6-3 Dead End

1: Discord

Kofuki: Huh!? Kill Mihocchi and hand her over!? Is she serious? Kanayamahime's the one she wants, right? What the hell's she asking for that for?
Mihono: ...
Kanami: It's going to be fine, Mihono-chan. There's no way we're letting Kagutsuchi get you.
Hiyori: Kanami's right. Apparently even Origami Yukari made it clear she wouldn't when they were negotiating.
Hiyori: So long as we bring down Kagutsuchi, there's nothing to worry about.
Mihono: ...Yeah. Thanks, both of you.
Mihono: It's just...
Hiyori: Just what?
Mihono: I feel like, from what I know about Kagutsuchi, she wouldn't say that. She'd just come take Kanayamahime herself.
Akira: ...It's cause of Genzan. There's no way he didn't teach Kagutsuchi some of his messed up tricks.
Mihono: Genzan... san?
Yuuki: He's an older relative of ours. "Don't slay aradama! Aradama are gods!" He'd tell us that kind of stuff. He was a little weird.
slay
Kaoru: It's not like we've got any proof you still aren't working for that guy.
Yuuki: We wouldn't lie about that!
Akira: Give it up, Yuuki. Nothing we say's gonna convince anybody.
Akira: We're just gonna have to show them.
Yuuki: Nee-sama...
Ellen: Come on, Kaoru. Don't be mean to them. You really do trust them deep down, don't you?
Kaoru: Honestly, it's half and half. That Genzan guy, Kagutsuchi killed him, right? I heard nobody put up with him besides his followers.
Akira: ...You got that right.
Hirona: ...Could I bring something up? We were thinking Genzan-san was manipulating Kagutsuchi, but doesn't this mean that's wrong?
Sayaka: Because she killed him?
Mai: I'm not sure... We don't know what kind of aradama Kagutsuchi is, so I can't say either way.
Mai: But, I think it's clear Kagutsuchi decided Hitakami Genzan wasn't necessary anymore.
Yui: Hey hey, we don't have to talk about this stuff here! With all these strong, pretty toji around, we'll take care of Kagutsuchi one way or another!
Chie: ...Right. We'll suppress Kagutsuchi and rescue Makoto.
Kiyoka: Hang on a minute. I think we should work separately from those three.
Mirja: Considering the risks posed to Asakura Mihono, that is one way around it.
Mirja: However, if it meant losing their support against Kagutsuchi, I can't deny it would put us in trouble.
Akira: ...If it makes it any better, just think of me as Mihono's meatshield.
Akira: Anything that'd happen to Mihono... I'll make sure it won't. I owe you that much.
Mihono: Akira-san...
Kiyoka: ...If you mean that, then you have to put Hono-chan before anything else. Can you do that?
Akira: You don't even have to tell me.
Akira: (If it came down to it... Even if I had to kill Makocchan myself, I'd keep you safe.)
Akira: (I know Makocchan'd tell me to do the same thing.)

2: Kagutsuchi's Domain

Maki: It's...
Suzuka: I saw the reports on the elevated heat in the area, but... I'd never expected it to be to this degree.
Yume: Even the trees are on fire. There's no way we can get in there...
Maki: Yomi, do you think you could check things out inside?
Yomi: I can.
Yomi: ......
Yomi: I've located several aradama. I'd imagine they were created by Kagutsuchi.
Yomi: !?
Maki: What's wrong?
Yomi: My aradama disappeared. I don't think they could withstand the heat.
Suzuka: What should we do now, Maki-san?
Maki: ...I want to hear what all of you think.
Suzuka: In my opinion, our only option is to retreat. We should acquire as much information as possible, of course, but we can't do anything more than that.
Yume: I think that's all we've got too. Even if we wait here, it's not like that's doing anything.
Yume: Plus, it's crazy hot here. Can't we leave already?
Yomi: Shidou-san, Konohana-san, Tsubakuro-san, please go on ahead. I'll handle the information gathering.
Maki: ...We're counting on you, Yomi.
Yomi: Right.
Yume: I wanna have ice cream-.
Suzuka: We're on a mission now, Yume.
Suzuka: And besides, this power of Kagutsuchi's... It's going to be more trouble than we thought.

