Takeda Estate
Elder Hall
All the Elders of the clan gathered to talk about the about the events that have recently unfolded
"He is unfit to lead!"
"He will lead the Takeda to ruin!"
"We, elders of the Takeda clan shall rid the world of this devil before its too late! "
"Why dirty your hands when there are simpler measures"
Spoke a lanky figure cloaked in a black robe
SCHWING!
Without a single word spoken all the elders unleashed their swords from their sheaths and pointed it at the neck of the mysterious cloaked intruder
"STATE YOUR BUSINESS!"
The air was immediately filled with deep tension
"Calm down elders"
Said the mysterious individual pulling down his cloak to reveal a muscular frame, his face pale as snow, to everybody's surprise it was Takeda Koji, the youngest son of the late patriarch and sibling of young clan leader Takeda Ryuji.
"Sheath your swords." said the 2nd Elder
"Greetings Young Master Koji" said the 1st Elder
"Where are fourth, fifth and seventh elders?" said Takeda Koji
"Don't mention those cowards, they are not worthy to be spoken of!" scowled the 3rd elder
"Have they pledged allegiance to Ryuji?" Koji said
"Not yet... they said they were going to remain neutral until forced to pick a side but they are definitely going to pick Ryuji's side" said the 6th elder
"Which is why we have to kill Ryuji before it evens comes to that." the elders said in agreement.
All the elders looked at each other as if they were anticipating the other to do something, within a few moments the room became filled with a silent pause
"what brings you to the elder hall Young Master Koji" said the 6th elder breaking the tension in the room
"Forgive this junior, esteemed clan elders, but I could not restrain myself from overhearing your intentions to sully your hands by plotting the demise of Ryuji."
"Is that so?" said the 1st elder intrigued by Kojis statement
"Esteemed elders, forgive this junior for his boldness, but if Ryuji poses such a grave threat, would it not be prudent to deal with him discreetly? Open confrontation, though honorable, may bring unnecessary scrutiny upon the clan." Takeda Koji said, a sly glint flickering in his eyes despite his demeanor
"Are you suggesting we, noble elders of the Takeda clan stoop to the ground like commonfolk and hire rogue barbarians to handle our own business!" shouted 2nd elder
"Everything under heaven has a price. No matter what you seek, you'll have to pay for it, one way or another. That's just the way the world works." said Koji said with a calm demeanor
"Have you heard of the rumors of rogue vagabonds who travel this world seeking espionage work?" added Koji
"what rogue vagabonds?" said the 6th elder curious about Takeda Koji's statement
"There are rumors that there are highly trained rogues who travel this world seeking work as a assassin for hire, rumors say that they can rival the force of samurai!" shouted Takeda Koji
"Ahahaha! Do you truly believe those rumors? You have much to learn if you want to be a leader in this clan!" spoke the 3rd elder
"oh.. forgive this junior for being blind. This one shall take his leave now!" said Takeda Koji as he left the elder hall
After Koji left, the elders spent the remainder of the day discussing about the best way to get rid of Ryuji, eventually they settled on a trap! they were going to use the upcoming family competition to kill Ryuji. As a guise, they would each challenge Ryuji to a duel where the first elder would poison a specific point on Ryuji's body and then purposely admit defeat, following this, the next elder would do the same thing until the last elder would break the cycle strike the same spot with one of the Takeda clan's sacred swords. the Ōdachi.
...
Takeda Ryuji, clothed in his late fathers robes, unaware of the schemes of the elders of his clan takes a walk through the estate thinking about ways to decode the zenith scroll handed down to him by his father.
"The air is so calm today... almost too calm. Perhaps the heavens are granting me a moment of peace. If only every day from now on could be as simple as this."
As he walked, Ryuji's gaze settled on the young warriors, their wooden swords slicing through the air in earnest but unrefined motions. His smirk carried a trace of amusement as he muttered, 'Enthusiasm without direction is like a blade without an edge—full of potential, yet useless in true battle. They must learn that discipline carves the path to strength.'
As Ryuji's words left his lips, a faint chime echoed in his mind, followed by the familiar cold tone of the system.
[System Notification:]
{Insightful observation detected.}
[+10 Wisdom granted.]
Ryuji paused mid-step, his smirk fading as his eyes narrowed. "Hmph. The system? So even it acknowledges my brilliance."
Turning swiftly, he made his way back to his quarters where the zenith scroll lay untouched. As he unfurled it, his eyes widened slightly—sections of the once-indecipherable text now glowed faintly, the characters rearranging themselves as if revealing a hidden truth.
"So," he muttered, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his face, "wisdom truly is the key to unlocking the mysteries of this world."
Ryuji stared at the scroll, confusion flickering in his eyes as the text slowly transformed into something he could understand. His fingers hovered over the symbols, unsure of their meaning, until the scroll shimmered and a clear message appeared in bold, ancient script:
CULTIVATION
A quiet hum filled his ears as the system's voice echoed in his mind, guiding him further.
[System Notification: Cultivation is the path of Shinto, the way to ascend beyond mortal limits and become a god. It requires the balance of body, mind, and spirit.]
Ryuji frowned, trying to grasp the full meaning of the words. "Shinto... a path to become a god?" His voice was low, almost questioning. He had heard whispers of powerful figures, but to think such an elusive, godly path was now within his reach was something far beyond his comprehension.
The scroll then shifted, the text transforming into a list of strange ingredients, each one carrying a deep sense of power and mystery:
Azure Frost Lotus: Found atop frozen mountains, its petals can temper the spirit and cleanse the body of impurities.
Crimson Vein Cicada: Its blood can fortify the soul, found only in the most volatile of volcanic regions.
Shadowleaf Orchid: Grows in total darkness, its essence perfect for hiding one's aura and strengthening the mind.
Ebonwing Beetle: A rare insect found in ancient tombs, its shell contains the elusive Yin element.
Skytear Vine: Grows only in places where lightning strikes—its sap is said to connect one's soul with the heavens.
Ryuji's eyes narrowed as he scanned the list, his brow furrowing in thought. "Ingredients... so this is the path of cultivation. But to become a god? What a laughable notion." He paused, feeling the weight of the unknown pressing in on him. "Such power... is it truly so easily within reach?"
A cold smirk curled on his lips as he folded the scroll. "It matters not. The details are irrelevant. If this is the path to power, then I will walk it—step by step, until everything bends to my will."
He tucked the scroll away and turned to leave, his voice low, almost a whisper. "The rewards are far greater than any foolish ideal of 'godhood.' It is power I seek, and power I will take. No matter the cost."
Ryuji stood at the edge of the estate, his gaze sweeping over the sprawling grounds. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the quiet estate. For a long moment, he simply watched, the gentle rustle of the leaves the only sound breaking the stillness.
His eyes drifted upward, fixing on the moon, so distant yet so constant. The world seemed frozen in time, as if waiting for something—or someone.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"The heavens are no different from the earth," he murmured softly to himself. "They both change... but only for those strong enough to seize it."
With that, he turned and walked away, the sound of his footsteps swallowed by the night.
...
[System Notification:]
{Insightful observation detected.}
[+10 Wisdom granted.]