SAMURAI

Chapter 8; First Lesson

    Unlike using the large sword that I often use in battle, Bokku Shigen taught me how to use a samurai sword properly. The typical sword of the Templars was more comfortable to use with the right hand as cross as the left hand pulled the shield. Stabbing, parrying, slashing can be done while occasionally protecting yourself with a shield when there is a counterattack. 

    Using a Japanese sword for beginners is to hold the hilt tightly in both hands. Right hand in front, left hand behind the right hand. The way to swing, s***h, and the split is different from how to use the knight's sword.

    Bokku Shigen taught the use of the sword is not for fighting, but for cutting trees. Swiped right and left to knock down the tree. It will be made into pieces of wood. Then the sword moved by swinging straight up and centered on the head-splitting the tree into two large pieces. To split into small pieces, Bokku Shigen taught me a diagonal swing technique. Only three swings of the sword. Right-left s***h, straight sword swing from top to bottom, diagonal sword swing.

    As per the question I asked, Bokku Shigen strengthened my two legs. Apart from being in a state of meditation and defecating, on my right and left legs along my thigh to leg, the wooden blocks were tightly tied. In all the activities that I do, the wooden pieces are tightly tied Every other day, Bokku Shigen replaced the sticky pieces of wood that became heavier and bigger. With the log tied to the leg he ordered me to run down the hill, then without pause, I climbed back up to my original place. 

    At first, my body struggled, had convulsions, cramps, blisters, swelling on my feet and hands. My limbs scream against the will of the brain. However, whenever I want to stop, Bokku Shigen's sneer smile made me stop my will.

    Unlike ordinary humans, Bokku Shigen did not need a place to stay. He could sleep in a tree, on a rock, in a meadow, only with his eyes closed. He looked like not need food and clothing. The food was spelled in ancient Japanese. The clothes are what sticks to the body without being changed and washed. 

    Like a god who became a human in a Greek story that my father told me when I was little, Bokku Shigen is the incarnation of the god Zeus without a lightning rod. 

    Sometimes days the Zen master left me alone. Every time he came home, he brought a pinch of salt, a set of old priest clothes for zen students, gave it to me without a word of the conversation. Then, he sat on the boulder of his beloved, silent meditation for the next two days.

    My life in the middle of the forest has a very boring rhythm. Meditating from morning to evening, running down the hill with the logs that are getting heavier each day, spending the night memorizing scrolls of waka parchments accompanied by the crackling of bonfires.

    One month later, the hut was no longer a place to stay. It changes its function only as a temporary place when it rains heavily. I can sleep wherever my headrests. The tired days of physical and brain training made me quickly close my eyes when the brain told me to.

    I didn’t know what morning, because I didn’t care anymore about the number of mornings that changed, since waking up I had accompanied Bokku Shigen to sit in meditation. The remaining moisture on the rock crept into the skin of the buttocks. Birds chirping merrily. The sound of the moth forgetting to enter the nest was still heard. The cool mountain air filled the lungs. 

    I followed Bokku Shigen style. Sitting sazen with eyes closed. The thumbs touched each other gently. The four fingers intertwined with the two palms, pointing upwards in front of the stomach. Empty mind. Focused only on the breath. Fresh air full of oxygen flew through the lungs in a count of ten, then exits as carbon in a count of ten. Slowly pulled, exhaled. Pulled again, exhaled, until soul disappeared, united with nature.

    Unity with nature does not mean giving up consciousness. It is not transcendental where the soul comes out of the body, but a union of soul, body, nature, and the flow of thoughts, ideas, and passions. All gathered into silence.

    It wasn't easy at first. Whenever I closed my eyes, as my breath became a constant rhythm, fragments of the past's despicable moments took over. I cursed as the silence I had hoped would turn into raging sadness. Instead of feeling peace and happiness, my heart was filled with sadness and a biting emptiness. Bokku Shigen was the one who guided me. 

