The Beginning of the Fourth Heir

Peace Shattered

Chapter 14

Riyui is busy with her training under Bon. Bon is a Doton Style user so Riyui sees her fit to be her instructor. While his mistress is busy training, Yuki went to the flower shop owned by Nakago's sister, Ino. 

"Oh, Oikawa-kun! Nice of you to drop by today. Can I help you with something?" Ino asked. 

"Well, I was looking for your brother. Is he here?" 

"Oh, you just missed him. He's at the hospital right now. Maybe paying Jun-kun a visit. So how's Yui-chan? Or Riyui rather." 

"She's doing great. Although she had an identity crisis at the start but she was able to overcome her inhibitions." Yuki answered. He bought flowers and went to the falconry. He froze the flowers with his powers and sent it via falcon to Ukiyoe Town. The flowers he sent were his sister's favorite. It's also a sign that he found the lost Young Mistress of the Nura Clan. 

Meanwhile at Ukiyoe Town, Tsurara and Kejoro are doing the laundry while Kubinashi watches them, or rather, the brunette yokai, at a distance. Nurarihyon noticed it so he decided to tease the blonde yokai.

"Oi Kubinashi, are you just going to stand there and watch her from afar? You really need to make your move." Nurarihyon said. Kubinashi's head perked up and now, he was blushing. 

"It's not like that, Soudaisho. Jeez, you're just like your son in some ways. *sigh* I really miss him. He's like a brother to me. And now, he's gone. Anyway, I've heard that Tsurara's younger brother has sent word about the whereabouts of the Young Mistress." Kubinashi replied. 

"Yes. It's been ten years since she was taken away from us. I bet she has become a beautiful young woman, just like her grandmother." Nurarihyon said. He was fantasizing about seeing her granddaughter for the first time in ten years. 

"It's been that long, huh? The last time I saw her, she's just a little girl. I can't wait to see the Young Mistress again. I hope she won't freak out when she sees me. I have a floating head after all." Nurarihyon chuckled. 

"I'm sure she will. But she has been around with yokai before. She will adjust quite easily." Nurarihyon said. 

Back at the Hidden Leaf Village, Riyui has finished her special training. She had master Doton. All that is left is Suiton. So she and Yuki prepares for training when Jun and Nakago arrived. The former is already recovering from his injuries but he was forbidden to participate in the Chuunin Exams. He says he doesn't care, as long as he can cheer his comrades on. Nakago, on the other hand, is a bit nervous about the Chuunin Exams since they are going to battle other ninjas from other villages. 

"Yo, Yui! Or should I call you Riyui? It doesn't make much of a difference, I guess. Even though you have yokai blood in you." Jun teased.

"Hey Jun! That's supposed to be a secret, you moron!" Nakago replied.

"Oh, shit. Sorry. I didn't realize that. Anyway, how are you doing? I heard you're training hard for the exams." Jun said.

"Yeah. With genin all over the continent, I have to step up my game. Otherwise, I would get left behind." Riyui said.

"Yeah. Too bad I won't be participating this year. I got injured really bad on the last mission. I guess I'll be cheering like a madman during the exams then." Jun said in a cheerful way but Riyui sensed he is in a gloomy mood.

"Don't worry, Jun. We will make sure that we will pass the exams for you. Count on it!" Riyui said and did a fist pump. Her comrades stared at her as if she's the weirdest creature in existence. They shrugged it off and Yuki continues with the lessons.

Two months later...

"Wow, there are so many genin here. I'm getting a bit nervous." Nakago said.

"You're right, Nakago. There's too many of them. I think I'm going to puke." Riyui said. Bon sighed.

"Don't worry, Riyui-sama. You've been training for two months. You'll be fine." Bon spoke. Suddenly, a strong yokai aura was felt by Riyui and her allies. Our heroine tensed. The yokai aura felt familiar to her and a rush of bad memories crept up to her in full force. She began to shake violently. Nakago saw this and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Riyui, are you okay?" Nakago asked. But when he didn't receive a response from her, he started shaking her awake.

"Riyui! Riyui, come on! Snap out of it! Riyui!"

Riyui comes back to the present. She was still shaking but she manages to get a grip on herself. She was panting like crazy as her eyes darts all around her. Her heightened senses told her that a yokai manages to break through the village security. 

"Riyui, you scared me shitless just now. What happened?" he asked. Riyui tied her hair back in a ponytail.

"There's a freakin' yokai in the village. That one's powerful to be able to roam around in broad daylight. Nakago, don't let your guard down, not even for one second. You hear me?" Riyui asked in a serious tone. 

"Okay. Take care too." he replied. 

The exams were tough for Riyui and Nakago. Without Jun, their team is paralyzed. They need his analytical skills in the various areas of the first part and Nakago's senses have failed him on the second part. Only Riyui managed to qualify to the final stage of the exams. Bon and Yuki were qualified as well. And now, Riyui's opponent will be none other than Fuyumi Nara, her self-proclaimed rival. 

When Riyui stepped in the arena, her eyes are scanning every face but she didn't find anyone suspicious.

"Well, well. Look what we have here. If it isn't the yokai girl. I've heard it all, Riyui. According to some rumors, you're the granddaughter of the leader of all yokai. Well, I can't say I believe that bullshit." Fuyumi sneered.

"I don't expect you to believe me. I haven't even accpeted that fact either." Riyui replied. As the jonin signalled the start of the fight, both fighters lunged at each other with their weapons. On first contact, Riyui blocked Fuyumi's attack with her shortsword. Then the bout resumed. Fuyumi grabbed the opportunity to use her Shadow Binding Jutsu.

"Damn!" Riyui cursed. Fuyumi smiled as if she has won the battle already.

"Not so strong anymore, huh? Pathetic. I expected more from you. You're just a disappointment." Fuyumi sneered. Riyui snarled.

"Like I'm letting you walk on me like a carpet!" Riyui said and unleashed her true power. She dissolved partially and totally disappeared. All of a sudden, Fuyumi found herself pinned on the ground.

"What the-? How did you-?"

"Binding Jutsu: Tails of Kuzunoha." 

After using that technique, Riyui was declared the winner. She has no idea that Tamazuki and his Hachichuhakki Yakko are watching her.

"Well, well, well. She has gotten stronger. Maybe we should have a test run." Tamazuki sneered and chuckled evilly.