ACT 8 - 14 Years After (The Sparring Match)

After the Sekigahara war, the Ieyasu shogunate has now ruled Japan. The shogunate was intended for the people Ieyasu says. Part of it is true because he initiated reforms that would help the less fortunate. But still corruption was evident in the society.

 

Now 14 years have passed, Nami-Rei still hasn't shown any sign of aging. He has now been training his student Rikia in all ninjitsu skills that he know. In a surprising way he has improved dramatically.

 

Now Rikia is  sparring with some ninjas in the bamboo forest near their ninja camp in order to improve his taijutsu skills. As expected he has defeated all these ninjas and they were beginning to be overwhelemed by his skill.

 

"Ahw cmon attack me!!!" Rikia said.

 

"No way man!! You are way too good!!" One of the ninjas said as they were beginning to back away.

 

Now Nami-Rei made his way to the sparring grounds. He saw that the ninjas were dominated by Rikia in hand to hand combat.

 

"Well done Rikia." Nami-Rei said. "You have defeated these ninjas with your taijutsu." He added.

 

"Thanks." Rikia replied.

 

Nami-Rei went to the side of the sparring area and took two wooden katanas. He handed one to Rikia and he held one for himself.

 

One of the ninjas said. "Oh no.... we better stand back."

 

"Or better yet, you guys better take a break." Rikia added.

 

"Yes...young ones rest now.. me and Rikia will just spar for a few minutes." Nami-Rei said.

 

The other ninjas now left and only Nami-Rei and Rikia were left in the sparring grounds.

 

"You have improved a lot Rikia, physically and mentally." Nami-Rei said.

 

"Thanks to you. And I'm beginning to use the Muso Shinden Ryu more often." Rikia said.

 

"But you still have much to learn....in the spiritual matters." the wise ninja said. "For now, we must work on your kenjutsu." he added

 

Rikia now rushed to attack Nami-Rei. The wise ninja was just standing there and soon both of their wooden blades clashed. Rikia was surprised that Nami-Rei parried his attack with only one hand. He now swung his sword against Rikia's sword and sent him flying to the bamboo trees. Rikia soon fell to the ground but he got up to his feet quickly.

 

"A ninja must be quick!!!" Nami-Rei said as he was now the one who rushed at Rikia. He swunf the wooden blade and sent Rikia Flying to the trees once again. This time Rikia did not fall because he kicked against the bamboo tree to charge at Nami-Rei. He sent him flying towards the trees and Nami-Rei fell to the ground. He went near the fallen ninja to deliver the final strike.

 

"A ninja must not hesistate!!!" Nami-Rei said.

 

Rikia swung his wooden blade and as soon as the blade was almost going to hit Nami-Rei, he turned his body to a huge log once again.

 

"I hate that technique...." Rikia thought as he heard Nami-Rei say.

 

"Heads up!!!" he saw Nami-Rei in the air.

 

"Tachiai stance on air?! Impossible!!" Rikia thought.

 

"Iaijutsu.....Koranto Oikaze no Jutsu!!!" Nami-Rei shouted.

 

Koranto Oikaze no Jutsu is the seventh technique in the Muso Shinden Ryu style. It incorporates Iaijutsu (the art of drawing the sword.). The execution of this technique is lethal to the opponent and the user as well. To the opponent because once the sword is drawn he will be slashed seven times in which thes strikes can penetrate the flesh up to the bone. To the executioner because if he/she does not execute the first strike properly it will leave him open to a counter attack.

 

Quickly Rikia shifted to a sitting positoin and this puzzled Nami-Rei and he thought.

 

"Seiza stance?" 

 

"Iaijutsu...Ipponme Shohantto no jutsu!!!" He said as he deflected Nami-Rei's attack and sent him flying to a bamboo tree.

"Not good enough Rikia!!!" Nami-Rei said as he kicked off the bamboo tree and dashed towards Rikia.

"Muso Shinden Ryu. Fuujin no Oikaze!!" Nami-Rei said as his wooden sword was covered with wind energy.

He hit Rikia across the abdomen and sent him flying outside the bamboo forest. The impact from Nami-Rei's attack was so strong that Rikia couldn't get up at all. Nami-Rei rushed to where his student was and helped him got up.

"You okay young one?" Nami-Rei asked

"Yeah.. but it's unfair you know you know all the Muso Shinden succession techniques." Rikia said as he got up from the attack.

"In a real battle, the enemy does not fight fair. Also, the enemy won't hesitate to kill you when he has the upper hand. Keep this in mind Rikia." Nami-Rei replied.

Rikia realized that he was being taught a lesson by Nami-Rei. He also realized that he was right, the enemy won't give him a chance to regain his composure.

"Thanks master. I will keep that in mind." Rikia said.

"You're doing good Rikia, I'm proud of you" Nami-Rei said as he looked up to the sky and saw a messenger hawk coming towards him.