"It can't be…" Rina's face went pale. Papa!
"I am afraid it is so, princess."
"W–what about aniki?"
"It would appear Kagemaru's flame still burns."
"So, they took him as a prisoner?"
"Most likely..."
Rina's dark brown eyes glazed as tears formed. "Who the fuck did this?" A dark aura burst around her, blowing wind everywhere. "I'll kill them!"
"Hmm, I see Murasaki has improved a great deal."
"The purple-haired brat did this?" she said with an eye twitching before cracking her knuckles. "I'll fucking kill him!"
I had already lost my knight, and now two more pieces. Kagami's face showed zero emotion. I have to accelerate my plans.
Rina was about to jet off when Kagami grabbed her shoulder. "Now... calm down, princess. You cannot just rush without careful planning." He paused and grinned slightly. "It is said vengeance is a dish best served cold."
The shadow princess breathed deeply.
As her aura evanesced, Kagami let go of his hand. If Murasaki managed to defeat Kagero and Kagemaru... it must mean he can at least use Fudoshin. My, this has Nakamura written all over it!
He locked eyes with her. "My dear Rina, patience is a virtue. For the rest of the winter up until the dawn of summer, you are to perfect your Senshin. Afterwards, all your desires shall be granted."
☯
A week later, Asuka made a full recovery. She got appointed as Sage by a unanimous vote from the heads of the ninja corps. People from across the Lightning region came to witness the inauguration of their second female ruler after Lady Kazue.
Two months passed and winter finally ended. The cherry blossoms' pink flowers started to bloom and wild animals started coming out of hibernation. It was a time for change with the new season in the air.
Spring also brought the annual Ninja Graduation ceremony. Graduating at the top of each field that is Intelligence, Battalion and Medical were Takumi, Mikoto and Kohaku respectively. Mikoto had been the overall best in all three. Kenji and Ayame were also amongst those graduating that season.
Haru, having failed his exams, was joining Kazuo for another year. Though Kazuo had become the strongest in Kaminari, he still needed about what it meant to be a Lightning ninja and a possible leader.
After graduation day ended, Sage Asuka summoned Mikoto and Takumi to her new office and congratulated them. She reminisced about her own graduation with Hideo and Shin where she too, similar to Mikoto, had been the overall best in all three fields.
Having completed their learning, Takumi and Mikoto were free to leave the school if they so pleased. They could also tackle higher class missions within and outside of the region.
"The main reason I asked you two here..." said Asuka, handing over a file to each of them. "Was to give you these... all the information we have about your parentage. And once again, congratulations!"
"It says here I'm a Chiba…" Mikoto murmured, tears forming in her eyes as she opened the document. She perused further and discovered how she had been left outside the school with a note. As she read the letter from her mother, she cried.
'My child, forgive me. I was unable to raise you all alone as I was still young myself. Had your father and I met under different circumstances, you could've had a better upbringing than I did. Your name is Mikoto, daughter of Lord Chiba's son.'
"Is this the Chiba clan from the Rice region?" asked Mikoto, wiping her eyes.
"Yes," said Asuka. "And going by the note, it'd mean your father is the current head of the clan. Fifteen years ago, there were cases of local geishas who claimed they were pregnant with his heirs. So, it's all up to you if you'd like to take this up further. We'll help in any way we can..."
"Thank you so much, Asuka-sama."
Takumi was busy reading about the Sato massacre. His parents—Tetsuya and Ayai had disappeared when he was two years old. He got sent to an orphanage and when his parents were never found, their longtime friend—Kazutaka took him to Kaminari village. Had it not been for the late Sage, he would have grown up ostracized for being a hafu.
"I've always had my guesses but I should've known when Lord Kazutaka gave me those archives…" Takumi chuckled, removing his sunglasses. "Grand Artisan Tetsuya was my father!" He turned to the Sage and his eyes sparkled. "Thank you very much for this, Lord Asuka. Now, I have all the more reason to go to the Artisan Country..."
The following week, Takumi packed a few things in his satchel and prepared for the journey. He had said his goodbyes to everyone else and his two friends walked with him to the village's main gate. "Goodbye Kazuo, Mikoto. Until we meet again." He waved at them trying not to get sentimental.
"Bye, brother…" Kazuo waved back.
"Hey, Taku-kun." Mikoto pouted with a sad puppy's eyes. "You're really going to leave without giving us a hug."
A sweat dropped from Takumi's temple. "I'll allow this only one time," he said, hiding his red cheeks. "Sure."
With one big hug, the trio embraced each other.
"Bye, Taku-kun…" Mikoto waved. "See you!"
"Farewell, guys." Takumi raised a hand, chuckling. "And don't fall for each other while I'm gone."
"Kazu-kun and I? Never!" Mikoto blushed.
The boys laughed and she joined in.
Another month passed and springtime was over. Summertime brought lots of sunlight and much needed rain for two months. In Kaminari, Asuka asked to train with Kazuo and Mikoto. She shared the knowledge and skills she had acquired throughout her entire career as a ninja. As for the duo, they also taught her Hanzo's lessons.
☯
Back in Kurai, Rina's Senshin training was over and the time to prove her worth had come. She had been supervising Daisuke ever since he joined the Shadows. All she thought of was achieving her goals. When summer arrived, she was summoned by her sensei. "Kagami-sama, you called for me?"
"Your time has come, princess..." Kagami smiled, raising a hand to her. "Are you ready to be Queen?"