raising the curtain; opening (of an event); start; beginning
being reluctant to give out (pay, provide, etc.); giving out grudgingly
signature move (assoc. with a martial artist, wrestler, etc.); finishing move
hard blow; crushing blow; severe attack
following; pursuing; tracking; shadowing; tailing; chasing
scattering (e.g. dust in the wind, enemies before an assault); dispersal; flying off (in all directions); flying apart
long sword (as opposed to the shorter katana); tachi; sabre-like sword worn on the hip with the blade facing down
certain; some kind of; some sort of; of sorts
ambition; aspiration; sinister designs; treachery
to be sacrificed; to become a victim (of); to fall victim (to); to lose one's life
price; cost; charge; price (of achieving something); cost; sacrifice
preliminary announcement; previous announcement; portent; sign; forewarning
to stumble a step or two forward (when trying to stop); to pass one's destination and stumble a step or two forward; to totter
unforgettable; impossible to forget; lucidly remember
to put one's palms together (e.g. when praying or asking for something); to place one's hands together; to compete against someone; to play (a game, match, etc.) against someone
to gape; to open one's mouth wide
to be unable to bear (something) any longer; to be unable to put up with
with a grin; showing a devilish smile
to tear off; to pluck; to scratch off
soft; flabby; spongy; mushy; soggy
stoppage; coming to a stop; ceasing (movement, activity, etc.); suspension (of operations); suspension (of payment, a licence, etc.); (temporary) prohibition
binding (someone) hand and foot; being tied down (by rules, obligations, etc.)
(eating up) quickly; in no time; quickly (sticking out one's tongue); licking; licking up; (peeling off) in one go
swallowing whole; swallowing without chewing; swallowing (a story); believing unquestioningly; accepting (a proposal, demand, etc.) unconditionally; accepting as-is
to melt (of a metal); to fuse
assimilation; absorption; adaptation; assimilation; anabolism; assimilation (phonology)
to heat; to heat up; to get excited; to get worked up; to get fired up
to quieten down; to fall silent; to cease activities; to become inactive; to lie low
barely; narrowly; only just; with difficulty
locking swords and pushing against each other; close contest; neck-and-neck game; fierce competition
to have a reason; to have an excuse
to get strong; to gain strength
to devise; to arrange; to plan; to plot
fiction; made-up story; fable; fabrication; myth
to conclude; to decide; to determine; to judge
unmistakable; evident; obvious; certain; beyond doubt
to regain one's breath; to catch one's breath