‘But if we fight Akuma, who knows how many of us will die? This could be our last chance to save the village.’

‘NO!’ Yoshi the elder overruled, leaning heavily on his walking-stick as he tottered to the front line. ‘We must reap what we have sown. We agreed when Junichi was alive and we must respect his memory. There’s no going back now.’

Yoshi stepped on to the moat beside Jack and bowed to him. Then turning to Akuma, he called, ‘We know your game, Akuma. We no longer bow to you. No deal!’

Akuma glared in disbelief at the outrageous defiance of the villagers.

‘Know this,’ he thundered. ‘YOU’VE JUST DECLARED WAR!’

48 Scared

48

SCARED

Seeing Akuma snatch up his trident, Saburo pulled out his katana in preparation for battle. The polished blade shone like quicksilver in the sun.

‘Time to make use of my father’s gift,’ he said, offering Jack a grim smile.

‘You’ll make him proud,’ Jack replied. ‘And Kiku’s father.’

Saburo forced a laugh. ‘I only wish I was able to write haiku. Poetry is a far less dangerous way of impressing a girl.’

‘But no easier,’ said Jack, remembering the haiku he’d written for Akiko. It had taken him months to compose, even with Yori’s help.

Determined to keep the farmers focused on fighting rather than fear – as well as demonstrate to Akuma their military capability – Jack gave the signal to begin defensive formations. On Hayato’s command, the farmers lowered their spears and advanced to the front line, ready to fend off the invading bandits. A fearful tension hung in the air as they waited for Akuma to make his move.

But Akuma didn’t give the order to attack. In fact, the bandits appeared in little rush to go anywhere, satisfied merely to intimidate their victims.

‘Why’s he not attacking?’ asked Saburo.

Jack looked along the line. Only now did he notice Kurochi the Snake wasn’t among them. He did a quick count. The bandits numbered just twenty-three.

‘Hayato, take command,’ said Jack urgently.

‘Where are you going?’

‘Akuma’s tricked us,’ cried Jack, beckoning three men from the Sword unit to follow him. ‘I must warn Miyuki.’ And he ran off towards the forest.

As Jack flew along the path, he heard the distinctive blast of a musket shot. Turning the corner of the last house, he found the small group of defending farmers cowering behind their wooden barrier. On the ground lay a body.

Neko knelt beside the dying victim, trying to stem the bleeding. No match for the power of a lead bullet, the barrier hadn’t provided much protection and the musket shot had gone straight through. Fearing the worst, Jack rushed over just as the unfortunate farmer gave a guttural groan and fell still.