Episode 20

**Leaving Your Mark** (存 (そん) 在 (ざい) 証 (しょう) 明 (めい) , *Sonzai Shōmei*) is the twentieth episode of the *Orient* anime series.

## Summary

Naotora states that Shiro is a white Bushi, the rarest one. At the same time, Shiro notes that Naotora is a blue Bushi, the most common, weaker in power than the red and lacking unique abilities like yellow and green. Shiro likes blue Kitetsu Blades, but finds the fights with blue Bushi to be boring. As they fight, Shiro has the upper hand. Naotora states he may be blessed with being white Bushi, but he will show him the blue blades can become stronger than anything. Shiro decides to end thing and cuts the space, and transports a lava from a volcano, above Naotora. As the lava starts falling, Naotora uses water and to cool it off and turn to stone, which surprises Shiro.

Aoshi recalls that after they took the sword trials and found out they were blue Bushi, Naotora inspired them. He told them they have special powers too, they are especially attuned to the soul of stone. The others like that are Kishin, its the power of the ore that lets them manipulate water and flame. They can tap into the power hidden within stone, giving them control over the elements themselves. The blue blades have power closest to the Kishin. Aoshi tells Shiro that their captain isn't one of the Five Grand Generals just because he is captain of a large bushi band, but because he is one of the strongest. Naotora creates a large fire and water tiger and attacks Shiro, who notes that those powers should belong to a Kishin and that all of the ore in the mine is reacting to him, letting him act like a Kishin. Shiro guesses he used the same power to escape his water prison and Naotora confirms it. However, Shiro easily defeats the tigers. He decides to move somewhere they won't be interrupted and transfers him and Naotora elsewhere.

Shiro wonders why Naotora bothered to create this technique as control over fire and water can't cut a Kishin's horn. Naotora confirms that he won't be able to defeat him if he fights like a Kishin. He then starts gathering fire and water at his hand, creating a small black ball. Naotora explains he never used this technique in front of his comrades and he didn't want to wipe them out. He then turns it into a small blade and explains that its not a power he created to kill Kishin. He remembers a battlefield long ago, where someone with Shiro's color had obliterated his brother's. Naotora had created that technique for the Obsidian Eight. Shiro finds it interest and wonders if he could, but before he could even finish his sentence, Naotora passes by him and cuts him. Shiro is surprised and in that moment, crystals come out from him and he explodes. Naotora's Bushi hear the explosion and then see Naotora walking towards them and surround him in happiness. Naotora states he couldn't finish Shiro, but shattered his Kitetsu Blade, so he is out of the battle.

Second member of the Obsidian Eight is defeated and things proceed as planned. Aoshi notices Naotora's right hand looking strange and Naotora explains its a price he paid and won't be able to use blade energy for a while. Aoshi wonders what really happened between him and Shiro, but Naotora refuses to say.

Musashi's group proceed and every oni they face is destroyed by the Shimazu. Everyone wants to help out, but the Shimazu state they are weak and will only get in their way. Katsumi, confirms that there is difference in power, but states they are not weak, inspiring his friends and defeating an oni. Musashi is surprised to see how strong Katsumi is and wonders why they didn't fight like that before. Katsumi states its because they had orders, but since arriving on this island, Akihiro haven't given them proper orders and he can't just stand. They end up divided in two groups: the Shimazu and the rest with Katsumi.

Yataro takes Michiru to the deepest layer of the mineral deposits on the island as that is where his plan will bear fruit. With Shiro and Seiroku defeated, Yataro feels he needs to protect Orochi himself. Michiru wonders why he cares so much about Orochi, but he just looks at her. Michiru notes that when he looks at her like that, it makes her feel sad and feels like she is being rejected. She starts remembering about Musashi, but can't remember it all. They reach a room full of young girls, and Yataro turns to Michiru stating he needs to prove he is capable of evolving beyond all others.

As they get close to their target, they get united with other bushi, who are after the Kishin. Akihiro states that the enemy bushi doesn't matter and their target is Orochi and the rest should stay out of their way. Katsumi explains to Musashi that Akihiro has his eyes on glory as anyone who breaks a horn of a Kishin will leave a mark on history. Katsumi is disappointed, but Shimazu are fine with that as they came to make names and note that Musashi should stay for sure out of the fight as he recently even learned about blade energy. Musashi agrees, but states he will help as much as he can as he came to do what he can do and reveals he learned all of the Shimazu names from Kuroko. He realized that he can't do things himself and seeing the Shimazu work together, he found them amazing and wanting to be like them.
They soon face Yataro, who states he is one with the Kishin, although it required the sacrifice of all of his daughters. Yataro then transform into a large monster, stating he is the union of obsidian, man, and oni god.

## Characters in order of Appearance

* Naotora Takeda
* Shiro Inukai
* Aoshi Sanada
* Shunrai Yamamoto
* Kojiro Kanemaki
* Tsugumi Hattori
* Masaki Amakasu
* Musashi
* Katsumi Amako
* Akihiro Shimazu
* Haruhisa Shimazu
* Natsuki Shimazu
* Tokisame Shimazu
* Tadayuki Shimazu
* Fuyuie Shimazu
* Shige Tanegashima
* Mamori Tanegashima
* Morishika Yamanaka
* Keiji Yabunaka
* Kijinosuke Noguchi
* Sanae Satsukigawa
* Hikaru Yokomichi
* Kiyohide Teramoto
* Michiru Saruwatari
* Yataro Inuda
* Obsidian Goddess (voice)