Chapter 5 Translations:
Bokuto: A Wooden Sword
Daikon: The East Asian Giant White Radish
Katana: Japanese Sword (2.13ft in length and worn blade-up, through the obi.)
Menuki: Criss-crossed wrappings On a Sword's Handle
Obi: Belt Sash of a Kimono
Tachi: Japanese Sword (2.46ft in length and worn blade-down, tied to the obi.)
Tsuka: The Handle of a Japanese Sword
(…10 Years Ago)
"Hiten-Mitsurugi-Ryu: Do Ryu Sen!" – in a forceful tone, Shinkara, with the aid of her tachi, strikes the ground. This technique sends earthy soil hitting a nearby tree.
"Great. Watch out now, as so not to get hurt." – Tsugata teaches.
"What do you mean?" – Shinkara asks, seemingly unaware of the cherry-blossom tree she's hit. It was cut by one of the hidden rocks in the soil and ended up breaking in half. "Oh, my! I didn't know…Oooff!" – she barely escapes the fallen tree's path, landing in a crouched position on a nearby bolder.
"You knew of the rock that was in the dirt, and yet, you say 'what do you mean?'. I think that will be all for today. How about you go and pick some eggplant from the garden for dinner. I'll clean up in the furu. We'll meet up at the house." – Tsugata commanded.
After giving her sensei a respected bow, Shinkara (with a somewhat conceited smirk), sheathed her sword. On the outset, her training began with the use of a bokuto. However, by the age of twelve, Tsugata thought it better to begin training her with a katana. Her abilities grew to the point where he provided her with a tachi, of which she has been using ever since. With the growth of her abilities, her thin body had to provide her with the muscles to match. The various techniques were learned using the combined weight of the sword with the metal tsuka (besides the menuki) and metal sheath. Though tied to her obi, it moved quite clumsily as she hopped off the rock and headed for the garden.
'She's doing much better than I thought she would. Starting out at only eight years old, I figured she'd be too old to train. However, her skills have surpassed any of my doubted expectations…especially for a female.' – he stood staring at her, thinking. Once again heading for the house, He then continued…
'It has been quite some time since Yan has sent one of his spies. Eventually they will find us. However, now that Shinkara's reaching a superior level of swordsmanship, I need to test her. Only then will I reach my potential as a master. I'll be able to best the Qing dynasty and remove the last vestige of decay that now claims our country. Removing the heir wasn't enough…I must return! Yes, it's about time for Shinkara and me to be parting soon. Hummm? What was that?' – he paused in his thoughts, and noticed something out the corner of his eye. He could feel some negativity coming from the north of the forest.
"Come on out! I know you're here! I know what you're after!" – Tsugata exclaimed, getting ready to unsheathe his sword.
"If you know what we want, then why not turn and run, old man? You are in no shape to fight me, not to mention all of my men." – a young man calmly walked out of the forest, along with about thirty others. He was not Japanese.
"Mr. Yan Jihen of the Qing Imperial Forces! How is it that you have found me?" – with sword in hand, Tsugata demanded a direct answer.
"You have no idea, Tsugata? Or shall I say…Do Fan Zhan! You, who have deserted your post, deserted your men…deserted your own country!" – Yan responded, unsheathing his own sword.
"Before we set to battle, why not tell me how you found me. For I already know why you're here." – Tsugata again demanded.
They had all quickly gathered in the front of the house. All the men have surrounded the two who were setting their eyes one against the other. As they stood ready to fight…
'I can't believe that garden grew this much in such little time! I wonder how he's going to prepare the fish. I love it when he adds in those daikon radishes!' – Shinkara considers, as she approaches the house. However, she begins to hear voices…
"Chinese! Why is Tsugata-sama speaking in Chinese?" – she exclaims. Upon approaching the old cherry blossom tree to the left of the house, she notices about thirty Chinese ninjas who have surrounded Tsugata and another man who appears to be Chinese.
'What's going on?' – she questions, as she drops the vegetables. 'Tsugata-sama is strong, but he might need my help. But I don't know what's happening. I'm scared! My legs won't move!' – she concludes, staying where she is in muted view.