Chapter 28

**Deception** is the twenty-eighth chapter of *Tenkaichi Nihon Saikyo Bugeisha Ketteisen*.

## Summary

Kanemaki Jisai congratulates Sasaki Kojiro while both Tokugawa Ieyasu and Mori Ranmaru wonder if the fight is over. As Hattori Hanzo lies still, his eyes closed, Kojiro looks up at Miyamoto Musashi, who gets taken aback by the fact their eyes met. Musashi questions why Kojiro is staring at him, admitting it gives him the creeps. Ito Ittosai recognises Kojiro as one of them but he warns him that he isn't safe as Hanzo isn't dead yet.

At that moment, Hanzo reaches into his pocket and pulls something out. As both Ieyasu and Kanemaki look on with surprise, Kojiro turns back and just about avoids a shuriken. He looks to see where the shuriken went before turning back to see Hanzo gone, prompting Kojiro to say he didn't know he was still alive. As Kojiro remarks on how Hanzo knows how to make himself disappear, Ranmaru is taken aback by these turn of events and Ittosai criticises Kojiro for being far too focused on Musashi, though he doesn't know why. Kojiro thinks about how Hanzo doesn't have many choices here and begins to predict where he will strike from. Running up to Kojiro from his left side, Hanzo calls it his mistake to not bother checking if he was alive or not.

After Hanzo thrusts his spear upwards, Kojiro manages to move to the side, though he does get grazed. As the two stand off on even footing, Kojiro is surprised at how agile the shinobi is and Hanzo insists it's because he has Honda Tadakatsu's soul to carry him. Kojiro questions what he means and as he watches, Oda Nobutada states that Hanzo is a persistant man. Though he admits Hanzo is a tough one to crack, Yagyu Munenori brings attention to the fact that it seems like Kojiro is a tad out of focus. Ittosai says that Kojiro has got a few too many flaws for a so-called "machine", such as getting distracted by Musashi, which makes Ittosai wonder if there is something else at play here. Irritated, Musashi tells Kojiro that he better not lose here after acting so confident in wanting him to get to know his sword.

Kazumasu attributes Hanzo's strength as being due to his persistence but even Kazumasu is surprised he can still fight after taking so many cuts. Kojiro slashes and though he tries to defend himself with his spear, Hanzo ends up getting cut again. Kojiro asks Hanzo how he carries someone's soul, genuinely inquiring to know if there is a dead person helping Hanzo in some way. In disbelief Kojiro didn't understand him, Hanzo clarifies he means that he won't die until he wins. As Kanemaki grits his teeth, Akechi Mitsuhide comments on how a moment of sloppiness has resulted in the ultimate masterwork being backed up against the edge of the Conqueror's Canopy. Thinking about what he is willing to do in order to carry on Honda's dream, Hanzo thrusts his spear again. After Kojiro says it'll be tough if Hanzo doesn't die, he jumps up to avoid Hanzo's spear. Questioning if Hanzo will really not die until he wins, Kojiro resolves to cut him to find out. Hanzo's left shoulder is cut open after Kojiro swings Monohoshizao down. Hozoin Inshun praises Kojiro's jump from his footing and Yagyu says it's clear who has the upper hand in a more straightforward confrontation.

As he lands back down, Kojiro knew there was no way Hanzo wouldn't die. He says that even Kuro died when he cut him and Hanzo falls down, huffing. As Hanzo clutches onto his new wound while thinking of Honda, Ieyasu and Kazumasu look on in nervousness. Musashi guesses that blow there was deep and he questions if this is actually the end. Kojiro tells Hanzo that when you cut someone, they die. No matter how strong or how kind they are, whether they want it or not, Kojiro believes when it's someone's turn to die, they just die. Having heard that, Hanzo admits it sounds like an excuse to him and he asks if this "Kuro" that Kojiro talked about is anything like Musashi. Kojiro did not even realise he said Kuro's name and Hanzo stands up, chuckling about how he thought Kojiro had no heart but that may very well not be the case. The audience can't believe Hanzo is standing back up and Ittosai tells Kojiro that he can't let a man like Hanzo stall for time. As Hanzo says Kojiro may need some re-education, Kojiro figures out Hanzo has something under his robes.

After Kojiro slashes once more, Hanzo backs away, though he still sustains a wound to his forehead. Avoiding Hanzo's spear thrust, Kojiro questions if Hanzo is wearing chainmail but deduces that can't be it as his Monohoshizao would break through it. Furthermore, it's weird to Kojiro that Hanzo is bleeding this much if he is completely blocking his attacks. Kojiro analyses how Hanzo's output has gone down every time he's been cut and it's now less than seventy percent from when the fight first started. Thus, Kojiro comes to the conclusion that Hanzo is wearing something that is only protecting his vitals.

Hanzo shouts at Kojiro, questioning what's wrong and urging the swordsman to kill him. Hanzo remarks on how, if Kojiro doesn't, Musashi will be let down. Musashi is confused as to why Hanzo mentioned him. Twitching, Kojiro narrowly avoids a swing from Hanzo's spear by ducking his head. Kojiro decides that if Hanzo is telling him to kill him, then he will. After jumping up to avoid Hanzo swinging his spear down, Kojiro thinks about how, if he aims for a vital point that is exposed, then whatever is inside of Hanzo's robes won't matter. As he reverses his grip on the Monohoshizao Nagamitsu, Kojiro proceeds to perform the **Ganryu Inner Technique: Tsubame Gaeshi**, swinging his blade and bouncing it off the roof, aiming to cut off Hanzo's head with this strike.

However, to the surprise of Inshun and Kojiro, and to Ittosai's amusement, Hanzo managed to dodge Kojiro's attack. Hanzo confirms he is kidding and that is where his strength lies. Of all the cuts that Hanzo has taken up until now, he took more than half of those on purpose. His goal was to make Kojiro careless and frustrated, which would leave him wide open for but a single moment. As he raises his spear and pushes his feet down, Hanzo inwardly tells Honda that his dream rests with him now.

With that, Hanzo pierces Kojiro's abdomen.

## Appearing Characters

* Akechi Mitsuhide
* Hattori Hanzo
* Hozoin Inshun
* Ito Ittosai
* Kanemaki Jisai
* Miyamoto Musashi
* Mori Ranmaru
* Oda Nobutada
* Sasaki Kojiro
* Takigawa Kazumasu
* Tokugawa Ieyasu
* Yagyu Munenori