บท 158: Test

"There is a fire in your eyes, betraying your eagerness. It seems you were able to resolve matters with yourself?" Soroko spoke, wondering whether what they judged would happen had actually come about.

"I was." Gengyo responded, clenching his fist with a fierce smile on his face. He felt the most powerful he ever had in his life. All this strength, without the weakness that came with fatigue. Of course, he was eager to see just how far such strength would take him, and who better to do it against than monks, who were some of the strongest fighters in Japan.

They made no mention of the period of time he spent in the chamber. Nor did they inform him of how unusual that was – especially for a beginner, someone who had not yet trained their concentration. Instead, they reintroduced him to a friend, and brought them out into the courtyard together.

"They said you were mediating Miura – did anything happen?" Kitajo asked, looking up at him curiously.