Chapter 3: Mission of Hope
A year had passed since the wedding of the three couples. Life in the hidden valley flowed peacefully and tranquilly. Their days were filled with farming, animal husbandry, ninjutsu training, and enjoying each other's company as a small family.
The valley had truly become a comfortable and safe home for the seven of them. The morning sun shone gently on the valley, warming the cool air and awakening the burgeoning life there.
The quietly flowing river became the background melody of their lives, accompanying every step and laugh that echoed in the valley. Lush green trees grew, providing shade and coolness, while their fields turned green, promising a bountiful harvest.
One bright afternoon, almost everyone gathered at Kyoya's house. The atmosphere around the house felt tense and slightly anxious. Kyoya himself paced back and forth in front of his house, his face ashen. Cold sweat beaded on his temples, and his hands clenched tightly, showing extraordinary nervousness.
Tsubasa tried to calm his subordinate and friend, although he himself felt a little nervous inside. Beside Tsubasa, Benkei and Ginga also looked restless, but some of their attention was diverted to the two tiny creatures in their arms – their children who had been born a few months earlier. The babies' presence slightly eased the tension, but did not completely eliminate the worry that enveloped them.
"Calm down, Kyoya," Tsubasa gently patted Kyoya's shoulder. "Everything will be alright. Hotaru is strong, she will definitely get through this." Tsubasa tried to project calm and confidence, even though within his own heart various feelings churned. He knew how important this moment was for Kyoya and Hotaru, and he wanted to give them the best support he could.
"But… but this is my first child being born, Tsubasa-sama!" Kyoya exclaimed in a panicked tone. "I… I'm so worried." His voice trembled, reflecting his fear and anxiety as a father-to-be. He imagined various bad possibilities that could happen, and his heart felt like it was being squeezed.
"I understand how you feel, Kyoya," Benkei chimed in, although his own voice sounded a little shaky. "I felt the same way when Ayame gave birth to Seiya. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest." Benkei tried to share his experience to comfort Kyoya, showing that feeling nervous and worried was a normal thing for every father-to-be to experience.
Ginga nodded in agreement, while cradling the baby in his arms. "That's just how it feels. But trust me, Kyoya, the happiness after hearing the baby's cry will make all your worries disappear." Ginga smiled gently, recalling the moment his daughter, Yumi, was born. The happiness and relief he felt at that time was truly indescribable in words.
Inside the house, two other women, Ushidate Ayame and Samejima Madoka, were deftly assisting Hotaru in the labor process. Gentle, soothing voices drifted from within, punctuated occasionally by Hotaru's soft groans. Ayame and Madoka tried to provide both moral and physical support to Hotaru, ensuring she felt comfortable and calm during the tense labor.
Time seemed to move incredibly slowly for Kyoya and the three men outside the house. Every second felt like hours, filled with anxiety and hope. They listened intently to every sound from inside the house, trying to guess what was happening. Their anxiety increased as time went on.
Suddenly, the tense silence was broken by a loud, clear baby's cry. The cry immediately filled the air, erasing all tension and anxiety. The first cry of a baby is always a miracle, a symbol of new life and endless hope.
Kyoya froze for a moment, then his eyes widened, and a broad smile soon bloomed on his face. Without waiting any longer, he burst into the house with burning enthusiasm. He couldn't wait to see his wife and child, to welcome their new family member.
"Hotaru! Honey!" Kyoya called out in a tone full of emotion and happiness. His voice trembled with overflowing emotion. He forgot all his nervousness and anxiety, all that remained was extraordinary happiness and relief.
Shortly after, Kyoya emerged from the house, his face beaming. "It's a boy! My son is a boy!" he exclaimed proudly, greeted by joyful cheers from Tsubasa, Benkei, and Ginga. Kyoya's happiness was contagious to them, and they all shared the same joy.
"Congratulations, Kyoya!" Tsubasa shook Kyoya's hand with a wide smile. "I knew everything would go smoothly." He felt relieved and happy to see Kyoya successfully get through this tense moment. The safe birth of this child was the most beautiful gift for them all.
"Congratulations, Kyoya, you're finally a father too," Benkei added, laughing in relief. He patted Kyoya's shoulder affectionately, sharing happiness with his friend.
