For those who doesn't know what SlashDog is, it is another novel that Ishibumi is working on. This is the reboot of his other novel which unfortunately didn't pick up in popularity unlike DxD.
So, what he did is he made the setting to be made in the DxD universe so some of the characters from Highschool DxD will also appear here especially on the Grigori side. There are things here that I think wouldn't be explained in the DxD series like "Why does Tobio hate Vali?" and stuff.
I will be updating this blog after a new chapter is released.
Note: I will not be giving a summary or anything like that. I will only give out details. Just ask questions if there's something you're intrigued about and I'll try to answer it.
- Tobio Ikuse
- Toujou Sae - Tobio's childhood friend, included in the school trip incident but current status is unknown.
- Minagawa Natsume - the girl that saved Tobio from an attacker (his classmate Sasaki w/c is also included in the trip, and a lizard monster), she's from the same school as Tobio and like him, she wasn't able to attend the school trip. She's a member of Grigori.
According to Natsume, the monster lizard is an independent avatar type. Natsume also has one in the form of a bird. The chapter ended with Natsume giving Tobio an egg in w/c the monster lizard and the bird came from.
Note: I just used Google Translate and my experience in using it to somehow manage to read the thing. So, this can be subject to translation errors and misinterpretation.
- Jin finally appeared. Unlike in Volume 15 where he's already a large dog, here he's still a puppy. True to the other name of Canis Lykaon, he can produce swords from his body/forehead and can turn itself into a sword.
- A new character appeared. Her name is Lavinia. She's a blonde blue-eyed pointed hat-wearing magician. (This one got my heart racing since I thought she was Le Fay.)
- Tobio and Natsume's "pets" (dog and hawk respectively) are independent avatar type Sacred Gears.
- Utsusemis are artificial that mimics the independent avatar type SGs.
- An organization is behind the creation of Utsusemi.
- The organization targeted the cruise ship since they thought Tobio and Natsume are aboard that ship and wanted to ... take them away (I guess) for their SGs.
- "Governor" and "Governor-General" are said multiple times in this chapter and that Tobio will meet him soon.
- A new character was introduced. His name is Samejima Kouki. He's also an independent avatar type SG user. He's a student with a bad reputation but Tobio feels that he's a good guy. I feel that Samejima would be Tobio's rival or maybe Tobio's 'Kiba'.
- His SG is a white cat named Biyakusa and can transform into a spear.
- Only the students are missing in the shipwreck. The bodies of the ship crew and the teachers were found but not the students.
- It was then revealed that the students were alive(?) and used as vessels(?) for Utsusemis.
- Tobio was relieved since there's a chance for him to save Toujou Sae, which he has feelings for.
- Only ten people were absent from the trip.
- Tobio was confused because Jin didn't came from the egg that Natsume gave him but from his own shadow.
- Lavinia said that she feels a difference between Natsume's and Samejima's SG from Jin.
- Samejima and Tobio fought ten students and felt their SGs are more powerful than the Utsusemis and thought that this may be the difference between the real thing and an artificial.
- Jin has higher intelligence than Tobio thought since it was able to find the weakness of the opponent by itself.
--Fun(?) Trivia-- Nicknames and names may be wrong
- Lavinia said that there's another person living in the apartment with them and he's a cheeky brat.
- Lavinia also has a habit of giving people nickname like "Shark" for Samejima and "Toby" for Tobio.
- The cheeky brat's nickname is "Va-kun" and she will give the cup noodles to him since he's a cheeky brat.
- Tobio and Samejima fought a person that introduced himself as Doumon Kazuhisa. He summoned a mud golem and was able to overwhelm and pin both Tobio and Samejima down since both of their attacks are deflected by the golem's body.
- Sasaki, Tobio's classmate that previously attacked him (in Chapter 1), was among the crowd of students and threatened to kill him. Even though Sasaki is mind-controlled, he was able to give out a cry for help to Tobio. Doumon also threatened to kill Toujou Sae and this made Tobio so mad that his Sacred Gear reacted to his feelings.
- Because of that Jin was able to use new abilities:
- go inside shadows and attack from it
- create blades that comes from shadows to attack
- The shadow can extend up to Tobio's field of vision.
