Fifteen years had passed since that fateful day, and time had woven its magic. Hiro, once a squalling infant in Cora's arms, had grown into a young man, strong and handsome, with a spark of Kanji's spirit in his eyes, it was without doubt that he had truly turned out to be a strong man.
One faithful evening, as the sun rose over the mountain, its golden rays casting a warm glow over the village. kanji sat on the porch, the weathered wood creaking beneath him, his gaze distant and reflective, his heart heavy with the burden of the past and the uncertainty of the future. As he sat there deep in thought, his hands closed around the hilt of his sword, and he knew what must be done.
He rose, his movement fluid and purposeful, and retrieved a kitchen knife from the wooden sheath. Turning to Hiro who was assisting Cora with the chores, he said, his voice low and steady, '' Son, we have much to discuss. Come, we must speak in the forest.''
Kanji led the way, his footsteps silent as they stepped into the embrace of the forest. The trees sentinels, seemed to watch as Kanji and Hiro forged their way deeper into verdant undergrowth. At last, Kanji stopped, turning to face Hiro, his expression grave and measured. '' I know you have questions, about your past, about your future. But first, I must tell you a story, a story about a Man and his son, his son who would later carry on his legacy'' he said as he turned to continue his journey.
Kanji's voice was a low rumble as he spoke, a storm of words that swept through the forest. '' they found him, the child, at the foot of the mountain, all alone and crying amidst carnage. he knew then that he had to protect the child, to give him a chance at life.''
He paused, his gaze searching Hiro's face for understanding. '' He took him, not knowing who he was or where he came from, and he fled. he raised him as his own hiding him the ill fate that hunted him, until he knew it was safe.'' ''All seemed blissful'' he continued '' until one faithful day, tragedy came upon the man like an eagle descending into its nest. He and the boy became hunted by the man's past enemy, the man kept the boy away from the violence, but the enemy's number grew until they outnumbered the man causing him to die in the presence of the only thing he could family.''
''We have arrived,'' Kanji whispered to Hiro, his voice laden with a profound sense of reverence. with a solemn air, he offered his sword to Hiro whose face was lit up in surprise, his eyes dancing over the grove, taking in the marks left by Kanji's fury. The oak trees, once proud and tall, now stood broken and scarred, their wounds a testament to the power of Kanji's might.
With the weight of his words, kanji stood upright, his posture changing from a crouched old man to a warrior stance, his voice ringing with the authority of a master, '' Let us begin,'' he said, his eyes steady on Hiro. Hiro stepped forward, his hands trembling as he raised the sword. it was as if the world itself held its breath, waiting for the story of a new warrior to be written.
'' Your stance,'' Kanji began, his voice calm and measured. '' A good swordsman begins with his feet,'' '' let your feet serve as a balance for your body.'' kanji's words were a catalyst, setting Hiro's world alight with a new purpose. He focused his gaze, his mind whirring as he absorbed Kanji's instruction, his legs instinctively falling into proper position. ''yes,'' Kanji murmured, his voice like a blade being sharpened. '' Now, the grip. You must hold it with strength, but also finesse.''
Hiro nodded, his fingers curling around the hilt, feeling the weight of the sword in his hands as if it were an extension of his body. '' Good.'' kanji murmured as he tossed the kitchen knife he held in his hand up into the air. '' when that knife touches the soil again I want you to come at me with all you've got.'' Hiro raised his gaze at the knife, sleek and sharp, dancing in the air, caught in the throes of gravity's embrace. For a moment, it hung suspended like a star frozen in its celestial orbit. And then, with a slow, inevitable descent, it tumbled downward, its steel glinting in the sun's fading rays.
And then with great speed, the knife began to descend, and then, in a single decisive moment, the knife struck the ground, its points piercing the earth with a shuddering finality and with a battle cry echoed through the silent grove, Hiro lunged forward, the sword in his hands whistling through the air. His steps were quick for an amateur so quick it amazed Kanji himself, but Kanji was quicker, dodging each strike Hiro lunged at him with ease.
'' Faster Kanji yelled, his voice a call to arms. with each passing moment, the rhythm of the battle intensified, its tempo matching the beating of Hiro's heart. Hiro's muscles burned, and his breath came in gasps, but still, he pressed on with determination in his heart. But Kanji was a master, his movement a symphony of steel and precision as he continued to dodge all of Hiro's strikes also countering each strike, each thrust, each lung with just his bare hands.
'' You must be more than speed!'' kanji bellowed, his voice a gale of wind in the forest. Kanji's patience, worn thin by the onslaught, finally snapped. With a roar that seemed to shake the trees themselves, kanji abandoned all thoughts of training, he plunged forward, his fist blurring in a flurry of punches. Hiro caught off guard, tried to defend himself, but Kanji's blows rained down like a storm, each impact a shattering thunderclap.
'' pain is the true teacher!'' kanji growled, his eyes alight with a savage intensity. Hiro, battered and bruised, staggered back, his vision swimming. Hiro's senses clouded by the pain that lanced through him, tried to regain his footing, but Kanji moved with an unusual swiftness, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. kanji scooped up the knife in a blur motion as he charged towards Hiro.
In a smooth, almost liquid motion, Kanji vaulted forward, his foot connecting with Hiro's chest in a devastating kick. Hiro flew backward, hitting the ground with a bone-jarring impact, his eyes rolling back in his head. '' Pain is knowledge'', kanji hissed, his voice a serpent's hiss. '' And you have much to learn.''