Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Mitsuko turned out to be an enigmatic and not very talkative person. Without saying a word she took one of the bows, almost the same height as her, and a bunch of arrows; she then went to a dais where she supported the arrows, then tested the tension of the bowstring and told the new disciples around her.

"Watch carefully my position and movements." She then stood firmly on the ground, took one of the arrows and began to draw the bow. She remained in that position for some time without moving at all, while Taro Suzuki explained in a low voice to her students.

“Right now she is dominating her thoughts and emotions, seeking the perfect concentration before proceeding to the shot. All her attention should be on the bow, arrow, and target. She must become part of the bow and the bow part of her. "

At that moment his assistant released the rope and the arrow shot toward her goal. Despite the distance, everyone could see that the projectile had hit the center; a hint of admiration spread among the youth.

Mike approached Suzuki and quietly asked him.

"Is it true that archery is related to Zen?"

“Zen is a philosophy that permeates not only archery but all Japanese martial arts. It is about defeating the ego and dominating the soul proceeding with total calm. The purpose of archery is not to hit the target but to improve oneself. You are working not on the arrow but on yourself. "

One by one the apprentices were testing their aim and self-control with their bows. Matsuko and Taro corrected the position of each archer while Jack noted the results of each shot.

“It is not a question here of making a competition between you all but of measuring the evolution of each one with practice. Each one of you is actually only competing against himself. "

After an hour and a half of practice with the bows, and after a short break accompanied by a cup of coffee, shit was the turn of the crossbows. Both Chandice and Zhi found these weapons quite heavy so the practice was shorter this time.

At the end of it Jack said.

“Well, now we are going to completely change the activity. Before noon we will do a climbing session. To do this, you must change the suits used for the judo class and put on the sport clothes that you originally brought. Shoes should also be changed for other fitted for the task. You will find them in the wardrobe, there are different sizes for men and for women. Helmets and gloves should also be tried on. "

Once properly equipped, they went to a large concrete wall that was near one of the limits of the sports field; the wall was more than seventy feet high and was provided with numerous plastic and metal objects, fixed to the wall at irregular intervals; these elements, called dams, simulate the projections of rocks in which climbers can fix their feet and help the arms in the mission of supporting and propelling the body upwards. Each of the climbers was attached to a harness that was in turn attached to a rope.

Jack, a skilled climber, showed the participants the method of climbing, in which as he ascends with the force of the biceps, the climber places the rope through metal hooks anchored to the wall in a very firm way, called insurance, which in the event of slipping down the wall, would prevent that the climber reached the floor, and allowing him to hang with the rope from the last and highest hook he had reached. Laboriously Jack climbed to the top of the wall, which earned him applause from the students, and then proceeded to descend rather quickly.

When he reached the ground Matsuko launched herself up, without rope or harness and with incredible agility she climbed to the top, which earned her a hurray from those present.

After the hard climbing exercise the members of the group of students went to have lunch together. The meeting was noisy as everyone wanted to share their experiences. At one point Mike asked the question that everyone was really asking.

"Who is Matsuko?"

"Taro already explained it, she is his most advanced martial arts disciple." Nick's answer sounded a bit naive.

"Yes, but ... what is really this woman?" The Russian insisted.

"Haven't you noticed yet?" Zhi's intriguing question produced a slight discomfort in his companions.

"What are you talking about?" Chandice asked.

The Singapore girl took a moment to reply, increasing the intrigue.

"Matsuko is a Ninja."

"What do you say? Ninjas belong to the past. Due to their crimes they have been persecuted by the authorities of Japan and other countries. " Chandice's phrase sounded quite shocking.

Again Zhi hesitated before answering.

“But this does not mean that they do not continue practicing their arts, and this girl has all the signs of being trained in that discipline, in this case by Taro Suzuki.”

At that moment Jack Berglund entered the canteen; he immediately noticed that the group was arguing heatedly.

"What's up guys? What's the topic under discussion?” Chandice, the most outgoing of the group, asked without hesitation.

"We are all intrigued by Matsuko's personality, and Mike just asked who she is and what she really is."

Jack smiled and took a glass of water on the table without answering.

"Well Jack. What are you telling us? ”

Mike urged.

"As you may have seen, Matsuki is a warrior with much to teach you in this new stage of your life, but she is fundamentally ... Taro's only daughter."

The surprise produced an extended silence in the group. Then the American regretted having spoken and added

“I ask you not to comment on what you have just heard. Taro is extremely proud of his daughter, but he should be the one to reveal the identity of his disciple.”