Chương 2: Act 2

[14 years later, Land of Sea, Shimizu clan main residence training ground]

"Hah!" A grunt sounded out.

Where the sounds originated the faint visage of a young man performing some kind of martial art. The man was moving with fast and precise movements with a grace almost akin to a dancer, with every movement he made a loud thud of flesh meeting steel could be heard.

The man was the Shimizu Enkai, the next leader of the Shimizu clan. The years had changed Enkai from the gentle and delicate child he was growing into the fierce fighter demolishing the steel training dummy before him. With each strike leaving large indents into the pure steel that made the dummy, gone were the warm eyes that showed innocence and in its place were icy, cold, blue discs that were filled with experience and authority only those with power possessed.

His shirtless body glistened with sweat, with the sweat highlighting the countless scars marring his chiselled upper body, as he continued his almost hypnotic movements with his muscles twitching visibly under the strain as if begging for mercy. Yet despite his body visibly strained by his movements, his face remained unchanged in a cold steely mask of determination and indifference.

This scene continued for some time before Enkai's movements gradually came to a halt. As his movements came to a halt a woman dressed in a white kimono decorated with a fish and a dragon rising above the waves approached him with a sweat cloth in her hands.

As the woman approached, he took the cloth from her hands without ceremony as he wiped away his sweat. After giving the cloth she bowed to Enkai before going back to where she was standing before. He paid the woman no mind as he finished wiping up before grabbing a black kimono he left aside and putting on the garment.

After cleaning up after training Enkai's face seemed to soften slightly. He straightened out his kimono and walked towards the exit of the grounds where the woman stood in attendance.

"Keiko, it's time to leave. Is there anything important I need to address today?" Enkai said in a voice that demanded the utmost respect.

"Yes, Enkai-Sama. Today the clan council will gather to discuss the recent intensification of the war between the Uchiha and Senju." Replied Keiko promptly.

"Hmm~. When does the meeting start?" mused Enkai.

"The meeting starts in an hour, Enkai-Sama." replied Keiko.

"Okay please send me any updates on the situation so I can review it before the meeting. You are dismissed." Commanded Enkai.

"As you wish, Enkai-Sama." replied Keiko before she merged into the shadows and disappeared.

The journey back to his study was uneventful as he took in the beautiful scenery of the main residence. The garden was decorated with an assortment of bonsai trees of varying heights glowing in a healthy green glow, the bonsai trees were planted very specifically in a pattern to highlight the beauty of the scenery.

In between the groves of bonsai trees, lay the pathway to the main residence which was surrounded by cherry blossoms in the middle of their full bloom. Even for Enkai who saw this scenery nearly every day, he was still taken aback by the beauty of the gentle pink petals floating around whimsically in the air.

The path to the main residence was surrounded by a large pond where water lilies lay on the surface. Gold and red Coi frivolously danced around the lilies like water fairies blessing the pond. On the surface of the pond also lay pockets of luscious green algae floated on the surface.

On the left side of the pond lay a small island connected to the mainland by small floating stone steps on both sides. On the small island lay a small shrine with incense burning to pay respect to the clan ancestors

On the right side of the pond lay a slightly larger island connected to the mainland by a small blue bridge with the handrails in the design of a dragon. On the centre of the island lay a small pagoda crafted with cyan painted wood and ocean blue tiles.

Through the centre of the pond ran the main path, which was an intricately designed bridge in the colour blue with white railing. With the outskirts of the bridge and pond being surrounded by traditional rock garden lanterns which would light up the whole garden when night fell.

While the main path was decorated with several blue Torii gates with black trimmings placed at regular intervals. Continuing the whole path and even up the stairs to the main residence surrounded by cherry blossoms.

Although Enkai had got used to the scenery a long time ago, every so often he was reminded of its beauty as he walked through the main residence. Enkai was thoroughly enraptured by the scenery; however, the moment did not last long, as Enkai finally arrived as the main residence and awoke from his stupor.

After being broke out of his stupor Enkai walked up to the entrance to the main residence before slowly opening the sliding door, taking off his sandals, and leaving them at the entrance.

After removing his sandals Enkai began to make his way through the house. As he walked, he heard his mother's delicate voice emanating from one of the rooms in the house. Walking up to the room where he could still hear his mother, he gently opened the door and looked inside the room.

Inside the room, he saw his mother playing with two children at the age of four. One was a small boy with a head full of black hair, with chubby features, who was currently giggling in joy as he played with his mother. The other was a young girl with shoulder-length silky black hair tied into two buns on top of her head, who was currently sitting in the corner of the room with an indifferent look on her chubby face as she read a book.

A brief smile appeared on Enkai's face as he watched the scene before quickly disappearing as fast as it appeared almost as if it was never there. But his presence was quickly noted in the doorway as the people in the room stopped what they were doing and looked his way.

Noticing Enkai's presence in the room the two children's face grew bright as smiles appeared.

"Onii-chan!" Both children screamed while running towards him.

Enkai braced for their impact as he caught both in his arms and lifted them up.

"Good morning, mother. Good morning, Mifuyu. Good morning, Hijiri." Enkai said warmly.

"Good morning, Onii-chan!" Shouted both twins at the same time, almost giddy in excitement.

"Good morning, Enkai" Mother added lightly after the twins.

"Onii-chan, please play with us!" Begged the twins, their eyes sparkling with hope.

"Come on, you both know that your Onii-chan is a very busy person." Chided mother who doused their optimism with cold water.

"I'm sorry you two, mother is right. I just came in to check in on everyone, I do not have time to play with you today. How about we play together another time." Enkai gently said while placing them both back onto the tatami mat.

This statement seemed to make the twins appear crestfallen, however, hearing Enkai's promise their bright faces immediately returned.

"Really, you mean it Onii-chan! You're really telling the truth!" Squawked Mifuyu, her innocent and hopeful eyes boring into his very soul.

"Yeah… Really, I mean it Mifuyu." Replied Enkai in a strained voice.

"Okay, Onii-chan I believe you. I know you would never lie to me, would you?" Whispered Mifuyu with her blue eyes shining with so much innocence Enkai was almost blinded and almost felt compelled to agree.

"Your Onii-chan would never lie to you Mifuyu. I really will play with you both another time, but for now, your Onii-chan needs to do something." Enkai promised trying to placate the little girl.

Seeing after what he said Mifuyu was finally satisfied he would keep his promise, Enkai quickly excused himself. Moving through the residence once again and finally reaching the study at the back of the residence overlooking the stream flowing through the back garden.

Once he entered the room, he saw many files and scrolls laid out on the short-legged table in the middle of the room. He sat on a pillow by the table and looked up at Keiko and gave a brief thanks, before unrolling the scroll labelled Uchiha-Senju conflict on his desk.