Chapter 1: Arrival

Looking out the plane window at the rather modern city outside, I begin to consider why I ended up coming to Japan, even though that doesn't seem possible. 

"Sir, you're the only one missing."

"Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts."

Apologizing to the stewardess who stares at me, I get up from my seat and then grab the little luggage I have with me, and walk towards the exit of the plane to start the paperwork to enter the country. 

...1 hour later...

"You look awful professor"

"I hate bureaucracy, come on they really had to go through my suitcase so thoroughly? And treat me like a weirdo?"

Sitting in the back of a vehicle belonging to whoever hired me this time, I start talking to a Caucasian gentleman, most likely European due to his physical features. 

"Hahaha, that's why the director had offered to have someone go get him. He doesn't even know the basics of the language to get by."

"In high school in my country the only options were English or Portuguese, let's just say that for Portuguese... I'm horrible. So English it will be, plus it's the universal language! "

As we talked amongst ourselves about my rather bad experience at the airport, which boils down to being able to understand them, but not knowing how to speak to them. The car starts moving towards the history museum I was hired by. 

"Professor Christopher, this way!"

Getting out of the vehicle after a trip that took us half an hour or maybe a little more, he managed to see my employer waiting in front of some granite stairs leading to a square with a fountain, and a tall white marble museum with different banners about the current exhibits. 

"Mr. Leonardo, it is a pleasure to meet you in person, even more so because of the news you sent me."

Walking straight towards him, I give him a few words of courtesy, before shaking his hand and starting the real conversation. 

"I can assure you that this information is 100% true. It comes from a family with a long history and extensive property. Richard is carrying the professor's suitcase inside."

"Yes!"

With Richard rushing out of the car with my luggage, Leonardo and I move down the stairs to a small square, then into the museum.

The museum was being remodeled to house its new exhibits, making silence reign throughout the place. It would be gloomy if it weren't for the large windows, which let in the gentle midday sun, adding a cozy aspect to the museum. 

"Everything is almost ready to open next Monday. The only thing we're missing is the crown jewel, something that will attract experts and inept alike."

Passing through the empty corridors that had one thing or another lying around, Leonardo pulls a cell phone out of his clothes, then walks over and shows me a picture of why I'm here. 

It was a sword from the time of the fighting kingdoms, much like the chokutos, only its hilt had some sort of gem embedded in it and you can't see the edge thanks to the light brown scabbard covering it, leaving merely a copper mark visible on it. 

"It looks like a chokuto type sword from ancient China. Though its size and shape seems to differ from them, and it might even be a different or unknown model."

"That's why I called you, professor. You are highly regarded in the circles of sword collectors, historical artifact restoration and history in general."

This looks interesting, I have traveled in Europe, Middle East and Far East, but have never seen anything like this. It would be a great discovery if it turns out to be a model lost in time. 

"You have convinced me, Leonardo. I'd like to leave as quickly as possible to see this specimen and I think you're interested in that too."

"Hahaha, I knew a man like you couldn't stand idly by at such an opportunity. Now let's have lunch and I'll give you the information on where to go."