Chapter 29: Hatake Clan

"Another beautiful day." said Nao as he glanced at the beautiful sky.

Joy was practically beaming off his face as he greeted the people around him as he enjoyed a walk around the compound.

Normally such a scene may be seen once or twice a year, even then it would last from a couple minutes to a day at most.

'Luckily we have the Endo clan to thank for it.'

Not only do the Kekkei Genkai users change the weather around the compound, all the fog they push out of the way is sent to the edges of the compound making the fog more condense, effectively hiding them from anything.

But Nao was currently happy for another reason, the Fuma Clan was recruited by Ritsu last winter.

When the Fuma Clan first came Nao could tell they were dissatisfied with the other Clan shinobi but their attitude changed after discovering the Kekkei Genkai of the other clans.

As for the Roran Clan after finding out the clan was able to use Fuinjutsu and the number of Roran clansmen capable of using weren't small they started sucking up to them.

Very few clans had heritages concerning Fuinjutsu and even then to have talented members capable of understanding and further developing Fuinjutsu were small hence their reaction.

But they were more shocked at the fact that the clans that were under us haven't been shinobi for a long time.

It didn't help that the Karatachi clan was low in numbers.

At one point Nao heard one of the elders mutter, 'We were scammed.'

Though they said that they haven't resisted any order or demand made by his son, Ritsu.

Especially not after some elders got manhandled by him after they came to ask for a clarification regarding the power of the Karatachi Clan.

Afterwards Masayoshi the Fuma Clan head had to apologize for his clansmen reactions.

Of course Ritsu accepted if they handed over all of the jutsu's they had, along with a sword styles in their possession. 

Though the Fuma Clan vehemently refused, Ritsu wouldn't take no for an answer so it wasn't long that he raided their storage for all their weapons skills and ninjutsu they had.

Even he understood that taking a Clans heritage was something that a clan would rather die than give away hence why most of the Fuma clan resisted but they were once again beaten up by his son.

Nao was concerned about the Clan not for their well being but due to the grudges they may be building up.

But after the power display that Ritsu showed, there were no longer any voices of dissent.

Nao felt that at this point he should just retire and enjoy his time with his wives, he should just leave everything to his son.

If there ever was a problem, talk to my son's fist first before you talk to me.

Nao gazed at the blue sky, maybe I should have a few more kids. 

His gaze over the horizon was interrupted when a shinobi appeared by his side on one knee.

"Clanhead the young master has returned."

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Ritsu had returned to his Clan compound along with Riku and the Yokobe Clan.

Ritsu sent Kaz to find out the situation for the Hatake Clan, he had almost forgotten about them. 

He hopes that the lack of communication between them won't affect their decision.

Ritsu quickly took command of nearby shinobi to guide the new Clan, which numbered one hundred and fifty people with sixty three of them being shinobi.

Once this was finished he brought Noriko along with him as he went to his father. 

It wasn't long as he passed through the compound, not much has changed besides new housing. 

Along the path to his father's office he didn't see any of his family members.

Though he saw many shinobi patrolling the mansion and standing guard in certain points.

Opening the door to the office Ritsu was welcomed with a smiling Nao, "Ritsu, my son how have you been."

"Very well father, I am simply tired and disappointed at the lack of notable Clans. Though at my last attempt to find one the Yokobe Clan caught my interest."

Nao beamed with joy just seeing his son, while also feeling guilty that all the work seems to be done by his son.

While he sits here in the office dealing with Clan matters, though fortunately he had three wives that could handle the burden called paperwork. 

"Yes it seems you were able to bring another Clan within our wing. But by your words will this be the last Clan we will recruit?"

"I'm not sure if they are the last clan but I will not be searching for more," Ritsu paused before introducing the person next to him, 

"This is Noriko the Clanhead of the Yokobe Clan, a skilled individual though they will have to relearn their foundation. 

They possess a method of keeping chakra threads outside for a long time."

Once Noriko and Nao exchange pleasantries and a few words Ritsu dismissed before turning to his father,

"It's time to plan for the next step. I believe I asked you to find a suitable candidate to be the Daimyo of the Land of Water."

