kscans

Chapter 16 - Like a Lion

At what could be called a word from on high, everyone followed Saneyuki out into the garden. Saneyuki ignored the fact that the weeds were still overgrown and faced Shintaro directly.

"Why are you clinging to form now?"

Shintaro replied, "Isn't that what a dojo is for?"

Saneyuki's expression grew pained. "I see. Well, I know there are other reasons, but listen, Shintaro-dono. I have an ulterior motive for inviting you to be our instructor."

Shintaro narrowed his eyes. It was rare to meet someone who would so openly admit to having an ulterior motive, but hearing such a thing from a man so foolishly honest and good-natured still didn't sit well.

"What is it?"

"To spread the name of this dojo throughout the country and draw people to the West."

"And what will you do once you've gathered them?"

"The population is proportional to our tax revenue. To maintain the ten percent rate, we need numbers."

"...And you're telling me to do that? I don't think I can."

"Of course not," Saneyuki scoffed, then fixed his gaze on Shintaro and murmured, "With the eyes of a lion, he dances like a dragon."

Shintaro was taken aback. As he stared, Saneyuki grinned.

"That's the rumor I heard about you five years ago. It was Sahei who said rumors tend to be exaggerated, but it was also Sahei who said you were even better than the rumors."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I want you to make that rumor a reality and spread it once more."

As soon as he finished speaking, Saneyuki drew the wooden sword from his hip and took a stance. Shintaro reflexively dropped into a low crouch, the tip of the wooden sword in his left hand touching the ground. The air instantly grew taut, and a heavy silence descended. This was not the Shintaro the disciples had seen in the training hall. The image of the swordsman who could only move according to form vanished, replaced by an intimidating presence, like a lion poised to strike.

The person whose eyes widened the most at this transformation was, of course, Yagami.

The wind even seemed to pick up. Yagami's eyes darted around, wondering if the fierce aura had drawn it in.

Saneyuki was faster and stronger than Yagami. A lesser opponent would have cried out in defeat after his first strike. But Shintaro dodged that blow and swept his sword low across the ground. The grass was torn up by the roots, scattering with clods of dirt. Saneyuki leaped back just in the nick of time.

Without a moment's pause, Shintaro kicked off the ground and soared into the air. He then kicked off a nearby pine tree to reverse his direction and glided toward Saneyuki like a hawk. Saneyuki's heart froze as he braced for the impact. As expected, both of their wooden swords shattered, and Saneyuki was thrown backward, landing hard on his rear.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

"Are you alright?" Shintaro asked, but his concern only earned him a shout from Saneyuki, who was rubbing his lower back.

"Why don't you hold back against me?!"

"Well, just because."

Saneyuki stood up, feeling a complex mix of emotions. It was one thing to be thoroughly beaten, but to be beaten "just because" was unbearable. He couldn't help but wonder if Shintaro disliked his title as Tower Master.

"I've confirmed the lion's gaze, but you're still a hawk. I've yet to see this dragon. Was that part just a rumor after all?"

At Saneyuki's words, Shintaro's expression clouded over. "Who knows."

Seeing this, Saneyuki understood. Shintaro possessed a skill worthy of being called a dragon, but he had no intention of revealing it.

He glanced over at the disciples and saw that they were all slack-jawed, their knees weak. Saneyuki's face hardened.

"This is the man who is your instructor. If you wish to challenge him, do so only after receiving his guidance. Now, get back to pulling weeds."

*

After a long day's work, Yagami Senkichi was exhausted, both physically and mentally. But the moment he returned home, he took up his brush and began to write a letter, driven by an irresistible urge.

'The young man named Shintaro, who has been welcomed as an instructor at the Masaki dojo, is a formidable swordsman, as if possessing the soul of a lion and the wings of a hawk. If he were to serve under the Emperor, it would surely lead to the prosperity of our country. With a single swing of his wooden sword, he sweeps the ground clean of grass, and with legs strong enough to soar high into the heavens, he cuts through the air with impunity. At first, I reprimanded him for not taking our match seriously, but had he been serious, a bone or two of mine would surely have been broken. I now only regret my mistake.'

Half a month later, this letter was received by a man named Yagami Juzaemon, a relative of Senkichi. He was thirty-five and served as a general at the Imperial Court. After reading the letter, he immediately brought the matter to the Imperial Court Chief, Miyake Kanzo. Miyake was past his mid-sixties, his hair gray, but he was a well-built old man who still carried himself with excellent posture.

Miyake read the letter and nodded gravely. "Could this be that rumored swordsman?"

"Rumored swordsman?"

"You haven't heard? The swordsman the Emperor wishes to be Shion-sama's husband."

