The ear-splitting yell was so unexpected from a boy of his size that everyone was temporarily stunned. Kunio, who was directly in line, staggered backwards and landed on his rear. He lay there, clasping his chest, his face screwed up in agony.

‘What did you do?’ he wheezed. ‘It feels like you’ve hit me!’

‘Sorry,’ said Yori, smiling apologetically. ‘I … I got carried away.’

The farmers now all stared at Yori, dumbfounded.

Hayato and Miyuki glanced at Jack for an explanation.

‘Kiaijutsu,’ said Jack, referring to the secret fighting art of the Sohei monks, whereby warriors channelled their inner energy, ki, into their battle cry and used it as a weapon. Sensei Yamada had attempted to teach his students the skill at the Niten Ichi Ryū, but Yori was the only one to master it.

Yori’s convincing demonstration reinvigorated the farmers and he soon had them shouting in units at one another. Although there was no chance of them mastering kiaijutsu, their spirited battle cries gave them courage and gradually they bonded into a single united force … a fighting force.

40 Doubts

40

DOUBTS

Jack stood on the rise overlooking the village. The square was deserted, all the farmers having retreated into their homes. After the tumultuous noise of so many battle cries, a deathly silence now took hold. Alone with their families, each farmer’s courage turned small and their confidence faded into fear once more.

Jack too felt an overwhelming sense of foreboding as he watched the sun sink below the horizon and the shadow of the mountains creep back over the plain. Compared to their towering peaks, the village’s improvised defences appeared weak and insubstantial. He began to question their ability to repel the almighty Akuma.

Ever since laying eyes upon the bandit leader, a seed of doubt had been growing within him. When he’d first agreed to the job, he’d foolishly presumed the bandits would be disorganized – little more than bullies made brave by their swords.

How wrong he had been.

While this might apply to some of the bandits, Nakamura, Sayomi and Kurochi were an entirely different matter. They’d proved to be deadly adversaries – skilled in fighting, devious in tactics and merciless in attitude. None would prove easy targets and all three would be highly dangerous in the forthcoming battle. Jack still felt a twinge of pain when he recalled Nakamura driving the burning branch into his leg.

Akuma himself was even more cause for concern.