Soujiro's Truth
"The strong live and the weak die."
That was what Shishio-san said. Those were the words engraved into my mind mere days before I murdered my family.
But, they weren't weak. I, a child, should have been weaker. But, if I killed them, I must be strong. Still, since they hurt and beat me, they were strong, too.
So, the strong can kill the strong?
000
"The strong protect the weak."
That was what Himura-san told me. That was what destroyed my carefully crafted smile. That was what made me snap.
But, he refused to kill me. He, as victor, should have killed me, the one who lost. I was weak. I should have been killed. He was weak for not killing me. We were both weak.
So, the weak can protect the weak?
000
I don't know what to think. I don't know what to believe. What does it mean to be strong, or to be weak? I am a rurouni, now. I seek these answers, but I don't know where to start. Is it hopeless? How can such opposite words of two hitokiri coexist? Could they both be wrong? If so, what is the truth?
It took ten years for each of them to find their truths. I shouldn't expect any less for my journey. Shishio-san told me his truth from the start. Himura-san wouldn't grant me such an answer. Perhaps, it is something that must be discovered through personal experience? No matter, I will work towards my own truth. Whether or not it intersects with Shishio-san's or Himura-san's, only time will tell.