The Scroll

The morning was calm, with sunlight gently warming the dojo as Sensei prepared himself for the day. He sat in his room, a cup of tea cooling on the table as he re-read the scroll that had arrived earlier. Its contents were clear and direct—it came from the Universal Dojo Centre (UDC) and concerned his students. He needed to tell them, but breakfast would come first.

A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. "Sensei, breakfast is ready!" came Mono's voice from the other side.

"I'll be there in a moment," Sensei replied, folding the scroll carefully and tucking it into a secure drawer. He stood, brushing off his robes, and made his way to the sitting room, where the disciples had gathered.

The room was filled with the familiar clatter of bowls and chopsticks as everyone helped themselves to rice, miso soup, and vegetables. Josei and Raiba were in the middle of an animated discussion about their sparring from the previous day.

"I'm telling you, Raiba, your balance was off because you were leaning too much on your front leg," Josei said with a smirk.

"It's called strategy," Raiba retorted. "You wouldn't understand."

"Strategy or not, you still got knocked flat," Hito chimed in, laughing as he took another bite of rice.

"Like you're one to talk, Hito. I don't think I've seen you dodge a single swing this week," Tokira added, shaking his head.

Sensei listened quietly as he ate, letting the disciples' voices fill the room. Their energy was as lively as ever, even after the hard training they'd been doing. Once the meal was finished, the students began clearing the table, falling into their usual rhythm.

"Mono, can you pass me the bowls?" Josei asked, reaching for the plates.

"Here," Mono replied, handing them over. He hesitated for a moment before glancing toward Sensei. "Are you feeling alright, Sensei? You've been quiet today."

Sensei nodded. "Yes, Mono. But after we've finished cleaning up, I'd like to speak to all of you."

The group exchanged curious glances but said nothing. They finished their tasks quickly, the usual chatter giving way to a quiet anticipation. Once the dishes were done and the room tidied, they all sat down, facing Sensei.

"I received a scroll this morning," Sensei began, his tone calm but serious. "It is from the Universal Dojo Centre."

The disciples sat up a little straighter. While they had heard of the UDC before, it was rare for their small dojo to have any contact with such an important organization.

"What's it about, Sensei?" Mono asked.

Sensei's gaze swept over the group. "It concerns all of you. The UDC has made a request, one that involves this dojo and your training." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I will share the details with you soon. For now, all I ask is that you continue with your practice and stay focused."

The room was silent for a beat before Hito leaned back with a shrug. "Well, whatever it is, I'm ready for it."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Tokira said, giving Hito a sideways glance. "We don't even know what it's about yet."

Josei nodded. "Still, if the UDC is involved, it must be serious. We'll need to step up our efforts."

"Exactly," Sensei agreed. "The best way to prepare is through discipline and hard work. Stay committed, and you'll be ready for whatever comes."

The disciples nodded, some looking thoughtful, others determined. After a few moments, Raiba broke the silence. "Alright then, no point sitting here all day. Let's get to it!"

The group stood and headed outside to begin their training. The yard came alive with the sound of clashing practice swords and the shuffle of feet on the dirt ground. Sensei watched from the porch, arms folded as he observed their movements. He didn't have to say anything; they were already pushing themselves harder than usual.

By midday, the sun was high, and the disciples paused to catch their breath. Mono wiped sweat from his brow and glanced over at Sensei. "Sensei, will we ever get a chance to visit the UDC one day?"

Sensei smiled faintly. "Perhaps. But for now, your focus should remain here. Growth comes from consistent effort, not from distractions."

Mono nodded, though the mention of the UDC lingered in his mind. The rest of the day carried on as usual, with the disciples sparring, practicing forms, and occasionally sneaking in lighthearted banter. When evening arrived, they sat together for dinner, the earlier discussion about the scroll briefly forgotten.

Raiba poked at his food with his chopsticks. "Do you think the UDC scroll has something to do with new training techniques or maybe even a test for us?"

"Maybe it's just to invite Sensei somewhere," Tokira suggested, taking a bite of rice.

"Or," Hito interjected, "maybe they heard about how amazing I am and want me to join their ranks."

"Ha! Sure, Hito. Maybe if they need someone to lose gracefully," Josei teased, earning laughs from the group.

Sensei chuckled softly but said nothing, letting them enjoy the moment. For now, he focused on preparing them through their usual routine, knowing that he would soon have to share the full message.

When the dishes were cleaned and the students went to their rooms, Sensei remained in the sitting room for a while longer. He took out the scroll from its hiding place, reading it over once more. It was clear, and he would have to guide his students carefully. He set the scroll aside, exhaled deeply, and allowed himself to sit in the quiet.