Author note: You may wonder why Torajirou behaviour is completely difference than Hikaru. My explanation is that I believe each life we live in we would be affect by our environment, circumstance that build our character. Although there are still some of the behaviours of our past lives would remain with us in.
For this chapter the incarnations during Edo era are the same, as the following characters in Hikaru no Go:
Obata sensei Mitani Yuki
Shoto sensei Kaga Tetsuo
Lord Asano Hikaru's grandfather
Yoshida Ryu Tsutsui Kimihiro
Hosenji Hoshin Shirakawa sensei
Ito Showa Yashiro Kiyoharu
History document state that Lord Asano is patron of Torajirou when he is renown as Prodigy Child (he was only six years old). He studies under Hosenji Hoshin, a player of professional level until November 1837. He also played a game with Ito Showa in January 1837, who one of the Four Tempo (strongest player in that time). Ito is impressed with Torajirou's ability.
Chapter 6: Prodigy ChildIt have been a week since I'm staying with Torajirou, we getting along fine but he is so quiet that I afraid going to be crazy. He studies hard and extremely very smart. His tutor, Obata sensei is not bad player but compare with my skill he had no chance at all. I cause him to bewilder after slaughter the game and he has not came back since two days now.
I sigh staring out the window and regret my action. I should have not done it but being able to play again after a thousand years I did not hold my strength back.
After I finished the game, I quickly darted my eyes over to Torajirou and find that he is smiling for some time. It is slowly changing to a smirk as his sensei look up at him.
"You're happy Torajirou?" I asked,
"Obata sensei looks funny with his eyes popping out like that." He said quietly and goes on,
"Our strength is equal. It must a great deal of alarm for him to react that way, being slaughter by you like that." Torajirou looks down at the game.
"You're strong Sai." He nodded examine the game again with great interest.
"Shall we go over it? Sai. Why did you move here?" he pointed at the stone far left corner.
"Sure Torajirou. I like to play Obata –san again." I said excitedly thinking of another game to be play,
"He'll not come back for a few days." Torajirou predicted and give his attention back to the game.
~~~~~~ A month later
Torajirou and I are at the festival fair in Onomichi town today. It was so crowd that we lost his parent sight. Even tall as I am, I could not make out where they are. Torajirou is more open up now then he first met me. He really a strange child and is far too old for his age.
I look down to see if he is all right and amaze that he does not care being lost at all. In fact he is too busy looks at the hand-made masks on the shelf near to them. Suddenly he moves over to other side where a small hut built for resting (one of those with a roof on four pillars). I tried to call out but notice that gobans are inside. Torajirou is stop at the stair and waited for me to come,
"Shall we go in?" he grinned with knowing smiles. I gulp and nodded.
We played many games and I won all of them. People started gather around and watched my matches. Many challenges were offered that overwhelm me. I has only played a few games with Obata –san and he often disappeared for a day or two. It quite depressing but the village is small and no one in the village knew how to play nor care or even have time.
I was come to a stop when Torajirou's mother touched his arm and said, "We were worried about you." She scolds at him "Let go home son." That was all she needs to say for Torajirou to stop and smile at his opponent to resign.
"Let the boy play." His father said surprisingly, my opponent look up and acknowledge Torajirou's father
"Good evening, Kuwahara san. Is this your son?" the man said,
"Yes, Torajirou said good evening to Tanaka san." He bade his son to greet the stranger,
After the introduction, Tanaka san smiles at the boy and said to his father,
"Your son is talent. He had managed to defeat most of us here. Kuwahara san. You must be please." The rest of the conversation is unheard as it was out of my hearing range when I follow Torajirou who walking off with his mother.
~~~~~~~~ 2 months later
I can able to played Go most of the time now, grinning and jumping around the room while Torajirou sat at the table reading. After that festival, Torajirou's father has allowed his son to go to Onomichi town at least three days a week, accompany by Obata sensei. I have played many matches with the other Go players since then.
The game was held at the same place where we had played at the festival. It was always crowd showing that the people love for the game. It has not change since my time. The community often stops to play when they are passing. The market is quite close that the street is always busy and noisy but it gives a friendly atmosphere.
Torajirou's father had purchased a Goban and stones when he last returns home. Torajirou's was happy as if he was happy because I am happy, he often looks at me lately as if to said something but cry off for some reason.
