hayes-tulku a tale of modern ninja

8/17/2019 Hayes-TULKU a Tale of Modern Ninja

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TULKU A Tale of Modern Ninja!

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>THE MATSUTANI FAMILY

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>Kaisen Matsutani-Masakado Tokuoka oriinal founder of t"e Matsutani fa#il$ and ninjutsutradition%

>Take&o Matsutani-earl$ t'entiet"-(entur$ "ead of fa#il$) randfat"er to Hitos"i

>Keiki("l Matsutani-*ost'ar "ead of fa#il$) son of Take&o) fat"er to Hitos"i

>Hitos"i Matsutani-(urrent "ead of fa#il$) ("air#an of t"e +oard) Matsutani S"oji Ltd%

>Ko&o Matsutani-$ouner +rot"er of Hitos"i%

>Hideo Matsutani-son of Hitos"i) *resident of Matsutani S"oji Ltd%

>Toru Kitaa'a-(ousin of Hitos"i) ("ief trainer of (landestine o*erati,es%

>E#i Kitaa'a-nie(e of Toru) s*e(ial assistant to ire(tor of Field .roje(ts /*erations%

>Keni("i /date-ninja o*erati,e) Matsutani S"oji Ltd%

>Teruo /&a'a-ire(tor of Field .roje(ts /*erations Matsutani (landestine o*erations rou*%

>0ar+ara Nis"i#ura-ninja o*erati,e) Matsutani S"oji Ltd%>Seiji I'ate-ninja o*erati,e) Matsutani S"oji Ltd%

>Tai("i Naka#ura-ninja o*erati,e) Matsutani S"oji Ltd%) Seoul) Korea%

>Tos"iro Kando-ninja o*erati,e) Matsutani S"oji Ltd%) Hon Kon%

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>

>.art /ne

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>AI1HI NAKAMU2A .U2SE HIS t"in li*s and +le' 3uietl$ and slo'l$ a(ross t"e

e4*osed ride of +ri(k to t"e ri"t of "is fa(e% T"e +its of dust t"at "ad (olle(ted t"ere o,er

t"e $ears (louded u* in a tin$ s'irl and t"en fluttered slo'l$ to t"e 'eed-s*lit (on(rete *a,in

t"ree stories +elo'% Fro# "is *osition dee* in t"e s"ado'ed (orner '"ere t"e nort" offi(e 'all

jutted out to for# t"e ne' 'in of t"e jaejun International 'are"ouse) Naka#ura (ould see

t"e li##er of t"e dust #otes in t"e #er(ur$ ,a*or floodli"ts off to "is ri"t as t"e #inute

*arti(les of rit) aed +ri(k) and #ortar took to t"e 'inds% Slo'l$) al#ost leisurel$) t"e sine'$

5a*anese rea("ed out 'it" "is ri"t "and to +rus" t"e re#ainin *arti(les a'a$ fro# t"e (ra(k

+et'een t"e +ri(ks 'it" "is finerti*s% His left "and and t"e sk$"ook loo* stirru*s +eneat" "is

feet "eld "i# to t"e 'all like a s*ider% Naka#ura entl$ #o,ed "is ri"t sk$"ook into *la(e

alon t"e +rittle $ello' ede of t"e +ri(k%

>Naka#ura "oisted "i#self u* t"e (ool surfa(e of t"e 'all anot"er fourteen in("es% He felt no

need to "urr$% It 'as $et anot"er fort$ ei"t #inutes +efore t"e internal se(urit$ *atrol 'ould

+e en(ounterin t"e distra(tion t"at "ad +een *lanned for t"e#) far fro# '"ere t"e 5a*anese(li#+er 'ould +e enterin t"eir +uildin%

>T"e Seoul ni"t air 'as still) t"e (i,ilian (urfe' "a,in dri,en all +ut *oli(e *atrols and

*ri,ileed o,ern#ent *artiers into t"eir "o#es "ours ao% Naka#ura 'as 'ell used to ni"ts

su(" as t"is) and "e +lended "is +reat"in and #us(ular (ontra(tion and rela4ation-e,en t"e

ti#+re of "is #ental *ro(esses-'it" t"e su+tle ,i+rations t"at #ade u* t"e *reda'n "ours of

t"e /(to+er #ornin% He re*eated t"e +lo'in) +rus"in) and re+lo'in *ro(edure 'it" "is

left "and and lifted t"e s#all L-s"a*ed s(alin tool t"at (li#+ers (alled t"e sk$"ook u* and

onto its ne' and "i"er an("or% T"e t"ree-in(" s*ine of t"e "ardened steel L *ointed

eart"'ard and e4tended do'n to t"e n$lon 'e++in +and t"at loo*ed +eneat") for#in t"e

foot"old t"at *er#itted Naka#ura to (lin snul$ to t"e 'all in a #anner *er*endi(ular to t"e

for(e of ra,it$%


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>T"e deft s(aler used t"e *ointed ti* of a tsu+oiri +orin tool) *ulled fro# t"e *a(ket on "is

+elt) to *ier(e t"e 'ooden surfa(e of t"e roof t"at e4tended out o,er "is "ead a full four feet%

Into t"e (ar,ed o*enin in t"e stru(tural +ea#) Naka#ura t'isted a t"readed e$e+olt) to '"i("

"e (li**ed anot"er loo* of n$lon 'e++in '"i(" su**orted "i# out and t"en o,er t"e ede of

t"e entl$ slo*in roof%

>Naka#ura flattened into t"e rides of t"e (la$ tile and s(urried noiselessl$ u*'ard) t"e "andsand feet of "is *o'erful t"in li#+s "oldin "i# just off t"e surfa(e +eneat" "is sto#a(" as "e

#o,ed in t"e +la(k trou" of s"ado' t"at la$ at t"e +ase of t"e ride line% 6"en "e rea("ed

t"e 'eat"ered (aulkin t"at sealed a s"eet #etal ,entilator "ood aainst t"e tiles t"at 'eded

u* +eside it) "e s*ra'led in alert rest) first ("e(kin t"e diital 'at(" stra**ed to "is left 'rist)

and t"en (losin "is e$es to listen for (ontinued stillness% Like t"e reat ra$ starfis" t"at

flattened t"e#sel,es aainst t"e sand$ +otto# of t"e s"allo' laoon +eneat" t"e ro(k$

s"oreline of Kos"iki Island) "is +o$"ood "o#e) Naka#ura released all tension fro# "is +od$

and #elted into t"e ritt$ surfa(e of t"e 'are"ouse roof to 'ait%

>

>6ordlessl$) K$on Te 1"oi turned a'a$ fro# ni"t se(urit$ ("ief .ark '"o) as al'a$s) sat

like a *er#anent fi4ture +e"ind t"e *ale-reen la#inated (ounterto* t"at "oused t"e (losed(ir(uit tele,ision #onitor% 1"oi re*eated t"e ni"t7s se(urit$ a((ess (ode in "is #ind) "is li*s

#o,in in silent #i#i( of t"e ju#+le of letters and diits as "e 'alked do'n t"e fluores(ent-

li"ted (orridor% As usual) H$un 6oon .ark "ad 'ritten t"e a((ess (ode on a s#all '"ite

s3uare of *a*er) "eld it u* in front of 1"oi7s fa(e for t'el,e se(onds) and t"en sli**ed it

t"rou" a (ounterto* slot to t"e s"redder +elo'% T"e li"t ele(troni( '"irrin of t"e +lades

t"at fore,er eradi(ated .ark7s *en(iled letters and diits faded in 1"oi7s (ars as "e #o,ed

t"rou" t"e +uildin to t"e fire door leadin to t"e stair'ell t"at 'ould take "i# u* to t"e rear

e#eren($ e4it leadin fro# t"e jaejun e4e(uti,e offi(es%

>T"e '"ite *lasti( (ard 'it" its #aneti( stri*s and e#+ossed nu#eri( (odes 'as still 'ar#

fro# its slot in t"e en(odin (radle as t"e ro,in uard *ressed t"e su((ession of ke$s t"at

*er#itted t"e steel *late (o,erin t"e (ard slot to lift u*'ard% 1"oi *us"ed t"e stiff (ard into

t"e li"ted slot and entered t"e se(ond strin of letters and diits%

>To t"e uard7s sur*rise) t"ere 'as no +u&&in sna* fro# +e"ind t"e '"ite-ena#eled steel

door t"at (losed off t"e e4e(uti,e offi(es% For t"e first ti#e in se,enteen #ont"s of #akin

t"ese rounds) 1"oi stood lookin at a lo(ked door after enterin t"e (ard and (odes t"at s"ould

"a,e auto#ati(all$ *ulled t"e fra#e +olts +a(k fro# t"eir slots to i,e "i# a((ess to t"e dut$

stations +e$ond% T"e se(urit$ uard stood #otionless in front of t"e illu#inated ke$*ad)

(onfusion and t"en dou+t floodin "is #ind% Had t"e a((ess (odes +een entered in(orre(tl$8

Had "e #entall$ trans*osed a nu#+er or letter in toni"t7s (ode8 Had t"ere +een a

#alfun(tion in t"e 2ele4 99:: s$ste#) as i#*ossi+le as t"at see#ed8

>A startled H$un 6oon .ark looked u* as #onitor E;.ark 3ui(kl$ s(anned t"e ot"er lo'in s(reens and sa' t"at all ot"er stations see#ed to +e

undistur+ed% He ke$ed in a *rora# (ode t"at assured t"e +uildin7s eneral s$ste# #onitor

re(order) 1"oi7s fro&en e4e(uti,e door station) and t"e jaejun (o#*ound se(urit$ ("ief in

0uildin t"at t"e in(ident 'as no' in t"e *ro(ess of +ein in,estiated%

>

>Fro# "is roofto* *osition) Naka#ura (ould see all t"e 'a$ a(ross t"e slu#+erin (it$ ofSeoul% Far off in front of "i#) '"ere t"e *reda'n sk$ #et t"e lift of Na#san Hill) "e (ould


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#ake out t"e +linkin of t"e air(raft 'arnin +ea(ons ato* Seoul To'er% His attention 'as

suddenl$ dra'n to tin$ illu#inated diits as t"e$ fluttered a(ross t"e flat s3uare s(reen "e "eld

in "is "and% T"e +rief li"t fro# t"e silent sinals a,e t"e intruder7s #otionless fa(e a

de#oni( red lo' for t"e se(onds it took H$un 6oon .ark7s *rora# #essae to +e

trans#itted o,er t"eir FM +and to t"e se(urit$ offi(es a(ross t"e (o#*ound% Naka#ura t"en

sli**ed t"e re(ei,er +a(k into its 'orn (iarette (ase and s"ifted silentl$ into a kneelin *osition) '"ere "e (ould ra+ t"e "andle of t"e kunai le,erae tool t"at "e "ad ja##ed under

t"e li* of t"e ,entilator s(reen%

>

>Naka#ura kne' t"at 'it"in #o#ents t"e internal #onitor s(reens 'ould +e un#at("ed as

t"e t'o uards ("aned *la(es to allo' .ark to run u* to t"e fro&en entr$ *anel) enter t"e

release (ode to retrie,e t"e i#*ounded #aneti( (ard) and atte#*t t"e entr$ on(e aain in

1"oi7s *la(e% T"e 5a*anese took a dee* +reat") *ressed t"e front of "is torso u* aainst t"e

,entilator "ood as ti"tl$ as *ossi+le to #uffle as #u(" of t"e noise as "e (ould) and *ulled u*

and out on t"e kunai% 6it" a dull sna**in t"ud) t"e ri,ets inside t"e "ood released t"eir "old

and t"e s(reen 'as free%

>>T"e ,oi(e fro# t"e s*eaker on t"e ra' (on(rete 'all of t"e fire es(a*e stair'ell 'as +rief)

instru(tin 1"oi to return to t"e #onitor desk% As t"ou" +ein s"aken fro# a da&e) t"e

Korean looked around in all dire(tions +efore turnin on "is "eels and runnin do'n t"e stairs

to t"e underround (onsole of "is su*erior% 1"oi "ad +arel$ rea("ed t"e (ounter +efore .ark

"ad lea*t to "is feet to fl$ +a(k do'n t"e #oss reen (ar*etin of t"e (orridor to t"e stair'ell)

t"e 'all dis*la$s of (olor *"oto *anels de*i(tin t"e jaejun "ea,$ industr$ *rodu(ts +ut a

sinle for#less +lur in t"e (orners of "is u*turned e$es%

>

>Naka#ura entered t"e ,entilator s"aft feet first and used "is knees and t"e "eels of "is "i"-

to**ed) ru++er-soled (li#+in s"oes to 'ede "i#self into *la(e '"ile "e se(ured t"e (ur,ed

talons of t"e foldin "ook aainst t"e (orner of t"e s(reen o*enin% Naka#ura t"en allo'ed

se,eral $ards of t"e soft (li#+in (ord to *la$ out and do'n +et'een "is anled t"i"s) +ein

(areful to use t"e slo' and r"$t"#i(al #o,e#ents t"at 'ould redu(e t"e ("an(es of t"e ro*e

a((identall$ t"u#*in aainst t"e 'alls of t"e narro' air s"aft% Sli**in "is ri"t "and into

t"e first loo* t"at danled fro# t"e ro*e and releasin "is left-"and ri* on t"e "ood o*enin)

Naka#ura #o,ed into t"e jaejun stru(ture%

>

>.ark 'orked t"e ke$*ad of t"e Eio Kei+i 2ele4 99:: se(urit$ *anel% In *ainfull$ slo'

#otion) t"e (a*tured a((ess (ard a**eared at t"e ede of its slot and t"en +a(ked out into

.ark7s 'aitin "and% T"e s"ift su*er,isor *ulled t"e (ard t"e rest of t"e 'a$ out) reke$ed t"e

oriinal a((ess (ode) re*la(ed t"e (ard) and aain ke$ed in t"e se(ond strin of diital entries%1"oi "un("ed for'ard in .ark7s ("air +e"ind t"e #onitor +anks to 'at(" for t"e results on

s(reen E;.ark s'ore inaudi+l$ as t"e usual +u&&in sna* released t"e 2ele4 99:: ele(troni( lo(k and *er#itted t"e +ullet*roof steel door to s'in in'ard to i,e a((ess to t"e e4e(uti,e offi(es%


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T"e fool 1"oi 'ould no' (ost "i# '"at t"e senior uard felt 'ould see# like endless

