‘Unlike you, I am merciful,’ replied Jack, his leniency shocking the villagers. ‘I’m a samurai and follow the code of bushido. And these villagers are farmers, not bandits. We didn’t train them to become cold-blooded killers – only to defend their lives against the likes of you.’

The bandit with Akuma immediately threw down his sword and bowed his submission to Jack and the farmers. The next moment he was dead.

‘We do not surrender,’ said Akuma coldly, leaving the trident sticking in the bandit’s back.

Jack was sickened by Akuma’s cruel nature. The man’s heart was made of stone.

‘I no longer care if I die,’ roared Akuma, ‘as long as you die too!’

Drawing his black-handled blades, he charged at Jack.

But Akuma hadn’t taken two paces when he suddenly gasped and dropped to his knees. Behind him, Natsuko stood with her bony hands clasped round the shaft of a spear.

‘A devil like you deserves to be stabbed in the back,’ stated the old woman. ‘That’s for my son.’

As Akuma rose to his feet, Toge stepped from the ranks and planted another spear in the bandit’s back. ‘That’s for my wife and child,’ he cried.

But Akuma kept coming for Jack, determined to have his revenge.

Another farmer pierced the bandit in the stomach. ‘That’s for my daughter, Naoko.’

Still Akuma refused to surrender.

One by one, then in a rush, the villagers surged forward to defend Jack and vent their fury and grief. The naming of Akuma’s victims went on. And so did the spear thrusts.

‘Shouldn’t we stop them?’ said Saburo.

‘I think they must end their nightmare their own way,’ Jack replied, as Black Moon fell beneath the torrent of spears.

Jack and Saburo made their way back to the pond, where Yori was chanting prayers over Hayato’s body. Yuudai and Miyuki stood nearby, their heads bowed in respect.

As they approached, Yuudai looked up. ‘Where’s Neko?’ he asked.

Jack glanced at Miyuki, who was distraught at the reminder.

‘She’s … dead,’ said Jack, much to Yuudai’s alarm. ‘But if it wasn’t for Neko, the Ring of Fire wouldn’t have worked …’

Yuudai swallowed hard and, for the first time since Jack had met him, he appeared vulnerable. Heaving a great sigh of sorrow, he said, ‘Neko may have been born a farmer, but to me she had the heart of a samurai.’ A great tear rolled down his cheek.

‘And the makings of a … ninja,’ added Miyuki, her voice choking with sorrow.

Their grieving was interrupted by Kunio. ‘Jack, do you think I can keep Hayato’s bow and arrow?’

‘Show some respect!’ Saburo snapped, shooting him a scolding look. ‘Hayato’s spirit is not even departed and Yuudai’s just found out Neko’s dead.’

Kunio blanched. Then pointed behind them. ‘If she is dead, then that must be her ghost!’