Hi! 

Finally I finished reading volume 26 and wrote some thoughts about it. Interesting Red Whales arc continues! This volume had many sweet, romantic and moving scenes. Some very funny too, thanks to Hayato! :') Overall Sensei did great job with this volume! 

Plot so far: Reijirou accepted Naoe to join the Red Whales. While having a combat against Date clan, Takaya gets horrified as recognizing to not have exorcism powers anymore. After hearing from Ichizou that he should use Retsumyousei (= it's a mysterious meteor that hit Muroto cape 1200 years ago. Kuukai used to it for creating the great spiritual barrier of Shikoku) for saving his own life, Takaya demands Naoe to expose everything he has hidden from him.

****

MoB vol. 26: Onshuu no Mon - Kurohihen / The Gate of Revenge - Black Sun)

Katsuragi Ichizou leaves the room so that Takaya and Naoe can talk alone. The atmosphere in the room is very heavy as Naoe starts to explain with a calm but determined voice that he isn't going to apologize anything. He had good reasons keep this matter secret from Takaya till this moment. Naoe tells that everything started right after dying at Hagi. He met Kenshin who told that Kagetora's soul has got old and it will die sooner or later. It's called soul demise. Nobunaga's hakonha breaks the soul, shattering it into pieces like a broken mirror. But soul demise will destroy the soul completely, unable to have afterlife or kanshou anymore. Everything will end, literally. It's like a nuclear fusion, like a star that's life is about to end. Power will rise and eventually it explodes. Using nenpa or exorcism will just speed up this 'nuclear fusion'. Soul demise will definitely happen to Kagetora's soul if they don't cool it down. The only way is purifying the soul: ending his life as Uesugi Kagetora right now. After the flames of purification, the soul will become stable again and someday in the far future his soul may reborn again, but not as Uesugi Kagetora. On that time he will be a completely different person. Kenshin ordered Naoe to replace Kagetora and then exorcise him so that Kagetora's soul won't die. Takaya keeps listening to Naoe and looking at him with painful eyes. Naoe is having big problems to stay calm, he's enduring against tears and sorrow as he explains the facts about upcoming future. Naoe tells that everyday he was wondering if he really can exorcise Kagetora or not. It was his task. It was Kenshin's order. But Kagetora's life is Kagetora's, he has to decide it by himself. To keep living as Uesugi Kagetora and die of soul demise or give up being Uesugi Kagetora and have future. Naoe tells that he wanted to hear Takaya's opinion first. But the reason he waited before telling was that he was afraid if Takaya prefers dying. He already tried to commit a suicide (in vol. 20), it's a prove he wanted to die. If Naoe had told then, possibly Takaya would have wanted to leave this world and escape to death. Naoe wanted to wait till the moment when Takaya wants to keep living in this precious world of humans. That's why he was actually relieved and even happy when he heard Takaya saying that he has found a meaning to his life from the Red Whales. But... Naoe can't exorcise him. He can't. He doesn't want to give up hope for finding an another way to save his soul. Telling the truth he wanted to die together with Takaya, but as a kanshousha there isn't any way to destroy own soul. "The Heavens won't allow me to die with you", he whispers and says then that he will definitely find a way to save him, he won't care if he will fall into Hell because of this, but he will keep looking for the way of saving him! Takaya says that Naoe isn't the same man he knew. Something happened after Hagi. This Naoe in front of him isn't selfish or egoist that he used to be. He has lost his 'hunting mood'. Now Takaya knows at least one thing that may changed Naoe, so he asks if there wasn't his soul demise, would Naoe still act like this? Would he give up 'hunting' Kagetora? Did everything (for example in vol. 20) happen because Naoe knew that everything will end so it doesn't matter anymore? "How did you feel when we made love?" Takaya asks. For a while they just stay silent and stare at each other with serious eyes. Then, Naoe starts to open his belt and unbutton his shirt. Takaya keeps eyes on Naoe and wonders what the older man is planning to do. After undressing jacket Naoe tears off his high neck t-shirt (:DD), exposing his bare chest where is a scar from that bullet that killed him in Hagi. Takaya looks at him with widened eyes. Naoe asks if the words are necessary. In that mountain cottage, he promised to be honest, show only the true self of him to Kagetora. He says that if something changed him after Hagi, it was Takaya's words. They have to find their ideal way together, not alone. At the time Takaya stopped his plans to die. He admits that he used to be very selfish, desperately wanting to be like Kagetora, willing to surpass him, crush him under his feet. But he was saved, not by God, but Takaya. He accepted Naoe as he was. Naoe tells that at first he thought that he wanted Kagetora because he couldn't be him. But thinking now, he wanted to be Kagetora, because he couldn't have his heart, is the truth. Then he shouts that he has given everything to Kagetora, he pushed all of himself and his feelings into Kagetora's body when they made love. Didn't he understand Naoe's feeling at the time? Still not enough?! Takaya shouts back that all his body is invaded by Naoe, even all his cells are craving for Naoe all the time! Takaya lows his own voice and says that it's fine if Naoe truly wanted and loved him. He knew that Naoe's feelings for him are real, but he just wanted to hear those words directly from Naoe's mouth too. They are silent again. Naoe recognizes that Takaya is wearing the spiritual bracelet he gave to him. Takaya is wearing it all the time. Only during the fight he takes it off and puts into his shirt pocket, above of his heart. Takaya asks if the rumors about Retsumyousei are true, can it cure him? And did Naoe join the Red Whales because of that? Naoe answers that Retsumyousei is secondary, his main reason is that he can't live without Kagetora anymore. First being separated for 28 years, then together 1 year, after that separated 2 years (after Hagi to vol. 20) and even after that 8 months (vol. 20-24) without each other. Naoe tells the legend of Retsumyousei and how it may help to extend lifetime. Takaya hesitates by saying that no one knows Retsumyousei's true power, so it might be too dangerous. They almost start to argue again to use Retsumyousei or not, but then Takaya says: "I'm not going to accept this soul demise or whatever is. I'm not wishing to die...! However, I'm not clinging to life either. I just have one thing I want to do before I die: I'm going to make sure if your words true. I want to see with my own eyes if your love for me last forever. Or if you can keep your words or not! I'll live till the end of this world and make it sure! That's why I'm going to stay as Uesugi Kagetora! Forever, definitely!" After this they stay silent for a while, but then Takaya turns his back to Naoe and looks out of window. There is a Moon in the starry night sky. Takaya whispers that he can't do exorcism anymore. He has lost his powers he got from Bishamonten. Naoe is shocked... Does this mean that soul demise has started show it's symptoms already...? "Kagetora... sama..." Naoe whispers and takes few steps, planning to touch Takaya's trembling shoulders, but Takaya orders him to not touch him and leave this room. Next, a small romantic scene, starting from p. 37:

