Silence filled the forest, leaving only the rustling of leaves caused by the flowing wind and the early morning chirping of birds. Ujiyuki gave Shigekatsu a stern glare, clearly expressing dislike at their current situation.
"What do you mean, big brother Ujiyuki?" Shigekatsu asked, arms folded and a fake smile attached to his face.
"I do not care for one of your games, why are you here?" Ujiyuki asked, refusing to back down as the tension between them began to rise.
It was obvious that Ujiyuki and Shigekatsu had something going on, but a the fake smile on Shigekatsu's face didn't fade.
"What are you saying?" Shigekatsu asked, "Is it so wrong to visit my older brother?" he asked again, clearly avoiding the question and Ujiyuki.
Ujiyuki then let out a little chuckle, "It seem you do not want to share and it doesn't matter, just one thing" he said, as he then walked over to Shigekatsu stopping right before him and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Not a single word of you and I to the kid" Ujiyuki's eyes darkened and his vein bulged in fury, with his grip on Shigekatsu growing tighter.
"Hmm… I'm to assume your house is in the same village?" Shigekatsu ignored, gently slapping away Ujiyuki's hand with the fake smile unwavering on his face.
Ujiyuki then let out a sigh, "No, I don't stay in Tōyama anymore. Follow me" Ujiyuki said, he then turned and headed to his home with Shigekatsu following.
The morning sun stretched lazily across the horizon, washing the sky in shades of bright blue and gold. Birds sang in gentle harmony, their melodies mingling with the fresh scent of morning dew. From Ujiyuki's small countryside home, the comforting aroma of miso soup and green tea drifted through the air, wrapping the place in warmth.
Inside, Sentarō sat cross-legged on the tatami floor, he waited for Ujiyuki and Shigekatsu, with his body weary from the night's ordeal.
It didn't take time before Ujiyuki returned with Shigekatsu following behind.
"Look at that, you were not joking about wanting to live simple" Shigekatsu muttered, only sound to the ears of Ujiyuki. And even though Ujiyuki heard it, he chose to ignore as both of them went in and united with Sentaro.
They gathered around as the table before them held simple but satisfying dishes: bowls of steaming rice, cups of green tea, and fragrant miso soup still releasing curls of steam.
"Mr. Ujiyuki, this looks amazing…" Sentarō said, eyes locked onto the meal, a string of drool threatening mutiny. "But, in my honest opinion… Oden would've been better."
Shigekatsu froze mid-bite. "What?! You dare insult Ujiyuki's cooking!" he barked mockingly, lifting his rice bowl dramatically like a samurai about to draw his blade. "You are quite the ungrateful brat!"
"Ohh I'm sorry!" Sentarō bowed quickly, realizing his mistake. Ujiyuki, meanwhile, remained calm, too calm. He just picked up his bowl and began to eat without saying a word, his expression unreadable.
The room filled with the sound of quiet munching and sipping. For a brief while, there was peace, just the clinking of chopsticks and the rustle of fabric as they ate in silence.
Finally, Ujiyuki set his bowl down, still half-full. "Alright then…" His tone grew serious. "It's time we talked about your battle, kid"
Sentarō blinked in confusion, chopsticks frozen mid-air. "Talk? why?"
Shigekatsu also placed down his bowl, matching his brother's stern look. "What do you mean, why?" he said, his demeanor remaining playful.
"It's customary for a warrior to analyse past battle in order not to lose any future ones" Shigekatsu continued.
Sentaro's brow twitched in embarrassment, as he didn't know that information. "Wait, really?"
Ujiyuki sighed. "Don't worry about it, kid."
"Ahh…" Sentarō relaxed slightly, though he couldn't help but wonder how detailed Shigekatsu was.
Ujiyuki polished off the last of his rice and lifted his tea cup, taking a slow, exaggerated sip before letting out a long, contented sigh."Now for the evaluation."
"Let's start with your fighting style. From your battle with the tiger-bear, the your movements were mostly contained evasive footwork and quick counters."
