Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 6: v. 6

Yuya has finally found the elusive man with the cross scar... and it's Kyo/Kyoshiro/whoever. But that's not the only surprise in store in "Samurai Deeper Kyo, Book 6," since Akimine Kamijyo spends most of this volume exploring the new characters and villains that are swarming all over the forest of Aokigahara. It's a fast, fun read with plenty of new twists.While Yuya struggles with her new knowledge, Benitora and Okuni run across a bloodthirsty, scarlet-eyed man with a giant scythe -- Mekira, one of the Twelve God Shoguns. He's also an ex-classmate of Benitora's who murdered their master when he refused to teach him the deadliest techniques of their school. Benitora, unsurprisingly, is not happy to see him again.And it seems that Mekira's skill has only increased, since he seems to be able to teleport around during the fight and is cutting Benitora to ribbons. Meanwhile, the elusive Master is in the heart of the forest, and he wants Kyo's body. In a non-X-rated way.And during all this, Kyo and Yuya have found a deep underground cave where Kyo's body seems to be frozen inside a vast expanse of ice. Except it isn't actually Kyo's body -- it's a disguise worn by one of the Twelve, a ruthless mathematically-minded puppet-master whose constant attacks are wearing Kyo out. When he goes critical, someone else emerges to fight..."Samurai Deeper Kyo Book 6" is a pretty action-packed, bizarrely superhuman volume -- we have Benitora and Mekira carving each other up with astonishing skill, a preteen ninja slicing a guy in half, Kyo fighting against an army of shapeshifting puppets (including multiple Yuyas), and even Yukimura effortlessly thrashing a crowd of bounty-hunting thugs. With a FISHING ROD. It doesn't get much more impressive than that.Amidst all that action, Kamijyo still manages to weave in some plot exposition (including a shadowy appearance by the Master) and a glimpse at how Yukimura's little ninja organization works (including the female Kagemusha who poses as him... presumably with a steel sports bra). There are some moments of humor (mother-hen Saizo freaking out) but the overall feel is rather grim.It also introduces some interesting new characters, such as Benitora's nasty old schoolmate, and a bespectacled puppetmaster with a sadistic edge. Most impressive the deadly prepubescent ninja Sasuke (who is somehow able to draw a sword as long as he is), and in the meantime Yuya comes to a surprising decision about trusting Kyo."Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 6" is heavy on action and moderate on plot, and both promise to get more intense as time goes on.