A Furrowed Brow (眉間に皺は刻まれる, Miken ni shiwa wa kizama reru) is the 8th chapter of the Sekiro Side Story: Hanbei the Undying manga series.
Summary[]
Facing Kodou who takes a stance for Ashina Sword Style Ichimonji, Hanbei feels that the situation is different than when he first fought Kodou and Kodou could very well cut him and his sword. He Hanbei dies, he would welcome it, however he finally found a reason to fight and doesn't intend to give up. As he had already experienced Ichimonji two times, Hanbei prepares to dodge the moment Kodou's sword goes down. He manages to avoid it, getting only a slight cut on his arm and then quickly cuts off Kodou's hand, making him drop his sword. Hanbei then cuts Kodou's right leg and pulling out his other sword, he stabs Kodou in the neck, and pushes Kodou down into the depths of the mine.
Hanbei goes around looking for Suzu. As he finds her, he wonders how to tell her about Shoukichi, but then sees that she had lost her mind due to the red eyes. He decides to leave, but as he accidentally comes across Kodou's mask, he decides to put it on and go back and kill Suzu to spare her from her suffering. Hanbei then sets the mine on fire. Doujun sees what Hanbei did and guesses that he can not hope for Hanbei's assistance and that he must start his research anew. Doujun states that if Hanbei kills him now, all those who dies for his research would have died for nothing. He notes its a scholar's duty to see his research through the end. He then asks Hanbei how many he had killed and for what purpose, his or the worlds.
Sometime later, Hanbei finds himself in front of a temple. Inside he sees a Sculptor, who had carved many wooden statues. Hanbei explains that he has nowhere to go and wonders if he can stay for a while in some corner of the temple. The sculptor notices Hanbei's expression, who then explains that he was thinking that he was using his powers for the good of the world, however the humans are humans, and even if they are his enemies, the more he killed, the more his resentment piled up. The Sculptor understand Hanbei and lets him stay as long as he wishes.
After some time, Sekiro arrives at the temple. After he asks Hanbei on why he goes to such lengths, Hanbei explains its to pass the time and to smooth out Sekiro's furrowed brow.