Ashina's Respect

The moment of revelation had struck the meeting room like a thunderbolt, leaving an almost eerie silence in its wake. The weight of Yujiro's words hung heavily, transforming the atmosphere from one of anticipation to one of disbelief.

Ashina's reaction was as swift as it was impassioned. His voice, carrying a mix of anger and betrayal, reverberated within the room as he accused Yujiro of foul play.

Accusations tumbled forth, questioning the legitimacy of the Hanma Clan's existence, the sincerity of their intentions, and the validity of their proposal for an alliance.

"What Hanma Clan?" Ashina's voice boomed with frustration.

"What hope for prosperity for both clans? Isn't it just you in the Hanma Clan? Are you joking with me, Yujiro?"

Yujiro, on the other hand, responded to Ashina's outburst with an uncharacteristic burst of laughter. It was a deep, rumbling laughter that filled the room, carrying a sense of amusement that bordered on arrogance.

His laughter was so robust that it almost pained their ears, yet he seemed unbothered by the discomfort it caused.

In the midst of Ashina's demands for the revocation of the covenant, Yujiro's laughter eventually tapered off, leaving behind a trace of his usual self-assured demeanor.

With a dismissive wave of his hand, he halted the old leader's attempt to take hasty action.

"Calm down, Ashina," he said with a calm tone.

"Please, allow me to explain."

Ashina, though still visibly irked, begrudgingly nodded, his stern gaze fixed on Yujiro.

"You have one chance to clarify this, Hanma," he said firmly. 

Mito, who had been observing the exchange with a mixture of surprise and skepticism, found herself caught in the crossfire of emotions. Her initial enthusiasm and anticipation had been replaced by a sense of uncertainty.

She couldn't help but wonder if Yujiro had been playing with them, treating the Uzumaki Clan as mere pawns in a larger game.

As the room fell into an uneasy silence, the fate of the nascent alliance hung precariously in the balance. The only certainty amidst the uncertainty was that this meeting had taken an unexpected turn, leaving everyone present grappling with the implications of Yujiro's revelation.

Mito, her violet eyes filled with a complex mixture of emotions, leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed intently on Yujiro.

"Yujiro," she began cautiously, "is there a deeper reason behind this revelation? Is there really one member to the Hanma Clan? Or are you just joking with us?"

Yujiro, his demeanor shifting from amusement to a more thoughtful expression, leaned back in his chair, the corners of his lips curling into a wry smile.

"Unfortunately, I'm not joking with both of you. Once, I had two sons, both of them was quite powerful but they are not here with me anymore" he replied.

With that, Yujiro began to unravel the tale of the Hanma Clan, a once-proud lineage known for its proud physique and fierce bloodline. He detailed how he had become the last living member of the clan, a solitary heir to Hanma Clan.

He detailed how he had become the last living member of the clan.

"However," Yujiro continued, his voice taking on a more solemn tone, "don't mistake that I'll just break my promise. With my strength, do you think there will be anyone that dared to invade Land of Whirpool? Muahaha!"

Ashina, who had been listening intently, furrowed his brows in thought. The anger that had flared earlier seemed to have subsided, replaced by a contemplative air. 

"But what about the information exchanges, do you even have any knowledge to trade?" he asked.

Yujiro nodded, "Of course! Who do you think I am!? I can bring this puny village to become far, far, far greater than now!"

Both Ashina and Mito seemed skeptical towards Yujiro's claim but his confidence made them thinking if Yujiro can really backed up his arrogant statement.

Yujiro smoked his pipe and exhaled until the room become quite foggy. He remarked, " I understand the value of an alliance with the Uzumaki Clan as I'm really interested in your Fuinjutsu. I am willing to offer my strength and make the Uzushiogakure become the center of Shinobi World!"

Yujiro then waited for their reply but if they didn't want to give him their secrets, maybe he will resort to some violence. Mito exchanged a glance with Ashina, the unspoken understanding passing between them.

The situation had taken an unexpected turn, but there was potential here—a chance for both clans to benefit. If Yujiro proclamations were not exaggerated, they can afford to bet on him.

Both of them considered the situation. At worst, they would have a man whose abilities could rival Hashirama and Madara, so it wasn't a total loss. Ashina also pondered the possibility that if Yujiro succeeded in having many children in the future, the once-imaginary Hanma Clan might become a real and powerful force in his village!

Ashina asked Yujiro with a curious tone, "Yujiro, do you already have a wife?" 

Then, Yujiro laughed and answered, "No, I don't have 'wife' per say but there are two women that resided in Konohagakure that carrying my spawns in their belly."

Ashina blushed, a bit taken aback by Yujiro's blunt response, while Mito coughed, feeling slightly embarrassed by the candid conversation.

In Ashina's heart, a newfound respect for Yujiro was taking root. As he listened to Yujiro's casual mention of having two women, Ashina couldn't help but silently marvel at the man's abilities.

He, himself, had a wife back home, and the thought of handling her moods and, at times, her unpredictability was daunting enough.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't resist asking, "Yujiro, how in the world do you manage them?"

There was a genuine sense of wonder in his voice, mingled with a hint of humor.

Yujiro's brows furrowed slightly in confusion at the question, as if the concept of having many women was the most natural thing in the world. He leaned back in his chair and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Ah, it's not that hard at all," he replied, his tone relaxed.

