Chapter 16: Change

Nao was currently sitting in his chair.

Located in the office room of the Karatachi's Clan new compound.

Nao was facing his son as he gave him a smile knowing what his son had gone through.

At first he intended to have the servant beside him go get Ritsu, however, his third wife was in the room working on some of the documents involving the businesses they had in Torogawa.

When she heard that he needed to talk to Ritsu about a topic.

She volunteered to go look for him.

Mostly likely to recharge, or take a break as she would call it.

When Nana first met his son, Nao was astonished by how fast the women assaulted his son's cheeks.

She was a civilian yet he couldn't see how fast she had moved.

Now it seems that his son went through the same thing once again.

Nao coughed to get Ritsu attention as he was rubbing his cheeks.

At the moment it was just the two of them in the room, Nana and the servant were sent out.

"Son, it's been six months since our revenge.

The clan is now growing and prospering.

It took us a month to properly control the business in Torogawa. With the deeds from the three clans we own more than half of the business in the town.

Our monthly income is above hundred thousands Ryo and is growing every month as we better control our businesses.

Everyday I can't believe how we went from hiding to being the rulers of a town, and having our enemies at our beck and call.

We went from scraping any money we had to having so much I don't know what to do.

Yet none of this would have been possible without you."

Nao paused letting his mind wander,

"'The future I see is a future where we will have numerous clans at our beck and call.

A day where no one will dare insult the Karatachi Clan.

However I must know that the clan has my back no matter how wrong or right I may appear in the eyes of the world.

If not, it may be best for me to leave the clan as it's not worth the trouble to fish in troubled water.'

I remember those words since the day you said it. Although I am busy everyday and mostly holed up in this office.

I've heard from Tamami that you've been training a group of people that you've selected from the clan rather harshly.

I am not against you training them harshly however, I cannot say that I approve of you training the women of the clan, especially the young girls.

Although I am not completely against it, the clan is, particularly the older male shinobi.

'We have never needed them to act as it was always the responsibility of the men to protect the clan' is their stance" said Nao sternly.

Ritsu stared at his father as he stopped rubbing his back, his face serious, "Father that is where they are mistaken.

It is not the men's job to protect the Clan. It is the Shinobi's job to protect the Clan."

"Exactly!! The men protect th–"

Ritsu interjected, cutting off his father's words, "No, father, a shinobi is not defined by man or woman just as talent is not defined by man or woman.

If you think I am mistaken then our strongest shinobi spar against one of the girls I have been training."

Nao looked at Ritsu pensive but eventually sighed, relenting,

"Very well,"

"Also father it will be a spar watched by the entire clan only then will those who are older accept the change."

Ritsu quickly left to arrange the spar.

Watching Ritsu leave Nao was conflicted, 'although he doesn't approve of this decision, his son says it's a waste of talent. If it is true then...…'

Nao thought of his daughter, her sweet smile, her wonderful laugh, her innocent eyes.

But just as the smile formed it quickly turned into a frown as the recent memories of his daughter surfaced to his mind.

A toned body, calluses on her hand, a calm temperament, always on alert.

As a father if he didn't detect the changes in his daughter then he failed as a father.

He simply dismissed it wanting to believe that it was a sudden interest his daughter had taken, perhaps influenced by her brother.

'But with Ritsu's recent actions it's clear that it's not a simple interest.'

Nao sighed once again as he raised his head, 'Thinking of the cruel things his daughter will have to face in the future.

I truly am not meant to be a clan head.'

—--------------------------------------

Everyone that was currently in the Karatachi Clan compound was currently gathered in the training ground, including the servant as Ritsu wanted them to also be open to it.

They were all surrounding a circle that was at least eight times bigger than a sumo ring.

In the middle of the ring was an older male Karatachi Clan member, he was the most adamant in that the woman of the clan should not be trained.

He had his eyes closed as he waited for his opponent to arrive at the ring.

Eventually Ritsu arrived causing the crowd to split to make way for their young master, and as always the young miss was following her older brother.

With the young miss following Ritsu the recent addition to the sibling was trailing behind.

They were making their way to the Clan Head Family seats but to the crowd's dismay, Ena branched off as she got onto the arena.

While walking to the middle a sword appeared out of nowhere as Ena unsheathed it from its scabbard.

