young samurai fire.docx

8/17/2019 young samurai fire.docx

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Book: The Ring of Fire


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CHRIS BRADFORD


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PUFFIN

PUFFIN BOOKS

YOUNG SAMURAI THE RING OF FIRE‘A fantastic advent!e t"at #$$!s t"e !eade! $n %a&e $ne and 'ee%s t"e( t"e!e

nti) t"e end* T"e %ace is f!i$s and t"e (a!tia) a!ts detai) at"entic+ , E$in C$)fe!-at"$! $f t"e .estse))in& A!te(is F$/) se!ies

‘Fie!ce 0cti$n 1 ca%tivatin& f$! 2$n& !eade!s+ , Dai)2 Te)e&!a%"‘Addictive+ , Evenin& Standa!d

‘M$!e and ($!e a.s$!.in& 1 vivid and en3$2a.)e+ , T"e Ti(es‘B!adf$!d c$(es $t s/in&in& in t"is fast4%aced advent!e 1 and %!$dces an

advent!e n$ve) t$ !an' a($n& t"e &en!e+s .est* T"is .$$' ea!ns t"e )ite!a!2e5iva)ent $f a .)ac' .e)t+ , P.)is"e!s 6ee')2

‘T"e ($st e7citin& 0&"t se5ences i(a&ina.)e $n %a%e!8+ , B$$')ist6inne! $f N$!t"e!n I!e)and B$$' A/a!d 9:;;

Sc"$$) ict$!iaFa))s $n a .n&ee c$!d- $t $f an ae!$%)ane in Ne/ ?ea)and and $@ a F!enc"($ntain $n a %a!a&)ide!- .t "e "as a)/a2s (ana&ed t$ )and safe)2 , s$(et"in& "e)ea!nt f!$( "is (a!tia) a!ts 1

C"!is 3$ined a 3d$ c). a&ed seven /"e!e "is )$ve $f t"!$/in& %e$%)e $ve! "iss"$)de!- %nc"in& t"e ai! and .$/in& )$ts sta!ted* Since t"$se ea!)2 2ea!s- "e "ast!ained in 'a!ate- 'ic'.$7in&- sa(!ai s/$!ds(ans"i% and "as ea!ned "is .)ac' .e)tin tai3ts- t"e sec!et 0&"tin& a!t $f t"e nin3a*

Bef$!e /!itin& t"e Y$n& Sa(!ai se!ies- C"!is /as a %!$fessi$na) (sician ands$n&/!ite!* He+s even %e!f$!(ed t$ HRH een E)ia.et" II .t "e ss%ects s"e

f$nd "is .and a .it n$is2*C"!is )ives in a vi))a&e $n t"e S$t" D$/ns /it" "is /ife- Sa!a"- "is s$n- ?ac"-

and t/$ cats ca))ed Ti&&e! and R".a!.* T$ disc$ve! ($!e a.$t C"!is &$ t$ ///*2$n&sa(!ai*c$(

Books by Chris Bradford:

T"e Y$n& Sa(!ai se!ies in !eadin& $!de! THE 6AY OF THE 6ARRIOR THE 6AY OF THE S6ORD

THE 6AY OF THE DRAGON THE RING OF EARTH


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THE RING OF 6ATER THE RING OF FIREF$! t"e P$c'et M$ne2 Pn se!ies>IRTUA< KOMBAT

F$! (2 s$n- ?ac"-

t"e 0!e in $! )ives

Contents

C$ve!

Tit)e Pa&e

P!aise

A)s$ .2 C"!is B!adf$!d

Dedicati$n

Map: The Japans - 17th Century

The Letter

1 FROZE

! R"CE

# E$O

% BL&C$ MOO


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' (E)E (&M*R&"

+ F"RE

7 B&B,

&B.*CTE.

/ RECR*"TMET

10 & OL. FR"E.

11 & EL2F*L MO$

1! (2L"TT"3 &RRO4(

1# &,&TO

1% ,**.&"

1' O*T OF T"ME

1+ 4"TE (&.O4

17 &RM, OF C"L.RE

1 TE REL*CT&T LE&.ER

1/ & "J&5( "(2"R&T"O

!0 TRO*3 TE E,E( OF TE EEM,

!1 LOC$E. OR(

!! .EFECE(

!# & (&M*R&"5( (4OR.

!% & .&R$ (ECRET

!' .")"("O(


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!+ (&M*R&" (COOL

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#% RE(C*E

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#+ & "C, 3R&)E

#7 E&L"3

# (TR&4 (OL."ER(

#/ B&TTLE CR,

%0 .O*BT(

%1 FE&R

%! "3T 4&TC

%# TE R&".

%% TE M"LL

%' TE BR".3E

%+ "CE


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%7 & .E&L

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'7 TE 2O.

' E. OF & "3TM&RE

'/ TE&R( &. CELEBR&T"O

+0 $OB&

+1 F*3"T")E(

NOTES ON THE SOURCES

CHARACTER NAMES

APANESE G


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The Letter

a%an- ;; M2 dea!est ess-I "$%e t"is )ette! !eac"es 2$ $ne da2* Y$ (st.e)ieve I+ve .een )$st at sea a)) t"ese 2ea!s* Bt 2$+)) .e &)ad t$ 'n$/ t"at I a(a)ive and in &$$d "ea)t"*Fat"e! and I !eac"ed t"e a%ans in A&st ;;;- .t I a(sad t$ te)) 2$ "e /as 'i))ed in an attac' %$n $! s"i%- t"e A)e7and!ia* I a)$nes!vived*F$! t"ese %ast t"!ee 2ea!s- I+ve .een )ivin& in t"e ca!e $f a a%anese/a!!i$!- Masa($t$ Ta'es"i- at "is sa(!ai sc"$$) in K2$t$* He "as .een ve!2 'ind t$(e- .t )ife "as n$t .een eas2*An assassin- a nin3a 'n$/n as D!a&$n E2e- /as "i!edt$ stea) $! fat"e!+s !tte! 2$ n$ d$.t !e(e(.e! "$/ i(%$!tant t"is navi&ati$na))$&.$$' /as t$ $! fat"e!* T"e nin3a /as sccessf) in "is (issi$n* H$/eve!- /it"t"e "e)% $f (2 sa(!ai f!iends- I+ve (ana&ed t$ &et it .ac'*T"is sa(e nin3a /as t"e$ne /"$ (!de!ed $! fat"e!* And- /"i)e it (a2 n$t .!in& 2$ (c" c$(f$!t- I canass!e 2$ t"e assassin is n$/ dead* stice "as .een de)ive!ed* Bt t"e nin3a+sdeat" d$esn+t .!in& .ac' $! fat"e! , I (iss "i( s$ (c" and c$)d d$ /it" "is&idance and %!$tecti$n at t"is ti(e*a%an "as .een s%)it .2 civi) /a! and f$!ei&ne!s)i'e (2se)f a!e n$ )$n&e! /e)c$(e* I a( a f&itive* On t"e !n f$! (2 )ife* I n$/ 3$!ne2 s$t" t"!$&" t"is st!an&e and e7$tic )and t$ t"e %$!t $f Na&asa'i in t"e"$%e t"at I (a2 0nd a s"i% .$nd f$! En&)and*T"e T$'aid$ R$ad %$n /"ic" I t!ave)-"$/eve!- is f!a&"t /it" dan&e! and I "ave (an2 ene(ies $n (2 t!ai)* Bt d$ n$tfea! f$! (2 safet2* Masa($t$ "as t!ained (e as a sa(!ai /a!!i$! and I /i)) 0&"t t$!et!n "$(e t$ 2$*One da2 I d$ "$%e I can te)) 2$ a.$t (2 advent!es in%e!s$n 1Unti) t"en- dea! siste!- (a2 G$d 'ee% 2$ safe*Y$! .!$t"e!- ac'P*S* Since

0!st /!itin& t"is )ette! at t"e end $f s%!in&- I+ve .een 'idna%%ed .2 nin3a* Bt Idisc$ve!ed t"at t"e2 /e!e n$t t"e ene(2 I t"$&"t t"e2 /e!e* In fact- t"e2 saved


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(2 )ife and ta&"t (e a.$t t"e Five Rin&sJ t"e 0ve &!eat e)e(ents $f t"e nive!se, Ea!t"- 6ate!- Fi!e- 6ind and S'2* I n$/ 'n$/ nin3ts s'i))s t"at &$ .e2$ndan2t"in& I )ea!nt as a sa(!ai* Bt- .ecase $f t"e ci!c(stances $f $! fat"e!+sdeat"- I sti)) st!&&)e t$ f))2 e(.!ace t"e 6a2 $f t"e Nin3a 1

1

FRO?EN

a%an- /inte! ;;

ac'+s )i(.s /e!e f!$en s$)id* He /as s$ c$)d "e c$)d n$ )$n&e! even s"ive!*On)2 s"ee! /i))%$/e! 'e%t "i( %ttin& $ne f$$t in f!$nt $f t"e $t"e! as "e .att)edt"!$&" t"e .)ia!d*

He se!i$s)2 !e&!etted "is decisi$n t$ ta'e t"e ($ntain !$te* He (a2 "aveevaded t"e S"$&n+s sa(!ai- .t "e+d .a!e)2 (ade it $ve! Fnasa'a Pass a)ive*D!in& t"e ni&"t t"e /eat"e! "ad t!ned "a!s"- .atte!in& "i( int$ s.(issi$n andf$!cin& "i( d$/n t"e ($ntainside*

T"e ic2 &sts ct t"!$&" "is si)' 'i($n$ st!ai&"t t$ t"e .$ne )i'e 'nives* ac'c)as%ed "is .$d2 f$! /a!(t"- "is "ead d$/n t$ t"e /ind- "is t"in st!a/ "at $@e!in&%$$! %!$tecti$n a&ainst t"e stin&in& sn$/* U%$n "is "i% !att)ed t"e t/$ !ed4"and)edsa(!ai s/$!ds "is .est f!iend- A'i'$- "ad &iven "i(* S)n& ac!$ss "is .ac' /as t"e

%ac' t"at c$ntained "e! .)ac' %ea!)- 0ve s"!i'en sta!s and- ($st i(%$!tant)2- "isfat"e!+s !tte! , t"e %!ice)ess navi&ati$na) )$&.$$' "e+d f$&"t t$$t" and nai) t$'ee% safe* Yet- "$/eve! %!eci$s t"ese ite(s /e!e t$ "i(- t"e2 /e!e n$/ )i'e )ead/ei&"ts !$nd "is nec'*

C$)d- ti!ed and "n&!2- ac' fe)t t"e )ast $f "is st!en&t" e..in& a/a2*G)ancin& % t$ &et "is .ea!in&s- t"e!e /as n$t"in& t$ see* T"e )andsca%e /as

s"!$ded in a t"ic' .)an'et $f /"ite- t"e s'2 s/a))$/ed % .2 end)ess &!e2 c)$ds*Be"ind "i(- "is )$ne t!ac' $f f$$t%!ints /as a)!ead2 disa%%ea!in& .eneat" a ne/ vei)$f sn$/*

At )east I+( $@ t"e ($ntain- "e t"$&"t- ta'in& in t"e vast feat!e)esse7%anse $f t"e O'a2a(a P)ain* Pe!"a%s I s"$)d !est a/"i)e*


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Bt t"at decisi$n n$/ )$$'ed t$ .e t"e end $f "i(*P!a2in& f$! s"e)te!- ac' st(.)ed $n .)ind)2 t"!$&" t"e sn$/st$!(* T/ice "e

fe)) t$ t"e &!$nd and &$t .ac' % a&ain* On t"e t"i!d ti(e- "is .$d2 si(%)2 &ave in, t"e )ac' $f f$$d- s)ee% and /a!(t" 0na))2 ta'in& its t$))*

T"e sn$/ 5ic')2 .e&an t$ sett)e %$n "is f!$en f$!(*

As t"e &!$nd c$ns(ed "i(- ac' "ea!d t"e faint v$ice $f "is f!iend Y$!i in "is"ead 1 Seven ti(es d$/n- ei&"t ti(es %8 T"e (ant!a- /"ic" "ad .een "is savin& t/$ 2ea!s .ef$!e in t"e Ta!24iai

inte!sc"$$) (a!tia) a!ts c$ntest- !e%eated itse)f- &!$/in& )$de! and )$de!*Seven ti(es d$/n- ei&"t ti(es UP8 Seven ti(es d$/n- EIGHT TIMES UP8 SE>EN

TIMES DO6N- EIGHT TIMES UP8 T"e )ess$n $f neve! &ivin& % /as .!nt s$ dee% int$ "is s$) t"at ac'

$ve!!)ed "is .$d2+s fai)!e* S(($nin& % t"e )ast $f "is ene!&2- "e d!a&&ed"i(se)f t$ "is feet- sn$/ t(.)in& f!$( "is s"$)de!s* In "is dete!(inati$n t$ !ise-"e t"$&"t "e sa/ t"e #ic'e!in& $!an&e #a(e $f an $i) )a(% in t"e distance*Sta&&e!in& t$/a!ds t"e )i&"t- ($!e )ante!ns ca(e int$ vie/ nti) an enti!e t$/n(ate!ia)ied $t $f t"e st$!(*

A)t"$&" ac' av$ided civi)iati$n /"eneve! "e c$)d- des%e!ati$n n$/ d!$ve"i( f$!/a!d* In a 0na) .!st- "e fe)) int$ t"e s"e)te! $f t"e nea!est .i)din&- "dd)in&f!$( t"e .itte! /ind in t"e c$!ne! $f its ve!anda*

Once "e+d !ec$ve!ed s)i&"t)2- ac' t$$' in "is ne/ s!!$ndin&s*


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i(%$ve!is"ed fa!(e!s* 6"$eve! t"e2 /e!e- it /as c)ea! t$ ac' t"at t"is t$/n "ad n$s2(%at"2 f$! va&!ants*

6"i)e ac' c$nside!ed t"e fe/ $%ti$ns "e "ad )eft- t"e t"!ee (en "eadedt$/a!ds "i(* A)t"$&" t"e2 didn+t )$$' )i'e 0&"te!s- t"e2 $tn(.e!ed "i( and-&iven "is /ea'ened c$nditi$n- %$sed a t"!eat* As t"e2 d!e/ c)$se!- ac'+s "andinstinctive)2 /ent t$ "is s/$!ds* His f!$en 0n&e!s c$)d .a!e)2 &!i% t"e "and)e $f "is 'atana and ac' /$nde!ed if "e+d even "ave t"e st!en&t" t$ 0&"t t"e( $@*

‘G$ $n8+ said t"e a%%a!ent )eade! $f t"e &!$%- a s$!4faced (an /it" "$))$/c"ee's and t"in /eat"e!ed )i%s* He s"$ved t"e 2$n&est f$!/a!d*

ac' st$$d "is &!$nd* T"e 2$n& (an- a ne!v$s individa) /it" a (issin& f!$nt t$$t" and 3&4)i'e

ea!s- as'ed- ‘A!e 2$ a 1 !$nin+ ac' si(%)2 n$dded t"at "e /as a (aste!)ess sa(!ai and (ade t$ /a)' $n* Bt

t"e 2$n& (an ste%%ed int$ "is %at"* ac' tensed in !eadiness as "is c"a))en&e!s(($ned % t"e c$!a&e t$ (a'e "is ne7t ($ve*

Ta'in& a dee% .!eat"- t"e 2$n& (an .)!ted- ‘D$ 2$ /ant a 3$.+

!