*a*er'ork to follo' u* t"e sna in routine *atrollin% .ark stared u* +urninl$ at t"e (losed

(ir(uit (a#era a+o,e "is fa(e and *ulled t"e door s"ut aain 'it" a +oo#in sla#% 1"oi

'it"ered in "is su*erior7s (onsole ("air as "e 'at("ed t"e entire *ro(eedins o,er t"e #onitor%

>

>Fro# +eneat" t"e *annin (a#era t"at s(anned "is (orner of t"e (aro storae area) Naka#ura rea("ed u* fro# out of si"t and entl$ rotated t"e tension kno+ on t"e (a#era7s

#ountin +ra(ket%

>

>T"e slo'in of t"e *annin #otion 'ould not +e noti(ed o,er t"e #onitor) and it 'ould i,e

t"e 5a*anese additional se(onds to (o,er t"e uns(anned areas of t"e +a$ t"at t"e drain

(a#era 'ould no' lea,e te#*oraril$ un(o,ered%

>Naka#ura #o,ed noiselessl$ fro# (rate to (rate) kee*in (areful 'at(" on t"e *at" of t"e

"altin (a#era o,er"ead as "e *ressed t"e s#all sensor aainst one rou" 'ooden *anel after

anot"er% As "e #o,ed like a for#less s"ado' o,er t"e (on(rete floor) Naka#ura noti(ed an

oddl$ un("ara(teristi( ede to "is #o,e#ents and t"ou"ts) an indes(ri+a+le (old *ressure

t"at see#ed to drill at t"e +a(k of "is "ead%>

>T"e "esitan($ trou+led "i#% He 'as) after all) a seasoned *rofessional% He kne' "is 3uarr$

'as in "ere% His (onta(t Sun uk 1"un "ad told "i# e4a(tl$ '"ere and '"en t"e s"i*#ent

'ould +e #o,in t"rou" "er station7s re*a(kin and rela+elin *ro(ess +efore +ein s"uttled

on t"rou" (a#ouflaed ("annels to its e,entual destination% It 'as #erel$ a #atter of ti#e

+efore "e found '"at "e 'as lookin for and (ould take t"e *"otora*"s t"at "e "ad +een

("ared 'it" o+tainin%

>Se,en #inutes into t"e sear(") Naka#ura7s "and-"eld sensor *ro,ided t"e LE sinal for

'"i(" "e "ad +een 'aitin% He "ad found a (rate t"at +etra$ed just t"e ri"t #aneti(

*otential and aseous (ontent% Lookin u* to ("e(k t"e (a#era *osition on(e aain)

Naka#ura *ulled out t"e lon narro' kunai) and resolutel$ set to 'ork on t"e (rate lid%

>

>In anot"er *art of t"e 'are"ouse (o#*le4) 1"oi drifted sullenl$ fro# one ("e(k*oint station

to t"e ne4t) #o,in on t"e ner,ous ener$ *rodu(ed fro# in'ardl$ dire(ted aner% T"e jaejun

International e4e(uti,es took t"eir se(urit$ seriousl$) "e kne') and one sli* 'as all t"at 'as

re3uired to +e reassined to one of t"e lesser *osts t"at *aid lesser "ourl$ rates% Ho' (ould "e

"a,e let "i#self sli*8 Ho' (ould "e "a,e allo'ed "i#self to +e(o#e so (o#*la(ent8 T"is

'ould "a,e to +e (onsidered a lesson) a re#inder of '"at (an "a**en '"en one rea("es

+e$ond reasona+le li#its in a#+ition) 1"oi resol,ed to "i#self%

>

>Fro# "is (an,as slin "i" u* on t"e (at'alk t"at anled t"rou" t"e rafters of e4*ort +a$KL/I) t"e sour(e of Naka#ura7s su+(ons(ious unease stared do'n at "is narro' #us(ular

+a(k as "e "un("ed o,er t"e o*en (rate to *"otora*" its (ontents%

>T"e tin$ s"ielded flas" fro# Naka#ura7s #iniature (a#era fli(kered like distant "eat

li"tnin in t"e darkness of t"e 'are"ouse and lea#ed in refle(tion on t"e de*t"less +la(k

e$es under t"e "ea,$ lids t"at furro'ed t"e #iddle of t"e +road flat fa(e) '"i(" looked do'n

'it" infinite *atien(e at t"e s(ene unfoldin +elo'% T"ou" II Na# K'on 'ore "is usual

1"inese-+uilt Makaro, T$*e 9? ?## *istol) t"e Korean assassin #ade no atte#*t '"atsoe,er

to sto* Naka#ura% Take $our +it of ("eese and run) #$ little rat) t"ou"t t"e "ulkin II Na#

K'on) and '"en $ou sli* into $our (rann$ in t"e 'all) t"is (at 'ill kno' e4a(tl$ '"ere all t"e

killin is to +e done%

>>


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>1"a*ter =

>

>2/M THE STEELY @2AY tu#+le of t"e earl$ #ornin autu#n (louds t"at skirted t"e

eastern edes of t"e S"i#a+ara .eninsula) t"e Mitsu+is"i ia#ond /ne jet a**eared) dro**ed

sli"tl$ in its *at") and +anked nort" o,er t"e Ten#ei s"oreline sea'all% Fe' of t"e do&ens of

sea'eed far#ers t"at *lied t"e 'aters of t"e Ariake Sea 'ere not lookin u* at t"e (rea#(olored jet% It 'as not a routine fli"t *at") and t"e si"t and sound of t"e sleek air(raft

(a*tured t"e (uriosit$ of t"e residents of t"e rural Hotaku *ro,in(e%

>T"e attention 'as +ut #o#entar$ in duration) "o'e,er% or$oku) (onsistent effort) 'as t"e

ke$ to a su((essful *lantin) and 'it"in #inutes all "ad forotten t"e *e(uliar ano#al$ of t"e

jet o,er t"eir aeless "ar,estin *ool as +a(ks and ar#s 'ent on 'it" t"e 'ork of reelin out

and adjustin t"e seedlin nets%

>Toru Kitaa'a slo'l$ *ressed "is fa(e aainst t"e (oolness of t"e s#all 'indo' in t"e side

of t"e ia#ond /ne and looked +a(k at t"e tin$ fleet of +road-"ulled +oats at float on t"e

#irror surfa(e of t"e 'ater +elo'% T"ose "ar,esters "ad +een t"ere lon +efore "is +irt"

al#ost si4t$ $ears ao 'est of Ia) and 'ould still +e t"ere lon after "is as"es "ad turned to

eart" under t"e +ase of "is fa#il$7s +urial s"rine in Aka#e% T"eirs 'as a life so different fro#t"e one t"at "ad +een dealt to "i#) t"e ston$ 5a*anese a(kno'leded silentl$ to "i#self%

T"ose sea "ar,esters 'orked alon in "ar#on$ 'it" t"e seasons to earn t"eir 'a$% /ld Toru

t"e +attler) #ore often t"an not) 'as e4*e(ted to rearrane t"e seasons to earn "is 'a$%

> Kitaa'a) a (o#*a(t 'ir$ #an 'it" (lose-(ro**ed salt-and *e**er "air and a fa(e tanned

and (reased like a 'orn leat"er ar#("air) turned "is +ro'n e$es a'a$ fro# t"e 'indo' and

lan(ed u* at t"e diital (lo(k% Ten #inutes and "e7d +e +a(k on t"e round and t"en t"e nast$

task of deli,erin t"e *rints to "is (ousin) Hitos"i Matsutani% As al'a$s) "ere7s Toru 'it" t"e

+ad ne's%

> Toru Kitaa'a looked do'n at t"e "alf-eaten *ersi##on in "is ri"t "and% T"e edes of t"e

na'ed area "ad +eun to turn +ro'n in t"e ti#e t"at "e "ad allo'ed "is #ind to drift%

Kitaa'a lifted t"e fruit to "is #out" and de,oured it in t'o +ites% He 'orked "is teet"

t"rou" t"e s'eet orane fles" of t"e kaki to se*arate t"e lare s#oot" *its) '"i(" "e dro**ed

into "is (u**ed ri"t "and% His e$es sear("ed t"e seat area distra(tedl$ for a #o#ent and t"en

"e finall$ s"o,ed "is ri"t "and into t"e side *o(ket of "is 'ind+reaker and de*osited t"e

*ersi##on *its t"ere%

> Kitaa'a returned "is a&e to t"e autu#n reds and olds of t"e trees far +elo' t"e .le4ilas

'indo' +eside "is left s"oulder% T"ere 'as t"e forested *eak of Ki#+o&an Mountain) 'it" its

2eiendo (a,e t"at 'as t"e final "o#e of Mi$a#oto Musas"i% T"e leendar$ se,enteent"-

(entur$ s'ord saint "ad di(tated "is @orin no S"o 0ook of Fi,e 2insB to "is last student in

t"at (a,e% 6"at a 'asted life) ru#+led Toru Kitaa'a to "i#self S"in#en Musas"i of

Mi$a#oto) lone 'anderin 'arrior in t"e ae of enfor(ed *ea(e durin t"e Tokua'a fa#il$7sdi(tatorial rule% Ho' like #$ kar#a) e") S"in#en8

>E#i Kitaa'a (o#*leted "er re*ort and returned t"e sli# old 1ross *en to t"e inner *o(ket

of "er 'ine-(olored +la&er% Her (o##ents 'ere 'ritten out in t"e dark-+lue) self-lo(kin

#essae ta+let t"at indi(ated its (ontents 'ere oku"i) so (onfidential t"at onl$ Teruo /&a'a)

t"e Matsutani S"oji (or*orate ire(tor of Field .roje(t /*erations) 'as to +reak its seals%

> It "ad +een E#i Kitaa'a7s jo+ to enter t"e (o#*uter (odes into t"e diital radio trans#itter

t"at "ad +een used for t"e re#ote re*rora##in of t"e jaejun se(urit$ s$ste#% All of t"eir

Eio Kei+i 1o#*an$ se(urit$ s$ste# (ontrol (enters around t"e 'orld (ontained t"at

additional ("i* to *er#it t"e off-site e#eren($ rearrane#ent of an$ (lient7s o*eratin

s$ste# 'it"out) of (ourse) t"e (lient "a,in an$ #eans of deter#inin t"e rearrane#ents as

+ein due to an$t"in #ore t"an user error%


6/114

>E#i (ould feel t"e Mitsu+is"i slo' in its des(ent and s"e kne' t"at t"e$ 'ould +e landin at

Ku#a#oto International Air*ort 'it"in #inutes% S"e looked a(ross t"e narro' aisle at "er

un(le% He 'as sittin 'it" "is +od$ turned to t"e left in "is seat) fa(e *ressed aainst t"e tin$

'indo'% S"e noti(ed "e "ad *ulled "is left le u* to '"ere "is ankle en(ountered t"e +a(k of

"is ri"t knee in front of t"e +lue u*"olster$ of t"e seat% He s"ifted "is foot t"ere for a se(ond

+efore returnin it to t"e floor) all in a see#inl$ un(ons(ious *la$ as "e stared out t"e'indo'%

>A dis(reet s#ile *la$ed a(ross E#i7s li*s as s"e 'at("ed "er un(le 'it"out "is kno'in it%

S"e 'as tou("ed at t"e sinifi(an(e of t"e s#all futile a(tion% S"e kne' t"at "er un(le "ad

ro'n un(o#forta+le in "is seat on t"e fli"t +a(k fro# Korea) and "ad refle4i,el$ atte#*ted

to fold "is les u* into t"e #ore fa#iliar traditional 5a*anese sei&a kneelin *osition 'it"out

reall$ +ein a'are of it%

>Toru-ojisan) s"e refle(ted silentl$ 'it" affe(tion) e,er t"e true Ia-#ono) t"e last of a d$in

+reed of ninja *"anto# 'arriors left o,er fro# '"at t"e (urrent eneration referred to as t"e

Cold s("ool%C

>6it" a s"ort s#ok$ ("ir*) t"e tires of t"e s#all jet "it t"e sun +lea("ed (on(rete of t"e

Ku#a#oto run'a$% ju#*suited round (re's 'it" a(ousti(al sound #ufflers o,er t"eir earsand +ri"t orane dire(tional 'ands in ea(" "and uided t"e jet t"rou" t"e #a&e of ta4i'a$s

and ra#*s to rest in t"e *ri,ate "anar of t"e Matsutani Tradin 1o#*an$% T"e usual +la(k

Nissan 1entur$ sedan 'as 'aitin ne4t to t"e jet7s *arkin +a$) read$ to s*eed t"e t'o

tra,elers into t"e (it$ and on to t"eir a**oint#ent 'it" t"e ("air#an of t"e +oard of Matsutani

S"oji Ltd%

>Saito) t"e dri,er) a s#all reed$ #an 'it" a toot"$ s#ile and a set of #irror sunlasses t"at

(on(ealed "alf "is fa(e) *la(ed Toru7s ti"t (an,as duffel and E#i7s la,ender A#eri(an

Tourister set in t"e (a,ernous trunk of t"e 1entur$ and (a#e around t"e #assi,e ru++er rear

+u#*er uard to (lose t"e elder Kitaa'a7s door for "i#% In t"e 5a*anese fas"ion) E#i *ulled

"er o'n door (losed as Saito took "is *osition +e"ind t"e '"eel on t"e ri"t-"and side of t"e

lea#in +la(k sedan%

>T"e senior Kitaa'a rela4ed into t"e '"ite linen sli*(o,ers t"at stret("ed a(ross t"e ra$

fa+ri( of t"e rear seat and "ued t"e t"i(k #anila en,elo* to "is ("est inside t"e front of "is

ja(ket% Toru "i#self (arried t"e *"otora*"s) de,elo*ed onl$ "ours ao +$ "is nie(e in t"e

("e#i(al +at"s of Tai("i Naka#ura7s darkroo# in t"eir safe"ouse on t"e ede of (entral

Seoul% Naka#ura) Matsutani7s a(ti,e aent-on-(all for t"e sout"ern *ortion of t"e Korean land

#ass "ad done "is usual fla'less 'ork% Fluent in Korean and t'o diale(ts of 1"inese) in

addition to "is nati,e 5a*anese) t"e de*enda+le o*erati,e "ad +een *ersonall$ trained +$

Kitaa'a in t"e ninja arts t"at "ad +een "anded do'n fro# eneration to eneration in t"e

