Some Decades Ago…

A certain young 20 year old samurai-apprentice was kneeling beside the bamboo bed of his old and frail but nevertheless, tough master and father, who was already on the verge of dying as the latter summoned up what is remaining of his strength to impart his last words.

"Mokichi-kun…" The old man tenderly said, "You know well that any time from now at this day, I'm going to finally the heavenly abode of our great ancestor Musashi-sama and that this means that you'll be the lone legacy that I will leave in this materialistic world. With that in mind, I have chosen you as my perfect successor to our clan's Niten Ichi-ryū traditional arts of kenjutsu (Japanese swordsmanship)." The way the elderly man said it was eerily calm as he was already staring the face of death.

"Father, I don't know if I can accept it! I'm not worthy of such an honor," The young Mokichi bowed earnestly and humbly, "In fact, I am certain that your students are better off carrying your legacy than—"

"Do not say such things, Mokichi-kun. In fact, you have done remarkably well for your young age and I can guarantee that you will only get better," his father coughed up before continuing. "Nevertheless, listen very well for this is the final lesson you will receive from me"

"Yes, Father…"

"Words, titles, honorifics and the like, they mean nothing in this earthly world. Under the will of the heavens, every one of us are equal and we're equal with the creations of nature." Musashi gave a sermon, "We long for fame, fortune and glorification and yet it all comes to nothing in the face of death. We seek all these things because we are not complete within ourselves and we are not at peace. Sadly, this modern world has lost its connection to nature. In my death, I finally understand what our ancestor's master Yagyū Munetoshi-sensei had said to me said that night when Musashi-sama was supposed to engage him on a duel…"

"What did he say?" Mokichi asked, knowing full well that this man was one of their great ancestor's fiercest rivals

"The Sword is one with the Heaven and Earth, Mokichi-kun…"

"The Sword is one with Heaven and Earth?"

"Yes, the ultimate ideal of the swordsman develops in three stages. The first stage begins with the unity of man and his sword; in this stage cannot distinguish between man and sword for they are the same," The old man said, "Even blade of grass is the deadliest weapon so long as the man knows how to use it. The second stage is when the sword exists in a man's heart and in this stage even without his sword the swordsman is a formidable opponent. The final stage is when the sword exists neither in the man's heart nor hand; he is at peace with himself and the worlds and seeks to bring peace to mankind."

The young man was speechless at the teachings of his father. Those words were burned into heart and soul of Mokichi.

"But before I finally close my eyes, I have had a strange dream, Mokichi," the old man shared, "Several decades from now, the world will be thrown into a great turmoil once again and a succession of small-scale conflict would lead to a great crisis not unlike the two previous great wars and it will begin the likes of which we could never dream of."

"A succession of conflicts?"

"In the final years of your life, you will meet a child with a great burden, far greater than any of us could even think of and it could only equal to the burden of one of your great-grandparents." The old man declared as he squeezes the hand of his son, "He will be your student and the successor of our kenjutsu traditional arts."

"What?! My future student?" Obviously, Mokichi was surprised.

"Yes. He will be your student and has the potential to be one of the greatest practitioners of our arts," the old man boldly declared, "He will have to fight many battles because of it. However, he will become a warrior like none their future and modern generation has ever seen. He will be the focal point of these wars and many lives will depend on him."

"How will I know that I have found this child?"

"You will not find him, Mokichi-kun…" The old man smiled, "He will eventually find his way through you…"

"Such a heavy load on my part, my father! Am I able to train such a future apprentice?"

"Do not doubt yourself, Mokichi-kun. Doubt is a deadly feeling for an experienced warrior…"

"Y-Yes, father…"

"Now my time here on the earthly world is almost finished, my son." The old man coughed as he stood up for one last time, his legs lying in his bed, "As my successor, I give to you the things I valued most in my life: Musashi-sama's two teachings written in the two books Dokkodo and Go Rin No Sho, a sword forged by one of the greatest swordsmiths in Masamune which is a Katana called Yawarakai-Te, another sword which is a Wakizashi called Hageshii Seishin which will be paired up with the katana, and in addition to the daisho nihonto pairing, I will also give you a Ninjato which I got from a descendant of a ninja in a night duel that I once fought when I was younger. Lastly, I will also give you your deceased younger cousin's black samurai kimono which in turn, you will pass to your future apprentice…"

The young man could not utter a word; these things which he would inherit are veritable treasures in the dying samurai world.

