The Asian Dream
After endless stormy nights aboard the ship, enduring cold and hunger, Boro finally arrived in Japan. His cargo — a few crates of provisions and warm clothes — remained untouched, but his soul had weathered a storm worse than the sea.
At that time, the central power — the Ashikaga Shogunate — was weakened, and feudal lords ruled independently. Upon disembarking, Boro was arrested by the guards of Lord Venis Agamato, also known as Vunev. The lord ordered that he not be treated like an ordinary vagabond, for he immediately noticed something different. This European wasn't like the others — muscular, hairy, almost like an Oni Yokai, but in his eyes, Vunev saw a soul — not a beast.
Alone, as they stood in a structure near the port, Boro asked:
Boro: "How will we understand each other? You don't even spea—"
Vunev: "I speak English. I studied it. And you? You're not from Western Europe, that much is clear."
Boro: "I'll be honest, Lord Venis…"
Vunev (smiling): "Just call me Vunev."
Boro: "Alright, Vunev. I was born in 1370. I'm 29 now. I come from a lineage of warriors — men of honor. But not all were such. My brother betrayed me... and because of him, the Ottomans conquered Bulgaria."
Vunev (astonished): "A Bulgarian!"
Boro: "Yes. I train, I help my country through secret missions. I swore to my grandfather and to God that I would avenge. And afterward — pay for my sin."
Vunev bowed as a sign of respect.
Vunev: "You've suffered a lot. But why come all the way here?"
Boro: "It sounds crazy… But a samurai armor and a voice from God led me here."
Vunev: "I'll help you. But first — allow Kani and Kori to bathe and dress you."
Boro was taken to a room, bathed, trimmed, and dressed in new clothes. The next morning, as they had breakfast:
Boro: "I know you have a proposal. I know we can help each other."
Vunev: "From our friendship, a great story will be born."
The Samurai Art (Budo)
A month passed. Boro trained under Sensei Nagiaki — a strict but wise old man. Vunev, seeing his progress, joked:
Vunev: "Kuzuri — a samurai without a master!"
Boro (smiling): "I have a master. His name is God."
One day, Vunev brought out a long box — decorated with gold and wood carvings. He opened it, and inside lay a katana — elegant, deadly, perfect. Boro stared at it like a child. To him, this wasn't just a weapon, it was destiny.
Vunev: "A great tournament is coming. The lords will gather and fight. I'm participating. You can too — as preparation. But remember — many don't seek glory there, they seek death."
Boro trained tirelessly, even in a suit made of sandbags weighing over 60 kilograms. Sensei Nagiaki was impressed:
"Your spirit burns stronger than that of a samurai."
Meanwhile, in the village, Boro met Yukiro — the daughter of a slain samurai. She was beautiful, intelligent, brave. Soon she fell in love with him, and he with her. In her eyes he saw something he hadn't seen for years — comfort. Hope. Life.
The Night Before the Tournament
On the night before the tournament, Boro took Yukiro to the waterfall. Cherry blossom petals floated on the water's surface, painting pictures.
Boro: "Yukiro... Know that I will return. If I fall — I'll rise. If I die — let me burn in hell, but I'll know you believed in me."
Yukiro: "I don't want to lose you. If you die… I die too. Please, think of me. Of us."
Boro: "Pray for me. God believes in me."
The two lovers gave in to the moment — in kisses and the pressing of their warm bodies overflowing with passion. Then, they stopped thinking of anything else, only of each other, only of the moment.
The Tournament and Battle Glory
At dawn, Vunev showed him his father's old armor. Boro put it on and felt its power — as if reborn.
Vunev: "Are you serious?"
Boro: "After the battle, take this armor and forge me a new one — maybe… red."
Vunev (smiling): "Win, my friend. You're my only one."
Crowds gathered. Drums roared. The tournament began. Blood, fights, shouting. One by one, warriors fell. Boro crushed his opponents — his technique was like a storm, his strength — like lightning.
And then… the final match came.
The Battle with Kon Stati Tsi
His opponent — Kon Stati Tsi — heavily armored, with cold eyes. His name alone resonated in Boro's mind — reminding him of another. Of a certain Kon… who once betrayed him...
The battle began.
Clash after clash. Katana against katana. The strikes roared like thunder. The ground trembled. Boro struck hard, but Kon countered with a series of brutal blocks. One precise slash sent Boro to his knees, bloodied.
Before collapsing, Boro saw Yukiro — or rather, her image.
Yukiro (in his mind): "Think of me! Live for me!"
But her image faded and turned into the face of his brother.
Brother (in his mind): "You are no one. A failure."
The world froze. Time shattered.
Boro roared. He leapt. Blood dripped from his forehead, but his eyes burned. His body was no longer human — it was a beast. Kon Stati Tsi charged at him, but Boro stopped. In that moment, right before impact...
With one strike — powerful, clean, precise — Boro cut him in two.
Silence.
The crowd froze. The world stopped for a moment.
Click.
Time resumed.
Ovations. Screams. History was born.
The Return
After a night of celebration, Vunev and Boro returned home. One began forging a new armor. The other went to his beloved.
On the shore, naked, embraced by the stars, Yukiro whispered:
Yukiro: "I know what you've done. Now it's time I give you my gift..."
A week later, Boro prepared himself. Venis had crafted him a red steel armor, and he was ready to return to his homeland for revenge. He swore to his two loved ones that he would come back.
But Boro didn't yet know that his loved ones were now… three.