On the verge of their violin competition, Nachi confesses her love to Reiji. Then Nachi finds herself forced to confront the abuse within her family. Aoi, Reiji's main rival, faces a death in his own family, which taxes his weakened heart. Despite their teacher's advice, he's not going to give up playing without a fight... and it's going to get physical!

The conflict heats up between Reiji and Bartholomew! Mitsuko struggles with her own confused emotions in order to stay focused on her troubled student's progress. Reiji's estranged mother appears, seeking reconciliation with her son, but he's not interested. When she later violently interrupts his concert, it leads to a shocking revelation about the relationship between Reiji and Bartholomew.

Simmering emotions boil over in this final volume! Will Mitsuko choose the younger Reiji or her former lover, the mercurial conductor named Bartholomew? Reiji is finally on the verge of attaining the recognition he's always coveted. But will he gain professional success only to lose his personal happiness?

Real-life figure Miyamoto Musashi was the most celebrated samurai of all time. The quintessential warrior philosopher, Musashi authored A Book of Five Rings, a theoretical guide to military strategy still used today by modern-day businessmen. But the path to enlightenment in feudal era Japan was fraught with peril. At 17 years of age, Musashi - still known by his childhood name Shinmen Takezo - was a wild young brute just setting out along the way of the sword.

Musashi sets out for Nara intent on challenging the warrior monks of legendary Hozoin Temple. But will Musashi's growing feelings for his childhood friend Otsu prove to be a fatal distraction in his match against In'ei, the austere master of Hozoin's deadly spear technique?

Musashi suffers a humiliating defeat against Inshun, the second-generation master of Hozoin Temple. To prepare for a rematch, Musashi undertakes an intense spiritual and physical training regimen with a most unlikely teacher - Inshun's predecessor, the founder of the Hozoin Spear Technique.

Musashi endeavors to take on sword master Yagyu Sekishusai, a man recognized by many to be the greatest swordsman of his time. But with Sekishusai far past his prime, does Musashi truly believe that killing a seemingly helpless old man in his sleep will take him further along the path?

In a remote seaside village, an abandoned infant is left to the care of a reclusive old man who has all but renounced the ways of the world. This helpless child is destined to become Sasaki Kojiro - the legendary archrival of Miyamoto Musashi. Inoue's unique take on this enigmatic figure sets up the foundation for his fictional account of the most famous rivalry in Japanese history.

Sasaki Kojiro is the man destined to become Miyamoto Musashi's greatest rival and opponent in the most well-known duel in the annals of Japanese history. As a deaf-mute young man coming of age in a remote seaside village, Kojiro's innate ability with the sword compels him to become even better. This drive takes him beyond the borders of his peaceful village into the violent and chaotic world of feudal era Japan in the midst of a bloody war.

In the aftermath of the bloody Battle of Sekigahara, Sasaki Kojiro, the man destined to be Musashi's opponent in the most famous duel in Japanese history, finds himself alone amidst desperate refugees and vicious hunters. Despite being pushed to his limits, Kojiro is far from daunted by his peril and instead thrives with an almost supernatural serenity. Driven by his macabre thirst for battle, Kojiro is transformed into the ultimate swordsman.

Shinmen Takezo is destined to become the legendary sword-saint, Miyamoto Musashi - perhaps the most renowned samurai of all time. For now, Takezo is a cold-hearted kiler, who will take on anyone in mortal combat to make a name for himself. This is the journey of a wild young brute who strives to reach enlightenment by way of the sword: fighting on the edge of death.

A master is responsible for his disciples' actions. When Jotaro commits a serious offense on the estate of the Yagyu Clan, Musashi must face the penalty for his young protege's actions. Now Musashi is prepared to take out every man in the clan until he comes face to face with the great master of the house, Yagyu Sekishushi. Was this Musashi's plan all along?