The Exploration Team

The guard opened the door and all the elders entered inside. They already had confused expressions on their faces since they didn't know what this meeting was about. The Chinoike clan didn't have much work to do except farming and hunting so it was rare to hold meetings like this and that too 2 meetings on the same day. The 1st and 3rd elders were the first ones to enter this time. Shiro also came and sat down. He was rather quiet because of his outburst this morning. The clan leader only glanced at Shiro for a brief period and then turned his attention toward the other elders.

He didn't want Shiro to know that he and Yami had already met. "Since everyone is here now I think we can start with the meeting." The clan leader said as he held two sheets of paper in his hand.

"I didn't know our clan was busy enough to hold two meetings at the same day. Are we here again to hear another one of OyaShiro's proposals?" the third elder asked as he looked at Shiro and smirked. The rest of the elders wanted to also chuckle at this but they couldn't since the clan leader was also at the table.

"Actually no…this is a proposal I have thought about and will only be implemented if we act fast." The clan leader said making all the elders become serious. A proposal given by the clan leader held way more weight as compared to those by the elders.

"A proposal…by you?" the 1st elder asked with a frown on his face. He already didn't like the current clan leader sitting at his position but now he was using his position to push in policies for the clan? This definitely didn't sit well with the 1st elder.

"Yes…don't worry it isn't Shiro's proposal but a whole new one and I am sure that you will agree with me on this as well to a certain extent." The clan leader said smiling at the 1st elder which made him even more uncomfortable.

"Alright…let's hear it." The 1st elder said. He and the current clan leader had always been at odds with each other so it was almost impossible for them to agree on anything.

"I propose creating a team of elders and their most trusted and faithful shinobis to go into the outside world and learn about it. They will be there for 3-4 months and decide whether our clan should pursue the way of revenge or peace." The clan leader said. The elders immediately perked up listening to this proposal since most of the elders wanted to go to the outside world albeit for different reasons be it revenge or just to explore the shinobi world.

'There is no way the clan leader will see things me and my brother do. He must be planning to send those soft-hearted elders along with OyaShiro outside and when they come they will butter up the rest of the clansmen to go along with their peace-seeking plan.' The 1st elder thought. He looked at his brother who was thinking the same thing.

"Clan leader although your plan seems to be a middle way of my and Shiro's plan, who will lead this team, and who will be the members of this team?" The 3rd elder asked to which the clan leader said "I have yet to decide that so I thought I'll ask the elders here if someone might be interested in taking this place."

While saying this, the clan leader straight up stared at Shiro which was noticed by everyone. The 1st and 3rd elders understood that what they thought was right so the 3rd elder quickly said "Who better than me and my brother for this?"

"I would like to go head this exploration clan leader." Shiro said. He didn't want the elders to go out there and create havoc...it would be better if he could go out there with his own people and show them that they can have a place out there in the world.

The other elders understood that both parties will try to get their names as the leader of the exploration team and whoever gets the chance will be able to further their cause and also have an advantage when the decision of revenge or peace is made.

The clan leader didn't like Yami's idea of keeping this plan from Shiro but now seeing him desperately try to get on the team as a leader, he understood why Yami did that.

'For the 1st and 3rd elder to truly believe that this is a legit plan and not a facade, it was necessary for Shiro to be genuine.

"There are two people I think are needed to be on the exploration team due to their specific skillset and their area of mastery. Those two are the 7th and 10th elders. The negotiation skills of the 7th elder and the fighting techniques of the 10th elder are the skill that is a must-have for the team. I will leave up to them to decide who to lead the team.

The 7th and 10th elders instantly looked at each other in happiness when they heard their names being called. They tried their best to hide the excitement but it was as clear as day.

The 7th and 10th whispered amongst each other for a few seconds and then the 7th looked at the clan leader and said "Clan leader, we discussed and came to the conclusion that even though the 9th elder Oyashiro is strong and knowledgeable, the thing we will need now the most is experience and no one better than the 1st and 3rd elder are suitable to offer that."

"You praise us for no reason 7th elder. I am honored by your words." the 3rd elder thanked the 7th. The clan leader gave a disappointing expression as he heard the 7th elder's words and seeing that brought a smile to the 3rd elder's face.

'Looks like the clan leader's attempt to butter up the two elders backfired and instead of taking his side, they chose me and my brother.' the 3rd elder thought.

"I understand your reasoning 7th elder but..." the clan leader was talking but the 1st elder who was quiet the whole time spoke "Clan leader I think we should not waste much time on this. Trust me and the 3 elders...we will prepare a team and by tomorrow night we will venture out into the outside world."

The 1st elder's words carried way more weight when compared to the 3rd so no one said anything. Without saying much the clan leader sighed and said "Alright then...I will leave it up to you. We don't have anything much to discuss but we will provide the elders and their team with all the resources they need so get to work everyone." the clan leader said and stood up.

This was a sign for the others to stand up as well. The other elders also realized the mood in the room and started leaving. The 7th and 10th elders were the first ones to leave as they knew that it was because of their choice that the clan leader was pissed.

The 3rd elder leaned towards his brother and whispered "Looks like the clan leader is pissed. He seemingly hit a nail on his own toe."

The 1st elder nodded and said "Prepare the people from our side. We can't let a single one of these cowards get in our team or else we will have to behave restricted out there and won't be able to start plotting our revenge."

After the elders left the only ones remaining were Shiro and the clan leader. The clan leader hadn't told him to wait but he decided to.

"Clan leader...we can't let this happen. We..." Shiro was speaking when the clan leader signaled him to stop talking and said "I am tired of walking on eggshells Shiro and our people have to. We have to take one or the other decision and there was no other way to. The decision has been made so go and follow the orders for now."

Shiro could see that there was no room for negotiation now so he nodded and left as well. Shiro went back home and told his wife Sumi everything.

"Shiro things are getting pretty crazy nowadays. You know that the 4 elders and their people will create enemies as they go outside so even if they come back and we decide to go out into the world as a peaceful clan, the enemies they made will come after us." Sumi said.

"I understand what you are saying but I don't see any other way than to wait for the inevitable to happen. The clan leader also tried to get me into the team as one of the leaders but the 7th and 10th elder made their decision and stuck to it. As long as they know that they are in the good graces of the 1st elder, they have nothing to fear." Shiro shrugged his shoulder.

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