‘No,’ she replied in a quiet voice. ‘Shonin says he can’t risk any outsider knowing the location of their final refuge.’
‘Then you should play with your brother while you have the chance.’
As Akiko went and shared her last moments with Hanzo, Shonin and Soke strolled over to Jack.
‘I owe you my life, Ninja Jack,’ said Shonin and inclined his head in gratitude. ‘I wish there was more I could do for you, but we have to be gone before the samurai arrive.’
‘You’ve done more than enough,’ replied Jack, returning the bow.
Shonin clapped his hand upon Jack’s good shoulder.
‘You know you’ll always have a place in my clan,’ he said, smiling warmly. ‘You just have to find us first!’
With that, Shonin left Jack and Soke to say their farewells.
‘I’ll be sad to leave here,’ admitted the Grandmaster, gazing out across the valley. ‘It was the perfect Ring of Earth.’
‘What about the refuge?’ asked Jack.
‘The mountains are not kind to the old. I won’t have so many years left up there.’
Jack went to dispute this, but Soke stopped him, and he could see the weariness and strain of the past few days engrained in the old man’s wrinkled face.
‘Why hide from the truth? It always finds you in the end,’ Soke grinned. ‘Life has worn me down like a rock in a river. My time has almost come.’
‘Time enough to prepare Hanzo to become the next Grandmaster?’
Soke raised an eyebrow. ‘He told you? I’ll have to teach that boy discretion first.’
‘A frog in a well does not know the great sea,’ reminded Jack.
‘How true,’ said Soke, chuckling. ‘Maybe the fact he’s really a samurai will be good for all of us. Hanzo may be the saving of the ninja.’
‘Soke!’ called out Momochi, rounding up the clan. ‘Shonin’s keen to leave.’
The Grandmaster held his hand up, indicating he’d be with them shortly.
‘Jack, you’ve come a long way since we first stood on this ridge, but you have a far longer journey ahead. Be guided by the Five Rings, and you will return home.’
‘Your teaching has given me the hope that I will,’ said Jack, bowing. ‘You’ve also proved to me that a single tree doesn’t make a forest. I swore the ninja would always be my enemy. Now the ninja will always be my friend.’
Soke nodded sagely.
‘If you ever encounter a ninja, or believe they are one, then use this secret hand sign.’ The Grandmaster clasped both hands together, middle fingers entwined, thumbs and little finger extended in a V shape. ‘It’s the Dragon Seal. A true ninja will recognize this and help you.’
Soke turned to go. ‘A final piece of advice: to hide is the best defence.’
57
A HAPPY FAREWELL
Akiko and Jack walked slowly back into the deserted village. They passed through paddy fields, most of the crop trampled and unharvested. Thankfully, the clan had stockpiled food from previous years and hidden it beneath the temple. The smoky tang of burnt wood hung in the air, Shonin’s farmhouse still smouldering away after five days. A number of other houses had been set on fire too, but most had just been ransacked for their rice and provisions.
Fortunately for Jack, Soke’s house had been one of those pillaged but not set on fire. He’d found his pack safe and sound in the secret compartment beneath the floorboards, the rutter untouched within its protective oilskin. Beside it, Soke had left several rations of rice and some essential clothes.
Jack got changed for the journey, then joined Akiko out in the yard. It was sad to see the once thriving village so bereft of life, and neither he nor Akiko wanted to stay longer than they had to. The samurai could arrive at any moment.
Akiko hadn’t spoken a word since she’d said goodbye to her brother.
‘I’m sorry,’ began Jack. ‘Sorry he had to go.’
‘I’m not,’ Akiko replied, her voice subdued but resolute. ‘Kiyoshi … I mean Hanzo is where he rightfully belongs. In the clan, with his friends. They’re his family now.’
‘But what about you?’ asked Jack. ‘You’ve spent the last five years looking for him.’
Akiko nodded. ‘And you found him for me. My kachimushi’s alive and being cared for. That’s all I need to know. It was a happy farewell.’
She looked at Jack, her expression hopeful.
