SAMURAI

Chapter 9; The Power of Waka

    In a state of urgency, the sound of the flute gently slammed against my eardrums. Bokku Shigen delivered a message. The sound of the flute started soft, then changed to strange notes. The high note changed to a weak tone, turned soft and seductive, then a sharp, shrill dive. As if the message conveyed, all my muscles, tendons, blood flow, heartbeat, pounding lungs joined the sound of the flute. 

My brain stimulated a sentence that I had been reading often. This was the meaning of my teacher's message! Right time, right sentence. As guided by a study of the mantra that Bokku Shigen often recited, I opened my mouth, reciting a waka.

Toshi furedo

kokoro no haru wa

yoso nagara

nagamenarenuru

akebono no sora

(years go by

  and still, spring did not warm my heart,

there was nothing left in me

now I'm getting used to it

staring at the early morning sky)

    As if bewitched, Masashige and Moroshige stunned. The two old swordsmen stopped their attacks suddenly. The pale faces were visible in my eyes. The Waka I chanted with all my heart suppressed their attacks. The ninja rulers of Koga and Iga never thought I could recite waka with all my heart. Gold chance. I repeated a verse of waka.

Tsukihi hete

aki no konoha wa

fuku kaze ni

yayoi no yume zo

itodo furiyuku

(Days and months went by,

the wind crackled through the autumn leaves

Missed the third-month dream

getting away, getting away)

    "Thirty!" Bokku Shigen's shout broke the surprise of the two ninjas.

    Like a child winning a match, Zen Masters jumped with joy. He danced, jumping around the entire battle area.

    The meditation venue that was previously beautiful and well-ordered turned messy due to our movements. Broken branches and branches scattered. Three tree trunks were cut open, prickling. The fallen grass and weeds were uprooted from the roots.

    Masashige is dumbfounded. He stood there staring at me. There was no bloodthirsty gaze, what was left was a fixed look full of admiration. His right hand was still holding the drawn sword. The reflection of the sunlight made the metal that formed the swordless dreadful.

    Morishige sat frozen on the collapsed grass. He did not believe in his defeat. His mouth babbled chaotically, releasing sentences that were not clear in meaning.

    "How can this stranger, eh, Genta be able to sing waka perfectly?"

    Masashige looked at Bokku Shigen and me. The Zen priest ignored the questions of the Iga ninja ruler.

    A moment later Moroshige looked up at the sky, laughing loudly, shouting mocking the sky. “Hachiman! You are so childish! I ask you for a tough samurai who can accept my knowledge, instead, you send a stranger. Hahaha!"

    Moroshige chirps followed by Masashige and the Zen priest’s laughter. "Fate is cute, brother ...." Added Masashige.

    Bokku Shigen smiled broadly. "Just information for you. It was this foreigner who saved Tomoe Gozen's descendants from the m******e of the Mongol warriors,” explained zen master.

    Masashige and Moroshige were shocked. The two of them looked closely at me. Their jaws chattered.

    "Is it true?" Masashige asked convincingly.

    "You are full of surprises, young man," said Moroshige.

    Bokku Shigen continued, “You can ask him directly. My time to resign."

    Without asking for our approval, the Zen priest gave the order, "Now, Genta, you bow down to your two teachers."

    "Thank you, Master."

    I flopped down in front of the Zen priest. He patted my shoulder. Before I lifted my head, he was already out of sight. The flute sounded again. The voice grew farther and farther away until it disappeared into the dark forest.

    Clumsiness struck. Only me and two ninja rulers remained. Still, on my knees, I faced two old people whose faces could not be read. I dropped my head so that it touched the gravel ground. My forehead stung a little as sharp pebbles pricked my skin. “Please accept my devotion to you, Teacher Masashige. Please accept my worship, Master Moroshige. "

    The two ninja rulers only took a deep breath.

    "OK. This is your destiny and ours. But, as a student, you must swear to obey our orders. Can you afford it? " Moroshige asked.

