Elderly Warrior (Situational Irony)
As a young GI on leave from war for a month in Japan, Sand stumbles across a distressing scene: an elderly Japanese man being harassed by American GIs. When Sand intervenes, a GI shoots him in the gut. As he writhes in his blood, Sand witnesses something unbelievable: the elderly man easily beats up the large American soldiers using martial arts moves. In this instance of situational irony, it turns out that the elderly man is Mr. Konuma, a samurai master skilled in combat.
Pillow Decoy (Dramatic Irony)
When Sand first stays at President Clarke's Texas ranch, Sand knows his fighting skills are going to be tested during the night. To prepare for the attackers, Sand removes lightbulbs from their fixtures, makes a weapon from a chair leg, and creates a "sleeping figure" by mounding pillows under his blanket. In this instance of dramatic irony, the oblivious attackers enter the bedroom and assault the decoy body; meanwhile, the reader knows Sand is watching from his hiding spot, ready to surprise them.
Toki Isn't Dead (Situational Irony)
At the Saigon villa in which Tolstoy has been hiding, Sand sees Toki being held captive in an upper-floor window. After killing most of the men in the house, Sand believes Toki's throat was cut by one of the Korean contract killers. However, in an instance of situational irony, he goes to her body to discover that she is a decoy woman, leading Sand to assume Toki is alive. Despite the death surrounding him, Sand is relieved to know he can still save the woman he loves.
Deceptive Phone Call (Dramatic Irony)
While Tolstoy is paying an unexpected visit to Coleman Near's warehouse, the phone rings. Tolstoy answers it, hearing a woman's voice—belonging to Mary Clarke—on the other end. He hands the phone to Near, who pretends he is speaking with his girlfriend. However, in an instance of dramatic irony, the reader knows he is speaking to Sand, who is confirming that Tolstoy is there and that they are about to head to the barns where the munitions are kept. While Tolstoy remains oblivious to the true nature of the call, the reader feels the tension build as Near nervously fakes his replies to Sand.
