Fubukichō market, the biggest market in the Kurogane District was said to be crowded and ordinary, but to Sentarō Hachibei it looked like a wonderful sight to behold.
The streets were alive with movement, merchants calling out prices, farmers unloading carts, traders setting up stalls. The smell of grilled dumplings mixed with the salty tang of dried fish, while colorful lanterns swayed overhead in the wind. Rice sacks were piled like miniature mountains, baskets overflowed with vegetables, and iron tools glinted in the sunlight.
For Sentarō, who had never stepped beyond his home village, it was as though the entire world had spilled into one place. His eyes darted from stall to stall, his steps restless with excitement.
"See anything you like?" Ujiyuki asked, watching him with a faint smirk.
"Everything looks so fascinating!" Sentarō's voice trembled with boyish joy, like a child brought to a festival for the first time.
They wandered deeper into the bustling rows until they reached the section lined with food stalls.
"VEGETABLES! GET YOUR FRESH VEGETABLES!" a farmer standing behind a stall filled with different vegetables cried out, waving a bundle of carrots.
"COME GET YOUR RICE HERE!" another shouted beside a mountain of sacks.
"FRESH FISH! RIVER FRESH FISH!" bellowed a fishmonger, his stall lined with silver-scaled fishes.
Sentarō's head turned in every direction, overwhelmed. "Is there's something this market doesn't have?" he muttered in awe.
They went deeper into the bustling market, walking pass hoards of merchants looking to sell for the day's profit and customers looking to buy. And through the countless number of people Sentaro saw them, people who where neither merchants nor customers and the sight of them made Sentaro heart pulse.
The one Sentaro locked eyes with was a little girl, her clothes were ragged and torn, skin colored with dirt and her body shriveled with what is assumed to be hunger. Yet seeing all that people chose to ignore and just walk pass her like she didn't exist. Sentaro was bewildered by this as the little girl was clearly in need but for some reason didn't ask. Her gaze was similar to that of a person who isn't expecting a single thing.
Ujiyuki finally realizing Sentaro had stopped, turned to look at him and saw the look in his eyes, his earlier amazement from the market was replaced with something new, sad and raw. Pity.
"That's enough staring, kid" Ujiyuki whispered, placing his hands on Sentaro's head taking his focus away from the girl yet still lingering in his mind. "Let's go".
They continued on their errand and Ujiyuki finally stopping before a fish stall, where an elderly man with a black beard, white hair and average build greeted him.
"Long time no see, Ujiyuki." The man greeted
"It really has been far too long, Jūzō," Ujiyuki replied, both exchanging a firm handshake.
"Yes it has, how has retirement been going" Jūzō asked
"Not as relaxing as they tell you but it beats drawing swords"
Both men shared an loud laugh, catching up with small talk.
"Oh, and who is the young man with you?" Jūzō asked, peering at Sentarō.
"Oh my, I forgot to introduce you two,"
"Jūzō, This is Sentaro, a… ehh… kid I'm acquainted with. And Sentaro this is Jūzō" Ujiyuki introduced, patting Sentarō's shoulder.
Sentaro remained silent lost deep in thought
"Sentaro!" Ujiyuki called out.
"M-my name is Sentarō, nice to meet you sir" he stammered, his voice shaky, startled and shy.
"It's nice to meet you too, young one. I hope Ujiyuki isn't giving you a hard time? Believe it or not, He actually saved me from bandits back in his samurai days" Jūzō teased
"Really?" Sentaro's eyes lit up
"Hey! We aren't here to tell tales about the good old days. How much for that fish over there?" He pointed at a medium-sized silver scaled fish on the far end.
"Five silver coins for each medium sized fish."
"What?! that's too much." Ujiyuki yelled in shock at the prices for each fish. "I'm sorry my friend but that's how it is, taxes have risen once again so just to survive prices has to as well"
"Alright, I'll take two" Ujiyuki handed over silver coins reluctantly and received his fish placing it into the woven basket.
"Thank you, Ujiyuki. It was nice to see you again and you too Sentarō," Jūzō said, sending them off with a gentle wave.
Once they left the stall, Sentarō let out an odd sigh.
"Don't tell me you're tired already, kid," Ujiyuki teased.
"No, it's just…" then just silence, Sentaro didn't continue only kept thinking.
Ujiyuki kept his gaze on Sentaro, wondering what was keeping his thoughts occupied but instead of interrogating to find out, Ujiyuki let Sentaro be.
Time slipped by as they visited more stalls, buying rice, flour, meat, vegetables, and more. By the time the sun dipped, Ujiyuki's basket was filled.
But their day wasn't over yet.
Sentarō stopped in front of a stall lined with wooden weapons swords, spears, naginatas, bows. His eyes widened with sparkling admiration. These weren't just toys to him; they were the tools of the path he longed to walk.
Ujiyuki still not accepting to train Sentaro, knew about his determination to continue his secret training even if Sentaro was sent away. And the promise he made to buy Sentaro what he desired in the market, compelled him to buy what Sentaro wanted even if it was the wooden weapon.
The merchant, dressed in a gold-colored kimono, noticed his expression and approached. "Well now, young man, see something you like? A sword? A naginata? Perhaps a bow—"
Before the man could finish, Ujiyuki stepped in, sharp and calm. "You want one, kid?, pick."
His interruption wasn't accidental. Ujiyuki knew how merchants hiked prices when they see an easily exploitable customer. The merchant faltered, his words cut short.
Sentarō, oblivious to all that, pointed eagerly at a wooden sword. "This one! The wooden sword."
"How much for the sword?" Ujiyuki asked flatly, his gaze narrowing.
The merchant swallowed. "O-one silver coins."
Ujiyuki then reached into a small sack and handed over fifty copper coins tied together with a string without complaint. Sentarō's grin was so wide it nearly split his face. His first sword, even if only wood, felt heavier than any treasure.
They left the stall and found a quiet bench. Ujiyuki placed the basket aside.
"Stay here, kid. I almost forgot, there's something else we need to buy. I'll be back."
Sentarō nodded, but the moment Ujiyuki disappeared into the crowd, he couldn't sit still. He gripped the wooden sword with both hands, lifting it as though it were forged steel.
He swung it once. Then twice. Then spun into a stance he had seen samurai make in paintings. His movements were clumsy, his feet unsteady, but his heart burned with pride.
"This is amazing…" he whispered to himself, slashing the air with determination. "One day, I'll wield the real thing no matter what."
And as the market lights flickered to life and voices of merchants still rang through the district, Sentarō's dream of becoming a samurai quietly grew stronger with every swing of that wooden blade.
Sentarō was having the time of his life, practicing with his wooden sword as if nothing in the world could disturb him. The market was bustling with merchants calling out their wares, children running between stalls, and the smell of grilled fish and sweet dumplings filling the air.
He swung his sword to the left with youthful energy. Then--
Thud!
His blade smacked against someone's head.
"OOWW!!"
Sentarō froze in horror. The girl he hit collapsed face-first onto the ground.
She was radiant, like the very breath of spring itself. Her long pink hair fell gracefully around her shoulders, complimenting her soft, bright face. But right now, she was down on the dirt because of his careless swing.