The Ring of Earth Page 7

  Jack listened intently, nodding, trying to appear as if he understood what the old man was talking about.

  Soke smiled, chuckling to himself. ‘I can read your mind as clearly as a reflection in a pond. Let me show you the Five Rings in action.’

  Soke swept his hand around the valley.

  ‘The Five Rings are in everything we do. They’re the inspiration for a ninja’s techniques and tactics. See how the village is laid out. We’ve applied the principles of the Ring of Earth here.’

  Jack looked, but all he saw was an ordinary farming village. ‘Where?’ he asked.

  ‘A ninja without observation is like a bird without wings,’ Soke chided. ‘Look harder. If you were to attack our village, what problems would you face?’

  Jack studied the lie of the land through an invader’s eyes. ‘You’re in a steep valley,’ he began. ‘That makes it much harder to launch a mass attack.’

  ‘Good,’ said Soke. ‘What else?’

  ‘There’s only one road in and out. Otherwise there are just lots of paths in between the rice fields.’

  ‘Yes, and notice the paths are very narrow …’

  ‘So that only one person can pass at a time?’ hazarded Jack.

  ‘Exactly!’ said Soke, striking his stick upon the ground with satisfaction. ‘Everything has been designed to make the village as difficult as possible to penetrate with an army. The Shonin’s farmhouse is in the middle of our rice fields, which are a maze in themselves, and when flooded act as a massive moat. We’ve created natural defences both to his quarters and the square by raising them upon an earthen bank. The bamboo fence and thorn hedge form another barrier. So you can see we’ve exploited the surroundings and environment to our advantage. That’s one way a ninja can use the Ring of Earth.’

  Jack gazed in astonishment as the scene before his eyes transformed from an innocent-looking village into a disguised fortress.

  ‘Follow me,’ said Soke, heading in the direction of a small stream. ‘The Ring of Water gives rise to an entire discipline of ninjutsu, known as sui-ren. Water training. Not only must a ninja be able to swim, but he must learn to use water as a weapon, as a way of escape and a means of survival. You’ll encounter these techniques in due course. But first you need to understand the Ring of Water’s key principle.’

  He pointed to a log on the ground. ‘Place that across the stream.’

  Jack lifted the log into position until it blocked the channel.

  ‘What’s that done?’ said Soke.

  ‘It’s stopped the stream.’

  ‘Are you so sure?’ he challenged.

  They watched as the water backed up against the log. Then it ran around the ends and spilt over the top.

  ‘What does that teach you?’ asked Soke.

  Jack thought for a moment. ‘I need a bigger log.’

  Soke shook his head. ‘That’s samurai thinking. If something doesn’t work, more power, more men, bigger swords. But however large you build that dam, water adapts and will always find a way.’

  He pointed to a leaf that floated down the stream, around the log and into the pond. ‘What I’ve demonstrated is the principle of nagare – flow. From now on, apply this to your thinking. If something doesn’t work, change your strategy. Use it in your taijutsu. When an opponent blocks or resists a technique, simply flow into another. Follow nagare and eventually you’ll catch your opponent out.’

  Soke indicated for Jack to pull the log from the stream.

  ‘Like a river flowing down a mountain, whenever you encounter an obstacle, move round it, adapt and continue on.’

  Now Soke led Jack into the village square and over to a building that resounded with the rhythmic clang of hammer on metal. Here, Soke introduced Jack to the bladesmith Kajiya. He passed Soke a newly forged ninjatō for inspection. The blade glinted in the light of the blazing furnace.

  ‘I’m aware the samurai consider the sword to be their soul,’ said Soke, glancing at the katana and wakizashi on Jack’s hip. ‘But for a ninja, it’s just another tool, a means to an end.’

  He returned the sword to Kajiya with an appreciative nod. Then both he and Jack watched as the bladesmith fanned his furnace to an intense heat, removed a glowing orange blade and resumed his hammering.

  ‘Fire is energetic, forceful and fast-moving,’ explained Soke. ‘Our weapon techniques are closely associated with the Ring of Fire. But this element also influences other areas of ninjutsu, in particular the discipline of kajutsu – the Art of Fire. This can be as subtle as spreading a rumour. Or –’

  BANG!