"If I had to give it a title, a quick-type samurai." Ujiyuki analyzed.
Sentarō's eyes sharpened at the words, his earlier relaxed expression shifting to one of intensity.
"Despite the tiger-bear's brute strength and huge size," Ujiyuki continued, "he dodged every one of it's attacks. Not relying on raw power, just movement and timing."
"Straight forward and thorough, as expected of big brother Ujiyuki" Shigekatsu nodded.
"Now, in that fight your use the Shichishiki was quite impressive as well but far beyond mastery." Shigekatsu said.
Ujiyuki's eyes widened. "That true, kid, you need to work on mastering them"
Sentarō looked confused at Ujiyuki and Shigekatsu's words. "Mastery?."
"I've only been here for a while, yet I've come to the conclusion that you really are stupid, Sentaro…" Shigekatsu added, his tone filled with mockery. "Mastery of the Shichishiki is born from the way they are used in battle."
The room went silent, as Sentaro processed the information
Ujiyuki stared blankly for a long moment, thinking to himself. "Hmm… he successfully learned the Discipline, but his use of them are basic. Can he move forward this way?"
Shigekatsu smirked. "Don't think about it too much, you still have enough room to grow."
Ujiyuki's disbelief melted into pride. "My brother is right, there's enough time to work on that."
The boy smiled, scratching his head "I'll try my best."
Shigekatsu leaned back with a small grin. He then stood up, gathering all the empty bowls. "Hmm… if you ask me, you're ready to become a samurai of the Shinsengumi."
Sentarō's eyes widened. "Really?! coming from an active samurai, that means a lot"
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Ujiyuki sighed, his proud smile morphing into mild annoyance. "There's a lot of paperwork to be done."
"Paperwork?" Sentarō tilted his head.
"The level of how clueless you are knows no bounds" Shigekatsu said acting indifferent by it. "You want to join the Shinsengumi, yet you don't even know about the bureaucratic part?"
Sentarō's face remained blank, the Shigekatsu's banter doing nothing to clear his confusion.
"Alright, let's start from the top," Shigekatsu said, adjusting his posture like a teacher. "There are three ways to join the Shinsengumi and two of those ways involves partaking in the Recruitment exams"
"You either go through the training program by Unit Twelve and directly join the recruitment exams or you go through being trained by an active or retired samurai which is you case." Shigekatsu continued, as Sentaro nodded comically in understanding.
He paused to sip his tea, then continued. "But unlike the the first case, your case has an extra step. You're only allowed to take the exam if an official letter stating you participation is sent."
"In other words," Ujiyuki added, "I'm responsible for your actions, so I decide whether you take the exam or not"
Sentarō nodded slowly. "So… that's the reason behind your test."
"Exactly." Shigekatsu smiled. "That trial wasn't just about strength. It was to test control, instinct, and will."
"There are other paths into the Shinsengumi," Ujiyuki said, waving his hand dismissively, "but that's not your concern right now."
Sentarō blinked. "Okay, but then why is Mr. Shigekatsu came here?"
Shigekatsu then grinned. He stood and walked over to his older brother, placing a hand on Ujiyuki's shoulder from behind. "It's simple really, I'm your escort to the exam."
Sentarō's jaw dropped. "Escort?!"
"Escort?" Ujiyuki repeated, in shock.
"Guess you're stuck with me for a while." Shigekatsu said with his signature false smile.
Sentarō's face lit up, a fire burning behind his eyes. "Then let's do this! Shinsengumi Recruitment Exams, here I come!"
His shout echoed through the house, startling a few birds outside. Ujiyuki and Shigekatsu exchanged amused looks, one proud, the other quietly entertained.
The three of them sat there, laughter and mock bickering filling the air once again. Outside, the wind rustled through the trees, gentle, refreshing, and alive with the promise of change.
The trials of the night were over. The next chapter of Sentarō's life had begun.
Soon, he'd stand among the twelve units of the Shinsengumi, not as a trainee, but as a samurai ready to carve his name into the world.