Hitogatana 10

[This chapter has already been scanlated by Maigo. This is just the original translation.]

Hitogatana
Chapter 10


[Back cover]
The AKCD strengthens its vigilance against the “Tenka Goken” which hides from view under the shadow of a trivial incident.
Meanwhile, Yachiyo learns that her former allies, the members of “Artisan,” have disappeared from where they were isolated.
What the warriors who were required to fight wish for is——.
Now, the fighters’ feast will be held.

[Front flap]
Nice to meet you, hello, I’m Onigunsou.
I’ve had a lot of all-nighters these days and my biological clock is destroyed, but occasionally when I go out to buy coffee, I’m able to witness an incredibly beautiful morning, and at those times, even though I’m tired, I somehow feel very lucky and it makes me happy.
But I’m tired after all so after a while I’m down for the count.


p.01
[none]


p.02
Chapter 10: Assessment of Inexperience
Chapter 11: Those Who Writhe
Chapter 12: Unexpectedly Encountered Past
Chapter 13: Languid
Chapter 14: Disturbance


p.03
[none]


p.04
[boxes]
Togusa, Amano Hahagiri, Eighth Squad, Tsukiyama Juuzou, Eighth Squad
AKCD, Yachiyo Seri, Gogyou
Minamoto Kaede, Second Squad, Hiyama Shinobu, Suzuna
Fourth Squad, Inuzuka Makoto, Sixth Squad, Shikoku Shirou, Artisan
[arrows]
Benefactor, benefactor, something like a little brother
Something like a little sister, benefactor
Ane-san
Favored
Superior, subordinate
AKCD: In the midst of increasing crimes involving manned combat androids dubbed “Katana,” the government organized this group to prevent such crimes. Composed of excellent Kenshi and swordsmiths.
Artisan: Kenshi who were subjected to medication and combat training solely to control “Katana.” Only 7 have survived as successful products of the research.


p.05
Girl: Oh
That’s the water horizon, right?
Girl: It’s my first time seeing it.
Tsuki: Well, of course.
Chapter 10: Assessment of Inexperience

Girl: Woow…
Girl: You really can’t see the end.
Sis: Well, it’s an island country after all.

Tsuki: You won’t last if you play around too much.

Girl: Oh… Sorry.
But it’s my first time traveling so far, so…

Sis: Mmm~


p.06
Sis: Your reaction’s nice and fresh.
Sis: Once you get used to it, you start to wonder why the training grounds are so far off in the mountains.

Tsuki: It also functions as an emergency shelter, so there’s no helping it.

Togs: Oh yeah, Ane-san, is it true that Minamoto-san couldn’t come?
Sis: Yeah, she seems to have had another case.
Inuzuka seems to be coming, though.
Tsuki: You’re not in a position to be worrying about others, eh Yachiyo?

Sis: Ahaha…… That matter?
Sis: Tatsumi probably won’t shut up about it.


p.07

Chapter 10
Assessment of Inexperience

Tora: This happens because you’re muddling about,
Tora: ——Yachiyo.


p.08
Yachiyo: Wha-at, it’s fine since I’ll be attending with your spare Katana, right?
Yachiyo: Well, it’s unadjusted so I can only start from the group exercises after combat exercises.

Tora: Like I said,
Because you’re dillydallying we can’t do things that we could have done.

Togs: So… it wasn’t on time after all?
Tsuki: Since the report for the Katana we’re using for the exercises was late,
It seems they weren’t able to arrange its specialized transfer unit.

Togs mutter: Because I was careless…
Tsuki mutter: It was Yachiyo that made you drink enough to black out…


p.09
Tsuki: That guy’s Tatsumi Tora from the Sixth Squad.
Tora mutter: You’d better shut your pie hole
Tsuki: He’s very serious, but a bit methodological, or rather, perfectionist.

Togs: …I might not get along.
Tsuki: And then

Shikoku: Hey, Tora, ya don’t hafta rant so much.

Shikoku: Everything in moderation, eh?

Tsuki: The one who placates that, the Sixth Squad Squad Leader
Tsuki: Shikoku Shirou.


p.10
Tora: You’re being too easy on them, Squad Leader.
Shikoku: Forgiveness.
Yachiyo,

Shikoku: I’m free next week.
Shikoku: Let’s make up for today’s combat exercise then.

Sis: Sorry about that.
Shikoku: It’s fine.
Togs/girl: ……

Togs/girl: He’s handsome.
Togs: …Right.

