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The following is a fan-based
FICTION
Bishoujo Sailor Moon + Other series in this story are not owned by me.
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Chapter 48: Ideals at Odds
P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c
The Igawa Clan's Compound was a beautiful location. While not as prominent as any of the most expensive properties in Gosha Village, it was nonetheless a breathtaking sight due to its overall natural-centered organization. A few buildings, and then the luscious forest that not only gave it the vibrant glamour it deserved, but offered shelter to potential ambushes.
I could perceive multiple ninja looking at us approaching the main building. Senshu assured the watchers were not going to 'cause us issues', especially when a portion of those were still utterly loyal to Seishu. In simple terms, if someone in the Igawa Clan supporting the current clan leader felt forced by duty to strike me down to 'avoid potential losses', then others would jump to assist me and turn the potential bloodbath into an outright civil war. I guess that's one way to assure our wellbeing as we arrived to our destination, but that didn't mean I was utterly sure we weren't going to be botheredwhenwe reached the building.
Indeed, as the walk ended with us standing before a little army of ninja, butlers and maids, Shuzen himself and his daughters, I knew he was trying to do something here. It was the air, the perception, the first impression upon arrival. Nothing violent in substance but...
"You are here early, Senshu."
"A-Apologies, I have been told we could have checked-in earlier if possible," The woman offered nervously, and she had extra reasons to be cautious as she was slightly occupied in carrying a sleeping Usako on her back. Who would have thought that Senshu was a sucker for daughter-tier girls that she could pamper?
Still, was no response to that, with Shuzen, now turning his attention to me, offered a most humble bow. A powerful one too considering the rest of the clan, Sakura included, followed to mimic this gesture.
"The Head of the Igawa Clan Head, Igawa Shuzen, welcomes... theHattoriheir, Tsukino Shingo, to the compound."
Etiquette was common practice within these instances, and I knew that it was best to play this safely than boldly. And while the tension was definitely not helping soothe the nerves of 'my' group, I returned the gesture with my own bowing and response.
"The Hattori Heir, Tsukino Shingo, beckons and recognize Lord Igawa Shuzen's hospitality and humbly thanks him for his hospitality."
I immediately noticed a split in the Igawa camp. Where Shuzen and his daughters looked relieved, some of the retainers and visitors looked like they had been deprived of their promised toy. To tinker around tension now would just stir more unified trouble by the clan (and village) as a whole. So, while Seishu would have coerced me to be more brazen, I doubt she would have pushed me to be too aggressive about it. And since she wasn't there at the welcoming 'party', I had a feeling she had chosen to be absent for that very reason too.
After the greetings were through, most of the servants and ninja vanished to their duties and chores, with a less formal approach allowed as we were able to walk up to Shuzen, Asagi and Sakura.
"You shouldn't have accepted the challenge," Shuzen argued from the get-go. "Regardless of how this goes, it will hurt the village's stability."
And there it is - the point he wished to prod me with. Stability, peace, non-violence. Sadly for him, I was not as appeasing under that flawed opinion because Seishu had given me a lecture on why it was important I won beyond just 'do it for the honor of your teacher' spiel. There was a context I found myself wholeheartedly agreeing with Seishu over, and opposing Shuzen about it.
"If that's the case then you would have dropped the matter when you first got coerced into believing your claim has a chance in any reasonable court in this village."
"Both of Hattori Seishu's children are recognized as Igawa members."
"Which would make sense as a valid claim if not for the fact that you personally accepted your mother's request to restore her old surname, her claim on the Hattori Clan's Art and all its belongings years ago," I pointed out, which made Shuzen look away for a moment. As he did so, however, I was interjected by another voice.
"Why do you feel so strongly about supporting my grandmother's argument?" Igawa Asagi, nominal protagonist of the first few Taimanin games, spoke up. She was, without a doubt, both a beautiful and deadly girl. I had been unnerved by seeing how 'wary' she was towards me, even more as it became clear she was very deep in her father's side of the situation. "I understand the logic behind grandmother's decision, but I failt to grasp your own reasons to aid her claim."
"Asagi-san, right? Sakura spoke highly of you."
"S-Shingoooo," The aforementioned orangette huffed, while her sister looked willing to provide a polite smile.
"That's my name, yes."
"To answer your question, I think I need to elaborate on a little misunderstanding your father is so willing to let be perpetrated because he knows the truth only hurts his standing."
"Surely that's not the case," Asagi argued, glancing at her father for support, but she found the clan leader once again unwilling to look at anyone's eyes in that very moment. "Father?"
"It's... complicated," Shuzen pointed out awkwardly.
"Then let me simplify it for you, Lord Shuzen. Asagi-san, I am sure you are familiar with what is the standard procedure in preserving dead clans' arts."
She nodded. "To have it entirely preserved within the closest clan in kinship to the dead clan. In a sense, what the Igawa Clan is trying to do with the Hattori Clan."
