Chapter II: The Genkikiken
After asking for directions (Well, demanding directions, actually. This is Kuno, people.) Kuno soon found himself on the right way and had no trouble locating the address Sato had given him.
Kuno observed the street before him. It wasn't exactly the fanciest street he had ever seen, which surprised him. He had expected that the world's greatest swordsmith would have a more luxurious residence. An abandoned newspaper was carried past his feet by a chilly wind. Most of the buildings had boarded-up windows; they were just buildings, not homes or workplaces. There was not a soul in sight.
Walking down the street, Kuno wondered if the directions he had been given were correct. Perhaps this was not the right place after all?
"Looking for someone, boy?"
Kuno was so startled by the voice that he completely forgot to be offended by the boy-remark. The person who had spoken was a short man of indeterminable race who was leaning towards a grey wall, allowing the sun to shine on his face. He was dressed in a tattered coat and a large beard covered half of his face. Kuno had not even seen him until he spoke.
The strange man gave him a toothy grin. "Well?"
"I am Tatewaki Kuno, and I seek a certain Masamune," Kuno said. "A man named Sato told me to come here."
"Ah, I see. You came to ask for a weapon, huh?" the man asked.
"Yes," Kuno said. "Can you tell me where to find Masamune?"
"You're looking at him."
Kuno frowned. "I must say, I am somewhat disappointed. You are a great swordsmith?"
"No, I am the great swordsmith. I practically invented swordsmithing." Masamune shrugged. "Look, do you want a sword or not?"
"I was promised a weapon of unparalleled might, in order to defeat a great evil," Kuno responded, somewhat dryly. "Pray tell, can you provide me with that?"
The old man grinned. "I have just the thing. Follow me."
He turned around and headed into the ally. Kuno hesitated, but then remembered that the Blue Thunder feared nothing, and followed. Masamune brought him to an ancient building in desperate need of demolition. Partially hidden behind a dumpster was a cellar-door, which Masamune opened.
"Not exactly the Imperial Palace of Kyoto," he explained with a shrug. "But rent is cheap. Watch the fifth step, it's loose."
Kuno followed Masamune down a short case of stair, leading into a poorly lit room. There were three more doorways, two that lacked doors. One lead to a smithy. Heat and the smell of steel were carried through the air. The other room appeared to be a workshop of some sort. Masamune ignored these rooms and went instead for the third doorway, opening the closed door.
"You're lucky. I just got one finished, and I think it will suit you perfectly!" he said. "This way, please."
Kuno followed him into the room and gasped at the sight of the largest collection of swords he had ever seen. They covered the walls. Not only katanas, wakisashis, kodachis, ninjatos and no-datchis, but also Chinese longswords, Indian sabers, western broadswords, rapiers, cutlasses, scimitars, swords with blades the size of snowboards and weapons that defied definition, plus several racks only for wooden training weapons, shinais and padded blades.
"Not a bad collection, huh?" Masamune said, his voice formally dripping with pride. "Of course, I still prefer the Japanese swords, but you should never limit yourself if you want to stay ahead in the field."
"Truly impressive," Kuno mumbled and picked up a random katana as Masamune started rummaging through the assortment. The blade offered no resistance as he drew it from the scabbard. He began to put his finger to the edge, but quickly withdrew it.
"Shimata!" he swore and looked at the pricks of blood that appeared on the skin of his thumb. He could have sworn that it cut him before he touched it.
"That is the holy Onikibaseiken," Masamune said without looking up. "It once destroyed an entire army of the undead and wounded a Dragon King. Please put it back, it's not for sale."
"Magnificent!" Kuno admired the gleaming blade a moment before putting it back in its place.
"That's a mere toy compared to what I have for you, my friend," Masamune chuckled. "Ah! Here we are!"
Kuno hurried to his side, eager to see the weapon that would finally allow him to defeat his nemesis. Masamune held up a long package of cloth. Unwrapping the cloth, he revealed…
"A bokken?" Kuno said, for the object the swordsmith showed him did indeed look like nothing more then an ordinary oak bokken, very similar to the ones Kuno himself used. "Surely, you jest!"
