Yoshitomo sat crosslegged on the deck of the ship, his back to the cabin wall, his eyes staring unfocused into the salty night air that lie before him. His katana lay against his shoulder and his thumb traced the pommel, seeking what was familiar to it while the master was lost in thought. The rugged beard and tattered hakuma belie the skill of the man who wears them.

Suddenly, a commotion. The door to the inner cabin burst open and a young man in beggar's clothes bolted out. In the dim light of the orbular lamps Yoshitomo can barely make out his face, which has yet to grow its first beard. No sooner was the boy out of the cabin than did two scurvy looking passengers boiled out of the door after him. Before the boy could react the taller of the two had him by the hair.

"You made a big mistake, boy. Now you go to eat with the sharks." They picked up the boy and prepared to throw him.

"Yamei," came Yoshitomo's voice, ordering them to stop. He was no longer sitting cross legged, but neatly on his knees instead. His sword was at his side.

"You worthless Ronin, you dress as bad as this boy. You stay out of this or you'll have a dinner party with the sharks as well." The two ruffians both pulled out knives and brandished them threateningly.

In a flash Yoshitomo was up on one knee, his blade leapt from his scabbard, changed directions once, and hung motionless in the air; a single drop of blood fell from its tip. The ruffian closest clutched his belly as his insides began to spil while the man holding the captive boy stared incredulously at the stump where his knife arm had been. A swift push-kick sent the gutted man overboard, and his counterpart fell to his knees for mercy, which was granted.

"Domo" the boy said
"Are you unharmed? Why did they want you for"
"I stole some of their bread. I am the cabin boy here, and I have little to eat."

Yoshitomo let out a gruff chuckle and cracked a smile. "How did they catch you?"

"They didn't! I am an excellent thief, no one saw a thing. They just suspected and searched me. They found the bread and I ran."

"I could use a thief in my travels. Perhaps you can come to Totomi with me and we can be of use together."

The boy smiled, and an alliance was made.