RICE

ac' /as d(.f$nded at t"e s&&esti$n*‘6e can %a2 2$-+ said t"e t"i!d and e)dest (an- /"$ %$ssessed $n)2 a fe/

st!ands $f "ai! $n "is $t"e!/ise .a)d "ead* ac' "esitated* He ce!tain)2 needed t"e ($ne2* Bt )$$'in& at t"ei! dis"eve))ed

a%%ea!ance- "e /$nde!ed "$/ t"e2 c$)d a@$!d t$ %a2 an2$ne* Even if t"e2 c$)d-ta'in& a 3$. /as t$$ (c" $f a !is'* H$/ c$)d "e t!st t"e( His identit2 /as.$nd t$ .e disc$ve!ed* His 3$!ne2 /$)d .e de)a2ed* Besides- t"ei! $@e! /as ($st%!$.a.)2 a t!a%*

S"a'in& "is "ead- "e /a)'ed a/a2*‘P)ease 1 "ea! s $t-+ t"e $)d (an insisted- an i(%)$!in& "an&d$& e7%!essi$n

$n "is /!in')ed face* ‘At )east 3$in s f$! s%%e!* 6e+ve f!es")2 c$$'ed !ice*+

ac'+s st$(ac" &!$/)ed at t"e t"$&"t* And t"e $)d (an+s des%e!ati$na%%ea!ed &enine* 6"at "ad "e t$ )$se si(%)2 .2 )istenin& His need f$! f$$d$t/ei&"in& "is .ette! 3d&e(ent- ac' a&!eed* ‘Bt I+( n$t (a'in& an2 %!$(ises-+"e added*

‘6e nde!stand-+ said t"ei! )eade!- .$/in& in ac'n$/)ed&e(ent* ‘C$(e t"is/a2*+

ac' f$))$/ed t"e t"!ee (en d$/n a side st!eet t$ a di)a%idated st$!e"$se att"e ed&e $f t$/n* His senses $n "i&" a)e!t- "e &)anced a!$nd f$! te))ta)e si&ns $f ana(.s" , f$$t%!ints )eadin& t$ a da!'ened a))e2- sn$/ dist!.ed f!$( a !$$ft$%- a.i)din& t"at c$)d c$ncea) a s!%!ise attac'* Bt if t"e!e /e!e ene(ies a!$nd-t"e2 /e!e /e)) "idden*

T"e s$!4faced (an %s"ed $%en a !ic'et2 d$$! and ente!ed 0!st* ac' %asedat t"e t"!es"$)d- t!2in& t$ assess t"e dan&e! /it"in* Bt it /as %itc"4.)ac' insideand a)) "e detected /as t"e stenc" $f !$ttin& st!a/*


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‘M2 a%$)$&ies-+ said t"e $)d (an- s"e!in& "i( (ee')2 in* ‘Bt t"is is t"e $n)2)$d&in& /e can a@$!d*+

A st. $f a cand)e #ic'e!ed int$ )ife- its /ea' #a(e i))(inatin& a s%a!tan !$$(/it" a "a!d4%ac'ed ea!t"en #$$! and a !$&" /$$den dec' f$! s)ee%in&*

T"e 2$n& (an c)$sed t"e d$$! .e"ind t"e( as ac' /as invited .2 t"e )eade!

t$ .e seated %$n t"e !aised %)atf$!(* Uns"$)de!in& "is %ac'- ac' !e($ved "iss/$!ds and %)aced t"e(- c)$se at "and- .2 "is side* T"e t"!ee (en 'ne)t .ef$!e "i($n t"e di!t #$$!*

‘M2 na(e is T$&e-+ said t"e )eade!- .$/in& "is "ead* ‘6e+!e fa!(e!s f!$( Ta(a&as"i vi))a&e* T"is "e!e is S$!a ,+ t"e $)d (an .$/ed , ‘and t"e .$2 is Kni$*+

O@e!in& a &a%4t$$t"ed &!in- Kni$ %!$st!ated "i(se)f .ef$!e ac'* Pee!in& f!$(.eneat" t"e .!i( $f "is "at- ac' n$/ sa/ Kni$ /asn+t (c" $)de! t"an "e /as*Si7teen $! seventeen- at ($st*

ac' n$dded "is "ead in ac'n$/)ed&e(ent- decidin& n$t t$ !evea) "is $/nna(e* Unti) "e 'ne/ t"ese %e$%)e+s intenti$ns- "e "ad t$ .e cati$s- .t "e didn+t/is" t$ )ie t$ t"e( eit"e!* An a/'/a!d si)ence fe)) and t"e t"!ee fa!(e!s .e&an t$0d&et nc$(f$!ta.)2 as t"ei! an7iet2 &!e/ at t"is (2ste!i$s sa(!ai*

‘Y$! !ice is 3st c$(in&-+ said S$!a 5ic')2- &est!in& t$/a!ds t"e fa! c$!ne! $f t"e st$!e"$se*

On)2 t"en did ac' n$tice a f$!t" %e!s$n in t"e !$$(L "is fati&e "ad c)ea!)2i(%ai!ed "is /a!!i$! a/a!eness* He !eac"ed f$! "is /a'ias"i- t"en- $n c)$se!ins%ecti$n- c"ec'ed "i(se)f* Hidden in t"e s"ad$/s- a &i!) c!$c"ed $ve! t"e d2in&e(.e!s $f a s(a)) 0!e* Sc$$%in& $t a %$!ti$n $f !ice f!$( a .atte!ed %$t- s"esc!!ied $ve! t$ ac' and %!esented "i( /it" t"e .$/)*


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‘D$ 2$ &et (an2 t"ieves t"en+ as'ed ac'*‘Once in a .)ac' ($$n-+ T$&e !e%)ied- %ttin& d$/n "is e(%t2 .$/)* ac' c$nside!ed t"is f$! a ($(ent* ‘Is 2$! vi))a&e fa! f!$( "e!e+6"i)e T$&e e7%)ained its !e($te )$cati$n %$n t"e ed&e $f t"e O'a2a(a P)ain-

ac' n$ticed t"e fa!(e!s $n)2 "ad a fe/ tin2 ($t"f)s $f !ice )eft- /"i)e "is $/n

.$/) /as sti)) ($!e t"an "a)f f))* He &)anced $ve! at t"e &i!) t$ see "e! %ic'in& att"e d!ied sc!a%in&s f!$( t"e %$t* A)) $f a sdden a /ave $f &i)t c$ns(ed ac' as"e !ea)ied "e /as eatin& a)) t"ei! %!$visi$ns*

T"$&" "e c$)d "ave dev$!ed an$t"e! 0ve .$/)s at )east- ac' st$$d % and$@e!ed t"e &i!) "is (ea)* S"e )$$'ed /$!!ied and c$nfsed*


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Besides- did "e !ea))2 "ave a c"$ice T"e $n)2 a)te!native t$ t"e fa!(e!s+ $@e!/as 0&"tin& f$! "is s!viva) in O'a2a(a- a "$sti)e %)ace s/a!(in& /it" sa(!ai/"e!e "e /as &a!anteed t$ .e disc$ve!ed and !e%$!ted*

T!nin& t$ t"e fa!(e!s- ac' ann$nced- ‘I acce%t 2$! $@e!*+

#

NEKO

S$!a and Kni$ /e!e de)i&"ted at t"e ne/s* T$&e /as ($!e s.ded- .t ac'%t t"at d$/n t$ "is d$! %e!s$na)it2*

‘6e+)) )eave in t"e ($!nin&-+ said T$&e- %))in& a )a!&e st!a/ (at f!$( .eneat"t"e dec'in&* He %)aced it .eside ac' a)$n& /it" a .nd)e $f st!a/*

T"e t"!ee fa!(e!s "dd)ed t$&et"e! .2 t"e $%%$site /a)) f$! /a!(t"- )eavin&t"e enti!e dec' t$ ac'* Since "e /as a sa(!ai- t"e "ie!a!c"2 $f a%anese s$ciet2(eant ac' /as &iven t"e .est %$siti$n and t"e &!eatest c$(f$!t*

As "e a!!an&ed t"e )$$se st!a/ int$ a (att!ess- ac' s%$tted t"e &i!) $t at t"e.ac'- sc!..in& a/a2 at t"e c$$'in& %$t in a t!$&" $f ice4enc!sted /ate!* T"$&"s"e /$!'ed /it"$t c$(%)aint- ac' didn+t env2 "e! )$/)2 %$siti$n*

P))in& t"e (at $ve! "is /ea!2 .$d2 and "is "at $n t$ "is face- ac' sett)edd$/n t$ s)ee%* T"e t"!ee fa!(e!s .e&an /"is%e!in& t$ $ne an$t"e!- .t ac' /as t$$

e7"asted t$ f$))$/ t"e c$nve!sati$n* 6it" "is "n&e! satis0ed- "e 5ic')2 d!ifted$@ 1 ac' sna%%ed a/a'e as "e sensed s$(e$ne !e($vin& "is "at* His tai3ts

t!ainin& /as instinctive , "e &!a..ed t"e $@endin& "and and t/isted it int$ a )$c'*Bt "is "at fe)) t$ t"e #$$! and "e ca(e face t$ face /it" t"e &i!)* S"e (ade n$s$nd- des%ite t"e %ainf) /!ist)$c' ac' "ad %t "e! in* S"e (e!e)2 &a/%ed in tte!a(ae(ent at "is .)$nd "ai!- .)e e2es and /"ite s'in*

H$%in& "e "adn+t "!t t"e &i!)- ac' !e)eased "e! f!$( "is &!i%*‘S$!!2- .t 2$ s"$)dn+t "ave d$ne t"at-+ "e /"is%e!ed as s"e !..ed "e! /!ist

in t"e da!'ness*Bt s"e /as ($!e ta'en .2 "is .)$nd )$c's* Reac"in& $t- s"e t$c"ed a st!a2

c!) and &!inned in de)i&"t at its s$ftness* ac' s(i)ed .ac'- !e)ieved .2 "e! f!iend)2!eacti$n t$ "is f$!ei&nness* G)ancin& $ve! "is s"$)de!- "e sa/ t"e t"!ee fa!(e!s/e!e sti)) fast as)ee%- Kni$ sn$!in& as )$d)2 as a %i&*

T"e &i!) !et!ned "is "at /it" a !es%ectf) .$/- t"en si)ent)2 %added $ve! t$ "e!c$!ne! and c!)ed % $n t"e #$$!- "e! e2es neve! )eavin& "is face* S"e didn+t a%%ea!af!aid and- t$ ac'+s s!%!ise- didn+t a)e!t t"e fa!(e!s t$ "e! disc$ve!2*

Pe!"a%s s"e d$esn+t 'n$/ a.$t t"e S"$&n+s dec!ee .anis"in& a)) f$!ei&ne!sf!$( a%an- t"$&"t ac'* O! t"e !e/a!d f$! ca%t!in& (e- dead $! a)ive*

T"is &ave ac' case f$! "$%e* Ma2.e t"e fa!(e!s "adn+t "ea!d t"e ne/s eit"e!*If t"at /as t"e case- t"en t"ei! vi))a&e /$)d (a'e t"e %e!fect safe "aven* C$ve!in&"is "ead t$ &$ .ac' t$ s)ee%- ac' %!a2ed t"e fa!(e!s+ !eacti$n t$ 0ndin& $t "e /asa &ai3in sa(!ai /$)d .e as /e)c$(in& as "e!s*

B)ea!24e2ed and sti@ /it" c$)d- ac' e(e!&ed f!$( t"e st$!e"$se* T"e st$!( $f t"e %!evi$s ni&"t "ad %assed and t"e sn$/4c$ve!ed )andsca%e n$/ &)istened


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c!2sta)4/"ite in t"e ea!)2 da/n sn* B!ea'fast t"at ($!nin& "ad .een (ea&!e , at"in (is$ s$% /it" a c% $f /ea' &!een tea , .t at )east it "ad .een /a!(in&*S$!a- a%$)$&etic as eve!- "ad %!$(ised a "ea!t2 s%%e! $n a!!iva) at t"ei! vi))a&e*

T"e t"!ee fa!(e!s /e!e t!eatin& "i( /it" t"e sa(e /a!2 !es%ect as t"e ni&"t.ef$!e and ac' c$)d $n)2 ass(e t"at t"e &i!) "ad 'e%t 5iet a.$t t"ei!enc$nte!* S"e n$/ t!ai)ed .e"ind- "avin& .een .!dened /it" a)) t"e c$$'in&tensi)s- as t"e 0ve $f t"e( t!e''ed $t $f t$/n and ac!$ss t"e O'a2a(a P)ain*

6it" t"e sn$/ 'nee4dee%- t"ei! &$in& /as s)$/ and a!d$s* ac' envied t"efa!(e!s+ t"ic' st!a/ .$$ts- since t"e s$c's and sanda)s "e /$!e %!$vided )itt)e%!$tecti$n f!$( t"e ic2 c$nditi$ns* He sta(%ed "is feet as "e /a)'ed- t!2in& t$ f$!ces$(e .)$$d .ac' int$ t"e(- .ef$!e n$ticin& t"at t"e %$$! &i!) /as .a!ef$$t* S"et!d&ed $n t"!$&" t"e sn$/- .ent $ve! /it" t"e %ac'+s /ei&"t- "e! .!eat" %n&$t in )itt)e /"ite c)$ds* N$ )$n&e! did ac' fee) 5ite s$ s$!!2 f$! "i(se)f*

‘A!e 2$ s!e /e can t!st "i(+ /"is%e!ed T$&e- /"$ f$!&ed a"ead /it" S$!a*In t"e sti)) /inte! ai!- "is v$ice ca!!ied* And ac'- /"$se "ea!in& /as acte t"an's t$"is sensitivit2 t!ainin& at t"e Niten Ic"i R2- "ad n$ t!$.)e eavesd!$%%in& $n t"ei!c$nve!sati$n*

‘6e "ave t$-+ !e%)ied S$!a- "is t$ne des%$ndent* ‘He+s $! $n)2 c"$ice*+‘6e d$n+t even 'n$/ "is na(e-+ T$&e "issed*‘Sa(!ai can .e !de )i'e t"at* T"e2 t"in' a)) fa!(e!s a!e .eneat" t"e(* Yet

/"e!e /$)d t"e2 .e /it"$t s- I as'+‘Bt "e /$n+t even s"$/ "is face* T"e!e+s s$(et"in& $dd a.$t "i( ,+At t"is %$int- Kni$ s"ed % t$ ac'+s side- inte!!%tin& "is c$ncent!ati$n*‘6inte!+s "a!s" t"is 2ea!-+ "e said- !..in& "is "ands f$! /a!(t"*N$ddin&- ac' t!ied t$ catc" t"e !est $f t"e fa!(e!s+ c$nve!sati$n- .t Kni$

c$ntined c"attin&*‘6"e!e "ave 2$ c$(e f!$(+ "e as'ed*‘K2$t$-+ ac' !e%)ied*

‘Is it as .eatif) as t"e2 sa2 I "ea! t"e te(%)es a!e (ade $f &$)d and si)ve!8+‘It+s t!e-+ said ac'*Kni$+s e2es /ent /ide /it" de)i&"t and ac' !eca))ed "is $/n a(ae(ent /"en

A'i'$ "ad s"$/n "i( t"e Si)ve! and G$)den Pavi)i$ns $f Gin'a'43i and Kin'a'43i*‘S$ a!e 2$ $n a (s"a 1 (s"a 1+ T"e .$2 s$&"t f$! t"e c$!!ect %"!ase*‘Ms"a s"&2-+ ac' %!$(%ted- !efe!!in& t$ t"e /a!!i$! %i)&!i(a&e t"at (an2

sa(!ai e(.a!'ed %$n t$ test t"ei! s/$!d s'i))s in )ife4and4deat" de)s*‘T"at+s it8 Have 2$ f$&"t an2$ne 2et+ ac' t"$&"t a.$t t"e ti(e "e+d .een t!ic'ed int$ a de) /it" Sasa'i

Bis"a($n- a fea!s$(e sa(!ai $n a 5est f$! &)$!2* He+d a)($st .een i(%a)ed $nt"e (an+s s/$!d*

‘Yes- I "ave-+ !e%)ied ac'- an inv$)nta!2 s"ive! !nnin& t"!$&" "i( at t"e(e($!2*

Kni$ sta!ed in a/e $f "i(* ‘I+ve neve! (et a !ea) /a!!i$! .ef$!e*+ He &)ancedd$/n at t"e s/$!ds $n ac'+s "i% and .eca(e (es(e!ied .2 t"e !ed si)' "and)es*‘T"e2+!e .eatif)-+ "e said- !eac"in& $t t$ t$c" t"e(*

‘And dead)2-+ added ac'- &!as%in& t"e "i)t $f "is 'atana in /a!nin&*‘Yes- t"e2 (st .e ve!2 s"a!%-+ a&!eed Kni$- s(i)in& a/'/a!d)2 as "e snatc"ed

"is "and .ac'*6antin& t$ c"an&e t"e t$%ic f!$( "i(se)f- ac' as'ed- ‘Te)) (e- /"$+s t"e &i!)+Kni$ &)anced $ve! "is s"$)de! as if "e+d f$!&$tten s"e /as t"e!e* ‘He! na(e+s

Ne'$* 6e ca)) "e! t"at .ecase s"e acts )i'e a cat*+ ac' $.se!ved Ne'$ st!&&)in& $n va)iant)2 t"!$&" t"e sn$/* He /anted t$ "e)%

"e! /it" "e! )$ad- .t "e !ea)ied "is stats as a sa(!ai %!evented "i( ta'in& $n


16/150


17/150

St!idin& % a (dd2 s)$%e t$ t"e )a!&est "$se- t"e t"!ee fa!(e!s t$$' $@ t"ei!.$$ts and ste%%ed $n t$ t"e ve!anda* ac' s)i%%ed $@ "is sanda)s and 3$ined t"e(-.t Ne'$ /as /aved a/a2 .2 T$&e t$ !et!n t"e c$$'in& %$ts t$ S$!a+s /ife*

‘One ($(ent %)ease-+ said T$&e- .$/in& t$ ac'*Kn$c'in& $n t"e fa!("$se d$$!- "e t"en ente!ed /it" S$!a- )eavin& ac' and

Kni$ t$ /ait $tside*‘6"at d$ 2$ t"in'+ as'ed Kni$- &est!in& /it" %!ide at "is vi))a&e*‘>e!2 1 %eacef)-+ !e%)ied ac'* T"$&" in t!t"- t"e de%!essin& si)ence

nne!ved "i(*C$(%a!ed t$ t"e nin3a vi))a&e- Ta(a&as"i /as c)ea!)2 a )$t %$$!e! and fa! )ess

$!&anied* T"e fa!(e!s+ "$(es /e!e d$tted "a%"aa!d)2 a!$nd- ($st needed !e4t"atc"in& and s$(e even )$$'ed t$ .e $n t"e ve!&e $f c$))a%se* A)t"$&" t"e "eadfa!(e!+s "$se /as t"e &!andest in t"e vi))a&e- it /as sti)) n$ %a)ace* T"e /$$dendec'in& /as !$&" and /a!%ed- its /a))s neven and &a%%ed*

‘M2 fa(i)2+s "$se is t"at $ne .2 t"e %$nd-+ said Kni$- %$intin& t$ a s(a)))$%sided .i)din&*

