Nobita's Time Heist

"Master."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Money, fame, women, status... I've gotten everything I wanted with the knife in my hand. If there's anything I regret..."

"I want to see him one more time..."

In the summer of 1645, in Chiba Castle, Miyamoto Musashi left behind his untold last words. The greatest swordsman in the land, on his deathbed, seemed no different from any other old man.

As for who the person he was talking about was, no one knew.

And so, it quietly faded into history.

Chapter 282: The Demon Slayer, Miyamoto Musashi

"Musashi……"

"Well, now's not the time for reminiscing. This monster has been waiting for me for a long time." He smiled, drew his remaining two swords, leaped down, and landed lightly on the ground.

Without a sound, the blades were drawn from their sheaths, one long and one short, their bodies slightly arched, perfectly replicating the appearance in the painting. He strolled leisurely toward his opponent, who was many times his size, as if he were doing some post-meal exercise on his own path after a meal.

“It’s quite interesting, Master. Because I killed too many people in my life, I no longer aspire to become a Buddha. I only hope to suffer less in hell.” He shook his head with a smile, telling his story as if he were joking. “However, it was also because I killed too many people that the murderous aura, resentment, and lingering vengeful spirits haunted me after death, refusing to dissipate and eventually turning me into a ghost.”

“Even Hell wouldn’t accept me. I had no choice but to wander around for a long time before finally arriving here… This place is so interesting. There are hostile people everywhere, and I can act without any scruples, without having to worry about anything anymore. All the constraints of the human world are ineffective in this territory; only killing and being killed remain.”

"Ten, a hundred, a thousand... Heaven is punishing me by banishing me to this barren land. This is retribution for killing too many people."

“Heaven took pity on me and banished me to this vicious land. After killing three thousand six hundred monsters, they called me ‘Man-Slaying Demon,’ and my skills were unknowingly honed to a level I had never touched in my previous life.”

Musashi slightly changed his grip on the twin swords, his thumb resting against the hilt, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Speaking of which, I really enjoyed eating crabs from Hyogo when I was alive. Although they are aquatic products, they have a freshness that is no less than that of land-based dishes, and they taste completely different from fish. In my opinion, those guys waving their pincers and showing off are just like little samurai."

His figure suddenly vanished, and the knife in his hand disappeared as well, like a phantom waved in the air.

In the blink of an eye, he was opposite the bull demon, passing by it without the bull demon noticing. His muscles tensed instantly, but his expression remained relaxed and carefree, like a skilled butcher killing a chicken or a fish.

"The first step is to remove its feet."

"laugh----!!"

Whether it could be called blood or not, a liquid black mist gushed out. The bull demon's eight legs snapped off and fell to the ground. Without its legs to support it, its body crashed to the ground with a thud. The hard texture left it somewhat bewildered, as if it hadn't yet understood what had happened.

"Then comes the second step, shelling."

He turned around and swung his sword, as if using a water-soaked blade to wield ink in the air. In that instant, Musashi's movements were extremely graceful, as if he had completely shed his identity as a swordsman.

A silvery light flashed through the air, accompanied by a faint, sharp hissing sound as if the air had been sliced ​​open. Like magic, the massive body of the Gyu-oni was cleaved in two. Oil-like liquid gushed from the cut, corroding the ground. Only then did its remaining upper half of its head realize what had happened, staring intently at Musashi before it, its eyes filled with anger and fear.

"You demon slayer... are you going to betray him?! Until now, everyone who has dared to challenge his authority has already..."

"What a talkative crab." Musashi turned slightly to the side, gently resting a sword on his shoulder, and looked at him with a cold smile. "I've been wondering why you, as demons, can so readily submit to him... You have absolutely no self-respect, it's so ugly."

"The final step is to remove all the inedible parts, such as the cheeks, heart, and stomach. What's left is the only valuable part."

A flash of light, and it was impossible to see how he moved; at least in Da Xiong's eyes, he just swung his sword a few times in a seemingly professional manner. The remaining body of the Gyu-oni was cut into six equal parts, scattered like garlic cloves. Like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox, the flesh formed from black mist was precisely removed, leaving only the "useful parts," just as Musashi himself had said. Its true form was extremely small, not much different in size from a crab, and lacked vocal organs; it seemed to rely on magical vibrations of the air to mimic human speech. Musashi said nothing, precisely slicing open the tiny shell with his blade, removing the functional sac, and then gently slicing its surface with the thin, cicada-wing-like blade to squeeze out the bodily fluids.

Like honey, the orange-yellow liquid, with just a few drops applied to the wound, immediately healed the rusted gold.

"oh----!!"

"oh----!!"

"oh----!!"

