The Iron Road

Akiretasu is a skilled swordsman who gains fame in the Roman Colosseum. Boastful about his strength and status, he catches wind of rumors of a boy far stronger than him - one who slew seven tigers who hails from Japan. The boy, Takeru, happens to be journeying to Rome with a caravan of silk merchants. Akiretasu is intrigued, and sets out to meet him. Both take the same path - the road connecting East and West, the Silk Road!

Volume 74 of the Osamu Tezuka Complete Works