~

After long silence, Naoe finally decided to leave.

Takaya stayed still and he could feel how Naoe's aura was fainting in the distant. The door was opened... and closed coldly, with a loud sound. On that moment, an urgent feeling of going after Naoe filled Takaya's mind and he turned around.

On that moment the heart jumped into Takaya's throat.

Naoe was standing on the door. Takaya was sure that Naoe left but...

The older man locked the door behind him as he directly gazed at Takaya's eyes.

N: "Tachibana Yoshiaki has left the room. The man standing here in front of your eyes is just Naoe Nobutsuna."

Reflexively the younger man took a one step back, but Naoe quickly walked to him and, without saying any words, embraced him tightly in front of the window. It was a powerful embrace, it felt as if the ribs are about to got broken. 

T: "Nao...!"

Naoe buried his face in Takaya's hair and closed then his own eyes. He hold the younger man tighter. As if not having any strengths to fight back, Takaya let him to do whatever he wanted.

- Is this the end of us?

T: ('No, Naoe...')  

Takaya closed his eyes, praying. 

T: ('Our story... is just beginning.')

The wind was getting stronger outside.

Like a monster, the forest started to howl in the darkness of night.

Silver spiritual bracelet was sparkling on Takaya's left wrist, like the love was burning in their hearts.

~

There is an audio drama track for this scene on YouTube 3:12-13:23, from the beginning to the moment Takaya says it's fine if Naoe loved him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1ZjKJXFdQ4 (the last part of video is a comment and the jail scene from vol. 34)

Next morning Takaya sends several soldiers (including Naoe) for preparing the next battle. Last night's events and Tachibana's relationship to commander worries Hayato, so he comes to see Takaya to his private room. They have a following conversation:

H: "What did you talk with him yesterday? You asked him here because something was wrong, right?"

