“I’ve noticed they practice with enthusiasm,” Naga said.

  “Again, you have to congratulate Nichi. He understands men. Have you seen the juttes?” Hideki asked.

  “All of Edo has seen the juttes,” Jubei said. “They are the talk of the town.”

  “What is so special about the jutte?” Jii asked. “It is a tool.”

  “I would’ve thought so too, Jii-san,” Hideki acknowledged. “But Nichi had all of them taken to a swordsmith and each one has been polished and burnished until it gleams in the sunlight like a shimmering lake.”

  “Well, I suppose it improves a man’s self-worth if he has a good shiny weapon,” Jii admitted.

  “Nichi didn’t stop there,” Hideki continued. “He paid for a bundle of red silk cord. He then paid the women in the carpet-weaving guild to wrap the handles of each jutte in the special bright-red, silk cord. He told his men he wanted their actions as bold as the red color. He promised them they will be proud to be recognized as members of the ‘Red Sticks.’“

  “That is interesting, but surely a shiny red jutte isn’t going to make a difference,” Naga said.

  “But it does, Brother. Two weeks ago, these men were ronin; worse, they were Gumsumgumi. They were outside of society. Now they have purpose and a place in the world again. Nichi had the weavers weave tokens into the red silk. A man’s rank is reflected in which token he has woven in the silk handle,” Hideki explained.

  “Does such a little thing make that much of a difference?” Naga asked.

  “It does, Lord,” Musashi said. “Men set much store by little things. When they are recognized as part of the team, they identify with the team and work harder for it.”

  “Yoshi also provides a unique brand of motivation,” Jubei noticed.

  Yoshi looked at Jubei dumbly. “I’m afraid I do not know what you mean, Jubei.”

  Hideki chuckled and Musashi smiled. Naga and Jii’s countenance said they wanted an explanation, which Jubei offered. “Your ninja master was conducting the class on disarming and incapacitating an armed opponent with the jutte. The class did not comprehend the technique. They were not concentrating and generally disinterested. Yoshi was starting to become disgusted when a young, pretty girl, with an arm full of wet laundry and her kimono tucked into her belt, happened through the training yard on the way to the wash stones. Several of the less studious of the doshin made whistles at her and commented on her bare ankles. Yoshi seized a teaching opportunity and called the young girl over. He explained the technique was so simple that he could teach it to this young girl and she would be able to execute it on anyone present.”

  “Interesting,” Jii said.

  “Yes, it changed the dynamic of the instruction. Now everyone was interested,” Jubei said.

  “What happened?” Naga demanded.

  “Yoshi taught the pretty girl one technique and then asked for volunteers. Everyone volunteered, hoping to show off in front of the girl and the several female onlookers the spectacle had drawn,” Jubei said. “Yoshi chose the largest man to strike the young woman. The large doshin raised his heavy bokken high above his head and charged the girl, screaming a war cry.”

  “Don’t tell me he killed the girl,” Jii said.

  “No, Lord, he did not. The young woman executed the parry by placing her right hand high, with the handle raised and the blade of the jutte pointed downward, as Yoshi had taught her. As the bokken impacted the jutte, the wooden sword’s motion deflected down the length of the jutte, to the right and away from the girl. As the bokken missed her and the attacker was off-balance, she rotated the jutte up and struck the attacker on the top of the head. His violent forward motion provided all the power. He collapsed into the dirt and did not wake up for several moments. Once revived, Yoshi asked if anyone else wanted to try it. No one did. Then Yoshi introduced the laundry maid as his wife. While there were grumblings about being tricked, they quickly understood the lessons of the exercise.”

  “And those lessons were?” Naga asked.

  Jubei turned to Yoshi and allowed him to explain.

  “Number one, never disrespect my wife,” Yoshi said.

  “A very valuable lesson Sensei,” Jii concurred.

  “Number two, that anyone, no matter their strength, can execute these techniques, and that they do work.”

  “Another good lesson,” Naga agreed.

  “And probably the most important lesson of all … “ Yoshi began.

