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Soul Edge
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Soul Calibur V
Ever-searching for a worthy adversary to test his skills, Heishiro Mitsurugi journeyed to Ostrheinsburg; there he entered a chaotic alternate dimension and faced the hero king, Algol, high atop a colossal tower. The two warriors clashed when suddenly Algol disappeared, along with the tower and all their surroundings - a dimensional convergence had warped Mitsurugi back to reality before the duel could be decided.
Some time later, rumors of a great conflict back in Japan reached the wandering swordsman - a power struggle that would determine who would rule the entire country. Mitsurugi raced back to his homeland, but it was too late. The battlefield at Sekigahara was deserted. The war was over.
While most of Japan would enjoy the ensuing era of peace, thousands of masterless samurai found themselves out of favor and out of a job. With no money to continue his travels, Mitsurugi resigned himself to a quiet life as a farmer.
Then, one day, he happened to encounter a group of soldiers, freshly returned from a tour of duty abroad. The men spoke of a great sword, so mighty that even now they only dared whisper its name: Soul Calibur.
One mention of the Hero King's sword is all it took. Mitsurugi's lust for battle returned in an instant, stronger than ever.
"Algol! I'm coming for you..."
The samurai sold his entire harvest and secured transport on the first boat to the continent, seeking an end to the duel that had begin 17 years prior...
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Soul Edge
This young Samurai known as "The Guardian in this age of civil war." He is also called "The Great Swordsman." Although he is feared for his fierce fighting, he was born a farmer's son in Bizen. The strong young boy enjoyed farming, however after many years of seeing his beloved farm ravaged by war, he became angered and discouraged. "It's better to raid than to be raided," he said.
In the winter of his 14th year, He threw down the hoe and took up the sword. Studying swordsmanship under a powerful clan-lord, he was eventually hired as a "mercenary for the advent of war." It was then when he took the name "Mitsurugi." His original fighting style and tremendously powerful attacks during battle made him quite feared. "He has been known to mow through foes as if they were like a field of wheat," some say.
He has a spectacular battle-field record with several commendations to the rank of officer. Having rejected his military commissions, Mitsurugi's only desire is that of a worthy adversary. Mitsurugi eventually leaves the Urakami Clan, much to their regret, to pursue a career as a freelance mercenary. He fights in every war in the land, thus earning his nickname "The Guardian in an age of civil war." It is during this time that he hears of a new weapon "Tanegashima" - a matchlock rifle.
"What is this? A firearm? It cannot be so powerful. It looks like a pipe!" Mitsurugi stared in disbelief. However, even the mighty Takeda cavalry was wiped out by this weapon. For Mitsurugi, who has fought with a single sword, this is an urgent matter. "If this weapon is allowed in the world, wars will not be won by the strong and I will lose my job as a mercenary!"
"I must find a weapon stronger than that rifle!"
A rumor about the legendary sword "Soul Edge" reaches his ears.
"That's it. This weapon can overpower the fire arm."
Without a second thought, Mitsurugi starts his search to find the blade. "Somewhere in the world, this "Soul Edge" exists!"
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Soul Calibur
The advent of firearms was a grave matter for a mercenary who made his living by the sword. Yet Mitsurugi was unable to find a trace of the legendary sword, Soul Edge, claimed to be superior to firearms.
In his frustration, he challenged a rifleman to a duel in front of nobility, but suffered an inglorious defeat before the eyes of his lord. This forced Mitsurugi to embark on a quest to perfect his swordsmanship so that he could defeat the rifle. It was during this quest that he learned of a knight named Nightmare, who terrorized Europe with an invincible sword.
"Prepare for my arrival, whoever you are! I'll soon relieve you of your sword!"
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Soul Calibur 2
Carnivores never became corpulent.
-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, La Physiologie du Gout
Mitsurugi was born in Japan to a peasant family during a time of war. Nevertheless, this did not stop him from becoming a renowned mercenary. His reputation earned him nicknames such as "The Mercenary of War," "One Man Army," and "Demon."
As a mercenary, Mitsurugi fought in and triumphed over countless battles. Every enemy who faced him in combat feared his invincible blade. That was until a new breed of weapon was introduced. Rifles known as Tanegashima were brought in for practical use by the famous shogun Nobunaga Oda.