...
"The explanation is correct, the example is not. In fact, what you explained was the procedure for all cases which don't involve S-Rank Clan Arts such as the Hattori Clan's arts."
My flat response got her full attention. "There is a different procedure?"
"Yes," Shuzen finally answered, seemingly gaining courage over the topic. "While I have addressed that the Hattori Clan's Arts are to be claimed by the Igawa Clan, by Gosha's own laws it would be necessary to split the knowledge of each technique to the high clans and retainers. Which is not a dangerous practice as it allows for the Arts to be preserved without being able to be replicated-"
"Except it will be replicated as the basic structure of each technique allows one to link back to the core concept of the Hattori Clan's Arts," I interjected. "And considering some of the High Clans are rumored to have contacts with the Dark World, I doubt you want this village to eventually face Demons with the means to harness the Star Art."
There was no rebuttal to this, only an 'invitation' to find our rooms as-
"The duel shall begins after lunch," The man announced before leaving with his daughters on tow, both quite puzzled by the way this conversation went and...
"You held yourself quite well."
I turned and nodded at Senshu. "It's just... the entire duel is stupid. Your brother is being obtuse because he can't go back on his word when it would be the least destructive thing to do."
"That's what mother said."
"I bet your mother's main concern is her legacy than knowing demons will somehow get their hands in her family's arts and use them to exterminate the village in the long run."
Senshu frowned at this. "You speak as if the Star Arts is powerful enough to trump the rest, but I know it has limits."
"For humans, not those that can tap into the affinity to a degree higher than most can," I replied, having seen that Demons have a massive growth potential compared to the regular humans. Kuroto, Lilim, and even Freya.
They were all able to expand their powers within a short amount of time and outpace most human warriors on Earth by merely being... well, focused on training. Most demons don't train, either because they don't care or don't have that sense of security to actually stop and train - they all learn through frequent deadly situations which foster foul habits and overall favors brains over brawns in most instances. It helped in preventing stuff like Nomad to be more frequent, but if someone was to throw the Star Arts in the Dark World, then not only would politics change and allow some darker forcers to emerge, but it would also cause extreme repercussions all over the real world.
What a fucking mess.
As we got inside the building, Senshu led me to where the 'Hattori Clan' was being hosted, and, once we were in what was supposed to be our rooms for the day, we were greeted by quite the sight.
"Took you both long," Hattori Seishu, wearing a rather complex kimono dress, beckoned as she patiently sat down and gave us both a flat look. "Senshu, I hope the delay is justified."
The woman nodded. "Yes, Shingo spoke with brother and I believe he won a first clash."
That dry summary had the immediate attention of the Hattori Matriarch, but I decided to deign her with a more honest response.
"Shuzen is purposely hiding the fact that the Star Arts will not be preserved solely by the Igawa Clan. He went as far as hide this matter from his own daughters."
"And with you bringing it up, you introduced doubt to their once-unwavering opinion of the matter," Seishu guessed, offering a thin smile at the circumstance. "That being said, it will not stop the duel. Shuzen is too stubborn, and it's imperative that you win. Will you?"
"I will."
She smiled properly, but before she could speak what to do next, her attention was claimed by a yawn coming from Senshu. Except it wasn't Senshu that let that out.
"Morning." Usako quietly hummed, causing the woman to giggle."
"It's midday, sweetie."
"Oh," The pinkette blinked, then looked over Senshu's shoulder and noticed Seishu. "Wow, you look pretty."
"And you are a very pink child," Seishu flatly replied, then turning to me with a frown. "I suppose this is 'Usako' as you have mentioned in your message."
"...Yes."
Her smilewidened. "Then it is a pleasure to meet you, Usako-chan."
"Nice to meet you, pretty lady."
Dear lord, this was going to shape into a disaster. I may have told Seishu about... Usako's real identity and, most importantly, her stronger affinity to the Moon. Which means she is ideally geared to learn the Star Arts just like I was. To her, this was a blessing she couldn't deny herself from claiming, especially when it further bolstered her claim and raised her hopes the Arts may remain alive despite leaving Gosha and the Hattori Clan itself in the long run. It was definitely going to be a pain in the butt for Usako in the long run, but at least Seishu was willing to be rather moderate with her interest.
At least, for the time being...
The Fuuma Clan was in a most tense mood as a very fierce conflict had emerged due to the most recent events connected to the Igawa Clan.
"This is an opportunity to kick back the rebels and restore proper order!"
"We have been given a chance, we shouldn't waste it!"
Warmongers within the council were bellowing for a brutal effort to dethrone the Igawa Clan, the painful defeat suffered following the Gosha Civil War still fresh in mind but not one many were so keen to follow through. Not when the power once wielded by the Fuuma Clan had dissipated and only a handful of loyal branches were spared by the purge following the civil war. External contracts and connections had outright vanished from their hands, and what little 'tie' they had with the Dark World had to be forcefully destroyed to prevent the utter annihilation of the clan in its entirety.
