Chapter 2

**Clash of the Strong** is the second chapter of *Tenkaichi Nihon Saikyo Bugeisha Ketteisen* and the second chapter of Volume 1.

## Summary

In the year 1600, under Osaka Castle, Kawai tells Honda Tadakatsu that this arrived from Otaki Castle last night. Honda admits, after ten years, he didn't expect to ever swing this again as he looks at his partner, the Tonbokiri.

The Demon King wanted to see a bloodbath and promised to hand over Japan to whoever could bring him the strongest martial artist. That bloodbath begins today. It was a whim from the Demon King near death – a tournament of the sixteen strongest martial artists in Japan, known as Tenkaichi. In the area where the fight will take place, as he sits on his throne, Oda Nobunaga gives the order to start. Deciding to get started with today's festival of blood, Mori Ranmaru points to the eastern entrance and says that this man is representing the Tokugawa Clan. The doors open and musicians begin playing their drums and flutes.

Ranmaru claims there are two things that Tokugawa Ieyasu can't handle. The first is the principles of the Tang Dynasty and the second is "Heihachiro". At the Battle of Anegawa, this man faced ten thousand soldiers alone on horseback and at the Battle of Hitokotozaka, he singlehandedly defended Tokugawa's fleeing force from the strongest cavalry of Takeda. Ranmaru says this man has given to birth to countless legends and has done so without ever once being wounded in battle. "History's Unsurpassed Diamond", Honda Tadakatsu. Honda tells Ieyasu it's time to go and change this country once more, which Ieyasu agrees with. It's revealed Honda's Tonbokiri is a large spear that's two times as long as a normal spear. As the audience is in awe, Yagyu Munenori brings up how he heard of its strength in the battlefield but he wonders how the Tonbokiri will fare in a one-on-one duel. Ranmaru gets excited by the sight of Tonbokiri and after gushing over its beautiful tip and distinguished engraving, Ranmaru thinks about how his own Tonbokiri is reacting as he becomes erect. Unable to wait to see the spear in action, Ranmaru directs his attention over to the western entrance and orders the combatant to enter. The doors open and as both Chosokabe Motochika and Shinmen Munisai stand by, Ranmaru goes over how this combatant is a swordsman who recently won renown by single-handedly defeating the masters of Yoshioka-ryu.

Formerly known as Shinmen Takezo, the son of Munisai, the famous duelist, the one who will fight Honda is Miyamoto Musashi. However, it's revealed Musashi is sitting on the ground, asleep. As he mumbles about a dog, the audience yell at him to get out, questioning how he can do this in front of Oda. Chosokabe tells Munisai to wake him up and after hitting him doesn't work, Munisai decides to wait for half an hour. As Chosokabe worries about their heads getting cut off, Honda suddenly laughs before deciding to check out if Musashi is the real deal or a fool. Walking forward, Honda aims the Tonbokiri directly at Musashi, noting it'll be easy to tell if he pokes him with this. Wondering if he's really the real deal or just a fool, Honda tells Musashi to die. At that moment, Munisai pulls Chosokabe back as both Ranmaru and Yagyu start to get excited. Honda quickly stabs the Tonbokiri forward and as pieces of rock flies everywhere, Oda comments on how it wasn't even close. On his butt, Ranmaru cries about how he closed his eyes while Ieyasu sighs about how Honda is always like this. Honda smiles as he looks at Musashi, who's now awake. Having pushed the Tonbokiri into the ground to avoid getting hit, Musashi questions what Honda wants as he was dreaming about eating something tasty. Ieyasu and others are surprised about how Musashi dodged that from a seated position and Munisai guesses he sensed his life was in danger. Musashi is confused as to what this is all about and Chosokabe angrily reminds him that he's fighting.

