would come up one day. Though he was slightly curious, the island was the only thing he had inherited from his father and he wanted to enjoy it a bit longer. As he thought about it while walking, he happened to find fresh footprints. There was someone else on the island.
Following the footprints to a nearby pond, he happened to see a woman drinking from it. She introduced herself as Togame, a strategian that worked for the Shogunate that had business with the head of Kyotō-ryū. While she came looking for Yasuri Mutsue, Shichika informed her that he was dead. Not to be deterred, she repeated: she was looking for the current Kyotō-ryū head. Therefore, whatever she was coming to see Mutsue about, she could now discuss with Shichika. Drawing a sword, she felt she should test him, in order to properly determine whether or not he was the real thing. Luckily (for her), she tripped onto her face without even reaching him. And thus, this is how the two would meet for the very first time.
Taking her back to his home, Togame regained consciousness and told both Shichika and Nanami of the reason she had come to the island in search of their father. Telling the story of Shikizaki Kiki and his swords, as well as the Shogun in the past who had obsessed over collecting them, she made her intention clear: she planned to collect the 12 final swords that Shikizaki had crafted. While Shichika understood that it was a big deal, he wondered why she had decided to come to them to begin with. As it turned out, they were actually her third choice. She had first hired a clan of ninja to help her seek out the swords-- however, she was betrayed once they learned the real worth of the swords. She then hired the strongest swordsman in Japan, Sabi Hakuhei, to help her retrieve one of the more difficult swords to find. However, due to the "poison" in all of Shikizaki's swords, Hakuhei betrayed her as well and kept the sword for himself. Therefore, as she came to the island, she kept in mind that both money and honor were worthless when it came to searching for the swords. With that in mind, she figured that there was one thing that he could work for: love. And thus, Togame ordered Shichika to fall in love with her.
There was an awkward silence.
That silence was soon broken by shuriken piercing the walls of the house, Nanami pushing Shichika and Togame out of harm's way as they kept coming before finally ceasing. Shichika found himself enraged at this happening, seeing as how the shuriken had damaged the house that his father left for him. Shichika led the assailant to the shore, although when he got there, the assailant claimed that it was he who actually lead him to the shore. He introduced himself as Maniwa Koumori, one of the twelve heads of the Maniwa Corps and one of the ninja that had betrayed Togame. While Shichika idly wondered why he (and for that matter, why Togame) talked so much, Koumori reveals that he in fact, carries the first Deviant Blade: Zettou Kanna. In fact, he reveals it in an interesting way. Reaching inside of his mouth, he pulls the sword out from within his body.
Though Shichika is surprised, he doesn't miss a beat as soon as Koumori starts attacking. Taking his stance, he dodges Koumori's attacks before the ninja dashes in with a stab attempt, using a technique to attempt breaking the sword. Immediately though, he notices that he can't just yet-- it's too tough. He does let Koumori know that he does plan on breaking Kanna-- to which Togame appears and immediately specifically tells him not to. After all, she needs all twelve swords, and if Shichika breaks just one, then her plan to collect all of them will have been ruined. While she's making requests, she also tells him to finish Koumori off with a flashy move, something that will make her report exciting to read. Immediately following the brief distraction however, Koumori puts the sword back into his mouth-- kicking up sand and attacking Shichika with shuriken again, in order to give him time to escape with an unconscious Togame in tow.
Shichika searches for the two, and is soon caught off guard by the sudden sound of someone's voice. Immediately delivering a sharp kick to whoever it was's stomach, he takes a moment to register that he just kicked Togame. Except, she had spit up Zettou Kanna, so it was Koumori. It was true-- the real Togame was bound to a tree, and Koumori had morphed his body completely to become a perfect replicate of her. He hadn't however, counted on one fact: due to only seeing his family members on the island for twenty years, Shichika found himself unable to quickly register another person. Undeterred by the unexpected development, Koumori decided to let Shichika in on what Togame's true intentions were.
Togame had planned only on using the twelve Deviant Blades to rise in power in the ranks of the Shogunate. While she was the general army director and a self-proclaimed "strategian", she wanted to rise up to become the right hand of the Shogun Yanari himself. Then, eventually, take control of the country. This way, she could avenge her father-- the man that Yasuri Mutsue killed, Hida Takahito. Koumori claims that this is why he had betrayed her, and that she really was cruel, using whoever and whatever she wants to get what she wants. After Shichika asked, Koumori stated that the only ones who really knew about it were Togame, and he himself. Therefore, Shichika decided to finish him off there.
