The Truth

Musashi looked at me, emotions swirling in his eyes—pain, regret, sorrow… and something else. Something I couldn't yet understand.

Slowly, he stood and reached for his sword. Then, he pointed it at me.

"Come outside, Hitoshi. Bring your sword."

Confused, I obeyed.

His gaze hardened. "Fight me. Come at me with everything you have."

"What? Why would I—"

Before I could finish, he lunged. I barely blocked in time, the force of his strike nearly knocking me off my feet.

"Why are you doing this?!" I cried.

He didn't answer. Instead, he repeated words I had heard all my life.

"Be strong so the world kneels before you. The weak have no place in this world. If you want to know the truth about that cursed mark… then land a hit on me."

My mark? What truth? What was he hiding?

I tightened my grip on my sword. If that's what it took to get answers, then I would fight.