Nakamura Koji was once a famous swordsmaster who teached one of the eight traditional styles of fencing.

He was about to become the fencing instructor of Lord Hikiji himself but agreed to a match before the Dark Lord against an obscure upstart who called himself Katsuichi. He should have won easily but was beaten three times.

He was humiliated but at that moment, he realized how conceited he had become. So he gave up his position, left his school and pupils behind and began the warrior pilgrimage to hone his skills until he would be able to defeat Katsuichi.

When he stumbled over Usagi, he told him his story not knowing that Usagi is the pupil of the man who beat him a long time ago. Koji demans a duel against Usagi and Usagi almost wins by chance because Koji looses his footing. But Koji is able to catch the blow and to defeat Usagi.

With Koji's sword at his throat, Usagi expects to die but Koji lets him life -- if he delivers his former sensei a message that Koji demands a rematch at Kitanoji Temple.

Usagi does as he is asked ( in ) and Katsuichi actually receives the message (see ) and accepts because "honor is at stake".

Usagi runs into Koji again when he is on his way to Kitanoji Temple to see the duel.

He tries to talk both of the out of it but fails. In the end, the two fabulous swordmasters face each other -- and Koji is defeated one last time.