Chapter 1: Fall and Rebirth
The cave was pitch black, as cold as a starless night, and oppressively silent. Only the sound of seven people breathing broke the stillness. They had gathered in a secluded nook, hidden behind a raging waterfall, far from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
Among the seven figures, one lay unconscious. He was the youngest, a boy with the small frame typical of a ten-year-old child.
The other six appeared older, all around seventeen or eighteen years of age. Fate was indeed unique; of these six teenagers, three were male and three were female. They sat in a circle around the unconscious boy, their faces tense with worry.
Suddenly, the young boy's small fingers twitched. Slowly but surely, his eyelids fluttered and opened. Confusion was evident in his innocent eyes. He looked up, staring blankly at the dark cave around him.
"Where... am I?" he mumbled weakly, his voice hoarse and faint. As soon as the words left his lips, his head felt like it had been struck by a sledgehammer. An intense pain pierced him mercilessly. Along with the pain, a flood of unfamiliar memories overwhelmed his mind.
These memories were not his, or at least, that's how it felt. Yet, at the same time, they felt incredibly real, as if he had experienced them himself. Two distinct sets of memories, colliding and merging within his head, created unimaginable chaos.
"ARGHH!" The young boy screamed loudly, his hands clutching his head tightly, trying to alleviate the pain that felt like it wanted to split his skull. The scream shattered the silence of the cave, startling the six teenagers watching over him. They quickly moved closer, their faces filled with panic.
"Tsubasa-sama!" one of them exclaimed in a worried tone. "Tsubasa-sama, are you alright?"
However, Tsubasa could not answer. His head felt like a battlefield where two sets of memories were at war. The pain intensified, blurring his vision. Before his consciousness completely faded, he could only hear panicked voices around him, calling his name with anxious tones. Then, darkness enveloped him once more.
---
Two hours passed in the darkness of the cave. When Tsubasa opened his eyes again, the first sight that greeted him was the relieved faces of the six people around him.
They looked as if they had just experienced extreme panic. The torchlight they held cast flickering shadows on the cave walls, creating an atmosphere that was dramatic yet also filled with warmth.
This time, when the memories resurfaced, Tsubasa no longer felt so overwhelmed. The pain in his head had significantly reduced, and he could focus more on understanding what was actually happening.
From the fragmented, jumbled memories, he began to realize his situation. First, it seemed he was experiencing reincarnation, or some kind of memory awakening from a previous life. The sensation of this small body, the hoarse voice that was not his own, and the unfamiliar cave environment, were all undeniable proof.
"Reincarnation?" Tsubasa mumbled softly, his eyes widening. The information felt so absurd yet so real. He touched his forehead, trying to process everything. His previous world, a modern world with all its technological conveniences and entertainment, now felt like a distant dream.
However, reincarnation was not the main thing that caught his attention. The most important information he gleaned from the newly awakened memories was about the existence of a superpower called chakra.
Yes, chakra, the power that was the core of the dangerous world of shinobi, the world of Naruto. He was actually in the world of Naruto! The world of manga and anime that he had only watched on screen, was now his reality. This incredible feeling was like a dream come true, but also a chilling nightmare.
"This is insane," Tsubasa thought to himself. However, the confusion and shock slowly turned into a deep curiosity. The world of Naruto, a ninja world with all their jutsu and thrilling battles. A world he only knew from manga and anime. And now, he was truly in it.
The six people with him in this cave, according to the memories of his new body, were his subordinates. He was Tsubasa Takagami, the son of the leader of the Takagami ninja clan.
A ninja clan whose name sounded unfamiliar, unlike the famous great clans like Senju, Uzumaki, Hyuga, or Uchiha. The names of those great clans immediately flashed through his mind, legendary names whose stories he had often read and watched.
However, he was now part of an unknown clan, a clan that probably did not have a glorious history or mighty power like those great clans. This was a reality he had to face, a reality that was bitter yet also full of potential.
The current timeline was the Warring States Era, the darkest era in shinobi world history. An era where war and conflict between clans was daily fare. An era where a ninja's life was worth less than a sword blade.
Tsubasa shuddered at the thought of this era filled with violence and uncertainty. He knew from the Naruto stories that this era was the foundation of the shinobi world he later came to know, but being in it was a completely different experience.
"At least I wasn't born into a great clan," Tsubasa thought, feeling a sliver of relief. As explained in the original work, famous ninja clans were almost always involved in wars. Being born into a ninja clan that was not too large might be a blessing in disguise. Perhaps with a smaller scale, the risks and pressures he faced would also not be as great as those giant clans.
