Chapter 88

A Soldier's Qualifications (兵士としての資格, Heishi toshite no Shikaku) is the 88th chapter of the To Your Eternity manga.

Summary
Fushi, Bonchien, Iddy, Messar, Kai, and Kahaku check out the replica of Booze Man's shop that Fushi built along with the rebuilt mill. Fushi explains to them his time living in the house. Iddy plays with the Booze Man's mask collection (even putting on the same Doki mask Rean had on) and Kahaku chides her to not touch everything. The townspeople thank Fushi for rebuilding their house/mill. Fushi tells them he even put "special powers" into the walls in case the Nokkers come and attack it. Other civilians crowd Fushi and ask him to rebuild their houses too. Fushi tells them that if they cover their houses with tarp, he'll handle things. Bonchien pulls Fushi aside and asks if he's sure the building is safe from Nokkers (since he only restored it to what it was like before it collapsed) and Fushi tells Bonchien that he thinks it's better than before. Bonchien notices Messar checking out some of Booze Man's alcohol. When he tries to lift a barrel it seems it's connected to the rest of the house. Bonchien looks down and sees a rope connecting the house to Fushi and understands what Fushi's doing. He asks if Fushi is planning on modifying the castle one day too and Fushi says of course. Bonchien tells him it'll take some convincing to get the Princess and the people inside the castle to vacate but Fushi simply tells him he'll handle that part. Fushi clarifies he doesn't intend to waste his time getting on the Princess's good side.

Fushi then asks how many more houses are in the city and says he isn't sure he'll make it to all of them. Bonchien tells him either way it'll be a difficult task, plus needs the solider's cooperation for battle. Fushi looks back at Bonchien and tells him they don't need the soldier's help and that it'd be easier for him if they stay home. Kai approaches and tells Fushi that Hairo is already in contact with the Renril army, so they should decide their role later. Messar and Kahaku realize Hairo's been gone for a while and Messar tells Fushi to see what he's up to. Fushi tells Messar not to order him around and that he's busy. Messar says Fushi's the best candidate to go look and that it shouldn't take long. Fushi reluctantly agrees and transforms into Joaan. Kahaku quickly offers to help and Fushi tells him to just watch after Iddy. Kahaku dejectedly agrees.

Fushi follows the scent of Hairo and finds a group of army men training. Fushi feels their pain and thinks that their training won't help against the Nokkers. He spots Hairo training with a man and is surprised to find out that he doesn't feel any pain coming from Hairo. Hairo knocks the man to the ground, then helps the man up and asks if he's alright. The man assures Hairo he's alright and introduces himself as Cam, he then asks if Hairo's alright. Hairo quickly feigns some pain and says he's going to stop by the first aid room.

Fushi follows Hairo to the room all bruised up. Fushi tells Hairo that training isn't going to help and Hairo agrees, but says it's necessary to gain the troops' trust. Fushi say he thinks that gaining their trust without being upfront might make things harder in battle. Hairo doesn't agree and then Fushi asks him why he feigned being hurt. Hairo answers that if he stopped showing pain, then the troops might trust him as a tough man, but that isn't true. He says he's actually not tough and only looks that way. Fushi doesn't understand and asks Hairo to tell him more about himself.

Hairo tells him that his earliest memory is when he was young and lived in a church. As a child, a doctor would pull out all his teeth, however, he couldn't feel any pain. Every time new teeth grew in, they would be pulled out. He was never told the reason why. Because he had no teeth, all his meals were mushy. He had a foster mother, Mother Tasette. Hairo considered her a friend who ate the same meals as him, read the same books, and enjoyed the same topics of conversations as him. While playing outside, Hairo trips over and Mother Tasette warns him that the doctor would get angry at him again if he gets hurt. Hairo lived in a place with one room and with a garden outside surrounded by high walls. He was allowed out once a week so he could attend the Church of Bennett teachings that was fifty metres away. While walking back one day, he spots a man eating bread and asks Mother Tasette what he's eating. He speculates it's the stuff mentioned in the holy book. Mother Tasette quickly brushes him off and tells him it's nothing. Although he lived the same day after day, he said he was still happy.

One day, Hairo begins practising as a swordsman with a stick. Mother Tasette asks him where he could have possibly seen swordsmen and Hairo explains he saw them in books. He throws Mother Tasette a stick and tells her to fight with him. He easily wins and knocks her over. Hairo asks her if she thinks he can be a swordsman and she says of course. On his birthday, Mother Tasette gifts him false teeth and a basket of bread. Hairo says his world went from zero to one; his first taste of happiness. Soon after, a new Mother introduces herself to Hairo and explains that Mother Tasette had sinned for giving Hairo false teeth and was therefore punished. The new Mother coldly states that Mother Tasette was a strong person, not even crying out once during the punishment. That's when Hairo realized he was brought to this place because he was different. People thought he was possessed. Once he grew older, the High Cleric appointed him as Head Soldier of the main temple of Bennett. Ever since then, he vowed that he would get away from the Church if he ever had the chance. The day finally came when Bonchien scouted him for the Immortal Army. Hairo finishes by saying once again that he only looks strong. He believes soldiers are trusted and respected for charging fearlessly into battle and facing pain, unlike him who can't experience pain.

Cam, who suddenly appears through the room's window, comments that if Hairo knew what pain was like, maybe he could've saved his foster mother. Fushi is quick to be hostile and asks Cam how long he's been listening. Cam says he's been there the whole time and begs Fushi not to kill him. Fushi threatens Cam with a knife and asks if he's heard everything, Cam quickly promises he won't tell a soul. Fushi lets him go and Cam says he only followed because he was worried about Hairo. Hairo then comments that without knowing pain, one can't protect those they wish to protect. He then asks if the troops really need someone like him and Cam responds that he doesn't know but maybe it's him that needs them. Fushi assures Hairo and Cam that he'll protect them. Suddenly, Cam accuses Fushi of babying them and says he won't let Fushi treat them like nobodies and that they'll help protect their people no matter what. Cam grans Hairo's hand and says they need to get back to training. Fushi laughs and tells Hairo that he leaves gaining the soldier's trust in his hands.

Chapter Notes

 * Fushi's plan is to recreate the Renril with summoned objects so his reach is all over. As well as to hide explosives inside recreated buildings in the city.
 * We learn about Hairo's backstory and the fact that he can't experience pain.

Trivia

 * Hairo has no teeth and thus wears false teeth.