Matsutani fa#il$ for t"e *ast ei"t and a "alf (enturies%

>0$ t"e ti#e t"e ("auffeured sedan *ulled onto t"e K$us"u jukan oro eastern +$*ass t"at'ould (arr$ t"e# into Ku#a#oto7s (entral +usiness distri(t) t"e #ornin (o##uter traffi(

"ad t"inned% Toru s(anned t"e s(ener$ t"at fle' +$ outside t"e "ea,il$ tinted *assener

'indo'% T"is ne' and 'ildl$ aris" stri* of restaurants) (a+arets) and *a$-+$-t"e-"our Clo,e

"otelsC still reistered as unreal in Toru Kitaa'a7s e$es% After t"e Matsutani fa#il$ "ad

,anis"ed fro# t"eir nati,e Ia to ree#ere 3uietl$ under a ne' *u+li( identit$ in Ku#a#oto

durin t"e "e(ti( and (onfusin ti#es follo'in t"e 'ar) old Take&o Matsutani "ad taken

*ossession of "ue tra(ts of t"is deserted @or$o distri(t land t"at no+od$ see#ed to 'ant%

Take&o7s randson Hitos"i) t"e (urrent "ead of t"e fa#il$ and no' ("air#an of t"e +oard of

ja*an7s se,ent" larest tradin and "oldin (o#*an$) "ad later deftl$ sold t"e land in s#all

*ar(els after t"e (onstru(tion of t"e ne' Ku#a#oto International Air*ort% No one in t"e

fa#il$ (ould sa$ "o' Take&o) in "is earl$ ei"ties at t"e ti#e) "ad (o#e to o'n t"e land% All


7/114

t"at 'as kno'n 'as t"e fa(t t"at t'ent$-fi,e $ears later Take&o7s randson "ad (on,erted t"e

*ur("ase into one #ore #inor fortune in t"e fa#il$7s alread$ i#*ressi,e treasur$%

>6e "a,e +e(o#e a fa#l7l$ of #er("ants) #used Toru Kitaa'a ru#*il$ fro# "is seat in t"e

#o,in sedan% Su(" a far (r$ fro# t"e (enturies of 'arrior li,in t"at ("ara(teri&ed t"e

Matsutani ninja r$u of ja*an7s sout" (entral Ia reion% Founded +$ out(ast sa#urai Masakado

Tokuoka of t"e Matsutani distri(t in t"e "ars" #ountain rides of ja*an7s nort"ern jos"inetsu.lateau) t"eir (landestine fa#il$ tradition "ad de,elo*ed as t"e onl$ *ossi+le #eans of

sur,i,al in a see#inl$ endless era of (i,il 'arfare% 0e(ause of t"e (ir(u#stan(es of t"eir

an(estor Masakado7s allian(e 'it" t"e unfortunate Taira fa#il$ durin t"e Mina#oto fa#il$7s

rise to e,entual su*re#a($ o,er all of 5a*an in t"e late I

>Stri**ed of "onor) title) and fa#il$) Masakado +e(a#e a *oliti(al refuee and "ad to 'ander

in des*air t"rou"out t"e *ine-(o,ered *eaks and lo'land #ars"es of "aunted Ia) far fro#

t"ose '"o 'ould "unt "i# do'n for #artial ,enean(e% T"ere in Ia) t"e for+idden tra(t said

to +e in"a+ited +$ 'anderin reliious fanati(s and t"e des(endants of t"ose '"o "ad es(a*edt"e ("aos follo'in t"e (olla*se of t"e T7an kindo# in far-off 1"ina) "e "ad ,o'ed to

e4tend "is life in sear(" of t"e trans(endent kno'lede t"at 'ould free "i# fro# ensla,e#ent

to t"e insanities of 'arfare t"at so ran t"e li,es of ot"ers%

>

>Tokuoka "ad e,entuall$ dis(o,ered) or "ad +een dis(o,ered +$) t"e "er#it 'i&ard Yuen

os"i% A sennin 'ilderness as(eti( '"o d'elled in t"e #ist-s"rouded *eaks of t"e u**er Kil

.eninsula) t"e dos"i *ossessed t"e #$sti(al kno'lede of t"e o((ult arts of (( a((o#*lis"in

t"at '"i(" is 'illed +$ #eans of in,isi+le a(tion%C Ha,in not"in left to lose and no'"ere

else to flee) Masakado Tokuoka +e(a#e a**renti(e to t"e *o'erful "er#it sor(eror of

Kasu#iakure Mountain%

>

>As t"e $ears *assed) t"e 'arrior Masakado raduall$ ained t"e skills ne(essar$ to e#*lo$

"is #ai(al #entor7s #et"ods for e4*lorin t"e #$sterious real#s t"at la$ +e$ond t"e li#its

of t"e *"$si(al +od$% Masakado Tokuoka (a#e to t"e reali&ation t"at "e "ad) in realit$) lon

ao i,en u* t"e restri(tions of t"e (on,entional (o#+atant7s outlook on t"e *ro*er attain#ent

of ,i(tories% T"e no'-transfor#ed +attler "ad +e(o#e an enli"tened "ol$ 'arrior) to'erin

o,er t"e lesser realities 'it" "is feet *lanted fir#l$ in t"e ro(ks +elo' and "is e$es a&in out

at t"e (os#os a+o,e% T"e trans(endent Masakado "ad t"en assu#ed t"e ne' na#e of Kaisen

Matsutani) in (o##e#oration of "is roots in t"e Matsutani reion far to t"e nort") and in

(ele+ration of "is s*iritual transfor#ation into a 'arrior of t"e dia#ond s(e*ter 'ill%

>T"e des(endants of Kaisen Matsutani "ad one on to esta+lis" t"e Matsutani r$u of ninjutsu)t"e 'arrior art of stealt" and (o#+at a((o#*lis"#ent) "ar#onious allian(e 'it" t"e for(es of

nature) and t"e a+ilit$ to transfor# ,isuali&ed 'ill into *"$si(al realit$% As ninja *"anto#

'arriors) t"e$ "ad e#+odied t"e (ultural o**osite of t"e +old sa#urai 'arriors7 *oliti(all$

assined "onor% Leall$ *ro"i+ited fro# enain in so(iall$ a((e*ta+le #odes of ri"teous

'arfare) t"e Matsutani ninja "ad relied on su+tlet$ and illusion to a((o#*lis" t"eir ai#s% T"e

rued and for+iddin terrain of Ia "ad +e(o#e t"e Matsutani fa#il$7s fortress) and t"e

#ountains sout"east of "ol$ Nara "ad e,entuall$ (o#e to s"elter t"e +ones and as"es left

+e"ind +$ do&ens of enerations of Matsutani 'arriors of t"e t'ili"t%

>

>T"e ("auffeured +la(k Nissan 1entur$ joined t"e (onestion of traffi( t"at (ir(led around t"e

i#*osin '"ite and ra$ edifi(e of Ku#a#oto 1astle% Loo#in "i" a+o,e t"e (entral +usiness distri(t of #odern Ku#a#oto) t"e (astle stood as a silent re#inder of t"e *ast lor$


8/114

of t"e rulin Hosoka'a fa#il$ t"at "ad do#inated t"is side of t"e K$us"u land #ass until t"e

#iddle of t"e nineteent" (entur$% As 'it" so #an$ ot"er "istori(al stru(tures in (onte#*orar$

5a*an) t"e (astle t"at 'as on(e a seat of total *o'er "ad +een transfor#ed into a (ultural

#useu# filled 'it" s("ool("ildren *eerin at *ale sou,enirs fro# an ae t"at 'as no' just a

distant and #eaninless #e#or$%

>T"e Kitaa'as7 dri,er took t"e# laterall$ a(ross t"e (it$ to *ass +$ t"e *ieon-(lusteredHana+ata .ark 'it" its i#*osin statue of t"e si4teent"-(entur$ 'arrior Ki$o#asa Kato) t"e

tier killer '"o "ad ruled t"e area for t"e To$oto#i fa#il$7s #ilitar$ di(tators"i*% T"e

*olis"ed +la(k sedan turned on to Tori("o ori and follo'ed t"e (ro'ded street all t"e 'a$ to

t"e +road (ir(ular dri,e t"at ar("ed ra(efull$ u* to t"e lass re(e*tion doors of t"e nine-stor$

Matsutani S"oji "ead3uarters +uildin%

>E#i Kitaa'a lan(ed to "er ri"t at "er do&in un(le) '"o slu#*ed 'it" "is s"oulder

aainst t"e door in t"e seat +eside "er% A entle s#ile filled t"e lo'er *ortion of "er attra(ti,e

fa(e) and t"e lare old-and-#aroon-"i"li"ted e$es narro'ed 'it" t"e u*turn of "er li*s%

T"e $ouner #e#+ers of t"e Field .roje(t /*erations a(tion s3uad "ad ni(kna#ed "er

fat"er7s +rot"er tenu) Ct"e 'ined de#on)C in "onor of t"e terror "e ins*ired in t"e "earts of

t"e Matsutani r$u o*erati,es +$ #erel$ s"o'in u* at a trainin e4er(ise% To E#i) "o'e,er)"er Un(le Toru 'as so#eone s*e(ial) takin t"e *la(e of t"e fat"er s"e "ad kno'n for su(" a

s"ort ti#e% T"ou" ruff on t"e outside in ot"erDs e$es) Toru "ad s"o'n "er a softer side in

t"ose diffi(ult $ears of ro'in u* after "er *arents7 deat"s%

>

>T"e dri,er "ad +arel$ otten "is "and on t"e rear door "andle '"en Toru *o**ed "is e$es

o*en and sat u* strai"t% 1lut("in t"e lare en,elo*e to "is ("est) "e 'as out of t"e (ar) u*

t"e ste*s) and t"rou" t"e door in an instant% Toru Kitaa'a "ad disa**eared into t"e lo++$

+efore t"e startled Saito "ad e,en otten "alf'a$ u* t"e stairs in t"e futile atte#*t to o*en t"e

door for t"e returnin Matsutani aent%

>E#i lau"ed 3uietl$ to "erself as s"e ste**ed out onto t"e s*otless (on(rete of t"e dri,e'a$

and strai"tened t"e "i" ruffled (ollar at "er t"roat% If t"ere 'as one *erson in t"is 'orld '"o

dearl$ lo,ed "is jo+ no #atter "o' diffi(ult and frustratin t"e duties (ould #ake "is life) it

'as "er un(le Toru%

>

>

>2% ISA/ MU2ATA LEANE o,er t"e to* of t"e lo' +ook(ase t"at "eld t"e #assi,e

(olle(tion of "is +ound resear(" notes) as 'ell as t"e #edi(al en($(lo*edias t"at "e rarel$

(onsulted an$#ore% T"ins #o,ed so fast in t"e 'orld of #edi(ine) t"at one season7s state of

t"e art 'as ne4t season7s anti3uit$% T"e fift$-$ear-old do(tor raised "is readin lasses a+o,e

"is +us"$ e$e+ro's and *eered out t"e t"ird-stor$ offi(e 'indo' to silentl$ stud$ t"e snarled

traffi( and jostlin +odies in t"e *arkin lot +elo' "i#%>

>T"e ad#ittin 'in of t"e Matsutani 1an(er 2esear(" 1lini() a *ri,atel$ funded +ran(" of

t"e Ku#a#oto Uni,ersit$ Medi(al S("ool) 'as a +ustle of fast a(tion and s"outed (o##ands%

Tele,ision ne's (re's fro# around 5a*an and sout"east Asia "ad arri,ed earl$ to 'ork all

#ornin at settin u* t"e ele(tri(al (a+les) li"trefle(tor u#+rellas) and (a#era dollies t"at

'ould *er#it t"e# to trans#it t"eir tou("in stor$ a(ross t"e lo+e% As t"e te("ni(al (re's

(o#*leted t"eir 'irin and (a#era-testin ("ores) inter,ie'ers and announ(ers fro#

(o#*etin net'orks and stations took t"e last fe' #o#ents to read$ t"e#sel,es for t"eir on-

air narrati,es%

>1"ief of resear(" Murata looked do'n on t"e do&en (lose (ro**ed Ti+etan "eads t"at

see#ed to float on a sea of #aroon(o'led s"oulders t"at ("urned a+out in t"e *arkin lot +elo'% At t"e frine of t"e Ti+etan (luster) a (ir(le of s"a,ed "eads #o,ed on t"e +la(k-ro+ed


9/114

+odies of t"e ,isitin 5a*anese #onks '"o "ad arri,ed to 'el(o#e and (o#fort t"eir +rot"ers

of t"e s*irit%

>As t"ou" all 'ere o*eratin as a sinle unit) in t"e sa#e #anner as one tree +endin in t"e

'ind is a(tuall$ (o#*osed of (ountless inde*endent +ran("es #o,in alonside of one

anot"er) t"e *arkin lot (ro'd suddenl$ turned in unison and *arted to *er#it t"e a**roa("in

,an to #o,e fro# t"e dri,e'a$ u* to t"e ad#ittin door stair(ase% T"e s*e(ial uest) for'"o# t"e Matsutani 1lini( "ad offered to #ake a,aila+le all of t"eir latest resear(" and

fast+reakin de,elo*#ents) "ad arri,ed e4a(tl$ on ti#e%

>T"e Ti+etan and 5a*anese #onks #o,ed into *osition 'it" t"eir t'o lines for#in a kind of

tunnel t"rou" t"e *ress of t"e (ro'd and alinin 'it" t"e side door of t"e sil,er To$ota ,an%

r% Koi("i Araki) t"e ("ief of staff for t"e resear(" (lini() and r% Nao"iro Is"iji#a #o,ed u*

to t"e ,an +et'een t"e lines of "ol$ #en and *ulled t"e slidin *anel door +a(k to 'el(o#e

t"eir re,ered uest%

>Fro# t"e de*t"s of t"e ,an a**eared t'o t"in fiures (lad in t"e red-+ro'n ro+es of t"e