Laughing at the fact that he would fight despite knowing what she was like, Koumori decided to take another form: that of Shichika himself. With Kanna in hand, he planned to finish off the Kyotō-ryū head once and for all. However, there was one thing he hadn't counted on: Shichika's inability to use swords. As Shichika explained it, Kyotō-ryū wasn't a sword style that doesn't use swords, it was a style that can't use swords. With Koumori wide open, Shichika debuted his new finishing technique, the name of which he had just then decided: Shichika Hachiretsu. In mere seconds, he takes Koumori apart, killing the ninja. He then takes Kanna, and goes off in search of Togame.
He finds her bound to a tree upside down, as she had been attempting to escape on her own. Showing her the sword, he states that he had collected it in a way that sounds as if he's just starting. He then says that he'll go ahead on this journey with her-- as he had fallen for her. And thus, the two made arrangements to leave the island, leaving Nanami behind.
As they made their way to their next destination and the second Deviant Blade, Togame issued four rules that Shichika was to uphold throughout the journey.
►Protect the swords. If they were to be broken, then the journey would be for nothing, as she told him before.
►Protect her. If she dies, no matter how many swords they've collected, there would be no reason to continue.
►Protect himself. Claiming to not be considerate of him at all.
►Protect himself-- this time, being considerate of him.
With the rules set, the two set off to their next destination; Kyoto, to gather provisions and prepare for the rest of the journey as Nanami watches on, concerned at the lack of strength that Shichika actually possesses, wondering if they'll be okay.
(EPISODE 2: ZANTOU NAKAMURA)
Their first order of business in Kyoto was to get Shichika a change of attire. His clothes as they were weren't a good fit for the trip, and seemed remarkably cold; as Togame put it, he looked nearly naked. And so, it's in Kyoto that Shichika finds and begins wearing what would become his trademark outfit, chosen as he's not as restricted in it, yet he's not completely naked.
In their downtime during this period, Togame allows him to wrap himself in her long hair and feel her, in order to recognize her clearly. Not wanting what happened to Koumori to happen to her, she wanted him to have her texture, scent, taste, everything about her memorized so that he's able to recognize her from everyone else.
Soon after leaving Kyoto, the two find themselves traveling the Inaba desert in search of Gekoku Castle, where they'll find Zantou Nakamura and the man holding it, a ronin named Uneri Ginkaku. Along the way, Shichika finds out that no matter how much Togame wrote and rewrote the report regarding Koumori's defeat and the two taking Kanna, he wasn't able to stand out at all. While he didn't see the problem with having a weak personality, she told him straight up that it would be a problem if he continued to sound like a half-naked idiot. With that in mind, she decided to start on figuring out his catchphrase. Their discussion regarding catchphrases went on long, with Shichika deciding on one that she hadn't thought about much: "However, by that point you'll have been torn to pieces." Through this process, Togame introduces her own catchphrase: "Cheerio!", which is usually said as she punches him in the chest. Though, this is more of a misunderstanding on her part: she meant to say "chesuto", which is a phrase used to raise one's spirits. It'll be three months before she actually realizes her mistake.
As the sun begins to set, Shichika idly asks if they should find a place to stay, since traveling during the night could possibly be a hassle to her. Though, they don't find time to as Togame trips over the remains of a discarded Maniwa ninja (which Shichika has shortened to Maniwani) and through the illusions of the desert, are able to finally notice Gekoku Castle in front of them. However, with the remains of the Maniwani in front of them, it became clear to Togame that they were racing to collect the swords themselves. Therefore, they couldn't waste any time, they had to go in.
Though Togame had brought Shichika to begin with, she explained that first, she'd have to at least negotiate with Uneri before any fighting could ensue. The two found Uneri in a small room, simply sitting. From across the way, she negotiated the best he could with him, claiming that it would be in his best interest to relinquish Zantou Nakamura, and that it could assist with uniting the country. However, Uneri simply commented on how they were negotiating so far away from each other. Before Togame could take one step closer, Shichika pulled her back, watching as he had cut her clothes slightly. Utilizing his Zerosen technique, Uneri planned to kill her instantly as she walked in the room.
Though Shichika and Uneri were ready to fight then and there, Shichika took a moment to think and decided to confirm something, asking Uneri to give them a moment as they stepped outside to strategize. Surprisingly, Uneri was willing to let him. That happened to be what Shichika wanted to confirm as well. If Uneri was to leave the room at all, then he would lose the advantage that he had in being in a small room: the secluded space is lost, and his Zerosen wouldn't be able to reach him. However, he knew that winning by luck again like he did with Koumori wouldn't work forever, so he decided to face Uneri head on.
After coming up with a plan, the two went back into the castle, telling Uneri that they were ready. After Shichika got into a stance that one would see for track, Uneri laughed and shrugged, claiming that he wasn't being taken seriously, declaring that Kyotō-ryū wasn't a worthy opponent. However, as they started, Shichika quickly rushed into the room, measuring the distance between the entrance and Uneri to three steps as Uneri cut into a feint, leaving him open to an attack. Uneri found himself standing, getting excited at the surprises that Shichika had provided for him. Grinning, he cut his own shoulder, letting the blood soak between the sheath and the blade of Zantou Nakamura, which would cause the friction to disappear and allow Zerosen to reach the speed of light.
