On Yuudai’s instruction, the farmers quickly retreated back across the moat so as to maintain the illusion of an all-samurai force. Hidden behind the hay bales, breathless from the rush of combat, they grinned at one another, exhilarated by their first flush of success.

Paying no attention to his wounded men, Akuma glared in disbelief at such bold opposition.

‘Hear me, ronin!’ he roared. ‘This isn’t your battle. There’s no glory in fighting for farmers. If it’s rice you need, there’s more than enough to go round. I’ll even double what these farmers are paying. Stand aside now.’

Jack and Yuudai glanced at one another.

‘It’s a good offer,’ said Yuudai, with a playful grin. ‘Shall we take it?’

The nearby farmers looked shocked at his suggestion, but Jack was impressed that Yuudai could still make jokes under the circumstances.

‘Tempting as it is, I think we should refuse,’ he replied.

Nodding in agreement, Yuudai grabbed a spare spear. ‘Allow me to answer on your behalf.’

He launched the spear, his immense throw sending it soaring into the night. A moment later, they heard a crunch and a startled whinny as it embedded itself in the ground right next to Akuma and his horse.

‘You’ll regret that, samurai!’ snarled Akuma.

Yuudai turned to Jack. ‘I’m afraid the spear didn’t quite strike home.’

‘Don’t worry. There’ll be plenty more chances to deliver the message.’

Mustering his men, Akuma sent another bandit force to storm the eastern end of the barricade. Yuudai once again led his first division to engage with the attackers. Having lost the element of surprise, though, they found it harder to fend off the bandits. Akuma’s men were more cautious this time, keeping their weapons to hand, so they could deflect the lethal spear thrusts as they climbed.

While the farmers battled to bring them down, Akuma ordered a second wave to strike at the western end of the barricade. With Yuudai and his farmers distracted, these bandits climbed unopposed.

Spotting Akuma’s tactic, Jack took command of Yuudai’s second division and rushed to defend the unguarded end. He and the farmers fought furiously to stop the bandits breaching their defences. But one was already nearing the top. Without hesitation, Jack pulled a shuriken from his obi and threw it at the man. The ninja star flashed through the air and struck the bandit in the neck. Crying out in shock and pain as blood spurted out, the man lost his grip on the barricade. He crashed into the other bandits, dislodging them as he tumbled to the ground.

Fear and adrenalin driving them on, the farmers kept stabbing with their spears. Confronted with such a relentless defence, the bandits quickly lost the momentum of their assault.

Then a gunshot went off.

The farmers froze like startled deer.

One of Yuudai’s unit fell to the ground.