- Tobio was then able to defeat Doumon but before he was able to do more, another person appeared and helped him escape. A person called Himejima.
- Tobio, Samejima, Lavinia, and Natsume then talked to "Governor"'. They didn't talked to him face-to-face and the Governor was sorry for it.
- Governor told them who are the people responsible for all of these. He told them that the responsible ones are the Four Families(?). They planned to attack the ship because they want to get the independent avatar Sacred Gears because they need it to unseal a monster/s (?). Tobio was told that his Sacred Gear isn't the one the organization is looking for, although Samejima's and Natsume's are.
- Their next mission is to find the other two Sacre Gear users (and some other things, can't remember sorry).
The setting that Ishibumi revealed in his blog/twitter about the Four Gods is NOT for DxD but for SlashDog.
Just like the anon said here. Himejima clan is a part of that.
And do you know what Tobio's grandmother's maiden name is?! It's HIMEJIMA. And when "Governor" heard about that he laughed and talked about the dark history of the clan involving lightning.
So .... that means Akeno Himejima and Tobio Ikuse are blood relatives. Yehey.
- Vali was described by Tobio to be a silver-haired boy that seems to be in the upper grade of elementary school. He also has a cute white dragon stuffed toy on his shoulder
- Tobio and Natsume thinks that Vali has a case of chuunibyou because he introduced himself as Vali Lucifer and harbors the Vanishing Dragon. And also because they saw him talking to himself. Vali also showed a normal kid reaction when Lavinia went to him and ruffled his hair. Covering himself up and telling her to go away.
- Vali easily overwhelmed Tobio and told him the weaknesses of an independent avatar SG.
- Jin was angered because his master was being manhandled and was able to use the same abilities that he showed when they defeated Doumon. Even with the continuous attacks, Vali easily evaded them all until Tobio told Jin to stop.
- At the table, Samejima teases Vali giving him the nickname ルシドラ (Rushidora Lucifer + Dragon). Vali, reacting like a child, sought help from Natsume. Next, Lavinia ruffled Vali's hair with Vali telling her to stop and saying that "he's not a child".
- The group is practically bullying Vali. "Bullying" is not a word you'd associate with Vali in the current timeline of DxD. :D
- After the meal, the group had a meeting about the "Great Families"
- From the report given by "Governor", the families of the "deceased" students mysteriously moved away at the same time to an unknown location and no one noticed it.
- They assumed that the information is being manipulated by the "Great Families".
- Samejima and Natsume were worried for their families but know that Grigori is protecting them but those may change depending on the circumstances.
- Tobio felt that it was a blessing in disguise that he has no family. :(
- The group decided to investigate and agreed to start at Toujou Sae's house.
- They picked Sae's house as they think that there might be things that Tobio's grandmother left to Sae's parents.
- They were trying to find clues about their enemies and about Jin.
- Sae's house cannot be detected by an ordinary human. Lavinia said that it is probably the work of the "Great Families" as they excel in these kinds of things.
- The house looks abandoned.
- All the things and furniture are still there and felt like the inhabitants just left.
- They started to investigate and grouped into two: Tobio and Lavinia on the 2nd floor, Samejima and Natsume on the 1st
- When Tobio and Lavinia were at Sae's parent's room on the 2nd, they noticed a presence and it was Toujou Sae.
- Tobio noticed that she looks like she's being controlled like the other students and probably has an Utsusemi with her.
- Together with him is a man. Tobio remembers him as the man who saved Doumon Kazuhisa (Chapter 3 Part 2) at the department store.
- He introduced himself as Himejima Hanezu ( 唐棣 ) and is the leader of the "Utsusemi Agency".
- Reminder: The Himejima mentioned here is the same Himejima that Akeno was formerly part of.
- He introduced himself as Himejima Hanezu ( 唐棣 ) and is the leader of the "Utsusemi Agency".
- Tobio's grandmother's name was also revealed: Himejima Ageha ( 朱芭)
- Sae revealed her Utsusemi and Tobio felt that her Utsusemi is on a completely different level from the once they faced.
- The form of her Utsusemi is a huge lion with black fur and golden eyes.
