Masuya Tanaka

Masuyo Tanaka charged out onto the battlefield. His katana gleamed with the power of the Samurai as the sun reflected off of the silver blade. Time stopped, as it always did, for a split second before blades clashed. He did not choose this life, nor did he shun it. 1

Cries of pain and victory shot up all around him, as his fellow warriors cut into the enemy. As the battle raged on, the world around him became a blur. All he knew was the strokes his sword made, the strokes the enemy’s sword made, and the beating of his heart. There was no time to think, no time to breath, just react. But that was how he was raised, and that was how he would always live, a samurai.2

The last victim of war fell to the ground; blood and soil no longer separate entities. A victory cry went up from all warriors who still had their lives, “Katte, kabuto no o o shime yo! (After victory, tighten your helmet cords!)”3

Masuyo Tanaka looked down at his last victim, deep inside he felt sorrow for these men who had died even if they were not of his own side. They were all warriors, and they died in the honor of battle. The body count of the dead on their side was remarkable; no man had lost his life from his side in this battle. Their warriors were the best in all of Japan, and Masuyo was almost sure they were the best in the world.4

Two days had past since they left the battlefield, which had just become another battle on the list for these fierce warriors. The band of Samurai’s were making their way to Edo, why they were not sure. All they knew is that when something called to them, they followed.5

Masuyo walked in the front of the men. The path they walked was through a forest that held dangers that would surely kill some of them. The road was dusty with loose soil and the wind that was kicking up around them sending the soil in all directions. As the mist of soil cleared and vision was capable again, there stood in the road a boy.6

“I will kill you all!” The boy screamed. He held a sword out in front of him that was clearly to heavy due to his arm shaking.7

“What is wrong with you child?” Masuyo asked as he held out an arm to warn his men not to attack.  One of his men called to him from the back, “He has challenged us, it is our duty to kill him!” 8

“He is a child, no one will kill him until I find out what is going on! That is final!” Masuyo said the command with firm order, a “Hai!” rose up throughout the men. 9

“Your men killed my father in battle! For that I shall seek my revenge!” The boy screamed with fury and ran sword first towards Masuyo. Masuyo pulled out his sword and deflected the attack with ease, then for good measure he knocked the sword out of the boys hands. 10

The boy had defiance in his eyes as he stared up at Masuyo expecting to be beheaded. He decided he would die with his honor, “Kill me now, for I will never back down.” 11

Masuyo sheathed his sword once more and looked down at the boy, “Your father died with honor, he died a Samurai. You boy have a Samurai spirit and have much potential. I will let you live so you may practice and become great. When you have done this, come find me. Then we shall fight. But not out of revenge. Remember tomorrow’s battle is won out of today’s practice.” 12

The boy stood their wide-eyed as Masuyo and his men passed by him, leaving him in the road with a new purpose. 13