The Ring of Earth - Chris Bradford [88]
‘I thought you were my friend,’ spat Miyuki.
Shiro stared at them, trembling but defiant.
‘I’m sick to death of running and hiding all the time, standing knee-deep in mud for my food. That’s not a life. I never asked to be a ninja. But I choose to be a samurai.’
Shonin glared at the boy, his fists clenched in white-hot anger. ‘You sacrificed your village, your home and everyone, so you could become one of them! YOU TRAITOR!’
‘That wasn’t my intention, Shonin. I just wanted the gaijin captured, so I could claim the reward and be made a samurai. Yes, I was the one who told the guard about Jack while on our previous mission here. But he escaped. He forced me to reveal more,’ Shiro cried.
‘When did your heart turn rotten?’ said Soke, sorrowfully shaking his head at his former student. ‘Have I not taught you the value of ninniku? No one forced you to do anything. You alone are responsible for your actions. Mark my words, you will not escape the consequences of your treason.’
‘You’re a fine one to talk, considering you’re to blame for Dragon Eye and all he became,’ Shiro shot back. ‘Soke, you hardly ever acknowledged my abilities. None of you did. But I’ve proved to be a far greater spy than any ninja. I deceived you all.’
‘You did well,’ praised daimyo Akechi, a devilish smile upon his lips.
Shiro bowed in acknowledgement.
Gemnan grabbed the boy by the hair … and slit his throat.
He watched the life drain from Shiro’s eyes. ‘No more running, no more hiding … just as I promised.’
Shiro slumped to the ground, dead.
‘You can never trust a ninja,’ declared daimyo Akechi. ‘Gemnan, crucify them now. Crucify all of them!’
54
FIRE SHURIKEN
Kreee-eee-ar …
The shrill cry of a hawk pierced the night like a death knell. The samurai closed in to seize the ninja. A second screech, close by Jack’s ear, was answered by a thunderous blast as the southern corner of the castle compounds exploded.
Zenjubo’s signal had been heard and the ninja burst into action, rushing the troops and engaging in hand-to-hand combat. A smoke bomb landed in the centre of the courtyard, adding to the chaos of the situation.
Stunned by the surprise assault, the samurai lost their advantage and fought for their lives. Five fell in quick succession, a glimmering star protruding from each of their throats. Zenjubo whipped his chain and sickle through the air, ensnaring a fleeing samurai and dragging him to ground where he was swiftly finished off.
Shonin and Takamori clashed swords with their enemies, slaying them before seizing their katana and wakizashi for other ninja to wield.
In the confusion, daimyo Akechi had slipped unseen out of the courtyard, but Gemnan hadn’t been so quick. Miyuki spotted him sneaking towards the gate, raised her blowpipe and fired a deadly dart. Catching the attack out of the corner of his eye, Gemnan grabbed the nearest samurai, shoving the unfortunate warrior into its path, then bolted for the gate. Miyuki, determined to reap justice on her family’s murderer and without Jack to stop her, drew the deadly shikoro-ken from her back and raced to cut off his escape.
As the samurai forces became desperate, Hanzo was snatched by one of them as a human shield. But the warrior soon realized that was a mistake. Not only did his ‘shield’ fight back, but his action had also invoked the wrath of the samurai girl. Akiko drove him back, an Autumn Leaf strike disarming the warrior, at the same time as Hanzo put him in a crippling thumb lock. The samurai let go of the boy, but Hanzo didn’t let go of him. Bringing the man to his knees, Hanzo cupped both hands and hit him with Eight Leaves Fist round the head. The samurai, his eyes rolling, reeled and collapsed face first to the ground.
Hanzo snatched up the samurai’s sword.
‘Let him live,’ said Akiko.
‘But he’s samurai.’
‘So am I,’ she replied. ‘Learn the value of life, before you take it so readily.’
Jack stood side by side with Tenzen, Akiko and Hanzo, protecting the injured Grandmaster. The