‘Soke’s promised that Hanzo can visit us in Toba once the clan’s resettled. I know he’s eager to meet his mother.’
Akiko reached out and touched Jack’s hand. ‘I owe you so much.’
‘I’m the one who owes you,’ said Jack, gently taking her hand in his. ‘It’s the least I could do after all you’ve done for me.’
They gazed into one another’s eyes, the connection between them more powerful than ever. This second farewell was proving even harder than the first. And now Jack knew what life was like without Akiko by his side.
‘I should go,’ she said, letting her hand fall away. ‘My mother’s waiting for me in Toba.’
‘You could come with me,’ Jack suggested, though he was well aware his journey took him in the opposite direction.
Akiko sadly shook her head. ‘My mother needs to know about Kiyoshi. And I need to be there for her. It’s a daughter’s duty.’
‘I understand,’ said Jack, knowing it had been an impossible request.
Leaning in close, Akiko kissed him gently on the cheek.
‘Forever bound to one another,’ she whispered in his ear. Then she turned and walked away in the direction of the rising sun.
Jack, speechless, watched her figure recede down the village road, past the devastated square, round the pond and beyond. He realized he felt how Akiko must have done that day in Toba he left her behind. His heart reached out for his friend, begging her to come back.
Akiko kept walking, not even risking a glance over her shoulder. Maybe she was scared to. Should he call to her? But he didn’t know what he would say. They were both leaves floating away on different streams.
When she disappeared from view, Jack still stood watching, his hand to the cheek she’d kissed. He dearly hoped to see her just one more time.
But Akiko was gone.
Once again, he was on his own. Perhaps better equipped than before for the hazardous journey ahead – but also more alone. He’d lost Akiko a second time. Then Jack reminded himself that, like Akiko, he had a duty to his family first. His love for his sister, Jess, while different, was equally compelling and she was waiting for him in England.
Gathering his things, Jack ensured the precious rutter was cushioned by the two kimono within the pack. On top was the little inro case containing Yori’s paper crane and Akiko’s pearl, the string of copper coins, and the straw containers of rice. Finally, he added a full gourd of water and Tenzen’s five shuriken. Hanging from the strap was Sensei Yamada’s omamori. Jack rubbed the amulet, praying for its continued protection, then slung the pack over his right shoulder.
Securing his samurai swords on his hip, Jack felt like a samurai again.
Picking up the last of his equipment, he felt like a ninja.
Jack was determined not to be caught out this time. Having adjusted the wicker basket on his head, he raised the shakuhachi to his lips and gently blew. The faltering first notes of ‘Shika no Tone’ echoed across the valley as he resumed his solitary pilgrimage to Nagasaki, each step taking him closer to home.
NOTES ON THE SOURCES
The following quote is referenced within Young Samurai: The Ring of Earth (with the page number in square brackets below) and the source is acknowledged here:
1. [Page 77] ‘The usefulness of a cup is its emptiness’ by Lao Tzu (Philosopher and founder of Taoism, 600–531 BC).
JAPANESE GLOSSARY
Bushido
Bushido, meaning the ‘Way of the Warrior’, is a Japanese code of conduct similar to the concept of chivalry. Samurai warriors were meant to adher
e to the seven moral principles in their martial arts training and in their day-to-day lives.
Virtue 1: Gi – Rectitude
Gi is the ability to make the right decision with moral confidence and to be fair and equal towards all people no matter what colour, race, gender or age.
Virtue 2: Yu – Courage
Yu is the ability to handle any situation with valour and confidence.
Virtue 3: Jin – Benevolence
Jin is a combination of compassion and generosity. This virtue works together with Gi and discourages samurai from using their skills arrogantly or for domination.
Virtue 4: Rei – Respect
Rei is a matter of courtesy and proper behaviour towards others. This virtue means to have respect for all.
Virtue 5: Makoto – Honesty
Makota is about being honest to oneself as much as to others. It means acting in ways that are morally right and always doing things to the best of your ability.
