‘Have you forgotten Jack was the only samurai willing to help us?’ interjected Yuto, pleading with the other villagers. ‘He saved our baby and he can save this village too.’

‘But Jack will still be saving us,’ countered Toge. ‘That four koban would solve a lot of our problems.’

Yoshi coughed for attention. ‘And what will we do next year when Akuma returns? We won’t have another gaijin samurai to betray.’

‘We’ll hire real samurai to get rid of Akuma!’ argued the elderly farmer.

Yoshi laughed bitterly. ‘Do you truly believe daimyo Ikeda will hand over the reward?’

‘He’d have to! The money comes direct from the Shogun.’

‘Daimyo Ikeda will want all the glory for capturing the gaijin samurai – and the money.’

‘But we can’t defy the Shogun!’

‘We already have,’ snapped Yoshi. He eyed the villagers with contempt. ‘Is this how we repay those who risk their lives to help us?’

The young samurai watched as a heated argument broke out among the villagers, who were torn between fear, duty and a debt of gratitude.

Jack felt his stomach harden into a knot. Nowhere was safe for him to hide any more. And with such a large reward on offer, no one could be trusted either. He didn’t blame the impoverished farmers for being tempted. But after everything he’d done for them, he couldn’t believe they’d simply hand him over.

Miyuki turned to Jack. ‘I think it’s time you left.’

‘But what about Akuma?’ asked Jack.

‘Your sense of honour is admirable,’ said Hayato. ‘But these farmers aren’t worth it. I told you, they’ve no bushido, no sense of loyalty.’

‘They won’t turn me in,’ insisted Jack.

‘Farmers are as changeable as the seasons,’ replied Hayato. ‘You can’t trust them.’

Jack looked to Neko, who was desperately trying to follow what was happening. He wished his faltering sign language was more advanced so he could explain.

‘We can take her with us,’ Miyuki suggested.

‘Us?’ said Jack.

Miyuki nodded, holding his gaze. ‘You don’t think I’ll abandon you now!’

‘You can count on me too,’ said Yori faithfully. ‘And Saburo.’

‘Of course,’ said Saburo. ‘For that sort of money, I might hand you in myself!’

They all looked aghast at him.

‘I’m only joking,’ he added quickly. ‘But the Shogun’s clearly desperate to get his hands on you, Jack. That’s the second time he’s doubled the price on your head.’

‘This is no time for jokes,’ said Hayato sternly. ‘Jack, you’d best gather your belongings and go. Yuudai and I will delay any attempt at pursuit.’

‘But when Akuma discovers the farmers intended to put up a fight, he’ll destroy the village,’ argued Jack.

‘It’s the fate of farmers to suffer,’ said Hayato. ‘They’ve brought it on themselves. Now go!’

But as they went to leave, Yori beckoned them back to the wall.