Capítulo 52: Engagement Gifts
-28 Hours Till Deadline-
Shang-Chi was unaware of the identities of the guests, only that they were significant enough for his father to host a banquet in their honor. Instead of his usual training, he had been taught the proper etiquette for such an occasion.
As he was led to the lawn, his confusion grew seeing a large picnic turned into a feast. Upon arriving, he observed the guests seated with his father, all appearing to be in their mid to late twenties.
A red-headed man, a woman cradling a baby, and a young girl in a kimono. Beside them sat a woman with burgundy hair, another infant, and a red-headed boy dressed in plain clothes, clinging to her side.
Hesitant, Shang-Chi lingered near his seat, uncertain whether he was permitted to engage with his father's guests.
As his father spoke, he straightened his back and held his head high, as instructed, ready to greet his father and the guests.
"Good, Xialing, you've arrived as well."
His sister Xialing, also adorned for the occasion, seemed expected at the gathering. He gave her a questioning glance, only to receive a head shake in return; she seemed just as clueless about the proceedings.
A few moments later, their father addressed them again.
"Come, my children, join us. Tonight, we celebrate your engagements."
Wenwu announced, gesturing to the two seats arranged beside him.
Shang-chi couldn't help but be surprised. His father seemed to be in such a good mood, even smiling at both of them. He hadn't smiled like that since before mom died. Never mind smiling at Xialing, he normally wouldn't even look at her. Confused, he sat down, and his sister did much the same.
"Father I never heard of any engagements. I thought we only had a guest joining us tonight."
He questioned after a moment.
"Ahh Yes, I'm afraid that Lord Uzumaki has made a marriage alliance between our organizations, that I couldn't refuse."
Wenwu said in a light, careless tone before sipping on a drink.
His response just confused Shang-chi even more. Surely, no one could make his father do anything against his will, he surely should be angry, not this happy and wanting to celebrate.
"Well, our guest defeated everyone in our organization, including me, in battle. Yet, he graciously spared us all in return for the betrothal of my children to his. A contract was drafted, and the agreement proved beneficial for both our factions."
Shang-Chi, upon hearing this, was puzzled about how someone could best his father and emerge victorious. From his father's account, it seemed their guest was far from a mere passerby.
"Lord Uzumaki suspects that those responsible for your mother's death are not the individuals I confronted. The true architect behind your mother's demise is someone else."
His father went on, and as he did, the rings on his forearms shone intensely.
"Perhaps she will soon be fully vindicated, and we can be a complete family once more."
He paused, then did something that further astonished them as he turned to Xialing and spoke to her.
"Prepare to become acquainted with your betrothed; you will not be training with your brother. Instead, you and your brother will spend time with your future spouses. You will have fewer instructors, and you will spar with Shang-Chi."
This news left both siblings stunned, as it contradicted everything they had learned from their father in recent years.
Shang-Chi was in disbelief at the turn of events, and Xialing felt the same.
"What is the meaning of this deal, Father?"
Shang-Chi inquired, unable to contain his curiosity.
"Lord Uzumaki claims he has a way to resurrect your mother."
"I'll keep that as a surprise for now. And speaking of surprises, Lord Uzumaki sent gifts for you both."
With a wave of his hand, two neatly wrapped packages glided across the room and settled on the table before them.
"Go ahead. Lord Uzumaki is a man of considerable means. I'm certain his gifts are as remarkable as he is."
He encouraged them, his own curiosity piqued about the contents of the packages.
As Shang-Chi unwrapped his gift, he discovered a pair of Wakizashi that emanated a power similar to his father's rings, but without the glowing enchantments. Instead, they pulsed with a bluish hue.
Xialing received a finely crafted traditional Chinese Hanfu dress with an armored shoulder pauldron, which also pulsed with the same bluish light.
Looking at his father, Shang-Chi noticed his narrowed gaze fixed on the gifts. In a blur of motion, his father flicked a knife from his sleeve and thrust it at the dress on the table.
Contrary to expectations, when the blade pierced the fabric, it was the knife on the table that shattered hitting some sort of barrier, not the dress, leaving it unscathed and both children utterly astonished.
As he ran his fingers over the fabric pierced by his dagger, he was in awe of the gift.
