Now Sano experienced a powerful surge of love for his imperiled country. Like a pure, clean spring, it washed away the bitter hatred with which his past ordeals had infected him. Perceiving the danger renewed his samurai will to defend to the death his lord "and, by extension, his homeland, his people, his way of life. He felt strong and exhilarated, as if he'd recovered from a long illness. The future seemed alive with promise, his purpose clear.

Soon Huygens's basket was full; in the harbor, Sano's ship waited. Shepherded by the guards, they walked downhill, through the city. Outside the Deshima gatehouse, they made their farewells.

oI wish you a safe journey and a happy, prosperous life, Sano said, bowing.

oYou safe journey. Good luck, friend. The doctor extended his hands. At first Sano didn't understand the unfamiliar gesture. Then he clasped Huygens's hands in his own, pledging eternal friendship barbarian-style. And it seemed to Sano that by parting thus, they also wished both their nations a mutually beneficial journey into the future.

Sano walked down the promenade to the docks. Hirata and the crew were already on the ship with all the baggage and provisions for the journey. A ferryboat waited to convey Sano aboard; a crowd had gathered to watch the ship sail. From among the fishermen and samurai, an odd trio emerged and approached Sano: Junko, radiant in a red-and-white kimono, with her father and Kiyoshi.

The day after the raid, Sano had personally released the young samurai from Nagasaki Jail and taken him home. Kiyoshi had been unresponsive and incoherent then, but now Sano saw with relief that while he was still thin and pale, he seemed his normal self again.

oWe want to pay our respects and wish you a good journey, Kiyoshi said gravely. He and his companions bowed.

The polite greeting worsened Sano's guilt. oKiyoshi, about your father. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I offer my deepest apologies. If there's anything I can do "

The youth's eyes darkened with pain, though not anger. oMy father made his destiny before you even came to Nagasaki. What he did was wrong. Kiyoshi swallowed hard, then recovered control. oHe restored our family's honor by taking his own life. His death wasn't your fault. Then Kiyoshi said in a happier tone, oWe have good news: Junko and I are to be married. Our families have consented to the match.

The girl beamed. Urabe shrugged and said grumpily, oOh well, filial loyalty is more important in a son-in-law than business talent "I guess. And he has good connections.

oYes, he does. With concealed aversion, Sano recalled the reason for this. oMy congratulations.

oA thousand thanks for making our marriage possible. Kiyoshi bowed again.

In an effort to compensate the Ohira family for their loss, Sano had excused Kiyoshi for shooting him and had also settled a large sum of money on the boy. Now he was glad to see that some good had come out of tragedy. As he watched Kiyoshi, Junko, and Urabe walk back toward town, Sano felt oddly at peace. By bringing the young couple together, he'd somehow laid to rest his futile love for Aoi. He was free, and ready for his own long-postponed marriage.

However, when Sano continued down the dock toward the waiting ferryboat, he met an immediate challenge to his new equilibrium. Governor Nagai, flanked by troops and officials, smiled and said, oAh, ssakan-sama. What a pity you must leave so soon. I regret that your stay in Nagasaki was less than pleasant. Perhaps you can someday visit again, under more favorable circ.u.mstances.

Anger heated Sano's blood. Such hypocrisy from the man who had engineered his troubles! He bared his teeth in a smile just as false as the governors. oIt pains me to leave, he said, imitating Nagai's bland tone. oThe fact that the city remains in your capable hands is little consolation.

Governor Nagai had profited from the smuggling and let his minions suffer the consequences. Since all the witnesses to his involvement were dead and no other evidence existed, Sano had been unable to induce Supreme Judge Takeda to prosecute Nagai. The only possible threat to him was Kiyoshi, who might know more about the smuggling operation than he'd told his father. But Nagai had bought the young man's silence by restoring his protAcgAc status. With this oconnection, Kiyoshi and his new in-laws would prosper. The corrupt governor was safe.

oYes. Well. Governor Nagai's eyes narrowed as he perceived the cut Sano had dealt him, but his manner remained affable, befitting a public appearance. oI'm honored by your praise of my hands "which will continue to control this administration for the foreseeable future. And there's nothing you can do about it, said his smirk.

With veiled mutual antagonism, they exchanged bows. As Sano climbed into the ferry, he said, oWhen I reach Edo, the shogun will hear about everything that happened.

Nagai chuckled. oI am sure he will. But perhaps you may wonder what happened to the smugglers' loot. As we speak, it is on its way to Chamberlain Yanagisawa. He will no doubt appreciate my generous tribute. With a triumphant smile, he turned and led away his entourage.

While the ferryman rowed Sano toward the ship, he gazed after Governor Nagai with grudging admiration. Trust the politically astute governor to protect himself! The lavish gift would improve his standing with Chamberlain Yanagisawa, who would in turn thwart any actions Sano took against Nagai. While Sano had brought a murderer to justice, closed down the smuggling ring, and saved himself and Hirata, he'd lost the final round of the battle. But the loss was yet another valuable lesson, which revealed new challenges in his vow to defend his homeland.

As a police detective, and later as the shogun's ssakan, he'd approached every investigation like a soldier riding into battle. He'd thrown body and soul into a one-man crusade against corruption "a force as dangerous to j.a.pan as any external threat. But one man couldn't purge the Tokugawa regime of evil any more than he could single-handedly repel a military invasion. To win, Sano must abandon the role of the lone soldier who would inevitably fall before the enemy host. He must become a general, marshalling allies and troops, building the power and influence he needed to defeat men like Governor Nagai. And it would be his ongoing challenge to understand his own motives. He must labor to align them with what was right and good; to differentiate the selfish impulses from the honorable; to minimize casualties in his search for truth and justice.

The ferry drew up to the ship, whose bold banners fluttered above the curved wooden hull and ornate lacquer-and-gilt cabin. Sailors dropped a ladder for Sano to climb; Hirata helped him onto the deck. At the captain's orders, the crew raised anchor. The sail billowed, and the ship moved down the harbor channel toward the open sea. Sano and Hirata stood in the stern, watching Nagasaki's docks, houses, and hills recede.

oI've never been so glad to leave a place, Hirata said fervently. He waved to the cheering crowd on sh.o.r.e. oI'd rather be seasick all the way home than stay here another moment.

oI agree, Sano said, though not only because of their bad experiences. Nagasaki, the trouble zone where j.a.pan met the outside world, also represented the junction between his past and future. In leaving the city, he also left behind his political innocence, his mistakes, and his isolation for new allegiances and myriad new opportunities for success.

oWhat do you suppose has happened in Edo while we've been gone? Hirata mused.

Sano smiled. oYour guess is as good as mine. But I do know that things will be different when I " his eyes met Hirata's o "I mean, when we get back.

The End