Sachihiro

Gathered in the dojo field with the senior disciples leading the class we go through the forms in painstaking detail. Slowly moving into one and holding it till our muscles start to tremble, and then we do the same form repeatedly a hundred more times before starting the next form. There are 33 sword combat forms to go through as part of the Hito basic kenjutsu that translate into a wholly unique sword style.

This is just the general class. I have discovered that each clan has its own special style they don't teach to any outsider on top of learning the general forms. I'm an outsider, Mira is an outsider, Asriel is an outsider and we have all improved greatly in our time here learning just the general lessons and not the styles of the clans.

I can't imagine how dangerous we could become if we learnt a style. By the time we finish with the last form I'm sweating bullets and my forearms feel warm from the strain, it feels great. With the weights around my ankles, wrists and neck every move is a fight.

We all practise with weighted practice swords much heavier than actual katanas but mine is especially heavy as its o-katana sized because of my size and strength. An o-katana is a slightly longer type of katana with a thicker blade which needs slightly more strength to cut deep but is ideal for fighting armoured opponents, ideal for me. I don't have an actual katana yet though. None of us in this class do.

The bestowal of a katana is a sacred right for the Hito people, there is an entire process to it. It's a mix between a coming of age ceremony and a graduation ceremony. Particularly gifted students get their swords faster than slower students. Everyone who graduates this class will get a katana made if they so choose, some with greater aspirations choosing a wakizashi or even a tanto which are usually secondary weapons. The choice a sort of promise or boast on how far they will go down the path following the way.

That's another thing about these people, they don't just have katanas lying around which at first surprised me as there are axes and shields all over the place in my village in the Tundra. But here, every sword has a person and is accounted for.

A kenjutsu graduate becomes a gets a katana made by a master from meteoritic steel, and this becomes their 'normal' weapon. These are usually curved with runes learnt from the vampires of the Underworld.

Judging by the level of craftsmanship, rarity of the materials used and their effectiveness in combat there is nothing normal about these samurai weapons. They are only considered 'normal' in comparison to a fricken' zanpakutō, an almost unattainable bar to compare a martial weapon to.

These sky-steel weapons are made 'willy-nilly' for all kenjutsu graduates, not only masters of the art but graduates. Almost every single Hito is at least a graduate of basic kenjutsu. Then if you want to be a samurai you train further and receive your second blade when you graduate, if you graduate. A spiritual weapon, a katana made from celestial steel. A magically bound and scalable weapon that grows in strength and efficiency with the wielder.

The samurai then usually end up carrying two swords, it is their way. The combination of types of swords is different from person to person though. Most carry a katana and a wakizashi, some two katanas while others still a naganati and a wakizashi or katana, or even a nodachi and a katana or even a tanto. The combination are each person's choice but every samurai has two weapons.

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A third blade is forged for a person that wants to become a soul samurai, also called Tamashī no senshi in the Underworld I hear. This weapon is also made from celestial steel but for this one the intended wielder's soul is used in the forging process and through that process, a zanpakutō is born. Actually born, as it has a personality and soul attuned to but different from the wielder's. At least that's what the rumours say.

And so every sword is accounted for, the swords of the fallen become family heirlooms only to be wielded in times of great desperation or handed down to family members. Some of the sentient swords that survive their wielders are taken to the Underworld, where they themselves choose their next wielder. At least the placated swords are re-wielded; the crazed ones are mostly too volatile to be wielded safely.

*

"Did you hear?" Hiroshi asks as we drink from the cistern.

"Hear what?" I respond looking at him. I'm taller than everyone here but Hiroshi is my equal when it comes to bulk and sword fighting, if I don't do any dirty tricks. We are tied as the third best students him and I which has helped develop a friendly rivalry between us.

"The zanpakutō hopefuls are cloistered away for at least a month in preparation for the forging," he says excitedly. Practically bouncing up and down.

"And...?" I ask coolly. It's not like I have the privilege of joining those hopeful.

He seems to sometimes forget I'm not from around here, which I appreciate. Some of the other clanners make it a point to isolate me. But he sometimes says things expecting me to understand the implications but without background it can become frustrating 'cause it makes me feel stupid sometimes.

"Whenever the forging soul weapons takes place Kazimoto has no students for a year, all his current students prepare themselves or recover after the forging," Hiroshi says quickly, looking around then whispering.

"The Beautiful Madman doesn't do well without students. So guess what he does for an entire year?"

"What?" I ask interested. Kazimoto is a legend amongst these people and I've never personally interacted with him before.

"He goes from school to school, to village to village teaching the basics of his style!" Sachi says excitedly.

"That's great!" Maybe I can finally learn what all the clans have been hiding from me.

"Prfffh..." Hiroshi snorts. "You don't know the half of it," he says shaking his head.

"But you've seen Kuyoki-san practising yes?"

The relevance of the question eludes me. I nod.

"Well her clan uses the water style." He says as we walk to the stretching area where we stretch before sparing.

I think about that. Kuyoki certainly does move differently, but I never considered that to be a style, interesting.

*

True to Hiroshi's word's the Madman does show up. Smelling of sake but seemingly unaffected by the strong drink. He watches from the sidelines a while. Then leaves to speak to sensei about us. Pointing at a few people.

Then he leaves. Apparently done with his observation.

After another hour of sparing, each person in the class having faced the other at least once. We perform the 33 forms. But this time without stopping after each form. Form 1 is naturally supposed to turn into form 2 which then turns to form 3 in a smooth transition all the way to 33.

It's exhausting but it's usually the last thing we do before a 50 hour break. We move as though choreographed dancers. Shouting after each stroke, this is to promote breathing apparently. It helps; breathing becomes erratic and difficult when tired.

Before we head to the bath springs Hiroyuki Sensei calls some of us over. Among the group is Kichiro, the best among us. So good he gives sensei a run for his money at only 19 years old, terrifying kid to watch. Sort of reminds me of my brother Dee, but Kichiro spurned my offer of friendship which is whatever.

There is Azami, the second best in class. The girl trains with a naganati shaped practice sword. A very deadly weapon in her hands. Eriko, a quiet young woman of 22, same age as me. Then Hiroshi and I.

"You have each been selected by Kazimoto to be his students until you quit or the forgings are complete. Congratulations. Report to the Hakone valley in 100 hours. Dismissed.

And like that my path is forever changed, again.