East Blue, Shimotsuki.

Shimotsuki sat far into the East Blue, Closet land was that of Dawn Island. A Land that prospered from intense rigorous training of swords, in both craft and art of the blade.

Many of them were farmers, harvesting and growing rice in fields, crafts from reeds and bamboo. They were self-sufficient, rarely did they ever have trade with neighboring islands or traders that sailed in the East.

All except for one thing. Swords, and by extension Swordsmen.

Shimotsuki's Swords were masterfully crafted. Dozens of Families that dedicated themselves to forging blade after blade. Not for profit, but for the Art of it. Sending them out into the world for them to fall into the hand of all variety of swordsmen, collectors, fighters, wandering blades, amateurs' and masters alike.

Swordsmen were then trained by the Shimotsuki Dojo, which sat atop the tallest hill. Where the Elder, Hagane, would train every child that wished to pick up the blade, in hopes of one day departing for the sea for their own specific journey. The school used as a place to hone dedication, perseverance, and conviction for their own unique journey. These teachings as a foundation to motivate them.

Some of them stayed behind, serving as protectors and the next generation of teachers, others departing to sail the seas, or even. Become the Greatest.

*

Masamune Kále was born to Masamune Iemon and Tomoe, 21 years ago. Lemon was a man that had been trained in Itoryu, one sword-style, from a young age. Having dedicated his life to honing this skill. He was strict, by the book, following every teaching to the T, never fighting for pleasure, but for honor and pride. Having obtained from all worldly pleasures in his journey to keep his mind clear.

Tomoe, on the other hand, was the exact opposite of her Partner. Where Iemon was strict, and always within the lines. Tomoe was very care free, enjoying the finer things in life, even if it was just a drink late at night, or having an extra plate.

Because of this, Kále was a rambunctious and excitable child who trained with a sword as soon as he could hold one. His father would train him for hours out of the day, with extreme rigor. But when his mother thought it was too much, she had the power to let Kále rest, and to goof off and have fun.

But his mothers presence was short lived. For when Kále was 9, his mother passed away. Iemon said that it was due to a sickness, he'd never seen his father buckle, but on that day. For the first time in his life, he shed tears. Kále expected his dad to train him even harder from that day. But he could see that his dads teachings were slipping. It forced Kále to seek out other routes for training.

He needed it to distract himself from the sadness he felt from his mothers passing.

When one day, he met a young blue haired girl training in one of the fields, Two Swords in hand, and one in her Mouth. This was Muramasa Rika.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

This confused the young boy. "What're you doing!"

He shouted, catching the young girls attention, who pulled the third sword from her mouth. "Training!"

"Training? You have a sword in your mouth!" He laughed.

"Yeah? So what!" Rika stuck a tongue out, sneering at the young Kále "Elder Hagane uses Two! And one day, I'll be the greatest swordsman! So I'll use three!"

She then stuck the sword in her mouth, and swung the swords from side to side, before swinging her neck and thus the third, slicing through the grass in front of her!

"Yeah right! I'm going to become the Greatest Ever!" Kále one upped her declaration. With that simple, childish interaction, a rivalry was sparked between the two. Everyday after his dads subpar training, he practiced with practice Masa, dueling with her after training with His Father and Elder Hagane at the Dojo. His two sword, vs her three.

One day, after hundreds of duels. And years of the twos training. Masa lost for the First time

Clack! The wooden blades connected! Kále lunging forward to block a dual downward strike with his kendo sword, before using the excellent dexterity he'd gained from the training too swing his neck to the side, Forcing both of them from Masa's hands! Toppling through the air as Kále crossed his arms and swiped!

Stopping moments before contact, as the wooden lengths were overlaid, mere centimeters from 'scissoring' Masas neck.

Káles happiness couldn't be understated, the shine of his smile and the gleam of his eye.

Only for it to drop when he saw that Masa was sulking on the stairs of the Dojo field.

"Tch, don't gotta be such a sore loser Masa. I beat you fair and square!" He aimed his sword at her as he boasted.

"Its-. Not about that..." She said, looking away as she tucked her legs into her chest. Káles smile dropped as he sat down next to her.

"You've been getting faster and stronger everyday. But, no matter how much I train, I keep falling behind." She rested her chin on her arms as she continued

"I thought- Maybe I could prove them all wrong. They always said that girls weren't as strong as boys. That I'd never hope to become great."

"What?" Kále snapped. "Thats totally stupid! So what you're a girl! You just gotta train hard! Only thing holding you back are them!"

"You're wrong!" She snapped back "Just look at your arms compared to mine!" She said gripping her bicep. Wrapping her hand around it despite how small her hands were. All while Káles were toned and developed. "I eat and eat, train and train! Pick up heavy stuff, put it back down. And yet, I don't see you training nearly as much!"

"You don't believe in yourself! You doubt! Remember what Elder Hagane said? 'When a person doubts themselves, is when they are at their weakest'"

"Shut up!" Masa screamed, causing Kále to recoil with a frown. She was, never like this.

"You don't get it Ka. Girls...Can't become swordsmen in the real world. Hagane might motivate me, but-"

"I don't care! Know this, Masa!"

"No matter what happens! We'll both leave this place, and I'll surpass you again! And Then I'll become the Strongest Swordmen this world has ever seen! Not matter the obstacles, or the time it takes!" Kále then turned and ran, both in a final act of his declaration, but also because. Deep down. He could handle hearing her say another word.