A Seeker's Journey Of Transmigration

Chapter 13: Zanko

Deep underground there was a dimly lit chamber. Water dripped slowly from the roof and drained through a crack in the floor. There were two entrances on opposite sides of the room.

The left entrance was closed but the right entrance was quickly opened and shut by a fox-masked man.

The man walked to the center of the room and stood still as a statue. An unknown amount of time later the left door opened and a muscular man in his early forties stepped into the room.

He had an X on his forehead, black hair that reached his shoulders and sharp eyebrows.

"Hello Chikara" greeted the masked man.

"Hello Fox-sama, what brings you here today?" Chikara replied hesitantly.

"I've come to inform you that the plan has been delayed due to your lack of progress. The chief is not pleased."

"My deepest apologies!" Cried Chikara. "I'm doing my utmost to find allies, but Kawagakure is different than other villages. It's very cohesive. Two clans have agreed to join the coup and I've made some progress on a third, but it's hard to find any openings with the other clans."

"It's not enough," interrupted Fox dismissively while waving his hand, "We needed five clans to succeed but now we'll have to wait for at least three years to take control of this village. Then the Land of Mountains will be ready and able to use its vast military might to crush all resistance. We'd hoped to take Kawagakure with less loss of life for its citizens, but that option is gone due to your failure..."

"But, even if we're delayed it would be best to avoid unnecessary deaths. Then our strength will be preserved when we attack the Land of Tall Grass and the Land of Storm." Remarked Chikara.

"You speak like a fool. Don't you want revenge? They made you take the mark. It's a humiliation beyond all others. After that injustice you still seek leniency? You can't convince the clans to join you, yet you want to show them mercy? You want to save their pitiful lives? Harden your resolve. There will be more blood than this on our path to unify the Ninja world."

The two men discussed the downfall of Kawagakure for a half an hour before Fox left the room. As he walked away, he said, "Three years, maybe four, that's all the time you have to find allies. Then we strike and strike until there are no survivors. They will either join us or die."

He threw open the door and resolutely moved into the darkness beyond.

***

Two weeks after Komatsu returned Dandin stood in an office. Mujin and Matsuri were also with their son. They all waited outside a door that was marked, "Hatamo Clan Leader".

When Mujin returned a few days ago they were all elated that he was safe. They threw a party and spent quality time together. The next Day Mujin visited Komatsu. The day after that he assessed Dandin's training. The boys Hatamo Taijutsu had progressed well and Mujin taught him the first two forms which Dandin memorized in a day.

Dandin learned faster than Mujin could teach him. So Mujin decided to talk to the clan leader about his son.

The door opened and a receptionist welcomed them in.

"We greet the clan head."

When the family entered the office they all bowed to the head. He was a tall man in his thirties. He had a powerful air and a muscular body.

"Zanko..." Dandin knew this monster. Everyone in the Hatamo Clan knew about him. He was rumored to be the strongest Elite Jounin in Kawagakure and only half a step away from a Sokonin. Many rumors said that he already was one, only that he hadn't had a chance to earn the rank on the battlefield.