"Yes and we have gathered the information of three potential individuals. They are all minor Daimyo from the Land of Water," replied Nao with a hesitant expression he couldn't help but say his doubts,

"I still believe that we should seek support from a wealthier and more influential Daimyo from the Land of Water."

"It's not necessary. If the Daimyo is influential they will oppose our plans and having to ask them for money will just make us be at their beck and call."

Ritsu took a glance at the information they had the three Daimyo all perfect for should an accident happen.

Among the three they all were perfect but the one Ritsu took was a Daimyo who in the report stated that he was a tyrant. He owns a small port town and a couple of villages located on a small island south in the Land of Water.

But most important was the man was known to be very greedy because of all the tax policies that were placed on the island.

Another key factor was the man only had daughters, he had no proper heir. The man's name was Nekohachi Takahashi, not that his name will be relevant for long.

"I visit them to hear about 'their' opinion." Ritsu said as he showed his father the file of the individual he chose.

Nao couldn't help but sigh, "Will you be taking anyone with you?"

"No but I will have to bring him some gifts or he won't take me seriously or at least to pacify him."

Nao couldn't help but feel a pang of pain as there was some money that could be spared, that money was reserved for an emergency.

After all, maintaining five clans is quite expensive.

"Very well I will have Nana prepare the money." 

As Nao rubbed his head from the pain of spending money he couldn't help but feel something was wrong as Ritsu didn't respond.

He looked up only to see his son smirking the biggest grin he's ever shown. 

His eyes gleamed in anticipation all because of a Kunai that he was holding.

"Father, something important came up and to prepare for a medium to large clan we will have to postpone the visit for now."

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Night 

A beautiful clear sky, numerous stars shone through the sky.

A mountain and tree on the horizon with the occasional star streaking across the sky night.

Jinsei gazed at the sky that he had been looking at his entire life.

He was located in his home on his back patio. 

He remembers the first time his mother took him out to gaze at the stars.

He remembers the pain of losing his mother in an assassination conducted by another Clan in the Land of Fire.

He remembered how his father lost control and led the Hatake Clan to assassinate the elders of that clan including the man who ordered the assassination. 

'There's too many grievances in the Land of Fire, I don't believe Hashirama will be able to quell those grievances.'

Jinsei recalled the clan meeting after Hashirama's visit. Many Clanmens showed excitement of joining forces with the Senju Clan.

Some showed relief that a time of peace was coming, and under Hashirama it would last.

Jinsei was hesitant but as a leader he knew that he would make decisions that would disappoint Clansmen and some that would end up killing them.

It was inevitable but he had to voice his decision.

Of course many opposed it but when he painted there were other individuals seeking to start their own village many grew concerned for the future.

Some voice, 'why don't we join the bigger force?'

But it was shot down when Jinsei said, 'What Land is the wealthiest?'

Of course many knew it was the Land of Fire. 

'Now who will be sent to the frontlines and who will be commanders? We the Hatake Clan are strong but all we have is our swords, we don't have any fancy Kekkei Genkai or Dojutsu.'

'Does it make a difference the other side will simply send us to the frontlines.' 

'We will show them why the Hatake Clan was able to take root in the Land of Fire.'

Jinsei's flashback was interrupted by a Hatake Clan shinobi who appeared by his side, "Clanhead he has arrived." 

Jinsei smiled, 'I just sent word, but he's already here.'

"Bring him here."

The shinobi nodded before disappearing.

It wasn't long till the shinobi reappeared with Ritsu behind him. 

"Lord Hatake, I heard you wanted to meet me as soon as possible."

"Please just call me Jinsei, I'm sure you've already guessed but I have made my decision. I have decided to follow you."

"While I am glad of your decision I'm curious as to why you didn't choose Hashirama?"

"He's strong but strength doesn't last forever, his idea is idealistic, he hasn't told me anything that he would do after founding the village."

"What makes you think I planned ahead?"

"You were recruiting outside of your lands. You're young and it's a flaw not many will take you seriously but my old man saw something in you. 

At first I thought of a boy who didn't know a single thing about the world. After all, who goes around asking Clans to become their subordinate?