As "e /ent $n e7%)ainin& /"$ )ived in eac" $f t"e "$ses- ac' /as ($!e d!a/nt$ /"at /as $cc!!in& /it"in t"e fa!("$se*

‘Y$+ve .een &$ne t"!ee /ee's and c$(e .ac' /it" 3st $ne sa(!ai8+e7c)ai(ed a (an+s v$ice in $t!a&e*

‘N$ $t"e! sa(!ai a&!eed t$ $! !e5est-+ !e%)ied T$&e*‘S$ /"e!e+s a)) t"e !ice /e &ave 2$+‘An2 !$nin /e did att!act si(%)2 ate $! f$$d and )eft-+ "e e7%)ained .itte!)2* ‘As

s$$n as /e t$)d t"e( a.$t t"e 3$. and /"at it %aid- t"e2 sc$!ned s f$! /astin&t"ei! ti(e* O! e)se /e!e t$$ sca!ed*+

‘Bt 2$ t$$' en$&" !ice t$ feed a s(a)) a!(28+‘O'a2a(a isn+t a safe %)ace-+ a &!ieved S$!a ad(itted* ‘Mc" $f $! !ice /as

st$)en* T"at deaf Ne'$ (a'es a se)ess &a!d*+‘Y$ idi$ts8 6"at a!e /e &$in& t$ d$ n$/+ T"e !as%in& v$ice $f an $)d (an ct in* ‘6e "ave $ne* T"at is a sta!t*+‘Y$s"i- /it" a)) de !es%ect- /"at se is $ne sa(!ai+‘


18/150

ac' !et!ned nic"i+s &!eetin& /it" "is $/n .$/* As "e !$se- "e ca&"t si&"t $f Ne'$ %ee!in& t"!$&" a &a% in t"e !ea! /a))- "e! e2es avid)2 f$))$/in& t"e%!$ceedin&s*

‘6e t"an' 2$ f$! c$(in& t$ $! !esce in $! ti(e $f %)i&"t-+ c$ntined nic"i*‘T"e vi))a&e is in need $f a .!ave sa(!ai sc" as 2$!se)f* I can $n)2 a%$)$&ie t"e!e/a!d is s$ )itt)e- .t t"e &)$!2 and "$n$! /i)) .e &!eat , and /$!t"2 $f a sa(!ai*+

T"e fa!(e!+s &!ave t$ne &ave ac' an neas2 fee)in& in t"e %it $f "is st$(ac"*‘S!e)2- it+s 3st a (atte! $f &a!din& 2$! !ice st$!e f!$( a t"ief $! t/$ 1+

T"e $)d (an- Y$s"i- c)ea!ed "is t"!$at* ‘Y$+!e a/a!e $f B)ac' M$$n+ ac' n$dded- fa(i)ia! /it" t"e a%anese te!( f$! a ne/ ($$n* He /as /i))in& t$

sta2 t"e ($nt"- as a&!eed*‘Yet "e d$esn+t sca!e 2$+‘He+ Y$s"i s5inted at ac'- t"en t!ned $n T$&e* ‘Y$ didn+t te)) "i(+‘I 1 I /as &$in& t$-+ sta((e!ed T$&e* ‘Bt t"e ($(ent neve! a!$se*+ T"e 'n$t in ac'+s st$(ac" ti&"tened*

Sc'in& $n "is &(s- Y$s"i s"$$' "is "ead /$ef))2* ‘B)ac' M$$n is t"e na(e/e ca)) t"e ($ntain .andit A'(a*+ T"e !$$( see(ed t$ da!'en at t"e ve!2 (enti$n $f "is na(e- t"e fa!(e!s

visi.)2 t!e(.)in& and )$$'in& t$ t"e s"ad$/s*‘F$! t"is is t"e ti(e "e st!i'es-+ e7%)ained Y$s"i* ‘On t"e 0!st .)ac' ($$n $f

/inte!- /"en t"e ni&"t is at its da!'est- "e attac's $! vi))a&e and stea)s a)) $! !ice*6e+!e )eft sta!vin& and f$!a&in& f$! sc!a%s*+

‘One (an d$es a)) t"is+ as'ed ac'* ‘Bt t"e!e+s a /"$)e vi))a&e $f 2$*+‘He !ides /it" $t"e!s*+‘H$/ (an2+‘F$!t2 $! s$ .andits*+

'

SE>EN SAMURAI

ac' didn+t 'n$/ /"et"e! t$ )a&" $! !n f$! "is )ife* ‘Even t"e &!eatest sa(!aic$)dn+t defeat s$ (an28+

‘I t$)d 2$- Y$s"i-+ said nic"i* ‘It+s fti)e* 6e s"$)d 3st "and $! !ice t$A'(a* Get it $ve! and d$ne /it"*+

Y$s"i i&n$!ed "i(- as'in& ac'- ‘T"en "$/ (an2 d$ 2$ need+‘A&ainst f$!t2+ ac' c$)dn+t .e)ieve "e /as even c$nte(%)atin& t"e %!$s%ect*

He t"$&"t .ac' t$ "is /a!!i$! t!ainin& and t"e Batt)e $f Osa'a Cast)e* He+d/itnessed t"e .est sa(!ai s/$!ds(en "and)e 0ve $! si7 adve!sa!ies at $nce* Even($!e- if t"e ene(2 /as dis$!&anied $! %$$!)2 t!ained- /"ic" /as )i'e)2 t"e case/it" .andits* ‘If t"e !ec!its a!e s'i)f) and e7%e!ienced- t"en %e!"a%s 1 sevensa(!ai*+

‘Seven8+ e7c)ai(ed T$&e* ‘It t$$' s /ee's t$ 0nd $ne* 6"e!e $n ea!t" /i)) /e&et seven sa(!ai+


19/150

‘6"at a.$t 2$! dai(2$+ as'ed ac'- /"$ 'ne/ t"at sa(!ai )$!ds /e!ec"a!&ed /it" %!$tectin& t"e citiens $f t"ei! d$(ains*

T"e fa!(e!s a)) sn$!ted in de!isi$n*‘Dai(2$ I'eda d$esn+t ca!e a.$t s-+ s%at nic"i* ‘As )$n& as "e &ets "is !ice

ta7 t"at t/$4faced )$!d /$)dn+t )ift a 0n&e! t$ c$(e t$ $! aid*+

‘Bt if 2$! !ice "as .een st$)en- "$/ can 2$ %a2 "i(+‘A'(a+s c!aft2-+ e7%)ained Y$s"i* ‘He $n)2 !aids s afte! t"e ta7 "as .een

c$))ected*+‘T"is+)) .e t"e t"i!d 2ea! in a !$/-+ stated a des%$ndent nic"i* ‘6e+ve "ad n$

$%ti$n .t t$ )$$' f$! $! $/n sa(!ai* Bt it+s a)) .een in vain* O! sitati$n is"$%e)ess*+

ac' "ad t$ a&!ee* Otn(.e!ed f$!t2 t$ $ne- t"e .att)e /as )$st .ef$!e it "adeven .e&n* ‘I+( s$!!2-+ "e ad(itted !e)ctant)2* ‘Bt I can+t "e)% 2$*+

F!2 .$!n $t $f des%ai! seied T$&e* He s"$$' an an&!2 0st at ac' and .a/)ed-‘Y$ sa(!ai a!e a)) t"e sa(e8 6e /$!' t"e 0e)dsti)) t"e s$i)- &!$/ t"e !ice t$ 0))2$! st$(ac"s* S$ t"at 2$ can &$ t$ /a! $ve! 2$! )$!ds+ d$(ains* T"en t"e da2/e need 2$- /"e!e a!e 2$+

‘6"at d$ 2$ e7%ect (e t$ d$+ said ac' in "is defence* ‘Fi&"t $@ f$!t2 .andits$n (2 $/n8+

‘A!en+t sa(!ai (eant t$ .e c$!a&e$s+ sna%%ed T$&e*‘Yes- .t n$t sicida)*+‘H$/ I des%ise ,+‘En$&"- T$&e8+ inte!!%ted Y$s"i* ‘T"at+s n$ /a2 t$ t!eat $! &est* He ca(e $f

"is $/n f!ee /i))* 6e (st !es%ect "is decisi$n t$ )eave*+ T"e !$$( fe)) int$ a s))en si)ence- )eavin& $n)2 t"e c!ac')e $f t"e 0!e and t"e

...)e $f t"e .$i)in& !ice* ac'+s c$nscience /as t$!n* He dea!)2 /anted t$ "e)% t"e fa!(e!s* As a

sa(!ai- "e fe)t "$n$! .$nd t$ defend t"e(* Bt t"e sta!' t!t" /as t"at- a&ainsts$ (an2 ene(ies- "e+d $n)2 &et "i(se)f 'i))ed , and f$! n$t"in&* T"e .andits /$)dsti)) seie t"e !ice*

Tea!s /e))ed % in S$!a+s e2es and "e .e&an t$ s$.* 6i%in& a di!t2 "and ac!$ss"is n$se- "e snive))ed- ‘H$/ /i)) /e feed $! )itt)e $nes+

N$ $ne ans/e!ed "i(* T"e fa!(e!s (e!e)2 sta!ed in /!etc"ed (ise!2 at t"e#$$!- /!in&in& t"ei! "ands*

A)) $f a sdden Kni$ )$$'ed %- "is face .!i&"t /it" an idea* ‘6e can !ec!it($!e sa(!ai8+ "e .)!ted*

T$&e s"$$' "is "ead in dis.e)ief at t"e .$2+s st%idit2* ‘T"in' "$/ )$n& it t$$' st$ &et $ne sa(!ai8 6e+ve )ess t"an a ($nt" .ef$!e t"e .)ac' ($$n*+

‘Bt it+)) .e easie! f$! "i(-+ said Kni$- indicatin& ac'*‘Yes- 2es8+ a&!eed S$!a- "is e2es s%a!')in& /it" %!$(ise* ‘Sa(!ai /$n+t )isten

t$ a fa!(e!- .t t"e2 /i)) t$ an$t"e! sa(!ai*+ T"e fa!(e!s t!ned e7%ectant)2 t$ ac'*‘I d$n+t 'n$/ 1+ .e&an ac'- f))2 a/a!e t"at a &ai3in /$)d "ave even )ess

c"ance t"an a fa!(e!*‘I .e& 2$8+ c!ied S$!a- %!$st!atin& "i(se)f .ef$!e ac'* ‘Y$+!e $! $n)2 "$%e*+Kni$ t"!e/ "i(se)f d$/n t$$- f$))$/ed .2 nic"i and T$&e* T!e(.)in& )i'e a

)eaf- Y$s"i "e)d "is "ands $t in %!a2e!* T"ei! a.3ect defe!ence (ade ac'nc$(f$!ta.)e* Bt t"ese %$$! fa!(e!s /e!e s$ des%e!ate* And t"ei! )$ca) dai(2$c)ea!)2 /$)dn+t .e c$(in& t$ t"ei! !esce*

Pe!"a%s I can t!ain t"e( t$ 0&"t- c$nside!ed ac'* O! at )east i(%!$ve t"evi))a&e defences* Sti))- f$!t2 .andits8


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6"ateve! t"e $dds- "e "ad t$ d$ s$(et"in& f$! t"e(* 6"en "e+d 0!st a!!ived in a%an- t"e &!eat sa(!ai s/$!ds(an , Masa($t$ Ta'es"i , "ad !esced "i( f!$(ce!tain deat"* 6it" n$ %a!ents and n$ /a2 "$(e- ac' "ad .een ad$%ted .2 t"e(an- t!ained in (a!tia) a!ts at "is sa(!ai sc"$$) in K2$t$- and &iven a 0&"tin&c"ance* It /as ti(e t$ !e%a2 t"at de.t- f$! "i( t$ .ec$(e t"at sa(!ai savi$!* He'ne/ "e+d .e !is'in& a))- .t "is )ate f!iend and a%anese .!$t"e! Ya(at$ "ad s"$/n

"i( /"at it (eant t$ .e a sa(!ai $f t"e Masa($t$ c)an , se)#ess sac!i0ce*‘I+)) "e)% 2$-+ ac' ann$nced*S$!a n$/ /e%t /it" 3$2* He sc!!ied $ve! t$ t"e 0!e and .e&an t$ "ea% %i)es $f

stea(in& !ice int$ a .$/)* B$/in&- "e %!esented t"e (ea) t$ ac'*‘A!i&at &$ai(as- a!i&at &$ai(as-+ "e !e%eated in t"an's*He t"en s"a!ed $t t"e !e(ainde! $f t"e !ice- /"i)e Kni$ %$!ed eve!2$ne a

c% $f senc"a* 6it" &!eat ce!e($n2- nic"i !aised "is &!een tea in a t$ast*‘F$! 2$! se!vice- /e "$n$! 2$* Ma2 I as' 2$! na(e- sa(!ai+ ac' !ea)ied t"e ti(e "ad c$(e t$ !evea) "is identit2* T"is /as t"e %e!fect

($(ent* T"e fa!(e!s /e!e in "is de.t and in need $f "is se!vices and- 3d&in& .2Ne'$+s !eacti$n- t"e!e /as n$ !eas$n t$ "ide an2 ($!e*

‘ac' F)etc"e!-+ "e !e%)ied- .$)d)2 ta'in& $@ "is "at*

+

FIRE

S$!a fe)) .ac'/a!ds $n t$ "is !ea!* Kni$+s ($t" d!$%%ed $%en in s"$c'* nic"ic!ied $t in a(ae(ent- /"i)e Y$s"i s5inted even "a!de!- dis.e)ievin& "is $)d e2es*

‘A &ai3in8+ e7c)ai(ed T$&e*‘And a .$2 at t"at8 Get $t8+ 2e))ed nic"i- %$intin& t$ t"e d$$!*‘Bt I+( "e!e t$ "e)% 2$-+ ac' %!$tested- as T$&e snatc"ed t"e .$/) $f !ice

f!$( "is "ands* ac' sta!ed at t"e fa!(e!s- t"nde!st!c' .2 t"ei! !es%$nse* A ($(ent a&$-

t"e2 /e!e c!2in& $t f$! "i(* N$/ t"e2 c$)dn+t /ait t$ .e !id $f "i(* nic"i t!ned $n T$&e* ‘Is t"is s$(e s$!t $f 3$'e A f$!ei&n .$2 %!etendin& t$ .e

a sa(!ai8+

‘6e /e!e deceived8+ said T$&e- &)a!in& at ac'*‘N$ ($!e t"an 2$ n$t (enti$nin& B)ac' M$$n-+ !e%)ied ac'* ‘I (a2 n$t .e

a%anese- .t I a( sa(!ai*+‘And I+( a dai(2$8+ s"$t .ac' T$&e /it" a ($c'in& )a&"* ‘N$/ 2$ "ea!d

nic"iJ )eave $! vi))a&e , 2$+!e n$t /e)c$(e*+S$!a- /"$+d !ec$ve!ed f!$( "is initia) s"$c'- ste%%ed t$ ac'+s defence* ‘B4.4.t

"e a&!eed t$ st$% B)ac' M$$n* 6e need "i(*+ nic"i &ave S$!a a /it"e!in& )$$'* ‘D$ 2$ !ea))2 t"in' a .$2 can defeat a devi)

)i'e A'(a+S$!a $%ened "is ($t" t"en c)$sed it- st(%ed f$! an ans/e!*‘S$(eti(es it ta'es a devi) t$ .eat a devi)-+ said Y$s"i- sidin& /it" S$!a*

‘He+s an i)) $(en-+ a!&ed nic"i* ‘6e s"$)d &et !id $f t"e &ai3in .ef$!e an2($!e .ad )c' .efa))s $! vi))a&e*+


21/150

‘N$ sa(!ai "as c$(e t$ $! defence- 2et t"is f$!ei&ne! "as-+ Y$s"i %$inted $t*‘6e cann$t ta'e sc" a !is'-+ said T$&e* ‘6"en /e /e!e in O'a2a(a- I "ea!d

t"at t"e S"$&n "ad .anis"ed a)) f$!ei&ne!s* An2$ne ca&"t "a!.$!in& a &ai3in is t$.e %nis"ed /it" deat"8+

‘T"at sett)es it-+ said nic"i* ‘As "ead $f t"is vi))a&e- I dec)a!e t"e .$2 .e cast

$t i((ediate)2*+He indicated f$! Kni$ t$ $%en t"e d$$!* Bef$!e ac' c$)d $.3ect- T$&e s"e!ed"i( $n t$ t"e ve!anda and s)a((ed t"e d$$! s"t .e"ind "i(* A ($(ent )ate!- t"ed$$! $%ened a&ain and "is st!a/ "at ca(e #2in& $t*

T"e!e+s &!atitde- t"$&"t ac'- .endin& d$/n t$ %ic' it %*Gain& !$nd at t"e dec!e%it vi))a&e- a)) d$$!s c)$sed t$ "i(- and at t"e sta!'

sn$/4)aden )andsca%e- ac' 'ne/ "is ft!e s!viva) )$$'ed .)ea'* He "ad n$s"e)te!- n$ f$$d and /as st!anded in t"e (idd)e $f n$/"e!e* Once ($!e "e st$$d int"e c$)d- a)$ne and f!iend)ess*