    The melodious strains of the flute and mantras that came out of his mouth as if a soul magnet was guiding my soul from wandering. Sometimes the sound of his flute curved in a high note, striking the bubbling animal desires. When meditation hit the perfect point, my heart calmed down. My body felt light. Sorrow turned into a meaningless emptiness.

    After the days passed, meditation and vigorous practice changed the structure of my lower organs. My legs became solid and I was able to run fast down and up hills, leaping across the thicket barefoot, perching from tree to tree like a monkey.

     My hands are more muscular as a result of training to lift weights of tree pieces that are getting heavier every day. The shoulders are broad, dense, and full of prominent blue streaks. I don't need animal protein to shape my body. Roots, leaves, tubers are the staple food of our day. Without flesh, my body and brain seemed to avoid the bubbling lust.

    The waka parchments written in ancient Japanese were read out at once. My memory had become strong. My understanding of Japanese had greatly improved. It's just that, I still have trouble applying waka writing in life. Monotonous places, times, and events make written words into dead sentences that are only stored in the brain. Not in the heart.

    My eyelids opened. Bokku Shigen sat in meditation next to me was not affected. His face was flat and peaceful. My ears could recognize unusual movements. From the two cardinal points of the compass, two successive movements approached one another. One long, sturdy, heavy, but fast footstep like a fly. From different cardinal directions, short, light, half-hovering footsteps also approached. My veins became tense.

    Two months without coming into contact with another life made half of my soul experience a sense of alternation. One side was full of vigilance. The other side was full of joy. Meeting other humans, even though they are criminals, was a joy in itself rather than contemplating the lonely days.

     Almost simultaneously, two fast-moving figures appeared not far from where we were meditating. Two old figures with the same appearance. Long hair curled up in silver. Blue hakama pants combined with colorful haori kimono. Each of them slipped a sword at the waist. Not like the long swords of the samurai, nor as short as wakizashi. On their backs, bundles of black cloth hung.

    One was huge with long white sideburns and a beard, reminiscent of the witch Merlin in the British Empire. The haori kimono shirt was a striking yellow color. The other was as tall as Bokku Shigen, had a clean face with slanted eyes, wearing a pink haori kimono. The two of them crossed their arms, giving off mockery.

   The Zen master took a deep breath ending the meditation. But his two eyelids were still tightly closed, his lips were smiling cheerfully

    "What wind has brought the ruler of Iga and the ruler of Koga all the way here?"

    "The same wind as you, old man!" sneered the big man.

    "Do you want to party alone without inviting us?" asked the other person.

    Bokku Shigen opened his eyes. Still, in a sitting posture, his body floated lightly over the boulder. His movements were beautiful like Buddha meditating down from the sky. He pounded the ground as his body drew near. My teacher lowered his body, saluting the two uninvited visitors.

    "Forgive me this insolent. It's not nice to invite two superheroes of the underworld to get involved in samurai affairs is meaningless." Priest Zen cast his gaze towards me. “Genta! Respect the two rulers of this other world!" 

    I stood up from my meditation, lowering my body deeply. The two of them looked away. They did not show the slightest impression of friendship.

    "Old man who is gallant like you is Harima no Kami Masashige, the ruler of the Ninja region of Iga. Next to him, who is small and handsome like me is Hayamichi no Kami Moroshige, the ruler of Ninja Koga, "joked Bokku Shigen when introducing his guest.

    The two old people and I laughed.

    "Bokku Shigen, Lord of the Samurai Swords, is funny but stupid," replied Moroshige.

    He likes to be called handsome but refuses his good looks to be confused with the bald Bokku Shigen.

    “And, your stupidity will increase if you equate Masashige's good looks with this foreign young man. The comparison is like earth and sky,” he said before the big old man opened his mouth.

    Masashige frowned. “Old short ugly! Thirty years ago, he was no match for me. I'm more handsome, better," he replied.

