Having been awoken earlier than normal by her father, Akiko struggled to stifle a yawn as she rode atop her patient mare, amongst the guards who were heading to a training session in the centre of town.
Her father had told her that he was unable to attend, and having her go in his place would raise the morale of those training.
She hadn't protested in the slightest, as there would be nothing else for her to do that day, and if anything she was glad to be able to help.
The servants had gone on ahead, and even the guards that would be part of the bow ashigaru had been told to attend, so almost everyone in the village would be present - including all the women. That was, of course, aside from those taking the bow ashigaru test.
She recalled Gengyo mentioning something about wishing to join the bow ashigaru, and briefly considered whether or not he would be taking part in that morning's exams. She would have wished him luck with all her heart, yet she knew that was the last thing he needed. After having the privilege of watching him train, she knew the basic test that her father carried out would be a breeze.
They overtook some of the families that were running late to the training session, and they all stopped to bow in her direction. It made her feel rather awkward, but she still offered them the most genuine smile she could muster.
Though she had spent most of her life in this little village of theirs, she had rarely ventured outside the protective mansion walls, and as a result the people she saw were basically strangers to her.
"We're nearing the market place, my lady."
The guard to her left informed her, though it was something she already knew herself.
The number of people were growing, as was the noise, with the vast majority of the villagers hovering in the market square.
That is not to say that the square was too full, or that there was no space to move – quite the contrary. The square was large enough to comfortably hold a number that was even five times larger than what there were.
It grew a degree quieter when they caught sight of the beautiful Akiko sitting high on her white horse, smiling gently down at them.
She hurriedly dismounted – much to the complaint of her guards – as not to offend anyone. It was natural for most samurai daughters to feel comfortable standing higher than peasants, but that was no longer the case for her.
Since meeting Gengyo her views had developed considerably, and she no longer viewed them as separate to her, rather as a part of the same collective. This was especially the case now that they were in a time of war, and each and every one of them would have to join together if they wanted to have any hope at defeating their foes.
The villagers stared at her, wide-eyed. She did not realize just how beautiful she was. Even if they overcame the fact that she was of the samurai class, there were very few that would be willing to approach her.
She bowed deeply toward them, as the crowd of people gawked, their jaws dropping, completely thrown off guard by such a development. Small children tugged on their parent's sleeves, begging to be lifted up so they might see something other than a sea of legs.
"Let's work hard today."
They were simple enough words, but her intent was genuine, and felt by everyone present.
A certain love-struck youth in the back gave a yell, with his fist pumped into the air.
"Yeah!!!"
Much to the amusement of the crowd that soon became a rumbling sea of chuckles, even Akiko could not suppress a smile at his boldness.
But when the laughter died down, she did not let it go unmentioned.
"Thank you for your support."
With her approval, the young lad – who must have been at most fourteen – grinned widely, his previous embarrassment forgotten.
Jikouji watched on from his saddle with approval, deeming the timing to be right as he rode forward.
"Thank you for heeding the master's summons, people of Toyone."
He did not shout, but his voice carried across the open square, heard by all. With the receptiveness that Akiko had created, they were all more than willing to listen.
"Today, as you know, we will be engaging in Yari training – however, this time, things will be done a little differently."
"Instead of the women making our meals today, they will join the men in training with the spear – though it will not be to train their battle technique, it will be to train their spirit, for in the fight ahead the strength of one's spirit will play just as big a role as one's sword."
It was important that he praised it in this way. Should Toda choose to send men to attack the village in advance of the battle, he would normally send few, ten at most. Yet if he was to learn that the women would be armed, he would no doubt send much more, invalidating their strategy.
It was an idea that Gengyo had proposed in the meeting, but Jikouji had the experience necessary to make it effective.
It was well-received, and there was a certain excitement present throughout all of those present. The men were increasingly motivated enjoying the chance to show off a little to their spouses, or perhaps even to a love interest. And the women were keen to try what they had always seen the men do.
Even Akiko had not known what was to come, and was looking up at Jikouji with surprise written all over her face.
He shot her a warm smile before continuing on.
"As such, the lady Niwa will be training with us, so work hard!"
There were a few genuine cheers at that, mainly from young men, but some women joined in too, voicing the excitement that they were feeling.
And so the guards proceeded to mill through the crowd, organising the people into ranks, so that by the end there was a square of about 150 people – each with a good few metres between them and the next person – all equipped with wooden staffs that would serve as a substitute for a spear.
