Toge shook his head in disbelief at the boy’s stupidity. ‘Think how long it took us to get one samurai! We’ve less than a month before the black moon.’

‘But it’ll be easier for him,’ said Kunio, indicating Jack.

‘Yes, yes!’ agreed Sora, his eyes sparkling with promise. ‘Samurai won’t listen to a farmer, but they will to another samurai.’

The farmers turned expectantly to Jack.

‘I don’t know …’ began Jack, fully aware that a gaijin would have even less chance than a farmer.

‘I beg you!’ cried Sora, prostrating himself before Jack. ‘You’re our only hope.’

Kunio threw himself down too, followed by Junichi and Toge. Trembling like a leaf, Yoshi held his hands out in prayer. Their abject deference made Jack uncomfortable. But these poor farmers were so desperate. And their local daimyo clearly wouldn’t be coming to their rescue.

Perhaps I can train them to fight, considered Jack. Or at least improve the village defences. Still, forty bandits!

Whatever the odds, he had to do something for them. When he’d first arrived in Japan, the great samurai swordsman – Masamoto Takeshi – had rescued him from certain death. With no parents and no way home, Jack had been adopted by the man, trained in martial arts at his samurai school in Kyoto, and given a fighting chance. It was time to repay that debt, for him to become that samurai saviour. He knew he’d be risking all, but his late friend and Japanese brother Yamato had shown him what it meant to be a samurai of the Masamoto clan – selfless sacrifice.

‘I’ll help you,’ Jack announced.

Sora now wept with joy. He scurried over to the fire and began to heap piles of steaming rice into a bowl. Bowing, he presented the meal to Jack.

‘Arigatō gozaimasu, arigatō gozaimasu,’ he repeated in thanks.

He then shared out the remainder of the rice, while Kunio poured everyone a cup of sencha. With great ceremony, Junichi raised his green tea in a toast.

‘For your service, we honour you. May I ask your name, samurai?’

Jack realized the time had come to reveal his identity. This was the perfect moment. The farmers were in his debt and in need of his services and, judging by Neko’s reaction, there was no reason to hide any more.

‘Jack Fletcher,’ he replied, boldly taking off his hat.

6 Fire

6

FIRE

Sora fell backwards on to his rear. Kunio’s mouth dropped open in shock. Junichi cried out in amazement, while Yoshi squinted even harder, disbelieving his old eyes.

‘A gaijin!’ exclaimed Toge.

‘And a boy at that! Get out!’ yelled Junichi, pointing to the door.

‘But I’m here to help you,’ Jack protested, as Toge snatched the bowl of rice from his hands.

Jack stared at the farmers, thunderstruck by their response. A moment ago, they were crying out for him. Now they couldn’t wait to be rid of him.