Getting into position (and trying out his new catchphrase), the two matched their skills together again, with Shichika providing another feint and kicking off of Togame's face in order to get directly above Uneri-- the one place that his Zerosen wouldn't reach. With one more attack, he was able to defeat and kill Uneri, leaving Zantou Nakamura with them.
(EPISODE 3: SENTOU TSURUGI)
With Zantou Nakamura in their possession, another month had passed and the two found themselves in Izumo. There, they were to face off against the owner of Sentou Tsurugi, Tsuruga Meisai. After climbing the 1000 step stairway, they were greeted personally by Meisai herself. After she lets them that know her real name has been lost to her, Togame asks if she can speak to her alone-- where the two discuss Sentou Tsurugi and the terms which would have to be fulfilled before she would hand it over. Togame was given the task of finding the first of the one thousand swords that made up the Deviant Blade, while Shichika, if Togame was successful, would have to defeat Meisai in a one on one fight. If they lost however, they would have to give up both Kanna and Nakamura. Despite Togame's wishes to not fight at all, she agreed to those terms.
However, as Togame went to search for the swords, Shichika's role simply seemed to be to stay back and not wander around at all. However, out of boredom, he did so anyway. He found himself helping the shrine maidens and revealing that he didn't feel that the swords that Meisai's assistants were carrying didn't feel like Shikizaki's swords. Finding it interesting, Meisai invited Shichika to sit and drink with her, as she explained the shrine and the shrine maidens to him; Sentou Tsurugi was in their possession as the "poison" of Shikizaki's Deviant Blades acted as medicine for them, due to their abused hearts and bodies. This is why Meisai could not give up Tsurugi.
When asked, Shichika tells her his reasons for fighting and searching for the swords: all for falling for Togame. There was no other reason he had, and he hadn't even contemplated any other reason being suitable. He was still learning more about the world and was still considered to be a monkey from an island far from humanity. When asked how many people he has killed already, he started by saying two. But then he revised it and said three: in addition to Uneri and Koumori, he had also been the one who killed Yasuri Mutsue-- his father. They didn't have much time to think about this revelation though, as they were greeted by a guest: Maniwa Kuizame. Despite Shichika's insistance on defeating him though, it was Meisai that slew him. Togame at that point had been looking all over for him, in order to show that she had found the original sword.
The next day, Meisai and Shichika were to fight. While Meisai only had one sword to begin with, she, over the course of the fight, revealed that Sentou Tsurugi was crafted on the thought that swords can be disposable and could be utilized as such. Meisai had swords tucked away everywhere, in an attempt to trap and defeat Shichika. Unfortunately, her plan had one flaw, as Shichika pointed out. One can't keep traps around their house, lest they find themselves trapping one that wasn't related to the fight. After leading her back, Meisai commended Shichika on his reasoning and gave him a list of demands for when she was gone: for the Shogunate to find someone to take care of the girls and the shrine. Despite the tone of her words, she wasn't going to give up. She saw the fight to her end, and in the end, was defeated and killed by Shichika; Tsurugi now belonged to him.
(EPISODE 4: HAKUTOU HARI)
As they left Izumo for Suou and March came to a close, Togame would find herself receiving a challenge letter from Sabi Hakuhei. As old-fashioned as he was, he sent the letter, simply getting straight to the point and saying that he wanted to duel for the swords-- Kanna, Nakamura, and Tsurugi for Hakutou Hari. As both the series and Togame had been making a point out of, he had already gained a reputation as the strongest swordsman in Japan, and defeating him would be no easy task.
(EPISODE 5: ZOKUTOU YOROI)
As April turned into May, the two had Hakutou Hari in their grasp and they moved onto Kyushu, where Zokutou Yoroi was waiting for them. Between Ganryuu Island and Kyushu however, Shichika was challenged by numerous swordsmen, in order to defend his title as the new Strongest Swordsman in Japan. Many tried, yet none succeeded. This made it easier for him to arrive in Obon, which had been running public swordfights. There, Togame and Shichika witnessed a fight between an unnamed swordsman and the man that they had come to fight: Azekura Kanara, who was wearing Zokutou Yoroi, a deviant blade that was in fact, a suit of armor.
The two mulled over how they were to defeat Azekura and take Zokutou without damaging it at all, considering that was one of the rules that Togame had set in place regarding their journey. As they did that, they would be visited late at night by Azekura himself, establishing the fact that he knew a lot about the two, including Togame's position in the Shogunate and Shichika's heritage. He also revealed that he understood what Togame was going to do, which was leave Satsuma immediately after gaining control of the armor. Though, even so, as the leader of the local band of pirates, his men would more than likely prevent them from leaving by boat.
