Episode 23

Greatsword of the Black Goddess (きの) is the twenty-third episode of the Orient anime series.

Summary
Yamata no Orochi is defeated, but the Bushi notice that the Kitetsu isn't gathering at their swords. Meanwhile, Kojiro and Tsugumi's group are facing group of oni, while searching for Tatsuomi Uesugi. The ground shakes up and black crystals come out. Kanetatsu wants to go look for Tatsuomi, stating its would be meaningless to win if they don't get him back. Musashi realizes the same and heads out to look for Kojiro, Tsugumi and Michiru. Katsumi and Akihiro decide to follow him as they see the Kitetsu is gathering at the mountain. Moments later, Kojiro's group returns with Tatsuomi, who tells Kanetatsu that he knew they would win and Kanetatsu hugs him.

Tatsuomi tells Musashi that Michiru spoke with him, while he was captured. She didn't had much memories of Musashi, but felt he was someone important to her. Her father told her to forget him and wanted to get rid of her, and she believes that everyone, including Musashi think she is worthless pebble. As Musashi disagrees with that, he goes around to look for Michiru, and other Bushi follow him. They see the mountain is empty inside and jump down. There, they see a floating black sword, and a shadowy figure appears and takes it. The figure is Yataro, who had fused with Orochi and stole its power and the Bushi had defeated just an empty shell of the Kishin. Yataro reveals that the sword is Michiru, as she was his only successful experiment to turn a human into a Kitetsu Blade. They were looking for the Goddess for a long time and he and Shiro decided to create something of equivalent power, however, Yataro outdid Shiro, creating the Greatsword of the Black Goddess. Natsuki doesn't take Yataro very seriously as they had defeated him already. However, Yataro then releases an attack by pointing the sword at him and three other Bushi jump in creating a barrier to protect him. Seeing how strong had Yataro become, Tatsuomi orders everyone to attack him. However, Yataro does a 360 degree slash, cutting numerous Bushi and the mountain.

Musashi attacks Yataro, but he blocks his attack. Michiru then starts absorbing Musashi's blade energy. Musashi jumps away, but Yataro explains that Michiru had obtained powers similar to the Goddess and starts stealing blade energy from everyone. Yataro then unleashes an attack, that destroys anything on its path for miles. Yataro kills more of the Bushi. He attacks Musashi, but as Musashi blocks, he feels that his sword dulls when he tries to kill Musashi. Michiru then tells Musashi that she is the ultimate sword and is overjoyed to be her father's tool, and will gladly kill anyone he asks her to. But when she looks at Musashi, something inside of her cries, and visions she forgotten appear in her mind. Michiru is then split into serving and stopping her father. Naotora then comes from above and pushes Yataro. He tells Tatsuomi to pick up his sword and defend Musashi as he has the Goddess inside of him. Kanetatsu confirms, and states he gave him her blood. Tatsuomi then takes his sword and supports Kanetatsu and Naotora. With incredible speed, Naotora goes behind Yataro and grabs him for Kanetatsu to cut, however, Yataro easily cuts them both down. Tatsuomi tells everyone to run, while he buys them some time, but Yataro has no intention on leaving anyone escape and starts cutting the Bushi, alongside with Katsumi, Haruhisa and Tokisame.

Yataro then attacks Musashi, but Kojiro blocks. The time then stops and a portal opens with Michiru inside. She acts that she doesn't know Musashi, but he enters inside. Both of them are in child form and Musashi wonders why she is pretending to not know him and Michiru explains that remembering the past hurts. Musashi then sees Michiru's past and the day she was born. Seeing her father, Yataro was angry as she was just another "garbage" and not the Goddess, so he threw her away, while she was crying and not wanting to be abandoned. Musashi realizes she was lonely, and Michiru is surprised he doesn't say anything else to cheer her, however, Musashi states he doesn't know what to say or do. Michiru then notices that Musashi also have a big hole in his heart, and the two laugh. Michiru reveals that she remembers him and likes him. However, she explains that no one can fill the hole except family. Musashi wonders if she would have been better not meeting him, but she disagrees, as he helped her realize how much more sparkle the world has and he warms her inside. Musashi asks her to come with him and find more stuff she cares about. While their holes may be bigger than the other people, it also means there is more room to fill them with stuff. Michiru agrees and they grown up again. Michiru explains that time started to move again and she will try to stop her father. Musashi asks her to turn to human again, but she explains she can't as the black stone inside of Yataro turned her into a sword and asks Musashi if he can destroy it. Musashi wonders if he can do it and Michiru states the power inside of his is already awake and points at five doors. She explains that Obsidian is made from the combination of all five colors and since he drank the Goddess blood, he should be able to master one of her powers completely.