Volume 4

In the aftermath of the Yoshioka confrontation, Musashi recovers while old companions and new acquaintances cross his path. An eager young boy named Jotaro dreams of following the swordsman.

As Musashi prepares to leave Kyoto, those around him confront their own choices and uncertain futures. Takuan's guidance and Jotaro's determination point toward a different kind of journey.

Separate paths begin to unfold as Musashi looks beyond the Yoshioka School. Old rivalries linger, but new encounters promise to test him in unexpected ways.

Musashi's pursuit of strength is complicated by memories, attachments and the people he has left behind. Takuan challenges him to look beyond the narrow ambition that drives him.

Musashi and Jotaro travel toward the famed Hozoin Temple, home to formidable warrior monks and a celebrated tradition of spear fighting. Another test of his strength awaits.

Tensions rise around Hozoin as the presence of rival swordsmen brings the threat of violence to the temple. Musashi's search for worthy opponents draws him into a dangerous new environment.

At Hozoin, the distance between Musashi's rough fighting instincts and the monks' disciplined technique becomes increasingly apparent. He begins to discover that strength can take unfamiliar forms.

The formidable Inshun emerges as a figure at the heart of Hozoin's martial tradition. His command of the spear suggests a challenge unlike any Musashi has faced before.

Musashi encounters Agon, one of Hozoin's skilled spearmen, and is forced to reckon with the reach and precision of an unfamiliar weapon. His next contest promises to test more than brute force.