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The Legendary Sage of Six Paths, Chapter 3;
The benevolent Sanada clan...
Having been taken in as one of their own, it was quickly decided that both Trea and I were to be given lessons in the art of the sword, the spear or whatever weapon we'd like, to learn how to defend ourselves and to truly be part of this clan as 'samurai warriors.' At the third day after our arrival, we stood lined up side by side with a group of other new recruits as Yukimura himself had come to give us the first lesson personally. Yukimura Sanada was one of the greatest warriors in the land and one of the finest samurai in the clan, if not even the mightiest there was amongst them. By now, despite his early age, he was already reckoned as "A Hero who may appear once in a hundred years," and, "Crimson Demon of War." Yukimura was walking back and forth in front of us with a stern yet confident look on his face. He went on telling us about the situation of the land, about the chaos, the suffering of the people and the constant battling, before he stopped right in front of me as our eyes met. I was standing all the way over to the left side of the line as I was anticipating his orders. Not a single word came out of him as we all stood there idle by waiting. Did he have our recent conversation from two days ago when Trea and I first arrived still in mind? Was that why he had approached me?
Suddenly, he drew the spear mounted on his back as he thrust the handle right into my abdomen. I lost my breath, almost falling over to my knees in the process, but I was quickly caught by his hand as he leaned in to my ear and told me to keep a straight stance, before he spun around and swiped my feet away from under me with his spear as I fell over rapidly on my back. Seeing this, both Trea and some of the other recruits were shocked to say the least, taking a step forward as to express their dissatisfaction seeing Yukimura harassing me like that. Trea even ran over to me to see how I was doing. I quickly rolled over on my knees as I reached my hand out as to tell them not to come to my aide. Yukimura was after all, one of Masayuki Sanada's sons, and he happened to be the current leader of the Sanada clan. Laying one finger on his son would definitely mean trouble, no matter the name or the rank of the person to do so. Yukimura remained silent as he watched as I struggled to get back up to my feet again. He was twice my age at 32, and he had already been through countless battles in his life, with much experience and wisdom to back his skills up with. It was as if he was trying to state once and for all that he was the one in charge here, before he was to actually start with his lesson. He had decided to make an example out of me at random selection just for show, but I didn't want to be treated like trash however, so I decided to pull a wise one back at him. I feinted that I was struggling to get up to my feet, as I quickly grabbed a hold on to his right foot and pulled his leg as fast as I could to try and force him off balance and down to the ground as well. As he was falling through the air however, he quickly used his spear to back himself up with as he steered his own movement in a flipped motion backwards, landing safely on his feet again a couple feet away. His facial expression had changed. He hadn't expected me to actually try to pull something like that, but somehow he seemed pleased rather than dismayed...
He looked at me as a smile formed on his face as he started laughing; everyone else remained silent, not really sure how to react. He then started applauding me, signaling the rest to do the same as they carefully did one by one before he then placed a firm grip on his spear again, pointing it at me as he did. He then said; 'Does anyone here believe in fate or destiny?' We looked puzzled at him, not knowing what to say. He continued. 'A blue phoenix flew over the main quarters of our camp this morning, landing on top of the recruit encampment's flagpole. Flexing its wings, the phoenix then vanished in thin air as the first rays of the sun rose over the hill and shone upon him. A phoenix symbolizes rebirth, so a hero of the land may very well be on the rise...' We all stumbled on what Yukimura said, but we couldn't even begin to grasp it. He then told me to draw the sword I had on my back, the very sword I drew in the sacred forest only two days ago. Hearing this, the others were even more shocked. People did indeed seem to know more about the sword than I did as the rumors had spread fast about me acquiring it, and not seeing any reason to decline the challenge, I quickly drew the sword and prepared myself.
As the rays of the sun were reflected upon it, I could once again feel its mysterious yet powerful presence. Yukimura then nodded at me as I came charging in at him with no solid ideas on how to handle a sword. He simply parried my strike as he knocked the sword out of my hand by force as it spun around in the air, landing right beside me on the ground. As we all turned our eyes back at Yukimura, we realized that his spear had broken in two just at the exact point where the sword and the spear had connected. The sword laid gently on the ground as I was just about to go over to it but Yukimura told me not to, not yet at least. He then looked over at all of the other recruits gathered around. 'This spear had been in just as many battles as I had. Never had it faltered, never been weakened no matter the weapon it had been up against, and always had it been by my side, victorious against any foe I have ever fought. Now, it's broken, in two by one mere clash with that sword, in the hands of a man who doesn't even know how to wield one... How can it be?' Throwing the broken spear to the ground, Yukimura then continued. 'Everyone, line up one by one, then try to pick up that sword for yourself. If even one of you beside Naruto here (which now was the new name I had been given by Yukimura, to conceal my real identity from the world and to keep both the clan and me safe) can wield it... You'll have my head. That's a promise!' A massive uproar amongst the recruits started going hearing this. Nobody could believe what he had said. After all, the samurai culture was strict, especially for the higher commanders in the clan. Once a bet had been laid down, it would be seen through and honored no matter what, if the order and the chain of command in the army were to be maintained respectfully. I couldn't understand what he had said, this wasn't the same as back then. I had simply been the one to finally get the sword lose from its hole but only after several other people had attempted to draw it before me in the past. It was just by chance that it had been pulled and bent just enough times for the next person to try to draw it had been able to, no matter how many generations of men had tried it prior to me. This time the sword was simply laying on the ground without any restrictions like back then holding it glued to the earth. Anyone could pick it up! Or so I believed...