Laughing, Honda is glad Musashi is the real deal before telling him to consider that attack his greetings. Recognising Honda, Musashi exclaims he woke him as Honda lifts the Tonbokiri with one hand, much to the surprise of the audience. Since Musashi is now awake, Honda tells him to do it properly now since he'll be coming at him for real this time. Musashi says he's glad Honda wasn't serious then. As Honda gets confused, Musashi draws a wooden sword and says if Honda was serious then, this fight wouldn't be worth it. Honda questions if Musashi's still asleep as he's using a wooden sword but Musashi doesn't recall there being a rule that forbids him from wielding one. Honda scoffs at him as Yagyu wonders if that is really a viable strategy. Sighing, Ranmaru orders the combatants to take their stances and starts the fight. With the battle now underway, Honda's gaze was cast into the void and in that moment, Musashi's instincts rang the alarm bell. Honda makes a thrust attack and Musashi just about dodges to the left. As Musashi's right arm spurts blood, Honda compliments Musashi for dodging. He thrusts again and Musashi barely dodges again as the Tonbokiri narrowly grazes the left side of his abdomen. As Musashi thinks about how unbelievably fast the attack is, Yagyu recalls how an attack from a long-handled spear would be rendered nigh-invisible from the front. Against a spear twice as long as normal, Yagyu believes Musashi will find no opportunity to bring Honda in his range.

Knowing he's a sitting duck like this, when Honda thrusts the Tonbokiri again, Musashi decides to dodge diagonally and approach Honda from an angle. Both Yagyu and Munisai believe that's the wrong move as Honda swings the Tonbokiri sideways, knocking Musashi to the ground. After lifting the Tonbokiri up, Honda swings it downwards but Musashi manages to leap out of the way in time. As he gets back on his feet, Honda compares Musashi to a monkey. Yagyu thinks Musashi is courageous for trying to face that god-speed thrust head-on and for diving in to find an opening, noting his physical abilities are considerable in their own right. Chosokabe questions if Musashi can really do this and Munisai admits he may have underestimated Honda. Ieyasu believes Honda's victory is assured as his spearmanship cannot be beaten. Ieyasu recounts how Honda's body itself is a national treasure: his eyes can clearly perceive the gap in space between him and his opponent, and his strength is so superhuman, he can even lift a giant bull with no problem. With the body of a Nio, he wields the Great Spear, Tonbokiri.

Arrows, bullets, blades, soldiers and all weapons were rendered meaningless before him. As soon as Musashi steps into his range, Honda thrusts the Tonbokiri forward and Musashi tries to block it with his wooden sword, only for Honda's attack to cut his forehead and almost break his sword. As Musashi skids back, Ieyasu thinks about how entering Honda's domain invites certain death. Thanks to these martial arts of his, Honda has been able to survive countless battlefields unharmed. The name of this ability is **Vajra** **Forbidden** **Territory**.

Ieyasu claims not even a God can enter Honda's range as Yagyu wonders how the bloodlust of that spear, which has been unmatched throughout the ages, will be reflected in Musashi's eyes. As his blood drops to the ground, Musashi smiles and remarks on how scary this is. Chosokabe questions what kind of fool fights with a wooden sword, prompting Munisai to reveal Musashi hasn't wielded a proper sword in a long while. As Musashi dodges another strike, Munisai says that without any experience against a foe ranked higher than him either, it's only natural for Musashi to feel overwhelmed. Chosokabe insists that isn't good enough when Munisai claims his son's talent knows no bounds. Gradually, little by little, Munisai believes Musashi will be able to see through Honda's spear. Musashi mutters about how he might die as Honda thrusts the Tonbokiri. Spinning his wooden sword around, Musashi mitigates the thrust and is seemingly stabbed through. However, it's revealed Musashi stopped the spear from piercing him, much to Ieyasu's shock and Yagyu's amusement. Munisai inwardly exclaims his son is a genius. Honda decides to force Musashi down but as Honda moves his spear, Musashi moves along its flow, allowing him to charge straight at Honda. Honda swings the spear but Musashi jumps past him as he manages to cut Honda's left arm. Honda had fought in fifty-seven battles and emerged unharmed. On that day, the legend was put to an end.

## Appearing Characters

* Chosokabe Motochika
* Honda Tadakatsu
* Miyamoto Musashi
* Mori Ranmaru
* Oda Nobunaga
* Oda Nobutada
* Shinmen Munisai
* Tokugawa Ieyasu
* Yagyu Munenori