History state that in 1840, during a one-year visits back home, Torajirou was awarded a yearly stipend by Lord Asano. Arriving back in Edo in September 1841, Shusaku was given the name we now know him under, and promoted to 2-dan. In 1843, still only 14 years old, he was promoted to 4-dan. In 1844 he left for Onomichi.

For this chapter the incarnations during Edo era are the same, as the following characters in Hikaru no Go:

Nakagawa Kamesaburo Re Pin

Sugiyama Senwa Hon Suyon

Mizuno Tadakuni Shinoda Insei Shihan

Chapter 8: Shusaku

"Hosenji sensei is returning tomorrow." Yoshida said and looks up from the goban watching Torajirou reaction,

"I see." was all he replied,

There was a long silent and the sound of the go stone touch the goban echoes the small room,

"What the matter?" Yoshida asked surprising at Torajirou attitude for Torajirou always have a deep respect to his first teacher.

"Nothing, I'm tired Yoshida. Can you come back tomorrow, we'll finish the game off then." Torajirou already stood up, left Yoshida speechless being dismiss for the first time by Torajirou.

"O.K. Uncle asked after you, why don't you drop by tomorrow." Yoshida suggested and leaving quickly after Torajirou agreed.

~~~~~~ 10 minutes later

"What's wrong with you Sai?" Torajirou yelled at me, it was surprised because it was unlike him but I knew it coming.

What can I said? I'm even not sure why myself.

"It's have been five months and you still sulked since we left Edo." He pushes his hair back tried to be calm after his outburst,

"It not as I who requested that we should go home in the first place." He murmured angrily, fuming in fact for the right word.

I could not help but to stare at him. Some how this new side of Torajirou excites me. This is what I wanted not knowing until now. I hate his quiet self. The one under that is emotional under locked key, which I did not knew where I would stood before him. I knew he love me but sometime I feels like an unwanted baggage that he have to carry.

"Damn it, said something." Torajirou reach out wanted to shake me,

"I'm sorry Torajirou. I'm afraid of loosing you." I said, one of the many reasons that trouble me before leaving Edo. He stared at me strangely,

"How could you loose me Sai? Aren't we support to stayed together for the rest of our life."

Torajirou is so young. He did not understand what I mean and so I admitted defeat.

"Of course Torajirou. It properly I worried too much." I calm his anxiety down and he was relaxed once more.

"Let visit Obata sensei." I was smiling like I used to, it has been a while since I did that and it feel good.

It was years later until the subject brought up again.

~~~~~~ Four moths later

"British opium wars in China had finally reached Japan and it frightened our people." Hoshin said sadly,

"They have a reason to be." Torajirou agreed angrily. Society has change recent years leaving the population unrest. His villagers like the rest of Japan getting poorer even through Lord Asano in their region tried his best to help but it got worsen. The economics is at the point of collapsing.

Hoshin sigh and said,

"For the first time in many years, I feel so helpless. Praying did not help either."

"Let us return to the game Hoshin, at least it take you off the problems for a while."

Hoshin looks down at the goban and shake his head.

"I've to resign for this game. It looks like there is no move left that would get me out of this spot."

"Thanks for the game, you have improved Hoshin." Torajirou said, we both agreed at this.

Hoshin have become Inoue pupil after we left for Edo and also become 1 dan in 1840.

"I'm glad you think so Torajirou. After you've left Onomichi, I have done a lot of think. I don't want to fall behind from you too much so I decide to become Inoue School disciple." He looks at Torajirou to continue,

"I like the games we play and seeing you're enthusiastic for Go have also motivated me too. I'm happy with the decision I've made. I guess you've change my life."

His confession is delight me, I'm please with the compliment Hoshin have given me. It would be something I'll always treasure.

(Another lovable character in Hikaru no Go is Shirakawa sensei, Hikaru's teacher at Go school in the first few episodes. I tried to link Hoshin with Shirakawa. In one of the episode where Hikaru is asked to play a game during Morishita tutorial class so that he (Shirakawa) would be motivate for his next dan contest.)

"Hosenji sensei." Yoshida voice reaches us before we could see he face. It was so unlike him to announcing his coming like that. In fact it rather reverse.

"Oh, Torajirou you're here as well." Yoshida is merely curious but cheerful to see Torajirou there.

We all surprise at a stranger standing behind Yoshida, he dressed in western clothing, which did not earned our liking. Actually Hoshin looks rather offensive at the stranger, Hoshin is very traditional oriented. Yoshida started to notice the tension atmosphere and give a cough tried to get our attention but it did not work.

"Um, let me introduce this is Sugiyama Senwa. Sugiyama –san is a pupil of Ito sensei." Yoshida finally manage the introduction. It did not impressed neither Torajirou nor Hoshin, who still fuming.

"Good afternoon, Sugiyama-san." Torajirou is the first to break the silent war.

