Chapter 18

## Chapter Chronology

**The Truth About Ganryu Island** is the 18th chapter of the "*Shuumatsu no Valkyrie: Record of Ragnarok*" manga series.

## Summary

Heimdall declares that Poseidon has pierced through Kojiro Sasaki's side and guesses that even History's Greatest Loser is little more than a goldfish before the Tyrant of the Seas. Smiling, Kojiro recognises that this won't be as easy as all the previous times and states that this is a God.

The Gods cheer on Poseidon, calling him the "God of Gods" or "G.O.G." The Gods continuously keep cheering "G.O.G." multiple times, only for Poseidon to look back at them with a cold stare, forcing them to stop, in fear of dying. Turning back, Poseidon calls them all bottom feeders.

Kojiro asks why Poseidon doesn't accept the cheers of his supporters and Poseidon scoffs. He asserts that they have no need for the herd, no need for scheming and no need for support, for the Gods have been the perfect beings from the start. As such, supporters are entirely unnecessary to those who have achieved perfection. Frowning, Kojiro believes that kind of existence to be sad.

Angered, Poseidon jumps into the air and tells Kojiro to begone before unleashing **Chione Tyro Demeter**, a series of trident thrusts that mimic the look of a storm. As the water around the podium rages, Ares exclaims about how fast Poseidon's technique is. Hermes notes that, if it were just a matter of speed, then Kojiro could read it and react accordingly. However, what he's seen so far is but an inkling of Poseidon's true power and Hermes says that the true depths of the Ocean God remains unknown, even to its own kind. As Kojiro struggles to keep up, Brunhilde grits her teeth in frustration while Göll shouts cheers of support. Soon, to the surprise of many, Kojiro's **Senju Musō** evolves and the accuracy of his simulations increase.

Thus, he begins dodging and parrying easier, noting to himself that he's learned these attacks, one of them just a second ago. While Kojiro continues to predict Poseidon's moves, Ares is astounded that a Human can do so. After Kojiro parries away one of Poseidon's attacks, he begins to predict where Poseidon will move next. At this point, Kojiro's **Senju Musō** had evolved to surpass Humanity and stepped into the realm of the Gods. But unfortunately, his opponent was Poseidon. Noticing how Kojiro is trying to predict where he'll go next, Poseidon immediately moves behind Kojiro, into his blind spot, and thrusts his trident.

Narrowly dodging, Kojiro realizes that Poseidon moved by reading his own reaction and he swings his **Monohoshizao** at the God. Despite Kojiro's quick reaction, Poseidon still easily jumps up and resumes his **Chione Tyro Demeter**, this time, even faster. As he struggles to keep up his parrying, Kojiro inwardly notes that no matter how close he gets to the goal, it always slips away. He feels as if he's sinking into deep water but decides to persevere, reading through Poseidon's moves quickly and jumping up towards him. Though he was initially surprised, Poseidon easily dodges Kojiro's slash. As they both land back on the podium, Kojiro reverses his grip on the **Monohoshizao**'s hilt and uses the Ganryu Style **Torakiri**, slashing sideways in an attempt to reach Poseidon.

But it turns out to be for naught as Poseidon instantly appears behind Kojiro, unscathed. Kojiro attempts to slash while turning around but Poseidon easily cuts the **Monohoshizao** in half. Poseidon tells Kojiro not to get too cocky. Göll shouts for Hrist and after Heimdall declares Kojiro's Divine Weapon has been broken, many decide that this is the end. Kojiro seemingly does as well, only to immediately take it back, which reminds of him of his last fight with Musashi Miyamoto on Ganryu Island. According to the Nitenki, Musashi appeared late to their duel.

Angered, Kojiro threw his scabbard into the ocean, prompting Musashi to remark that if Kojiro threw away his scabbard, then he has already lost.

However, the Nitenki was published 150 years after their duel, meaning it amounts to nothing more than hearsay. This is the truth. As both swordsmen huff from the wounds they dealt each other, Kojiro inwardly notes that Musashi is very strong and realizes he cannot beat him as he is now. Kojiro prepares to surrender before taking it back, saying this is too much fun. Throwing his scabbard into the ocean, Kojiro declares that if he quits now, he'll surely regret it for the rest of his life. Realising that is what Kojiro has to say as a swordsman, Musashi eagerly invites Kojiro to fight to their heart's content.

The following few minutes would be a secret between these two men. Kojiro leads with **Tsubame Gaeshi**, slashing Musashi's other eye, resulting in a cross-shaped scar on Musashi's face.

Kojiro loved the blade and took all of nature as his teacher whereas Musashi aimed for the peak, paving a lonely road to success. As the two think about how fun this is, they slash one more time. The speed of Musashi's dual-wielding beats out Kojiro as Musashi deals a grievous wound on Kojiro's chest. Falling back smiling, Kojiro admits he wanted to fight some more. For both men, this was the happiest moment of their lives. In the present, Kojiro asks Poseidon if he's ever lost himself and found that he trained until the sun rose. Picking up the severed piece of his **Monohoshizao**, Kojiro asks Poseidon if he has ever cried tears of gratitude for those who made him stronger or if he's ever felt love for his opponent in the midst of battle. Smirking, Kojiro guesses he hasn't, much to Poseidon's ire. Holding up the two pieces of his blade, Kojiro asserts that this sword is their history. It contains the hearts of idiots from all across time. Thus, Kojiro won't lose to a man who's never taken the hearts of others into consideration. To everyone's surprise, the two pieces of the **Monohoshizao** emit a bright light. Realizing what's happening, Musashi cries as he exclaims Kojiro's name. Hrist's two personalities resonate with Kojiro, allowing him to undergo a **Re-Völundr**, changing the severed pieces of the **Monohoshizao** into a katana in Kojiro's right hand and a kodachi in his left. Emulating Musashi's dual-wielding style, Kojiro smiles.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Heimdall
* Kojiro Sasaki
* Poseidon
* Brunhilde
* Göll
* Ares
* Hermes
* Seigen Toda (No lines)
* Kagekatsu Toda (No lines)
* Kagemasa Toda
* Musashi Miyamoto
* Iori Miyamoto
* Seijuro Yoshioka (No lines)
* Inshun Hozoin (No lines)
* Hrist