"Intruders"

I can't believe this!

...

Whoa, hold on! You were cheating! I didn't even see when you drew your sword!

Seriously, cut that out! What kind of nonsense is a move I can't see even after I already saw through your movement!? You think people can just swing their swords around like chopsticks or something!?

Strength is not from the body alone, but from a state of perfect zen, and absolute purity. That was the ultimate strike, one I spent my entire career as a swordsman perfecting.

And yet, you were able to parry it somehow. I didn't pay much attention to this twaddle about "the greatest swordsman under heaven," since it sounded like you made it up...

...But now, I must cut you down. No matter what, I must cut you down.

Wait! Waitwaitwait! No way, I don't fight when I can't win!

Besides, you tricked me! What do you mean the name "Yagyu of Edo" is meaningless!?

Your skill with a sword is godlike! The people who told me your style was child's play lied!

...Of course. Only the one who rules our nation knows the truth of my skill. Such is not meant for the likes of lowly peasants.

If you want to curse anything for being cut down in the middle of the street, curse your own aura as a swordsman.

...Well, I can't really complain since I was the one who picked a fight with you... Wait, no, I will complain!

Shouldn't a powerful swordsman and government official like you just ignore taunts from a wanderer like me!?

But no! Not only did you ambush me, but you weren't even taking the fight seriously!?

That's not fair! You bully! Bullying the weak is bad!

...

(...Looking at him, it seems nothing I say will matter anymore. This old geezer is unlike any opponent I've faced before.)

(I can't see his attacks. I can't win. I guess this is the end of the road for me... Hm?)

...Hm.

YES! It's that thing again! Thank you, O merciful bodhisattva!

Since it looks like luck is on my side, I better take advantage of it and run! Sorry, but our fight ends here, Yagyu...something!

I won't taunt you again, so just forget about me! Bye!

...

Phew, that worked! I'm getting so dizzy right noooooow!

...She's gone. To think she would be versed in the demon arts as well as swordsmanship.

I may have injured her, but her head is still on her shoulders... To survive my secret technique not once, but twice...

Shinmen Musashi-no-Kami Fujiwara-no-Harunobu. I will never forget your name.

？！

？！

...Ugh... Hmmm... Argh, my head hurts...

？！

...! This is nothing, I can still fight!

Wait... Huh? Who...are you? Where's that scary old geezer?

Sorry about that! Y'know, if you tell me what's going on, I'll be even MORE apologetic. I'll even buy you a bowl of udon after!

But, before that...

I asked the question first. You're dressed funny... Hmm, looks like you're from another country?

In any case...

？！

You, unfamiliar foreigner! Before you name yourself, you must answer this!

Who in the world am I!? And where exactly is this!?

？！

Yes, it seems that way. I must have hit my head hard, and forgot who I am.

So, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me my name. Oh, but if you don't know, that's fine too.

If you could just point me to a nearby tea shop, I'll handle the rest myself.

So? Do you know my name? Do you know anything about this place?

？！

I see... Yup, then nothing I can do. This stuff happens.

Sorry for asking so much. Anyway, let's get back to the introduction.

What's your name? My memories don't matter, but I can't call someone I just met "Hey You," right?

？！

Okay, Fujimaru. I'm sorry about slashing at you just now.

You revived me, right? After I passed out? Well, it looks like no one stole anything off me...

It seems luck is on my side again this time. For someone as cute as you...

...No, for someone as pure-hearted as you to wake me up.

Heh...hehe! This new year is starting off great for us!

Hey, partner! We've got some humans washed up over here! TWO OF THEM!

Look at that one, tasty-looking meat and nice clothes! She even got swords around her waist!

That guy over there, though... No flair at all. No swords, no fancy getup...

But perfect for physical labor! Let's grab him so he can make our meals!

...Not bad. It's about time we started aiming higher.

A full-fledged oni has human slaves. It will keep those weirdos staying at the gate in check.

Hey, you two humans there. If you don't want to die, come quietly and do as we say.

If you resist, we won't have any choice: we'll have to hurt one of you. Real bad.

Of course. If running would take care of it, I'd be happy to. But, it doesn't seem like running will do the trick.

Hmm... My memory's hazy... Can't even remember my own name... Still, I'm guessing this isn't something we can just run away from, so...

？！

I mean, those are real oni, right? Here we go again... I always end up in weird places like this.

Fine, I shall fight! Fujimaru, I'll trust you to cover me!

I don't know where you idiots came from, but you sure have guts, talking weird trash like that to a couple of strangers who washed up on a beach!

I can tolerate thieves, miscreants, oni, centipede monsters...even Osakabe-hime! But I just can't stand evil jerks like you!

Now, an honest match, you oni-looking villains! Playtime is over. I'll send you back to hell!

Eeeeeek! What's with this human!? She's super strong!

That dual sword stance... Ferocious, yet perfectly controlled... The flexibility and ability to adapt to any and all situations...

This woman... Don't tell me... She's the famous Miyamoto Musashi! The one who killed off all the disciples of the Yoshioka school!

Whaaat!? You know of her, partner!?

Indeed. I once devoted myself to the way of the sword. I'm familiar with all the famous swordsmen.

This woman is Miyamoto Musashi, without a doubt! No, but... Woman... A woman...?

...Mmm, I guess that's my name. Sounds right to me.

Do you know about me, Fujimaru? Is the name Miyamoto Musashi famous or something?

Yeah. Sounds about right to me, so let's go with that.

Although... I can't remember what kind of person this "Musashi" is... Well, she's probably a good-for-nothing person!

？！

In any case, we're still in the middle of a match. Hey, oni, thanks for telling me my name.

Eeek! If that's Musashi, there's no way we'd win! Sorry, Sukeroku, die for me!

Whoa, don't push me to the front! What are you, an evil oni!? Oh... Wait... Yeah...

Ugh arrrgh! I'm going to die here!

...Hm? I'm not dead? I'm still alive?

You mean Musashi let me live? The same Musashi they say kills everyone she meets?

Where did you hear that?

My memory is still hazy right now, but I won't cut down an opponent who's lost the will to fight.

We're not at war or anything. Isn't it a bit barbaric to kill someone on first sight?

If I can scare away my opponent through intimidation, that's a perfect victory.

All I want's money and fame. Killing my opponents will only make people hate me!

I-is that so...? You say that, but each of your attacks was powerful enough to kill...

Well, yeah. Obviously. I didn't practice my bladework just so I could go easy on opponents.

That said, I don't need a trail of blood and corpses following me. Only a true swordsman can stop a slash mid-strike.

I don't fight if there's nothing in it for me. Lemme see...

Weeell, if you have a bounty on your head, I'mma cut it off and get that bounty! But you don't... Do you?

You don't look like you got a lotta money, or like someone'd be paying for your head.

Okay, then! Hate the sin, not the...um...oni. You know what? Just consider yourself lucky, and forget about me!

...

Right! Since I think I know my name now, let me reintroduce myself. I am Miyamoto Musashi! Probably.

Nice to meetcha, Fujimaru! For now, let's head to the tea shop I see on top of that ridge!