Chapter 26: The Fourth

Masayoshi, the current Clan head of the Fuma Clan was currently in a meeting house with all the elders and clansmen.

Their expressions were all dark, they were heavy, there was a trace of uncertainty.

The scouts they had placed to monitor the Matsui and Hara Clan all came back.

The first to come back were those monitoring the Matsui Clan, they reported seeing a massive pillar of light congregate near their hideout location which was near the Matsui's compound.

The light had disappeared quickly as specks of light shone and disappeared leaving foreign shinobis in their place.

The first shinobi to appear activated a jutsu that formed a massive blue sphere at a high elevation near the Matsui's Clan compound as the sphere launched itself onto the night sky, like a comet.

Once it reached near the Matsui's Clan compound it imploded into comets of devastation as it rained upon the compound destroying everything in its paths.

It caused chaos and confusion as people ran for cover.

That was where the report ended as heavy rain seemed to cover the area of Matsui's compound.

The fight–no extermination didn't even pass half an hour according to the scouts.

The scouts left once the screams, and fighting had settled down, it was clear the Matsui Clan hadn't survived

While those monitoring the Hara Clan simply said that a massive blue sphere appeared all of the sudden, before it dispersed into a huge comet that completely leveled the Hara's compound.

Masayoshi couldn't believe it, no he refused to believe it yet the scouts were in front of them.

They wouldn't make such a mistake. 

These shinobis were trained to hide their presence even amongst the best of sensors.

They were taught to run at the slightest sense of danger, after all information was the most important in fights between Clans.

At the moment Masayoshi knew it was necessary to come up with ways to gather information on these foreign shinobis.

After all, Masayoshi hopes these shinobi are simply neutral to their clan and that they came to settle grievances with the Hara or Matsui Clan.

However, for the unknown clan to have grievance with both clans was unlikely.

Thus leading Masayoshi to think the worst that an unknown clan is possibly pillaging nearby clans for resources.

Or they could be expanding their influence.

Whatever it may be, Masayoshi hopes it does not involve his clan.

Just as Masayoshi was going to speak, a slam on the entrance caught Masayoshi's words in his throat.

As his and everyone's attention was on the shinobi who entered.

The shinobi, despite barging into the meeting, showed no formality as he reported, "An unknown shinobi has arrived and asked to meet the clan head!" 

The elders of the Fuma Clan all frowned at the shinobi that interrupted their meeting because of some unknown shinobi.

Masayoshi was also quite displeased as they were talking about the actions the clan should take, when their clansmen went ahead and interrupted them.

Seeing all the frowns from the elders, the shinobi quickly showed a bloodied bag that was at his side. 

The elders quickly noticed the bloody bag and started to think that the shinobi was a messenger sent to give them a provocation.

As it was not uncommon for an enemy Clan to kill their rival clan's members by chopping off the head before sending it to the rival clan. 

Though to have their messenger to meet the Clan head was uncommon, not many had the guts to openly demand a Clan no matter how powerful the demanding Clan was, it would lower their reputation.

As the elders of the Fuma all looked at each other as they tensed at the thought, just when they thought they were going to have a break, there was another clan causing trouble for them.

"Open it."

The shinobi clearly uncertain whether to or not looked to the clan head waiting for his response. 

Seeing the clan head nod, the guard with no hesitation opened the bag and revealed the head inside.

All eyes looked at one another, their eyes saying it all they recognized the head but no one wished to admit it until the Clan head spoke up.

"That's the head of the Matsui's Clanhead."

Sweat permeated their body, as fear gripped their hearts as the same thought came through their mind, 'were we next?'

Masayoshi looked at the shinobi, "Where's the messenger? Bring him in, now!"

It wasn't but a few moments later when the shinobi who had interrupted their meeting had returned with the messenger.

But shock was apparent across all the faces of the Fuma Clan elders.

'The messenger was a mere boy!'

He looked no older than eight years of age.

Yet the moment the 'child' stepped through the doors they felt an inexplicable sense of uncomfort.

Ritsu seeing the Elders simply looking at him, couldn't help but decide to play a bit.

Ritsu showed the most disinterested face as he blatantly looked at each one of them, noticing a commonality amongst them they all had pale yellow eyes.

Once he finished looking he let out an audible sigh before saying, "So these are the defective Uchiha, I can see why they threw you mut—--."

Before Ritsu could even finish his words one of the elders had already appeared in the air to his left, slashing down towards him.

Yet Ritsu showed no reaction instead bowing forward, "I greet the clan leader of the Fuma Clan."

With each word he said he would dodge slash after slash from the angry Fuma Clan elder.

Masayoshi, although angry seeing that Ritsu was no mere messenger, said, "Enough, let's hear him out."

Even if he wasn't the mere act of killing would provoke the clan that was behind him.

The Fuma Clan elder backed off producing an audible scoff.

Tch!

After the little farce was over Ritsu doubted whether he should recruit them, even now as he used his identification ability amongst the elder and Clan head, they weren't anything noteworthy.

'That's even better.

If they can't produce high tier shinobi then I guess I should let them fill in the ranks.'

"I'm sure you gentlemen know what happened to the Matsui and Hara clan."

'So he is sent by those who have exterminated them,' Masayoshi thought, 'I need to find their purpose.'

