The Way of the Samurai

First Published: July 1990 by Fantagraphics Books

• Miyamoto Usagi
• Magistrate Oyaneko
• Yagi
• Gorogoro
• FIXME char-hirone
• Monshiro

A messenger is on Magistrate Oyaneko's business when all of a sudden a gang of brigands attempt to steal his parcel. Usagi comes across the scene and eliminates the brigands to let the messenger go unharmed. The messenger is amazed by Usagi's skills and wants him to meet his master.

Usagi arrives in the town and meet the Magistrate, only to found out that he is the famous General Oyaneko who served under the late Lord Higashi. Usagi and the General get acquainted and they take a walk through town where the General explains his story: He did not commit seppuku upon his Lord's death in order to honor his dying lord's final wish.

Lord Higashi forbade anyone in his service to take their life because is son, Hirone, would need counsel. However, Lord Hirone found new advisors, who corrupted him and wanted him to get rid of the old ones.

They first framed Yagi, Lord Higashi's personal bodygard, and made him look like a traitor. To exact revenge, Yagi killed many of the conspirators and is now hunted by Hirone's samurai. He travels with his son, Gorogoro and they are known as the Lone Goat and Kid assassins.

As for himself, the General was also framed and was subsequently banished from court to be assigned to govern a small town as magistrate. Upon finishing the Magistrate's story, they then arrived back at the General's house, where Usagi discovered that Oyaneko did not seem well. Usagi then learns that the General is dying of a uncurable illness.

The next morning Usagi leaves the town through a canyon the upon the General's attendant's recommendation. Much to Usagi's surprise, however, he discovers that Oyaneko is there waiting for him. The Magistrate wants to battle Usagi in a duel, since he believes a samurai should die in battle, and not by illness.

Usagi tries to talk him out of it, but with no luck. Both men start the fight, but both stop inches away before killing their rival. The General resigned hisself to is illness and decides to live to serve his people (per Usagi's request), since the meaning of samurai is "one who serves". General Oyaneko died three months later after fulfilling his duty to his people by building a new canal for the city.

Last change: 19. May 2003

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Usagi Yojimbo, including all prominent characters featured in the stories and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of Stan Sakai and Usagi Studios. Usagi Yojimbo is a registered trademark of Stan Sakai. Names, characters, places, and incidents featured in this publication either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, institutions, or locales, without satiric content, is coincidental.