For Mitsurugi, who relied purely on his strength and skill, the Tanegashima was a serious threat. Simply by holding this "pipe," even the lowliest foot soldier could become a powerful force on the battlefield. Unable to accept such a preposterous notion, Mitsurugi looked for ways to defeat the rifle. Unfortunately, he could not find a good way to overcome the new weapon. Frustrated, Mitsurugi challenged Tanegashima to a duel, but lost when he was shot through the right shoulder.
But this did not deter Mitsurugi's spirit. He resolved to defeat the rifle by finding a powerful weapon that would enable him to achieve this goal. It was then that he heard a rumor from overseas about Soul Edge. At the time, a man known as Nightmare wielded the giant, grotesquely shaped blade. Hearing stories of its immense powers, Mitsurugi set off across the ocean in pursuit of the sword without a moment's hesitation.
He headed west towards Europe, where Nightmare supposedly roamed. Travels through foreign countries were difficult for Mitsurugi, who was unable to understand the languages of the places he visited. Nonetheless, he continued his travel, making ends meet by fighting battles as a mercenary. The added benefit of his mercenary lifestyle was that he was able to maintain his fighting form.
But time was callous and unforgiving. Eventually, rumors that Nightmare had disappeared reached Mitsurugi, and Soul Edge's trail ran cold. Mitsurugi was still unwilling to give up, and continued his search around the world's battlefields for signs of the ultimate blade.
Four years after his quest had begun, while visiting a castle near the Ming frontier, Mitsurugi stumbled upon the trail of Soul Edge. It was a metal fragment of Soul Edge that he came across by accident.
Walking past one of the back alleys of the city, Mitsurugi came to a halt when he witnessed several assassins surrounding a gravely wounded man. When the assassins saw Mitsurugi, they pounced upon him, intending to leave no eyewitnesses behind. A vicious melee ensued, and Mitsurugi drove back the assailants, saving the man's life as a result.
The badly injured man handed Mitsurugi a piece of metal-perhaps he thought that he would be unable to accomplish his mission with his wounds. He asked Mitsurugi to keep it safe. He seemed afraid to let it fall into someone else's hands, but he would not explain any further. Without another word, the man vanished into a dark alley.
Looking at the metal fragment in his hand, Mitsurugi pondered, "If Soul Edge was so powerful, why would it shatter?"
Mitsurugi had a difficult time believing the man who gave him the fragment, but there was no denying the sincerity in the man's eyes. "Besides," Mitsurugi reasoned, "why would a man on the verge of death lie to a complete stranger?"
Soon after, a grave story circulated through the castle. Apparently, a servant of the Ming Emperor arrived at the castle, demanding the "Sword of Heroes." When the servant steadfastly refused to leave without the sword, the lord of the castle slew him, exclaiming that he could not turn over something he did not have. "War is coming," thought Mitsurugi.
He sensed the same storm brewing that he had felt before in countless battlefields.
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Soul Calibur 3
One should not look for anything else in the Way of the Samurai.
-"Hagakure," Tsunetomo Yamamoto
Mitsurugi thirsted. Thirsted for an opponent stronger than himself.
Even what he had once considered his greatest enemy, the Tanegashima rifles, no longer concerned him. There was no doubt that they were terrible weapons, but they were no threat to Mitsurugi. The fact that he had crossed countless battlefields, defeating every conceivable enemy--including those with rifiles--was the greatest proof of that.
Even Soul Edge, the ultimate weapon which he had sought in order to destroy the Tanegashima, had become meaningless to him. Having lost his purpose, Mitsurugi felt an indescribable sense of emptiness and grew restless. He wanted to fight a fearsome opponent--one that would make his pulse race and excitement well up from the depths of his body.
It was at this time that he was suddenly attacked by unknown forces. Mitsurugi fought off his attackers easily and learned that their objective was to obtain the fragment of Soul Edge that the dying man at Xiwei had entrusted to him. Judging by the outfits worn by his attackers, they appeared to be ninjas from Japan. They were most likely assassins sent out by a power-hungry Japanese noble.
Now that he thought about it, their sword technique was familiar. He remembered the female ninja who interfered every time he drew close to Soul Edge. She was from Japan, just as he was. Mitsurugi's thoughts drifted, wondering what was happening in Japan. His anticipation growing at the thought of a showdown with the female ninja, Mitsurugi decided to return to his homeland.
