The cry of an eagle.
It seemed to be ringing out somewhere.
"Old man."
Such a call rang out within the cave.
"Isn't it a little too early for you to retire into seclusion in a place like this? Though you do look terribly withered, you're not even sixty yet, are you?"
In response to the long-sword-wielding swordsman's question, the old man wore an expression of relief.
Yet amid that relief—there seemed to be a trace of dissatisfaction.
"Too late! Too late! At last, my fate has come—why did it take so long?!"
"My deepest apologies, but isn't it enough that I made it in time?"
Faced with the old man's impatience, the swordsman merely smiled.
"What did you make it in time for? I'm practically dead already! I'm even starting to see my mother in my mind!"
Clearly, the old man was not buying it.
"You're recalling your mother? I never thought the legendary Shinmen Musashi could be such a gentle man."
The swordsman was somewhat surprised.
".You'll be punished for saying things like that."
The old man fell silent for a moment, then said viciously.
"Anyway—you finally came. My fate, you really kept this old man waiting. What I never expected was that I would be the one waiting for you."
"But it seems this old man's regrets can no longer be dispelled."
Shinmen Musashi struggled with all his strength to rise, yet he could not move his body even the slightest bit.
"Look. These hands of mine can no longer swing the swords they hold."
He was indeed holding a sword in each hand.
But he could no longer wield them.
That was the old man's condition.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry."
"Forgive me. Forgive this old man."
The old man's voice was filled with helplessness and sorrow, along