Volume 1

In the aftermath of the Battle of Sekigahara, Shinmen Takezo and his childhood friend Matahachi Hon'iden find themselves among the survivors of a devastating defeat. Hunted by enemy soldiers, the two struggle to stay alive.

A chance encounter with a young girl named Akemi leads the wounded fugitives to an isolated home, where they find shelter with her mother, Oko. As they recover, the two friends begin to discover the unusual circumstances surrounding their hosts.

As Takezo and Matahachi continue their stay, Oko's intentions and the tensions within the household become increasingly difficult to ignore. Meanwhile, Takezo's determination to grow stronger remains unchanged.

The arrival of the notorious brigand Tsujikaze Tenma threatens the fragile peace of the household. As danger closes in on Oko and Akemi, Takezo finds himself drawn into a confrontation with a ruthless enemy.

A violent confrontation pushes Takezo to the limits of his strength and instincts. As the struggle intensifies, his extraordinary fighting ability reveals both the power and brutality that define him.

With the immediate danger behind them, Matahachi struggles with his fears, desires, and the obligations waiting for him back home. As his uncertainty grows, the differences between him and Takezo become increasingly apparent.

Takezo prepares to return home, but Matahachi finds himself torn between his past commitments and the life unfolding before him. A difficult decision threatens to send the childhood friends down separate paths.

Takezo returns to Miyamoto Village carrying news of the war and his missing companion. However, his homecoming is met with suspicion and resentment, as the people of his past have not forgotten his violent reputation.

As Otsu anxiously awaits the return of Matahachi, her promised fiancé, Takezo's presence raises painful questions about what happened after the battle. Old relationships and unfulfilled promises begin to weigh heavily on those left behind.

Matahachi's absence casts a shadow over Miyamoto Village, leaving his family and Otsu struggling with uncertainty. As resentment grows, Takezo finds himself caught between the consequences of his friend's choices and the hostility of his own past.