The young Minamotos were in the midst of dressing up, their clothing partially donned, revealing hunter's marks across their backs.
"I'm sorry guys, It was my decision that's caused us to endure all this." Ukichi expressed, appearing a bit sad.
Uzin swiftly placed a reassuring hand on Ukichi's shoulder, "Don't worry, brother. Your decision was the right one. If I were in your shoes, I would have made the same decision."
"Absolutely," Kageru added, "And If I wore the crown, I'd appreciate your decision and grant you top honours as first-rank assassins." Uzin smiles at his remark.
"Any idea where Hiroto is?" Ukichi asked.
"He's waiting for us outside" Uzin replied, "his punishment ended before ours."
"Let's not keep him waiting, and Hana must be waiting for us too," Kageru remarked before they continued to dress up…
Hiroto was standing before his father's statue, a monument erected in every kingdom to honour him. Known as the saviour of humanity.
Hiroto gazed at the statue, his thoughts consumed by determination. "Father, one day I will become as strong as you were, perhaps even surpass you. That's my life's ambition. I'll make you proud, and one day, they'll erect a statue for me right beside yours." A smile played on his lips as he envisioned his future.
Hiroto was standing looking at his father's statue with a big smile on his face when the other Minamotos joined Hiroto, standing beside him gazing at the statue.
"Damn, Becoming like him is the dream of every person across the kingdoms." Kageru remarked.
Ukichi expressed solemnly, "It's an honour to be a part of his clan."
Uzin placed a comforting hand on Hiroto's shoulder, "Come on Hiroto, Hana is waiting for us." Hiroto acknowledged with a nod and led the way towards their waiting horses…
As they rode home, their journey was interrupted by a distressing sight, a hooded figure mercilessly beating a random old man in the midst of a crowd.
Kageru spotted the commotion and yelled, "Hey, what is happening here?" quickly dismounting the horse he rushed toward the hooded figure. With determined steps, he intervened, pulling the hooded figure away and immediately tending to the injured elderly man. "Are you alright?" concern evident in his voice.
Though bloodied, the old man managed a nod of assurance. The other Minamotos quickly gathered around.
"Uzin, he's bleeding!" Kageru alerted Uzin.
Uzin quickly knelt beside the injured man, assessing the wound. "He'll be alright, it's not too deep," he reassured.
Kageru's anger flared as he directed his gaze toward the hooded figure. "What's your problem, huh?" he bellowed.
Drawing his sword, Ukichi stepped forward, his voice firm. "Who Are you?" he demanded.
The hooded figure removed his hood revealing his bright handsome features with a calm smile playing on his face.
Minamotos was gazing at him with a mix of confusion and disbelief.
Uzin's disbelief was clear, as he whispered. "Ryochi Hakuto, from the third rank assassins?" he exclaimed.
"Why are you attacking this citizen?" Kageru demanded, however Ryochi remained silent.
Drawing both of his swords, Kageru pointed them at Ryochi. "Pick on someone your own level!" he declared angrily.
With a mocking smirk, Ryochi calmly said, "My level huh? I don't see anyone here who can match me." Kageru's frustration boiled over.
"Lower your swords, Kageru. We can't fight him here." Hiroto intervened in a hushed tone.
Ryochi taunted him, sneering, "Put them back, you insignificant weakling."
In an instant, Kageru's eyes blazed with fury as he vanished from sight, reappearing next to Ryochi with his blades poised dangerously close to his neck.
Before Ryochi could react, Kageru unleashed a powerful swing, but his blades met nothing but empty air.
Ryochi had vanished, leaving Kageru bewildered and stunned.
Suddenly, a deep slash appeared on Kageru's shoulder, causing blood to flow freely. Kageru winced in pain and began to lose his balance and eventually his eyes got closed as he started falling forward.
But before he could fall, Hiroto, Uzin, and Ukichi rushed and caught him.
Uzin swiftly assessed the injury and declared, "This cut is severe, we need to stop the bleeding"
Suddenly, a mocking voice echoed, taunting, "Messing with someone out of your level always leads to a bloody end."
