Spoilers for the 'Legend of Basara'

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I just finished reading the Legend of Basara. 

The Legend of Basara is about a girl named Sarasa, who pretends to be her twin brother, Tatara, right after he is killed. Her brother was reputed to be the Child of Destiny, meant to bring Japan to a new era. Sarasa took the name to avenge her village at first but this goal has been stretched into saving Japan from tyranny. 

One day, Sarasa goes to a hot spring and meets a charismatic guy. They fall for each other and maintains a relationship. What they didn't know is that they are each other's enemies!

That guy, Shuri, is the Red King. He is the one who killed Sarasa's brother and ravaged the village. And! He has been looking for Tatara, who he didn't know was just Sarasa dressed up as a boy. 

Without the military attire, Sarasa likewise doesn't know Shuri's identity. So, when do they learn the truth? 

If you've seen the anime, you'll know the series ended before they learn about it.

Luckily, the completed manga series does. And without further ado, here are the spoilers:



Shuri and Sarasa inevitably had to face each other in the battle field. Their comrades keeps shouting to them that they are the Red King and Tatara, respectively. The two could not believe it. The Red King kept asking his companion which one is Tatara. Likewise, Sarasa had to ask around, too. 

But the confrontation was interrupted by a third antagonistic party and both had to retreat from each other.

Shuri tries to commit seppuku and Sarasa vomits and involuntarily menstruates. They don't contact each other for months. 

Actually, Sarasa completely runs away to a secluded village, leaving her supporters to appoint another to pretend to be Tatara as Sarasa tried to gather herself together.

Shuri, on the other hand, survives his attempted suicide because of his half-brother who finds him. Same half-brother sells him to a slave merchant. >_> Not exactly brotherly love there. -_-

Later, Sarasa meets her mother (She's alive!). Her mother tells her to stop living in the past and must learn how to forgive. Sarasa does exactly that although, she doesn't show her feelings as openly as before.

Shuri, in the meantime, gets thrown in a slave jail and talk to a guy. Shuri tells him that even though people pretend, there are things that can't be faked. Therefore, despite everything, there were many authentic things that happened. Shuri says this to advice the guy but it sounded like he was talking about himself too.

At last, Shuri supports the fight in favor of Tatara and gives up the throne (he was given the throne to fight against Tatara). While fighting, he lost his left arm.

It would have been worth it if another brother didn't ascend to the throne. Boo!

But that brother also got defeated and became a traveler in peace.

At this point, you'd think that Shuri and Sarasa lives happily ever after.

What I loved about this story is that the author doesn't want to make things easy for the couple.

Naturally, Shuri gets depressed. He lost an arm and has to relearn a lot of basic tasks. He also has to come to terms with all the tragic things he did to "Tatara." Once, he told Sarasa that it would have been better if she killed him when she had the chance since he reminds her of many sad events in her life. Sarasa appeases him by confessing that while he is associated with a lot of tragedy, he is also associated with many happy events in her life.

They make up and decide to travel the world, looking for merchant trading opportunities.

Kids? Yes, they have one of those. They had twins! One a girl and one a boy.

I recommend you guys reading the while manga. The main story, as well as the side stories, are interesting. By the way, I was this close to not reading the side stories and I am so glad, I did. The side stories tie up the loose ends. Make sure to read them as well.

While reading I was very interested in compiling my favorite scenes. Here they are:

Shuri and Sarasa's first meeting
Shuri waits in vain
Sprout Green Reunion
Sprout Green Reunion Morning
Shuri's Bestfriend Finds Out
Message Correspondence
Suzuka Murder Race
Shuri Proposes Marriage
Shuri Tells Sarasa To Go To The Red City
Asagi Kisses Sarasa
Shuri and Sarasa Meets in Okinawa
Shuri Saves Sarasa From Bulls
Shuri Tells Everyone Sarasa is his fiancee
Shuri Becomes Frisky
Shuri Asks For A Naughty Reward
Sarasa Leaves Shuri
Sarasa Leaves Shuri (Again)
First Clue: Red King's Name is Shuri
Ageha Kisses Sarasa
Asagi and Sarasa's Body Heat Medic
Gang Rape
Shuri and Sarasa Meet in the Red City
Reunion at Red City


BEFORE THE REVEAL, FIRST THEY MAKE LOVE:

Shuri and Sarasa Make Love



The next day,


THE REVEAL:

Shuri and Sarasa Find Out They Are Red King and Tatara!!!




 

Shuri and Sarasa See Again Each Other After Learning The Truth
Asagi Threatens To Kill Sarasa But Then Kisses Her
Shuri Loses An Arm
Asagi Asks Sarasa If she would choose Shuri over him
Asagi: Sarasa, Be Mine
Shuri Pulls Sarasa Away From Asagi
Shuri Decides To Die In The Castle
Villagers Demand That Tatara Kill The Red King
Shuri and Sarasa: Epilogue
        Shuri: You Should've Killed Me
        Shuri Infects Himself
Shuri and Sarasa's Twin Children: Ayumu and Hikaru
When The Twins Were Born
Shuri and Sarasa Kiss: Final Scene