The Ring of Earth - Chris Bradford [43]
Caught in a dilemma, Jack wished he had Sensei Yamada around to advise him. Then he recalled an allegory the old Zen master had given Yori a few days before Jack left Toba: The cat taught the tiger how to fight. The tiger became very strong. One day the tiger turned on the cat and the cat ran up a tree. That is the one secret the cat never taught the tiger.
Jack was in danger of teaching a tiger. But as long as he kept to basic principles and didn’t reveal the inner secrets, surely he could tell Shonin about the Two Heavens.
‘You do know it?’ said Shonin, his tone firm and expectant.
‘Of course,’ replied Jack, smiling. ‘The Two Heavens is a double sword method. The moves are designed to allow attack and defence simultaneously. Masamoto-sama believed that if your life is on the line, you need all your weapons to be of service.’
‘A wise man. Go on.’
‘While the two swords are the core to this technique, the essence of the Two Heavens is the spirit of winning – to obtain victory by any means and with any weapon.’
Shonin nodded appreciatively. ‘Much the same principle as in ninjutsu. I’d very much like to speak with this samurai – even if he is our enemy.’
‘I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Masamoto-sama’s been banished by the Shogun,’ said Jack.
‘That is most unfortunate,’ replied Shonin. Then a smile curled the edge of his lips. ‘Perhaps you can give me a demonstration of the Two Heavens?’
Jack had only envisaged giving a verbal explanation of the principles – not to demonstrate it. Though uneasy at the idea, Jack felt he had little choice but to agree. After all, what real harm could it do? The technique took years, if not a lifetime, to master. A single demonstration couldn’t teach the tiger how to climb.
‘I’d be honoured,’ said Jack, inclining his head.
‘Excellent. Soke will arrange a time and place. Now, I have some welcome news. The samurai patrols have been called off. At least in these mountains.’
Jack could immediately feel the invisible noose round his neck loosening. Finally, he could continue on his way to Nagasaki.
‘I do realize you’ll want to continue your journey,’ Shonin acknowledged. ‘However, I’d advise extreme caution as all checkpoints and samurai outposts have been ordered to capture you, dead or alive. You may, therefore, wish to complete your training with Soke before leaving. Now, is there anything else we can do for you?’
‘Make me invisible!’ said Jack, thinking of the countless patrols and post stations he’d have to negotiate.
‘That can be arranged.’
Jack laughed. But his laughter petered out when he saw the Shonin’s deadly serious face.
‘All ninja learn the art of invisibility,’ stated Shonin, matter-of-factly.
‘But that’s impossible.’
‘I ask you, how many people are here now?’
Jack looked round the table. ‘Seven.’
Shonin shook his head. ‘You forgot Yoko.’ He pointed to the serving girl who’d been standing still and silent in the corner. ‘Being invisible isn’t about not being seen. It’s about not being noticed.’
‘That could be a little more difficult for me,’ said Jack, indicating his blue eyes and blond hair.
Shonin dismissed this obstacle with a wave of the hand. ‘Soke, please explain.’
The Grandmaster turned to Jack. ‘Invisibility is often a question of patience and agility. By combining concealment techniques with stealth-walking, a ninja essentially becomes invisible.’
‘But I can’t hide all the way to Nagasaki,’ said Jack.
‘True. So sometimes the best place to conceal yourself is right under the samurai’s nose,’ he said, pointing to Jack’s.
‘What do you mean?’
‘A ninja must be a master of disguise and impersonation. Shichi Hō De is the “seven ways of going” –’
‘Shonin, with all due respect,’ interrupted Momochi, ‘do you really think it’s right to be revealing such a deep secret?’
‘This one’s essential to his survival,’ insisted Soke.
‘Jack’s agreed to show us the Two Heavens. It’s a fair exchange,’ pronounced Shonin.
Momochi bowed his head in reluctant