"Allow him to be part of the mission! We've already sacrificed so much that our family is on the brink of falling apart. As the future heir of the Murakami Clan, he needs to understand the struggles and challenges that come with war!"
"He's only a little boy, just three years old, and he doesn't understand the harsh realities of war! Takeda, can you comprehend what you are saying right now?!"
"We went through the same challenges when we were young and made it through! What else do you need to show?! Machi, you can't just keep him locked up here like a bird in a cage while our people are suffering on the battlefield!"
In the ancestral chamber, two unruly adults exchanged playful jibes, as if all it would take to resolve their disagreements was a good squeeze around each other's throats. Meanwhile, the clan elders watched on, nodding in approval of the debate that was developing against Machi.
As Yoichi watched, his eyelids flickered, and he couldn't help but think, 'This whole situation is pointless. It's like watching one of those family dramas on TV.'
As the adopted son, he sensed the jealousy among the clan members over what they believed should rightfully be theirs. Nonetheless, it was crucial to handle that envy and resentment with a positive outlook.
Ultimately, true strength and competence define what makes a great leader.
"Please let me join the mission, Father. He's completely right; a man must always defend his family, no matter the obstacles!"
"Exactly, this is our Murakami Clan!"
"Our family should embody this spirit! Just look at our future heir!"
"I commend this courage!"
"Yoichi!" Upon hearing his innocent declaration, Machi and Miruko exchanged worried glances, while the clan members responded with a mix of enthusiasm and intrigue.
'A man? You, a three-year-old kid? He has no idea what this mission entails! He'll probably get scared and back out before it even begins!'
As the crowd stirred, Takeda shot a contemptuous glance at the child, his eyes gleaming with spite. "It seems the elders are in favor. Even the little one wants in! Alright, kid! I'll make sure you can witness the progress of our future heir. Any objections?"
"I'm on board with that!"
"Right behind you!"
"That gets my stamp of approval!"
"TAKEDA!!! Are you truly ignoring my role as the leader of our clan?!" Machi gritted his teeth, overwhelmed by a surge of deep frustration.
He found himself caught in a struggle between his clan's anger and the need to protect his family's interests.
"What are you saying, Clan Leader?! We're just starting to lay the groundwork for our clan, and once we get the heir's nod, we'll be able to move forward. We're going to be okay, right, Yoichi-kun?" Takeda, enjoying the exaggerated reaction, expressed his worries as the other clan members eagerly nodded and looked at Yoichi.
"Everything will be alright, Dad. Just trust me on this." Before Machi could reply, Yoichi looked over at his parents with complete confidence, showing no signs of fear or doubt.
"Haaahh... Yoichi, you've got a joint mission to take on, and Elder Takeda will be assisting you. Just take a quick look at the task and get going! Got it?"
"Yes, Clan Leader!" They both nodded slightly in response.
As Machi looked into his son's eyes and saw his resolve, he was filled with a sense of helplessness and worry. He clenched his fist tightly and stole a look at Takeda's triumphant smile. It struck him that the series of coincidences seemed too orchestrated as if someone hidden was pulling the strings. However, with his clan's decline, he found it hard to decide whether it was right or wrong to send his son on such a perilous mission.
"Get ready and prepare yourself; this mission is our clan's only shot at turning the tide!" Once those words were out, everyone dispersed to rest, while Yoichi and Takeda exchanged knowing glances and nodded at each other.
'Heh, kid! I'm curious to see how you'll manage this mission… If you're scared, I won't hesitate to take you out! That spot is mine!'
'Oh, so it's a joint mission with other clans like Sarutobi, Shimura, Senju, and Uchiha against three rebellious samurai clans? Seems a bit excessive, don't you think? And this ugly mess? Universal Swap and Phantom Decoy can handle it easily... Hehe, I have a plan!'
Both went back and prepared for the mission with certain plans in mind.
->->->->->->->->->->->
"Stay safe out there, kid! If you're feeling scared, just run—I can take care of any fallout!"
