For the ten years that followed, Jiro traveled the countryside of the Masaki Territory. Training under numerous warriors in different towns.

Most notable of these warriors is Kenji Mesrodam of Tanegashima village, nearly 40 miles east of the Masaki capital . . .

Now in the year 1069 a.y.. Jiro, a seventeen-year-old young man has reached the village of Tanegashima. Thirsty, he headed straight for the local pub.

Inside the pub, people looked strangely at him. Jiro stared back at them as he walked to the bartender. The bartender eyed Jiro, staring at his sword. Jiro looked at him and asked, "Aren't you supposed to ask me what I want to drink, bartender?" "S-sorry, mister, but weapons aren't allowed in here," replied the bartender. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know," replied Jiro, with a smile. "M-may I take your sword?" asked the bartender. Jiro's eyes widened and said, "No, I've only come for a drink, I'll be no trouble."

After a few drinks, a man approached Jiro and said, "Mister, we don't usually see men with swords, especially any with that particular type of sword." Jiro turned to the man and asked, "Is seeing an armed man that unusual?" "Well, yes . . . except for old man Kenji . . ." he answered. "Old man Kenji, who is he?" asked Jiro, his interest peaked. The man raised a brow and said, "He's an old soldier, he was the first Head Knight of Masaki, and he�s known around here as a great swordsman." "A swordsman you say? Where does this Kenji live?" asked Jiro. "He lives just across the river, he's a bit of a hermit . . ." replied the man.

"Thanks a lot, mister!" exclaimed Jiro, as he ran out of the pub's doors.

An hour later, Jiro reached the single house by the river.

He walked to the door of the house and knocked on the door. "Who is it?!" asked a groggy voice. "My name is Jiro, I'm here to speak with Kenji."

The door opened and a man dressed in a purple kimono answered, "I am Kenji." Jiro stared at the long gray-haired man, with wrinkles covering his face and noticed the sheathed katana, tucked into a purple sash around his waist. "You're a samurai!?" exclaimed Jiro. "What? How would you know what a samurai is?" asked Kenji. Jiro answered, "I'm from Nihon, east of Masaki territory." "Big deal, what do you want?" he asked. "I came here to ask if you would train me in your kenjutsu, I heard that you were a great swordsman," replied Jiro. "Hmm, I don't train just one pupil, you will have to find a partner . . ." said Kenji, before slamming the door shut.

Damn, all this for nothing.

Jiro returned to the village and checked into the inn.