All the villagers had gathered in the village square, waiting for Seiji, their leader, who had summoned them. The air was filled with whispers and hushed murmurs of curiosity. What could be so important that he had called everyone together? Some exchanged worried glances, while others simply waited in silence, their expressions marked by concern.
Suddenly, an old man appeared. His wild gray hair and short beard emphasized his advanced age. Deep wrinkles lined his face, testaments to his experiences and long career. His steps were slow but assured, and his very presence commanded respect. Despite his years, Seiji's eyes remained sharp, reflecting both a paternal kindness and an unwavering determination—traits that had earned him the trust of his people for decades.
Hash, standing beside his father, Ajime, watched the scene with wide eyes. Like the rest of the villagers, he wondered what could be so urgent. The village had always been peaceful, untouched by the affairs of the outside world. What had changed?
Seiji finally raised his hand, silencing the murmurs of the crowd. After taking a deep breath, he began to speak.
"My brothers and comrades, the situation is dire. Certainly, our village is hidden behind the massive Oyama Mountain, but we risk being discovered."
A wave of confusion rippled through the villagers. Discovered? By whom? And how?
The old leader let a moment of silence hang before continuing, his voice filled with gravity. "The four great nations of the outside world—Minami no Kuni, Higashi no Kuni, Kita no Kuni, and Nishi no Kuni—are at war. And every war leads to new discoveries. This means that our village could soon be found. Therefore, I have taken two initiatives: the first, to protect our village; the second, to uncover the cause of this war."
New murmurs rose among the crowd. Many had only heard legends about the great nations. The village had always remained hidden, safe from the conflicts of the outside world. How could their leader be so certain about these events?
A man in the crowd, his brows furrowed, finally spoke up. "And how do you plan to solve this problem?" His voice carried a mix of doubt and curiosity.
Seiji's gaze did not waver. "A good question. We are going to reveal to you the existence of magical powers possessed by the Shikaru clan, a secret discovered by the founder of our village. Along with the existence of martial arts techniques and Ninjutsu."
The chief's words sent a shockwave through the crowd. Gasps of surprise erupted. No rumors had ever hinted at such a thing. How could such a secret have been kept for over four centuries without anyone knowing?
Hash felt his heart race. Magic? Martial arts? Could it be true? He turned his gaze to his father, but Ajime seemed just as stunned.
Seiji paused, scanning the villagers' reactions before continuing in a solemn tone. "We will select fifty of you, aged thirteen to fifteen, to be trained in the Dojo of Budo and Ninjutsu. We will teach you combat techniques, survival skills, and much more."
This time, an absolute silence fell. The villagers were no longer just perplexed—they were hanging onto their leader's words, weighing the magnitude of this revelation.
A woman in the crowd hesitated before speaking. "But... why now? If this power existed all along, why reveal it at this moment?"
Seiji nodded, acknowledging the question. "Because the balance of our world is shifting. If our village is discovered, we must be prepared to defend ourselves. The time of secrecy must end, and a new generation must rise."
Ajime stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Hash's shoulder before addressing the chief. "I stand with you, Chief. After all, we owe you that much. So we accept."
Other voices joined in agreement. Their trust in their leader overpowered their doubts. One by one, the villagers nodded, placing their faith in Seiji and his plan.
The old chief offered a small smile. "Very well, thank you. I promise to take good care of your children. They will explain the details and other information to you. Meet at the village gates tomorrow."
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On the way home, Hash could no longer contain his excitement. "You know, Dad, I want to become a good person and as wise as our chief. Everyone respects him."
Ajime smiled, ruffling his son's hair. "Yes, I know, Hash. I believe in you. You can do it. Give it your all."
The night sky stretched above them, stars twinkling like distant lanterns. Hash looked up, lost in thought. Tomorrow, everything would change. He was about to step into a world he had never imagined—a world of discipline, training, and secrets long buried.
He had no idea that his journey was only just beginning…