Chapter 72

Glimmer of Hope (希望の閃輝, Kibou no Senki) is the 72nd chapter of the To Your Eternity manga.

Summary
After being taken in by the Church of Bennett and put into an inescapable iron cell, Fushi begins trying to melt the iron as Gugu. He notices that the cell comes together at one point in the ceiling and concludes that, by aiming Gugu's flames in that area, he should be able to melt through to the outside and go rescue Bonchien and Todo. Meanwhile, locked in a cell of his own, Bonchien begins to reflect on the events that lead to the group's capture. Fushi was made to attempt to resurrect Sage Hanui and, instead, ended up just making a copy of his corpse. Unlike with Anna, Sage Hanui did not come back to life. Bonchien theorizes that this is because Fushi did not know Sage Hanui when he was alive, and therefore was never able to grasp what kind of person he was when the sage was alive. Bonchien believes that Fushi's resurrection ability only works when the soul has had an effect on him. After that, Fushi, Todo, and Bonchien were captured, with Todo being stabbed in the process.

After numerous attempts to melt and break through the iron, Fushi begins to notice a strange discomfort and collapses. He changes to Tonari's form but is unable to rid himself of the strange feeling. The Beholder informs him that there isn't enough of something that his body needs (oxygen). Fushi asks the Beholder what he should do because he still needs to save Bonchien and Todo. However, the Beholder tells him that by staying in the iron cell, there would be no more commotion outside and people can live their lives peacefully and notes that Fushi is responsible for the conflicts and deaths of various citizens. Fushi ignores the Beholder and insists that he still needs to help Bonchien and Todo but the Beholder asks Fushi what he would say if Bonchien and Todo died. Fushi says he doesn't care about that and tells the Beholder that those two can't die yet because they're only halfway through their lives. He questions this and Fushi continues, explaining that they still have a life to live and things to do. Everyone should be able to be a little satisfied and leave this world with a smile on their face, just like Tonari. Fushi says that if someone were to rob them of their life, then they wouldn't be able to die smiling, it would only lead to suffering. The Beholder comments how remarkable it is that Fushi is able to understand human suffering and says it's almost like he has become human. Fushi passes out then, suddenly, is hit by a drop of hot molten iron. Members of the Church of Bennett begin to pour molten iron through the top in an attempt to encase Fushi forever. As Fushi screams, his flesh begins to melt off, the Beholder begins taunting Fushi; telling him that iron needs to get this hot before it starts to melt. He says that Fushi can't withstand the heat and that as soon as his skin starts to melt, his body begins to regenerate. He loudly wonders what will happen first, Fushi's body dissolving or the iron hardening, and begins counting the number of seconds Fushi's body can withstand the heat. On the outside, the members finish pouring the molten iron into Fushi's prison and congratulate themselves for capturing him.

That sunset, Kahaku, who had been observing the members earlier, tries using the Nokker in his arm to break through the iron but is unable to. The other Guardian members ask if they should wait for nightfall then remove the iron but are interrupted by Pocoa. She tells Kahaku that he shouldn't act carelessly and to take advantage of the Church's haughtiness and to have more faith in luck.

Wondering how she is still alive, Todo begins pulling out various sewing supplies from her shirt, showing that the sword did not stab her all the way through. Prince Bonchien is surprised to see Todo alive, in her own cage next to his. Todo hugs the handkerchief, thankful for her good fortune that Bonchien is alright. Cylira announces to the crowd that they have sealed Fushi within the iron cell. The Beholder counts to 112,049 as Fushi's eye opens.

Chapter Notes

 * Bonchien speculates that Fushi has to have known the person (and that person having an effect on Fushi's life) while they were alive for Fushi to be able to resurrect them.
 * Fushi gets encased in iron.