    Bokku Shigen laughed, followed by the two. On the contrary, my mouth was wide opened. Who doesn't know Japanese ninja?

    Ninja was one of the most riveting mysteries in the world of samurai. Ninja, which could be read as "Shinobi" when written in kanji, whose activities were rarely known to the general public. Like the group of assassins Hasashin in Alamut, which was crushed by the Ilkhanat forces before the conquest of Bahgdad, the ninjas operated very secretly in the shadows of the underground world.

    They were the humans who could mess up the neatest plans. The deadliest assassin ever hired to wreak havoc on the opposing side. They were subject only to money, not to loyalty. Their cunning and secretive ways ran counter to the ethics and norms of the samurai who faced their enemies openly. There were many impossibilities pinned on this group. Can fly, can split the body in two, capable of doing magic, so on.

    Although still rumors, the origins of the ninja were divided into two areas. Ninja of the Koga region and the Iga region. The two ninja groups were always competing. Not infrequently, the two of them defended two different samurai groups and ended in death on one side. 

    What business did they have to come from Honshu Island to Iki Island?

    Masashige and Moroshige took turns looking at me. Two sharp and terrible eyes peeled off every pore of my body. I shuddered at their eyes. My hands are also covered in blood. But, I smeared it with more chivalrous ways, sparring on the battlefield. Not for their two hands. They didn't know the knight's way, the samurai's way of fighting. All techniques were used as long as you could win. It doesn't matter even if it's with techniques and methods that are degrading. The important one; the enemy had vanished.

    “Shigen. Hand over this stranger. I want to break his neck,” said the tall, big, Masashige

    Moroshige groaned not wanting to lose. "No way. Before that, let me cut off his two legs, hands and tongue!”

    Bokku Shigen smiled. He was completely unfazed by the intimidation of his two guests. My eyes searched for his, hoping for some protection from the Zen master. But, His face was flat without expression. While stroking the long hair on the end of the stick, Bokku Shigen jumped onto the rock again, closed two eyelids, and sat back in meditation.

    "I've finished with him. Please do whatever you like to him," said my teacher firmly.

    As if stung by a thousand scorpions, my eyes grew wide. My mouth dropped open. "Teacher...." I whispered desperately.

    Two ninja lords glared at me to call Bokku Shigen a teacher. Short Moroshige jumped crazy. Masashige growls like giant smelling blood.

    “Are you crazy, Shigen? You teach our ancestral knowledge to this stranger? " he snapped.

    Bokku Shigen still smiled. There was no change in his face when he heard the screams of his guest. Still closing his eyes. He replied, "If it was for good, was I wrong?"

    Moroshige could no longer hold back his anger. The short old man as small as Shigen flashed quickly up the rock. The sword was pulled from its sheath. He gripped the hilt of the sword with one hand. His hand moved quickly and pierced Bokku Shigen's chest who was still sitting meditating.

    "I have to kill you. Your mistakes are unforgivable,” he growled.

    Bokku Shigen didn't move until the sword tip approached. The blade stopped in midair. With a speed that an ordinary human eye could not follow, the tip of the staff's feathers pierced the flow of blood in Moroshige's arm. Moroshige's movement was stifled. To break free, the short ninja ruler of the Koga region had to stomp his shoulders while cursing. Instantly the blood was smooth again. 

    He pulled back his sword. He floated closer to his friend while cursing. That man’s face turned red.

    Bokku Shigen still smiled. “I'm not this foreign teacher. I just want to soften his heart with Zen and Waka. There's nothing to worry about,” hissed Shigen seriously.

    "Nonetheless. He's a foreigner who doesn't want to reveal the secret of attacking the demon army to our country!” shouted Moroshige who was still curious that his attack could easily be broken.

    How quickly did the news about my stubbornness spread? The two ninja rulers of Iga and Koga had already known that I won’t collaborate in defending this country by leaking the plan of attack.

    "We're getting old. It would be great for us to be more patient and not rush into making decisions," said Shigen.