T: "It's nothing you need to know."

H: "Is he Uesugi's kanshousha?"

*Takaya gets a bit scared and tries to avoid Hayato's strict gaze*

T: "Since when did you become an investigator?"

H: "I'm not investigating, I just don't like secrets."

T: "If he does any tricks, I'll finish him with my own hands. I asked him here just for making sure one thing."

H: "I heard that Katsuragi named runaway gave you some secret information."

T: "...He just let me know that someone is after Retsumyousei. That's all."

H: "Are we possibly talking about Tachibana?"

T: "There is no need for suspecting him anymore so leave him alone."

H: "...If there wasn't anything special, why your face looks so weird today?"

*Takaya glances Hayato a bit angrily*

H: "Since this morning you have looked remarkably happy. Did something happen last night?" (:D)

T: "Nothing special as I said."

H: "Your scent was all over Tachibana's clothes. Was it you who teared off his shirt too?" (:DD)

*Takaya looks at Hayato with angry eyes*

T: "I asked him to do that in order to clear away all suspicions. Nothing special."

U: "You heard him, Hyoudou. And even if there was something, it's not your business."

Ushio orders Hayato to get out of Takaya's room. After he is alone with Takaya, Ushio also asks what happened yesterday. He is quite worried, but Takaya refuses to talk anything about Ichizou, Naoe or Retsumyousei.

Naoe's support becomes very important to Takaya. They can't have private time often, but every moment alone with Naoe, is precious. Naoe feels a bit worried since Takaya is pushing himself quite lot for making things better in Red Whales. After that night Takaya promised to Naoe that everything will be okay, he will cool down his overflowing powers by himself, no need of Retsumyousei. Understanding Takaya to wanting to keep living relieved Naoe, but still he's a bit worried how seriously Takaya was about it. 

One day the Red Whales catches some soldiers from Ichijou clan that is one of their main enemies in Shikoku. Most of soldiers wants to execute these Ichijou members, but Takaya orders his subordinates to release them. Next day these same soldiers from Ichijou come back and are willing to join the Red Whales. Takaya accepts this. However, his choice causes opposition too. For example, Satta and some other soldiers from Shimanto lost many friends while fighting against Ichijou clan. For them it's very difficult to accept enemies as their fellows. Thanks to Ushio, Satta and the others start to understand Takaya's motives: Red Whales is an organization that accepts everyone who is willing join. They don't judge anyone's background, religion, gender or so. If they keep revenging after revenge, no one will be saved. Takaya wants to stop this wicked circle. When everything seems to be fine, Takaya is taken as a hostage by these former Ichijou members. It seems that they joined the Red Whales for catching Takaya after all. Satta and the others feel bitter, since they kept saying that they should not trust Ichijou clan. Takaya was too naive. Naoe, Ushio, Satta and the others rushes to save Takaya. For everyone's surprise Ushio knows the person who is leading this kidnapping. Ushio exposes his true identity and demands Ichijou soldiers to let Takaya go. Ushio's true name is Aki Kunitora. There was three clans in Tosa during Sengoku era: Chousokabe, Ichijou and Aki. Kunitora was the lord of Aki, the leader of the clan. His wife was the daughter of Ichijou Fusamoto, so Aki and Ichijou clans had an alliance. These both clan fought against Chousokabe clan, and Kunitora lost his life in one battle. He was resurrected around same time as Reijirou, Kusama and Hayato, and there was many battles between the Red Whales (because they're Chousokabe clan's vassals) and Aki & Ichijou alliance. Kunitora had fatal fight with Hayato, but with his last powers Kunitora managed to perform kanshou. That's how he became Mutou Ushio, but due to his soul's bad condition while performing kanshou he lost his memory. 

