CHAPTER 5: TRAINING

<Nagano City, Yoshimura Household> {MC'S AGE: 6 YEAR OLD}

Two people were seen walking around a Japanese garden, which was located in the courtyard of an old Japanese styled house. It was built in a traditional manner and was completely in tune with the beautiful surroundings.

An old man and a young child of around 6 years were partaking in a rather polite and quiet conversation, contrary to what one would expect from such a pairing.

<MC'S POV>

Today my grandfather invited me to visit the old sanctuary of the clan. I was surprised as only the adults gathered there for important conversations and the past few times I visited there was during the New Year festivals.

My paternal grandfather was a quiet man. He always had a firm and serious face except in front of our family. He was a great grandfather but I never had one on one interactions with him in a formal setting before. To be honest, I was feeling nervous as well as excited.

A vintage Rolls Royce picked me up from our house and we drove for around an hour to reach the mountainside. We crossed a few gates along a deserted road with the exception of our entourage. I was still learning to get used to the heavy security being around constantly but I do agree it was a necessary protection. People in power always have powerful enemies and it is better to be protected when not needed rather than bring defenseless to unknown and often unseen dangers.

We pulled up to a huge mansion, which I would never get used to no matter how many times I saw it. It was a symbol of power and tradition. After being escorted into a meeting room I saw my grandfather sitting facing the courtyard. I politely greeted him and sat next to him. A few minutes passed with neither of us speaking much, just admiring the scenery in front of us.

"How is your training going, masahito?"

"It is going well, oji-sama. The instructor is happy with the way I have been adapting to the meditative and visualization practices. He anticipates that I should be ready for weapon practice soon. He also told me to pass his regards to you."

"Let's take a walk, hito-kun. "

I acknowledged and started following him around the courtyard. It was quiet peaceful and I enjoyed the moments with my family very much. It was one of my deepest desires in the past and now that I have it I am not going to take it for granted. We were slowly walking around when my grandpa started talking,

"You are a very good child, one who will lead this family after your father. I never expected you to be as brilliant as you are, but it is a very welcome surprise. You have received the best from both of your parents and I expect you to live upto your full potential. We all love you and wish nothing but the best for you.

Now coming to why you are here, you will soon begin your actual training. It will be hard at times and make you want to quit but always remember that hard work is the only key to success. Even if failure puts you down you should take inspiration and help from your family to stand back up again.

You'll be visiting the various branches and learning the important parts of their work there. It may seem like much but a good leader is one who can help out each of his subordinates no matter the problem.

You will learn a lot, you will fail a lot but you will grow a lot as well. Keep persevering because I know you will achieve success."

I was absorbing everything my grandfather was saying. Here was a man five decades my senior who is extremely busy, taking time out of his busy schedule to help me out. I had already known about the training from my parents and it was not necessary for my grandfather to involve himself. I was very thankful and decided to do my utmost in everything asked of me.

We spent some more time together before we both had to leave. I had decided the course of action after thinking about it for a while. It was not necessary to learn everything but I should be aware of everything going around in all the business ventures of the family.

It should me take 6 years to finish learning all that I have planned. And after that I could start focusing all my efforts on volleyball. It should be an interesting time but I will make sure to balance my training and familial life. Tho I will miss socializing during my childhood, I will have plenty of time to make friends in middle school and during volleyball.

<YUICHI POV>

It was very interesting to meet hito-kun in an official setting. We have not met as often as I would have liked. He is a very polite child and has a maturity beyond his years. He often reminds me of my grandfather, his demeanor and conduct is not something which can be taught easily, especially at such a young age.

I would like to see how this seedling grows up, he has all avenues open to him and how he makes use of it is up to him. I should test him and make him surpass his limits. After all it is the duty of the old to test and shape the young.