Juzaemon gasped. "What! For Shion-sama?!"

"Well, it's not officially decided yet... I see. So he is that strong. I would rather have him succeed me than have him serve the Emperor, though."

"Hahaha. What are you saying, Miyake-sama? We need you to continue your active service for many years to come."

"Enough with the pleasantries. I am an old man. In any case, if what is written in this letter is true, then even if he does not meet Shion-sama's approval, the Emperor will surely not let him go to waste. This is something to look forward to."

*

Miyake, who on that day had imagined the future of the yet-unseen swordsman with a distant look in his eyes, was now in the Eastern Capital. He had come with the Imperial Military Advisor, Nanafushi, for their annual unannounced inspection.

Traveling such long distances at his age was taxing, but it couldn't be helped. Besides, although there was no flashy welcome, they were always treated with lavish hospitality. They would conduct their investigation in secret, and once they passed through the Tower's gates, they would be welcomed appropriately and could even enjoy some sightseeing.

"I would like to have some sake right away," Miyake said cheerfully. Nanafushi nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. The journey is tiring, but we can only relax like this once a year. Let's take our time."

As the two were chatting in the guest room on the Tower's top floor, a voice called from beyond the sliding door. "Nanafushi-sama. Miyake-sama. It is Kagasaki Razan. I have come to pay my respects. Is now a good time?"

"Oh. Come in," Nanafushi replied.

"Excuse me," Razan said, opening the door while remaining in a formal seated position. Beside him, also kneeling and bowing deeply, was Mana.

Nanafushi and Miyake frowned. "And who is this young lady?"

"She is my wife," Razan answered with a slight bow. The two men's eyes widened, and they exchanged a look.

"When did you get married? Had we known, we would have sent a wedding gift."

"Thank you for your consideration. However, I could not trouble you with my personal affairs."

"Hoho, 'personal affairs,' you say. Is it not one of life's most important events?" Miyake asked with a laugh, then exchanged another wry smile with Nanafushi. They were both well aware that Razan was a difficult man.

He had inherited the Tower at the young age of twenty-five because his predecessor had died early. Speaking of early deaths, his wife had also passed away young. Both were said to have succumbed to illness, but one theory whispered that Razan had poisoned them. There were various stories about his parents' unhappy, politically arranged marriage, but the fact remained that he had been a unsettling man with a cold smile even as a child. His handsome face only made it more chilling. Regardless of the truth, it seemed only natural that such disturbing rumors would surround him.

What kind of woman would be eccentric enough to marry such a man? The gazes of Nanafushi and Miyake shifted to Mana. At a subtle signal from Razan, Mana slowly raised her head.

She was quite a beauty, both Nanafushi and Miyake thought. Her sharp features held a hint of femininity. If she had been a woman with an artificially cute face, she would have looked ridiculously mismatched next to Razan, but her natural good looks made them a suitable pair.

"You have married a beautiful woman."

"Thank you."

"The next time you come to Kyo, you should bring her with you. We will celebrate then."

"Yes. Thank you very much."

*

After leaving the guest room, Razan and Mana walked down the corridor in silence for a time. But as they neared their respective chambers, Mana spoke up.

"Coming to Kyo... what does that mean?"

"I must go to pay my New Year's respects. The Emperor resides in Kyo. Kyo is what we call the midpoint between this Tower and the one in the West. It is a name used only among ourselves."

"What kind of person is the Emperor?"

"'What kind,' you ask... He is inscrutable."

Mana glanced at Razan's profile with suspicion. His expression was the same as usual, but she could sense the tension hidden beneath his words.

"Inscrutable?"

When she asked again, Razan gave a wry smile. "He is in his mid-forties, yet he does not age. Seeing as the previous Emperor passed away, he is not immortal, but he is hardly human. His hair is as white as snow, his eyes as black as a pitch-black abyss. His knowledge of architecture is vast and meticulous, as you can see from the Tower itself."

Mana gasped. "I find myself rather frightened to meet him."

Razan gave a fearless smile. "You need only keep your head bowed in silence. At the very least, you will not displease him."

"But I'm anxious about going to a new place with no one to rely on."

At Mana's words—saying she had no one to rely on even though he would be with her—Razan turned to her, his lips twisting into a smirk. "Then you should invite your father. Now that he is related to my Kagasaki family, he will need to have some knowledge of the Emperor as well. It is a good opportunity."

Mana felt a small sense of relief at his suggestion. With her most trusted father by her side, she would feel more confident.

"Then I will speak to him at once."

She bowed, opened the door to her room, and after slipping inside, quickly closed it, separating herself from Razan. He watched her go with a sigh before turning and walking away.