Nagahide is getting more information about Miho and Retsumyousei from a pilgrim they met in last volume. This old man tells about clan named "Mountain Gods" who were actually priests and priestess worshiping the nature gods of Shikoku in ancient times. According to this pilgrim, gods of Shikoku are actually much older than "normal" Shinto gods in the other islands of Japan. Mountain Gods clan met young Kuukai who had just returned from China and brought esoteric Buddhism, Shingon, to Japan. First he and Mountain Gods had very close friendship, but then Kuukai wanted to use Retsumyousei for creating the great spiritual barrier of Shikoku. With the energy of barrier, Mt. Kouya would get spiritual energy. Mountain Gods refused, but Kuukai forced them to be the guardians of the star (star here means Retsumyousei). After Kuukai moved to Mt. Kouya, one member of Mountain Gods followed him there and tried to assassins Kuukai by letting him to eat mercury. However, Kuukai recognized his plans and cursed Mountain Gods clan by transforming them into cow monsters (they are very fluffy and hairy creations). In order to become humans again, Mountain Gods need to slay the wild boar. Wild boar here means the great spiritual barrier of Shikoku that Kuukai created with the powers of Retsumyousei. If you take a look of the shape of pilgrimage in Shikoku (pilgrimage = spiritual barrier), you can see that it looks like a wild boar. The legend says that when red eyed beast comes to Shikoku, it tries to turn upside down the spiritual barrier. When this happens, the wild boar transformers into a dog (if you turn upside down Shikoku it looks a bit like a small headed dog). But with the help of "Kebesu", Miho and the other members of Mountain Gods clan (cow monsters), can slay the beast and destroy the spiritual barrier. Kebesu is said to be a God that came from abroad. But it actually means a person who has deep connection with a God or Buddha. Kuukai had connection with Dainichi Nyorai, Yashashuu with Bishamonten... Even if Miho doesn't know Nagahide and Naoe's connection to Bishamonten, she can "sense" it. Pilgrim tells that cow monsters couldn't destroy Retsumyousei by themselves because Kuukai locked it into a secret hall of rock. For getting it out, it requires a special key: a person who has deep connection with Shingon Buddhism: Uesugi's kanshousha. 

Shortly to say originally Miho and her ancestor were humans. In order to break the curse of being cow monster, the red eyed beast must die and the great spiritual barrier of Shikoku to be destroyed. 

Wild boar = Normal Shikoku. Great spiritual barrier of Shikoku flows positive energy to Mt. Kouya

Dog =  Shadow Shikoku. Great spiritual barrier of Shikoku flows negative energy to the Pacific Ocean. No connection to Mt. Kouya.

It seems that the Red Whales are planning to awaken the dog side of Shikoku, Shadow Shikoku. Nagahide asks how peasant warriors like Red Whales can know about such an extremely hidden secret of Kuukai? The pilgrim whispers that the eyes of than man he met 400 years ago haven't change at all. It seems that this pilgrim is the man who tried to kill Kuukai. As a punishment, Kuukai put a curse on him, forcing him to walk the pilgrimage till the end of the world. He has walked now 1200 years. And 400 years ago he met someone who is now one of the leaders of the Red Whales (it was Reijirou). The pilgrim told about Retsumyousei and spiritual barrier to this peasant warrior, hoping someone to break the barrier so that his curse would be cured and he could move to afterlife. Nagahide decides to stay with Miho and help her to become human again. He also meets Ayukawa who has come after Naoe. 

Reijirou allows Ushio to stay in Red Whales even if he was their enemy some years ago. Thanks to Ushio, former Ichijou soldiers leave Date clan and join the Red Whales. As their soldiers are escapaing, the Dates are in trouble and eventually they need to withdrawal from Shimanto river area. The leaders of the Red Whales have a special meeting for the next mission. Reijirou tells that he wants to use Retsumyousei for destroying the Dates. The Dates have their headquarters at Uwajima castle in Uwajima city that is close to the sea. In Kyuushuu, Ootomo clan is in trouble since Shimazu clan has joined to the Odas. Due to this the Red Whales can easily get (= steal) Ootomo clan's artillery called "nation destroyer". If they set this artillery to Muroto navy's main ship and use a piece of Retsumyousei, they can make a new weapon that is non-stoppable. Takaya is strictly against using Retsumyousei as a weapon, it's too dangerous. They can win the Dates just by using Ootomo's artillery. But they don't steal it, they borrow it. Takaya wants to ask the last survivors of Ootomo clan to join them. Many is against to this propose, but Takaya reminds that the Red Whales must accept everyone who is willing to join. Takaya also proposes his idea of developing the Red Whales and make Shikoku to be an independent nation of souls.

