This story gets better with repeated readings. There's an eerie mystery with its attendant legend that has a twist at the end. There's a deadly new ninja weapon. There's a possible conspiracy with Hikiji behind it. And there's an unwelcome turn of events for Tomoe, although she knows nothing of it at the time. More occurs than I first realized.

I don't understand why--after he's attacked in the garden--Usagi doesn't ever say he was attacked. He only says he followed a shadowy figure. He could at least mention the shadowy figure has claws that can shred a small tree.

Another nitpick is the repeated use of the phrase "trade negotiations". That seems generic. Given a choice between that and five panels on the intricacies of imposing tariffs on manufactured goods, I'll gladly take the former, but using that same phrase without any variation or detail became increasingly noticeable over the two issues.

That's cool. Is there a similar legend attached to it?

Is Himeji castle the inspiration for White Heron castle?

We get a ghost story, a mystery story, an action story and a historical story all rolled into one juicy tale. It this ability of Stan's for creating so many different story concepts and making each interesting and unique while connecting them together that highlights the strengths of the Usagi Yojimbo comic. There can be so much that is done and explored through Usagi and his amazing cast of characters (friends and enemies) I could keep on reading (and re-reading) this series many times over and still find something fresh, new and intriguing that I overlooked before. That is the mark of a true writer!