The sound of a sword being unsheathed caused Gou to open his eyes.

His eyes exuded a cold light, "Are you sure you wish to use a real weapon?"

Ena, unfazed by the intimidation, simply holds her sword in place ready to strike.

Seeing Ena unfazed the man holds out his hand as a nearby clansmen throws him a sword to which he unsheathes.

A clansmen that was acting as the referee raise his hand which held a coin,

"As soon as this coin hits the ground the spar will start!"

At the end of his words he flicks the coin into the air, as he makes some distance from the participants, a sword in hand ready to act in a moment's notice.

Time slowed for the crowd as they watched the coin fall to the ground.

Clink

To their surprise the one to make a move first was not Ena but Gou, as he sped to Ena clearly to end this farce.

Making a strong swing downwards, putting his all clearly not regarding Ena's status as the clan head's daughter.

Tamami shut her eyes, as she feared for her daughter's safety, while her husband simply held her hands comforting her, yet he showed no worry rather he was curious about his daughter's strength.

Just as everyone thought the fight was over Ena perfectly slanted her sword causing Gou's strike to lose its power.

Ena after deflecting most of the power in Gou's sword pushed him as Gou lost control due to his shock.

Within that split second three kunai appeared from nowhere as they aimed for his head and heart.

As Gou parried the first two he prepared to parry the last aimed at his head but quickly changed the direction of his sword parrying two strikes from Ena's sword.

Pushing her away on the second strike.

Once he pushed her away a burn could be felt on the left side of his face and ear.

He had managed to tilt his head at the last second.

'Quick was all he thought.'

Gou was not angered, or frustrated instead he was amazed by the strikes made by the young miss.

Very few of their shinobi were that skilled in timing their sword with their kunai throws.

However, he quickly used his unoccupied hand forming hand seals.

Ena seeing Gou forming hands seal attempted to interrupt them using kunai knives but they were deflected with ease.

She was too far away to interrupt him so she formed seals to form two water clones, a jutsu that her brother had taught her.

Clones were known as an illusion type of jutsu where one could see if they are real or not by their shadow also as they ran they wouldn't make an indent on the floor.

But Ritsu had shown water clones, clones capable of using jutsu, and performing tasks, but they all knew the downside to the jutsu it would take a portion of the user's chakra and the clones would only have a portion of the user's power.

Seeing the jutsu used Gou who wasn't a sensor type, watched as dozens of kunais were thrown at him.

Though luckily his seals were done as he shot a torrent of water bullets stopping every single kunai before proceeding to throw the water bullets to the three Ena.

To his shock he watched all three of them disappear into smoke.

'Where is she?'

Feeling sweat against his back he quickly turned around avoiding a strike to his back.

They continued to slash time and time again, yet neither side had the advantage.

Gou had the experience and skills, while Ena had her talent.

Ena showed an innovative way of attacking.

When one would normally parry fighting traditional with a sword.

She would dodge throwing kicks, debris, hidden weapons, punches.

The way she fought was rampant, there was no tradition in it.

But her flexibility and reaction is what allowed to perform so well as she would always narrowly dodge in ways most men can't.

Eventually Gou managed to push Ena away forcing a stalemate…

Though moments later he withdrew his sword.

He wished to continue however this was not the time or place.

He saw all he needed to see.

'Truly the newer generation will best the old'

He loosened his stance,

"I surrender, I've seen wha–"

"WHAT!!! NOOOO!! It was just getting good."

The crowd was speechless at Gou's surrender then at Ena's behavior as she pouted and threw a tantrum as the battle ended early.

"Miss, we can continue this another time. No need to get upset."

Gou attempted to appease Ena however it was in vain.

"Ena that's enough."

Ena, Gou, and the crowd were amazed at the sudden appearance of Ritsu.

Gou was just consoling Ena, the next Ritsu was behind her.

'That monster… he's gotten stronger!'

'The young Master is so awesome(sugoi)!!'

'Son so you've improved.'

'It's not fair how does he improve so easily, humph idiot brother.' Ena quieted down but continued to pout as she kept her head down.

Though that didn't stop the smile that was forming on her face.

—---------------------------

Ritsu, seeing that all attention was on him, nodded.

