Takemikazuchi/Synopsis

History
Takemikazuchi is a god who existed since the age of myths. He was considered a hero, but his shinki claim to have grown disgruntled at his violent temper. On the day that Takemikazuchi made Kiun his shinki, his other shinki revolted and waged battle against him until they forced him to reincarnate. The surviving 12 elder shinki kept the fact that Takemikazuchi had reincarnated a secret, and instead hefted the blame for all of the previous incarnation's behavior on the new incarnation. By harnessing this blame, they shamed the new Takemikazuchi out of using his own lightning abilities, which his previous incarnation had used against his shinki. Instead they assigned Kiun as his guidepost, and had Kiun wield lightning in his place. However, Takemikazuchi still learned to wield lightning on his own in secret.

According to Shinatsuhiko, the current incarnation of Takemikazuchi was living on the Near Shore for "studies" for many years. Takemikazuchi has been shown to have spent his childhood learning poetry and literature, archery, and calligraphy and horseback riding.

Volume 8 (29)
Chapter 29: Takemikazuchi appears at the Colloquy concerning the identity of the Crafter. He explains that the Crafter is likely a god who had been naming ayakashi as if they were shinki, in order to control them. He also claims that in order to withstand the constant stinging, the Crafter would have to be a powerful god with many devout followers. He then calls the Seven Gods of Fortune to the center of the room, stripping them of their anonymity, and points out that Ebisu is missing. Takemikazuchi also points out that the constant affliction from ayakashi would be the reason Ebisu reincarnates so often. He goes on to reveal a note that he had received from someone, which describes how they had seen Ebisu and his shinki trap a ayakashi in a borderline cage and then bestow it a name. He then states that they will siege Ebisu's residence, interrogate his shinki, and arrest his guidepost, Iwami. All the while, he ignores Ōkuninushi's protests.

Volume 9 (35)
Chapter 35: Heavens to aid in the subjugation of Ebisu, who at the time they believed to be the Crafter. He seems to take on a leadership role amongst the rest of the Punishers, announcing their arrival and intentions as well as commanding them when to fire. He summons Kiun to attack Ebisu; however, his lightning is deflected by Bishamonten. Takemikazuchi underestimates Kazuma's abilities since he is only an earring, and is then angered when they are able to injure Kiun. This confrontation is interrupted by an unnamed child shinki who approaches Ebisu and then explodes, thus completing his execution.

Volume 10 (36)
Chapter 36: In response to Bishamon's rage, Takemikazuchi states that their actions were justified, and that once Ebisu reincarnates he must be placed raised by a new guidepost. He and the other Punishers then leave the scene.

Volume 15 (57 - 58)
Chapter 57: Shortly before Kamuhakari, Takemikazuchi sends Kiun to question Yato about whether he is loyal to Heaven or not. When Kiun shows him the picture he took of Yato and Yukine, Takemikazuchi remarks, perhaps in jest, that Yato seems like a kind, gentle person. He shows interest in Yukine, although he thinks it is blasphemous that Yukine had never heard of Amaterasu. Takemikazuchi then presses Kiun to become a hafuri, stating that doing so would make him an even more formidable shinki. Notably, he acknowledges Kazuma's skill as a shinki, saying that no one but Kazuma could have left scars on Kiun. When Kiun explains his reasons for not wanting to become a hafuri, Takemikazuchi seems to understand albeit with some visible irritation. He states that Heaven would be at piece if gods with hafuri remained loyal to Amaterasu. However, he would prefer there to be a menace who goes against her. He then looks to Eyami, revealing that she is also his stray.