    "If the order does not violate norms and morals, I am ready to risk my life to do it."

    Moroshige chuckled. His short body trembled unable to contain the cuteness of my words. "You are smart. Nothing wrong with the old priest teaching the highest literature in this era. How is Masa-chan?”

    The familiarity between ninja rulers can be seen clearly from the way they call each other. Masashige frowned for a moment, then laughed too. "Agree. For this foreign student, we should treat him especially.”

    Moroshige touched my shoulder. "Alright, Genta. Now, my orders are first. I want to eat grilled rabbit! My stomach is screaming for filling. "

    I screamed with joy. Two months without a meat diet made me boring. Without being ordered, I will be happy to provide the desired food. There was salt, rice that has not been cooked, vegetables that I picked yesterday. Perfect time for a welcoming new student party. "I do it with pleasure, Master!"

    After saluting, I ran into the hut. Goro's dented sword was still good enough to accompany rabbit hunting.

    The days after days were getting heavier. There was no time to just rest. Moroshige and Masashige seemed to be competing to incubate their knowledge on me. They didn't think the slightest bit about my body's ability to accept various training. After Moroshige taught one or two movements, Masashige did not want to lose. He gave the portion of teaching over four to five movements of the Iga-Ryu. My body struggled, but my heart was screaming with joy in getting various swordsmanship.

     Koga-Ryu and Iga-Ryu's swordsmanship was different from samurai swordsmanship that used long swords. Koga-Ryu and Iga-Ryu's swordsmanship did not emphasize the beauty of playing with the sword, but rather on ferocity and trickery. Nothing stabs and strikes simply paralyzes an opponent. All movements gave rise to death. 

    I had to admit, the knowledge taught by these two teachers was the worst and most ferocious swordsmanship I've ever met. Apart from swordsmanship, Masashige and Moroshige taught me how to use shurikens.

    The various uses of shurikens were taught to me quickly. Shuriken, a five-inch, star-shaped metal weapon that is thrown in a circular motion. Tetsu bishi-nail mines-that is, iron spikes arranged in a tetrahedron serve to slow down pursuers. Kanigawa, a hooked rope hanging from a belt used to climb walls.

    Like ninjas, we were not only required to kill the enemy as quickly and quietly as possible, but we also have to know about medicine. Masashige and Moroshige taught how to use plant raw materials around the forest. For example, its use and properties on stems, leaves, and flowers, and even roots can also be used as medicine and poison repellent.

    The more I got to know the two of them, the more my respect for them soared. Masashige the big, flat face, rarely laughs. His voice was deep, hoarse, full of wisdom. A little serious for the person who travels a lot. In teaching, he didn't want to be denied the slightest. 

    There is no time to just wet my throat if I can't fully master the exercises being taught. His fierce appearance was inversely proportional to his gentle heart. The more I get to know him, the more my heart will deny the prejudices of the common people who think that the ninja group is a heartless human group.

    Different one hundred and eighty degrees from Masashige, the short old man was busier, more cheerful. His style was reckless like a bad old boy. Between jokes and laughter, while teaching, he never stopped persuading me to divulge the secrets of the attack plan. When I disobeyed him, he sulked smacking my head. "Stubborn foreigners!" he said. Only that.

    The combination of two traits, appearance, and character, made my life in this lonely forest change more colorful. Laughter interspersed with screams of pain combined with cursing in-jokes.

    One day, I once asked Masashige, is it true that ninja is like a legend that many people talk about? Can they disappear, split in two, can walk on water, can fly?

    The big, tall ninja who rarely smiled answered my question with a laugh while rolling on the grass.

    In the middle of the forest without the touch of other humans, the three of us dissolve to fill the void of day. The seasons changed without notice. Two months with Bokku Shigen, three months with two ninja rulers, made the journey of my life as fast as a horse slipping from its bridle. 

