In 16th-century Japan, Shinmen Takezou had a reputation for being rough and wild, causing fear and disapproval among the people in his village. Seeking a more meaningful existence, Shinmen and his best friend, Matahachi Honiden, run away from their village and join the Toyotomi army. However, after a devastating defeat at the Battle of Sekigahara, Shinmen and Matahachi find themselves separated and forced to face different destinies.
When Shinmen returns to Matahachi's family to inform them of his friend's survival, he is accused of being a murderer and condemned as a criminal due to his violent past. After being apprehended and left to die hanging from a tree, an itinerant monk named Takuan Soho shows mercy to him and gives him a new identity, Musashi Miyamoto, to prevent him from being caught by the authorities.
The narrative of Musashi Miyamoto's life, also known as the "Sword Saint," is recounted in Vagabond. The story portrays his transition from a swordsman possessing a singular goal to become "Invincible Under the Heavens" to a disciplined warrior who understands the importance of close relationships, self-reflection, and the value of life.