Chapter 58: At Kamuhakari, Takemikazuchi picks up the reincarnated Ebisu. He condescendingly pinches his face and remarks how cute he's gotten. He tells Ebisu that what happened to his previous incarnation was a shame, but it was his own fault for going against the Heavens. He also expresses that he had a lot of fun as a war god, since it had been a long time since he was called to partake in a subjugation. He calls the previous Ebisu spineless, which he found fitting since his mother Izanami had discarded him for being born without bones. After being lightly scolded by Kiun, he mentions that the current Ebisu seemed solid. As they exit the conversation, Kiun points out that Yato was standing nearby, but Takemikazuchi doesn't remember him by name.During the announcements of the popularity rankings, Yato taunts Takemikazuchi about not making the top three rankings. Rather than be offended, Takemikazuchi simply looks confused, presumably because he still doesn't recognize Yato. He doesn't seem to recognize him until the night's events transition to the task of weaving harmonious ties. He later scolds Yato for trampling over and frivolously severing relationships. Yukine apologizes, but he implores Yato to do so instead, taking advantage of his lack of knowledge about conduct at such events. When Yato bows his head and apologizes, Takemikazuchi tells him that those who serve Heaven never bow their heads so easily. When Yukine gets angry, he has Kiun attack him using a borderline. He is shocked when Yukine is able to disperse it without lifting a hand. He acknowledges that Yukine is an excellent hafuri, and says he hopes he can face off with Yato and Yukine again one day.

Volume 16 (61 - 63)
Chapter 61: He next appears to interrupt Bishamon while she is attempting to kill the Crafter. He is excited to be facing off against Nana, and then is disappointed when Kiun mentions that it doesn't seem that Nana has become a hafuri for Bishamon. He sheathes his sword and tells Kiun to finish them off quickly, but to be careful not to damage the Near Shore. He regrets that Kiun can't truly make a name for himself without becoming a hafuri.

Chapter 62: After Yato joins Bishamon's side, Takemikazuchi attacks him, commencing a battle that spans multiple chapters. He initially uses Kiun as a distraction while he attacks Yato directly, and immediately acknowledges Yukine's strength. He and his shinki wound Yato's right shoulder, temporarily knocking him out.

Chapter 63: While searching for Yato, Takemikazuchi reflects on the battle so far with his shinki. At the same time he severely injured Yato, Yato had managed to cut Takemikazuchi's chest. Saiun, his divine garments, apologizes for allowing him to be injured. Takemikazuchi reassures him with a smile that this was the first time that Saiun had ever been damaged, and commends Saiun for holding up so well against a hafuri. He's overall very pleased with the battle, and tells Kiun that Yato is the menace he's been hoping would appear. Kiun, thinking to himself, reveals to the audience that Takemikazuchi had swung at Yato blindly, carelessly leaving himself wide open for attack. He later finds Yato after his talk with Hiyori, and agrees to have a conversation with him even while they cross blades again.

Volume 17 (64 - 67)
Chapter 64: Takemikazuchi says that reincarnation is the only option left for Bishamon at this point, since she has already slain multiple gods. He appears confused when Yato tells him that the Crafter is still alive, but Takemikazuchi doubles down that the Crafter has already died when Ebisu was executed, and tells Yato that true war gods would speak with their blades. The battle becomes heated enough that Shinatsuhiko, Sakuya-bime, and Kagutsuchi become concerned about him damaging the Near Shore.

Chapter 65: The battle between Yato and Takemikazuchi continues. Kazuma uses a spell to dispel Kiun's lightning, which Takemikazuchi considers playing dirty.



Chapter 66: Kiun allows Takemikazuchi to use lightning to defend himself, but he refuses. Kiun recalls the time he's spent with his master's previous and current incarnation, introducing a flashback of events concerning Takemikazuchi's forced reincarnation by the Un-clan elders (excluding Kiun) and their subsequent suppression of his true nature. (See History section.) He explains that the current Takemikazuchi has had the blame placed on him for the deaths of his previous shinki and his own reincarnation.

The scene transitions back to the present, where Kiun tells Takemikazuchi that he is fighting recklessly and placing too much strain on Saiun and Kaun, who is in danger of breaking. Takemikazuchi tells him to be quiet, and has Kiun transform back into a human when he continues to protest. Kiun tells Takemikazuchi that he has permission to use lightning, as a way of getting him to accept and become his true self after having it suppressed by the elders for so long. Takemikazuchi refuses. In order to incentivize him, Kiun allows Yato to cut him across the chest, thinking it would anger Takemikazuchi to the point that he uses his lightning.