    The Templars had changed. But, just like in the past, I'm still trapped in an unclear status. Not as a samurai, nor completely ninja. Also, not a foreigner, nor completely Japanese. I am like a rock standing alone amid thousands of bubbles in the ocean. The difference is, this coral is getting stronger, not rotten by the heat, not weathered by the waves.

    It's time to say goodbye. Masashige and Moroshige fold their arms crossed, standing on the rock where Bokku Shigen meditated. I sat on my knees under the rock waiting for the instructions to be delivered by my teachers. More than thirty breaths and no words were spoken.

    Masashige opened the conversation. His voice was heavy, hoarse. “Genta, we have taught everything we have. It was too fast for a beginner to master the two styles of swords. However, you already have a solid basic ability. Old Shigen is also educating you to be better.”

    "Yes, we have nothing else to teach. We have to keep going. This country needs all the manpower that is needed. We have to close ranks, put aside differences and personal ambitions, "added Moroshige. His childish nature sometimes appears lost in separation.

    I dropped myself. Bend both elbows, place my forehead parallel to the ground. “I thank you. I will not forget Master's kindness. "

    "Get up, Genta. I want to give something as a gift,” said Masashige.

    I obeyed the wishes of the Iga ninja ruler. His body is as tall as mine. His silver hair was in a neat bun. I'm sure, in his youth, he was more handsome and manly than I was. His face, which is always flat and cold, actually makes him look cool. He thrust out a twisted hemp bag wrapped in black cloth.

    "This is my favorite bag. Inside were ninja uniforms, shurikens, and medicines. Make the best of it. "

    Moroshige released the sword and scabbard, handed it over to me with his right hand.

    “This sword belongs to my great grandfather. Never separated from the Koga family. He is now yours. Hopefully, this sword can protect you. "

    My hands were trembling to receive two priceless gifts. I am a foreigner who they were about to kill has turned into a favorite student who is believed to guard the heirloom of two ninja families.

    "Thank you, Teacher. Thank you very much." My tone trembled. A pinch of water floated in the corner of my eye.

    Moroshige said seriously. “Genta, even though you are not yet a perfect Japanese person, at least your heart has united with this country. You have eaten and drunk from the land of this Country. Your lungs have breathed the air of this Country. You have studied and mastered the culture of this country.”

    My face changed a little. I knew the meaning of my teacher's short conversation. Before I opened my mouth, he continued, "I won't force you. Just, remember. This land has become your country. I am sure, in the deepest part of your heart, love has been planted in this country. Seeing it crushed or seeing it triumphant is your choice from now on. Time can never be reversed. Your choices determine your future. "

    I could no longer control myself. I hit the two legs that were standing right in front of me. I smelled the straw sandals wrapped around it. I took turns bumping Masashige's leg.

    "Forgive me, Teacher. One day, when I have a strong reason to choose, I will do it. Hopefully, at that time my choice does not disappoint both of you.” I said hoarsely.

    I could no longer hold back the tears streaming down. My heart choked on feeling the disappointment of two of them who had worked so hard to make the soft coral turned to rock.

    The ninja ruler of Iga grabbed my body. He looked me straight in the eye. He is as high as my body, so I don't have to look down like when I saw Moroshige's eyes.

    "If your choice disappoints us, it will be with our heavy-duty that we will remove your heart from its place," he said coldly.

    His eyes moved wild. He was trying to hide the shadow as his sword stabbed into my chest, sliced open it, pulling my heart out of its place.

    "I'm sorry, Teacher ...." I said softly. I lowered my head, unable to accept my teacher's gaze.

    Moroshige intervened. “Come on, Masa-chan. Too much time is wasted on a temporary separation." 

    Without waiting for my approval, his feet touched the ground, bounced towards the tree, stepped on the branches, then disappeared into the thicket of the forest.

    Masashige patted my shoulder gently. I respected him. He followed in the footsteps of Moroshige who has disappeared. 

    I still heard a small, shrill voice. Moroshige's voice.

    "Take care of yourself, Genta!"