The following article contains spoilers for Star Wars: Visions #1, now on sale from Marvel.
One of the most engaging aspects of Star Wars: Visions was how Disney and Lucasfilm charted an alternate reality, where different cultures collided to tell stories involving the Jedi, Sith and everyone caught in their war. It was a unique perspective on the Empire, not beholden to any canon, which allowed "The Duel," for example, to tell the story of the wandering Ronin in feudal era Japan.
This episode focused on the Ronin saving villagers on Genbara by taking out Imperial remnants, all before battling a Sith Lord, Kouru. Thankfully, the Ronin would kill her and survive, with the short ending on a shocking note: he was actually a Sith who renounced his faith. Now, this has given way to Star Wars: Visions #1 (by Takashi Okazaki, Aki Yanagi, and VC's Joe Caramagna), telling the tale of the Ronin before this brawl. Ironically, it sets up an intriguing Jedi-Sith feud, built on a code of honor and respect.
Star Wars: Visions Gives the Ronin a Friend
From the animated short, and the 2021 novel from Emma Mieko Candon, fans know the Ronin's one of the few survivors of a Sith civil war. He's gone about the galaxy killing his former allies, which finds him on a mysterious snowy planet in this story. As usual, he can't escape his fate, murdering bandits from a nearby casino, who attack him and his droid B5-56.
A character from Visions named The Stranger is actually watching everything from above, though, eventually finding the Ronin at a hot spring. They both have a dip and share sake, with the Ronin admitting he's faced a life filled with bloodshed and death. As they bond, they think of each other as kindred spirits, and maybe in another life, friends. After all, the Ronin never hides how he has a higher calling -- a duty that'll entrench him in violence forever. This draws empathy, with the men going on to sleep and prep to split up in the morning.
Star Wars: Visions Promises a Brutal Battle to Come
As they're about to part ways, the Ronin makes a startling revelation, asking if the Stranger is ready for a scrap. He calls him "Jedi," with the Stranger then cutting a wry smile. It makes sense, given how the Stranger survived a lightning attack and also seemed to be reborn, hinting he fought a Sith Lord in the past. Now, it looks like he, too, has been on a hunt, disguising himself and trying to fool the Ronin.
In fact, the Ronin taps into the Force and through premonition, sees their battle. It does seem like he'd end up losing, but thankfully, the Stranger delays it, for now. He suggests they'll finish things next time their paths cross, foreshadowing an enticing battle whenever it happens, as well as leaving fans interested in how the other Jedi Masters are in this universe. This could be expanded in another comic, Season 2 of Visions, or maybe in another novel. That said, as it stands, the Stranger may well have sensed the Ronin isn't a vengeful Sith, bucking the Jedi's old precepts and giving his 'nemesis' time for his redemption.
Or it could be the Jedi was impressed by his kindness, opting not to sully their 'holiday.' Admittedly, this isn't seen often between force users on different sides of the spectrum, leaving fans eager to see who'll win when they cut loose -- if they decide to. Granted, they could ally against a common villain when the time comes, but for now, it does feel like they're biding time until they get to judge and execute each other. In so doing, maybe they'll train for when that time comes, but what's for certain, they won't be underestimating each other as they can sense the Force is strong around them.