Chapter 97 is the second entry in Volume 17 of the Fruits Basket manga and the ninety-seventh chapter overall. A renewed meeting between Tohru and Kureno pulls back the curtain on how his curse ended, and it sets the stage for one of the story's largest secrets to finally surface.
Tohru crosses paths with Kureno once more, and this time he explains to her that the bond linking him to the Zodiac dissolved a long time ago. Their conversation carries heavy weight, because it also brings the story to the edge of exposing a truth Akito has guarded above all others.
Kureno recounts how his curse quietly broke years before the present, a change that reshaped his place among the Sohma. As he speaks, the chapter builds toward the unveiling of Akito's most closely held secret, leaving that revelation poised to land in the pages that follow.

Naruto vs Luffy with the twist nobody asked for: Luffy tickled Hinata on date night, and she kind of liked it. We break down the whole fight and commit to a winner....

There are no women on Namek. That isn't an oversight, it's the biology. Why we handed Piccolo the one thing his own species rules out, and why it had to be trap soul....
Chapter 97 shows Tohru Honda crossing paths with Kureno Sohma again, and this time he opens up to her about his past.
Kureno explains that the bond linking him to the Zodiac curse dissolved a long time before the present story.
Kureno and Tohru's conversation brings the story to the edge of exposing one of Akito's most closely guarded secrets.
Akito Sohma appears alone on the cover of Chapter 97, a fitting choice given the disclosures gathering around her.
Chapter 97 is the second chapter of Volume 17 and the ninety-seventh chapter overall, following Chapter 96 and leading into Chapter 98.
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View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Fruits Basket anime series, manga, and official materials. Fruits Basket was created by Natsuki Takaya, published by Hakusensha, and animated by TMS Entertainment. All rights to Fruits Basket and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
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