"Then do you want to become a samurai?"
Mifune answered without hesitation, "Of course I want to become a samurai. Once I'm a little older, I'll go to the capital to study the way of the samurai."
Tobirama nodded and said nothing more. After all, he was merely a traveler.
"Come on. I'll take you to my house so you can rest for the night. You'll be leaving here early tomorrow morning."
Neither of them was upset by Mifune's attitude. They were strangers meeting for the first time; being allowed to stay the night was already generous enough.
Besides, even if Mifune had not said so, Tobirama and Torikaze would still be leaving the next day.
On the way from the village entrance to Mifune's home, they encountered several villagers watching Tobirama and Torikaze warily.
Mifune explained where the two had come from, and only then did the villagers relax.
The village was filled with the elderly, the weak, women, and children. Even those who had possessed some samurai skill in their youth could no longer perform more than a few moves.
The rudimentary samurai techniques Mifune knew now had been taught to him by the villagers.
Though basic, they had at least given him a foundation.
Mifune led Tobirama and Torikaze to a small courtyard, where a few fowl were kept here and there.
"This is my home. It might be a little messy, so don't mind it."
Tobirama nodded to show that it was fine, then followed Mifune into the courtyard.
Torikaze looked at the chickens in the yard and thought of the hen back home that was incubating eggs.
Before leaving, he had asked Auntie Kato to look after it. I wonder whether they've hatched yet.
After entering the house, Torikaze set his bundle on the table