Asakusa arc

The arc is the fifth story arc of the En En no Shōbōtai manga series. It revolves around the 8th Special Fire Brigade searching for clues about the Preacher in Asakusa and collaborating with the 7th Special Fire Brigade.

Summary
Akitaru resolves that he wants to create a Special Fire Brigade and that he wants Takehisa to join. Two years later, the two gather at the 8th Special Fire Fighting Church, stating this'll be their new headquarters. As Takehisa ridicules Akitaru for deceiving him into joining, promising the brigade would have incredible members and he would get a pay raise, he states he knows of somebody who would be a fitting match for the brigade, referring to Maki, to which the flashback ends and Maki blushes. Shinra, feeling he had to be honest with everyone, tells them about his encounter with Joker. Soon after, the brigade looks over the report of their first ever mission. Takehisa recollects that the victim was wearing purely white clothes, and that there was a red cross in the remains, and after a company that was located in Asakusa came to collect the remains, though none of them were related to the victims family. Later on, in Asakusa, Benimaru Shinmon the Battalion Commander of the 7th Special Fire Brigade is seen walking through the streets, being greeted by multiple people. He soon arrives at the 7th Special Fire Fighting Station, giving the daifuku he received from an old lady to Hinata and Hikage. Konro informs Benimaru that the 8th had contacted them about paying a visit, but Benimaru states his disinterest in any of their affairs. A 7th brigade member bursts through the curtain door, claiming that they have arrived, with Akitaru and the rest greeting the unhappy Battalion Commander.

As the 8th Special Fire Brigade show up suddenly at the 7th Special Fire Fighting Station wishing to speak to Benimaru, the Commander questions their reason on coming. After explaining, Benimaru speaks of his disinterest in the matters that the the emperor orders each of the brigades to do, to which Shinra starts arguing with him for his tendancy to not do anything. Soon after, people in the streets are heard shouting that there's a fire, and that Kantarō has become a Flame Human. Benimaru leaves to deal with the situation, and tells the 8th to be gone by the time he gets back. Shinra and the others prepare to watch Benimaru take action. The Commander readies his matois, igniting one and thrusting it toward a row of houses, destroying four or five of them, shocking everyone. He then grabs another and uses it to fly toward his destination. While still in the air, other members throw up some matoi toward Benimaru, and he ignites them all, and directs all of the flags to even more houses that he destroys. As Shinra questions what his ability is, Konro informs everyone on the fact that Benimaru is both a Second and Third Generation. The Commander then confronts the Flame Human, pointing out the destruction that has occurred, and then quickly purifies the Flame Human, saying it done a good job for withstanding the pain for so long. An old lady informs Shinra that the citizens don't mind Benimaru destroying the area because it is their sort of way for praying for the soul of a Flame Human, and the people want to be killed by Benimaru if they're going to die anyhow, because they see him as a gentle man. The commander then walks back to the Station, and eats some of the daifuku, saying it's too sweet.

After Kantarō's burial ceremony, the 8th Special Fire Brigade helped the 7th Brigade reconstruct some of the buildings that were destroyed. In the headquarters of the White Hood of Mystery, Rekka Hoshimiya's killer is seen talking with other members of the organization, and orders them to prepare the Bug and mechanism. At night, after the brigades finished repairing the buildings, Benimaru aids Konro's wounds. Hinata and Hikage burst in with Shinra following, with the two moaning at Shinra. Konro thanks Shinra for helping with the reconstructing and putting up with the two girls. Before leaving, Shinra says he likes playing with children, much to their annoyance for being called children. After taking a closer look, the boy spots the wounds over Konro's body, and then leaves. Konro reassures to Benimaru that the 8th Brigade are different from other brigades, and that perhaps the 7th should collaborate with them, and Benimaru finally agrees. Benimaru walks out looking for Akitaru to speak about collaborating, and comes across Shinra. The Fire Officer apologizes about their earlier argument, and questions Konro's well-being. Benimaru explains that Konro has Ash Disease. After, the Battalion Commander ventures to find Akitaru. He hears two people talking down an alley, saying that Kantarō was most certainly an artificial Flame Human, and that they will create more artificial Flame Humans. As Benimaru looks to see who it is talking, he spots Akitaru and Hinawa.

As the 8th Special Fire Brigade begin to settle into Asakusa and company of the 7th Special Fire Brigade, a loud explosion is heard from a distance. Akitaru and Takehisa are seen sprinting away from the explosion, toward the others, with an infuriated Benimaru following them, attacking them relentlessly with miscellaneous ignited objects. As the 7th Commander accuses the two of admitting to turning Kantarō into a Flame Human and wanting to create other artificial Flame Humans, they continually defy his claims. To everybody's unawareness, two members of the white hoods stand atop a roof, with an identical appearance to Akitaru and Takehisa, and preparing for their next move, after successfully tricking Benimaru into thinking it was actually Akitaru and Takehisa who said it.Benimaru continues his ruthless attack, but Maki intervenes and fights back, though to no avail. Takehisa then fires his gun, but the Commander redirects the bullets with ease. Arthur attempts to attack with Excalibur, but Benimaru jumps to the air to escape, and lands using his Kagetsu, injuring all the 8th members in the area. As they all lay defeated, a fully-equipped Akitaru walks toward Benimaru assertively, preparing to take him on.