Black Clover

Black Clover

Saturday, January 11, 2014

WSR 12-30-13 + 1-6-14


Disclaimer: These aren’t official translations, merely scanlations. Buy localized or original manga to support the author if at all possible. Know the difference between piracy/theft and sharing without personal profit.


Essentially only 3 series this week, but 5 chapters, 2 from Magi and Fairy Tail because of how Weekly Shounen Sunday’s raws get released online. Next week we should get WSJ, maybe WSS as well, not sure. Toriko’s on break until late January/early February. We’ll be back to a regular schedule eventually and I may finally incorporate Seven Deadly Sins, though the release schedule for that varies. Might be one this week, since it is in Weekly Shounen Sunday.

Magi 208-209

Alibaba enters Kouen’s throne room (of sorts) and people stare disapprovingly at him, saying he’s not showing proper respect. They say that his royal heritage is past and that he should bow before Kouen, but the person giving Alibaba advice a few chapters ago says that since Alibaba’s family no longer exists as royalty and he’s an ambassador of Sindria, he’s not obligated to follow the rules that apply to Balbadd citizens.

A quandary occurs, since if Alibaba refuses to prostrate himself, it suggests he’s no longer allied with Balbadd in trying to gain independence from the Kou Empire, but if he does, then it suggests he’s submitted to the Kou Empire, contradicting his resolve to help Balbadd’s citizens.

Alibaba moves to prostrate himself, saying that he doesn’t mind, but that the custom of bowing one’s head doesn’t have the same meaning as it does in the Kou Empire. In Balbadd, it is to pray for a safe delivery of a child. The higher ups realize that this would imply a great dishonor to Kouen, so they order everyone to stand up. Kouen laughs at all the formality, saying that he wants to be alone with Alibaba, along with both of their Households.

Kouen pushes Alibaba to say something, Alibaba asking whether it’s okay, but Kouen responds that his low birth doesn’t matter now. He explains that he got to his position by chance, since the previous emperor before his father could’ve had successors, but Gyokuen killed them (meaning Hakuryuu wasn’t considered legitimate?) and then his own father died, making him the next in line. His conclusion is that lineage doesn’t make a difference as to one’s worth, but Alibaba asks why he made everyone show respect to him before. He also is frustrated that Kouen didn’t follow his promise of acknowledging Balbadd as autonomous, but Kouen responds that there are things more important than understanding each other.





Alibaba is bewildered, so Kouen directs Koumei to talk with Alibaba while Kouen tends to other affairs. Alibaba thinks it’s useless to talk to Koumei, but Koumei reveals that he was the one to take away autonomy from Balbadd, not Kouen. His argument is that even if there is a governing system of Balbadd, the system of the Kou Empire holds sway over that, so Koumei, apparently in charge of these institutions and rules, enforced it, leading to the “demise” of Balbadd as everyone knew it.

Alibaba says that’s a lie and no one could believe it, but Koumei says with enough repetition, even a lie can become the truth. The goal in mind when claiming that the Kou Empire and its ruling family are the greatest above all others is to unify the world, Kouen’s overall goal that he explained a while ago. The chapter concludes as Koumei states that they believe Alibaba has the same goals as them

Alibaba tries to confirm what Kouen’s plan is: change all the countries under the Kou Empire in order to create a world that isn’t fragmented. Koumei asks Alibaba whether he thinks people are inclined to conflict or harmony. The theory Kou goes by is the former, which is why Koumei concludes that it is impossible for people to fully understand each other.

He elaborates this by explaining how different communities are formed as people increase numbers and ally themselves with likeminded individuals, creating ideologies that are pitted against others. There are examples in history, like the Kouga Empire or Parthevia, not to mention the Kou Empire itself. All of these conflicts were rooted in antagonism towards others and a desire for power above all else. Even Balbadd fits this argument’s model of conflict breeding hatred which breeds division and unrest.