"Hey Torajirou, we going to Onomichi tomorrow right?" smile enthusiastic at the prospect of another challenge game. The Go game has been evolution since my time Hiena era that it really great to just learn a new moves.
Torajirou looks up and simply nodded. I really wished he would speak to me more because I could not tell what he is thinking. It really frustrated, while I am an open book to him, he is completely blank to me. He knows what I want before I even speak up and it rather unnerving.
The next morning we are off early to town, have a lift on a vegetable cart that traveling to town every morning. Obata sit besides trying to get Torajirou off his book but fail miserably. However, he manages to make me laugh even through only Torajirou heard me.
It was usual morning games I played well and happy of my streak of winning. A hand clasp on Torajirou's shoulder that both of us turned around to face the stranger. Torajirou face is blank with expression, although his eyebrow risen up as if command the stranger to take his hand off. I notice that Torajirou do not like to be touch, he always stay far away from other people contact as he could.
"So you the child everyone bragging about?" the man said, he have a messy hair that it seem he has not been brush it for months.
"Can I help you?" Torajirou voice is stiff, showing discomfort at the closeness. I notice whispered around me and manage to hear his name,
"Isn't that Shoto sensei? The best player on the island."
"The best player" I mutter and fill with the madness desire to challenge him, my hand pull around Torajirou neck and said,
"Let me play him, Torajirou." Torajirou turn away and looked defeated then said to the man who still not reply his question,
"Would you like a game, sir." He enquired politely,
The man nodded and said,
"If you beat me, I'll called you Prodigy Child from now on." He said smugly believe there is no way the little six years old kid before him could win.
I was barely managing to win because he is good. No wonder they called him the best player on the island. From that day on Torajirou was known as the Prodigy Child. Shoto-san often plays with me after that day and invites us over to his school where he is teaching.
It always turn out like a following schedule: after the game Shoto-san and I played then he and Torajirou would discussed Literature, Politics that would seem far-fetched for a six years old kid but seeing the games we have, Torajirou is a genius after all.
~~~~~ April 1835
Torajirou's mother helps him to dress up in one of his beautiful outfit. He is to present to Lord Asano today (the daimyo of the region), who invite Torajirou (me) to play a game. The Prodigy Child name has been spread for over the last month.
"I'm O.K, mother" Torajirou cried out embarrass by his mother attention. I watch him with a brilliant smile. He has change a bit, more out going and you could tell by his vocabulary.
We arrived at the manor that morning, I walked beside Torajirou and pointing out various artifact that I recognized. Torajirou like those things a lot, he knowledge of history is astonishing. It hard to believe but Torajirou is a well-known scholar too.
Lord Asano sit at end of the room waiting for us, he was old but there is a glint of mischief behind those eyes. A young man stood beside him look at the Torajirou, surprise is written all over his face. Torajirou was quite small for his age; he looks even younger than his age.
"You're Kuwahara Torajirou, the Prodigy Child." Lord Asano voice said, Torajirou give a bow and reply,
"Yes, my name is Kuwahara Torajirou, Asano-sama."
"I was told you are very good at Go game." Lord Asano smile, "Go is my favorite game to pass the time. Let us play a game as I've request." He nodded to a servant to get the goban.
"That was a very good game." After he admit defeat and thank you Torajirou for the game.
"You've a great potential and for one so young too. A future of bright path is open up for you." He nodded the servant to clear off the game.
"Thank you." Torajirou reply and bow his head for the compliment.
"However, you still have a great deal to learn before becoming the best. I'll let my personal trainer Hosenji-san to teach you. He is a priest but a player at a professional level. You'll meet him tomorrow." Lord Asano smile and turned to indicate the young man to come forth,
"This is my nephew, Yoshida Ryu he will also studying with you. I believe Yoshida will able to learn a lot from you." Yoshida came forward and bow at the introduction. After that he shows us around the manor.
He is too a quiet young man and I hope that Torajirou will not pick up the silent habit again. He has changed a little; to watch him back to his old self is a bit too much I grimace. Torajirou turned to me inquiring as if he knows that I was thinking about him.
~~~~~~~~ 3 weeks later
We have come often to Hosenji Temple over the weeks (it could have a different name at the time and called after Hosenji Hoshin today. This is the second place where Hikaru visited when he searched for Sai) to train with Hoshin. Torajirou become close friend with Hoshin so they on the first name basic.