Virtue 6: Meiyo – Honour
Meiyo is sought with a positive attitude in mind, but will only follow with correct behaviour. Success is an honourable goal to strive for.
Virtue 7: Chungi – Loyalty
Chungi is the foundation of all the virtues; without dedication and loyalty to the task at hand and to one another, one cannot hope to achieve the desired outcome.
A Short Guide to Pronouncing Japanese Words
Vowels are pronounced in the following way:
‘a’ as the ‘a’ in ‘at’
‘e’ as the ‘e’ in ‘bet’
‘i’ as the ‘i’ in ‘police
‘o’ as the ‘o’ in ‘dot’
‘u’ as the ‘u’ in ‘put’
‘ai’ as in ‘eye’
‘ii’ as in ‘week’
‘ō’ as in ‘go’
‘ū’ as in ‘blue’
Consonants are pronounced in the same way as English:
‘g’ is hard as in ‘get’
‘j’ is soft as in ‘jelly’
‘ch’ as in ‘church’
‘z’ as in ‘zoo’
‘ts’ as in ‘itself’
Each syllable is pronounced separately:
A-ki-ko
Ya-ma-to
Ma-sa-mo-to
Ka-zu-ki
ashiko foot hooks
bō wooden fighting staff
bōjutsu the Art of the Bō
bushido the Way of the Warrior – the samurai code
daikon long, large white radish
daimyo feudal lord
densho the ninja book of secret techniques and principles
Dim Mak Death Touch
dokujutsu the Art of Poison
doma the area within a building with a floor of packed earth
futon Japanese bed: flat mattress placed directly on tatami flooring, and folded away during the day
gaijin foreigner, outsider (derogatory term)
gotonpo the Art of Concealment
hakama traditional Japanese trousers
hanbō short staff (90 cm) used in martial arts
hashi chopsticks
Hifumi hachi gaeshi alms-begging song, ‘One, two, three, pass the alms bowl’
hikyaku ‘Flying Feet’ (a courier)
honkyoku ‘original pieces’ of music for the shakuhachi flute
ikki goken the ‘five blades in one breath’ technique
inro little case for holding small objects
Jin ninja hand sign for reading the thoughts of others
kachimushi old word for dragonfly, lit. ‘victory bug’
kaginawa three-pronged grappling hook on a rope
Kai ninja hand sign for ‘sensing of danger’
kajutsu the Art of Fire
kama sickle-shaped weapon
kami spirits within objects in the Shinto faith
kanji the Chinese characters used in the Japanese writing system
kataginu winged, sleeveless jacket of the samurai
katana long sword
kenjutsu the Art of the Sword
kesagiri double diagonal cut
ki energy flow or life force (Chinese: chi or qi)
kissaki tip of sword
koan Buddhist question designed to stimulate intuition
Komusō Monk of Emptiness
kuji-in nine syllable seals – a specialized form of Buddhist and ninja meditation
kusarigama sickle and chain weapon
kyusho vital or nerve point on a human body
manriki-gusari chain weapon with two steel weights on the ends
menpō protective metal mask covering part or all of face
metsubishi blinding powder, used as ninja defence
mikan satsuma, orange citrus fruit
mikkyo secret teachings
mon family crest
mushin lit. ‘no-mindedness’
nagamaki large katana-style blade with an extended shaft.
