‘It takes time to prime and reload, though,’ said Jack, recalling the pistols his father had owned. ‘We can hide behind our defences, then attack once he’s fired his first shot.’

‘But there are bound to be other bandits with muskets. And I’ve seen what these dishonourable weapons can do on the battlefield. They’ll slaughter us without ever coming close enough to fight.’

‘Muskets need gunpowder,’ said Miyuki thoughtfully.

‘Then we have to even up the odds,’ said Jack.

Although they’d embarked on a surveillance mission, faced by such a formidable and well-armed enemy, he realized they needed to take direct action.

‘What are you proposing?’ asked Hayato.

‘Destroy their supply.’

‘Or steal it,’ proposed Miyuki, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

‘We could also let loose their horses,’ said Jack.

‘Why stop there?’ said Hayato, warming to the idea. ‘Let’s fight fire with fire. Burn their camp to the ground!’

‘Now you’re thinking like a ninja!’ said Miyuki.

Hayato grimaced at this, his samurai pride offended by the comparison, but he refrained from answering back.

‘But if you attack, Akuma might suspect our village and seek revenge,’ interjected Sora, an anxious look on his wrinkled face. ‘He’ll utterly destroy us!’

‘He’ll do that anyway,’ said Hayato. ‘Besides, Akuma has many enemies. He won’t know who’s responsible.’

‘And without a base, horses or gunpowder, the bandits’ ability to mount an attack will be severely compromised,’ said Miyuki.

Jack nodded his agreement. ‘We wait until they’re asleep. Then strike.’

It wasn’t long before the bandits fell into a drunken stupor and the sound of snoring filled the vast bunkhouse. Akuma had retired to a futon on an upper level, closing the screen behind him, the only one to have a room to himself.

Once they were certain everyone was asleep, Miyuki led the way to the storehouse. Keeping close to the side wall, they crept round to its entrance.

Suddenly she held up a hand for them to stop.

Jack and the others froze. Beneath the flickering light of an oil lamp, a bandit sat beside the door. Evidently meant to guard it, he was slumped on a bench, head bowed, eyes closed, an empty bottle of saké at his feet.

Miyuki signed for Jack and the others to wait. Using her ninja stealth walk, she approached the slumbering man. With a thumb, she pressed a nerve point in his neck. The guard barely roused before he slid to the floor in a heap.

Jack hurried over. ‘Is he dead?’

Miyuki shook her head as they dragged the bandit’s body into the shadows. ‘No, but he’ll wake up in the morning with a crippling headache and remember nothing.’

Hayato tried the door. ‘It’s locked!’

Miyuki searched the bandit for a key, but came up with nothing.

‘We’ll have to break it open,’ said Jack, looking round for a heavy rock.