Koumei brings up Mogamett’s ideology of magicians being superior to non magicians, but Koumei says it goes deeper than that in reality. Even people who share the same blood or are in the same ethnicity/tribe can disagree and continue to fight. Therefore, the only conclusion they can reach is to bring the whole world under one banner, one ideology. The goal is to erase any history that there were differences in this world at all and establish one king to rule them all.

Alibaba thinks it’s crazy to try to alter history when some of it is based on irrefutable fact, but Koumei says that since history is primarily, in his opinion, based on human society, it can be changed over time to be a different truth than what it may actually be. The goal is to eliminate all the unnecessary systems that create contradictions, including the slavery system thankfully, in order to bring a great peace to the world.

But Alibaba observes that the Kou Empire brought slavery to Balbadd. Koumei explains it’s humane, more like indentured servitude. They’ll be freed after 5 years and mistreatment is illegal. He also says it can maintain the public order by making people see that there are others even worse off than them, so they won’t try to revolt. This in turn eliminates the need for war and thus there won’t be prisoners of war used for slavery.

Alibaba insists this still won’t work, but Koumei says they’re trying something revolutionary in nature. He asks whether Alibaba has changed his mind, since their goal is to change the world at its foundation, though they have to sacrifice the diversity they admit makes it so beautiful. He pushes Alibaba for an answer, but Kouen comes in as he concludes, asking Alibaba whether Balbadd is worse off than it was before.

Alibaba accepts that it’s better and that Koumei’s ideas have made him think. But he says it’s not worth it to throw away those precious memories.  He thinks Kou and Al Thamen are both sowing seeds that will bloom into further chaos in the future. He also brings up the contradiction Koumei has in utilizing war and slavery when he himself said they were irrational. Alibaba can sense Koumei hates them, so he pleads with him to tell the people his true feelings instead of forcing this suffering on people for the greater good and the peaceful future he envisions.

Kouen compliments him for his courage, but brings up that Alibaba’s virtually alone here (even if he accounted for Alibaba’s household) and that the brunt of the Kou Empire against him would be a complete victory for their side. Alibaba is little more than a prisoner (technically an ambassador) to them. The major fighters: Kouen and his household as well as Koumei move to attack, but Kouen says this doesn’t have to be how it ends. He asks Alibaba to become his right hand man: sever ties with Sindria in exchange for getting full authority in Balbadd and cooperate with Koumei for further reform. The chapter ends on this offer






World Trigger 45

The squads start to notice the new Neighbors coming from the shells of the previously defeated enemies. One member tells the leader to go fight the others while they hold this one off, but he’s sent flying through countless buildings with a single strike from the new Trion soldier. Another member tries to fight it, but ends up getting pinned and their arms ripped off.



The Trion soldier’s chest opens a compartment and draws the Border agent into it. The leader fires his Ibis Sniper at it, but the Neighbor deflects it. The Sniper then kills their squad member so they Bail Out back to headquarters. He then speaks to Shinoda, describing the new Neighbor. Replica confirms that this is like the previous form, which captured normal citizens with high Trion levels, while this form is meant to combat Trigger users to capture them instead.

Another squad tries to fight it, but the Attack Trigger user is blasted away after trying to break the shell open and the Gunner is captured, the other 2 members retreating. The chapter ends as Kazama’s squad resolves to take out the new Trion soldier.







Fairy Tail 365-366

Natsu and Happy arrive at the former Magic Council chairman’s house, seeing the aftermath of Erza and Mira’s fight. They look for them in the house, but they’re nowhere to be found. Happy notices a scent and Natsu confirms that it’s sleeping pills: meaning Erza and Mira’s drinks were drugged, no magic involved. Natsu’s so frustrated that he punches the glass hard enough to break the house apart. He’s concluded that the ex chairman was allied with Tartaros and that they have to get Erza and Mira, who’ve been captured.

