The Ring of Earth - Chris Bradford [67]
‘Always keep one eye on your target,’ said Tenzen, laughing. ‘Especially when you miss.’
Tenzen produced three more shuriken from his pouch. ‘Let me demonstrate the technique.’
As the target arced across the grotto, Tenzen launched his throwing stars one after the other. The first two struck the wood, the third sliced through the rope, sending the log crashing to the ground.
‘That’s incredible!’ exclaimed Jack, his admiration for the ninja increasing.
‘Just takes a little practice,’ Tenzen replied, retrieving his shuriken.
‘But you’re so good at everything. Concealment, speed-running, ninja swimming, shuriken-jutsu …’
‘I’ve no choice,’ replied Tenzen, sighing as if some great weight rested upon his shoulders. He looked at Jack, seemingly unsure whether to confide in him or not. Then, pulling the last of his throwing stars out of the wood, he sat down upon a rock and faced Jack.
‘As Shonin’s son, I’m destined to lead the clan one day,’ he began. ‘That means I have to be the best.’
‘You’ve nothing to worry about,’ said Jack. ‘Your ninjutsu is faultless.’
‘Being a leader’s not just about fighting and throwing shuriken. I’ll have to coordinate missions, organize the farming, negotiate with samurai for our services, manage the politics of the village, maintain defences, avoid war with daimyo Akechi and plan for the future. My father is brilliant at all these things. You saw how he handled Momochi at the dinner, admitting his mistake yet still appearing in total control. That takes true skill – diplomacy that I don’t naturally have. The entire village admires Shonin. I still have to earn that respect.’
‘You’ll make a brilliant leader,’ reassured Jack.
‘But what if I can’t rise to the challenge?’ said Tenzen, driving the blade of a shuriken into the log. ‘What if I make a wrong decision under pressure?’
‘I’m sure you won’t,’ said Jack. ‘My father used to say, In a storm, a ship that turns from a wave will flounder, but a ship that attacks the wave will rise and conquer. I’ve no doubt you’ll rise to the challenge when the time comes.’
‘I hope so, because I sense a storm is coming.’
40
BANDITS
Hanzo sneaked through the forest, his eyes scanning for the slightest movement. He was oblivious to Jack, who crouched high in a tree, his black shinobi shozoku rendering him invisible in the twilight.
After a further week’s intensive training in kuji-in, Soke had decided his students required a more physical activity. He’d instructed them to practise their Ring of Earth concealment skills and avoid detection by the best tracker, Hanzo.
Jack thought he’d evaded his friend, when Hanzo stopped and looked round.
‘Soke’s called us back!’ Hanzo called out.
Jack formed the hand sign Jin, silently mouthing its mantra. This kuji-in enabled him to read the thoughts of others. He understood the result would be little more than suggestion, a feeling; but it could help him judge whether someone was lying or not.
Hanzo was definitely lying. The boy knew Jack was close. Jack had seen him also use Jin to sense his presence within the forest. Now Hanzo was trying to draw him out.
Jack slowed his breathing, not moving a muscle and becoming one with the tree.
‘I’ll eat your dinner, tengu!’ said Hanzo, giving the area another sweep.
‘Over here,’ called a hushed voice that Jack recognized as Miyuki’s. ‘I’ve found his trail. I told you he’s as subtle as an elephant.’
Clearly, Miyuki had been caught and was now part of the tracking team.
Jack grinned to himself. She’d fallen for his ploy – he’d left broken stems along a small forest track. Hanzo darted from the clearing in Miyuki’s direction. Jack waited before dropping noiselessly to the forest floor. He thought about cutting across the ridge and backtracking to the temple, when he suddenly sensed danger.
Before Hanzo’s appearance, he’d been practising the hand sign Kai. This enhanced a ninja’s intuition, forewarning them of threats. However, Jack got the feeling he wasn’t the one in danger. Someone else was, possibly Hanzo. Following his instincts, Jack ran through