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Chapters (71)
  1. CHRIS BRADFORD
  2. Contents
  3. Map: The Japans – 17th Century
  4. The Letter
  5. 1
  6. 2
  7. 3
  8. 4
  9. 5
  10. 6
  11. 7
  12. 8
  13. 9
  14. 10
  15. 11
  16. 12
  17. 13
  18. 14
  19. 15
  20. 16
  21. 17
  22. 18
  23. 19
  24. 20
  25. 21
  26. 22
  27. 23
  28. 24
  29. 25
  30. 26
  31. 27
  32. 28
  33. 29
  34. 30
  35. 31
  36. 32
  37. 33
  38. 34
  39. 35
  40. 36
  41. 37
  42. 38
  43. 39
  44. 40
  45. 41
  46. 42
  47. 43
  48. 44
  49. 45
  50. 46
  51. 47
  52. 48
  53. 49
  54. 50
  55. 51
  56. 52
  57. 53
  58. 54
  59. 55
  60. 56
  61. 57
  62. 58
  63. 59
  64. 60
  65. 61
  66. 62
  67. 63
  68. Notes on the Sources
  69. Ninja Pirate Ship Competition
  70. Japanese Glossary
  71. Acknowledgements

The ship suddenly pitched over a wave and the ronin stumbled. As he tried to regain his balance, he accidentally kicked the canvas bag. One of Jack’s swords tumbled out, its blade sliding from its saya. The razor-sharp steel gleamed in the sunlight, the name Shizu clearly etched upon its surface.

The ronin stared in disbelief at the samurai blade, then turned to Jack.

‘What sort of pilgrim travels with Shizu swords?’

6

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School of No Sword

‘Answer me, pilgrim!’ demanded the ronin. ‘Or perhaps you’re not a pilgrim at all …’

Jack daren’t look up and reveal his true identity. Yet he didn’t know what to say either. Nor did Saburo – startled from his sleep, he could only gawp at the exposed weapon. With their lives at risk, Miyuki was about to snatch up the katana when Yori stepped between Jack and the ronin.

‘They’re gifts,’ he explained in an innocent tone, leaving Miyuki to repack the sword before it attracted anyone else’s attention.

‘Gifts?’ spat the ronin, unconvinced. ‘A Shizu sword seems an incredible gift.’

Every samurai knew Shizu-san was one of the greatest swordsmiths to have lived, and his blades were revered for both their quality and benevolent spirit. With only a few true ones in existence, their value was inestimable.

Yori nodded sincerely. ‘They’re offerings for the gods at Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima Island. We’re donating them on behalf of our sensei.’

The ronin squinted at Yori. ‘But this boat isn’t headed for Omishima Island.’

‘We’re … going there after the pilgrimage,’ stated Yori, but his hesitation made the reply sound hollow and the ronin remained sceptical.

‘What sword school do you belong to?’ he demanded.

Yori paused before answering, ‘The School of No Sword.’

Since the Niten Ichi Ryū had been closed by order of the Shogun, Jack knew it was wise of his friend to give another school’s name. But even Jack was surprised by such a preposterous-sounding one.

The ronin snorted in disdain. ‘What sort of ridiculous sword style is that?’

Yori swallowed nervously. ‘Would you like a demonstration?’

Grinning with malicious delight, the ronin grunted, ‘A duel! Most definitely.’

As the ronin began to clear the deck of passengers, Jack grabbed Yori’s arm. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’

‘We have to get rid of this ronin,’ Yori insisted. ‘Otherwise he’ll discover who you are.’

‘But did you have to challenge him to a duel?’ Jack knew Yori wasn’t a fighter at heart and he feared for his friend’s life. The ronin may be suffering seasickness, but judging by the scars on his arms he was a battle-hardened and dangerous foe. ‘Let me take your place,’ suggested Jack.

‘Trust me,’ Yori replied, with only a slight tremble to his voice. ‘I can handle him.’