3: A Chain of Concerns

Kanami: The Special Defense Team went up first to Mt. Choukai... Did you hear?
Mihono: Yeah, they said it'd be really tough to send people up there.
Kanami: Y'know, I've been thinking a little... Maybe we could get Kagutsuchi to come to an understanding with us?
Kanami: Like with Kanayamahime, and Kohime-chan... We managed to get along.
Mihono: That's just like you, Kanami.
Mihono: But me... I don't think it's going to work with Kagutsuchi. When I felt Kagutsuchi's strength right up close... I could tell, this is different from with Kohime or Kanayamahime.
Kanami: But, does it really have to be...?
Kanami: Though, if we can't even make it to her in the first place, there's not much point talking about it I guess.
Mihono: That's for sure.
Mihono: Is there even anything we could be doing now...
Kanami: Want to spar or something?
Mihono: Sorry, I'm just not feeling like it. I think I'll watch some TV.
Announcer: Now for our next topic.
Announcer: Miss Origami Akane, Director of the Sword Administration Bureau, has announced the abnormal weather conditions at Mt. Choukai are being caused by the great aradama Kagutsuchi.
Announcer: Along with an evacuation order, government officials have stated--
Mihono: ...
Evacuee: The sky went all red... It's a real calamity. I'm not sure even even the toji are going to be able to do anything about that.
Expert A: If we can't send toji to reach Kagutsuchi, there's not going to be any way to resolve this situation. Would there be any way for them to come in from the air?
Expert B: That wouldn't be easy to pull off. If the heat caused any kind of trouble, the whole crew would be in danger.
Expert A: In that case, how about a heat-armored rescue truck?
Expert B: No vehicle that could make it is currently in operation.
Mihono: How to get toji to reach Kagutsuchi... Can we even really do it.
Kanami: We'll do it; count on it. Hiyori-chan even told me she got put on a mission to help with that.
Mihono: She did?
Kanami: Yep.
Kanami: They'll start by getting as close as they can by car. After that, they're testing to see if they can reach Kagutsuchi using Storm Armor with a built in heat-resistance.

4: South With North (1)

Hiyori: Starting our test approach with jin'i. Let's go, Sayaka.
Sayaka: Mm.
Suu: Please do the best you can-!
Hokuto: Suu, we have to start getting ready too.
Suu: Hokuto-san.
Hokuto: What?
Suu: I've been thinking... Since Juujou-san and Sayaka-san are here, I don't need to be here, do I?
Hokuto: ...Suu.
Suu: I mean, didn't they say it's all a bunch of tough aradama in there!
Suu: So, wouldn't it make sense to leave that to Juujou-san and Sayaka-san!? Right!?
Hokuto: We're not doing that, Suu.
Hokuto: Now's the time to test every method we can. Juujou-san and Itomi-san are trying jin'i, and you're here to test how close you can get using utsushi.
Hokuto: Remember?
Suu: I remember, but... When I look at this...
Suu: I know I can use utsushi a lot more than most... but, just because I can use it a lot doesn't mean it's going to make any difference...
Hokuto: Didn't you say you would help with the mission so long as I could be with you? That's why I was assigned to support you.
Suu: That's because... you said this was putting all of Japan in danger... I was scared, but I felt like, if there's something I can do to help...
Hokuto: I know, and I'm proud of you for feeling that way. So let's do everything we can until we're done here, alright?
Suu: ...Okay.

5: South With North (2)

Hiyori: Asahina-san got in touch. She says Inami Suu went in.
Hiyori: But...
Sayaka: ...I know even Suu won't be able to get through. It's only been a few minutes since we entered Mt. Choukai, and still...
Hiyori: Do you think we'll be able to fight in the middle of this?
Sayaka: ...We can't.
Hiyori: Jin'i, utsushi, and even the combat gear; it makes you realize none of it was meant for moving long distances.
Sayaka: Mm.
Sayaka: And... the heat makes it hard to breathe.
Hiyori: Yeah. Ever since we came up the mountain, it feels like I'm suffocating.
Hiyori: Sayaka, let's take a path back where aradama won't find us. We'll meet up with Inami Suu on the way.
Hiyori: This test is a failure.
Sayaka: Understood.