Inu: Sorry~ we’re late!


p.11

Inu: You see, I just happened to meet Squad Leader Hiyama on the way.
Inu: Excuse, excuse

Tora: No it ain’t!!

Inu: Wh – what are you doing out of the blue, Tora!!?
Tora: Shut up idiot!!!
Tora: Makoto, I told you multiple times not to be late!
Shinobu: ‘S been a while~


p.12
Shinobu: Oh,

Shinobu: You must be the girl who became old Tsukiyama’s apprentice.

Shinobu: I’m Hiyama Shinobu of the Second Squad.
Girl: Wow
Shinobu: I’ve heard about you. Nice to meet you.

Girl: Y…yes!
Girl: Nice to meet you too!

Shinobu: You’ve got it together. A good answer.

Inu: Oh!


p.13
Inu: Togusa~

Inu: Introduce me to that girl too.
Inu: Oh, by the way, I’m Inuzuka Makoto of the Fourth Squad.
Afterwards, if you’d like, let’s exchange e-mails…
Tora: Should I report this to your girlfriend?

Tora: So you’re Togusa.
Nice to meet you, I’m Tatsumi Tora from the Sixth Squad.
Inu mutter: Hrrrm
Girl mutter: I don’t have a cell phone
Tora: I’ve heard of your history,
But you’re surprisingly normal.

Togs: Yep, I might not like him.

Tora: I’ve heart that you’re a serious man from Makoto.
I think we’ll get along.
Togs: Huh?

Tora: Especially since we’re teammates for the upcoming combat exercise,
Togs: !
Tora: I’ll be looking forward to working with you.


p.14-15
Sis: Combat exercise
Sis: Is all squad members vs. all Squad Leaders.

Tsuki: Doesn’t you staying out of it make up for Minamoto not being able to come and keep it balanced?
Sis: Balanced? I wonder.

Sis: What will the squad members learn amidst a losing battle?—
This exercise originally assumes that much of a gap in strength.


p.16
Tora: The Sixth Squad’s Shikoku-san’s “Kiku-Ichimonji” is an attacker.
Tora: First you’d go for the assisting Kogarasumaru
Tora: …Is what you’d normally think, so we’re going with the opposite.

Tora: My “Mono-hoshi Zao”* is also an assist type…
*[Laundry pole. Yep. The name of the favored weapon of Sasaki Kojirou (known for his move, “Tsubame Gaeshi”).]
Tora: But it’s not like it can’t fight at close quarters.

Tora: We’ll leave the support to you, Makoto.
Inu: Roger.

Tora: Togusa and I will take up the vanguard.
Togs: Got it.

Tora: Well, now that we’ve crudely drawn up a plan,


p.17

Tora: Our prospects of winning against those two is next to nil.

Shikoku: Come at me whenever ya want.

Shinobu: Same.


p.18
Togs: But we’ve no intention of losing.

Togs: ——Isn’t that right?

Tora: ——That’s right.
We do get along after all.
Inu mutter: I don’t feel like we can win, though

Yachiyo: Well then
Yachiyo: I should go make adjustments.

Girl: Is it okay? Um… advice and stuff.

Yachiyo: That kid should notice where to reflect on for himself.


p.19
[none]


p.20

Shikoku: Well
I know what Tora could be up to.


p.21

Shinobu: A change of direction with Gokotai.
Shinobu: His aim…

Tora: We’ll have you fall,
Tora: Shikoku-san!


p.22
Shikoku: ——Here,
SFX: clang

Shikoku: It’s completely obvious.


p.23
Shikoku: Ain’t funny, ya know.

Togs: !!

Tora: !!
Idiot!! Don’t fall back!!


p.24
Tora: Makoto would have guarded if you let it be…!!

Tora: Guah


p.25
Shikoku: Don’t worry too much about others, Tora.

SFX: Tap

Togs: Damn.

Shinobu?: !!


p.26

Inu: Wut

Inu: Gow!


p.27
Inu: I’ll leave the rest to you!
Togs: Don’t leave on your own!!
——Ah

Tsuki/girl: ………

Tsuki: They haven’t got their teamwork down at all.
SFX: Gyaaaa
Girl: …Yes.

Tsuki: Yachiyo always follows up for him up. What can you expect?
Tsuki: His sense of team play is still weak.

Sis: Well,
Sis: He’ll have to realize it even if he doesn’t want to. Probably.


p.28
Tsuki: Yachiyo,
Did you finish the adjustments?
Sis: Well, there’s still some discomfort since it’s a Katana I’m not used to.