After the meeting the leaders have a banquet, but Takaya sneaks out and secretly meets Naoe at the pier by the Shimanto river. Takaya tells that he's planning to take contact to Katou Kiyomasa, since he can talk to the Ootomos. He tells about his plans to make Ootomo part of the Red Whales. Naoe doesn't think it's a good idea to involve outsider clans to this, so he's also against Takaya's idea. However, Takaya won't listen to him and is about to leave, but then Naoe grabs his arm, not letting him go. Naoe asks why Takaya is planning such a reckless things. They argue a bit and then Naoe says it's time to tell the truth about their relationship to the others. Naoe doesn't care if someone knows or sees their together "in that way". As if answering, Takaya pulls Naoe into a deep and long kiss. "Didn't I say that earn your place by my side, Naoe?" Takaya says after the kiss. When Naoe joined the Red Whales Takaya asked him to start from the very lowest position and promote himself to reach his place as Takaya's right hand man again. "Don't be so slow. Don't make me wait you forever!" after hearing those words from Takaya's lips Naoe pulls the younger man with him and leads them into a traditional houseboat (in Japanese yakatabune) that was anchored to the pier. Naoe cuts the robe and the boat flows to the river. 

N: "Sometimes you really irritate me. I don't like your way to order me. Forcing and forbidding all the time...  What are you trying to hide with such a behavior?"

*Naoe tears Takaya's shirt open* 

N: "Is this the only way to make you say the truth? Only when my hand plays on your skin, you show me your true self?"

T: "It's not-"

N: "What are you planning? Are you running away after hearing what will happen to you? Is it because you know you don't have much time left? I can clearly see you're in panic!"

*Naoe presses Takaya on his back on the floor of the boat and keeps hold on his wrists*

N: "Don't hide your true feelings."

*gazing at each other*

T: "Should I cry in that case?"

N: "..."

T: "Would you feel more relieved if I cry and whimper that I don't wanna die yet?"

N: "I'm not asking that, Takaya-san."

T: "I... I'm not rushing. Or running away. I just have so many things to do."

N: "...I don't think you're running away."

T: "I understand what you're wanting to say, but..."

*whispers as gazing Naoe's eyes*

T: "...If I'm just preparing for the end, I only live till the end. Don't you think so too, Naoe?"

Naoe feels dumbfounded. He can't respond anything, because Takaya asks him a favor: he asks if Naoe would help him to do something to this poison he got from Kihachi. Takaya says that he has wondered if Kujaku Myouou (one of the Wisdom Kings in esoteric Buddhism) would cure him from Kihachi poison. Would Naoe help him with the ritual? Naoe hesitates because it's very dangerous ritual if it's done wrong. Both him and Takaya may lose their lives. But Takaya says that he trusts Naoe's skills. Later on that night they're still on the boat just two of them. They talk about hyouireis. It's very extraordinary that in Shikoku they're so many hyouireis compared to others islands of Japan. Could it be possible that the great spiritual barrier of Shikoku is supporting hyourei phenomenon? Eventually hyouireis start to get stronger and eventually they become kanshoushas. And that is very worrying. Living people think that the death is the end, but it isn't. If the amount of hyouireis and kanshoushas is increasing, then living people have to fight for keeping their own bodies. Naoe asks being a bit afraid if Takaya is planning to start war between dead souls and living people. Takaya doesn't comment to this. After short silence tears start to flow from Takaya's eyes as he whispers that he can't understand why Kenshin abandoned him like this. He feels relieved knowing that Kenshin doesn't hate him, but being abandoned like this hurts so much. Naoe tells everything he heard from Kenshin: Kenshin wanted to end Yami Sengoku so he sacrificed himself. He changed himself into very powerful exorcism energy and give it to Uesugi's underworld army. He himself disappeared after this. Takaya feels so sad why Kenshin didn't say goodbyes before this? To his son? As Takaya cries he tells how he has followed Kenshin's orders, but everytime he has performed kanshou, it has always been he himself who wanted that, not Kenshin. Takaya is talking about why he decided to perform kanshou after what happened between him, Naoe and Minako 30 years ago.  A small scene from p. 155:

~

I won't say any excuses to him anymore. I need to let him know that I was wanting this.