The other recruits hesitated a bit, not because they didn't feel like they could do it, but because they were afraid of the result if they actually did. It was after all just a sword, wasn't it? And the head of the mightiest warrior in the clan would only cause a major blow for the army. It was then that Trea came over to me as she gently wrapped her arm around my shoulder and told me that whatever happened next, it would probably change my life, my position in this world forever. I didn't understand it right then, but as I watched as the other recruits finally went over one by one to pick it up, I eventually realized what she was on to about. Every one of them wrapped their hands in turn around the hilt of the sword, but the sword was immoveable as a rock. None were able to pick it up, complaining about the sword weighting a ton or even more. Yukimura then finally looked at me again as I went over to it. And just as he had expected it to be, I easily lifted it up from the ground and swung it through the air gently a couple of times before everyone who had gathered around, amazed at this. 'Now how is this possible you say?' Yukimura firmly stated. 'Well, this sword is known as the Master Sword... And only a Hero of Time, one chosen by the Goddess Hylia herself, can wield it. It is obedient to only its Master, and it is a symbol of hope, courage and peace, to vanquish all evil standing in its way. It is the Blade of Evil's Bane...' 'The Master Sword?' I looked at him, puzzled as ever...
This was only one of many puzzling events that would take place over the course of the next few years. As both Trea and I received training, we eventually also rose in the ranks of the clan. However, since we had been part of the 'Holy Sect of Peace,' the only two remaining survivor of it, and because of our beliefs, we were never forced to move out on the battlefield to do battle unless we wanted to ourselves. We lived with the Sanada clan as part of their samurai culture, but we were never actually part of the different battles that ultimately happened between the different clans as time went by. Even at the very first day we got there did it feel like we were treated specially. I didn't know Trea that much at that time, but in the years to come, we would eventually get to know each other a lot better. After I had talked with Yukimura about our sect's fate and our background-story on the first day of our arrival, I had gone over to the small building just South in the Recruits' Encampment, where I had been set up to sleep for the night and those to follow. He would call for me in a few days' time when it was time for my training to begin, but that was all he could say for the time being. As I arrived there, I noticed that it was practically more like a shelter than a house, but it was just big enough for me to not bump my head into the candle-lamp hanging from the ceiling above so I didn't complain. I had laid down to sleep, trying hard to put the thoughts of the massacre behind me when it suddenly knocked on the door. 'Who could it be this late?' I thought.
Of all the people it could be, it had to be Trea and it was. I did say hello, but I wasn't really sure where to take the conversation from there. She only mumbled the words that she couldn't sleep, that she was still scared, saddened and alone. I didn't know how to respond, and despite the teachings of our sect, I boldly stated that she could sleep here if she wanted. I immediately regretted that, but she firmly accepted to my very own surprise. It didn't bother me much when I thought twice about it, why would it? We laid down on the bed, but it felt awkwardly uncomfortable and silent. I had never been this close to a woman before, I had barely known any other females than my own mother in my life. Was this right? Because it certainly did not feel that way. I simply didn't know what to say, neither did I feel like it at first. She noticed my rather tiresome and rash behavior as I rolled over towards her. She looked at me, but she didn't say anything right away. 'Is this okay, Hagoromo? You look a bit...' She then said with a gentle tone without even finishing her sentence. What was I to respond? I simply said that I didn't know, but that she had to start calling me by my new name now. She quickly nodded. After that, we finally started talking, about the past, about everything really. We spent the whole night just talking until we finally fell asleep just before sunrise. Strangely enough, we had avoided the subject of the massacre all together, which was probably for the better. This was to be my first bounding with Trea... Four years later, we married. I was now at the age of 20.
