Comics Which Contain This Story

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Characters

The following characters are mentioned in the story:

• Kashira Chizu
• Lord Hikiji
• Ikeda
• Komori Ninja
• Miyamoto Usagi
• Neko Ninja
• Lord Noriyuki
• Sanshobo

Story Synopsis

Usagi, Gen and Sanshobo walk through woods in mountainous terrain. The scent of the pine trees reminds Sanshobo of his life before the priesthood, when he was a vassal of Lord Ikeda, who served the then Geishu daimyo Mataichi. Sanshobo was released from service after the death of his son (UY Book 10), long before Lord Ikeda let an unsuccessful revolt against Mataichi's heir, Noriyuki.

As they travel, Sanshobo tells of his deep respect for Ikeda. While still in his lord's service, in the age of wars before the shogun's peace was established, a Neko Ninja infiltrated the Lord Ikeda's castle to steal logistical information about Ikeda's army. The ninja was discovered, killing several retainers as he fled. Sanshobo, bow in hand, made to shoot the intruder, but was stopped by Lord Ikeda, allowing the ninja to escape. Ikeda explained that the stolen document was purposely falsified, greatly underreporting the strength of his forces, reinforcing for Sanshobo the importance of anticipating the moves of one's enemies. The following month, Lord Ikeda was attacked by Lord Higashi. Higashi was utterly defeated. As Sanshobo finishes his tale, the trio happen across a small temple and decide to spend the night there.

Not far behind, Chizu and a sizeable band of Neko Ninja are closing in. Knowing how close they are, they too decide that after four continuous days of travel it is time to stop and rest for a while. Chizu settles down to rest, but immediately senses something is amiss. Investigating further, she finds one of the perimeter sentries dead, his throat cut before he had time to draw his blade.

Shuriken suddenly rain down on her and she calls for help as she takes to the trees. Spying her assailant from a distance, she goes on the offensive, hurling shuriken and giving chase. Her attacker is one step ahead of her and entangles her leg with a chain as she leaps from one tree to another. She falls stunned just as help arrives. Of her attacker there is no sign, but Chizu knows the techniques he used. It was another Neko Ninja.

Not far away, Usagi, Gen and Sanshobo settle down for some sleep. Some time later, Usagi awakes, his sleep disturbed by something. The other two are already awake, listening for someone just outside. Sanshobo estimates a group of twenty or more, and calls them out. The Neko Ninja surrounding the temple call for them to surrender grasscutter to them. Given the cramped confines of the temple, the trio decide to make a run for it and fight in the open.

They burst out of the temple, making for the treeline. Chizu recognises Usagi and orders her ninja to hold back. She delivers an ultimatum - hand over the sword and you may go free. She promises that the sword will not be handed to Lord Hikiji, but her ultimatum is refused. She gives the order to kill them. Her ninja begin to fall, but Usagi, Gen and Sanshobo have not struck a blow. The Komori Ninja attack in force.