"I'm done here, older brothers. As for the leftovers, let the wolves handle it or just bury the body somewhere in the woods..."
With that, Yoichi walked away, holding the severed head like a trophy. For everyone else, it turned into a chaotic night filled with bizarre events.
It felt like a fever dream to the onlookers, witnessing a 3-year-old manage to take down a skilled shinobi in one smooth swing, no struggle involved—just a quick slash up close, and just like that, it was over.
People who hear their stories might be taken aback or doubtful since it was played out like something from a fantasy, filled with mystery and suspense.
The group returned to their clans, reflecting thoughtfully on their journey.
->->->->->->
"Yoichi! You made it back! What happened? Where's Takeda? Hold on, is that...a decapitated head?" Machi glanced at her son, feeling a strange mix of relief and shock, while Miruko wrapped his arms around Yoichi, making sure he was okay.
"Dad, can we have a clan meeting right away?" Even though he was bloodied, Yoichi looked okay as he pulled away from Miruko's embrace, grinning at his parents.
"Haruhiko! Please gather the elders for our meeting; we need to discuss something immediately!" Machi's voice carried outside as the assistant quickly nodded in response.
It seemed like his son had something important to address with that request, and Machi was more than willing as the three of them headed into the ancestral hall, bringing along Yoichi with his son's unexpected gift for the opinionated elders.
"What's going on, Machi? I was deep in my dream..." The elder jolted awake as his loud assistant entered the room. "Ah, your kid is back! Where's Takeda? Hahaha, that son of mine truly made a name for himself with his accomplishments! I bet he has something he's working on in the meantime..."
A flicker of disdain appeared in his eyes as he glanced at Machi's illegitimate child, while the other clan members began to file in for what appeared to be an important discussion.
"Oh, you're talking about Takeda? I took care of him... Here, this is a gift for the elders!" Yoichi said with a look of innocence as he casually tossed the severed head like a bowling ball. Blood oozed out as it rolled, making its way right to the elders.
Inside the room, there was a brief moment of silence as the words and evidence sank in, ringing in their ears like a bell. A mix of shock, disgust, surprise, and horror washed over them, revealing a range of emotions.
"You little monster! How could you? How could you take my son's life!" The elder's eyes burned with fury as he glared at Yoichi's frail figure as if he were shooting lasers from them. He knew his child inside and out and did not doubt that the severed head belonged to his son, now more irreversibly gone than ever.
"How?! How could this happen?! Did he have help from other clans?! It has to be their doing; they made my son their victim!" Machi and Miruko felt a wave of disbelief wash over them. Their son was only three years old, and even Machi couldn't have imagined being able to do something like this at that age.
"Come on, old fart. You know your son's snake characteristics, maybe he came from the same vein. For everyone puzzled, I will be having a demonstration! Like this..." Scoffing at the elder's incensed face, Yoichi disappeared in the blink of an eye as the rest of the crowd's pupils dilated in shock and astonishment.
'Where is he? What's going on?!'
"This is how I killed your son, pretty easy no?" With a whisper, the crowd looked at Yoichi with his kunai pointed at the elder's neck, smiling like a cat playing with the little mouse.
"S-stop it! What are you—" The elder instinctively gulped and sweat a lot, struggling against him until...
"One word, old man and I'll kill you right in front of your beloved clan members... Did you see their faces? Perhaps you should be glad that a genius kid could bite your ass in a second!" Clenching the hair of the elder, Yoichi's golden eyes became a symbol of a terrifying monster in the mind of the elder as the two of them looked at each other's eyes.
"Enough, Yoichi! Stop this lunacy immediately!" Without escalating the situation even further, Machi roared as his mind was in a total mess.
This isn't his son; the connection between the innocent and the merciless feels like a divine force playing with everything around.
Nonchalant, yet merciless.
"Looks like Lady Luck shines upon you, old man. For everyone, I did it to survive. If all of you still can't believe it, I'll leave it to your imagination... Thanks for taking care of me, Father and Mother. Anyway, I'm out. See ya..." Looking at his adoptive parents, Yoichi patted the elder's head and left back into his room with a casual expression.
He appreciates his parents for looking after him during these three years of need. Still, if they struggle to accept who he is, that's their issue to deal with.