Ti+etan reliious tradition% T"ese t'o 'ere in turn follo'ed +$ a t"ird) #ore +url$ fiure

s'at"ed in t"e sa#e st$le #aroon +od$ s"a'l% T"is t"ird fiure (o##anded dee* +o's of

reetin fro# t"e ot"er #onks) +ot" Ti+etan and 5a*anese) as "e 'as assisted to "is feet% 6it"a *leasant s#ile liftin t"e ("eeks of "is 'ide sun-+ro'ned (ountenan(e) "e turned fro# side

to side 'it" "is ri"t "and lifted *al# for'ard in +lessin and reetin) o((asionall$ rea("in

out to tou(" li"tl$ so#e of t"e +o'in "eads t"at +o++ed u* and do'n +efore "i#%

>After a +rief +ut suffi(ientl$ res*e(tful inter,al) t"e 'aitin ne's re*orters (ro'ded around

t"e lare Ti+etan% Mi(ro*"ones sta++ed in at t"e ro+ed fiure and "is si#ilarl$ dra*ed

inter*reter) and (a#era#en +earin t"eir ele(troni( e$esi"t on t"eir ri"t s"oulders s"ifted)

s'a$ed) and jo(ke$ed in (o#*etition for t"e #ost ad,antaeous re(ordin anles%

>r% Murata left "is 'indo' and 'alked a(ross t"e ra$ linoleu# tile of "is tin$ offi(e) t"e

i#ae fro# t"is first si"t of "is fa#ous *atient still linerin in "is #ind% Isao Murata kne'

t"at "e and "is (lini( 'ere +ein asked to do t"e i#*ossi+le% r% Araki "i#self "ad said as

#u(" last 'eek after readin o,er t"e re*orts tele4ed to "i# fro# 1"i(ao +$ r% 6inston

1larke% T"e$ 'ould) "o'e,er) offer all t"at t"e$ (ould out of res*e(t for t"eir uest% And of

(ourse) t"is 'ould +e no s#all *u+li( relations (ou* in t"e #edi(al 'orld "a,in t"eir (lini(

sinled out and e4*osed to all t"is *u+li(it$ t"at 'ould e,entuall$ find itself trans#itted

a(ross t"e 'ire ser,i(es of t"e lo+e%

>

> Murata felt t"e sli"test t'ine of uilt% 0efore e,en #eetin t"eir *atient) "is #ind "ad

lat("ed onto t"ou"ts of *u+li(it$) and t"e *ossi+le (ontri+utions t"at (ould +e deri,ed fro#

t"e *u+li(7s attention to t"is "o*eless (ase% Alas) Murata "ad learned lon ao t"at t"e

idealis# of t"e fres" $oun #edi(al resear("er is soon tarnis"ed in t"e s"ado' of finan(ial

realit$% 6it"out fundin) no *roress is *ossi+le in t"e la+% 6it"out t"e (ulti,ation of t"ose'"o (ould (ontri+ute to t"eir (ause) no fundin 'ould e,er +e +rou"t for'ard%

>1"ief of resear(" Murata des(ended t"e tiled stair(ase to join "is (olleaues on t"e round

floor of t"e Matsutani 1lini( ad#ittin 'in and 'el(o#e t"e arri,in ,isitors% T"e +eie-

'alled lo++$ 'as a s*e(ta(le of ("urnin (olor% 6"ite-(oated #edi(al staff *ersonnel #o,ed

a#on t"e #aroon-ro+ed Ti+etan (ro'd) t"rou" '"i(" *assed +la(k-(loaked 5a*anese

#onks 'it" t"eir olden $ello' kesa s"oulder sas"es%

>

>Four of t"e Ti+etan #onks) t"e $ounest #e#+ers of t"e entourae) re#ained in t"e

re(e*tion lo++$ to 'ait% S'at"ed in t"e ,olu#inous #aroon ro+es and ti"t olden s"irts of

t"eir Hi#ala$an (ountr$7s reliious tradition) t"e four (reated 3uite a (ontrast 'it" t"e rest of

t"e 5a*anese fa#ilies t"at 'aited in s'eaters of su+dued ra$s and dark +lues for ,isits 'it" *atients underoin treat#ent in t"e (lini(%


10/114

>In t"e *ri,a($ of t"e 'ard t"at "ad +een *ro,ided for t"eir uest and "is attendants) r%

Murata +o'ed in 'el(o#e to t"e se#i(ir(le of Ti+etans +efore "i#) and t"en to "is o'n

*ersonal #entor Koi("i Araki%

>His "oliness t"e @$elso* 2i#*o("e) t"e t'elft" rein(arnation of t"e +od"isatt,a Ai&en)

(os#i( saint of t"e Call-*ier(in 'isdo# t"at #anifests itself as stern lo,e)C 'as ra*idl$ d$in

of (an(er% T"e re,ered Ti+etan "ol$ #an "ad +een jetted first to @ene,a) t"en to 1"i(ao) andno' at last to Ku#a#oto for treat#ent% Here in t"e Matsutani 1an(er 2esear(" 1lini( of

Ku#a#oto Uni,ersit$) t"e "i" la#a 'ould undero t"era*$% Head of one of Ti+et7s fi,e

#ajor 0udd"ist lineaes) t"e fift$-ei"t-$ear-old "ol$ #an "ad +een dianosed as ter#inal%

T"e la#a) 'as not) "o'e,er) lookin for #ira(le (ures% 6"at "e reall$ 'anted 'as an

e4tension of t"e ine,ita+le% T"e @$elso* 2i#*o("e 'as +u$in ti#e%

>T"e 2i#*o("e "ad no fear of deat" '"atsoe,er% T"e *ain "e e4*erien(ed e,er #ore

reularl$ no' 'as a distra(tion so#eti#es) +ut e,en t"e *ain 'as not to +e feared or loat"ed%

/ne a((e*ted '"at one "ad (reated in t"e endless kar#i( '"eel of e4isten(es) and (ontinued

to stri,e for e,er "i"er attain#ents of t"e enli"tened 0udd"a (ons(iousness in ea(" lifeti#e%

6"at t"e la#a did e4*erien(e as t"e sli"test of rerets 'as t"e fleetin s*eed at '"i(" "e

#o,ed fro# t"is life '"ile t"ere 'as so #u(" #ore to +e tau"t) so #u(" #ore to +e s"ared)so #u(" #ore $et to +e i,en%

>His "oliness 'ould ("eerfull$ re#ind t"e (olle(tion of dis(i*les '"o a((o#*anied "i# fro#

"is e4ile residen(e in Sikki# t"at "is o'n stret(" of da$s s"ould ser,e as an e4a#*le for all%

Fro# t"e li#ited s(o*e of our "u#an *ers*e(ti,e) t"ere is ne,er enou" ti#e) ne,er enou"

ti#e% T"e #onks 'ould all return "is s#ile) noddin 'ordlessl$ in aree#ent 'it" t"eir

s*iritual #aster) and t"en 3ui(kl$ look a'a$ at t"e 'alls or t"e (eilin t"rou" tear-filled

e$es%

>T"e la#a7s inter*reter "ad ste**ed for'ard to s*eak 'it" t"e dire(tor of t"e (lini(% T"e si4t$-

$ear-old inter*retin #onk) an anular) +on$ little #an 'ra**ed in t"e traditional #aroon

(loak o,er a #aroon ,est t"at +uttoned a(ross a +ri"t $ello' s"irt) s*oke a#a&inl$ fluent

5a*anese% r% Araki "ad +een *re*ared to dis(uss "is Ti+etan *atient7s situation in Enlis" or

Fren(" *er"a*s) +ut 'as deli"ted to find t"e inter*reter (o#forta+le in t"e do(tor7s o'n

nati,e Ni"ono%

>T"e s#all inter*reter see#ed to +e a s*irited ("ara(ter) 'it" t'inklin e$es t"at rea("ed out

fro# a red-+ro'n fa(e frined 'it" raed s"ort-(ro**ed salt-and-*e**er "air% He 'ent +$ t"e

na#e of T"an#e) "e told t"e#) and said t"at "e "ad s*ent (onsidera+le ti#e in 5a*an durin

"is $out"% T"at e4*lained t"e #an7s dis(on(ertin e4*ertise in a lanuae t"at t"e 5a*anese

do(tors i#ained 'ould +e one of t"e least likel$ to +e *ra(ti(ed in t"e Hi#ala$an stret("es

of t"e For+idden Kindo# of 0od%

>T"an#e t"e inter*reter e4*ressed "is su*erior7s ratitude for t"e (lini( dire(tor7s read$ and

o*en a((e*tan(e% Mu(") indeed all of life) "ad ("aned in t"e $ears sin(e "is "oliness and "isretinue "ad es(a*ed t"e fall of Ti+et at t"e +rutal "ands of t"e 1o##unist 1"inese in t"e

s*rin of


11/114

States) and 5a*an "ad taken t"e *la(e of t"e *ra$er flas) a#ulets) and s"a#an7s (ries t"at "ad

i#*lored "ea,en for t"e restoration of fadin "ealt" durin t"e tens of enerations *re(edin

"i# in feudal 0od) as t"e Ti+etans referred to t"eir o'n (ountr$ in t"eir lanuae%

>

>To assist t"e Ti+etan "ol$ #en in feelin #ore at "o#e in t"ese forein surroundins t"at

'ere to +e t"eir "o#e for '"at 'ere) in all realit$) *ro+a+l$ t"e 2i#*o("e7s last da$s) t"et"ree 5a*anese do(tors offered to *ro,ide a uided tour of t"e fa(ilities% T"e +arrel ("ested

Ti+etan la#a) '"o fro# all out'ard a**earan(es see#ed to +e t"e least likel$ lookin

(andidate for t"e dissi*atin deat" t"at "e 'as dianosed as underoin) areed "eartil$ to t"e

tour% Inter*reter and attendants in to') t"e do(tors and t"eir estee#ed *atient #o,ed t"rou"

t"e door'a$ and do'n t"e *olis"ed tile floor of t"e 'ard7s (entral (orridor%

>As a #eans of +einnin t"e stor$) r% Araki *ointed out t"at t"e (lini( "ad +een na#ed after

Kiku Matsutani) rand#ot"er of t"e foundin s*onsor of t"eir resear(" institute% T"an#e t"e

inter*reter) *re,iousl$ 3uite *rofi(ient at s"iftin +et'een t"e 5a*anese and Ti+etan

lanuaes) "ad e4*erien(ed '"at to r% Murata "ad see#ed to +e an un("ara(teristi( diffi(ult$

in rela$in t"e na#e of t"e 'o#an to "is s*iritual uide% T"e #ot"er of t"eir *atron7s fat"er

"ad died of +one (an(er s"ortl$ after t"e 'ar) it 'as e4*lained% T"e "eir to t"e 'ealt"$Matsutani fa#il$ tradin e#*ire "ad (reated t"e (lini( as a #e#orial tri+ute to "is de(eased

rand#ot"er in t"e earl$


12/114

>Toru Kitaa'a s(o'led and nodded 'ordlessl$ fro# "is *osition in front of Matsutani7s

+urled 'alnut deskto*%

>Matsutani aain lo'ered "is e$es to t"e t'el,e ; Hitos"i stood) still lookin do'n at t"e *"otora*"s) and t"en 'alked around t"e side of "is

desk) t"e finers of "is left "and dru##in t"e 'ooden surfa(e '"ile "is ri"t "and lifted) t"e

inde4 finer e4tended to tou(" "is li*s li"tl$% T"e sun-+ro'ned Kitaa'a re(oni&ed t"e

*ose as "is (ousin7s (onte#*lation esture% It 'as one t"at Toru t"e +attler) t"e fa#il$7s

saikos"i"an ("ief instru(tor and (urri(ulu# su*er,isor for t"e trainin of (landestine aents

for t'ent$-t"ree $ears) "ad (o#e to see often on "is ,isits '"en deli,erin +ad ne's%

>Hitos"i a#+led 'ordlessl$ a+out "is s*a(ious offi(e) "is #ind enaed% His "ea,il$ lidded

e$es 'ere like s"eltered +unkers) +e"ind '"i(" silent o+ser,ers took in all 'it"out t"e

,ulnera+ilit$ of e4*osure% T"e dark *u*ils #o,ed first) lat("ed onto t"eir taret) and t"en t"e

#i"t$ "ead turned slo'l$ on t"e stout ne(k to alin t"e fa(e 'it" t"e o+je(t to +e studied% Noone s*oke%

>Lookin in'ard fro# t"e dou+le doors t"at o*ened into t"e offi(e) ,isitors (ould see a +road

e4*anse of ra$-reen tata#i ri(e stra' #attin +e$ond a ten-foot a*ron of *ale reen

(ar*etin% At t"e far ede of t"e tata#i) frosted lass *anels in a +lond 'ooden fra#e'ork of

sta(ked re(tanles (reated a *artial 'all t"at des(ended fro# t"e (eilin to a**ro4i#atel$

'aist "ei"t% 0arel$ ,isi+le +eneat" t"e lo'er ede of t"e translu(ent lass s"oji *anels (ould

+e seen t"e "int of reen #oss and (lu#* ferns) out of '"i(" re' t"e t'isted trunks of d'arf

*ines and (ri#son #a*les% It 'as eas$ for first-ti#e ,isitors to t"e offi(e of t"e ("air#an of

t"e +oard of Matsutani S"oji Ltd% to foret t"at t"e$ 'ere on t"e nint" floor of a +usiness

to'er in t"e (it$ (enter of Ku#a#oto) and t"at t"e$ 'ere a(tuall$ lookin out on an illusion

(reated +$ a *ent"ouse roofto* arden%

>0$ turnin to t"e ri"t inside t"e doors to t"e offi(e) t"e ,isitor (ould ,ie' a traditional

5a*anese tokono#a al(o,e arrane#ent% A tall +ul+ous ,ase "eld an u*ri"t s"eaf of ri,er

reeds and (attails) a+o,e '"i(" stret("ed a "anin old silk s(roll% T"e 5a*anese kanji

("ara(ters for CAfter t"e ten t"ousandt" triu#*") $et a +einnerC 'ere +oldl$ +rus"ed in +la(k

ink on t"e '"ite silk stri* do'n t"e (enter% T"ou" t"e letterin 'as too "ea,il$ done and

refle(ted too #u(" a feelin of i#*osin dis(i*line to "a,e +een (onsidered a ,alua+le 'ork

of s"odo (allira*"$ art) t"e s(roll 'as nonet"eless a *ri(eless sou,enir in t"e e$es of Hitos"i

Matsutani% T"e letterin "ad +een done +$ "is $ouner +rot"er Ko&o) o,er fort$ $ears ao)

+efore t"e $ouner Matsutani "ad +een (onsu#ed +$ t"e i#*erial 5a*anese 'ar #a("ine%

Sin(e Ko&o7s +od$ "ad ne,er +een re(o,ered) t"e s(roll ser,ed as "is #e#orial in t"e rie,in"eart of "is older +rot"er%

