Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden (Manga) Vol. 06

Takiko has found a new Celestial Warrior but Inami isn’t only a warrior, she’s also the acting madam at a brothel. Time there has made her bitter and not any of Takiko’s soft words or earnest convictions can sway the dark woman. Over a duel, Takiko learns one reason why Inami stays at the brothel; a mysterious illness plagues the real madam. It’s an affliction of no normal means. If Takiko wants to win over Inami, she’ll have to brave Inami’s rage, a deadly grudge and arson. And that’s only the start of her adventure in this volume.

The priestess of Genbu must face some hard truths in these chapters. When she learns of the hardships Inami and the other prostitutes suffered, it breaks the naïve girl’s heart. But she also must face that with coming war also comes that time when her orders, even her actions, will cost lives. That time draws ever nearer when their search for the final Celestial Warrior lands Takiko in the hands of the Qu-Dong army.

The search for the final Celestial Warrior sees Uruki and Takiko separated from the others and Uruki face to face with Lord Temdan’s man Hagus! The bad blood between him and Uruki fuels a bitter battle, one that will leave Uruki gravely wounded and Takiko in the hands of the enemy. Now she has only three days to find a way to escape before she is put to death!

Her captivity, however, also leaves her even more conflicted about the war. Upon hearing two of the soldiers confess their reason for following Lord Bo-Hui so loyally, Takiko realizes even those of Qu-Dong have deeply personal, even righteous, reasons for who they follow and why. This humanization of the enemy will make her going to war that much harder.

The series of events reveal who might hold the Book of the Four Gods needed to summon Genbu. Takiko also discovers who the final Celestial Warrior is. But how can it be two people?