Chirping birds filled the blue sky as they went about their day. It was morning in Kurai (Dark) village–the Shadow region capital, and golden sun rays pierced through a thatched wooden shrine.
Inside the temple, a man with black dreadlocks sat in the lotus position. He faced the wall with his chestnut skin and well-sculpted back on full display.
"Good morning, Your Eminence…" An old-looking man with scruffy greys entered the shrine. He had dark eyes, a short moustache and wrinkled, light skin. Embroidered behind his black kimono was a white triquetra–the Kageyama sigil. "You had called for me?"
"Indeed. The time has arrived to reclaim a debt owed." The monk spoke in a calm and collected baritone voice. "A week from now, head to Kaen (Flame) and assassinate the royal family, save for the daimyo's (feudal lord) heir. When you are done, return with him unscathed. Understood?"
The old man nodded. "Understood."
"By the way, he has violet hair and his name is…"
☯
Oh, so that's what it looks like! A purple-haired teen in a blue jinbei lay barefoot atop a timber truss. He had brown eyes, warm tan skin, and a lean build. At that moment, he peered at the onsen(bathhouse) below. Two women giggled as they bathed each other. Suddenly, the boy's nose twitched and blood trickled from one nostril. "Ah, ah… aaachoooo!" He sneezed, losing his balance and landing in the water with a tremendous splash.
Shrieks echoed as the infamous brat dashed out of the onsen on another escapade. Kazuo raced through white corridors and bumped into someone.
"Where are you rushing to in such a hurry, young Lord?" asked the middle-aged samurai. He had a receding man bun that connected to a stubble beard. Red steel armour with orange linings covered his olive skin and strong build. He wore a pair of waraji (straw sandals) and had the character: 将 (General) painted on his chest. Sheathed on his waist were two swords–a longer katana and a shorter wakizashi.
"R–Rohan-sensei."
Before Kazuo could explain, a woman in a drenched yukata bathrobe ran towards them. "Pervert!" she screamed, short of breath.
Rohan knocked Kazuo with a light knuckle and turned to the woman. "My apologies, young Lady..." he said, grasping Kazuo's arm. "The boy will be dealt with accordingly."
"Hmph!" The lady turned away and left in a rush.
"You have some explaining to do," said Rohan, dragging Kazuo through the corridors.
Kazuo tried breaking free. "H–Hey, Rohan-sensei. Let me explain. Why don't we talk this out like men?"
"Tell that to Kazuma-sama and Natsuhi-sama."
Shit! Kazuo frowned. Not this again.
☯
Moments later, Rohan and Kazuo entered a massive chamber, and one guard announced their arrival.
Seated on the throne was Lord Kazuma, a dark-haired man in his thirties with reading glasses. He wore a black kimono, a white hakama and an orange haori reserved for the Fire daimyo.
Lady Natsuhi sat next to the daimyo's throne. Her stunning beauty radiated throughout the entire room. She was in her early thirties and dressed in a pink floral kimono with a golden obi. She had long hair laid into two buns and bangs covered her forehead.
After hearing what happened, there was silence.
Natsuhi spoke first. "Inazuma Kazuo! You've embarrassed this family yet again! How many times shall we have this conversation?" She raised a hand.
Kazuo noticed his mother looking at him with a piercing gaze. Full name? Now she's really angry...
"Last time, Hayashi-san nearly died, and now this!"
Kazuma joined in. "You are almost sixteen!" he said, glaring at Kazuo. "But are a disgrace to the Kasai and Inazuma names. Look at Kenzo-kun, a year younger than you but is well-mannered."
"Don't preach to me, old man, you're never there!"
"You insolent brat!" Kazuma hit his seat with a clenched fist. "I am the daimyo, not your babysitter!"
"Language, dear," said Natsuhi, placing her hand over Kazuma's. "Our son needs a different kind of discipline. Preferably outside Kaen. Somewhere he can learn how to treat others with respect."
"When I was his age, my father–the Lord Sage resided at Kaminari (Lightning) for most of the time. Growing up, Keiji-san and I did not act out like him." Kazuma took a deep breath and paused before facing Kazuo. "I have had it with your shenanigans!"
"Let us send him to my father in Toyama."
"Hmm..." Kazuo thought, holding his chin. "I do not wish to trouble Ryu-sama on his retirement."
"What about Kazutaka-sama's school?"
Kazuma paused, pondering the idea. "Ah, yes..." he said, snapping his fingers. "That is perfect!"
"Wait a minute," said Kazuo, eyebrows furrowed. He clenched his jaw, turning sideways. "Don't I get a say in any of this? I'm still the prince after all..."
"NO!" said Kazuma sternly. "You leave tomorrow."
Kazuo broke into tears. "I wish I never see you guys ever again!" he said, running off to his room.
Time flew by and soon enough the next day arrived. Kazuo woke up exhausted, having barely slept. The thought of going to Kaminari village clouded his mind. That morning, he prepared his bath and breakfast for the first time.
Afterwards, he went to his room and got dressed. He wore a white haori vest with black tobi(trousers). Before heading to the throne room, he packed a few clothes in a satchel. Almost every palace resident was present, including the advisory council and a few nobles.