  “Never judge a warrior by outward appearances,” Hideki, Musashi, and Jubei answered in unison.

  Yoshi gave them a disgusted look. “Yes, nothing is as it seems. Be ready for anything. Their number one goal is to return to their families when their patrol is over. They can only do that if they are alert to danger at all times.”

  Jii laughed. “I would say they are getting the best training available anywhere in the country. They should be ready.”

  Naga grunted his agreement. “We have to have all sixty ready by my visit at the end of the week.”

  “They will be ready, Brother,” Hideki said. “I shall accompany Nichi to the Gumsumgumi for the last fifteen tonight. They will be here tomorrow afternoon to commence their training.”

  “How are the rest of the Gumsumgumi taking the defection of their leader to the police?” Naga asked.

  “I think there is some grumbling,” Hideki said. “But I will know more tonight.”

  “Very well,” Jii said, rising. “Continue the training. I have tea with Yoshi’s mother-in-law.”

  Everyone smiled and bowed as Jii departed.

  “You had better be careful, Yoshi. You will have a samurai in the family,” Hideki said.

  Yoshi shook his head. “Don’t even think such a thing. The shame would be unbearable.”

  Everyone chuckled as they rose and departed.

  Hideki enjoyed the twice-daily workout he got with the jutte. He reveled in the instruction from Musashi, Jubei, and Yoshi. He soaked up everything he saw. His youthful speed and unusual coordination allowed him to mimic and internalize all around him.

  His instructors took pride in his accomplishments. By the end of the first week, he was the best student. He excelled in disarming and takedown techniques. However, put a jutte in his right hand and anything in his left—a fan, a tanto, or a short sword—and his technique became genius. While everyone marveled at his expertise, Musashi smiled. He knew that Hideki had discovered the fan and jutte combination was just a variation of the countless hours of instruction in his own brand of swordsmanship, Niten Ichi Ryu. In Two Swords, One Mind School, Hideki had discovered the techniques were the same with two swords as with any other two weapons. The two swords were not the basis of the techniques. The key was the man wielding them.

  Musashi did not show it, but he was very proud of Hideki. His youthful exuberance and natural athletic skill combined with his ability to internalize something after seeing it only once were an instructor’s dream. Now Musashi knew that his style of fighting would survive at least one more generation. He felt his life choices had meaning. He felt vindicated.

  The attacker raised a wooden sword skyward. He lunged forward, bringing the hardwood blade down toward the target—Hideki’s head. Only Hideki was not there. He pivoted slightly and the arc of the blade barely missed his head. As the attacker’s blade passed his body, Hideki used his left hand, the one holding the folded fan, to swat the descending blade to the left. This made the attacker’s body travel in that direction and opened up the area between the man’s neck and head as a target. The jutte in Hideki’s right hand lightly tapped this vulnerable area. The attacker grinned. Had this been real, he would have been unconscious or dead.

  Hideki is in his prime, Musashi thought. He will get stronger and more experienced, but he will never be faster than he is now. It would be fulfilling to watch him grow and handle the challenges of manhood. However, Musashi knew his time with the Yoshinobu was at an end. How Hideki handled the challenges of life would measure him as a man. Would he accept the challenges head-on and maintain a straight path, or would he bend from the way that was Bushido?

  “I’d love to stay and help him,” Musashi thought. “but everyone must tread his own path. I have given him as much as I can.”

  Musashi looked at Jubei, who was working with Hideki. Jubei would be good for him. He was much closer in age to Hideki, and he seemed dedicated to Hideki’s growth. They appeared to get along. Musashi wondered if a man like Jubei had ever had a friend before. “Oh well, not my problem. My time is about up. I must start my journey again,” he silently reminded himself.

  Hideki looked across the barge at Nichi. Both he and Myo sat on one side of the narrow vessel with Nichi on the opposite side. Even so, the vessel listed toward Nichi’s side. Hideki was tired from the day’s training and looked forward to food and a hot bath.

  “Will the rest of the police be at training tomorrow?” Hideki asked.

