As the boy guides me towards our unknown destination, I realize that I don't know his name, and he doesn't know mine.
Adachi: "By the way, what's your name? My name is-"
Boy: "I don't care about your name, and you don't need to know mine. I'm only interacting with you because my master requested it. He wants to see you."
We turn through an alley and crawl through some tightly enclosed spaces. Just where am I being taken?
Tall buildings lay all around us. It's almost like I'm being led through a maze of stone. If I weren't being led by the nose, I would have gotten lost ages ago.
We turn a corner, and I observe an antique-looking dojo of some sort, entirely surrounded by buildings of a modern make. All the buildings face away from the antique-looking compound, and not a single window is in my view. It's almost as If every building here was placed as a protective wall around this old dojo.
What strings had to be pulled to make such a place possible?
Boy: "You coming?"
I turn my gaze down to the boy who's now tapping his foot impatiently. I wipe the amazed look off my face and continue to follow him into the antique compound.
Boy: "Jeez. What does master want with a guy like this?"
I hold my words back with an earnest effort. This guy is rather cheeky, considering I saved his life.
We've reached the building now, and I step foot into the front room. I tread lightly, trying not to break the boards with my weight. After making our way through a few hallways, the boy motions to a door and stands to the side.
Boy: "My master is waiting in there. Be respectful if you know what's good for you."
I step towards the door and hear a pretty tune coming from the room ahead. I can sense a power on the other side of this door that I'm unfamiliar with. I gulp down my anxiety and open the door.
Inside the room lays a man around Kiichi's age, dead asleep with his face down on his desk. The tune I was hearing was his nose whistling. How is he playing a song through his nose while sleeping? Creepy.
I take a step into the room.
*CRACK*
I wince and look down at my foot which has broken the floorboard. Did it wake up the old man?
I glance up from my foot, which is firmly embedded in the flooring now, and set my eyes on the old man. He's now standing upright and making a stern face.
Old Man: "Hey, boy. You broke my floor. Now pay with your life."
Adachi: "W-what?"
*Whoosh*
Before I knew it, a palm was about a centimeter from my face, and I was frozen with fear. He's fast! The man withdraws his palm, and I'm greeted with a new expression. He's grinning… laughing even!
Old Man: "Hahaha, I'm just joking, boy! I had you, didn't I? Didn't I?"
He erupts into laughter again, and I begin to doubt his sanity. Is this old man already going senile?
Adachi: "I'm... sorry about your floor. Most wooden floors aren't able to handle my weight."
Old Man: "Well, boy, just lose some weight!"
He erupts into laughter again, which transfers to a coughing fit. My eye twitches ever so slightly. This guy is crazy!
When he stands straight after his coughing fit, his smile is gone from his face. He begins to pace in circles around me. I want to turn around to see him, but my foot is still stuck in the floor.
Old Man: "Hmm, yes. You're quite strong, boy! But you lack in elegance. You remind me a bit of a disciple I once had. So... how is Kiichi doing these days?"
My face goes pale. How does he know about Kiichi? Is this his old master?
Adachi: "How do you know Kiichi? Tell me."
Old Man: "Boy. Your true colors are showing."
I turn to my right, where a mirror lies. My hair has regained its blue color, and my eyes are changed to their usual color again. Shoot! I let my guard down.
Old Man: "I can see Kiichi in the way you breathe, I can see Kiichi in the way you talk and the way you move. I was his master, after all. I know him better than he knows himself! It's clear to me that he trained you."
This man may be crazy, but he's not senile. On the contrary, he's as sharp as a knife.
Old Man: "I can tell he only trained you enough that you could travel by yourself. I will finish what he started."
Adachi: "You'll train me?"
Old Man: "That I will, boy. It will be hell for you, but it looks like you've already been through hell."
I look down at myself. I'm shoeless, bleeding, soaked, and my clothes are torn.
Adachi: "My stuff... they took it all."
I start to break down. The reality of what I just went through begins to set in.
Old Man: "Don't worry, boy. We'll get all your things back. I can pull a few strings."
I feel comforted by this man. I was put off by his insanity before, but now I feel that I've made a powerful ally.
Adachi: "Wait. Aren't you bothered by the fact that I'm a Cosmic?"
Old Man: "Foolish boy. Do I seem like the type of man to fret over such a meaningless detail? Come now, let's get you cleaned up."
The man squats down and gently pulls my leg out from the floorboards, and leads me away from the room. I feel safe here.
I still don't know anyone's names, though.