Despite that, he had come to challenge Shichika to a duel, guaranteeing that both his men and the townspeople would stay out of it. However, he had a few terms: the fight had to take place in Obon. No one would interfere, and they would all come to see Japan's Strongest Swordsman. If the two were to win, they would get a ship and be able to sail to Owari in order to rest up and report.
And if Shichika were to lose, Azekura would take Togame. He had fallen for her at first sight.
Though Shichika mulled over the idea of giving Togame up to Azekura, the next day they would be greeted by another guest: Maniwa Houou, the leader of the Maniwa Corps. He expressed his concern in how Koumori, Shirasagi, and Kuizame were dealt with, as well as three additional Maniwa that they hadn't encountered: Chouchou, Kamakiri, and Mitsubachi. Thus, Houou claimed that if they were to continue fighting over the swords as there was a three way struggle between both parties and the sword owners themselves, it would be reckless. Therefore, he proposed a temporary truce. They could go after the swords in reverse order while Shichika and Togame went along their way. Though Togame was hesitant, she accepted-- if they were to collect any swords, all she and Shichika would have to do is steal them from the Maniwa Corps.
Before he left, Houou revealed one more important piece of information. Togame had been saying "cheerio" instead of "chesuto". It has more than likely taken you less time to read this post than it had for Togame to finish reacting to this news.
Either way, Togame accepted Azekura's conditions. The duel was set. Though, before the battle, Togame had one condition for Shichika: win without killing or incapacitating Azekura. Shichika thought about this condition hard, even as he stood in the arena with Azekura. As the fight began, Shichika's plan was to finish it in one blow. However, the technique that he had practiced, an armor piercing technique, had not landed-- Zokutou Yoroi prevented it.
Momentarily, Shichika lost his resolve. If Togame had the support of the pirates to search for the swords, then maybe winning was pointless anyway. That was when Togame piped in, saying that if a man can't show his face to the woman he had fallen for, then he's worthless. After her pep talk, Shichika's resolve returned, and the two resumed their fight. As Azekura used a technique to take Shichika head on, the Kyotō-ryū head was able to hold him off, using the one thing he had other than the Kyotō-ryū skills: the tempered and strong body gotten through years of training. With this body, he was able to lift Azekura into the air and throw him, giving him one warning: Don't Touch My Woman.
With his defeat, Azekura was forced to give up Zokutou Yoroi and give them a ship to take to Owari. However, Shichika and Togame wouldn't get that time to rest-- as revenge for being rejected by Togame, Azekura had instead sent the ship on course to Ezo, a northern region with irregular weather patterns throughout. There was one region in particular with harsher conditions-- the area around Mount Odori. Set in a constant snowstorm, Mount Odori is home to the Itezora clan, the clan which holds Soutou Kanazuchi.
(EPISODE 6: SOUTOU KANAZUCHI)
The two traversed up the mountain, cursing the cold winds and the massive amount of snow before Togame dramatically announced her death approaching-- followed by Shichika falling face forward into the snow. Though he hadn't felt cold at all, his limbs had still been frostbitten. Exhausted, Shichika closed his eyes, and was unable to react to Togame's slaps to the face. Though this seemed like the end, the two were soon saved by a member of the Itezora clan-- Itezora Konayuki.
Though Konayuki was only 11, she was remarkably strong and in fact, carried both Shichika and Togame to a cave and a fire in order to unfreeze. Though they were able to rest, Togame did get straight to business and ask for Konayuki to take her to the Itezora village in order to find the sword. However, an avalanche knocked out the entire village, leaving Konayuki as the only survivor. They hadn't revealed any of the clan secrets to her as she was just a child, so she had no idea about Kanazuchi or where it could be. However, Togame figured that it may be near where the Mayor was-- to which Konayuki said she would go and attempt to fetch it. The snow wasn't a problem to her, since she had lived in those conditions for all of her life.
As the two waited for her, they rested together and Togame asked if there was anything else that Shichika knew about, other than that "Cheerio" was wrong. And so, he revealed two important pieces of information: that he had killed his father with his bare hands, and that she was Takahito's daughter. Through this, Togame was able to properly determine that Shichika had fallen for her, all the while telling him to not tell anyone else about what he just told her. As they laid together, he asked, what would happen to him after the journey was over-- he was planning on staying by Togame's side no matter what, so what would she do with him? She hadn't a clue yet.
