"All Touken Danshis are to assemble in the main hall by 11.30pm!" Asougi Tokinaka (the Sage in-charge of the Citadel) made an announcement to the swords who came back from the Higekiri-Hizamaru event. "Be sure to inform those who're not here! That's all!"

The sudden announcement left the swords present baffled.

"What's with Master today?" Tsurumaru asked as he changed out of his clothes.

"Is she tired of her workload?" Ichigo wondered with concern. He needed to wake his other brothers.

"But she seems to look quite happy before she left..." Yamanbagiri sighed. Being the one who was with Tokinaka for the longest period of time, he knew she had something up her sleeve.

"Is everyone here?" Tokinaka asked.

Silence and nods from the crowd of boys and guys.

"Good, because in thirty minutes will be the start of a new year... so..." Tokinaka paused, before bowing down. "I know everyone's tired and bored of the Beard-Knee event (especially when the drop rate is so low while the number of Otoshidama needed is so high), but I really want to thank you all for tolerating me. Especially you, Beibei (Yamanbagiri)."

Claps and cheers filled the building as said sword blushed while muttering that he was only a replica and did nothing much.

"It was a really hard journey from the time I first started this career... I almost thought I couldn't survive as a sage, as the responsibility is heavy. To protect history... it's like being honored a sacred order, especially when I managed to learn how to summon all of you from your blades. It was amazing, and I am able to be friends with all of you as well. I'm so glad I didn't give up on this career."

The tantous and wakizashis teared, with the rest in knowing smiles.

"I first started off with only Beibei, then Midare and Imatsuru (Imanotsurugi) joined us. Gradually more swords came in too, be it smithing or from drops. I still remember when we had to rescue Urashima and Nagasone from the Kebiishis; Akashi from the Ikedaya area; Nihongou from one of the war-training campaigns; Monoyoshi from the Village of Treasures; both Hakata and Gotou from the Osaka Castle on two occasions."

More swords are tearing up now. It was indeed a pretty long, harsh and tiring journey when the Citadel first started. With more comrades now, everything became slightly easier.

"For the Beard-Knee event, we're doing the same for the brother swords," she pumped her fist into the air. "So let's not give up!"

"Oooh!" the swords chorused.

"And also... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!"

Fireworks sparked in the night sky and before long, a fiesta started in the Citadel, signalling the start of a new beginning.

Meaning, they are going to meet more of their comrades.

Even if their owners were enemies, the past is the past. The present matters.

Farewell 2015.

And hello, 2016.