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‘No, but it’s a peace worth fighting for.’

And with those words, Jack realized he’d willingly lay down his life for Japan and those he loved.

* * *

Inside the Chō-no-ma, injured young samurai lay upon the cleared tables, Sensei Yamada and Sensei Kano administering to their wounds. The other teachers were in conference with Masamoto and Yoshioka in the Hall of the Phoenix.

‘Wait till our parents hear about this!’ exclaimed Taro as Jack and Akiko approached their friends.

Taro stood over his brother. Saburo was laid out on a table, his shoulder bound in bandages, a patch of blood oozing through.

‘Leave him alone, Taro,’ said Jack, rushing to Saburo’s defence. ‘He’s been through enough as it is.’

‘Jack, you misunderstand me. He’ll be a hero in their eyes. Saburo sacrificed himself for another samurai.’

Saburo grinned proudly, ‘And I’ll have a real battle scar!’

‘You need to rest,’ insisted Kiku, helping him sip some water and wiping his brow.

‘Has anyone found out what’s going on yet?’ said Yori.

Yamato nodded. ‘A student from the Yoshioka Ryū told me there have been surprise attacks all over the city. Daimyo Kamakura has begun his rebellion.’

‘But why did the Yoshioka Ryū help us?’ asked Jack.

‘Yoshioka-san is a loyal subject of daimyo Takatomi,’ explained Taro with an air of authority. ‘His duty to his lord outweighs any personal grievance against Masamoto-sama. He was most likely commanded to come to our aid. Besides, by rescuing us, Yoshioka-san has regained the status he lost in his duels with Masamoto-sama.’

The shoji by the head table flew open and Masamoto strode in, flanked by his sensei. All the students stopped what they were doing and knelt down. Masamoto took his place in the centre of the dais, put his swords to one side and fixed his students with a stern gaze. The scarring down his face throbbed an angry red and there was a vicious cut above his right eye. Sensei Hosokawa was beside him, a tourniquet wrapped round his left bicep. A tense silence fell over the hall.

‘WAR has been declared,’ stated Masamoto.

Still in shock from the battle, the students could only stare back in numb horror. Yori glanced nervously at Jack. His worst fear had come true.

‘No longer is daimyo Kamakura targeting just foreigners and Christians. He is attacking any daimyo and their samurai who will not submit to his rule, whether they are sympathetic to foreigners or not. We believe daimyo Kamakura has organized coordinated strikes across Japan. The city of Nagoya has fallen, the Tokaido Road to its north is in his control and his army is marching south as we speak.

‘We’ve received word that samurai loyal to the Council and Hasegawa Satoshi, our ruler-in-waiting, are combining forces at Osaka Castle. From there, they intend to face down and destroy this enemy of the Emperor. By the order of daimyo Takatomi, we leave for Osaka today.’

It was midday by the time all the preparations were complete. Horses were saddled, supplies were gathered and samurai armed. Not all the Niten Ichi Ryū students were going. The younger trainees were being sent back to their families, while the wounded would remain at the school until fit to fight. Those destined for battle now stood in formation in the courtyard, awaiting the command to leave.

‘Gambette,’ said Saburo, wishing them luck. Despite Kiku’s protests, he’d insisted on coming to say goodbye to his friends. He bowed stiffly.

Kiku, who’d volunteered to stay behind to look after the wounded, wiped a tear from her eye and bowed too. Akiko, Yamato and Yori returned the bow. Saburo glanced over at Jack, then pulled him into an awkward hug. Wincing from the pain in his shoulder, Saburo blurted, ‘Keep your head down. Don’t do anything stupid. Watch out for ninja. Make sure you eat all your rations –’

‘I’ll miss you too, Saburo,’ said Jack sincerely. Then, with a grin, ‘I’ll have no one to take an arrow for me now!’

Saburo laughed. Then he pulled away, the smile on his face fading into sorrow. ‘Take great care, my friend.