Dojoyaburi- Is the action of visiting a rival martial arts school in

order to challenge its members.e

Taryujiai- a fight between the visitor and a member of the school,
usually its head or a fighter chosen for the challenge.
Bombshell-an overwhelming surprise or disappointment.
Shinai - is a Japanese sword typically made of bamboo used for
practice.

The Wolrd’s Greatest Swordsman

It all started when I went to different areas to visit

dojos and challenge its members. I was undefeated
in all of the nearby towns. One day I visited the dojo
in Shimotsuki village as a dojoyaburi and that lead to
a taryujiai. Koushirou, the master of the dojo,
accepted the challenge. I made a bet against him
where if I win, I’ll take his signboard. And if I lose I
will join this place. It was a bombshell to know that
the one I’ll be facing won’t be the dojo master, but
instead a girl named Kuina. Before the match started
I picked as many shinai as I can possibly hold. We
bowed to the Gods and to each other, then the
match finally began. Kunai struck me with a powerful
downward swing at my head. I was able to merely
block her attack but it left me feeling numb. Kunai
didn’t hesitate to take this opening and swiftly strike
me with the same motion. The attack was powerful
enough to send myself and the swords into the
ground. Our eyes met unequally that showed the
difference of our strength. I’m so frustrated that all I
can think about is that I’m strong and I’ll become
stronger. How can I lose to this girl?! I pick up two
shinai and hastily rush to attack Kuina, but she
immediately knocked me down with a single blow
which ended the match. I was disappointed, but a
loss is a loss, I’ll join this place any problems with
that? The dojo master replied “I don’t,” “I will
continue, continue, continue to train and I will beat
you! Remember that!” I continue to push my limits
and train like crazy, day and night no matter the
weather. Time has passed and I had another match
at the dojo. I was defeated again with a single blow
that ended with a record of 2000 losses and 0 wins.
After the match I went to train but I really couldn’t get
it out of my mind. I smashed my shinai into the
ground out of anger and shouted “Why can’t I beat
that girl? I’ll set out to the sea someday and become
the world’s greatest swordsman! I shouldn’t be
beaten by a girl like her even at his point.” In the
middle of the night, I challenged Kuina to our 2001st
battle. This will be our last duel. Let’s end this, fight
me with a real sword. Our swords clash multiple
times but Kuina managed to deflect all my attacks
and throw my swords in the air. As I fell to the
ground, Kuina prepared for her next attack. Kuina
then stabs her sword to the ground inches away
from my face. At that moment I was completely
defeated. Tears were flowing out of frustration. After
I settled down, Kuina said “I’m the one who should
be crying out of frustration, when girls grow up they
get weaker than men. I want to be the world’s
greatest swordsman too. If I only had been born a
man,” I replied with an angry tone, “Don’t be whining
like that after you beat me. That’s not fair! You’re my
goal! Promise me, someday one of us will be the
world’s greatest swordsman! We’ll compete to see
who gets there,” We grip each other’s hands as we
sealed our promise. The next day I learned that
Kuina died. I immediately rushed to her and once I
saw her laying down I felt a mix of emotions. I said
to her screaming at the top of my lungs “You
promised me yesterday, aren’t you gonna keep your
word?!” I vent through my shinai, defeating adults in
the dojo and training like there’s no tomorrow. While
training I suddenly felt the presence of Kuina, like
she was watching my back. But as soon as I looked
behind me, I realized that she was already gone. It
led me to more frustration, even pushing myself to
train to the point where I could die. Kuina’s father,
Koushirou, told me more about Kuina and his
feelings at the moment that left me in tears. I ask
sensei, “That Kanata… please give it to me. I will
take her share of training and become even
stronger. I’ll become so strong that my name will
reach the heavens. I’ll become the strongest
swordsman in the world,” Koushirou replied, “Kuina’s
soul and dreams, I leave them to you,” After hearing
his words I burst into tears.

To be continued..