  Jack dived to the floor as the ground exploded in front of him and a cloud of smoke rose into the air. Rolling to his feet, he drew his sword. He didn’t know whether they were being attacked, or if the furnace had exploded.

  Then he heard the two men laughing.

  ‘Did you see him jump?’ chortled Kajiya, tears of laughter streaming down his face.

  As the smoke dispersed, Jack noticed the remains of a small container of gunpowder lying on the ground.

  ‘Very funny,’ said Jack, grinning along with the joke as he resheathed his sword.

  ‘Kajiya likes to prove a point,’ said Soke, patting the bladesmith on the shoulder. ‘As I was saying, kajutsu can also be as blatant as an explosion. A ninja must learn to use gunpowder and fire for destruction, for diversion and if necessary for dealing death. But the Ring of Fire shouldn’t be considered an aggressive element. Its essence is motivation.’

  Soke pointed to the hilltops. ‘Up there, we have hidden woodpiles. On the approach of an enemy, they’re lit by lookouts and these smoke beacons give the village advance warning of an attack.’

  Bowing their respects, they left Kajiya to his work. Soke now guided Jack up the path towards the Buddhist temple. The sun had disappeared behind the mountains and dusk was fast approaching. Halfway up, they stopped beside a small Shinto shrine surrounded by wild flowers.

  ‘I’m curious to know,’ said Soke, ‘what you consider your best sword technique to be.’

  ‘I suppose in terms of speed, kesagiri, a double diagonal cut.’

  ‘Show me,’ said Soke. ‘I’ll be your target.’

  Jack gave the Grandmaster an uncertain look as the old man positioned himself in front of him. ‘I don’t want to hurt you …’

  Soke smiled. ‘Don’t worry about me. I need to see your skill up close.’

  ‘Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you,’ replied Jack, preparing to attack. In a flash, he drew his katana and sliced through the air, cutting up through Soke’s waist and then down diagonally across his chest.

  Both times, Soke moved out of the way.

  ‘Impressive,’ he said, nodding approvingly. ‘How about your best kick?’

  Jack sheathed his sword, then launched himself into a flying front kick.

  Soke waited until the last second before moving aside.

  ‘Good. And your best punch?’

  Jack turned round, flicking out his arm and delivering a spinning backfist to the head. Soke ducked beneath.

  ‘You’re very fast,’ he acknowledged. ‘Now, how about –’

  ‘Why not show me your best move?’ said Jack, breathless from the unexpected exertion.

  ‘I already have,’ replied Soke. ‘The best move is simply not to be there.’

  ‘This is the Ring of Wind, isn’t it?’

  ‘Now you’re learning!’ said Soke. ‘The Ring of Wind embodies the spirit of ninjutsu. Evasion is far better than engagement. Silent walking, escape running and shallow breathing to feign death, all derive from this element. See how the leaves in the trees above us move.’

  Jack’s eyes were drawn to the sway of the branches. Only now was he aware of an evening breeze rising up from the valley.

  ‘Wind can be light or tear a house apart,’ explained Soke. He bent down to pick a dandelion from beside the shrine. ‘The Ring of Wind teaches us to be open-minded. To respond to any situation and be ready for any a
ttack as it occurs. In other words, to go where the wind blows.’

  Holding up the dandelion, Soke blew at its snow-white head and the seeds drifted away on the breeze.

  ‘A ninja’s presence should be like the wind – always felt but never seen.’

  By the time they reached the temple, night had fallen and the stars shone bright in the heavens. Jack could hardly make out Soke’s face in the darkness.

  ‘This is one of the few places along the ridge from which you can see our village,’ said Soke, pointing to the distant glow of Kajiya’s furnace.

  At the entrance to the temple, Soke lit a stick of incense and bowed before an effigy of the Buddha. Jack did the same. Though he was Christian, he’d come to respect the teachings of Buddhism. But he also followed the rituals so as not to draw attention to himself. Sensei Yamada had advised that the more he appeared a Buddhist, the more likely people would be willing to help him on his journey.

  ‘We’ve nearly reached the end of your lesson,’ said Soke. ‘Only the Ring of Sky remains. This is the most powerful of the elements. And the hardest to obtain. As I’ve explained the Sky is the Void, the unseen power of the universe.’

  ‘If you can’t see it, how do you know it’s there?’ asked Jack.

