n

n

nEarly in the morning, his plane landed in Osaka international airport. With a small black box and a backpack on his shoulders, he exited.

nNear the cab area, he carefully took out the small paper from his pockets and read the address again.

nGoogle maps directed that this place was just twenty minutes from there. He jumped into a cab and gave him the address.

nThe car rode past many beautiful streets will colourfully dressed people. Zou Yue enjoyed the view much more than he had expected. Soon they passed though a small park and right behind it was a traditional Japanese style house.

nThe cab stopped here.

nZou Yue paid the driver and got down with the black box in tow..

"It's here....

"

nHe pressed the call button and waited for an answer.

n

"Who is it?

"

nA heavily accented gruff voice said through the speaker.

n

"I—I am here to see mister Akira Mitsubishi,

" Zou Yue mumbled in simple Japanese.

n

"I asked who you were.'

n

"My name is.. Zou Yue.. I came here to see you regarding my sword...

"

nThe line went silent for a while.

"I don't do repairs. Go,

"

nThis part, Zou Yue did not understand at all.

"I... um... I didn't get you...

"

n

"I said get lost

"

nAn angry voice shouted again.

nZou Yue dejected stood by the door.

"I really came here to ask for help....

"

nHe just stood there.

n

"Squeak,

" he felt a small tug on his pant legs.

nZou Yue glanced down to see a little grey rat clinging to him.

"Do I attract rats or something?

" he picked it up.

"Wait a minute..

"

nThe rat had the same white heart-shaped mark on its belly.

n

"Trexa gran?!!!!!

"

n

"Squeak,

" the rat happily circled in his palm.

n

"How did you even get here? Oh my god, did you fly that plane with me?

" he gently caressed her tussled up fur.

nThe rat tilted her head, glancing at him with her eyes wide open.

n

"Never mind, I asked. He is going to think I'm a lunatic talking to a rat,

" he whispered peered at the com, which was still active.

n

"sir..... are you there?..

"

n

".....

"

nHis mood went low.

n'If I don't get a master soon, I won't be able to handle the apocalypse.... beside I have to protect my parents as well. I can't afford to be powerless.' his grip on the small wooden box tightened.

n

"Squeak! Squeak...

" Trexa gran continuously signalled to him.

nHe glanced down blankly by then her little ass had already disappeared into the gates.

n

"The **! Trexa gran, come out here. You can't just..... sigh... I need to teach my kid some manners,

"

nZou Yue glanced around. 'I have no other way.' He swiftly climbed over the walls and into the flourishing green yard.

n

"Trexa gran...

" he whispered as he searched through the grass patch. Soon he saw an end of the tail peaking from inside a bush.

"My baby, you can't be here,

" he pulled her out and hugged her to his chest.

nThe little rat nuzzled against him.

nHe let out a sigh of relief.

"Now let's get out...

"

n

"I don't let you in so you intrude now?!

" a shot old man walked over to him.

nZou Yue froze.

"ummm.... hi sorry.. Sorry I just came here for her..

" he pointed to Trexa in his hands.

nShe too, waved happily at the old man.

nThe grandpa peculiarly looked at this miniscule creature.

"This is private property you can't be here,

"

nZou Yue glanced at him, surprised.

"I thought we don't speak the same language,

"

nThe old man's glare shut his blabbering mouth instantly.

n

"sorry I really should not have intruded like this. Please forgive me.

" he bowed and walked slowly towards the gate.

nSuddenly, he heard a small noise. It was the sound of wind being sliced. 'Someone is practicing their sword... oh my god.' He glanced behind him, wanting to take a peek at this person.

n

"What are you still doing in my yard?

"

n

"Can you teach me sword art?

" Zou Yue uttered with shimmering eyes.

nHe stood on his tippy toes, trying to peak into the room. All he could see was the shimmering tip of the sword that was swinging in the room behind the old man, but even that was captivating his soul.

n

"What?

"

n

"Can you teach me?

" Zou Yue finally looked at him.

"Please....

"

nThe old man frowned.

"No,

" he walked back in and closed the sliding door behind him.

n

"Wait, I.....

"

nZou Yue sighed loudly.

"Trexa gran, we are here on a mission today. We are going to make that grandpa accept us as his disciples,

"

nTrexa, who was cleaning her whiskers, glanced at him with her eyes wide open.

n

"I know it's easier said than done. But there is no harm I trying,

" he stood there glancing at the door.

nTrexa gran just tugged at his pants and pointed at the gate.

n

"We can't go yet.

"

n

"I don't accept disciples!!

" the grandpa said, but this time it was not that insistent.

n'I'm so close. I can't give up now…. I can't,' Zou Yue swiftly knelt down facing towards the room.

"Please accept me as your student master.

" He shouted, bowing in the direction.

nTrexa squeaked, pulling him up.

nBut Zou Yue gently pushed her away.

n'Sometimes we have to throw away our pride to beg....' he told himself repeatedly, but it did not sit well.

nHis heart felt heavy and his shoulders felt weighted.

nHe stayed in that position a long time, listening to the swishing sounds of the sword.

nSoon, the sound stopped. The sliding door opened. He hopefully glanced up, but the old man did not even take one look at him.

n