A good hour and a half after that clusterfuck and a dozen trips to the infirmary that I brought the students to.
I’m The Devil, not a dick.
Well, at least not this time.
It was about time for the same group of students to meet Miyamoto.
Whoosh.
A mix of wind and a faint taint of metal filled the sound of a blade cutting through the air, and a breeze flowed through the courtyard.
Causing sakura petals to fall upon the ground from a cherry blossom that stood in front of Miyamoto.
(Now I shall leave it to Miyamoto for the rest.)
My blade cut through the air, following the cool breeze.
Cutting apart each sakura that tried to touch the soil.
Measuring each breath from each swing while I stood upon the gravel that encircled the blossom.
Creak.
The heavy wooden doors that stood behind me became unsealed.
Sheathing my blade, I turned around.
Viewing a group of students entering.
All of them looked bruised and beaten down.
Mere dead men walking.
Good gods, V.
“Obtain a bokken from the bin that could be found on the right wall, then attain a Seiza posture, and state your name.”
There were tatami mats laid on the ground, so the students wouldn’t scratch up their legs
Each student required a bokken and kneeled upon the ground
Two men spoke up.
“Hirano Yuto.
I hope I won’t disappoint.”
“Tetsu Takeshi.
If I have to become the blade itself to become stronger… Then I’ll do it.”
It seems that V has lit a flame beneath this Tetsu.
“Kojima Yuki… I want to become better… be able to defeat Mr. V!”
It's not fucking, Mr.!
“Kaminoto Kaminari. I’ll promise I’ll get that rotten beast next time.”
Only you V, could fill someone with so much anger.
“Mori Rayden.
I will become water.”
“Agawa Kazane, shit, I don’t really have anything.”
“Kiroku Yui. I’d much rather have a book than a blade.”
“Ishikawa Rokurō.
My only hope is not to get my ass kicked.”
“Kōzui Mitsuki.
We're actually learning something important.”
“Daisuki Aiko.
This is going to be great.”
“Tokei Yasu.
The cool breeze feels nice.”
“Mizuki Aoto.”
“Okay students, this class will be training you in the discipline of swordsmanship. Through a Rōnin, one who has fought and killed within multiple conflicts.”
“Miyamoto Sensei,” said Kojima Yuki.
“Please call me Musashi Sensei.”
“Okay, Sensei. I have a question for you.”
I placed my arms within my kimono due to my wound acting up, and trying to find a way to end the irritation.
“Which is?”
“Did you instruct Mr. V?”
I moved my right hand to my chin to scratch an itch.
“Mm, I did teach V to a slim extent. V wears a katana and wakizashi. Those were once owned by I.”
“Sensei.”
“Yes, Mori.”
“V has many… how do you say this… intriguing beliefs. My question is, did you play a part in teaching those?”
“No, no, he always created his own beliefs, and they… are always in constant movement, changing at a drop of rain.
He's a being… Who holds a belief in truly nothing…
But also everything with the utmost respect…
The only truth I know that has never changed, while knowing V, is his strong belief in freedom and his emphasis upon battling for it.
No matter the personal cost.
…Last question about V.
The first day of this class will be dueling.
The regulation for becoming triumphant will be the disarmament or connection with a vital place upon another body.
With all of this being said, I will now pair each of you for the first round of dueling.
Hirano Yuto and Kiroku Yui.”
“Let’s try our best, Yui.”
“Sure thing, Hirano.”
“Tetsu Takeshi and Ishikawa Rokurō.”
“Ishikawa I will try my best to do everything but kill you.”
“Shiiit,” Ishikawa replied.
“Kojima Yuki and Kōzui Mitsuki.”
“Okay, Kōzui, let’s treat this like reality.”
“I’ll be as brutal as V, Kojima.”
“Kaminoto Kaminari and Mizuki Aoto.”
“This won’t even take a second,” Kaminoto said
“Didn’t you say the same thing to V, Lightning?” Aoto replied.
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“Mori Rayden and Daisuki Aiko.”
“Don’t you dare hold back, Akio, because I won’t.”
“Okay, Rayden, let’s have fun doing it.”
“Agawa Kazane and Tokei Yasu.”
“Let’s stay away from the face, Tokei,” said Agawa.
“The only thing we must do is let our blades follow their own paths, Agawa,” Tokei responded.
“I think you need to see the nurse again,” Agawa said.
“Hirano Yuto and Kiroku Yui, you two were the first to be chosen, so you will be given the first duel.”
“Sure thing, Sensei,” both students replied.
“You both will stand in front of the cherry blossom, ten paces away, and will commence battle at the count of ten.”
Hirano stood to the right.
Kiroku stood to the left.
“覚悟! (Kakugo!)”