6e))- n$t 5ite* He sensed e2es %$n "i(* At t"e end $f t"e ve!anda- Ne'$ /as$.se!vin& "i( /it" a (i7t!e $f c$nfsi$n and sadness $n "e! &!i(2 face* He! e2essi)ent)2 %)eaded /it" "i( n$t t$ )eave- as "e %t $n "is sanda)s and ste%%ed $n t$

t"e (dd2 !$ad* T!ac's )ed $@ in a)) f$! di!ecti$ns and ac' /$nde!ed /"ic" $ne t$ ta'e* He /as

(i)es $@ "is !$te and t"e sn /as c)$se t$ settin&- s$ "e /$)dn+t &et fa! t$ni&"t*He c$)d !et!ace "is ste%s .ac' t$ O'a2a(a- $! ct s$t"4/est t$ t"e (ain c$asta)!$ad* Bt f!$( /"at "e+d seen- t"e %)ain /as des$)ate and e7%$sed* He+d ($!e t"an)i'e)2 %e!is"* T"e ($ntains t$ t"e n$!t" /$)d .e t$$ "a!s" and dan&e!$s- andan2/a2 t$$' "i( t"e /!$n& /a2* T"e f$!est a%%ea!ed t$ $@e! t"e .est "$%e* It%!$vided %!$tecti$n a&ainst t"e e)e(ents- /it" t"e %$ssi.i)it2 $f scaven&in& f$!f$$d- and /as ($!e $! )ess t"e di!ecti$n "e needed t$ "ead in* H$istin& "is %ac'$ve! "is s"$)de!- ac' &ave t"e des%$ndent Ne'$ a s$!!$/f) /ave- t"en t!d&ed/est $t $f t"e vi))a&e*

As "e %assed eac" fa!("$se- ac' ca&"t &)i(%ses $f t"e vi))a&e!s+ "a&&a!dfaces /atc"in& "i(* He n$ )$n&e! fe)t s$ (c" %it2 f$! t"e(* T"e2 "ad t"e /a!(t"$f a 0!e and t"e .ene0t $f f$$d* A)!ead2 t"e!e /as a s"a!% .ite t$ t"e c"i)) ai! and ac' s"ive!ed* He /asn+t )$$'in& f$!/a!d t$ an$t"e! f!$st2 ni&"t $t in t"e $%en* T"e!ice $f t"e %!evi$s da2 /as n$/ a distant (e($!2 and "n&e! .e&an t$ &na/ at"is insides* T"e c"!)is" T$&e "adn+t even a))$/ed "i( t$ eat t"at 0na) (ea)8

ac' /as at t"e vi))a&e .$!de! /"en Ne'$ 3(%ed $t f!$( .e"ind t"e )ast.i)din&* B!eat")ess f!$( !nnin&- s"e %!esented a s(a)) .a& t$ "i(* Inside /e!e afe/ "asti)2 snatc"ed "andf)s $f !ice*

‘T"an' 2$- Ne'$-+ said ac'- .$/in& &!atef))2 as "e acce%ted "e! c"a!it2*Pttin& t"e %!eci$s f$$d inside "is %ac'- ac' /a)'ed $n int$ t"e f$!est* T"e

)ast "e sa/ $f Ne'$ /as "e! .$/in& "i( &$$d.2e- a )i&"t sn$/ fa))in& a!$nd "e!*

ac' 3st "$%ed s"e /$)dn+t .e in t!$.)e f$! "e)%in& "i(*As "e t!e''ed /est- t"e sn d!$%%ed .e"ind t"e "$!i$n and t"e evenin& )i&"t

.e&an t$ fade fast* T"e f$!est &!e/ c$)d and t"!eatenin&* He "adn+t &$ne fa! /"en"e "ea!d t"e s$nd $f "!!ied f$$tste%s*

I((ediate)2- ac' dive!ted $@ t"e (ain t!ac' and "id .e"ind a t!ee* Hens"eat"ed "is s/$!d- !ead2 t$ defend "i(se)f* Had t"e fa!(e!s c"an&ed t"ei!(inds O! /as it t"e d!eaded A'(a and "is .andits

His %!se! d!e/ c)$se!*B)endin& "i(se)f /it" t"e t!ee- ac' "e)d "is .!eat" and .eca(e sti)) as a st$ne*

P!actised in &$t$n%$- t"e nin3a A!t $f C$ncea)(ent- ac' /$)d .e vi!ta))2 invisi.)et$ "is ene(2*

A 0&!e !an %ast and ca(e t$ a st$% /"e!e t"e t!ac' f$!'ed*


22/150

ac' %ee!ed !$nd t"e t!n' and sa/ Ne'$- a )$$' $f des%e!ati$n $n "e! face-"e! e2es sea!c"in& t"e f$!est* S"e /as a.$t t$ set $@ a&ain- /"en ac' ste%%ed$t f!$( "is "idin& %)ace*

‘6"at d$ 2$ /ant+ "e de(anded*Ne'$ &est!ed /i)d)2- .t ac' c$)dn+t (a'e "ead $! tai) $f /"at s"e /as

sa2in&* S"!&&in&- "e s"$$' "is "ead*Givin& % $n si&nin&- Ne'$ &!a..ed ac'+s a!( and %))ed "i( $@ t"e !$ad andint$ t"e f$!est* S"e )ed "i( % a !ise t$ a s(a)) c)ea!in&- /"e!e s"e !&ent)2 %$intedt$ Ta(a&as"i vi))a&e .e)$/*

In t"e &at"e!in& &)$$( $f ds'- ac' sa/ a .!i&"t !ed 0!e .!nin& $t $f c$nt!$)in t"e s5a!e* T$ "is "$!!$!- $ne $f t"e fa!("$ses /as a.)ae*

7

BABY

ac' s%!inted d$/n t"e t!ac'- "a!d $n Ne'$+s "ee)s* F$! sc" a s(a)) t"in&- s"e/as as fast as a f$7* And s"e "ad a)s$ %!$ved ve!2 %e!sasive , s"e+d (te)2ent!eated "i( t$ !et!n t$ t"e vi))a&e- n/i))in& t$ )et &$ $f "is a!( nti) "e a&!eed* ac' c$)d $n)2 %!es(e t"at A'(a /as !aidin& t"e fa!(e!s+ !ice st$!e- t"e "a!s"sn$/s "avin& enc$!a&ed "i( t$ seie %!$visi$ns ea!)2*

T"e t/$ $f t"e( .!st f!$( t"e f$!est and !an a)$n& t"e (dd2 t!ac' int$ t"evi))a&e cent!e* A)) t"e fa!(e!s "ad &at"e!ed in t"e s5a!e and /e!e n$/ sta!in& in"$!!$! at t"e infe!n$ .ef$!e t"e(* T"e t"atc"ed !$$f $f t"e fa!("$se /as a)ive /it"#a(es* A fe/ (en /e!e t!2in& t$ d$se t"e .)ae /it" .c'ets $f ic2 /ate! f!$( t"e%$nd- .t t"ei! e@$!ts /e!e (a'in& )itt)e i(%act and t"e 0!e c$ntined t$ s%!ead*

A /$(an /ai)ed- st!&&)in& in t"e a!(s $f a !$nd4faced (an /it" t"innin&"ai!- /"$ a%%ea!ed 3st as t$!(ented* S"e see(ed des%e!ate t$ t"!$/ "e!se)f inside t"e .!nin& .i)din&*

Ne'$ and ac' ca(e t$ a "a)t .eside S$!a- /"$se face /as ($!e an&is"edt"an eve!*

‘6"e!e+s A'(a+ de(anded ac'- )$$'in& a!$nd f$! t"e .andits*‘A'(a+ &as%ed S$!a- s"$c'ed .2 t"e na(e a)($st as (c" as .2 seein& ac'

a&ain* ‘N$ 1 n$ .andits* A c$$'in& %$t f)) $f $i) s%i)t and set t"e "$se $n 0!e*+ ac' s"eat"ed "is 'atana- ann$2ed t"at Ne'$ "ad d!a&&ed "i( .ac' 3st f$!

t"is* T!a&ic as it /as- it /as $f n$ c$nce!n t$ "i(* He t!ned t$ !es(e "is 3$!ne2*‘B4.4.t t"ei! .a.2+s sti)) inside-+ S$!a e7c)ai(ed*A.$ve t"e !$a! $f t"e #a(es and t"e ($t"e!+s $/n c!ies- ac' n$/ "ea!d t"e

sc!ea(s $f a s(a)) c"i)d* T"e fa!("$se /as c)$se t$ c$))a%sin&- .t t"e fa!(e!ssti)) st$$d d$in& n$t"in&* It /as c)ea! t"e2 /e!e a)) t$$ sca!ed t$ !is' t"ei! )ives*

ac' )$st n$ ti(e* Passin& Ne'$ "is s/$!ds and %ac'- "e !an $ve! t$ a nea!.2s"ed and !i%%ed a/a2 t"e c)$t" sac'in& t"at "n& f!$( a /ind$/* He t"en seied af)) .c'et f!$( $ne $f t"e fa!(e!s and t"!e/ it $ve! "i(se)f* S"dde!in& /it" t"ec$)d- "e &!a..ed a sec$nd .c'et and s$a'ed t"e sac' t$$* 6!a%%in& "i(se)f in t"e

s$dden c)$t"- "e t$$' a dee% .!eat" and c"a!&ed int$ t"e .)ain& fa!("$se*


23/150

ac' /as "it .2 a /ave $f "eat s$ intense it a)($st 'n$c'ed "i( $@ "is feet* T"eai! /as sc$!c"in& and .!nt a)) t"e /a2 int$ "is )n&s* Hac'in& vi$)ent)2- "e %ee'edf!$( .eneat" t"e sac'in&* T"e !$$( /as a s/i!) $f s($'e- as" and #a(es* T$ "is!i&"t- $ne /a)) /as en&)fed in 0!e- t"e 'itc"en a!ea a .!i(st$ne "e)) in /"ic" n$$ne c$)d s!vive* T$ "is )eft- t"e !aised /$$den s)ee%in& a!ea s($)de!ed .t "ad2et t$ catc" a)i&"t*

In t"e fa! c$!ne! "e ca&"t a &)i(%se $f a (a'es"ift c$t and "ea!d t"e "i&"4%itc"ed sc!ea(s $f t"e a.and$ned .a.2* T"e infant .e&an t$ /"eee and c"$'e ass($'e descended $ve! t"e c$t*

P))in& t"e /et sac'in& c)$se! !$nd "is face- ac' das"ed ac!$ss t"e !$$(*Even t"!$&" t"e s$)es $f "is sanda)s- "e c$)d fee) t"e .)iste!in& "eat $f t"e/$$den dec'* It /$)dn+t .e )$n& .ef$!e t"e /"$)e #$$! .!st int$ #a(es*

Reac"in& t"e .a.2- "e /as a(aed t$ 0nd it n"a!(ed- its face %!$tected.eneat" an $)d s"a/)* Snatc"in& it f!$( t"e c$t- "e /!a%%ed t"e )itt)e infant%!$tective)2 /it"in t"e sac'in&* Bt t"e c)$t" /as a)($st d!2 and /$)d s$$n .ese)ess* He sta!ted t$ !n .ac' $tside /"en a)) $f a sdden an a)(i&"t2 c!ac's$nded*


24/150

Deft)2 sin& "is c"$%stic's- "e %$)is"ed $@ t"e (ea) and ($ved $n t$ t"e (is$s$%- stea(ed ve&eta.)es and even s$(e s($'ed (ac'e!e)* Given "is )aste7%e!ience /it" t"e fa!(e!s- "e "ad t$ (a'e t"e ($st $f .ein& in t"ei! fav$! /"i)e"e c$)d*

He sat in nic"i+s "$se- /a!(in& .2 t"e 0!e in a f!es" 'i($n$- t"e .a.2+s($t"e! "avin& insisted $n /as"in& "is di!t2 .)e $ne* Ne'$ "ad c!e%t in and n$/'ne)t .eside "i(- %!$d)2 &a!din& "is s/$!ds and %ac'* nic"i- Y$s"i and T$&e sat$%%$site and 3$ined ac' in "is (ea) /it" f!es")2 .!e/ed c%s $f senc"a* Be"indt"e( 'ne)t S$!a and Kni$- t"e .$2 t!ans07ed .2 t"e ne/ "e!$ in t"ei! vi))a&e*

‘P)ease acce%t (2 a%$)$&ies f$! $! %!evi$s i)) (anne!s-+ said nic"i- .$/in&"is "ead* ‘I $n)2 "ad t"e vi))a&e+s safet2 at "ea!t* It /as a s"$c' t$ disc$ve! 2$/e!e a f$!ei&ne!* And /e "ave n$ /is" t$ def2 t"e S"$&n+s $!de!s*+

‘I nde!stand-+ !e%)ied ac'- 'n$/in& t"e %$/e! $f )ife and deat" t"at t"eS"$&n "e)d $ve! "is s.3ects*

‘6e /$)d )i'e 2$ t$ sta2* At )east f$! a fe/ da2s nti) 2$+!e f))2 !ested-+c$ntined nic"i* ‘Of c$!se- if 2$ /is" t$ sta2 )$n&e! 1+

‘I+)) "ave t$ t"in' a.$t it-+ said ac'* T"e fa!(e!s "ad s"$/n t"ei! 0c')e nat!e

and ac' /asn+t /i))in& t$ c$((it t$ an2t"in&- a)t"$&" "e /$)d ta'e t"e( % $nt"ei! $@e! t$ sta2 a c$%)e $f ni&"ts*

‘A &!eat 0!e .!ns /it"in 2$-+ $.se!ved Y$s"i* ‘Y$ sa/ f$! 2$!se)f $! fee.)e4"ea!ted (en* 6e need a %e!s$n $f 2$! c$!a&e*+

‘T"e .$2 (a2 .e .!ave-+ (tte!ed T$&e- ($$di)2 si%%in& "is &!een tea- ‘.t t"atd$esn+t (a'e "i( a sa(!ai*+

Fed % /it" T$&e+s sce%ticis(- ac' %t d$/n "is c"$%stic's and- /it"$t/a!nin&- /"i%%ed $t "is 'atana* T"e !a$!4s"a!% .)ade s)iced c)ean t"!$&" T$&e+sc%- s%i))in& "$t tea int$ t"e fa!(e!+s )a%*

T$$ stnned t$ ($ve- T$&e c$)d $n)2 )et $t a %itif) /"i(%e! as t"e stea(in&senc"a see%ed t"!$&" t"e c)$t" $f "is 'i($n$* Rec$ve!in& "is /its- "e e7a(ined

"is 0n&e!s in %anic t$ c"ec' t"e2 /e!e a)) sti)) t"e!e*Ne'$ c)a%%ed "e! "ands in de)i&"t at t"e fa!(e!+s "2ste!ia- /"i)e Kni$ !$))ed/it" )a&"te! $n t"e #$$!* Even Y$s"i &ave a t$$t")ess &!in at t"is 0ne dis%)a2 $f s/$!ds(ans"i%*

‘If t"at d$esn+t c$nvince 2$-+ c"$!t)ed Y$s"i- ‘/"2 d$n+t 2$ c"a))en&e t"e .$2t$ a de)+

‘Yes- a de)8+ Kni$ .)!ted ea&e!)2* ‘ac'+s $n "is (s"a s"&2 , "is s/$!dsa!e dead)28+

S"a(efaced- T$&e s))en)2 c!$ssed "is a!(s and s"t %* nic"i- "asti)2 %ttin& d$/n "is $/n c%- dec)a!ed- ‘I "ave n$ d$.t in 2$!

a.i)ities- 2$n& sa(!ai*+ 6it" a ne!v$s s(i)e- "e added- ‘S$!a "as $@e!ed "is"$se f$! as )$n& as 2$ /is" t$ sta2* And 2$ (a2 se (2 .at"t. at an2 ti(e*+

ac' ac'n$/)ed&ed t"ei! "$s%ita)it2* His %$int "avin& .een (ade- "e s"eat"ed"is 'atana and !et!ned t$ "is (ea)*

Rested- .at"ed and fed- ac' fe)t )i'e a ne/ %e!s$n as "e ste%%ed $t $f S$!a+s"$se and int$ t"e ($!nin& sn*


25/150

A'i'$ f$! disa.)in& "is s/$!d "and /it" an a!!$/ d!in& t"e Batt)e $f Osa'a Cast)e* Yet des%ite "avin& !ecent)2 saved "is !iva)+s )ife in !et!n f$! t"e %!$(ise $f "e!safet2- ac' didn+t t!st Ka'i* T"at+s /"2 "e+d sent "is f!iend Hana t$ /a!n A'i'$-/"i)e ac' )eft c)es a)$n& "is !$te- s$ t"at "is a!c"4!iva) /$)d t!ac' "i( d$/ninstead*

‘A!e 2$ a)) !i&"t+ en5i!ed S$!a- n$ticin& t"e f!$/n $n ac'+s face* ac' n$dded* ‘I+( c$nce!ned f$! (2 f!iends*+‘A!en+t /e a))+ "e !e%)ied ($!nf))2* ac' stdied S$!a+s des%ai!in& e7%!essi$n and sensed an inc$ns$)a.)e )$ss in

t"e $)d (an+s "ea!t* Bt it /asn+t 3st "i(* On !e#ecti$n- ac' !ea)ied t"at a)) t"efa!(e!s .$!e a si(i)a! ai! $f &!ief* He+d %t t"is d$/n t$ t"e i(%endin& t"!eat %$sed.2 A'(a- .t even t"e c"i)d!en in t"e s5a!e /e!e s$)e(n and nsa))2 s.ded*