- It is called Cowardly Leo ( 勇気を失った獅子 ).
- It was created with the help of a group of magicians and only Sae was able to adapt to it.
- Lavinia commented on the Utsusemi.
- Hanezu replied in the lines of "Grauzauberer's girl. If I were you, I'd notify Pheles immediately as the other group is serious."
- The speculation of Lavinia being the possessor of the Longinus Absolute Demise is getting stronger and is almost a certainty.
- Hanezu replied in the lines of "Grauzauberer's girl. If I were you, I'd notify Pheles immediately as the other group is serious."
- Hanezu invited them to their hideout.
- He also told them that they cannot refuse as they hold the lives of the students and their families.
- Natsume then notified that they are being surrounded.
- Tobio weighed the odds and decided that he and Lavinia would go with Hanezu and Samejima and Natsume would escape.
Continuing on when Tobio and Lavinia were taken to the Utsusemi Agency hideout:
- Tobio Ikuse
- He was challenged to a fight by Himejima Hanezu.
- They fought in a well-lit place. Limiting Jin's ability to create blades from shadows.
- Thus, he wasn't able to land a single hit on him even if he uses the Hanezu's shadow for a surprise attack along with Jin himself attacking.
- The technique of Jin creating blades from the shadow was named Night Haken?-[1][2]
- Not only he can use it to attack from the enemies' shadow, he can use it make a shield of swords from Tobio's.
- Himejima attacked with magic and even though Tobio was shielded using the blades, it wasn't enough to stop it completely.
- After the next events involving Lavinia and Augusta, he was convinced by Lavinia to follow and save Toujou Sae and he needs to have the resolve to kill/hurt his enemies.
- This weakness was noted by Hanezu telling him that Tobio's gentleness hinders Jin's fighting power.
- Lavinia
- She is the possessor of the Longinus Absolute Demise. The one on Mephisto Pheles' organisation.
- Her original mission is to seek out Hexennacht and destroy them
- Augusta even noted that it is quite funny that Mephisto sent the ice to follow the fire.
- Lavinia showed Absolute Demise to have the ability to create a doll made out of ice; a princess.
- It looks like a 3-meter woman in a dress although its other features are not princess-y
- Augusta
- She is Walburga's master and the current (relative to this timeline) possessor of Incinerate Anthem
- She's an elderly woman in her sixties wearing a purple robe. She has sharp eyes and have a youthful posture. She looks like a magician from fairy tales.
- Just like Walburga in her Balance Breaker and Lavinia's Absolute Demise, she creates a fire giant carrying a cross.
- She uses the giant to fight against Lavinia's doll while she herself fights against Lavinia using magic.
- Walburga
- She doesn't have that much participation here. Her appearance here, IMO, is just to reinforce Tobio and Walburga's connection that was revealed in Volume 19.
- Natsume and Samejima
- After they escaped from Sae's house, they hid on a factory where a girl appeared.
- That girl was recognized by Samejima to be his best friend, Nobushige Maeda's sister.
- Samejima approacged unwarily and was unexpectedly stabbed by the girls hand that turned into tentacles.
- Althought the injury was severe, it isn't a mortal wound as Kazuhisa Doumon noted when he arrived that they don't intend to kill the two as they plan to extract their Sacred Gears from them.
- Kazuhisa then summoned golems which Natsume tried to defeat.
- Natsume's Griffon was able to sever one golem's arm but was attacked from a blind spot by another.
- Griffon was then caught by a golem and was crushed by it; lots of blood spurting from the birds body.
- With Samejima severely injured and Natsume's Griffon seemingly dead, almost all hope was lost until their Sacred Gears evolved.
- Natsume's eagle Griffon turned into a :
- Two-meter Griffin with horns on its head and wind covering its body.
- Samejima's white cat Biyakusa turned into a :
- Three-meter saber-tooth tiger with multiple long tails with a sharp cone tip
- Its body emits electrical sparks
- Biyakusa and Griffon was able to easily defeat the golems with Griffon's winds cutting Himejima's arm.
- Vali
- Vali appeared after Doumon's arm was cut.
- He sent Samejima to Grigori to heal his wounds; along with Doumon and the Utsusemis for questioning and evidence.