"Ena is proof that we have been wasting our talents. No matter how early or late one may bloom we will wait.

We will wait till the day you announce your arrival to this world.

Everyone will be given the same chance to be a shinobi.

Though I understand that not everyone is meant to be a shinobi or may not want to be one and I..WE will respect that decision.

I have shown that what we have believed is outdated, so heed my words we are for a change of era, the warring states will be over in a couple of years!!"

Silence prevailed in the crowd, they were all born in the warring states period.

The crowd all had the same question in mind, 'What's the change that will lead to another era?'

"What event will lead to the change of the era?"

All heads turned to the sound of the voice.

It was the clan head Nao who had voiced the question that everyone was currently asking themselves.

Ritsu smiled, glad someone asked the question, "The unification of the elemental lands."

"Preposterous!"

"This idea is absurd!!!"

"If it's the young master then it might not be impossible"

"The devil's gone crazy, It can't be done!!"

The crowd had varying opinions such an idea is absurd after all. How would the other clans allow a clan to take over an entire elemental land?

"It can be done. Do you remember my words?"

Ritsu looked at every single clansmen straight into their eyes.

The clansmen of course remember, 'The future I see is a future where we will have numerous clans at our beck and call.'

As they stared into Ritsu's eyes they felt the confidence exuded from them.

They recalled the servants of the three clans.

'A day where no one will dare insult the Karatachi Clan.'

There's not a single soul in Torogawa who would dare insult them.

'However I must know that the clan has my back no matter how wrong or right I may appear in the eyes of the world.'

Although the methods of their young master were a bit different they stood behind him.

If not, it may be best for me to leave the clan as it's not worth the trouble to fish in troubled water.'

These words if we betrayed him then he would have gone to a different clan to accomplish his dreams.

The words, 'The unification of the elemental lands.' resounded through their minds.

'It can't be,' they all thought

His dream. These words, his plan was the unification of the land of water.

'Such ambition,' they all thought, yet it excited them.

"That's the event that will change the world and will cause five major elemental nations to arise. Fire, Lightning, Earth, Wind, and Finally Water.

It is our job to be the ones who unite the land of Water!!!"

Ritsu raised his fist as he made that declaration, pure silence from the revelation turned to an abrupt cheer.

The servants were at awe at the words of the monster who imprisoned them.

Some cheered along forgetting they were servants in the first place.

Ding an individual with high loyalty have been found....

Ding a group of people with high loyalty have been found.....

Ding the Karatachi Clan shows high loyalty to the user...….

Do you wish to bless the Karatachi Clan?....

[Yes] [No]

Ritsu waved his hand bringing silence amongst the crowd.

"This is my blessing to you all as you chose to follow me, giving your undying loyalty."

'System bless the Karatachi Clan and all those who showed undying loyalty.'

Ritsu raised his hands showing his palm to the ground.

Light started to gather in his hands till it showed a bright light that the crowd had to close their eyes.

The Karatachi Clan started to show a visible transformation, those who were older seem a bit younger,

Those who had thought they had long maxed their chakra pool felt a major boost in chakra pool,

People felt that they saw the world differently than they did before,

Those who crossed the threshold of sixty percent had bright pink eyes turn to gorgeous pink eyes comparable to how Ritsu had his eyes before his transformation.

That's right Ritsu was part of the Karatachi clan so he was included in the upgrade, his bloodline now borders ninety percent.

However with his transformation why does it seem that he has gotten shorter?

The few people who showed loyalty to the Karatachi Clan, had opened their hearts to Ritsu this very day, also experienced a transformation similar to the Karatachi Clan but to their respective bloodline.

People were shocked by the transformation that they had undergone.

But they all contributed the cause of the transformation to their young master.

As Ritsu was still undergoing his transformation, one by one the crowd eventually kneeled to Ritsu.

"We pledge undying loyalty to the Young master."

-----------------------------

Some might ask why it didn't happen before when the adult male clansmen swore loyalty?

It was just their group, not the whole clan. Even if the whole clan at that time swore loyalty it still wouldn't happen since they didn't mean those words.

Ritsu is talented in their eyes, a young child, a deviant of sorts. Now everyone saw what he has been doing over the years, his actions in the battle, and with the conclusion of their revenge they realized this is a man we must follow.