It /as t"en ac' n$ticed t"e!e /e!e "a!d)2 an2 2$n& &i!)s , $n)2 ($t"e!s andt"ei! s(a))est c"i)d!en*

‘6"e!e a!e t"e &i!)s $f 2$! vi))a&e+S$!a sni@ed* ‘A)) &$ne*+

‘Y$ (ean- t$ (a!'et+‘N$- a.dcted*+ ac' /as st$%%ed in "is t!ac's* ‘6"$ a.dcted t"e(+‘A'(a8 6"$ e)se+ s%at S$!a- c)enc"in& "is 0sts in fti)e !a&e* ‘He t$$' (2

$n)2 da&"te!*+S$!a .e&an t$ s$. nc$nt!$))a.)2 at t"e (e($!2*‘T"e 0!st t/$ 2ea!s 1 A'(a $n)2 st$)e $! !ice 1 )eavin& s .a!e)2 en$&" t$

s!vive 1 Bt )ast /inte! 1 "e 'idna%%ed $! &i!)s t$ .ec$(e t"e .andits+ s)aves8+‘D$ 2$ 'n$/ /"e!e t"e2 t$$' t"e(+ as'ed ac'- a%%a))ed at t"is ne/s*‘N$* 6e sea!c"ed f$! ($nt"s- .t t"e .andits+ ca(% is "idden s$(e/"e!e dee%

in t"e ($ntains* O! &i!)s a!e )$st f$!eve!8+

S$!a /i%ed t"e tea!s f!$( "is e2es and fe)) int$ a s"dde!in& si)ence*F$! t"e 0!st ti(e- ac' t!)2 a%%!eciated t"e s@e!in& A'(a and "is .andits

"ad de)ive!ed %$n t"is inn$cent c$((nit2* N$t $n)2 "ad t"e2 ta'en t"e f$$d $t$f t"e fa!(e!s+ ($t"s .t t"e )ife and s$) f!$( t"e vi))a&e itse)f*

‘Pe!"a%s A'(a /$n+t c$(e t"is 2ea!-+ said ac'- t!2in& t$ c$ns$)e t"e $)dfa!(e!*

‘He /i))-+ !e%)ied S$!a* ‘B)ac' M$$n a)/a2s d$es*+

/

RECRUITMENT

‘S$ /"at+s t"e st$!2 /it" Ne'$+ as'ed ac' as t"e t"!ee $f t"e( /a)'ed !$ndt"e %$nd- its !i( enc!sted /it" ice and sn$/* ‘S"e+s sti)) "e!e*+

Ne'$ )$$'ed % e7%ectant)2 at ac'- s$(e"$/ a/a!e t"at "e /as ta)'in& a.$t"e!*

‘T"e .andits didn+t /ant "e!-+ !e%)ied S$!a- /it" nc"a!acte!istic .itte!ness*‘Ne'$+s %a!ents (st .e t"an'f)*+Si&"in& "eavi)2- S$!a !evea)ed- ‘He! %a!ents /e!e 'i))ed in t"e 0!st !aid*+


26/150

‘S$ /"$ )$$'s afte! "e! n$/+‘N$ $ne* S"e+s an $!%"an $f t"e vi))a&e* 6e a)) ta'e ca!e $f "e!- .t Ne'$

!e(ains a %ainf) !e(inde! $f $! )$ss*+ ac' fe)t "is $t!a&e .$i) $ve!* Ne'$ "ad )$st a)) t"at /as dea! t$ "e!- 3st as "e

"ad* Bt at )east "e+d .een f$!tnate en$&" t$ "ave f!iends )i'e A'i'$- Ya(at$ and

Y$!i t$ t!n t$* S"e "ad n$ $ne t$ c$(f$!t "e!* Kn$/in& t"e t$!(ent s"e /$)d "aves@e!ed a)$ne- ac' fe)t "is !es$)ve "a!den* T"is A'(a /as c!e) and (e!ci)ess ,/$!se t"an a devi)*

‘I (st !et!n t$ O'a2a(a-+ stated ac'- (c" t$ S$!a+s a)a!(*‘B4.4.t 2$ can+t &$ 2et8+‘D$n+t /$!!2- I+)) .e .ac'-+ "e !e%)ied* ‘6it" ($!e sa(!ai8+Ne/s $f ac'+s decisi$n s%!ead )i'e /i)d0!e and "e /as "e!a)ded as t"e vi))a&e+s

savi$!* In s%ite $f "is dete!(inati$n ea!)ie! t"at ($!nin&- ac' /as .e&innin& t$5esti$n "is a.i)it2 t$ de)ive! $n t"e %!$(ise* He (i&"t .e a.)e t$ c$nvince $t"e!/a!!i$!s t$ 3$in t"e case* Bt $nce t"e2 disc$ve!ed "e /as a &ai3in- /"at t"en

T"e vi))a&e!s in t"ei! e7cite(ent see(ed t$ "ave f$!&$tten t"is*

Y$s"i- t"e e)de!- "adn+t*‘Ta'e T$&e /it" 2$-+ "e inst!cted as t"e2 discssed "is de%a!t!e $ve! )nc"at nic"i+s "$se* ‘He can act as 2$! se!vant* It+)) )end 2$ ($!e stats*+

T$&e+s e7%!essi$n s$!ed at t"e idea- .t "e /as &iven n$ c"$ice*‘Y$ &$ t$$- S$!a- as !e%!esentative $f t"e vi))a&e*+‘And (e8+ v$)ntee!ed Kni$*‘If 2$ (st-+ !e%)ied nic"i /ea!i)2* T"$&" "is e7%!essi$n s&&ested !e)ief

t"at "e+d .e !id $f t"e .$2 f$! an$t"e! fe/ da2s*‘Ne'$ c$(es t$$-+ said ac'*‘6"at f$! S"e+s a te!!i.)e c$$'-+ (tte!ed T$&e*‘A!e 2$ &$in& t$ c$$' f$! (e+ c"a))en&ed ac'* T$ /"ic" T$&e didn+t ans/e!*

B2 t"e ti(e a)) t"e t!ave) %!e%a!ati$ns "ad .een (ade- it /as )ate*‘6e+)) )eave t$($!!$/ ($!nin&-+ said ac'* ac' a/$'e at 0!st )i&"t- f!es" and ($!e %$sitive a.$t "is f$!t"c$(in& (issi$n*

T"e /eat"e! a)s$ a%%ea!ed t$ .e in t"ei! fav$!* A .!i&"t /inte! sn s"i((e!edac!$ss t"e c!is% /"ite ca!%et $f t"e O'a2a(a P)ain and t"e (ain !$ad /as c)ea!)2visi.)e- sna'in& its /a2 t$/a!ds t"e "$!i$n*

A)) t"e vi))a&e!s &at"e!ed in t"e s5a!e t$ /ave t"e( $@* As t"e %!$visi$ns/e!e divided % .et/een t"e %a!t2 $f 0ve- ac' ens!ed Ne'$ /asn+t $ve!.!denedt"is ti(e*

‘Kni$8+ "e ca))ed as t"e .$2 /ent f$! t"e s(a))est )$ad* ‘T"is !ice sac' andc$$'in& %$t s"$)d .e n$ t!$.)e f$! a st!$n& fa!(e! )i'e 2$*+

N$t /antin& t$ )$se face in f!$nt $f t"e $t"e! .$2s- Kni$ s(i)ed &a(e)2*‘N$ %!$.)e(-+ "e &!nted- "a)in& t"e "eav2 i!$n %$t a)$n& /it" t"e

c(.e!s$(e sac' $n t$ "is .ac'* He sta&&e!ed s)i&"t)2- t"en f$))$/ed ac' and t"e$t"e!s $t $f t"e vi))a&e*

6$!'in& t"ei! /a2 %ast t"e sn$/4)aden 0e)ds- t"e &!$% c!$ssed t"e .!id&e .2t"e (i)) and s$$n )eft Ta(a&as"i .e"ind* Ne'$ s'i%%ed (e!!i)2 at ac'+s side- c)ea!)2de)i&"ted n$t t$ .e t!eated as t"e vi))a&e s)ave f$! $nce*

6it" t"e !$te c)ea!- t"e2 (ade &$$d ti(e and .2 (id4afte!n$$n t"e $ts'i!ts$f O'a2a(a ca(e int$ vie/* T$&e (ana&ed t$ ac5i!e t"e sa(e !nd$/nacc$(($dati$n as .ef$!e and t"e2 )eft Ne'$ and an e7"asted Kni$ t$ &a!d t"e%!$visi$ns* O'a2a(a+s (ain s5a!e /as .st)in& /it" %e$%)e and t"e!e /as a .$f e7cite(ent in t"e ai!*


27/150

‘Ma!'et da2-+ e7%)ained T$&e as "e )ed ac' t"!$&" t"e c!$/ds and %ast sta))s$f 0s" &$$ds- si)' t!ade!s- s%ice (e!c"ants and vend$!s se))in& eve!2t"in& f!$( $i)and /$$d t$ fa!( t$$)s and %$tte!2*

‘T"at+s &$$d ne/s-+ said ac'- 'ee%in& "is "at )$/ $ve! "is e2es* ‘T"e!e+)) .e($!e sa(!ai t$ c"$$se f!$(*+

T"e2 decided t"e (a!'et%)ace itse)f /as t$$ "ectic t$ (a'e a %e!s$na) a%%ea)t$ an2$ne- s$ ac' c"$se a s(a)) tea "$se at $ne c$!ne! $f t"e s5a!e* As /e)) as%!$vidin& &$$d vie/s ac!$ss t"e (a!'etit /as an a%%!$%!iate (eetin& %)ace f$!!$nin* M$!e i(%$!tant)2- it $@e!ed ac' t"e .est esca%e !$te s"$)d "is identit2 .ee7%$sed*

Actin& acc$!din& t$ "is !$)e- T$&e $!de!ed a %$t $f senc"a f$! "is (aste!-%$!ed $t a c%- t"en 'ne)t t$ $ne side /it" S$!a* T"e t"!ee $f t"e( s!ve2ed t"e(a!'et f$! sita.)e sa(!ai*

ac' s%$tted $ne a)($st i((ediate)2* He /$!e a %)ain .)ac' 'i($n$ and "ad aneat)2 t!i((ed .ea!d* On "is "i% /e!e a %ai! $f /e))4(aintained s/$!ds and "e/a)'ed /it" an ai! $f c$n0dence- .t n$t a!!$&ance*

‘T!2 "i(*+

T$&e 3(%ed t$ "is feet and "!!ied $ve! t$ t"e (an* ac' and S$!a /atc"ed as-.$/in& %!$fse)2- T$&e int!$dced "i(se)f and invited t"e sa(!ai f$! tea* T"e/a!!i$! a%%ea!ed t$ as' a 5esti$n- t$ /"ic" T$&e ans/e!ed* T"e sa(!ai t"ens"$$' "is "ead and /a)'ed $n* T$&e !et!ned t$ t"e tea "$se- a &)( e7%!essi$n$n "is face*

‘He said t$ t"an' 2$ f$! 2$! $@e!- .t "e /asn+t in need $f a 3$.*+ T"e2 !es(ed t"ei! sea!c"*‘6"at a.$t "i(+ s&&ested S$!a- %$intin& t$ a /e))4d!essed sa(!ai /it" a

)$n& ($stac"e- %)(% 3$/)s and a visi.)e %anc"*‘N$-+ said ac'- !ea)iin& t"e (an /as t$$ aent t$ .e a !$nin* ‘6e need t$

0nd "n&!2 (aste!)ess sa(!ai*+

‘H$/ a.$t t"at $ne+ said T$&e*A stic'4t"in /a!!i$! /it" %inc"ed c"ee's and a s"a..2 .!$/n 'i($n$ /ande!ed

t"!$&" t"e (a!'et*‘P$ssi.)2-+ !e%)ied ac'- ta'in& a si% $f tea /"i)e "e c$nside!ed t"e (an* T"e sa(!ai d!e/ c)$se!* As "e %assed a f!it sta))- "e s)i%%ed an a%%)e int$ "is

'i($n$ s)eeve*‘He+s de0nite)2 "n&!2-+ said S$!a*‘He+s a)s$ a t"ief8+ (tte!ed T$&e* ac' /as inc)ined t$ a&!ee /it" T$&e+s disa%%!$va)* T"e2 needed "$n$!a.)e

t!st/$!t"2 sa(!ai* Bt nde! t"e ci!c(stances- t"e2 c$)dn+t .e t$$ c"$$s2*A)) $f a sdden t"e!e /as a c$(($ti$n in t"e c!$/d and an $)d /$(an .a!&ed

"e! /a2 t"!$&"* Raisin& a &na!)ed /a)'in&4stic' a)$ft- s"e .e&an t$ .eat t"e "n&!2sa(!ai a!$nd t"e "ead*

‘Y$ %at"etic e7cse $f a sa(!ai8+ s"e s"!ie'ed* ‘Hand .ac' (2 a%%)e8+‘I 1 I 1 /as &$in& t$ %a2-+ %!$tested t"e sa(!ai fee.)2- sc!a..)in& f$! "is

%!se*‘Y$+)) %a2 a)) !i&"t8+ s"e c!$/ed- t"(%in& "i( a&ain and a&ain* T"e sa(!ai c$/e!ed nde! "e! .)$/s* D!$%%in& t"e a%%)e- "e !an as if "is )ife

de%ended %$n it* T"e s!!$ndin& s"$%%e!s .!st int$ )a&"te! at t"e si&"t $f t"e/a!!i$! #eein& an $)d /$(an "a)f "is sie*

‘N$ &$$d-+ said ac'* ‘An2 !ec!it "as t$ .e .!ave- at t"e ve!2 )east*+6it" %$tentia) candidates fe/ and fa! .et/een- t"ei! 5est /as %!$vin& even

($!e dic)t t"an "e+d e7%ected*


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T"en a t$&"- .att)e4"a!dened sa(!ai st!$))ed %ast t"e tea "$se* d&in& .2"is f!a2ed 'i($n$ /it" n$ a)iatin& ($n- t"e /a!!i$! /as a !$nin see'in& /$!'*F!t"e!($!e- "is sa2as dis%)a2ed t"e sca!s $f n(e!$s 0&"ts*

‘He+s $! (an-+ said ac'* T$&e "!!ied $ve! and .$/ed t$ &et "is attenti$n*

‘Ma2 (2 (aste! "ave a /$!d+ as'ed T$&e- di!ectin& t"e !$nin t$ ac'- "is faces"ie)ded .eneat" t"e st!a/ "at*Int!i&ed- t"e !$nin c!t)2 n$dded "is a&!ee(ent* He sat d$/n at ac'+s ta.)e-

%)acin& "is s/$!ds c)$se .2 "is side* S$!a i((ediate)2 %$!ed $t s$(e senc"a*‘T"an' 2$ f$! ta'in& t"e ti(e t$ 3$in (e-+ said ac'- t$astin& t"e !$nin /it" "is

c%* Ad$%tin& "is &a!dian+s na(e- ac' int!$dced "i(se)f* ‘M2 na(e+s Ta'es"i*+ T"e sa(!ai .$/ed "is "ead* ‘I+( H$nen* H$/ can I .e $f se!vice+‘I+( see'in& sa(!ai $n .e"a)f $f Ta(a&as"i vi))a&e , t$ defend t"e( a&ainst

.andit !aids d!in& t"e /inte!*+‘An "$n$!a.)e if in&)$!i$s case*+‘Bt a /$!t"2 $ne-+ c$nte!ed ac'* And- &essin& t"e !$nin /$)d a%%!eciate

di!ectness as /e)) as a c"a))en&e- "e added- ‘T"e .andits+ )eade! is t"e n$t$!i$sA'(a- t"e (an t"e2 ca)) B)ac' M$$n*+‘He+s a fea!s$(e /a!!i$!* Ki))ed "nd!eds $f (en- I "ea!*+‘6"at s$!t $f c$!a&e d$es it ta'e t$ defeat na!(ed fa!(e!s+ said ac'* ‘Sc"

a .andit /$)dn+t stand a c"ance a&ainst a sa(!ai )i'e 2$* A!e 2$ /i))in& t$ 3$ins in $! ca(%ai&n+

Ta'in& a )$n& d!a&"t $f senc"a- H$nen c$nside!ed t"e %!$%$siti$n*‘And if I /as t$ acce%t- /"at /$)d (2 !e/a!d .e f$! sc" dan&e!$s /$!'+‘As %$$! fa!(e!s- t"e2 can $@e! t"!ee (ea)s a da2 and )$d&in&*+ T"e e7%!essi$n $n t"e sa(!ai+s face t!ned f!$( s2(%at"2 t$ indi&nati$n*‘H$/ da!e 2$- a fe))$/ sa(!ai- $@end (e /it" sc" a %a)t!2 $@e!8+ "e

&!$/)ed- s)a((in& "is c% $n t"e ta.)e* ‘I (a2 .e a !$nin- .t t"at d$esn+t (a'e(e a .e&&a!8+G!a..in& "is s/$!ds- t"e sa(!ai st$!(ed $@*‘T"is is "$%e)ess-+ ($aned S$!a*‘6e can+t &ive % 2et-+ said ac'- t"$&" "e /as .e&innin& t$ d$.t t"ei!