Takemikazuchi reacts very unemotionally at first. In fact, he berates Kiun for missing an opportunity to become a hafuri. However, he remembers Kiun calling his lightning beautiful, and the smile on Kiun's face as he was slashed by Yato. He then transforms into a lightning dragon.

Chapter 67: Takemikazuchi resumes the fight, this time attacking Yato and Yukine using his lightning. Kiun remarks that he is flailing his strength around with poor judgement. When Takemikazuchi next attacks using Kaun, the blade nearly shatters. Yato knocks Kaun out of his hand, and Takemikazuchi attacks instead with Miun. Each of them seem to be at their limit. Yato realizes that Takemikazuchi's shinki are hardly willing to follow him since he's pushing them too hard, and he takes the opportunity to land a finishing blow.

After he falls, Takemikazuchi asks Kiun what he is, if he's forbidden from his own true nature. Kiun apologizes for leading him astray during the battle, and Takemikazuchi implies that he had been stung. Kiun reassures him that Takemikazuchi has always been true to himself, regardless of what Kiun had thought was his "true nature". He vows on his name that he is on Takemikazuchi's side, and that he would defend him against anyone who threatens him.

Volume 18 (68 - 71)
Chapter 68: He reverts all his shinki to human form, and calls Sekiun. He wordlessly accepts the scolding, but is visibly grateful when Kiun interrupts on his behalf and defends him. He later tells Kiun he wished he'd stood up to Sekiun earlier, though he himself had never done it, either.

Chapter 69: Despite denying that he truly lost their fight, he still honors Yato's request to plead his case to the Heavens and ask for a cease fire. He explains the situation to a number of gods who are part of the subjugation force, including Shinatsuhiko, Sakuya-bime, and Yatagarasu, but they don't believe him. Kiun notes that Takemikazuchi seems to believe Yato, and tells him to follow his heart. He watches on as Yato and Yukine split the Heavens.

Chapter 70: Takemikazuchi withdraws from the subjugation forces, rejoining with Ebisu, Tenjin, Kofuku, Daikoku, and others who stayed behind. After Yato and Yukine are captured by the Heavens, Takemikazuchi questions Yato further about the Crafter's true intentions.



Chapter 71:Takemikazuchi, when asked by Ebisu, explains the Trial by Pledge, including its rules and potential consequences for Bishamon and Yato. He looks shocked when Ebisu volunteers Kunimi for the second round.

For the third round of the Trial, Kiun tells Takemikazuchi that he wouldn't object if he decided to volunteer him, knowing that he hopes Yato would be saved. Takemikazuchi considers it, thinking back to his distrust of Kiun as one of the elders of the Un-clan. However, he is unwilling to risk sacrificing Kiun after recalling his promise to be on his side. He stops Yato from trying to fight to release Yukine from the sealed box, saying that he shouldn't tarnish the Trial which three gods are sacrificing their guideposts for. He reminds Yato that he is the one who is swaying Heaven's opinion, and that Tenjin, Ebisu, and Daikoku are going so far for his sake.

Volume 19 (72)
Chapter 72: Takemikazuchi looks relieved when Daikoku survives the Trial by Peldge, meaning Yato and Bishamon would be pardoned.

Volume 19 (73 - 75)
Chapter 73: Takemikazuchi appears in Kunimi's flashback. Before he became Ebisu's shinki, Takemikazuchi had turned Kunimi away from his shrine because he did not want to take in a stray.

Chapter 74: Takemikazuchi stands in for the injured Bishamonten in the flash mob that Yato is planning for the one-year anniversary of Yukine becoming his shinki. Kiun was surprised that he agreed to it, but Yato claims Takemikazuchi is actually a party animal. Takemikazuchi explains that things like the flash mob might contain the secret of his power, which might help Kiun become a hafuri. Yato criticizes his performance, saying that it isn't peppy enough for a birthday celebration. While they're taking a break from practice, Takemikazuchi overhears Ebisu, Kofuku, and Tenjin discussing Father's relationship to Yato, as well as Chiki's ability to unlock the God's Greatest Secret.

