Samurai Showdown With Kakashi

Pum, Pum - Someone was knocking on my window.

The room they gave me in the headquarters was quite nice. Wooden floors and stone walls really improved the feel of the place. The bed was next to the wall, right by the window with a beautiful view to the village. I saw how the guards were in front of the building, atop of towers, guarding bridges, which begged the question:

- How did you get here? - I asked Linja who had just opened the window with a lockpick, or at least, pushed the window with the lockpick since I forgot to close it.

- Who sleeps with the window open in a Land surrounded by ice? - Said the immeaditely accusing wannabe ninja.

- Once you live here long enough it doesn't affect you. - I answered trembling and regretting not closing the window earlier. - But how are you here?

- Well, samurai are easier to avoid than ninja. - I felt some of my samurai pride vanish with those words. - But now you. How are you here? I saw you completely fail the duel with the general.

- Well, you see, apparently I didn't lose, I just won my own way.

- That sounds like something a bad loser would say.

- I heard it from them, so I'm not to blame. They took me to the hospital and gave me a place here as an intern and teacher.

- Teacher?

- That's right. Before you right now is the new teacher of the great Mifune.

- Isn't a samurai general like a Kage?

- Essentially, yes.

- Then how? They must be playing a prank on you.

- If that's true its a pretty elaborate one.

- And you also went to the hospital? And they still couldn't fix your face? - That was something I had noticed. The cut I made on my own cheek had been more severe than I thought, to the point that even after stitching it up properly, it was still apparent. - At least, you still look badass.

- Oh? - I was caught off guard.

- It makes you look like you've been through a lot of fights, even though you're an inexperienced newbie.

Of course, she had to ruin it. She then proceeded:

- But forget that now. Have you found anything about the iron scroll?

- Yeah, the name of the place its at. The tomb of the ancient generals.

- Nice. And where's that?

- No idea. But I have a friend who knows.

- Great. You're more dependable than you look. - I showed her a smile, and invited her in. She seemed to ignore it, saying:

- Can't stay here for too long. See you tomorrow.

- Where are you going?

- Back to your place. Your house might be a bit crappy, but it'll do.

- Not a bad idea. I have food there for a week, you're free to enjoy it.

- A week? Its all gone already.

- What... How?

- Well, I ate it.

- I've been here at most ten hours and you already went through it all?

- All I've been eating lately has been what I've hunted, so I was pretty hungry.

I put myself on my knees with both hands on the bed depressed. My pudding was gone, my pie was gone...

She left quietly, tiptoeing away, with a happy belly full of pudding. Filled with despair as I saw her leave I thought to myself.

- Damn that beautiful pig. - Apparently I said it out loud, receiving a confused look from her, which then turned into annoyance. She came back to the window, but I locked it before she could do anything. I felt like I had just avoided Hell itself.

She eventually left, and so did the moon. A new morning arrived as well as an annoyed StupidFace. Was everyone angry at me?

- Get up! There's no rest for the weak!

- I left the hospital yesterday, can I...

- Get up, clean and dress yourself! I want you outside in 15 minutes!

The constant shouting, alongside the rays of light coming from the window were enough to get me well awake. I passed myself through water, and got into the wardrobe to get dressed. It was the usual trainee attire, a black undershirt with steel pads on the shoulders and c.h.e.s.t, and black tight pants.

I got out of the room, and Rakuma said:

- You got up earlier than I thought.

- Well, I'm kind of used to get up fast to help with my parent's business. - By business I meant robbing the wallets of strangers.

- Oh really? You live with your parents, Roddie? - That was the first time someone gave me that nickname. I was disgusted by it.

- No they're dead. - Awkward silence imposed the room, until I commented sarcastically. - You're really good at small talk aren't you? - I tried to impose myself, but the man was enormous. Muscular, and just higher than two meters. I don't think he needed a suit of armor to be well protected in a fight.

- Whatever. Come with me, Roddie.

- Don't call me that.

- Look Roddie, you seem kind of annoyed. You should be grateful to Mifune. He hired me to be your teacher

- Were they really out of people?

- Yeah, they were all really busy and... - Realising he was burying himself, he stopped. - Look, I dislike this as much as you. But it was Mifune's order, there's nothing we can do.

- If there's no one else then fine. I guess you do look pretty strong.

StupidFace stayed silent, but I was sure he appreciated the remark. We both continued walking while I looked around. I probably wouldn't be able to meet up with Renji for a while, and I honestly didn't know how much of a fast learner Mifune was. My stay here depended fully on him not learning my impulsion.

We kept walking and I found myself in a garden. Some sturdy trees, some vines in the ground. It looked almost like the forest I fought Kakashi in.

- From your story I understood your only fighting experience is in the forest.

- I've fought in the streets before.

- Your only worthwhile fight. Since this is the closest to that, I decided to choose this place to see what you're fully capable of.

- Interesting, I might actually enjoy th... - The enormous man leapt.

At a speed that equaled my own, the massive lump of muscle striked me, hitting my stomach with the laidõ of a wooden sword. I was thrown several feet against one of the trees. The hospital, as well as the good night of sleep had given me the energy to fight, but in these conditions it was a struggle to even stay conscious. Once I recovered my senses, I heard him say:

- First day of training. Beat me or die.