Rise of the Dragon - Chapter 015

Chapter 015 – For the Clan

[Year 69 – December– Konohagakure – Senju Compound]

His limbs chained and chakra sealed, Hiruko could only stare at the ceiling of his cell in despair and helpless anger.

The last thing he remembered was being attacked out of the blue by two people. Even though he was a Jonin, his power fell far, far short in comparison to his opponents. It took mere seconds before he was immobilized by seals, while a medical jutsu had paralyzed his entire body.

And the next moment he had been knocked out, before waking up in this dark cell.

He had known that something like this could possibly happen to him when he began his research, but his desire for strength, his desire to be special, was too strong to give up.

What he did not expect however was that his attackers weren't Anbu or normal Konoha Shinobi, they were Moha.

The old man was Elder Tomura, terrifyingly strong Elite Jonin from the Moha Clan and even though it had been nearly a decade since the old man had last left the Senju Compound, Hiruko recognized him easily as he had once accompanied Tsunade to the battlefield.

The other attacker had also easily been recognized, as Lady Yui was well-known as the face of the Outer Senju Clan and manager of the Senju's business in the village.

Hiruko did not understand how they knew about his research or why they would even care, considering that the Moha did not interfere with the Shinobi World in general.

Suddenly Hiruko could hear a key turning in the lock before the heavy cell door opened while giving off loud creaking noises.

Seeing the Elder stepping into the cell, Hiruko didn't try and ask what would happen to him, as he knew that he would get an answer to this question soon enough.

What surprised him though, was that the Elder just stepped to the side and made way for a small silver-haired boy to enter the cell.

Even with only the torchlight from the corridor, Hiruko could see that the child had flawless facial features. His grey eyes were calm and deep, as he stepped close to Hiruko.

“I am Ryuma Senju, heir of the Senju Clan and future Clan Head.”, a distinctly young voice suddenly sounded out in his mind, causing him to stare at the child wide-eyed.

It took a few moments before Hiruko could regather his focus, as he hesitatingly asked: “W-what do you want from me?”

Again the mouth of the boy didn't move as he answered him telepathically: “The Chimera Technique.”

Hearing these words, Hiruko was about to let loose his wrath and shout at the one who clearly ordered his capture, but before he could do so the seal on the chains that bound him activated and paralyzed his body.

"I did not come here to hear you speak or explain myself to you. I just wanted to give you the chance to see my face, before you die. Your hard work will aid the Senju and for this, you have my gratitude Hiruko the Forgotten."

Immediately after the words sounded out in his mind, the child raised his right hand and touch his chest where his heart was located. Hiruko could do nothing but watch in disbelief and unwillingness as he felt his heart stop a moment later and his consciousness slowly fade.

Having not achieved anything in his life, he really would be forgotten, Hiruko realized in abject despair as life left his body.

…

Retracting his palm, Ryuma watched as Hiruko died with a complicated look in his eyes. He didn't feel guilt or disgust at having just killed for the first time, as he had prepared his mind for such since the moment he woke up in this world.

He knew that death would follow him like a shadow in this life, as no power came without a price, especially in the Shinobi World.

The look in his eyes was such because Ryuma knew that he could easily end up like Hiruko if he didn't gain power that would make him untouchable. And he absolutely refused to be at anyone's mercy.

Gradually the look in his eyes hardened, as he watched the dead man before him, his resolve and determination growing even stronger.

Whatever nightmares would come of this, Ryuma knew that he had to be ruthless for the sake of his survival and the revival of his Clan.

“Young Lord...”, the Elder voiced out quietly, afraid that this act might leave a mark on the child.

Turning around, Ryuma looked at the old man with calm eyes, as his lips parted and a raspy child-like voice echoed in the Elder's ear for the first time in years.

"For the Clan.", Ryuma said simply, before walking out of the cell and back to his residence, as he could sense that Paku had returned and waited for him.

The Elder though stood there for a long time, great shock in his heart and silent tears leaving his old eyes. Hearing his Young Lord speak these words, not telepathically, but truly speak them with his own mouth, Tomura's heart was deeply affected.

Seeing Ryuma grow up over the last few years, he had of course realized how different he was from an ordinary child, even compared to an ordinary adult.

The fact that Ryuma knew things, that he logically shouldn't know, or that he simply refused to speak after having learned the jutsu Lord Tobirama had invented, were clear indicators of such.

The Elder had of course doubt in his heart and wondered if the child really presented the hope he had been waiting for all this time.

'For the Clan.'

Three simple words, but spoken with such determination that they had pierced right into the Elder's heart. It was now that he knew that Ryuma was indeed the one he had been waiting for.

At the same time Elder Tomura also realized, that the child carried a burden on his shoulders that led him to kill another man in cold blood even at the tender age of four.

How could this not affect Ryuma, how could he not be different than other children? Even an adult might not be able to shoulder such responsibility, in fact, most adults couldn't, Tsunade being the best example.

But Ryuma could and he did so without hesitation because he truly held the Senju Clan in his heart.

“Forgive this old servant for doubting you in his heart, Young Lord. I will not do so again, as long as my heart still beats in my chest.”, Tomura whispered, speaking this vow more for himself than for anyone else.

Brushing away the tears with his sleeve, the Elder made a hand sign and placed his palm against the wall, causing more than a few dozen small butterflies to appear out of nowhere.

His summoning jutsu having been completed without any kind of smoke appearing, was a sign of the Elder's inhuman chakra control, as the smoke normally was a sign of excess chakra, even if it was only the tiniest amount.

“Take care of the body.”, he instructed calmly.

The beautiful little creatures didn't hesitate as they swarmed toward the carcass and unfurled their straw-like mouth, before injecting their venom into the dead flesh.

His emotions under control again, the Elder watched on with cold eyes, as the body dissolved and the colorful butterflies devoured the liquified flesh with relish. Chakra-enriched flesh being their favorite meal, right after chakra itself.