Both Ryukushu and Kamba stood on the hill facing Trastevere and the colosseum. The samurai watched every movement happening below him, Kamba's eyes moved to his leader and the petite man grinned.
The demon gazed upon the ball of red glowing energy on his palm that dispersed moments later.
"Ruling an empire in a land free of disasters would certainly be a dream could true, wouldn't it?" Kamba sneered, awaiting Ryukushu's response.
"If it means fewer lives will be lost, than my consideration would have been executed if it weren't for a bunch of merely trespassers." Ryukushu said coldly, his eyes turning into slits while thinking back about his era.
"Our people suffer every year because of earthquakes and tsunamis. When will this ever end? Can we even seek a better prospective life far away from these disasters?" During the grand gathering, those part of the Heinomora Clan had voiced out that concerns about the reoccurring earthquakes that took the lives of many unfortunate individuals who just so happened to be bringing back food and essential resources to the castle.
General Heinomora dismissed their complaints. These disasters were beyond their control, making any abrupt movements will only put their entire clan in danger. He wanted to give them a better life, free from the control of other parties, but he simply couldn't leave them open to outside threats.
"Be patient everyone, if we keep letting ourselves be held back by those incidents, we won't achieve this desired life that you speak of."
Everybody stared at General Heinomora, muttering to themselves about his calm and relaxed attitude towards these issues they brought up to him. Exchanging glances with each other, the servants and civilians lowered their heads, trying to understand the general's point and deciding on whether they should continue their persistency or push it aside if it didn't matter that much to General Heinomora, maybe he was right. It wasn't that big of an issue like how they make it out to be.
Hayato looked at his father who was the commander of the shogun. His father ordered the rest of his army to continue their training and watch the residents at the castle's farm outside. A stringent security was needed during these times and General Heinomora was supportive of that idea.
"Make sure those who have gone out to collect the supplies return safely." The group of shogun nodded at Hayato's father's request and proceeded to leave the castle and hurry down the trail to the forest.
A notable role, Hayato looked up to this role that his father held along with the set of responsibilities that came with it.
His mother was proud of his father and the position that he was entrusted with in the Heinomora clan. She gleamed when she saw him attending to the residents of the castle about queries related to the transportation of food and water in the castle. Hayato's father cared deeply about his clan, he never forego that trait of his, even as the chief of the shogun army.
Three years later, a devastating earthquake led to many people losing their homes, supplies, and loved ones, it was one of the worst events that ever happened during the Edo Period.
A group of people found out about the Heinomora clan within the area and sought refuge in the castle. They pleaded with the general, hoping he would understand the difficulties they were dealing with and take them in, even if it meant temporarily until their livelihoods became stable again.
Hayato was against this, he believed these people were going to slow down the Heinomora clan's progress in becoming a powerful regime. They were in no position to fight, nor did they have the strength to even survive in the harshest climates that might dawn over them, that's what Hayato wanted General Heinomora to see and hear. Their clan was no place for the weak. Hayato wanted these people to be driven away, far from the castle's grounds so he wouldn't have to think about their insignificant presence.
"Alright then, you may stay." General Heinomora told the group of people who gasped in joy, thanking him for his courtesy and understanding.
Hayato's mother was extremely supportive of the general's decision. "Welcome to the Heinomora Clan!" She happily said, welcoming the group of people with open arms.
From the time these people had been pleading with the Heinomora clan until the announcement of their residence in the castle. The cheerful lady had convinced the general and servants to let these group of people live among them and start their new lives in a proper environment. She even tried to get the point across to Hayato, who didn't seem to be agreeable to them.
When the announcement was made, Hayato opposed the general's decision, but soon fell quiet after realizing that he was outnumbered in this debate. A majority of those involved in this discussion leaned more towards General Heinomora and his mother's decision. There was nothing he could do but to endure this change in the Heinomora Clan, even though he despised it the most.
Weeks later, his mother were among those in the castle who had fallen ill from a disease that came from a few individuals part of the group the Heinomora Clan had taken in.
The disease was incurable, medics rushed to their patients every hour to ease their pain and sorrow. Hayato watched his mother laying in bed, struggling to fight off the unknown disease coursing through her system.
About two days later, his mother succumbed to the unknown disease and passed away, along with the other patients who lost the battle one by one.
Hayato immediately went over to the farm outside the castle. When the group of people saw him approaching they crawled towards the fence with the basket of water they were carrying.
Before they could even speak when Hayato got close, the young man slashed the basket into two. The water it contained spilled out, creating a large puddle in the grass.
In horror, the group looked up at Hayato and immediately backed away. "It's a shame humans can be so weak and fragile. Your inferiority pulls everyone down with them. The earthquake should've finished all of you at one go." Hayato snarled, pointing his sword directly at the group.
After his father's passing five years later, Hayato took over his position as the chief of the shogun army. During his third term, a war broke out between the Heinomora Clan and the Genkunodo Clan who were fighting for the same position of power.
A swordsman who was fighting on the Genkunodo Clan's side watched Hayato throw the bodies of the soldiers he had killed onto the floor. The cold grin Hayato had on his face sent shivers down the swordsman's spine as he stood there in the rain.
"I want a rematch, no questions. You have two months to prepare. This will determine who is worthy of ruling the country." Hayato warned the swordsman who looked at him in horror as he walked away and disappeared in the grim atmosphere.