However, that luck turned out to be just an illusion. The real misfortune had just befallen his clan. The Takagami ninja clan was attacked by a stronger ninja clan, and almost all of their clan members perished. Only he survived. In that brutal attack, the Takagami clan was utterly destroyed, leaving behind ruins and bitter memories.
Yes, only Tsubasa. While the six people with him were members of small ninja families affiliated with the Takagami clan. They were from the Torayama, Ushidate, and Samejima families. These families had long served the Takagami clan, becoming the backbone of the clan's strength and network. Now, they were the last remnants of a fragile alliance.
"Torayama Kyoya, Ushidate Benkei, Torayama Hotaru, Ushidate Ayame, Samejima Ginga, and Samejima Madoka," Tsubasa uttered the names of the six people in his heart, trying to recall their faces one by one.
He tried to connect those names to the faces watching him anxiously. Kyoya, with his sharp gaze and firm jawline, seemed the most mature and responsible.
Benkei, with a larger frame and a slightly hesitant expression, was perhaps the most cautious. Ginga, with a thin smile and bright eyes, was possibly the most optimistic. Hotaru, Ayame, and Madoka, although looking worried, also had an aura of strong determination in their eyes.
Amazingly, these six people were arranged pairs, betrothed by their families. It was ironic that the former clan leader was now alone, while his former subordinates already had partners. Fate truly loved to play games, Tsubasa thought bitterly.
He was also supposed to be betrothed. The Takagami clan had plans to betroth him to a larger family, an alliance that had been agreed upon by both sides. This political marriage was supposed to strengthen the Takagami clan's position and give it access to greater resources and influence.
However, the Takagami clan did not realize that this was a trap. Tsubasa's prospective fiancé's family was actually planning to eliminate the Takagami clan completely through this betrothal plan. This betrayal was a fatal blow to the Takagami clan, shattering their hopes and future.
And so ended the tragic story of the Takagami family. They were wiped out, leaving only Tsubasa and his six subordinates.
Tsubasa sighed deeply, banishing the bitter memories from his mind. He refocused his attention on his six subordinates, who were currently staring at him with hopeful eyes. Their hope and trust were both a burden and a motivation for him. He had to lead them, protect them, and together rebuild the ruined clan.
"What are the young lord's plans next? Does the young lord plan to take revenge?" Torayama Kyoya's question broke the silence. His tone was full of loyalty and concern. Kyoya was the first voice to speak after the long silence, breaking the tension hanging in the air.
Tsubasa could clearly see that they were genuinely loyal to him. They had brought him to this secluded cave amidst pursuit from his former fiancé's family, with some wounds visible on their bodies. Their unwavering loyalty was the only asset left to Tsubasa, and he knew he had to cherish and reciprocate it.
Hearing Kyoya's question, Tsubasa fell silent for a moment, pondering. Revenge? His entire family, father, mother, siblings, were most likely killed in that attack. Anger and grief burned in his heart, yet he knew revenge was not a simple answer.
Normally, he should take revenge. By any means, no matter the cost. That was what an heir of a clan who had lost everything should do. Revenge was the most obvious, most traditional, and most satisfying path for the pain and loss he felt.
His six subordinates were still waiting for his answer, their faces tense with anticipation. They were ready to do whatever Tsubasa ordered, even if it meant risking their lives.
Tsubasa looked at them one by one, his eyes sweeping across the faces of Kyoya, Benkei, Ginga, Hotaru, Ayame, and Madoka. Then, an idea suddenly popped into his mind. An idea that might sound crazy, but somehow felt right.
Tsubasa took a deep breath, then exhaled it slowly. He looked at his six subordinates with a sharp yet gentle gaze. "You six," he said in a firm yet warm tone, "you must get married immediately and have more children!"
The six teenagers froze, their eyes widening perfectly, their mouths gaping in disbelief. An awkward silence filled the cave for a moment. They were all shocked and confused by this completely unexpected command. Revenge was what they had expected, but marriage and children? This was a completely different direction.
"Huh?" Ushidate Ayame finally spoke, breaking the silence in a confused tone. "Marry... and have children?" she repeated Tsubasa's command, as if unsure of what she had just heard. Ayame, who was usually cheerful and talkative, was now at a loss for words.
"Yes, marry and have children," Tsubasa nodded firmly. "That is my order as the last leader of the Takagami clan." He repeated his command with the same conviction, emphasizing his authority as the clan leader. Even though he was still young, he knew he had to act decisively and show a clear direction to his subordinates.
"But, Tsubasa-sama... what about revenge?" asked Torayama Kyoya, still not understanding the direction of his young lord's words. "Shouldn't we avenge the destruction of the Takagami clan?" Kyoya, who had seemed most eager for revenge earlier, was now bewildered. Revenge was a ninja's tradition and duty, how could Tsubasa ignore it?
