Based on the life story of the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.

(from ebookjapan):

In the summer of 1600, just before the Battle of Sekigahara, the young men of Aida-goori in Mimasaka Province were looking for their last chance to become samurai. While the 200 young men were arguing over who would be chosen as their commander, Benzo (later to become Miyamoto Musashi), the most violent man in Miyamoto Village, came forward to take his place. In order to show his skills, he provokes Kihei Arima, a Shintoryu who was staying in the village, and summons him to a shrine... Hiroshi Motomiya's version of "Musashi Miyamoto" depicts the anguish and growth of youth through Benzo.