The Tales of the Ninja Coder

 
I have been very busy lately, both at Castle Nettobuku and in Henshukoku, so it's taken me a little while to write out the latest interesting occurrence.

On Monday morning, Jimon and I met with a warrior who wanted to join our clan. He is a rōnin, who used to fight with one of the samurai infantry legions of Owari Province. A few years ago, he became disenchanted with bushido and the regimented strategies of Oda's forces, and renounced the katana.

And he also expresses distaste for the ninja-ken, and complete disinterest in the bo staff. "I study the ways of the Jōgesen ryū now!", he said. "I fight with the sansetsukon; I need no other weapons." As Jimon and I spoke with him, I became less and less impressed with him.

But it was Jimon who saved our clan the trouble of questioning this aspirant any further: "Here is a sansetsukon," he said. "Show us your skill. Use that practice dummy over there." He pointed at a dummy some five paces away.

The would-be warrior took the staff, struck a stance, started whirling one end at high speed... and then let out an ear-splitting yell and threw the sansetsukon at the dummy.

In his defense, I will admit that he did at least hit the target, and even managed to get it wrapped around the upper part in a way that suggested wrapping around a victim's neck.

Aside from that? Jimon and I looked at each other in bewilderment. Finally, Jimon asked, "Why did you throw your staff?"

"Well... the target was so far away," he replied. "How else was I to hit it?"

"You could... step forward? Lunge? Use your feet?"

He looked sheepish. He bowed and said, "I am sorry for wasting your time. I should leave now." And off he went.

We still need qualified and experienced warriors at Clan Nettobuku... but not like that guy.