Kill the Shogun Read Online Free PDF

way that invited comment from the other party.
    “That depends on the job.”
    “I want a man killed.”
    “That depends on the man.”
    Toyama took a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to the man in black. The paper was folded into a strip and tied into a loose knot.
    The man took the paper and unfolded it, shaking it open and tilting it slightly to catch the light of the lantern. He was surprised when he read what was on the paper, but a lifetime of trainingallowed him to hide his reaction. Through habit, he kept his eyes on the paper, because a highly trained adversary could sometimes learn much from the expression in a man’s eyes. It was unlikely that Toyama was so trained, but it could be his ineptness was simply a well-honed act.
    “We know this man,” he said. “When do you want this done?”
    “As soon as possible, but you must tell me first, so I’ll know in advance it’s about to happen.”
    “We never tell that. We either fulfill our contract or die in the attempt. If we broadcast our intentions, it would be too easy to trap us.”
    “But I want to know, so I can make preparations.”
    “Then you should always be prepared, because we will not make such an announcement.”
    “What is the price then?” Toyama said petulantly.
    The man quoted a figure.
    Toyama spluttered. “That’s outrageous!”
    “As you wish.” The man started to blend back into the darkness.
    “Wait!”
    The man stopped.
    Toyama made a counteroffer.
    The man shook his head. “No. I have given you the price for this man. It will take several of us to kill him, and even then we may not be successful. The price you were given is the value of our lives if we fail. This man is an expensive one to kill.”
    Frustrated, Toyama said, “Fine. If that’s the price, then I will pay it. I want this man dead. I’ll pay you when you are done.”
    “No. In advance.”
    “But how am I to know if you will complete your part of the bargain?”
    “Do you know who we are?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then you know we have never failed to either complete a mission or to die trying. There is no bargaining. Those are the terms. You may take them or leave them, as you choose.”
    “All right! But I didn’t bring that much money with me.”
    “Have someone bring it to this temple tomorrow night. In gold. Place the gold in a cloth and leave the bundle on the temple floor. Then leave.”
    “All right.”
    The man looked at the sheet of paper once more. “Is this all you know about him?”
    “I can describe him.”
    “I said we know him. You do not have to describe him. Do you know where he is now?”
    “No.”
    “Then this will be a difficult job. It may take us some time. But we will not quit until we have completed the task.”
    “Tell me,” Toyama said, “am I dealing with the Kogas?”
    Now the man was extremely annoyed by this silly daimyo’s curiosity and lack of knowledge of how these transactions were accomplished and which questions were questions not asked. “No,” the man said, “you are dealing with me.”
    “But…”
    Before Toyama could complete his thought, the man had quickly merged with the shadows of the temple. Toyama lifted his lantern and let its feeble light illuminate the edges and corners of the room. The man was gone, and Toyama could see no obvious escape route. Outside, the crickets made their lonely lament. Toyama felt a chill pass through him, because he could not fathom how and where the man had disappeared to.
    Maybe ninja could turn themselves to smoke or make themselves invisible, as legends said, Toyama thought. He found some comfort in the fact that such men were hunting on his instructions, and not hunting him.
    H onda went to the back gate of his villa. He was staying in what would eventually be the guest house when the new main structure was completed. His wife and retainers insisted that he build a bigger house, and he had acquiesced. It was a financial strain because of Ieyasu’s policy of