"Kamijou-san, would you like to play a game of shogi with me?"

Kamijou Touma stared for a long incredulous moment, mind racing to find a good excuse to turn Sasuke down. This is not good! For some reason, the spiky-haired boy felt that the Sarutobis never did anything for no good reason. Of course, it's just his first time in Yamagakure and he just only met them this day so he cannot really judge what kind of clan they are but there must have been an ulterior motive for the Sarutobi clan heir to ask.

"I'm not all that good, Sasuke," Kamijou voiced uncomfortably, slipping his hands into his coat pockets to hide their minute restlessness. It was somewhat true if one is talking about his first time playing it. Back in Academy City, both Aogami and Yomikawa had kicked his ass almost every time they had played, though the bluenette had admitted that his close friend classmate had become more and more of a challenge to defeat as time passed. Then came Miyamoto Mokichi and for some reason, the old samurai also challenge him on a shogi game one day after their training in the outskirts of Academy City.

Needless to say, Kamijou Touma was destroyed in less than ten minutes.

"Troublesome." Sasuke muttered as he leans into the wall, "Well…I can be the judge of that. My perverted excuse of a father is too busy peeping on the nearby bathhouses in his free time and I have my own training tomorrow although I'd rather go out onto the mountains, lie on my back, and watch the clouds form shapes and various sizes. As such, I might as well test your capacity before you can train in the forest tomorrow."

For some reasons, I don't like the sound of it. Kamijou thought nervously. Look, you have an entire clan filled with skilled guys like you. And what does he means train in the forest? Is that what sensei meant in my one-year absence from Academy City?

A dozen excuses raced through his mind, just as quickly dismissed a second later. He had only known the grandson of Butsuma a while back but he can already tell that he can counter away his excuses, judging from the way he carries himself. It wasn't that he didn't particularly like playing shogi. He really had nothing against it, but to Kamijou, it would likely be a repeat of what happened to him when he played against his sensei.

And the other problem he found with Sasuke's request was the fact that he was a misfortunate person and somehow, he sensed that something bad will happen while they are playing.

So here he was, impassive on the outside but somewhat frantic on the inside as the Sarutobi heir waited for his reply. Somewhat belatedly, Kamijou realized that he had been silent for several long seconds already, and though Sasuke looked as patient and unbothered as he was when he showed up, the silence around them was beginning to turn awkward.

"I am...training tomorrow as well with sensei, Sasuke," Kamijou finally threw out, shoving down a flush of embarrassment when the young man raised a half-skeptical, half-amused eyebrow at him.

"Oh?" The young swordsman cocked his head and the slightly mocking edge that his smile had taken on was definitely calling the spiky haired boy out on his bullshit. "I'm aware of that. Perhaps we could schedule the match afterwards—after lunch today."

"Well…I…" Kamijou casually turned to his left and gestured vaguely in that direction to stall for time. For some reasons, luck decided to favor him for this time as his gaze fell on a familiar figure and he almost cheered when he realized his excuse had, quite fortunately, presented itself to him.

"Had still some few things to discuss with sensei involving training," Kamijou announced triumphantly as he turned back to the waiting Sarutobi. "I mean, I'm just new here and I wanted to enjoy the fresh air around Yamagakure before I underwent heavy training under sensei."

He turned away again, unconsciously forgetting his current samurai-trainee status and reverting back to his 'Esper voice', as Mokichi liked to call it, in his haste to bow out of this conversation with Sasuke as soon as possible. As it was, his voice, now deep, cut through the murmur of other ongoing conversations around them as he barked out, "Sensei!"

"So you're here with Ashina's only son," the old man gently smiled as he particularly glanced at Sasuke, who only nodded and bowed in respect to the famed swordsman, "It seems you two are getting along just fine."

"Yeah, yeah, sensei…hehehe…" Kamijou laughed nervously as he scratched the back of his head. "By the way, I would want our training to get started already after lunch. You know…so I can get accustomed to the climate and surrounding here in Yamagakure especially since I came from a place where I see almost nothing but tall buildings…"

"Well, Kamijou-kun, that's—"

"Miyamoto-sama.." At this point, Sasuke coughed as he then stands up from his leaning position, "According to Kamijou-san, you had already challenge him to a game of Shogi one day. I take that it's true…"

"Why, of course, that's true, Sasuke-san!" Mokichi replied jovially, not noticing the dark glare being sent to his way by Kamijou, "Why, do you want to also challenge him in at least one round of shogi?"

"I wish but according to him, the two of you had something to discuss about…" Sasuke sounded like he was guilt-tripping the old samurai. As if he's about to fall to that trick. Kamijou thought confidently.

Unfortunately for him, the warrior gods from above seemed to conspire with the universe to make his life more miserable.

"Oh, you want to play him? Well, I can let him play for this day. Preferably after lunch since he still needed to unwind himself."

"Lunch time? Is it fine for both of you?"

Mokichi looked somewhat surprised by Sasuke's insistence but smiled gently, missing the dark look that the Imagine Breaker tossed at both of them. The Sarutobi smirked inwardly. So there was a fire somewhere under that docile facade.

"Kamijou-kun, I believe that you will have fun in playing with Sasuke-san…" Mokichi beamed. "A competitive game of shogi, especially against a skilled opponent such as the Sarutobi kinsmen is something that cannot be missed. Besides, we can start your training tomorrow at lunch time as you needed to get yourself used to this place. I do hope that's enough for you to be able to test Sasuke's wits."

Kamijou's smile looked strained and Sasuke bit back a chuckle. "Oh, undoubtedly, sensei. Thank you for the consideration."

"Yes," Sasuke nodded as well. "Thank you, Miyamoto-sama. That will do nicely."

Mokichi just flashed another gentle smile before walking away in the direction of the Sarutobis' deer-grazing grounds, seemingly warming up with his sword as he had a katana hoisted in his waist.

A long moment of silence followed as neither of the remaining young samurai spoke. Sasuke spent the time studying the raven, unconcerned that his open observation might seem rude. He idly speculated whether Kamijou Touma would get angry or not, and if he would insist on turning down the shogi game anyway. The Sarutobi might be the next clan head in line and that he was older but that didn't mean the young swordsman in training needed to conform to him in matters unrelated to work. And for a reason he had yet to figure out, he very much doubted that this boy was suited to obey anyone.

