Shadow Warrior: Based on the true story of a fearless ninja and her network of female spies
Prologue Kõga region 2
In the 1500s Japan was battered by war The country was broken into small states ruled over by hundreds of war lords called daimyos Each had his own castle and army of samurai warriors Daimyos fought constant brutal battles for power and land leaving children orphaned and towns destroyed In the rugged Kōga region a few small villages formed a quiet refuge from war Tucked between treacherous mountain passes the area was difficult for enemy armies to reach But Kōga also had a secret weapon ninjas Mochizuki Chiyome was determined to be one of them 3
Kõga 1558
C HIYOME DANGLED upside down from the cliff’s edge The blood rushed to her head and the pounding in her ears drowned out the calls of forest birds The breeze which had seemed so mild a moment ago now threatened to tear her from the rock Her training partner adjusted his grip on her ankles giving them a tiny tug Chiyome held back a scream The rocks at the base of the cliff were jagged and seemed heart-stoppingly far below If she fell Be patient r Conque fear Sensei’s words from that morning echoed in her head 5