- Vali then told Natsume that he will go to where Tobio is and asks if she wants to go with her.
- On the way, Tobio encountered to agents and they used their artificial IaSG (independent avatar sacred gears) against him.
- Jin once again displayed improvement from his past battles.
- This time, he covered the whole corridor with shadows so he can move and attack in different angles.
- His senses were heightened and he already recognized the weaknesses of the opponents after facing against it one time. (Jin prevented the agents from using their talismans to cast spells)
- Jin also took account Tobio's desposition of not wanting to kill so instead of piercing/slashing the agents with his blades, he stopped in right before he pierced their throats.
- The agents surrendered and talked about Jin's improvement that it must be because he resonated with the other two Longinuses (Incinerate Anthem + Absolute Demise) that were fighting.
- Tobio and Jin continued forward and next faced against numerous mind-controlled students with their IaSGs.
- Jin and the IaSGs fought against each other while the students attacked Tobio.
- Tobio not wanting to harm the students, just took their punches and kicks leaving him with lots of bruises.
- He relied on Jin defeating the IaSG so that the students would become unconscious.
- After Jin defeated all of them. Tobio was stuck in a dillema on what to do. Should he continue and pursue Hanezu and Sae or take care of the bodies of the students and transfer them somewhere safe.
- As he was debating with himself on what to do Kokabiel appeared.
- He said to Tobio that he is a member of Grigori and the Governor sent him.
- Kokabiel told Tobio that he will take care of the students and he should go where he needs to.
- 4 years before his revolt, he already shows displeasure on Azazel's hobby.
- Tobio then met Hanezu, Sae, and the IaSG Cowardly Leo in a room that overlooks a forest.
- Tobio and Jin fought against Hanezu but they were easily overwhelmed.
- Jin and Tobio were struck heavily with Hanezu's weapons. Tobio noted that Hanezu targeted multiple body parts apart from his head. He thinks that Hanezu has no intention of killing him.
- While Jin and Tobio were struggling, Hanezu told them why it was called Utsusemi. (if i got that correctly, it was the users called Utsusemi not the artificial independent avatar sacred gears) Btw, utsusemi means cicada's husk
- He said that humans that doesn't have power are like the husks of a cicada. It only has form but are empty inside.
- And for those that were born in a clan that are supposed to have unusual talents, utsusemi is an appropriate term to them.
- Even though Hanezu was talented in other aspects, he wasn't blessed by the power of their clan. That's why he is here now. Other people that have the same circumstances as his are also part of the organization.
- He also know that Azazel and the Grigori are on his trail. He told Tobio that most of his colleagues will retreat with the magicians of Hexennacht and their plans and technology will continue to develop and one day they will have their revenge.
- But Hanezu doesn't want that for him. He wants to die from Jin's blade and asked Himejima Tobio to grant his wish.
- Even with his injuries, Jin still attacked Hanezu but this time, he faced off against the Cowardly Leo.
- It has the ability to breath fire and sink into his shadow and attack from there with tentacle-like shadows.
- Jin was defeated and he was heavily injured.
- Tobio dragged his body towards the heavily injured Jin and refused Hanezu's wish for Tobio to kill him.
- Seeing Jin's current state, he cried at his inability to do something. He asked for Jin's forgiveness over and over. Tobio also said to Hanezu that all he wants was to live a normal life with Sae.
- Hanezu replied that on the day that he was born with the Himejima blood, living a normal life was impossible.
- Tobio and Hanezu were then startled on the mind-controlled Sae's actions.
- She moved on his own and stroked Tobio's tear-stained cheek. Hanezu thought that the mind-control must have been dispelled.
- Sae told Tobio, "I'm sorry. Was it painful?". She then proceeded to lift Jin up from Tobio's hand and stab herself on the chest with the blade protruding Jin' forehead.
- Sae fell down and Tobio was able to catch her. She told him to not cry for her and that she was happy that she met him.
- Her hand then fell (like the cliched dying scenes)
- Tobio's mind was in shambles at this point.
- To him, Toujou Sae was his salvation. To him who lost his family, she was the most important person. He only wanted to live peacefully with her.