But after a few drawn-out seconds, the spiky haired boy only sighed and pinned him with a piercing cerulean gaze. "Must be used to getting your way in the moments that you want it, Sasuke," Kamijou said at last.

Sasuke blinked in surprise but relaxed with a lazy smirk playing on his lips a heartbeat later. "And you are much more straightforward when you lose that act you parade around in."

Kamijou shrugged. "I prefer being straightforward right now."

Sasuke's gaze sharpened. "Then be straightforward. I'm not calling you out for samurai-related issues, Kamijou-san. It's just a shogi match between two young swordsmen. Work has nothing to do with this."

Kamijou studied him for a moment longer before his whole bearing seemed to change in front of Sasuke. Said latter watched as the raven relaxed somewhat in his presence and the walls that had been resurrected in his eyes fell away, revealing amusement and faint annoyance behind them. His mouth twisted up a little in a faint smile as one of the Academy City denizen's hands reached up to brush back a few strands of spiky bangs.

"Alright then, Sasuke," Kamijou dipped his head before stepping away, more as acknowledgement than anything else. "After lunch, we can play at least one round before I can go around the village to familiarize myself of the whole terrain. Do try not to be too disappointed when you fail to find out what you want to know."

And with only a passing wave goodbye, the spiky haired boy disappeared a moment later, briskly walking away.

Sasuke stared after the young swordsman before letting out a laugh, shaking his head as he turned towards his own room. He could honestly say that no samurai or any swordsman trainee under his father's command had ever left a similar presence like that, without all the tedious bowing and saluting that his position normally called for. It was an interesting change and he found himself mildly impatient for later to come.

Oh, and there is still lunch to handle. He might as well get his fill first as all of what he ate this morning got burned up quickly due to running and training his slashing technique in the mountains.

When the butlers of the Sarutobis had finished making quick lunch consisting of roasted deer venison, Yakimeshi, cut tomatoes and salted duck eggs, tempura, bottles of fine sake wine, and miso soup, Ashina made his way to the sitting room, quickly putting away his two swords and the swords of Mokichi. After that, he had everyone summoned in the dining table.

During lunch time, a hearty conversation had started.

"I like the quality of this deer meat!" Komoe can't help but squeal as she had the piece of venison stuck between the two ends of her chopsticks, "I'm beginning to love this part-home schooling, part vacation that was given to us."

"And the wine's perfectly awesome for my tastes," Yomikawa's face was begging to shows traces of red as she was slowly getting intoxicated by liquor while holding a piece of meat in her own chopsticks, "I think I'm going to restock our supplies using the wine being sold here when we go back to Academy City one year from now."

Komoe can only sweatdrop at her best friend's slurred speech, "Yomikawa-chan, I think you should rest in the room. By the way, I didn't expect this village to be so clean and lovely with its mountains still having its natural forest."

"Ever since the Warring States Period, the whole mountains and forest was closely guarded by members of the Sarutobi Clan," Mokichi explained as he quietly sips his tea, "It is not well-known among the mainstream Japanese and it's not recorded in the official history books but until the time of the Genpei War of 1188, the Sarutobis had to fiercely fend off larger and well-known clans like the Taira and the Minamoto when we refused to give passage to the two imperial clans. One of the leaders who died defending these mountains is the legendary chieftain and founder of our clan, Sarutobi Shô-sama, the Fox Sage."

Butsuma and Ashina slightly bowed their heads solemnly as respect to their legendary ancestor as Kamijou simply raised his eyebrows, "Fox sage? Did Shô-sama use foxes to fight off his battles?"

"It would be more accurate to say that he drew pure energy from nature with foxes as medium," Sasuke explained after swallowing his piece of meat, "It had a time limit but within the scope of activation, it was said that it allowed Shô-sama recharged his Chi reserves to be able to cut down his enemies twice his usual quota before he himself gets killed. As far as I can remember, only Hageshi-sama could perform a similar feat during the Great Warring States."

"Their sacrifices resulted in what is the base of modern Japan's cultural heritage. Actually, the fading of the samurai society into history should have been a good sign of peace but…" Butsuma frowned as he takes a sip of hot tea, "It seems that our country's being threatened by a number of external factors not seen since Imperial Japan had lost its way from the Bushido and instead, committed the opposite during the second Great War. In a spiritual sense, a number of Japanese youth had also been corrupted, in flesh and in morals."

"I believe that's just your opinion. There are still a lot of our youth who embodies the true spirit of a Japanese," Komoe argued, "Of course, it isn't perfect but…"

"Tsukuyomi-san, we get it," Mokichi cut off her rant before this can go any longer, "Both of you have valid points but before this turns into a hot debate, let's enjoy the meal, shall we?"

"Indeed, Mokichi. It would be a waste if this turns into something ugly." Butsuma nodded gently, "And anger is something I only reserve for my worst enemies."

For some reasons, those words sent a chilling sensation to the spines of the three women present.

"By the way, tou-san," Sasuke interrupted, "I heard some chilling news from the townsmen in the market early in the morning."

"And that would be…"

"There was a massacre…no…I believe plague is a right term and almost all of the people in the little village of the hidden ice was killed by a girl in a miko suit," Sasuke didn't seem all disturbed by the news, "Apparently, that reminds me of a similar incident almost a decade back."

"Ah…you're referring to what happened to the noble Himegami Clan of the Noble Priests of Amaterasu from Edo," Butsuma used a much older term for Kyoto, "It was a sad incident. A plague that almost wiped out a historical priestly line whose origins far dates longer…even our clan…"

"They said that the main family's youngest daughter was the one responsible for that plague due to her powers, which even I don't understand," Ashina added, "Others said that it was something related to vampires. Others said it was pure bad luck."

Kamijou stifled a yawn as he and Sasuke made their way to the other side of the ranch of the Sarutobis. Prior to that, Komoe had told him what he needed to study in their Power Curriculum Program. It was no wonder Butsuma was quietly laughing at her when she ranted about students can level up from Level 0 to 5 with plain hard work and dedication.

He glanced at the midday sun and sped up his pace. He wanted to ask the Sarutobi heir about why they were heading to an area near the forest rather than in a quiet place in the compound of the largest clan here on Yamagakure.