Early in the morning, the two would be startled awake by Konayuki, who had in fact, found a sword. Though Togame wasn't sure if it was Kanazuchi to begin with, the doubt would fade when Konayuki tossed Kanazuchi towards them, it falling into the soil due to it's weight. Shichika approached it, unable to lift it and was able to sense-- it was Kanazuchi alright. Due to the Itezora clan's strength, they would be the only ones able to lift it. Despite that, while Konayuki lifted and easily wielded it around with one hand, she revealed that she was the weakest of all of the Itezora-- and that the sword couldn't just be given away. Shichika would have to prove himself to be worthy of taking the sword.
Per Togame's requests, Shichika knew that he was not to injure Konayuki, and would have to win without hurting her that much. Though he tried with an attack, he was only able to knock her into the snow, just for her to pop up immediately, unharmed. She went on the attack after that, revealing that she was able to freely change direction of the swing in mid-air. It left Shichika to force a guard-- which was unable to stop his arm from breaking. Six months and five swords into their journey, and Shichika had suffered his first loss to Konayuki.
With his arm in a sling, he was forced to sit and recover until he was healed. Both Shichika and Togame felt as if they could share the blame for what happened, with Shichika unable to protect himself and underestimating what had happened, and Togame being unsure of what advice to give Shichika. However, Togame was able to deduce one thing-- it was possible that what Konayuki told them was a lie. Shichika didn't have to prove himself worthy; she was just lonely and didn't want them to leave.
As Shichika ate, the two heard the sound of wolf being attacked. As they rushed out to see, they found a Maniwani on the ground, with Konayuki holding Kanazuchi. Though, Togame identified her as Maniwa Kyouken and was surprised that it was a woman, the Maniwa was more determined to avenge her friends and kill Togame. However, Kyouken's body had been damaged by Konayuki, therefore she was unable to actually do much of anything with her body. With that though, she placed her hand on Konayuki and performed a ninpou, her body collapsing and turning into dust and all the while taking over Konayuki's body. Surprised at how strong the body is, she thought about taking over an adult woman's body-- though, she then found out that the village had been wiped out. Not by an avalanche, but a person. She couldn't identify the person, but it was of no concern to her. What was of concern was Shichika behind her, who had been given the order to kill her.
Though Kyouken had her body, she was more of an experienced assassin, and had easily readable movements. Due to that, Shichika was able to fight her and it either way, defeat her using an attack to her shoulders-- only attacking the tattoo that distinguished Kyouken from Konayuki which would drive her out of her body. Shichika had beaten Konayuki technically, yet not killed her. Togame was learning the resolve he had as a human, as opposed to a sword. Their victory would be short lived however, as both Houou and a second Maniwani, Maniwa Kawauso, appeared. Houou lamented the fact that the truce that they had established the month before had already ended. Houou had Kawauso move forward, revealing his power of psychomancy, being able to identify memories just based off of touching inanimate objects. However, if he were to use his ninpou to help Shichika and Togame, then Togame wouldn't trust him. And so, Houou decapitated Kawauso-- bringing the number of Maniwani down to 4. Houou did this only to prove that they prove no threat to her if the truce were to stand, and if they couldn't overlook it, Houou would have to fight them there and then. Togame let it pass.
Before he was to leave after thanking her, Houou explained something else to her. The person holding a sword in Shireizan had changed. The new holder was a person that had destroyed Shireizan completely in a half an hour-- and now held it. After seeing Konayuki off to Owari to deliver the sword, Togame and Shichika were off to Shikoku, in order to search for the next sword.
The sword that was in fact. In the possession of none other than Yasuri Nanami.
(EPISODE 7: AKUTOU BITA)
This brought Shichika and Togame to Tosa, where they were met by Souda Emonzaemon, an associate of the Princess of Owari. Emonzaemon revealed who the culprit was and how shameless she had been in her actions, and where she was staying. When they went, Nanami was already waiting for them-- and a duel was quickly set up. Though they were going to fight seriously, Shichika wasn't prepared to even think about injuring Nanami, much less killing her. Nanami remarked that this was a serious duel and he'd have to come at her with the intent to kill, though she questioned the fact that he had grown softer since he left the island. Their father didn't raise them to question who owned them, as swords.
The fight soon began, and Nanami's freakish power overwhelmed him from the getgo. No matter how fast Shichika attempted to strike her, she dodged it, not a single blow landing on her. Though they were in the middle of a duel, Nanami explained that just by seeing a technique once through her eyes, she can take the power, no matter what it is, and use it against the user. The ability to see anything, weaknesses, strengths, movements, anything. Nanami was able to see it. As Shichika went into hit the Shichika Hachiretsu technique, Nanami lamented his lack of strength and threw him into the ceiling. Thanks to her having wiped out the Itezora village, she had gained their amazing strength as well-- becoming much stronger than Konayuki was.