- While Tobio was struggling to cope with what's happening, the memento from Tobio's grandmother Himejima Ageha that Tobio's group were searching in Chapter 5 and was in the possession of Hanezu glowed.
- Hanezu opened it up and there was a crystal glowing inside. The crystal started projecting the voice of Ageha and started to say something like this.
“ | It was unfortunate that the seal was broken. To those who wanted to exploit Tobio's power or do malicious things to him, I will tell you this. Be friendly with the child and treat him with compassion. After all, he was born with something forbidden. | ” |
Hanezu was surprised on what Ageha said and she continued speaking with an ominous tone.
“ | To those who still do malicious things to him, you will taste the God-killing blade --and even your souls will be cut apart | ” |
After Ageha's warning, her voice was directed to Tobio and comforted him saying,
“ | Tobio. It's alright. There's nothing to fear. So, there is no need to cry. --Please sing. You may have forgotten but you should have remembered it by now. So, please sing. --The song of the forbidden blade dog. | ” |
After hearing those words, Tobio remembered something from his past.
- It was when he was still a kid and he was inside the main hall of a shrine. In there is his grandmother and Jin who has the appearance of what he looks like in Volume 15 of DxD not a puppy.
- Ageha traced a character on Tobio's forehead and whispered something to his ear with Jin disappearing right after.
- After remembering everything including the spell, Tobio laughed while hugging both Sae and Jin.
- He talked to himself saying that he will not forgive the people who took the peace away from him and Sae. And if someone does unreasonable things to them, it was only fit to return that unreasonableness to them.
- Tobio then started to recite the chant.
- After reciting the chant, Tobio was covered in darkness and has the appearance of a werewolf with six tails. While Jin turned into a big dog like he was in DxD and before he was sealed.
- the landscape outside full of trees are now covered in darkness and there were blades protruding here and there.
The story then shifted to Minagawa Natsume's perspective as she arrives on the hideout with Vali. She and Vali freed the students and their immediate families.
- After Vali noticed what's happening to Tobio, he told Natsume that he will take care of the students and she should go where Tobio is or he'll never be able to come back.
- Natsume tried to protest but she immediately changed her mind when she noticed that the whole place is starting to get covered with darkness and numerous blades where coming out from it.
- She hurried to where Tobio is and was struck by fear when she opened the door and saw the figure in front of Hanezu.
- The Cowardly Leo attacked Tobio but was easily dealt with by him and Jin.
- Right after destroying the Cowardly Leo, Vali appeared and was ecstatic on what he saw.
- Azezel told him that compared to the Heavenly Dragons, the dog is cute but what he saw was a monster.
- The white dragon stuff toy on Vali's shoulder then started to speak.
- It was the voice of Azazel and he was being sarcastic on Hanezu about dealing with irregular things such as Longinuses.
- He told Hanezu that Ageha, Tobio's grandmother, sealed the Longinus as to not break the balance of the world. Hanezu having touched it presumptuously must pay the price. Now, he can finally see it and have fun being slashed/cut part.
- Hanezu then laughed saying first it was the lightning, now this. The blood of the Himejima must be cursed.
- Hanezu proceeded to walk towards Tobio. Even with his arms being cut off, he wasn't fazed. Before he was killed, he told Tobio to "destroy the Great Families and the Himejimas"(? not quite sure about this one). Right after, his head was severed.
After the death of Hanezu, Azazel personally appeared for the first time in this series.
- Vali complained that if he was going to appear, he shouldn't have used his stuff toy. Azazel responded to him by ruffling his hair.
- Lavinia also appeared beside Natsume.
- She told that Augusta and Walburga escaped and she was sorry.
- Azazel told him that it was okay as it was within his expectations and asked for their help on Tobio.
- The trio of Azazel, Lavinia, and Vali surrounded Tobio and tried to use the seal that was placed on him by Ageha.
- Lavinia summoned her ice princess and froze the surrounding, including Tobio.
- Azazel then produced numerous talismans and formed it like a rope and wrap Tobio with it.
- Vali did the same thing that he did with Issei on Volume 6. He touched him and divided his power.
- The trio was successful on placing the seal on Tobio and the darkness receded.
