Chapter 16 - Confrontation

Confrontation is Saiyuki's sixteenth chapter.

Summary
Kougaiji, Yaone, and Dokugakuji travel east in search of Lirin. They find her flying dragon and decide that seeking out the Sanzo-ikkou will be the fastest way to find her. Dokugakuji teases Kougaiji about his worry for his sister, and Kougaiji tells him to shut up. "What do you know, anyway?" Dokugakuji responds that he does know a little bit, and proceeds to share his past history, that he was unable to save his mother and that he had a little brother that he loved. He says Kougaiji reminds him of those times. Kougaiji apologies for lashing out and Dokugakuji replies that he isn't staying with Kougaiji out of pity, but rather by his own choice. He explains that, six years ago, when Kougaiji had let him serve under him with no questions asked, at that time he had decided to devote his life to Kougaiji. He tells Kougaiji that no matter what path he chooses, himself and Yaone will always be at his side.

Elsewhere, Lirin challenges the Sanzo-ikkou to a fight. When none of them are willing to make a move, she lunges at them and slams her fist into the ground, leaving behind a small crater in the street. As Goku, Gojyo, and Hakkai argue about which should be the one to fight her, Lirin charges at Goku. Before she can make contact, Sanzo suddenly grabs her by the back of the shirt and picks her up. The rest of the ikkou tease Sanzo for being good with animals while Lirin throws insults at Sanzo. Sanzo instantly calms her down by offering her a meat bun.

Kougaiji, Dokugakuji, and Yaone appear on a nearby rooftop and state that they have come to retrieve Lirin. Goku, Gojyo, and Hakkai say not to accuse them of kidnapping, since Lirin came to them, and complain about Lirin's behavior. Sanzo says that Kougaiji can have her back and lets go of Lirin's shirt, letting her drop to the ground.

Goku takes this opportunity to challenge Kougaiji to a fight, and Kougaiji accepts. Lirin immediately jumps to her brother's aid by trying to knee Sanzo in the head. Sanzo blocks her attack and punches her in the gut, after which she pretends to be in pain until Sanzo calls her out on her bad acting. Meanwhile, Yaone apologizes to Hakkai for the events at the tavern in chapter nine and politely requests to challenge him again. As the last pair remaining, Gojyo faces off against Dokugakuji and launches a shakujou attack. Dokugakuji blocks the attack by catching the chain around his arm. Dokugakuji says he didn't believe it until seeing for himself, but now he knows for sure who Gojyo really is. As Gojyo gets a good look at Dokugakuji's face and a memory of the time his brother killed his mother to save him flashes through his mind, he realizes that Dokugakuji is Jien, his brother. Dokugakuji introduces himself as Kougaiji's swordsman, materializes a sword in his hands and cuts through shakujou's chain. Dokugakuji says that unfortunately, he cannot give up on the path he has chosen. Gojyo laughs, decides to follow Dokugakuji's lead in playing it cool, and responds that he won't abandon his way of life, either.

Goku has been easily dodging Kougaiji's magic attacks. Before Kougaiji realizes what's happening, Goku has moved behind him and knocks him down with a knee to the face. Before Kougaiji has time to react, Goku is on him again and punches him in the gut. Kougaiji thinks to himself that Goku has gotten stronger since the last time they fought, and that if he is going to save his mother, he cannot lose. He asks what or who are the ikkou fighting for that makes them so determined, and Goku replies that he is fighting for himself. As Goku knocks him to the ground yet again, Kougaiji realizes that that is what the ikkou has that he lacks: "A freedom, confidence, a sense of themselves, that is what makes them so strong. That is absolute power." As Yaone and Dokugakuji call out to Kougaiji in concern, he tells them to stay back. Facing Goku with renewed resolve, Kougaiji tells him that he will pay him back double for every time he was just hit.