For the actual performance of the flash mob, Takemikazuchi and Kiun are shown clapping in the background and doing mid-air acrobatics. Afterwards, Takemikazuchi wonders what the point of this actually was.



Chapter 75: After Yato confronts Yukine about his recent blighting, but Takemikazuchi interrupts by crashing through the roof of Kofuku's house. He came looking for Yato, but doesn't realize that he just crushed him under the debris and is currently standing on him.

Takemikazuchi laughs when he finds out that Yukine has stung Yato to such a far extent over a crush, which he finds fitting for a child. He has Miun, Saiun, and Kaun carry out an ablution ceremony. He has a comically tired expression while he watches Yato argue with Yukine, who is holding back his confession and only stinging him worse.

After Yukine confesses, Takemikazuchi commends his three shinki for a job well done and tells them they can go home. He then offers words of comfort to Yukine, saying that there's no reason to deny what happened, and that no one would blame someone so young for having unsavory thoughts. Yato explains Yukine's past ablution; Takemikazuchi bemusedly points out that Yato had taught Yukine that lustful desires are immoral, and Yukine only stung him again after having these thoughts because he believed them to be sinful. He goes on to say that as long as it is given consensually, it's fine for his shinki to have lovers. According to him, this is the case with most gods. Kiun silently points out that this is the only area where Takemikazuchi shows maturity.

Takemikazuchi looks vaguely concerned when Yukine runs off, so he tells Kiun to follow him and give him advice about how to reject someone you don't want to pursue romance with. He explains to Yato that Kiun has rejected many confessions, and he has often told Kiun to go out with those women just to make them feel better; however, Kiun is repulsed by the idea, and is now well-accustomed to cleaning cutting ties with people.

After Kiun leaves, Takemikazuchi approaches Yato and asks about The Stray's identity. He correctly assumes that his Eyami is the same girl in question, and reveals that he had come here today to ask about her. He confirms what he overheard from Ebisu. Yato and Takemikazuchi are both repulsed by the idea that they were each other's "other man" in regards to their naming and usage of the Stray.

Takemikazuchi explains that he had met the Stray when he was deciding how to deal with the masks that would periodically appear. She had offered to tell him everything she knew about the Crafter in exchange for a name. Though he thinks he acted too hastily in retrospect, Yato calls him naive for naming her. Takemikazuchi had not considered that the Stray would also be looking into his affairs to gain information about Heaven, and had underestimated her as a mere child. He seemed to bear some affection for her, since she was one of few shinki who understood his true nature as a thunder god.

Takemikazuchi reassures Yato that he's already released the Stray when he tells him not to let her get too close. He is saddened when he reflects on the events of the war against Heaven, since the whole time he was only a play piece to the Stray.

Yato tells Hiyori that Takemikazuchi's entrance had broken the shrine she built him, and asks her to fix it.

Volume 20 (76, 79 - 80)


Chapter 76: Takemikazuchi attempts to call Eyami, revealing that he lied about releasing her, and when she refuses to come he realizes that she must have caught wind of his suspicion. He was considering killing her himself using his lightning, so that she wouldn't be able to touch anyone with the God's Greatest Secret. However, he worries that he would then he killed by the Un-clan elders for following in his predecessor's footsteps.

Kiun startles him out of his thoughts by questioning why he was attempting to summon the Stray. He threatens to tell Sekiun that he is keeping a stray, and Takemikauchi hurriedly agrees to release her. He tells Kiun to keep his distance from her because she's dangerous. Kiun mistakenly thinks he was implying that he's smitten with her just as Yukine was, and the two of them clear the misunderstanding with awkward mortification.

Chapter 79: Kofuku visits his house in Takamagahara in order to collect payment for her roof, which he destroyed. He angrily agrees to pay for it when she starts reading his diary.

