The Way of the Dragon

by Unknown

  They were about to flee, when the Red Devil ripped off his menpō.

  It was Sensei Kyuzo.

  Akiko breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her sword. But as their teacher got nearer, his expression hardened and he drew a tantō from his obi. Seeing the murderous intent in the man’s eyes, Jack pulled Akiko away. Sensei Kyuzo was a traitor like Kazuki. He was on daimyo Kamakura’s side and clearly determined to kill them.

  ‘Jack-kun!’ bellowed Sensei Kyuzo, throwing the blade at him.

  Trapped between ninja, Red Devils and a crazed sensei, Jack had nowhere to run.

  The knife shot past Jack’s shoulder – making a fleshy thud as it struck a ninja creeping up behind him. The assassin collapsed to the floor.

  ‘Kamakura’s ninja are everywhere,’ scowled Sensei Kyuzo, pulling the tantō out and wiping its blade on the dead assassin. ‘Now, where’s Yamato-kun?’

  Jack was too shocked to reply. He was also ashamed to have thought Sensei Kyuzo had betrayed them.

  ‘He died,’ said Akiko, her voice hoarse with emotion. Sensei Kyuzo gave them a hard look before replacing his menpō. ‘Masamoto-sama’s waiting.’

  He grabbed their swords and threw them away. Their taijutsu master didn’t wait to explain. Seizing them both by the arms, he manhandled them down the corridor to a flight of stairs. Four Red Devils came charging up towards them. Jack and Akiko looked at one another in alarm.

  ‘Keep going!’ hissed Sensei Kyuzo, roughly pushing them on.

  The enemy ignored the three of them as they thundered by.

  Not stopping for anyone, Sensei Kyuzo escorted Jack and Akiko all the way to the ground floor entrance of the keep. They were almost through the gate, when a gold-horned Red Devil stepped into their path.

  ‘Traitors for execution,’ barked Sensei Kyuzo, by way of an explanation.

  ‘It would be my pleasure,’ said the Red Devil, reaching for his sword.

  ‘No!’ Sensei Kyuzo replied firmly.

  The Red Devil glared at him. ‘Are you challenging my authority?’

  ‘These are for daimyo Kamakura,’ explained Sensei Kyuzo, bowing his head respectfully. ‘Our lord has requested any students of the Niten Ichi Ryū. He wishes to punish them personally. In particular, this gaijin.’

  Sensei Kyuzo cruelly shook Jack by the arm.

  The Red Devil backed down, glowering with disappointment.

  ‘Very well,’ he grumbled, waving them on.

  Sensei Kyuzo didn’t look back as he led them out of the gate.

  Pockets of fighting were still going on throughout the courtyard. But he walked them straight across, taking a sharp right through the trees, past a dead samurai whose armour was missing.

  ‘Masamoto-sama’s holding off the enemy near the tea garden,’ he whispered, taking off his helmet and menpō. ‘By daimyo Takatomi’s command, we’re to get all surviving young samurai out of the castle –’

  All of a sudden, he unsheathed his tantō and threw it into a tree. A second later, a ninja fell from the branches and crashed to the ground, dead.

  ‘We don’t have much time,’ said Sensei Kyuzo, his eyes scanning the canopy. ‘There’s a hidden passage. Sensei Kano will guide you through –’

  ‘Sensei Kano’s alive!’ exclaimed Jack.

  ‘Yes,’ snapped Sensei Kyuzo impatiently. ‘The passage is how he got back in. We’ll find you some weapons on the way.’

  He stopped as six ninja dropped from the trees.

  ‘Go!’ ordered Sensei Kyuzo, pushing them in the direction of the garden.

  ‘But it’s suicide,’ said Jack, realizing their sensei intended to fight the assassins single-handedly.

  ‘Don’t think I’m fighting for you, gaijin,’ spat Sensei Kyuzo. ‘My duty is to Masamoto-sama. Now I order you to go!’

  Jack was astounded by his sensei’s sacrifice. Bound by the code of bushido, Sensei Kyuzo didn’t question his duty to protect the young samurai with his life, despite his personal hatred of Jack.

  Risking a final glance back, Jack saw his taijutsu master encircled by the ninja, his fists raised, calmly beckoning them on.

