Hajime Gekitsuden
Chapter 13: The morning will rise again ~ Arc1: Start of a new journey
Flashback: The Night of the Uchiha Downfall
I awoke in a panic, heart pounding. Was it a dream? No—a nightmare. My hands trembled as I sat up, taking in the familiar surroundings of my room. The faint moonlight streaming through the window couldn't chase away the lingering dread.
"Another nightmare," I whispered, wiping sweat from my brow. But this one felt different. What was it about? I tried to remember, but it was all a blur. All I could recall is the horror I felt as I saw something that wasn't supposed to exist.
The rustling leaves outside my window broke the silence. Rising from my bed, I walked to the window and pushed it open. The cool night air kissed my face, grounding me. Should I wake my parents?
No—they didn't need more burdens. They already have to deal with a lot concerning the tensions in the clan.
Even at six years old, I wasn't blind. People seemed to be on edge, and I often caught clan members casting expectant glances my way, as if anticipating something from me. Something was coming, and it wasn't good.
In search of comfort, I padded to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of water. Before I could take a sip, a scream suddenly shattered the silence. The glass slipped from my hand, shattering on the floor as I managed not to scream myself.
Before I could process what was happening, my father's footsteps thundered down the stairs. "What's going on?" he demanded. My mother followed close behind, her face pale. Both of them noticed my presence, surprise evident on their faces upon seeing me in the kitchen, though their immediate concern was elsewhere.
"Get back to your room, Mayumi," My mom ordered, her voice trembling as she glanced out the window. My father was already strapping on his weapons.
I stood there, paralyzed by fear and confusion, as distant noise of battle echoed through the corridors of our home.
Another scream echoed, much nearer this time, then another. My mother grabbed my shoulders. "Go, now!"
Shaking in fear, I obeyed, retreating to the hallway.
My father ran past me. "Stay here, Mayumi. We'll find out what's going on."
I nodded, unable to utter a word as I watched them leave the house. Waiting in the darkness, I prayed for everything to be over.
Summoning the courage after a while, I decided to follow, inching through the hallways with my heart pounding. The sounds of a fierce battle echoed from the main entrance—clashing steel, grunts of effort, and heavy footsteps reverberated.
Hiding behind a pillar, I peeked out, my hands trembling. My father was locked in combat with an enemy whose face was obscured by a cloth. But something about the attacker's stance—the way he moved—struck a painful chord of familiarity. My breath caught in my throat.
No… it couldn't be.
The attacker's Sharingan flared crimson, confirming my worst fears. My mind screamed in denial. It was impossible. But the universe seemed intent on proving me right.
In a quick motion, my father's kunai sliced through the cloth covering the attacker's face, revealing the undeniable truth.
Itachi.
It couldn't be. Itachi-niisan was like family to me. He'd held my hand when I was scared, taught me how to play games, and treated me like his younger sister. How could he be here, fighting my father?
But tonight something was off as Itachi's eyes were cold.
"No…" I whispered, unable to look away.
My father charged, and Itachi didn't hesitate. His blade moved faster than my eyes could follow, and my father crumpled to the ground.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze. My father's lifeless body lay crumpled on the ground, his weapon slipping from his grasp.
My lips parted to scream, but a hand clamped over my mouth before a sound could escape.
My mother.
Her face was pale, her eyes wide with panic but filled with resolve. Without a word, she hoisted me into her arms and carried me through the dark alleys of our compound.
Everywhere I looked, there was only death. The lifeless bodies of men, women, and children were scattered across the streets, their blood painting the ground.
I spotted Danae-obasan, our kind neighbor who always welcomed me with a warm smile and sweet treats. Her outstretched hand still clutched the bag of dango she must have been carrying.
A few steps further, I saw Mato-kun. He was my age—a boy I played with every day after school. He lay motionless, his wooden toy sword broken beside him.
The sight made my stomach churn.
It felt like a nightmare, one I desperately wanted to wake up from. I squeezed my eyes shut, but the sounds around me—the distant cries, the clash of weapons, made it impossible to escape.
My mother held me tightly, her grip trembling as she whispered, "Don't look, Mayumi. Just don't look."
Suddenly, she came to an abrupt halt with a hiss.
I opened my eyes, and my heart seized at the sight before me. Figures clad in dark robes and wearing animal masks surrounded us.
"Hand over the girl," one of them commanded.
"Over my dead body," my mother growled, her tone fierce. She set me down before stepping forward.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. I wanted to fight. But my body refused to obey, frozen by fear and disbelief. The last thing I saw was my mother lunging at one of them before everything went black.
In this whole ordeal, amid the deaths and fear, only one name popped into my mind. "Hajime-kun…"
Three Years Later, Konoha's Training Grounds
Hajime stared at the man before him, his heart pounding with disbelief.
