by myself; in person; by oneself
long ago; already; a long time ago
crossing swords; competing against; contending with; fighting against
strongest ever; most powerful in history
natural; understandable; reasonable; no wonder
to operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to have a good command of (a language); to play proficiently (of a musical instrument); to work (a puppet); to pull the strings of a puppet
big; large; drastic; full-width cloth (approx. 72 cm wide for traditional Japanese clothing; approx. 140 cm wide for Western clothing)
to accomplish; to achieve; to carry out; to do ... completely; to do ... entirely
to evaluate; to appraise; to comment on
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
the present; present time; as of; present tense; this world; this life
all; whole; entire; complete (set); in total
though; although; be that as it may; nonetheless
childhood friend; friend from infancy; old playmate
road; path; route; way; distance; journey; road (e.g. to victory)
useless; no future in it; doesn't make sense; having no point
defeat; loss; reverse; setback
primary school; elementary school; grade school
study; diligence; discount; reduction
all-purpose; utility; universal; all-powerful; almighty; omnipotent
skillful; skilful; delicious; appetizing; fortunate; splendid
what; what sort of thing; everything; anything; what (on earth)?; what's the meaning of this ...?
apathy; lassitude; lethargy; languor
to recommend (someone to do); to advise; to recommend (a book, someone for a position, etc.); to suggest; to offer (a drink, cigarette, seat, etc.)
profound; deep; deep (of a cave, etc.); innermost; interior
to build; to construct; to erect; to amass (e.g. fortune); to pile up
mutually; with each other; reciprocally; together; both
diligent application (to work or study); cultivating one's character by studying hard; mutual encouragement (to improve); working hard together; friendly rivalry
growth; development; growing up; growth (of a company, the economy, etc.)
match; game; bout; contest
using freely; making full use of; having a good command of; working (someone) hard; driving (someone) on
(wrestling) ring; forum (e.g. for discussion); sandbag; gabion
opponent; adversary; the competition; the other side; one's enemy