When he entered the room, Kazuo glanced past the five royals in the centre. Standing beside the thrones were his uncle, aunt and cousin, dressed in green kimonos.
Keiji, though younger, looked taller than Kazuma. He had a short moustache and a wavy mane that went up to his shoulders. His wife, Kaori–a petite woman in her late twenties, with long brown hair.
Kenzo was the spitting image of his parents. When his eyes locked with Kazuo's briefly, he shed a tear.
"Inazuma Kazuo..." Kazuma's voice echoed. "I hereby exile you from Kaen! Only to return once you have proven your worth as a member of this family."
Kazuo returned his father's glare before Rohan escorted him out. He recalled their argument from the day before. I wish I never see you again!
☯
"You know you had this coming, young Lord," said Rohan as they sauntered the village streets.
Kazuo did not respond. On the way, everyone stared at him. Knowing how fast news travelled in Kaen, even the peasants had heard of his banishment.
They arrived at the main entrance, and once outside, Rohan said, "I will take you halfway."
"I've never walked to Kaminari before…"
"Well, there is a first time for everything…" Rohan stared into the distance. "The journey is long and littered with rōnin (masterless samurai) and bandits."
"What about the other half?"
"Once we reach the Lightning region, it will be safer. There is a shinobi awaiting your arrival."
As Kaen faded from view, they reminisced about Kazuo's training. "You know the basics, but are yet to experience actual combat, young Lord..."
Suddenly, five brigands jumped out from the surrounding underbrush. "Where do you think you're going?" said the spiky-haired leader of the group. He looked gangly and chewed on a blade of grass.
"You will let us pass," said Rohan, taking a defensive stance in front of Kazuo. He hovered a hand above his katana, sizing the enemy.
"Hahaha… what can one samurai do against five of us?" asked another bandit, bald and stout.
As they encircled Rohan and Kazuo, each brigand pulled out a weapon. A kunai dagger soared toward the samurai. Such poor aim. He dodged the kunai with ease. "You're not worthy of my blades." He advanced and punched the thrower's cheek. Without stopping, he kneed the chubby one's gut and followed with a blow to the face.
While Rohan fought two bandits, he noticed another jump behind Kazuo. "Young Lord!" he said, knocking out one opponent with an uppercut.
Kazuo drew a kunai but got pinned down with ease.
"Stop, samurai!" The third bandit was more muscular than his counterparts. "I got your boy now."
"Leave him alone!" said Rohan, unsheathing his wakizashi from its saya (scabbard). "And face me!"
"He a noble, ain't he? So, you'll give us all the money you g–." The bandit fell with the samurai's blade stuck between his eyes.
Kazuo trembled as he stared at the dead man, wide-eyed. His heart beat as though it would explode. After tasting a sourness in his mouth, he vomited onto the corpse.
The last bandit clenched his jaw, glaring at Rohan with red eyes. "NOOO!" He drew a katana and held it with both hands. "You'll pay for this!"
Bloodlust? Rohan unsheathed his katana.
The intensity of the fight had increased. Sounds of steel clanks filled the normally quiet forest as the two swordsmen clashed in a fight to the death! They carried on for a while, with the two warriors having inflicted minor cuts on each other.
"You fought with honour," said Rohan, noticing the other bandits regaining consciousness. He took a stance and sliced through the bandit's torso. Hayagiri (Swift cut)!
Two brigands were dead, and the last three glanced at each other with pale and sweaty faces. "Scatter!" said the leader, and they scurried off into the bushes.
"My apologies for having to witness all of that, young Lord." Rohan had sustained minimal injuries during the scuffle. He wiped the blood off the blade with a cloth and sheathed it. "Let's go."
"T–That was insane, Rohan-sensei! I'm sorry I didn't see the bandit behind me."
"It is all right, young Lord. There is no need to apologise. I am glad you heeded my warning and reacted with the kunai." Rohan patted Kazuo on the shoulder.
They walked through a dense forest filled with tall, green cedar trees. After a while, they halted when the dirt road split into two.
"We have travelled half the journey..." Rohan pointed to one route. "Kaminari is another ten kilometres onwards. So, this is where I'll leave you."
"Can't you go with me until we reach the village?" asked Kazuo, tears almost falling from his eyes.
"Don't cry, young Lord. We are in the Lightning region, which is heavily guarded. This part is safer than where we are from. And if anything happens, use what I taught you." Rohan scuffled Kazuo's hair before waving at him. "Farewell, Kazuo-sama."
"Goodbye, Rohan-sensei." Kazuo waved back. He continued alone and stopped for a quick break. At that point, the distance became noticeable. After resting for a few minutes, he resumed the trek.
As he walked, thoughts of what had happened the previous day filled his mind. "I can't believe those guys… sending me to a ninja school."
A rustling came from the nearby bushes.
Kazuo drew a shuriken, startled. What was that?
A masked ninja with a white, spiky ponytail leapt from a tree. The man had light skin, a muscular build and could have been in his mid-twenties. He wore a white vest, reinforced with steel padding and engraved on it was the character: 雷 (Lightning). Sheathed at his waist was a katana with a white saya. "Stop right there…"