Lone Wolf and Cub Vol. 27: Battle's Eve (Dark Horse, 2002)

Hooooo doggy! The tension is getting so thick, a dotanuki wielded by the strongest samurai would have a hard time cutting through it! Just two more volumes left until one of the world's most classic pieces of comic-book literature reaches its exciting and emotional conclusion. Two swords remain planted in the ground, awaiting the final duel between the conniving Retsudo and the vengeful Itto, and little Daigoro guards the two blades with his life. Indeed, his life is threatened when a stampede of villagers escaping a burning village almost plow him into the dirt. Impressed townfolk decide to stop and help him, staying for a while on the same beach. For once, Daigoro experiences the joy of being a child, playing with the other children, but that peace won't last long. Yaygu Retsudo, imprisoned in the castle of the shgun, deceives his way to freedom and commands the very last members of the Yagyu ninja to kill Itto! But knowing swords alone won't kill him, Yagyu sends a strange and fascinating weapon to the battlefield, the exploding ninja! This volume contains the following stories: To Protect and Defend For Whom to Die Way of the Warrior, Way of Man Battle's Eve Grass that Never Flowers