I have hated ALI Project for a long time. I know it's their trademark to make every single song sound the same despite the words being different, but that's working against them in my case. I can't stand to listen to them anymore when I feel like I've heard the same thing for a thousand times (and didn't particularly like it to begin with, back in Rozen Maiden, although it sounded kind of fresh back then). So, I'll be skipping this OP without a question. In fact I skipped it as soon as I heard which band is playing...

If what you said is true and Togame is the only one speaking like that to Hitei, then why it's allowed is answered by itself. In a sense Togame is a nobody, at least until she's gathered all the deviant blades, and so Hitei loses no grace by allowing it. However, considering Hitei's own wits and the sharpness of her tongue, surely she would feel like her talents go to waste if she had no sparring partners.

I also approve of Shichika admitting he has a soul. It certainly allows better character development (including development of the relationship between those two) and it also means Shichika can't escape responsibility for his own deeds by saying he's just a sword doing his master's bidding. Now it's more like those two either rise together or fall together.

Togame's new hair style does suit her style and personality but I'd be lying if I said I'm not missing the scenes of Shichika playing with the long hair... But perhaps it compensates he's now playing with the rest of her body...