Yarimato had been cleaning and repairing the dojo for fifteen days, and after another day he finished, and the dojo was like new, but that was only the beginning, because Yarimato wanted to do the impossible, which was to restore the staircase leading directly to the dojo to its normal appearance.
Yarimato wanted to remove all the grass growing from under the steps and clean them of dirt, because according to Takahashi-sensei, these steps were made of white stone, but now they had turned brown.
So, in order to surprise his teacher, Yarimato took everything he needed and began working from the bottom up.
Yarimato started by pulling out all the grass and other vegetation growing on the steps, and then, taking a brush and a mop, he began to scrub the steps until they shone.
No matter how hard he tried, the steps did not become snow-white, but compared to those he had not yet touched, there was a noticeable difference between them, and so he continued and finished in just eight days.
After finishing cleaning the area, he had only a week left before his teacher arrived, so Yarimato decided to go to the city.
Dressed simply and taking a little money with him, he descended the mountain and went to Tokyo.
Since the dojo was located near Tokyo, Yarimato only had to walk for twelve hours, and arriving at night, he came to the city of colors.
The streets were bright and festive, as if it were daytime, but the city at night was not for children.
Yarimato remembered that his father had once taken him to his dojo, so he decided to go and see it from the outside.
When Yarimato arrived, he saw the dojo where his father had taught him the art of sword fighting.
But suddenly he noticed two graves and a monument dedicated to one of the samurai in the backyard.
Yarimato decided to sneak into the dojo when suddenly someone grabbed his shoulder.
Turning his head, Yarimato saw Takatoshi, who was already 15 years old.
Takatoshi: Hey, kid, what are you doing here?
Go home before someone catches you.
Yarimato: Huh, he doesn’t remember me?
Yarimato thought.
Yarimato: Yes, sorry, I think I’ll go home.
Takatoshi: Hey, kid, have we met before?
Your face looks very familiar to me.
Yarimato was frightened and ran away as fast as he could.
Takatoshi: Hey, where are you going?
Takatoshi ran after Yarimato, and even though there was a big age difference between them, Yarimato managed to get away and Takatoshi lost sight of him.
Yarimato himself doesn’t know why he’s afraid that people will find out about him.
Most likely, it’s just easier for him to live with the thought that he’s dead and no one has to worry about him.
Returning to the dojo in the morning, Yarimato was very tired and went to bed, wanting to sleep for at least a couple of days.
After lying there for two days, Yarimato resumed his training, knowing that Takahashi-sensei would soon arrive, and so he continued his training.
A month later, after Takahashi had left, Yarimato could no longer wait for his return.
When evening came and the sun had almost set, a mysterious stranger climbed the mountain.
Yarimato thought it was Takahashi returning, but when he approached, he saw a man with a sword at his belt.
Stranger: Is this the dojo of the great master Takahashi?
Yarimato didn’t know how to respond, but after thinking about it, he said: yes, this is Takahashi-sama’s dojo.
I am his student, Yarimato Takahashi.
Stranger: Well, where is Master Takahashi now?
Yarimato: He has gone on business and left me alone, so please direct all questions to me.
Stranger: Damn, how long do I have to wait for him?
Takahashi: You don’t need to wait for me.
Takahashi suddenly said, appearing right behind the stranger.
Yarimato and the stranger, not expecting this, were quite surprised by his appearance, but Takahashi asked a question.
Stranger: I am Isika Kunaki, a ronin, and I have come to fight you, Takahashi-san.
Takahashi: Well then, let’s begin.
As soon as Takahashi declared the start of the battle, the ronin immediately grabbed his sword and struck a quick blow, but Takahashi dodged the blow, approached his enemy closely, and, holding a twig from a tree in his left hand, cut the ronin’s neck with a single swing of the twig.
Blood began to spurt from his neck, and the ronin dropped his sword, clutching his throat with his palm, lost control of his body, and fell straight down the clean staircase to the bottom.
Yarimato was surprised that Takahashi-sensei had defeated his opponent with just one blow from a single twig from a tree.
Takahashi approached Yarimato, took off his things, and said, “Take my things and pour me some tea, then go and bury the body somewhere far away from here.”
Yarimato: I certainly didn’t expect that.
Yarimato thought.
After putting away all of Takahashi-sensei’s belongings and making him tea, Yarimato went to look for the body.
Descending the bloodstained stairs, Yarimato wanted to cry because he had tried so hard, but his teacher did not even appreciate it, and now the entire staircase was splattered with blood.
After descending, Yarimato began to lift the ronin, when suddenly he came to life and, choking on his own blood, tried to say something.
Yarimato was very frightened and jumped back, watching as the ronin lay on the ground, choking on his blood, reaching out his hand toward him as if asking for help.
Yarimato was frightened and did not know what to do, but after gathering his thoughts, he decided to help the man.
Yarimato took the wakizashi that hung from the samurai’s belt, turned him onto his back, took aim, and prepared to pierce the ronin’s heart, but when he looked into his eyes, he saw disappointment.
His eyes were cold, and it was clear that he was not ready to die, even though he was not afraid of it.
Yarimato was afraid because he had never killed anyone before, but since he was going to become a strong swordsman, he gathered his strength and pierced the ronin’s heart with his own blade.
After carrying him far into the forest, Yarimato dug a hole, laid him there, covered him with earth, and left a mound of earth.
Yarimato placed some stones next to it.
After standing up, he prayed for his soul and then returned to the dojo.