nagare flow or roll
naginata long pole weapon with a curved blade on the end
nikkyō wristlock move in taijutsu
ninja Japanese assassin
ninjatō ninja sword
ninjutsu the Art of Stealth
ninniku the philosophy of the ninja, ‘cultivating a pure and compassionate heart’
Niten Ichi Ryū the ‘One School of Two Heavens’
nunchaku a weapon comprising two sticks connected at the ends by a short chain or rope
obi belt
omamori Buddhist amulet to grant protection
origami the art of folding paper
Rin to meet or to face, but interpreted as strength for ninjutsu purposes
saké rice wine
sakura cherry-blossom tree
samurai Japanese warrior
sarugaku form of popular entertainment, similar to the modern-day circus,
saya scabbard
sayonara goodbye
sencha green tea
sensei teacher
Sha ninja hand sign, interpreted as healing for ninjutsu purposes
shakuhachi Japanese bamboo flute
Shichi Hō De the ‘seven ways of going’ (disguises)
shikoro-ken sword with a saw-like edge, also known as the ‘Sword of Destruction’
shinobi another name for ninja, literally ‘stealer in’
shinobi aruki stealth, or silent, walking
shinobi shozoku the clothing of a ninja
shoji Japanese sliding door
shuko climbing claws
shuriken metal throwing stars
shuriken-jutsu the Art of the Shuriken
sohei warrior monks
soke title meaning ‘head of the family’ or grandmaster
sui-ren water training
suizen ‘blowing Zen’, practice of playing flute for self-enlightenment
tabi traditional Japanese socks
taijutsu the Art of the Body (hand-to-hand combat)
Ta-no-kami god of the rice fields
tantō knife
Taryu-Jiai inter-school martial arts competition
tatami floor matting
tengu a mythical Japanese devil bird or demon
tetsu-bishi small sharp iron spike
ukemi break falls
uki-ashi floating feet technique
wakizashi side-arm short sword
washi Japanese paper
yakitori grilled chicken on a stick
yamabushi Lit. ‘one who hides in the mountains’; Buddhist hermits who live in the mountains
Yama-no-kami god of the mountains
yukata summer kimono
Zai ninja hand sign for sky or elements control
zazen seated meditation
Japanese names usually consist of a family name (surname) followed by a given name, unlike in the Western world where the given name comes before the surname. In feudal Japan, names reflected a person’s social status and spiritual beliefs. Also, when addressing someone, san is add
ed to that person’s surname (or given names in less formal situations) as a sign of courtesy, in the same way that we use Mr or Mrs in English, and for higher-status people sama is used. In Japan, sensei is usually added after a person’s name if they are a teacher, although in the Young Samurai books a traditional English order has been retained. Boys and girls are usually addressed using kun and chan, respectively.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This fourth book in the Young Samurai series presents a new chapter in Jack’s adventures. But the team behind it remains very much the same – only more dedicated than ever. My thanks go to all of them: Charlie Viney, my Loyal agent; Shannon Park, my Honourable editor at Puffin; Wendy Tse, my Honest copy-editor; Vanessa Godden, Lisa Hayden, Tania Vian-Smith and all the Courageous Puffin team; Francesca Dow, the daimyo of Puffin Books; Tessa Girvan, Franca Bernatavicius and Nicki Kennedy, my Benevolent overseas agents at ILA; Trevor, Paul and Jenny, my Respectful booking agents at Authors Abroad. You’re all true samurai upholding the code of bushido!
There are so many other people I’d like to thank, but I would need a whole book for that. So I’ll just mention these few in this edition: all the independent bookstores who have supported me from the start, including Mark at Mostly Books, Abingdon; David and Gill at The Mint House, Hurstpierpoint; and Vanessa and Julie at The Book Nook, Brighton; David Ansell Sensei of the Shin Ichi Do dojo (www.shinichido.org) for all his samurai sword training; Sensei Peter Brown at the Shinobi Kai dojo (www.shinobi-kai.net) for all his ninja knowledge; the exceptionally dedicated Sensei Mary Stevens and Sensei Rob King at the Oxford School of Martial Arts (www.schoolofmartialarts.com) and, of course, Team Taurus – the real Young Samurai behind the book!; Rob Rose for your feedback and reviews (and for looking after Karen so well!); as promised, a mention to the Butcher Boys for all their sausages, steak and banter; and most importantly to my loving and supportive family, the Moles – Simon, Sue, Steve and Sam, and all the cousins – and especially my mum, dad and Sarah, I couldn’t do it without you.
Lastly, I once again offer a bow of respect to all the librarians and teachers who have supported the series and to all the Young Samurai readers out there – thank you for your loyalty to the series. You can keep in touch with me and the progress of the Young Samurai series on my Facebook page, or via the website at www.youngsamurai.com