Chapter 80: Takemikazuchi arrives at Kofuku and Daikoku's house to help fix the roof, along with Kiun and many of his other shinki. When Kofuku blackmails him with his diary again, Takemikazuchi blames Kiun for falling asleep the day before when she entered their home. He doesn't seem to work on the roof himself, but commands his shinki to do it instead.

Volume 21 (81 - 83)


Chapter 81: Takemikazuchi's shinki finish their work on the roof, and he angrily tells Kofuku to unhand him when she hugs him in thanks. Unaware of the consequences, Yukine asks Daikoku and Kiun if they remember how they died, although they luckily don't hear him because of other noise. Takemikazuchi steps between them, grabbing Yukine's shoulder. He immediately tells Kiun that they're going home, and rounds up the rest of his shinki as well. After they have left, Takemikazuchi strikes lightning from the sky next to Yukine, seemingly as a warning.

Later, Yato sees Takemikazuchi flying overhead, but Takemikazuchi does not notice him and they do not interact.

Chapter 82: Takemikazuchi is shown visiting an unnamed god's shrine. He tells them that Yukine has been touched by the God's Greatest Secret and asks if he has any strays to use against Yukine, but the other gods denies it. As he leaves, annoyed, Takemikazuchi considers other options. He rules out Ebisu since he's friends with Yato, and rules out Eyami since he wants to release her rather than use her. He gets angry that Yato isn't around to handle this problem, since Takemikazuchi does not want to kill Yukine himself.

He's attacked by Yato for training, though he doesn't recognize him since his face is concealed and he's wielding the Rekki rather than the Sekki. He tries summoning Ouki, but Kiun is asleep and doesn't respond, so he summons Miun, Saiun, and Kaun instead. Kazuma is able to cut his arm, though he says it's of no consequence. He's shocked when Kazuma uses a song to create a rain of flaming arrows.

Later, Takemikazuchi returns to his home and angrily greets Kiun. His hair and clothes are completely disheveled from the earlier confrontation. He attacks Kiun while Miun, Saiun, and Kaun watch on, thinking he deserves it, and Sekiun yells at them because of the commotion.

Chapter 83: After his confrontation with Yato, Takemikazuchi meets with Ebisu, Kofuku, Ōkuninushi and Tenjin. His hair is a mess from the fight, but he lies about the cause and says his shinki did his hair that day. While the others consider ways they can save Yukine, Takemikazuchi angrily reminds them that he's never heard of a case of a shinki surviving the God's Greatest Secret. He asserts that it'd be better if Yukine died quickly, preventing him from spreading the poison to other shinki in the meantime.

When Kofuku grabs him in anger, he assures her that he hasn't tried anything yet and that he doesn't intend to kill Yukine himself. He continues to stress the importance of protecting their own shinki, but is struck with Kofuku's bad luck. The strap of his sandal breaks, a bird poops on his head, and part of the building collapses directly on top of him. She swears to destroy all of their assets if anything happens to Yukine, and a meteor falls on Takemikazuchi and the rubble. Takemikazuchi crawls out from the rubble, battered and smoking with his clothes torn. He laments the situation with Yato and Yukine, wishing that he could've been the one to defeat them. While he mentally pays his respects to them, he realizes that the person he fought in the previous chapter was actually Yato.

Volume 22 (84, 86)
Chapter 84: Takemikazuchi appears in Ebisu's flashback of their meeting with Kofuku, Tenjin, and Ōkuninushi. They question Takemikazuchi about his encounter with Yato. He explains that he didn't recognize Yato at first because his face as hidden and he was using a bow (Rekki) instead of Sekki. They were doubtful at first of the assailant's identity, but they believe it was truly Yato when Takemikazuchi describes his fluffy scarf and tracksuit. They realize that Yato must have taken another shinki that he considered disposable in order to kill the Crafter, just as Bishamonten had attempted with Nana. Takemikazuchi says that using disposable shinki is their best option to subjugate the Crafter.

