With Akuma dead, the village now safe and his health restored after four nights of rest, Jack realized he had no further reason to stay – other than to be in the company of good friends. Thick snow still covered the roads in and out of the village, but with the weather improving every day it wouldn’t be long before the Funasaka Pass opened up and the Shogun’s samurai resumed their hunt for him. It was time to move on.

‘In a couple of days,’ he replied. ‘Let’s gather our strength and supplies first.’

Miyuki nodded her agreement. Then she looked Jack directly in the eye. ‘You do want me to come with you, don’t you?’

Jack returned her gaze. She’d already done so much for him and asked for nothing in return. Over the past month, he’d come to rely upon her bravery, her bold spirit and, most of all, her friendship.

‘Of course I do,’ said Jack, smiling warmly at her.

Yori and Saburo wandered over.

‘I could get used to this,’ said Saburo, through a mouthful of rice and fish. On his head, he wore the dented helmet as a badge of honour. ‘I can’t wait to tell my father about the battle. We’re heroes, thanks to you, Jack!’

‘I wouldn’t have survived one day without all of you by my side,’ replied Jack. ‘I’d agreed to an impossible task. But having your belief, Saburo, along with Yuudai’s strength, Hayato’s skill, Miyuki’s cunning and Yori’s wisdom, together we achieved the impossible and saved this village. As Hayato said, in a storm a single tree falls, but a forest still stands.’

‘But it takes a captain to sail a ship safely through a storm,’ said Yori, raising his eyebrows meaningfully at him.

Jack laughed. Trust Yori to have the last word, he thought.

Toge took to the veranda and clapped for everyone’s attention. He beckoned for Jack and the others to join him. Since the death of Akuma and his ascendancy to village leader, he’d become less sullen and more friendly. Addressing the villagers, he said, ‘The black moon is no longer a cause for fear … but one for celebration!’

The farmers applauded and shouted their delight.

‘We may have lost much in our past, but with Akuma gone we’ve gained a future – one made possible by these young warriors. For that, we shall be forever grateful.’

Toge bowed low to Jack and his friends.

The villagers chanted ‘YOUNG … SAMURAI!’ then bowed as one to their saviours.

Yoshi tottered over to Jack, smiling a toothless grin.

‘I’ve always believed, a child is not a vase to be filled but a fire to be lit,’ he said. ‘And your fire burns the brightest of anyone I know.’

Jack felt humbled by his praise. ‘I only wanted to help.’