Sanjūrō Sakura, once an 80-year-old kendo master named Sanjūrō Tsurugi, regains his youth after a mystical cherry blossom tree grants his wish to relive his teenage years following a duel loss to his granddaughter, Michiko Tsurugi. Reborn as a 16-year-old with the surname "Sakura" to honor the tree’s magic, he retains his prideful, stubborn demeanor and protective instincts toward Michiko while embracing his renewed vitality. He immerses himself in youthful pursuits—exploring Tokyo’s transformed streets, sprinting freely, and testing modern sports—all while navigating a world he last saw over sixty years prior. In the anime adaptation, a journey to Beika reunites him with Harue, his long-lost love from youth, now elderly. Her golden flower comb sparks quiet contemplation on fleeting time and unresolved bonds, deepening his understanding of mortality and family. His central conflict arises when Tatsuya Nakadai, a rival kendo club member, threatens Michiko. After thwarting Nakadai’s henchmen, Sakura faces a formal duel. Struggling initially due to Michiko’s misplaced encouragement of Nakadai, he rallies with his signature "Hikken - Cherry Blossom Storm" technique. Michiko unknowingly aids him by tossing his original katana mid-battle, allowing him to sever Nakadai’s hair and neutralize the threat. Post-conflict, Sakura acknowledges the cherry tree’s gift has fulfilled its purpose. He silently reverts to his elderly form, leaving Michiko to sense an unexplained kinship between her grandfather and the vanished youth. This experience solidifies his resolve to mentor Michiko while embracing aging’s inevitability, his brief return to adolescence bridging past wisdom with renewed clarity on legacy and time.