Usagi has been retained as a bodyguard to writer Lady Mura as she escapes her powerful, abusive husband. However, he is cornered in a dilemma when duty and honor conflicts with bushido, the rigid code of the samurai. Can only tragedy come of his decision?
- colored by Tom Luth
- 32 pages
- $3.99
- DIAMOND CODE: AUG190768
- UPC 82771401801100511
Story Synopsis[]
***SPOILERS***
Usagi battles a zombie to save a woman in distress, but is only able to defeat the zombie by sacrificing himself. As the zombie grabs Usagi from the rear, Usagi plunges his sword through himself and into the zombie behind him. Usagi snaps the book shut (the zombie story was him reading) and comments to Lady Mura that it is a tragic ending. Lady Mura says in the way of tradition, the hero doesn't get the girl at the end. Suddenly, Usagi becomes aware the hideout they are staying in has been found.
The bandits want Lady Mura, but Usagi won't give her up without a fight. Realizing that Usagi must be a master swordsman that will cut them down as they enter, the bandits decide to start a fire and smoke them out of the abandoned temple. To their surprise, Usagi leaps out and battles them, chasing them off. Usagi and Lady Mura continue to her father's town unharmed.
Lady Mura's father says she was wrong to leave her husband, even if she isn't happy and he's abusive, as bushido code says she should serve her warrior husband, Seizo. He admits that it might not be right, but they are bound by the unbending code. Usagi capitulates to this, as he too is bound by honor to the code. Seizo arrives and takes her away angrily.
Lady Mura's father tells Usagi that he wishes the situation were different and Usagi says he understands. Her father thanks Usagi for trying to help her and Usagi goes on his way. As he travels, he comes upon a dead Lady Mura, but Seizo is alive and well, saying they were attacked by the bandits that Usagi let get away. Despite the undisturbed ground, Usagi has no real proof that Seizo killed her, so can not challenge him. Seizo leaves Usagi to return his dead wife to her father, but as Usagi goes to leave, she leaves him a final message with her dying breath.
Months later, Seizo receives a visit from his Lord, who leaves compliments for Lady Mura's last book, saying her fame will outlive them both. Dejected that even in death his wife "mocks" him, Seizo commits suicide.
Story Notes by Ruth Wold: Historical note on whether Empress Jingu existed, lending credence to the possibility of a matriarchal society and women warriors existing in ancient Japan.
Characters[]
Sales Charts[]
This issue came in at #260 on the October charts, with 8,733 copies ordered.