>In t"e e4*ansi,e (ar*eted s*a(e to t"e left of t"e doors 'as situated Matsutani7s 'orkin

offi(e% Massi,e "and-+uilt 'alnut furniture i#*orted fro# nort"ern Ital$ refle(ted t"e

so*"isti(ation t"at t"e +usinesses of 5a*an 'ere ra*idl$ ado*tin as t"e$ *roressed into t"e

international t'entiet" (entur$%

>Ens(on(ed in t"e dee* #aroon folds of a lare leat"er 'in ("air) E#i Kitaa'a used t"e

sli# old ($linder of "er *en to #o,e a t"i(k 'a,e of +la(k "air fro# '"ere it la$ on "er

("eek to a *osition dra*ed o,er "er s"oulder% S"e eleantl$ (rossed one lon le o,er t"e

ot"er at t"e knee) t"e sunli"t fro# t"e 'indo' (at("in t"e fine olden t"reads 'o,en into

t"e lent" of "er "osier$% E#i silentl$ o+ser,ed t"e +oard ("air#an as "e stood in front of t"e

'indo' lookin out o,er t"e an(ient (astle (it$ of Ku#a#oto%


13/114

>Hitos"i Matsutani 'as a "andso#e #an in t"e seasoned) #ature fas"ion t"at E#i7s ni"t(lu+

set referred to as s"i+ui% E,en at si4t$fi,e) Hitos"i (ontinued to radiate t"e kind of ,ital life

ener$ one asso(iated 'it" $ouner #en still enaed in t"e s*ort of (ar,in out territories for

t"e#sel,es in t"e +usiness 'orld% E#i studied t"e 'a$ t"e #an (arried "i#self) o+ser,ed t"e

'a$ "is ra$ tailored suit fit "is 'aist and s"oulders *erfe(tl$) and 'aited for t"e #o#ent

'"en "er un(le7s (ousin 'ould turn and announ(e "is de(ision%>Hitos"i asked rat"er t"an announ(ed) C6e "a,e no intellien(e indi(atin '"et"er t"ese are

2ussian or 1"inese e4*orts) t"en8C

>CNo) unfortunatel$ none at all% It 'as (oin(iden(e alone t"at 'e 'ere a+le to find out e,en

t"is #u("% A Korean (onta(t of our #an in Seoul just "a**ened to o,er"ear "er su*er,isor

instru(t a s"i**in fore#an to infor# "i# of a (ertain series of (rates t"at 'ere to +e +rou"t

to "is attention% T"e Korean irl +e(a#e sus*i(ious +e(ause "er se(tion ("ief is a *art of t"eir

leal staff% He s"ouldn7t "a,e an$t"in to do 'it" t"e *"$si(al "andlin of oods under

nor#al (ir(u#stan(es%C Teruo /&a'a s*oke fro# "is *osition +et'een t"e t'o Kitaa'a

aents% His s3uare fa(e 'as +o4ed in 'it" rou"l$ +rus"ed +la(k "air) and "is (rooked s#ile

re,ealed a sinle old toot" tu(ked in t"e lo'er (orner of "is #out"% /&a'a 'as an

intellien(e *rofessional in e,er$ sense of t"e 'ord) "a,in ro'n u* in t"e Matsutanifa#il$7s 'e+ under t"e uidan(e of "is fat"er Katsuji /&a'a) t"e Matsutani7s 1"ief of S*e(ial

.roje(ts +efore "i#%

>C0ut 'e are sure t"at t"ese are +ein s"i**ed to t"e Ladak" rane8C 3ueried t"e iron-"aired

+oard ("air#an sil"ouetted in front of t"e 'indo'%

>CT"at is (ertain)C /&a'a ans'ered% C0$ 'a$ of Hon Kon and el"i% T"e$ are to +e

re*ainted in Seoul and #o,ed on disuised as *art of a s"i*#ent of 'eldin e3ui*#ent for t"e

(onstru(tion site%C

>

>T"e ke$ to effe(ti,e use of intellien(e at"erin lies in t"e a+ilit$ to su((essfull$ anal$&e

t"e data *ro(ured) /&a'a often e#*"asi&ed to "is su+ordinates '"o (arried out t"e field 'ork

under "is dire(tion% T"at 'as t"e 'eak *oint of #an$ of t"e 'orld7s #ajor intellien(e

orani&ations% No one (ould to* t"e A#eri(an 1IA in ter#s of a+ilit$ to et infor#ation%

6"at t"e A#eri(ans la(ked) /&a'a felt) 'as t"e a+ilit$ to use t"at infor#ation to *redi(t

a((uratel$ t"e likel$ future in order to initiate a**ro*riate a(tions%

>Matsutani 'as in "is s'i,el ("air +e"ind t"e +road deskto* aain% 6it" t"ose "ooded e$es

*eerin for'ard and s*ine ere(t) "e looked to "is t"ree aents like t"e i#ae of t"e "ue)

to'erin seated 0udd"a t"at *eered do'n in all-kno'in 'isdo# u*on t"e tourists in seaside

Ka#akura%

>T"e statue s*oke CT"e irl in Korea) is s"e still tr$in to (o#e u* 'it" additional

infor#ation) or "as s"e +een (o#*ro#ised ettin t"is #u(" to us8C

>C6ell) 'e7ll "a,e to 'ait and see% /ur #an Naka#ura is t"e one '"o (ulti,ated "er% S"e iskari#a kunoi("i) "ired +e(ause of "er sensiti,e *osition of a((ess) and not one of our o'n

s"i##a kunoi("i fe#ale aents% Naka#ura sa$s s"e 'ill et +a(k to "i# as soon as s"e *i(ks

u* an$t"in ne'% He sa$s t"at s"e 'ill also let "i# kno' of an$ ("anes in "er *osition at

jaejun International%C

>Toru Kitaa'a s*oke for t"e first ti#e sin(e enterin t"e +oard ("air#an7s offi(e% CIt is

al'a$s danerous usin t"ese outside aents% So #u(" t"at 'e don7t kno' a+out (ould (o#e

into *la$%C

>T"ere 'as not"in t"at an$ of t"e ot"er t"ree (ould sa$ to refute t"e elder Kitaa'a7s 'ords%

So#eti#es risks "ad to +e taken to assure a lon-rane *osition of se(urit$% Su(" 'as t"e

nature of t"eir un(ertain 'orld%

>CIf '"at $ou "a,e *ro*osed is indeed t"e (ase) 'e (ould +e u* aainst t"e #ost diffi(ultt"reat t"at Matsutani S"oji "as e,er en(ountered% 6e need to #o,e 3ui(kl$ to ain (ontrol


14/114

"ere% I7ll need s(enario *ro*osals% 0$ t"is e,enin% 6ork 'it" $our staff and de,ote full

attention to $our s(enarios '"ile I #eet 'it" Hideo% I 'ant "i# full$ in,ol,ed 'it" t"is) fro#

toda$ on'ard%C

>Hitos"i #o,ed "is stead$ a&e fro# one set of e$es to t"e ne4t in uns*oken sear(" of furt"er

3uestion or (o##ent% T"e t"ree aents in front of "i# silentl$ returned "is a&e% CT"at is all

for no' t"en% Yos"i) ike%G>

>Matsutani #o,ed as t"ou" to stand u*% His t"ree aents 3ui(kl$ ju#*ed to t"eir feet to

e4e(ute a +o' of de*arture +efore t"eir ("air#an (ould +o' to t"e# first%

>T"e ra(eful E#i Kitaa'a turned 3uietl$ to *ull t"e door (losed +e"ind t"e# as t"e t"ree

left t"e offi(e% S"e sa' t"at Hitos"i Matsutani 'as on(e aain sittin in "is #olded *l$'ood

e4e(uti,e ("air) assiduousl$ stud$in t"e (olor *rints t"at still la$ on t"e deskto* +efore "i#%

>

>It 'as e4a(tl$ t"ree o7(lo(k to t"e #inute '"en Hitos"i Matsutani "eard t"e 3uiet ("i#e% T"e

("air#an of t"e +oard of Matsutani S"oji 'alked dire(tl$ to "is desk and *ressed "is inter(o#

a(ti,ator%

>CHai8C>CYour son Hideo is "ere to see $ou) sit% As $ou "ad re3uested%C T"e soft for#al tones of t"e

dise#+odied fe#ale ,oi(e see#ed to e#anate fro# all *arts of t"e roo#%

>CYes) t"at7s fine% .lease "a,e "i# enter%C

>T"e left *anel of t"e #assi,e dou+le-door entr$'a$ to t"e Matsutani offi(e o*ened

noiselessl$% T"e at"leti( fra#e of Hideo Matsutani #o,ed side'a$s into t"e offi(e and t"en

*aused for t"e sli"test of +o's fro# t"e "i*s%

>Hideo 'as a "andso#e #an +$ international standards% So#e'"at taller t"an #ost 5a*anese

#ales of "is eneration) Hideo Matsutani 'as fort$-one) +ut (ould "a,e *assed for a #an of

#u(" $ouner ae% Eleantl$ at "o#e in "is dark +lue 1ardin 'ool suit and '"ite star("ed

s"irt) Hideo 'as also e3uall$ (o#forta+le in t"e #ountain (li#+in ear t"at "e enjo$ed

donnin in t"ose +rief *eriods "e allo'ed "i#self a'a$ fro# "is offi(e%

>CS"itsureis"i#as) Kai("o% You said t"at $ou 'anted to see #e an$ti#e after t"ree o7(lo(k8C

>Ho' like "is son) t"ou"t Hitos"i Matsutani% An$ti#e after t"ree o7(lo(k "ad #eant to "i#

one se(ond after t"ree% 6as "is *un(tualit$ out of *oliteness or out of t"e astute kno'lede

t"at t"e sooner one is on t"e s(ene) t"e sooner one "as a "ead start o,er ot"ers8

>Hitos"i #otioned to'ard t"e lone ("air t"at fa(ed "is desk% CMa) su'arinasai% C

>

>Hideo Matsutani) t"e ne'l$ a**ointed *resident of Matsutani S"oji Ltd%) "ad +een roo#ed

for "is e,entual *osition in t"e fa#il$ d$nast$ sin(e +irt"% A raduate of t"e Har,ard 0usiness

S("ool) Hideo no' 'as t"e ("ief e4e(uti,e offi(er of Matsutani Tradin) Matsutani 2efinin)

Matsutani Mi(roele(troni(s) Matsutani Ener$ 2esour(es alon 'it" "is duties as su*er,isindire(tor of t"e Matsutani fa#il$ (or*oration7s (ontrollin sto(k in Matsutani USA In(%)

Matsutani euts("land @#+H) Matsutani SA) Eio Kei+i Ele(troni( Se(urit$) raon Sk$

Tradin) and Transseas Frei"t% T"e (o#*anies for '"i(" Hideo "ad in"erited t"e leaders"i*

dealt 'it" t"e distri+ution of e,er$t"in fro# sou* noodles to #issile uidan(e s$ste#s) and

tou("ed t"e li,es of (onsu#ers on e,er$ (ontinent in(ludin Antar(ti(a%

>I 'anted to talk 'it" $ou a+out t"e ener$ *roje(t 'e are (o#*letin for t"e o,ern#ent of

India)C +ean t"e elder Matsutani%

>Fine) fine% I 'as t"ere in Ladak" #$self t"ree 'eeks ao) on t"e 'a$ +a(k fro# 1airo% I

'ould +e "a**$ to i,e $ou an$ infor#ation I "a,e%C

>Hitos"i *aused #o#entaril$ and t"en looked dire(tl$ at "is son% CA(tuall$) t"ere are so#e

de,elo*#ents t"at I #ust e4*lain to $ou%G>Hideo (ontinued to stare at "is fat"er 'ordlessl$%


15/114

>CI7,e "ad /&a'a and "is *eo*le resear("in a fe' *u&&lin irreularities for us%C

>Hideo7s tanned fa(e tilted +a(k sli"tl$ as "e took in a full +reat" of air t"rou" "is nostrils%

His li*s re#ained (la#*ed s"ut and "is e$es ri,eted on "is fat"er% /&a'a and "is *"anto#s

aain% Hideo7s oal 'as to take "is fa#il$ d$nast$ full$ into t"e leiti#ate t'entiet"-(entur$

international +usiness (o##unit$) +ut "is fat"er *ersisted in o*eratin as t"ou" t"e$ 'ere

still t"e underround Matsutani ninja r$u) (landestinel$ ferretin out +its of ru#or to assistt"e# in resistin t"e o**ression of 'arlord (on3uerors '"o "ad (eased to +e a t"reat o,er

t"ree "undred $ears ao% 6"at terrif$in *lot "ad t"e$ dis(o,ered or (on(o(ted) and "idden

fro# "i#) t"is ti#e8

>CAnd8C *ro#*ted Hideo 'earil$ +ut *olitel$%

>Hitos"i kne' t"at t"is 'as an a'k'ard loss of fa(e for "is son% Hideo 'as in title t"e ("ief

e4e(uti,e offi(er of t"e (or*oration) and in #atters of routine +usiness ro't" "e 'as doin a

re#arka+le jo+% Hitos"i "ad retained ,er$ fe' for#al duties '"en t"e *osition "ad +een

"anded do'n) and "e "ad (o#*lete fait" in Hideo7s future% T"ere 'ere just a fe' as*e(ts of

fa#il$ +usiness) "o'e,er) for '"i(" Hideo "ad $et to +e *re*ared% Teruo /&a'a and t"e

Matsutani fa#il$7s Field .roje(t /*erations rou* 'ere one su(" as*e(t% T"e senior Hitos"i

alone (alled t"e s"ots '"en it (a#e to enain t"e Matsutani fa#il$7s ninja%>CAnd it see#s t"at 'e are in for so#e ,er$ diffi(ult *oliti(al #aneu,erin%C

>T"e elder Matsutani (ontinued "is e4*lanation 'it"out 'aitin for an$ (o##ent fro# "is

son% C6"en 'e +ean neotiation 'it" t"e o,ern#ent of Kas"#ir) 'e kne' t"at t"ere 'ould

+e (ertain *otential risks in t"e joint ,enture to *rodu(e t"e *assi,e ener$ eneration *lant%

6it" o'ners"i* of t"e 5a##u and Kas"#ir states still in dis*ute +et'een India and .akistan)