Three loud crowings of roosters, each one a jolt to the soul, once again demonstrated the power of the [alarm clock capable of waking people from a distance], jolting everyone awake from their nightmares. Perhaps sensing the presence of the extraordinary demon slayer, the Dream Eater dared not continue its mischief and quietly slipped away. The remaining people were no longer bound by magic; they were simply still asleep. With such a jolt, how could they not wake up?

"Musashi……"

"Oh, Master's wife, it's been a long time." Upon seeing Shizuka, Musashi sheathed his twin swords and waved to her, just as he had done when they parted last time. It was as if this wasn't a separation of life and death, but merely a casual greeting after a long separation. "Master has already told me the details. He's truly remarkable. I've always felt that Master's character was extraordinary, but who would have thought that he would now be going to fight the King of the Demon Realm... I feel like this is getting closer and closer to the legends, hahaha—!"

"Is that so..." Shizuka looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar samurai, recalling his shy and timid appearance with a short ponytail, and smiled with some complicated feelings. "Thank you for helping us just now."

"And before that, at the Sword Tomb, you deliberately let us pass, didn't you?" With that connection, Suneo easily understood what was going on. "Well, I'm truly grateful. Back then..."

"This is nothing to worry about. It's just a small matter for me." He patted the two famous swords hanging at his waist and said in a casual tone, "Since I came here, I have no special skills. If I had to say what I can do, it would only be these two sword techniques."

"..."

"After arriving here," is a very vague and ambiguous statement. Shizuka and Nobita both tacitly avoided mentioning this past event. Perhaps, subconsciously, they were unwilling to believe that the somewhat straightforward and honest young man in their memories, who aspired to become the greatest swordsman in the world, would ultimately fall into the path of demons because he killed too many people on the battlefield.

However, it was precisely because Musashi, who had transformed into a demon slayer, was there to guard them that they were able to overcome this calamity so easily.

Cause and effect are intertwined, and fortune and misfortune are interdependent; who can truly see through it all?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"You...you...no, I mean, you are Miyamoto Musashi himself?!"

Fat Tiger's tone shifted repeatedly; to his core, this was the first time he had ever spoken to another person in such a humble manner. To him, this moment was as legendary as a god descending to earth.

"That Miyamoto Musashi who was famous throughout the world and invented the Niten Ichi-ichi style?!"

Chapter 283: The Survival Strategies of the Weak

"Musashi, come with us."

Nobita glanced at his watch. According to the human biological clock, the first night was almost over, and it was time to get going again. After hesitating for a moment, he brought up the matter himself, "With just the few of us, it's still a bit..."

Suneo and Gian exchanged a glance, their faces beaming with joy.

“Indeed, if Musashi could join the team, things would be much easier from now on. In traditional stories, Ushioni is considered a great demon who wreaks havoc in the region, yet he was defeated so easily. Apart from some demons and gods, none of them should be his match.” Dekisugi thought to himself, but he was not so optimistic about Musashi’s answer.

"I'm sorry, Master."

After a brief silence, Musashi pursed his lips and declined Nobita's suggestion.

"Actually, when I first arrived here, I received a lot of help from a senior. To repay his kindness, I made a vow to the heavens to serve as a guardian here for three hundred years, to stop those invaders from coming from the land. Now, only two hundred and sixty-seven years have passed, and there will no longer be any foolish locals running across the main road, but... a man's promise must be kept, I'm sure Master can understand."

He chuckled and shook his head, but his thumb unconsciously pushed the scabbard forward. The martial arts fanatic part of his personality was surfacing, eager to try it out. "However, I've heard so much about how powerful that guy's eye technique is. If I could, I'd really like to give it a shot..."

"Is his eye faster, or is my knife faster?"

"In that case, Musashi-senpai!" Upon seeing his idol, Gian abandoned his usual rough style and said with utmost sincerity, "Please teach me the Niten Ichiryu style. I will use this sword technique to utterly defeat Hundred-Eyed King!"

"Oh?" Musashi's gaze swept over Gian for a moment, lingering on his shoulders, chest, and waist, before revealing a cryptic chuckle.

Since childhood, Gian has always dreamed of swordsmanship. The swordsman he admires most is naturally Miyamoto Musashi, who has never been defeated in his life and has left a great reputation in history.

In fact, it was precisely because he was so deeply influenced by Musashi when he was young, having learned a few basic kendo moves, that he insisted on challenging Nobita to a duel. This led Nobita and Doraemon to choose to travel through time to meet the real Musashi in history, thus setting the stage for this duel. (In the new version of the story, Shizuka also travels with the two to the Heian period, leaving an indelible impression on Musashi.)

Doraemon's thinking was simple: with the historically renowned Musashi personally providing one-on-one instruction, even if Nobita was useless, learning a move or two wouldn't be a problem for him to beat up Gian.

