“I knew time was of the essence. Anyone could have delayed me. A policeman, a samurai or even a wealthy merchant, but no one wants to delay Jubei,” Yoshi explained.

  Jii smiled. “I guess not. Yoshi your ability to see into the unknown is only exceeded by your ability to plan so far ahead.”

  Hideki was sitting on the tatami just inside the room when Yoshi’s wife came to him. “Are you Hideki-sama?” she asked nervously.

  “Hai,” Hideki said, returning her bow.

  “My mother requests that someone bring a raw clove of garlic,” she said bowing lower.

  “Right away,” Hideki said, standing and moving through the door into the hall where the Yoshinobu men, Jubei, and Yoshi were pacing.

  “She wants garlic,” Hideki said to Jii.

  Yoshi smiled at Naga.

  “Is that a good sign?” Naga asked hopefully.

  “It is a very good sign, Lord. It means the poison has been neutralized and my mother-in-law is now taking precaution against any lingering infection.”

  Naga started into the room, but Yoshi stopped him. “No, Lord, not yet. Let the women have their time with her. They will summon you when they are ready.”

  Naga looked confused.

  Hideki came to his rescue. “They will wait until she regains full consciousness and is coherent. Then they will clean her up and comb her hair and when she is ready, the women will call for you.” he said, adding, “For somebody being considered for shogun, you sure are dense when it comes to women.”

  Naga blushed. Jii laughed. “It looks like your mother-in-law saved the day. What is her name?”

  “Matsu,” Yoshi said.

  “We owe her our future,” Jii said.

  “I owe her my happiness,” Naga added.

  “Please ask Matsu and your wife to stay in our compound,” Jii requested.

  “I am sure they will stay as long as they are needed. Beyond that, I cannot say,” Yoshi said.

  “Well, we will speak of it when the time comes. Until then, have them move into your house. You do not use it very often anyway. You certainly have the room. They may as well use it.”

  “Hai, Lord,” Yoshi said, bowing as he moved off to arrange for his new houseguests.

  Jii looked after him. “You know, I’m very glad that I didn’t hit him with that wakazashi the first time we met.”

  Naga collapsed into a sitting position on the polished hardwood floor that made up the hallways in the mansion.

  “So am I, Grandfather. So am I.”

  Chapter 22: New Police

  “If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you intended me harm, Yojimbo,” Nichi said.

  “Relax, Oyabun; there is someone who wants to meet you,” Hideki replied.

  The huge leader of the Gumsumgumi turned to the young woman at his side in the brightly colored kimono. “Do you know what this is about Myo?”

  “No Nichi, I do not. But if Takezo says it is important, then I’m sure it is,” she said, looking into Hideki’s eyes and smiling.

  “You two are almost indecent in your flirting,” Nichi chided.

  Hideki blushed. “Trust me Oyabun. I would do nothing to harm you or the Gumsumgumi. The man that wants to meet you is very important.”

  “But why meet at the Hatchobori? Do you not remember them trying to kill us? Even that outdoor court trial raised the hairs on the back of my neck. I don’t like being around police,” the leader of the Gumsumgumi said. “Besides, it is a long walk, and I’m too big to walk far.”

  The closer they got to the center of town and the police headquarters of the Hatchobori, the more crowded the streets became. Myo had to fall back and walk behind Nichi so that his large sumo girth could part the sea of humanity for her. It was the last stage of the hour of the snake, almost eleven o’clock in the morning. The sun was shining, and the summer heat was baking everything not in the shade. Nichi continually wiped his brow with a white cloth and complained with each step that he would rather be back in his hotel.

  They finally came to the nexus of several streets. On one corner stood the large two-storied Hatchobori that seemed to take up several city blocks. In front were two guards. Instead of wearing the haori of the police and holding roku shaku bos, these were samurai armed with swords and eight-foot yari or spears.

  As they came abreast the guards, Nichi slowed down, expecting some form of identification check. Instead, the two guards bowed low at the waist.

  Nichi was shocked that Hideki did not slow down and proceeded into the compound. Nichi hurried to catch up. “Those guards bowed to you?” he said.

  “Me? No, they probably were bowing to the leader of the Gumsumgumi,” Hideki replied.