  58

  THE LAST STAND

  Breaking from the treeline, Jack and Akiko ran through the tea garden and headed for the island. Masamoto and Sensei Hosokawa were protecting the bridge on the far side, their katana and wakizashi flashing like shooting stars in the night as they cut down any Red Devils who dared approach.

  On the island, Sensei Yosa was launching arrow after arrow at enemy archers on the ramparts, while the surviving Niten Ichi Ryū students hurried across the bridge to the tea house. Inside, Sensei Kano was urging them through a concealed trapdoor into a secret passageway below.

  Almost all the young samurai were safely through, as Jack and Akiko now crossed the bridge. Cho, the last of the students, was heading for the trapdoor, when a ninja on the battlements threw a fist-sized black ball into the tea house. It landed heavily and rolled to a stop next to Cho. The fuse on the round iron explosive crackled and burnt bright red in the darkness.

  ‘Bomb!’ she screamed, her eyes widening in panic.

  Sensei Kano grabbed Cho and dragged her into the passage, slamming the trapdoor shut behind them.

  A second later the incendiary device exploded and the tea house was blown apart. Sensei Yosa was blasted off her feet. Jack and Akiko dived for cover, as wood and rocks rained down on them.

  Masamoto dashed over, his eyes fiery and alert. ‘Are you hurt?’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ said Jack, getting to his feet with Akiko.

  ‘Where’s Yamato-kun?’ Masamoto demanded.

  Unsure how to deliver the dreadful news, Jack bowed his head unable to look his guardian in the eye.

  ‘No!’ said Masamoto, his voice tight as a fist. He shook his head as if to deny the fact. ‘Tell me it isn’t true.’

  ‘Yamato saved our lives,’ explained Jack. ‘He died with honour. Taking Dragon Eye with him.’

  Masamoto’s scars reddened with his distress and his swords trembled in his hands.

  ‘Yamato asked me to tell you that he knew what it meant to be a Masamoto. Sacrifice.’

  ‘NO, he doesn’t!’ snapped Masamoto. ‘It should be me sacrificing myself for his life – and for yours – just as your father did.’

  Tears welled in the samurai’s eyes. ‘My son… my Yamato… my brave boy. I’m so… proud of you.’

  Masamoto took a deep breath and gave a great shuddering sigh.

  ‘His sacrifice must not be in vain.’

  Masamoto glanced at the devastated tea house, timbers and rock blocking any hope of escape. Sensei Yosa was back on her feet, but a shard of the iron had pierced her leg. As she hobbled over, Sensei Hosokawa came thundering across the opposite bridge, the Red Devils regrouping in preparation for another attack.

  ‘Akiko,’ said Masamoto, turning to her with urgency. ‘Is there another way out?’

  She shook her head.

  ‘Think! You must have overheard something.’

  ‘The ninja once mentioned a tunnel to a well,’ she said, furrowing her brow as she tried to recall the details. ‘But they decided against it.’

  ‘The Gold Water Well,’ blurted Jack, remembering Yori’s story. ‘Its tunnel leads to the inner moat.’

  ‘That’s it,’ said Masamoto. ‘To the well house!’

  The three of them dashed across the bridge to the rear of the tea house, Sensei Yosa and Sensei Hosokawa following close behind as the Red Devils launched their attack. Arrows shot past as Jack, Akiko and Masamoto fled through the garden. There was a scream and Jack looked back to see Sensei Yosa falling to the ground, an arrow in her side, the Red Devils closing upon her fast.

  ‘Keep going,’ ordered Masamoto.

  ‘But what about Sensei Yosa?’ cried Akiko, making to turn back.

  Masamoto grabbed Akiko. ‘Sensei Hosokawa will look after her. He knows what he has to do.’

  Sensei Hosokawa locked eyes with Masamo
to and gave a respectful bow of the head.

  Masamoto returned it with equal formality.

  Jack realized more was said in that brief exchange than could ever be expressed in a lifetime of talking.

  This was his swordmaster’s final farewell.

  Sensei Hosokawa ran back to save their wounded kyujutsu teacher. Roaring a battle cry, he drew his swords and cut a swathe though the Red Devils about to surround Sensei Yosa. His blades whirled though the air as he defeated each warrior in succession.

  An arrow flew from the battlements, striking the sword-master in the shoulder, but he kept his feet despite the agonizing blow. Another two Red Devils fell under his blade, before a second arrow knocked him to the ground.

