PREQUEL: TALE OF MUSASHI (CHAP2)

The next day, Musashi wandered around the inner castle when he was interrupted by a kid a bit taller than him and with short hair.

‘’You! Who are you?’’ Musashi kept looking at him, blinking.

‘’I asked you a question! Who are you?!’’ No response from Musashi.

The kid had enough and threw a punch at him. Musashi dodged it easily and, in return, kicked him in the foot, making him fall on his face.

‘’OW! OW!’’ Musashi kept staring at him.

While the kid tried his hardest not to cry, servants came.

‘’W-What happened, lord Masato?’’

‘’This kid hit me!’’ He pointed to Musashi.

The servants quickly grabbed Musashi hard.

‘’Do you know what you just did?! You hit the first-in-line for the heir. That’s a serious crime!’’

‘’What’s the commotion?’’ It was Lord Karasuyama.

‘’Father! Father! This kid hit me!’’

‘’And?’’

‘’Huh?’’ Even the servants were shocked.

‘’If he hits you, you hit him back. If he plucks your eye, you pluck his eye out. You were born as a Karasuyama. You show your worth to me by actions.’’ Masato was left with his mouth open. ‘’Now, Musashi. You’re coming with me.’’

Musashi then left with Karasuyama to the training ground next to the palace. A building big enough to be a castle itself.

‘’This is the Dojo. It is where all the disciples and family members of the Karasuyama Clan train. From now on, you will start your journey to become a Karasuyama.’’

Karasuyama entered, and everyone stopped what they were doing and bowed down. He took a seat and continued to look, with Musashi beside him. The disciples started duels to show their talents. Musashi was fully focusing on them as his pupils dilated again.

The next day, early in the morning, a disciple was about to open the Dojo when he saw a kid sleeping in front of the door.

‘’What are you doing here, kiddo?’’ the kid woke up. It was none other than Musashi.

He entered with the disciple and started wandering around the big hall. It was then that he saw the weapons hanging on the wall. He grabbed the nearest one and started swinging it around. He then looked at the disciple training. His moves were swift. The disciple used a secret technique that only a few could master, which was the Walk of Death. A move where you disappear from sight for a second. Musashi observed for a while and then started to mimic the move. After a while, the disciple stopped to rest, and he looked to his right and saw Musashi moving as he was, if not even better than him. His eyes couldn’t believe it. Later that day, the disciple told everyone.

‘’Oi, oi, you think we will believe such a lie? There is no way a kid could master The Karasuyama Secret Technique: Walk of Death so easily!’’

‘’Believe me! I saw him do it in front of me! It was none other than the Walk of Death!’’

‘’What is this I hear?’’ A man got close to the three disciples. They recognized who he was from the eye patch and immediately bowed down.

‘’Lord Koji!’’ Koji had his hair styled up as he wore a Kimono with different textures. His muscular build was compared to a Greek god.

‘’You! Did you say a kid who can’t even wield a real katana mastered the walk of death?’’

‘’Y-Yes, Lord Koji!’’

‘’Bring me this kid you speak of!’’ The disciple went running.

Later, the disciple came back with the kid. Koji looked at him and remembered he had seen him before.

‘’Hmm. So, he is the kid who was with the Head Master the other day.’’

Musashi kept looking up at Koji.

‘’Alright, kid! Show us your skills!’’

Everyone cleared the hall as they all sat on the edges of the room. Only Koji and Musashi were in the middle.

‘’For Lord Koji himself to test his abilities, he must have seen something in him. Lord Koji is known for being one of the ruthless swordsmen in Wado. Emperor only calls for Koji when he likes to see a bloody execution. I pray for the kid!’’

‘’I will be your opponent, kid!’’ He threw a wooden practice stick to Musashi. ‘’Show me your skills.’’

Musashi held the wooden stick as he kept looking at Koji. No move at all, which irritated him.

‘’If you’re not coming at me, then I will come at you.’’ Koji dashed forward using Walk of Death.

In a blink of an eye, Koji was about to strike. But then, Musashi, without moving a muscle, looked straight at Koji, who was in the middle of his Walk of Death. No one could see him, yet somehow the little kid locked eyes with him. Koji stopped midway as his wooden stick stopped close to his neck. Everyone was whispering.

‘’You…’’ Koji said quietly.

He then threw the wooden stick away and grabbed his real katana.

‘’LORD KOJI! He’s just a kid!’’ the disciple said.

‘’SHUT UP!’’ Silencing everyone’s whispers as well. He looked straight at Musashi and spoke again. ‘’It seems you can see that I wasn’t actually serious. However, to not even move a muscle and look at me with those creepy eyes like that. I can’t tolerate it. I am Koji! One of the infamous Executioners in WADO!’’

The bloodlust roamed everywhere, and Musashi could sense it. He tightened his grip on his wooden stick.

‘’Now…Here… I COME!’’

Koji used his Walk of Death again. This time, however, he showed himself in front of Musashi, then disappeared and appeared behind, aiming for his neck. Musashi ducked down at the right time. Everyone saw the attack and were blown away.

‘’U-Unbelievable!’’

Koji couldn’t believe it, and his pride was hit deeply.

‘’Kid…’’ Musashi looked up to see the veins on his face. ‘’You’re DEAD!’’

But then the door opened. Everyone looked in its direction, and when they realized who he was, they all bowed down with their heads on the ground.

‘’Lord Karasuyama!’’

He walked in. His steps were loud and clear. And with each step, Koji started to sweat more.

‘’Koji.’’

‘’Yes, Head Master.’’

‘’I will be speaking to you later.’’

‘’Y-Yes, Head Master.’’

‘’Now.’’ He directed his voice to everyone. ‘’If I remember correctly, I sent all of you to train and not to sit. Next time I come, I better see you all training.’’

‘’YES, HEAD MASTER!’’

‘’Musashi, you’re coming with me. It’s time for your calligraphy lesson.’’

Karasuyama and Musashi went to the inner castle. Later that day, he summoned Koji to discuss what happened. On his knees, Koji spoke.

‘’M-My apologies, Head Master! My emotions got the— ‘’ Before he could continue, he was interrupted by Karasuyama.

‘’Koji.’’ With his deep calm voice, he spoke. ‘’tell me about your fight with the kid.’’

Koji looked up to see the excitement in Karasuyama’s eyes to know what happened.

‘’W-Well, the kid has talent for sure. I used the walk of death, and he still could see me.’’

‘’Impressive!’’ Trying his best to hold his excitement, Karasuyama couldn’t do anything but squeeze his own clothes. ‘’And what else?’’

‘’From one of my disciples, the kid could use the walk of death as well.’’ Karasuyama stopped moving his hands.

‘’Koji.’’

‘’Yes, Head Master.’’

‘’From now on, that kid is your priority to teach everything about our sword style.’’

‘’Head Master, I know he has talent, but I don’t think he can master our sword style at such a young age.’’

‘’You’re wrong, Koji. He is no ordinary kid. Those eyes of his are something godly.’’

Koji thought that if the Head Master was saying that, then the kid must be extremely talented.

‘’Very well, Head Master.’’ He bowed his head.

‘’I believe you will do a great job. After all, you’re the one who trains the newcomers.’’

‘’If they can’t survive my training, then they can’t dream of becoming a Karasuyama!’’