[MC POV]
As i entered old man's office, he offered me early morning breakfast. He can't offer me tea, so gave me juice and biscuits. I have to say, its wrong combo. As i am shedding imaginary tears, i devoured the food. Its still food and of course i am quite hungry.
After extra breakfast, he asked me about my progress, i checked out his office. There are many documents, Tea set. Old man loves tea. I don't know why. Will i be able to drink coffee in this world. As i was checking out all things in his office i see what i wanted to see. "Katana"s.
He placed set of three on right side wall. Quite fascinating pieces. He must have seen fascination in my eyes. So he told me to check it out.
This is world of shinobi, so we children knows about shuriken and kunais, but we didn't given any weapons and didn't got introduced to them.
I sat up from seat and goes near wall and see it, but as 6 years old i can't take good look at them as they are at height of 1.6m. Director see this and come near me and pickup 1 out of 3 swords. Its the shortest one but still quite large. Its around 0.5 meter i think. He takes it and ask me to come with me to his desk again. He placed it on his desk and started describing it.
Tatsumo: "Its called 'Katana'."
"Katana"
I repeated. I wanted to sound cute and fascinated by its appearance. I should take advantages of my cuteness till i have them.
"Its weapon mostly used by samurai, and sometimes shinobis also. In the hands of kenjutsu specialist its deadly weapon. It can make someone hurt so you should handle it carefully."
"Are you giving it to me?"
"NO" He said sharply. "I meant when you are old enough."
"Oh, can you tell me more about it?"
"Of course. Its around 55 cm long. I used it when i was around 12 years of age. If you graduate from academy i will give it to you. If you graduated!"
He can see excitement in my eyes.
I nod and say "Thank you." "Please describe more."
He nods and proceeds.
"It has curved single edged blade. Their is also small length blades which are called 'Tanto'. Small kids use them."
"Are you giving me one?"
"NO" Again disappointment.
"Its scabbard is called 'Saya'."
I nod. He pulls out blade from Saya.
"This handle part is called 'Tsuka'. And blade part is called 'Sori'. Can you see pattern on Sori is called 'Hamon'."
I nod. and asked.
"I want to learn how to use katana."
"You are to young to handle katana now. But i can give you bokuto."
"What's 'bokuto'?"
"I forgot you don't know it. Silly kid."
I pouted.
"Wooden katana is called Bokuto. I will give you one in 1 or 2 days. I need to find mine one."
"Thank you."
"Okay run to play. Your friends should have woken up by now."
I nod and run away from office.
[Present]
As i completed, i can see old man bringing me bokuto. For present me its good enough as i don't think i am strong enough even to use it continuously. But now i can start practicing sword techniques. Jōdandayo (Just kidding).
Old man approached me and gave me Bokuto or bokken. Its quite worn out wooden sword. Its showing on my face.
Tatsumo: "You are to young for handling katana. But if you can practice enough you will be at least chunin with close range specialty."
I nod.
Tatsumo: "Okay give me i will show you basics. Than i will review your training this week. And than you can ask me for tips afterwards. I always can't review your practice so try to learn as much as you can this week okay."
I nod.
He kept describing how to practice.
"Okay, Katana is basically used for cutting and stabbing. Moves are, Nukitsuke: for sheeting and unsheathing katana."
He showed me slowly unsheathing with bokuto. Than Sheeting. He did as much slow as possible so i can see it correctly. He is doing it in samurai style.
"What i am showing is how samurai handle katanas. Us shinobi don't primarily fights with them and we like hit and run more so we can do as much fast as possible."
He showed me other form in which he is kinda in boxing form and unsheathed bokuto. He did Nukitsuke with imaginary "Saya" made with left hand.
"I am doing this movements as left hand. You can't do the same with katana. You need proper 'Saya' for it other wise when needed to pull sword fast enough you might cut your hand."
I nod.
"Yoko Giri: Its side cut. Sword held in both hands to side cut."
"Kesi Giri: Overhead slashing movements which arcs slightly right or left."
"Overhead Cut: Simple and elegant move. Perfect downward slash."
He described all basics moves of katana.
"Now you show me all moves. Start with unsheathing katana, basic overhead cut, than Kesi giri, afterwards yoko giri, and than sheath katana."
I unsheathed katana. and he found fault instantly. He told me to do again and again until i did right and again with all other moves. When he satisfied for today.
"Common Ikki, lets sat down below tree."
As we sat down. He started describing how this village came to be and how sacrifices of all old people kept village going.
"Ikki, weapon usage is deadly. So is our job of shinobi. But promise me one thing don't kill any innocent person with arts i teach you. Katana is made so that samurai's can protect someone not to kill."
"I won't kill any innocent person JiJi (old man). As i know how human life is previous."
He knows i am talking about my parents.
"Do you remember your parents?"
"Not much. Just that they were kind. and took care of me and loved me."
"Can you describe them if you can remember?"
I nod.