SAMURAI 8 VOL 1: THE TALE OF HACHIMARU by MASASHI KISHIMOTO, AKIRA OKUBA

"Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru" is a Japanese manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the immensely popular "Naruto" series, with art by Akira Okubo. The series was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from May 2019 to March 2020. Here's a summary of the series:

Set in a futuristic world where technology and the remnants of ancient samurai culture coexist, "Samurai 8" follows the story of Hachimaru, a frail and sickly boy living on a remote planet. Hachimaru dreams of becoming a samurai, but due to his poor health, he is confined to his home and spends most of his time immersed in virtual reality games.

One day, a cat-like samurai named Daruma arrives on Hachimaru's doorstep. Daruma reveals that Hachimaru is the chosen successor of a legendary samurai named Fudo Myo-o and that he possesses the potential to become a powerful warrior. To unlock his true potential, Hachimaru undergoes a transformation, becoming a cyborg samurai with enhanced abilities.

With Daruma as his mentor, Hachimaru embarks on a journey to become a full-fledged samurai and protect the galaxy from evil forces. Along the way, he encounters other samurai, both allies and adversaries, and learns about the secrets of the universe, including the existence of powerful artifacts known as "Keys" and the mysterious "Box of Pandora."

As Hachimaru hones his skills and confronts various challenges, he forms bonds with other characters, including his father-figure Daruma, the princess of a distant planet named Ann, and a skilled samurai named Ryu. Together, they face off against formidable enemies, including the ruthless samurai Ata, who seeks to obtain the powerful Keys for his own nefarious purposes.

"Samurai 8" combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and traditional samurai lore, offering a unique and imaginative take on the genre. With its action-packed battles, intricate world-building, and themes of friendship, honor, and destiny, the series captivated readers during its serialization.

Although "Samurai 8" had a relatively short run compared to "Naruto," it left a lasting impression on fans and showcased Kishimoto's talent for creating compelling characters and richly detailed universes.