"Reader's perspective 50 years ago"
In the room where Takeshi, the clan leader, is currently working, a man with a stern face sat reading reports from the battlefield, where his subjects and the new stars of the clan were fighting. These new fighters were just starting to develop, and although they still needed to grow, a small wind would not break them. But is everything so wonderful? The problem was that the battlefield was not just a breeze, but a real hurricane - the Sanctuary of the Sharpened Spirit.
This area was mountainous, with large forests and caves where one could hide. The name "Sanctuary of the Sharpened Spirit" is not accidental, and the question of why this is so is important. Summoned animals, spirits, pseudo-bidju, and even real bidju! But before the battle, many sensors checked the amount of chakra and found that its natural amount only slightly exceeded the norm. Nothing foreboded trouble.
Only one survivor remained from the battle of the four clans. Soon letters began to arrive asking to explain the situation. But since the only survivor, Tanaka, was now in a coma, no one could help even at a high price. The clans stopped fighting and focused on regaining strength and new generations.
But that's not the point now. Let's go back to Takemi, Takeshi's grandfather, who was already old by the standards of this world. He sat, rubbing his temples, when suddenly the door opened and Tanaka, still bandaged, ran into the room.
- Is Ayame alive? - he asked anxiously.
- It's none of your business, - Takemi coldly replied, anticipating future troubles. - She's my daughter, so you don't have to worry.
He finished almost angrily, but after a minute of suspicious looks from Tanaka, he turned his chair to the window and with trembling hands drank tea. He knew that this was Tanaka's question, as he was engaged to Ayame. But now they could not afford to lose a strong fighter who had reached the level of a grandmaster.
Takemi shook his head and said:
- You may leave. - Without turning back, he said. - You're free.
- No! - Tanaka refused sharply, and Takemi turned back and raised his eyebrows. - Despite my respect for you, I want to know the truth! - Tanaka shouted with tears.
Takemi got angry and growled:
- How dare you shout at the clan leader?! - There was anger in Takemi's eyes, but looking into the eyes of the young Tanaka, he restrained himself. The one who had taught before that the dead should be let go could not hold back the tears. His face did not reflect emotions, only tears running down his face betrayed his inner state. He was in despair, but as the head of the Masuroboshi Ku Mono clan, he could not show weakness, even if no one saw it.
He looked dignified at Tanaka, who was kneeling and shedding tears.
After a few minutes of silence, Tanaka said:
- I want to go on a journey.
Takemi wanted to refuse, but after thinking about it, he concluded that it was better to lose a grandmaster for some time than forever. Exhaling, he said:
- Fine. - Taking the unfortunate document from the table, he neatly folded it and put it in a box under the table. - But be careful. Although the major clans have weakened, do not go too far. Huga and Kaguya, who live nearby and are now in an alliance, may want to end your life.
Tanaka exclaimed loudly:
- Thank you for the opportunity! - and quickly left, not even noticing the tears on the head's face.
After Tanaka left the office, Takemi took out a photograph showing himself, a woman, a girl, and a little son. Wiping away the tears, he returned to work, but a little girl who dreamed of becoming the head of the great Masuroboshi clan was constantly in front of his eyes.
- The great clan Masuroboshi Ku Mono... What a great name, but in reality there is nothing great, they can't even protect children, - Takemi said with disgust, and taking another document in his hands, he saw stains on it. Surprised, he leaned closer, widened his eyes, and with fear said:
- Whaat? Tears! - His face twisted, and his gaze fell on the photo. He tore the document strongly and then burned it, saying:
- I expected this. Tears are not a sign of weakness, but a sign that a person can accept reality. - Calling the secretary and asking her to clean up the ashes, he continued working.
"Sora, Haru, and Yuki's perspective"
Three boys, despite just returning to reality, set out in search of adventure. They went to the market, where an old man called them over and gave them each a stick of dango.
- What, little ones, when will you protect me? - he asked with a hoarse voice and a smile.
The old man's face was gentle and warm. His eyes shone with kindness, and around them were light wrinkles from frequent smiles. His lips were slightly upturned in a calm and sincere smile. He had a small chin, and gray hair peeked out from under his cap. He was dressed in simple traditional attire: a soft shirt, a vest, and a cap. His face radiated a warm, friendly smile. In his hands, he held a tray of various-colored dango neatly skewered on sticks.
- I am the heir of the Masuroboshi clan, and I will protect you when I become as strong as Uncle Tanaka! - Sora exclaimed, chewing on the dango. Meanwhile, Haru finished his first dumpling, but instead of continuing, he said:
- Hmm, you'll become an heir only if people around you don't go deaf, - he commented with a smile.
