5 The Rite of Passage
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Samurai, an elite Japanese warrior that originates from japan. It specially took off when the Edo period came. Aside from their undying loyalty and strength in combat there's also their unbreakable will and determination. But what does this happen to do with todays chapter? Well of coure its for word cou- INFO! Its info! anyway back to the story.
The Anzai clan is an example of that. They're a clan of samurai's who only live for the path of the sword. They may not be rich, influential or powerful. But their will and determination are above the rest. They only have one motto " your undying will and unbreakable determination dictates the life that you will trek." And so to honor their beliefs, the Anzai clan had made a sacred ceremony called 'The Rite of Passage.' ( i dont know how to make a good quote im dumb lol.)
In the courtyard of the Anzai manor, Shigeo and Shinji are currently seen facing against each other. while each holding a sturdy wooden sword in one hand. While Shinra and a nervous looking Yumeko were on the sides watching the scene. Shinra then went near them and spoke.
" Ahem, i Anzai Shinra will be the overseer for todays Rite of Passage. The Rite of Passage is a clan tradition where one individual challenges the other for a wish, an inheritance, or an order. It differs from challenger to challenger. But it isnt without a consequence because once the challenger loses then he/she will have to obey the words of the opposite side. Now state your claims! "
Shinji went first. " i want to have the right to be able to cook freely without any objections when i win this match. "
Shigeo only scoffed at his grandson's words. " very well i accept, then if you lose and i win, you will give up your pursuit in cooking and focus all your time and efforts in our family bussiness as the next heir of the Anzai corporation for the rest of your life." ( i smell slavery.)
Shinji gripped his wooden sword lightly. " I... Accept."
Once Shinra heard this he resumed.
" Now that both parties had stated and accepted each others claim. I will now explain the rules of the Rite of Passage. As for tradition the challenger will have until sunset to make the Adversary surrender through a time-limit or force the opponent to surrender by knockout or heavy injuries. The Adversary is free to counter or parry the challengers attack but do keep in mind that once the sunsets or when you have accumulated a deadly injury the match will be over and the challenger will be the Victor. While when the challenger surrender or faint whether its due to exhaustion or injuries it will be considered as the adversaries victory. Now seeing that the challenger is still a child the special rules will be invoke in this match and that would be. one, the adversary will not be allowed to move from his/her position. Two, the adversary will held back to the same strength as the challenger to ensure a fair fight, Three, the challanger will be allowed to have a five-minute headstart to think of a strategy to use. And lastly four the challenger can win if he/she could land a single blow against the adversary. Is that understood. "
"" Understood! ""
" Very well since all of the specifications had been met the only thing left is to say your name and position."
" Anzai Shinji, Challenger."
" Anzai Shigeo, Adversary."
Shinra took a deep breath and screamed.
" NOW BEGIN!" Shinra's voice reverberated throughout the yard. but not one person
moved from their spot. Shinji used his time wisely to think of a way to win. No... even if he tried to think of a strategy it will all be useless, Shigeo is far more experienced and skilled in battle. not only that although Shinji was taller than the average four year olds the fact still remains... Hes too short its like fighting a someone three and a half times taller than you, do you even stand a chance?
' tch, normal methods wont work i need to think of a creative way to strike.'
And with that thought his five-minute head start had finally ended. Shinji rushed towards Shigeo while holding his wooden sword with his two hands.
* Swoosh, Baam! * the sound of two wooden sword clashing against each other filled the courtyard, Shinji tried to attack Shigeo on his sides but he blocked it without much effort. But that wasnt all that happened.
" Kuhukk!, Arghh!" Shigeo used the chance to land a kick on Shinji's unguarded stomach he was sent back a few meters a way. Yumeko couldn't handle the scenes in front of her eyes so she just close it. While Shinra looked with a stern expression.
" its futile Shinji you cant beat me, you will enevitably lose."
Shinji didn't respond and once again got up and went in for another attack. This time he tried to unarm Shigeo by breaking the connection between his hand and the wooden sword. And just when the attack was about to hit his ribcage was assaulted by a roundhouse kick from Shigeo.
" Arghh!!" he could feel it his ribcage was broken, blood spurted from his mouth and nose. Yumeko saw the pain and agony that Shinji was experiencing and tears started forming in her eyes. Shinra could only sigh.
" its over boy you cant get up anymore and even if you did you couldn't do anything just stay on the ground and rest."
" Never!" summoning every strength left on his body he stood up once again while breathing heavily.
"... My determination... Isnt so weak to be broken so easily... " so he made his final move and sluggishly dashed to wards Shigeo's direction. Shigeo sighed and got ready to end it all by using his wooden sword. Once Shinji entered his striking range he bought it down intending to make him pass out by hitting him in the neck. But at that moment Shinji managed to dodge to the left and avoid Shigeo's strike. ( this is real by the way you could make someone pass out by hitting them in the neck with force.)