    "Lots of old farts!" shouted Masashige, the ninja ruler of the Koga region. "We duel to the death!"

    The two long sturdy legs opened wide. Right hand extended in front of chest forming claws.

    The Zen master didn't respond. He stroked the stick's fur. "I do not want to serve you. I'm too old to play like a child. However, if you are still curious, I have a better suggestion."

    Masashige and Moroshige were stunned. The spicy words that came out of Bokku Shigen's mouth smacked his consciousness. Moroshige sulked. He looked ashamed that his challenge was ignored. This Zen priest was not an easy opponent. Even if they gang up on him, it is not easy for them to come out as winners.

    "What do you suggest?" asked Moroshige.

"But, even though we accept your proposal, don't expect me to give up my intention of killing this foreign youth," Masashige said before Bokku Shigen answered.

    "This foreign youth has a name. His name is Genta. It's up to you if you want to kill him."

    Shigen's last sentence made cold sweat run down my body. Since deciding to help a woman I don't know, I've twice escaped death. Will this time I managed to escape again from the two rulers of the Ninja region? A pair of old ninjas looked at me with bloodthirsty eyes. Before they moved to attack, Bokku Shigen opened his mouth. He gave a loud snort to see the two old men in front of him desperate to kill me.

    “Shameless old men! The two of you will attack the unarmed youth? Of course, if it's like that I won't be quiet!” snorted Bokku Shigen.

    “You, wishy-washy old man! You said we could kill this young man. Your sentence hasn't warmed yet, you've changed to forbid it," snapped Masashige.

    "Who forbids it? I'm just saying I won't be quiet! I will talk to all samurai clans, to all nobles, even if necessary to Shikken Hojo Tokimune, if the lords of Koga and Iga are two cowardly old men.”

    Moroshige slammed his two feet onto the ground. He sulked like a child not getting the reward his parents had promised.

    "Crazy old fart! You know we will be humiliated and our secrets are known to many people!” he shouted irritably.

    Bokku Shigen laughed out loud. I rarely saw this zen priest laughed out loud.

    "Let's make it like this. I will not speak to the public, and you can kill this young man."

    Masashige and Moroshige are interested to hear the continuation of Shigen's sentence.

    "But…."

    “Hurry up and say it! Since earlier your sentence was just circling! Pissed us off. Huh!" shouted Moroshige. If only there weren't me, maybe the old ninja would cry out loud as he threw down his sword in annoyance.

    "As long as you can kill him in thirty breaths," said Bokku Shigen at last.

    The two ninja leaders laughed. "Agree!" said Moroshige and Masashige together.

    To save time, the two ninja rulers got ready. The spring in the middle of the forest had not yet ended, but a cold sweat ran down my back. I don't know what I can do. I believed the martial arts of these two ninja masters were great. Their movements and swordsmanship were deadly. Thirty breaths were not a short time. I was lucky to survive just five breaths. There was no time to argue. I have thirty breaths to keep my life.

    Without any hesitation, the ninja rulers of Koga and Iga drew their swords. Both of their hands gripped the hilt of the sword tightly. Masashige pointed his sword at my chest, while Moroshige pointed it at my neck. Their right leg bent forward, left leg straight back, preparing to take the stance of attack. Their attack would be very fast and deadly.

    "Wait, wait a minute!" snapped Bokku Shigen.

    "What else ?!" shouted the ninja Koga, exasperated.

    "What if you can't kill this young man within the agreed time?"

    The two ninjas exchanged glances, then burst out into contemptuous laughter. Their loud voices made the morning birds fly in fear, blaring around the forest until they were reflected again from the trees that witnessed the unbalanced battle.

    "What do you want? Mention! " Masashige's tone is full of optimism.

    "Yes! If you ask us to kill ourselves, we will do it too. Hahaha." Once again, morning broke by Moroshige's loud voice.

    Bokku Shigen smiled triumphantly.