Sis: It’s enough to not be a problem to join the next exercise.
The combat exercise

Sis: Will probably be ending soon.


p.29
Shikoku: Well, that about wraps it up.
Shinobu: Each of you reflect on it.
The next exercise is in an hour.

Togs: Yes…
Tora: Togusa,
Tora: When we’re done with the exercises today, I’ll drill you on team play…
Togs: …Yeah.

Shikoku: No reason to badger him so much.
Tora: But still, Shikoku-san,

Shikoku: Togusa-kun must’ve noticed it himself.
Shikoku: Work on that inexperience from this time for real battles to come.


p.30
Shinobu: It’s not just Togusa’s problem.
Shinobu: Each of you is still lacking.
There’s always someone better, and monsters like that won’t be waiting for our growth.

Shinobu: Get strong.

Togs: ——Darn.


p.31

Girl: ——Togusa,
Girl: He seems to be having fun even though he lost.

Tsuki: ——Why do you think that is?
Girl: ——I don’t really understand it.
——But,

Girl: If Togusa is having that much fun,
Girl: I think this kind of result was good.

Sis: Can’t leave you two alone.*

Girl: ?
Sis: No, nothing.


p.32
Touka: Daddy~

Shikoku: Ooh,
Touka.

Touka: Are you still working?

Shikoku: I’m sorry~ it’s gonna take a wee bit longer.
Touka mutter: Sup Tora
Shikoku: Oh, this’s my daughter, Touka.
Mutter: Kyute, ain’t she?
Tora mutter: Sup~
Togs: Oh, hello.
Inu mutter: Yep, kyute

Togs: ?

SFX: touch
Shikoku: Huh, what’s up Touka?


p.33
Shikoku: Daddy’s feeling troubled, even if ya stick to me like that~

SFX: blush~

Shikoku: Togusa-kun…
Togs: Yes?
Shikoku: When we’re done with exercises, come over to the audio-visual room…
Shikoku: I’ll teach you all about team play.
Togs: Huuh?

Togs: Th—
That’s pretty different from what you said before, isn’t it?
Shikoku: Whaddya mean what I said before!!?
I’m sayin’ once you’ve reflected I’ll listen to what ya got to say.
Inu: You’re just pissed off…
Shinobu?: Alright, alright,
Hurry up and take your breaks you guys


p.34

Minamoto: Is it true that a Katana that doesn’t match with the verifications had appeared?


p.35
Dude: Yes.
There was a fight between construction workers here last night.
Dude: They seem to have started fist-fighting with construction-use androids.

Minamoto: What’s the world coming to?
Dude: A black Katana that suddenly appeared seems to have beaten them down.

Minamoto: Hmmm.

Minamoto: Beaten them down… huh.
Dude: Those two people have already finished transferring to their bodies and we’re currently restoring the camera footage.


p.36
Dude2: The restoration’s complete… however,
Dude2: What can this be…

Dude2: There were 2 of them?

Minamoto: …What does this mean?

Minamoto: Why are they moving?
Minamoto: “Tenka Goken”——*
*[“Five swords under heaven,” (under Heaven meaning “of the world” or something) commonly translated to “The Five Great Swords”]


p.37
-Hitogatana-


p.38
Togusa – Belongs to Anti-Katana Crime Division Eight Squad
The protagonist of this work. A half-human half-Katana man who was converted from a human body to Katana by transplanting Hihiirogane, the receptor for the soul, directly onto the body. When he was discovered with the arrest of the manufacturer, Amamiya Kyouko, he had a coldness which prevented anyone from getting close to him, but as he lived with Tsukiyaman and Yachiyo, he was gradually able to gain a better air about him. After being assigned to the Eight Squad, amidst the joy of interacting with the family he never had before, he has become adept at all housekeeping chores. He keeps the Eighth Squad’s household in order.

Katana / Yatsuka-no-Tsurugi
Togusa is a name Tsukiyama and Yachiyo thought of for him, and his inscription as a Katana is Yatsuka-no-Tsurugi. Normally it fights by changing the shape of rust extracted from the Hihiirogane into swords and ejecting them from slits in the palms. When activating Yatsuka-no-Tsurugi, just as it says, the ability to “cut everything up” becomes operational. However, it is limited to 4 usages. The katana it was based off of was one of the Ten Sacred Treasures written in “Sendai Kuji Hongi,” and it was said that even the dead could be revived by using this sacred treasure.