A few hours later
Mikazukigumi Practice Area
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Mikazukigumi Member A
Alright, let's try doing the showdown scene with Benkei at the Gojo Bridge again!
Emu
(He goes diagonally first, so I need to dodge by squatting... And then I need to jump backwards!)
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Emu
(Next, he's gonna start jabbing at me really fast, so I need to twist to my right and...)
Sound Effect: Play
Mikazukigumi Member A
Stop there!
Mikazukigumi Member A
*Nod*
You two are doing great.
You've basically got that sequence down pat.
You two are doing great.
You've basically got that sequence down pat.
Mikazukigumi Member A
Which brings me to the finer details...
Tenma, you need to wield your naginata using your feet more instead of just your arms!
Tenma, you need to wield your naginata using your feet more instead of just your arms!
Mikazukigumi Member A
What else is there...?
Sound Effect: Play
Rui
We were practicing over there when we got called over. It's apparently time to show the results of today's practice.
Mikazukigumi Members
They should be.
They've already been able to memorize the entire fight.
They've already been able to memorize the entire fight.
Mikazukigumi Members
“Over eight hundred years ago, following the defeat of Minamoto no Yoshimoto at the hands of Taira no Kiyomori, the children of Yoshimoto found themselves in mortal danger.”
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Emu
(She bravely protects her children by fighting off the agents of the Taira clan who keep pursuing them.)
Nene
“These children must live on...
They are to carry the Minamoto clan forward. The line must not be extinguished...”
They are to carry the Minamoto clan forward. The line must not be extinguished...”
Mikazukigumi Members
“There they are! After them!”
Nene
“I was born into a family of warriors. If I must wield a blade to defend these children, then I shall...!”
Sound Effect: Play
Mikazukigumi Members
“Your determination is admirable!
Unfortunately, the Minamoto clan must end here! Prepare yourself!”
Unfortunately, the Minamoto clan must end here! Prepare yourself!”
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Tsukasa
He's so light on his feet...!
He really feels like Kurama Tengu. He's captured how powerful Ushiwakamaru's teacher is.
He really feels like Kurama Tengu. He's captured how powerful Ushiwakamaru's teacher is.
Nene
That isn't how I was taught to wield a sword. But I guess a tengu wouldn't use one the same way a human would...
Mikazukigumi Members
“No, he's too strong...
R-Retreat! Retreeeat!”
R-Retreat! Retreeeat!”
Sound Effect: Play
Rui
“Foolish humans...
Such is your punishment for desecrating these mountains with your filthy footprints...”
Such is your punishment for desecrating these mountains with your filthy footprints...”
Tsukasa
We'll be doing the scene where Ushiwakamaru and Benkei face off at the Gojo Bridge!
Emu
(The Ushiwakamaru from this story loves to have fun, so it's easy for him to forget about what he was doing whenever he finds something that really excites him...)
Mikazukigumi Members
“Time would then pass... By the time Ushiwakamaru had turned fifteen, he'd become a warrior in his own right. However, he would also have to choose his path moving forward...”
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Mikazukigumi Members
“Meanwhile, in Kyoto, word of a crazed monk attacking people night after night and robbing them of their swords would begin spreading.”
Mikazukigumi Members
“And on this fateful night, he would wait at his usual bridge to run into none other than...”
Nene
(Which leaves such a big impression on Benkei that he feels he can't win and decides to pledge his services to Ushiwakamaru...)
Nene
(They can't just recite their lines.
They have to also move in a way that makes their characters feel true to life.)
They have to also move in a way that makes their characters feel true to life.)
Tsukasa
“One last sword to complete my collection of a thousand! Tonight, my vow comes to fruition...!”
Tsukasa
“What nonsense do you speak?!
If you refuse to surrender, then it is my naginata you shall face...!”
If you refuse to surrender, then it is my naginata you shall face...!”
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Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Nene
(Th-That was amazing...
Tsukasa's one thing, but Emu too... She flew so high while jumping backwards...)
Tsukasa's one thing, but Emu too... She flew so high while jumping backwards...)
Mikazukigumi Members
Hey, they're pretty good!
Tsukasa
“Quit fooling around!
You are a mere child... But if you are going to call yourself a warrior, then unsheathe your katana and fight me!”
You are a mere child... But if you are going to call yourself a warrior, then unsheathe your katana and fight me!”
Emu
“Saying that only makes me want to take you even less seriously. Oh, missed me... Missed again...”
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Rui
(Ushiwakamaru slips behind Benkei, takes out his fan and forces his opponent to his knees in shock... The decisive moment.)
Rui
(It's supposed to be an epic duel, but to think that they were able to polish it into something so spectacular in such a short amount of time...)
Rui
(I'm glad I chose Emu to be our Ushiwakamaru. She's captured his free-spirited nature marvelously.)
Sound Effect: Play
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Kijima
I wasn't expecting to see such a high-quality first attempt. Naturally, there are things I'd like to teach you moving forward, but you've shown me plenty today...!
Kijima
I was particularly impressed by the showdown between Ushiwakamaru and Benkei in the end there. Your acrobatics were stunning, Otori!
Kijima
No, that's not what I'm talking about...
Obviously, it's important to put on a compelling sword fight. That can be achieved through practice.
Obviously, it's important to put on a compelling sword fight. That can be achieved through practice.
Next Chapter: What Acting Means