Akane-banashi Vol. 16 — Manga Raw / Buy Official

This volume transports readers to the formative years of Shigure and Issho, two disciples mesmerized by the hypnotic mastery of Irokuro Kashiwaya. Their bond was once defined by friendship and shared aspiration, but the insatiable pressure of the art slowly poisoned their camaraderie. The narrative unveils a dark, well-kept secret: the Arakawa school was built upon a predatory cycle where true mastery demands the consumption of another's identity. Shigure fought to preserve his own soul, while Issho sought total assimilation, pushing both to their breaking points. Through Urara’s revelations, Akane discovers that her current path is paved with the sacrifices of the past. Witnessing the trauma and brilliance that forged her master’s generation, Akane finds her own resolve hardened. The volume also features the one-shot 'Tatarashido,' offering a refreshing contrast to the profound, heavy history explored in the main story.