"This is no mere bokken, you fool!" Masamune seemed shocked by there mere thought. "This is…" he lowered his voice for emphasis. "…the genkikiken!"
"The… genkikiken?" Kuno repeated dubiously. He observed the bokken more closely. The wood had a very dark hue, like dark chocolate.
Masamune nodded vigorously. "This bokken was created from the rare Spirit Wood! It has the power to bring out the user's inner potential. It is said that the warrior who accurately wields this weapon can defeat even his most dangerous enemy!"
"Then it will be perfect for slaying the sorcerer!" Kuno breathed. "If what you say is true, I must have it!"
"Well, there is the matter of the payment," Masamune said.
"Money is not a problem," Kuno declared. "Name your price!"
Masamune did.
Kuno gasped. "That is an outrageous sum for a mere wooden sword!"
"Hey! I told you, it's not any ordinary bokken!" Masamune said. "Do you know how hard this Spirit Wood is to find these days? Not to mention that the price includes a special training program which will allow you to reach your inner potential! I'm telling you, this is the deal of a lifetime!"
"Very well, then," Kuno said and reluctantly withdrew a chequebook from within his kimono. He threw the swordsmith an annoyed glare. "You are not related to the Tendo-family, by any chance?"
"I seriously doubt that," Masamune said. "Why?"
"No reason," Kuno quickly wrote the check and handed it to Masamune. "There."
"Thank you!" Masamune made the check disappear into one the pockets of his coat, after which he presented the genkikiken to Kuno. "Here you are, Kuno-san, your new weapon."
"Finally!" Kuno exclaimed and gripped the bokken…
…and nearly dropped it, as its sheer weight made the opposite end audibly hit the floor. "What is the meaning of this! It must weigh a ton!"
"Really? Let me see." Masamune took the genkikiken in his left hand. Seemingly without any trouble he swung it through the air as if it was light as a feather. "Well, it is a bit heavier then an ordinary bokken," he admitted and handed it back to Kuno. "But that's only a question of getting used to it. Nothing that should bother such a skilled swordsman such as you, I'm certain."
This time, Kuno managed to keep it balanced by holding it upward, even though it was obvious strainful to him. "You mentioned a training program?"
"Ah, yes. It will be delivered to your household tomorrow," Masamune said. "Is there anything else I can help you with? I have a nice discount on slightly used shinais and…"
"No, thank you," Kuno said and sweatdropped. He leaned the insanely heavy genkikiken over his shoulder. "I believe I must be going now."
"Very well, you know the way out," Masamune said. Kuno left in such a hurry that he didn't notice the way the old man was smiling.
When alone, Masamune picked up a cell-phone from his pocket and dialled a number.
"Sato," the receiver said.
"It's Masamune. Young Kuno just left. I sold him the genkikiken, just as you told me to."
"He bought your story?"
"Hey, every word I spoke was the truth! He just heard what he wanted to hear."
"Could he even carry it?"
"Barely," Masamune smiled even more, his teeth gleaming in the dim light. "He really has a heavy spirit. You were right, old friend. This is really going to get interesting."
When Kuno finally returned to his home, the sun was already setting. He felt more weary and fatigued then he ever had before in his life. Normally, it would take more then a long walk to tire him, but the unnaturally heavy bokken he was carrying almost seemed to suck all the energy out of him.
"'Getting used to', indeed," he mumbled darkly. "That charlatan of a swordsmith better be right."
Upon entering the house, he was greeted in the hallway by his sister.
"Ohohoho, look what the cat dragged in," Kodachi said. "May I ask why you have been absent this entire afternoon, brother dearest?"
"That is my business and my business alone, sister," Kuno responded. "All things considered, I have had a rather dreadful day and I would appreciate it if you would not worsen it further."
Kodachi glared at him, but didn't respond. Instead she turned around a left him.
Kuno realised that his sister was most likely not in her best of moods, in which case it would be wise to stay clear of her. Not that staying clear of Kodachi was not a good idea on most days. In any case, Kuno felt both hungry and tired. After stopping by the kitchen to fill his empty stomach, he retreated to his room where he crashed into his bed and instantly fell asleep.
Author's Note: I know these chapters are kinda short. The next one will be allot longer, I promise. ^^
