Episode 16

The War God's Mantle is the sixteenth episode of the Orient anime series.

Summary
Yataro contacts Seiroku and informs him that he had found the Obsidian Goddess, however, she is in the middle of the Uesugi army. Seiroku then suggest that he and Shiro would hit the Uesugi Bushi, while Yataro focus on securing the Goddess. Seiroku is impressed that Yataro managed to find the goddess and wonders how he did it and Yataro reveals that one of his daughters found it.

Meanwhile, Michiru frees Musashi. Akihiro shows up, making Musashi think that he also came to save him, however, Akihiro points his blade at Musashi's neck and tells him to tell the higher ups everything about himself and prove that he has nothing to do with the Shimazu. Musashi realizes he is serious and wonders what gotten into him. Akihiro recalls a conversation between the other Shimazu, that their father decided to make the son of his concubine, his successor, even though he can't even use Kitetsu Blade. Haruhisa also speculates that their father plans on killing them all during the Awaji island operation.

Three oni arrive in that moment, stating they are there to help their big sister to retrieve the Obsidian Goddess. As Michiru doesn't say anything, they wonder what's wrong with her, but guess its due to being older model than them. Seeing that Musashi talks nice to Michiru, the oni guess that they get along and explain that Michiru has been acting all this time and have been planning on killing him to get the Obsidian Goddess. Musashi doesn't believe that Michiru is a spy. She has been nice to him and helped him, and while he met someone who did something similar, he doubts that Michiru is like him. However, crying, Michiru looks at Musashi and apologizes, stating this is all true. The oni guess that Michiru loves Musashi and wonder if she plans on betraying their father.

Crystals grown on Michiru and her father appears, telling her to finish the mission and come back. As the oni urge her to kill him, one of the oni, Minami, grabs Michiru and pushes her towards Musashi to stab him. However, Musashi dodges and cuts the oni fingers. Musashi then grabs Michiru's hand and pulls her, telling it isn't wrong to your family to care about you. Angry for betraying them, the oni jump at them and Michiru uses her body to protect Musashi. As the oni were devouring Michiru, Kuroko, Kanetatsu, Masaki and other Bushi arrive, cutting the oni and saving Michiru. However, the oni are fine and regenerate. Minami tells the Uesugi Bushi to give them the Obsidian Goddess, making Kanetatsu realize that Michiru or Musashi is the goddess. Kuroko quickly binds Michiru with blade energy to stop her bleeding. Musashi wonders why is she helping them. Kuroko starts explaining its because one of them is the goddess, but stops midway and just states she wants to be friends with them, which make Musashi think she is really nice person.

At the same time, Kanetatsu and the Bushi kill all the oni, except three of them. Minami and Iwanami turn towards Mishima asking if they can, and she agrees, considering she is the oldest model. The oni then jump at her and start devouring her. Once they are done, Minami and Iwanami merge into one single oni. Kanetatsu attack it, but the oni uses a reflective shield. More oni then shows up and heads toward the town to devour all the people. The Uesugi bushi spread out to help the people. Kuroko stops Musashi and tells him to observe, and that she will be protecting him and Michiru. The Minami oni continues to eat other oni and becomes even larger. Yataro explains that the weak becomes food for the strong and that way the family prospers, similarly how the bushi give energy to one of them, depriving others and monopolizing it for himself.

Tatsuomi Uesugi arrives and all the bushi give him blade energy. Tatsuomi then starts attacking his own men, surprising Musashi, but Kuroko wonder if he doesn't know what properties yellow Kitetsu Blades have. The yellow blade users are able to change properties of the energy, and Tatsuomi specializes in enhancing physical traits, making their armors harder, their weapons sharper. Tatsuomi tells Yataro that he agrees to an extend, but they still feel joy when sharing and being shared with, just as much as they do when proving their strength and worth. Buffed up, the Uesugi Bushi then take on the oni and easily overpower them as the oni can't keep up with their speed. Minami decides to take down Tatsuomi. However, the special bond of Uesugi, the bushi are able to create a chain longer than normal bushi and restrict Minami's movement. Kanetatsu then easily breaks her horn and kills her.

Kuroko wonders from where the oni came as there is a protective field around the castle to keep oni out. Tatsuomi wonders the same thing. In that moment, Shiro shows up and states he let them in with his blade.

Trivia

 * The chibi extra at the end of the episode reveals the names of the Shimazu Bushi and the fact that Tokisame Shimazu and Tadayuki Shimazu are twins.
 * In the manga, their names are only revealed on Chapter 94 by Musashi, while the fact that Tokisame and Tadayuki are twins is revealed on Vol. 11 extra pages and omake manga.
 * In the original Japanese version it's clear that Tokisame is the older brother while Tadayuki is the younger one, but the nuance is lost in the English translation.
 * When Musashi comments that the two look nothing alike, all the Shimazu get angry; whereas when Natsuki did the same on Vol. 11 omake no one seemed to mind.