Chapter 1 of the Jigokuraku manga.
Summary[]
After being betrayed by his comrades on a mission, the infamous Gabimaru the Hollow is sentence to death. However, Gabimaru manages to survive the executions that were given to him. During his sentence he is visited by an inspector who records his life story. Gabimaru explains that he was to marry the daughter of his village's chief, however, he could not tolerate her and requested to the chief to end his relationship with her. The chief would allow this if Gabimaru would complete one last mission, which led to his capture.
Gabimaru would then receive another execution. The inspector who has been recording Gabimaru's past reveals herself to be Yamada Asaemon Sagiri, an executioner called a Yamada Asaemon from the Yamada Clan who are known to be skilled with a sword. As Sagiri prepares to decapitate Gabimaru, the ninja dodges at the last second and wonders why he refused to accept his fate. Sagiri tells him the reason why is because he wants to see his wife once more. Gabimaru admits to wanting to have a peaceful life with his wife but knew that this desire could never be possible. Sagiri disagrees with his statement and presents to him a document saying that he would be pardon for his crimes by the Shogunate if he could complete a task. The task would be to travel to a dangerous island, along with a few criminals at death row, and bring back a magical remedy called the Elixir of Life. With an opportunity to see his wife again, Gabimaru accepts the mission and burns the guards attempting to keep him from escaping with his ninjutsu.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Gabimaru
- Yamada Asaemon Sagiri
- Yui (flashback)
- Iwagakure Chief (flashback)