His father's parting words were…

"Never stray from the way, my son. We are all a part of nature and we cannot escape it…no matter what, do not struggle against the will of the Kami…"

After mustering his last breath, his master, his father, his mentor, his inspiration—Miyamoto Mutsuki, a great and genius swordsman and a direct ancestor of the great Miyamoto Musashi, the kensei (sword saint)—died peacefully with a gentle smile carved in his face.

Present Times

After yet another misfortunate-filled day, first year middle school student Kamijou Touma sat alone on the swing in the park watching every people that pass through the streets become happy as they seemed to be enjoying themselves on one joyful Friday afternoon. Anger, loneliness, sadness and disillusionment filled his heart for he too yearned to be happy along with them as he clenches his fists.

Why did my parents leave me all alone in this city?! Why am I being ignored and shunned? Damn my rotten luck! Were the questions that were running through the boy's head. Kamijou was not really a stupid boy and he was keenly aware of the barely concealed anger that was directed at him by his peers, who always look down on him as a nameless Level 0 and a bearer of a lot of plagues.

Just this day, he was helping an old lady carry his groceries to her car but due to the sudden appearance of a wind, the groceries fell down on the floor and thus, he ended up getting hit with a cane by the old lady. Next, he was now being chased by a large group of Skill Outs who wanted to rob him of what little money he have. Lastly, due to his two previous misfortunes, he got late to school, only to get beaten down to the pulp by a raging homeroom teacher, who shouted in his face that he should stop being lazy and that he should out more effort in his school works. Maybe she's in her period or something?

As all students his age went home, he taught about the treatment he received from not only from his peers here in this city but also back in his hometown Kanagawa, where he was treated as nothing more than a plague. Having been ignored and shunned for most of his life, Kamijou knew that there was some reason for the treatment that he received. He struggled in class with the Power Curriculum Program which is why he is classified as a Level 0 and for some reasons, he just fails to advance steadily in his lessons, which always results to him getting remedial classes. Not even the friendliness of Aogami Pierce can help him break away from this cycle, which was starting to get to him.

Lost in his sadness and depression, he made his way through sparsely populated area of School District Seven. While walking, he noticed a small shop that caught his attention. He didn't know why but for some reason, he was captivated by the small shop and its apparent simplicity but beautiful pretty aesthetics. His sadness and depression gave way to a strange curiosity. As he entered the simple establishment, he instinctively lowered his head to hide his face to prevent a rude greeting. However, this was not the case today for he was greeted by the gentle voice of a kind elderly man.

"Hello there, young one…" The old man, who looks to be in his late sixties, greeted him, to Kamijou's shock, "What brings you to my humble and recently-opened establishment?"

Slowly, Kamijou looked up at the man and their eyes met and locked with each other and in that moment, a powerful connection was made. In the old man's eyes, the spiky haired boy could see a gentle but invincible strength full of wisdom and experience borne out of tough struggles and in Kamijou's eyes, the old man could see pain, loneliness, sadness, desire, strength, potential and kindness.

After the brief moment of their unspoken communication, Kamijou stuttered as he greeted the old man, "Sorry to interrupt you, grandfather but I just wandered off my normal route to my apartment after our classes when I noticed your store and I just wanted to check it out."

"Ah, I see, young one…" The old man replied, "Well, be my guest then and I will serve you something."

As Kamijou walked through the store, he marveled at the number of kimono costumes present that was displayed in the shop as well as the sets of nihonto weaponry and armor. Strange. They looked to be too old and outdated to be used at these times. Kamijou thought as he eyed a single Gunto sword displayed. Must be for movie props.

