Free The Way Of The Dragon by Chris Bradford Page A

always insist on protecting the
gaijin
?’ demanded Kazuki.
    ‘Because he’s family,’ replied Yamato.
    Kazuki stared at him dumbfounded. Even Jack was taken aback by his friend’s statement. Yamato had never before declared their relationship in such a binding and familiar manner.
    ‘I remember a time when you hated him,’ Kazuki spat. ‘You despised your father’s decision to adopt a
gaijin
. He’s taking your brother’s place! Can’t you see he’s even replaced you in your father’s affections?’
    ‘What do you mean?’ retorted Yamato.
    ‘Unless I’m mistaken, it’s Jack, and not you, who’s being taught the Two Heavens. He’s not even samurai! How can you stand by and let a
gaijin
be taught your father’s secret sword technique?’
    Yamato’s face went taut as he fought with his emotions. Jack knew Kazuki had hit a raw nerve. Yamato was always struggling to gain his father’s respect. His failure to enter the Circle of Three and warrant learning the Two Heavens was still a sore point for him.
    ‘Doesn’t it bother you that you’re not considered good enough for the Two Heavens? And
he
is!’
    Jack immediately rose to his friend’s defence. ‘Yamato doesn’t need the Two Heavens when he could defeat any of you with his
bō
.’
    ‘I doubt that,’ said Kazuki, raising his eyebrows sceptically.
    Saburo now stepped into the fray.
    ‘Think again. Yamato’s so skilful with the staff,’ declared Saburo, patting his friend firmly on the shoulder, ‘he could take on all of your stupid Scorpion Gang at once.’
    Kazuki gave an incredulous laugh. ‘Is that right?’
    ‘You could blindfold him and he’d still win!’ added Jack emphatically.
    Yamato stared aghast as Jack and Saburo made their boasts.
    A sly grin spread across Kazuki’s face. ‘Perhaps we should put your claims to the test. Are you up for some sparring, Yamato?’
    ‘What are you suggesting?’ replied Yamato cagily.
    ‘A knockdown match. Exactly as the
gaijin
said: you, blindfolded, with your staff against me and my gang, weapons of our choice.’
    ‘Doesn’t sound fair,’ stated Yamato.
    ‘You’ve only got the
gaijin
to blame. It was his idea.’
    ‘No, I mean
you
won’t stand a chance.’
    Kazuki nodded appreciatively. ‘Now that’s fighting talk. I propose a match tomorrow evening at the Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei.’
    ‘I’ll be there,’ agreed Yamato, his face impassive.
    Saburo, caught up in the heat of the moment, squared up to Nobu. ‘Bring a priest. You’ll need one.’
    Nobu growled back but Kazuki, laughing, indicated for them to leave, and the stand-off between the two groups of boys came to an end. Yamato turned to Jack and Saburo. He grabbed them both by the lapels of their kimono.
    ‘What have you two got me into?’ he exclaimed, shaking them angrily.
    ‘
You
agreed to the match!’ spluttered Saburo.
    ‘Yes. It would have been dishonourable to back down after all your bragging.’
    ‘Kazuki had no right to say those things about you,’ replied Jack in his defence.
    ‘That may be the case, but I can fight my own corner.’
    ‘It’s going to be a great fight too,’ enthused Saburo. ‘Five against one. You’ll be a legend in the school.’
    ‘I’ll be dead more like,’ shot back Yamato. ‘Blindfolded! What were you thinking, Jack?’
    ‘Sorry, I got a bit carried away. But you won’t lose,’ Jack replied, with as much gusto as he could muster. ‘With all our
chi sao
training and your extra
bō
lessons, you’re by far the best in Sensei Kano’s class.’
    Yamato shook his head in despair. ‘I’m no Sensei Kano. Against five opponents, I’ll be annihilated in this match!’
    ‘What match?’ demanded a gruff voice.
    Sensei Hosokawa, the school’s
kenjutsu
teacher, a fierce man with a sharp stub of a beard, stood behind them, his arms crossed and his two swords tucked into his
obi
.
    Yamato let go of Jack and Saburo and bowed an apology. ‘Just a training match,