章節 43: Declaration of War
"Wait, hold up. Are you seriously telling me Yamamoto fought a tailed beast—and won?"
Inside a spacious tent surrounded by the newly built homes of the Hima clan, Akio sat cross-legged on a slightly worn futon, cradling a warm cup of tea in his hands. Across from him, a young Hima ninja knelt on the ground, head bowed but fidgeting nervously, as if unsure whether he should even be sharing this information.
"That's what they're saying, Clan Head," the ninja said, glancing up briefly. "Word's spreading fast in the nearby city. They claim he went head-to-head with a tailed beast and made it out alive. Oh, and there's more."
Akio raised an eyebrow. "More? What do you mean 'more'?"
The ninja hesitated, then rushed out the words like ripping off a bandage. "They're saying wherever he goes, the temperature jumps a hundred degrees. Like, he's so hot he could…uh…" He gulped. "Get your wife pregnant just by standing next to her."
Akio froze mid-sip, the tea halfway to his mouth. For a moment, there was only silence. Then—
"Pfft—!" He spit the tea out in a fine spray, coughing and sputtering as the ninja scrambled to avoid getting hit.
"What kind of ridiculous rumor is that?!" Akio barked, thumping his chest to catch his breath.
The ninja looked down, clearly trying not to laugh. "I-I'm just repeating what I heard, sir."
Akio wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, shaking his head with a grin. "Iroh must be loving this nonsense," he muttered, setting his tea aside.
The ninja scratched his head awkwardly. "To be fair, Clan Head, it's not entirely nonsense. People say the ground cracks under his feet when he's angry, and—"
"Enough." Akio waved him off, though his grin still remained . Yamamoto's exploits were equal parts entertaining and frustrating, but Akio's thoughts were elsewhere.
The tent's flap rustled suddenly, and another Hima ninja entered, his face flushed from urgency.
"Clan Head," the ninja said, bowing quickly. "An envoy from the Uzumaki clan has arrived at the gates. They're requesting an audience."
Akio's expression brightened instantly. "They're here already? Excellent." He rose to his feet, adjusting his robes with careful precision, his movements deliberate and calm.
The first ninja blinked in confusion. "Excellent? Clan Head, what's this about?"
Akio turned to him, pride gleaming in his eyes. "They're here about the deal I made. The Uzumaki agreed to help seal our most dangerous scrolls. In return, I'm giving them five S-rank sealing jutsu."
The second ninja frowned, his concern evident. "But those jutsu… they're some of our clan's most closely guarded secrets. Are we sure this is wise?"
Akio chuckled softly, his voice carrying a note of pride. "I created those jutsu myself. They're powerful, yes, but they're also specific. They can only be used effectively in conjunction with the techniques we've mastered here. The Uzumaki will benefit from them, but they'll never pose a threat to us."
He clasped his hands behind his back, pacing slowly as he continued. "This deal isn't just about jutsu or scrolls. It's about trust. The Uzumaki and Hima clans have always stood apart, but we've also shared common values. With this agreement, we're taking the first step toward something greater—a partnership that could last generations."
The first ninja tilted his head, still unsure. "And you're certain they'll honor their side of the bargain?"
Akio stopped pacing and turned, his expression resolute. "The Uzumaki are masters of sealing and keepers of tradition. They don't enter agreements lightly, and neither do I. If we show them good faith, they'll return it in kind."
The second ninja bowed his head. "As you say, Clan Head. Should we prepare the hall for their envoy?"
"Yes," Akio replied with a nod. "I'll greet them personally. Today isn't just about the deal—it's about the future of our clans."
As the ninjas left to carry out his orders, Akio stood in the quiet of the tent for a moment, a satisfied smile crossing his face. The jutsu he had spent years perfecting would serve a greater purpose now, one far beyond mere technique.
"Unity," he murmured to himself, stepping into the sunlight. "Let's see how far we can take it."
...….
Akio stood at the edge of the main hall, his expression composed but distant. The Uzumaki envoy had been escorted through the gates, and from his vantage point, he could see them approaching: a small group clad in deep crimson robes, their clan crest proudly displayed.
At the center of the group was a young woman. She carried herself with quiet confidence, her long hair tied neatly behind her, her steps measured and purposeful. She was far younger than he'd expected for a diplomatic envoy, though the Uzumaki were known to place trust in competence over age.
Akio's gaze lingered for only a moment before turning to the head of his own escort. "Show them to the council chamber. I'll join them shortly."
The ninja bowed and hurried off, leaving Akio alone with his thoughts. He adjusted his robes, brushing a hand over the fine embroidery. "Focus," he muttered to himself. This wasn't the time for distractions.
When he entered the chamber, the Uzumaki delegation was already seated, their leader—an older man with a commanding presence—rising to greet him.
"Clan Head Akio," the man said with a respectful nod. "We thank you for your hospitality."
Akio returned the gesture, his tone formal yet warm. "It is an honor to host the Uzumaki. We've long admired your clan's mastery of sealing. I trust your journey was uneventful?"
The older man smiled faintly. "Uneventful, yes, though long. My companions and I are grateful for your accommodations." He stepped aside, gesturing to the young woman beside him. "Allow me to introduce this fine lady over here, Sayuri. She insisted on joining this delegation to… gain experience."
Sayuri stepped forward and inclined her head respectfully. "Clan Head Akio," she said, her voice steady, though her sharp eyes seemed to study him with quiet curiosity. "It is a privilege to meet the man who crafted the jutsu my uncle spoke so highly of."
Akio nodded, his expression unreadable. "The privilege is mine, Sayuri. Your clan's reputation precedes you."
She smiled faintly at his response but said nothing further, stepping back into the delegation as Akio shifted his focus to the older Uzumaki.