Shichika asked why she would do such a thing, and Nanami sighed, claiming that it was wrong for her to leave him in Togame's hands, due to his new found humanity. She explained that she had went through numerous battles to get there too-- she was the one who had killed Maniwa Corps members Chouchou, Mitsubachi, and Kamakiri. As well as the Itezora village, and Shireizan, where the seventh Deviant Blade was being held. Though she knew that Shichika had been through a lot of battles as well, he was still considerably weaker than her. She demonstrated it by combining an attack, striking Shichika numerous times before he fell back, soundly defeated.
However, Shichika knew that there was no way that Nanami, with her fragile body, could pull off an attack like that. This was where Nanami showed off Akutou Bita, which had become embedded in her body. It was a sword designed to rejuvenate the body, eliminating weaknesses. As Shichika was, he would be unable to defeat Nanami, and she left him there to be attended to by Togame.
For days, Shichika laid around and felt depressed until Togame came in to knock sense into him. He wasn't sure as to why he felt disheartened, considering he was just a sword. Togame has to remind him that he was her sword, and that she had lost thousands of times before meeting Shichika, and this was nothing to feel ashamed of. However, being depressed and doing nothing but sulking due to that was. Togame slapped him, and gave him the question, a teary look on her face: will he fight Nanami again.
He agreed.
The two discussed the weakness of Shichika Hachiretsu, and Togame was able to determine that it was the fact that the armor-piercing move, Ryuuryoku Kakou, had a movement that created a huge hole in the seven technique combination. If an opponent was to see through it, it would be devastating, just as Nanami had shown. Therefore, Shichika would have to revise the Shichika Hachiretsu in order to defeat her.
As Togame continued to plan, Shichika spent time in the forest, going through as many combinations of the technique as he could. His plan was to find the one with the lowest amount of holes, out of 720 possible combinations if he used Ryuuryoku Kakou as a starting move. It would be from sun up to sun down before Shichika was able to get through all 720 combinations, and late that night, the battle would be set-- in front of the Buddha at the temple.
The fight began with Shichika advancing-- right before the candles that were lighting the temple went out, shrouding the two in darkness. Since Nanami couldn't see, she was unable to properly counter or evade the Shichika Hachiretsu Kai, a revamped rendition of the finishing move. With Togame lighting a lantern, she was able to see clearly: Nanami had been defeated, and Shichika was able to take Akutou Bita from her body.
However, he hadn't killed her, thanks to Togame's scheme. She rose, believing that using Akutou Bita in the end was pointless, as it simply dulled her strength by rejuvenating her body, and gaining everyone's ability to get weaker was pointless. All that was left was Shichika to kill her. Togame shouted that there wasn't any reason to fight, that they already had Akutou Bita and the battle was over. Nanami used an attack directed at Togame and cut her long hair short, claiming that next, it would be her head. Shichika's anger grew, and Nanami smiled-- they had a reason to fight.
And fight they did. Be it for a few minutes, both Shichika and Nanami pushed each other to their limit. However, as Nanami's body had already been weakened by Akutou Bita, she couldn't go that long. Her body had grown faint, and as Shichika used the Shichika Hachiretsu Kai technique again, she simply attempted to dodge each strike-- and ultimately failed, being finished off by the final attack: Kyotō-ryū's Dandelion, piercing Nanami's chest and impaling her, finishing her off.
(EPISODE 8: BITOU KANAZASHI)
After that, Shichika and Togame were finally sent on their way to Owari, the homeland of the Shogun Yanari. As they got there, Shichika noticed a flashy, tacky looking mansion. He laughed about it for a while, asking who would live in a place like that. Togame would-- it was her house. As Togame went to take care of business at the castle, Shichika was in charge of watching the mansion. There was nothing for him to do, so he went to the courtyard to train, where he would be visited by Emonzaemon. He had arrived to pass along information from Princess Hitei to him, in order to have them meet with her. When Togame returned, she seethed about it, but there was no choice.
Immediately, Hitei started off by mocking Togame and her new short haired look. Shichika could only watch in awe as the two traded verbal jabs, and was even more astonished at finding out that those were just greetings. As they got down to business, Hitei told them that Shikizaki Kiki had a workshop on Lake Fuyou in Edo, which confirmed information that they had gotten from Maniwa Houou earlier. However, something called Biyorigou was guarding something there-- which possibly could be the workshop. And as they turned to leave, Hitei told them that Emonzaemon would take them there himself.
Upon arriving, they immediately noticed Biyorigou, a living doll that was guarding the premises. Togame needed information about it though, and Shichika advanced upon it, only for it to about face and attack him. Through that one swing and Shichika's senses regarding the swords, it was easy to see: Biyorigou itself was the next sword, Bitou Kanzashi.
