"It's me!"
Raizen's voice cut through the tense circle of Amamiya ninjas. For a moment, every hand froze, every kunai halted mid-raise. He had mistaken them for enemy infiltrators—but it wasn't the case.
"Less… Young Patriarch?!"
Recognition spread like wildfire. The Amamiya ninjas surrounding him blinked, then erupted into cheers. "The Young Patriarch is back!"
Raizen smiled, raising a hand. "You can let me through now."
The clan ninjas nodded respectfully, but their eyes flicked toward the newcomers at Raizen's side, hesitant.
"And these…" one of them asked cautiously, "…the ones beside you?"
Raizen's expression was calm. "These are wandering ninjas who chose to follow me. Now that I return, they return with me."
From a distance, a booming voice cut through the murmurs. Raizen squinted to see Amamiya Gen, patriarch of the clan, approaching with a group of senior ninjas. His tone was sharp, half-laughing, half-cursing.
"I come back to find you've brought half the wandering world with you without a single notice. The clan reported a possible attack—I thought we were under siege!"
Raizen's ears flushed slightly, but he couldn't help the smirk tugging at his lips. Gen gave the newcomers a quick glance, then waved them forward, signaling approval.
Back inside the clan estate, Raizen felt the familiar tug of nostalgia. Four years away had made this place a home in memory, and now it was alive again—with his clan, and with these new faces. The wandering ninjas, though outsiders, would follow basic protocol: submit to questioning, abide by the patriarch's commands, and wait for permission before moving freely. Standard procedure in the Warring States, nothing more.
Raizen had no objections. Neither did the wandering ninjas. Survival came first.
Once the newcomers were arranged, Amamiya Gen called for a full clan meeting. The estate buzzed with curiosity as all the ninjas gathered.
"Raizen," Gen began, voice firm, "explain these new arrivals."
Most of the clan had not expected Raizen back, and cries of recognition rang out as he stepped forward. "Little Patriarch!"
Raizen nodded, moving to a place before Gen. He raised his voice to address the clan. "A large group of wandering ninjas has come with me. I'm sure you've noticed."
Whispers spread immediately. Hundreds of ninjas crowded the hall, trying to piece together the situation. Raizen raised a hand, calling for attention.
"I met these wandering ninjas five years ago when they were being hunted. I helped them survive. Recently, they were chased again, and they came to me once more. Because we know each other, I stepped in again."
The clan murmured, understanding forming. Raizen continued, his voice steady, deliberate.
"The Amamiya Clan is expanding, and our ninja force is reaching its limit. I invited these wandering ninjas to join us—they agreed. That is why I have brought them back."
The statement stirred the clan. One ninja stood sharply.
"Young Patriarch, while this may ease the burden on our forces, have you considered… if these outsiders join, will the Amamiya Clan still be… the Amamiya Clan?"
Another voice shot back, heated. "We don't need to accept them! Have we forgotten the struggles our family has endured in recent years?"
The meeting became tense. Some agreed with Raizen, acknowledging that the clan's limited numbers had stretched them thin. They had to guard lands, maintain industry, and fend off enemies simultaneously. The arrival of these wandering ninjas could strengthen the clan.
Others argued the outsiders' loyalty was uncertain, their bloodline not Amamiya. Tradition and lineage mattered—they could not simply accept them.
Raizen listened quietly, letting the debate unfold. Deep down, he knew the clan's growth could not rely solely on its own blood. Unlike the massive Senju or Uchiha, the Amamiya were a small but growing clan. To become a true force, they had to absorb talent, outsiders, and eventually, other clans. Only then could Raizen realize his vision—a Shinobu Village capable of standing against the great families.
Finally, Amamiya Gen lowered his gaze, looking at the crowd of quarreling clansmen before turning to Raizen.
"Raizen," he said slowly, "tell me what you think."
Instantly, the hall quieted. Every eye fixed on the young patriarch, eager to hear his stance.
...
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