Episode 09

A Bushi's Way of Life (のき) is the ninth episode of the Orient anime series.

Synopsis
As Shiro preys on the other Bushi who have gathered to hunt a Kishin, Musashi has to find a way to escape the lava pit and help his friends.

Summary
The Bushi find the Kishin without a head and believe someone had slain him already. Tsugumi states that it must be still alive, as Kishin turn into Kitetsu when they die, so his horn must be intact. Kojiro then approaches it to look for its weakness. However, as he can't find anything, he guesses the horn may be on the Kishin's head. Shiro then appears and confirms that the horn is on the Kishin's head. The Bushi realize its Shiro who cut the Kishin's head and one band of Bushi surround him, wanting to know where the head is, so that they can kill the Kishin and claim the Kitetsu. However they end up easily killed by Shiro, who then states he is there for the Bushi's Kitetsu Blades. Realizing he is a sword hunter, the remaining Bushi prepare to fight him. The Bushi combine their attacks and attack Shiro, but he easily defeats all of them. Shiro realizes who is Kojiro and states that Musashi had become a Kitetsu Blade already and Kojiro will be joining him soon.

Meanwhile, Musashi had become a black stone. Obsidian Goddess then notices that Nanao uses her Kitetsu Blade to fish out Musashi and is disappointed they can reach them even in the magma and will be captured. Musashi then open his eyes to find his top half returned to normal and to Nanao's surprise that he is still alive, as she believed he turned to stone already. Nanao explains she wanted to finish the mission and get the Goddess, but she took him out too soon out of the pit. Musashi recalls what happened and rushes towards the mountain top, thanking Nanao for the help. Heading there, Musashi recalls what the Goddess told him and states that for him being a Bushi is far more than just a means to be with his friend.

After throwing the rock at Jisai, Musashi felt that its he who should die and not Jisai. That night Musashi visits Jisai and apologizes for what he had done and said. Jisai tells him he doesn't need to worry and that he understands in what situation he is in. Jisai states that Kojiro was in similar situation like Musashi, but being Kojiro's friend, had saved him. As Jisai thanks him, he tells Musashi to live and offers Musashi to stay and live with them. Musashi agrees and ends up being raised by Jisai.

The Bushi are attempting to run, which angers Shiro, who slays the running Bushi, stating that the souls of cowards are hideous. He doesn't want such materials, but as he made promise to make Musashi's friends into Kitetsu Blades, he will get at least Kojiro. Realizing that Shiro chases him, Kojiro decides to head back at the top of the mountain, to allow the rest to escape. Reaching a dead end, Kojiro takes out his blade and launches an attack at Shiro, but ends up missing. Shiro easily knocks down Kojiro and then grabs him and lifts him, stating that he likes him as the soul of courageous Bushi are beautiful color. Shiro is about to kill Kojiro, but feeling Musashi's present, he stops and turns around to see Musashi. Shiro then moves away from Kojiro, letting Musashi and Tsugumi get to him, where Musashi states he is back. Seeing Musashi holding a Kitetsu Blade, Kojiro gets excited, but Musashi states he can't use the cool lights, but the haze and the black stones no longer come out as he holds its. Shiro comments he is neither accepted or rejected by the blade.

Nanao joins Shiro, stating that she pulled Musashi too early and Shiro guesses she wanted to finish the job quickly and was careless. Shiro forgives her as the situation has gotten interesting and tells her to look at Musashi, who is half-fused with the black stone and the Goddess hasn't cast her judgement yet. If they attack him, the Goddess will issue her sentence. Nanao then restarts the capturing the Goddess operation, stating that she just needs to kill Musashi. Kojiro wonders why they want him, but Musashi explains they are after him. Tsugumi wonders why he came then and Musashi reveals its because he knew they were in trouble and Bushi fight together. Recalling that Jisai thought him that he needs to fight for someone, Kojiro agrees and the three of them prepare to fight Shiro and Nanao. Nanao explains they will be fighting only her and unleashes her Kitetsu Blade, Seven Belled Armadillo Sword. She turns her weapon into seven flying swords and starts attacking the trio. Since she isn't an oni, Musashi believes he can hurt her with his sword and attempts to attack her. He deflects three of her blades and uses his sword-drawing technique to avoid the fourth and launch himself at her, but she uses the remaining blades to repel him back. As they can't reach her due to her blades, Musashi suggests they break her blades and Kojiro states he came up with a plan.