BAKI-DOU: THE INVINCIBLE SAMURAI
I want to rise in this world!
He cut him?
Truly astonishing.
What an incredibly strong body.
This doesn't feel like flesh.
It feels like hitting armor.
My blade wouldn't go through.
I've cut down many people with a diagonal slash,
but this is the first time I couldn't cut through the collarbone.
What a letdown.
You didn't even draw your blade,
yet you say it won't cut, won't go through, won't sever.
Is your sword just wordplay?
Old man.
Bring him a sword. He wants one.
How kind of you, strong man.
It's been a while since I've had the daisho.
They feel just right.
How bold!
Miyamoto.
Don't get cocky.
Incredible.
I have no memory of being struck, yet I wandered the land of the dead.
This is what today's great fist masters taught me.
The state of mind one reaches when living without a sword.
Fists can reach the level of a sword.
However...
That's not Musashi's sword.
Don't let go, strong man.
He grasps the blade.
Well done!
And at the root of it, the one gripping the very base is Musashi Miyamoto.
Already?
I like your instinct of not holding back.
He's already using Niten Ichi-ryu!
I'm pleased.
There are also men like this.
Now's not the time to hold back.
This happiness...
I can't contain it!
He meets every attack head-on and crushes it.
The title and crown of "Strongest Creature on Earth"...
When was the last time he ever dodged?
This density!
What can I compare this aura to?
Two kings of beasts facing off?
A dragon and tiger clashing?
No...
Those don't even come close!
Even if one compares them to anything else,
when it comes to strength, these two heroes
are unmatched in this world.
I swear it.
Not even a lion, a dragon, or a tiger
could ever defeat these two.
He relaxes his body and falls.
He uses that acceleration
to generate power from his heel
and then directs it towards the opponent.
He closes the distance.
Using the full length of his blade,
he slides it into the vital point.
The process of understanding this
took 0.000... seconds.
You've got well-trained wrists.
Even after losing consciousness, he didn't let go of his swords.
When they were torn from him, the pain he felt was unlike anything.
Even a battlefield couldn't compare.
It's over!
In the midst of agony,
a certain thought sprouted in Musashi's mind.
Not yet?
It's almost time.
The secret technique that was almost complete in Higo.
Not yet!
Strong man,
what's your name?
If not try it on him, then who?
SWORD
Standard script turns to semi-cursive script.
And eventually, to cursive script...
Then what is cursive script in the art of the blade?
And then
what comes after that?
MUSASHI MIYAMOTO 58 YEARS OLD
He's 58 years old.
He's now considered old, but his appearance is magnificent.
It's as if he has a long and short sword in his hands.
It's not like you're about to be cut down.
So what are you afraid of?
Now!
When did he...
Slash.
You're chopped into pieces.
Yes.
Continue.
I'm close.
Close?
Strange. The master has been holding his swords less and less every year.
The year is almost over, and yet he hasn't touched them once this year.
Beyond the cursive script and even beyond that...
I continue writing on paper every day.
I write daily without end.
Eventually, I start writing in my head.
I write endlessly in my head.
Eventually, when I look at a wall,
I think of writing on it.
When I look at a waterfall,
I think of writing on it.
Even when I look at the sky,
I move my brush across it.
When I reach this state,
the brush is no longer needed.
It's the same
with swords as well.
I'll no longer need swords.
My last name is Hanma.
My first name is Yujiro.
People call me the "Strongest Creature on Earth."
Apparently.
You're strong, Yujiro Hanma.
Look.
I took the damage head-on just to make that groin kick.
You're strong too. Just like the rumors say.
No, even stronger.
Rumors?
Rumors about me have continued for 400 years.
I like that.
I get it.
This man stands at the top.
Isn't that right, Tokugawa?
It's exactly as you've said, Miyamoto.
The man standing before you is the pinnacle of strength in this world.
I'm giving these back.
Lucky me.
A chance for advancement came straight to me.
It still hurts here, but I can fight.
Let's go.
When he let go of his swords, his aura increased.