  Soke looked up. ‘Tell me, is the sky empty?’

  ‘No, it’s full of stars.’

  ‘Likewise, the Ring of Sky isn’t empty either. And though you cannot see the stars during the day, they’re still there. The Ring of Sky is the basis for mikkyō, our secret teachings – meditation, mind control and kuji-in magic.’

  ‘Magic?’ questioned Jack.

  ‘Yes. The ninja’s spiritual origins lie in Shugendo, an ancient religion that teaches us to connect with nature and harness its power. A ninja trained in these arts can invoke ki, the spiritual energy of the void, and bend it to his will.’

  Having experienced the power of ki, when Sensei Yamada once knocked him off his feet solely using the secret art of kiaijutsu, Jack could well believe the ninja were capable of magic.

  ‘The Ring of Sky also symbolizes the ideal of a clear mind. A ninja attuned to this element can sense his surroundings and act without thinking – without using his physical senses.’

  ‘You mean like mushin?’ said Jack, who’d been taught the concept of ‘no mind’ by his swordmaster Sensei Hosokawa.

  ‘Good, you’re beginning to understand,’ replied Soke. ‘From now on, everything around you – even the mountains, rivers, plants and animals – should be your teacher.’

  Soke had all but disappeared into the darkness. Only his voice remained.

  ‘Master the Five Rings – learn to endure like the Earth, to flow like Water, to strike like Fire, to run like the Wind and be all-seeing like the Sky. Then, young samurai, you’ll be a ninja.’

  16

  THE ART OF STEALTH

  ‘Come on!’ insisted Hanzo. ‘We don’t want to be the last.’ Jack finished fastening the ties of his trousers round his knees and slipped on his long tabi boots. Over a shirt with close-fitting arms, he’d donned a jacket and secured it with an obi. He left the face-scarf and hood on the bed as they weren’t required for training sessions.

  Standing up, Jack took a look at himself. He never imagined that one day he’d wear the shinobi shozoku of the ninja. It sent a chill through him as if the ghost of Dragon Eye had possessed him. Jack prayed his father up in Heaven would forgive him and also that Masamoto would never find out.

  In this instance, each piece of shinobi clothing was dyed the same dark green. To blend in better with the forest, Soke had told him.

  Folding his own clothes and putting them next to his pack, Jack remembered the rutter inside. He wasn’t happy about leaving it so vulnerable, but he didn’t really have a choice. His only reassurance was that Soke had shown no interest in his belongings. Jack felt sure the Grandmaster didn’t know anything about the rutter and he wanted to keep it that way. With little alternative, Jack stuffed his clothes on top. They would prevent a casual observer from finding it, but certainly wouldn’t stop a determined thief.

  ‘Let’s go!’ said Hanzo, pulling on Jack’s arm.

  They hurried down the main road and out of the village. Hanzo scampered ahead along a narrow track that twisted through some woods towards the bottom of the valley. It was barely dawn, the birds just beginning their morning chorus. Wiping the sleep from his eyes, Jack caught up with Hanzo in a small hidden glade where a brook lazily wound its way through the trees.

  Soke was already waiting for them. He welcomed Jack with a bow. ‘I trust it’s not too early for you.’

  ‘Not at all,’ replied Jack, bowing and yawning at the same time.

  ‘Dawn and dusk are the times to see and not be seen. Perfect conditions for training and missions.’ Soke glanced over Jack’s shoulder. ‘Good, now that we’re all here, we can begin.’

  Jack looked around, but apart from Hanzo, the glade was deserted. Having been used to formal classes at the Niten Ichi Ryū, he was somewhat surprised there were no other students.

  Soke smiled ruefully. ‘Today’s lesson will focus on the Art of Stealth, perhaps the most crucial set of skills you need to master.’

  All of a sudden, a rock unfolded into Tenzen. A boy emerged from a clump of bushes. Two shinobi appeared from behind trees. Materializing out of the grass, more ninja students revealed themselves. Jack almost jumped out of his skin when Miyuki dropped down beside him, silent as a ghost.

  ‘Easily spooked, aren’t you?’ she said.

  Regaining his composure, Jack smiled amiably. ‘I certainly won’t be playing hide-and-seek with you!’

