When the swordsman Kamiizumi died, one problem arose. That was what to do with the secret book he left behind. The book is called the Dragon and Tiger Scroll. It was the best-kept secret written by the man known as the Sage of the Sword who devoted his life to writing it.

　According to his last will and testament, these two books were to be divided between two disciples, but the question was which one would get which book.

　The book of the Dragon and Tiger is clearly different in content.

　The Book of the Dragon, also known as the Book of Technique. It was a coveted book that contained all the techniques of the Kamiizumi, special moves that neither Ronin nor Toshiro had yet learned.

　On the other hand, the Book of the Tiger, called the Book of the Mind, was mainly mental and thin in content. Its physical thickness was also four times greater.

　Then the value of the dragon's book would naturally increase. I knew that Toushirō would naturally want the dragon's book. So I'll take the initiative.

I'll take the dragon's book. I'll take the dragon's book because it's better looking. And you loved the cat that lived in the boathouse. You said you were more of a cat person than a dog person and the dragon book belongs to me.

　It was a difficult habit, almost an accusation, but surprisingly, Toushiro agreed.

In the first place, your teacher's will states that you were given the Book of Dragons, so I have no objection to that.

Maybe it's because I'm stronger than you.

　You're going to give the Book of Dragons to Ronin, who laughs at you.

"Hey, hey, you're not really going to give it to me?

"I'm really going to give it to you, but

You don't mind. The Book of Dragons contains a lot of special moves you don't even know about, you know.

I know. But Master Kamiizumi told me at the moment of death. What I really need is the Book of the Tiger.

"What?　You talked to your master about the Book of Dragon and Tiger?

Of course, you didn't tell me.

No, no, I talked about it.

　But that is a lie. I didn't talk to Kamiizumi about the details of the Book of Dragon and Tiger.

(...... I guess his sibling Toushiro is prettier after all.)

　Such childish thoughts would arise, but Ronin shook his head. He thought it was childish. Change your mind.

Okay. I'll take the dragon book. You'll take the tiger's book.

No problem.

Also, if you would like to make a suggestion, how about we train together?

"I mean?

"I'll learn new special moves as I read the Book of Dragons. You can pass on your master's heart to me while reading the Book of the Tiger.

"I see, that's nice.

　When he said that, he held out his right hand. It took a moment for him to realize that it was a handshake. Ronin had lived a life devoid of such a sound mind. But Ronin, who was not young enough to pick a fight with his brother and sister, squeezed Toshiro's right hand back and said, "The old man is gone.

He said, "We're doing almost the same thing now that the old man is gone, but it's nice to meet you.

Well, keep it up.

　After letting out a wry smile, Ronin and Toushiro resumed their training.




　More than ten years later, they have been training together. They hid in the mountains and wielded their swords. At night they would read to each other about what they had learned from the book of secrets, and when it was over, they would talk about the way of the sword over dinner.

　Occasionally they talked badly about their master who had died before them, and drank wine with him. For lack of money, they drank the cheapest liquor from a liquor store at the bottom of the hill or homemade doburoku, but the taste of the sake didn't matter.

　But the taste of sake didn't matter to me. I was happy to drink with someone who wanted to follow the same path.

　One day, when he was packing his master's belongings, he found a letter. When she looked at the name of the sender, it was written as Kazehana.

　It takes you a while to remember the name.

...... that's the name of my master's daughter.

"The name of the master's daughter?　Kamiizumi-sama had a daughter?

Yeah, I heard that the seeds you sowed a long time ago bore fruit.

　And then you realize that a girl named Kazehana lives not far away.

Well, let's go check on the girl.

"If she's the master's daughter, she can't be beautiful. And she's an old woman.

"I don't want that. I just wouldn't dream of it if my master's daughter were in need.

I see, you're right.

　The master must have been sorry to announce his daughter's presence at the time of his death. I felt it was my apprentice's duty to take that regret away.


　Head to the foot of the mountain. The village where Kazehana lives comes into view, but Ronin and Toshiro soon sense something is wrong. The smoke is clear from a distance, and the smell of burning wood. Among them is the smell of blood. You immediately sense that a battle has taken place.



...... No, not a battle, but a massacre.

　I find the villagers dead in a brazen manner. It looks like they were attacked by a large bandit gang.

"d*mn, if only we had arrived a little sooner.

"Repentance is not the way to begin.

　Now I'm looking for my master's daughter, Kazehana," continues Toushiro. Ronin follows suit and hears the sound of a sword in the village square.

　A woman's body is lying there. You'll recognize her immediately as Kazehana. She bore a strong resemblance to the swordsman Kamiizumi.

　Seeing the body of his master's daughter, Ronin's mind is filled with anger, but he is controlled by Toushiro.

"Toshiro, why don't you stop. We have to get the master's daughter's enemy.

"I know that feeling,

　Toushiro also seems to be angry, but there's something else that's bothering him more than that. He looks at the girl who is standing in front of her mother's corpse, wielding a sword.

What the hell is that skinny girl?

"You have a Japanese sword . And that sword blade.

"It's the Kamiizumi way!

　With a shout, the girl swayed her body and slashed at the thief.

　Her movements were like running water and her swordsmanship was lightning-quick. It was hard to believe that she was a girl of her age, but her movements were definitely Kamiizumi's style. I immediately recognized her as Kazehana's daughter.

Blood is blood, then.

"Do you take your parents' enemies yourself?

　Look, all the bandits who attacked the village had been cut down by her. She didn't need Ronin and Toshiro to help her, but she had exacted her revenge.

　The girl said she would eventually kill the last bandit, and would go around to the front of the bandit who was demoralized by the slaying of his companions.

Death to the scoundrels." ......

　So he said and stabbed the thief to death. There was no hesitation, but it was natural. No one will remain silent after his mother and village companions were killed. But Kazehana's daughter did not become a murderer trapped in revenge. She stabbed the last bandit to death, then picked up the fallen hoe and dug the hole. At first I thought she was crazy. Because he began to bury not only his mother and the villagers, but also the bodies of the thieves.

　Why would you do such a thing? When I asked her if she didn't hate thieves, she said flatly.

"Even ...... scoundrels can't leave it alone. If you leave it alone, an epidemic could break out.

　Besides, the
"If you die, you're all Buddha, that's what my mother used to say.
　A girl who tells it off matter-of-factly. That's how I met Kazehana's daughter, Kamiizumi's grandson, "Hifune".