House of Five Leaves, Vol. 6

Book excerpt: A many-sided tale of faith and betrayal, drama and intrigue, set in the world of old Edo. Masterless samurai Akitsu Masanosuke is a skilled and loyal swordsman, but his naïve, diffident nature has time and again caused him to be let go by the lords who have employed him. Hungry and desperate, he becomes a bodyguard for Yaichi, the charismatic leader of a gang called "Five Leaves." Although disturbed by the gang's sinister activities, Masa begins to suspect that Yaichi's motivations are not what they seem. And despite his misgivings, the deeper he's drawn into the world of the Five Leaves, the more he finds himself fascinated by these devious, mysterious outlaws. Although Masa has uncovered some alarming secrets about Yaichi, he decides not to share them with the other members of the Five Leaves. Yet despite his caution, the bonds between the gang members continue to fray. And now, in the restless interlude before the crew’s final job, it seems that the sins of Yaichi’s past are finally catching up to him.