Putting himself in risky or troublesome situations was never an option for him; he had a vision for his future that was progressing just fine, whether they were on board or not.
"Machi! Get rid of that monster of yours! I was shocked earlier, but I'm ready now! We need to deal with this before it gets out of hand!" The elder's hand hit the table, and the others nodded agreeably, unaware of the tension in the room. Yoichi's boldness and brutality rattled the elders, instilling a deep fear about their uncertain futures.
It was like a Sword of Damocles hanging over them, poised to strike at any moment.
In the main seat, Machi rubbed his nose in frustration as the series of shocking events felt like they had completely shattered the principles of their Shinobi Way, like fragile glass crushed under an overwhelming force.
Eventually, the meeting wrapped up, and Machi and Miruko marched into Yoichi's room, bombarding him with a barrage of questions.
In the end, Machi decided to keep Yoichi, which left the clan members, especially the elders, stunned. They were furious and regarded the child as a real-life nightmare.
Following this decision, Yoichi gained widespread attention. News of a three-year-old who had killed a skilled shinobi with a single blow spread like wildfire throughout the Shinobi World. As a result, the Murakami Clan became notably more renowned thanks to Yoichi's incredible notoriety. Even prominent clans and wealthy officials sought to arrange marriages, but Yoichi turned them all down.
->->->->->->->->->
"Another mission? What's the deal? If it involves wiping out an entire clan, I'm not in. You know that, right?"
In just three years, Yoichi had transformed into a rare, attractive six-year-old boy. He had slightly darker skin and captivating golden eyes, though his youthful features still hinted at his age. After demonstrating his brutal prowess, Yoichi often aimed for missions that he could complete quickly and flawlessly, wanting to make a name for himself.
Over time, a nickname emerged that captured his unmatched speed.
Phantom.
Yoichi instructed his students to share this name beyond the underground and into the broader Shinobi World, where it was embraced without any confusion or doubt.
"No, this is regarding an urgent mission from the daimyo. It involves various clans throughout the Land of Fire, so take a look." In the courtyard, Sasuke Sarutobi found common ground with Yoichi, leading to their friendship. At 17, Sasuke's strength and skills were evident.
Those of great power often gravitate toward each other.
"Oh? How intriguing! Count me in for this!" Yoichi said, grinning as he read the scroll and sipped his tea after a glance.
'Kill Sanada Yukimura and destroy Genesis Bank… Perhaps the daimyo believes these tasks are linked. Interesting…'
"HAHAHA! I fully trust in your support. I must head out now, but I still need to report back to my leader!" Sasuke exited the courtyard with a smile, only for his expression to quickly darken. This shift in mood didn't disrupt Yoichi, who was still enjoying the fresh air.
"Did you catch that, kids?" he mumbled, and soon familiar faces appeared, hugging him tightly. Yoichi shot them a knowing look, slightly overwhelmed by their affectionate embrace.
"We heard everything, Dad! But they must be dreaming if they think they can take down our bank!"
"I'm eager for a fight; let's take them all out!"
Both Harumi and Midori, filled with excitement and confidence reflected in their golden eyes, echoed their mother's spirit and shared the same mischievousness.
"You two are grown-ups now, so don't get cheeky with me!" The embrace from his daughters made Yoichi feel a bit melancholic, realizing he hadn't been the best father, prioritizing his ambitions over family time.
"Anyway, let Ryoma, Sumiko, and Natsumi know to get ready. I'll be launching the new device on the market. It's time to grab the clans' attention, and I'll showcase the product!" Yoichi rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he gave the command.
"But Dad—" Harumi tried to speak up, but…
"Just go tell them! I'll take care of the demonstration. Now, you both get moving!" Yoichi playfully slapped Harumi's behind, his feigned annoyance showing.
"Dad, do you miss Mom? You could give me another slap to remember them by, huh?" Harumi teased with a playful grin as she and Midori laughed and made their way out.
"You little rascal! Come back here, or I'll definitely find a way to tame your wild spirit!" Yoichi called after them, simmering in mock frustration before shaking his head, acknowledging he missed his wives. Yet, until the trial was over, it was a waiting game.
For now, he'd let Hashirama and Madara build their artificial paradise called Konoha.