The Way Of The Sword Read Online Free PDF Page A

everyone’s gaze.
    The students bowed respectfully in return.
    ‘Finally, as some of you are aware, it has been three years since the last Circle of Three…’
    The atmosphere in the
Chō-no-ma
instantly became tense with excitement, every student kneeling ramrod straight in anticipation. Jack, though, was at a complete loss, having no idea what Masamoto was talking about. He looked over to Akiko for an explanation, but like the rest of the school her eyes remained fixed upon Masamoto.
    ‘For those students who have the courage and the ability, the time has come to prove you are worthy to be called samurai of the
Niten Ichi Ryū
. And those who do will progress on to the Two Heavens without the need for further training.’
    Jack had an inkling of what the Two Heavens was. He’d heard it was Masamoto’s secret martial art technique and that only the very best students were given the privilege of learning from the great man himself. But beyond that the Two Heavens remained a mystery.
    ‘The Circle of Three, as tradition dictates, will commence when the winds blow the cherry blossom from the branches,’ continued Masamoto. ‘Those of you who believe you are ready to meet the Circle’s three challenges of Mind, Body and Spirit should log their names with Sensei Kyuzo at the end of this evening. A series of four selection trials will then be held at first snowfall to test your strength, skill, intellect and courage. The five students deemed the best in these trials will go through to the Circle.’
    Masamoto spread his arms wide so that the sleeves of his flame-red kimono appeared to transform him into the fiery phoenix of his
kamon
.
    ‘Be warned! The Circle of Three is not to be entered into lightly. It demands you understand the seven virtues of
bushido
if you are to have any hope of surviving.’ The great warrior paused, his gaze taking in all his students. ‘So tell me what is
bushido
?’
    ‘Rectitude! Courage! Benevolence! Respect! Honesty! Honour! Loyalty!’
boomed the students down the
Chō-no-ma
.
    Masamoto nodded with satisfaction. ‘And it is the virtue of courage that you will need most,’ he cautioned. ‘So during these coming months of training, remember this:
learn today so that you may live tomorrow!’
    With the declaration of the school’s maxim, Masamoto brought the address to an end and the students thundered their response.
    ‘MASAMOTO! MASAMOTO! MASAMOTO!’
    The refrain died away and servants entered, carrying several long lacquered tables. These were laid in two rows that stretched the entire length of the
Chō-no-ma
. Jack seated himself between Akiko and Yamato, feeling a small thrill that they weren’t positioned right next to the entrance. They were no longer the new students and this meant that they had moved several symbolic places nearer the head table.
    Jack always enjoyed ceremonial dinners. The formality of such events demanded that a vast array of dishes be provided in honour of the guest. On this occasion,
sushi
was high on the menu, alongside
tofu
, noodles,
tempura
, bowls of miso soup, pickled yellow
daikon
and purple eggplant. Steaming pots of
sencha
were accompanied by vast quantities of rice piled high in bowls across their table. The centrepiece was an overflowing plate of sliced eel, grilled and smothered in a sticky red sauce.
    ‘Itadakimasu!’
proclaimed Masamoto.
    ‘Itadakimasu!’
responded the students, picking up their
hashi
and tucking into the banquet.
    Despite the delicious spread, Jack was distracted from the meal by his desperate desire to know more about the Circle of Three. Everybody else, though, was focused upon devouring the feast before them.
    ‘Jack, you should try the
unagi
,’ suggested Saburo, a slightly rotund, plain-looking boy with a chubby face made even chubbier by a mouthful of food.
    Jack looked doubtfully across the table at his friend, whose thick black eyebrows bounced up and down in unison with his enthusiastic chewing of a grey