As the two men fight each other in the centre of the forest. their swords clash ferociously. Ryuuki quickly adapts his opponent's movement but his opponent is far more skilled and stronger than him. Ryuuki says to himself in a calm state "I need to get far away from his range and devise a plan to attack him in his blind spot otherwise I'm not getting anywhere with this."
Meanwhile, his opponent tries to provoke him...
Assassin:- what's the matter? don't tell me is this all you've got brat?
Ryuuki:- tchh!! are you one of the assassins sent here by the shogunate to kill me?
Assassin:- no, absolutely not! I'm just here to enjoy myself and came here due to a certain person's wish.
Ryuuki:- a certain person?
Assassin:- I've got no obligation to tell you now.
Ryuuki takes a knife out of his pocket and gets 2 meters away from him. he quickly throws the knife at his opponent while fighting to distract him and Ryuuki kicks the right hand of the assassin where the assassin loses his balance and Ryuuki gets towards his blind spot, that is behind his neck. as Ryuuki tries to slice him through behind the assassin says "man, you got me all excited." where the assassin takes out his 2nd sword and moves roundabout at a 180-degree angle and blocks the attack from his left hand and hits the 1st sword's back at Ryuuki's stomach.
Assassin:- that was a nice one, though.
Assassin:- okay! now, I've seen you. become my disciple.
Ryuuki who was fallen at ground replies with a shocking tone and an expression on his face...
Ryuuki:- huh?? what do you mean by that??
Assassin:- I mean, become my disciple. what's so difficult to understand that?
Ryuuki:- don't you've any clue, old man? you were just trying to kill me and you spout something like this out of nowhere. this doesn't make sense.
where the assassin laughs loudly and says...
Assassin:- ah!! so, you were talking about that. that was just a test to determine whether you're capable of becoming my disciple or not. also, don't call me old man you shitty brat. my name is Ai Ishimaru.
Ryuuki:- so, how do you know about me Ishimaru-san?
Ishimaru:- that man sent me. the one who saved your life.
Ryuuki:- what the hell is his problem! I'll chop him alive once I met and I don't even know how he looks. looks aside I don't even know what his name is.
Ishimaru:- haha! don't worry about that but I can't tell you his name or anything about him to you as of now. that's what he wants as of now.
Ryuuki:- why?
Ishimaru replies in a serious tone " because you aren't strong enough to even know his name. that's why he sent me to you. he wants me to train you and make you stronger. that's also the reason why I came here to see you."
Ryuuki:- if he's my ally why is he doing all these things?
Ishimaru:- sometimes, you gotta fool your own friends before the enemy and it'd be a problem if his name gets leaked out as you're already a fugitive.
Ishimaru:- enough talking. now, get up and let's head to my place. you're too weak as of now. your enemy is the epitome of evil, who burned the whole crimson capital.
Ryuuki:- do you also know him?
Ishimaru:- no but I've got a brief idea who it is but I'm pretty sure you know who he is and more the reason why you need to train now.
Ryuuki smiles faintly and says:- yeah! that suits me well as I was just looking for a teacher.
Now, both Ryuuki and Ishimaru head towards Ishimaru's place. meanwhile, in Edo, the shadow still lurks ...
A certain samurai wearing a cloak head towards the main market and saw a fortune-teller. he goes to him.
Samurai:- can you check my fortune?
Fortune-teller:- yeah wait for a minute.
Fortune-teller:- your fortune is filled with your most deserving wish, meeting to a certain someone whom you've wanted to meet since a long time and it shall bring upon its wrath on you. the destruction will come to you still you'll reign over it as you already have a seed of evil inside you.
where the samurai has an evil smile on his face and replies in a very sweet tone
Samurai:- no, you are wrong. I don't have any seeds of evil inside me. that seed had already grown into a tree and the dark leaves of that tree had already entered the stage of abscission. where the leaves burn in the fire but still brings the joy on my face over people crying miserably. I'm already a Monster!! Hahaha...