Ryuuki arrives at Ishimaru's house. he was shocked to see that he has quite a big house and an open yard.
Ryuuki:- I did not know you have such a big house.
Ishimaru:- well, it's only natural as I'm a retired military general. I used to work under the shogunate.
Ryuuki:- what!? that's quite unexpected.
Ryuuki:- do you live alone here? don't you've any family members?
Ishimaru:- I had a brother. now, he's dead.
Ryuuki:- how did he die?
Ishimaru:- as I said before, you don't have time for talking. we will start our training from today only.
After taking a little rest, Ryuuki arrives at the open yard where he sees Ishimaru making some strategic diagram in the sand with a wooden stick. where Ryuuki asks politely "what are you doing? that diagram looks quite familiar." where Ishimaru who was still working on it replies "yeah, I'm pretty sure you must've seen it at your castle or maybe your dad using it. however, I'm making this for you." where Ryuuki says...
Ryuuki:- I didn't understand your point. could you explain it to me more briefly?
Ishimaru completes the diagrams and gets up. Ishimaru replies with a serious tone...
Ishimaru:- listen, in our duel, I figured it out that you've got some extraordinary reflexes and a good speed however what you lack is a natural-born strength. I'm not saying that you aren't strong enough but what you lack is the potential to use 2 swords at the same time which could be quite troublesome for you at the point of the battle.
Ryuuki:- what do you mean?
Ishimaru:- man, you're hard to deal with you're just like my brother. listen, using two identical or similar swords is difficult for most people. It requires a level of coordination that takes a great deal of training. 2 sword style is an extremely quick and versatile art of kenjutsu(swordsmanship) and it is a very effective offensive art of combat. however, the strength you've on 1 hand is what completely takes your whole concentration and you lack the potential of wielding 2 swords as those who are born with natural talent or had undergone training since childhood can use it. what you're lacking is time to master it. it would take many years for you to master 2 swords style.
Ryuuki:- then what am I supposed to do?
Ishimaru:- now, that's where the main part comes. In that diagram, what you're seeing on the ground is your fighting formation which I devised earlier in our duel. you mainly focus on dealing with a fatal injury first and try to distance yourself from the enemy. in other words, you're a Coward!
Ryuuki stayed silent as he didn't have any words to counter that. he knows that deep down he was afraid and didn't have the resolve to move on forward towards the light. Ishimaru says with a calm and lovable voice...
Ishimaru:- get a hold of yourself Ryuuki. whatever you've faced until now is all past that will haunt you till your death. however, you also faced the reality that day. don't let that incident make you weak instead try to convert that incident into your resolve then you'll surely see the light of the dawn. make your darkness stronger! sometimes a person should have some darkness in them. otherwise, the imitating light can blind anyone which will be too much to see.
the words hit Ryuuki from deep inside. Ryuuki who didn't have anyone in his bad time since that day, had someone encourage him and make him feel comfortable was something which he didn't expect because he always thought his sin was unforgivable. Ishimaru says in a calm and emotional voice "let it all out Ryuuki! that day you killed your own parents. everyone was saying they must have experienced a lot of pain however, I know the one who was in most pain was you! I'm sure you must have your own reasons otherwise a normal kid wouldn't have gone this far in a forest after losing everything. it's okay to cry!" Ryuuki starts crying and he says something while crying...
Ryuuki:- can I call you big brother?
where Ishimaru replies...
Ishimaru:- Haha! of course, you can!
Ishimaru:- now, it's time to begin our training. I won't go easy on you.
Ryuuki:- hehe! nothing more asked for!
a year later...
After mastering the 1 sword style in a year. Ryuuki got a present from Ishimaru...
Ryuuki:- what's this?
Ishimaru:- try opening it.
Ryuuki:- Woah! it's a new Odachi katana (large/greatsword)!! thank you so much, big bro!!
Ishimaru:- did you like it? then it's great. while you were training the whole year I asked the best swordsmith in the village to make an Odachi katana. since you couldn't learn 2 sword styles I figured making you use a long katana would be great. that would increase your strength and range. also, how about you make your own trump card?
Ryuuki:- a trump card?
Ishimaru:- a special ability only to be used against your enemy if necessary.
Ryuuki:- that would be great! but I don't know what ability should I learn big bro?
Ishimaru:- oh!! I got a good idea. lent me your ears...
2 years have passed since Ryuuki started training with Ishimaru. now, Ryuuki has become a strong man and is set to go on his journey toward Edo.
Ryuuki who was about to leave in a cloak and a hat on with the Odachi katana at his waist.
Ishimaru:- I can't believe it has already been 2 years. how about you name your sword?
Ryuuki:- name my sword, huh? you name it big bro since you have the right to do it.
Ishimaru:- then, let me think? how about you name it Ryu-Kaze?
Ryuuki:- Ryu-Kaze, huh? meaning dragon's wind just like my name Ryuuki which means Dragon rider. I like it! then I'll use this.
As Ryuuki was about to leave Ishimaru's side after 2 years, he was crying but had his face towards the sun. he didn't look back, as he was about to go Ishimaru says something with a big smile on his face "take care Ryuuki! you were just like my brother. he died in a war. since then I retired from the bakufu and live here alone." which made Ryuuki more emotional and he immediately went to Ishimaru at once and hugged him and said...
Ryuuki:- thank you for whatever you've done in these 2 years. I promise I'll never let you down.
Ishimaru:- it's not a big deal. also, do you wanna know that man's name who saved you?
Ryuuki:- yeah! I almost forgot about him.
Ishimaru:- his name is HYOSUKE KUSAKABE. you'll meet him in Edo.
Ryuuki:- I'll keep that in mind.
As the 2 men, part ways there was nothing but an unconditional love of brotherhood between them.