MAO

Mao really going all out in Beast Mode. This is a reunion for Hyakka and Hakubi, with their last encounter costing Hyakka his eye and Hakubi his arm...But this is also a reunion of the Goko Clan as Mao/Hyakka realize Hakubi is none other than their fellow apprentice, another nigh-immortal white-haired gentleman. What is it with the people in this Goshikido meeting who all somehow gained immortality? And yet it seems like the only serious harm they can experience is at the hands of each other. Was this part of the masters' plan to have them fight and curse each other to reach the top? Hakubi was loyal to the Goko Clan, it was where he was most able to properly express himself, so he took it personally when Mao seemingly single-handedly ruined everything...even if he also discovered his skills and proficiency as a soldier afterwards. Even if he's also a monster who uses innocent civilians as target practice for his metal monstrosities. The irony that the sword meant to mark Mao as a sacrifice would end up becoming an invaluable weapon in the present-day...and the further irony that, for all of Mao's rejection of Byoki, he's wielding Byoki's power at the same time. Hakubi's greatest threat was Hyakka so he takes him out immediately, but he also needs Mao for Shiranui's plans (and possibly his own). As far as Hakubi is concerned, Shiranui's Goko is legitimate, especially after he discovered Yurako. Even if Hakubi confirms that, whoever she is, it's not as the woman Mao thinks she is. If Hakubi thought he could overwhelm Mao, he didn't account for Mao's Byoki form...why are cats so special? Because they're outside Onymodo, and as such immune to most curses/spells. Hakubi needed the same seal on the spear that hurt Byoki to even do any damage to Mao, but luckily Otoya got Hyakka out in time to ward Hakubi off. But now he wants Mao's power for himself. Poor Nanoka! No Mao, no Otoya, and no plot for her to be involved in.

Wait, cats aren't native to Japan? I guess that makes sense. But they weren't common even in the 11th century? Interesting. Mao took that ugly ass form again. It's interesting that cats are outside the onmyodo just cause it's not a native Japanese animal. Does that mean any animal that comes outside of Japan is immune? Lmao. But cats are cute, so maybe that's why the master targeted it to make it his kodoku. But the poor sod died cause his experimentation failed. Who would've thought. Come to think of it, Hyakka is a lot more like Inuyasha than Mao.