WSR 11-17-14

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.

I may have been a bit hasty in adding Tokyo Ghoul Re. I still recommend checking it out if you enjoy shounen with a darker side.

But it’s technically published in a seinen magazine and since this is a shounen centered blog, I’m replacing it with a series that WSJ is running that I have high hopes for, Hi Fi Cluster. If you’ve read Blazer Drive, there are superficial similarities with the Mysticker society, but vast differences in how these Labels work.
 

Hi Fi Cluster 9-10

To preface: this is a series set in a world where Labels enable people to use various skills, making it so that anyone can do many tasks in everyday life (an old lady can ride a motorcycle, for instance). But the Labels are actually weakened versions of the original Labels, the Hi Fi. These are derived from geniuses across history, like Socrates and Kojiro Sasaki, among many others. The main character, Peta, happens to find a Hi Fi Label and is inducted into a special squad of other Hi Fi users to stop Label crimes.

We start right after last chapter, where the user of the Hi Fi Class Lu Bu Label is killed by someone wielding two swords and the area is in chaos.

The mysterious figure, Ichiro Noto, stands off against Kandera Kosaku, the user of the Kojiro Sasaki Hi Fi. Ichiro says it feels like old times, Kandera saying he’s going to take Ichiro in.

Peta checks Miri, another member of special Unit Six, with his Socrates Hi Fi, noting she isn’t in danger from her injury, picking her up and moving away from Kandera and Ichiro’s general area.

After patching up her injuries, Peta is told by Miri that Ichiro was previously a member of the Special Ops. But after he committed the massacre 4 years ago, the higher ups erased Ichiro’s presence, making it seem like someone else did it, demoting Kandera in the process. Kandera started Special Unit Six to pursue Ichiro and others like him.

Kandera and Ichiro start to fight, Kandera showing off his Hi Fi’s skill, from Kojiro Sasaki, a B Rank Warrior, but Ichiro unveils his true power, a Hi Fi using the techniques of Miyamoto Musashi, an S Rank Warrior, nearly killing Kandera. 

But Ekusa and Heckt, two other members of Special Unit Six, push Ichiro back. Peta is told by Miri to help them, since Socrates allows for special insight for battle.

But as the four prepare to attack, an ally of Ichiro’s appears, quickly moving away as they try to find him. He appears elsewhere, Peta trying to analyze him. But the chapter ends as the kid reveals that his Label is something custom made, Landscape Mole, which disrupts Peta’s power somehow.

The next chapter (since I think WSJ is still just barely caught up with the series) starts with Peta remembering that Landscape Mole is the one that created the Hi Fi Cluster of original Labels and created ability Labels. But Kandera thinks it’s impossible, since that was 10 years ago and the kid looks really young.

Ekusa and Heckt attack, but Landscape Mole easily negates their attacks or takes them out. He reveals he has multiple Hi Fi labels attached to him.

Kandera asks why Landscape Mole did this, the kid explaining that the incident 4 years ago was a demonstration of the power labels possessed. His goal was to create a more equal and balanced society. But people used them like tools instead of trying to truly change their fate and move past their innate limitations that society taught them to accept.

Landscape Mole intends to start a revolution, with Hi Fi Loaders at the top of society. But to do that, he has to cull those who don’t have the strong will needed to use a Hi Fi, since it’s not something innate, but based in one’s mindset.

Kandera refuses Landscape Mole’s offer to join his group, moving to attack. But the duo disappears, Landscape Mole saying that they’ll start their plan for real soon.

The group is recovering, Peta asking Kandera is he was friends with Ichiro. Kandera responds that it doesn’t matter: he has to stop him even if they were comrades. Peta agrees, saying that Kandera inspired him to think that anyone is capable of great courage. The chapter ends as Peta thinks to himself that he wants to help Kandera, even if he doesn’t know everything about his past.

Seven Deadly Sins 104

King continues to berate Ban as the chapter begins where we left off. He says the forest is a complete wasteland after the incident 20 years ago, the fairy king having seen it for himself 10 years ago. Ban responds that it isn’t really King’s business, since he doesn’t seem to care about the forest anyway or trying to fix it.

King summons Oslo, asking him what he thinks, Oslo reacting oddly.

Ban is drinking from a river, King following him to say he’s going the wrong way. King continues to follow him, thinking Ban isn’t telling him the truth about where he’s going. He’s also worried Diane will be sad if Ban leaves, Ban responding that he heard her say she’d be more sad if King left, which is a lie, frustrating King.

King acknowledges that Diane only thinks of him as a friend and probably only went with him to the festival out of thanks. Ban says he doesn’t really care, King wondering why Ban seems to have another girl following him besides Elaine.

Ban knocks away the rocks nearby, revealing Jericho, who says she was just following him out of curiosity.

Jericho continues to rage at Ban, saying it’s his fault she’s following him. King is told that Ban stripped her nearly nude once in his first appearance.

The group continues on, Ban telling King he really shouldn’t come, since he thinks something bad could happen. But King thinks that with the forest being able to sense the good or evil in a person, his presence as the fairy king might help. Jericho thinks they’re talking nonsense, but King insists that he’s a fairy, reminding her that the forest burnt down around when she was born.

