The Way of the Dragon (Masahiro/Open)

[Sanada Yukimura]

*Bang Bang!*

The sounds of pounding could be heard every so often during the afternoon, not that anyone was around to hear it, the surrounding area was about as crowded as a blizzard on a cold winter's day. Up on top of an abandoned, half-destroyed dojo, a figure could be seen up on the roof, hammering away. Yukimura was working on fixing the roof of the dojo, after it had eventually caved in from being abandoned for years, and having managed to salvage wood from the dojo itself, had just started working on the repairs.

Though the location was rather secluded, it would serve its purpose well, allowing Yukimura to come here to train, as it was located near the bamboo grove he always practiced his kenjutsu in, and provide a place for him to rest afterwards.

[Yuy Masahiro™]

When I was younger, Ryoji would tell me stories of his training back home. A dojo that he and my father had trained under when they were younger. A bamboo field served as the training grounds where Ryoji and my father honed their Battojutsu skills. This dojo was the homeland of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu and as one of the only living practitioners, I had come to make a pilgrimage to it. To my surprise, I found a man... repairing the broken dojo?

"You there! What do you think you're doing here?"

[Sanada Yukimura]

Halting immediately in his repair work as he heard a voice speak up, Yukimura would look up and over and see a man standing on the ground below. Placing his hammer down beside him, his right hand would hover over his spear that laid beside him on a plank of wood, ready to grab it at a moments notice.

"Repairing this dojo to use for my own. What concern is that of you, warrior?"

[Yuy Masahiro™]

Preparing this dojo for his own use?! I almost protested, but realized I had no claims to the dojo. At least not anymore. While it was true that this dojo once belonged to the School of Sword that I practiced, I had never once even stepped foot in this school. And it seemed that the Hiten-Mitsurugi had long forsaken this place. More than likely the Master disappeared as to not be drawn into the war. That was the way of the Hiten-Mitsurugi, to not let conflict pull it in. I suppose in that aspect I was a pretty bad student.

"I..."

I spoke while scratching the back of my head. Sighing, I shook my head to snap out of my thoughts and looked back up at the man.

"My apologies. This Dojo once belonged to my School of Sword and I had come to make a pilgrimage. Though now it seems it has a new owner. Would you humble me to take a look around?"

[Sanada Yukimura]

"Of course you may warrior. As long as you don't mind the sound of hammering every so often. This dojo was near close to no longer even standing, but I managed to sturdy the foundation. Aside from that, I have not touched anything inside, so everything should be as you may remember it warrior."

Returning to his repair work, true to his word, Masahiro would hear the sounds of hammering as Yukimura worked to repair the roof, but as there was also a rather sizable gap in the roof, it allowed sunlight to pour into the interior, lighting up the area and allowing Masahiro to see the dojo that once belonged to his Master, still preserved.

[Yuy Masahiro™]

So this is where my father and Ryoji trained? Truth be told it was no grand sight. I assumed that the dojo had been ransacked and anything of value had been taken far before this warrior had begun his refurbishment. I put a hand up against the wall, dusting off the plaque that held the name of the master of the dojo. Master Shin. I smiled slightly and walked back out the front.

"Warrior, would you like a hand in restoring this dojo? I would very much like to see it finished myself."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"...?"

Looking up from nailing one of the boards down and seeing the man standing out front once more, Yukimura would blink once, before nodding his head.

"I would greatly honored with your assistance, warrior. I am Sanada Yukimura, one of the leaders of Lord Takeda Shingen's army. Since you said this dojo once belonged to your Master, you may use it at any time you wish. I did not know this dojo was still called home by the students of the Master it previously belonged to. It had been abandoned for so long, I assumed the students had left and moved on."

[Yuy Masahiro™]

Takeda Shingen... one of the daimyo that was destroying Japan with his battles. But this Lord was one of the few that I could stand, for I heard he was a Lord that was good to his people. And if he had a vassal as honorable as this. He definitely wasn't bad.

"I am Masahiro of the Yuy family, and fret not. This dojo has indeed been long forgotten and left behind. I thank you for your permit of it's usage. However, I am ashamed to ask... where do I start with the assistance in restoration?"

[Sanada Yukimura]

"Do not be ashamed Yuy-san, it is quite alright. There should be some planks of wood leaning up against the hole. If you could lift a plank up, one at a time, I can continue to repair the hole. It was rather hard getting just two planks up here."