'e "ad anti(i*ated diffi(ulties% es*ite t"e Indian o,ern#ent7s efforts to set state +oundaries

in su(" a 'a$ as to (onfor# to t"eir #ajor et"ni( rou*s) t"ere is #u(" dissatisfa(tion a#on

so#e of t"e *o*ulation% It is a far different stor$ fro# our 5a*an) '"i(" is #ade u* entirel$ of

one ra(e) one sinle (ulture%

>CT"ere 'as talk of *ossi+le reliious and *oliti(al terrorist a(tions as 'a$s for lo(al

dissidents to attra(t attention% T"e ,er$ nature of t"e *roje(t) "o'e,er) t"e *rodu(tion of

ener$ t"rou" t"e "arnessin of natural non*etroleu# eoloi(al *"eno#ena) 'ould +e of

su(" ,alue to t"e entire reion t"at it 'as felt t"at t"e risks of lo(als 'orkin aainst us 'ould

+e #ini#al% 6e also "a,e +een kee*in t"e e4tent of our in,ol,e#ent so#e'"at of a #$ster$

so t"at t"e *roje(t is di#inis"ed in ,alue as a taret for international attention%C

>Hideo interru*ted '"at see#ed to +e a *ause% C6e are 'orkin t"rou" t"e infor#al

net'ork of lo(al ,illae *an("a$at (oun(ils in t"e reion% Se,eral of t"e *roje(t (onstru(tion

fore#en are #e#+ers of t"e (oun(ils in t"eir ,illaes% urin #$ ,isit to t"e site) 2a#a 2ao

a,e #e an u*date on t"eir 'ork% T"e$ "a,e +een dis(reetl$ s(outin for *ossi+le trou+le

'"ile at t"e sa#e ti#e (reatin a feelin of *ositi,e a((e*tan(e and (oo*eration a#on t"e

lo(al fa(tions% I feel (onfident t"at 'e are doin a solid jo+ of #onitorin and uidin lo(alsenti#ents%C

>Hideo 'is"ed to assure "is fat"er t"at "e) too) a**re(iated t"e ,alue of intellien(e

at"erin% 6"ere "e differed fro# "is fat"er 'as 'it" '"at see#ed to +e t"e elder Matsutani7s

eas$ relian(e on '"at 'ere) in Hideo7s ,ie') stron-ar# ta(ti(s not #u(" a+o,e t"ose

e#*lo$ed +$ t"e 5a*anese $aku&a and ot"er *o'erful (ri#e s$ndi(ates around t"e 'orld% T"e

ne' (or*orate *resident fir#l$ +elie,ed t"at t"e onl$ 'a$ to +uild trust and res*e(t in t"e

e$es of t"e rest of t"e 5a*anese +usiness 'orld 'as to se,er (o#*letel$ an$ re#ainin strins

t"at +ound t"e# to t"e unfortunate #et"ods t"at "ad +een ne(essities in t"e *ast%

>CYes)C #irrored t"e elder Matsutani) Ct"e lo(al tensions see# to "a,e +een (learl$

anti(i*ated and (arefull$ taken into "and% 6"at 'as not foreseen) "o'e,er) is a re(ent

de,elo*#ent in international terrorist +la(k#ail s("e#es%C


16/114

>T'o faint ("i#es sounded fro# so#e'"ere near t"e door of t"e ("air#an7s offi(e% Hitos"i

and Hideo +ot" looked u* to 'at(" Noriko t"e se(retar$ enter t"e roo# 'it" t"e tea

*re*arations 7 Neit"er #an s*oke) t"ou" Hideo 'as no' +urstin to e4*lore "is fat"er7s

(r$*ti( (o##ent%

>6it" a deli(ate) +arel$ audi+le CS"itsureis"i#as)C t"e tin$ Noriko *la(ed a la(3uered #aroon

tra$ on t"e ede of t"e senior Matsutani7s deskto*% eft and 'ell-trained "ands *oureds(aldin 'ater fro# a tall t"er#os flaon o,er ("o**ed and dried reen tea lea,es in a round

'"ite (era#i( *ot% T"e (ontents 'ere s'irled #o#entaril$ and t"en *oured into translu(ent

"andleless (u*s on 'ooden sau(ers) '"i(" 'ere *la(ed first +efore Hideo t"e uestB and t"en

se(ondl$ +efore Hitos"i t"e "ostB% 6it"in #ere #o#ents) t"e se(retar$ "ad a**eared)

*re*ared t"e tea) and t"en ,anis"ed%

>Hideo inored t"e (u* +efore "i# and laun("ed into t"e (on,ersation i##ediatel$% CTerrorist

+la(k#ail8 6"at do $ou #ean +$ t"at8C

>C6ell) a for# of +la(k#ail) one #i"t sa$%C Hitos"i s'i,eled around to t"e (reden&a +e"ind

"i# and o*ened a dra'er as "e s*oke% Co $ou re#e#+er "earin a+out t"e traed$ in

1"andral) at t"e A#eri(an 1entride ("e#i(al 'orks in (entral India8 T"ousands died "astl$

deat"s o,erni"t +$ *oison as (onta#ination) and a "undred t"ousand 'ere left +linded or#ai#ed for life% A "ue '"ite (loud of deadl$ #et"$l iso($anate 'as a((identall$ released

into t"e 'inds as an o,ersi"t +$ a #aintenan(e 'orker%C T"e senior Matsutani turned +a(k to

"is desk 'it" a #anila en,elo*e in "is "ands%

>Hideo nodded affir#ati,el$ 'it"out s*eakin) "is (uriosit$ *i3ued +$ t"e en,elo*e "is fat"er

"eld%

>Hitos"i (ontinued) CYou #a$ also re(all t"at t"e landslide of la'suits totalin o,er CYes) Kai("o) 'e kne' t"at t"e *roje(t in Kas"#ir in,ol,ed (ertain) 'ell) risks '"en 'e

+ean t"e *lans% 0ut our fa(ilities 'ill "a,e no to4i( ("e#i(als '"atsoe,er on "and% All

ener$ is +ein deri,ed t"rou" a +lend of alternatin eot"er#al) 'ind) and solar *ro(esses%

T"at is t"e +eaut$ of it% T"ere is no *ossi+le ("an(e for *ollution) e4*loitation of *eo*le or

natural resour(es) or da#ae to t"e surroundin area%C

>CYes) t"at is true) as t"e *roje(t follo's our *lans% Ho'e,er) 'e "a,e (o#e u*on so#e

intellien(e t"at indi(ates to us t"at t"e Indian rie,an(e (o##ittee I #entioned earlier "as

so#e distur+in ties 'it" an unsa,or$ international net'ork of *oliti(al and e(ono#i(#ani*ulators) and t"at t"e$ "a,e so#e desins of t"eir o'n for our Ladak" *roje(t%C


17/114

>C6"o are t"ese *eo*le8 6"at (an t"e$ do to interfere 'it" '"at is an entirel$ +enin

(onstru(tion8C

>Hitos"i leaned for'ard and stret("ed to rea(" all t"e 'a$ a(ross t"e +road e4*anse of

'alnut% He "eld out t"e #anila en,elo*e t"at Toru Kitaa'a "ad deli,ered to "i# just "ours

earlier% C6e do not kno' '"o t"e$ are $et% 0ut t"e$ do see# intent on i#*ortin t"eir o'n

trou+le if 'e do not "a,e t"e ri"t inredients on "and%C>Hideo du#*ed t"e (ontents of t"e en,elo*e into "is la* and *i(ked u* t"e (o,er s"eet to read

o,er a listin of s"i**in destinations) dates) na#e ("anes) and routin (autions) all 'ritten

out in Korean "anul) 5a*anese kanji) and Enlis" s(ri*ts% Hideo t"en fli**ed fro# *"oto *rint

to *"oto *rint) "is alar# ro'in%

>1learl$ dis*la$ed and la+eled in t"eir s"i**in (rates 'ere (anister after (anister of deadl$

*"osene as% Ea(" o+s(ene $ello' ($linder (ontained enou" ner,e as to snuff out t"e li,es

of "undreds of *eo*le% 5udin fro# t"e nu#+er of ($linders indi(ated in t"e *"otora*"s) t"e

unkno'n aents +rinin t"e s"i*#ent to t"e Matsutani site in Ladak" see#ed to "a,e in

#ind t"e (o#*lete eradi(ation of t"e *o*ulation of an entire stret(" of t"e Hi#ala$a

Mountains%

>>1"a*ter 9

>

>KENI1HI /ATE 2EAME /F seein 1$nt"ia aain% It "ad +een Auust '"en t"e$

'ere toet"er last% S"e "ad flo'n in fro# ueensland durin a +reak in fil#in% Ken "ad

+een "alf'a$ sur*rised) +ut t"en "e "ad "alf'a$ e4*e(ted "er to atte#*t to sur*rise "i# +$

s"o'in u* une4*e(tedl$% T"e$ "ad de,oted four full da$s to snorkelin in t"e Ariake Sea

'aters of Yuria"a#a 0ea(" and fi,e full ni"ts to #akin lo,e like t"ere 'ould +e no

to#orro'%

>In t"e drea#) 1$nt"ia7s "air 'as '"ite +londe% T"at 'as its natural s"ade) t"e (olor it "ad

+een '"en "e "ad first dis(o,ered "er t"e $ear +efore in t"e tin$ Sa4on (urr$ restaurant in

Tok$o7s 2o**oni entertain#ent distri(t% Last Auust) "o'e,er) "er "air "ad +een d$ed red

+ro'n for a fil#% 1$nt"ia "ad *ran(ed a+out t"eir +orro'ed one-roo# (ottae 'earin

not"in +ut a '"ite la(e ("oker around "er t"roat) "er "air s'e*t u* on to* of "er "ead and

*ulled into a i(torian knot%

>Fro# "is *osition on t"e ru#*led futon slee*in 3uilts on t"e tata#i #at floor) Ken "ad

teased "er t"at '"oe,er "ad done t"e 'ork on "er "air "ad +een nelient in #akin sure t"at

"er lo'er lo(ks #at("ed% 1$nt"ia "ad t"en +o'ed "er les out'ard and +ent o,er in an

e4aerated atte#*t to ,ie' "er o'n (rot("% S"e "ad as*ed and lifted "er "ands in #o(k

sur*rise) and rinned o,er at t"e su*ine Ken /date 'it" t"at #usi(al lau" of "ers%

/utraeous% T"e 'o#an is outraeous) Ken "ad 'ailed as "e fli**ed o,er onto "is flat

#us(ular sto#a(" and +uried "is fa(e in t"e +arle$ "ull stuffin of t"e little 5a*anese *illo'%>

>In t"e drea#) Ken /date sa' "i#self 'alkin a#on t"at("ed roof 5a*anese sea (ottaes

'it" t"e Australian fil# a(tress% As 'it" so #an$ drea#s) "o'e,er) t"e s(ene in '"i(" Ken

sa' "i#self 'as not t"e a(tual lo(ation of "is froli( 'it" 1$nt"ia 6ood(roft t"ose t'o

#ont"s ao% Instead of seein t"e t'o of t"e# on t"e Yuria"a#a s"ore on t"e (oast of

A#akusa Island) "e (ould #ake out t"eir drea# surroundins to +e t"e tin$ Kuros"i#a island

,illae in '"i(" "e "ad +een +orn t'ent$-t'o $ears +efore% Ken "ad li,ed in t"e sea(oast

,illae off t"e s"ore of K$us"u7s Fukuoka 'it" "is #ot"er and "er sea "ar,ester *arents for

t"e first si4 $ears of "is life% After t"at) "is 'ido'ed #ot"er) still a ,er$ $oun 'o#an at t"e

ti#e) "ad taken "i# to Ku#a#oto furt"er sout" on t"e 'estern (oast of K$us"u to li,e 'it"

t"e fa#il$ of "er ne' "us+and%


18/114

>As 'it" t"e drea#s(a*e t"at "ad +een transfor#ed fro# Yuria"a#a to Kuro Island) t"e

*ea("es and (rea# fa(e of 1$nt"ia 6ood(roft "ad +een trans#uted +$ t"e drea# into t"e

serene oli,e (ountenan(e of "is #ot"er% An in(redi+le +eaut$) s"e "ad e4*erien(ed a +rief

(areer as a fil# a(tress in t"e United States) onl$ to lea,e '"at s"e (alled t"e #adness of

Holl$'ood and return to t"e fa#iliar and si#*ler life of an a+alone di,er in "er nati,e ,illae

on t"e sout"ern#ost of 5a*anDs four *rin(i*al islands%>It 'as sunset in t"e drea#) and s(rea#in) '"eelin sea+irds di**ed and (ir(led in t"e reds

and oranes of t"e 'estern sk$ +e$ond t"e tu#+led *eaks t"at s"ado'ed t"e ,illae% Ken sa'

"i#self as t"e tin$ +o$ rea("in out to "is returnin #ot"er as "er 'ooden skiff #ade its 'a$

a(ross t"e last stret(" of t"e dark ("o**$ 'ater t"at la**ed onto t"e ro(k$ s"ore at "is feet%

S"e 'as 'et and naked +eneat" t"e t"in +ro'n su##er ki#ono s"e "ad donned at t"e end of

"er di,in da$) and s"e "ued "er ro+e to "er as s"e s#iled and 'a,ed and (alled out a(ross

t"e 'ater to "i#%

>In t"e drea#) Ken found "i#self startled and (onfused +$ a s"out and a sudden e4*losi,e

*ain t"at dro,e dee* into "is sto#a("% 6akin) "e +rou"t "is "ands u* to "is #idse(tion and

(ru#*led for'ard strulin for +reat"%

>>1"u(k M(Kee *ulled "is le +a(k fro# t"e knee and s'un t"e +la(k *olis"ed toe of "is

1or(oran *aratroo* +oot into t"e sto#a(" of t"e slee*in fiure on t"e floor for a se(ond ti#e%

Aain) "e roared t"e (o##and CU*!C in Enlis" just as "is foot "it t"e +od$ of t"e 5a*anese

se(urit$ trainee in front of "i#%

>Ken struled to et "is 'its a+out "i# as "e +urst fro# slu#+er% He "ad to re#e#+er t"at

to t"ese *eo*le "e 'as Keni("i Su&uki) a se(urit$ uard su*er,isor for so#e unkno'n

