Chapter 181: Investigation

Investigation (調査, Chōsa) is the 181st chapter of the Kekkaishi Manga written and illustrated by Yellow Tanabe.

Summary
At Night Troop Headquarters, Miki Hatori brings tea to Masamori Sumimura. Masamori wonders how Shinyuuchi hunting is carried out, and Hatori advises him against thinking about something so dangerous, which amuses him.

Chief Kouzou Tanno and Namihira of The Shadow Organization's Investigation Office visit Mashiroko Lake, a Shinyuuchi that has recently vanished. Tanno is having trouble navigating the area, and Namihira explains the area is famous for its mist. Namihira adds that he has hired a guide to help clear the mist, which turns out to be Rokurou Ougi. Tanno is immediately concerned that they cannot afford to hire an Ougi with their budget, but Rokurou has volunteered to work for free. After introductions are exchanged, Rokurou clears the mist, revealing a huge, gaping black hole where the Shinyuuchi should be. Tanno uses his antennae to determine that nothing can penetrate the black hole, and anything that touches it is swallowed up. Tanno suggests that it was formerly the entrance to the other world, but is now collapsed and expanding rapidly, so they must contain it somehow. He also determines that this was not a natural occurrence, and that Rokurou has a hidden reason for helping them. Tanno orders Namihira to seal off the area, and to get a high-level ability user who can mend space: ironically, someone with similar skills as the person responsible for taking the Shinyuuchi. Namihira offers to take charge of the case himself, which Tanno allows.

Rokurou reports his findings to his older brother Ichirou Ougi, who is displeased that he didn't apply more force to get more information. Rokurou replies that even if they learned how to hunt Shinyuuchi, he cannot agree to the idea of harming them. Ichirou insists that if they cannot do the same as the current Shinyuuchi hunters, they will lose out, and that their hands are already dirty, so it is too late to have morals. Ichirou plans to use this incident to make trouble for Masamori. He considers asking another of their brothers to go the next time, but Rokurou begs to go and apologizes for his failure. Ichirou eventually agrees.

Hatori gives Masamori word that orders have come for him to go to Mashiroko Lake. Masamori is curious because it is far away and seems very important.

Namihira and Rokurou unexpectedly visit the Sumimura Home, saying they have questions about the recent Shinyuuchi hunting.

Characters (in order of appearance)

 * Miki Hatori
 * Masamori Sumimura
 * Kouzou Tanno
 * Namihira
 * Rokurou Ougi
 * Toshimori Sumimura
 * Shuji Sumimura
 * Yoshimori Sumimura
 * Shigemori Sumimura