One night as I was trying to sleep, I couldn't keep my thoughts from wandering off no matter how hard I tried. It had been like that for a few nights now, but I couldn't grasp the meaning of it, neither its true purpose. I slowly snuck away from both Trea's grasp and our bed to get some air, as I stood up and looked outside on the high moon present before me, shining upon my face with its dim grey light. The sky was clear and nothing but an icy wind blowing hard could be heard. Its lingering breath stroke my chin gently as a shivering cold went down my spine. I closed my eyes as I tried to drive the thoughts away; 'What was this feeling that I couldn't shake?? Was it a premonition of the future?' I opened my eyes again and looked around. It was then that I felt two warm hands sneaking up behind me, firmly placing themselves on my belly. 'Why aren't you sleeping, Hagoromo? Is something the matter??' Her voice was clear... Gentle, kind and caring, but also as if a little bit concerned. 'No... Are you worried about me, my love?' By now, Trea was the only one to go by my original name, something even I didn't seem to worry much about these days. 'It's not like you to leave bed in the middle of the night like this...' Trea was always worried about me, no matter what I did it seemed. Even if she often times did not speak her full mind, even to me, I could easily sense it. She was not 'shy' as in the nature of the word, but she was more passionate in the way she talked than others. She continued; 'You're not planning on sneaking away in the cold of the dark, are you??' I turned around, smiling. I said; 'Why would I go anywhere without you?' I gently brushed my hand through her red long hair. She was smiling back at me, as if she was happier now than she had ever been, having long forgotten the dreadful events of the past. It was all but a distant memory... 'Are you sure you are okay with our situation, Hagoromo? Is that what's been bothering you??' I looked at her. I knew what she meant, but at the same time, I could neither confirm nor deny if that was the reason behind the lingering thoughts that prevented me from sleeping...
The way we had lived in the Sanada clan... For most people, it would seem unfair, unjust. People went to war to earn their income, to prove their worth and to gain respect within the clan, while we-... It was kind of hard to explain. Your mother she, she was always like that... She always cared more about other people than her own well being. 'No, it's not that...' I didn't know what to tell her. I didn't even know why I felt worried. 'Come back to bed then...' She took my hand as she guided med back in. Seeking my body heat to keep warm, she snuck closer to me as our lips met. In the comfort of my arms, I was sure I could protect her from anything, from any danger in the world. This was where I wanted to be, in this very moment... Night became morning, and morning became afternoon. I was no longer troubled, as for the time being... We could not have been more safe... Eight years then passed rapidly by as we had been with the Sanada clan for the total of twelve years now. At the anniversary day of our arrival, I decided to venture up to a mountain not so far away from our camp. I had been thinking about journeying there for the past three years, but I had never really found the right timing nor the right motivation to pull through with such a climb. I needed courage, training, and now I finally felt like I had just the right amount of it.
The mountain was shaped in the heads of what looked like three wolves, and it was said that for whomever managed to get to the top, a treasure beyond compare was waiting. None had been able to climb that mountain and retrieved the treasure before me. The reason? Only a man with a pure heart and no evil intentions would survive up there and be able to find it. But what exactly was waiting for anyone daring to make it? Nobody knew, or rather, nobody liked to talk about it. I figured, as long as I had the Master Sword, I could vanquish all evil, just like the legends of the old foretold. It took me three days and three nights to journey from the Sanada clan's camp until I could finally start the long climb up to the top. I was already tired, but I knew that I was on the right track. As I came closer and closer to the top of the mountain, I suddenly spotted a dark cave up ahead. At that time, I simply couldn't understand why no one had dared come this way before me despite the promise of a great treasure laying in wait, but I was soon to discover why...
Yukimura had warned me about the journey before I headed out, and it was probably only due to his advice that I had stalled it for as long as I did. As I was about to leave, he told me that no matter what I would find up there, I had to make sure that I would make it back in one piece. Not only for my worried wife Trea's sake, but also for the sake of the clan. I had asked him why he suddenly had showed such concern for me, someone who wasn't even qualified to be remembered in the Sanada clan's long history when the end of time approaches. He then told me not to worry, stating that 'The greatest warrior is not born from his might nor name alone, he is born from the courage and the great deeds he achieves in this world, no matter how small or big. Fate can be a peculiar thing, and sometimes, you will have to look to those around you to find true inspiration on your path. You can't always do everything by yourself, but once in a while you will have to believe in your own ability.'