5a*anese industrial fir#) and "e s*oke little or no Enlis"%

>T"e +url$ #an in (a#ouflae fatiues rea("ed do'n and ra++ed a "andful of t"e tre#+lin

fiure7s +la(k "air) and *ulled to assist "is ,i(ti# onto "is feet% M(Kee7s jo+ 'as to +e as

rou" as *ossi+le 'it"out a(tuall$ doin *er#anent da#ae% T"e jo+ 'as tou"er t"an 7 usual

t"is ti#e% It just 'as) not t"at #u(" fun) +e(ause as M(Kee "i#self *ut it) CT"is Suki$aki) or

'"ate,er "is na#e is) is su(" a fu(kin 'i#*%C

> 1o#e on) ti#e to "ead out to t"e *isser)C +oo#ed t"e (a#ouflae-(lad jailer% C@o no' or

fore,er "old $our *ie(e%C He "eld a sound-su**ressed) flat +la(k %9-(ali+er Inra# #a("ine

un ne4t to "is ri"t "i*) *ullin do'n on t"e s"oulder stra* to retain t"e (o#*a(t auto#ati(

snul$ in *la(e for ai#in% A(tuall$) t"ere 'as no real need to e,en t"ink of ai#in% T"e

*itiful 5a*anese *risoner "ad +een #ore t"an (oo*erati,e for t"e entire fort$-nine "ours t"e$

"ad +een "oldin "i# '"ile M(Kee7s rou* s(oured t"e territor$ for "is a((o#*li(es%

>T"e +i 6esterner led "is #eek *risoner a(ross t"e floor of t"e utilit$ s"ed t"at ser,ed as

t"eir detention (enter% T"e silent 5a*anese 'ore a ra$ unifor# and "ea,$ +la(k (onstru(tion

'orker7s s"oes% He (ould +e seen to +o' e,er so sli"tl$ fro# t"e s"oulders as "e *assed infront of t"e t'o uards '"o louned at a (ard ta+le (o,ered 'it" red-and-'"ite stri*ed

Kentu(k$ Fried 1"i(ken (arr$out +o4es% T"e uards 'ere still lau"in la&il$ at M(Kee7s

terri+le *un%

>C0e +a(k soon% on7t $ou all o an$ *la(e 'it"out #e no')C jested M(Kee in t"e tones of

one '"o 'as onl$ doin "is jo+) a jo+ t"at de#anded far less t"an "e 'as (a*a+le of takin

on% T"e t'o +ored uards in t"eir (a#ouflaed unifor#s rinned u* at M(Kee and s"ook t"eir

"eads in #o(k disust as "e #o,ed +$%

>T"e +lue-and-'"ite fi+erlass s"ell of t"e *orta+le latrine "ad +een set u* at t"e ede of t"e

'oods one "undred feet to t"e rear of t"e utilit$ s"ed% A narro' dirt trail 'as alread$

+einnin to a**ear in t"e (losel$ #o'ed la'n t"at stret("ed +et'een t"e tall) narro' (a+inet

and t"e detention (enter% 0e"ind t"e latrine stret("ed "undreds of a(res of ra,ine-ruttedIndiana "ard'ood forest% So#e'"ere to t"e east la$ t"e /"io state line%


19/114

>T"e ser,ile CSu&ukiC 'as lead to t"e stall and o+ser,ed as "e entered t"e stru(ture and *ulled

t"e fli#s$ door (losed +e"ind "i#% His uard took ad,antae of t"e #o#ent to s(an t"e o*en

la'n t"at surrounded t"e far# +uildins "is rou* "ad +een "ired to 'at("% M(Kee took "is

ti#e lookin around) *artl$ out of (on(ern for *ossi+le in,aders '"o (ould #o,e in to free "is

(a*ti,e) and *artl$ out of jo$ in seein t"e +rilliant reds and olds of t"e lea,es surroundin

t"eir te#*orar$ (a#*% He "ad ne,er +efore reali&ed "o' #u(" "e #issed autu#n foliaesin(e relo(atin to an Ari&ona +ase to (ontinue "is *rofession%

>M(Kee slo'l$ re' a'are of t"e lent" of ti#e "is *risoner "ad re#ained in t"e toilet stall%

He +ean to 'onder if t"e skinn$ 5a*anese 'as all ri"t) and t"en suddenl$ "ad a flas" of fear

t"at t"e (a*ti,e (ould "a,e "aned "i#self in t"ere% T"at "a**ened so#eti#es% T"ese

untrained u$s 'ould just fall a*art under t"e strain) lose tou(" 'it" realit$) and tr$ so#et"in

stu*id in order to et it all o,er 'it"% M(Kee ra**ed on t"e fi+erlass 'it" t"e ti* of "is

Inra# silen(er and (alled out in as (lear Enlis" as *ossi+le) CHe$! You oka$ in t"ere8 You

oka$8C

>T"ere 'as no res*onse '"atsoe,er%

>M(Kee 3ui(kl$ ri**ed o*en t"e door% T"e inside of t"e (offins"a*ed stru(ture 'as

(o#*letel$ e#*t$%>T"e +i #an in t"e 'oodland (a#ouflae fatiues stared in(redulousl$ into t"e e#*t$

interior% T"ere 'as no 'a$ t"e 5a*anese (ould "a,e otten out% M(Kee "i#self "ad stood in

front of t"e door t"e '"ole ti#e) and t"e ot"er t"ree 'alls 'ere #olded as a sinle unit% He

'ould "a,e "eard if t"e u$ "ad ri**ed o*en a *anel to et out% Ho' (ould a #an just ,anis"

into t"in air like t"at8

>In s"o(k) M(Kee ste**ed into t"e *orta+le toilet (a+inet and looked around) alt"ou" t"ere

reall$ 'as no'"ere t"at "is (a*ti,e (ould "a,e "idden% His #ind a'"irl) 'it"out reall$

t"inkin rationall$) "e found "i#self lookin o,er at +ot" side 'alls) u* at t"e (eilin) and

do'n at t"e *lasti( toilet seat in front of "i# as t"ou" t"e 5a*anese so#e"o' (ould "a,e

+een "idin in *lain si"t%

>He distra(tedl$ raised t"e toilet seat and 'as +lasted in t"e fa(e 'it" a silent e4*losion of

sli#$ #ud) e4(re#ent) and so$ *a*er% 2oarin and "issin in "orror and disust) t"e uard

lifted "is "ands franti(all$ and (la'ed at t"e reekin #u(k t"at ("oked "is e$es) nostrils) and

li*s% CA' s"it! A' s"it!C s"rieked t"e enraed uard) totall$ o+li,ious to t"e ironi( nature of

"is (urses%

>T"e uard staered +a(k'ard in a furious atte#*t to es(a*e "is "ellis" (onfines) +ut t"e

latrine 'alls so#e"o' follo'ed alon as "e #o,ed% T"e (a+inet 'as to**lin o,er on "i#) "e

suddenl$ reali&ed) and "e 'ould +e *inned in *osition on "is +a(k 'it" "is 'ei"t "oldin t"e

door s"ut +eneat" "i#% M(Kee ro*ed sa,ael$ for t"e Inra#) lost no' in t"e tanle of its

+la(k 'e+ slin and t"e ru#*led folds of "is +attle ja(ket% In "is "eart) "e kne' t"at "e "ad

just C+ou"t t"e far#)C as t"e$ used to sa$ in t"e +a(k'ater eddies of iet Na#%>Ken s(ra#+led +riskl$ fro# t"e latrine *it 'it" t"e lo' (ra'l of an alliator #o,in onto t"e

s"ore% 6it"in "eart+eats) "e "ad 'eded "is s"oulder aainst t"e side of t"e (a+inet and

fli**ed t"e stru(ture o,er to '"ere its door o*ened u*'ard% A'are t"at "is (a*tor #i"t "a,e

+een 'aitin inside 'it" "is finer on t"e trier of t"e Inra#) Ken #o,ed to a *osition

a+o,e t"e (eilin *anel of t"e +o4) '"ere M(Kee 'ould least likel$ sus*e(t "i# to +e%

>Sunli"t +urst into t"e sealed +la(kness of t"e (offin as /date ri**ed o*en t"e door% M(Kee

'as still strulin to ain (ontrol of "is #a("ine un) +ut i##ediatel$ (eased t"e atte#*t

and *un("ed u* at t"e fa(e of t"e #an "e t"ou"t of as Su&uki%

>Ken7s trained fists +lasted M(Kee7s risin ar#s out of t"e 'a$ 'it" *o'erful ko**ojutsu

+lo's) and t"en a**lied a left-"anded +os"iken t"u#+ dri,e aainst t"e #us(les t"at s"eltered

t"e +lood flo' u* t"e ri"t side of t"e ne(k to t"e #er(enar$7s +rain% M(Kee +rou"t "is


20/114

+attered ar#s u* to "is t"roat in "o*es of relie,in t"e *ressure t"at "e kne' 'ould take "i#

out in a #atter of se(onds%

>6it" "is free ri"t "and) Ken rea("ed do'n to t"e to* of t"e "issin uard7s ri"t +oot to

e4tra(t t"e dou+le-eded @er+er (o##ando knife% /,er t"e *ast t'o da$s) t"e *risoner "ad

noti(ed t"at "is tor#entor al'a$s (arried t"e knife tu(ked a'a$ t"ere% M(Kee "ad forotten

t"e daer in t"e *ressure and (onfusion of t"e strule%>In *erfe(t Mid'estern (ollo3uial Enlis") /date '"is*ered) CYou +le' it) tier% @a#e7s o,er

for $ou% 0$e!C

>T"e ri#e-en(rusted fa(e lur("ed u*'ard in +e'ilder#ent and terror as Ken ro(ked t"e ede

of t"e +oot knife a(ross t"e lare #an7s 'ind*i*e% 6ide e$es still starin strai"t u*) t"e +od$

of t"e *o'erful #er(enar$ slu#*ed to rest on t"e dun-s*attered +a(k 'all of t"e u*ended

out"ouse%

>/date lea*ed fro# t"e o*en +o4 'it" a lo' fl$in di,e% In t'o tu#+lin rolls) "e

disa**eared into t"e lo' ro't" t"at lead to t"e forest +e"ind t"e *rison far#% 6it"in #inutes)

"e ,anis"ed into t"e under+rus" and +arked (olu#ns of t"e +ee(") #a*les) and "a't"ornes

t"at "ad) o,er t"e (enturies) s"eltered t"e 'arrior +ra,es of t"e Mia#i) S"a'nee) 1"i**e'a)

and Iro3uois tri+es fro# t"eir ar#ed *ursuers%>Ken (o,ered t"ree #iles of forest 'it"in t"e first "our% Still (aked 'it" t"e dr$in #u(k

fro# t"e latrine *it) into '"i(" "e "ad (ra'led t"rou" t"e "ined toilet seat to fa(ilitate "is

es(a*e) "e deftl$ sli**ed t"rou" t"e lo'-"anin +ran("es and tanled underro't" like a

ra++it at *la$% /nl$ after (o,erin one "our of round did "e sto* to (lean "i#self off and

(onsider "is o*tions%

>Ken did not "a,e to t"ink t'i(e a+out des(endin into t"e sli#e of t"e latrine *it% At t"e

#o#ent it "ad +een t"e onl$ ta(ti( t"at 'ould *er#it "i# to es(a*e and et "is infor#ation

+a(k to t"eir safe"ouse in /"io% His trainin as a (landestine aent of t"e Matsutani r$u ninja

tradition "ad su+je(ted "i# to far #ore serious offenses to "is sensiti,ities t"an latrine *its)

an$'a$% 6it" t"e *ro*er #ental *ers*e(ti,e) a ninja (an de,elo* t"e *o'er to li,e untou("ed

and undefiled '"ile su+#ered in t"e #iddle of e#otional dun "oles as 'ell%

>

>Still (lut("in t"e @er+er knife "e "ad taken fro# "is (a*tor7s +oot) "a,in *ur*osel$ left

+e"ind t"e Inra# 'it" its useless +ullets) /date sli**ed side'a$s into a leaf$ (luster of

$oun oaks for (on(eal#ent% /ut of si"t) t"e $oun ninja aent lo'ered "i#self into t"e "alf

kneelin) "alf (rou("in fudo&a *osture t"at 'ould *er#it "i# to fl$ u* and into a(tion in a

s*lit se(ond if ne(essar$%

>He rea("ed around to t"e s#all of "is +a(k 'it" t"e (o##ando daer and #ade a s"allo'

(ut on t"e +la(k leat"er surfa(e of "is +elt% He t"en *ulled t"e +elt t"rou" its loo*s to re#o,e

it) and used t"e knife to (ut t"rou" t"e outer surfa(e of t"e leat"er% Into t"e narro' slit) /date

*us"ed t"e +lade of t"e knife) (reatin a "ori&ontal *rote(ti,e (arr$in s"eat" +et'een t"eouter la$er and inner liner% He t"en took off "is ra$ s"irt and trousers and round t"e fa+ri(

into t"e +la(kness of t"e soil under t"e red lea,es of t"e oaks% T"e Matsutani aent re*la(ed

t"e (a#ouflaed (lot"es and +elt) tied t"e la(es of "is s"oes in dou+le knots to *re,ent t"eir

unra,elin) and #o,ed silentl$ into t"e forest on(e aain%

>1"e(kin "is +earins +$ +asin "is anle to'ard t"e #id#ornin sun) Ken set out at a +risk

+ut unta4in *a(e% He used a le,el (rou("in *osture-so#e'"ere +et'een a run and a 'alk-

liftin and e4tendin "is les 'it" t"e #us(les t"at #ade u* t"e u**er surfa(e of "is t"i"s%

He steadied "is +reat"in into t"e full (ir(ular *attern of r"$t"#i(al in"alation and e4"alation

'it"out an$ *ause +et'een t"e t'o ($(les% As "e #o,ed t"rou" t"e 'oods) t"e aent

#entall$ *roje(ted an ener$ and a'areness *ro+e a"ead of "i#self) so t"at +$ t"e ti#e "e

rea("ed a *osition t"at 'ould "a,e +een +lo(ked +$ a tree) "is +od$ 'as alread$ alined to +rus" *ast 'it"out +ein "indered in t"e sli"test%


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>Keni("i /date "ad +een trained in t"e 'a$s of 5a*anDs ninja *"anto# 'arriors sin(e t"e ae

of se,en% Yo"ei /date) t"e #an '"o "ad #arried Ken7s 'ido'ed #ot"er in "er t'ent$-ei"t"