  “Yes, I will swear in the new men tonight and they will join their brothers tomorrow,” Nichi replied.

  “How are the Gumsumgumi taking this?”

  “About as you would expect. Some think it is a betrayal. Some think it a great honor,” Nichi said. “I take it you two will be spending the evening at the inn?”

  Hideki looked at Myo and blushed. Myo just smiled.

  “Your red face tells me all I need to know. Be careful you two. I think you should find somewhere else for your assignations. Goro is no friend of yours, Hideki, and my stripping the Gumsumgumi of some of their best for the police force has especially soured him of late.”

  Myo spoke up. “Surely Goro would not harm us.”

  “I don’t want to take any chances,” Nichi said.

  “That is wise, Nichi,” Hideki said. “I will find somewhere else to rest.”

  Later, they gathered in the great room of the Gumsumgumi hotel. Hideki watched as twenty-five men took the oath as brand-new police officers. “Looks like Naga will be getting ten extra policemen,” he observed.

  “Nichi thought it better to plan for attrition early,” Myo said.

  “Nichi keeps surprising me. I must remember that he is very intelligent.”

  “That would be a wise precaution,” Myo affirmed. “Underestimating him has been the downfall of several of his enemies.”

  “I am not an enemy. Nichi is tied more tightly to the success of my family than am I,” Hideki said.

  “How can that be?”

  “Nichi is the key to Naga’s success. If this police experiment works, Naga will be a hero. He will have replaced a corrupt police force with one tied to the people,” Hideki explained.

  “But it was your idea,” she complained.

  “Yes, but for the plan to work, Nichi must execute it. Without Nichi, we will all have failed.”

  Myo nodded her head. “Yes, I see. I am attuned to the vibrations of survival in Edo and on the land, but the politics of the castle confound me.”

  “You are confounded only because you are not used to them. Given time you would master them as well.”

  Myo smiled. She liked the compliment. “Would you like a bath?” she asked.

  “The last time I bathed here an exotic beauty shared the water with me,” he teased.

  “If you behave, that could be arranged again,” she said.

  Hideki looked at her and realized he was happy. He was doing what he was born to do with great friends to help him. Then there was this beautiful, free-spirited, deadly woman in front of him who had introduced him to the joys of the flesh. When he was with her, he was happy. When she was away, he felt a piece of himself missing. Was such a feeling the mysterious “ai” that Jii valued so highly? He did not know. However, he would be careful of how he spoke of it and with whom. He did not want to do anything to jeopardize the feeling.

  Hideki and Myo returned from the evening bath wearing the thin yukata kimono. They were both sweating from the liquid heat. Myo was rolling out the futon on the tatami when she tensed and reached under the bedding for a tanto. Hideki saw the motion and grasped his katana from the rack at the head of the futon.

  “Gomen,” the voice said.

  “It is Nichi,” Myo whispered to Hideki. “He is alone.”

  “Hai,” Myo said as she moved to the opposite side of the small room.

  The door slid back and the impossibly large bulk of Nichi filled the space. He bent down and stepped in.

  “My apologies, but things are worse than I feared. Goro is holding a grudge against you, and I do not want you to stay here any longer than necessary. Please gather your things. I will accompany you back to the police station. At least there, I know you’ll be safe.”

  “Nichi, I should be able to protect myself from Goro, even as large as he is,” Hideki said.

  “What do you mean, Oyabun?” Myo asked, ignoring Hideki’s boast.

  “I have seen some strange faces around. They dress like Gumsumgumi and even act like Gumsumgumi, but they are not Gumsumgumi,” Nichi replied.

  “Ninja?” Myo asked.

  “I don’t know for sure, but I don’t want to take any chances.”

  “What does Goro have to do with ninja?” Hideki asked.

  “He should have nothing to do with ninja,” Nichi said, “unless he’s been drawn into some political intrigue. My guess would be the Yamakai.”

  “You fear an alliance?” Myo asked as she placed the last weapons into her kimono and tied an obi in place around her middle.

