Chapter 6

After the archery and crossbow training received from her in the morning and her spectacular ascent of the vertical wall without ropes or harnesses, the personality of Matsuko had become fascinating for the four young men. Although they had known her identity de ella from Jack Berglund's revelation de ella, at his request de ella the youngsters had resolved to keep that information secret. When they finished lunch, the group returned, guided by the American, to the firing range. There were already Taro and Matsuko who had had lunch at the site, remaining isolated from the others without a doubt to be able to talk about their personal and family issues. As a novelty, the novices saw that a large metal closet had been opened and they could see that a variety of objects were inside. Chandice approached Zhi and whispered in her ear from her. "You have expertise in martial arts, do you know what all that is?" The Singaporean girl showed one of her shy smiles de ella and answered without hesitation. "Of course, it's quite a Ninja arsenal." In effect, Matsuko took a folding table out of the locker and after unfolding it began to place a series of items neatly aligned on top of it, some of them fearsome-looking. She was arranging the weapons in five groups and they all realized that the intention was that they were to be used by each of them and Matsuko herself. She eventually took out of the closet a heavy metal saber with its scabbard, and placed it on the table with the rest of the war items. Seeing and recognizing it a murmur spread among the students. "To Katana!" Matsuko picked up a strange artifact made up of two steel cylinders a little over a foot long linked at one end by a length of three-link chain, also made of steel. In one of her rare speeches by ella the young Ninja said to the newbies. “This lethal weapon is called Nunchaku. Take one each of you and imitate my movements. Be careful to stay away from others and not to hit yourselves as it is more dangerous than it seems. ” For a long time the group members were manipulating the artifacts and hitting with the free end of the chain's pendulum some wooden posts that showed the consequences of the harsh treatment to which they were subjected. The Nunchaku were followed by the Shuriken or ninja stars with four or six sharp points, who can slaughter an enemy cutting his jugular or pierce him in the heart if they are thrown with expertise. The next step was the throwing of knives and points also against posts. When the sun was already falling behind the row of tall trees that marked the limits of the property, Matsuko returned to the folding table where she had deposited her weapons carrying the saber. The moment long awaited by newbies had arrived. "Now we will see the use of the katana." The Ninja simply said. When as a child Matsuko had expressed her desire to become a warrior, her father de ella had vehemently opposed de ella, endorsing her mother's wishes de ella to follow de ella in her footsteps de ella, and to pursue two typically Japanese arts, drawing and calligraphy. When Taro realized that her daughter's plan was unchangeable, he changed her position and dedicated herself with soul and life to training her. In his youth he was recognized as an expert in various martial arts; if he couldn't get his only daughter to have a peaceful existence, he would at least make sure she was unbeatable. Thereafter Matsuko's young life had rapidly evolved into what she was now: a Ninja. In the eventful military history of Japan, since ancient times there has been a mercenary body specialized in alternative ways of fighting, based on the selective use of murder, espionage and obtaining essential information to ensure the victory in conventional combat carried out by the regular armies ; enemy´s´ activities were sabotage in order to spread confusion and terror in their rear. Their training was very different from that of conventional troops, and was based on the use of a series of stab weapons, such as the samurai's katana, chains, sharp-edged stars that could cut a soldier's throat, as well as poisons and other forms. little bit less honorable to kill. Another of the arts they cultivated was that of deception, disguise and concealment, to infiltrate enemy ranks and even among the bosses and be able to eliminate them in a stealthy way. Their main task was murder. The difference between the Ninjas and the Samurai could not be greater. While the former resorted to sibylline methods and avoided frontal battles, the latter valued their reputation more than anything else and considered the arts of despicable deception, since if they were discredited and humiliated in public their only path was the harakiri. The Samurai were the warriors of the upper classes and the Ninjas of the lower classes. Within the Ninja universe, there was a special role reserved to women, since due to their beauty they added seduction to the arts of men in order to infiltrate enemy redoubts as servants, dancers or concubines. Physical training was based on lighter weapons than men's and on self-defense techniques with and without weapons.

As for Matsuko, the training provided by her father was closer to that of the male Ninjas, and she was adept at using lethal personal combat weapons.

After a strenuous but highly stimulating day for the disciples, Jack Berglund concluded the activities by telling them. “Tomorrow we will continue the theoretical classes under my charge at the academy. We will try to finish the issue of encryption and deciding of messages, and the day after tomorrow you will have a special class on the use of firearms by our specialist on the subject. " "Isn't he in charge of Matsuko?" Mike asked, evidencing the admiration produced by the young woman. "No, but I'm sure the teacher will give you the same enthusiasm."