Prologue
Twenty years ago a lonely farmer with a dark past walked into Wakayama with what little money he had to purchase two things: one was a pet with a decent life expectancy and the other was something to make his crops grow faster and larger after having his most pathetic harvest since becoming a farmer. He had hoped he had enough money for a dog, cat, or even a singing bird, but after buying two canisters of Miracle Green the only thing that he could afford that wouldn't die within weeks or months was a turtle. Once he returned to his home he set the turtle on the floor and the canisters of Miracle Green on a nearby table. He opened one of them and went outside to fetch some potatoes to test the Miracle Green. But the door was left open and a strong winter wind knocked both canisters off the table, and the open one dropped on the baby turtle, leaving a slimy mess. The farmer returned moments later only to see the turtle crawling in slime. After realizing what had happened he cleaned the turtle as thoroughly as possible and then wiped the potatoes with the rag he used to cleanse the turtle and then went off to bed. The next morning he awoke, only to discover that the turtle had nearly doubled in size.
"Has this miracle been bestowed upon me to make amends for the lives that were lost?"
Present day
"You are a diligent worker Kyoji, both as a farmer and as a student. We are finished for today, you may return to your quarters," The old farmer told his pupil.
Kyoji bowed silently and left. Twenty years since the "accident" the farmer's turtle was the size of a man, fully intelligent, and even appeared somewhat humanlike. Kyoji was seemingly content with his life, but in his dreams he constantly saw himself alone and without his master. Which made him wonder how is life would be if his Sensei was gone. Kyoji tried to ignore the dreams because he did not want to face the fear he felt when even thinking about living without his Master's support.
While in his lodging Kyoji was thinking about his martial arts training and how without it life would be more tedious than it presently was. He never liked to admit it but life was otherwise dull; everyday was the same: wake up early to farm, finish farming when sun began to set, rest for a short period, do a little martial arts training, and then ask Master questions that Kyoji hoped he would answer.
Only Sundays were different, on Sundays there was no farm work(besides milking/feeding cow, and feeding the chicken or checking for eggs) or any martial arts training. Those days the Master taught Kyoji some of the English he had picked up and he would impart some wisdom to Kyoji. It wasn't much but it was a welcome diversion from the Monday through Saturday routine.
Twenty years ago a lonely farmer with a dark past walked into Wakayama with what little money he had to purchase two things: one was a pet with a decent life expectancy and the other was something to make his crops grow faster and larger after having his most pathetic harvest since becoming a farmer. He had hoped he had enough money for a dog, cat, or even a singing bird, but after buying two canisters of Miracle Green the only thing that he could afford that wouldn't die within weeks or months was a turtle. Once he returned to his home he set the turtle on the floor and the canisters of Miracle Green on a nearby table. He opened one of them and went outside to fetch some potatoes to test the Miracle Green. But the door was left open and a strong winter wind knocked both canisters off the table, and the open one dropped on the baby turtle, leaving a slimy mess. The farmer returned moments later only to see the turtle crawling in slime. After realizing what had happened he cleaned the turtle as thoroughly as possible and then wiped the potatoes with the rag he used to cleanse the turtle and then went off to bed. The next morning he awoke, only to discover that the turtle had nearly doubled in size.
"Has this miracle been bestowed upon me to make amends for the lives that were lost?"
Present day
"You are a diligent worker Kyoji, both as a farmer and as a student. We are finished for today, you may return to your quarters," The old farmer told his pupil.
Kyoji bowed silently and left. Twenty years since the "accident" the farmer's turtle was the size of a man, fully intelligent, and even appeared somewhat humanlike. Kyoji was seemingly content with his life, but in his dreams he constantly saw himself alone and without his master. Which made him wonder how is life would be if his Sensei was gone. Kyoji tried to ignore the dreams because he did not want to face the fear he felt when even thinking about living without his Master's support.
While in his lodging Kyoji was thinking about his martial arts training and how without it life would be more tedious than it presently was. He never liked to admit it but life was otherwise dull; everyday was the same: wake up early to farm, finish farming when sun began to set, rest for a short period, do a little martial arts training, and then ask Master questions that Kyoji hoped he would answer.
Only Sundays were different, on Sundays there was no farm work(besides milking/feeding cow, and feeding the chicken or checking for eggs) or any martial arts training. Those days the Master taught Kyoji some of the English he had picked up and he would impart some wisdom to Kyoji. It wasn't much but it was a welcome diversion from the Monday through Saturday routine.