    "I don't need your old life, Moroshige," he scoffed. He added, “If this young man is still alive within thirty breaths, you two must teach him your swordsmanship! I want the Koga-Ryu and Iga-Ryu sword styles to be learned by foreigners. "

    Two old ninjas fall into a trap. No more retreating. The promise had been made. 

    “Huh! Don't get your hopes up. Moreover, teaching it to foreigners? You're like dreaming in broad daylight, old priest. We will kill him without ever tasting our ancestors' swordsmanship!” replied Moroshige, not wanting to lose.

    "Prove it!"

    Bokku Shigen approached me. He patted my shoulder lightly. “Now then, your destiny has been decided. Will your blood soaks the land of this country, or will you come out of this forest as a warrior? Get ready, young man. Remember my words. Your greatest strength is your two legs.”

    Before I could digest Shigen's advice, the two old ninjas moved simultaneously attacking. Moroshige stabbed to the chest, Masashige cut to the neck. I had no weapon to deflect. The sword Goro gave me was out of shape after two months as a tool for cutting wood. Also, at this time, that sword was in the hut. Running for it wasn't enough steps to dodge the two striking swords. The only way is according to Bokku Shigen's instructions; to escape!

    Both my feet hit the ground. Without the ballast on both legs, my body flew lightly, away from the two swords attacks, perched on a nearby tree branch. My attacker was shocked. My movements were like a crow moving around, making a deadly attack meet an empty spot. Without any more hesitation, Moroshige and Masashige surged with the next deadly move.

    "Two!"

    "Three!"

    Bokku Shigen's count was heard in my ear. His tone was split in two. One direction stomped my ears to focus like the meditation that had been taught, one direction beat the movements of the two ninjas. The exertion as a result of decades of meditation practice allows all the organs of the body to become weapons. The ether wandering in the wild will transfer all movement to the desire of its owner.

    My hand grabbed the branch, my right foot pressed against the tree trunk, my body bounced like a ball. Turning around briefly avoiding the two approaching swords, a moment later bounced upwards. My left foot had not yet stepped on the twig, the rustle of sharp objects followed, leading to the important organs in my body. My heart, kidneys, neck, head were targeted.

    This time my right foot stomped on a small branch. The weight of my body that was transferred to the trampled branch made my body bounce again. Ten metals of various shapes rippled past a few inches, crashing into the tree trunk, parts of which broke small branches. There is no mercy for a stranger like me. Not only swords, but ninja's typical secret also weapons began to scatter. Upset mixed with anger sounded along with cursing.

    I did not know how many breaths I have taken. I could not count anymore. All my five senses concentrated at one point; safety. Not yet aware of the shurikens attacked, the sword attacked came rolling. The wave of attack caused sunlight that pierced through the thick leaves to reflect through the sharp metals that moved in succession. 

    The attacks were like waves crashing on Ohama beach, hitting all over the place. The swish of attacks took turns roaring deafening, scattering non-stop. Stabs and slashes accompanied by the rustle of shurikens rushing from all sides.

    I did not know how many breaths I have taken. I could not count anymore. All my five senses concentrated at one point; safety. Not yet aware of the shurikens attack, the sword attacks came rolling. The wave of attack caused sunlight that pierced through the thick leaves to reflect through the sharp metals that moved in succession. 

    The attacks were like waves crashing on Ohama beach, rippling, hitting all over the place. The swish of attacks took turns roaring deafening, scattering non-stop. Stabs and slashes accompanied by the rustle of shurikens rushing from all sides.

    I bounced, jumped into a tree, fell, got up again, jumped again. There was nothing I could do but avoided it. Fighting with my ability will be futile. It occurred to me to compete with my strength, but I immediately gave up. Fighting the power of the two ninja swordsmen was like banging a tree trunk against an iron door.

    My breath was getting faster. Soon my strength would be released. Thirty breaths were too long. Without help, I'm sure their swords and shurikens would tangle my flesh.