However, the time-space anchors began to disrupt things again. During this visit across time, Nobita and his friends met a young man named "Gouda Musashi." At the end of their journey, the young man said he wanted a name, and from then on, he changed his name to Miyamoto Musashi, beginning a legendary life. What was originally a journey to meet Musashi ironically gave birth to Musashi's existence.

"I see, young man... you were born for this." After observing for a moment, Musashi withdrew his gaze and said with a hint of regret, "Unfortunately, you can't learn the Niten Ichi-ryu style."

"He's good."

"Huh?!" Fat Tiger's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Me??!" Suneo, who was pointed at, jumped in surprise, his voice trembling. "Th-th-th-that...you're kidding, right? I know absolutely nothing about hand-to-hand combat, and I've never won a fight. I only managed to win because of Gian's intimidation..."

Musashi didn't explain directly. Instead, he held up a finger and asked like a teacher, "For example, if you had a very strong opponent, slightly stronger than you, and your chances of winning a head-on fight were roughly 30/70, what would you choose to do?"

"How to do it..."

Fat Tiger recalled his extensive fighting history since childhood, "If it were me, I would definitely observe first, right? Is the other person bigger than me, or more agile than me, and test their moves first."

“If he’s a power type, I’ll use Jiu-Jitsu to deal with him. Once I throw him to the ground, his punches and kicks won’t be able to exert their power, and then I’ll defeat him with a choke. If he’s agile, I’ll deliberately create openings. As long as I don’t get hit in a vital spot, I’ll definitely have a chance to grab him the moment he touches me. Once I grab him, there’s nothing to worry about.”

"Of course, if it's neither of those, but someone who is better than me in terms of skill, then I'll compete with him in terms of physical strength and wear him down. These kinds of people usually think they're experts. If they use a certain technique that I can hold off and can't resolve for a long time, they will inevitably waver. If I strike at that moment, I'll be almost certain to win."

This method can be considered a summary of Gian's fighting history. What started as childish street fighting evolved into a fighting formula after he entered junior high school and formally learned judo from his uncle. As he encountered more martial arts, this formula continued to expand. With his current abilities, he is fully capable of dealing with all three types of opponents mentioned above.

Of course, if someone is superior in all aspects of physical fitness, agility, skill, and strength, then there's not much he can do.

"That's really good, buddy. Only someone with real combat experience could give such an answer." Musashi first gave him a small compliment. Being praised by his idol, Gian couldn't contain his pride, and his nose almost reached the sky.

"So, what about you, fox-faced young man? What can you do?"

"I...I..." With so many people watching at the same time, Xiaofu couldn't help but feel a little shy. He hesitated for a long time, not knowing how to start the conversation.

"It's alright, Suneo, tell me." Gian also looked over. "I want to hear what the right thing to do is."

“Alright, this is what you told me to say.” Xiao Fu took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, “I will first check if there is any dirt or sand on the ground.”

"If you have any, grab a handful and throw them in his face, then ambush him while he's stunned!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

An answer devoid of any chivalry.

Musashi, however, broke into a hearty laugh, contrary to his usual behavior.

"Brother, do you understand now? In other words, that's how it is..."

“I have always been a weakling. Many things are predetermined at birth; a strong physique and agile speed are things I have no connection with. Unconsciously, I have developed the habits of a weakling... The so-called ‘Niten Ichi-ryu’ is a technology developed for the weak.”

"I could tell at a glance that your gait, your eyes, and even the subtlest body language all exude confidence. Young man, you've probably never really met anyone stronger than you, have you?"

"However, for the weak, facing the strong is almost a compulsory course in life. It is no exaggeration to say that most of the opponents I have encountered are far stronger than me. To survive in the complex battlefield, one cannot be cunning enough."

"Someone like you, who prefers to attack head-on and defeat his opponents fair and square, doesn't really fit in with my Niten Ichiryu style."

Chapter 284: Chicken Head and Phoenix Tail

While talking, Nobita didn't stop preparing breakfast for everyone.

Considering that they were about to officially enter the northernmost part of this red earth continent, and would likely return to their daily routine of long-distance treks, with each meal feeling like their last, Nobita intentionally made it incredibly lavish. Sausages, fried eggs, toast, blueberry jam, bacon slices, fruit salad, plain egg tarts, noodles, and enough ice-cold cola to drink to one's heart's content... It was the kind of combination that would normally earn a scolding from one's parents if they saw it.

Even with his extraordinary abilities, Musashi was utterly astonished upon tasting modern food for the first time. No matter how much one extols the exquisite cuisine of antiquity, the sense of taste never lies. Compared to modern seasonings and spices, the seasonings and spices of the past naturally seem quite ordinary. He marveled at the existence of such delicious food, especially this "iced cola," which was refreshingly cool and satisfying. One sip slid down his throat, bringing a strange sense of satisfaction.