c"ances*6it" t"e )i&"t fadin&- t"e (a!'et &!e/ 5iete!* Sti)) t"e2 (ana&ed t$ att!act t"e

attenti$n $f t/$ ($!e sa(!ai* T"e 0!st "ad a)s$ "ea!d $f A'(a and "!!ied)2(ade "is e7cses t$ )eaveL t"e sec$nd .a)'ed at t"e )ac' $f &)$!2 in d2in& f$! )$/)2fa!(e!s*

‘I+( s!e /e+)) "ave .ette! )c' t$($!!$/-+ said ac'- "idin& "is $/n

disa%%$int(ent*Dis%i!ited- T$&e %aid t"e .i)) and t"e t"!ee $f t"e( "eaded .ac' t$ t"est$!e"$se* As t"e2 c!$ssed t"e st!eet- ac' sensed s$(e$ne f$))$/in& t"e(*6it"$t )$$'in& !$nd- "e indicated f$! T$&e t$ ta'e t"e ne7t a))e2*

Bt t"ei! %!se! /asn+t fa! .e"ind*6eavin& t"!$&" t"e .ac'st!eets- ac' !&ed t"e fa!(e!s t$ 5ic'en t"ei! %ace*

Sti)) t"e2 c$)dn+t s"a'e "i( $@* Si&nin& f$! T$&e and S$!a t$ c$ntine- ac' dc'edint$ a na!!$/ %assa&e/a2* F$$tste%s c!nc"ed in t"e sn$/* ac' ti&"tened t"e &!i%$n "is s/$!d* A s"ad$/2 0&!e %assed .2*

T"en st$%%ed*‘D$ 2$ a)/a2s "ide f!$( f!iends+

10


29/150

AN O


30/150

‘And /"at a.$t 2$+ as'ed Sa.!$* ‘T"e )ast I "ea!d- 2$+d )eft A'i'$ in T$.as$(e ti(e .ac' in s%!in&* 6"at "ave 2$ .een d$in& a)) t"is ti(e+

6"i)e ac' !ec$nted t"e events $f "is )ast si7 ($nt"s- t"e fa!(e!s "dd)ed int"e fa! c$!ne!- discssin& t"e ne/ a!!iva) and )eavin& Ne'$ t$ tend t$ t"e !ice*Sa.!$ /as a(aed and a%%a))ed in t!n t$ )ea!n $f ac'+s e7%)$its and "a!ds"i%sJ"is esca%e f!$( Osa'a Cast)e /it" t"e /$nded A'i'$L t"e %!sit $f t"e S"$&n+ssa(!ai t"!$&" t"e I&a ($ntainsL t"e inte!venti$n $f t"e nin3a and "$/ t"e2"e)%ed "i(L t"e vi$)ent !$..e!2 /it" t"e )$ss $f a)) "is %$ssessi$ns and "is (e($!2Land t"e !e)ent)ess "nt .2 Ka'i and "is Sc$!%i$n Gan& ac!$ss a%an*

A)t"$&" ac' t!sted "is f!iend c$(%)ete)2- "e /as ca!ef) n$t t$ &$ int$ t$$(c" detai) a.$t "is enc$nte! /it" t"e nin3a* He /asn+t s!e "$/ Sa.!$ /$)d!eact t$ t"e ne/s t"at "e+d .ec$(e a f))2 t!ained s"in$.i*

‘T"at Ka'i+s a .))2 and a t"&8+ e7c)ai(ed Sa.!$- %$n "ea!in& $f t"e .$2+sintenti$n t$ &$ afte! A'i'$* ‘I 'ne/ "is fat"e! "ad .een (ade dai(2$ $f K2$t$P!$vince- .t t"e %$/e!+s &$ne t$ Ka'i+s "ead t$$*+

‘I+( 3st %!a2in& Hana+s !eac"ed A'i'$ 0!st-+ said ac'*‘D$n+t /$!!2-+ c$ns$)ed Sa.!$- )a2in& a "and %$n ac'+s s"$)de!* ‘6e .$t"

'n$/ A'i'$ /as $ne $f t"e .est sa(!ai at $! sc"$$)* Even if Ka'i d$es 0nd "e!-s"e+)) (a'e "i( !e&!et "e eve! did8+

ac' t$$' c$(f$!t f!$( Sa.!$+s c$n0dence* It /as &$$d t$ "ave a f!iend .2 "isside a&ain , $ne "e c$)d !e)2 $n /"i)e .ein& "i(se)f- /it"$t fea! $f %!e3dice*

Ne'$ %added $ve! and %!esented ac' and Sa.!$ /it" t/$ "ea%ed .$/)s $f !ice* T"e2 tc'ed in- /"i)e t"e fa!(e!s ate t"ei! s"a!e in t"e c$!ne!*

‘G$$d !ice-+ said Sa.!$- t"!$&" a ($t"f) $f f$$d*‘En3$2 it /"i)e 2$ can-+ !e%)ied ac'* ‘T"e fa!(e!s d$n+t "ave (c" t$ &$

!$nd*+Sa.!$ )$$'ed % and sa/ t"e (ea&!e %$!ti$ns t"e $t"e!s "ad*‘G)ad I /asn+t .$!n a fa!(e!-+ c$((ented Sa.!$ and !es(ed eatin&*

ac' !ea)ied "is f!iend /asn+t .ein& %!%$sef))2 "a!d4"ea!ted* Havin& .een.!$&"t % a sa(!ai- "e /as si(%)2 indi@e!ent t$ t"e )$/e! s$cia) castes*

‘6"at a!e 2$ d$in& /it" t"ese fa!(e!s an2/a2+ as'ed Sa.!$*‘I+( "e)%in& t"e( t$ !ec!it sa(!ai*+Sa.!$ a)($st s%at "is f$$d $t* ‘Y$8 6"at $n ea!t" f$!+ ac' e7%)ained a.$t A'(a and "is f$!t"c$(in& !aid at t"e ne7t .)ac' ($$n*‘st $ne .andit+ 5e!ied Sa.!$*‘N$- f$!t2*+Sa.!$ /"ist)ed in a/e* ‘T"$se fa!(e!s d$n+t stand a c"ance8+‘T"at+s /"2 I+( &$in& t$ 0&"t f$! t"e(*+

Sa.!$+s 3a/ d!$%%ed $%en and "e st$%%ed eatin&* ‘Y$+!e n$t se!i$s- a!e 2$ Y$ "ave t$ )eave a%an .ef$!e t"e S"$&n $! Ka'i 0nd 2$*+ ac' n$dded "is intent t$ sta2* ‘If /e d$n+t "e)% t"e fa!(e!s- n$ $ne e)se /i))*+‘6e+ s%)tte!ed Sa.!$- "is "i&"4%itc"ed e7c)a(ati$n d!a/in& t"e fa!(e!s+

attenti$n*‘Yes- I /as "$%in& 2$+d 3$in (e*+‘Y$+!e /$!se t"an (2 fat"e!8+ said Sa.!$- "is e2es /idenin& in a)a!(* ‘Y$+!e

.$t" t!2in& t$ &et (e 'i))ed*+‘It /$n+t 3st .e s-+ c$nte!ed ac'* ‘6e+)) !ec!it an$t"e! 0ve sa(!ai*+‘T"at+s sti)) $n)2 seven sa(!ai a&ainst f$!t2 .andits8+‘P)ease- Sa.!$* T"ese %e$%)e a!e des%e!ate and /e d$n+t "ave (c" ti(e )eft*+


31/150

Si&"in& "eavi)2- Sa.!$ c$nside!ed ac'+s %!$%$sa)* T"e fa!(e!s "ad st$%%edta)'in& and /e!e n$/ t!ans07ed- a/aitin& Sa.!$+s ans/e!* ac' !ea)ied "e (a2"ave as'ed t$$ (c" $f "is f!iend*

‘Y$+)) .e t"e deat" $f (e- ac'-+ Sa.!$ said 0na))2*‘Y$+)) "e)% (e t"en+ !e%)ied ac'- .$t" a(aed and !e)ieved* ‘6e+)) .e

!e/a!ded /it" f$$d*+‘6e))- /"2 didn+t 2$ sa2 s$+ said Sa.!$- &!innin&* ‘T"at+s a)) t"e incentive Ineed8+

T"e fa!(e!s t"!e/ t"e(se)ves t$ t"e &!$nd in &!atitde*‘Bt I+( $n)2 a&!eein& t$ t"is-+ added Sa.!$ 5iet)2- ‘.ecase it+s 2$ /"$

as'ed* I e7%ect t"at I+)) .e needed t$ save 2$! (ise!a.)e )ife a&ain8+

11

A HE


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‘And n$ !$nin /i)) )isten t$ s-+ said Sa.!$- si&"in&*‘T"en /"2 n$t a%%!$ac" 2$n& sa(!ai+ s&&ested t"e ($n'* ‘T"e2 can .e

3st as .!ave*+ ac' c$nside!ed t"is* ‘T"e2 (i&"t sti)) .e t!ainin& and /$n+t "ave t"e s/$!d

s'i))s* It+s t$$ !is'2 a&ainst a .andit )i'e A'(a* 6e need /a!!i$!s /it" .att)e

e7%e!ience*+‘D$ 2$ )ac' sc" e7%e!ience+‘N$t enti!e)2-+ ac' ad(itted- "is (ind !et!nin& t$ t"e attac' $n t"e Niten Ic"i

R2 and t"e Batt)e $f Osa'a Cast)e*‘Have 2$ n$t de))ed ad)t sa(!ai 1 and /$n+‘E!!! 1 2es-+ !e%)ied ac'- ta'en $@4&a!d .2 sc" a 'n$/in& 5esti$n*‘T"en /"$+s t$ sa2 t"e!e a!en+t ($!e /a!!i$!s )i'e 2$+‘Becase I+( 1+ ac' t!ai)ed $@* Becase I+( a &ai3in- "e+d a)($st said* Yet (a2.e t"e ($n' /as !i&"t* He- ac'- /as /i))in& t$ tac')e t"e .andits* And if

t"e Niten Ic"i R2 c$)d %!$dce /a!!i$!s )i'e A'i'$- Ya(at$ and "i(se)f- t"en /"2c$)dn+t t"e!e .e $t"e! 2$n& sa(!ai $f e5a) s'i))

‘Bt t"is isn+t K2$t$-+ a!&ed Sa.!$* ‘T"e!e /$n+t .e (an2 s/$!d sc"$$)s "e!e, if an28 6"e!e /i)) /e 0nd 2$n& sa(!ai+‘S$(eti(es /"at 2$ see' is !i&"t in f!$nt $f 2$! e2es-+ t"e ($n' !e%)ied-

)iftin& t"e "at f!$( "is face*D(.st!c'- ac' and Sa.!$ c$)d $n)2 sta!e $%en4($t"ed at t"e )itt)e ($n'

/it" .!i&"t e2es and a s($$t" s"aven "ead*‘B4.4.t 2$+!e s%%$sed t$ .e at t"e Tendai Te(%)e in I&a Uen$ 1 /it" Sensei

Ya(ada-+ ac' 0na))2 (ana&ed t$ &as%*‘And 2$+!e s%%$sed t$ .e $n a s"i% .$nd f$! En&)and-+ !e%)ied Y$!i*Bac' at t"e st$!e"$se- Ne'$ .!e/ed a %$t $f senc"a /"i)e ac'- Sa.!$ and

Y$!i ca&"t % $n eac" $t"e!+s ne/s* Y$!i c$)dn+t .e)ieve a)) t"e t!ia)s and

t!i.)ati$ns ac' "ad s@e!edL and Sa.!$ /as stnned t$ )ea!n $f Y$!i+s &!es$(eesca%e f!$( t"e Red Devi)s at t"e Batt)e $f Osa'a Cast)e* A)) t"!ee $f t"e( ($!nedt"e t!a&ic c)$s!e $f t"ei! sc"$$)- .t ac' and Y$!i /e!e %)eased t$ )ea!n f!$(Sa.!$ t"at Sensei Kan$- t"ei! .)ind .3ts (aste!- "ad safe)2 !et!ned t"es!vivin& 2$n& sa(!ai t$ K2$t$ .ef$!e &$in& int$ "idin& "i(se)f* T$ ac'+sdisa%%$int(ent- t"e!e /as n$ f!t"e! /$!d $f "is &a!dian Masa($t$+s fate-f$))$/in& "is .anis"(ent t$ a !e($te te(%)e $n M$nt Ia/$* Bt s$!!$/ t!ned t$)a&"te! /"en Y$!i )ea!nt $f Sa.!$+s neventf) (s"a s"&2*

‘N$ %$int ta'in& nnecessa!2 !is's8+ e7%)ained Sa.!$- a!c")2 !aisin& "ise2e.!$/s* ‘6"at .!in&s 2$ t$ O'a2a(a an2/a2+

‘Sensei Ya(ada sent (e $n a %i)&!i(a&e t$$-+ !e%)ied Y$!i* ‘Bt a !e)i&i$s $ne*+‘Is Sensei Ya(ada "e!e+ ac' as'ed- ea&e! t$ see t"e ?en %"i)$s$%"2 (aste!

/"$+d .een "is c)$sest (ent$! at t"e Niten Ic"i R2*S"a'in& "is "ead- Y$!i &ave a sad s(i)e* ‘I t"in' s$(et"in& died in "i( d!in&

t"at )ast .att)e in Osa'a* Sensei Ya(ada+s .een teac"in& (e eve!2t"in& "e 'n$/s-as if "e e7%ects t$ de%a!t t"is /$!)d s$$n*+

ac' and Sa.!$ e7c"an&ed /$!!ied &)ances*‘T"en /"2 a!en+t 2$ /it" "i( n$/+ as'ed Sa.!$*‘


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‘T$ f!iends- &$ne .t n$t f$!&$tten-+ a&!eed Y$!i- "is e2es !eddenin& /it" tea!s* T"e !enited 2$n& sa(!ai d!an' in t"ei! f!iends+ "$n$!* A ($(ent $f

!es%ectf) si)ence sett)ed .et/een t"e(- Sa.!$ c"$'in& % at t"e (e($!2 $f "is.!ave .!$t"e! Ta!$- and ac' ($!nin& t"e )$ss $f Ya(at$- /"$+d sac!i0ced "i(se)f t$ save "i( and A'i'$ f!$( t"e nin3a D!a&$n E2e*

Ne'$ )$$'ed s"$c'ed- t"in'in& "e! tea /as t$ .)a(e* Bt Y$!i si&ned t$ "e! t"att"e senc"a tasted &$$d* S"e .$/ed at t"e c$(%)i(ent .ef$!e sca(%e!in& .ac' t$"e! c$!ne! t$ %!e%a!e t"ei! )nc"*

As eve!- ac' /as a(aed at Y$!i+s sensitivit2 t$ %e$%)e , /it"$t even .ein&t$)d- "is f!iend /as a/a!e $f Ne'$+s c$nditi$n* He /as 3st t"e sa(e as ac'!e(e(.e!ed* A)t"$&" s(a)) $f stat!e- Y$!i %$ssessed a &!eat "ea!t and a /a!(t"$f s%i!it t"at (ade "i( t"e %e!fect ($n'* Sc" vi!tes "adn+t a)/a2s "e)%ed "i(d!in& "is t!ainin& t$ .ec$(e a sa(!ai /a!!i$!* N$net"e)ess- Y$!i "adde($nst!ated s!%!isin& !esi)ience and e7t!a$!dina!2 s'i))s t"at .e)ied "is (i)d4(anne!ed a%%ea!ance*

‘I sti)) can+t .e)ieve I !an int$ 2$ and Sa.!$-+ said ac'* Y$!i s(i)ed /a!()2 at "i(* ‘C$incidence is a deit2+s /a2 $f sta2in& an$n2($s*

Pe!"a%s H$tei t"e


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/$$den /a!e"$ses t"at )ined t"e !ive!.an'- /"i)e e(%t2 vesse)s a/aited t"ei!)$ads f$! dist!i.ti$n t$ $t"e! %a!ts $f a%an*

U%$n t"e $%%$site s"$!e- a 0ve4tie!ed cast)e d$(inated t"e s'2)ine- its a))4.)ac'e7te!i$! castin& an $%%!essive s"ad$/ $ve! t"e %!$ceedin&s*

‘T"at+s C!$/ Cast)e-+ said T$&e- as t"e2 /$!'ed t"ei! /a2 t"!$&" t"e t"!$n&*

‘T"e "$(e $f dai(2$ I'eda*+ ac' !ea)ied t"at a )$!d /"$ )ived in sc" an i(%$sin& st!ct!e /$)d "ave)itt)e s2(%at"2 f$! an2 $f "is s.3ects- es%ecia))2 )$/)2 fa!(e!s*

T"e a!c"e!2 c$ntest /as ta'in& %)ace $n t"e .!$ad ve!anda $f t"e )a!&est $f t"e/a!e"$ses* Si7 s(a)) ta!&ets "ad .een set % at $ne end and t"e a!c"e!s /e!e)ined % at t"e $t"e!- s$(e si7t2 (et!es a/a2* T"e c$(%etin& sa(!ai /e!e d!essedin /inte! 'i($n$- t"ei! )eft a!(s %))ed $t $f t"e s)eeve and )aid .a!e t$ t"ee)e(ents s$ t"at t"e2 c$)d d!a/ t"ei! .$/s and s"$$t c)ean)2*

