Read Vagabond - Chapter-10

Summary of Left Behind (残された者たち, Nokosa reta Mono-tachi)

The story then shows Otsu opening a letter that was given to her by a priest. The letter reads: I am writing as the woman who is with Matahachi. He is burdened by thoughts of you. The current situation is detrimental for everyone involved. I am asking you... to forget Matahachi. Oko. After reading the letter, Otsu imagines Matahachi telling her to forget about him and that he is happy. Rather than being upset by the news, Otsu smiles because she can finally recall Matahachi's face. She then asks who Oko is and bursts into tears, screaming whilst tearing the letter apart. As she continues to cry she bites her hand until it bleeds out of sheer pain and anger. Osugi apologizes for losing control and attempting to hurt Takezo. She allows Takezo to come into her home and lets him wear Matahachi's clothes, cooks for him and offers him a bath. Takezo is confused and suspicious as to how quickly Osugi becomes kind after her attempt at killing him. Osugi responds by saying that he is a friend of her beloved son. As Takezo takes a bath, villagers and samurais surround the house in an attempt to ambush him. Osugi goes out to greet the men and reveals that it was a ruse and an act of revenge because Takezo came back without Matahachi and claims that he is with another woman. Takezo then breaks down the door to the house and appears in front of the men naked with his katana. He begins to fight the men and states that if they try to kill him, he will kill them first. The chapter ends with Otsu still crying, calling Matahachi a traitor, a jerk, and bastard.