Later that night, the two discussed the leniency of the definition of what Shikizaki Kiki was a sword. Though, Shichika himself was both a sword and a human. He then asked about Princess Hitei, with the thought in mind that not only will they see her again, but at that point, he'd have to fight Emonzaemon. Though, he wondered if Hitei had already known about Biyorigou being Bitou Kanzashi itself. Though, despite that, the two had to focus on Biyorigou itself for now. Through observing the lake the entire next day, Togame was able to create a map of the entire lake. As she observed, she also marked Biyorigou's path as well. Using deductive reasoning, she figured that his workshop must be in the middle of the lake. The time had come to defeat Biyorigou and take it back. However, first, Shichika held Togame before sleeping.
With Togame's scheme failing, she was immediately forced to come up with another one based on observation, thus Shichika was forced to wait until the next day to attempt taking it on again. This time, he was given strict orders to only use strikes and attempt to not strike it's chest or head, and was to memorize Biyorigou's movements. The scheme worked to an extent: Togame chose that day to be the showdown between Shichika and Biyorigou as it was overcast and she had figured out that it was solar powered and as a result, fighting with Shichika fully exhausted it's fuel source, allowing them to safely take it and ship it away.
(EPISODE 9: OUTOU NOKOGIRI)
With the eighth Deviant Blade sealed away, Shichika and Togame traveled to Tendou Shougi Town in October, to battle for Outou Nokogiri. It proved to be more of an ordeal than the two thought: Kiguchi Zanki, the holder of Nokogiri, had terms for the two to follow. First, Togame would have to beat her in a game of Shougi in order to set up the battle. Togame won, and as the fight was set up, Kiguchi exploded at the thought of Shichika fighting her using Nokogiri without armor or a weapon. Thus, Shichika was forced to wear armor and use a bokken-- and lost easily due to his being unable to use a sword.
Realizing that it was unfair (though she based that on Shichika being weak), Kiguchi offered to let Shichika train at her school, to be able to efficiently use a bokken. After ten days of training with her and random romantic misunderstandings on Togame's part, the strategian finally came up with a suitable scheme to use against Kiguchi; Shichika's role was to win by fluke. However, as Shichika wasn't technically an amateur at swords due to the training, the plan would have failed. So Togame kissed Shichika in order to get him to forget. With the same rules as last time, Togame faced Kiguchi in a best of 9 series of Shougi games. Though Togame lost the last one, she had already gotten five wins, so she had been able to set up a battle between the two again.
Though as the battle began, Togame began to chant Shogi moves, throwing Kiguchi's concentration off as she thought of moves and counter moves, allowing Shichika to get in one swift and incredibly clumsy blow. As Togame was the referee of the battle, she decided the rules, and as a result, Shichika was able to defeat Kiguchi, both in kendo and in an actual fight using only 60% of his true strength. As the month grew to a close, the two left Tendou and stopped at Owari momentarily before pressing onto Oushi in order to find Seitou Hakari.
(EPISODE 10: SEITOU HAKARI)
Oushi happened to be not only Togame's homeland, but the place where the rebels, led by Hida Takahito, were executed. Though it was jarring for both of them, they stayed on task, searching for the holy man known as Higaki Rinne. What Shichika found however was a little girl, who claimed to be him. She then proved it by projecting an image of Takahito for Togame to see, telling her where to find Seitou right before disappearing. While Togame would dig, Shichika found himself facing Higaki, and in turn, facing himself for the first time. Rather, facing the guilt of having to kill Tsuruga Meisai and losing to Konayuki, Nanami, and Kiguchi.
As Togame continued to search for Seitou, Higaki continued showing Shichika memories of the four, forcing him to come to terms with his curse: being unable to use even a bokken. Within talking with Kiguchi again and encountering Nanami, Shichika decided to challenge Higaki to a fight. However, the fight resulted in Higaki not planning on fighting and simply dodging all of his attacks as it was Seitou's focus: "True Defense". Once he saw no point in continuing the fight, Shcihika found himself facing more images placed in his head to face what he's doing, showing him memories of fighting with Konayuki and speaking with Tsuruga. Through facing the truth of what he fights for and the fact that he's killing people for Togame.
As Togame faced her own past with Hida Takahito, she was able to find Seitou underground, and thus, they had defeated Higaki in their own way. Upon speaking with Higaki before leaving, they found out that Shikizaki felt that the completion of the Deviant Blades was going to happen soon-- however, after forging the 12 Deviant Blades, he created the final Deviant Blade: Kyotou Yasuri. Kyotouryuu itself was a creation of Shikizaki Kiki, and this was why as a curse, he was unable to use a sword. Thus, as the two made the move to leave Oushi, they would be heading off to search for the 11th Deviant Blade... until finding a surprise on the road.