"Congratulations, congratulations!" Ginga also chimed in with congratulations, his face also beaming. He held his baby tighter, feeling the warmth and happiness of family fill his heart.
After ensuring that both mother and child were safe and healthy, it was Tsubasa's turn to feel a slight headache. As expected, Kyoya, like Benkei and Ginga before him, asked Tsubasa to name their child.
The tradition of giving baby names to the clan leader was a way to show respect and trust, as well as hoping that the name would bring good fortune to the child.
"Tsubasa-sama, please give a good name to my son," Kyoya pleaded in a hopeful tone. He looked at Tsubasa with pleading eyes, hoping his young lord would give a beautiful and meaningful name to his son.
Tsubasa thought for a moment, then smiled. "Alright, Kyoya. Since your son was born with a fiery spirit like you, how about we name him… Kotarou?" Tsubasa chose a name that suited Kyoya's personality and hopes, reflecting the fighting spirit and courage of a samurai.
"Kotarou… Torayama Kotarou," Kyoya repeated the name softly, then his eyes lit up. "A great name, Tsubasa-sama! I really like it!" He felt very happy and honored with the name Tsubasa had given his son. The name felt fitting and meaningful to him.
Previously, Benkei and Ginga had also asked Tsubasa to name their children. For Benkei's son, Tsubasa chose the name Seiya, which meant "Loyal and Righteous Man," hoping his son would grow up to be a loyal and kind person. He wanted to instill virtues in the next generation of the Takagami clan.
Meanwhile, for Ginga's daughter, Tsubasa gave the name Yumi, a name that meant "Gentle and Beautiful," hoping his daughter would grow up to be as beautiful and gentle as her mother. He wanted his daughter to inherit Madoka's gentleness and grace, becoming a woman who was loved and respected.
To celebrate this joyous event, they slaughtered their farm-raised chickens and held a small feast. They ate together, laughed merrily, and shared happiness. Simple but delicious dishes were served on a handmade wooden table, becoming a symbol of their prosperity and togetherness.
That night, the hidden valley was filled with the warmth and happiness of a family. They tried to forget the tragic events that had befallen their clan more than a year ago, and looked to the future with brighter hopes. The bonfire was lit again, illuminating their happy faces and cheerful laughter until late into the night.
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Two months passed since the birth of the three babies. Life in the valley felt increasingly complete and warm with the presence of new family members. Baby laughter, small steps learning to walk, and children's cheerful babble filled the valley with new happiness.
Tsubasa noticed that the atmosphere in the valley became more stable and calm. The new fathers seemed more responsible and enthusiastic in their work and ninjutsu training. The presence of their children became additional motivation to work harder and protect their families.
Tsubasa felt that now was the right time to begin his plan to activate the 'Venom' ninjutsu. He had postponed this plan long enough, waiting for the right moment when conditions allowed.
Initially, he hesitated to ask for his subordinates' help in the near future, because he felt that these new fathers would be much needed at home to help their wives take care of the babies. He did not want to burden them with additional tasks while they were enjoying their new roles as fathers.
However, the urge to immediately test his new power was too strong to resist. Curiosity and ambition as a ninja drove him to start this plan immediately.
One afternoon, Tsubasa gathered his three subordinates at his house. "Kyoya, Benkei, Ginga," Tsubasa called out in a serious tone. "There is something I want to ask for your help with." He looked at his three subordinates with a sharp and determined gaze, indicating the seriousness of his request.
"What is it, Tsubasa-sama?" Kyoya asked, his face immediately turning serious. He sensed a change in Tsubasa's tone and expression, and he knew that this was not an ordinary request.
"I need you to help me get some ninja corpses," Tsubasa said in a soft but firm tone. He uttered those words carefully, ensuring the message he wanted to convey was clear and did not cause misunderstandings.
His three subordinates fell silent for a moment, exchanging glances with confused expressions. Tsubasa's request sounded strange and unexpected. "Ninja corpses?" Benkei asked, his eyebrows furrowed. "What for, Tsubasa-sama?" He tried to understand his young lord's intention, but he could not find a logical reason why Tsubasa would need ninja corpses.
