Read Vagabond - Chapter-6

Summary of The Troubles of Hon'iden Matahachi at Seventeen (本位田又八17歳の懊悩, Hon'iden Matahachi 17-sai no Ōnō)

The next day, Matahachi looks down and upset as he is near a river bank. Takezo and Akemi are also near the river bank trying to bathe and wash the blood-stained clothing from the previous fight. Matahachi dives underneath the water and while underneath, he asks for forgiveness to Takezo and Otsu for the actions he committed last night. After the bath, Matahachi strongly comes out and wants to return back to his home village of Miyamoto. Meanwhile, the rest of Tsujikaze gang are riding up on their horses. While riding, they wish to get revenge at Takezo and Matahachi for killing their boss. They are also eager to rape Oko for her crimes of stealing weapons and getting their boss entangled in this situation that has led to his death. Matahachi misses Otsu and wants Takezo to join him. Takezo tells him to go back home and that he won’t be joining him. Matahachi then asks Takezo if he’s going with Oko and Akemi, but even to this, Takezo responds with a no. Takezo then explains why he won’t travel with any of them, “I left home knowing that I would never come back. From this day on… I’m a Vagabond.” The rest of the Tsujikaze gang show up at the riverbank. It seems like Takezo has already anticipated for their arrival.