I didn't perform kanshou because Kenshin asked so.

T: "The reason why I performed kanshou again was..."

Naoe widened his eyes as listening what Takaya was about to say. Takaya gazed directly at Naoe's eyes. His eyes saw only Naoe.

Only his Naoe.

But... He couldn't finish what he really wanted to say.

He just smiled.

T: "...to take the responsibility of that sin by myself."

~

Takaya's crying face with a smile reminds Naoe of Minako. He can feel that little by little Kagetora is opening his heart to him. Next day, Takaya gets a permission from Reijirou, and he and Naoe travel together to a small desert island for carrying out this special ritual to remove the poison. When they come back Takaya's right eye has also stained into ruby color. Naoe looks disappointment, but Takaya tells that they managed to remove enough poison so that now Takaya can eat or bath together with the soldiers without worrying that someone may die. Naoe returns to Sukumo and Takaya follows Reijirou to Ashizura base. Later on that day Reijirou takes Takaya to Toujindaba named park and tells that Retsumyousei is there now. While Takaya was absent, some people tried to steal Retsumyousei from the Red Whales, but fortunately soldiers managed protect and take the star to another save place. It seems that cow monster (they were actually Miho, Nagahide, Ayukawa and some cow monsters) tried to get Retsumyousei. Reijirou tells that 400 years ago he met a mysterious pilgrim on the mountains. He told about the great spiritual barrier and Retsumyousei to him. And few years ago, so weirdly, Reijirou met this pilgrim again. Takaya is speechless, same person after 400 years? Is the pilgrim onryou too?! Reijirou tells that some monks have arrived to Shikoku from Mt. Kouya. It seems that they're targeting Retsumyousei too. The Red Whales have to defeat the Dates and then create "Shadow Shikoku" as soon as possible. Shadow Shikoku will change the spiritual energy inside of the spiritual barrier and it will protect the Red Whales from another onryous. It's essential for surviving. 

Meanwhile Nagahide and Miho are attacked by some monks, but Miho kills all the monks. Date Kojirou (Nobunaga) comes to the site, almost kills Miho and takes her Amahome named sword that is actually a piece of Retsumyousei. Nobunaga orders Nagahide to get Kagetora head.  

In Sukumo Higaki Kogenta was impressed by Naoe's fighting skills, so he promoted Naoe to take care of the base while Kogenta himself is absent. It's hard gets promotions, but Takaya's words motivate Naoe. "I'll protect your back and defeat all your enemies. So please, lead our way to the Heaven. Don't be afraid, I'll definitely be on your side", Naoe thinks in his heart.

Katou Kiyomasa appears suddenly in Sukumo. He flew across the sea by his helicopter. Earlier on that day Takaya contacted him via flames, asking Kiyomasa to come to Shikoku. Karin arc happened one year ago and while Takaya was in Kumamoto he became very good friends with Kiyomasa. However, Kiyomasa was sure that Takaya lost his life in Aso, since no one saw him after that. Overwhelmed by happiness Kiyomasa rushed to Shikoku right after he received Takaya's message. Naoe comes to pick up Kiyomasa with some soldiers, but Kiyomasa gets furious seeing Naoe (they were enemies in Karin arc). After reading Naoe's mind by touching his arm (Kiyomasa can read other people's mind by touching them), Kiyomasa understands Naoe isn't enemy anymore and he cools down. Naoe takes him to a Japanese stylish restaurant by the Shimanto river. There will be Takaya, Reijirou, Hayato, Nakagawa, Ushio, Neiha and Kogenta. When Kiyomasa enters to one private dining room that is reserved for them, he sees Takaya sitting there. Kiyomasa hurries to hug Takaya and says with a relieved voice "You're alive, Kagetora!" At this moment Ushio, Neiha and Kogenta hear that Takaya is actually Uesugi Kagetora. Especially Ushio is more than shocked. Reijirou and Takaya tell situation to Kiyomasa, who is at first very against of joining the Red Whales. Takaya tells they're independent organization and they only want to live peacefully in Shikoku. All onryous aren't planning to take over the world like Nobunaga or Shingen, there are also souls that have committed a suicide, but they can't move to afterlife. Takaya confesses about Kihachi and the fact that he can't use exorcism anymore. However, he decided to stay with the Red Whales by his own will, it's not because of losing exorcism power. He wants to protect living people too, but now he would like to help abandoned souls that doesn't have any place to go. The Red Whales accept everyone, so they should make Shikoku to be a place where every soul, even onryous, are welcomed. First chasing the Dates away from Shikoku and then create Shadow Shikoku by using Retsumyousei. Everyone is astonished by Takaya's words, Naoe also feels pain in his heart as he hears everything behind the traditional paper door. The meeting ends with Kiyomasa accepting to join the Red Whales. He promises to negotiate with the Ootomos and get the Nation Destroyer in few days.