  But Sensei Hosokawa got back to his feet and drove his sword through the next samurai. More arrows flew at him, but he refused to go down.

  Sensei Hosokawa defended Sensei Yosa to his last breath and held off the Red Devils long enough for Jack, Akiko and Masamoto to reach the well house.

  ‘In another life, my friend, we will finish our duel,’ said Masamoto under his breath. With that, he urged Jack and Akiko inside, intent on saving his last two young samurai.

  ‘Are you certain?’ said Masamoto, peering into the inky blackness of the well’s depths.

  ‘No,’ replied Akiko. ‘But there’s only one way to find out.’

  She climbed over the lip of the well and began to descend with the help of the bucket rope.

  The shouts of the enemy could be heard getting closer.

  ‘You’re next, Jack-kun,’ insisted Masamoto.

  Jack clambered over and cautiously lowered himself until he found his first toeholds on the slippery rock wall.

  ‘This way!’ shouted a gruff voice in the darkness.

  Masamoto drew his swords and strode to the entrance.

  ‘You’re not coming?’ said Jack in disbelief.

  ‘No, Jack-kun. This is where I make my last stand.’

  ‘But we’re going to escape!’

  ‘Yes, you are,’ replied Masamoto. ‘But I must remain.’

  ‘Why?’ Jack protested, his emotions suddenly overwhelming him at the prospect of losing another father. His guardian had given him so much and asked for so little in return. How could he ever express the love and gratitude he owed this man? ‘It’s me that should stay! I should be sacrificing my life for yours.’

  ‘Don’t worry about me. I’ve lived my life. I don’t fear death. But you must live to fight another day, young samurai.’

  ‘But –’

  ‘Jack-kun, I’ve taught you all you need to live this life,’ he said, smiling with paternal pride. ‘That’s more than any teacher, or father, could hope for. You’ve come of age, my son.’

  Masamoto bowed his head to Jack, then disappeared into the night.

  ‘There he is!’ came a shout from the garden.

  The courtyard outside pounded with the sound of charging feet.

  ‘Long live the Niten Ichi Ryū!’

  Unable to let go of the well’s lip, Jack had to know his guardian’s fate.

  He heard a clash of swords and a body crumple to the ground.

  But the fighting didn’t stop.

  The steel of katana and wakizashi sang above the screams of dying samurai. Masamoto refused to yield.

  ‘STOP!’ shouted a brusque voice. ‘Your men will all die before he’s even shed his first drop of blood.’

  Jack recognized the voice. It belonged to daimyo Kamakura.

  ‘Leave Masamoto-sama to me!’ he commanded. ‘Complete your search. Kill all Christian traitors!’

  59

  THE WELL

  Jack clambered down the well as fast as he could. But the walls were slick and hard to grip. Below him, Akiko had almost reached the bottom.

  Hearing the shouts of the Red Devils echoing above, he hastened his pace. In the ever-deepening gloom, he misjudged a foothold and, despite his years on-board a ship, his fingers failed him on the slimy rock. Jack fell down the well, knocking Akiko off as he tumbled past.

  They splashed into the water together and Jack found himself sinking to the bottom. He tried desperately to swim up, but his armour was weighing him down. Struggling against it, he kicked himself towards the surface. But it was no use. It was as if an anchor had been tied to his waist.

  Then he felt Akiko’s hands upon his armour, deftly undoing the ties. In moments he was free of the heavy breastplate. Shrugging off the rest, he burst to the surface and drew in a large gulp of air.

  As he got his breath back, Jack looked around the solid walls of the well. ‘Where’s the tunnel?’ he asked in a panic.

  ‘Under the water,’ Akiko replied, shedding her last bits of armour. ‘I almost swam down it looking for you. This must be why the ninja never used this route.’

  ‘So how are we going to get out now?’

  ‘We swim.’

  ‘You’re out of your mind!’ exclaimed Jack, staring aghast at Akiko. ‘We’ll never make it.’

  ‘It can’t be that far,’ she replied seriously. ‘The well house is near the bailey wall. I’ve swum much further when I dived with the ama.’

  ‘I’m no pearl diver, Akiko,’ he reminded her, starting to shiver in the chill of the water. ‘Drowning’s a sailor’s worst nightmare.’

  ‘What other choice do we have?’

  Jack didn’t have an answer. Then he realized something was missing.