Right as I was about to leave, hugging Trea firmly before I did, he then gave me a last word of advice. He said; 'You might not know it just yet, but I believe that deep down inside of you, something great is itching to come out too. I have always paid close attention to you ever since the two of you arrived, and I have never doubted the gods who brought the two of you to us, to our clan... Everything happens for a reason, and sometimes only time will tell us exactly what that is.' I looked at him. I knew the time was right, and that the thing I was about to set out to find, was just the thing I had to do. 'My father once told me before my first battle that; "There's no shame in retreat, as long as you can still come out on top before the sun settles behind the mountain." I would say the same to you, Hagoromo. As I know by now that you are strong enough to pull through with this.' Yukimura then turned his back on me, as he had a mission of his own to set out on. I looked at Trea one last time, and then I was off into the night. As sure as Yukimura's warnings had been to me, I was just now to understand why as a rumbling sound was heard from within the dark cave as a giant beast from ancient times then suddenly stepped out before me. First only its shadow, then its true form. My eyes widened, my heart-rate increased. Before me, stood a fire-breathing dragon...
I held my ground as a great wind blew upon me. Its gleamy red eyes caught my gaze as it flexed its pure black wings. 'Was this to be the end?' I was shaking tremendously, for the first time in years as I drew the Master Sword and held it firmly in front of me. Just as the dragon was about to turn me to crisp however, a warm sensation rushed through my body, but not from the heat of the dragon's flames. No... It was as if I had been wandering a great dessert for days and nights. Things got blurry fast as I had to cover my eyes. The image of the dragon before me slowly started to fade away as a voice then spoke to me. I quickly regained my senses. 'What on earth happened to the dragon?' I looked around, only to find myself standing on the same plateau, on the same spot as before only this time, with the Master Sword still holstered on my back and the dragon nowhere to be seen. Was I caught in some sort of an illusion? Had I been tricked by some foul magic? I looked up as a mysterious figure then approached me, wearing a fearsome helmet on his head which covered his identity from the world.
I took a step back, meaning to draw the Master Sword as I shouted out to him; 'Who are you, or even, what are you?!' He stopped. Just a few meters away from me. Folding his arms, he calmly said; 'My name is not important... Some has called me Kabuto, like this helmet I'm wearing, others, have called me the Ancient Mystic. I've had many names, amongst them some long forgotten. Leader, Guide, Sage, God... I like to look upon myself as the Great Wizard of the old, the definer of Fate and Destiny...' His voice was gentle, mysterious as if he had expected my arrival. 'What did you do to me?! The dragon-...' 'The dragon was nothing more than a 'Genjutsu,' and-...' 'A Genjutsu?' I asked. 'An alternate reality if you'd like, an illusion... It perceives what truly lies in the heart of people, and only those with a pure heart may come to pass its judgement. Many a man have been lead to believe that the dragon is real and that only a certain doom awaits those who travels here to seek out the treasure that lies within this cave... That is how the legend has come to be anyways. It's simply a test, but you will know more in due time...'
I couldn't begin to grasp what he was on to about... What powers did he possess?? 'What treasure lies beyond this point?' I firmly asked him. 'Wisdom.' He briefly replied. 'For those who have the Courage and the Power to seek it...' I was baffled... Was this all part of some trap or could I actually lower my guard to him?? 'The dragon that you saw, was an illusion that I made after encountering a real dragon back in the days... Volvagia, I think his name was...' Pondering about for a few seconds, the wizard then turned around as he started heading towards the cave's entrance. I saw no real reasons not to follow, so I did. 'So why have you come??' He asked, despite the fact that he seemed to know the answer to his own question before I did. I still had no idea what to say, so I simply said; 'I thought you would know that?' He just laughed at me. Behind all the mysterious tricks and magic, this guy, somehow, had still to be part human. 'We've met once before you know, Hagoromo... But I doubt you remember it by now.' I looked at him, my eyes still struggled to stay fixated on him as he finally stopped by a table at the end of the cave, where one small candle stood and lit up the place. 'He even knew my name, and he claimed that we had met before?' I thought to myself. 'I would definitely have remembered that, if it was true.' I retorted. 'I didn't have this appearance back then. It was during your stay at the Sacred Sect, the Holy Sect of Peace...' I knew there and then that it was a reason to why I felt I had to come visit this place, and that this man, this being in front of me, seemed to have all the answers I needed.
Fun Facts & Author's Note:
1: I don't have much to say this time around. In fact, I'm not even sure what to say really. I decided to go away from my original idea for this chapter's length, and instead turned it into two chapters. I suppose this chapter is still the biggest in this Series, but at the end of the day, it could easily have turned out at least twice the length of the others. Comment, rate, subscribe (ehm...), and I'll catch you guys later! Thanks!!
2: Oh, and re-reading what I said on the last chapter about this one, it's easy to say that I intended to finish up this meeting and stretch it even a bit further than that in my initial plan. Oh well, guess you can go back to chapter 2 to see what to look forward to next time, haha
Next Chapter Titled: As Destiny had Foretold, the First Jutsu Emerges
Release Date: Next Week.
