Chapter 16Hiroshi didn’t make it to the dojo until the final round of practice. Everyone was in full sweat, leaping at each other with practice swords, the hall reverberating with whacks and shouts and the squeak of bare feet finding footing. Unlike the meeting with the Ministry of Finance, you could hear and see the hits here.
Hiroshi found a spot at the edge of the auditorium and took off his work clothes down to his underclothes, pulled on the thick, indigo-blue keigoki top and hakama bottom, and tied everything in place. The sensei waved him over.
Hiroshi bowed to the sensei and to his new opponent. Hiroshi remembered him as someone whose small size belied the force and speed of his blows. Hiroshi’s power came from being taller, but the best kendoka drew on inner force more than size
