The year is 1067 a.y., shortly after Jiro's fifteenth birthday. Jiro, his father, and Suzuchiro plan on taking a trip to Nagoyaka, a village several miles west of Samusa. There, they plan to buy some supplies.

Jiro was awakened by the soft voice of his mother, Ayane. "Wake up Jiro, its almost time for you to go with Suzuchiro and your father to Nagoyaka." Jiro grumbled, "Okay mother, thanks for waking me up. They'd leave without me if I was still asleep." Ayane smiled and replied, "Yes, you know your father doesn't wait for anybody." Ayane left Jiro's room and closed the rice paper shutter behind her.

A few minutes later, Jiro left his room and searched for his father and brother.

He found them preparing the horses for the six-hour journey ahead. "Sorry I'm late, father." Jiro apologized. Jiro's father, Kazuyuki, looked at Jiro with a stern expression and said, "A samurai shouldn't sleep too late, he should rise with the sun and prepare for the day ahead. Sleeping two hours past sunrise is unacceptable." Jiro frowned from his father�s words.

"Jiro, can you give me a hand with this saddle?" asked Jiro's oldest brother, Suzuchiro. Jiro nodded and walked to Suzuchiro helping him with the saddle.

After several more minutes, the three were ready to go to Nagoyaka.

Halfway towards Nagoyaka, Kazuyuki noticed some odd tracks. "These tracks look as if they belong to a large army . . ." said Kazuyuki to his two sons. "Father, do you think we should head back. Just in case?" asked Suzuchiro. "Yes, that's the best course of action. Let's head back now,� answered Kazuyuki.

An army? I hope everything is going to be fine. Jiro thought to himself.

"Father, I think we should . . ." whispered Suzuchiro to his father. "What should we do, Suzuchiro?" asked Jiro. Kazuyuki nodded to Suzuchiro, agreeing with what it was that he whispered to him. "Well, what're we going to do?" asked Jiro again. Suzuchiro slowed his horse and let Jiro catch up to him. He then turned to Jiro and said "I'm sorry, Jiro." Jiro looked at him, puzzled and asked, "Sorry? For wha . . .?" Jiro was interrupted by Suzuchiro drawing his katana and hitting him over the head with the hilt.

Jiro fell to the ground, having been immediately knocked unconscious from his brother's blow.