War of Words

Two contrasting women: one leading a lavish life as a prosperous merchant, yet lacking in physical strength, while the other endured the harsh rigors of a soldier's existence, yet possessed remarkable physical prowess.

Yuko's opulent estate stood as a stark contrast to the serene beauty of the surrounding countryside.

In the evening light, the sun bathed her sprawling gardens in a warm, golden glow. These gardens, like an oasis amidst the otherwise arid terrain, displayed Yuko's affluence and influence in the world of commerce.

Stately cherry blossom trees lined meticulously designed pathways, their delicate pink petals drifting to the ground like a soft, fragrant rain. The estate was a testament to Raikou's wealth and power, an opulent fortress she had meticulously crafted for herself over the years.

Raikou, on the other hand, resided in a cozy cottage nestled within the heart of a dense, tranquil forest. The air was heavy with the scent of pine, and the gentle hum of cicadas provided a soothing, natural backdrop to her surroundings.

Her home was unpretentious, adorned with earthy tones and rustic textures. While it lacked the extravagance of Yuko's estate, it exuded a certain rustic charm that perfectly mirrored Raikou's down-to-earth nature.

Though their surroundings couldn't have been more different, both women shared one common thread — their connection to Hanma Yujiro. He had been a tempestuous force that had swept through their lives, leaving a trail of chaos and passion in his wake.

The memory of their passionate night with Yujiro still lingered in the air, a source of both pleasure and torment. Raikou's son, a striking blend of her and Yujiro's features, was a constant reminder of that fateful night.

Yuko, on the other hand, carried the weight of a growing life within her. She was several months pregnant with Yujiro's child. The herb she had relied on for contraception had failed her, and now she grappled with the consequences.

-----

It was on this hot afternoon, just as the sun peaked at the horizon, that the two women found themselves in Yuko's warehouse. The air was thick with tension, the unspoken rivalry between them simmering just beneath the surface.

Raikou which was still holding her baby sighed, "Yujiro asked me to told you, that he want to bid his farewell to Hashirama-sama and Madara-sama."

Yuko replied while caressing her pregnant belly, "Oh, alright."

Raikou, clad in a purple kimono adorned with intricate golden embroidery, regarded Yuko with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. Her long, raven-black hair with purple Balayage hairstyle cascaded down her back, and her lilac eyes gleamed with an intensity that matched the vibrant hue of her attire.

Meanwhile, Yuko donned a rich, midnight blue kimono adorned with delicate cherry blossom and water motifs, exuding an air of sophistication and serenity. Her crimson obi, intricately tied in the taiko knot style, serves as a striking contrast, cinching her waist with a vibrant pop of color.

Yuko's ensemble is further elevated by the addition of bejeweled hairpins, beaded bracelets, and a delicate necklace, effortlessly blending timeless accessories with a touch of glamour.

Over her kimono, she drapes a silken haori adorned with hand-painted scenes of cherry blossoms and tranquil ponds, infusing an artistic and whimsical charm into her overall appearance.. Her eyes, a mixture of crimson and turquoise, held a quiet determination as she met Raikou's gaze.

"Raikou," Yuko began, "I must admit, I'm surprised to see you here. I had thought you hated me because I'm also with Yujiro."

Raikou replied, her voice was cold, "Oh, believe me. My hands are itching to separate your head from your body, Yuko. But I can't kill Yujiro's child that was inside your body isn't it?"

Yuko felt a little bit scared but she still believed that she will be safe, "Fufufu, don't we both want to do the same thing, unfortunately my weak, fragile and smooth hands didn't have that kind of strength. 

Raikou remarked sharply, "I may not have the wealth and prestige you do, Raikou, but I am not so easily dismissed. Yujiro and I share a connection that goes beyond the superficial through our bloodline."

Yuko arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her voice laced with an edge of condescension. "Oh, a connection, you say? I suppose that's what you call it when you find yourself in bed with a man you barely know."

Raikou's cheeks flushed with indignation, she bristled at Yuko's tone but maintained her composure. "I may have been impulsive due to my bloodline coerced me to do it, but I don't regret our night together."

"Don't act like you know about him that deeply when you spent the night with him."

Yuko smiled and replied calmly, "But now, I know him more than you, don't I?"

Raikou's eyes grew cold while Yuko still smiling as she confident in her instinct that Raikou won't kill her.

Raikou then continued, "Regardless of the information that you have, Yuko, I am still his first woman and I am more suitable to be his wife as I'm...strong!" she flared up a little bit of her chakra.

Yuko winced due to Raikou's chakra but still replied, "Do you think clan restoration only need strength, Raikou? Hm, what do I expect from you. I may not possess the strength you do, but I have something you lack."

Yuko's lips curled into a sly smile as she continued, her condescension thinly veiled, "Resource gathering is the first step. We need finances, materials, and manpower. I've already established some lucrative trade deals, but we'll need more."

Raikou's grip on her baby tightened, a sign of her growing agitation. "Go on."

"Housing and infrastructure are next," Yuko explained in a tone that implied Raikou should already know this.

"The Hanma Clan compound is nonexistent as far as I know. Construction is essential. We may need to hire skilled artisans for that."

Raikou's crimson eyes flickered with a mix of annoyance and begrudging agreement. "Continue."

