Visions of Defeat
"Flow..."
"Flow..."
"..."
"..."
"BANG!"
"It's trivial..."
"Clap, clap..." The champion of the arena seemed more interested in applauding my supposed skill than spending his final moments with his best friend before marching to his death.
"What is it, Baki? Shouldn't you be in there watching the match?" I was surprised by the boy's decision; it was completely unexpected. No matter what he thought I might or might not do, it was not in his nature to miss such a grandiose fight in the Tokyo arena.
"If that's true..." The boy smugly replied to my question with one of his own, "why aren't you in there watching as well?"
Why wasn't I watching my fellow disciple make a fool of himself by trying to hunt down that monster?
"Because it'll ruin the surprise..." Plus, I'm already watching everything on a security camera.
"So, Baki? What are you so worried about that you thought it better to leave the match and come have this talk with me?"
The boy seemed to deliberate over my question before turning back around without asking it.
'What's his problem?' I thought, wearing a confused expression and shrugging at the boy's indecision.
"You know, Baki..." I offered my final piece of advice before leaving. "I've heard a lot of stupid things in my life..."
"...but your goal of only wanting to be just a little bit stronger than your father..."
"It's repulsive."
The boy didn't hesitate as he walked back into the arena to witness the final act of his best friend before, unfortunately for him...
"Ain't that awkward," I said to the boy, who was visibly trying to hide his annoyance, "Looks like we're walking back the same way..."
[Unknown POV]
'Move...'
'I'm going to make my move!!!'
'It's clear that Musashi has decided to cut whatever is in front of him!!!'
...
[Arena Audience POV]
"He... he tied him up!!!" "Freaking awesome!!!"
...
[Musashi POV]
"Retsu..."
'It's time to show you...'
'What it means to be cut with a sword!!!'
'RIGHT HER-'
"BANG!"
"THUCK!"
[Kuzan POV]
"I'm really sorry about that, Master Musashi, but..."
"I just couldn't wait any longer..."
The swordsman seemed surprised that someone had dared interrupt his match, yet I was certain he was even more shocked by what I had just done...
I had promised Master Kaku not to interfere in the match, but I had made no such vow to refrain from preventing a slaughter.
I was sure he of all people could see his disciple's imminent death with the man's next slash, so I was sure he wouldn't mind enough to stop me.
It was simple, really; I used the element of surprise to cut off Musashi's sword with my own before using my other hand to strike my fellow Kaiou, sending him flying into the arena walls before losing consciousness moments later.
'Would you look at that... you finally mastered Xiao Li...'
'Just look at you there, Retsu, flying through the air like a feather!'
"So, Master Musashi, I've always wanted to ask you..." I spoke to the man while handing him a replacement sword, "when you look at me..."
"What exactly is it that you see?"
...
[Narrator POV]
During the early Edo (Tokugawa) period, a young Musashi encountered a strange man one day during training...
A missionary from the West who, even when being cut in half by the great swordsman, proclaimed the name of his Lord in worship... a man Musashi then considered a maniac.
[Musashi POV]
'Ain't that familiar...'
I had cut that insane old man out of kindness to allow him to see his beloved God sooner, but his words were certainly intriguing...
"What will I gain if I follow your God?" I asked in jest to test his sanity.
'His lies, his promises, his undoing, even then...'
'You were fooled by your Lord, you naive old man...'
If his God had been true, how could have led me to this...
[Kuzan POV]
"The land of milk and honey!"
The man loudly proclaimed, eyes widening as if he wanted to devour me for dessert.
The great swordsman spoke while looking all around, simultaneously salivating over his great find.
"Thanks," I smiled at the man before further teasing him, "and what about now?"
[Musashi POV]
'Huh?'
The land of promise was no more,...
He saw a mirror reflecting his visage...
He saw a snake slithering into his mind...
He saw a river flowing into his heart...
He saw the sun searing into his flesh...
Until finally, he stopped, being unable to see further without light...
[Kuzan POV]
"A mirror?"
'Cool!' I felt like a child playing with a new toy, wanting the great swordsman to feel as much fun as I was about to take from him...
'I'm really sorry to cut your stay so short, Musashi, but you see I'm on a deadline...'
"Indulge me one final time, oh great swordsman of legend..." My heart stirred at my last declaration, set ablaze by it's strength.
"The sun!"
The man proclaimed, readying his blade to strike down the very celestial body he had admired just a moment earlier.
"You're wrong, old man..." My eyes dropped at the old man's lack of vision. "Look farther..."
Still, the swordsman ignored my words, assuming his stance, confident in his assessment.
My heart ached at his lack of passion, unable to see the bigger picture.
The swordsman spoke while assuming his stance...
'Your vision must have dimmed with age, master...'
I thought, following suit, gripping the handle of my custom-made blade...
'It's not the sun, old man...'
My entire body loosened, becoming fluid as it readied to strike...
'It's death...'