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The Legendary Sage of Six Paths, Chapter 3;
The Master Sword & The Great Wizard:
The benevolent Sanada clan...
Having been taken in as one of their own, it was quickly decided that both Trea and I were to be given lessons in the art of the sword, the spear or whatever weapon we'd like, to learn how to defend ourselves and to truly be part of this clan as 'samurai warriors.' At the third day after our arrival, we stood lined up side by side with a group of other new recruits as Yukimura himself had come to give us the first lesson personally. Yukimura Sanada was one of the greatest warriors in the land and one of the finest samurai in the clan, if not even the mightiest there was amongst them. By now, despite his early age, he was already reckoned as "A Hero who may appear once in a hundred years," and, "Crimson Demon of War." Yukimura was walking back and forth in front of us with a stern yet confident look on his face. He went on telling us about the situation of the land, about the chaos, the suffering of the people and the constant battling, before he stopped right in front of me as our eyes met. I was standing all the way over to the left side of the line as I was anticipating his orders. Not a single word came out of him as we all stood there idle by waiting. Did he have our recent conversation from two days ago when Trea and I first arrived still in mind? Was that why he had approached me?
Suddenly, he drew the spear mounted on his back as he thrust the handle right into my abdomen. I lost my breath, almost falling over to my knees in the process, but I was quickly caught by his hand as he leaned in to my ear and told me to keep a straight stance, before he spun around and swiped my feet away from under me with his spear as I fell over rapidly on my back. Seeing this, both Trea and some of the other recruits were shocked to say the least, taking a step forward as to express their dissatisfaction seeing Yukimura harassing me like that. Trea even ran over to me to see how I was doing. I quickly rolled over on my knees as I reached my hand out as to tell them not to come to my aide. Yukimura was after all, one of Masayuki Sanada's sons, and he happened to be the current leader of the Sanada clan. Laying one finger on his son would definitely mean trouble, no matter the name or the rank of the person to do so. Yukimura remained silent as he watched as I struggled to get back up to my feet again. He was twice my age at 32, and he had already been through countless battles in his life, with much experience and wisdom to back his skills up with. It was as if he was trying to state once and for all that he was the one in charge here, before he was to actually start with his lesson. He had decided to make an example out of me at random selection just for show, but I didn't want to be treated like trash however, so I decided to pull a wise one back at him. I feinted that I was struggling to get up to my feet, as I quickly grabbed a hold on to his right foot and pulled his leg as fast as I could to try and force him off balance and down to the ground as well. As he was falling through the air however, he quickly used his spear to back himself up with as he steered his own movement in a flipped motion backwards, landing safely on his feet again a couple feet away. His facial expression had changed. He hadn't expected me to actually try to pull something like that, but somehow he seemed pleased rather than dismayed...
He looked at me as a smile formed on his face as he started laughing; everyone else remained silent, not really sure how to react. He then started applauding me, signaling the rest to do the same as they carefully did one by one before he then placed a firm grip on his spear again, pointing it at me as he did. He then said; 'Does anyone here believe in fate or destiny?' We looked puzzled at him, not knowing what to say. He continued. 'A blue phoenix flew over the main quarters of our camp this morning, landing on top of the recruit encampment's flagpole. Flexing its wings, the phoenix then vanished in thin air as the first rays of the sun rose over the hill and shone upon him. A phoenix symbolizes rebirth, so a hero of the land may very well be on the rise...' We all stumbled on what Yukimura said, but we couldn't even begin to grasp it. He then told me to draw the sword I had on my back, the very sword I drew in the sacred forest only two days ago. Hearing this, the others were even more shocked. People did indeed seem to know more about the sword than I did as the rumors had spread fast about me acquiring it, and not seeing any reason to decline the challenge, I quickly drew the sword and prepared myself.
As the rays of the sun were reflected upon it, I could once again feel its mysterious yet powerful presence. Yukimura then nodded at me as I came charging in at him with no solid ideas on how to handle a sword. He simply parried my strike as he knocked the sword out of my hand by force as it spun around in the air, landing right beside me on the ground. As we all turned our eyes back at Yukimura, we realized that his spear had broken in two just at the exact point where the sword and the spear had connected. The sword laid gently on the ground as I was just about to go over to it but Yukimura told me not to, not yet at least. He then looked over at all of the other recruits gathered around. 'This spear had been in just as many battles as I had. Never had it faltered, never been weakened no matter the weapon it had been up against, and always had it been by my side, victorious against any foe I have ever fought. Now, it's broken, in two by one mere clash with that sword, in the hands of a man who doesn't even know how to wield one... How can it be?' Throwing the broken spear to the ground, Yukimura then continued. 'Everyone, line up one by one, then try to pick up that sword for yourself. If even one of you beside Naruto here (which now was the new name I had been given by Yukimura, to conceal my real identity from the world and to keep both the clan and me safe) can wield it... You'll have my head. That's a promise!' A massive uproar amongst the recruits started going hearing this. Nobody could believe what he had said. After all, the samurai culture was strict, especially for the higher commanders in the clan. Once a bet had been laid down, it would be seen through and honored no matter what, if the order and the chain of command in the army were to be maintained respectfully. I couldn't understand what he had said, this wasn't the same as back then. I had simply been the one to finally get the sword lose from its hole but only after several other people had attempted to draw it before me in the past. It was just by chance that it had been pulled and bent just enough times for the next person to try to draw it had been able to, no matter how many generations of men had tried it prior to me. This time the sword was simply laying on the ground without any restrictions like back then holding it glued to the earth. Anyone could pick it up! Or so I believed...
