Tengen stepped out of the shadows, placing a hand on Minosashi’s shoulder. A shiver ran through the young man’s body.

  Tengen’s palm, warm and gentle, tightened its grip to calm him. “Mino…”

  “Y-yes, Master…?” Minosashi asked, his voice still trembling from the tears shed over the letter.

  Tengen held back his own tears, holding on to be a steady anchor for a grieving son.

  “We will send it to Akemi,” he whispered.

  “And your training is postponed until you receive her words.”

  Minosashi’s head snapped up, eyes glassy.

  “Master… You… You mean that!?”

  “Come. We are going back to the dojo.” A faint smile appeared on Tengen’s face. "You have finally made it. The perfect blend of body and blade. Now you are ready for the second part of the task. The storm of mind to be calmed down."

  Minosashi stood up, gathering the letters and wooden swords. The chain gave a soft sound as he lifted it, its metallic whisper filling the forest as he fell into step behind his master.

  He glanced back at the training ground one last time—memories of his failures with the Kusari-Katana, mastering the momentum of wooden blades, his steps imprinting the dirt and forest floor.

  “Finally… I’m ready to surpass you… Father,” he whispered, fists clenching at his sides as a smile spread across his face. Thrill and self-reliance surged through him.

  ---

  Mino… My dear son…

  I haven’t fully recovered since the time you left me alone. I don’t blame you, my son. All I ask is that you return to me once the war is over. I’m waiting. I’m waiting with a smile and open arms to hug you once more… Master whatever is needed. Become the greatest swordmaster if you must. But return to me as who you are. My precious son. My dearest treasure in life, Minosashi.

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  Akemi finished her letter, leaving the pen to slip from the table. Small tears traced the path of her jawline and dropped onto the wooden floor as she gripped the edge of the table to steady herself. The sound of her weeping echoed like a lion’s roar in the empty room. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed silently in his room—the only memory left by her son, an empty space.

  ---

  Mount Takao, Dojo of Bōgu no Ken, 15th of December 2023

  Tengen stepped into the dojo, hands clasped behind his back. The sound of students swinging blades, shouting “HEY! HEY!” with each upward slash, filled the dojo yard.

  Minosashi knelt in the center of the hall, eyes closed. Slowly, he opened them—those sky-blue pupils gleaming in the sunlight streaming through the dojo doors. His mouth was set, hands resting calmly on his lap.

  “Minosashi. Are you ready?” Tengen asked softly.

  Minosashi slowly lifted a letter, placing it gently aside. “I am,” he nodded.

  Tengen stepped forward and sat facing him, his robes swaying before settling. “To complete the second part, you need what makes a true swordmaster—a legend.”

  “What is it, Master?” Minosashi’s body tensed slightly.

  “A focused mind. Empty your thoughts… and allow your focus to rest solely on the tip of your blade…”

  Minosashi’s eyes widened in shock. “Is that… even possible?” hands gripping his own attire.

  Now it makes sense… the why behind Liniah and Father giving up on this…

  “You may take as much time as you need. But be wary… A focused mind is not merely for desire. It is connecting to the core of this art, feeling it within your veins. Do not let vengeance blur the path of the blade, nor cloud the reason you stepped onto this path.”

  Tengen stood and moved toward the exit. Before fully stepping out, he glanced back, witnessing the growth in Minosashi.

  “May Buddha guide your path…” he murmured, then closed the wooden doors behind him, leaving Minosashi alone in the dojo hall.

  The sweet aroma of aloes-wood and rose incense filled the air.

  *Master… thank you, for everything.*

  Minosashi held the hilt of his blade steady, closed his eyes, and a faint energy hummed over his body.

  First… the outside. Forget the world… Cut yourself off from where you are, Minosashi…

  His body lost balance and he fell to the floor, catching himself with one hand while the other still gripped his blade.

  “Ah! God!… That was… I think I managed it… The empty mind of outer space…”

  It was so disorienting! I had no ground to stand on! My ears whistled from losing sound! I’m supposed to master THAT!?

  Minosashi’s wide eyes slowly closed again. A smirk played on his lips.

  “Well… gotta try again… My mother allowed me to surpass myself so I could return to her. I won’t let it be in vain mom.”