Ebisu asks how they could find the Crafter, and Takemikazuchi beckons him closer. Since Ebisu is lucky with gambling, Takemikazuchi spins him around and says that the Crafter is somewhere in the direction that Ebisu falls over.

Ebisu finds his pet seahorse, Takemika, dead. A brief flashback reveals that he had named it after Takemikazuchi out of spite, since a seahorse is small and cute.



Chapter 86: Takemikazuchi is summoned to Ebisu's company headquarters (along with Kofuku, Tenjin, and Ōkuninushi). He wonder whether Ebisu had found a disposable shinki to use. Ebisu had meant to perform a salt purification on Kofuku so that she wouldn't hit the nation's economy with bad luck, but he accidentally threw it on Takemikazuchi instead.

Ebisu brings them to an old archive room inside the building, where he reveals that he's uncovered files related to the Crafter. Ebisu plays a video that his immediate predecesor had left in a time capsule of sorts. Takemikazuchi looks nonplussed when Tenjin stares at him, knowing that Takemikazuchi played a large role in that Ebisu's death. He seems annoyed at Kofuku and Ōkuninushi who are yelling at the screen chatting with the previous Ebisu. He later seems confused when the current Ebisu brings them to the company's second warehouse to retrieve data about the masks left by the previous Ebisu; he then gets angry when he realizes he and the others were likely only invited to serve as manual labor in the search.

Volume 23 (89, 91)


Chapter 89: Takemikazuchi yells at Kofuku for slacking off while they're going through data concerning the masks, arguing that this sort of work doesn't suit him either but he's still doing it. Kofuku tosses him a piece of Takenoko no Sato, which is his favorite chocolate, and he runs backwards to try to catch it in his mouth, crashing into a shelf in the process. Kofuku laughs at him, and Ōkuninushi remarks that that was too stupid to even scold him for.

Takemikazuchi explains what carbon dating means to Kofuku, then reminds Ebisu that the masks may have been made from old material, so the previous incarnation's carbon dating estimates may not reflect the actual date of the masks' creation. Kofuku praises him for being smarter than he seems, and Takemikazuchi is mentally grateful to Kiun for urging him to learn about the topic, completely missing the mocking aspect of Kofuku's remark.

When they realize that the oldest mask is from 1,100 years ago, around the same time Tenjin came around (comically implying that he was the real Crafter all along), Takemikazuchi goadingly says that they can't trust the word of a criminal. He's bemused when Tenjin gets angry, and the two start to fight. Takemikazuchi refers to him as a discount thunder god, but Ōkuninushi physically holds him back before they start a real fight.

When Ebisu theorizes that the Crafter is a human who became a god, Takemikazuchi excitedly realizes that they can defeat him if they destroy the Crafter's grave.

Chapter 91: Takemikazuchi has a phone call with Ōkuninushi, who asks him to look after Tenjin, Kofuku, and Ebisu, much to Takemikazuchi's annoyance. Since Ookuninushi was asked by Amaterasu to participate in Ooharai, he isn't able to help out with their research on the Crafter's grave. Takemikazuchi wonders aloud why he wasn't also summoned for Ooharai. He's told that he was considered one of the participants in the Trial because of the way he talked Yato down and encouraged him as the one who would cause Heaven to move. At this revealtion, Takemikazuchi appears shocked and slightly frightful, and he goes silent. However, Ookuninushi tells him to have pride in himself, as he was more righteous than Heaven on the day of Bishamonten's subjugation. Takemikazuchi hangs up abruptly, rallying Ebisu and the others to continue their search for the Crafter.

Volume 24 (93, 95)
Chapter 93: Takemikazuchi and Ebisu are traveling through a river with a rowboat. Takemikazuchi, tired from taking on all the work of rowing, complains that they could have used one of Ebisu's motor boats or yachts– but apparently there is a reason a small boat was needed.

