April 13, 1990.
It has been raining nonstop for a week. The slopes of the mountain had become muddy and dangerous. As a result, many of the villagers living at the foot of the mountain had been advised against climbing the mountain. An advice that all but one man heeded. Not too long ago, a stranger arrived at the village. A foreigner, from America. No one knew what this young man's business was, but whatever it was, it was definitely secretive for he was rarely seen in broad daylight.
Dressed in an all black ninja garb, he scaled the mountain side. He pulled himself up little by little, as the lightning flashed behind him. He dared not back or down, but he kept his eyes upward towards the top. His hands were sore and red with blood. The rain and his own tears assaulted his eyes. With just one more effort, he pulled himself up the edge and into the Cliffside. At that point, the way was clear. Sprinting quickly, he made a run for it. Nothing was going to slow him down now. At the very top of the slope, there was an old monastery. It looked far older than any edifice he had ever seen. The door was probably old and weak as well, he thought. The large door fell with a loud thud as he kicked it open. As he entered the monastery, he removed his mask. He was just a young man, no older than eighteen. His face was filthy and bloody, no doubt he had been cruelly tested in the past.
"He is here at last." A loud booming voice suddenly said. "Welcome home, Bruce."
At once, the torches hanging from the columns were lit. All of them at once, as if some supernatural force was behind them. Bruce Wayne remained cautious; his mind far from easy. He surveyed his surroundings, but there was nothing. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He could hear footsteps. Many of them, all going in different directions as if trying to confuse him, but one of them was unmistakably moving towards him.
He opened his eyes and leaped backwards. A ninja had launched himself from the shadows, intent on Bruce's destruction. The two fought, trading punches and kicks. The ninja was fast and deceptive, but Bruce immediately saw an opening at his sides. Aiming a powerful kick, the ninja grunted, and Bruce was able to take him down with a judo throw.
"Impressive. Now let's see how you fare against three more!" The loud voice echoed throughout the hall.
Three ninjas emerged from the shadows to challenge him. Bruce stood firm and analyzed his opponents. All three of them were staring at him; waiting on him. The slightest movement on his part resulted in movement from their's. They were stalking him. He advanced towards the one in the middle, but the ninjas used their quickness to their advantage and avoided Bruce's attacks. That was the pattern for most of the fight. Bruce was in excellent shape, having spent months learning several fighting styles and meditating, but he was far too slow in comparison to the ninjas. Every time he threw a punch or a kick, they would avoid it, sometimes narrowly. Occasionally, the blow would connect, but it would be blocked, and thus did no damage. As the fight raged on, Bruce grew impatient. It was time to change tactics.
He knelt down and stopped fighting. He began exhaling rapidly; feigning exhaustion. As expected, one of the ninja's leaped into the air and landed nimbly behind him. The moment the ninja's feet touched the ground, Bruce connected with a sweeping kick. The other two leaped forward and unleashed a full barrage of offense. Bruce no longer needed to feign exhaustion, this time it was for real. He traded blows with both ninjas, but their attacks soon took its toll. He had taken several punches to the face and torso, as well as several kicks to the midsection and the neck area. He was bruised all over. He crouched down and let out a loud roar. To his surprise, an unseen number of ninjas watching from the shadows roared back. Bruce got up and threw several punches at his assailants, all of them dodged effortlessly and countered. Bruce felt himself weaken considerably. He was spent.
As he fell backwards, a gong was sounded. The ninjas halted the attack and knelt respectfully towards the old man approaching them. He was dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono. He was small in stature and build but there was an unmistakable aura of power about him. With a small gesture, the ninjas fled back into the shadow. The old man knelt down beside Bruce and cradled his head. And then he spat at his face.
Bruce stirred a bit. "What was that for?!"
"To revive you, young one." The old man replied.
Bruce grunted and tried to get up. He let out an agonized moan. These training sessions were not getting easier.
"You failed again, just like last time." The old man said, "I told you to be patient; you are not ready for the next step."
"Sifu Shiunsai, I am ready. I am just tired from my travels. Please, teach me the next set." Bruce argued.
"No!" Shiunsai bellowed. "Impatient as always and reckless as well! I told you when I took you in that this training will be harsh and unforgiving. If I let you advance way before you're natural time, I have no doubt you'll end up dead within a week."
Bruce said nothing. Instead, he turned his back and limped towards a pillar, where he sat and rested. Sifu Shiunsai shook his head and followed his pupil. He squatted down and placed his hand on Bruce's shoulder.
"Bruce," He said in a softer voice, "You must understand that I mean well. You are indeed a gifted warrior. Your physique is perfect, as well as your mind. Nature has blessed you greatly young one, but you lack the maturity to see the road ahead."
"I know, Sifu. Forgive me."
Sifu Shiunsai laughed heartily. "Besides, why should a rich American such as yourself choose to live such a lifestyle?"
"Well, why does a Chinese businessman such as yourself choose to be a vigilante in Japan?" Bruce countered in good humor.
The two of them laughed at themselves for a while. Two ninjas approached them and respectfully bowed before them. They knelt down and placed a first aid kit and a basket of fruits at their feet before leaving. Shiunsai got up and pushed the items towards Bruce.
"You might not be ready for the next step, but you are ready to put what you've learned into practice. In three days time, we shall go to Tokyo, you and I. I have unfinished business with the Yakuza, and I think I shall need your assistance."
"Really? Well I look forward to it," Bruce said as he took a big bite out of an apple, "Oh and by the way, can you give me a hint as to what's next in my training?"
Shiunsai laughed. "Our next lesson would be on how to disappear out of sight when in the middle of a conversation."
It was now Bruce's turn to laugh. "Yeah, that'll come in handy. Especially if you're in some boring business meeting and --"
Shiunsai was gone. Everyone, as it seems, had left the building without warning. Feeling a bit foolish, he finished his food and dragged himself outside. The rain had stopped. Looking down, he saw that Shiunsai had left him plane tickets by the door. So that was his next destination, he thought. Within three days time. Tokyo, Japan.