Not many would accept such a thing the only time it happens is with alliance, political marriage, or the clan didn't have another choice.

I dismissed you but with my father's judgment, I gave you another look. I noticed your eyes gleamed when looking at me.

It's as if you wanted me."

Ritsu coughed, 'the information at the time made me lose composure' "Jinsei I'm afraid there was a misunderstanding I don't swing that way."

Jinsei chuckled at those words, "Neither do I, I knew you wanted my Clan but why? There are numerous clans in the Land of Fire but why the Hatake?"

They stared in each other's eyes before Ritsu gathered his words, "I thought of your clan being worthy enough, I thought that such a potential Clan shouldn't be wasted in the Land of Fire." 

'Of course most of my decisions was based on Sakumo and Kakashi.

"I see…..my decision was made with both my father's judgment and with my guts I chose you.

However my Clan doesn't believe in you the same way as I do. They want you to prove your strength." Jinsei paused before releasing a feral grin, "And what better way than for me to fight you."

Ritsu admired the feeling of suppression he felt, the feeling of danger when Jinsei released his aura.

'This is a true Kage individual, I still can't compare.'

"I agree but I suggest we prove my strength in a different way."

Jinsei was visibly disappointed by Ritsu's response, "Are you scared?"

"Of course I am, I am just a young boy who is about to enter their pre-teens. Against an individual who has fought numerous battles, a person who has received systematic training since young. 

I know my limit, my instincts tell me I would die if I were to fight to the death.

But the most important thing is that this battle would be ill paired."

"Very well how do you wish to show your strength?"

"If I'm to show my strength I want your clan to move before morning."

"Why don't we do this in the morning?"

"I don't wish for others to know who has such strength at the moment."

"First tell me how we are going to compete before I make the decision of waking up my clan."

Ritsu smiled as he gazed into the distance, his eyes settling onto the mountain in the distance. 

"We will compete by seeing who can cause the most destruction onto that mountain."

Jinsei's eyes widened for a fleeting moment before he nodded, sending shinobi to wake the clan.

It was an hour when the shinobi of the Clan woke up from their sleep displease some even more so as they were interrupted.

All their displeasure was centered on Ritsu who was besides their Clanhead.

They were all informed the boy next to their Clanhead is the person they will become subordinate to.

They weren't convinced by their Clanhead so they asked him to compete with the person but they never figured the person their Clanhead wanted to follow was a young boy.

"To make this quick I suggest I go first?"

"You want to compete at this distance?" 

"I wouldn't have suggested this if I wasn't confident," replied Ritsu as he started to congregate storm chakra into his palms. 

This time instead of launching the ball of chakra he instead tried to fire it off once it reached a suitable size before increasing the amount of Chakra in the beam.

The Hatake Clansmen watched as the young boy in front of them released a beam that seemed similar to Lightning Chakra but they were all familiar to how Lightning Chakra felt like.

'It was a Kekkei Genkai'

Their eyes widened further as the beam started to enlarge.

The streaking beam of Storm Chakra flew across hitting the mountain and causing it to blow a cloud of debris up.

Jinsei's eyes gleamed as he watched the beam that resembled a shooting star.

Once the debris cleared up they watched as the center of impact started to glow red.

Many got out of their stupor when they noticed the beam was still digging into the mountain and within a minute the beam penetrated through the mountain.

Showing a beam shooting up into the sky.

Eventually the beam dissipated as its chakra supply was cut.

"I could keep going but honestly it's a waste of chakra."

Many doubted his words as that jutsu must have taken a lot of the chakra to use, but the few sensors present were well aware of the truth of the matter.

'The boy's chakra reserves were still full!'

Their doubts were cleared and it was confirmed that they would join.

"I can see why you said you were scared, and how ill paired we are by the time you charge that beam I would have appeared beside you."

"That's true but…. you'll see in a moment the reason why we were ill paired."

That night in the Land of Fire the Hatake Clan had disappeared. In their disappearance the mountain that was once unnamed was called Arano Aruyama.

The few who ventured into the mountain found a mineral deposit of Chakra metal causing nearby clans to fight.

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A/N it literally means a mountain with a hole at least that's what google translate say.