Minamoto's fury surged as they spun around to face Ryochi, who stood in some distance, with Kageru's blood staining his blade.
"I could have easily taken his life with a strike to the neck," Ryochi sneered. "But I gave him life as a beg." his tone dripping with mockery.
Ukichi rose to his feet, his voice ringing with fury, "One day I am taking revenge for this"
Ryochi's smirk widened, and in an instant, the entire third ranked assassin squad showed up on horseback.
Their leader gracefully dismounted, and a reverent hush fell over the area as everyone present bowed in respect except the Minamoto squad.
"Ukichi Minamoto." Their leader addressed Ukichi directly, his voice carrying authority, "Your assassin started this, and mine finished it. So there is no point of revenge."
Ukichi's tone remained steady as he replied, "Daichi, you lack justice. Whatever the reason was, your assassin shouldn't have beat that old man like that"
Daichi's smile widened, his confidence evident as he retorted, "Justice huh? well I believe what's more important here is power which you and your squad lack in every way possible."
Ukichi remained silent, his angered gaze fixed on Daichi, the leader of the third ranks.
"How much more are you planning to embarrass this kingdom and the assassins of this kingdom?" Daichi said, his tone dripping with anger, "You worthless brats never deserved to be one of us, and I'm promising you, the day I get the slightest chance, I'm finishing all of you with just a slash of my blade!"
There was a heavy silence hung in the air, every citizen's gaze was fixed on the scene.
Ukichi stood, his expressions dark but then a smirk appeared on his face, "Then I'm also making a promise, one day me and my squad will surpass you in every way possible!"
Daichi's smirk widened his eyes, reflecting craziness.
"Get ready Daichi," Ukichi continued, "Because the rise of the Minamoto's has just begun" his tone carrying a chilling intensity.
Daichi's grin persisted, his squad faced a mask of anger as they kept their eyes locked on Minamoto's.
Ukichi, Haruto and Uzin's firm and confident gaze remained locked on to them.
"Captain Daichi, it's time to depart." Ryochi, the member of the third rank, interjected, "The king awaits our presence." With a nod, Daichi proceeded to leave.
Uzin and Hiroto supported Kageru to his feet, guiding him back into their residence.
Kageru lay on his back, his shoulder wrapped in bandages, while the others gathered around him.
"Kageru, that was quite reckless." Hiroto queried "Why start a fight when you knew we weren't a match for him?"
"He was pissing me off." Kageru shrugged angrily.
"You need to control your anger!" Hiroto replied angrily.
Uzin stepped forward with an awkward smile on his face, "Okay, Let's keep things calm. No need to heat things up."
"Consider this your last warning, Kageru." Ukichi's voice carried a hint of seriousness to which Kageru nodded tersely.
Just then, Kasumi entered the room, announcing, "Dinner is served, Mr. Minoru wanted me to inform you all."
"Thanks, we'll join shortly." Uzin expressed gratitude. Turning to Kageru, Kasumi inquired, "How's your shoulder now?"
Kageru's cheeks flushed crimson as he responded, "Yeah, it's okay now. Thanks for asking."
Kasumi nodded with a warm smile before leaving the room, leaving Kageru feeling a bit embarrassed under the teasing gazes of his brothers.
During lunch, Mr. Minoru spoke up, "You shouldn't have acted impulsively, Kageru. Remember, those are third rank assassins, and they come from noble backgrounds."
Kageru sighed, "I Know father, but I find it hard to control myself when I witness injustice."
"It's crucial to maintain control of your anger." Hiroto emphasized, "Don't forget, we all feel the same way when we witness injustice. However, if you let your anger dictate your actions, it could ruin everything."
"Exactly" Uzin chimed in "We all get angry, but it's crucial to weigh the consequences before letting it consume you."
"Kageru, repeat this behaviour, and you're out for the next three missions." Ukichi warned sternly, to which Kageru responded by angrily digging into his food.