A!!$/s #e/ t"!$&" t"e ai! )i'e #i&"ts $f sta!t)ed s%a!!$/s- f$))$/ed .2 a%e!cssive t"nde! $f stee) ti%s st!i'in& "a!d /$$den ta!&ets* As s$$n as $ne !$nd/as c$(%)ete- an$t"e! "ai) $f a!!$/s /as n)eas"ed*

‘Eve!2 2ea! O'a2a(a "$)ds a Ts"i2a c$ntest-+ e7%)ained T$&e* ‘T"e a!c"e! /"$

"its t"ei! ta!&et t"e ($st $t $f a "nd!ed a!!$/s is dec)a!ed t"e /inne!*+An$t"e! %e%%e! $f .$)ts st!c' "$(e- t"e s"afts 5ive!in& %$n i(%act* T"$se

t"at (issed eit"e! fe)) s"$!t int$ t"e ve!anda+s dec'in& $! e(.edded t"e(se)ves int"e /a!e"$se /a)) .e"ind*

Sa.!$ s%$tted seve!a) 2$n& sa(!ai a($n& t"e s%ectat$!s* ‘6"ic" $ne s"a))/e as' 0!st+

ac' f$))$/ed "is &ae* T"e &!$% /e!e a (i7 $f .$2s and &i!)s- .t n$ne /e!ean2/"e!e nea! t"ei! c$(in&4$f4a&e ce!e($n2* He s"$$' "is "ead* ‘Fa! t$$ 2$n&*+

‘H$/ a.$t t"$se t/$+ s&&ested S$!a*An $)de! .$2 and a &i!)- /"$ a%%ea!ed t$ .e "is siste!- st$$d at t"e f!$nt-

t!ans07ed .2 t"e $n&$in& c$ntest* Scannin& t"e c!$/d- ac' c$nside!ed t"e2 /e!e

t"e $n)2 )i'e)2 candidates*‘6"at d$ 2$ t"in'- Y$!i+‘I need t$ "ave a c)$se! )$$'-+ "e !e%)ied- na.)e t$ see $ve! t"e c!$/d+s

s"$)de!s*‘F$))$/ (e-+ said Sa.!$- )eadin& t"e /a2* st as t"e2 !eac"ed t"e f!$nt !$/- a &!eat s"$t /ent %* T"e a!c"e!s "ad

ceased 0!in& and t"e 3d&in& n$/ .e&an* T"e s%ectat$!s fe)) si)ent in antici%ati$n-/"i)e a /"ite4!$.ed $cia) ins%ected t"e ta!&ets in t!n- c$ntin& t"e sccessf)"its $f eac" a!c"e!*

‘Fift24t/$-+ "e ann$nced t$ !es%ectf) a%%)ase- and t"e 0!st sa(!ai &ave a"(.)e .$/*

‘Si7t24f$!*+ T$ /"ic" t"e sec$nd a!c"e! a))$/ed "i(se)f a s(& &!in as "e /as&!eeted /it" ent"siastic c"ee!in&*

‘T/ent24$ne*+ A %$)ite 2et "a)f4"ea!ted c)a%%in& c$)dn+t "ide t"e c!$/d+ssni&&e!in&- $! t"e s"a(e .!nin& $n t"e t"i!d sa(!ai+s face* Bt "e didn+t "ave t$s@e! t"ei! !idic)e f$! )$n&* A c$))ective &as% $f a(ae(ent s$nded /"en t"ef$!t" c$(%etit$!+s sc$!e /as !evea)ed*

‘Ninet24ei&"t8+ dec)a!ed t"e $cia)- c)ea!)2 ast$nis"ed "i(se)f* ‘A ne/ !ec$!d8+D!essed in a c!is% /"ite &i and a))4/"ite "a'a(a- a seve!e4)$$'in& sa(!ai /it"

a t"in ($stac"e &ave a vict$!i$s s"$t and t"!st "is .$/ int$ t"e ai!*‘6"2 n$t "i(+ said Y$!i- n$ddin& t$/a!ds t"e ve!anda as t"e $cia) ca))ed $t

a disa%%$intin& ‘F$!t24seven+ f$! t"e 0ft" sa(!ai*

‘Ma'e 2$! (ind %- Y$!i-+ said Sa.!$* ‘I t"$&"t /e /e!e )$$'in& f$! 2$n&sa(!ai*+


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‘6e a!e-+ said Y$!i- di!ectin& t"ei! attenti$n t$ t"e si7t" and 0na) a!c"e!*A )$ne .$2 st$$d a($n& t"e $t"e! c$(%etit$!s* 6ea!in& a %)ain .)ac' 'i($n$-

"is "ai! tied % int$ a t$%'n$t- t"e .$2 a%%ea!ed ne7ce%ti$na)* Yet "is face /ass"a!% and attentive- and "is de(ean$! c$$) and c$))ected*

T"e $cia) "ad c$(%)eted "is c$nt $f t"e .$2+s ta!&et- .t "e see(ed

nce!tain $f t"e !es)t and c"ec'ed a&ain* T"e e7cite(ent a($n& t"e c!$/d &!e/* T"en t"e $cia) t!ned t$ t"e( and ann$nced- ‘Ninet24nine8+F$! a ($(ent- n$ $ne c$)d .e)ieve t"e !es)t , in %a!tic)a!- t"e sa(!ai /it"

t"e t"in ($stac"e- /"$ sta!ed in f!2 at t"e .$2+s ta!&et as if t!2in& t$ !e4c$ntt"e f$!est $f a!!$/s f!$( a distance* T"en t"e s%ectat$!s .!st int$ a(aeda%%)ase*

6"en t"e initia) c"ee!in& "ad s.sided- t"e $cia) a%%!$ac"ed t"e .$2 and.e&an- ‘I dec)a!e t"e /inne! t$ .e ,+

‘N$- I+( t"e c"a(%i$n8+ ct in t"e $t"e! sa(!ai- st!idin& an&!i)2 $ve!* ‘Te)) s"$/ $)d 2$ a!e-+ "e de(anded $f t"e .$2*

‘Fifteen 1 and a "a)f*+‘See8 He+s n$t 2et $f a&e*+‘6"at d$es a&e "ave t$ d$ /it" it+ a!&ed t"e .$2* ‘I .eat 2$*+ T"e sa(!ai )$$'ed !ead2 t$ e7%)$de* ‘Y$ a!!$&ant c"i)d8 I+)) teac" 2$ 2$!

%)ace-+ "e said- /avin& a 0st in t"e .$2+s face* T"e .$2 didn+t #inc"* ‘I /e)c$(e a c"a))en&e*+‘T"en /e+)) d$.)e t"e ta!&et distance and %t it $n /ate!-+ sna%%ed t"e

sa(!ai* ‘Best $f t/$ a!!$/s*+ T"e .$2 c$$))2 .$/ed "is acce%tance and t"e c!$/d .ed /it" e7cite(ent at

t"is n%!ecedented deve)$%(ent* T"e $cia) $!de!ed a %$!te! t$ ($ve a ta!&et $nt$ a .$at and !$/ it $t int$ t"e (idd)e $f t"e !ive!* A %at" /as c)ea!ed f!$( t"eve!anda t$ t"e d$c'- a))$/in& a c)ea! )ine $f si&"t f$! t"e t/$ a!c"e!s*

‘N$/ /e+)) %!$ve /"$ is t"e t!e c"a(%i$n-+ said t"e sa(!ai- )inin& "i(se)f %t$ ta'e "is 0!st s"$t* ‘P!e%a!e t$ .e "(i)iated*+

6it" %!actised ease- "e !aised "is .$/- %))ed .ac' $n t"e st!in& and !e)easedt"e a!!$/* It s$a!ed t"!$&" t"e ai!- a!cin& "i&" a.$ve t"e c!$/d and t$/a!ds t"edistant .$..in& .$at* T"e2 a)) st!ained t$ see /"e!e it /$)d )and %$n t"e ta!&et*Bt- even /it"$t t"e %$!te! !aisin& a .)ac' #a& in c$n0!(ati$n- it /as c)ea! t"att"e a!!$/ "ad st!c' dead cent!e , a .))se2e*

T"e c!$/d /ent /i)d , n$ $ne "ad eve! /itnessed sc" an inc!edi.)e feat.ef$!e*

Ca&"t % in "is $/n c$nceit- t"e sa(!ai s"$t t"e .$2 a s%e!i$! )$$' .ef$!eta'in& "is ne7t s"$t* T"is /as "is (ista'e* T"e tin2 .!ea' in "is c$ncent!ati$n sentt"e sec$nd s"$t a f!acti$n $@4c$!se* T"e %$!te!- "is e2es /ide /it" a)a!(- )ea%t

f!$( t"e .$at and int$ t"e !ive! as t"e st!a2 a!!$/ st!c' t"e /$$den seat "e+d 3st.een sittin& $n* T"is ti(e t"e c!$/d .!$'e int$ )a&"te!*‘It /as (eant t$ test "is !eacti$ns-+ (tte!ed t"e sa(!ai- t!2in& t$ c$ve! %

"is e!!$! as t"e .ed!a&&)ed %$!te! c)a(.e!ed .ac' in* ‘Y$+)) .e )c'2 t$ even "it t"e.$at- .$28+

I&n$!in& t"e sa(!ai+s 3i.es- t"e .$2 %$siti$ned "i(se)f side4$n t$ t"e ta!&et-f$!(in& a %e!fect A4s"a%e /it" "is .$d2* ac' !ec$&nied t"e ($ti$ns t"e .$2 /as&$in& t"!$&" f!$( "is $/n '23ts t!ainin& , t"e %e!fect .a)ance- t"e n/ave!in&f$cs- and t"e c$(.inin& $f t"e s%i!it- .$/ and .$d2 as $ne*

T"e .$2 ($ved /it" t"e #idit2 $f a sin&)e .!eat" and- %$n !e)ease- t"e a!!$/ct t"!$&" t"e c$)d ai! )i'e a 'nife* T"e e2es $f t"e c!$/d f$))$/ed it ac!$ss t"e s'2and t$/a!ds t"e c$nstant)2 s"iftin& ta!&et* As it )anded- a s%)inte!in& s$ndt!ave))ed .ac' ac!$ss t"e /ate!s t$ t"e d$c'*


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Raisin& a s$&&2 .)ac' #a& /it" a t!e(.)in& "and- t"e %$!te! c!ied $t- ‘T"e .$2s%)it t"e sa(!ai+s a!!$/ in "a)f8+

M$!e a(aed a%%)ase .!st f$!t" f!$( t"e c!$/d*‘I t"in' /e+ve f$nd $! 0!st 2$n& sa(!ai-+ said ac'- &!innin& at t"e $t"e!s* T"e .$2 %)aced "is sec$nd a!!$/ .ac' int$ "is 5ive! and ste%%ed $@ t"e

ve!anda*‘6"e!e d$ 2$ t"in' 2$+!e &$in&+ de(anded t"e sa(!ai*‘I+ve n$t"in& e)se t$ %!$ve-+ !e%)ied t"e .$2*‘C$(e .ac' "e!e8 I+( n$t 0nis"ed /it" 2$*+Bt t"e .$2 c$ntined t$ /a)' a/a2* T"e a%%)adin& c!$/d %a!ted t$ )et "i(

t"!$&"* Utte!)2 "(i)iated- t"e sa(!ai !eac"ed f$! an a!!$/ /it" /"ic" t$ 'i)) "is$%%$nent* ac' /as a.$t t$ s"$t a /a!nin&- /"en t"e .$2 s%n !$nd /it")i&"tnin& s%eed- d!e/ "is $/n a!!$/ and s"$t at t"e sa(!ai 0!st*

Bt t"e a!!$/ #e/ c)ea! %ast t"e (an+s s"$)de! and disa%%ea!ed int$ t"ede%t"s $f t"e /a!e"$se*

6it" a s$!!2 s"a'e $f "is "ead- Sa.!$ )eant c)$se t$ ac'* ‘A!e 2$ s!e /e

/ant "i(+


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ac' si&"ed /ea!i)2* ‘He /$)d "ave .een %e!fect f$! t"is (issi$n*+‘T"e!e /i)) .e $t"e!s-+ c$ns$)ed Y$!i*‘6i)) t"e!e+ sna%%ed T$&e- "is c"ee's "$))$/e! t"an eve! in "is des%ai!* ‘As

%$$! fa!(e!s- /e can+t a@$!d %!$%e! !$nin8 A)) /e can %e!sade a!e c"i)d!en8 And Ididn+t see t"at (an2 2$n& sa(!ai at t"e c$ntest8+

‘T"e!e /e!e at )east t/$ $t"e!s-+ c$nte!ed ac'*‘And "$/ a!e /e s%%$sed t$ 0nd t"e( n$/ 6e+!e !nnin& $t $f ti(e* T"e

.)ac' ($$n is $n)2 t"!ee /ee's a/a28+‘Have fait"-+ said Y$!i*‘Fait"+ s%at T$&e* ‘Eve!2 2ea! I %!a2 t$ t"e &$ds* I %!a2 f$! !ain* I %!a2 f$! sn* I

%!a2 f$! a &$$d "a!vest* I %!a2 t"at /e can feed t"e vi))a&e* I %!a2 t"at A'(a /$n+tc$(e8 And d$ t"e &$ds ans/e!+

‘T"e2 /i))-+ ass!ed Y$!i*‘F$! 2$- t"e2 (i&"t* Bt n$t f$! s fa!(e!s8+ s"$ted T$&e*C$ns(ed /it" f!st!ated !a&e- "e st$(%ed $t t"!$&" t"e .ac' $f t"e

st$!e"$se- )eavin& ac' and t"e $t"e!s t$ sta!e at $ne an$t"e! in s"$c'ed si)ence*

Ne'$ a%%ea!ed a ($(ent )ate!- "e! e2es %anic'in&* Bt $nce s"e s%$tted ac'-s"e .!eat"ed a si&" $f !e)ief and /ent .ac' t$ %!e%a!in& dinne!*‘P)ease d$n+t ta'e "is /$!ds t$ "ea!t-+ said S$!a (ee')2* ‘He+s %set- t"at+s a))*

He a)/a2s is /"en B)ac' M$$n nea!s*+N$ddin& t"ei! nde!standin&- ac' and Y$!i sett)ed %$n t"e /$$den %)atf$!(

and /aited f$! Sa.!$ t$ !et!n*‘D$ 2$ t"in' "e+s a)) !i&"t+ as'ed Y$!i- %ee!in& $t at t"e da!'enin& s'2*‘He+s %!$.a.)2 eatin&8+ 5i%%ed ac'- in an atte(%t t$ (as' "is $/n nease*An$t"e! "$! /ent .2 and Ne'$ se!ved % a (ea) $f %)ain !ice and a fe/

stea(ed ve&eta.)es* T"e2 ate in si)ence- Y$!i and ac'+s c$nce!n f$! Sa.!$ &!$/in&/it" eac" %assin& ($(ent*

A)) $f a sdden- t"e d$$! #e/ $%en* ac' )ea%t t$ "is feet- s/$!d in "and*‘I f$nd "i(8+ c!ied Sa.!$- /ind and sn$/ s/i!)in& int$ t"e !$$(*S"eat"in& "is .)ade- ac' "!!ied)2 %t $n "is "at t$ c$ve! "is face as Sa.!$

s"e!ed a s"ad$/ in f!$( t"e c$)d* T"e a!c"e! .$2 ente!ed- "is fa)c$n4.!$/n e2es da!tin& !$nd t"e !$$( f$! an2

t"!eats*‘P)ease sit /it" s-+ said Sa.!$- invitin& "i( t$ 3$in Y$!i and ac' $n t"e !aised

%)atf$!(* T"e .$2+s &ae )in&e!ed $n ac'- n$tin& "is c$ncea)ed face- .t "e (ade n$

c$((ent* See(in&)2 satis0ed /it" "is safet2- "e )aid d$/n "is .$/ and 'ne)t in a"a)f4seated %$siti$n* He /asn+t ta'in& an2 c"ances , /it" $ne 'nee sti)) !aised and a

'atana $n "is "i%- t"e .$2 c$)d !eact instant)2 t$ an2 s!%!ise attac'*Ne'$ !s"ed $ve! /it" t/$ .$/)s $f stea(in& !ice* Sa.!$ tc'ed in- .t t"e.$2 %$)ite)2 /aved "is (ea) a/a2*

‘I+ve a)!ead2 eaten- /it" Sa.!$-+ "e said* ‘Y$ (a2 "ave it*+Ne'$ )$$'ed t$ ac' f$! an e7%)anati$n* ac' c)(si)2 si&ned t"at t"e (ea) /as

"e!s* De)i&"ted- s"e .ea(ed at ac'- t"en .$/ed &!atef))2 t$ t"e .$2*‘T"is is Ha2at$-+ ann$nced Sa.!$ t"!$&" a ($t"f) $f !ice* ‘I f$nd "i(

%!actisin& in t"e 0e)ds*+Ha2at$ &ave a "(.)e .$/- t"en &)anced t$ /"e!e T$&e- S$!a and Kni$

c!$c"ed in t"e c$!ne!* ‘I nde!stand t"ese fa!(e!s "ave a %!$.)e( /it" .andits*+‘Yes-+ ac' !e%)ied- !et!nin& t"e .$2+s &!eetin&* ‘Has Sa.!$ e7%)ained a.$t

t"e ene(2 /e+!e facin&+Ha2at$ n$dded- a%%a!ent)2 nfaed .2 t"e %!$s%ect $f sc" a dan&e!$s f$e*


