Miryu was watching Algren spar with Ujio with Nobutada and Katsumoto's men, who were betting on the proceedings. "Your man seems to know his stuff, Miryu-chan," said Nakao, a giant of a man whose specialty was jujitsu. He was getting better and better at it, and he was beginning to be able to catch up with both Ujio and herself as they sparred. "Seems like I will be betting on him today…"
At his words, Miryu just chuckled. "Are you sure, Nakao-san? Your wife would not forgive you if you bet all her grocery expenses," she replied. She was sure of Algren's skill, and for a beginner in the art of kenjutsu, his progress was extraordinary, but it was still not enough to best Ujio, who had spent a lifetime perfecting his craft.
The man he was betting with laughed as well. "See, Miryu-chan knows where the odds are, my friend," he said, "Ujio will win in five moves." He knew his comrade well, and it was evident that he would win in a small number of attacks. Five would suffice, he guessed, and hopefully, he was right. Miryu could only shake her head, and watch.
Algren had put Nobutada's advice into his mind. "No mind," he repeated in his head, trying to ignore the fact that Miryu was right there watching him. It was a hard thing to do, but heck, he needed all the concentration he could muster to actually beat Ujio, or in his case, avoid being beaten up again. He could hear Nakao proclaiming that Ujio would beat him in six moves, and he swore to God that he hoped that it could actually happen.
The slight breeze had been a mark for them to start exchanging blows, and for once, Algren not only managed to keep on his feet, but he also managed to give Ujio a harder time in facing him. And for some reason, the American was still defeated by the stern man. Sure, he lost that set, but it would be evident that he had hope that he would win the next one, for sure.
In the corner of Miryu's eyes, she had discovered another talent of Algren's. He could learn new things on his feet, and like swordsmen of the greatest caliber, he could analyze every single attack before they struck him. The more he was used to kenjutsu, the more this talent was evident to her. It was this new approach on facing new experiences head-on that enabled his survival; that enabled his rapid learning of new languages. Indeed, this man was full of surprises. His attacks were only fueled by frustration and anger, in the next following sets, but she could see that he was able to learn from his mistakes. After the fifth or sixth sets, she sensed a growing calm from every single maneuver, and that he was aware of everything around him.
Nathan Algren had never felt so calm before in his life. He was able to feel, to see, to touch, to hear and to taste in striking range. The scent of the thawing grass, the sounds of the swordsmiths forging weapons for the warriors, the early bird already singing in the trees… He had never felt so alive, and inhaling a deep breath, he started to attack Ujio once again. Parrying, striking, and hacking, both men participated in a duel of the minds, and of the sword. The outcome was staggering, and it had been evident the moment both men held their bokken at each other's necks.
"A draw!" the man Nakao was betting with exclaimed, much to Miryu's elation and pride. Maybe she really needed to have some confidence in Algren after all. She walked over to him and gave him a quick hug before he twirled her around playfully. It did not take long for them to realize that Katsumoto actually approved of their relationship, and with that, the entire village and the rebel leader's men gladly gave their support as well. "Algren-san, you surprised even Miryu, congratulations."
"It is nothing, friend," the Captain replied in Japanese, which seemed almost natural to him, save for his strange "accent" as the locals called it. It was the result of too many years speaking in English, causing for the inability to pronounce certain words with the finesse of a native speaker, but how Miryu spoke several foreign languages flawlessly was beyond him. "I have had great teachers," he added, looking towards Miryu and Ujio, who gave him slight nods of approval.
When evening came, Algren and Katsumoto had another of their "conversations" while watching Miryu practice atop a green hill. "The Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryuu is a strange and beautiful style, Captain, and they say that its among the most powerful in Japan," Katsumoto said to Algren, naming Miryu's unique kenjutsu style he was sure Algren had not known. It was one of the open secrets that several top members of the Ishin-Ishishi ever known, that Battousai and Battouryu were the students of the 300 year old style and philosophy wrought in secretly in the shadow of the mountains around Kyoto, and one that Miryu hardly talked about. Still, it was no harm in telling Algren that.
"Rare and beautiful like she is, if I don't say so myself," Algren commented, watching the fire in her eyes burn as they always did. "Was she like that when you fought together as well?"
Strangely, Katsumoto shook his head. "She was like an empty shell with only anger and pain," he replied with a grave voice. "Miryu wanted vengeance upon the government that caused so much suffering to the people of Japan, and she wielded her sword with rage, although she smiles as she does now. Her companion, Battousai, was just too pure and innocent to believe that they were really using the sword to create a new future."
Algren did not know what to say… So, Miryu and this infamous Battousai, were merely children given great skill to kill in a middle of a great uprising? Was the world so different there nine years ago? "But other than what you are doing now, Japan has peace, right?" he asked. Katsumoto gave a slight nod, which relieved him to now end.
"Know that before she met you, Captain, she had never truly smiled before," Katsumoto said. "In a way, you are helping Japan. The Emperor would not be as worried of her when he sees her next time…"
Just then, Algren's world stopped. What the hell was he supposed to tell the Emperor?