Chapter 9

**Faded Sight** is the ninth chapter of *Tenkaichi Nihon Saikyo Bugeisha Ketteisen* and the second chapter of Volume 3.

## Summary

Fuma Kotaro performs an exceptionally strong clap, rupturing Toda Seigen's eardrums. Toda believes Kotaro is a monster for being able to make such a sound from a mere clap.

As Kotaro's thumbs and index fingernails bleed, Toda moves back while continually slashing at the air. Now that he can't rely on either sight nor sound, Kotaro doesn't think he can keep up with her movements any longer and charges in, kneeing Toda's stomach and throwing him against a tree. Kotaro notes that attack should've broken five or six ribs, calling Toda a tough old man. Bringing out a small shuriken, Kotaro says she can't have any more fun with a weakened opponent like him.

Both Konoe Sakihisa and Toda Shigemasa worry about Toda as Kotaro throws her shuriken, inwardly proclaiming this to be the end. As the shuriken approaches, Toda thinks about "Zen" and suddenly, to everyone's shock, Toda parries the shuriken into the tree behind him. Kotaro can't believe he could deflect a shuriken when he can't see or hear while Toda complains about how he got flustered for a moment and took that kick head-on. Hojo Ujimasa questions how he pulled off such a risky stunt and wonders what he is seeing with.

Toda suddenly mumbles to something that they shouldn't worry about him as he can still move. At that moment, Mori Ranmaru noticed that Toda's words sounded as if he was talking to someone else. Bringing out three more shuriken, Kotaro decides to just keep throwing until one hits. After she fires the shuriken at him, Toda claims there is nothing the **White Night's Eye** can't see. Inwardly, Toda thanks "Zenzaemon".

Toda lost his sight over twenty years ago.

When he was 56 years old, Toda arrived at the Toda Dojo in Ichijodani Castle Town where he wondered how his grandson, Seki Zenzaemon, was doing. Zenzaemon exclaimed for his grandfather while Toda's son-in-law, Seki Yasuhige, asked him if his eyes were alright. After Toda replied more-or-less, Zenzaemon asked if Toda would train him today too and Toda said yes. He believed Zenzaemon had a talent for the sword and will teach him all of his techniques while his eyes are still well. Zenzaemon promised to surpass his grandfather and become the greatest swordsman in the world, prompting Yasuhige to tell him to not make Toda push himself too hard. By this point, Toda's eye disease considerably worsened and in his retirement, he doted on his grandson.

Toda assured Yasuhige he's fine and that he's only feeling sad, knowing that, soon, he won't get to see Zenzaemon's face anymore. Zenzaemon told Toda not to worry and reassured him that when he can't see anymore, it'll be his turn to guide him. Smiling, Toda told him to be ready as he's even harder to handle than the sword. However, a tragedy of the Sengoku Period would unfold just a few months later. On September 1573, the grounds of Ichijodani Castle Town were set ablaze by Oda's forces. It was known as the Seize of Ichijodani Castle. The battle was waged between the forces of Oda Nobunaga and Asakura Yoshikage. This battle would lead to the downfall of the Asakura Clan.

In the rubble, Toda called for Zenzaemon. Cursing Oda and his troops, Toda got to Zenzaemon's house. At that moment, even with his hazy vision, he could clearly tell what he saw. The remains of the boy, the last thing on Earth he ever loved, lying dead on the ground. Toda couldn't believe it as Zenzaemon was just a boy. Unable to see him clearly, Toda got on his knees and asked Zenzaemon to let him see his face. Toda then sobbed as he held Zenzaemon close to him.

On that day, Toda lost his beloved grandson and from then on, he wouldn't let anyone get close to him. Shigemasa would go to his house and yell out for him to come out but Toda would sit alone in the dark, not meeting those who came to visit him. It was during this time that Toda completely lost his sight. In spite of his blindness, Toda secluded himself in the mountains. Some months later, Shigemasa went to the mountains in search of Toda, only to find Toda whole-heartedly devoting himself to practicing the sword, with such vigor as if he had been brought back to life. At that moment, Shigemasa sensed a strange presense. Toda, who was completely alone on the mountain, was clearly having a match with someone.

A few more years later, after coming down from the mountains, Toda defeated Shigemasa in a practice duel. He was clearly stronger than when he was able to see. Shigemasa complimented him on how well he moved as if he still had sight and Toda replied that it was because of Zen, who won't stop blabbing to him about how he has to be strongest in the world. Shigemasa mentioned Zenzaemon had been dead for a long time but Toda didn't get what he meant. Turning next to him, Toda patted the air and said that Zen got so much bigger, guessing that's why Shigemasa hasn't recognised him.

As Shigemasa sweated, Toda went on about how Zen was pretty good. The more they train together, the sharper he got, and the more the things around him have come out of the dark. Shigemasa was convinced Toda was having a match with someone on the mountains. Whether he was the product of Toda's extraordinary alertness and senses or a delusion brought on by obsession, it didn't matter.

Wondering if he couldn't see him, Toda told Shigemasa that he could see Zen, clearer than he ever could, which sent a chill down Shigemasa's spine. Through his training with Zen, Toda had forged himself into an extraordinary martial artist.

In the present, the audience question just how many shuriken Toda has parried. Having run out, Kotaro clicks her teeth and Toda questions if she's done with shuriken embedded in the trees all around him. Kotaro can't believe not a single one hit and questions what kind of trick Toda is using. Toda thinks about how he doesn't need sight or sound as his image of Zen shows him everything. Recalling how Zenzaemon promised to guide him, Toda says he'll be counting on him. As the image of Zen points towards Kotaro, Oda laughs. The audience still can't believe Toda is blind while Hojo worries over how Kotaro is struggling. Looking at a skeletal hand, Hojo tells his mother that Toda is strong.

As Ranmaru compliments Toda, Konoe recalls how he brought Toda because he thought he would please Oda but he's gone far beyond his own expectations. Konoe remarks on how it's almost like Toda is using sorcery as Shigemasa questions if Zenzaemon is really there. Yagyu disagrees with Konoe, explaining how Toda's abnormal reaction speed is the result of his extraordinary alertness and his sharpened senses. He takes in every single scrap of data he possibly can – heat, scent, tremors, the direction of the wind – and connects it all together to feel more than what people can see. That is the true form behind the **White Night's Eye**.

Kotaro recounts how getting close is risky yet projectiles won't connect, meaning they'll be stuck here forever. Bringing something out, Kotaro says she has no choice, even though she wanted to save this for later. The Fifth suddenly barks before whining. As Zen scowls, Toda confirms he can tell Kotaro has something nasty coming.

Holding up a vial, Kotaro tells Toda that she'll show him the forbidden power that makes her the strongest Kotaro of all.

## Appearing Characters

* ⁵ᵗʰFuma Kotaro
* ⁶ᵗʰFuma Kotaro
* Hojo Ujimasa
* Konoe Sakihisa
* Mori Ranmaru
* Oda Nobunaga
* ***Seki Zenzaemon*** (flashback)
* Toda Seigen
* Toda Shigemasa
* Yagyu Munenori