He was brought out of his mental musings by the old man's voice, "Hey young one, I couldn't help but notice that in your eyes, they held great disappointment and a whole range of other emotions that I could describe as an accumulation of sadness. Did something happen today, young one?"

For some reason, Kamijou Toum felt that he could trust the old man. "Well…yeah," Kamijou replied feeling completely safe with the old man. "If you don't know, I was again in a day full of rotten luck. An old lady that I helped ended up hitting me just because the wind blew off the groceries that I was carrying for her, several gangsters tried to attacked me just for my money, and lastly, these homeroom of mine who thinks she's knows everything that is happening in the world attacked me for being "lazy" and being late in our class without even thinking about what happened in this day…"

"Must be hard for you, young one…"

"Hard…" the boy laughed sarcastically, "That was just a typical episode in my life, old man. I don't know why but I'm always being riddled with misfortune; I am shunned and ignored by the people back in my hometown and even though I understand why my parents brought me here, I don't know why it wasn't even working and that I was basically left to fend for my own. The closest thing I have to a family-figure here in Academy City is the Komoe-sensei, my orphanage guardian and Yomikawa-sensei. My life has been nothing but a misfortune and failure one after another. I mean, I'm not the only Level 0 here in town but for some reasons, I'm the always target of almost everyone. It makes me almost angry," the boy ranted.

The old man felt pity.

"And it's all because of my stupid right hand," he then lay his right hand for the man to see, "You see, whenever an esper attacks me, I managed to fend them off by simply cancelling out their powers but unfortunately, this must have been also the source of my misfortune. Just my luck. I wish I can just be a normal student like my peers."

The old man said nothing but he then patted the head of the boy.

"Young one, jealousy is a truly dangerous emotion since it causes people to do all sorts of cruel things just to get what they want," the old man began to explain, "Hmmm…it is only natural for a child to long for the warmth and love of their parents, to be cared for and to be looked upon as a fellow human being. However, you have failed to realize that there are people who love and care about you. This Komoe-sensei you speak about and this Yomikawa that you mentioned. In fact, I can guarantee that this homeroom of yours just looks out for your welfare although it might not be the best method. Though they many not give you want, they give you what you just need and that is acknowledgement. They cheer you up when you are down and always have kind words to offer yet right now, you stand before me here in this shop and you just have turned your back on their support to you. If it is one thing you must learn in this young age of yours, it's the fact that life is not fair and we do not get to choose our portion in life. You should accept the life you are given for the sake of your mental health. Despair, stress, and anxiety are natural parts of your life, and it shouldn't be attacked. The truth is that if you accept the most difficult aspects of life, it can make you stronger to their advances. Crying, whining, jealousy and anger will get you nowhere."

Kamijou was shocked once again. In his mind, images of old Tsukuyomi Komoe, Yomikawa Aiho, and Aogami Pierce came to his mind and they all had smiles imprinted in his face, although a lecherous one in Aogami's case. All the times they cheered him up when he was down and all the kind smiles and warm words of comfort suddenly came back rushing into his memories. They were always there for him and here he was, wallowing in self-pity. He was brought out of his ponderings by the old man's voice.

"Never be jealous. For we don't know the true extent of any given situation; just as you are wishing to be like those children your age, some of them may be wishing to be you." The old man explained, "Free of the expectations of being an esper, free to just be themselves and not the image that they're expected to uphold as Esper geniuses. Jealousy breeds hate because you want what another has and cannot get it and thus, you begin to resent him for it and in turn, resentment gives into the desire to take it from him gives rise to all manners of devious plots and twisted plans to acquire that which is not yours. These mixed factors can even lead to wars and many of the world's greatest and devastating wars have been started over jealousy and lust for power."

The man's words were burned into his soul. There was nothing he could say or do at the moment all he could do was listen.

"We never know what another is truly going through. They may look happy on the outside but on the inside, they are dying. We envy those with power and prestige but to tell you the truth, they're the one who aren't happy. They worry about holding on to their power and ensuring that they remain in power. They are constantly in battle because everyone else wants their power and thus fights them for it. They could never have enough power, prestige, and wealth, more and more until their greed consumes them and everything around them. They no longer see people as human beings, but as tools, servants and commodities that are expendable."

