Samurai's Apprentice Books 3 & 4

The apprentice becomes a master... Kami's apprenticeship is ending and his journey to becoming a master samurai has begun, but he is about to undertake a great journey from Osaka castle out to the furthest reaches of the samurai lands. His enemies are numerous and deadly: from ninja clans to agents of the shogun, from samurai armies to hidden traitors. With only a few friends to aid him, Kami must face his greatest challenge yet: survival.