6: Unstoppable

Mirja: The situation isn't in our favor, is it.
Tsugumi: We're testing lots of things in order to suppress Kagutsuchi, but none of them seem promising yet.
Yui: Hana-san said they're getting sent around doing all kinds of things; it seems really busy.
Yui: She also says there's a bunch of hate building up for the Sword Administration Bureau right now too.
Kiyoka: You heard from her...? Where did you get to see Hana-san?
Yui: Nowhere; I called her! I felt like hearing her voice, so I didn't stop calling until she picked up!
Kiyoka: O-Oh, that's why...
Mihono: We should really do something...
Kiyoka: Mmhm, she's definitely bothering Hana-san.
Mihono: Ah; I didn't mean that, I meant with Kagutsuchi.
Kofuki: Like do what? It's not like we can even get to Kagutsuchi, so what the hell're we supposed to do?
Mihono: I know, but that's not the point! If there's a bunch of people not happy with the Bureau, it's cause everybody's feeling worried, right?
Chie: They must be...
Chie: We know just how hard everyone is working towards this. But, everyday people, they can't tell...
Chie: I'm sure they're feeling anxious because it looks to them like the Bureau isn't doing anything.
Mihono: Couldn't we do something to make them feel just a little bit less worried?
Kiyoka: Hmm, I think that might be easier said than done though.
Kiyoka: Defeating Kagutsuchi would be the best way... but if we can't even get close to her, that'll never work.
Tsugumi: Worse than not being able to get close, the area affected by Kagutsuchi seems to be growing gradually.
Chie: Does that mean Kagutsuchi is getting stronger?
Tsugumi: More than likely.
Kofuki: Aghh; this is going nowhere!
Kofuki: I'm gonna have some fun with some aradama! Oi, you're coming with!
Tsugumi: If I have to.
Mirja: Acting on our own isn't going to...
Kiyoka: I'm sure that Kofuki-san is feeling anxious too, not being able to do anything.
Mirja: ...That might be the case.
Yui: I do love Kofuki-san when she gets like that too...
Kiyoka: Don't go saying that with a straight face...
Mihono: ...Hmmm, there has to be something we can do...

7: Strategy Meeting

Mai: Something we can do?
Mihono: Yeah!
Hirona: ......
Hirona: They say good things come to those who wait, so wouldn't the most efficient method be to save our energy for the right time?
Yuuki: Hirona-san, don't tell me you're feeling sleepy?
Hirona: ...I'm not sleepy at all. I'm feeling verry motivated.
Akira: Coming up with plans was never really our strong suit...
Ellen: Are you all a bunch of muscleheads, Inagon?
Akira: Shut up. This stuff was always Makocchan's job.
Akira: If you're gonna talk, you better have a plan too.
Ellen: Sure thing I do-! Let's put out our own news story and show how hard we're working to clean all this up!
Ellen: If that makes those who're worried about how things'll turn out just a little bit relieved... Everybody'll be happy!
Mai: First off, we'll need to get permission from the presidents. Then, I'd like to go take our own photos from up front where everything's happening.
Mai: Though, it's awfully difficult getting pictures of fighting aradama... Hmm, where should we go then?
Ellen: You're right... It's not like we could go do a photoshoot attacking Kagutsuchi anyway either...
Mihono: ...We're supposed to stay at school on stadby for beating Kagutsuchi, but I heard it's really busy out there. Yui said Hana told her all about it.
Mihono: We'd only need a couple days, so could we go be there?
Yuuki: In that case, I want to go lend a hand at the shelters! I'm sure they could use more help, and they're probably worried about whether more aradama will come.
Mihono: !! That's it, Yuuki! Nice idea!
Akira: Then how about me, Yuuki, and Hirona go.
Mihono: Wait, hold on! I'll go too!
Mihono: I was the first one to bring this up... and, I want to do something too!
Akira: ...Fine. Then, it's the four of us.
Mihono/Yuuki: OKAY!
Hirona: ......Understoood.

8: Not as Things Are (1)

Yuuki: We've arrived!
Yui: Ooh; I like that look you're giving me! I'll take it!
Yuuki: Uwah!?
Chie: Yui, I know you know better. You can't startle people by taking their pictures out of nowhere.
Yui: Ehehe, sorry about that. But, getting scolded by Chie-san is the best!
Hirona: ......Yamashiro-san never changes, does shee.
Mihono: Yui's always going to be Yui.
Akira: ...So, why're Yui and Chie here anyway? What's the deal, Mihono?
Mihono: I told them I was going with you to the shelter, and they said they wanted to come too.
Yui: Boss! Mai-chan and Ellen-san made me their cameraman!
Akira: Yeah, we'd probably need one of those. So, what about you?
Chie: It would be better to have a chaperone, wouldn't it?
Akira: (...Hmph, so basically, you don't trust us. Well, that figures.)
Hirona: ......What's on your mind, Boss?
Akira: None of your business. And also, don't you start calling me 'Boss'. It just feels like you're making fun of me.
Hirona: Fiine.
Mihono: Alright then, let's go in there, guys!
Chie: Ah, hang on a minute.
Chie: There's one thing I want you to keep in mind... I don't think these people are going to be happy to see us.
Mihono: ...Yeah, I know.
Child: Ah-- The tojis are here!
Woman: Oh, they really are. Thank you so much, for all your hard work.
Yuuki: H-Huh? I thought they wouldn't be happy...?
Man: The toji are always helping around the shelter, with guarding it and whatever we need.
Man: What would we have to complain about?
Child: Um...
Akira: Nn? What's up? Want some candy?
Child: Were you on TV, Onee-san?
Akira: !?
Woman: Ah, you're the tamayori toji, Inago Akira-san, aren't you! And you must be Toribane Yuuki-chan!
Woman: That's amazing! With such famous toji here, you could take care of that great aradama in no time!
Akira: ......
Akira: (After all that showing off we did... sure there'd be people out there thinking tamayori'll take care of it.)
Akira: (But, we're not using tamayori anymore... There's no way we can give them what they want...)
Yuuki: Nee-sama... Are you doing okay?
Akira: You got ten billion years to go before you get to be the one worrying about me!
Akira: ...Yeah, just leave this to us! That great aradama'll be gone before you know it!
Chie: ...
Chie: We're going to go patrol the area now and take care of any aradama! So, everyone, please keep hanging in there!

