Chapter 43

--Four Years Later--

A man enters a pub. Seeing his big straw hat covering his face, the residents drinking all turned to look at him. In his hands are an apple and a brown bag. Meanwhile, on his waist are three swords. One training sword, one katana, and one wakizashi.

As he reached the counter, they all went back to their business but were alert on what the ronin's business is. The server came and asks but he didn't speak and merely signed for a sake. They all watch sneakily as he took another apple from his bag and juices it with his hands.

Seeing this, they all went silent but before it became awkward, someone managed a conversation starter.

"I've heard a rumor around the town." One of the people said. "What is it?"

"They said, that the heir of the Ryudo Clan doesn't have any Yoryoku."

"Huh, how is that possible?"

"I don't know. But apparently, someone with great sensing said that they didn't detect an ounce of yoryoku inside of him."

"But he was the one who found the cure for the epidemic, right?"

"Yeah, but what does that have to do with him not having any yoryoku?" "I don't know."

With this, the atmosphere returns to normal and the bar managed to be loud again. The ronin then finishes his drink and calls out for the server. He then took out a gold coin which gave an expression of interest on the latter's face.

"What do you need, sir?" The man said to the ronin.

"Tell me where the Manji School is located." What he said made everyone silent and look at them. Even the sever trembled as he heard the man's request.

"I'm- I'm sorry sir, but I can't." "Why"

"I just can't. I'd have to reject your tip." The man said as he shake his hands. The ronin then thought for a second before talking again.

"Just give me a bottle of sake. Keep the change." The ronin then left the pub after sullying the atmosphere.

"That man is looking for the Manjis. Another day, another victim." One of the samurai said.

"He seems tough. His presence is hidden." Another said. "You want to bet on it?"

"One bottle."

The people started to bet on each other. However, a lone man suddenly stood up and dropped what seemed to be a bag of coins.

"It's the Daredevil." They all know who that man was.

"I bet all of this that he'll win. I'll even up the stakes. I bet that he'll defeat them today." The 'Daredevil' said. Then, a burly samurai stood up and come face-to-face with the latter.

"I heard that your wife left you. They said that you also sold your house. Gambling really destroys life, doesn't it?" He said to the daredevil.

"Yeah. This is my last money. Now, if you haven't heard me, I said that I wanted to bet on him winning. So if you aren't up for the challenge, maybe you can go back to your seat and let others take the challenge." The daredevil said to the burly man.

The man just stood there, looking at the man eye-to-eye. They stood there, one waiting for the other to step down but none of them did. The man then took a bag from his clothes and dropped it on the floor as the daredevil did.

"I bet on the opposite. Count the money." The man said to a person next to them and they did so quickly, afraid but intrigued at the confrontation.

Unaware of all this, the ronin with a large straw hat continued to traverse the town up to the mountains looking for his target.

The daredevil then went back to his previous seat as they gave the bet money to the server. While looking at his opponent, he heard a voice from his back.

"You know that man, didn't you?" The hooded man asks him. "No. At least not personally."

"Then why did you bet on him." The man asks again.

"Months ago, I heard about a certain rumor about a man. They said that no one knows his face or any of his features. The only thing they know was that he has a wooden sword on his waist and carries an apple wherever he goes. They said that wherever he goes, he challenges the strongest schools the town knows and he defeats them by the end of the day.

At first, I thought of it as a coincidence when he walked in eating an apple. However, when he squeeze an apple into a sake and asked about the Manjis, I immediately know that he must be the real deal. Ever since the collapse of the Minami Clan years ago, the Manjis are the unnamed ruler of the south. Who would dare challenge them? Other than the idiots, it would be those who can."

The daredevil said as he smiled. Even after losing all his money to gambling, he almost gave up. But seeing the mysterious man, his greed reignites, and bets all his remaining money upfront. The man at his back then asks.

"Aren't you afraid that I'd tell them your secret? What if you win and they think that you have cheated them?" The man asks. The daredevil merely drinks from his cup as he replied to the question.

"Being aware of your surroundings is never cheating, but a skill. I'd rather be a loser than a loser and a fool at the same time." The daredevil said to the man. Suddenly, the man stood up, seemingly finished with his drink, and thanked the other. When he thanked him, the daredevil noticed something under his hood.

'That scar, where did I hear about that?' The daredevil thought to himself as he watched the man leave.

…

As Hisashi finally finishes his apple, multiple dojos and shrines greeted him. Knowing that he has finally arrived, he walked head-on. However, suddenly, a cold blade appeared on his nape.

"Trespasser. State your intentions or leave immediately. Otherwise…" The cold voice said as he made Hisashi know of his intentions.

Hisashi just stood there, with no reaction to his face.

"I'm here to fight the school's master. I've heard that he's pretty strong. I also want to talk to him." Hearing this, the man's eyes squint and he answers.

"Leave. The master is not entertaining outsiders."

"I'm not just here for him. I'm also here for someone else." Hisashi said.

"Someone? Who?"

"You, Hanegatsuji Jozou. The shogun is asking for you." Hearing what the man said, Jozou's eyes opened wide. Before he can take action against the unknown trespasser, he sees everything turn sideways. Then, he felt the touch of grass and the coarseness of the dirt, finally realizing what happened.

"I'm not here to challenge your master. I only wish to duel with him. Isn't that right, Ashikaga? Or should I call you… the Great Yoshimitsu." Hisashi said as a man in oni mask appeared behind him.