  Nichi looked wary. “Who would know me here?”

  “I think the man who wants to meet you probably does,” Hideki said.

  “This sounds unhealthy to me, Yojimbo. I have no business at the Hatchobori.”

  “Humor me one more time, Oyabun. I guarantee the visit will be worth your while and in the best interest of the Gumsumgumi,” Hideki insisted.

  Nichi did not like it. “I suppose if you are planning me harm, you could’ve done it the last time we were here.”

  Hideki bowed slightly and led the way into the large building and onto the main floor. Once they attained the main floor level, they both took off their sandals and moved soundlessly on the highly polished dark wood planks that made up the three-sided veranda of the courtyard. Guards in samurai garb and sporting Yoshinobu mon bowed as they passed. Nichi hastily returned the bows and looked to Hideki for explanation.

  “There is no doubt, they recognize you as a leader of the Gumsumgumi,” he said.

  “Ridiculous. This person you want to meet had better be able keep his mouth shut, Yojimbo,” Nichi warned.

  “He is good at keeping secrets.”

  At one of the tatami rooms off the veranda, Hideki led Nichi into the building. They came to a fusuma, Hideki pulled the sliding paper door back. Both Nichi and Myo passed through into an interior corridor of darker polished hardwood while Hideki closed the sliding door behind them. Hideki then led them to another room several paces down and to the left. He placed his hand on the fusuma door and paused. “Gomen kudasai,” Hideki announced. Then he slid the door back, bowed slightly to the Oyabun, and indicated with an open hand that Nichi was to enter. Nichi stepped into the room and saw an old samurai with gray hair seated at the place of honor. The old gentleman indicated a small mat directly opposite him. “Dozo.”

  Nichi bowed slightly and took a cross-legged seat identical to the old man’s posture.

  “Let me introduce myself. I am Yoshinobu Masashige,” Jii said, bowing at the waist slightly.

  Nichi was shocked. He quickly bowed his head and massive body as much as he could. “Nichi desu. Dozo yoroshuku onagaishimasu,” Nichi said by way of introduction.

  “Raise your head Nichi,” Jii said. “I’ve asked my grandson to bring you here because I wanted to see for myself if what he says is true or if he’s been duped.”

  Nichi turned to his yojimbo. “Grandson?”

  “Yes Nichi, I am not really a ronin. I am Yoshinobu Hideki. This venerable person is my grandfather. He raised my brother and me. It is my elder brother that you saw the other day as magistrate. Forgive the subterfuge. When I was arrested by Denjiro the yoriki I had no idea I would be meeting the Gumsumgumi.”

  “So you lied to me,” Nichi accused.

  “I have never lied to you,” Hideki said.

  “You mince words, samurai. You let me believe you were a ronin,” said Nichi.

  “That is true. But if I had revealed my true identity, what would’ve happened?” Hideki asked.

  Nichi thought about it for a minute. “We would’ve labeled you as a government spy.”

  “Then you would’ve killed him?” Jii asked.

  “No Yoshinobu-sama. We do not kill people unless they are attacking us. I’m just having a hard time adjusting to the idea that my yojimbo is a brother of the man being considered for shogun.”

  “Well, you have been around him for several weeks. What do you think of my grandson?” Jii asked.

  Nichi rubbed his considerable face. “I could guess that like any grandfather, you’re fishing for compliments. Nevertheless, I do not sense that. You are testing me. Therefore, I will give you the truth. Your grandson intrigues me. Granted, saving my life twice has probably clouded my judgment a little. His martial arts skills are superb, and he and that pet ninja of his make a formidable team.”

  “Yoshi, are you there?” Jii asked toward the door.

  The door slid back and Yoshi bowed. “Here, Lord.”

  “You might as well come in. You’re being talked about,” Jii said.

  Yoshi bowed again, moved to Hideki’s side, and sat.

  “Go on Nichi,” Jii encouraged.

  “Well, I’d say he is a terrible employee because he is seldom at work. But then he doesn’t take any pay, except for that little room in the hotel he uses for his meetings with Myo.”

  Hideki reddened.