The conversation turned to the specifics of their agreement. Akio explained the intricacies of the scrolls, his tone steady and measured. As the hours passed, Sayuri spoke only occasionally, offering observations or asking pointed questions that revealed a sharp mind beneath her calm demeanor.
When the meeting concluded, Akio escorted the delegation to the outer chambers. Sayuri lingered behind as the group moved toward their accommodations.
"You seem… invested in this agreement," she said quietly, her tone neutral but her gaze intent.
Akio glanced at her, his expression guarded. "I believe it benefits both our clans. Unity in these times is rare and valuable."
Sayuri nodded thoughtfully. "It's refreshing to meet a leader who sees beyond immediate gains. My uncle spoke highly of you, but I wasn't sure what to expect."
Akio's lips quirked faintly, though his eyes remained shadowed. "Expectations can be deceptive. Your clan knows that better than most."
"Hmmm, I should probably tell you about a rumor I've been hearing," she said, her tone dipping into something more serious.
"A rumor?" Akio asked, tilting his head slightly. "What kind of rumor?"
She hesitated, then spoke. "It's about the Shimura clan and the Kaguya clan. They're… preparing for war."
Akio's expression shifted, his brows drawing together. Her words hit harder than he expected, dragging his mind from the calm he had grown used to. Peace had a way of dulling instincts, and he suddenly felt the weight of the era he lived in—an era where wars were as frequent as campers in Call of Duty.
"And," she continued, her voice quieter now, "they're both targeting the same clan."
Akio exhaled sharply through his nose, his frown deepening. "I see," he said, his voice steady despite the unease creeping into his chest. "Well, I appreciate you telling me this… but I'm not sure what it has to do with me."
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment, as if considering a response, but she simply bowed her head. "Until tomorrow, Clan Head."
Akio watched her retreating figure for a moment, then turned away, his chest tightening briefly with the weight of old memories. His wife's laughter, his child's small hands grasping his own—they were ghosts that lingered just out of reach. He clenched his fists briefly before releasing them with a deep breath.
"Focus," he murmured again, retreating to the solitude of his chambers.
....
"'Mr. Inferno King, do you want me to polish your sword for you?'" Yasuke teased, bowing exaggeratedly low, his voice mockingly timid. The deep bow only added to the theatrics, and it was all the others could do to stifle their laughter, hands pressed over their mouths.
"This brat," Yamamoto muttered before rapping Yasuke sharply on the head with his knuckles. The sound echoed through the quiet forest, prompting the group to freeze for a split second—before they all erupted in laughter. Yasuke scratched his head sheepishly, grinning like a fool.
"I can't wait to see what the Hima clan's like," Akiko said between fits of giggles, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Don't worry, everyone's cool and funny. I'm sure they'll love you," Yasuke replied, a cheeky grin lighting his face as he reached over to pinch Akiko's cheeks.
Yamamoto, seated slightly apart from the group, said nothing. His focus remained on the blade he was sharpening, the rhythmic scrape of the whetstone cutting through the laughter.
Despite Yamamoto's silence, the mood was light. Yasuke's relentless jokes about him kept the others in stitches, even as the dark forest loomed around them.
But then—
"Quiet," Yamamoto commanded suddenly.
The single word cut through the chatter like a blade. His voice, low and sharp, left no room for argument. He rose fluidly to his feet, katana already in hand, his expression as hard as steel.
The others exchanged quick, tense glances before falling into defensive stances, scanning the shadows with cautious eyes. The laughter was long gone, replaced by the weight of potential danger.
"Yamamoto Hima… the Inferno King," a voice called, calm yet laced with menace.
From behind one of the towering trees, a figure emerged. His robes bore the bold insignia of the Shimura clan, unmistakable even in the dim light.
"Hope you don't mind us crashing over your party" and without prompt 15 more people came out from behind the trees each with a menacing grin on their face
"Hope you don't mind us crashing your little party," the man said, his voice dripping with mock politeness.
Before anyone could respond, shadows shifted in the trees, and one by one, figures emerged from the darkness. Fifteen more men stepped into the clearing, each wearing the same menacing grin as their leader.
The group's laughter from earlier felt like a distant memory. The forest seemed to close in around them, the air growing colder with the weight of the ambush.
Yasuke's usual playful demeanor vanished as his hand drifted instinctively to the hilt of his blade. "Well, this just got interesting," he muttered under his breath, his grin now one of defiance rather than humor.
Akiko's eyes darted between the intruders, her muscles tensed, ready to move at a moment's notice, her eyes changed to that of her dojutsu.
Yamamoto didn't say a word. He simply stepped forward, katana in hand, his sharp gaze sweeping over each of the attackers. The faint scrape of his blade against its sheath was the only sound in the stillness.
"You've got guts," Yamamoto said coldly, his voice as steady as the steel in his grip. "But if you think fifteen of you are enough, you're sorely mistaken."
The intruders chuckled darkly, their leader taking a step closer. "Oh, we're not just here for fun. This is business. The Shimura clan doesn't waste time on small fry. You think we will believe you actually fought a tailed beast?"
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed. "Then you've already miscalculated."
......…
🎉🎉 We did it! Volume One is officially complete!
Thank you all so much for your support—seriously, it means the world to me. I know I've had my moments of laziness 😅, but you stuck with me, and I couldn't have made it this far without you.
Now, about Volume Two: I'm locking in and aiming to deliver five chapters a week. Just give me two weeks (or maybe a month or two to be safe, cause we don't know when the laziness might kick in), and I promise I won't let you down! 🫡
Stay tuned—there's so much more to come.
— 新章節待更 — 寫檢討
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票