Soft footsteps crunched on the gravel leading to the old masters home. Perking his ears as he came to greet the familiar footsteps.
"Welcome back my boy" Jigoro called, seeing Saburou walk up the path to his homestead. He had patiently awaited his disciple's return. Never doubting in Saburou's success, yet being his caretaker for so long, brought an obvious sense of worry. Even if he was old enough to be his grandfather, the boy was akin to a son.
"I'm home!" Called Saburou energetically, a wide smile plastered on his face. The relief of returning to a place of comfort filled him with relief as his mind wandered. Memory's of his time with Jigoro and thoughts of his old home, his family. It had been years since he thought of the warmth he had felt then.
The thought's stung his eyes, tears unconsciously threatening to form. As he rubbed away the unfamiliar sensation with his sleeve, his master stood by with a smile. Past the tears, Saburou smiled bravely. A sense of warmth and happiness was here at this place. He had never admitted it to the old coot but he knew that Jigoro had become family. The smile on his masters face seemed to say he already knew and felt the same. Saburou continued forward, legs trembling, his body realizing just how tired and weak it had become over his leave.
"Come now boy! Can't even stand on your own! I wouldn't be surprised if you told me you failed" mocked the old man reaching out and supporting him upright. Over the past few days, Saburou slept. At least attempting to but his body unfortunately refused to recuperate properly.
His mind though unconscious, burned through the night as it sensed demons coming and going in the far distance around him. His body had yet to accustomed itself to his abilities newfound range and potency. It told him he was surrounded by demons, his instincts prepared to save him despite his there being no imminent danger.
Jigoro could tell of Saburou's fatigue, giving a quiet "hmph" as he walked his pupil indoors. Saburou leaned on Jigoro without resistance, for once accepting help. Laying his student down, Jigoro watched as Saburou quickly fell into a deep sleep. He couldn't help but smile again, proud of his pupils achievements. He watched him grow from a young, bullheaded boy to a strong, proud, and still bullheaded young man. Yet worry continually filled his heart. Would Saburou survive in this world, or would he be consumed like so many others?
"Saburou… my son," Jigoro whispered softly, "I'm proud of all you have accomplished." A small tear came to the corner of his eye. The old man stood up and began brewing a pot of tea to help him relax and relieve a week's worth of their stress when Saburou awoke. Fis son was home.
The sound of ringing bells could be heard in the distance. Saburou's sword had finally arrived. It had been two weeks since Saburou returned in which he had begun training a week ago. Knowing that simply passing final selection was not enough, Saburou was adamant to strengthen himself and tame his ability before he ventured out once more. He could not afford to slip up on his own. With every form the surrounding air vibrated as streaks lighting and sparks flew into the surrounding woods when Jigoro called for him.
"Saburou! Come! Your weapon has arrived!" The vibrations and lights stopped as Saburou sprinted to his teachers voice, eager to lay his eyes upon his new sword.
"My name is Haganezuka." introduced a mysterious man wearing a sunflower-patterned haori and a large, woven hat with hanging floral wind chimes. Most notably with a spotted cloth wrapped around his head and concealing his face with a hyottoko mask"I have forged Saburou Yamashi's sword and am here to deliver it." he declared with a firm, unwavering tone and presence.
Despite Saburou's curiosity, Jigoro seemed to know Haganezuka well leading to a tense interaction between the two. "Welcome and thank you! Would you like some food or tea?" Saburou offered, his eagerness showing through his courtesy.
"This is your Nichirin Sword." Haganezuka stated, ignoring the offer. Taking a seat before them on the ground he released his burden upon his back and grabbed a specific item.. "And I forged it." He stated with a strange tone of detachment and pride. As if it was obvious no other would compare. "The materials for a Nichirin Sword can be obtained from the mountain closest to the sun."
Still ignoring his surroundings, Hagenazuka's attention focused solely on the sword and described it's forging techniques. "Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Crimson Ore." He explained, pointing off into the distance at a mountain within the direction they could not see. "These produce steel that can absorb sunlight. Mt. Yoko is bathed in sunlight all day long you see."
Amidst his in depth explanation, Saburou slowly began to grow impatient. Forcing himself to remember his master's teaching he quietly reelied in his impatience. "Please continue." Saburou asked the strange man, feeling instant remorse.
Without a sign of acknowledging Saburou from behind his mask, Haganezuka continued. "Never a cloud in the sky, nor any rain." Suddenly, he stood and made his way inside prepared to pass his creation and witness it come alive and fill with color in the hands of it's novice owner. Unwrapping the cloth he carried the sword in, he handed the blade to the young boy.
As Saburou knelt with still sheathed sword, a moment of anxiety filled his chest. He was excited and nervous to see the weapon forged for him. A weapon unknowingly and ultimately, made for him, for his revenge.
"Come on, hurry up and draw it!" Haganezuka ordered, impatience in his voice as he mimicked the motion of drawing a sword. With a gulp, Saburou looked down and saw his handguard was designed after a blood moon. The ever recurring reminder of the night he lost everything.
Witha determined breath, he drew his sword, pulling its black sheath. As he held the sword proudly, he was taken aback as the radiant steel slowly brightened into a brilliant yellow.
"Nichirin Swords are also known as Color Changing Swords. They change depending on the bearer." Haganezuka clarified in a huff, satisfied by the sight. "Yellow, I suspected as much, every student of Jigoro ends up with a yellow blade." Slightly disappointed things were as expected, the swordsmith gathered his things, preparing to depart.
Jigoro looked upon the blade with pride, a soft smile hidden underneath his mustache. Past the yellow steel his pupils smile radiated just as brightly. He held hope the boy would settle down and raise a family to move past vengeance. The idea of a youth being tainted by it left a sour taste in his mouth. But what was youth if not passion?
Lost in the blade's brilliance, Saburou finally noticed Haganezuka's absence "Leaving so soon?" he called after the swordsmith.
"Yes, I must return to my passion now. A warning before I leave however." Haganezuka rushed to Saburou and stopped inches away from his face. "Do not break my sword. If you do, you will suffer my wrath." he scowled.
Saburou quickly retreated with a look of frightful confusion behind Jigoro who laughed stiffly. "Hotaru here is very proud of his work. I would listen to him. Not only is breaking your sword a sin to him, but it holds reason as it could mean death for you in battle." Jigoro clarified, reminding him of the importance in upkeep.
"Saburou Yamashi! Your orders! Your orders!" shouted a Kasugai crow flying in from above and swopping past the swordsmith. The crow's brightly colored eyes and almost animated beak, barked order's despite being a seemingly normal bird otherwise. It had surprised Saburou the first time they had properly conversed.
"Make your way to a town in the south! Mutilated bodies have been appearing!" it squawked.
A rush of excitement welled within Saburou at his first mission His master seemed concerned in contrast as the Swordsmith was as enigmatic as ever. The bird was not finished yet however. "Week after week a new body has appeared, all resembling wounds made by a demon. Hunt the monster down and kill it!" briefed the small creature.
Jigoro saw the light in Saburou's eye glow ever brighter at the details, a sense of righteousness filling him at the grimm details. The old man's heart filled with dread.
"Are you ready my boy?" Jigoro asked, understanding the years of training came to this point. What years of attachment and struggle led to the boys life decision and subsequently his worry.
"This will only be the first of many demons to fall by me. With this blade I swear it" he declared to the two men before him. Silent nods of approval were his replies.
"Let's not waste time!"Saburou shouted to his crow, rushing to grab his things and depart.