  “I enjoy talking to him. He is educated and has fresh ideas on many subjects. He is extremely bright and also very much naïve to many things,” Nichi said.

  “Explain please,” Jii said.

  “Well, he sees good in everyone and has not learned yet to be wary of people.”

  “I see,” said Jii.

  “But what draws my men and me to him are his intentions. Takezo, or Hideki, seems to exude a desire to help. His intentions appear pure. He seems to be able to build optimism in others. I believe in a few years, after he experiences life a little more, he will be a man to watch,” Nichi said.

  “Do you trust him?” Jii asked.

  “I would not be sitting in this room now if I did not.”

  “Well said, Nichi. I must tell you that I had great trepidation about the offer today. I viewed you as most samurai must, as a brigand and worse. My grandson has championed you, however. He believes your motives were born of necessity and good intention. So I wanted to meet you before I brought in my oldest grandson to address an offer.”

  “What offer?” Nichi asked.

  Then in the back of the room, a page announced, “Yoshinobu Nagamasa” and slid back the door. Jii abandoned his spot of honor and Nagamasa along with Yagyu Muneori entered. Nagamasa took Jii’s vacated spot and Yagyu moved to Jii’s side. Nichi bowed to all and stayed bowed as much as his girth would allow from the seated position.

  “Raise your head, Nichi of the Gumsumgumi,” Naga said.

  Nichi raised his head and met Naga’s gaze.

  “I am Yoshinobu Nagamasa. I am eldest grandson to Jii-sama, whom you met, and older brother to your yojimbo, Hideki, and I need your sword.”

  Nichi looked surprised. “Lord, I have no sword.”

  “It is an expression, Nichi. You are the sword. I want your help,” Naga said. “I understand your family was once samurai.”

  “Yes, Lord, but that was long ago. My father gave up the swords so that we could eat.”

  “Nichi, why did you form the Gumsumgumi?” Naga asked.

  Nichi thought about the question before answering. “Originally, to get even, I suppose,” he said, “and later to protect the chosin.”

  “Money did not drive you?” Jii asked.

  “I will admit the money has come. Being outside of society has its monetary advantages. But I don’t think I did it for the money.”

  “You were in the crowd the other day for the trial?” Naga asked.

  “Yes, Lord,” Nichi said.

  “What were your impressions?”

  “My first impression was to shout joyfully for your sense of justice and compassion,” Nichi said.

  “And later?”

  “Later I became afraid.” Nichi said

  At this Naga’s eyebrows raised slightly. “What a strange response. Why afraid?”

  “I am afraid because you just destroyed the system in one hour that it has taken the Tokugawa twenty-three years to build. I am afraid of what the streets of Edo might look like. The police were evil, but they prevented some crime from happening. Who’s going to protect the chosin now?” Nichi asked.

  “My question as well,” Naga replied. “That is why we are meeting here. I want you to form a police force for Edo.”

  “Me?” Nichi asked. “Is this a joke?”

  “I have never been more serious.”

  “But I am Gumsumgumi. We are outside of society. The government spies and their ninja have been trying to expose and kill me for years,” Nichi protested.

  “That is why I have left my fiancée’s sick bed and asked Yagyu Muneori, chamberlain to the shogun, here for this meeting. Yagyu-sama controls the ometsuke.”

  Nichi tried to bow again at Yagyu’s name.

  “Raise your head, Nichi,” Yagyu said. “If you accept this assignment, you will no longer be troubled by the government. You will be supported by it.”

  Nichi shook his head. It was almost too much to take in.

  “Nichi, from 1467 to 1573, this country knew nothing but war. Countless families destroyed, resources wasted and everyone’s life restricted. The poor suffered the most,” Naga began.

  “For over one hundred years, peasants could not take their produce to market. No one traveled from town to town, so there was little trade, and ideas were greatly restricted. But with Hideyoshi Toyotomi and then Tokugawa Ieyasu, peace came to the land.

  “The Tokugawa have had twenty-three years to perfect the peace. With some things, we have been successful. Any citizen with permission can travel the length and breadth of the land.

