Young Samurai_ The Way of the Sword - Chris Bradford [59]
‘I need not remind you that the Circle of Three is not only difficult but dangerous. It can even be fatal. Therefore we do not make such decisions lightly. On balance, while Sensei Kano feels you are worthy, this is only on his proviso that you undertake extra training sessions with him, in addition to any Circle preparation required.’
For a moment Jack was unsure that he had heard correctly. Did this mean he had gained entry to the Circle or not?
Then the students began clapping, though not with the enthusiasm afforded Kazuki and the other successful entrants. But Jack didn’t care. He was in the Circle and Hiroto wasn’t! Karma for the kick in the ribs, thought Jack as Hiroto slunk off to the sidelines, glaring at Jack all the way.
‘Now I want to remind all the entrants who didn’t succeed that simply by participating you’ve proved you have the courage to become a samurai warrior,’ reaffirmed Masamoto, and he personally acknowledged the group on the sidelines by bowing his head to indicate the sincerity of his respect.
Then he faced the five successful students in the centre of the hall: Tadashi, Akiko, Harumi, Kazuki and Jack.
‘For the five who journey onwards, I have this advice. In a fight between a strong body and a strong technique, technique will prevail. In a fight between a strong technique and a strong mind, mind will prevail because it will find the weak point in your opponent. While many of you are approaching this understanding, only one student has embraced the knowledge necessary to achieve this.’
Kazuki allowed himself a self-satisfied smile at the forthcoming praise which he believed was his due. But the smile twisted into a grimace of disbelief as Masamoto announced, ‘Yori, step forward. You will join them in the Circle.’
A gasp of astonishment arose from the school and everyone looked around for the little boy. A reluctant Yori was pushed forward by the students closest to him and he shuffled into the centre, as startled and helpless as a newborn lamb.
28
BREAK-IN
‘I still can’t believe he hit you while you were bowing, Jack,’ said Saburo the following day as they relaxed in the Southern Zen Garden between lessons. They had gathered on the wooden veranda overlooking the water feature and standing stones. The garden was now cloaked in so much snow that it looked like a miniature landscape of white clouds and snow-capped mountain peaks.
Jack gave Saburo a pained smile and massaged his neck where the bokken had struck.
‘Sensei Hosokawa was the final part of the Gauntlet,’ Akiko reminded them as she played ohajiki with Kiku, flicking one coin-shaped pebble across the ground at another, then claiming it as it was struck out of play. ‘Would you bow in the middle of a fight?’
‘No, but you have to admit it was rather sneaky of him.’
‘Well, I still don’t see why Jack got in and I didn’t,’ muttered Yamato, moodily poking at the snow with his bokken. ‘It’s favouritism if you ask me, just because he’s gai–’
‘Yamato!’ exclaimed Akiko, glaring at her cousin. ‘Jack got further than any student in the history of the Gauntlet. He deserves to be entered.’
‘Sorry,’ said Yamato, offering Jack an apologetic smile. ‘I’m still a little sore about it all.’
Yamato pulled aside the jacket of his training gi to inspect the purple mass of bruises spread across his right side. Jack realized he must have been hit extremely hard during the Gauntlet. He also recognized his friend was hurting badly from the shame of failing in the trials. Jack let the insult go and hoped that their friendship wouldn’t be ruined by the turn of events.
‘I bet that hurts,’ Saburo said, giving Yamato’s side an explorative prod with his finger.
‘Oww!’ exclaimed Yamato, shoving Saburo’s hand away.
‘You big baby,’ teased Saburo.
‘Well, see how you like it!’
Yamato began to pummel Saburo with his fists. The others laughed as Saburo cartwheeled backwards off the veranda and into