No, he didn't let go.
There's no big, there's no small.
This is the path of my Niten Ichi-ryu.
He still has them!
Great outcome.
It's maturing well.
Niten Ichi-ryu is just one night from completion!
I see.
One day, it leads to not needing swords. That's why you use two swords.
Motobe!
What the hell?
You bastard!
You fool!
You protected Hanma!
Wait!
That's enough, Hanma.
Are you trying to get in my way?
Wait!
Calm down, Yujiro. Motobe's the one who got in the way!
And look what happened to him.
It's unfortunate, but this match is void.
Hey.
You did something dangerous.
Where did those two go?
I don't know. They wandered off.
I see.
I certainly did something dangerous.
But Noble Elder,
if I hadn't stepped in at that moment, the Ogre would've been cut down.
Unfortunately,
everyone's understanding of martial arts is far too shallow.
So?
That's why I, Motobe, am here.
I don't really get it.
Excuse me!
In the next match, I, Motobe, will cut down Musashi.
It's not that they're dressed in an eye-catching way.
But the individuality they possess, their presence
is clearly different from those around them.
That's why they attract attention.
Two such people walking together.
Hanma, are you famous?
Everyone's interested in you.
People coming from the front sneak a look, and people passing by look back.
It's the same for you.
It's too amazing.
I see.
You, Izo Motobe, an ancient martial artist,
want to cross blades with Musashi Miyamoto.
And what's more, you want to cut down that master swordsman.
Is there a problem? Musashi Miyamoto versus Izo Motobe.
I think it's a good idea.
We're evenly matched.
I don't really mind.
Don't lie!
What?
"Like Motobe has any right to talk. Know your place."
That's what you want to say.
Well, I mean...
Let him face me.
Anyone who has a problem can go up against me.
If anyone says I'm not strong enough, then that person should face me.
But as for the rule that anything is allowed except the use of weapons,
there won't be that kind of leeway.
Everything will be allowed.
Acquired knowledge, techniques, tools.
Of course, weaponry, from projectiles to explosives.
I want you to take this seriously.
It was at this moment.
It was at this moment that Mitsunari later acknowledged.
Izo Motobe is doing it!
So strong.
It's whisky.
No, that man.
He's a practical fighter.
Yes, that one.
But this is really good.
So the legend that you can't drink is false.
False?
You're a real drinker.
So that Motobe is willing to use any means.
Even compared to the people I've fought here,
he's got a lot of tricks.
All sorts of moves.
In fact, just now...
A short blade and several other things.
Hidden weapons. He had them strapped to his body.
It paid off.
What did?
A completely unexpected twist.
The techniques he mastered, the weapons he wielded.
It's nothing but a tragedy.
Swords and spears are recognized as cultural assets.
But smoke bombs? Grappling hooks? Manriki-gusari?
Ninja techniques, tools, and weapons. Where the heck would he use them?
Even in that era, there were few chances to use them.
Techniques and knowledge that never saw the light of day.
An opponent worthy of using all of them has appeared before him.
Techniques meant to stay buried in obscurity see the light of day.
Thanks to you.
You're a kind man.
Well, well.
It's been a while, Master.
Well said.
You were listening?
Yes, I was.
From the attic.
So it was you, Gaia.
MOTOBE-RYU JUJITSU
I've been to this dojo many times, but when I come here,
my heart dances like a child's.
You like weapons?
They're so cool. All of them.
Cool?
Weapons are amazing.
Tailored to their purpose, stripping out all waste.
The remaining form is exactly what's necessary.
They embody exactly what's required.
The function itself has taken shape.
That's why they're cool.
You're right. This place makes me excited.
You're amazing, Master.
You get excited about a dojo you come to every day.
There's no one else like that.
That's the mark of a genius.
This place is a toy box.
And the dojo is safe.
The dojo is safe?
There are rules, discipline, and common sense.
It's much safer than outside.
By the way, Gaia.
It's been a while. Would you like to spar?
Master, the dojo is a dangerous place after all.
Subtitle translation by: Wataru Uno