Land of Iron

When he got back to the village he started to plan his trip to the Land of Iron. He figured that he needed to find a swordsmanship teacher. He felt that his overall jutsu was getting better but he also needed his swordsmanship to stay at the same pace to be a more rounded shinobi. Another reason that he decided to head to the Land of Iron was that he felt that he needed to go even though he only got back to the village so recently was because he felt he should inform Ryu's friend about what happened to him. So he was going to go to the Land of Iron with his father again just like he went to the Kusanagi Forge.

The next day they left the village as they started heading towards the Land of Iron. As they were getting closer to the Land of Iron the area got colder and colder. Hayato and Riku were forced to put on warmer clothes as snow started to fall. These harsh conditions made it a bit harder to go on but they were prepared as the Hokage had told them some information about the Land of Iron. They continued to trudge for a few days until they came across an interesting sight. There were three mountains close to each other as they gave off a very intimidating vibe when Riku and Hayato looked at but they also soon saw that this was the area that the Samurai lived at. This was the place where they would find Mifune.

Riku: Looks like this is the place.

Hayato: Yes let's go.

They started to approach the area that the samurai lived in. The closer that they got to the samurai's home they saw more and more guards appeared, All of these guards wore face masks and wore full gray body armor. They started to surround the two shinobi from behind as from the front guards came to question them as well.

Samurai: Why have you shinobi come here? This is not your land.

Hayato: Yes we understand that. But we come in peace. We are not here to cause harm. We came to find a man named Mifune.

Samurai: Why do you want to meet Mifune?

Riku: My sensei Ryu Kusanagi told me to come here and find Mifune.

Riku showed them the book that Ryu left him and many of the samurai were shocked and started to believe them.

Samurai: What Ryu? Alright I will take you to mifune but please leave the weapons that you have here just incase.

RIku was reluctant but Hayato knew many things about the samurai. He knew how honorable they were and completely trusted them as they always follow the path of peace but he still stayed alert as he knew anything could happen. They left there weapons with the samurai as they followed them into the samurais home. They walked for a while until they came upon a training area. THis area seemed to be a private training area as it was not huge and there was one man inside the training area just meditating. The man meditating was a man who looked to be a bit older and wiser than many of the people there. He had gray hair that went down to his waist and his head was covered in bandages he also wore samurai armor.

Samurai: Lord Mifune I am sorry to bother you but there are guests here that say they want t meet you as Ryu Kusanagi sent them.

Mifune: Ryu Kusanagi. It has been a long time since we have heard from our brother in arms. Even though he did choose the path of a shinobi instead of staying a samurai with us causing our comradery to strain we shall never forget the things he has done for us. Send them in.

The old man who turned out to be Mifune opened his eyes as Riku and Hayato walked into the room. He saw the two men walk in and looked at them and was surprised to see their expressions as they walked in. They had a gloomy expression and was wondering what happened to Ryu.

Mifune: Who are you two and what is your connection to Ryu?

Riku: I am Riku and this is my father Hayato. Ryu was my sensei and my father became great friends with him over the years that he knew him.

Mifune: Ok interesting. Please tell me as judging by your expression what happened to Ryu?

Hayato: Ryu had passed away as he saved the village and protected the village. We also came to say goodbye to Ryu as I am sure he would want you to see him once more.

Mifune: That is sad news. Thank you for the sincerity. I appreciate the kindness and accept the proposal. I would like to send off my brother in arms.

Riku: Of course.

RIku wanted to ask Mifune to teach him the sword but he decided against it until Mifune gets to send of Ryu and gain closure. He knew how it felt to lose Ryu and knew that time would be best and even though he saw that Mifune had not shown outside emotion he had a feeling it did still affect him.