‘It doesn’t matter. Once you’ve mastered the bokken, I’m sure it can’t be too hard to wield a katana. Ah, found it,’ said Yamato, discovering the second sword discarded behind the guardhouse. ‘Come on! Jack’s already on the other side.’

‘Perfect! Leave me with the short sword, why don’t you?’ muttered Akiko, unsheathing a wakizashi from the nearest dead samurai, before hurrying after the receding figure of Yamato.

By now, Jack was under the lee of the castle wall and could see Dragon Eye ahead, hiding in the shadows. He was making for the five buildings that formed the central complex of the castle. Jack presumed by their highly decorative design that this was Takatomi’s Palace.

Dragon Eye had not seen Jack yet for he was too occupied with scouting ahead.

This was Jack’s chance.

Jack shifted the katana in his hands, adjusting his grip. The sword felt far weightier than his bokken and he knew he’d have to be careful not to let the kissaki drop and leave himself exposed.

Jack edged closer, Dragon Eye still oblivious to his approach.

As he crept to within ten paces of the ninja, all the pent-up anger and pain Jack felt at his father’s death welled up like molten rock and exploded within him.

Now was the time! Dokugan Ryu would finally pay for his father’s death!

But Jack hesitated.

He couldn’t do it.

‘Never hesitate,’ hissed Dokugan Ryu, his back still turned.

Dragon Eye spun on the spot and a silver shuriken glinted in the darkness.

‘Watch out!’ screamed Yamato, throwing himself in front of Jack.

The shuriken hit Yamato, embedding itself in his chest. He fell to the floor, blood gushing over the stone courtyard.

Jack saw red, his fury boiling over. Screaming at the top of his lungs, he charged Dragon Eye, his sword held high, and brought it down with all his might at his sworn enemy.

Dragon Eye pulled his ninjatō from the saya strapped to his back, smoothly deflecting Jack’s blade at the same time. He then countered, slicing across Jack’s midriff.

Jack predicted the move and blocked it. Immediately, he pressed forward with his own attack, cutting up at Dragon Eye’s face. But the ninja flipped backwards to avoid the rising blade. As he flew through the air, Dragon Eye kicked out and his foot caught Jack’s hands, dislodging the katana. Dragon Eye landed on his feet just as Jack’s sword clattered to the ground, leaving him unarmed and defenceless.

‘You’ve improved, young samurai, for a gaijin!’ he said with genuine respect. ‘One day, you might actually be worth fighting. But you’re not my mission today, so go home like a good boy!’

‘I don’t have a home. You killed my father. Remember?’ said Jack, outraged. ‘Was my father a mission too?’

‘Your father was nothing. The rutter was my mission!’