Episode 02

**Bushi's Pride** (武 (ぶ) 士 (し) の誇 (ほこ) り, *Bushi no Hokori*) is the second episode of the *Orient* anime series.

## Synopsis

Musashi and Kojiro try to tackle the powerful Kishin that has appeared, but will the two of them really be able to stand up to the class of oni that has dominated Hinomoto for over a hundred years?

## Summary

Riding the Kitetsuki, Musashi slays oni after oni. Musashi is excited that they will finally make true their dream of forming a bushi band. However, Kojiro isn't excited. He does wish to leave the town but had long forgotten about wanting to be bushi and slaying oni. Musashi is sure that Kojiro will get his desire back.

They see the Kishin but are surprised it's that small. Musashi easily manages to slice him in two, however, the Kishin regenerates back to normal. Worshipping villagers then come, telling the Kishin they bring offerings. As the Kishin eats the offerings, he transforms into much larger and scary Kishin - Engoku Tengu. The worshippers get excited that after five years, this is the first time the Kishin assumed his true form. Kojiro and Musashi get knocked by Kishin's attack. Seeing Musashi on the ground, Kojiro prepares to fight, but the Kishin grabs his sword. The worshippers tell him to release his sword as the Kishin eats swords. Kojiro refuses to let go and the Kishin slams him around, trying to make him release the sword.

While being dragged around, Kojiro recalls his childhood, where he hates his sword as for punishment of being a Bushi, he had to carry it all the time and people treated his badly. His father, Jisai tells him that oni are monsters and the only one that continued to fight them are bushi, and he shouldn't be ashamed because he comes from a bloodline of proud courageous people. Jisai tells him that the sword is the Bushi's pride, and he must not lose it. Kojiro keeps holding the sword, refusing to release it as he feels that letting it go is like letting go of something important. The Kishin had enough and pins Kojiro with his finger and pulls the sword and then eats it.

Musashi then runs past Kojiro and jumps on the Kishin. He goes to his belly and starts slamming it with his sword. Surprisingly to all, that manages to injure the Kishin and makes him feel pain. The Kishin attempts to smash Musashi, but as he dodges, it only helps him break open the Kishi's belly. However, Musashi then slips and falls into the Kishin open belly. Moments later, Musashi comes out carrying Kojiro's sword and returns it to Kojiro, knowing how much it matters for him and tells him to not lose it again. Recalling what his father told him, Kojiro smiles and agrees to form a band with Musashi.

One of the worshippers then yells that a band of Bushi is coming. Musashi and Kojiro then witness a moving castle and Bushi ridding Kitetsuki coming out of it. The bushi then breaks the Kishin barrier and head towards the Kishin. The bushi captain, Naotora Takeda, approaches Musashi and Kojiro and tells them to go somewhere safe. Musashi states they are bushi themselves and had defeated the Kishin by opening its belly. Naotora then laughs and points out at the Kishin, who regenerates to normal. As the Kishin starts to get serious, Kojiro suggests they step aside as the man told them. Musashi, however, feels they are stealing their first win and doesn't wish to let them do that. Musashi then runs forward and starts slaying nekomata oni along his way. Shunrai Yamamoto wonders if Musashi is indeed a bushi, but Aoshi Sanada states while he have some mixed in Bushi techniques, he is fighting too wild to be a bushi. Naotora returns to his men, but sees that Musashi approaching the Kishin. One of his men tells him to ignore him, but Naotora states there is no point in slaying the Kishin if they don't save the people.

## Characters In Order of Appearance

* Kojiro Kanemaki
* Musashi
* Engoku Tengu
* Jisai Kanemaki
* Naotora Takeda
* Aoshi Sanada
* Shunrai Yamamoto