Four hundred years into Ancient Japan
Koganei Kaoru is gazing into the starless night, sitting on at the apex of a pine tree. He sighed to no one in particular. He misses them, Yanagi-neechan, Fuuko-chan, Domon, Tokiya-niisan, even the monkey Recca-niichan. Ganko, now that is someone he'll never admit aloud that he misses the most. He never regretted following Kurei-niisan into the past through the time warp. But at times like this, he feels a bit nostalgic.
The older former flame caster looked up at the canopy, his senses telling him the little one is still at his perch. He too, also has his moments like Kaoru, that's why he gave him the veil of privacy for his thoughts. Hokage clan is been scattered into the four winds and can never be reform. Still, Kurei persist in his one-man mission to form a new Hokage. The Hokage Scarlett. The name is in the memories of his clan and his beloved.
"Well, took you long enough to reach to this time period, Kurei-han."
The raven haired man leaped onto his feet, only to face someone whom he believed to have died four hundred years in the future. "Joker?"
The man is dressed similarly to Kaoru, longer and larger in length. A straw hat is perched on his head, hiding his gaze from the world as usual. His hair is tied up like a typical samurai.
"How?" He asked the being before him, never in doubt of the identity of his closest confident.
He smiled, "Now be patient, Kurei-han. We have to get everyone together first. I don't think I want to repeat my tale."
Kurei nodded, and whistled for the boy to come down. When Kaoru finally got over the shock of seeing Joker living and breathing before him, he jumped towards the guy and hugged him with all his strength. Once the greetings over, everyone sat down around the fire. "Firstly, I'll say three things before I begin my story." When no one interrupted him, he continued.
"One, Kurei-han. You told me about your plans before we went to confront Kouran Mori. You have learned and master the forbidden skills of the Hokage. The time travel teleportation. Well, I've arrived here five years before the desiccation of your clan. And because of what you told me. I've waited for your arrival." Kurei was in shock, although he didn't reveal it in his expression.
"Two, although I'm no history buff and never wield any Madougu that has relation with time. I know that fooling with events that has happened before will result in irreversible consequences into the future. Hence, the reason why are still able to meet in this present." Joker's tone is unusually serious, given to his candid nature. Kaoru feels that what the senior Uruha is telling now is of grave importance. Even if he don't really understood the reason yet.
"Three, I suggest that whatever plans you have decided upon. It's best to let nature take its course and let it be. Otherwise, this reality might not even happen."
The tension radiating from Kurei is soo oppressing that Kaoru moved further away from the man. Joker didn't make movement on his side. Kurei took a deep breath to control his anger. Of all the verbal prodding and doings of the young man, never had his words made him wish he still has his flame. His temper, like Recca, like his father, Ohka, flaring like the flames that made Hokage known and feared in the past, is under a tight leash. Then, Joker made a statement that took the remaining steam out of his former boss.
"I also saw your father. The ninja named Ohka." Sensing that he finally got their interest, he recounts his tale of how he ended up in this period and where he regains consciousness.