- Tobio appearance returned to normal (not sure on Jin if he became a puppy again) and both were unconscious.
- Natsume went to Tobio's side and was relieved that he was okay.
- Lavinia told her that everyone was okay and they should head back now. (Don't know if everyone includes Toujou Sae)
- So, the story started with Tobio waking up in the hospital. Jin was also there and his form didn't revert to a puppy. What his description when he appeared in Volume 15 is what he is now in the current timeline of -SLASHD0G-
- Azazel is also inside the room, reading.
- Azazel then explained to Tobio about his Sacred Gear and Longinuses.
- Tobio inquired about Natsume and Samejima's SG.
- Azazel said that although their Sacred Gears are special, they are different from his. They were also probably lured towards Canis Lycaon as they have the same "wavelength".
- According to Azazel, Tobio was in a state that he could already break the balance of the world even as a newborn child.
- That is the reason why his grandmother Ageha sealed his Longinus.
- Azazel said that Tobio was already set to be eliminated but wasn't because of two reasons
- Because of the said talent.
- And because of two people wanting to stop the killing of Longinus possessors: Lavinia and Vali, Longinus possessors themselves.
- Forgot how it went down here but Tobio found Toujou Sae sitting in a wheel chair but is alright.
- When asked how Sae survived after being pierced by Jin's blade in the chest, Azazel said that she was saved because of the rosary that Tobio gave to Sae before she left for the field trip.
- The rosary was Ageha's that he gave to Tobio and in turn gave to Sae.
- It made it possible for her not to be harmed even though her chest was pierced by Jin's blade. The rosary broke afterwards.
- After that, Azazel explained that the students and their families are safe and are undergoing treatment.
- For the convenience of everyone, their memories will be altered and fabricated.
- Only Sae's memories were left untouched.
- 10 days after the fight, the group of Tobio, Vali, Lavinia, Natsume, Samejima, and Sae held a meeting.
- Sae was also informed about the Sacred Gears.
- Tobio noted that Jin is much closer to Sae than him.
- Natsume's Griffon and Samejima's Biyakusa transformed to their "small" form as it is more convenient in every day life according to Azazel. (Griffon from being a Griffin back to an Eagle, Biyakusa from being a Tiger back to a Cat)
- In the meeting, they talked about two things
- the Fallen Angel Executive Satanael, a traitor.
- and the Wizards of Oz, magicians that broke off and are currently living in the Dimensional Gap using unique barrier techniques.
- Basically, Grauzauberer and Grigori teamed up together because of those two things.
Nothing much was said after that.
The focus then shifted towards the Great Five Head Families.
- Things that happened were being reported to the head of the Himejima family, Himejima Suou.
- Himejima Suou is Akeno's granduncle.
- Things that were mentioned are:
- The deal between the Himejima and Gremories about Akeno that it was nearly settled.
- How Devils and Fallen Angels just entering their territory without permissions.
- How Sacred Gear possessors were defecting to Grigori
- Also a girl from the Shinra Clan being reincarnated into a Devil.
- Suou said that with all these simultaneous things, the Great Families might fall.
- Another new character from the Himejima Clan was also introduced.
- Her name is Himejima Suzaku.
- She is Akeno's cousin. Her mother is the younger sister of Shuri.
- She's a beautiful 17-year old girl with long black hair and with a graceful atmosphere. She inherited the sacred beast Suzaku.
- According to Suou, the age of the clan members that inherits their respective clan's sacred beast significantly lowered in the recent years.
- Her name is Himejima Suzaku.
A new part and now the focus is on the girl Himejima Suzaku.
- Inside a hall, Kushihashi Seiryuu was waiting for her.
- Seiryuu is a 17-year old boy in glasses. Slender limbs and beautiful.
- He has a strange aura equal or perhaps even stronger than Suzaku.
- In their conversation, it seemed like it is taboo or considered as ironic that the Longinus Canis Lycaon came from the Himejima clan or the Great Families.
- According to Suzaku, she wants to see the "Four Fiends" and Tobio with her own eyes. Even Akeno.
- She noted that unlike her granduncle, she is willing to accept even the darkness of their house.