1
Hirano took the Ko Gasumi stance.
2
Kiroku took the Waki-Tori stance. Rather odd, considering both students are using the same weapons, but it is rather intriguing.
3
The most important part of a duel is speed and power.
4
Now, of course, due to the non-lethality of the duel, the two can be much more liberal in movement.
5
However, this could cause my teaching to fail due to the belief in a simplified way of combat with the slim amounts of danger that these duels truly have.
6
Was this what V held within his mind when he “taught,” revealing the brutishness of men to these children… showing what man truly is?
7
Is this what V thinks about…
The man of death, thinking about the death of men?
8
I mustn't lose myself in thought during these battles because these duels will speak much louder than any words.
9
Let this duel commence.
10
“覚悟! (Kakugo!)”
“I’m going full force, Kiroku.”
“Eek!”
Hirano jolted forward.
Kiroku tried to defend against Hirano, but Hirano's blows were too strong.
Kiroku's bokken flew backwards, and Hirano's bokken was aimed at her neck.
“Kiroku lost.
Hirano wins.”
“It was great to be able to test my ability, Yui.”
“I just wish it took a few more seconds to beat me.”
“Don’t give up, Yui; keep trying.
I’m sure you'll be able to beat me one day.”
Hirano had reached out his hand to Kiroku, and she replied with hers.
“Okay, Agawa Kazane and Tokei Yasu, you’re up.”
“Yes, sir,” Tokei said
“Aye aye,” Agawa answered.
The two took their positions.
Tokei left.
Agawa right.
A breeze passed through, blowing at each of the boys' clothes.
“覚悟! (Kakugo!)”
Agawa took the Chudan No Kamae stance.
Tokei took the Shin No Kamae stance.
I counted to ten.
“Tokei, were you really serious about letting the blades talk?” Agawa asked.
“Yes, Agawa, for the blade is the only way a warrior can communicate.” Tokei answered.
“Sensei Musashi, I seriously believe that Tokei got his head smacked way too hard.”
開始! (Kaishi!)
“I guess we’re doing it this,” Agawa said.
Agawa bolted, keeping his bokken at the center of his mass, while Tokei stood still with his bokken held on his left arm and his right hand lying upon the handle.
Agawa took a swing at Tokei.
Bang.
Tokei used his blade to deflect Agawa's attack.
Agawa withdrew with a bit of a stumble.
“Never been good with the sword, Tokei.”
The only response given was the wind, and Tokei jumped towards Agawa.
“Ah!” Agawa yelled.
Catching Agawa off guard, Tokei was able to knock his bokken to the ground.
With that, Agawa threw his arms up.
“You win.
You win.
My lord.”
“Agawa lost.
Tokei wins.
Now Agawa, next time, be more flexible and pay greater attention to your surroundings.”
“Aye aye.”
“Tokei, you did well.”
“Thank you, Sensei.”
“Who shall be next?”
“Sensei, can Kōzui Mitsuki and I go next?”
“All right, Kojima.”
“Thank you, Sensei.”
This Kojima seems determined to learn the blade.
“覚悟! (Kakugo!)”
The two ready themselves.
Kojima took the right.
Kōzui was on the left.
Kojima took the Sha No Kamae stance.
Kōzui took the Jodan No Kamae stance.
6
“Well, Miss Perfect, are you ready for a fight?”
7
“Yes, Kōzui.”
8
“Snappy, aren’t you?”
9
“開始! (Kaishi!)”
The two throw theirselfs at each other.
Clang.
Both of their bokken bashed against each other like wolves pouncing at each other for the last piece of meat.
“I want to get better.
I have to get better.”
“Then do it, Yuki!”
Slash.
Blow after blow, the two traded, keeping each other in check.
A cloud of dust was kicked up between the two.
Thud.
The cloud of dust started to dissipate.
“Well, I gotta say, Yuki, you did pretty well.”
With that, an outline started to form.
Kōzui had a bokken aimed right at her neck, and her bokken lay upon the ground.
Kojima won.
Kōzui lost.
“Damn, that was fun; let’s do it again sometime.”
“Sure, Kōzui, having someone to train with will definitely help.”
They've all been rather good to each other after each battle.
Interesting.
“Okay, Mori Rayden and Daisuki Aiko next.”
Rayden… V brought him up earlier.
Said this boy was the last one standing.
V also said the boy had challenged him to a duel.
“Let’s do our best, Mori.”
“Let’s do better than our best.”
“覚悟! (Kakugo!)”
Mori took the left side, taking the Te Ura Gasumi stance.
Daisuki took the right side, taking the Hidari Gedan no Kamae stance
開始! (Kaishi!)
“V said to be like water, but how?”
