Young Samurai 3 - The Way of the Dragon by Chris Bradford

Author:Chris Bradford [Bradford, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Japan
ISBN: 9780141324326
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd (UK)
Published: 2010-05-13T04:10:33+00:00

29

THE FRIAR

Akiko’s defence crumpled under Masamoto’s onslaught.

Having already lost her wakizashi to an Autumn Leaf strike, she valiantly tried to sustain her attack. But Masamoto’s skill was unassailable. He drove forward, knocking Akiko’s katana from her grasp and bringing his sword down upon her head. In a fit of apparent insanity, Akiko slammed her hands together either side of the sword.

There was a gasp of utter astonishment from the Two Heavens students standing down one side of the Hall of the Phoenix.

Akiko had caught Masamoto’s blade with her bare hands!

‘Not the recommended defence for a samurai,’ said Masamoto, strangely unfazed by Akiko’s miraculous skill. ‘You could easily lose your fingers.’

Akiko let go, suddenly self-conscious of her feat. She picked up her swords and rejoined Jack in line. Jack couldn’t believe what he’d just witnessed. Blocking a sword like that was a technique far beyond their samurai training. But before he could question Akiko, Masamoto summoned him on to the floor. Immediately the training duel began.

Jack struggled to defend himself against Masamoto’s double sword attack. Blocking the cut to his head with his wakizashi, Jack thrust his katana in a counterstrike at his guardian’s throat. But Masamoto effortlessly sidestepped the threat, bringing his own katana slicing across Jack’s chest.

Their swords clashed.

Without thinking, Jack struck down hard upon Masamoto’s blade with his kissaki. Twice.

The sword clattered to the dojo floor.

All the students now stared in wide-eyed amazement at Jack, apart from Taro who bore a proud grin.

It took a moment for Jack to realize what he’d done.

He’d disarmed the legendary swordmaster, Masamoto Takeshi.

He’d accomplished a perfect Autumn Leaf strike.

‘I did it!’ breathed Jack. ‘I’ve mastered the Two Heavens.’

But the duel wasn’t over. Masamoto still had his wakizashi.

Before Jack could exploit his advantage, Masamoto had changed grip on the short training sword and threw it at Jack. The hilt struck him hard in the chest. Staggering backwards, his heel caught on the edge of the dais and he crashed to the floor.

‘You’re dead,’ stated Masamoto, ending the duel.

Breathless and exasperated, Jack tried to protest, ‘But that… wasn’t sword fighting… You threw it at me.’

‘Mountain to Sea,’ replied Masamoto, offering Jack no sympathy. ‘In order to break through your double guard and win, I had to change tactics. I had to attack in a manner that wouldn’t be expected. In other words, move from the Mountain to the Sea. Learn from this, young samurai.’

Jack got to his feet and returned Masamoto’s wakizashi to him.

‘It’s satisfying to see you’ve grasped the Autumn Leaf strike at last, but do not confuse individual sword techniques with the Two Heavens style as a whole,’ reprimanded Masamoto, his scarred face stern and unsmiling.

Jack bowed his head in acknowledgement. Carried away by his brief success, it had been foolish to think that he’d suddenly mastered the technique.

‘The true Way of this style is not solely about handling two swords,’ Masamoto explained, now addressing the whole class. ‘The essence of the Two Heavens is the spirit of winning – to obtain victory by any means and with any weapon.

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