How Mikio Became Toturi's Bodyguard
by Asahina Daisan
A story from the Clan Wars, when Toturi was founding his army.
So, one day not too long after Toturi's Army was formed Toturi was sitting around the Basecamp, trying to figure out who should be his Yojimbo. He anounces to his army:
"The three finest swordsmen among you come forward to test to be my Yojimbo!"
So after some commotion, Ginawa, Dairya and Mikio step up.
Toturi says,
"Toku, fetch me the Three Boxes!"
And so Toku fetches the Three Boxes for Toturi.
Toturi gives one Box to each contestant and instructs them.
"In each box is a fly."
Ginawa steps up. He draws his blade, opens the box, and the fly comes buzzing out. With one swift precise stroke, he cuts the fly in half. The men watching the contest applaud his brilliant stroke.
"Next."
Dairya draws his blade, opens his box, and out comes the fly. With two swift strokes he slices the wings off the fly, and like a stone the poor fly drops to the ground. The men, impressed, applaud even louder for Dairya.
"Now you, Mikio."
So Mikio draws his blade, opens his box, and the fly come out. Mikio takes three delicate strokes at the fly, but when he is done, the men are shocked to see the fly still alive, quickly flying away.
There is silence, and everyone is confused. Toturi says to Mikio, "Would you like to try that again? Toku, fetch me the..."
Mikio interrupts Toturi, "No lord. I did what I wanted to do."
"But your fly is still alive!"
"Yes lord. But he will be the father of no more flies."
Thus Mikio became Toturi's bodyguard.
A story from the Clan Wars, when Toturi was founding his army.
So, one day not too long after Toturi's Army was formed Toturi was sitting around the Basecamp, trying to figure out who should be his Yojimbo. He anounces to his army:
"The three finest swordsmen among you come forward to test to be my Yojimbo!"
So after some commotion, Ginawa, Dairya and Mikio step up.
Toturi says,
"Toku, fetch me the Three Boxes!"
And so Toku fetches the Three Boxes for Toturi.
Toturi gives one Box to each contestant and instructs them.
"In each box is a fly."
Ginawa steps up. He draws his blade, opens the box, and the fly comes buzzing out. With one swift precise stroke, he cuts the fly in half. The men watching the contest applaud his brilliant stroke.
"Next."
Dairya draws his blade, opens his box, and out comes the fly. With two swift strokes he slices the wings off the fly, and like a stone the poor fly drops to the ground. The men, impressed, applaud even louder for Dairya.
"Now you, Mikio."
So Mikio draws his blade, opens his box, and the fly come out. Mikio takes three delicate strokes at the fly, but when he is done, the men are shocked to see the fly still alive, quickly flying away.
There is silence, and everyone is confused. Toturi says to Mikio, "Would you like to try that again? Toku, fetch me the..."
Mikio interrupts Toturi, "No lord. I did what I wanted to do."
"But your fly is still alive!"
"Yes lord. But he will be the father of no more flies."
Thus Mikio became Toturi's bodyguard.