In a flashback, Ebisu reads a poem which his previous incarnations had thought was related to the Crafter's birthplace, Tamatsuki. Takemikazuchi and Kofuku celebrate loudly. They theorize that the God's Greatest Secret had gotten out the last time an Ebisu incarnation had travelled there, and he had vowed to never return as he had to purge his shinki. When the current Ebisu volunteers to go himself, Takemikazuchi asserts that he will go with him. He haughtily says that Ebisu has a spine, despite having been a boneless boy thrown out by his parents; then commends himself for telling such a clever joke. Tenjin wonders if Takemikazuchi feels a sense of obligation toward Ebisu, but Kofuku guesses that he just wants an excuse to go outside again.

Chapter 95: Takemikazuchi remarks that he's been paddling so long that they've reached dawn, and wonders if they're actually in the right place, but Ebisu seems more sure of it. Takemikazuchi expresses more doubts, saying that they would have encountered some sort of traps by now if the Crafter's grave was truly here. He seems disgruntled and bored by the lack of ayakashi, even though Ooharai has now started.

They try analyzing the poem again. It mentions a song, so Takemikazuchi suggests that they try singing it, despite Ebisu thinking that's too simple an explanation. Takemikazuchi recites the first two lines from a poem from a Waka collection, which Kiun had him learn during his childhood: "In the dim dawn / Across Ayakashi bay through the morning mists / Vanishing between the islands / I follow a boat with my thoughts". Takemikazuchi says that he is still pretty young, accidentally hinting that he was reincarnated relatively recently. Ebisu only laughs in surprise that he admitted it (which may imply that Takemikazuchi's reincarnation was not a very well-kept secret), and Takemikazuchi tries to cover for himself by re-asserting that the poetry memorization was just something Kiun made him do.

Takemikazuchi shouts that he saw Ebisu's previous incarnation laughing at him in the mist, but Ebisu says it was only a mirage. Takemikazuchi then points to what seems to be foliage in the distance and demands to know if it's a mirage, too. Ebisu replies that it's possible, since there's no island at that location on the map. They both realize that the poem from before must have had an effect, so he recites again three times (this time including the last two lines). The mist is completely dispelled, revealing an island. They are both shocked, since it's located in the direction they came from, but neither of them had noticed it. Ebisu says that it must be located inside a blind spot, and the poem is the key to uncovering it. The two of them are determined to find and destroy the gravestone.

Volume 25 (97 - 99)
Chapter 97: Takemikazuchi and Ebisu dock their boat at Tamatsuki. Takemikazuchi catches Ebisu before he slips and falls into the ocean, and flies them both up the cliffside until they arrive at a hut. He wonders why someone would have built it there, since the sun doesn't reach it. When they notice lit candles inside, Takemikazuchi gets ready to draw his sword (which he confirms is a regular sword and not a shinki). They're caught off guard when they are invited inside by someone's voice, but Takemikazuchi pushes the door open to reveal Satou and his family.

He immediately draws his sword, ready to destroy the Mask Maker's grave as soon as they are presented with it, but Ebisu kicks him in the shin to stop him.

Chapter 98: Takemikazuchi and Ebisu both feel a name disappear at the same exact time. They realize that it must have been the Stray, though Takemikazuchi is uncomfortable with how they "share" a shinki. They both privately wonder if she'd died.

One of Satou's grandchildren takes Takemikazuchi's hand and tells him that his clothes are cute. Meanwhile, Ebisu asks Satou to continue telling them about the Mask Maker.

Chapter 99: Takemikazuchi appears briefly, while Father is referencing the natural disasters brought about by the gods.

Season 2
Aragoto Episode 9: In the anime, Takemikazuchi's case for Ebisu being the Crafter is much shorter. The report is mentioned without any details of what was witnessed, and Ebisu's constant stinging and reincarnation is also omitted. He still says that Ebisu and Iwami will be placed under arrest, his residence will be searched, and all his shinki will be interrogated. Aragoto Episode 12: Certain points in the anime adaptation deviated from the events of the manga. In the anime, Takemikazuchi and the other Punishers do not arrive until after Yato is removed from Yomi. He partakes in the usage of the Pacification Ring three times until they succeed in executing Ebisu, and his conversation with Bishamon after Ebisu's death is omitted.