Besides playing Go, Torajirou learned a lot of religious believes and practices through Hoshin. I find it is interesting as well but Go still the only thing for me. They discussed religious right now so I wander off to look outside the window. It is really peaceful here and quite far away from the rest of civilization. The temple built on a small island next to Hiroshima Island that why we have to take a small boat to come here everyday.
Torajirou was seasick but somehow he just keeps coming back, I knew that he doing it for me and that made me feel guiltier. I wish I could make him happy because he gives every thing and asked nothing back.
Hoshin religion stuff has goes into his head, his spare time, which was not much after spending studying and played Go game for me, and he used it to take care the other villagers. Help them out with gardening or look after younger children and so on. I often wonder where he has the energy. However, I see that he is happier and that is all the matter right?
~~~~~~ January 1837
Ito Showa is coming. Lord Asano told the news. I was pacing around; I knew that I would have a chance to play with one of the Tempo Four.
"Sit down Sai." Torajirou called out, laughing happily at my anxiety. I look at my friend and smile. We are friend yes and time has bonded us. He is more open with me but still quiet and steady child. He has graduate with top honor in academic school of Onomichi for eight years old.
"Ito-san will not be here until next week Sai." He was amuse at my enthusiastic,
"But---Torajirou. I want to play him now." I grumble, started to pull his sleeve to get his attention. I knew that I would have his full attention when I did that. He put down the pen and looks at me.
"Why don't we go to see Yoshida for a game hmm. That would cheer you up." I nodded happily and off we go.
"You playing Ito sensei next week." Yoshida whistle, Torajirou nod
"You're one hell of a cool customer." Yoshida tease him, Torajirou only smile watching me and said,
"I am more excited about the coming game then nervousness." He speaking for me, he often done that expressed what I think when it come to Go.
"Oh wow, I wish I strong enough to play with him but you know me. I did not improve much as all even when Hoshin tutor me more than you." Yoshida give a shrug with long depresses face, Torajirou pat his shoulder to comfort him. I was surprised at the gesture and I feel jealous for the first time. Torajirou is mine. I only felt this way with Hi and it was so long ago. I look away and suppress the feeling.
"Did you know that he is called Owari no Matsujiro. Just imagine if you able to beat him." Torajirou just shake his head and amuse while I move off to looks at the painting on the wall. Life becomes more complicate even when I do not have my own body.
~~~~~~ A week later
I have improved for the last two years. I become more stronger than Hoshin so I very confident with the match. Ito sensei looks like he in his mid thirty years old. He was cheerful and a good friend of Lord Asano. Torajirou talk to him a lot about Go world, he knew I would interest such information.
He is really sensitive to the other people, attention to their needs before he own. I admired him a lot and I have never did before that is admiring someone else.
It was second day he visit that I play a game with him. After a few move, I knew he is much better than me but I kept attacking trying to close the gape. I lose the game in the end. He was more experienced than me. Torajirou bow his head to resign and said thank you for the game. He was sad because I am sad as well.
"Your playing is great." Ito voice spoke up broken the silence room,
"I've heard of you Torajirou but what you show me today it is more than I believe a child is capable." Torajirou looks up to me, wonder how I felt about it. I give him a smile indicate that I very happy with the game,
"I learned a lot from the game, Torajirou." I said comfort him instead of the other way around.
Torajirou accepted my feeling and turn back to discuss the game with Ito. I have never see Torajirou play but he understanding of the games and knowing the better move should be made that really startle me. After the discussion Ito turned to Torajirou and said seriously,
"You need a better teacher than Hoshin from now. Your ability has beaten him already. I recommend that you should enter Honinbo School and study under Shuwa sensei."
Torajirou looks surprise at the advice and only nod
"Thank you Ito sensei. I'll thinking about it." Bowing to both Ito sensei and Lord Asano before leaving the room.
TBC.
Sorry about the story, it kind of windy huh but I wanted to explain how Torajirou become famous. I give Torajirou the love for history because for the reason I do not think Sai care much for it when he only love is Go and he seem to know a lot when he teaching Hikaru.
Those may say that he living in one but just think of the world today. If you not reading about it would you know what happening around you. Thank you for reading it, any question just asked. I'll do my best to answer.