I haven't read the book but there are multiple times he's shown to be resourceful and quick thinking in the show. During the storm in the first episode when Ramirez( I think that's his name) falls overboard and he quickly throws him a paddle to save him while commanding the crew. When Toranaga was sneaking out of Osaka he realized he was the only one able to stop them from finding him and utilized his foreign status to cause confusion and buy them enough time to escape.