Box (匣, Hako) is the 6th chapter of the Sekiro Side Story: Hanbei the Undying manga series.
Summary[]
Hanbei and Shoukichi get back home, but Choukichi tells them that Suzu haven't returned from the mountain. As it gets dark, Shoukichi gets really worried and wants to go look for her, but Hanbei stops him, since its dark and tells him that in the morning they will go to Takamine's mansion. Hanbei is certain that the brigands are connected to Ashina Clan. During the last battle, he heard that there were red eyes among the Ashina men, and guesses that Takamine could be responsible for Yamahito's red eyes. Shoukichi can't believe that the ruling family of the land would harm its subjects, after all if a war breaks out, they will need soldiers and supplies for the castle. Additionally, Takamine had served the Ashina Clan since young age, and its hard to believe that he will plot against them. Hanbei then guesses that Takamine could be just a puppet for Ashina Clan and they to use him their benefits. Hanbei then tells Shoukichi that he will go to the mansion alone, while Shoukichi searches the mountain.
In the morning, Shoukichi decides to go with Hanbei, to see things with his own eyes. As there is no one, they enter. But as they pass through a hallway, Hanbei feels that the place is strange and that the hallway is the only way to reach the interior of the mansion. From the other end of the hallway, Takamine shows up. He recognizes Hanbei, since he was the one who injured him, but guesses he may indeed be undying as Isshin had cut him down. Shoukichi asks Takamine if he knows where his sister is, since she disappeared, but Takamine yells him to keep quiet as he doesn't have time for his petty problems. Hanbei tells Shoukichi that they should go back outside, since in this hallway Takamine has the advantage with his spear, however in that moment the door behind them closes. Shoukichi recognizes the man as one of the brigands that lost its eye to Hanbei. Hanbei is now sure that the disappearances are related to Takamine, but tells him that if he gives Suzu back, he will do whatever he wants.
Takamine recalls an order from Ashina that he is forced to obey. He notes that if Ashina Clan falls, the Takamine Clan will fall too, although it may be worse for Takamine Clan if Ashina wins the war with the internal ministry. Takamine is angry that a disgraced member of the opposition, Masataka Oniwa, was instated as the Minister of Justice, yet Takamine was given nothing. The only differences between them is that Takamine Clan controls vast majority of land, so they cannot be allowed to have more power. If Ashina defeats the internal ministry, there will be a reason to destroy Takamine Clan, but for now they are forced to obey them. Takamine is sad that his son got killed, as he could have been one of the Ashina Spears and one day the Takamine Clan to raise to glory. Takamine looks at his son, Kodou, the other brigand that Hanbei injured. Doujun explains that Kodou's leg wound is too deep and he may never swing a sword again, and with so much blood loss, he may even not survive. Takamine tells Doujun to save Kodou. Doujun agrees and states that he may even make him transcend the limits of a human body.
As Takamine prepares to fight Hanbei, Hanbei is worried that if he and the brigand attack him, he won't stand a chance, since that man is also skilled. Hanbei then tells Shoukichi to guard his back, and to just not allow that man to attack him from behind. As they start fighting, the brigand blames Shoukichi for him loosing an eye. Shoukichi is able to read his moves and that he will stab him, but is unable to fully avoid it and gets stabbed in the shoulder. The brigand is impressed that Shoukichi managed to avoid a fatal blow, but Shoukichi states that he didn't avoid it, but he just missed as he can no longer see properly with one eye. That angers the brigand, who rushes to attack, but Shoukichi throws some dirt at his face. He then uses the chance and stabs him in the other eye, but at the same time, the brigand also slashes Shoukichi.
Takamine and Hanbei are still fighting. Takamine then reveals that he is indeed responsible for the kidnappings as he was using the people for immortality test subjects, however they all end up being ghost-like creatures. He guesses Suzu will also become such creature. As Takamine attacks again, Hanbei steps on his spear, noting that he is afraid to grab his spear and is only aiming at his legs. Hanbei then runs on the spear and shoves his arm into Takamine's mouth, and kills him. Hanbei checks on Shoukichi, who asks him to find and save his sister and to take care of her and Choukichi. Hanbei then manages to stop Shoukichi's bleeding, but feels he is done for. Doujun then shows up and states he may be ale to save Shoukichi.