$ear) "ad +e(o#e "is ado*ted fat"er and "is trainer in t"e esoteri( art of ninjutsu) 5a*anDs

leendar$ 'arrior s(ien(e t"at "ad +een *erfe(ted +$ enerations of fa#ilies '"o "ad d'elled

in t"e (ounter(ultural t'ili"t just outside t"e feudal 5a*anese leal and so(ial stru(ture%

>Yo"ei /date "ad left t"e reion of Ia alon 'it" t"e rest of t"e Matsutani r$u ninja (landurin t"e *ost'ar re+uildin era of t"e late


22/114

(reated an effi(ient net'ork of intellien(e-at"erin aents for t"e Matsutani fa#il$

interests%

>6it" t"e intensif$in of t"e alar#in trend to'ard international terroris# in t"e


23/114

>

>Ken stood #otionless ne4t to a #assi,e sil,er-+arked +ee(" and *ier(ed t"e surroundins

'it" all "is senses% He +e(a#e a'are of a faint "u##in) a t"u#*in ,i+ration) a(tuall$

feelin it 'it" "is +od$ #ore t"an "earin it% Noiselessl$) "e #o,ed to t"e to* of a rise in t"e

'oods a"ead of "i#) fro# '"i(" "e (ould 3ui(kl$ disa**ear in an$ dire(tion s"ould "e s*ot

so#eone a**roa("in%>T"e r"$t"#i(al '"u* '"u* '"u* of t"e ,i+ration (ontinued to in(rease in intensit$ as t"e

se(onds fle' +$% It 'as definitel$ a sound no') one t"at *ri(kled in fa#iliarit$ and suddenl$

+urst fro# t"e su+(ons(ious of t"e (rou("in Matsutani aent% He kne' '"at it 'as no'%

T"e$ "ad sent a "eli(o*ter out after "i# to tr$ to *i(k u* "is es(a*e route%

>As t"e (raft dre' nearer) Ken +e(a#e a'are of an additional sound t"at a((o#*anied t"e

dru##in of t"e jet-assisted rotor% T"ou" still too distant to +e #ade out (learl$) a ,oi(e

(ould +e dete(ted s"outin out (o##ands of so#e sort o,er a +ull"orn% 1o##ands fro# an

air+orne o+ser,er #eant t"ere 'ere sure to +e round *ersonnel to '"o# t"e dire(tions 'ere

+ein i,en% Ken *ulled +a(k +eneat" t"e (o,er of a (luster of "ue +ee(" trees) t"e li"t-

toned +ark of '"i(" #at("ed t"e (olorin of "is (lot"es%

>T"e "eli(o*ter e4"aust +e(a#e a deafenin roar% Ken flattened out aainst t"e trunk of t"elarest +ee(" as t"e *ale orane lea,es o,er"ead +ean to t"ras" and fl$ in t"e fier(e

do'ndraft%

>T"e +road *ale ra$ under+ell$ of a 0ell =THE .E/.LES 2E.U0LI1 /F 1"ina Air For(e Mi- HI. Salon lo'ered its fli"t *at" and

le,eled out in a "oldin *osition% Fro# a distan(e) t"e s3uat fi,e-+laded "eli(o*ter "anin

o,er t"e landin stri* rese#+led a #assi,e draonfl$ "o,erin a+o,e so#e iant lil$ *ad%

>Inside t"e (raft) t"e sole *assener (asuall$ looked to t"e side t"rou" t"e re(tanular

'indo' *ort and out o,er t"e *rotrudin '"eel(o,er *od% 0elo' "i# 'aited t"e reas$

landin stri* t"at "ad 'el(o#ed "i# so #an$ ti#es on t"e first le of so #an$ ot"er si#ilar

journe$s% /n(e aain) t"e assassin Il Na# K'on 'as +ein sent out into t"e 'orld to take

li,es in "is dut$ of *ro#otin t"e reater 'elfare of t"e State%

>He 'as lo' enou" to t"e round to see t"e +rilliant (ri#son flas 'it" t"eir fi,e old stars

sla**in in t"e +risk autu#n 'ind of Ans"an% Fiures +undled in +ulk$ oli,e-reen unifor#s

'it" red (ollar ta+s s(urried a+out t"e "eli*ad +elo' like ants) #o,in '"eeled (arts and fuel(anisters a+out) 'a,in landin +ea(ons) and unfurlin +anners) all in t"e distra(tin jo$ of


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total dedi(ation to t"e 'ork of t"e State% T"e$ 'ere indeed just like ants) o+ser,ed t"e

(onte#*lati,e assassin in t"e Mi-) e,er industrious until t"eir final da$) ne,er "a,in e,en

t"e sli"test idea of t"e rander s("e#e t"at took s"a*e a+out t"e# as a result of t"eir

un3uestionin la+or% 0ut t"en) "e #used) 'e all "a,e our roles to (arr$ out%

>At t"e ede of t"e (on(rete a*ron stood a rou* of fi,e #otionless fiures '"o ,er$ #u("

did understand t"e reater sinifi(an(e of t"e *lans t"e$ instiated and t"e a(tions t"e$ took%T'o of t"e fiures 'ore t"e fa#iliar oli,e-reen) and t"e ot"er t"ree 'ere (lad in t"e dra+

#is#at("ed tones of ra$s) +ro'ns) and dark +lues t$*i(al of (o##on 'orkers fro# t"e

sout"eastern Euro*ean 1o##unist +lo( (ountries% T"ose *arti(ular #en 'ere) "o'e,er) +$ no

#eans (o##on 'orkers%

>K'on t"e assassin stret("ed in "is seat in *re*aration for standin) and tried to re#e#+er t"e

e4a(t nu#+er of ti#es "e "ad +een sent out of Nort" Korea t"rou" t"e S"en$an Militar$

2eion on #issions of State uren($% No distin(t nu#+er #ateriali&ed in "is #ind% He

su**osed t"ere 'ere too #an$ to +e re#e#+ered%

>6"at reall$ o((u*ied "is t"ou"ts 'as t"e s*$ '"o "ad eluded "i# in Seoul% He "ad

follo'ed t"e intruder to '"ere "e 'as *i(ked u* +$ a '"ite To$ota "at("+a(k% Tailin t"e #an

"ad +een #ore diffi(ult t"an "e "ad e4*e(ted it 'ould +e% T"e intruder "ad studied t"e 5aejunroutine 'ell) and kne' t"at t"e se(urit$ s"ift ("ane 'ould *ro,ide (o,er for "is es(a*e% He

"ad 'alked out of t"e fen(ed (o#*ound dressed in (asual (i,ilian (lot"es just like t"e ot"ers%

It 'as onl$ t"e su+tle effe(t of a fe' uards '"o unt"inkinl$ a,e t"e intruder a se(ond

lan(e t"at "ad ti**ed K'on off as to '"o did not +elon t"ere% T"e rest of t"e uards si#*l$

assu#ed t"at t"e straner 'as a ne' #an on a *ost unrelated to t"eirs) and "ad *aid no noti(e

at all%

>

> K'on "ad turned in t"e nu#+er and reional (ode of t"e s*$7s li(ense *late after follo'in

"is ,e"i(le all t"e 'a$ t"rou" Seoul% T"e #$sterious '"ite To$ota "ad fled do'n Tae*$on-

No Street and one ri"t onto 5on-No% K'on "ad tailed t"e (ar at a distan(e and 'at("ed it

*ull into a "i"-'alled #otor *ool (o#*ound in a seed$ 'are"ouse distri(t% K'on "ad

3ui(kl$ *arked outside and #o,ed on foot to '"ere "e (ould see into t"e (ourt$ard% T"ere 'as

t"e a+andoned To$ota in t"e *arkin lot of t"e Sa#un .lasti(s 1o#*an$% T"ere 'as no one

in si"t%

>His #oles in t"e Sout" Korean 1IA "ad otten +a(k to "i# 'it" t"ree dead ends% T"e$ "ad

found no su(" li(ense *late listin in an$ of t"e o,ern#ent ,e"i(le reistration (o#*uter

+anks% T"e nu#+er and reional (ode 'ere totall$ fi(titious% E,en #ore irkso#e 'as t"e fa(t

t"at t"e serial nu#+er "e "ad (o*ied fro# t"e To$ota7s das"+oard 'as also a dead end% T"at

nu#+er "ad not a**eared in an$ of t"e #anufa(turer7s sales or ser,i(e re(ords) eit"er in Korea

or in 5a*an% T"e nu#+er did) "o'e,er) #at(" t"at of a falsel$ reistered ,e"i(le in use +$

lo(al Nort" Korean intellien(e aents in t"e Seoul ,i(init$% Sa#un .lasti(s) t"e$ alsoinfor#ed "i#) 'as a *resentl$ defun(t and deserted safe"ouse on(e used to assist one of t"eir

o'n Nort" Korean sni*ers durin t"e enineerin of an assassination atte#*t on t"e no'-

de(eased .resident 1"un Hee .ark% T"e anon$#ous underround Nort" Korean (ontinent

"ad e4*ressed t"eir ratitude to K'on) "o'e,er) for "is 'ork in lo(atin t"e '"ite To$ota t"at

"ad +een stolen fro# one of t"eir aents t"e da$ +efore%

>K'on t"e assassin "ad not +een *leased%

>

> Il Na# K'on "ad +een nine $ears old at t"e ti#e "e 'as res(ued +$ t"e *ara#ilitar$

'orkers of t"e 2ed Yout" @uard% In t"e (old +la(kness of a #oonless 'inter ni"t on t"e

outskirts of seaside Hunna#) t"e +o$ and "is fi,e-$ear-old sister "ad +e(o#e se*arated fro#

t"eir *arents and t"ree ot"er si+lins% Terrified) "unr$) and tired) t"e t'o ("ildren "ad at last


25/114


26/114

1o##ission do'n to /ffi(er Trainee% A +etter indi(ation of Huan7s *oliti(al (lout 'as t"e

fa(t t"at "e 'as a+le to arrane *assae to Ans"an a+o,e Nort" Korea all t"e 'a$ fro# t"e

lo'er sout"'estern +orders of t"e Sinkian Militar$ 2eion at "is o'n (on,enien(e%

>T"ou" K'on 'as a(tuall$ 3uite *rofi(ient in t"e Mandarin diale(t t"at t"e 1"inese #ilitar$

offi(er used-"a,in +een e4*osed to 1"inese) Enlis") and 2ussian lanuaes as a *art of "is

o,erall trainin for "is e,entual international s*e(ialt$-"e used an unintellii+le runt as "isreetin in return% In *rior *roje(ts 'it" Huan Fei) K'on "ad (reated t"e i#*ression t"at "e

(ould not s*eak #u(" of t"e offi(er7s lanuae% T"at illusion "ad *ro,ed "and$ on se,eral

o((asions in '"i(" t"e Korean 'as a+le to *i(k u* infor#ation t"at 'as not at all intended for

"is ears% He t"ou"t it in "is +est interests to #aintain t"e ("arade a little loner%

>K'on 'as ne4t introdu(ed to t"e se(ond 1"inese offi(er) Lin Fu&"i) an a**arentl$ trusted

(onfidant '"o "ad flo'n in fro# t"e #ountains of t"e Ladak" rane in t"e Hi#ala$as 'it"

Huan Fei% .er"a*s due to Huan7s *er(e*tion t"at K'on s*oke little 1"inese) no e4*lanation

'as offered as to t"e se(ond offi(er7s sinifi(an(e in t"e *lot t"e$ 'ere enineerin%

>K'on affe(ted a slo' s#ile '"ile turnin to'ard t"e Al+anian and t"e t'o 0ularians '"o

stood to t"e side of t"e .eo*les Li+eration Ar#$ offi(ers% K'on7s e$es al#ost disa**eared in

t"e folds of "is 'ide fa(e as t"e ends of "is #out" (urled u*'ard in an ironi(all$ si#*les#ile% He raised "is +eef$ (alloused ri"t "and into a *al# for'ard salute and #o,ed it

sli"tl$ to t"e side fro# t"e el+o'% T"e Euro*eans rinned +a(k in return at t"eir old fa#iliar

(o"ort%

>Karus"ile, and /roso,) t"e 0ularian "it#en) "ad 'orked t"ree 'et jo+s 'it" II Na# K'on

in t"e *ast si4 $ears% T"e 0ularians 'ere de*enda+le) (old '"en t"e$ needed to +e) and

in,enti,e '"en t"e situation de#anded it% T"e aunt "ollo'-("eeked O"el$o Karus"ile, 'as

a s*e(ialist 'it" ele(troni( sur,eillan(e and detonation e3ui*#ent% His "andi'ork "ad

resulted in t"e ri**in (on(ussi,e e4*losion t"at "ad destro$ed t"e de*osed @reek ro$al

fa#il$7s *ri,ate $a("t) alon 'it" se,eral of t"e fa#il$7s older and #ore *restiious #e#+ers%

T"e #oon-fa(ed Serei /roso, 'as an e4*ert #arks#an 'it" t"e %=## rauno, S

lon-rane sni*er7s rifle) and "ad *la$ed t"e +a(ku* "it in an unsu((essful atte#*t to

assassinate t"e .o*e in St% .eter7s (ourt$ard% Had it not +een for t"e tin$ s(rea#in nun '"ose

intrudin +od$ "ad unkno'inl$ +lo(ked "is si"ts) /roso, 'ould +e kno'n toda$ as t"e

#an '"o "ad +lo'n t"e .o*e7s "ead (lean off "is s"oulders%

>T"e lean and 'ir$ 1res( fro# Al+ania 'as as ,i(ious as an$ #an K'on "ad e,er "ad t"e

dut$ to kill or kill alonside of% 2e*ortedl$ of @$*s$ des(ent) t"e dark-skinned Al+anian 'it"

t"e "aunted e$es "ad *la$ed ke$ roles in t'el,e *oliti(al and e(ono#i( assassinations

t"rou"out t"e 'orld in t"e ti#e t"at K'on "ad kno'n of "i#% 1res(7s s*e(ialt$ 'as killin

ene#ies of t"e State +$ #eans of o*enin t"eir t"roats 'it" "is foldin "ook knife% A+solutel$

(ons(ien(eless) 1res( t"e Al+anian "ad on(e 3ui(kl$ #urdered and dise#+o'eled a nine-

#ont"-old +a+$ ri"t in front of its "$steri(al #ot"er in order to s"o' just "o' deter#ined"is (ell "ad +een in t"eir de#ands durin an e#+ass$ siee%

>All si4 #en *iled into a dust-(o,ered 05-=.ass*orts for t"

hayes-tulku a tale of modern ninja

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