"The aim is not just visible muscularity," Masanori said, his eyes scanning the seven kids, "but practical power, agility, and resilience for the demands of a samurai or ninja life."
It was a bright, hot, sunny day the first day of training for the seven kids.
"For the first two hours," Masanori announced, "you will do fifty push-ups, lunges, and squats. If you do not reach the mark, your lunch ration will be reduced."
Hana was made in charge. "Better not talk back," she warned. "If you cheat, it won't be me who punishes you; it will be grandpa who does worse."
After two hours, Masanori returned. The kids lined up to report their numbers.
"Shut up," he barked. "Now bring the ration for lunch."
Benjiro and Kaede were tasked with bringing rations from nearby enemy soldiers, queuing under the scorching sun.
Kenta and Ryu had to catch fish from the river.
Haruki and Fuyuki were assigned to collect herbs, edible mushrooms, vegetables, fruits, and berries from the forest.
Masanori separately told Kuro to bring six rocks of equal size, each weighing five kilograms.
Exhausted and parched from the heat, the kids begged for water.
Masanori denied them. "Training restarts. No breaks."
He marked the six rocks which were brought by Kuro with paint and threw them in the river two rocks on three different sides of the river. Three ropes were laid in front of the kids.
"Kenta—Kaede, tie yourselves to each end of the ropes," Masanori instructed. The same went for "Benjiro—Ryu, Haruki—Fuyuki."
He commanded them to jump into the river and retrieve the rocks.
Kenta hesitated. "Sensei… Kaede, Ryu, Fuyuki can't swim. How can we pull rocks from fast-moving water?"
"I know what to do," Masanori said in an ignorant way.
The kids jumped in, tethered to their partners.
Kenta struggled to go deep, worried about Kaede. On the other side, Benjiro instructed Ryu, "Hold your breath. I'll dive." Haruki, the better swimmer, guided Fuyuki with basic strokes.
"Don't move too much," he instructed calmly. "Use your legs like frog legs to pull me up,when I need to come out , when I need to go to surface. you come behind me like a fish in one go."
Kaede struggled under Kenta's pull, surfacing repeatedly.
Benjiro dove blindly for a rock, unable to spot it at first, while Haruki and Fuyuki managed to retrieve the first rock together.
Masanori observed. "Has I thought the twins would finish first," he muttered, eyes glinting.
Kenta finally located a rock but struggled against Kaede's weight, which was stopping him from going deep. He came up to get air and saw Haruki and Fuyuki manage to bring out their first rock.
He examined them well. Haruki and Fuyuki took another rock out and came out from the river.
He explained to Kaede, "When I dive in, come with me like a fish with one fine stroke, and when I get the rock, you push with full strength like a frog legs ." They figured it out and took out both rocks.
Benjiro finally dove deep, grabbed a rock, and surfaced, pulling Ryu together with him. "You will kill me, fatso!" Ryu shouted, but without hearing him, Benjiro dove deep again after quickly filling his lungs with air and not giving Ryu time to settle.
All the others got scared since it was very late when Benjiro dove deep.
Benjiro came out, threw the rock, and celebrated, but Ryu was still under water. He got frightened, pulled his rope, and brought him out Ryu had fainted.
Masanori immediately came near, helped, pressing on Ryu's stomach until he expelled tiny fish and coughed heavily, returning to consciousness.
"You," Masanori said to Benjiro, "use brute strength, yes, but sometimes, use your brain. Figure out the situation, communicate with your partner, or you'll be a waste dead in war with your comrade.
A wise man once said, in the ninja world, those who break rules are scum, but those who abandon friends are worse than scum."
He smiled at Haruki and Fuyuki. "Twins are a boon. You understand each other better than anyone. Work together, replicate each other's actions, help each other." And they finished first.
He turned towards Kenta and Kaede. Kenta and Kaede learned from their mistakes, found better strategies, and successfully retrieved their rocks. Masanori nodded.
"This is progress.
Both body and mind must learn harmony. Today you began to understand that."
With that, Masanori said it was late. "Now rest all lunch is ready." Hana served lunch to all. All were very happy having lunch. For the first time in many days, they finally felt they had achieved something.