  ‘They were practising gotonpo, the Art of Concealment,’ explained Soke. ‘Since ninjutsu is primarily about evasion and escape, the best way to achieve this is not to be seen in the first place.’

  Soke indicated for Tenzen to return to the edge of the clearing.

  ‘By applying the Ring of Earth, a ninja blends with the environment. See how Tenzen becomes one with the tree and disappears.’

  Even though Jack knew where Tenzen was, he could hardly make him out. The ninja merely looked like a bulge in the trunk.

  ‘Or if there’s no immediate coverage,’ Soke continued, ‘you must break up your body’s outline. A human form is too easily recognizable. So learn to lose your shape. Watch Tenzen become a rock.’

  Emerging from behind the tree, Tenzen squatted down into a ball, folding his arms round his body, and became perfectly still. In the shadowy light of dawn, Jack wouldn’t have given Tenzen a second glance.

  ‘Now you try it,’ instructed Soke.

  Jack went over and crouched beside Tenzen. Adopting the same posture, he tried not to move. After a few moments, he heard sniggering from one of the students. Jack looked up. It was the boy who’d hidden behind the bushes. He was about Jack’s age, skinny with close-cropped hair, pencil-thin lips and tight, mean eyes.

  ‘He can’t do it!’ jeered the boy. ‘He looks like a big white daikon radish in the dirt!’

  ‘You’ve made your point, Shiro,’ stated Soke, giving the boy a stern look. ‘Jack, your blond hair does give you away. You need to cover it in future. Also, never look directly at your enemy during concealment. Otherwise their instinct will sense your presence.’

  Jack nodded, all of a sudden self-conscious about his appearance. Maybe he was more suited to being a samurai than a ninja. Soke beckoned him and Tenzen to rejoin the group.

  ‘It’s possible to hide anywhere – behind walls, beneath bushes, inside water barrels, below floors and even in plain sight. Have I told you of the time I was caught out in an open field, a troop of samurai in hot pursuit?’

  ‘How did you escape?’ asked Hanzo on cue.

  ‘I pretended to be a scarecrow, of course!’

  The students all laughed and Jack realized it was a well-told story. ‘Samurai are so stupid,’ he heard Miyuki mutter. As much as Jack wanted to defend their honour, he thought it prudent to keep his
silence among the ninja. But it occurred to him that Miyuki fostered a surprisingly deep hatred of the samurai.

  ‘Yet the best place to hide, as you know, Jack,’ continued Soke, ‘is above – in a tree or on a roof. People seldom look up.’

  Soke now addressed the whole class.

  ‘But we can’t hide all night. So a ninja must learn shinobi aruki – stealth-walking. Miyuki, please demonstrate.’

  Miyuki sank low and began to cross the glade in short, prowling steps. She made no sound at all, even as she passed through the long grass.

  ‘Notice how Miyuki keeps her foot pointed, placing her toes down first. That way she can feel for any obstacles. Her weight then gradually shifts on to her toes, thereby ensuring she makes no noise. Lastly, she lowers herself on to the side of her foot, until the heel touches the ground and she’s ready to take the next step.’

  Miyuki entered the stream and Jack was amazed. She barely made a ripple.

  ‘When dealing with water crossings,’ Soke explained, ‘not only must your foot enter straight like a spear, but remember not to drag the back one. Lift it high and clear before placing it. Now I want you all to practise this. Find a partner and try to steal up on them without being detected.’

  The ninja paired up, very obviously avoiding Jack. He got the impression he wasn’t exactly welcome among their ranks. Once again, he was in the position of having to prove his worth, just as he’d had to as a gaijin samurai at the Niten Ichi Ryū.

  ‘Do you want to train with me?’ suggested Hanzo.

  ‘That would be good,’ said Jack.

  ‘I’ll go first. You wait on the other side of the stream.’

  Hanzo ran off to the edge of the glade and waited for Jack to take up position. Turning round, Jack listened intently for the boy’s approach. He didn’t expect Hanzo to get very far. Sensei Kano had taught Jack how to hear sound shadows. But there was no reason to tell Hanzo about that skill. Not yet, anyway.

  The glade was quiet, the stream too lazy to make much noise. This would be easy. ‘Ready when you are,’ Jack called out.

  ‘Your turn!’ Hanzo replied, his grinning face right next to him.