Character Personality: As a child, Shichika hadn't learned much in the way of being human, only that of being a sword. He had primarily learned how to take care of himself and how to provide for his family, though he had learned that death happens, and he shouldn't feel worried when it occurs. Within the Yasuri family, it's common for family members to cut each other down, as the allegations against Yasuri Mutsue for killing his wife stood, as well as Shichika killing his father and later, his sister.
Most of Shichika's growing personality and character development can be attributed to his relationship with Togame. As he started, he didn't understand much and wasn't very good at thinking for himself. He couldn't understand why one wanted to have a good image or a catchphrase or anything to that extent. For the most part, the one thing he knew a lot about was training, and that was one thing that hasn't changed. Shichika, once he realizes that he needs to train and become stronger for an upcoming battle, will do nothing but until he feels he's ready. Even when he's bored, he'll decide to keep busy by training, whether he's told to or not.
That said, Shichika is very good at following directions. Though he's not immune to slipping up, he's generally been exceptional at following what Togame tells him. After all, he feels as if he weren't to do exactly what she were to say, he would fail as a sword. He feels regret when his arm is broken, believing that he had broken one of the orders she had given him at the beginning of the series, though he's able to overcome that for the sake of their journey.
Speaking of feeling regret, most of Shichika's time spent feeling depressed is caused when he has lost or been injured in some way. Feeling that it's his duty to never break or allow Togame to fail as a Strategian, he'll feel down when this sort of thing happens. However, he also feels listless once he realizes that Togame could have a better sword than he is. He's very proud of his position, and wouldn't give it up to anyone else, be it Azekura or Nanami.
Throughout Katanagatari, Shichika has learned how to balance not only being a sword, but being a human being as well. Though at this point he hasn't completely adapted, he's still learning quite well. He now understands that there's a right and a wrong time to say things, such as when a person related is nearby. He's also picking up on littler things, such as how a human should react to temperature and how there's a sense of style with some people. Referring to Togame's mansion as gawdy and realizing the leniency regarding what Shikizaki Kiki created as "swords".
As a human though, he has realized the importance of another person's life, mainly thanks to Togame. He was nearly going to finish off a few bandits that had come his way at the beginning of his journey, but was informed that even though they're not very good people, they don't have to die immediately. Despite his irritation over Azekura's going after Togame and losing his resolve momentarily, he chose not to let his anger get the better of him and kill him. He even understood how lonely Konayuki could be after the Itezora clan had been wiped out by Nanami, and hesitated on hurting her at all. Not to mention, though she had made him angry and had been given a reason to fight her, he still had tears in his eyes when it came to killing Nanami.
On that note, Shichika is a tough nut to crack. While saying that he's cool would be a lie, he's definitely usually calm. He's not the type to fly off the handle or yell if someone intentionally tries to piss him off. Shichika may get frustrated, but he's not the type to get overly pissed off unless something close to him has gotten attacked or destroyed. Otherwise, Shichika very rarely gets angry. He has an odd way of showing his jealousy as well, teasing Togame by tripping her or anything else that comes to mind, as shown when he's jealous of Azekura and his possible usefulness. Though in that respect, he's also started gaining a bit of a sense of humor. He plays around a lot more with Togame when he can, and has grown to start tickling her as well.
However, his biggest asset can also be seen as his greatest weakness too. While he has fought three times without Togame being there to see, he has yet to actually adapt to a point where he can be on his own for that long without getting restless. He hasn't matured to a point where he's comfortable being on his own without Togame around to help him, though he's still learning.
Shichika's humanity continues to be more and more apparent past Episode 8, particularly in his fight against Biyorigou. As a sword, he used to have no free will of his own, no feelings of justice, no morality or anything. Now as a human, he understands that he's fighting for Togame out of his own free will, and searching for the Deviant Blades because he wants to, not because it's something that Togame commands of him. At this point, he also showed more signs of humanity and is developing more; him becoming flustered and embarrassed at the prospect of being kissed is an indicator of that, as well as him facing Higaki Rinne. He's also capable of picking up on littler things, such as jealousy and the like.
Battling Higaki was an awakening to him, and as well as searching for the blades because he wants to, he's also fighting for Togame's sake, in order to accomplish her dream and live up to what's expected of him. He has also come to terms with having the memories of what he's done in his head, having killed numerous people and met people with interesting personalities that he's had to slay or defeat.
Appearance/PB:
Shichika is tall, described in canon as one with a big body with nothing that looks weak on him. He has black eyes, his head topped off with long and big brown hair, usually tied up in a ponytail. His outfit consists of a black hakama with a red sash that covers his lower half, the only article of clothing on his upper half being two sleeves, red from the shoulder to his elbow and black from forearm to his wrist.
If you need a better idea of how Shichika looks, feel free to check out his userpics!
As Katanagatari is not a popular series in any means, I will be doing my best to explain this to you guys. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know!