9: Not as Things Are (2)

Chie: ...Mm, you look better now.
Akira: Huh? What'd you mean, better?
Chie: I mean you, Inago-san.
Chie: You were acting a little strange before. I thought maybe getting a breath of fresh air would help.
Akira: Why would you...
Akira: Couldn't you just leave me alone?
Chie: Eh?
Akira: Don't play dumb!!
Akira: Those people back there, whose fault you think it is they're stuck in some shelter now? That's all on us Hitakamis.
Akira: ...So I figured, they'll hate us for it, but that's what we get. You're right, they weren't gonna be happy to see us, but I was fine with that!
Akira: Instead, they loved it... Honestly, it made me want to throw up. But hey, what could I do but swallow it down!
Chie: ...
Akira: Why even bother caring about me?
Akira: You don't even trust me, Chie... do you? Wasn't that the whole reason you came here with Mihono?
Akira: So just go ahead stop giving a damn about whatever happens to us.
Chie: You're right. I was worried about Mihono-chan. But, as for whether or not I trust you... Mmm, I can't even tell myself.
Chie: I just know that... You're all doing everything you can now.
Chie: Is it really that strange to want to help someone who's trying their hardest?
Akira: ...You're way too soft, every single one of you.
Chie: You think so?
Akira: Yeah... It's pretty cool.
Akira: (And that's why... Mihono decided she was better off with you than us.)

10: The Way the Wind Blows

Mirja: It looks like helping with the evacuees went well.
Mihono: Yeah! We got to talk to so many of them; it was really fun.
Mihono: You should come with us next time, Mirja-san!
Mirja: I'll consider it.
Kiyoka: By the way, Hono-chan. Where's Yui-chan?
Mihono: Yui went to go give the pictures she took to Mai. She was taking a whole bunch, so they'll probably have a hard time picking which ones.
Kiyoka: Knowing Yui-chan... How many pictures did she take that had nothing to do with anything?
Mihono: Yeah, she took way too many.
Mirja: It's still nice to have good news for a change.
Mihono: But... How's everything going with Kagutsuchi?
Mirja: ...We haven't made any noteworthy progress. Right now, we need to be perfectly ready for when the time comes to fight her.
Mihono: ...It's really frustrating not being able to do anything else though.
Kiyoka: ......
Kiyoka: (They're all trying so hard... But, what can I do...)
Ellen: There's so many good shots in here! Thank you, Yui!
Mai: It's hard narrowing down which ones to use. Though that's a good thing. I'm glad we asked you, Yui-chan.
Yui: Ehehe, I get all warm and fuzzy when you praise me.
Yui: I tried to take as many pictures and videos as I could... Do you think they'll help everybody?
Mai: Mmhm, more than I'd even expected!!
Mai: I only planned on using photos at first, bu with this much to work with, it'd be better if we made a video.
Ellen: Yes!
Ellen: I'll do my best editing it together-! Let's make a video for everyone to see!
Yui: Is there anything else you need help with?
Mai: You've already done so much, Yui-chan.
Ellen: That's right! Just let us handle the rest!!
Akane: Thank you all for making arrangements with the media. With your help, this should greatly reduce the criticism of the Sword Administration Bureau.
Konohana Family Representative: Think nothing of it. Footage from your toji came in at just the right time.
Konohana Family Representative: Was that your doing, Akane-sama?
Akane: That was something the students carried out on their own.
Mashiko Family Representative: Seems like you're bringing up a capable bunch.
Akane: ...I'm very proud of them all.
Konohana Family Representative: Wasn't Yanase Mai-san involved in this as well?
Yanase Family Representative: She's told me she only went as far as preparing the video itself.
Mashiko Family Representative: It's promising of them to be able to put out something so influential.
Akane: (The media should be satisfied with this for the time being. Now if we could only find some way of getting close to Kagutsuchi...)