Kagurabachi chapter 48: Chihiro vs. Hirohiko begins as The Kokugoku Steam Squad perishes

Kagurabachi chapter 48 was released on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 12 am JST in Weekly Shonen Jump's 41st issue. In this chapter, the Kokugoku Steam Squad challenged the Hishaku's hired assassins. On the other hand, Chihiro Rokuhira faced Hirohiko, a new foe from Hishaku, who wanted to kill Uruha.

The previous chapter revealed Yoji Uruha's identity as the bearer of the Kumeyuri Enchanted Blade's eternal contract. Kunishige entrusted him with that blade to fight in the Seitei War. Besides that, the chapter saw Chihiro and Hakuri assuring Uruha of his safety.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Kagurabachi chapter 48.

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Kagurabachi chapter 48: Chihiro discusses Hishaku's possible plans with Uruha and Hakuri

Kagurabachi chapter 48, titled The Kokugoku Steam Squad, commences with Chihiro Rokuhira telling Yoji Uruha and Hakuri Sazanami that he has the passengers moved to a different car. He will have them get off when the train stops at the next station. After that, the train will only have them and the conductor.

Chihiro adds that they are headed toward Senkutsuji Temple. Meanwhile, Uruha looks at Chihiro curiously. He requests the boy to let him hold his Enchanted Blade for once. Interestingly, Uruha treats the blade as if it were a child. The ex-Kumeyuri user also feels Chihiro looks like Kunishige himself because he gives him the exact vibe.

Since Chihiro looks like his father, Uruha feels it's a memorable reunion after 19 years. Moreover, the swordsman is glad Kunishige wasn't alone for the 15 years he went into hiding. Chihiro smiles and tells the man that his father lived a good life. However, he recalls his past trauma.

Chihiro and Uruha in Kagurabachi chapter 48 (Image via Takeru Hokazono/Shueisha)

Chihiro adds that it has been three years since Hishaku murdered his father. The organization stole the Enchanted Blades and has been maneuvering in secret. They manipulated Genichi Sojo and the Sazanami family to do their evil deeds.

Additionally, Chihiro knows that the evil sorcerers are plotting to kill the Enchanted Blade's contracted owners, including Uruha. He tells the swordsman that the weapons he witnessed at the Kokugoku onsen were Genichi Sojo's creations, which he crafted using Datenseki, the Enchanted Blade's source material.

The Enten-user further tells Uruha that those weapons made from Datenseki allow the wielder temporary powers equivalent to an Enchanted Blade, albeit in exchange for their lives. The ex-Kumeyuri user feels Chihiro knows a lot about the blades, to which the boy reveals that he has seen a person (Tenri) use it himself.

Hakuri, Chihiro, and Uruha (Image via Takeru Hokazono/Shueisha)

However, he didn't know the Hishaku had been mass-producing those weapons. Chihiro speculates that Hishaku's plot might be to let the hired assassin attack the Sanzos simultaneously while the main members operate behind the scenes. In other words, the primary sorcerers may be averse to taking risks.

Yet, Uruha feels they don't need to worry much because Hishaku's first attack on a Sanzo fortress has failed since he's still alive. Moreover, he thinks the Kamunabi elite squad stationed at the Kokugoku fortress can defeat the assassins.

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Kagurabachi chapter 48: The Kokugoku Steam Squad fights the assassins, Chihiro faces a Hishaku member

Kamunabi Elite Squad, as seen in the chapter (Image via Takeru Hokazono/Shueisha)

The narrative for Kagurabachi chapter 48 switches the location to the Kokugoku Fortress, where the Kamunabi elite squad prepares to take action against the Hishaku assassins after confirming Uruha's security.

Meanwhile, at the train, Yoji Uruha tells Chihiro that even though the Kamunabi members at Kokugoku don't have Enchanted-blade-like weapons, they are elite fighters. They have more speed and strength going for them, in addition to their experience and coordination skills.

Kagurabachi chapter 48 then shows the Kokugoku steam squad demonstrating exceptional strategy to eliminate their foes. One of the sorcerers knows that Uruha is headed for the Senkutsuji temple, so they want to rush there and surprise the ex-Enchanted blade user.

The Kokugoku Steam Squad defeats the Hishaku mobs (Image via Takeru Hokazono/Shueisha)

The narrative for the Kagurabachi chapter 48 then returns to Chihiro's location. Hakuri observes that it's eerily quiet outside as the train comes to a halt. The chapter switches the focus to a mysterious sorcerer, seen with their partner near the station's vending machine.

The sorcerer, who belongs to Hishaku, feels hiring a bunch of random sorcerers wasn't enough to get the job done. Yet, they are glad that those sorcerers eliminated a few thanks to the Datenseki's powers. The sorcerer is also happy that Yura (probably the name of Hishaku's leader) finally permitted them to move.

The sorcerer laments that they have only been preparing for the past three years. If the preparation stage was the prelude, the sorcerer is glad to begin the main act. Finally, the sorcerer's partner addresses them as Hirohiko and asks if they know Uruha has an Enchanted Blade holder as his bodyguard.

Hirohiko knows it but feels they don't have to engage with the Enten user to kill Uruha. Kagurabachi chapter 48 then shows Hirohiko getting on the train after leaving the corpses of the Kokugoku steam squad members on one of the station's benches.

Hirohiko walks into the train's first carriage, where Chihiro awaits with his Enten activated. Hakuri and Uruha are in another carriage. Kagurabachi chapter 48 ends on a cliffhanger, with Chihiro preparing to take on the Hishaku member.

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