"If you're thinking why we're headed to the spot near the forest, it's specifically because there is this spot where I just lie down and watch the clouds." Sasuke spoke, as if he read what was on the mind of the shocked boy. "And besides, you needed to get accustomed here."

"Ah," Kamijou puts his hands on his pockets and his face turned somber. "I see."

It wasn't long before they had reached a wooden bench and table. Both was shaded by a simply roofing of thatch and hay.

"I already set up the board," Sasuke waved a hand at the shogi board set up on the wooden table and they both took a seat on either side of it. The Sarutobi heir discreetly observed the way the raven's eyes were already flickering from square to square, no doubt figuring out different starting moves.

He scoffed inwardly. Not all that good his ass.

"You can start first," He offered aloud, watching that cerulean gaze sparkle up to meet his. He had finally placed that color after thinking on it yesterday evening. Those eyes were the same as the legendary leader of the Sarutobis' ancient allies, Kamijou Tobirama, judging from the paintings that he saw and there were gestures that the pointy-haired boy made that reminded Sasuke of stories about the legendary Kamijou patriarch that he heard. He had a few suspicions on what this meant but he wasn't sure yet and he planned on speaking to his father and grandfather about this.

The Sarutobi watched as Kamijou slid a pawn forward. A simple enough move and he moved one of his own in return.

And so the game began. Sasuke had no time, nor did he have the desire, to engage in small talk as he frowned inwardly at the spiky-haired samurai trainee's wild playing style. There wasn't much logic to each of Kamijou's moves. It was as if he was simply picking a random piece up and moving it. But after the first time that Kamijou Touma had made a seemingly useless decision of sacrificing a lance and, eight moves down the road, Sasuke had found himself caught between losing a knight and losing a silver general. He had sacrificed his knight and never made the same mistake again.

But still, there was something strange about Kamijou's playing style. His own father being an exemption, Sasuke had never played against anyone who could read his moves so far ahead and counter them accordingly. He had thought that maybe the boy must have learned from Mokichi and had glanced up at Kamijou several times but each time, he had found the younger boy staring keenly at the board, one arm standing against a knee when he wasn't moving a piece and the other upright to cushion his head in one hand.

Nevertheless, after studying the raven's playing style for several minutes, he was able to counter some of Kamijou's moves.

And so they played for the next two and a half hours, neither able to outmatch the other but Sasuke had found a kunai-sharp mind behind Kamijou's neutral facade, one that intrigued him all the more because every unpredictable move on the shogi board meant one more unpredictable thought.

And if there was one thing Sasuke had learned since the beginning of the game, it was that Kamijou Touma had a very illogical but unpredictable mind.

"For someone who claims he got destroyed by Miyamoto-sama, you doing quite pretty well," Sasuke finally spoke, breaking the silence for the first time since they had begun.

Kamijou's blue eyes flickered up to meet his. It was Sasuke's turn at the moment and Kamijou was forced to respond when the Sarutobi swordsman made no move to continue. "I have not beaten you…yet…"

Sasuke's mouth carved up into a slight smile. "Most people wouldn't measure their skills in accordance to mine…or to someone else…"

Kamijou managed a shrug without dislodging his head from his hand. "I am not most people."

With that, Sasuke agreed wholeheartedly. And if Kamijou was not most people, then perhaps he shouldn't ask his questions the way he would with them. The rookie swordsman had said he was straightforward. Sasuke preferred that as well.

"Then…" He finally moved his rook forward. "Who are you?"

Kamijou countered with a bishop. "I'm not quite sure what you mean."

Sasuke arched an eyebrow. "Alright, I'll be clearer. There are two things I want to know above all else right now: Are you aware of any relation you might have with the legendary Kamijou Tobirama and what are you planning to do in Academy City once you had completed your samurai training." He moved a pawn.

To his credit, the spiky-haired boy only tilted his head and moved a knight forward without looking away from Sasuke. "That's what you want to know above all else? Really?"

Sasuke offered a lazy shrug. "I could ask you if you plan to harm our village but that's somewhat pointless and stupid at the same time. I trust the decision of the Miyamoto patriarch to take you in as a protege and he trusts you. Explicitly. I could also ask you how you managed to find and meet Miyamoto-sama in the first place, but that's even more pointless. You're obviously partial to information I'm not and I'm not interested in finding out something that's already over and done with. I could ask you how a mere Academy City student became interested kenjutsu but I'm not even interested. And finally…" Ssasuke had now propped his elbows on the edge of the wooden table and propped his head on his clasped hands as he surveyed the motionless pointy haired boy with sharp eyes.

"Finally, I could ask you why, when you entered the Sarutobi Compound…" Sasuke slowly turned his head, gaze still fixed firmly on the samurai trainee as he freed one hand to fish out something from his pocket and revealed a seal—an ink seal on a red paper—glowing a faint blue on the object. Kamijou's entire face had scrunched over, any remaining warmth disappearing as confusion was painted in his face. "…did this Chi Sensing Seal, passed to us by the legendary leader I mentioned a while back to pick up any demon chi signature should it wander too close to our Clan grounds, suddenly destroyed? This was supposed to be guarding our gates…"

Sasuke watched Kamijou closely for any reaction but the raven simply sat there, still sitting in the same position, eyes now focused on the seal.

It took a full five minutes for the boy to reply, "Ah…I guessed I must have cancelled it out. You see…I was born with a mystical power in my right hand. Basically, it can cancel out any supernatural objects when touched directly. Must have touched your gates accidentally when we entered. I heard sensei once dubbed it the Gensō Goroshi."

Imagine…Breaker… Now this piece of information interested the Sarutobi swordsman, "I didn't expect to hear such power which had obscure but clear documentation from our archives. To tell you honestly, one of my ancestors used to have that mysterious power of Gensō Goroshi which is why even Miyamoto-sama is somewhat familiar with it, although no one had really deciphered what's its real function and there are no other written records of it other than the fact that similar cases was written and reported orally from the faraway lands."

"Your ancestor must have been unlucky then," Kamijou snorted, "If I have the chance, I would have it removed."

"Why so?"

"It brings me misfortune," Kamijou replied honestly, "Yes, I can defend myself against Espers with my right hand but in exchange it had given me nothing but rotten luck."

When it was clear that Kamijou had a somewhat bad history with his right hand, Sasuke sighed and rubbed the back of his head before reaching out and moving one of his gold generals.

