Young Samurai _ The Way Of The Dragon - Chris Bradford [61]
‘Why? He already has enough samurai to drive out every gaijin in our country.’
‘But not enough to take over the country.’
‘So the rumours are true?’ she breathed.
Kazuki nodded.
‘How do you know this?’
‘My father’s one of daimyo Kamakura’s most trusted samurai.’ Leaning closer to Moriko, he lowered his voice conspiratorially. ‘I’ve been asked to carry out a special mission. By order of Kamakura himself.’
Moriko gasped. ‘What do you have to do?’
‘The clever hawk hides its claws,’ he replied.
‘I don’t understand,’ she said, her face screwing up in puzzlement.
‘It means a great warrior doesn’t reveal his true strength until the time calls for it. But daimyo Kamakura will reward me for my service when I do.’
‘What with?’
‘My own castle!’
Moriko could barely contain her excitement.
‘You’d be made a daimyo!’ she fawned.
Jack had heard enough. Whatever Akiko had said about the Oda family fighting alongside daimyo Takatomi, that was no longer true. He had to tell Masamoto.
Slipping unnoticed out of the stables, he ran back to school.
As he hurried across the courtyard, Jack spotted his guardian entering the Butsuden with Sensei Yamada. Taking the steps two at a time, he found them standing before the large bronze Buddha, deep in conversion. Barging through the doors, he dashed over to them.
‘I overheard Kazuki… talking in the stables…’ blurted Jack, in between snatches for breath. ‘His father’s on daimyo Kamakura’s side –’
‘We know,’ interrupted Masamoto, holding up his hand.
Jack was stunned into silence.
The two samurai looked at each other gravely for a moment, before Sensei Yamada said, ‘I don’t think we have any choice but to tell him.’
Masmaoto turned to Jack. ‘We’re about to trust you with a highly sensitive secret. Do you understand?’
Jack bowed to show he appreciated the gravity of his guardian’s words.
‘Oda-san’s actually on our side. He’s keeping us informed of daimyo Kamakura’s plans,’ Masamoto explained.
‘Kazuki’s father’s a spy?’
Masamoto nodded. ‘In order that Kamakura wouldn’t suspect a thing, Oda-san’s entire family had to pledge their allegiance, including Kazuki-kun. Even they don’t know.’
Jack realized Kazuki was totally convinced by the set-up. Dangerously so.
‘Don’t worry about Kazuki-kun,’ said Masamoto, seeing the concern on Jack’s face. ‘Oda-san will tell his son the truth when the time comes. But, until then, you mustn’t say a word of this to anyone. If daimyo Kamakura ever found out, Oda-san and his family would be put to death instantly.’
‘I promise I won’t,’ replied Jack, understanding the seriousness of the situation. ‘But if you know daimyo Kamakura intends to take power, why aren’t the Council stopping him now?’
‘It isn’t as simple as that,’ said Masamoto. ‘Even though we know this coming conflict isn’t just a question of faith, publicly daimyo Kamakura insists he’s only interested in expelling Christians and foreigners. As a key member of the Council, he claims to be acting in Satoshi’s best interests. He’s defending Japan against the supposed threat of gaijin and fighting in the Emperor’s name.’
‘But he’s killing innocent people. Isn’t that justification enough?’ implored Jack.
Masamoto sadly shook his head.
‘Unfortunately not,’ he sighed. ‘Daimyo Kamakura is as cunning as a chess player. Until he directs his forces against a Japanese daimyo, no one can act against him. Otherwise the Council become the aggressors. If we start the conflict, then we are the enemy of the Emperor.’
‘So war is inevitable,’ said Jack.
‘Not necessarily. It depends upon daimyo Kamakura getting the support he needs. Though his army is large, it’s still no threat to the Council’s combined forces.’
Despite Masamoto’s assurance, Jack remained unconvinced.
One thing was certain, the impending war wouldn’t aid Jack’s search for the rutter. And the logbook definitely wouldn’t be a priority for Masamoto, whose enquiries had still come to nothing.