But Jericho wonders why King doesn’t have wings like most fairies (something I don’t think we’ve had explained to us even in the flashback chapter explaining King’s sin)

Before he can explain, a thick fog appears around them, obscuring their vision.

Ban calms Jericho and King, saying they’re at the Fairy Forest, the fog dissipating to reveal the forest as it was, which is shocking considering it was burned down by demon fire 20 years ago.

King is shocked that the tree is still alive, albeit young (though he was using the roots with his Sacred Treasure’s power, so it’s not as if it was completely gone)

A trio of fairies notices King, initially moving towards him. But when they see he’s Harlequin the traitor, they tell him to leave. They blame him for Elaine’s death. The only reason the forest grew back was because Elaine entrusted Ban with the seed of the Great Tree, who planted it.

The chapter ends as the fairies recognize Ban as the new Fairy King.

Ban becoming the new Fairy King makes me think that this is a transferring of title, not of any sort of special power. Ban having brought the forest back by planting the seed may have been all that was needed, meaning Harlequin will have to accept this or win it back from Ban somehow.

World Trigger 83

Osamu’s mother, Kasumi, comments on how Chika and he aren’t intimate enough, also noting that he’s become popular at Border, especially after his near death in the climax of the recent Neighbor invasion. Most people were happy, in spite of the circumstances, but Jin visited and was apologetic to Chika and Kasumi.

Osamu asks where Yuma is, Chika saying he hasn’t been around, but he should come back once he knows Osamu is awake after being unconscious and recovering for over a week.

Usami comes to Osamu the next day, explaining about distinguished service awards, given to people who did especially outstanding performance in the recent battle. Some of the recipients of the Special rank include Miwa, for taking on two high ranked humanoid Neighbors, Tachikawa for stopping the bombers and Tsukihiko, the only remaining S Class, for protecting a huge area from Trion soldiers. Yuma also receives this, which is a huge boon for him as a trainee, compared to the higher rank soldiers that also got this recognition.

 

Osamu gets an Outstanding distinguished service award, below Special, along with Jin, Kazama, Kirie and others. Reiji and Kyosuke get the lowest level, Excellent, along with Toma’s Sniper team and some B Rank squads that helped.

Yuma comes into Osamu’s room, taking him to the roof to discuss Replica. Since the mini Replicas didn’t disappear, as I previously thought, it means he’s still alive. Osamu tries to apologize, but Yuma says Replica did exactly what Yuma asked of him and they have more motivation to become A Rank and get to Aftokrator in the future.

The chapter ends as Yuma and Osamu return to his room and the Business Director from last chapter asks Osamu to come with him for a bit to discuss something.

I wonder if Osamu could be promoted to A Rank, though it might also be related to Chika

Magi 247

As Hakuryuu’s attack starts, he’s stopped by the two major retainers of Emperor Hakutoku. They say they knew Gyokuen was evil, but will stop Hakuryuu from creating a schism. Hakuryuu and Judar move past them, Judar carrying Hakuryuu, since Phenex’s curse still restricts him.

Hakuryuu approaches Gyokuen, saying he will kill her, the Magi giving a twisted grin as her servants generate a huge amount of magical power. She commends him for coming all this way with his body held back. As she prepares to finish him off, the servants fire their attacks at her instead.

 

Since they shared the same rukh, the clones were able to pass Belial’s spell onto the others, especially since they were simple in structure compared to humans, so the memories were able to be altered much easier.

Gyokuen bursts from the smoke, creating massive arms of black Rukh like an insect, crushing the clones. She tells Judar that this type of Borg is from a girl she liked in the past (most likely Sheba). Judar attacks her, but she redirects the blast back at him, Hakuryuu blocking it with a plant dragon.

The two combine forces to attack Gyokuen, but she takes Judar’s Rukh that he was using to support Hakuryuu’s Extreme Magic. Then blasts them back again, the chapter ending as Judar comments that Gyokuen is amazingly strong.

I wonder if Hakuryuu will somehow manage to overcome Phenex’s Life Magic with the combined powers of his two Djinn that also use Life Magic?

One Piece 768

We end the flashback as Law begins his assault on Doflamingo, asking him what he thinks of Monkey D. Luffy and the D. Doflamingo stops Law’s sword cold with Haki and counters, saying there’s no way Luffy could defeat him. But Doflamingo’s attack slightly misses as Law reveals he is a D as well.

Viola explains the situation to the others, most of the Executives still able to fight. Dellinger is apparently half Fighting Fishman, which explains the horns. Many of the battles are nearing a breaking point, the fighters barely able to stand after the assaults.

Most of the fights seem to be in the favor of the Executives, particularly against the coliseum competitors, like Chinjao against Lao G.

Viola says that if they can’t defeat Doflamingo, they can’t hope to escape the Birdcage.

Doflamingo says that the D power is just superstition, but Trebol warns him about being in the range of the power of D.