Returning to hammering the second piece of wood he had been working on, as he sat cross-legged, it lessened the chances of him slipping and tumbling through the hole. That, and it would make it easier for him to lift the planks up and put them down on top of the roof.

"If I may ask Yuy-san, what School of Sword did you belong to? I may know some of your former classmates."

[Yuy Masahiro™]

"Yes of course."

I walked over to the pile of planks and picked one up before handing it up and over to Yukimura. Heh.... I guess it felt kind of good to do something with your hands besides just fight. I always thought that bonds were built on the battlefield. Perhaps they could be made in other ways?

"I practice the Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu. In truth, I believe I may be the last practitioner of this ancient school of sword left in the Land of the Rising Sun. How about you, Sanada-San? What style do you practice? I believe I saw the head of a polearm earlier when I approached."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu? I faintly recall one of the soldiers mentioning it... But I cannot remember who. As for me, you are correct, my spear is up here with me. I practice and train in sōjutsu and kenjutsu, and I know the basic techniques in Karate, but that is all I know."

Lifting up the plank Masahiro handed up and over to him, laying it down and covering up a bit more of the gaping hole in the roof, with two nails held by the tips between his teeth, he would hammer down the nails he had already set into the plank.

"I've also been taught combat while on horseback, but I am nowhere close to the level of skill Lord Takeda-sama, or my father for that matter, is at."

[Yuy Masahiro™]

"I see a spear. An interesting weapon. I was under the assumption most men in this country used a katana."

I guess I had a couple misconceptions about Japan. Made sense... three months ago the only Japanese men I knew of were myself and Ryouji and we both used katana. I walked back over to the pile of wood and picked up another plank, hoisting it over my shoulder before walking over and preparing it for Sanada. I wondered... was there a prowess to spear over the katana? The spear had reach, but the katana had a larger striking area, allowing for larger wounds. I figured it was probably difficult to slash with one as well, at least in comparison to a sword.

"I wonder Sanada-San, which style is truly greater? The spear or the sword?"

[Sanada Yukimura]

"A vast majority do, but there are some who practice more than just kenjutsu."

Hammering down a couple more nails into the plank he was working on, he would take the plank Masahiro had prepared for him and lying it down on top of the hole. He'd then lay more nails on it and hammering them into place before pausing in mid-strike, lowering his hammer down slowly.

"... Well there's only way to find out Yuy-san."

Placing his hammer down on top of one of the nailed down planks and picking his spear up, he would carefully make his over to the edge of the roof and climb down the ladder leaning up against the side of the dojo, dropping lightly to the ground soon after. He would then make his way to the front of the dojo, standing in front of it, his spear held in his hands.

"Let us see which is mightier: your katana, or my spear."

[Yuy Masahiro™]

I smirked as I put down the board. I walked back around the front as well, putting some distance between Yukimura and myself. I stood out in the courtyard in front of the dojo. I placed my left hand on my sheath as I took my stance, placing my right foot forward and my left foot facing the side. I bent my knees, leaning forward slightly.

"Truth be told Sanada-San. I was looking forward to this."

I took the hilt of my sword and drew it out. I drew a line on the ground signifying that I was ready. Taking the hilt of my katana with both hands I held it with the blade aimed low, utilizing less energy. I had to get a feel of my opponent before I just started swinging. So I waited for Yukimura to attack.

[Sanada Yukimura]

"Then I hope you will not be disappointed Yuy-san."

Pulling the helmet on his head down completely, resulting in his eyes turning yellow and his skin black, holding his spear in his hands, a slight smile would form on his face. He would then wordlessly and without warning take off towards Masahiro, attempting to thrust his spear towards Masahiro's chest, using the length of his spear to his advantage.

[Yuy Masahiro™]

Shit he was fast. I barely had enough time to side step the attack. I didn't keep my left arm close enough to my body however, and it was cut just above the elbow. RYUUSHOUSEN! After the side step, I rotated my body in a full 360 degrees, and used the combined speed and momentum of the spin along with the strength of my own swing to hit at Yukimura's back if Yukimura had continued to charge past me, or his side if he had halted.

