Chapter 205

"The picaresque" is the eighth chapter of the 23rd volume and the 205th chapter overall of the Tokyo卍Revengers manga series, written and illustrated by Ken Wakui. It is also labeled as one of the two side stories of the 23rd volume, majority of which is a flashback from Shuji Hanma's perspective.

Summary
In July 2005, a fight attracts a crowd, which marvels at sixteen-year-old Hanma's fighting skills, defeating ten people alone. He is infamous in the Kabukicho district, easily recognizable by his hand tattoos and nicknamed the "Reaper". Standing above his defeated opponents, Hanma smokes a cigarette, asking if he is destined to live a boring life. Just then, two Moebius members push through the crowd, with Osanai telling Hanma that someone wants to meet him.

Hanma arrives in an abandoned building, where Kisaki sits, asking him if he is the "Reaper". As Hanma remarks that he has never seen Kisaki before, Kisaki asks him to become one of his pawns. Reflecting on their first encounter, Hanma remembers being interested in Kisaki, who felt vaguely different than other delinquents. Kisaki was a master manipulator, instigating Kiyomasa, Pah-chin, and Peh-yan as part of his initial plan. As Hanma looks on admirably, Kisaki reminds him that he is merely a tool for him; once he no longer has any use, he will be abandoned and replaced. Hanma laughs in response, saying that it is an ideal life. He compares life with Kisaki to a circus's entertainment. The various people Kisaki used, such as Kazutora, Yuzuha, and Izana, acted as entertaining shows, exciting Hanma.

Before Tenjiku's battle with Toman, as they overlook the city, Kisaki asks Hanma why he continues to follow him. Hanma responds, saying that he will reveal his reasons when Kisaki is on his deathbed. When Kisaki is bemused, Hanma laughs, assuring that this is a promise. Before his assault on Emma, Hanma remarks that Kisaki is not usually the type to dirty his own hands. On Hanma's bike, Kisaki responds that he has become desperate; knowing that he cannot be the main hero, he compares himself to a pierrot. Despite this, he maintains that he will always be able to obtain his desires. Hanma chuckles, remarking that this is the first time Kisaki divulged his true intentions.

Later, as Tenjiku is defeated, Hanma rides in, rescuing Kisaki from Toman. As he remarks that Kisaki now owes him, Hanma reassures him that it is not yet over. Later, Hanma finds Kisaki's mangled body, laying in the crosswalk. Amid his tears, he remarks that Kisaki lived and died grandly.

Years later, in June 2008, Hanma visits Kisaki's grave. As he sets a can of beer on the grave, Hanma smokes a cigarette and begins to tell Kisaki his motives, just as he promised.

Characters in order of appearance
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 * 1) Shuji Hanma
 * 2) Nobutaka Osanai (flashback)
 * 3) Tetta Kisaki (corpse, grave)
 * 4) Masataka Kiyomizu {flashback)
 * 5) Haruki Hayashida (flashback)
 * 6) Ryohei Hayashi (flashback)
 * 7) Kazutora Hanemiya (flashback)
 * 8) Yuzuha Shiba (flashback)
 * 9) Izana Kurokawa (flashback)