When Shadows Rise | I

Ch. 15 | Origins Pt. 2

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"The Hamato Clan has existed for centuries," Yoshi narrated. "It was founded on the principle that we had to do whatever it took to protect the good of the people— even if it meant sacrificing ourselves. From then on, The Hamato Clan has been seen as 'The Heavenly Circle', and as the years passed, their influence grew, mainly among samurais. Our clan continued to expand, forming subsidiary clans whose principles somewhat aligned with the original's."

"But we already know this story, Dad," Mikey interrupted. "You told us the day you were teaching us about the clan's history."

"Yes, Michelangelo," Yoshi said, "but what I am about to tell you is new information."

The quintet and the girls waited for the master to carry on with the next bit.

"Within the Hamato Clan, there were ninjas who did not agree with the clan's philosophy, so they defected and sought out to build another clan of their own— one that fit with their ideas. It did not take long for them to convince other subsidiary clans and even other Hamato ninjas to join them for their cause. This clan was named The Foot Clan."

The group of kids continued to listen; now they were intrigued. Once the history lesson was over, this was what they were able to piece so far: apparently, after The Foot Clan rose in power and numbers, the Hamato Clan feared that they would become too tyrannical for the people to bear, so they declared war on them. Both parties took their battles to the shadows, where each side suffered heavy casualties for many centuries to come. As the world begun modernizing, many subsidiary clans ceased to exist, and firearms and nuclear weapons replaced swords and arrows. The Foot Clan were responsible for toppling governments, assassinating famous figures, and forever changing the course of history.

"It was not until 1970 when my father, Hamato Yuuta, lead a siege on the Foot's headquarters and slew their leader at the time, completely eradicating the Foot Clan's existence as a whole. He did not leave a loose end behind. Or so he thought."

Yoshi sighed before carrying on. "Several years later, Japan was hit with a series of attacks. When I realized it was my clansmen being targeted and envelopes of black sand were left at every scene, my father and I knew it had to be the work of the Foot. We soon found out that the slaughters were orchestrated by a man named Oroku Saki— but he went by The Shredder."

Raph scoffed at the alias. "A kitchen utensil?"

"His name was not to be made a mockery, Raphael," Yoshi chided. "Even the most strongest and skilled of ninja lost their lives facing him. The very few who survived his attacks were left with scars that would never fully heal." He drew away his focus for a brief period, his expression was that of a man reliving his past trauma.

It did not go unnoticed by his children and guests, but his demeanor went back to serious again to avoid being questioned.

"Oroku Saki was only a child when his clan was massacred, and unbeknownst to my father, he somehow survived and must have sworn vengeance since then. He wanted to rebuild the Foot Clan and eliminate every Hamato ninja— and that also included me. That night, Oroku Saki struck. I managed to get away with Shen and baby Miwa. We sailed to America on a boat and never looked back."

"From then on, I knew Saki would be hunting my family like a wolf, so I made sure to do everything in my power to keep us under his radar. That is why when you three started school-" he looked at his biological children, "I had our family name changed to 'Sato', so The Shredder would not find us. I also did the same when you two were placed in my care," he then directed his gaze to Donnie and Mikey.