Kamijou listened to the old man with great interest.

"Yet oftentimes people wish to be just like them, to be in their shoes, to enjoy the so-called finer things in life. Never be jealous young one, for we do not know what Kami-sam has in store for you and you might lose sight of the things that are the most valuable in life."

"But it is hard not to be jealous and resentful old man," Kamijou said

The old man chuckled at the boy's lack of respect for him. Ah…the insolence of the youth of today. He thought. There is no mistake about it. He, the one who carries a great burdenm is the one, my future student.

"My father and mentor told me that I would meet you one day…"

"Hah? What are you talking about old man? Meet me?" The boy said, genuinely confused.

"You see, I follow the way of the warrior young one or as a samurai like me, we call it the Bushido. On his death bed, my father and master told me that I would meet a child and that I will or should train him in the way of the warrior."

"And you believe that's me?" Kamijou asked incredulously.

"My father once told that my future apprentice would be carrying a great burden and with the right guidance, he would become the greatest warrior of this generation," The old man explained.

"And you are saying that this you are speaking about is me?" Kamijou raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, that is correct young one."

"Can you please stop the tricks, Oyaji? That's just plainly impossible…" Kamijou said, "How could someone like me, who brings misfortune and doesn't even perform well in school, even become the greatest warrior of this generation?"

The old man smiled.

"What so funny old man?"

"One moment young one," the man said as he walked to the back of his shop.

A few minutes later he returned with a glass and a bottle of water. He showed the spiky haired boy the glass, "What do you see?"

"Obviously, an empty glass old man. What the hell are you up to?"

The old man said nothing. He then filled the glass with water.

"What do you see now, young one"

"A glass filled with water," Kamijou replied, trying to figure out what the man was doing

"Good. Now what would happen if the glass was already full and I poured water into it?"

"It would overflow…" The boy replied.

"You say you are a plague, a moron. Thus, you are empty like that glass once was. However, the only way for the glass to be filled was for it to be empty, no other way. You young one, are the perfect pupil that one can teach with effort. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Being empty that you are right now, you can now be filled. A failure you may be at the Power Curriculum Program but there is more to life and there is a bigger picture to be seen."

"A bigger picture?" Kamijou gasped. He was just told that he was the perfect pupil and if Tsukuyomi Komoe was being honest, even she wouldn't agree with that statement.

"Yes. If you focus only on the leaf you miss the tree; if you focus on the tree you miss the forest; if focus only on the forest you miss the world. You must learn to see everything in its entirety." The old man spoke like a father, "If your heart is preoccupied, your sword will not be true and if your sword is not true, you will die in battle."

Kamijou nodded.

"Do not be preoccupied with a single thing; learn to see everything in its entirety, effortlessly. That is what it means to truly see. As of now, you are distracted and vulnerable; a fly could kill you right now if it wanted to. Even with your powerful right hand, an untrained one like you can die because you haven't learned to conquer your fear."

Kamijou was awed by the man's words. Right then he was greeted with a splash of water to his face.

"Hey old man, what was that for, oyaji?!"

"You let your guard down; you were preoccupied with my words…"

Kamijou was shocked as the man's words were put into action.

He was greeted with a smack to the forehead.

"Ouch, what was that for now?!"

"You were preoccupied, with the practical application of what I said. You were stunned because they were not mere words that I was speaking. In fact, I do what I say."

This time, the boy remained alert. "Yes, old man"

The old man smiled as the boy stayed alert. "Good, you are beginning to understand. As I was saying, the eight virtues of the Bushido are one of righteousness, heroic courage, benevolence and compassion, respect, honesty, honor, duty and loyalty and self-control."

"But I'm an Esper student and that and a samurai are totally different."

The old man laughed, "That they are young one, that they are"

"So you are a samurai, old man?"