"The pulsing bluish energy seems to have reinforced the dress with armor. Lord Uzumaki certainly spared no expense for your gifts."
The unfamiliar tone in his father's voice made Shang-chi take another look at his own gift, tracing his fingers over the chill metal of the swords.
As they admired the dress, Leon spoke up.
"If you're curious about the dress, Wenwu, it's called Chakra Armour. It's a distinctive type of armor that protects against opposing attacks and mental invasions while amplifying the wearer's own power and abilities. As a safety measure, all my children are now equipped with one."
"The armor is energized by a crystal-like object on the shoulder pauldron. It generates an invisible shield around the wearer that can neutralize or repel most powered techniques, as well as physical projectiles such as blades and bullets. However, the armor isn't impervious; it will sustain significant damage over time from sustained heavy attacks."
After Leon finished speaking, Wenwu then spoke to his children.
"After you both finish examining your gifts, the both of you will thank Lord Uzumaki. And Xialing, you will wear that dress as often as you can alongside your fiancé."
After a while, they both expressed their gratitude to Leon.
"These were intended as gifts, for we are soon to be family. Now, I shall honor my promise and bring your mother back to life."
Leo entered his system store and selected a particular shinobi for the resurrection, Hoki Takumi. Hoki hailed from Takumi Village and led the Four Celestial Symbols Men in their attempt to seize Gaara, aiming to revive Seimei, the village's founder. He harnessed the chakra from Gaara and Shukaku, ultimately sacrificing his own life to resurrect his leader, Seimei.
Emerging through a portal, Hoki landed on his back, disoriented. Seizing the moment, Leon signaled his Anbu. Before Hoki could regain his bearings, Owl approached and restrained him. Removing his mask, Owl revealed a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan and ensnared Hoki in a Genjutsu.
As Hoki lay immobilized, several Anbu Black Ops materialized with a coffin. Opening it, they unveiled the preserved body of Ying Li, the Mandarin's late wife.
Moments later, they vanished, leaving Hoki by the coffin, ranting.
"Fear not, you shall witness it soon. The esteemed founder of our village, Lord Seimei, initiated the creation of the ultimate ninja tool, which is now nearing completion."
Ceasing his tirade, he commenced his Reanimation Jutsu.
Serpent → Rat → Boar → Ram.
"Exalted Lord Seimei, may your essence merge with my being to fulfill your resurrection!"
Amidst a cascade of light, his form began to disintegrate, channeling all his energy into Ying Li's body, as Hoki was deceived into sacrificing himself for her revival.
With a sleepy groan, Ying Li gradually opened her eyes. It took a few minutes for her to focus on herself and her surroundings. The area was familiar; she had been here before, but she couldn't quite remember when.
As she sat up in the coffin, she quickly realized that she was no longer in pain. Her head and chest, where she had been shot, were free from the sharp, agonizing pain she had endured to save her son's life.
Inspecting herself, she noticed she was wearing the same dress from when she met Xu Wenwu. Pulling the collar forward, she checked her chest and found no bullet marks.
Carefully, Ying Li climbed out of the coffin, but as her feet touched the ground, her leg muscles loosened, and she began to fall. Before she hit the ground, she felt the familiar presence of her husband, who caught her in his arms in a princess carry.
"My beloved, you do not know how much I've missed you."
And with that, Xu Wenwu gave Ying Li a passionate kiss of reunion between two lovers.
Name: Leon Uzumaki/Leon Petrov
Kekkei Genkai: Uzumaki, Wood Release, Dust Release, Lava Release
Elemental Affinity: Wind, Fire, Earth, Water, Lighting, Yang
Chakra level: Sage of Six Paths
Chakra Control: Rank EX
Taijutsu: Power Rank S, Technique Rank S
Shurikenjutsu: Rank A
Kenjutsu: Rank A
Fuinjutsu: Rank S
Genjutsu: Rank C
Ninjutsu: Rank S
Templates:
+Naruto Ashura mode, Sage of Six Paths, Rank A
+Yamato, Jonin, Rank A
+Onoki, Kage, Rank S Ninja
+Harold Finch, Rank S Mechanical Engineering and Rank S Computer Science
Divinity: 18%
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