After the introduction they all sit down to have cup of tea, Hoshin pretend to be pleasant but his speeches does not fool anyone. Occasion he brought up how nuisance the western culture lately affect the country. While Torajirou become more amuse at the Hoshin irritation and Sugiyama discomfort.

I wanted to laugh at the situation but instead pulling Torajirou's sleeve to get his attention,

"Let break up this tension Torajirou, I wanted to play with Sugiyama. Ito-sensei taught him so he must have some skills." Torajirou agree immediately although I can see regret in his eyes. Torajirou humour is indeed beyond my comprehension sometime.

He is good but not good enough, as I put down the stone. I look upon his face and saw it pale. His eyes shows fear staring at the stone I have just put down. However, he eyes narrow and with it comes determination, as I knew why Ito-san have take him under his wing. His determination inspired my fighting spirit; it has been along time since I really enjoyed a game.

I win of course but he revives my love and the feeling of challenging of the game no matter who the opponent is. Torajirou felt this too; he was much attentive to Sugiyama after the game as if to said thank you. Before Sugiyama left, he challenges me an official game the next time we met.

I am looking forward to that. Today I realize that I am ready returning to Edo and the other problem can wait for now, Go is my most priority.

~~~~~~~ August 1841

On our way to Edo, we meet Mizuno-sama, who is Daimyo of Hamamatsu and a senior councillor at the time. He was on his way to request the central government that Tempo reform to carry out. Torajirou spent a great deal of time discussed the country situation, like Go I would never let it pass me by and for Torajirou it is political and economic.

Torajirou argued with Mizuno-sama now, Torajirou did not raise his voice but like Hoshin his words shows the opposite affect that they indeed are duelling with words. I smile and knew it coming,

"There is no point of discussing further." Torajirou bow and excuse himself.

I remembered before we leave Onomichi, Torajirou have a similar row with Lord Asano who is now viewing Torajirou as his grandchild. Torajirou feels that there is no point putting all the blame on moral, the crisis of the country was due to unstable political and economic as well. He very forceful disagreed when he realised that Lord Asano have encouraged his samurai to spread out and form peasant militia. The villagers have suffered enough without force to join an army.

The problem with Torajirou is he feels too much and care too much, I realise sadly.

~~~~~~~ November1841

It has been over two months and I struggle try not to remember why I wanted to leave Edo in the first place. Tried as I might to forget but those two faces is keep appear before my eyes. One of them is in front of me now.

"Torajirou-chan, could you hold Kamesaburo just a few minutes. I'll go and get some foods for him. " Inari hand over her brother to Torajirou lap,

"What a good boy you're." Torajirou cuddle the boy, while I watch over them happily until she comes back. Inari has been over to see Torajirou almost everyday bringing Kamesaburo with her. He is very good with children, as he had baby-sat the villagers' children before.

"Ah there you are, Torajirou." Another voice that I wish to disappear but not as much as that girl.

"Shuwa –sensei." Torajirou delight called out.

"Congratulation Torajirou, you've promoted to 2-dan." He beam a smile at Torajirou,

"Thanks you." Torajirou looks at me waiting for my reaction but I was too busy fuming.

"Oh, Torajirou-chan 2-dan. Wow! I knew you could do it." Inari chip in,

"Torajirou, could you come with me. There is something I wanted to talk to you about." Shuwa looks serious and turned to walk away without waiting to see of Torajirou coming or not. His action-raised mine frustration that I almost called out to stop Torajirou. It would confused Torajirou so I stop my childishness.

~~~~

"What? You want me to change my name." Torajirou turn red, his name suits him well.

"Josaku-sensei agreed with me, actually he the one who suggests the name." Shuwa said quietly

"Shusaku huh. I don't know. Could I think about it." Torajirou answer but he is distress at the news. It was honour to asked to change the name, as he is one of the best students.

"Shusaku, Shusaku" he mumble the name and turn to me at last "What do you think Sai?" I give a smile indicate that whatever he think is the best.

~~~~~ December 1843

Shusaku is rise to four dan. The Go world began to see my strength and the potential that I will become but I still not very happy with the situation. I turn blind eyes to Torajirou relationship with other. Trying not to be too possessive of him, sometime I just leave him with the others because I could not bear the thought that he does not needs me.

However, recently I notice the change in Torajirou and he looks haunted for some reason. I appeared outside of my goban and head toward him. I saw that he is crying silently, without further thought I took him into my arm and hold him.

It was a while until he looks up and said,

"I needs to go home Sai. Mother is very sick and she may be dying." I nodded and comforted him in my arm.

TBC.

The next chapter will explain what happen to Torajirou. I'll write it through his POV.

The chapter is a bit of history-ish, I wanted to follow Hikaru no Go storyline. Sai did say that he met Mizuno-sama during one of his travel with Torajirou. The Tempo reform is a failure and Mizuno got kick out of his office in two years later after its implemented.