"Yes I am. However, a true warrior is not concerned about titles and status, nor is he concerned about what others think of him. A true warrior does not act on conformity but searches out the truth himself and walks his own path dictated by him and no one else. A true warrior is one who is the master of himself."

"A master of himself?"

"Yes, young one. You are too young to see it, but you are held in a chain by the people around you; you also led this so-called misfortune reign in on you. That's nothing but cowardice..."

Kamijou Touma felt a sting in his chest as he heard the truth that was laid before him. He was rooted to the spot by the old man's words. Though the man's words hurt like hell, they held no malice or ill intent. It was really hard for him to accept. What would happen if he accepted the truth? His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, when he heard a gentle voice cut through the haze of mind. "Fear not young one, for what you are experiencing now can be overcome. You have placed the shackles around your own psyche but you can take it off just as you put it on…"

"There was one this ancient warrior in Japan who was said to be undefeatable in battle and he was known throughout the lands as the Kensei or Sword Saint because of his mastery in wielding two blades simultaneously in battle." The old mane began to add, "He had vast experience in the ways of the blade, tactics and war and upon sensing that he would soon die, he began writing down everything that he had learned in his travels and battles. It is said that he achieved peace in a lifetime of war. Would you like to read what this great warrior had to say? I think that it would be of great benefit especially for some like you."

Momentarily forgetting his plight, Kamijou was intrigued by what he heard and greatly wished to read what this warrior had to say.

"Yes, I would very much like to read what this man had to say about life, war, and tactics." Kamijou nodded.

"Wait a moment, young one…" The man replied as he went to the back of his store to retrieve the item. He returned a moment later, with a small scroll in his hand. It was a small and unremarkable books with a plain red design and cover.

"Before I give you this scroll, I must warn you that it will be unlike anything you have ever read before in your school books and it requires a deep contemplation and examination. It will change your outlook on life and your life forever, it will help you achieve peace and to walk your own path in life. Are willing to take such a risk young one?" The old man challenged Kamijou.

The spiky haired boy gave the proposal a considerable thought. He really had nothing to lose at the moment. If it would help him get some peace of mind as well as to be able to help other people with his own abilities, then it was worth the shot. The least he could do was read it and see what this ancient warrior had to say.

"Yes. I would like to read it…"

"Very well then, young one…" He said and he handed the books to the boy. It had a title called Dokkōdō: The Path of Aloneness.

"This book consists of 21 precepts written by the Kensei in preparation for his death. It expresses a tough, honest, and austere view of life. You see, for it is only in death that you can find the true meaning of life. Read the words and contemplate them deeply and if you have any questions, you already know where to find me."

"Yes…" Kamijou replied and took the book.

The old man smiled as the young spiky haired kid left, knowing that the boy world would never be the same again.

"So that means he would have to use a Ninjato using his left hand, huh?" The old man mused to himself.

When Kamijou reached homes, he decided that before he read the contents of the scroll, he would have to make a quick dinner. After eating, he quickly lay on his bed and opened the small book. The name of the scroll resonated deeply within him and knew that somehow this would be something that would change his life. The scroll was small and simple and contained 21 short "sayings" they were:

1. Accept everything just the way it is.

2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.

3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.

4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.

5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.

6. Do not regret what you have done.

7. Never be jealous.

8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.

9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself or others.

10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.

11. In all things have no preferences.

12. Be indifferent to where you live.

13. Do not pursue the taste of good food.

14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.

15. Do not act following customary beliefs.

16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.

17. Do not fear death.

18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.

19. Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.

20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.

21. Never stray from the Way.

The words in the scroll hit Kamijou Touma like a bolt of lightning for most, if not all, had embodied everything that he did in his life. Being a normal first year middle school student that he was, he was full to the brim with desires and even he had to admit that he is very perverted by nature. He was thrown into a state of confusion since these were very difficult things to give up and didn't know if he could achieve such a remarkable feat. He decided to not think about it much because he would be seeing the old man again tomorrow for questions. He decided to go to bed early to help his mind relax after a very misfortunate day.