Yuko nodded, "Diplomacy and alliances are crucial. We must invest resources in building relationships with other clans and village leaders. This will require gifts, favors, and contributions."

Raikou's patience wore thin, but she couldn't deny the practicality of Yuko's words. "And?"

Yuko nodded, maintaining her facial expression, "We'll need guards, fortified compounds, and defensive techniques."

"Medical care, too, for injuries or illnesses. Communication systems, supplies, food sources...it's all essential."

Raikou's obsession with Yujiro warred with her growing understanding of the complexity of the task. "What else?"

"Economic ventures," Yuko said smoothly, she was making it clear she had thought of things Raikou hadn't.

"Generating income through trade, agriculture, craftsmanship. And we must keep meticulous records of the Hanma Clan's heritage."

Yuko was poised to conclude her points. "All of this requires extensive knowledge, connections, and strategy—qualities that may be impossible for you to harness, Raikou. It will be me that will help Yujiro in restoring his Clan!"

While Raikou acknowledged the practicality of Yuko's words, her indignant feelings persisted.

She contemplated for a moment before responding, "Do you truly believe that Yujiro requires your assistance, as in yours alone, to achieve these goals?"

"He is Hanma Yujiro," Raikou asserted, her tone unwavering.

"A man whose prowess rivals that of the fabled Shinobi Gods. He can attain anything he desires, and those weaker than him will willingly follow his lead. Therefore, your points are invalid, Yuko."

Yuko was flabbergasted, believing that her arguments had concealed her vulnerabilities.

She sighed, conceding, "It seems you're not as naïve as I thought, Raikou. Well, well. It seems my sister wife is not that dumb."

"Sigh, I had hoped that my words would lead you to reconsider your association with Yujiro."

Despite their differences and the unspoken rivalry that simmered beneath the surface, there was an odd sense of understanding between them.

Raikou's annoyance with Yuko's presence hadn't diminished, but she found herself contemplating the situation. Her grip on her baby relaxed slightly as she considered the complexity of their shared circumstances.

Raikou harrumphed, "Humph, well, are you planning to abandon Yujiro or not?"

Yuko, on the other hand, maintained her composed demeanor. Her pregnancy added another layer of complexity to the situation, and she had no intention of relinquishing her claim to Yujiro.

With a sly smile, Yuko remarked, "My feelings for Yujiro may not be as pure as yours, Raikou, but I am carrying his child, just as you once did."

"I have no intention of leaving him. My life belongs to him, and I doubt Yujiro would appreciate it if one of his women were to meet an unfortunate end."

Raikou huffed in response, her expression revealing a mixture of irritation and resignation. She leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her baby's forehead, a display of maternal affection that contrasted with her tough exterior.

"Ugh, I understand that," Raikou muttered, her frustration evident.

"And I'm no stranger to the concept of polygamy. Daimyos and nobles across the lands of the world practice it quite blatantly. But I'm still a woman, you know. I want my man to be mine, and mine alone."

Yuko chuckled in response, her laughter echoing in the warehouse as she caressed lovingly her pregnant belly, "Don't we all wish for our man to be exclusively ours, Raikou? Don't we all?"

"Besides, although we can give him many children, sons and daughters alike. I believe that the two of us alone might not be sufficient to rebuild the Hanma Clan, Raikou."

"Maybe it will be a good thing, I was incapacitated for days after our encounter with him, my entire body was aching!"

Raikou smiled wryly, "Even though my body is tougher than yours, Yuko. I'll concede the point about the soreness."

"Albeit, I just felt exhausted and wasn't bedridden like you, hahaha." she added, her gaze shifting to Yuko.

-----

Amidst the heated exchange of words between Raikou and Yuko in the dimly lit warehouse, a subtle tremor sent ripples through the ground beneath their feet. It was a mild earthquake, yet the timing was uncanny, like an ominous punctuation mark to their verbal battle.

Raikou, holding her baby tightly, felt the ground shift beneath her. Her eyes widened in alarm as she instinctively clutched her baby closer to her chest. The crates, barrels and scrolls in the warehouse began to sway gently, casting eerie shadows in the dim light.

Yuko, heavily pregnant, staggered slightly as the trembling ground beneath her caused her to lose her balance. She reached out to steady herself, placing a hand on one of the wooden crates.

Her crimson eyes darted around the warehouse, taking in the subtle signs of movement.

The tension in the room shifted as the earthquake continued, though it remained relatively mild. The air was thick with uncertainty as Raikou and Yuko exchanged wary glances. In that moment, their rivalry was forgotten, replaced by a shared sense of vulnerability in the face of nature's unpredictable force.

The trembling intensified for a brief moment before gradually subsiding, leaving the warehouse in an eerie stillness. Raikou held her son even closer, as if shielding him from more than just the quake.

Yuko, her hand still resting on the crate, took a deep breath to steady herself. Her pregnancy had made her acutely aware of her own vulnerability, and this reminder of the world's unpredictability sent a shiver down her spine.

As the warehouse settled into an uneasy calm, the two women exchanged no further words. In that moment, they shared an unspoken understanding — that in the face of forces beyond their control, their rivalry paled in comparison to the fragility of life itself.

"Yuko-sama! Raikou-sama! Are you both, alright!?"