Chapter 7 - CH 7

«Miyuki, Ayako, and Anko's Perspective»

After bidding a brief farewell to the husband , the three women embarked on their humanitarian mission to the Nara clan, their spirits high despite the weight of their task. As they journeyed, it became evident that their diverse appearances were as much a part of their strength as their skills.

Miyuki was a vision of traditional beauty, though she concealed her figure beneath a traditional black ninja kimono. This attire, while hiding her body, accentuated her graceful movements and poise. Her face was partially obscured by a mask that covered the lower half, revealing only her captivating eyes. These eyes, a deep and enigmatic shade, seemed to hold secrets of a thousand nights. Her tanto, a short sword with a distinctive insignia, was a testament to its craftsmanship in the Land of Samurai, further adding to her mysterious allure.

Ayako, in stark contrast, embraced a more daring style. Her kimono, tightly fitted and adorned with intricate camellia patterns, earned her the notorious nickname "Bloody Camellia." This nickname was not just a reflection of her clothing but also of her fearsome reputation. Her face, with its stunning eyes, slender eyebrows, and elegant features, could charm and disarm anyone. The tale of how she once escaped an assassination attempt by the Uchiha clan was well-known; upon seeing her face, the Uchiha leader reportedly fell into a genjutsu, allowing her to return home unharmed. In her hands, Ayako wielded a kusarigama, a weapon that appeared heavy and menacing, yet was handled with remarkable skill. The emblem on her weapon matched that of the Land of Samurai, linking her to its storied traditions.

Anko, the final member of the trio, wore a new ninja outfit—a black tunic paired with a vest equipped with numerous pockets. The vest bore the crest of the Masuraboshi Kuu Mono clan, an emblem that represented her "creature" as she fondly called it. Despite their differences, the three women were united by a common bond: their shared love for a man who had once been indifferent to the words of the former clan head. Though the trio was not particularly close, their time together with Takeshi had forged a connection that proved indispensable. But, as the nature of this book does not dwell on such matters, we shall move on.

Their journey progressed swiftly, and within three days, they arrived at the gates of the Nara clan. The sight of the grand gates filled Miyuki with a sense of pride. Despite her fatigue, she stood tall and resolute.

"Listen, no tricks," Miyuki said firmly. "We have a mission: deliver the letter and return quickly."

As they approached, the guards, who had been alerted to their arrival, began opening the gates to welcome them.

«The Perspective of an Unknown Figure»

In a large, unremarkable room, a man around 29 years old sat at a desk, his expression thoughtful as he reviewed a document. After several minutes of scrutiny, he cleared the desk of pens, pencils, and miscellaneous papers. He then unfolded a map and marked a specific point, muttering to himself, "You are here."

Lost in contemplation, he did not notice a ninja entering the room, his presence almost imperceptible in the dim light. The ninja's red eyes were the only feature visible in the shadows. After a brief silence, the man, growing increasingly irritated, broke the quiet.

"What happened? Why did you come here, interrupting my thoughts and entering without knocking?" he asked with growing annoyance.

"I came to inform you that the three princesses of the Masuraboshi clan have embarked on a mission towards the Nara clan."

The man froze, shocked by the news. His mind raced, not with the consequences of the mission but with the implications of the information.

"Well done, you're dismissed."

The shadowy figure vanished into the darkness, and the man, regaining his composure, took a pencil and marked the Nara and Masuraboshi clans on the map. He drew a line close to the circle he had sketched earlier. As he contemplated the plan forming in his mind, a twisted smile spread across his face. It was not a smile of joy but of a battle-crazed maniac, stretching from ear to ear. His deep black eyes transformed into simple red eyes with a glowing circular pattern resembling moonlight. This might have seemed supernatural, but fortunately, no one witnessed it. Returning to his usual demeanor, the handsome man with black hair channeled chakra into the seal on his hand. Three dark figures with burning eyes appeared before him.

"Inform the elders that I will be absent."

The three figures vanished into the shadows, and the man, donning iron bracers and a few some scrolls , disappeared as well.

«A Few Days Later»

«Miyuki's Perspective»

Miyuki stood in the room, methodically gathering her belongings into a neat pile. Once assembled, she sealed them into a small scroll with practiced ease.

The Nara clan had reached a decision surprisingly quickly, within a single day. However, they had taken the opportunity to showcase their lands and customs to the visiting trio. The Nara clan was known for its division into the main and branch families. Despite their profound wisdom and intelligence, they respected strength, which was why their clan rarely faced internal rebellions. Unlike the Hyuga clan, which used seals to control its branch family, the Nara clan was more enlightened and did not alienate its secondary family.

The Obu family, translating to "main" in Japanese, was the primary family, while the Shika family was secondary. However, this did not imply weakness. The Shika family simply had a lower status due to their more relaxed nature, whereas the Obu family was more combative. Over the centuries, a balance had been established between them. Yet, this minor letter had created a rift. Despite the discord, they managed to come to a rational decision.

«Reader's Perspective»

«Unknown Location»

In the depths of the forest, a man sprinted with determination. The author, at last, began to describe the characters' appearance.

At first glance, the man embodied an unshakeable strength and refined beauty characteristic of the Uchiha clan. At 29 years old, he was already a legend among shinobi. Yet, his mysterious exterior concealed the full extent of his experiences. His tall, slender frame moved with grace, but beneath this elegance lay a formidable power ready to be unleashed at any moment. His black, thick hair cascaded to his shoulders, with a few strands framing his pale yet exquisite face.

His eyes were particularly striking—dark and almost black, they seemed to pierce through anyone who dared to meet his gaze. When angered or under tension, they could flash with the red glow of the Sharingan, the clan's hereditary technique, symbolizing its power. This gaze was both mesmerizing and terrifying, revealing deep wisdom and painful memories of past battles.

His attire was always elegant yet practical: a dark shinobi kimono with light armored inserts on the elbows to maintain maneuverability in battle. The Uchiha clan's symbol, a red fan, was embroidered on his back, reminding him of his lineage and his responsibility for his people's fate. He carried a katana sealed in a scroll on his right hand, which he wielded with great skill, as well as hidden kunai that never allowed him to let his guard down.

Gradually, he approached the goal of his journey—a large, serene lake. Despite the lengthy trip, he appeared unwearied. Upon reaching the shore, he paused, as if considering his next move. His Sharingan scanned the lake's depths. Suddenly, focusing intently on one spot, he furrowed his brow and channeled additional chakra into his eyes. The Sharingan, which had been spinning slowly, began to accelerate. When it seemed it could spin no faster, the circle started to absorb the surrounding darkness until it completely vanished.

The Uchiha clan head fixed his gaze on his target and declared, "So, this is how weak the legendary beast is."

An eye opened in the lake.

"Perhaps, like my grandfather before me, I will replicate the feat of defeating you and your 'companion,' who merely used you."

As he spoke, the water in the lake grew turbulent.

"Then again, you're not even worth my time."

With that, he turned away from the lake and walked back calmly. He knew that his words had provoked the ancient beast, who, despite being the calmest among its kin, harbored a strong sense of pride.

From the lake emerged a gigantic, turtle-like creature, instilling fear through its mere presence. Its body was covered in a tough, spiky skin resembling a shell designed to withstand any assault. Its head, menacing and fearsome, featured a large, bright-red eye that glowed with deep intelligence and rage. Its mouth was lined with sharp teeth, akin to fangs, ready to tear apart any adversary.

Three tails extended from its body, resembling enormous serpents or the tails of sea creatures. They writhed continuously, creating an aura of unpredictability and menace. Each movement of these tails could cause widespread devastation around it.