What I want to talk about though, is why I dropped the manga.
The second visit to Kyoto is an event that has been on the back of readers' minds for the majority of the manga, and needless to say I was hyped.
The mangaka starts the arc with a massive spoiler. The spoiler completely robs the story of any suspense from the following dozen or so chapters as we're waiting for the characters to catch up to what the author just spoiled. I'm honestly dumbfounded by the writing decision making here. This style of writing works when the author shows a future scene, making the audience drop their guard since they know what will happen, only to subvert expectations with an unexpected twist by showing the full context of that scene. That didn't happen though.
My next two grievances are with our protagonist, Musashi, who is the worst.
Musahi finally has his duel with Denshichiro. At this point Musashi can easily defeat Den, blindfolded, armed with nothing but a wet sock. Yet for some reason it doesn't even cross Musashi's mind to spare Den, even after what he puts Den through. Musashi contemplates all the different ways he can execute Den before finally ending him. It would be one thing if Musashi killed Den and then he was reprimanded by his comrades, but that doesn't happen. That's because the author thinks Musashi needlessly killing Den is completely fine. Denshichiro is a good man, probably the most honorable man in the story. How is Musashi any different than he was when he was tied up in that tree? He's merciless and has no regard for life.
The final straw was the 70 man battle. If Musashi had even an iota of foresight, he'd realize killing Den would incur the wrath of the Yoshioka. Conveniently, Musashi teleports into the tree next to where the Yoshioka are plotting to kill him. Rationally, Musashi decides it would be best to avoid the confrontation and leaves in the middle of the night. He seemingly downs a bottle of stupid juice and decides to go fight them anyway. This is the moment when Musashi FULLY ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY for the outcome of the battle. It is no longer self defense at this point. He knew about the ambush, he had a chance to avoid it, but he just didn't want to. Musashi chose to butcher the rest of the Yoshioka. I'm not going to bother talking about how the fight is just several chapters of mind-numbing carnage. Musahi is completely at fault here.
Musashi starts off the story being a battle-thirsty demon who wants to make a name for himself. He was captured, reformed, and started on a new path. On his new path, he encounters the Yoshioka and kills several of their disciples. The following year he kills both heads of the household (granted one is self-defense), and then slaughters everyone else. He is not reprimanded for this because the author thinks Musashi is justified. Musashi hasn't changed at all, the only thing that has changed is that nobody is giving him shit for his actions.
I find myself agreeing with Matahachi's mother, which is when you know you fucked up.
