Lord Takamine (高峯さま, Takamine-sama) is the 5th chapter of the Sekiro Side Story: Hanbei the Undying manga series.
Summary[]
The original residents of Ashina, the Ashina Clan, were weak and so the land came to be ruled by many powerful lords. One of these lords was Takamine, who was from a samurai family with vast land holdings. Isshin of the Ashina Clan, gathered his forces and started a war in order to gain control of the land.
On a battlefield, Takamine marches towards Tamura's armies. Some soldiers get in his way, but get scared realizing its Takamine the Spear. Takamine then easily cuts them all down. Hanbei then appears and stands in front of Takamine.
While Suzu gives Hanbei a haircut, Choukichi watches him in fear. Suzu then tells Hanbei that if he keeps making that scary face, Choukichi won't ever approach him. Later as they eat some mushroom that Suzu picked from the mountains, Hanbei tells her to not go deep in the mountains as it may not be safe yet. Suzu tells Choukichi that Hanbei is a good man, and Choukichi then gives him some more mushrooms. Shoukichi tells Hanbei that another messenger from Takamine visited the elders. Takamine wants to thank Hanbei, but Hanbei refuses to meet him, causing Shoukichi to wonder why, however Hanbei states he just doesn't feel like meeting him. Shoukichi recalls how one of the elders tells him that since they lost a lot of men, they harvest in the next few years will be smaller, so they will need to beg Takamine to lower their required tribute, but with Hanbei refusing Takamine's invitations, can only make things worse. Hanbei then calls Shoukichi outside to talk.
Outside, Hanbei explains that he was thinking about the disappearances. He states that if Yamahito was the one killing the villagers, then one of their searches would have found traces of him. Its also unknown when and how Yamahito got his red eyes. Its also unknown for how long those brigands lurked in the mountain and from where did they come. If they came from a far, then they wouldn't have had torches or oil remaining, so likely they came from somewhere close. Hanbei feels that they weren't being chased by Yamahito, but where chasing him. Shoukichi wonders if Hanbei is implying that Takamine is involved in the disappearances. Hanbei then recalls how one of the brigands used Ashina style technique.
Takamine visits Doujun to check on his research. Doujun explains that there is a rejuvenating stream of water in Ashina that comes from a mysterious source, with the heavy concentration of that water being called rejuvenating sediment. Anyone who ingest it obtains the power of a beast, becoming resistant to slashes and stabs, making them incredibly difficult to kill. Those who drink it gain "Red Eyes". If they can create it themselves, they won't fear anyone, however at the moment Doujun's research isn't going well and one of his test subjects escaped. Doujun explains that according to Confucianism, insects that have consumed rejuvenating sediment and adapted can become special beings. If a person eats a beast that has eaten such insect can rarely become "infested". The insect will repair all his body damage, making him close to immortal. If Hanbei is an infested as they say, then he would be a excellent research subject. Takamine states that he wants this "undying", but Doujun states that Genichirou also wants it and any interference will be seen as treason.
Hanbei decides to train Shoukichi as he asked. He wonders if Shoukichi had killed anyone before and Shoukichi states he killed one person, but Hanbei hopes he didn't refer to when he attacked him. Hanbei tells Shoukichi that he shouldn't hesitate to kill. As Shoukichi attacks, Hanbei kicks some dirt to his face and grabs and throws him on the ground, telling him that when fighting for your live or for others, there is no such thing as unfair. Hanbei then senses something strange he has been sensing the last few days and wonders if its Takamine's servants.
Back on the battlefield, Takamine wonders if Hanbei is the one they call undying, and that he will test if he truly can die or not. Takamine then attacks Hanbei, but he manages to injure Takamine's arm.
Back at the research, Takamine slips and falls. Doujun wonders if his research will lead to healing Takamine's arm, and then they will have Eight Ashina Spears. Takamine however feels he belittles him for not being counted among the Seven Ashina Spears. However Takamine doesn't care and states if he just needs Hanbei alive. Takamine intends to test his undying and already taken measurements to lure him out. Elsewhere, Suzu gathers mushrooms in the mountains. She had found only poisonous ones, but guess Hanbei would be fine. Still she decides to go a bit deeper into the mountain.
Characters[]
- Hirachika Takamine
- Hanbei the Undying
- Choukichi
- Suzu
- Shoukichi
- Doujun