Chapter 74

Will of the Flesh (肉の意志, Niku no Ishi) is the 74th chapter of the To Your Eternity manga.

Summary
The Beholder narrates that Fushi has been sealed in iron for a few weeks. During that time, he kept repeatedly reviving himself only for a short while before losing consciousness again after two breathes. He then regains consciousness six minutes later. Since it's a momentary awakening, Fushi cannot even think in that state. The Beholder assumes Fushi must be tired of trying by now and in time Fushi will forget everything.

Suddenly, Fushi becomes conscious and wonders where he is. The Beholder notices Fushi's hand breaking free from the iron. Meanwhile, Bonchien's cage suddenly starts to shake. Bonchien asks what's happening and Todo tells him to look at their shadows. Bonchien's cage suddenly drops as Todo's rises. Bonchien realizes their cage were in balance of each other. Chabo tells Bonchien to look down as they're plummeting towards man-eating crocodile-infested waters.

Chabo and Bonchien hug each other in fear unsure of what to do. Bonchien looks down at frightened Chabo and realizes he has to take action. Bonchien starts ripping planks of the floorboard out and tosses them into the waters below. The cage starts going back up as the weight of the cage lightens. Bonchien yells at Todo to toss a plank out too to make their cages' weights equal.

They finally manage to stabilize their cages and Bonchien and Chabo plop down in relief. Bonchien asks if Chabo is okay and he says yes, but still a bit shaken up. Bonchien looks at Chabo in disbelief that they would put a child through all that because of a loaf of bread. He then wonders if they only put Chabo in to make the cage's weight equal. He realizes they won't last here long.Their food gets delivered to them and Todo throws her portion over to Bonchien again, but this time he declines saying he's fine now. Bonchien calls out to Cylira above and asks how long they have to stay here for and if he could at least release Chabo and Todo. Cylira responds saying that if Bonchien can prove he's under God's protection, he will surely be released. Bonchien points out that they locked him up no matter what he said so what would they believe. Suddenly, Chabo collapses to the floor. Bonchien rushes to his side and holds the boy. He yells at Cylira to send some medicine and Cylira coldly responds that if God hasn't abandoned them surely the boy would live. The Beholder narrates that Fushi did not abandon them. He sees Fushi releasing molten iron from his hand, but since the iron has no where to flow to, it melts Fushi's hand over and over. The Beholder says at this rate, Fushi's body would be reduced to dust, compressed and dispersed amongst the iron when it solidifies again. However, soon Fushi's heat was winning against the hardened iron and his reawakening shortened from six minutes to every nine seconds. Little by little pushing his way through the iron block. The Beholder comments that by being bathed in molten iron, Fushi acquired regeneration powers able to endure extreme heat and the ability to propagate a strong will through his flesh.

Outside Fushi's prison, a crowd forms around the block as a bulge forms in the corner from Fushi pushing through the iron. The crowd is frightened that God is angry with them and Cylira commands then to harden the growing bulge with water. They keep splashing it with water as Fushi's silhouette emerges from the iron. The crowd cheers believing they stopped Fushi and Cylira declares that what they saw tonight will become a legend, not realizing Fushi, as Ligard, flying away. Fushi flies to the church and as Oopa, takes out the guards with her blowdart. He transforms into Joaan and sniffs around for Bonchien. The Beholder appears and tells Fushi he's impressed he survived so long without losing himself. Fushi replies of course. The Beholder commends him. Fushi transforms back into Ligard and takes flight. He thinks back to what Bonchien told him when they first met as he melts apart Bonchien's cage.

Chapter Notes

 * Fushi acquired regeneration powers able to endure extreme heat and the ability to propagate a strong will through his flesh.
 * Fushi breaks free from his prison, unbeknownst to the Church of Bennett.