“I am sure that by cultivating their spirit in the sacred Dojo of Goldhaven, they may ascend to a higher level. Especially the golden-haired boy, Yoichi,” Ruytaro stated, pointing the tip of the stick in the direction of the young tamer.

“What? I am a little surprised by what I’m hearing. You never encouraged anyone to enter the Dojo. Yoichi and Enatsu don’t know meditation techniques and I don’t have time to teach them,” Takamori spoke, answering for the two warriors behind him.

​​

While Enatsu was still shaken by the strong anxiety felt during his test, Yoichi focused on the old gatekeeper’s words. Unable to see his gaze under the cloth veil, it was impossible to perceive his true intentions.

Cultivate my powers with meditation? What the hell are these two talking about? He thought. In his hands, the blood-filled handkerchief with which he had cleaned the wounds on his face.

“I can teach my techniques, then!” Ryutaro added.

“You mean that… do you want Enatsu and Yoichi to be your students at the Dojo?” Takamori asked astonishedly. The guild master’s gaze turned for a moment towards his pupils.

“No, not both of them. Only Yoichi, if he wants to,” the gatekeeper affirmed. The wind kept moving his kasaya and the veil on his face.

Judging by his Sensei’s impressed response, Yoichi suspected that the old Ryutaro’s request was unusual and unexpected. About a hundred meters behind him, the gold statues of the Dojo sparkled under the warm sun.

“Well, Yoichi is a Nightblades warrior now. I’m sure your teachings can speed up his path to becoming a professional tamer, but… it has to be his decision,” Takamori replied, bowing his head. With that gesture, the mustached Sensei thanked the gatekeeper for the offer. “What do you say, Yoichi?” he asked.

When he was addressed, Yoichi hesitated for a moment before answering. Not knowing what to say, his mind was flooded with hundreds of thoughts. What did that gloomy and mysterious old man want from him? Why was he watching him insistently from the moment he set foot in the arena?

“Thank you for the offer, Ryutaro-sama. I never used any meditation technique, nor did I ever get into a Dojo. I feel like my demon pet and I are good fighters, but I don’t know how to behave in this situation,” Yoichi admitted. Knowing that that strange faceless man could read his every look and expression, the young tamer merely told the truth.

“You will remain a member of your guild, Yoichi. You will continue to follow the orders of your Sensei, Sada Takamori. Meditation in the Dojo can only increase your powers, it will not harm you in any way”, the old guardian continued. One hand clutched the stick resting on the ground, the other was behind his back.

“Yoichi” Takamori interrupted. His gaze remained on Ryutaro, so as not to disrespect him. “I’ve known Ruytaro since I was just a kid. This is the first time he has offered to teach his meditation techniques to one of my students. To be honest, I think he probably never offered it to anyone.”

In his words, the guild chief emphasized the importance of that offer. But Yoichi’s mind remained full of the same questions. Why would he trust that strange character? What would have been the consequences if he rejected the offer? What if he agreed?

From the way Sada Takamori talked about it, the bond between him and Ryutaro was not dictated only by their difference in social ranks. It was evident that that mysterious old man had been like a parent to him.

“The warriors of other guilds are about to knock on the doors of the arena. I can’t stay here anymore, I have to do my job, as always,” the old gatekeeper remarked. Helping himself with his stick, he turned back and began to walk. “If you accept my proposal, you will find me inside the Dojo, Yoichi” he exclaimed, moving away.

Yoichi did not have time to reply to that statement. Ryutaro was already too far to hear his words.

Enatsu and Rinji looked at their companion in amazement, trying to figure out what he had in mind. Unlike the young merchant, the Nightblades giant knew who Ryutaro was and how well his name was known in Goldhaven.

Without any warning, the guild rushed upon Yoichi, grabbing his shoulders in his hands. Being short and squat, Takamori raised his gaze to look him in the eye.

“Boy. I don’t know you and you don’t know me. But I can tell you one thing: if the gatekeeper has shown interest in you, you can’t refuse his offer!” the guild chief boomed. Clutching Yoichi’s shoulders, his hands flickered unusually.

The young tamer, still confused by that sudden request, stammered something incomprehensible. His Sensei seemed incredibly excited at the idea that one of his pupils could be trained by the supreme Ryutaro, the keeper of the sacred Dojo of Goldhaven.

“Sada-sensei… I… I don’t put much trust in that man. He gives off a strange negative aura and looks scary. Tell me, what do you think he has in mind?” Yoichi inquired, humbly seeking answers.

“The Dojo is accessible to everyone. Whoever, as he please, can meditate within its walls. However, there is a particular room, at the highest point of the building, to which access is strictly forbidden. Only those who are chosen by Ryutaro himself can enter it”, Takamori explained. His hands continued to tighten the shoulders of his young pupil.

“But… I don’t understand… is this Ryutaro that strong? Master, the way you talk about him, you seem to be afraid of him,” Yoichi commented.

“Only fools are not afraid of the gatekeeper. Listen, Yoichi… he’s not just the guardian of this place. Once, decades ago, Ryutaro was the first councilor to Tatsui Nishiyama, the father of our Emperor, Shinzo,” Takamori spoke, using history to explain to Yoichi the importance of that offer.

“When Tatsui died, he gave his kingdom into the hands of his first son. The inheritance of the Emperor of Tentochu also embraced all his servants, including the imperial family councillor, Ryutaro. At that time, he was one of the strongest warriors in our faction, perhaps the strongest ever.”