Meanwhile, back at Tartaros, Erza awakens to Kyouka, stunned to see that she’s naked before the demon. Revealing that they’re at Tartaros, Erza questions where Mira and Crawford are, Kyouka revealing that he was allied with them so that he can become the head again once their plan is complete. Erza is in disbelief, trying to resist, but Kyouka explaining that her restraints are made of seal stone, so she can’t use magic.

Kyouka then reveals that they’ve been modifying Mira’s body, similar to what they were doing with Minerva, most likely, to turn her into their servant. Erza yells at them to stop, Kyouka silencing her with the question of where Jellal is.

Back where Jellal and Meredy are confronting the Oracion Seis, Jellal tells Meredy to get back, that he’s enough for all of them. Cobra concludes Doranbolt sent Jellal. Midnight inquires whether he intends to capture them, Jellal implying that he’s been sent to eliminate them, the others prepared to fight him. Hoteye surrenders, since he’s become much more pacifistic after the Nirvana event and unleashing his true self, Midnight accepting this and revealing her true name is Macbeth. Racer appears behind Jellal to attack, Jellal taunting him by using his real name, Sawyer, dodging his attacks as well. Cobra attacks, noting that he can read Jellal’s movements by his thoughts. Jellal responds with Cobra’s true name, Eric, saying he can read his attacks just as well, throwing him into Racer.

Angel attacks with new magic, Jellal calling her by her original name, Solano (or Sorano, which would mean she’s Yukino’s long lost sister) and blasting her summons away. Midnight smirks, saying she’s eager to fight a stronger opponent.

Kyouka presses Erza, using her curse power to cause her pain by heightening the sense to its greatest sensitivity and slashing her. She reveals that they found out the names of the council members sealing Face through Crawford (who was lying about the information being secret, possibly) and that two of them are already dead, meaning Jellal is the third one.

Back at Jellal’s fight, he’s being pushed as the others are getting used to his style, it seems

Kyouka explains that once they kill Jellal, they can release the seal on Face. She offers Erza an exchange: if she tells them where Jellal is, they’ll release Mirajane. Erza insists she doesn’t know, Kyouka deciding she’ll torture Erza a bit more.

Crawford is walking with Franmalth, a bit peeved that his house had to be destroyed. Franmalth explains that he’ll get plenty more money after the plan is complete. Crawford says they should kill Mira and Erza, since they know of his involvement, but Franmalth calms him by saying no one can find this place. Someone appears on the horizon, flying towards the palace. It’s Natsu and he blasts in, punching Crawford out. The invasion by the solo Flame Dragonslayer starts as the chapter ends.



Natsu having burst in, demands to know where Erza and Mira are. Franmalth rages at Natsu, since he destroyed part of their building and the costs are fairly high by his reaction. Kyouka notices as well, summoning a subordinate to watch Erza while she goes to see what’s going on.

Franmalth and Natsu continue to go at it, Franmalth wondering how Natsu found them and still mulling over how much it will cost to repair the ramparts Natsu broke. Natsu, on the other hand, punches Franmalth away, not wanting to deal with his talking.

Gray and Juvia are seen riding back from their mission, Juvia feeling uneasy about what they saw: not just sadness, but closer to fear at the power their foe wields.

Franmalth recovers from Natsu’s punch, his outer armor shattered. Then he stretches out his arm to strike, Natsu dodging. But the arm then changes direction and starts to drain Natsu’s power away, Happy managing to stop him by biting the arm. Franmalth slaps Happy away, Natsu counterattacking with dodges this time and blasting Franmalth at point blank range. But he’s almost unscathed.



Suddenly, Silver appears, ordering Franmalth to take the chairman and leave this to him. The two confront each other, Silver thinking Natsu must’ve thawed the ice and Natsu deducing that Silver froze the village. Natsu also connects Silver to Gray by scent (meaning they’re probably related somehow) and Silver freezes Natsu, the chapter ending as he scolds Natsu for even mentioning that name, giving more confirmation to the theory.




No comments:

Post a Comment