BAKI-DOU: THE INVINCIBLE SAMURAI
It was February, the second year of Genna.
This is a story passed down in the land of Musashino.
On that day, a lone traveling gambler
was given lodging for the night by the wealthy Hanayama farming family.
To reward him after his long journey, they gave the best hospitality they could.
That night,
a gang of over a dozen bandits broke into the Hanayama home.
Agonizing cries.
The family of five was massacred,
suffering an unprecedented tragedy.
However, one person survived.
Their only son, Yakichi, came through it without a scratch.
How?
This occurred that night out of the blue.
Realizing he couldn't hold them off alone, the traveling gambler carried Yakichi.
He covered the young child with a temple bell,
standing in the way of the zealous bandits.
With both hands occupied, he took numerous hits
again and again.
They say the amount of cuts and stab wounds easily exceeded ten.
Even after his life ended, his body stood like a shield.
They say that even the bandits spoke words of praise and departed.
Years later, Yakichi became an adult.
After being told about his circumstances,
he swiftly changed to the life of a gambler
and engraved the traveling gambler onto his body.
Since then, that tattoo has been carried on the backs of Hanayama family heads.
And before long, it was given the title "Otokodachi," which remains today.
However, the one to question this work was none other
than Kaoru, who would become the family's 16th head.
An Otokodachi without its slashes is no Otokodachi at all.
Immediately afterward, he stormed to the rival Tomizawa gang on his own,
devastating them in under ten minutes.
Though he himself suffered heavy injuries,
those sword wounds were exactly what he was after.
Kaoru Hanayama, 14 years and two months old.
Cut up yet still standing strong.
This can be seen as the completion of the true Otokodachi.
I should've asked this earlier.
Boss...
I'm really sorry, but...
Boss...
You know who Musashi Miyamoto is, don't you?
Sorry. Of course you know who he is.
Musashi Miyamoto...
Isn't he that guy? From period dramas.
That samurai.
Excuse me?
I think there was... Sasaki?
That's right! You're right, Boss.
Period dramas. Samurai. You're not wrong.
But Boss, is that really all you know about Musashi Miyamoto?
Why?
Why? You're going to fight with that samurai soon.
The word "strongest" didn't exist before him!
He's the ultimate swordsman!
The strongest of all time! A top-tier specialist in slashing people!
Calm down, Kizaki.
Training because you want to win.
Researching because you want to win.
That's not pure.
He cut down Sea King Retsu.
He scared the police department.
I bet he's strong.
That's enough for me.
The things I just so happened to learn. That's enough for me.
If I try to learn more than that, it becomes vulgar.
It stops being pure.
That's right. That's the kind of person he is.
That's why I've followed him to this day.
That's why I'll follow him today as well.
He keeps his word with honesty.
Information about the enemy doesn't matter.
Samurai or monk? It doesn't matter.
Strong or weak? It doesn't matter.
Thank you for your hard work!
- No problem. - What?
Where is he?
He's currently heading this way, roughly 70 meters behind me.
Well,
this place sure is interesting.
- What's this? - A fight?
He's got swords.
- So cool! - Where's the police?
Look, they're over there.
And there too.
Nice look on your face.
The young one was thinking.
Why is there darkness behind the warrior?
An endless darkness spreads behind Musashi.
An endless height.
An endless depth.
An endless distance.
An endless expanse.
And yet, if he steps forth,
it's neither high, deep, nor expansive,
but rather it may be a sealed darkness.
Will a mighty sword appear from here?
A poison needle? An explosive?
With his legs spread wide
and both fists spread up high,
it's like he ignores his opponent's counterattack.
Rather than martial arts or combat sports...
it looked more like shot put, javelin, discus.
It was reminiscent of a throwing form.
In an instant, without a moment's hesitation,
he stepped into the darkness.
The man with a tattoo on his back
and the man armed with swords
are being silently watched by the police.
The police are pretending to keep a handle on this extraordinary situation.
Hey...
- What? - Cut it out, officer.
What's gonna happen?
The swordmaster was thinking.