Those too old or too injured to fight had been helped to one side of the square, slightly away from the training, and were asked to contribute to making a meal. That was not to say that they were extraordinarily busy. There was more than enough time for them to watch over the training. It was a peaceful, pleasant affair.
Jikouji stood at the very front of the ranks of people – both guards and peasants – and waited patiently for a silence to fall.
"Good. You will do as I do – watch closely."
He performed the most basic of thrusts, but with such powerful technique. He twisted his hips, and forced his shoulder forward with aggression. A fearsome strike.
The people followed, sending out their strikes. Those that had taken part in such practices before – mainly the guards – let out a "YAH!" to complement their motion.
"Louder!"
Jikouji ordered. Shouting helped to force the breath out of the lungs in a manner that was necessary for creating a powerful strike.
"Again!"
They had struck forth three times, and by now there was a simultaneous "YAH!" sounding across the entire market swear. It was a mighty sound to behold. If an observer were to be hit with such a roar, and not feel the slightest trembling of emotion, then I do declare that such a man has long since grown cold.
Akiko approached the training with seriousness, her brow furrowed in concentration. It was a practise that she had always wished to engage in, and so she would not forgive herself if she did not give it her all.
Elsewhere amongst the crowd, there was another young lady that shared such a mindset, though hers was a more recent acquisition.
The young lady Rin – or perhaps she might be mistaken to be such, but there was never a woman to be more like a tiger than she – wielded her spear with a passion. She did not care for appearance in the least. Instead, she allowed herself to be overwhelmed by an honest desire to perform the strike until perfection.
Her mother beside her already had the beginnings of sweat forming on her brow. She was a softer sort than her daughter, but with a fearsome heart, and though she could never claim to be able to take a life, she still wished to support her family as much as she could – whatever might be asked of her.
Morohira grinned at the passion of his daughter, understanding it more than anyone else.
He believed his shout to be more fearsome than anyone's present, and his strike more perfect, wielding his spear with more vigour than three men combined.
His belief was supported by the glances of the men surrounding him that contained a hint of reverence.
"Continue."
Jikouji ordered, before walking through the ranks of people, correcting form and offering hints where he deemed necessary. He paid particular attention to Akiko, for he knew just how much this meant to her.
"Aim your point a little higher, and aim to keep your shaft perfectly horizontal."
"Like this?"
She demonstrated the strike with his improvements.
"Good."
He proceeded onwards through the crowd, wandering past the Miura family. He paused for a few seconds, observing the spirit of Morohira before shaking his head.
In his shadow he noticed a young tigress struggling to show her fearsome might. He complimented her focus, before interrupting it as he offered her improvements.
As it happens, it was much the same advice that he had given Akiko earlier. She accepted his corrections with dignity, taking not the slightest offence nor feeling her confidence ebb in the least. All that her focus allowed her to care for was improvement, and she could tell with one strike that the form in which she had just been shown was superior.
They practised the basic thrust for a good amount of time. The yari is an unwieldy weapon, and heavy, but extremely effective. Even if dulled it could pierce the thickest of armours should it have enough weight behind it.
But as the master duellist Miyamoto Mushashi once said: "They are good for the field and nothing more." Jikouji was of the same opinion, in that they were only useful in a battlefield situation due to how cumbersome they were. As such, there was no need for fancy techniques, and the single most powerful thing the future soldiers in front of him could learn was how to thrust.
'Perfect that, and you will conqueror.'
He reasoned to himself.
A few hours of thrusting passed, and the spirit of many began to die. Judging it to be time, Jikouji called for a break, and sent them to have lunch.
There were sighs of relief as they dropped the heavy yari to the ground, and dragged themselves over to the eating area.
After lunch, there was a slight change in setup.
"I have noticed when watching you all thrust, that the same mistakes are being made by many people. To make my teaching to those people easier, I will split you into groups."
He began with a point toward Akiko, who stood in the front most row.
"Lady Niwa, the point of your spear is still dipping."
She accepted what most would see as shaming with grace, nodding lightly. He had chosen her first because he had hoped she would react as she did, so that he could avoid offending anyone – and thus breaking their spirit – right off the bat.
"Young lady of the Miura family, you face the same problem. Come up here and stand beside lady Akiko, if you will."