X (X−エックス−)

Whew!

Working hard tonight, I see.

Hm?

Oh, it's you, Gramps.

A little late for a tough job like that, don't you think?

You know me, Gramps, I love the exercise!

For me, doin' this is a lotta fun!

I'm glad to hear it.

With everyone being so upset about the missing rice

that someone snuck in and ate before the evening meal,

I thought that this might be your way of

atoning for what you did.

-- Uh-- --As a sort of punishment.

I get it. You knew about it

and came to make fun'a me, didn'tcha.

I'm still growin', ya know,

so I just can't help myself.

There's no way I can hold out till dinner.

Sorry!

Ah, so much energy!

This place is going to be rather quiet after you've gone.

Huh?

What did you just say?

I said that this place will be rather quiet

after you've left us.

I see. It's time, then?

Yes. The star has shifted.

Huh? The star?

The star of destiny,

the one that shines brighter than all the rest.

And that means... what was foretold is about to begin.

You must be on your way now.

As one of the Dragons of Heaven, as one of the Seven Seals,

the time has come for you to fulfill your destiny.

Old man Stargazer... I--

I understand. You don't have to say anything.

All right then.

But before I leave here...

...I'm going to polish this place

until it's so shiny,

you're gonna be able to see your face in it!

I understand.

What did Lady Hinoto say?

That we all should meet in Tokyo as soon as possible.

Oh, I see.

So the day has finally come.

Lady Kaede,

thank you for taking care of me for such a long time.

My dear...

It is I who should be thanking you for being here with me.

Arashi...

Your hair's always been so fine.

Tonight, I shall comb it for you the way I used to long ago.

Hm?

What's up, Inuki?

Hm?

Inuki...?

Grandma, Inuki's acting kinda funny, isn't he?

For good reason.

Inuki is wise. He already knows.

Huh? Knows what?

That the time we always knew would come is now upon us,

that your powers will soon be needed.

What did you say? My powers will be needed?

That means I'll have to leave...

...and go to Tokyo! All right!

Inuki, when we get to Tokyo,

we'll go to the Petit Rondo and eat ice cream every night!

Now, Yuzuriha!

I gotcha. Right, Inuki?

I've just finished with the case requested by

the Imperial Household Office.

And I'm sure you did a fine job.

Thank you for working so hard.

And you, Subaru? You're doing well, I hope?

Yes.

Please, Subaru, do your best to come visit us

in Kyoto once in a while,

I will come next month,

when I come to Kyoto for the seven year ritual

in remembrance of my sister's death.

I'm glad. It's been too long.

I'm so looking forward to seeing you!

Right. Good night then.

Reverse Five-pointed Star!

The symbol of the Sakurazukamori!

Sister...

I think I'll finally be able to find him again.

Will you be happy for me...? Or...?

Karen, they're calling for you.

Fine. Tell them I'll be right down.

Hm?

Looks like it's time to dedicate myself

to my true calling.

Chief, we did it!

Maruyama's manuscripts are done!

They're ready to be published!

That's a relief! Good work!

Thanks! That deadline was

so tight I wasn't sure if I--

Thanks again. You did a great job.

Oooh! That's really nice!

Huh? Oh, the tie!

Thanks. It was a birthday gift from my wife.

Of course, I'm sure it was my daughter Yuka who picked it out.

It certainly looks great on you, Mr. Aoki.

Uh, gee, thanks.

And now...

Huh?

I can finish editing this tomorrow.

I told Yuka I'd read to her tonight

from where we left off last time in her storybook.

The Dragons of Heaven

are beginning to gather in Tokyo.

The Seven Seals.

The seven stars of heaven...

...and the one that emits a light

stronger than all the others...

"Kamui."

Everything is shifting... moving...

It has finally begun.

Is that you, Kamui?

I've come for the Divine Sword.

It's been six years now.

Your mother Tohru honored me by leaving the Shinken in my care,

and I have been protecting it ever since.

If the Divine sword is rightfully yours,

then you shall have it.

But there is one question which must be answered first.

What is it?

Before I give you the Shinken,

it is my duty to make certain that

you are the one worthy of receiving it.

Make certain, you say? Who will? For what purpose?

Someday you will understand.

What I "understand" is that you've decided

to make things difficult,

and create an unnecessary delay in my plans to

take the sword and leave Tokyo immediately.

I cannot allow that.

What can I say?

I refuse to be treated like a child.

I have no intention of following anyone's orders.

I don't have a lot of time for this.

Hand it over.

If you want it that badly...

...then take it.

Defeat me, and the Shinken is yours.

Are you serious?

Do you really intend to fight me for it?

You leave me no other choice.

I warn you: I won't hold back.

Hiyah!

Do you really desire to die that badly?

This Song of Eternal Parting was written by Kenji

when he faced the death of his younger sister Toshi.

The portion of the poem entitled "Oraorade Shitoriegumo"

was purportedly the speech uttered by Toshi

from her sickbed, and can be interpreted as a demonstration

of her feeling that she was going to die alone,

while at the same time...