"Sucks to be you, then," He continued casually. "But if the seal was shattered by your right hand which you said is a bringer of bad luck, I had a feeling that you had a more powerful ability that is being locked up by that right hand of yours. You know…something like a limiter to a hidden but insane amount of supernatural power. Thus, your control over whatever chi signatures you have inside you is either good enough or too good that you cannot access to your real potential unless we cut off the Gensō Goroshi. As long as you're not about to go insane and destroy Yamagakure, it's none of my concern. Your move."

Kamijou remained still for a few seconds longer, somewhat impressed with how Sasuke analyzed his power before turning back and extending one hand, moving a pawn forward. Half a dozen plays that Kamijou could make with that move sprang up in Sasuke's mind but he dismissed them. He could stop each of them if he took the pawn now. Moving his knight, he secured the pawn.

"By the way…" Kamijou heard Sasuke's smooth voice accompanied his next move as he shifted a lance, "You know…you kind of remind me of a younger but formidable samurai from the Kakure Kirishitan communities of Nagasaki."

Kamijou then asked. "A Christian samurai?"

Sasuke then snaps his neck to relax it. "Kanzaki Kaori-san from the Kanzaki Clan of the Blooming Clovers. Originally a founding clan in this place, they were displaced by our clansmen after a violent power struggle a long time ago and they were forced to moved further south towards Nagasaki. They were the first ones to become Christians in Japan, if I'm not mistaken."

Kamijou nodded absentmindedly.

"They used to be a great clan in the past but lately, I haven't heard anything from them except for the fact that Kanzaki Kaori-san, the last of their kind, became the priestess of the remaining hidden Christians of Nagasaki and that he had ties with the west." Sasuke dully noted, "It's actually a waste as she was said to be born with unlimited potential. In other words, she had the greatest fortune."

"Unlike me…"

"By the way, you don't really have an idea about my first question earlier?" Sasuke asked again, moving his rook to the left. "You look like a younger version of Kamijou Tobirama-sama. I can almost see it. Just have two locks wrapped in bandages framing either side of your face and you'd be an almost exact copy. Did Miyamoto-sama talked to you about it?"

Kamijou gave a half-shrug as he moved his lance again, indicating that his sensei haven't talked about it. Sasuke scanned the board before moving a silver general and capturing another of Kamijou's pawns.

"Maybe I just look like him or it was coincidence. Maybe sensei will discuss it with me when I'm ready to hold that particular information. But I'm sure it's just plain coincidence." Kamijou tapped a finger on the edge of the wooden table before shifting a gold general. Sasuke immediately took the knight that Kamijou had failed to move with one of his gold generals. It seemed like the game was coming to an end. Kamijou wasn't concentrating anymore.

"I highly doubt that but we'll leave it for now," Sasuke observed the raven for a moment. "So what are you planning to do once you get back to Academy City?"

Kamijou finally straightened from his lazy slouch, meeting Sasuke's gaze evenly. "Protect Academy City and see a smile on every person that I meet. That's what I've always tried to do and I won't stop doing it."

Sasuke frowned. The devotion that now shone in Kamijou's eyes was startling. What attachment did he have to this damned city to show that much dedication to it?

The sound of footsteps coming in and a deer munching grass signalled his father's arrival. "Yo, just returned from herding the deer, Sasuke."

Sasuke quickly whipped his head and turned to face Sarutobi Ashina as the boy stepped into the room. "Welcome back, tou-san. How was your day?" Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the oddly heaving expression flickering briefly across his temporary shogi partner's face as his focus turned to his pervert of a father. Strange.

"It was fulfilling and I get to read Icha Icha Brutality while on duty with our deer," Ashina had paused to take in Kamijou and then the shogi board. "Are you the one training with us tomorrow? Miyamoto-sama seemed to be ready to take you to the Forest of Hell."

Sasuke blinked in surprise before turning to look at Kamijou. The raven seemed to struggle with himself before producing a strained smile in his father's direction. "According to sensei, he would invite you two if needed."

Ashina nodded briefly, stepping forward as he glanced at the shogi board again. "That's good, Kamijou-kun. I have a lot of things to teach you as well."

Sasuke coughed up, catching up to the real meaning of his words as Kamijou only shrugged before rising to his feet. "Perhaps. We'll see." He turned back to Sasuke and nodded at the board. "I believe this game goes to you, Sasuke. It was an interesting match, but I'd better be going because I'm going to see Komoe-sensei as well. Thank you for having me. I'll see myself out."

With a low murmur of "See you later, Sasuke, Ashina-san", the young samurai in training swiftly departed the small shed, disappearing from sight without another glance at either of them.

Sasuke remained in the same position for several seconds after the raven's abrupt departure. He only stirred when his father sat down in Kamijou's vacated seat, waving a hand at the board to get Sasuke's attention. "How long and how was it, son?"

Sasuke hummed an affirmation. "Four hours. He's good, tou-san."

Ashina nodded distractedly, eyes on the board. "When he left, why did he say that the game went to you?"

Sasuke arched an eyebrow and glanced down at the board as well, reaching out to tap one of his silver generals. "I would've checkmated him in three moves. He was distracted near the end."

Ashina frowned as he scratched his head. "Well yeah but if he moved this…" His father tapped a simple rook sitting silently near the left side of the board. "…he would've checkmated you in the next move…"

Sasuke sat in stunned silence, eyes glued on the pawn as he reviewed all the moves that had been made in the last six minutes and all the possible moves he could've taken or not taken.

The two pawns and the knight.

They had been distractions—mere diversions to draw the gold and silver generals that had been guarding his king away from their positions and remove the knight that had been blocking the rook's forward movement that now trapped his king. If he moved any piece to stop the rook now, he would leave Kamijou's lance or gold general free to attack his king. He then realized that those two pieces were the very ones that the spiky haired boy had seemingly carelessly moved last and the two pieces that stopped them at the moment were the two generals he had moved to capture Kamijou's sacrificial pieces. Instead of capturing the pieces in his way, the younger of the two had simply moved them elsewhere. Instead of going to the effort of cornering his king, he had let Sasuke do it for him.

And like any fresh amateur, he had fallen for it, so preoccupied with his questions and Kamijou's answers that he hadn't seen it. And the bastard just had to forfeit and give me the win…

"The hell…" He cursed long and hard inside his head when he remembered that his father was still in the room. How dare he? As far as he knows, he couldn't remember the last time he had lost a game other than his matches against his father.

