TARO HAD KNOWN that Hiro would want to go with him, of course, but he couldn’t bear the thought of his friend having to suffer his company, or risk his life again on his behalf. What lay ahead could be more dangerous than anything they had faced before, such was the power and lure of the Buddha ball. That was why the next morning Taro rose earlier than the sun and crept out of the monastery on his own. He left a note, assuming that Hiro would have one of the monks read it out to him.
Dear Hiro,
I’m returning to the ninja mountain. Please don’t follow me. I have done enough to place you in danger this past year.
Your friend,
Taro
He knew that Hiro would follow him to the ninja mountain – but he also knew that his friend would be safe there, with the ninjas to protect him.
And anyway, it didn’t matter if Hiro followed him to the ninja mountain, because he wasn’t going there. He was going straight to Shirahama.