374. Gray Wolves, Red Blood, Black Clothes, White Bones

Kyōraku appears and begins to fight Starrk once again.

Summary
Everyone is in shock by the sword sticking out of Starrk. Starrk looks behind at his shadow and watches it transform into Kyōraku. Starrk says it was ridiculous for him to be holding back such a power when they fought and Kyōraku says it was only because his sword wasn't in the mood. He explains that his sword's power is to make children's games real. It makes the rules and that everyone inside its spiritual boundaries are forced to play the game as well, including himself. Kyōraku suddenly attacks Starrk who dodges, clutching the sword wound on his chest. Kyōraku charges and Starrk brings up a sword made of spirit energy to block his attack. Kyōraku says the color "gray" and slices at a gray part on Starrk, who quickly catches on to how the game works, countering by saying the color "white" and dealing a heavy blow to Kyōraku. Kyōraku explains how the game works in more detail, commenting that Starrk is a tough opponent.

Starrk mentally says that he is jealous of the weak and that he was so lonely that he split his soul into two, creating both himself and Lilynette. He even wished that he was weak.

Kyōraku continues to fight Starrk but suddenly throws his now-white captain's cloak on Starrk, distracting him briefly, before saying "black" and dealing a deadly slash across Starrk's chest.

Characters
Characters in order of appearance:


 * Love Aikawa
 * Rōjūrō Otoribashi
 * Coyote Starrk
 * Shunsui Kyōraku