Episode 24

**A Vow** (誓 (ちか) い, **Chikai**) is the twenty-fourth and final episode of the *Orient* anime series.

## Summary

Musashi uses the Goddess power and starts gathering the blade energy from the Bushi around, while shinning in gold. Kojiro and Tsugumi notice its like the time the Goddess appeared, but this time Musashi is in control. Yataro starts gathering blade energy too, and stating that if he can't dominate all blade energy, then he is incomplete. Tatsuomi confirms that, stating that since Musashi drank only a fifth of her blood, he can only use a fifth of her power. Musashi and Yataro clash blades, but Yataro overpowers Musashi and cuts his hand holding the sword. However, Musashi then stops Yataro's blade with his finger. Yataro is surprised to see it and Musashi explains he noticed everyone's power is gathering at him and not his sword, so he decided to focus it on his right hand. Musashi then pushes away Yataro and Tatsuomi notices that he enhanced himself, which is a Yellow Bushi technique.

Using one of the five aspects of the Goddess's power, gold blade energy, Musashi jumps at Yataro and starts punching and overwhelming Yataro. As he breaks Yataro's armor, a black stone comes out. Realizing its what Michiru wanted him to destroy, Musashi prepares to punch it, but Michiru asks him for a moment to speak to her father.

Michiru and Musashi face Yataro, who tells Michiru that she can't abandon him, since they have the same dream of becoming a superior being. Michiru denies it, stating he real dream was to hold her father's hand and spend time with him. Yataro still denies it. Michiru realizes that he won't understand and tells Musashi they should just destroy the stone. Musashi tells her that after that they will go on a journey where she can find something to treasure. Michiru tells him that won't happen as she was created by that stone and after he breaks it, her body will likely vanish. Musashi is surprised to hear it, but Michiru is fine as she will disappear with her father. However, Yataro states that only he will disappear completely as half of Michiru's body is the same as a normal person. Yataro used the forbidden technique to fuse with the Kishin and is body is falling apart now, and he doesn't have much time. Realizing that Yataro is dying, Michiru tells him that she hates him as he is cold, mean, spiteful, prideful and weak. Painfully, Yataro agrees that he is weak, ugly and worthless. Crying, Michiru denies it, stating that he is her father and it doesn't matter what he is, as she cares about him. Yataro recalls that there used to be a time, he wanted nothing more than to hear this. He recalls how he was being throw out as a worthless child. He then sees another lonely soul like him, but realizes that its not him, but Michiru. As he realizes Michiru isn't him, Michiru also realizes that for the first time he is actually seeing her. She gets happy and leaves with Musashi, breaking the stone, causing Yataro's body to turn into Kitetsu.

Two weeks later, thanks to Tatsuomi's Mantle of the War God power, most of the soldiers had survived. Musashi brings food to Katsumi, who thanks him for helping him retake his land. At the honors ceremony, awards are bestowed to those who contributed greatly to the liberation. Kojiro and Tsugumi show the scroll with the Uesugi signature to Tatsuomi, he explains the signature belongs to his father, however he didn't find a record about a Bushi named Jisai Kanemaki, and that was probably a temporary alliance. However, Tatsuomi states Jisai may have been someone important and he could call the heads of the Takeda, Tokugawa, Hojo and Date Bushi, who may know something. Kojiro wonders why would he do that and Tatsuomi explains that they saved him and its one of the two things that Musashi requested in exchange for his help. Earlier Tatsuomi asked Musashi to help him and to drink the rest of the Goddess blood. Musashi agreed, but had two requests. Tsugumi then wonders what was the other request from Musashi.

Michiru was detained, however, Musashi requested that Tatsuomi let her go free for one day. The two then go around town, enjoying their time together and doing various activities. Kanetatsu wonders why Tatsuomi allowed and Tatsuomi explains that Michiru doesn't have much time left. While eating, Michiru wonders how are everyone. Musashi explains that the Shimazu got a castle and can now operate as an independent band. Kanetatsu and Naotora got rewards as well. Both Tatsuomi and Naotora invited Musashi to join their bands, but Musashi refused them as he is already in Kanemaki Band. While walking around town, they meet Mamori Tanegashima who is with Natsuki. Mamori then shows Michiru a colorful ring and states that if a couples wears it, they will be together forever. Michiru then sees the merchant who sells them and Musashi decides to buy her a ring. At dawn, the two observe the sea and the sun going down. Musashi then reveals he managed to get her Kitetsu Blade and gives it to Michiru. Soon Michiru starts to break. She tells him to find a treasure that will fill his lonely void in his heart. As they hug, Michiru breaks up and turns into Kitetsu, which is absorbed by her sword.

The various bushi start to leave. Kanetatsu apologizes to Tatsuomi, stating he couldn't finish the enemy. Tatsuomi states he is the same as Naotora who said the same thing about Shiro. Kanetatsu states they are still eight and Tatsuomi agrees, stating that even if one dies, they always manage to find a replacement. At the same time, the Amako Bushi see that Katsumi is missing and there is a square hole around where his bed was. Katsumi is then seen surrounded by the Obsidian Eight.

## Characters in order of Appearance

* Kojiro Kanemaki
* Tsugumi Hattori
* Yataro Inuda
* Musashi
* Obsidian Goddess
* Tatsuomi Uesugi
* Michiru Saruwatari
* Akihiro Shimazu
* Fuyuie Shimazu
* Tadayuki Shimazu
* Tokisame Shimazu
* Natsuki Shimazu
* Haruhisa Shimazu
* Sanae Satsukigawa
* Hikaru Yokomichi
* Keiji Yabunaka
* Kanetatsu Naoe
* Naotora Takeda
* Katsumi Amako
* Masaki Amakasu
* Aoshi Sanada
* Shunrai Yamamoto
* Kuroko Usami
* Morishika Yamanaka
* Mamori Tanegashima
* Shige Tanegashima
* Kiyohide Teramoto
* Kijinosuke Noguchi
* Tsubasa Tokugawa
* Shishikado Hojo
* Soma Date
* Shiro Inukai
* Nanao Inusaka
* Mikito Inumura
* Imari Inuyama
* Kazumasa Inuzuka
* Aijiro Inue
* Seiroku Inukawa