[Sanada Yukimura]

Yukimura would quickly spin around in an attempt to block Masahiro's hit, but he was only able to react fast enough to ensure the hit struck his armored arm, as opposed to his back. Taking the hit, he'd then attempt to try and slash downwards at Masahiro, aiming not to hurt him, but to put him on the defensive, forcing him to move backwards to avoid getting hit.

[Yuy Masahiro™]

He blocked it... damn this guy was good. Yukimura brought one of his spears down at me... The easiest move would be to jump back out of the way of the attack. So instead, I charged him as he brought down the spear, moving too close for his spears to be of optimal use. The tip of the spear was the most painful part of it, if I was hit by the shaft it would hurt but it wouldn't be too bad. None the less, I threw up my sword to block the shaft, but Yukimura's strike was too powerful for me to block completely, my sword was pushed down and the pole of his spear slammed against my left shoulder, I winced a bit but threw up my left arm quickly. I pushed forward on my wrist and threw my hand back to launch my hidden blade. I aimed to point it at his throat, but not push it against his throat. Just a mere show.

[Sanada Yukimura]

Though his spear was blocked by Masahiro's sword, the strike was strong enough to push Masahiro's sword down, the pole of his spear hitting Masahiro in the shoulder. As Masahiro threw his left arm up and hand back, a hidden blade appearing, Yukimura would quickly try to bring his right arm up to block the hidden blade from being pointed at his throat, while his left hand would simultaneously try to swing his spear to the side, to force Masahiro to jump back.

[Yuy Masahiro™]

My left arm was knocked down by the force of his right. I retracted the hidden blade and kept bracing my sword against his spear. I put my left arm against the back of the blade and tilted my katana downwards to stab into the ground hoping to stop him from slashing his spear, but it wasn't enough. I jumped vertically into the air to attempt to avoid the attack. Dammit... not the best move. RYUUTSUISEN! I attempted to bring down the flat of my sword on Sanada's shoulder as I came rushing down from the sky.

[Sanada Yukimura]

As Masahiro came rushing down from the sky after jumping vertically to avoid his spear slash, Yukimura would quickly dart to his right while simultaneously holding his spear in front of him horizontally and twist his body to the side to swing the pole at Masahiro, aiming to slam it right into his stomach and sending him flying backwards, hopefully knocking the wind out of him. He'd then quickly follow up with swinging his spear down at Masahiro, aiming to slash him with the blade.

[Yuy Masahiro™]

Shit! I felt the pole slam into my diaphragm knocking me back. I flew through the air and hit a tree. I rubbed the back of my head, and as I opened my eyes, I saw Yukimura flying directly at me. I put up my sword defensively to try and block the attack, but was only able to stop the cut from getting too deep. A thin slash would draw blood on my chest. I looked up at Yukimura.

"Well then. I guess I was greatly outclassed."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"... Perhaps. But you are strong in your own right Yuy-san."

Whipping his spear off to the side, holding it loosely in his hand, the blade pointed downward, Yukimura would extend his free hand out to Masahiro, pulling the man to his feet slowly, letting go once he had regained his balance.

"You are skilled, that much is obvious. Continue training Yuy-san... So that my skills may fairly challenge yours when we meet again."

Giving Masahiro a respectful nod of his head, Yukimura would then make his way back to the dojo and onto the rooftop, to finish repairing it, before it got dark and he could no longer see. He was almost done thankfully, especially since the sky above looked dark and cloudy. Rain was on the way no doubt.

[Yuy Masahiro™]

"Thank you Sanada-San."

I took his hand and stood back up onto my feet. I retrieved my hand and rubbed the cut. It was shallow enough that it didn't bleed much but it stung. Yukimura returned to working once more and I could tell from the clouds that rain was on the way. I quietly walked back to the pile of wood boards and handed him another one.

"We're gonna have to work faster if we want to cover that hole before it starts raining."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"You need not thank me Yuy-san. And I concur. I do not wish to be caught out in the rain."

Quickly working on covering the hole in the roof up after helping Masahiro to his feet, just as he finished hammering the last plank down onto the roof, he would feel a drop of water land on his head, as it would start to rain. Quickly descending down the ladder and taking it with him, just as he ran into the dojo, a sudden downpour would come pouring down. Sitting beside the window, watching the rain pour down, once the rain had tapered off, after getting up, he would give Masahiro a respectful bow of his head, before heading out of the dojo and make his way back to Kofu.