"You see, Ashina, if a woman spends a night with me, she'll forget about any other guy out there. I'm simply the best there ever will be."

Ashina couldn't help but sweated and chuckled at Yujiro's confident response. It was clear that this enigmatic man had a charisma that extended into all aspects of his life, even matters of the heart.

Mito, who had been listening to their exchange with an amused smile, chimed in, "Well, Yujiro, you certainly have a way with words."

Yujiro flashed a grin, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Just speaking the truth, Mito."

"Ahem, but do you think you can expand your Hanma Clan even further?" Ashina inquired.

Yujiro nodded with a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, his confidence unwavering as he replied.

"Indeed, I have every confidence that I can create a Hanma Clan. My charm is unmatched, Ashina. If I focus on increasing my clan's numbers, it may take only a decade."

Mito couldn't help but chuckle softly at the exchange, her violet eyes reflecting a mixture of amusement and curiosity, "Well, Yujiro, it seems your charisma knows no bounds."

Yujiro's smile widened, and he leaned back in his chair, exuding a self-assured air, "You underestimate the power of the Hanma charm, Mito."

Mito, her playful spirit shining through, couldn't resist a teasing remark, "Is that so, Yujiro? Perhaps someday you'll have to demonstrate this legendary charm of yours."

Yujiro met her gaze with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "Oh, Mito, you might not be able to handle it."

Their flirtatious banter continued, adding a touch of lightness to the otherwise serious discussion. Ashina, found himself amused by their exchange, and he couldn't help but feel weird at the flirty exchanges between Yujiro and Mito.

Mito leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a playful whisper, "Is that a challenge, Yujiro?"

Yujiro's deep laughter filled the room once again, "You'll find, Mito, that I never once lost in this type of challenge."

Mito's gaze held a hint of mischief as she countered, "Well, I do enjoy a good challenge."

As they exchanged playful jabs and good-natured teasing, it became evident to Ashina that not only did Yujiro possess the strength to rival the legendary figures of Hashirama and Madara, but he also had the charisma to win over even the most formidable of 'allies'.

The future alliance between the Uzumaki and Hanma Clans seemed promising.

Nevertheless, the negotiations were far from over and after a lengthy discussion and negotiation, the tension in the room began to ease. Ashina agreed to continue exploring the possibility of an alliance, provided that Yujiro demonstrated his sincerity and commitment.

As the meeting drew to a close, Yujiro extended his hand to Ashina in a gesture of respect, "So, do you want to form an alliance that will not only benefit us but also bring prosperity to the Land of Whirlpool?"

Ashina grasped Yujiro's hand firmly, his hoarse voice carrying a note of approval. "Very well, Yujiro. Let this be the beginning of a new chapter for our clans."

The meeting, initially marked by tension and uncertainty, had taken an unexpected turn. With that, the fate between the Uzumaki Clan and the enigmatic Hanma Clan was entwined.

As the meeting with Ashina and Mito concluded, Yujiro rose from his seat. He had achieved his initial objective—a potential alliance with the Uzumaki Clan—and now it was time to plan his next moves.

He turned to Ashina, offering a parting nod of respect, "You'll be seeing more of me in the coming months, Ashina," he stated.

"I'll stay in the village for a while before returning to Konohagakure to gather my women and their entourage if they had any."

Ashina's response was a gruff but appreciative nod. He had come to recognize the determination that radiated from Yujiro and, despite the earlier turmoil, saw the potential benefits of this alliance.

Turning his attention to Mito, Yujiro couldn't help but acknowledge the young Uzumaki's spirited personality. He had found her unpredictability amusing and refreshing, a sentiment he rarely associated with others.

Before he could leave, he leaned in slightly, his tone playful. "Oh, Mito," he began, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "don't worry, I promise not to devour you while we're studying Fuinjutsu."

Mito couldn't help but smirk in response. "Well, that's reassuring," she retorted, her own sarcasm evident. "Just make sure you keep your appetite in check."

...

With a shared laugh, Yujiro bid his farewell once more and made his way back to the inn. His glaive was his constant companion, a reflection of his dedication to mastering its formidable power.

Upon reaching a quiet, uninhabited shore, Yujiro began his training regimen. With the glaive in hand, he focused his chakra and initiated a series of precise, fluid movements. Each strike and swing of the glaive carried a specific intent—a desire to engrave the principles of Fuinjutsu onto its very form.

The ocean's edge became a canvas for his artistry, as the blade sliced through the air with a grace that belied its sheer destructive potential. With each motion, Yujiro sought to manipulate the chakra within the glaive, to infuse it with the essence of his newfound knowledge.

As the hours passed, his understanding of his glaive deepened, the ocean serving as both a backdrop and a challenge. Yujiro aimed to accomplish more than mere slashes or strikes; he aspired to part the waters, to harness the power of his glaive in a way that would set him apart.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow upon the tranquil scene. Yujiro's relentless determination remained unwavering, his overbearing nature driving him to push the limits of his capabilities.

By nightfall, he had made progress, his control over the glaive's chakra-infused strikes more refined. The ocean's surface bore the marks of his efforts, ripples and currents disrupted by the sheer force of his mastery.

With a satisfied nod, Yujiro finally sheathed his glaive. His path toward becoming a master of glaive was just beginning, but he was undeterred.

"I can't wait to find some weapon master to shake their world a little, hahaha!"