Myojin Yahiko
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He is only ten years old, but with the spirit of a great samurai already. Well, he is the son of a samurai, but his parents died when he was younger. After that, he had to pickpocket for a yakuza gang, in order to survive. He tries to steal from Kenshin when they first meet, but Kaoru catches him first. Kenshin doesn't mind and gives him his wallet, but Yahiko takes that as an insult and throws it right back at Kenshin. That day, he tells the yakuza gang he doesn't want to be a thief anymore. They get furious and beat him up, but he still refuses to work for them any longer. Then Kenshin comes to the rescue and takes Yahiko to the Kamiya Dojo, but not without his protest that he would fight and defend his parents' names with his own hands even if he had to go against all the yakuza alone. Then he becomes the first student of the Kamiya Dojo, but again, not without protests from both him and Kaoru. They aren't much of a sensei and a pupil, but something more like friends, I think. And Yahiko once again has a family. |
| Yahiko is very good at swordsmanship. He can defeat grown men (and actually one of the Juppongatana too) after only several months in training. He's got the gift and practices hard. He and Kaoru very often start hitting each other with their shinais in quarrels, and I sometimes wonder if it's the reason why Yahiko gets so good in such a short time. Yahiko uses the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu and sometimes his own style of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu he remembers seeing from Kenshin. |  |
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I really admire his spirit. He doesn't give up in fights even he is already hurt so badly. He has honor and doesn't let anyone insult him or his parents. And he really holds true to his belief. He believes in Kenshin, and is trying to follow his path. In the Revenge Arc, while everyone is upset about Kenshin's breakdown, he says to Kenshin, "We'll be waiting at the Kamiya Dojo". He believes Kenshin can overcome his grief and stand up once again. And he is right. He has courage more than enough for a ten-year-old like him. He's not afraid to fight and risk losing his life. I am sure, like Kenshin says, he'll grow up to be a great samurai someday. |