“I’m ready when you are, Rayden.”
“Sure.”
Mori leaped towards Daisuki.
Daisuki stood firm.
Mori slashed.
Daisuki blocked.
Mori started to run around Daisuki.
Bang.
“Come on, Rayden, you got this.”
“Aiko, are you even trying?”
“Of course I am.”
Daisuki kept a defensive stance while Mori continued attacking.
“What V meant when saying be like water. Well, he said I was swinging too hard, being too unsteady.”
“Okay, Rayden. I’m attacking.”
“Ok, be like water. Be like water.”
Daisuki took a swing at Mori.
But Mori used the strength of Daisuki's attack against herself.
She was off balance and wide open, so Mori whacked her back.
“Well, you won, Rayden.
Congratulations.”
“Come on, Aiko, I can’t become better if you go easy on me.”
“He is correct if he is telling the truth, Aiko. Never pity an opponent or friend.”
“Yes, Sensei,” Daisuki Aiko said.
“Well, Mori still wins.”
Truly an odd duel.
“Ok, Tetsu Takeshi and Ishikawa Rokurō next.”
“Finally,” Takeshi said.
“Oh gods,” Ishikawa groaned out.
“覚悟! (Kakugo!)”
Takeshi took the left side and took the Jōdan-no-kamae stance.
Ishikawa took the right side and took the Chūdan-no-kamae stance.
“Takeshi, please, for the love of gods, go easy.”
“Sensei said not to hold back.”
“He said that to two childhood friends.”
“Rings as true here as well.”
“開始! (Kaishi!)”
Takeshi shot at Ishikawa like a cannonball.
“Oh, come on, man.”
Bang
Crash.
Ishikawa blocked two swings, but his defense was cracking as quick as it was placed.
“Takeshi… Why?”
“In that classroom brawl, my true abilities were revealed.
My weakness.”
Ishikawa was swerving around, only inches away from Takeshi's bokken each time.
“Takeshi,
I doubt,
this,
fight,
will bring you,
any,
greater,
abilities.”
“You may not, but those who are able to surpass this first round, will better me.”
“Why are you like this?”
Ishikawa was able to take a slash at Takeshi's bokken.
But Takeshi took the opportunity and knocked Ishikawa's bokken out of his hands.
“I guess we knew how this would end.”
“At least you tried, Ishikawa.”
The two of them shook each other's hands.
“I hope you’re able to become better, Takeshi.”
“You too, Ishikawa.”
“Ishikawa lost.
Takeshi wins.
Well, the last two in this round are Kaminoto Kaminari and Mizuki Aoto.”
“Mizuki Aoto, I will cut you down.”
“What, at the speed of lightning?”
“覚悟! (Kakugo!)”
Mizuki took the left and the Gedan-no-kamae stance.
Kaminoto took the right and the Seigan no Kamae stance.
開始! (Kaishi!)
Kaminoto jumped at Mizuki.
Mizuki deflected.
The two struck at each other with the strength of snake fangs.
“You answered my question about beating me at the speed of lightning.”
“I only said I’ll cut you down.”
“Wasn’t that the same confidante that caused V to defeat you.”
Bang.
“A blade as a response…
What’s, got your angry, Kaminoto?”
Clang.
Mizuki continued to reflect and returned attacks from Kaminoto.
Kaminoto's relentless act seemed to be breaking Mizuki.
Causing Mizuki to retreat.
The two were now a good distance away from each other.
And started to encircle each other.
“Why do you fight Kaminoto?”
“Why should I answer?”
“It seemed like everyone else had one; is yours just to kill the “beast”? Seriously, what did V do to cause your rage?”
“He brought dishonor to the name of this school.”
“Why do you care about the honor of a school?”
“Because… this isn’t a conversation; this is a duel.”
A duel is a conversation, Kaminoto Kaminari I had thought to myself.
“Fine, let's finish this,” Mizuki said.
The two girls planted their feet and stared each other down.
“Sensei, can you count us down from three?” Kaminoto asked.
“Sure.”
1
“You ready, Lightning?”
2
“Quite.”
3
The two hurl at each other.
Causing a good sum of dust to kick up once more, entrenching the two.
Bang!
A bokken flew out of the cloud of dust.
After a few seconds, the air cleared.
Revealing Mizuki with her bokken in her hands.
And Kaminoto kneeling upon the ground.
“Mizuki wins.
Kaminoto loses.”
I took a glance at the clock that was hung in the courtyard.
“It seems like we have run out of time for today. Next class, everyone who won their duel will be matched with another who won. Those who didn’t attain victory today will watch and take notes in the following duels. So be ready for a greater challenge.”
“Yeah, Sensei.” They all said.
My only hope was that these children had learned something today.
