Chapter 13 - Faith in Mind

Charismatic is Saiyuki's ninth chapter.

Summary
Jiroushin introduces Kanzeon Bosatsu to the Sanzo-ikkou and Kanzeon proceeds to explain that Goku's power limiter can only be formed by the gods. Kanzeon explains that Goku has always been an extremely powerful being since his days in the heavens. Kanzeon says the remaining problem now is Sanzo's condition. Although Hakkai has closed the wound, Sanzo has already lost a lot of blood. Kanzeon approaches Gojyo and suddenly kisses him on the lips. When the kiss ends, Gojyo falls to the ground and Kanzeon informs him that a lot of his blood has just been sucked out. Kanzeon approaches the unconscious Sanzo, addressing him as Konzen Douji, and says that if he doesn't like what is happening, the he will have to try to survive on his own. As Kanzeon kisses Sanzo to perform a supernatural blood transfusion, he lashes out with his arm, pushing Kanzeon away subconsciously in his sleep. The transfusion now complete, Hakkai thanks Kanzeon, but Kanzeon says they can give their thanks by carrying on with their mission. Kanzeon silently thinks that it wouldn't be fun if the Sanzo-ikkou were to die this soon and wonders how far the ikkou can go. Kanzeon and Jiroushin take their leave, vanishing to return to the heavens.

Later, back inside the inn, Goku, now awake and returned to normal, sits glumly at an unconscious Sanzo's bedside. Hakkai enters the room, telling Goku to go and eat, but Goku refuses to leave Sanzo's side. Hakkai sits down next to him, and Goku explains how he has no memory of what happened after his limiter broke. In his mind's eye he sees again the face of a man who resembles Sanzo, but does not remember who he is. He talks about how he has no memories of his past before being locked up in Mt. Gogyo. All he remembers is that he did something very bad, and that there had been something he very much wanted to protect. He tells Hakkai about how Sanzo rescued him from the cave prison, and how he can never do anything to help Sanzo in return. Hakkai offers some advice, suggesting that in order to help someone, one should think of the other person first. He suggests that if someone trusts you, especially if the trust is mutual, you should do everything to take care of yourself first in order to live up to that trust. He says that since Sanzo himself said that Goku, Hakkai, and Gojyo were not going to die, that they need to live up to those words with a strength that they can be proud of. Hakkai's words make an impression of Goku, and he resolves to get stronger for his own sake, so as not to die an embarrassing death in front of the others.

Hakkai suggests that he will cook a healthy meal for all of them, and Goku happily runs off to request permission to use the inn's kitchen. Once Goku has left, Hakkai speaks to Sanzo, who was lying awake resting but feigning sleep, telling him not to do anything foolish that might reopen his wounds, as he does not want them to have matching scars. When Hakkai leaves the room, Sanzo remembers again how Koumyou Sanzo jumped in front of him to save his life. He lets out a small, wry laugh.

Later that day, Sanzo has gotten out of bed and is checking his gun, although he has difficulty moving about due to the pain of his injury. Gojyo, who is sitting just outside his door, hears Sanzo stumbling around the room and knocks on the door. He tells Sanzo that he is supposed to be keeping an eye on him, so if Sanzo wants to sneak out, he will have to leave through the window. Gojyo asks about the beads around Rikudo's neck, and when Sanzo confirms that they were his, Gojyo says he thinks that the beads are protecting Rikudo and that they are the last thing keeping him from losing his sanity to the talisman completely.

Later that night, Rikudo runs through the forest, guided by the beads as they are drawn towards something that seems to be calling him. He hears a familiar voice in his mind and feels a wave of energy, and then encounters Sanzo sitting in a meditative pose. Rikudo is surprised to see Sanzo still alive, and asks if Sanzo has come to get killed. Sanzo counters that he has come to kill Rikudo himself.