"Save… Mayumi?" he echoed, the words almost choking in his throat. Could it be true?
Jiraiya's expression darkened. "This is nonsense. There's only one survivor of the Uchiha clan."
Kurogane smirked. "One known survivor," he corrected, his voice dripping with confidence.
Satoru stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "But… what if it's true? What if Mayumi is alive?"
"The girl holds the key to the Uchiha clan's lost power. And you, Ise Hajime, are the one who can awaken her abilities—and save her. Or…" the masked man's smirk widened. "…fail."
Hajime's chest tightened. The thought of Mayumi, alive and in danger, sent a surge of determination through him.
"Don't listen to him," Jiraiya suddenly warned, his gaze sharp. "He's manipulating you."
Kurogane chuckled. "Believe what you will. But the race has already begun. Whoever finds Uchiha Mayumi first will decide the fate of her power—and the world."
"Do you think we'll let you walk away?" Jiraiya shot back, forming a series of hand seals. "Doton, Yomi Numa! (Earth Release, Swamp of the Underworld)
The ground beneath Kurogane turned to a swamp, pulling him down. But with a scoff, he melted into the shadows, his voice echoing as he vanished.
"We'll meet again, Ise Hajime!"
Jiraiya cursed under his breath, his eyes scanning the area. After a tense pause, he let out a frustrated sigh. "He escaped… I can't feel his presence anymore."
Hajime finally noticed how tightly he had been clenching his fists, his fingers stiff and aching. His entire body felt like it had been wound tight, and now, with that man gone, a wave of exhaustion swept over him.
As dawn broke over the village, the soft light painted the rooftops in shades of gold and orange.
"I don't know exactly what's going on…" Jiraiya began, his voice unusually heavy. He ran a hand through his hair and gave a tired sigh. "But this—whatever this is—is bigger than you realize. But beleive me, the truth will reveal itself in time."
Hajime's thoughts swirled, his head pounding. He rubbed his temples, muttering, "Everything's become so messy…"
Beside him, Satoru let out a deep exhale. "So… what do we do now?" he asked as he leaned on Hajime's shoulder.
Staring at the horizon, Hajime spoke. "If what that man said was true, then… Mayumi is still alive."
His words carried a mix of hope and pain that didn't go unnoticed.
Jiraiya crossed his arms and fixed them with a stern look. "For now, you two will do nothing. This requires proper investigation, and it's far too dangerous for two nine-year-olds to handle alone."
Hajime glanced up at him, confused. "Jiraiya-sama…?"
The older shinobi reached into his pocket, retrieving a small scroll. "Here," he said, sealing it with practiced movements before handing it to Hajime. "This scroll contains reverse summoning instructions. Use it only in a life-or-death situation. A drop of blood will break the seal, and a small amount of chakra will activate the jutsu. It'll summon me, no matter where I am."
Hajime accepted the scroll with a nod.
"Incredible," Satoru breathed, leaning over to get a closer look. "Does this mean you're leaving the village?"
Jiraiya nodded. "I am. Tracking down that Kurogane guy won't be easy, and there are… other matters I need to attend to." His voice trailed off, his thoughts momentarily distant.
The three stood in silence for a moment, the chirping of birds heralding the arrival of morning. The sun climbed higher, casting warm light over them.
"Well," Jiraiya said at last, offering them a small, reassuring smile. "I guess this is goodbye for now. Live normal lives, as much as you can. Focus on training and becoming stronger. We'll talk again when the time is right."
Before they could respond, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"A Kage Bunshin?" Satoru exclaimed, his eyes widening.
Hajime frowned thoughtfully. "He must have been keeping an eye on us after our first encounter."
Carefully, he tucked the scroll inside his vest. "For now, we should follow his advice. We'll train and grow stronger, so we're ready when the time comes."
"Yeah," Satoru said, stretching with a grin. "But first, breakfast."
Hajime couldn't help but smile. "You never change…"
As the two friends walked back toward the heart of the village, the warmth of the rising sun on their backs, they both knew this was only the beginning. The road ahead would be long and filled with trials, but they were ready to face it—together.
THE END.
END OF ARC 1
Author's note:
So this marks the end of the first arc of Hajime Gekitsuden. Writing this story has been an incredible journey, and I'm truly grateful for all the positive feedback and support I've received along the way. Your encouragement has been my greatest motivator, and it's amazing to see how much you've connected with Hajime and his story.
I'll be taking a short break to gather my thoughts and plan the next steps for the story. The second arc is already swirling in my mind, and I can't wait to bring it to life. Expect new revelations, greater challenges, and deeper bonds as Hajime's journey continues to unfold.
Stay tuned, and thank you for being part of this adventure. Your support means the world to me!
See you all in the next arc!