Sitting tensely beside her brother, Fuuma Tokiko was quite upset that this meeting had to occur right as she had been interested to tell what happened earlier that morning to her brother. After all, she knew that Kotaro too wanted to meet his 'hero' as he had been buying action figures showing Moon Knight in many poses so... it was also ironic the meeting somewhat entertained their shared hero. It was only that Tokiko was the only one knowing that in that moment. She kept her lips shut, remembering the promise/warning she got off of the boy, and she knew she couldn't just spread the news of who really Moon Knight was.
Enough comics and cartoons had pretty much told Tokiko that secret identities had a point of being, and she doubted it would do her good if she unveiled the truth to the entire clan. So, she waited for the best opportunity to speak with Kotaro which... coincided with a break within the council's meeting. With all of the councillors leaving to either drink, smoke, or speak with their equals, three individuals lingered. Tokiko, Kotaro and... their cousin, Saika.
Many things can be said about Fuuma Saika. She was a deadly assassin, the 'Evil Eye Beauty', an ice cold queen, but, to Tokiko, Saika was akin to an aunt rather than a cousin due to their age gap. The woman had been a ruthless killer, someone that had slain numerous demons in her youth and having yet pursued a desk job the moment one became available - Stewardship to the Clan Leader. Saika was also the current regent of the Fuuma Clan, having served as a steward for their father and doing a good job at it. It was also know she diligently worked out of devotion to the clan than loyalty to the former clan leader himself.
The Igawa had allowed her to preserve an important role in the clan which helped consolidating Kotaor's position. And when the civil war came and ended with them diminished, Saika was the one picking the pieces and weaving up a sketchy united front that was on the verge of collapsing due to the rising passion of those seeking revenge. Tokiko studied under Saika, having accepted that her future job was to serve her brother as the next steward. It meant headbutting numbers to understand some complex mathematics she didn't like, but the girl was devoted to her own studies, and Saika tended to be extremely supportive of her achievements. Thus, in that instance, the girl felt trusting enough to blurt out her opinion on the situation.
"I-I don't think we should move against the Igawa."
Her words easily got her relatives' attention, with Kotaro looking a bit surprised by her sudden affirmation, while Saika... looked pensive.
"Why do you believe so?"
"It's... The individual Igawa Shuzen is duelling with is someone my brother and I owe a life debt towards for... saving us a few months ago."
Silence fell between the three of them, at least for a few seconds as Kotaro immediately realized what his big sister was talking about.
"Heh! Moon Knight is in Gosha Village! Where is he? The Igawa Clan?" The excited boy turned to Saika. "Saika-neesama, can we go and meet him? Pleeaaaase!"
Saika had a thoughtful look on her face as she sponged this confession. "How are you sure that the Hattori's heir, Tsukino Shingo, is him?"
"His voice, the height and... well, he told me that he was him. But told me to not mention to anyone unworthy of knowing out of fear his secret identity may be revealed to the rest of the world."
"Yosh, that's so cool! How was he like? Is he as cool as he is with a mask?"
"Of course he is more handsome than that- I..." Tokiko paused, blushing as her brain caught up to what she said. "I-I mean, he is a normal boy."
"But you said-"
"Nothing! I said nothing about his face!"
Despite the kids' antics, Saika offered a slow nod as she seemed to be focusing on this new piece of information. It was like she had thought ahead by several steps, conjuring a new intricate web for her to spin for their advantage as a clan. And yet, from the smile she provided at the two, the children knew the idea Saika had was going to be a good one despite how unpleasant intrigue-related affairs tended to be..
"I believe this is a most positive development to our cause and... I believe it also helps me find a most acceptable solution to our current divisive problem."
As the meeting resumed, the solution was revealed - they wouldn't attack the Igawa and launch a coup, but rather watch the duel and provide support for the 'youngster'. As she was questioned on why they would 'stop to something so mild' rather than 'going all in', Saika's bloodlust emerged in a rare moment of irritation.
"Because I am trying my best to be supportive of your grievances without setting ourselves to another death spiral. We have lost more than 80% of our assets, we bled two generations and gods' know how long it is going to take to reclaim our reputable position within the Village Council."
The harsh rebuttal stiffled the few whiners in the clan council as an ensuing vote saw an overwhelming majority agreeing to a 'passive aggressive' approach on the matter. Defiance, but without being 'suicidal' about it. It did help that their clan had been offered to join the duel on the side of the spectators, so they had good reasons to be there to begin with.
What Tokiko was unaware about, and that Saika would soon realize through the duel, was that the Fuuma Clan's future didn't connect with Gosha Village itself and... their future was soon to be tied with Moon Knight himself.
AN
Can you believe it? Not only Ninja Mentors, Ninja Friends, and Ninja Lovers- but also an entire clan looking to be adopted by the MC!