It was the end of the warring states era. The powerful feudal lord, Nobunaga Oda, was dead, and the leaders of the states were faced with the decision of whether or not to align themselves with Nobunaga's general, Hideyoshi Toyotomi.
Upon returning, Mitsurugi stayed with the Noujima Murakami clan, which chose to not give in to Hideyoshi Toyotomi. The MurakaMi-navy, once feared as pirates and rulers of the Inland Sea, refused to bow to the people of the land. They chose to protect their existence as proud men of the sea.
They paid a great price for their resistance, however. Having caught the attention of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the Murakami clan was chased from the Inland Sea that was their home. Unable to accept this situation, the Murakami prepared to make their final stand.
Mitsurugi found no sign of the female ninja he sought, nor did he hear any rumors of powerful warriors wandering the country. It had been some time since he had seen battle, so Mitsurugi agreed to join the Murakami's fight.
Not intimidated by the enemy forces' massive size, the MurakaMi-navy commenced their nighttime raid. Centered around their large imposing warship, the "floating castle," a group of smaller ships formed together like scales on a fish. At the designated signal from a lantern light on the shore, they rode the tide in and charged the enemy fleet. It was the traditional secret strategy of the Murakami. Using the tide and wind, they could change their formation at will, matching the enemy and always maintaining the advantage.
The battle began. Splinters flew as ships from both sides collided. Cannon fire lit up the night, and the sounds of drums and horns were drowned out by the soldiers' battle cries. The smell of combat, the same in every age, drifted up. Feeling a rush he had not felt in some time, Mitsurugi stormed onto the enemy ships like a hurricane. His instincts took over, and the sight of him swinging his sword was like that of a savage beast freed from its chains.
However it was not enough for him. After the victorious battle, he was decorated for his service and invited to see the Murakami commander, but he still could not fill the emptiness in his heart.
"We are indebted to your strength. But there is no future for those of us who bear the MurakaMi-name. We were proud to live freely under no man's rule, but the age of war is over."
Hearing the commander's words, Mitsurugi could not help but respond. "I wouldn't be too sure about that. If they have enough ambition to unite the country, then surely their next target will be foreign lands. I'd wager that the age of war will continue."
Calming his subordinates who had stood up at Mitsurugi's rude words, the dauntless, white-haired commander looked at Mitsurugi and smiled. "Perhaps so. You have traveled to many countries and know many things. But have you heard this rumor? In a land far to the west, a warrior clad in azure armor who boasts the strength of a god has appeared."
At those words, Mitsurugi looked up in surprise. A warrior in azure armor? It could be none other than the knight whom he had lost track of before, the wielder of Soul Edge! Mitsurugi quickly bid his farewells and ran to the port.
"Take me west! Now!"
Giving his entire reward money to the boatman, Mitsurugi fixed his eyes on the horizon. He had no need for money or fame. He had but one desire--a fierce duel in which his very soul would clash against his opponent's! His heart, yearning for battle, beat rapidly in his chest. It was a reckless impulse similar to that which he had felt in his youth.
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Soul Calibur IV
Once, Mitsurugi travelled the world so that he might learn how to defeat the rifle. When at last he no longer feared that dreadful weapon, he continued his journey, seeking ever-stronger enemies to challenge. Yet no matter how powerful he became, he hungered for more. Though he desperately cut down foe after foe, they never lit a fire in his cold heart. Mitsurugi was a man turned ogre.
The old stories about Soul Edge and the Azure Knight began to fade from people's memories. Even Mitusurugi lost interest in the legendary sword that was rumoured to be the most powerful weapon of all, for he learned that no matter how powerful the weapon a man bears, it is meaningless if he does not have the strength to match it. Then, one day, after dispatching some assassins looking for information about Soul Edge, Mitsurugi recalled the fragment of Soul Edge in his possession. Convinced that he had no further use for it, he tried to throw it away, but before he could, the metal shard shone with an unholy brilliance and flew westward into the sky.
Mitsurugi followed it with aniticipation of a confrontation with the Azure Knight and Soul Edge. The rumours Mitsurugi heard were more terrible than he could have imagined. The lands ahead of him were fripped in terror, and hordes of grotesque monsters and mad warriors were gathering, but Mitsurugi was not afraid. On the contrary....
Light gleamed from the metal of his blade and Mitsurugi trembled with joy. No human adversary had been worthy of his skills, but this time would be different.
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