Yuki, who was finishing his last dumpling, just raised an eyebrow and calmly added:
- Do you really believe you'll become as strong as Elder Tanaka? - he remarked sarcastically.
Seeing that a grave silence had fallen between them, the old man decided to lighten the mood by offering them another stick of dango. But the three boys just laughed. At first, the old man didn't understand the reason, but after a few seconds, realizing that they were laughing at him, he also joined in their laughter. After a minute, the young lungs couldn't take it, and they began to laugh painfully.
- Oh, you little rascals, - barely speaking from laughter, - don't you want to protect my old bones?
- Hey, we'll become leaders, but it will be in 17 years, when this lazybones in the office gets up to switch places with us, - Sora said, not as loudly. Haru realized that he needed to save the situation and, hitting Sora on the ribs, said:
- Ahem, Sora wanted to say that the great leader Takeshi won't leave his post anytime soon.
The old man quickly responded:
- Ah, well, I didn't want to tell anyone anyway. - And, handing them another stick each, added: - Would you like to hear the old legends of our clan?
Haru, who had been eagerly waiting for the second stick of dango, was very pleased, as he loved history. A spark of knowledge lit up in his eyes. Without hesitation, he replied positively.
- Yes!
But Sora, who was always bored, simply took the stick of dango and sat with them.
- It's a long story, - the old man said positively, - and it's about the great four clans, or rather their leaders.
Sora, upon hearing that it was about clan leaders, shuddered in surprise. Yuki, who had just finished his dango, remained calm.
- Well, if that's the case, then I'll start, - and, handing out another stick each, he began.
- This is the only time in the history of the clans when all the leaders of the four great clans united. Uchiha, Uzumaki, Senju, and even Masuroboshi Ku Mono did not stand aside. But it was not a formal alliance, as it only lasted one day. When the clan leaders gathered again, the leader of the Nara clan came to them, asking for help in fighting the alliance of the Huga and Kaguya clans. However, the clans were already greatly weakened from constant battles, and this gathering on the battlefield was just a sign of a temporary cessation of hostilities. Due to the severe weakening, no one extended a helping hand. Then the leader of the Nara clan got very angry and, saying:
- If that's the case, then you will die along with the Nara clan!
He summoned a strange creature larger than the clan leaders.
As for its appearance, it is difficult to describe, as it is not always described the same way, but I will try to convey what the legends have preserved. This creature was always associated with a mysterious wheel that perpetually rotated behind its back. In all the accounts, this wheel became the most certain detail, as if it was part of its essence. The wheel, according to the old storytellers, had eight spokes and moved silently, but everyone who saw it felt the weight of inevitable fate. People believed that this wheel could change not only the course of battles, but also the very fate of those who crossed the path of Mahoragi.
As for its face, it remained in the shadows of time. Old warriors recounted that its features were blurred, as if they never existed, as if the face of Mahoragi was hidden behind a veil of darkness. But some claimed that, upon gazing at it long enough, one could see that instead of eyes, it had four wings that, though not eyes, instilled fear and a strange sense of finality. The face, perhaps, changed depending on the fears and imagination of the beholder, or merged with the darkness, leaving only a shadow in memory.
This is all that is known about it, and the end of the battle was remarkable. Only the leader of the Masuroboshi clan survived. The leader of the Senju clan died first, the Uchiha leader died from wounds and blood loss at home, and the Uzumaki leader, it is said, was completely wiped from the face of the earth, as if he could not withstand the force of the sword. After their return, the leaders of the Uchiha, Senju, Uzumaki, and Masuroboshi clans defeated the alliance of Kaguya and Huga clans.
This event marked the beginning of a new era, where the young generation would have to step up and take on the responsibilities of leading their clans into an uncertain future. The legends of the past would guide them, but it was up to them to carve their own path and make their own mark on history.
As the boys listened to the old man's tale, they were filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the history and legacy of their clans. They realized that they too would one day have to face challenges and make difficult decisions, just like their ancestors before them. But for now, they were content to enjoy the simple pleasures of youth and the camaraderie of friendship, knowing that their bonds would only grow stronger as they faced the trials and tribulations that lay ahead.
And so, as the sun began to set and the day turned to dusk, the boys sat with the old man, listening to his stories and sharing in the warmth of the fading light. In that moment, they felt a sense of unity and purpose, knowing that together they could overcome any obstacle and forget a future worthy of their ancestors' legacy. And as the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, they knew that their journey was just beginning, filled with adventure, challenges, and the bonds of friendship that would carry them through the trials to come.