"I will," Takamori replied as he handed him a large piece of bread and prepared water over a fire. "I imagine you wish to kill those responsible for the tragedy, but you cannot honor your lost one as you are now." Junichiro looked at him skeptically. "Why help me? I have seen you around the village frequently growing up, but we have never spoken. Why now?" "Because I am just as angry as you. I came only to see the building was already ablaze. Believing you had died as well, I had half a mind to search for and end them myself, but when I learned you were not there, I knew you would feel the same, so I stayed to keep you from doing so." "I still do not see why you would feel so strongly." "Hm, I suppose that is to be expected. Did you know that I once had an illegitimate child? Not with my current name, but another before. Your father was part of that bloodline before he died last year." Junichiro stepped back in utter shock. "So my sister and I..." "Are descendants of mine, yes," Takamori confirmed. "Your blood is strong. Your father most likely would have become a great man had he chosen to pick up a blade instead of a bottle." "So you are saying I have the innate talent to become a great samurai myself..." Junichiro clenched his fist, a fire of motivation stirring within him. "I am ready for you to teach me." Takamori laughed. Junichiro remembered thinking he had been nothing like the legends suggested. "Good. Do keep that resolve. My training will be grueling, but in five years, should you persevere, being of my blood, you will undoubtedly become my greatest student." "Five years..." Junichiro muttered. He knew gaining the strength he sought wouldn't happen overnight. Five years was unexpected, but he'd shelf his hatred for those years. He'd use it as the source of his resolve to endure anything the old man threw at him. "Here, eat," Takamori handed him a bowl of porridge with dried meat sticking out of it. "Build your strength. Rest tonight. Tomorrow, you begin." After that, Junichiro spent five long years undergoing harsh training to strengthen his body, mind, and will. Battle became his life. He'd learned to use any form of weapon he could get his hands on masterfully while hiding his identity. Eventually, in 1866, someone caught wind of the renowned Takamori supposedly training a peasant and informed their ruler. Later, that ruler came to visit the old man's hut. Before Takamori stepped out to greet the royal entourage, Junichiro watched him perform an unknown breathing technique as his skin straightened into that of a youthful man and his grey hair turned black. "Hide," he instructed Junichiro. Without questioning, Junichiro obediently hid himself but still peeked so he could see who was outside. To his shock, it was the head of the family he had stolen from all those years prior—the man responsible for his sister's death. Junichiro could only make out bits and pieces of their dialogue, but the guy seemed interested in meeting Takamori's new student. Like many royalty, he appeared arrogant and overconfident—the type Junichiro was growing to despise. Takamori denied having a new student, but the slimy royal brushed off his lie. Junichiro heard him say something about not being allowed to taint his legacy by training peasants before getting back on his horse and riding off with his men, his eyes noting signs of training around the area. Nothing else was said about the man after that. Then, a month later, while training at night, Junichiro learned the royal was spying on him through bushes. He only figured it out after the royal caught him by surprise both in his presence and his skill with the sword. The split second of shock and hesitation was enough to put Junichiro at a disadvantage, making it easier for the skilled royal to deliver a killing blow to Junichiro. Fortunately, the old man had intercepted just in time to save his life. The royal was visibly taken aback by Takamori's elderly appearance but wasted no words as their skirmish began. Junichiro could only watch in awe as the two used the sword majestically. Still, after a grueling duel, Takamori's waning stamina gave in, and he was finally struck with a fatal wound that killed him instantly. Junichiro stood in disbelief as he watched Takamori's body fall. He'd never imagined someone as skilled as his master dying. There were still so many unanswered questions he still wanted to ask him about—connections he wanted to be made. "Dammit. His age really has caught up to him. I shouldn't have been able to land such an obvious blow like that," The royal commented as he stood over the body. "Now I have to find a way to keep the legacy alive somehow..." He reached into Takamori's robe and pulled out a mask Takamori used as his symbol for others to recognize. "Saigō Takamori's legacy can't end here." He hid the mask in his robe and tossed the blood-covered blade in his hand to Junichiro. "Your turn. Showing me what he's been teaching someone as lowly as you." Junichiro reflexively caught the sword by the hilt, but just as the two were about to clash, they heard chatter and saw torches heading their way. Others in the nearby village must have heard the commotion and informed the patrolling authorities that had been established during his training. When they arrived, the royal quickly adapted to the situation and framed Junichiro by telling the authorities that Junichiro had been responsible for abducting and threatening him and killing an innocent elder who tried to intervene. He flashed them his family crest and ordered the men to seize Junichiro at once. Junichiro fled, but he later traveled to Edo for retribution for his sister and sensei. He'd snuck into the home of the royal responsible and ran his blade through the slumbering man without hesitation. It felt wrong—against his code to kill in such a cowardly way, but he was aware that there was no honor within that man. After killing him, Junichiro tried to locate his master's mask, hoping to keep his legacy alive himself, but couldn't find it anywhere. His search was interrupted when a guard busted into the quarters and sounded an alarm at the sight of him. At that moment, Junichiro became wanted for the assassination of an important figure. He felt liberated as he managed to escape the city. There was no weight of anger upon his shoulders anymore—he'd finally avenged his loved ones. As he ran across an open field, his only goal was to survive the thirty-five warriors closing in on him. Due to them being on horseback while he was on foot, he knew he had no chance of losing them, so he did something he doubted they expected.