  “Some things, like governing a new city, have not received the attention due them. I was appointed the magistrate so that I could fail. Some in power in the castle want the status quo. I took the job knowing that changes had to be radical if they were to endure. I do not know how much longer I will be the magistrate. However, I know the chosin in the city deserve a police force that is not corrupt. That will be my legacy. I was hoping that I could find a cadre of honest police officers on the force. Out of sixty, we found two.

  “I could declare martial law and have my samurai patrol the streets. However, that would disrupt the everyday life of the chosin, and it is not a final solution. So instead I want to form a new police force with men who are comfortable with violence but adhere to a higher code. Hideki thinks you are the man for the job. But I warn you, if you accept this position, you will have to give up your control of the Gumsumgumi.”

  “You want me to destroy it?” Nichi asked.

  “No, Hideki has convinced me it is a necessary organization, as long as it remains true to your standards. But you will have to pass control to another,” Naga said. “And there is one more thing dealing with loyalty.”

  “You want me to be loyal to the shogun,” Nichi guessed.

  “That would be nice, but I don’t require it,” Naga said.

  “Then you want me to be loyal to you?” Nichi asked.

  “That would also be nice, but I want you to be loyal to the right,” Naga said.

  “The right?” Nichi questioned.

  “Yes, the right. I want you and the men you pick to be loyal to doing the right thing in all your dealings.”

  “It sounds like you want us to be priests.”

  “Yes, that’s it. I want you to be priestly in your efforts to do right,” Naga said.

  Nichi shook his large head. “This all sounds fine, Lord, but begging the chamberlain’s pardon, the castle will fight you on this. Many high-placed samurai will not like what you are doing. Once I’m in the open, they’ll just send someone to kill me.”

  “I know what I’m asking is not easy, Nichi. You are going to have to give up a very lucrative lifestyle in order to be despised by the samurai and barely tolerated by the chosin. Being an honest police officer is not easy. I will try and take some of the sting out by offering you a 10,000 koku stipend and position of chief yoriki under me,” Naga said.

  “Just so I am clear, you are offering me the entire Edo police force? How many police do you have?”

  “We are down to two,” Naga replied.

  “So I have to recruit and train my police force?” Nichi asked.

  “Yes, and you have a free hand. I demand only two things. I demand honesty and loyalty to the right.”

  “How do you want me to handle the Gumsumgumi?” Nichi asked.

  “Just like any other criminal organization if they break the law,” Naga said.

  “So, in essence, you’re asking me to give up my life for the chance to change the world or my little slice of it?” Nichi asked.

  “Yes,” Naga said.

  Nichi looked at Hideki. “What do you think?”

  “This was Hideki’s plan,” Naga answered.

  Then Nichi turned to Yoshi. “What do you think, ninja?”

  “I think you are too big and too dumb to handle this, but I’m being overruled,” Yoshi said.

  “Never ask a ninja,” Nichi said. “How many police do I need to raise?”

  “The Hatchobori had sixty strong,” Naga said.

  “That many, huh? Fifty-eight is a lot. When do I have to have them?” Nichi asked.

  “Tonight would be nice,” Naga said. “But I can keep a lid on Edo for two weeks using my household guards.”

  “Lord, you have given me an interesting challenge, and with only one way out. Now that everyone knows my face, if I were to refuse, I am sure life would become difficult for me,” Nichi observed.

  “I would do nothing to jeopardize your group or yourself, unless you are involved in criminal behavior,” Naga said.

  Nichi turned to Myo, who sat behind everyone. “What do you think, Lady Myo?”

  Myo was surprised. She had not thought her opinion would be sought. “I supposed my relationship with Takezo should cloud my response,” she said keeping her eyes down. Then steeling herself, she looked Hideki in the eye. “I think these men’s intentions are good. Nevertheless, in case they are not, or if they waver in their duty and abandon the path of righteousness, you have lost nothing. You can always go back into the dark.”

  Everyone stared at her for a long while. Yoshi spoke. “I think what Myo just said is as close to the truth as you are likely to hear. If you take on this responsibility, only the people in this room will know your sacrifice. The chosin will think you are the fox guarding the hen house and lining your pockets on a grander scale. You must prove otherwise. The other gummi will fear you because you know them and their ways. It is an ugly thing you are being asked to do.”