Steel of the Celestial Shadows, Vol. 9

A down-and-out samurai named Ryudo Konosuke struggles through his hardscrabble life in early 19th-century Japan. It is said that a samurai’s spirit rests in their sword—and Konosuke can’t even pick one up thanks to a cruel curse that repels anything made of metal that gets near him. Destitute and hopeless, he decides to end it all. But when a beautiful and mysterious woman saves his life and his soul, it is the beginning of Konosuke’s journey into a strange world of magic that exists a step away from his own.

A new enemy with the ability to control emotions and make others do her bidding attacks Yumiko Village. Known as Toki the Rooster, this young girl is one of the Twelve Divine Generals and is as soulless as she is powerful—and her target is Aki! Bokutake knows Toki, as they both were once disciples of Master Takayama. But stopping her from wiping everyone out will require the Gifted to push their anger beyond their control…