And with that thought came a rush of acknowledgement as he allowed his short-lived annoyance to leave him in a regretful laugh. Misfortunate, my ass! Kamijou Touma, if guided correctly, would have become an excellent shogi player. Even if he had lost, the spiky haired boy had still matched him move for move for four hours. The strongest player Sasuke had played aside from his own father and before Kamijou had come along had only lasted one and a half.

"Tou-san…" He called out sharply as he suddenly straightened.

Ashina pulled back, looking mildly alarmed at his son's sudden change of demeanor. "What is it, Sasuke?"

"We'll train with Kamijou-san, right?" At his father's wary nod, Sasuke continued, a foreboding glint in his eyes. "Can I drag him back here if you need to? I want a rematch."

But his father only scoffed and rose to his feet, stretching and making his way out of the shed again, no doubt to go and read his trashy novel again. As he left, Ashina only tossed back, "Foolish young man, if he can beat you, then the only one Kamijou-kun will be playing tomorrow will be me. I've never met anyone who could actually trump you that much in a shogi match before. Besides, it's too troublesome and I need to find out what happens between Hizashi and Hitomi at the next chapter of Icha Icha. Sayonara!"

Sasuke twitched as he watched his father leave the room. "Damned pervert of a father," He growled, glaring at the board. And then he leaned back and smirked, turning to glance at the red seal he showed a while back and right now, it didn't have the ink markings Kamijou saw a while back. He had learned some things today, some from his own observations, others that Kamijou had willingly imparted to him. He would have to think on it some more and discuss it with Miyamoto Mokichi and in the meantime, he would need to come up with a way to convince Kamijou to come back for another round of shogi.

The next day, a barefooted Kamijou Touma and Miyamoto Mokichi had gone ahead to the thick forest and the rugged mountains where they will conduct their regular training. After learning that the place was called "Forest of Hell" due to the fact that there are a lot of flora and fauna that are not only large but also deadly to the locals there, the spiky haired boy freaked out and the Miyamoto patriarch had to calm him down before they set out for their training.

Once they were in the middle of the forest as they were standing in a clearing, the old man began to speak as his voice hardened, "Since we are here now, I am going to make this sensing exercise of yours difficult." The old man had a dangerous glint in his eyes that made Kamijou gulp.

"H-Hai sensei, but why are you going to make the exercise more difficult?"

"The answer to that question is simple young one. In battle, there will come a time when one or all of your senses may be impaired and you need to get accustomed to fighting without the aid of one or more than one of your bodily senses. Battle just as life is often unforgiving and you need to be prepared for any eventuality," Mokichi solemnly preached, "This is often the greatest weakness of Esper users, especially those whose powers rely on the tactic of "one-shot" killing. They are so heavily focused on their own supernatural ability that they neglect the other aspects of their training such as physical conditioning and close-quarters hand combat. When they meet an opponent that could nullify or disable their power, then they are lost. The greatest fear of an Esper or a similar individual is their loss of their sense in, robbing them of any capability."

Sharping senses was the way Mokichi had trained Kamijou for the first three months ever since they had become student and master. Aside from having to evade his sensei with his eye sight blindfolded and his hands tied in their exercises, he observed everything in his environment, including the people in the streets, the tall buildings, the stores, the trees, the parks, how they walked, talked and expressed themselves. Everything became training for him, from his trips to his school to sitting in his apartment reading. Heck even the way Aogami Pierce talks about his fetish had become training for the samurai apprentice. Spending so much time in the environment, he developed a fondness for it and would return to the forest near Academy City to study the work that Mokichi gave him. Other times, he would go just be in the presence of the plants and animals of the forest.

It was only after Kamijou read about the history and current functioning of all the Oriental Eastern nations that he realized how important the little things are. From the small peasant farmer to the largest of all the merchant shops, their contributions added up to become the life blood of the oriental cultures.

"Hai sensei, I understand now," Kamijou nodded.

"Good. Since your basic sensing skills are developed already, I am going to make things a little more difficult and interesting for you," the old samurai said while walking up to the young man and putting hand on the boy's shoulder as he used his left hand to draw out his wakizashi.

For some reasons, Kamijou had a bad feeling about what is to happen, "Hey old man, what are you going to do?"

With one neat and downward pull, the old man ripped the entire arm off the boy's orange-and-blue shirt as well as his pants.

"Heeeeey!" The boy screamed as he is now wearing only his boxers and inner white shirt, "Are you senile, you old coot?! That was my favorite t-shirt!"

"So! That thing was too hideous and attracts to much attention!" Mokichi argued, "But don't worry, I have a suitable replacement for you, my son."

"A replacement, huh?" Kamijou felt like he was betrayed, "I don't trust you, old man"

"Don't worry," the old man said with a smile.

"Ok…if you say so…"

"Since you have learned to sharpen the use of all your senses in the first year of your middle school and that you have learned and appreciated the lessons of observation, we will advance," Mokichi then gave him a pair of bokken (wooden training sword), "we are going to begin the second stage of your training and the next discipline that you are going to learn is the discipline of Water, Niten Ichi-ryū and Nitōjutsu. Before we begin, can you tell me what is off about this scenery, Kamijou-kun?"

"Hai sensei," Kamijou became serious, "Sasuke, Komoe-sensei. And Yomikawa-sensei are hiding behind the large tree two o'clock my direction."

"How did you discover the location of those three individuals?"

"When they arrived, a pair of hawks darted out the tree, chirping frantically. At first, I thought it was a group of predators, possibly a snake or a large lizard but I didn't see any and then I saw the edge of their shoes just outside the bark."

Mokichi seemed very pleased. "You have done very well, my son. Your powers of observation have developed greatly."

"Yomikawa-sensei, how did Kamijou-chan find us out?!" Komoe nearly screamed frantically, "This three was large enough to hide all of us!"

"It's not that unusual, tsurupeta…" Sasuke insulted the pinkette, "Father had made me do a similar exercise when I was younger. In fact, we did this for two years."