  ‘The rutter!’ he exclaimed. ‘My pack! It came off with the armour.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ll get it. It should be a lot easier to find than a pearl.’

  Taking a deep breath, Akiko dived beneath the surface.

  Jack was left alone in the darkness, only the sound of the water lapping against the walls and the echoing shouts of the samurai above to keep him company. It seemed an age before Akiko popped up again, the bag and rutter in her grasp.

  ‘Got it!’ she said, grinning. ‘But surely it’s ruined by the water?’

  ‘No, the oilskin wrapping will protect it,’ replied Jack, taking the bag from her.

  Suddenly a large rock splashed down between them.

  ‘There they are!’

  Another stone bounced off the walls, nearly hitting Jack in the head.

  Jack didn’t need any further incentive. ‘The tunnel it is,’ he said, bracing himself for the long swim.

  ‘Take lots of deep breaths and try to stay calm,’ instructed Akiko.

  More rocks crashed into the water as they dived beneath the surface, Akiko leading the way. The tunnel was pitch black and Jack couldn’t see a thing as he felt his way along. It was a truly terrifying experience. He had no idea which way was up. And no indication of how far they still had to swim.

  Jack kicked as hard as he could, struggling to keep up with Akiko. He lost contact with her and panic seized him. The fear of drowning wrapped its cold, clammy fingers round his throat. His heart beat harder in his ears and the pressure built up and up in his lungs. He already had a desperate urge to breathe out and suck down the icy water.

  A light-headed calm began to wash over him. Realizing he wasn’t going to reach the end of the tunnel, he stopped swimming. He let his breath bubble out. A heavy sleepiness seeped into his bones and he lost all care. Strangely, he almost welcomed the idea of drowning. At least he’d die with the rutter. He’d be able to return it to his father. He’d see his mother again.

  Jack was peacefully resigned to his fate.

  All of a sudden, he felt two warm lips press themselves against his. Air was forcibly blown into his mouth and his lungs welcomed the oxygen like a heady elixir. Jack felt his stupor lift and realized he’d been on the verge of blacking out, the reason why he’d so willingly given in to death. But he wanted to live.

  The lips drew away and a hand clasped his wrist, pulling him along the tunnel.

  Moments later, Jack and Akiko burst to the surface of the moat.

  Jack gulped down air in heaving gasps.

 
; ‘I thought I’d lost you,’ said Akiko in a distraught whisper.

  ‘You’ll have to try… harder… than that,’ replied Jack, hacking up water.

  ‘Shh!’ warned Akiko. ‘The enemy are all around.’

  Looking to the opposite bank, Jack saw hundreds of troops running through the darkness and became aware of countless dead bodies floating beside him and Akiko. They bobbed in the water like rotting logs. Stifling a cry as a headless corpse bumped into him, Jack followed Akiko who was swimming silently to the other side of the moat.

  Slipping out of the water, they bolted for the cover of a nearby building. When the way was clear, they headed in the direction of the outer wall. Keeping to the shadows, they weaved their way carefully through the many courtyards and pathways of the outer bailey. Their going was painfully slow as they tried to avoid the enemy.

  Suddenly a patrol of Red Devils came marching up the road towards them. Akiko pulled Jack into a nearby stable, startling its occupant. She gently stroked its mane, calming the horse as the samurai passed by.

  ‘That was close,’ Jack sighed with relief.

  ‘It’s getting too dangerous,’ whispered Akiko. ‘They’re all on the lookout.’

  She peered into the darkness of the street.

  ‘I have an idea,’ she said, slipping out of the stable and leaving Jack on his own.

  Akiko returned, dragging the body of an enemy ashigaru killed during the attack on the castle.

  ‘Bakemono-jutsu,’ she said, in response to the shocked look on Jack’s face. ‘It’s a ninja ghost technique.’

  60

  MOUNTAIN TO SEA

  The quiet of dawn was more a deathy silence than a peaceful awakening. Osaka Castle had settled into an uneasy sleep during the night as the last few pockets of resistance were crushed and the fires brought under control. By the time the first rays of the morning sun broke through the smoke-laden sky, Kamakura’s troops had fallen into a weary stupor. With the enemy now vanquished, many had dropped their guard and were dozing amid the ruined battlements while awaiting further orders. At the outer gateway, though, there was still a heavy presence of Red Devils.