Well...
Behind this young man...
Why is it white?
Are you saying this is what our encounter looks like?
How unusual.
Against the boy, I saw a feast stretching to the horizon.
Against Pickle, I saw dazzling gold and admiration.
With the strong man, the gold reached the heavens.
Behind the old man of sorcery, a field of flowers that cheers the heart.
But what about this?
The scenery I see here is
white.
Or perhaps nothingness?
No way. That's impossible at his young age.
This is his stance?
He can't block anything with this.
He clearly has enough fighting experience.
Will he attack me like that?
What does he plan to do if I come slashing at him?
What if I shot a poison needle? Or threw an explosive?
I see!
This is...
No, this is likely...
Almost certainly, this is the young one's determination.
So pristine.
How pure and so incredibly heroic!
White. So incredibly white.
So incredibly bright
and so incredibly dazzling that the swordmaster
ended up closing his eyes, or so they say.
There, when light shines through,
one is enveloped in kindness.
Then...
Then make it stronger, make it brighter, with more light.
No.
Light is kind because it brings forth shadows.
When light shines mercilessly on shadows, it carries madness.
This man... he's so bright.
Facing me, armed Musashi,
he exposes his body without even a small weapon.
This defenselessness, this pristine condition dazzles me.
The giant fist explodes.
- Is it over? - It's over in one punch?
He must've flown ten meters!
A fist of determination is no different.
It's by no means inferior to a sword.
His fist far surpassed my expectations.
I'm glad I took that hit.
With one hand?
I've seen that samurai on the news.
Samurai.
Can you still fight?
How interesting.
You're checking to see if I'll continue.
You're too soft.
His giant fist
hit once again.
- He drew his sword! - He cut him!
He cut through his fist!
Unbelievable.
I split your fist, and yet my guts are twisting.
His giant fist...
hit for a third time.
- He punched with the sword! - He's flying again!
Hey.
Hey, fist person.
Even Benkei wasn't as strong as you.
- Utsumi. - Tokugawa.
That's our Hanayama!
Men like this exist too.
Those who throw their fists
with the blade still lodged.
Men like this exist too.
- Is it stuck? Is he holding it? - A katana? A real sword?
- Is it a fight? - A real one?
So cool!
That strength makes me happy.
Wait a moment, fist person.
If you're standing before me, then you already know who I am.
Tell me your name.
I see. I apologize for this sudden punch.
Last name Hanayama,
first name Kaoru.
I have no grudge against you, Miyamoto.
But I'll have to take you down for the sake of my duty.
I refuse.
Thanks to how foolishly naive you are to stop and give me your name,
yeah, I feel completely recovered.
That's cheating!
What will you do, Hanayama?
Stop dawdling or you'll be finished.
SOLID
I never knew
that flesh could turn into iron.
Iron flesh.
I wonder how it feels when you cut it.
The time is Edo.
The Hasebe family residence in Kokura.
Well done!
Much obliged.
How much does it weigh?
I've heard it weighs 747 kan.
That's easily four times the usual.
I heard the rumors, but seeing it is very different from hearing about it.
Easy!
I never imagined it'd be this huge.
Easy!
It's a monster.
What do you think, Musashi?
What do I think?
Can you beat it?
Can I beat it?
I see.
Against humans, you're unmatched in this world.
Musashi Miyamoto, who's feared even by demons.
But your opponent is no human. It's a monster as big as a mountain.
Are you trembling, Musashi?
You say some strange things, Hasebe.
When a chef has a carp on a cutting board,
no one asks, "Can you beat this carp?"
Indeed.
- Did he cut him? - Definitely!
His torso
was supposed to be sliced apart
with a single swing.
He cut him.
Not only was he not sliced apart,
but not a single bone was cut through.
A fortress of muscle that surpasses even a bull.
What will he show us after being cut?
Sorry, I ended up being a little late on this.
There's no point for me to have this. I'll give it back.
You...
You sure are a troublesome guy!
That's Hanayama for you!
Subtitle translation by: Wataru Uno