Nicolas Boileau-Despr?aux SUMMER, PRESENT Asama Highlands/Washington/East Bay Bridge/Tokyo/The Hodaka 'Tanjian.' They all froze at Tanzan Nangi's one spoken word. "That doesn't sound like Japanese,' Justine said. 'It isn't,' Nicholas told her. 'It's Chinese, I believe.' Tanzan Nangi nodded gravely. 'You're quite right.' He addressed Justine, but it was clear he was speaking for Nicholas's benefit as well. 'You asked me before about who could create Shiro Ninja. Now that it is clear that this is what has happened to Nicholas, I have no choice but to tell you.' 'No!' Nicholas fairly shouted this. Nangi said, 'If there is love between you, surely she must be told.' 'It is because of that love that I want her kept out of this,' Nicholas said, blind to the pain he was causing Justine. 'Love is sustaining,' Nangi said simply. 'Cutting yourself off from it is but one manifestation of Shiro Ninja' He waited long enough for this to sink in, then said, 'The attack of Shiro Ninja is beyond a Black Ninja's skills.
