Chapter 99: Jack and the Baby:
Jack's POV:
I was walking alone through the woods when I saw a group of monsters. They were going to cook something. I then saw it was a baby. I then fought the monsters and defeated them, saving the baby.
. . .
I called Peter and Jill. They are looking for the Baby's family. In the meantime, I must keep the baby safe. The baby then began to cry, but I managed to comfort him. "Do not worry," I said, "we will find your family. Yes, we will. Yes, we will." The baby then began to giggle.
. . .
I then carried the baby with me. The problem is, Aku is always after me, so, this will not be easy, but I refuse to allow a helpless baby to be on his own.
Singer/Chorus: Adrift on a silent sea
The cold night surrounds me
Black ice forms beneath
The waves of a childhood dream
A far light hypnotized
A voice calls from paradise
Paradise
To here
My light is fading now
My heart is breaking now
My light is fading now
My heart is breaking now
A child sings to me
The mists rise blinding me
I can't find a way out of here
And the sound of angel dreams
The stars fall into the sea
The ice breaks
I'm pulled beneath
Pulled beneath the waves
My life is fading now
My heart is breaking now
My life is failing now
My mind is drowning now
But your hand reaches down
To reach down and pull me out and
Save me
Save me
Save me
Save me
Save me
Save me
Save me
Save me
Save me
Save me
Save me
Save me!
. . .
One night, I found shelter. I then told the baby the story of Momotarō.
"Momotarō was born from a giant peach, which was found floating down a river by an old, childless woman who was washing clothes there. The woman and her husband discovered the child when they tried to open the peach to eat it. The child explained that he had been bestowed by the Gods to be their son. The couple named him Momotarō, which means 'Peach Boy'. When he was just five years old, he was able to cut a big tree with just an old knife. When he matured into adolescence, Momotarō left his parents to fight a band of Oni who marauded over their land, by seeking them out in the distant island where they dwelled. En route, Momotarō met and befriended a talking dog, monkey and pheasant, who agreed to help him in his quest in exchange for a portion of his rations (kibi dango or "millet dumplings"). At the island, Momotarō and his animal friends penetrated the demons' fort and beat the band of demons into surrendering. Momotarō and his new friends returned home with the demons' plundered treasure and the demon chief as a captive."
The baby was then asleep.
. . .
I was carrying the baby, and it was raining. Then I ran into the General.
"Samurai Jack, fight me," says the General.
I put the baby down. He then started playing in the mud. I then fought the General. I then cut off the General's arms.
"I'm babysitting, so this is a bad time," I said, "leave!"
"This is far from over," says the General as he leaves without his arms.
The baby then looks at the arms. I then picked him up and we left.
. . .
The baby and I continued on our journey until I saw an arrow in the sky. It was a signal from Peter. I then ran, carrying the baby.
. . .
As I was running, the monsters were in the way. One knocks me out and takes the baby.
. . .
I woke up and remembered what happened. I had to find those monsters and save the baby. Luckily, the baby left a trail... you do not wish to know what it is.
. . .
I then found the monsters and they were planning on eating the baby again. I then attacked them. The monsters and I fought, but I was able to defeat them. I then grabbed the baby and took off.
. . .
I finally made it.
"Jack, did you not get Peter's signal," asks Jill.
"Forgive me, we were delayed," I said.
"My Baby," says the Baby's Mother, but as she grabbed her son... "wait, something is not right. What did you do to my baby?"
"Forgive me," I said, "but because of what your son has witnessed during his travels with me, he has achieved Sakai."
"The Spirit of the Samurai," says Peter.
"We must go now. I am truly sorry," I said.
Jill, Peter, and I then walked away.
"MOMOTARŌ!"
XCIX
In the next chapter, Jack ends up in battle with many old foes.