"Water is powerful element that can destroy in one single crashing flood or gradually eroding the obstacle. Water is the very existence of adaptation since it changes according to the situation. Thus, in battle you will must become like water and adapt to the situation. Niten Ichi-ryū, the school of the two heavens as one, has its basis in strategy and timing." Mokichi began to discuss, "The first ten (heaven) in strategy, your spiritual bearing must not be any different from normal. Both in fighting and in everyday life, you should be determined yet calm. In life, always seek balance for with balance you can adapt to any situation. You must become balanced in body, mind and spirit. Neither of these create weakness and nor do they reveal it to the enemy. In creating balance within yourself, you will be able to observe it in others and thus you will be able to take advantage of their weaknesses and any signs of openings for you to strike."

Mokichi then took a stance as he drew his wakizashi.

"Stance is a crucial aspect of the swordsman's way, your kamae or stance can be the difference between life and death. Always keep your head straight forward and erect, not down or sideways and keep your spine erect. This is the center-line of your body and is crucial for your stance. However, although your stance is important, it can also reveal your true intentions. You must learn to use right timing to reveal your intentions to the opposing party. Perceive everything around you down to the most minute of details for against a skilled opponent, if you take your eyes off of them, you will be dead quickly."

Kamijou nodded.

"Then next "ten" is timing. Timing is important in dancing and pipe or string music, for they are in rhythm only if timing is good. Timing and rhythm are also involved in the warrior arts. In all skills and abilities, there is timing." at this point, Mokichi seathes his wakizashi. "There is timing in the whole life of the Samurai, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and chaos. All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this. In strategy, there are various timing considerations. From the outset you must know the applicable timing and the inapplicable timing, and from among the large and small things and the fast and slow timings find the relevant timing, first seeing the distance timing and the background timing. This is the main thing in strategy. It is especially important to know the background timing for otherwise, your strategy will become uncertain."

Mokichi then takes out his own pair of bokken from his back.

"With the mastery of strategy and timing, you will be able to defeat ten men as easily as you are able to defeat one. Apply this to all areas of your life. Do you understand young one?"

"Yes, sensei…" Kamijou replied.

"Good Kamijou-kun. Let us continue."

"Now on to Nitōjutsu. Nitōjutsu is a Kenjutsu style that utilizes two swords." The old man then held up the two bokken. "Usually the two weapons are a katana and a Wakizashi but for now, you will be training with two wooden long swords so that your body becomes balanced in the use of the two swords.

Kamijou nodded.

"Perfect. Now to be a master swordsman, you must attack with your body, mind and spirit. If any is lacking, your attacks will be weak and indecisive which can lead to your disastrous downfall."

The pair then walked off and they made it to the edge of a large waterfall that was located ten minutes away from the clearing.

"Now there are five main stances in Kenjutsu. There are Chudan, Judan, Gedan, Hidari Waki Gamae, and Migi Waki Gamae. The chudan stance is the most basic of stances and the other stances are derived from this basic stance. It is a stance that is balanced in both attack and defense. In order to perform this stance you need to your spine straight, head erect and facing forward, with your hips straight as well. Have your left foot slightly behind your right and keep both feet parallel to each other. The right knee should be bent and the left almost straight. Grip both bokken with a firm yet gentle grip. Let your hands be approximately five inches from your torso and have the tip of each bokken pointing towards the next of your imaginary opponent."

The boy's form was rough but that was to be expected since he was just a beginner. It would eventually take Kamijou a week to understand and perform the five basic stances of the sword.

"Now that you understand that posture, you will be holding it under the waterfall. This will strengthen your body, mind and spirit."

The boy's eyes widened at the tall and somewhat strong current of the waterfall for a second before hardening into determination, "Yes, sensei…"

Mokichi just smiled at his student

The moment Kamijou made it under the waterfall, the tremendous force of the water lashed unforgivingly on his body, pushing him onto his hands and knees. He struggled under the water while trying to raise his body up when he heard sensei's words.

"Remember my son, move with your body, mind and spirit." Mokichi gently but firmly reminded him, "Anything less and you will be crushed. Don't fight the waterfall because if you do, you will lose. You are a part of nature. Feel your body, listen to it, calm your mind, allow your spirit to come forth. Gentleness always overcomes forcefulness. Do you feel it? Do you feel your inner strength?"

By this time, Kamijou had made it onto his knees under the overwhelming force of the waterfall. Feel my body, empty my mind, and allow my spirit to come forth. The boy closed his eyes and was trying to feel his body. In the darkness, he began to feel his body—his arms, legs, shoulders, his muscles, bones, every part of his body became alive with raw energy from his surrounding. In the darkness of his mind, the noise of the waterfall faded away. Don't fight the waterfall, if I fight it I will lose. It is me, forceful, fighting, and unstoppable. I cannot fight myself, I cannot use force.

At that moment, a strange calm overcame the boy as the waterfall began to feel lighter and lighter like he was in his shower. The water just seemed to flow right past his body. No force, do not fight.

He stood tall under the waterfall, he did it. Yesssss! I did it! However the moment he began to celebrate prematurely, he was overwhelmed by the waterfall and swept into the river. A fish then ended up getting swallowed accidentally in his mouth.

Such misfortune.

A few minutes later, he was swept onto the river bank sprawled on the bank, looking at the sky and breathing hard. He then felt a shadow looming over him.

It was his master.

"You were proud of your accomplishment and it showed in your facial expression" Mokichi blankly said, "What you accomplished was a glimpse of your natural state. It was nothing special. You got preoccupied with your feat and as a result, lost your way. Pride, elation, forcefulness will all get you killed in battle, do you remember the final lesson?"

"Never stray from the way. I remember sensei." Kamijou replied, "My true strength, how do I find it, though?"

"Look within"

"Look within?"

"Yes Kamijou-kun. All the answers you need can be found inside you, not on the outside. Now try again."

"Yes, master." Kamijou said as he got up and went under the waterfall again with his bokken in hand.

It would take him two weeks of constant practice every day just to stand upright under the waterfall and stay there. It took him another two weeks to actually move his hands and legs. Once this was accomplished, the old man had him working on perfecting the stances under the waterfall. This was no easy task for the boy and it took him two months and a half of constant practice to hold those stances under the water fall with his bokken, without dropping his guard. Every falter, every hole in his guard resulted in him being hit with a pebble where ever the hole in his defense was found. Mokichi was relentless in his exploiting of the holes in his defense, and every time Kamijou fell out of the waterfall and washed up onto the banks, Mokichi would say, "You just died there. Leave no openings for your enemies to exploit…"

Meanwhile, Komoe and Yomikawa, who were busy stalking both every day before they will go back to the compound to enjoy their vacation, were really impressed with the training the boy was undertaking and knew that to accomplish what he did, it takes extreme discipline. The Miyamoto patriarch was a really good, if not ruthless trainer. However, he was also a kind and wise man as well and the boy was flourishing under the man's tutelage.

