Part VII: A Hiro No More

"Your majesty," Hiro said. "I have no nuts for you today. But I do have this."

Hiro thrust the X-Ball forward, displaying it for all to see. The Emperor seemed to be delighted with the gift, but the look of delight soon turned into that of disgust and hatred. Steam poured out of the Emperor's ears, his face turned red, and somewhere, a teapot whistled.

The Emperor turned to Jisaku Birobi. "Jisaku," said the Emperor. "It's time to take out the trash."

Jisaku smiled, and removed the trash from the room. He then pulled out his sword, and placed it on Hiro's neck. "I've have been waiting for this moment a long time, Hiro." Jisaku raised his sword, when a scream rung out.

"No!" said Jisaku/Hiro's wife. "Don't kill him my love. I love Hiro too."

"The woman is right," said the Emperor. "For I love Hiro too. You have shamed yourself by not bringing back the precious lychee nuts I so need for my soup, the same soup that has been getting very cold sitting on this table for the past seven days. So you will be thrown out of the country. Hiro Nakamaji, you will no longer bear your own name. You will be nameless, and expelled into the sea, with only a large boat to protect you, and copious amounts of food to feed you. You will brave the elements, and if you live, you will live knowing that you are never welcome back in Japan. You can pick up your shoes on the way out."

Hiro was stunned.*

*He was also picked up and thrown out of the palace.


NEXT WEEK: The Journey Begins


THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF X-BALL:
PART I       PART II       PART III       PART IV

PART V      PART VI      PART VII