"This is… to study a new forbidden ninjutsu," Tsubasa answered, intentionally adding a bit of mystery to his request. "This ninjutsu is very important to increase our strength. But… I need ninja corpses as experimental material." He explained a small part of his plan, hiding the real details about the 'Venom' ninjutsu and the purpose of its use.
Hearing the words 'forbidden ninjutsu' and 'increase our strength', the eyes of his three subordinates immediately lit up. They were very interested in the prospect of new power and greater ninjutsu abilities. The desire to become stronger in order to protect the Takagami clan burned in their hearts.
They already greatly trusted Tsubasa's genius in creating ninjutsu. The proof was the Rasengan that they had successfully learned in this period. A high-level ninjutsu that was once just a dream, had now become a reality thanks to Tsubasa's guidance.
Although they could only release a maximum of two Rasengans per day, after which their chakra would be exhausted, but it was an A-rank ninjutsu, a small ninja clan like theirs certainly did not have such a great heritage. Rasengan was clear proof of Tsubasa's genius, and they were sure this new forbidden ninjutsu would be far more powerful.
"Of course, Tsubasa-sama!" Kyoya exclaimed enthusiastically. "We will do anything to help Tsubasa-sama become stronger!" He did not hesitate even slightly to accept Tsubasa's request. His trust and loyalty to his young lord were unwavering.
"Yes, Tsubasa-sama!" Benkei and Ginga also nodded in agreement enthusiastically. "Just tell us what we need to do!" They were ready to carry out Tsubasa's orders, even if it meant facing danger and difficulty. They believed that Tsubasa always had a strong reason for every decision he made.
"I don't need strong ninja corpses," Tsubasa explained. "The important thing is ninja corpses, anyone will do. But I want you to be careful. Don't get caught, and don't leave any traces. Your safety is the top priority." He emphasized the importance of their safety, reminding them to always be vigilant and avoid unnecessary risks.
"Leave it to us, Tsubasa-sama!" Kyoya said confidently. "We will bring the ninja corpses that Tsubasa-sama needs as soon as possible." He showed their confidence and ability to complete this mission successfully.
The decision had been made. Kyoya and Benkei would depart to find ninja corpses, while Ginga would remain in the valley to stand guard. The safety of the valley was the top priority, especially with three babies who were still very vulnerable. Tsubasa did not want to take the risk of losing their newborn family members.
Tsubasa's current strength level was also not sufficient to face potential threats, so Ginga's presence as an additional guard was necessary. He realized the limitations of his current strength, and he knew that he had to increase his power soon to protect the Takagami clan.
The next day, Kyoya and Benkei said goodbye to begin their mission. Hotaru and Ayame hugged their husbands tightly, with worried but also hopeful faces. The farewell was filled with mixed emotions, between anxiety and confidence, between doubt and hope.
Ginga and Madoka also gave encouragement and hope that their mission would go smoothly and safely. They strengthened each other's hearts, providing mutual moral support to face this temporary separation.
"Be careful on the road," Hotaru advised in a soft voice. "Don't forget to always be vigilant." She looked into Kyoya's eyes with affection, conveying a message of deep care and love.
"Don't push yourselves too hard," Ayame chimed in with a worried tone. "If there is danger, return immediately." She reminded Benkei to always prioritize their safety above all else.
Tsubasa also reminded them once again. "Kyoya, Benkei, remember my message. Your safety is the top priority. If your lives are threatened, abandon this mission. Don't hesitate to run away." He reaffirmed the importance of their safety, showing that this mission was not everything compared to their lives.
Kyoya and Benkei nodded firmly, their faces full of determination. "We understand, Tsubasa-sama. We will be careful. We will definitely return safely, bringing the ninja corpses that Tsubasa-sama needs." They promised to carry out this mission to the best of their ability, but still prioritize the safety of themselves and their comrades.
With a final wave, Kyoya and Benkei disappeared behind the trees of the forest, leaving the hidden valley under the worried and hopeful gaze of the five remaining people.
Tsubasa, Ginga, Hotaru, Ayame, and Madoka watched their departure with mixed feelings, hoping that this mission would be successful and that Kyoya and Benkei would return safely. The future of the Takagami clan now depended on the success of this mission and the new ninjutsu power that Tsubasa would create.