As the days and weeks went by, Kamijou was able to perfect all the stances under the waterfall without breaking his guard. The rigorous training had made his young body strong and he began to put on muscle mass due to the training.

Meanwhile, Sarutobi Ashina and his son was watching the pair as they made their way to the training ground for their days work

"Having perfected your stances, today you are going to learn about the five attitudes of Kenjutsu and they are the Upper, Lower, Middle, Right and Left sides. But before we continue could you tell me what amiss here young one?"

"Yes sensei. There is someone around but I cannot find their location because they are very well hidden."

"How did you discover them?"

"There were three squirrels over by the rocks near that small tree to your right. For the past hour or so, they have been in that area but just a moment ago the suddenly became agitated for no reason. There are not predators around so the only conclusion is that there is someone nearby spying on us again."

The older Sarutobi was a bit surprised at the fast rate that the samurai student is learning but he did not show it. Damn, he had almost detected him and he was really close too as we hid in the very tree Kamijou-san called out. Although they were just testing the boy's sensing abilities, he had to admit that the child passed with flying colors. The boy was extremely conscious of his surroundings. Mokichi's training methods were great to produce such a drastic improvement in young Kamijou Touma.

In no time, he'll be a great swordsman…worthy of being a successor to Tobirama-sama. Sasuke thought as he himself was impressed

"Well done Kamijou-kun but let us continue." Mokichi praised the boy, "Now, as I was saying, there are five attitudes of Kenjutsu. The upper, middle and lower correspond to head while the chest and abdomen correspond to the right. A violent blow to these areas is usually fatal. Left and right attitude refers to the extremities and blows to these areas are not usually fatal but can be sorely devastating."

Mokichi then began to point several body points of the body using his bokken.

"Your attitude should be large or small according to the situation. Upper, Lower and Middle attitudes are decisive. Left side and Right side attitudes are fluid. Left and Right attitudes should be used if there is an obstruction overhead or to one side. The decision to use Left or Right depends on the place. Now take your stance young one alongside me and flow my movements: Men (head), Tsuki (body), Do (waist), Migi (left), Hiden (right)."

Kamijou did as he was told and so they began the basics of Kenjutsu

The two Sarutobis watched as the two continued to train in the way of the sword. Sasuke saw that the man was harsh and unforgiving but he was also wise and he could see that he cared for Kamijou deeply. If only Tobirama-sama can watch this, he'd be proud to have a successor. The two then faded into thin air using seals.

Meanwhile, Kamijou had continuously practiced the five attitudes until his arms were sore and his application of the strikes became flawless.

"Your understanding of the five attitudes is flawless," Mokichi sounded very proud like an artisan looking proud of his carved work, "Now you are going to learn the different techniques of Nitōjutsu and thus, other techniques in swordsmanship. Before I begin, I would like to tell you about the true essence of swordsmanship."

"The true essence of swordsmanship?" Kamijou questioned, "I mean…aren't they being used to just cut down enemies in our path?"

"No young one," Mokichi sternly shook his head, "Most swordsmen believe that our art is about the techniques and defeating the enemy just as you do." The old man turned away and was facing the waterfall looking up at the cascading water with a somber look on his face. Kamijou then knew the words that he was about to hear would be some of the most important that he would hear his master speak.

The old man began. "Swordsmanship ultimate ideal develops in three stages. It begins with the unity of swordsman and sword; in this unity, even a blade of grass or a leaf is a weapon. In the second stage, the sword no longer exists in one's hands but in one's heart but even when absent from one's hand, you can strike an enemy with your hands as if they were your own sword."

Kamijou was totally absorbed in the man's words.

"The first two achievements of the swordsman pale in comparison the final and ultimate achievement of the swordsman. That is the absence of sword in both hand and heart; the samurai is at peace with himself and the rest of the world. He vows not to kill and seeks to bring peace to mankind."

"Peace? But isn't a sword a weapon...a tool used as a means to kill?"

"Oh yes they are young one, no doubt about that." Mokichi chuckled, "Swords are used to kill and that's simple as that. However, the sword is also a paradox in itself that makes sense and at the same time doesn't make sense."

"I don't think I follow, sensei…"

"In this world, there are only two types of swords…"

"Only two?" the boy responded in amazement. Perhaps, this was sue to him and Aogami always reading comics but he learned about the different types of swords and blades. How can there be only two?

"Yes and these two swords are the Katsujinken or the life giving sword and the Satsujinken or life taking sword." Mokichi specificed. "Any sword or blade falls into either one of these two categories. If you kill a man who is about to murder innocent children, then in the act of killing that man, your sword becomes life giving. However, you took the man's life and however evil he may be it was still a life and thus your sword becomes a life taking sword. Even further, these terms can be used as way of life and of swordsmanship. It comes down to either take or preserve life unless you're a good talker."

Mokichi then threw an apple fruit in the air and before Kamijou could see it happening, the old samurai had quickly slashed the fruit within 0.96 second before it even land on the floor.

"Do you understand what is at stake when you take up a blade and point it at another human being? No! You do not." Mokichi preached, "It is only when the tip of your blade is at your enemy's neck and he is begging for life will you truly understand these words. Only then will you understand the power of the blade."

Kamijou couldn't say anything. The old man's words were stuck in his mind and he could not get them out.

The old man sighed, "Your lesson is done for today. We shall meet tomorrow at 5 straight in the morning to continue your training. Let us leave this place."

Without a word, they left the training ground.

Kamijou was now busy indulging himself in his dish of roasted chicken and boiled vegetables as they are gathered again in the table for dinner. However, his mind was still stuck on the words of the sensei at the end of their training session. For some reasons, those words had put a weight on his heart and he did not know how to get it off.

"So Kamijou-chan, how have you been?" Komoe asked her soon-to-be high school student as they eat dinner, "I haven't seen you around for a while since the last time we spied on you in the forest. You must be really working hard in but don't forget your Esper studies."