Tsubasa sighed again, this time longer. He looked at Kyoya with a serious gaze. "Kyoya, revenge is important. I also want to avenge my family's deaths. But, the Takagami clan is almost extinct. There are only seven of us left. What is the point of revenge if in the end our clan completely disappears from the face of the earth?" He explained his logic calmly yet firmly.
Kyoya fell silent, looking deep in thought. The other six teenagers also looked puzzled, trying to digest Tsubasa's words. They were beginning to realize that their young lord had a different view, a broader and more strategic perspective.
"The most important thing right now is not revenge," Tsubasa continued, his voice softening. "The most important thing is to ensure the Takagami clan survives. We must rebuild our clan from scratch. And the best way to do that is to increase our numbers." He emphasized the importance of clan survival above all else. Revenge could be postponed, but the future of the clan could not.
"Increase our numbers..." Samejima Ginga mumbled, his eyes wandering. "Does the young lord mean, we should... get married soon and have many children?" Ginga, who was initially confused, was starting to understand the essence of Tsubasa's plan.
"Exactly, Ginga," Tsubasa smiled faintly. "You six are already betrothed, right? That's a good start. Get married immediately, build strong families, and give birth to the next generation of the Takagami clan." Tsubasa's smile was a sign of hope and conviction. He believed in this plan, and he wanted to infect his subordinates with his belief.
"But, Tsubasa-sama..." Ushidate Benkei seemed hesitant. "We are still too young to get married and have children. And besides, we are on the run. How can we build families in a situation like this?" Benkei, who was pragmatic and realistic, voiced a sensible concern. Their current conditions were far from ideal for building families.
"That's the challenge, Benkei," Tsubasa looked at Benkei with an eager gaze. "We are indeed in a difficult situation. But, precisely because of that, we must be stronger. We must prove that the Takagami clan will not give up so easily. We will rebuild our clan, even from the ruins." He acknowledged the difficulties they faced, but he also emphasized their determination to overcome those challenges.
"And your marriages are the first step," Tsubasa continued. "Your marriages will strengthen the bonds between the families loyal to the Takagami clan. Your children will be the new generation of the Takagami clan, a generation that is stronger and more resilient than ever before." He explained the long-term goal of his marriage plan, which was to build a solid foundation for the Takagami clan in the future.
The six teenagers fell silent, looking at each other. Slowly, the doubt on their faces began to fade, replaced by a newfound determination and spirit. They were beginning to understand their young lord's vision. Revenge was important, but clan survival was far more crucial. They understood that Tsubasa was not just thinking about short-term revenge, but also the long-term future of the Takagami clan.
"I understand, Tsubasa-sama," Torayama Kyoya finally spoke, his face now looking brighter. "We will carry out the young lord's command. We will get married and have many children. We will rebuild the Takagami clan." Kyoya, who was the first to voice doubts, was now the first to fully accept Tsubasa's plan.
"Yes, Tsubasa-sama!" Ushidate Ayame and the five other teenagers nodded in unison, their voices full of enthusiasm. Their spirits which had been dim were now reignited. They felt new hope and a clear purpose.
Tsubasa smiled in relief, seeing the change in his subordinates' attitude. He knew that his command might sound unusual, even ridiculous. But, he was convinced that this was the best path for the Takagami clan at this moment. Revenge could wait, but the future of the clan could not be postponed. He felt the burden on his shoulders slightly lifted, replaced by confidence and hope.
"Good," Tsubasa said, standing up straight. "Then, let's begin the Takagami clan rebuilding plan. First of all, we must get out of this cave and find a safer place to build a temporary dwelling. Then, we will prepare for your six marriages." The first step they had to take was to get out of the cave and find a safer place.
"And after that?" asked Samejima Madoka, her eyes sparkling with hope. Madoka, who had seemed the most worried earlier, was now filled with spirit and optimism.
Tsubasa smiled mysteriously. "After that... we will surprise the shinobi world with the birth of a new generation of the Takagami clan." He looked at his six subordinates with burning confidence and determination. They would prove to the world that the Takagami clan was not extinct, and they would return stronger than ever.
The six teenagers tried to laugh cheerfully to release their sadness, their spirits ignited. They knew that the road ahead would not be easy. But, with Tsubasa as their leader, they were confident they could overcome all obstacles.
They were the last hope of the Takagami clan, and they would not disappoint their clan. In that dark and secluded cave, amidst threats and uncertainty, a new hope had been born. Hope to rebuild the Takagami clan, hope for a better future.