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‘And t"at t"e fa!(e!s can $n)2 $@e! f$$d and )$d&in& as %a2(ent+A&ain- Ha2at$ n$dded* ‘T"at+s ($!e t"an en$&"* As a sa(!ai- it+s (2 dt2

and "$n$! t$ %!$tect t"e !ice t"at feeds $! nati$n*+ ac'- Sa.!$ and Y$!i )$$'ed at $ne an$t"e!* T"e .$2 /as %!e .s"id$J t"e

idea) t"at Masa($t$ a)/a2s d!$ve "is stdents t$ attain* T"e2 c$)dn+t /is" f$! a

.ette! a))2* Bt t"e!e /as $ne ($!e "!d)e t$ $ve!c$(e* T!nin& .ac' t$ Ha2at$- ac' said- ‘If 2$ a!e t$ 3$in s- t"e!e+s s$(et"in& 2$s"$)d 'n$/ 0!st*+

Ta'in& a dee% .!eat" and %!e%a!in& f$! t"e /$!stac' !e($ved "is "at*Ha2at$+s e2es /idened ($(enta!i)2 and "is "and ed&ed t$/a!ds "is 'atana-

.t "is de(ean$! did n$t c"an&e*‘I %!es(e 2$+!e t"e infa($s &ai3in sa(!ai*+ ac'+s $/n "and n$/ t/itc"ed f$! "is s/$!d* 6as t"e .$2 intendin& t$ 'i)) "i(

f$! t"e !e/a!d‘A!e t"e!e an2 ($!e s!%!ises+ as'ed Ha2at$- e2ein& t"e t"!ee $f t"e( /a!i)2*Sa.!$ and Y$!i s"ifted c)$se! t$ %!$tect ac'* T"e fa!(e!s s"!an' .ac' int$ t"e

c$!ne! as t"e tensi$n .et/een t"e f$! sa(!ai inc!eased*‘N$-+ said ac'*


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‘He+s t"e sie $f a ($ntain8+ &as%ed Y$!i- /"$ didn+t even (eas!e % t$ t"e.$2+s "i%*

ac' /as e5a))2 ast$nis"ed* T"is 2$n& sa(!ai %$ssessed a .!$ad c"est- )e&s)i'e t!ee t!n's and a!(s !i%%)in& /it" (sc)es* His "ai!- s/e%t % int$ a t$%'n$t-/as s)ic' and .)ac' as ta!- and "is face see(ed t$ .e c"ise))ed $t $f &!anite*

‘Ydai is .i& f$! "is a&e-+ &!anted Ha2at$* ‘Bt t"at+s /"at (a'es "i( sc" af$!(ida.)e /a!!i$!*+A stic'4t"in /$(an /it" na!!$/ e2es and &!e2 %a%e!2 s'in (a!c"ed $t $f t"e

/a!e"$se*‘6"at+s ta'in& 2$ s$ )$n&+ s"e de(anded- /avin& a s)i( .a(.$$ cane

t"!eatenin&)2 in t"e ai!* ‘6e+ve t"!ee ($!e s"i%(ents t$ n)$ad* Get ($vin&8+S"e c"ased Ydai and t"e $t"e! %$!te!s int$ t"e /a!e"$se- .a!'in& $!de!s

and a.se as if s"e /as t"e S"$&n "e!se)f* One %$!te! /as a%%a!ent)2 t$$ s)$/ f$!"e! )i'in& and s"e /"i%%ed "i( ac!$ss t"e )e&s*

‘T"at /$(an+s /$!se t"an (2 ($t"e!8+ c$((ented Sa.!$ as "e! victi()i(%ed !a%id)2 inside*

A)) $f a sdden a "i&"4%itc"ed sc!ea( %ie!ced t"e ai!*‘S$nds )i'e t"e sa(!ai+s "ad en$&" $f "e!+ said ac'- and t"e2 !an t$ see

/"at /as casin& t"e c$(($ti$n* T"e2 f$nd t"e /$(an standin& %$n an e(%t2 ca!t- "e! face &!e2e! t"an eve!

and "e! 'i($n$ "e)d ti&"t t$ "e! s'e)eta) .$d2*‘Ki)) it8 Ki)) it8+ s"e sc!eec"ed- %$intin& a &na!)ed 0n&e! at a tin2 .!$/n ($se

$n t"e #$$!*A %$!te! &!a..ed a .!$$( and t!ied t$ .eat t"e c!eat!e $ve! t"e "ead* Bt t"e

($se /as t$$ 5ic'* It da!ted % t"e ca!t+s /"ee) and t"e /$(an .eca(e"2ste!ica) as t"e ($se sc!!ied a.$t "e! feet* S"e 3(%ed a!$nd )i'e a (aniaca)%%%et- /"i)e t"e %$!te!s st!&&)ed t$ sti#e t"ei! )a&"te!*

‘Y$- sa(!ai .$28+ s5a/'ed t"e /$(an- "e! e2es .)&in& /it" te!!$!* ‘He)%

(e8+C$!ne!in& t"e )itt)e c!eat!e- Ydai .ent d$/n and sc$$%ed it % in "is "&e

"ands*‘S5as" it8+ s"e c!ied* Ydai- i&n$!in& t"e f!enied /$(an- st!$de $t $f t"e /a!e"$se* G$in& $ve!

t$ t"e fa! side $f t"e d$c'- "e !e)eased t"e ($se $n t$ t"e !ive!.an' and /atc"edit sca(%e! safe)2 a/a2*

T"e /$(an st$$d at t"e /a!e"$se d$$!- f(in& at "i(*‘I $!de!ed 2$ t$ 'i)) t"e /!etc"ed c!eat!e8+‘6"at "a!( did t"e ($se eve! d$ t$ 2$+ as'ed Ydai- "is v$ice )$/ and

&ent)e*

T"e /$(an+s )i%s a%%ea!ed t$ c"e/ t"e(se)ves as s"e s$&"t f$! a sita.)2vici$s !e%)2* Eventa))2- s"e s%at- ‘H$/ da!e 2$ dis$.e2 (e8 Y$ &et "a)f4!ati$nst$da2* N$/ .ac' t$ /$!'- a)) $f 2$8+

Res(in& "e! t2!annica) a.se- t"e /$(an )as"ed $t /it" "e! cane and t"e%$!te!s scatte!ed t$ t"ei! %$sts- t"ei! ($(ent $f a(se(ent $ve!*

6it" a /ea!2 si&"- Ydai f$))$/ed t"e /$(an inside*‘A .it s$ft f$! a sa(!ai- isn+t "e+ c$((ented Sa.!$*‘Bt ve!2 st!$n&8+ said ac'*‘I )i'e "i(-+ said Y$!i* ‘He !es%ects )ife*+‘6"at &$$d is t"at if "e+s facin& a .)$$dt"i!st2 .andit )i'e A'(a+ a!&ed T$&e*

‘He+s t!st/$!t"2 and )$2a)-+ !e%)ied Ha2at$* ‘T"at c$nts f$! a &!eat dea)*+ T$&e sti)) /asn+t c$nvinced* ‘If "e+s sa(!ai- t"en /"at+s "e d$in& /$!'in& as a%$!te!+


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‘Ydai "as n$ fa(i)2 )eft-+ !evea)ed Ha2at$* ‘He (st fend f$! "i(se)f , an2/a2 "e can* And n$t (an2 )$!ds a!e "i!in& 2$n& sa(!ai*+

‘D$ 2$ t"in' "e+d .e /i))in& t$ 3$in s+ as'ed ac'*Ha2at$ n$dded c$n0dent)2* ‘It d$esn+t )$$' as if "e+s en3$2in& "is c!!ent

%$siti$n* And "e needs f$$d t$ 'ee% "is st!en&t" %*+

T!nin& t$ Y$!i- ac' /"is%e!ed- ‘Re(ind 2$ $f an2$ne+ Y$!i &)anced at Sa.!$ and s($t"e!ed a &i&&)e* T"e2 /aited nti) (idda2 /"en t"e %$!te!s t$$' a s"$!t .!ea' f$! )nc"* Ydai

sat .2 "i(se)f at t"e end $f t"e d$c'- "is )$n& )e&s dan&)in& $ve! t"e ed&e- "is feeta)($st t$c"in& t"e /ate!* Ha2at$ (ade t"e a%%!$ac"- since "e 'ne/ t"e .$2*

ac' and t"e $t"e!s /atc"ed f!$( a distance as t"e t/$ $f t"e( c$nve!sed*Ha2at$ %$inted t$ t"e fa!(e!s- t"en t$ t"e t"!ee sa(!ai* Ydai s)$/)2 c"e/ed "isf$$d as "e )istened* Ha2at$ 0nis"ed and- .$/in&- a/aited "is !e%)2*

Eve!2$ne c!aned t"ei! nec's- an7i$s f$! Ydai+s !es%$nse* T"e .$2 ($ntain /i%ed "is "ands $n a c)$t" and st$$d , t"en /a)'ed s)$/)2

.ac' a)$n& t"e d$c'- t"e /$$den %)an's c!ea'in& nde! "is /ei&"t* 6"en "e

!eac"ed ac'- "e st$%%ed* Ydai )$$'ed d$/n at "i( and s(i)ed* ‘Y$! $@e! s$nds /$!t"2*+B$/in& in a%%!eciati$n $f "is acce%tance- ac' as'ed- ‘6"en can 2$ 3$in s+‘N$/-+ "e !e%)ied- c$))ectin& "is n$dac"i s/$!d f!$( inside t"e /a!e"$se d$$!*

He s)n& it ac!$ss "is .ac'* In s%ite $f its e7t!a4)$n& .)ade- t"e n$dac"i )$$'ed )i'e ac"i)d+s t$2 in "is "ands*

St!idin& $ve! t$ "e! /$!'f$!ce- t"e /it"e!ed /$(an sna%%ed- ‘St$% id)in&8 Get.ac' t$ /$!'8+

T"e %$!te!s /ea!i)2 "a)ed t"e(se)ves t$ t"ei! feet*‘6"e!e a!e 2$ &$in&- sa(!ai .$2+ s"e de(anded* Ydai &ave a !es%ectf) .$/ $f "is "ead* ‘I "ave an$t"e! 3$.*+

He! face .eca(e tat /it" indi&nati$n* ‘If 2$ )eave n$/- 2$+)) neve! /$!'"e!e a&ain8+‘T"at (st .e a !e)ief-+ said Sa.!$- &!innin& at t"ei! ne/ f!iend as t"e2 a))

/a)'ed a/a2*Sta!in& in !a&e as "e! /$!'"$!se de%a!ted- t"e /$(an s)a((ed "e! cane %$n

a sa' .a!!e) s$ "a!d t"at it sna%%ed in "a)f*‘T"at+s 2$! fa)t8+ s"e s5a/'ed- s"a'in& a .$n2 0st at Ydai* ‘Y$ $/e (e a

ne/ cane8+

1'

OUT OF TIME

‘6e $n)2 need t/$ ($!e-+ said ac'- as t"e2 s%)it % and sc$!ed t"e t$/n f$!2$n& sa(!ai* Des%ite t"e $dds- "e /as s$ c)$se t$ f)0))in& "is %!$(ise t$ t"evi))a&e* Bt /it" (a!'et da2 and t"e Ts"i2a c$ntest $ve!- O'a2a(a "ad see(in&)2e(%tied $f %$tentia) !ec!its*

A /"$)e afte!n$$n /ent .2 and t"e2 s%$tted 3st $ne 2$n& sa(!ai /$!t"a%%!$ac"in&* S"e 5ic')2 !e3ected t"ei! $@e!- sa2in& "e! %a!ents /$)dn+t a))$/ it*


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Bt t"e2+d seen t"e fea! in "e! e2es at t"e (enti$n $f A'(a* ac' didn+t .)a(e t"e&i!)- t"$&"* Defendin& t"e vi))a&e /as n$ &a(eL it /$)d .e a !ea) .att)e andA'(a /$)dn+t ta'e an2 %!is$ne!s*

‘Pe!"a%s Sa.!$ and Ha2at$ "ave "ad ($!e )c'+ Y$!i s&&ested* T"e t/$ $f t"e( "ad &$ne in sea!c" $f t"e .!$t"e! and siste! /"$+d .een at t"e

a!c"e!2 c$(%etiti$n t"e %!evi$s da2*‘I "$%e s$-+ said ac'*A dis"ea!tened S$!a )ed t"e( .ac' t$ t"e st$!e"$se- ac' and Y$!i /a)'in&

.eside t"e (a(($t" Ydai* As t"e2 /$nd t"ei! /a2 t"!$&" t"e side st!eets- n$$ne da!ed a%%!$ac" t"e( and- f$! t"e 0!st ti(e in (an2 ($nt"s- ac' a)($st fe)tsafe* Even /"en ac' "ad s"$/n "is face- Ydai "ad .$/ed c$!te$s)2- $@e!in& a/a!( s(i)e and statin&- ‘An2 f!iend $f Ha2at$ is a f!iend $f (ine*+

A .$!ed Kni$ /as s)$c"ed .2 t"e st$!e"$se d$$!- /aitin& f$! eve!2$ne t$!et!n* He a)($st fe)) $ve! "i(se)f /"en "e sa/ Ydai ente!* Una.)e t$ tea! "ise2es a/a2- "e si(%)2 &a/%ed at t"e ne/ a!!iva)*

‘D$n+t sta!e8+ "issed T$&e*Bt Kni$ !e(ained $%en4($t"ed and in a/e $f t"e (i&"t2 2$n& sa(!ai*

T$&e s"$ved "i( $t $f t"e .ac' $f t"e st$!e"$se- $!de!in& "i( t$ fetc" s$(e )$&sf$! a 0!e* A fe/ (intes )ate!- Ne'$ a%%ea!ed /it" f!es")2 .!e/ed senc"a* S"ea)($st d!$%%ed t"e 'ett)e /"en s"e ca&"t si&"t $f Ydai*

B$/in& s"2)2- s"e %$!ed tea f$! t"e sa(!ai /it" a t!e(.)in& "and* In "e!"aste- s"e s%i)t s$(e $n t"e #$$!* He! da!' e2es /idened int$ (assive ($$ns and"e! face #s"ed !ed*

‘S"e+s deaf and (te-+ a%$)$&ied T$&e- %s"in& Ne'$ t$ $ne side in s"a(e at"e! (ista'e*

‘


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‘6e))- Ydai c$nts f$! at )east t/$ %e$%)e-+ !es%$nded Ha2at$* ‘6it" (2 .$/- Ican .!in& d$/n seve!a) .andits .ef$!e t"e2 &et /it"in 0&"tin& distance* And /e"aven+t 2et a))$/ed f$! 2$! s'i))s*+

ac' )$$'ed t$ t"e $t"e!s* Y$!i see(ed ne!v$s .t !es$)ved* Sa.!$ /ass!%!isin&)2 c$((itted t$$- and Ydai a%%ea!ed as indest!cti.)e as !$c'*

He n$dded "is !e)ctant a&!ee(ent* ‘Five it is t"en*+ T"e ne7t ($!nin& t"e 0ve sa(!ai- t"!ee fa!(e!s and Ne'$ )eft f$! Ta(a&as"ivi))a&e* T"e /inte! /ind .)e/ a .itte! c"i)) as t"e &!$% t!e''ed ac!$ss t"e sn$/4c$ve!ed %)ain* T"ei! &$in& /as s)$/ and /"en t"e d!ifts .eca(e t$$ dee%- Ydaica!!ied Y$!i $n "is s"$)de!s*

Ha2at$ (a!c"ed a)$n&side ac'* ‘H$/ (c" f!t"e!+ "e as'ed- std2in& t"e.)ea' te!!ain a"ead*

‘


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‘Bandits (a2 .e sta)'in& s-+ !e%)ied Ha2at$- nde! "is .!eat"*Sa.!$ )$$'ed a!$nd and )a&"ed* ‘6e))- if t"e2 a!e- t"e2 (st .e sn$/(en8+In t"e s%ace $f a "ea!t.eat- Ha2at$ d!e/ "is .$/ and s"$t at Sa.!$* He 2e)%ed

in s!%!ise as t"e a!!$/ #e/ %ast "is ea! and st!c' a sn$/d!ift*A f!acti$n .ef$!e it did- a /"ite s"ad$/ #itted a/a2* Ca($#a&ed t$ t"e

s!!$ndin&s- t"e 0&!e i((ediate)2 disa%%ea!ed int$ t"e sn$/4s"!$ded)andsca%e*‘Y$ c$)d .e !i&"t8+ said Ha2at$- "!!ied)2 n$c'in& an$t"e! a!!$/* ac' /it"d!e/ "is s/$!d- .t t"e attac' "a%%ened s$ fast- it t$$' t"e( a)) .2

s!%!ise*Ot $f n$/"e!e- a (an!i'i /"i!)ed t"!$&" t"e ai! t$/a!ds Ha2at$* He dc'ed-

.t t"e s"$!t /ei&"ted c"ain /!a%%ed itse)f a!$nd "is .$/- inca%acitatin& it* A($(ent )ate!- a /"ite s"ad$/ (ate!ia)ied f!$( .e"ind a t!ee and 'ic'ed Sa.!$ int"e &t* He c$))a%sed t$ t"e &!$nd- /inded* Hea!in& "is c!2- t"e fa!(e!s #ed in%anic* Bt Y$!i 5ic')2 !a))ied t"e( .ac' int$ a &!$%- "$)din& $t "is s"a'3+s%$inted i!$n

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