  Hideki thrust both swords into his obi and took a last look around. They were ready to leave. Myo slid back the door and entered the main passageway.

  “Goro feels threatened. His world has turned upside down. Instead of seeing the opportunity for the Gumsumgumi, all he sees is a threat. It would not surprise me if he wants to cement a relationship with the world he knows. But his hate for you, Hideki, is almost palpable,” Nichi explained.

  They clung to the shadows of the dark, dirt streets. However, it is hard to hide a sumotori. “There is someone running back to the hotel,” Myo said.

  “Probably a spy Goro posted to keep an eye on the exit we used,” Nichi guessed.

  “Then we should hurry to the boat landing,” Hideki suggested.

  “You hurry, Hideki. Retired sumo wrestlers don’t hurry.”

  “Then we will hurry with you,” Hideki said as he and Myo slowed to match Nichi’s lumbering pace.

  They had not gone twenty paces when Myo stopped.

  “What do you hear Myo?” Nichi asked.

  “I hear many people paralleling our path.”

  Both Hideki and Nichi looked to the left and right at the side-streets and row after row of buildings for as far as the eye could see.

  “You will not find them there,” she said, and then pointed up.

  “They are on the roofs?” Hideki asked.

  “Yes, and they are not used to our construction methods. They keep tripping over loose boards and rocks used as weights. As ninja go, they are not very adept.”

  Hideki looked at Nichi and Myo.

  “Nichi, we must separate. It has to be the Fox Gang. They are after me,” he said.

  “I cannot abandon you,” Nichi said.

  Hideki raised his voice slightly. “Nichi, you must. The Yoshinobu future depends on your success with the police force. If you cannot get the police force replaced, trained, and operational, Naga is doomed. Onagai, depart from us,” Hideki insisted.

  “I don’t like it,” he said. “But I will obey.”

  “Myo, you go with him,” Hideki said.

  “Nonsense, I am entrusted with your protection,” she said.

  “I cannot bear the thought of you being harmed,” he said.

  Myo felt her eyes misting slightly. “Nothing will happen to me,” she said. Myo turned to Nichi, “Go now, and alert Yoshi to our plight.”

  Nichi bowed and began his lumbering walk to the boat ramps.

  “What is our best tactic?” Hideki asked.

  “The ones on the roofs are not adept. But the ones on the ground are,” she speculated.

  “There are ninjas on the ground?” Hideki asked as he swept streets again.

  “Someone has to be trailing us and guiding the roof rats,” she said.

  “Do we try to hide in a building?”

  “I do not believe so. I think we let them think they have caught you unawares in the open in the deserted streets,” she said.

  “I’m not sure I like that plan,” Hideki said.

  “Don’t be such a baby,” she chided. “As you fight them here I will be eliminating the adept ones and thinning the odds.”

  “You be careful. I’ve gotten used to having you around,” he said.

  “Good,” she said and moved to the building face and climbed it, disappearing onto the roof.

  Hideki moved to the center of the street and drew both swords. They came at him from two sides. Five came from one side of the street and four from the other. They quickly surrounded him with swords drawn.

  “We do not wish to kill you, samurai. Lay down your swords and come with us. You will not be harmed,” a distinct feminine voice said from behind a Fox mask.

  “Your past encounter with Tokugawa family members leaves me less trustful of your words than I might be otherwise. I have a better idea,” Hideki said. “Why don’t you come and get them.”

  The Fox masks snapped toward the direction of a loud scream in the darkness. They quickly snapped back to refocus on Hideki.

  “I guess you are one less,” Hideki mused.

  The circle around Hideki was just out of his sword range. As the brown-clad Foxes started moving counterclockwise around him, he lowered his right sword hand and let the tip of the katana almost touch the dirt to his front. A Fox behind him let his anxiety get the better of him and lunged with his ninja sword for Hideki’s back. Hideki reversed the katana in his right hand and, without looking, struck backwards into the chest of the attacker. He pulled his sword out and reversed the sword back to his front without moving his head. He fought the adrenaline rushing through his body. He must remain relaxed.