The other recruits hesitated a bit, not because they didn't feel like they could do it, but because they were afraid of the result if they actually did. It was after all just a sword, wasn't it? And the head of the mightiest warrior in the clan would only cause a major blow for the army. It was then that Trea came over to me as she gently wrapped her arm around my shoulder and told me that whatever happened next, it would probably change my life, my position in this world forever. I didn't understand it right then, but as I watched as the other recruits finally went over one by one to pick it up, I eventually realized what she was on to about. Every one of them wrapped their hands in turn around the hilt of the sword, but the sword was immoveable as a rock. None were able to pick it up, complaining about the sword weighting a ton or even more. Yukimura then finally looked at me again as I went over to it. And just as he had expected it to be, I easily lifted it up from the ground and swung it through the air gently a couple of times before everyone who had gathered around, amazed at this. 'Now how is this possible you say?' Yukimura firmly stated. 'Well, this sword is known as the Master Sword... And only a Hero of Time, one chosen by the Goddess Hylia herself, can wield it. It is obedient to only its Master, and it is a symbol of hope, courage and peace, to vanquish all evil standing in its way. It is the Blade of Evil's Bane...' 'The Master Sword?' I looked at him, puzzled as ever...
This was only one of many puzzling events that would take place over the course of the next few years. As both Trea and I received training, we eventually also rose in the ranks of the clan. However, since we had been part of the 'Holy Sect of Peace,' the only two remaining survivor of it, and because of our beliefs, we were never forced to move out on the battlefield to do battle unless we wanted to ourselves. We lived with the Sanada clan as part of their samurai culture, but we were never actually part of the different battles that ultimately happened between the different clans as time went by. Even at the very first day we got there did it feel like we were treated specially. I didn't know Trea that much at that time, but in the years to come, we would eventually get to know each other a lot better. After I had talked with Yukimura about our sect's fate and our background-story on the first day of our arrival, I had gone over to the small building just South in the Recruits' Encampment, where I had been set up to sleep for the night and those to follow. He would call for me in a few days' time when it was time for my training to begin, but that was all he could say for the time being. As I arrived there, I noticed that it was practically more like a shelter than a house, but it was just big enough for me to not bump my head into the candle-lamp hanging from the ceiling above so I didn't complain. I had laid down to sleep, trying hard to put the thoughts of the massacre behind me when it suddenly knocked on the door. 'Who could it be this late?' I thought.
Of all the people it could be, it had to be Trea and it was. I did say hello, but I wasn't really sure where to take the conversation from there. She only mumbled the words that she couldn't sleep, that she was still scared, saddened and alone. I didn't know how to respond, and despite the teachings of our sect, I boldly stated that she could sleep here if she wanted. I immediately regretted that, but she firmly accepted to my very own surprise. It didn't bother me much when I thought twice about it, why would it? We laid down on the bed, but it felt awkwardly uncomfortable and silent. I had never been this close to a woman before, I had barely known any other females than my own mother in my life. Was this right? Because it certainly did not feel that way. I simply didn't know what to say, neither did I feel like it at first. She noticed my rather tiresome and rash behavior as I rolled over towards her. She looked at me, but she didn't say anything right away. 'Is this okay, Hagoromo? You look a bit...' She then said with a gentle tone without even finishing her sentence. What was I to respond? I simply said that I didn't know, but that she had to start calling me by my new name now. She quickly nodded. After that, we finally started talking, about the past, about everything really. We spent the whole night just talking until we finally fell asleep just before sunrise. Strangely enough, we had avoided the subject of the massacre all together, which was probably for the better. This was to be my first bounding with Trea... Four years later, we married. I was now at the age of 20.