' Finally the chance that I've been waiting for!' Shinji screamed and attacked Shigeo's unguarded knee!
" Arghh!" Shigeo winced in pain ' what the?! He... Won?... How?' but as he was about to ask.
*Thud* Shinji fell down on the ground while slowly loosing his consciousness. The only thing he saw with his fading vision was his mother rushing to his side while frantically screaming and his father who smiled and nodded at him and with that his vision turned black.
(Flash back)
Before Shigeo's arrival. The same day that he made the call. Shinji is currently on his way to his father's study room.
*Knock, knock* "come in." his father said inside of the room. Shinji then went inside and closed the door.
" hmm? Shinji what brings you here?" Shinra was on his desk filled with paperwork and currently typing on his computer.
" Dad, i have a favor to ask."
Shinra stopped typing and looked at his son with a curious expression.
" what is it?"
" i want you to help me beat grandpa in the Rite of Passage."
Shinra was shocked by his son's words. He then looked at him with a serious expression.
" its about cooking isn't it you want to solely focus on it"
Shinji didn't deny it and went straight to the point.
" yes."
" did you tell your mom?"
Shinji hesitated but still answered.
" n-no im doomed if she finds out."
" and why would you think that i wouldn't tell her what you just said to me just now."
" Because i know you'll help me dad." he didn't falter and also looked at Shinra with eyes of absolute truth.
*Sigh* " fine ill help you i already fought your grandfather and won but at that time i was already 19. And you're still a kid so the chances of winning are slim do you still want to do it?"
" yes."
" then go to the courtyard at night."
Shinji was a little confused because there's still his mom.
" then what about mom? Wouldn't she find out? "
" dont worry i have my ways, just make sure youre there by ten. "
Shinji nodded and said his thanks before walking out of his office.
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Night came and Shinji was now waiting for his father at the courtyard. It didn't take him long because he finally heard a sound of the door being opened. He saw his father with a tinge of red on his face and sweat covering his neck.
" umm... Dad do you have a fever? If so its ok to continue it tomorrow."
" no the temperature in my office was pretty hot that and also alot of things happened at work." Shinra answered with a straight face.
" then what about mom?"
" she's already tired and fell asleep, Now enough about that lets start training!"
Shinji didn't question him anymore and just went on with it.
" Understood! "
" now Shinji you should know this but its impossible to beat your grandfather in your age no matter what you do. even if youre smart it wont do you any good against his skills and experience."
" but you said that you'll help me so there's a way right."
" yes there is a way more specifically there is only one. You see every time that I'm about to lose in a spar against father he would always aim for my neck and then i always passed out these would always happen until the day that i inherited the corporation. "
Shinra reminisce about the past for a while then looked at his determined son.
" so you'll be focusing on these two things first you need to dodge his final attack and then go for the offence and deliver the final blow after. You'll start by dodging my attacks and then go for my knees."
" but what if it doesn't work?"
" dont worry about it despite being ruthless in the outside he's quite caring on the inside so he prefers to end the fight quickly to avoid more injuries. Hence why he always go for the neck. "
Shinji nodded enthusiastically and so the hellish training had begun. Every night before his grandfather arrived Shinji will wait in the courtyard where his father who always seems to have a reddish tinge in his face taught him the way to beat his grandfather.
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( end of flashback)
' arghhh my head hurts... I won right... Yeah I WON!' the unconscious Shinji slowly opened his eyes with a smile on his face he looked around the room he's currently in. ' so I'm in my room.' he then looked at the sides to see his grandfather looking at him.
" you're finally awake. How's your injury? well from the look of things it seems that you're ok."
Shinji just nodded not bothering to move because of the pain.
" hahaha! You remind me of the time that i challenge my father in the Rite of passage i was told that i wont make it and only fail, but nevertheless i never gave up no matter what and look at me now."
Shigeo stopped then looked at his grandson proudly.
" you did great, you might be wondering why I'm praising you when i just broke your ribs. 'Your undying will and unbreakable determination will dictate the life that you will trek', its our clan's motto. And you did just that i incited you with words and actions to see whether you give up and accept defeat or fight till the end. And seeing you managed to land a hit on me is the only answer i need im proud of you... Although i have to admit breaking your ribs might be a little overkill but bygones be bygones im a right Hahaha! "
",,, twenty years... " Shinji uttered some words that Shigeo heard.
" hmm? "
"... Twenty years,,, i will achieve my dream in twenty years then ill take over our corporate. "
Shigeo only smiled at him and replied.
" well aren't you confident. But you do have what it takes sure i believe you. Now how about you make your grandpa some food. Ill see for myself if you really have the abilities to do so. "
"...heh, get ready to be blown away."
They chatted for a while till Yumeko and Shinra came inside the room as expected Yumeko scolded Shinji for an hour before cooling off, while Shinra patted him on the head.
Thus this boring chapter ends and we can finally meet some waifu's!