"Don't worry, Komoe-sensei." Kamijou replied, "But right now, my priority is to become to be a samurai not only of Yamagakure or Academy City. My aim is to become a samurai for all Japanese people."

With that statement, Yomikawa just stopped what she was doing as she ate her own dinner. "You're really working hard for this although I must say that if you progressed beyond a Level 0 Esper, you're actually much more guaranteed to receive funds."

"I have found something more important than those stuff, Yomikawa-sensei…"

"What is it Kamijou?"

"Peace of mind, Yomikawa-sensei." Kamijou out on his cute smile, "To me, peace of mind is more important than being a high-ranked Esper. To be honest, I had anything but peace of mind in the city, especially since I am a misfortunate guy."

"So you don't like studying in Academy City anymore?"

"Well…despite everything, that is my home even though it causes me a great deal of pain ever since I got separated from mom and dad," Kamijou replied, "I would want to protect those I care for in that place."

"Such wonderful words." Mokichi said as he sipped his tea, "You are developing into a fine young man Kamijou. Keep up the good work." Maybe it is time to tell him the truth about his clan and his origins. He deserves to know it since it is his clan, after all. He thought

Kamijou gave him a truly genuine smile. "Thanks, sensei. By the way, where is Sasuke and his father? I haven't seen him around."

"Oh, Sasuke must be busy following to watch out for his father since the latter has a…degenerated reputation in this village…" Butsuma replied somewhat embarrassingly, "Since Ayumi-chan's death, Ashina had been frequenting those bathhouses and reading Icha Icha books to try and move on in life."

"Uhm…who is Ayumi-chan, Butsuma-san?" Tessou asked in plain curiosity.

The clan head of the Sarutobi bowed his head as he looked to be stricken with grief, "My daughter-in-law and Ashina's wife. She came from a kunoichi clan who died due to a terminal illness just a year back…"

"O-oohhh….I'm sorry to hear that," Tessou didn't mean to open up wounds of the past, "I was just…"

"Don't worry. It's all in the past and Ayumi-chan wouldn't want his husband and his son Sasuke to be mourning for her all the time," Butsuma managed to get a grip of himself, "Besides, life is too short to waste and the best way to mourn the dead is to enjoy life as what the deceased would have like you to do. Although it would take some time before Ashina comes to terms with it…"

"That's right." Yomikawa agreed, "Tessou, did Itou send you any information about what is happening in Anti-Skill right now? This better be good."

"So far, he's handling things pretty well, sensei," Tessou replied.

The Next Day

Kamijou and Mokichi met at the designated time and were making their way through the streets of Yamagakure. Anytime Kamijou lost concentration or became preoccupied, he was smacked on the head by the old man. Smackings had become a familiar sight between the two as they walked and spoke with each other. At this point, boy's new dress code consisted of a simple black kimono and blue haori. The pair walked until they left the outskirts of the village and was beginning to enter the training grounds. They continued to walk into an unfamiliar part of the forest grounds.

"Where are we going sensei?"

"Where are going to a place where you are going to train and learn the most important secret of swordsmanship," Mokichi replied. "Something that is more important than any technique or any skill you might learn."

"And that is?"

"Instinct, my son. The will to survive, to fight for one's life," Mokichi gently said. "That also means to be at the brink of death. That is more important than any technique or any skill."

"Survive?" Kamijou didn't like the sound of it as he noticed that they were approaching at trees that were abnormally larger than the ones they have encountered yesterday and his senses were basically telling him that a danger was coming.

"Welcome to the forest of life!" Mokichi spoke as if he was an interviewer, "For now, this would be your new home."

"My new home?! Naniiiii!" Kamijou screamed.

Mokichi became amused with the boy's reaction, "Yes, you will be living and training here until you are ready to become a full-fledged samurai."

"But sensei, all I have is my bokken. What will I eat and where will I sleep?"

"You have everything you need and you will have to find your own food and place to sleep," the old man replied. "Nature will teach you more than I ever could. We will train with your Kenjutsu techniques and we will also begin your advanced Taijutsu training as well. As you go around this place, always keep your body fit through the training regime that I gave you back in Academy City. Right now, they'll be more useful since the rugged terrain here would be beneficial in mixing up and use up all your muscles, not just build them up. In some sense, it's similar to fartlek from the Swedish."

The spiky haired perked up a little at the thought of more training from his wise sensei.

"I will come here some time to train you, after which you will spend the night in the forest. From time to time, Sasuke or Ashina will also come here to help me teach you other techniques such as kyūjutsu (archery), iaijutsu (combative quick-draw sword technique), and the hidden arts such as Kyusho Jitsu (Touch of Death), and toiri-no-jutsu (infiltrating tactics)." Mokichi listed them, "Listen to your instincts, listen to your body because the body always knows, listen to your sword, listen to your spirit, and most of all, listen to Nature. Learn from her for she is your greatest teacher. Live…"

He then pokes the forehead of the boy as a sign of good luck to him. Oh please, sensei, don't jinx it! Kamijou screamed mentally.

"I will see you sometime young one. One last bit of advice before I leave…animals instinctively knows how to identify fear…"

"Yes…you crazy old geezer…"

Some thousands of meters away from where Kamijou Touma and Miyamoto Mokichi stood, a certain group of three people had just arrived at the gates of Yamagakure after what seemed to be an endless travel time from their home in Kanagawa to Mimasaka, Okayama.

"Stop sir!" Suddenly, a watchman stopped them as the three people halted in their tracks, "Are you some tourists or anything? Unless you know someone here or you're visiting a relative, I cannot let you enter right now as tourists aren't allowed until the designated time has come."

"Actually, we had come for someone we know," the man in the group replied. "If you'd be so kind, do you know where the house of one certain Sarutobi Ashina. Do you know where he lives?"

Suddenly, the guard's facial featured brightened up as he then asked politely, "Ah, I see. Are you on an urgent meeting with him, sir? I can immediately bring you three to him there."

"Not really on a rush but I would be grateful if we can immediately go. We just came from a long journey and we really needed to take a wash room break," the man chuckled sheepishly.

"No worries, sir." The guard the took out a small notebook and asked, "I just need to ask your names so that I can forward it to Butsuma-sama."

The man nodded, "Ah, I see. I'm Kamijou Touya and this is my wife Shiina. The other one's my niece, Tatsugami Otohime.