PREQUEL: TALE OF MUSASHI (CHAP9)

Musashi went back to the Dojo to train, where he saw everyone gathering with Masato in the middle.

‘’T-THERE HE IS! THE FREAK!’’ Sweating and panicking as soon as he saw Musashi, Masato spoke. ‘’He is not normal! He should be executed!’’

‘’What are you saying, Masato?’’ Koji replied.

‘’Lord Koji! This freak can see ghosts! He always goes to the Death Forest to talk with them!’’ Everyone held their breath.

‘’Ghosts?’’

‘’Yes, my lord. He could communicate with the dead… as if he is the Shinigami reincarnation!’’

‘’And?’’ A familiar voice from the right was heard. When they looked to see who it was, they immediately bowed.

‘’Head Master!’’

‘’That means our clan has got a powerful asset.’’ No one could defy or even look at the Head Master’s eyes. He then approached Musashi.

‘’We will talk in your calligraphy lesson.’’ Karasuyama then looked back at everyone else and said, as he unleashed his deadly aura. ‘’I believe you all have duties to do.’’

‘’Yes, my lord!’’

Masato, however, couldn’t swallow his pride, and his hatred had just gone up. Later, Musashi went to the Head Master’s chamber for his calligraphy lesson. They drew in silence as usual when Karasuyama suddenly spoke.

‘’Musashi.’’ He stopped and looked at him. ‘’Are you really Musashi?’’ Musashi couldn’t help but tilt his head and raise one eyebrow.

‘’You must be confused. I see. Then, let me tell you a story about our clan’s ancestors to make you understand my question.’’ He dipped the brush into the ink and continued talking.

‘’Back when our clan was nothing but people practicing the art of the body, the first Karasuyama master had made a deal with the Shinigami itself for knowledge about death. In return, the Shinigami would possess a newly born baby and reincarnate into the world as a human. Maybe because the Shinigami was fascinated by human life or for other reasons, but that was his request. The First Karasuyama then had a baby boy, and the Shinigami possessed him. Years later, everyone at the clan noticed that the boy wasn’t normal. He could see souls and speak with them. He even knew a woman was pregnant. Not even the woman knew about her pregnancy. It was when wars started to happen between clans and death started to roam the land more often that his popularity skyrocketed. With his ability to speak to souls, everyone came to him to talk with their loved ones. The boy then started to be worshipped as a god. And with that, people wanted to control him and use his ability. He questioned the same people who killed others, coming to him the next day to speak with their loved ones. He was being used and not really living, just existing and doing requests for the people made him lose his mind. And in one night, the so-called God became a soul reaper: Shinigami! He slaughtered many members of the clan and ran riots on the land. He lost his humanity. Eventually, warriors gathered and fought him. It took every man-power they had to kill him. The only thing left of him was that—‘’ Karasuyama then pointed to the katana on the wall. ‘’It is the only legacy he left. That katana killed countless people. Just a theory, but I believe the Shinigami itself is inside that katana. It didn’t die with the boy, but he transferred himself to that sword. With that being said, that is why I asked you: Are you really Musashi? You have similar powers to the boy.’’ The Head Master then put his brush down.

Musashi kept looking at his brush, questioning his identity.

‘’You do not have to be afraid of having the same fate as the boy. Nothing says that history repeats itself.’’ Karasuyama patted him on the shoulder. ‘’Now, Let’s continue our lesson.’’