One night as I was trying to sleep, I couldn't keep my thoughts from wandering off no matter how hard I tried. It had been like that for a few nights now, but I couldn't grasp the meaning of it, neither its true purpose. I slowly snuck away from both Trea's grasp and our bed to get some air, as I stood up and looked outside on the high moon present before me, shining upon my face with its dim grey light. The sky was clear and nothing but an icy wind blowing hard could be heard. Its lingering breath stroke my chin gently as a shivering cold went down my spine. I closed my eyes as I tried to drive the thoughts away; 'What was this feeling that I couldn't shake?? Was it a premonition of the future?' I opened my eyes again and looked around. It was then that I felt two warm hands sneaking up behind me, firmly placing themselves on my belly. 'Why aren't you sleeping, Hagoromo? Is something the matter??' Her voice was clear... Gentle, kind and caring, but also as if a little bit concerned. 'No... Are you worried about me, my love?' By now, Trea was the only one to go by my original name, something even I didn't seem to worry much about these days. 'It's not like you to leave bed in the middle of the night like this...' Trea was always worried about me, no matter what I did it seemed. Even if she often times did not speak her full mind, even to me, I could easily sense it. She was not 'shy' as in the nature of the word, but she was more passionate in the way she talked than others. She continued; 'You're not planning on sneaking away in the cold of the dark, are you??' I turned around, smiling. I said; 'Why would I go anywhere without you?' I gently brushed my hand through her red long hair. She was smiling back at me, as if she was happier now than she had ever been, having long forgotten the dreadful events of the past. It was all but a distant memory... 'Are you sure you are okay with our situation, Hagoromo? Is that what's been bothering you??' I looked at her. I knew what she meant, but at the same time, I could neither confirm nor deny if that was the reason behind the lingering thoughts that prevented me from sleeping...
The way we had lived in the Sanada clan... For most people, it would seem unfair, unjust. People went to war to earn their income, to prove their worth and to gain respect within the clan, while we-... It was kind of hard to explain. Your mother she, she was always like that... She always cared more about other people than her own well being. 'No, it's not that...' I didn't know what to tell her. I didn't even know why I felt worried. 'Come back to bed then...' She took my hand as she guided med back in. Seeking my body heat to keep warm, she snuck closer to me as our lips met. In the comfort of my arms, I was sure I could protect her from anything, from any danger in the world. This was where I wanted to be, in this very moment... Night became morning, and morning became afternoon. I was no longer troubled, as for the time being... We could not have been more safe... Eight years then passed rapidly by as we had been with the Sanada clan for the total of twelve years now. At the anniversary day of our arrival, I decided to venture up to a mountain not so far away from our camp. I had been thinking about journeying there for the past three years, but I had never really found the right timing nor the right motivation to pull through with such a climb. I needed courage, training, and now I finally felt like I had just the right amount of it.
The mountain was shaped in the heads of what looked like three wolves, and it was said that for whomever managed to get to the top, a treasure beyond compare was waiting. None had been able to climb that mountain and retrieved the treasure before me. The reason? Only a man with a pure heart and no evil intentions would survive up there and be able to find it. But what exactly was waiting for anyone daring to make it? Nobody knew, or rather, nobody liked to talk about it. I figured, as long as I had the Master Sword, I could vanquish all evil, just like the legends of the old foretold. It took me three days and three nights to journey from the Sanada clan's camp until I could finally start the long climb up to the top. I was already tired, but I knew that I was on the right track. As I came closer and closer to the top of the mountain, I suddenly spotted a dark cave up ahead. At that time, I simply couldn't understand why no one had dared come this way before me despite the promise of a great treasure laying in wait, but I was soon to discover why...
Yukimura had warned me about the journey before I headed out, and it was probably only due to his advice that I had stalled it for as long as I did. As I was about to leave, he told me that no matter what I would find up there, I had to make sure that I would make it back in one piece. Not only for my worried wife Trea's sake, but also for the sake of the clan. I had asked him why he suddenly had showed such concern for me, someone who wasn't even qualified to be remembered in the Sanada clan's long history when the end of time approaches. He then told me not to worry, stating that 'The greatest warrior is not born from his might nor name alone, he is born from the courage and the great deeds he achieves in this world, no matter how small or big. Fate can be a peculiar thing, and sometimes, you will have to look to those around you to find true inspiration on your path. You can't always do everything by yourself, but once in a while you will have to believe in your own ability.'
