Lord,” acknowledged Kondo, who in road outfits and unarmed looked to be not anything remarkable. He used to be a sq., blocky guy in his mid-forties whose extraordinary muscularity used to be hidden underneath his black salaryman go well with, his white blouse, his black tie and footwear. to examine his masculine face used to be to suspect not anything; nobody may well comprehend what lay at the back of his opaque darkish eyes. He was once neither good-looking nor now not so good-looking; he used to be in all methods nameless and accordingly unnoticeable. If with sword in hand he was once a beacon of air of secrecy, with no one he might have been an actuary. Kondo bowed from the neck and head, preserving the physique taut, the ft shut, the arms instantly opposed to the seam of the trousers. (Musashi’s rule no. eight: concentrate on trifles. hence every little thing, even the bow, needed to be excellent. ) “Come stroll with me. Let’s talk,” acknowledged the Shogun. “Of direction, Lord. ” “I think I should still ask for a record. ” “Yes, Lord. The blade is as mentioned. it's totally genuine. it's the genuine factor, that i do know. i've got felt its strength. ” “You used it, then? ” “I knew my lord could comprehend. I needed to recognize the blade, and to understand a blade one needs to kill with it. And now i do know the blade. ” “Was it dicy? ” “No, Lord. It was once good deliberate. the girl was once by myself; she had no relations. She used to be a Korean prostitute operating in a single of Otani’s golf equipment. It labored out rather well. ” “You say it reduce good. ” “‘The moon in a chilly flow like a reflect. ’” “That good, eh? ” “Musashi himself may were good happy. ” “I desire we haven’t misplaced an excessive amount of time. ” “Lord, i've got made preparations. Even now the blade will visit outdated Omote, the simplest polisher in Japan; then it's going to visit Hanzaemon, who makes koshirae like no different guy alive; then eventually, to Saito, the saya maker, back the easiest. often those males take endlessly, if in any respect. they'll paintings fast, although, for the Shogun. ” “Excellent. I belief you in those issues. ” “When it really is performed, will probably be great. if you happen to make the presentation—” “You needs to know the way vital this is,” stated the Shogun. “What is at stake. I stand for a undeniable Japan. That Japan needs to be secure. i'm that Japan while I safeguard it. i will not lose my strength, and the presentation of the blade will warrantly my place for years and future years, plus win me the adoration of the loads. ” Kondo had heard this speech time and again, yet he pretended, for the sake of everyone, that he had now not. “If you play your playing cards right,” he stated, “it could even win you the preferrred Order of the Chrysanthemum from the emperor. ” “Hmmm,” acknowledged the Shogun. “I imagine the perfect is a bit a lot to wish for. yet one of many lesser badges. that will be really nice. ” “Lord, I promise you. i'm your samurai, to you i'm pledged, and that i will make this factor take place. i cannot fail you. ” “You too stand for the outdated methods, Kondo-san, and that i won't ever overlook it. With you at my facet, i will be able to do whatever. You provide me energy. You, too, are Japan, the outdated Japan. ” “My present is your happiness. ” “Is that so? ” “Well, your happiness and the 4 million cash you’re paying me.