"Although I knew long ago that my master must come from a place completely different from us, it still feels incredible when I actually meet him..." He quickly finished the small sausages and roasted ham on his plate, then marveled at the iced cola in his glass, "This wonderful taste, the burst of gas on the tip of the tongue, can even rival fine wine."

"This is a carbonated drink, it's very high in calories," Shizuka said with a laugh, covering her mouth. "If you drink too much, you'll definitely get fat."

"If I weren't already dead, I might have even grown some extra fat, hahaha!"

“Speaking of which… Musashi-sensei is more like a strategist than a martial artist.” Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, Dekisugi wanted to have a good conversation with this historical figure and do some research as well. “I have read your book, The Book of Five Rings, and it left a very deep impression on me.”

"Oh! Is that so? I never expected that people in later generations would still be able to read it... I am quite satisfied to be able to leave my mark on history for so long."

"'Chikuwa-gaku'?" Nobita had never heard of it before and looked on with curiosity. "Musashi, did you also research how to make cakes?"

"Hahaha, Master, I have no talent for making desserts. Rather, I'm basically an idiot in everything except fighting." Musashi chuckled dismissively, then explained, "This is just a little something I wrote down, a kind of personal reflection."

"When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out. I hope that I can leave something for future generations. When they mention the name Miyamoto Musashi, they will no longer think of a murderous maniac who only knows how to kill people, but a strategist who is a little profound and has a scholarly air about him."

"Regardless of the number of people, the calculation begins the moment the two sides confront each other. Utilizing everything available to defeat the enemy is the essence of military strategy. Inflict maximum damage on the opponent with minimal cost! If necessary, even a handful of dirt or a stone will be put to good use, ahahahaha..."

Seeing the stunned look in Gian's eyes, Musashi teased, "How about it, bro? Your fantasy of being invincible has been shattered, hasn't it?"

"But, my friend, this is my way of fighting. How to defeat the weak with the strong, how to overcome the strong with the weak, how to deal with a stalemate, how to make the opponent feel uneasy and thus reduce their chances of winning. A samurai duel will never exceed five moves. Within five moves, the outcome will be decided no matter what. In this instant, even if you use every despicable means in the world, as long as you survive in the end, it doesn't matter. This is the essence of the Book of Five Rings."

"That's why someone like Master has no need for such things. Of course, he doesn't need me either."

He seemed to know Da Xiong's character well, and said with a confident smile, "Master is the kind of man who knows what will happen, but still faces it head-on and makes a clean break with him. I could never catch up with that kind of spirit, even if I spent my whole life on the battlefield."

"..."

These words, ironically, came from the mouth of a great swordsman whose fame resounds throughout Japanese history and who even holds a place in modern films, anime, and cultural products. Even Shizuka, a companion who practically achieved the "Nobita's complete affirmation bot" status, couldn't help but get goosebumps. Gian, on the other hand, was utterly astonished, wondering if he had misheard and if the "Nobita" he was referring to was really the same person he knew.

Everyone has their own filter, especially those people we don't see often in our daily lives, but who flash by like a summer lightning bolt and leave a stunning impression on our lives.

Distance can make the heart grow fonder. Even in the duel before Ganryu Island, Musashi was convinced that Nobita wasn't as strong as he had imagined. His one-handed sword couldn't defend against his Niten Ichi-ryu style, and his eventual defeat seemed to be only by a tiny margin, but it didn't stop him from still believing that Nobita was the greatest swordsman in Japan at the time.

That is why he firmly believed that even without him, Nobita and his friends would surely succeed in defeating King Hyakume.

……

"However, there is some important information that I still need to explain to my master."

When this matter was mentioned, everyone's attention immediately focused, and they listened attentively.

In modern warfare, intelligence is key.

The battle against Demon Lord Demao is a classic example. In the first round, they went to great lengths to carry out a decapitation strike, almost throwing out all their silver darts, yet the enemy remained unscathed. Doraemon had already deduced that the missing crucial information must lie in the other half of the Demon World story, but it wasn't of much use. In the end, they only learned about the Demon Lord's heart through Medusa's dying confession.

If they had known this beforehand, they would have opened any door and gone straight for your heart. Who would have bothered with close combat?

He stared intently at Musashi, hoping to hear some information such as "the heart of the Hundred-Eyed King is actually the moon, hanging somewhere in the sky." If that were the case, everything would be much easier.

"First of all, Master, if I'm not mistaken, it's because someone in your team has been affected by the 'Killing with Eyes' technique that you're thinking of attacking the Hundred-Eyed King, right?"

Musashi glanced at Rin, who was under the spell. At that moment, the girl was leaning against Shizuka's shoulder, breathing rapidly, and her eyes were somewhat unfocused.

"Besides killing King Hundred Eyes, there are other ways to save her life."