With his light gear on, Yoichi found himself tightly embraced by his mother as his father looked on with a serious expression.
"Mom, Dad… There's no need to worry, I'll come back just fine!" Feeling a bit smothered by his mother's hug, Yoichi squirmed free and headed outside with Takeda, who was waiting for him.
"Let's go!" Takeda urged, and he exchanged a look with Machi, both aware of the unspoken thoughts swirling in their heads. If anything were to happen to his son, Machi would lose it completely and might take drastic action.
Without any hesitation, Takeda took the lead, and Yoichi quickly fell in line, moving at an incredible pace. "What a foolish kid, wasting his chakra in that weak body of his. I can't wait to see how Machi reacts, hehehe," Takeda muttered to himself, filled with disdain. Although Yoichi fully caught the whispers, he decided to disregard the ridiculous comments.
"At last, you made it! Hey, isn't that the kid from the Murakami Clan? What's he doing here on this mission?" A 14-year-old boy dressed in green, wearing a headpiece, let out a sigh of relief, then turned his attention to the unexpected arrival with a look of curiosity.
"He's just here for the experience, so don't worry about it." A 14-year-old boy dressed in black with short black hair made this remark, appearing indifferent to the younger kid.
All of them had faced the harsh realities of war during their childhood—something not uncommon in times of conflict.
"We've arrived. I'll give a quick introduction to the mission participants. This is Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Tenzo, both future leaders of their clans... Now, where are the other two?" After landing safely, Takeda introduced the young ones as Yoichi surveyed the people around them.
'I knew Sasuke Sarutobi was Hiruzen's Dad but what about Shimura Tenzo? Is this Danzo's Father? Perhaps... Looking at the fighting figures, those are Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma! Holy, the hairstyle of Tajima. The barber undoubtedly cooked hard with his fade!'
"Tajima!"
"Butsuma!"
Nearby, the two 20-year-old men clashed fiercely, unleashing their fire and water techniques without restraint, much like oil and water, each refusing to blend into one.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!"
As someone executed the technique, the ground between them split into two distinct mounds of soil, abruptly halting the pointless struggle during their mission. Sasuke and Tenzo exchanged glances at Takeda's somber expression.
'Unc still got it? Looks like the Murakami Clan wasn't the type to be underestimated huh...'
While the Murakami Clan may not have as many fighters as the notorious Uchiha, Senju, or Hagoromo clans, Takeda's display of skill highlighted that there is still remarkable talent within the Murakami Clan. Given the right resources, even lesser-known clans can dominate the battlefield, as seen with the Sarutobi Clan in the main series.
"Elder Takeda! Can we swap someone out for this mission? I can't see any good reason for this guy to be here!" Tajima said, deactivating his Sharingan and pointing at Butsuma, addressing Takeda with respect.
Although he was still frustrated by someone's presence, he held a deep respect for the elder in front of him, especially in a field where young men often meet untimely ends. In a clan full of unbridled arrogance, Tajima rarely met someone who respected and appreciated their clan's combat prowess. Respect begets respect, after all.
"Hahaha! Don't get ahead of yourself, Tajima! If it weren't for this minor mission, I'd gladly take you on right here and now!" Butsuma chuckled, throwing a sarcastic glare at Tajima's scowling face.
Deep down, Butsuma was sure he could wipe out the Uchiha Clan. While he knew taking on the Uchiha and their dreaded dojutsu would be tough, his vast reserves of Chakra would crush anything else in his way.
"Enough already! Do you have any sense of decency left? What about the honor of your esteemed clans? You both represent those clans, yet here you are tarnishing their image with your meaningless arguments!" Deep down, Takeda felt a twinge of envy for the two young men before him. They possessed strikingly sharp vision and an incredible reservoir of Chakra—who wouldn't feel jealous of such remarkable talents?
'I can't believe how shameless you are! Why not try acting like a decent elder instead of criticizing other clans for their issues?' Observing the chaos unfold, Yoichi shook his head in disbelief.
"Can we do the mission now? We are wasting the night here!"