AN: I was just bored. You know the rest.
Against the Winds of Change
Mitsurugi focused as he practiced his forms. He focused on his blade, finding the already memorized balance and center of gravity.
The Mercenary in a Wartime Age was experiencing a long forgotten emotion that he had once thought buried in Bizen along with his farm equipment. Fear. What awaited him today was an enemy unlike any he had faced. Mere peasants had defeated Takeda cavalry, the most feared in all of Japan. If such unskilled scum could beat such mighty warriors it may well be the end of Mistsurugi's career. Why pay for a mercenary when any drunken idiot with half a wit could gun him down?
It was despicable, a man like Mitsurugi who had trained long and hard to discipline himself would be replaced by these "muskets".
Well, Mitsurugi was going to prove today that skill, practice and discipline could beat any trinket. In an exhibition fight in front of some of Japan's most powerful lords Mitsurugi would engage these dogs and secure his future and way of life.
He turned and walked towards the field. The anxiety before a fight sinking ever deeper into his stomach. He confidently strode onto the field, hiding his unease with the practiced skill from of convincing employers and "comrades" that he had no fear of death.
Across from him were three musketeers who had their weapons ready and were standing at attention. The had the look of skillful fighters and competent army men. Not ideal opponents.
By all accounts it was a beautiful day, with sunshine and only mild clouds lazily drifting across a clear blue sky. A lovely day for a battle.
"Prepare for battle!" cried a servant to the side of the grassy field where Mitsurugi would either prove his worth or die. All about the sides lords and their men (Mitsurugi could not see a sole lady) discussed the day's event and placed wager on Mitsurugi's fate.
"Fight!" came the cry.
The three musketeers fired.
A deafening roar.
Mitsurugi had dodged left and evaded the balls.
Now Mitsurugi charged, all the fury he could muster behind him shouting "DIE!"
The musket men reloaded, a second volley.
"BANG!" came the roar.
Mitsurugi had dodged right, and the onlookers gaped in awe as he continued his charge.
Mitsurugi smiled a tight smile. He was going to make it and prove himself! He was going to win!
Mitsurugi was almost on the gunmen now! They would be caught reloading!
"BANG!!" another roar.
Mitsurugi's world exploded. Pain in his side! His vision blurred and he fell back unconscious.
***
Mitsurugi awakened. The light burned his eyes, and his side throbbed.
"W-w-what happened," asked a shaken Mitsurugi.
"One of the men reloaded to fast, its not as bad as it could have been. You almost had them," replied a voice.
"I'll need a better sword," said Mitsurugi.
"I don't think any sword could have saved you."
"One could have. Have you ever heard of the Sword of Vengeance: Soul Edge?"