Law stabs through Doflamingo as the chapter ends with him saying he’s going to continue Corazon’s will in his place.

Toriko 302

The group is amazed at the size of the Birth Cry Tree, Toriko confused as to why he can see stars even though Sani tells him the sun just came up.

It seems the Birth Cry Tree has a sky full of stars above it. Kaka explains these are all PAIR. It was used as a courtship item by monkeys: whoever could make it shine brighter was seen as more worthy of mating. The group is confused, thinking it’s like the peacock’s plumage.

Toriko asks what species Bambina is, since that’s just a name like Horse King Heracles. Heracles was the Phantom Beast Herac, and Bambina is the Kintamandrill. The name is a pun on kintama, a word for testicles. This means PAIR is Bambina’s testicles.

This revelation definitely shocks the entire group, particularly Sani. And Toriko’s wondering how this will help replace Komatsu’s heart.  But they’re impressed at the sight, Toriko seeing something that quickly disappears as they move past the Birth Cry Tree.

Zebra wants to taste PAIR, but Kaka says it would take too long to capture and prepare. She tells them to have AIR ready, as they’re near the Zero G Mountains

Everyone prepares themselves, even Denshark and Komatsu having AIR on them. Kaka warns them that the environment isn’t the only threat, a group of huge natural Sandoriko, black and threatening, loom over them, the slightest provocation spelling their doom. Luckily, Denshark is masking their presence well.

The trek through the Zero G Mountain range was oddly easy, Komatsu needing to be treated a few times. But things can only go so well for so long. The group is suspicious that their travels have gone so smoothly.

A Tondler, Flying Pig beast, flies over the group as they enter the 100 G Mountain area where Bambina resides, the gravity crushing the beast instantly. The sheer force pulls it apart and into the ground, which is composed of millions of lives over the millennia.

Toriko barely steps in before the power already strikes him. The Heavy Hole where he met Melk the First was about 5x normal gravity, but at the entrance, it’s already twice that. As Toriko looks back, wondering how they’re going to move Komatsu, the other members of the Heavenly Kings have frightened looks on their faces.

The chapter ends as we see Bambina himself appearing right next to Toriko, the battle already starting before they realize it. The Monkey King was probably the one that Toriko saw and quickly disappeared before they got into the Zero G Mountain Range.

Bleach 606

We resume with Ichibei saying that, even though he warned Juhabach, once not to say his name and a second time with the attack meant to send him away and think about his actions, he refused to listen, so now the Zero Squad member has to take his life.

The scene shifts to someone calling for their older sister, moving around Soul Society.

Someone calls out to Kisuke, asking why he’s wasting time. He responds that he’s been preparing and waiting for them, the group of Visored aside from those in the Gotei 13 already appearing. Hiyori asks where Yoruichi is, Kisuke telling her she went ahead, Hiyori thinking she was too impulsive. The plan was apparently for all of them to meet up and go together, but Kisuke says circumstances demanded they alter it.

Hiyori accuses Kisuke of using Ichigo and the others as pawns, as if they’re expendable.

The person from before is shocked to realize Yoruichi left, apparently her younger brother, Yuushirou, who had brought things that he thought could help his older sister. Kisuke assures him they will, the group heading inside a building as Hiyori thinks to herself that she always gets annoyed when Kisuke says things like it was “for the sake of Seireitei”

We go back to Ichibei and Juhabach’s fight, Juhabach surprised at Ichibei’s change in appearance, much scarier than before.

Ichibei slashes at Juhabach’s arm, seemingly doing nothing. But Juhabach finds his arm is weakened, Ichibei explaining his brush cuts through the essence of “name”, cutting the power of his arm in half. As Juhabach tries to slash, Ichibei cuts him through the chest, truly cutting his power in half. The chapter ends as Juhabach is taunted by Ichibei, asking if he’s suffering. But Juhabach says he isn’t suffering, implying he still has reserves of power.

Fairy Tail 409

Natsu and Gray rush at Marde Guile as he sends a volley of Thorn vines at them. They freeze and burn them, but the demon lord grabs both of them, flying into the air and crashing them against the walls, saying they are powerless against him.

Meanwhile, Sting and Rogue are furious at Jiemma, who still regards Minerva, his daughter, as a mere tool to use as he pleases. They attack him, but it leaves no effect, Jiemma knocking them away and saying that they have insulted his guild.

But the Dragon Slayers respond that they have made it a true guild, recognizing their fellow members as comrades. And it’s their responsibility as the new leaders to eliminate Jiemma.

But Jiemma says that there is no such thing as a strong guild, only strong people. Sting and Rogue say otherwise, claiming Fairy Tail is such a guild of strong people bound together. Jiemma says that is the height of weakness, depending on others. Sting and Rogue respond that they are stronger because they have those bonds, attacking him with a combination attack, White Shadow Dragon’s Rough Silk, stabbing through him with powerful threads of energy.

As Jiemma falls, Sting and Rogue say that the rest is up to Gray and Natsu. The two respond by stopping Marde Guile in mid flight and simultaneously punching him as the chapter concludes with them affirming that they’ll finish this.