"We are aware of what has happened towards the Matsui and Hara clan extermination though I'm not sure how this concerns you."

"It's great that you guys know about the extermination, but not so great that you guys can't see how it doesn't concern me. After all I did bring the Matsui Clanhead's head," Ritsu paused as his eyes glinted as he stared at Masayoshi, "I'm here to collect my reward."

Masayoshi, stunned couldn't help but stutter, "R-reward? I do not recall ever asking for your assistance."

"So you're saying that I went through the trouble of exterminating two clans only to not receive my reward?" 

At the end of Ritsu words manage to directly control his killing intent to fill only the area of the meeting house.

Not allowing outside members to notice the dense killing intent that is building up in their clan's meeting house.

While the elders and Clan head were paralyzed, their palms clammy, sweat pouring down their forehead.

While the shinobi who brought Ritsu was directly on the ground gasping for air, it seemed that his body was so frightened it had forgotten to breathe for air.

To prevent suffocating a Fuma Clan shinobi which might cause a wrench in his plans Ritsu withdrew his killing intents as the shinobi in the room quickly caught their breath as they stared warily at Ritsu.

Some even blatantly unsheathed their weapons.

"Come now no need to get so serious, I was just upset for a while." said Ritsu giving a pathetic excuse that the shinobi simply scoffed at.

Masayoshi understood that the killing intent from the boy was a display of power, 'the boy was telling them, 'You guys aren't really worth my time, I can kill you guys if you don't accept my conditions.' 

Masayoshi was positive with his thoughts as he probed "Very well do you mind telling me what reward you wish for."

"Ain't it obvious? I want your clan?"

Masayoshi was perplexed, "Y-you want my clan?"

"Yup I want your clan to relocate to the Land of Water and become my subordinates."

"What if I refuse?" 

"Then I would have to waste some time cleaning up some more trash, but before we get to that point I just want to say that you guys will have some rights to deny any task I give you. 

We can discuss that in the future just know that there is a timestamp and that I already have three clans under me too.

Now make your decision." 

Hearing Ritsu's words the Clan elders were at first ready to deny but the boy claims he already has three clans under him.

Instead they all looked at their clan leader, Masayoshi, understanding their gaze and asked the question that was on their mind, "Before I give you my answer just answer me this question, why are you gathering so many clans under you?"

'It was normal to maybe have one subordinate and possibly be in alliance with another clan through marriage or agreements but to have three subordinate clans was unheard of.

Though there was no proof that he had three clans under him, not only that whether or not they were of any use.'

Ritsu tilted his head to the side, "Isn't obvious, I plan on unifying the Land of Water."

'If he plans to unite the Land of Water while recruiting my clan then that means he has no influence in the Later of Water.

After all, why recruit a clan from a foreign land.

But his power should be real after all he did eliminate the Hara Clan and the Matsui Clan.

Is there a third option?'

"To unify the Land of Water is quite a monumental task. I hope you answer another question of mine, what will be the role of my clan?"

"I am searching for talented individuals as I said earlier you guys were the mutts of the Uchiha, Uchihas who for generations failed to awaken their sharingan until they were ultimately banished.

Though you guys have failed to awaken the sharingan, you guys are still talented shinobi, at least here in the Land of Rain

That is why I came here to ask you guys to become my subordinate and maybe in the future I could entertain some of your requests.

Such as any petty grudges and perhaps a chance for you guys to prove yourselves."

Masayoshi and the elders were both flattered and disrespected by Ritsu's words.

They knew that they were talented shinobis; however, it always weighed on their mind of the Uchiha's disownment to their ancestors.

So hearing Ritsu's words they couldn't help but think that if they accomplished this task then maybe they could get back at the Uchiha for disowning them.

After all the Land Rain is a small land limiting their growth, while the Land of Water couldn't compare to the Land of Fire, and still had the disadvantage of being Misty most of the year, it was at least bigger than the Land of Rain allowing for more growth.

That tied together that Ritsu who would be their backer.

He was strong and had three clans under him excluding his clan, so with the help of four other clans they could easily settle in the Land of Water.

Masayoshi settling his doubts couldn't help but glance at the elders of the clan seeing various emotions being displayed on their faces.

Worry is evident through their expressions.

Which is inevitable as they didn't know how the strong figure in front of them would react should they refuse.

Masayoshi wanted to refuse, he didn't know the other party well enough, yet he knew he couldn't. 

The person in front of him wiped two clans that held considerable strength though in a one on one fight their Fuma clan would win however when faced with both it was troublesome.

Masayoshi sighed, "I, the Clan leader of the Fuma, have decided to accept your demand. I just hope that you will keep true to your words."

A few of the elders were disgruntled by the decision but they saw how effortlessly the boy toyed with one of the elders and the fact remains that two of their rival clans were razed to the ground.

"Wise choice, you won't regret it. I will give you a week to gather your belongings. Now if you guys excuse me I need to go back to my subordinates have a good day gentlemen." Ritsu said with a joyful tone as he disappeared out of nowhere leaving the elders in shock as they stared at the space where Ritsu used to be.

'I believed we made the right choice, a person who can leave whenever they want is someone not to be messed with' thought Masayoshi.

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A/N - No they will not get the Sharingan. I feel like I need to state that.