After the meeting Takaya sees Naoe waiting for him on the corridor. They exchange sad gazes with each other. Then, without caring that the others will see, Naoe emotionally pulls Takaya into a deep embrace. "I want to tear off your wings... Why do you have to do... such a things... !" Naoe whispers painfully. Takaya closes his eyes and whispers back: "Naoe... Stay with me..."  Hayato and Nakagawa are both quite shocked seeing Naoe and Takaya in such a away. Especially Hayato is totally frozen, because he has understood the true side of their relationship and also the meaning of the bracelet Takaya is wearing. Upset Hayato leaves the site. Ushio is also full of emotions. He's so angry that Takaya kept his own identity hidden till this point. Reijirou, Naoe, Nakagawa and Kiyomasa head for Ooita by a helicopter.     

Meanwhile in Uwajima Date Masamune rushes to his residence and finds Kojirou waiting for him. This scene is very emotional, because this is the first time in 400 years they finally meet each other. They both cry as Masamune embraces his little brother. Kojirou is worried about the seed of Demon King on his forehead, but Masamune promises to protect him from Nobunaga. Kojirou shows Amahome and says that he found it. With this sword they can defeat the Red Whales. No one in the Dates recognize that Kojirou is controlled by Nobunaga...

The leader of Red Whales' spying department, Maki, catches and arrests Ayukawa, imprisoning him to the jail in the basement floor. Ayukawa is surprised seeing Ichizou in the jail next to him. He asks where Naoe is. Ichizou tells shortly that Naoe joined the Red Whales in order to be with his lord. Ayukawa is fuming in anger. He really has started to hate Kagetora by making Naoe so ridiculous. For Ichizou's surprise Kusama Seibee comes there. After the incident in vol. 24 (Kusama almost executed Takaya, but then Reijirou shot Kusama and took over Kusama's position as a leader) Kusama was kept in house arrest, but now everyone is in hurry for preparing the next battle, so he could come to see prisoners. He asks Ichizou to help him with one thing.

In the end of this volume, Takaya gets attacked by Miho, but Kotarou in the form of a panther, Doumori, Satta and some other soldiers save him. Meanwhile Naoe is in the helicopter and thinking about his and Kagetora's future. Ootomi clan has a close connection to Uesugi, so it's possible that Naoe will need to face Irobe in Kyuushuu. But it doesn't matter, Kagetora is more important and he will definitely get Retsumyousei before the Red Whales will use that, and cure Kagetora's upcoming soul demise with that.

********

Aaw, lots of NaoexKage scenes in this volume! Naoe's "Tachibana Yoshiaki has left the room. The man standing here in front of your eyes is just Naoe Nobutsuna" comment was my favorite from this volume.  It was interesting to hear reason why Naoe wanted to be like Kagetora in the past. I always thought it's just Naoe's personality wanting to be the best, but not able to have Kagetora's heart was also one reason why he started to act like that... Kagetora's intention to live till the end of the world and see if Naoe really loves him eternally was very emotional.  I love how determined he's about it!  Naoe tearing off his shirt in Superman style was cool! I wonder how it's even possible, because his shirt didn't have any buttons... :'D  Haha, I love Hayato so much! I find it very cute that he was worried what happened between them, and I can imagine his super confused face as seeing Naoe coming out of Takaya's room with teared clothes. :DD Poor him.

Yay, after many volumes Kiyomasa is back again. 

At the moment I'm reading Kaikou prequels (they're very interesting!) and I'll write some summaries about them soon. :)