Eternal Swordsman – Chapter 2: SWORDSMAN
The night hadn't ended yet. After the overwhelming events earlier, Hiruko stepped into the washroom, splashing cold water on his face. He placed the mysterious katana beside him, trying to make sense of what he had experienced. But when he finished, the katana had vanished. Eyes wide with shock, he searched frantically—nothing. Breathing hard, he muttered, "I have to patch myself up before Dad wakes up." He rushed to get bandages.
By morning, Hiruko headed to the kitchen for an apple. On the way back, he bumped into his father, Hide Kyotetsu—a stern-looking man of 39 with short black hair. "What happened to you?" his father asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You know what, Dad? The dojo was actually tough for once," Hiruko lied, smiling faintly.
Far away, inside the secretive Hitorika Headquarters, two figures conversed in shadows. One, only seen from behind, had long, straight black hair. "You should take him in as part of your Devision," he said.
"Yes, Head Master," the other replied, barely visible.
Later that day, Hiruko walked alone, thoughts racing. What was that energy? That feeling? He couldn't shake it. Then—a voice.
"Hey there, new swordsman."
He turned to see a tall, charming 16-year-old with long black hair, pale skin, and a mostly black gi with deep red highlights. On his back, it read DEVISION 7.
"Who are you?" Hiruko asked.
"HAYATE SENJU, swordsman of Hitorika. I sensed your karma energy. Let's test your strength."
"Karma energy? What's that supposed to mean?" Hiruko questioned, but curiosity got the best of him. He nodded.
"Let's go somewhere quiet," Hayate suggested.
When they arrived at a clearing, Hayate summoned his katana—a black-and-red blade pulsing with red karma energy.
"How did you do that?!" Hiruko asked in awe.
"Tense your muscles. Focus on one point. Feel the flow of your karma. Visualize the sword appearing."
Hiruko tried. A surge coursed through his hand. The katana manifested.
"Let's do this!" Hayate grinned.
He dashed forward. Hiruko barely blocked. Slashes flew, each more powerful than the last. Hiruko endured minor cuts, gritting his teeth.
"You're upsetting..." Hayate snarled. His blade began to glow fiercely with red karma.
"RAI—"
Before he could finish, a hand grabbed his wrist. "Enough, Hayate."
They turned. A man with long white straight hair, icy pale skin, and unusual white irises stood tall. His gi resembled Hayate's, but in light blue and black.
"Master HATAKE!" Hayate said in shock.
HATAKE Ryoten, age 34, looked at Hiruko. "Come. Let me teach you, swordsman."
Hiruko charged. HATAKE parried.
"Lesson one: Karma."
They clashed. As they battled, HATAKE spoke:
"Karma energy is a force within all swordsmen. It boosts healing, heightens senses, and, when mastered, allows impossible feats. You can walk on water, scale walls, even stand midair."
Hiruko swung. HATAKE dodged, then suddenly stood still—in the air.
"What…?"
"With mastery, this becomes easy. But now, let me show you real power."
His katana erupted in light blue energy.
"Don't worry—I won't kill you. I'll just show you what Hayate couldn't. RAIKEN!"
A violent burst of karma energy surged. The katana transformed into two long blades, light blue and silver.
"This is the outcome of mastering karma."
"Tch. That's not fair you have two swords and I have one" Hiruko said, charging.
His own blade glowing with red energy, he struck. HATAKE whispered, "Snow Art: Freezing Breeze."
An icy gust exploded, throwing Hiruko back. He fell unconscious.
He awoke at home, bandaged and confused. His dad stood over him.
"Someone dropped you off from the dojo. Said you passed out from intense training. They left a uniform."
The black and royal blue gi lay nearby, resembling the others he had seen.
"My wounds… they're healed?"
He stepped outside, still dazed. Master HATAKE stood waiting.
"Put on the uniform. We're heading to headquarters."
Hiruko did as told. On the back, in bold Japanese kanji: DEVISION 6.
The headquarters was a majestic fortress built around a towering Sakura tree. Two guards stood at the gate—both from DEVISION 3. Hito, a bald, dark-skinned young man with brown eyes and a gi in dual shades of black. Beside him, Chaz, blonde with sharp blue eyes, wearing a similar uniform.
They bowed. The gates opened.
Inside, Hiruko's eyes widened. The central Sakura tree stood surrounded by ancient architecture. A dozen warriors stood in formation—seven masters and their respective pas.
Master HATAKE began introductions:
DEVISION 1: Master HIMORU Hanera – Late 30s, calm, long faint royal blue hair, light blue eyes, wears a royal blue and black gi. His PA: Heruko Kibasu, 16, short brown hair, wide orange eyes, black-and-orange gi.
DEVISION 4: Master KANYKO Roiten – Rough demeanor, brown barbarian hair, yellow eyes, yellow and black gi. His PA: Nemu Ryoten, short faint bluish-white hair, all light blue eyes, black-and-light blue gi, HATAKE's nephew.
DEVISION 5: Master HEBURAI Momotski – Long dark brown hair, maroon eyes, mouth cloth looking mask, red-and-black gi. His PA: Amon Cotor, 19, rugged hair with chin beard, brown eyes, brown-and-black gi.
DEVISION 3: Master SHINJIYU Kyoraku – Short cyan hair, same uniform as Hito and Chaz. His PA: Oboroi Keeto, yellow shaggy hair over left eye, yellow eyes, black-and-yellow gi.
DEVISION 2: Lady RYUKA – Long grey hair, violet eyes, faint purple and black gi. Her PA: Hanabi Kyoto, 17, straight hair with a few plaited grey hair with bangs, green eyes, black-and-green gi.
DEVISION 7: Mikato SENJU – Long black hair with bangs, red eyes, red-and-black gi, Hayate's uncle, strongest among the masters.
Suddenly, another voice echoed powerfully through the courtyard, cutting through the silence like a blade.
"And I run this place."
All heads turned.
Standing tall at the center of the grand headquarters courtyard, framed by the swaying Sakura tree petals, was Head Master Ukoten Senju.
His appearance alone demanded respect: very long, straight black hair flowed down his back like obsidian silk, and a traditional black and royal blue samurai-style mask covered the lower half of his face, adding to his mysterious and imposing presence. His royal blue eyes glowed beneath his brows — eyes that seemed to pierce through one's soul. He wore the same gi-style uniform as the other Hitorika swordsmen, but his was tailored with bold royal blue and deep black tones, setting him apart as a figure of absolute authority.
Even without speaking, his presence overwhelmed the courtyard.
Hiruko could barely stand straight as he felt the sheer weight of Ukoten's aura. His body instinctively tensed — as though prey before a predator.
"I hope you will train with us, Hiruko," Ukoten said, his voice deep and commanding through the mask.
The air fell silent, save for the drifting blossoms of the Sakura tree.
TO BE CONTINUED
What is Karma Energy?
Karma Energy is a rare, internal life force unique to those chosen by the path of the blade. Unlike spiritual or magical energy, Karma is forged through personal conflict, intention, and the will to grow stronger. It allows the wielder to heal rapidly, summon weapons from pure thought, and achieve feats like walking on water or standing midair. When refined, it can evolve weapons into powerful alternate forms and unlock devastating techniques like Raiken. Each swordsman's karma manifests differently—through color, strength, and skill—representing their soul's true nature. Control over Karma is what separates a warrior from a swordsman… and a swordsman from a legend.