Chapter 13
1248 Words
“Not surprised Master Gorō said that,” muttered Tatsuya. Discussions were already concluded, with everyone who stayed during the meeting finally standing up and heading towards their respective residences. Tatsuya had long discarded the much-mangled blade of grass. The two shinobi were walking towards their quarters, small huts located in one cavernous corridor in the inner recesses of the cavern.
Kai nodded in agreement. “Yes. You know how hardly anything goes past the old man.”
The two ninjas have been comrades-in-arms for many years and have developed a friendship of sorts. Tatsuya was much older than Kai, but he became part of the Yamanoha clan as a young boy, unlike Kai who was practically raised by the clan almost from the time he was little more than a year old.
The arrival of the two “sisters” and knowing that each has feelings for each of them intensified their bond. Because nothing unites two men more than knowing the other harbors secret unrequited passions for certain members of the fair s*x.
“Hey, Master Gorō would like a word with you two,” said one of the newer shinobi.
“Thanks, Kenta,” replied Tatsuya.
Uh oh … the old man’s got something weighty on his mind, I can feel it …
Are you going to send me on another rescue mission, Master Gorō … ?
Having known the old man as their mentor and father-figure of sorts, Kai and Tatsuya know that a private conversation with Master Gorō is usually a very good sign - or a very bad one. And they have no idea which one it would be.
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The two shinobi were kneeling before Master Gorō in his rather small and plain sitting room. They made sure they were positioned on safe places on the tatami-lined floor. To be placed anywhere else would mean springing any number of deadly, cleverly concealed traps in his quarters.
“Fine work as always, Tatsuya. You’re to be commended,” spoke Master Gorō.
From his seated kneeling pose, Tatsuya placed his hands palms down before him and bowed down until his forehead nearly touched the floor.
“I am glad the swords we forged have met the clan’s expectations and will be put to good use.” Tatsuya straightened up and continued to maintain a dignified demeanor as he knelt before him, with his muscular back as straight as a wooden board. “But we all know you didn’t summon me and Kai just for that, Master Gorō.”
“By the gods, I swear you’re slowly but surely becoming as sharp as Kai, Tatsuya,” Master Gorō gave a cynical smirk. “Give or take a few years, you may be able to surpass him.”
Tatsuya simply shrugged. Like Kai, he never took offence at Master Gorō’s little jibes, having known long ago that his sarcastic streak was part and parcel of his personality. And besides, the erstwhile blacksmith-shinobi prefers it that way. It somehow adds a bit of humor and levity to an otherwise deadly serious and potentially ponderous talk.
The ancient shinobi master offered them some tea. “So … disappointed that you didn’t get to see the ‘sister’, eh Tatsuya?”
The smith almost dropped his teacup, something that very rarely happens to him. “Master Gorō?!” he nearly squawked.
Kai had trouble suppressing an urge to laugh out loud, something that very rarely happens to him.
“It’s a good thing you finally got to talk with your ‘princess’, Kai. I was starting to think you’re completely hopeless,” Master Gorō continued to speak without missing a beat.
Kai pursed his lips, a sign that he was greatly annoyed.
What I wouldn’t give to beat the living daylights out of you, you sneaky old goat!
Master Gorō just sat back after handing the two ninjas their teacups with a serene and placid smile on his face. “You’re both very, very good at hiding your inner selves from most people, I’ll grant you that. You can even pull the wool over the eyes of most of our clan.”
“Most of our clan, Master Gorō. Not all,” Kai replied tersely, his eyes glaring and narrowed in annoyance at the old fox.
Master Gorō’s grin simply deepened, annoying Kai even more. “But no need to fret, you two. Your secrets are safe with me … and with them.”
Tatsuya rolled his eyes in pure irritation. He has a very good idea and a very sinking feeling who they might be.
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But there was yet another conversation that took place aside from that of Master Gorō’s and his proteges. Conversations that, if Master Gorō and the other shinobi masters ever get to discover, would rock the Yamanoha clan to its very foundations and destroy each and every one of them ...
One of the many young shinobi went off into one of the shadowy corners of one of the cavern’s corridors that leads to the living quarters to speak with Gen, one of the rice farmers who supports the clan by supplying them with a modest part of his harvest.
“So what you say is true then?” the young shinobi whispered with keen curiosity.
“Aye, it is. We uses it from time to time when we gets cuts or bruises from workin’ out in the fields, an’ it does the job quickly an’ well. But we makes no mistake swallowin’ even a single drop ourselves.”
“Why is that?”
“I don’t rightly know myself, but if you drinks the smallest bit of it, it can well kill you.”
“I see. So if you apply it outside the body, it can heal injuries. But if you drink it, it acts like a poison. Did I understand you correctly?”
“Aye, that be the truth if it.”
“Thank you, Gen. I owe you.”
“You do? How, an’ why, young one?”
“You’ll see soon enough,” the shinobi smiled reassuringly.
“Well, whatever it is you be plannin’ I hope it can help us all, my family and me included. The past couple of harvests weren’t as plentiful as we would’ve liked, so my contribution was but a measly amount.”
“So I heard. That’s so sad, and to think you all have been working so hard.”
“Well, it’s a farmer’s lot after all. Bad harvests are oft followed by bumper crops, so best be patient and bear with it for now.”
“I admire how patient you farmers are. You could put even some of us to shame.”
“Well, patience comes with time and age.”
“True. Anyway, I have to go back to my quarters. Thanks once again, Gen.”
“Anytime, youngster.”
Once they parted ways, the young shinobi pulled out a thin sheaf of paper and a writing brush that was already smeared with ink from a hidden sleeve pocket, and began to secretly compose a short note to Baron Shingo.
- Writer
