Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko (刀使ノ巫女)

I am connected.

To Hirukomitama.

I congratulate you.

Now that you have taken in the essence

and have connected with your true form in the netherworld,

your domination of this world is certain.

I will continue to serve you to the best of my ability—

Leave.

What was that you said?

I told you to leave.

There is no longer anything for you to do.

Wh-What are you saying?

I have been completely loyal to you...

Just who do you think you're pointing your swords at?!

You can't...

Why, Princess?

Just a bit longer.

Katana Maidens

Episode 22 Gate of the Netherworld

This is the first time she hasn't shown up.

Mother...

It's still expanding.

From Director Maniwa Mission Summary Status - Emergency Call Time - Around 7:05 AM Location - Near Suginami Ward, Tokyo Mission Details Large number of aradama incidents. Etou Kanami will join up with the previously deployed unit with standard equipment and begin suppressive action. You have permission to use S Equipment should the situation call for it. End

Okay, time to give it my all today, too!

There has been no statement from Princess Tagitsu

or the Sword Administration Bureau regarding the mysterious phenomenon

or the frequent manifestations of aradama that have affected the metro area.

What do you think?

In all likelihood, they were cut down.

Indeed. Now that she's fully restored,

Princess Tagitsu doesn't need Yukina-chan or human help anymore.

She couldn't have known...

it would turn out like this.

So, do we have any leads on Princess Tagitsu's whereabouts?

It's not looking good.

And we can't keep putting off dealing with all these aradama that are manifesting.

That is why dispatching Toji from Minoseki and Heijou would be helpful.

Of course, Akane-chan. That's about all that we can do.

It pains me to keep putting the children through

such horrible things like this, though.

I'm sorry, Iroha-san.

The children are more important than me right now.

How are Hiyori-chan's friends doing at the moment?

It's definitely taken a toll on them.

But they each finished their aradama subduing missions the following day.

I think they believe that it was the best thing to do.

Etou-san's work has been especially remarkable,

even though she has been the most hurt by this.

She's a strong girl.

She really is just like Minato.

You have some too, Kanami-chan.

I dunno.

I want to eat them all,

but if I eat too much, it'll probably interfere with tomorrow's mission.

Don't worry. I'll take over for you if that happens.

What is it?

Are you okay, Kaoru? Do you have a fever?

Whaddya mean by that?!

Hey, don't put your hand on my forehead after eating a donut! It's sticky!

I'll go with this, then.

Oh, this one's mint chocolate?

This is actually pretty good.

Now I kind of get why Hiyori-chan is so fond of it.

Kanami, do you really think we're all clueless?

Oh, you mean this other cookie?

Guess I've been found out.

Please stop it, Kanami-chan.

We all know that you've been under a lot of strain, Kanamin.

Even I can tell you're forcing it.

What do you mean, forcing it?

Come on, do I really seem that off?

You don't have to laugh if you don't want to!

I told Hiyori-chan that being alone was tough, and I would share the load.

But at the most crucial moment, I couldn't reach out to her.

I couldn't keep my promise, either.

And, in the end, all of it fell on her.

I couldn't do a single thing about it.

Kanami-chan, we all feel the same way you do, okay?

Mai-chan?

She's right. It's the same for us.

We also couldn't keep our promise.

I'm sorry that all the hardship has been forced on you.

Y-Yeah...

So, please, Kanami-chan, you don't have to tough it out anymore.

Okay.

I'm okay now. Sorry for being so much trouble.

It's no trouble at all!

You're always the one helping us.

Well, to keep being trouble, I have a favor to ask you.

Snow?

A-Aradama? Damn it!

It's opened!

Aradama keep springing forth from the netherworld

and the fully-restored Princess Tagitsu.

It's like a repeat of the incident from twenty years ago.

Can I leave field command to you, Director Maniwa?

I am ashamed to ask you that, since I am acting bureau director in name only.

That's an unreasonable request, Akane-chan.

Twenty years ago, I was just a soldier, too.

But we can't just leave everything to the children while the adults escape.

Sorry for interrupting when things have been settled, but...

I have an idea about who should be field commander.

Yukari!

Yukari-chan!

Nee-sama, where have you been all this time?

She's completely stubborn, and it took a bit to convince her.

I would rather you didn't say that, Yukari.

Yuzuki?!

Yuzuki-san?!

Yuzuki-senpai?!

Can I count on your cooperation?

The Demon Yuzuki has been resurrected!

Yes, even Minato was afraid of Demon Yuzuki.

Yes! Demon, devil, Yuzuki-senpai!

W-Was I that bad?

Nee-sama?

Akane, I leave the rest to you.

Nee-sa—

Director, I have a favor to ask you!

We settled on President Souraku as commander just now,

but what is it? Tell us.

Please dispatch us to fight.

At the very least, please allow us to get back Kogarasumaru,

Hiyori-chan's okatana!

H-Hey!

It's almost like the world is ending.

That'll really happen if we end up losing.

Mai, there!

Yes, that's where Princess Tagitsu is.

Just watch, Hiyori-chan. We'll get Kogarasumaru back for sure.

Ready, everyone? For what we will need to do.

You don't need to tell us.

Yes! I'm sure we're all in agreement.

Leave it to us, Mai.