Right as I was about to leave, hugging Trea firmly before I did, he then gave me a last word of advice. He said; 'You might not know it just yet, but I believe that deep down inside of you, something great is itching to come out too. I have always paid close attention to you ever since the two of you arrived, and I have never doubted the gods who brought the two of you to us, to our clan... Everything happens for a reason, and sometimes only time will tell us exactly what that is.' I looked at him. I knew the time was right, and that the thing I was about to set out to find, was just the thing I had to do. 'My father once told me before my first battle that; "There's no shame in retreat, as long as you can still come out on top before the sun settles behind the mountain." I would say the same to you, Hagoromo. As I know by now that you are strong enough to pull through with this.' Yukimura then turned his back on me, as he had a mission of his own to set out on. I looked at Trea one last time, and then I was off into the night. As sure as Yukimura's warnings had been to me, I was just now to understand why as a rumbling sound was heard from within the dark cave as a giant beast from ancient times then suddenly stepped out before me. First only its shadow, then its true form. My eyes widened, my heart-rate increased. Before me, stood a fire-breathing dragon...
I held my ground as a great wind blew upon me. Its gleamy red eyes caught my gaze as it flexed its pure black wings. 'Was this to be the end?' I was shaking tremendously, for the first time in years as I drew the Master Sword and held it firmly in front of me. Just as the dragon was about to turn me to crisp however, a warm sensation rushed through my body, but not from the heat of the dragon's flames. No... It was as if I had been wandering a great dessert for days and nights. Things got blurry fast as I had to cover my eyes. The image of the dragon before me slowly started to fade away as a voice then spoke to me. I quickly regained my senses. 'What on earth happened to the dragon?' I looked around, only to find myself standing on the same plateau, on the same spot as before only this time, with the Master Sword still holstered on my back and the dragon nowhere to be seen. Was I caught in some sort of an illusion? Had I been tricked by some foul magic? I looked up as a mysterious figure then approached me, wearing a fearsome helmet on his head which covered his identity from the world.
I took a step back, meaning to draw the Master Sword as I shouted out to him; 'Who are you, or even, what are you?!' He stopped. Just a few meters away from me. Folding his arms, he calmly said; 'My name is not important... Some has called me Kabuto, like this helmet I'm wearing, others, have called me the Ancient Mystic. I've had many names, amongst them some long forgotten. Leader, Guide, Sage, God... I like to look upon myself as the Great Wizard of the old, the definer of Fate and Destiny...' His voice was gentle, mysterious as if he had expected my arrival. 'What did you do to me?! The dragon-...' 'The dragon was nothing more than a 'Genjutsu,' and-...' 'A Genjutsu?' I asked. 'An alternate reality if you'd like, an illusion... It perceives what truly lies in the heart of people, and only those with a pure heart may come to pass its judgement. Many a man have been lead to believe that the dragon is real and that only a certain doom awaits those who travels here to seek out the treasure that lies within this cave... That is how the legend has come to be anyways. It's simply a test, but you will know more in due time...'
I couldn't begin to grasp what he was on to about... What powers did he possess?? 'What treasure lies beyond this point?' I firmly asked him. 'Wisdom.' He briefly replied. 'For those who have the Courage and the Power to seek it...' I was baffled... Was this all part of some trap or could I actually lower my guard to him?? 'The dragon that you saw, was an illusion that I made after encountering a real dragon back in the days... Volvagia, I think his name was...' Pondering about for a few seconds, the wizard then turned around as he started heading towards the cave's entrance. I saw no real reasons not to follow, so I did. 'So why have you come??' He asked, despite the fact that he seemed to know the answer to his own question before I did. I still had no idea what to say, so I simply said; 'I thought you would know that?' He just laughed at me. Behind all the mysterious tricks and magic, this guy, somehow, had still to be part human. 'We've met once before you know, Hagoromo... But I doubt you remember it by now.' I looked at him, my eyes still struggled to stay fixated on him as he finally stopped by a table at the end of the cave, where one small candle stood and lit up the place. 'He even knew my name, and he claimed that we had met before?' I thought to myself. 'I would definitely have remembered that, if it was true.' I retorted. 'I didn't have this appearance back then. It was during your stay at the Sacred Sect, the Holy Sect of Peace...' I knew there and then that it was a reason to why I felt I had to come visit this place, and that this man, this being in front of me, seemed to have all the answers I needed.
~ End of Chapter 3 ~
Fun Facts & Author's Note:
1: I don't have much to say this time around. In fact, I'm not even sure what to say really. I decided to go away from my original idea for this chapter's length, and instead turned it into two chapters. I suppose this chapter is still the biggest in this Series, but at the end of the day, it could easily have turned out at least twice the length of the others. Comment, rate, subscribe (ehm...), and I'll catch you guys later! Thanks!!
2: Oh, and re-reading what I said on the last chapter about this one, it's easy to say that I intended to finish up this meeting and stretch it even a bit further than that in my initial plan. Oh well, guess you can go back to chapter 2 to see what to look forward to next time, haha
Next Chapter Titled: As Destiny had Foretold, the First Jutsu Emerges
Release Date: Next Week.
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