Our Decide!

"Don't you dare compare us to those who came before!" His voice reverberated through the tension-filled air, resonating with the weight of age-old traditions and the fierce, unyielding pride of their ancestors.

However, his defiance only served to stoke the flames of the elder's fury. The sharpness of his words sliced through the gathering like a knife, implying that the shortcomings of the present were somehow a reflection of the past generations' failures.

"You mean us?" Kozuki Otae, one of the clan's most respected elders, snapped back, her voice laced with indignation as she cast a seething glance at Lord Ryunosuke, who was now striding purposefully toward them. 

The fire in her eyes was unmistakable as she continued, "You have disappointed us by raising your child in such a manner, Ryunosuke-dono!"

Ryunosuke arched an eyebrow, confusion etched across his refined features as he sought to comprehend the turmoil unfolding before him. Turning his gaze towards Keisuke, who stood a few paces away—his silver hair catching the dim light—he silently urged him to explain.

"I was attacked by the disciple of an elder," Keisuke began, his tone grave yet calm,

 "and somehow, I've borne the brunt of the blame for what transpired. It's my own fault for losing control of my emotions while I was tapping into my pressure aura."

As he spoke, he bowed deeply, the sincerity of his apology evident in his posture. 

Yet, the elders remained unmoved, their expressions hardened by disappointment as they brushed past him without a backward glance, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. 

The air was strained with unspoken tensions and the weight of unfulfilled expectations, lingering long after they departed.

"And what?" 

"Uh!" 

The abrupt exclamation caught everyone's attention, causing all heads, including that of Lord Ryunosuke, to pivot toward the source of the sound.

As the elder prepared to depart, a charged silence enveloped the group, thick with tension. Yet, amidst the concerned glances exchanged, Sei boldly stepped forward, breaking the stillness to address the elder directly. 

"Hui! Please, take a moment to breathe!" Yamato urged concern etched across his features as he reached out to tap Sei on the shoulder. His tone shifted to a more reflective one, tinged with the weight of their reality.

"They've lived many more years than us... they won't be around forever, you know..." His sentence trailed off abruptly with a sharp, playful jab from Keisuke, who couldn't resist interrupting the seriousness of the moment with a smirk on his face. 

"Oui! Please be careful with what you say," Keisuke exclaimed, shooting a quick glance at Yamato after inadvertently colliding with him in the bustling courtyard.

"Alright, alright! Just promise not to engage in any arguments with them, okay?" Lord Ryunosuke cautioned with a serious expression, turning his gaze toward his children, who stood nearby, ready to defend their honor.

With a reassuring smile that softened his features, he added,

"I'll go and watch your battle from the stands." He then strode away, confidence in his demeanor as he made his way through the eager crowd gathering for the contest.

They bowed respectfully, their eyes following him as he walked away into the distance. Just as he was about to turn the corner, Yamato paused and addressed them with a serious tone.

"Listen closely to what I'm about to say," he urged, his voice low and steady. "Remember this: don't stand out. Whatever happens, keep your true aura power hidden. It's crucial you don't let anyone see it."

With that warning hanging in the air, he continued on his way. However, before leaving completely, he turned back to embrace his younger sister, Sei. 

Sei wasn't the youngest in the family. Yet, as one of the girls among them, she was cherished dearly and held a unique specialness in their hearts. 

Yamato held her tightly for a brief moment, a silent promise to protect her echoing between them before he finally let go and continued on his way.

"I will be there too," Keisuke smiled, and leaving their area, he went to the clan's main mansion.

Jin, Kenya, Kenjuro, and Sei found themselves in a moment of quiet contemplation, their eyes briefly meeting as the weight of their unspoken thoughts hung in the air. The afternoon sun cast long shadows on the ground, highlighting the tension among them.

"What are we going to do now?" Kenjuro asked, breaking the stillness and hoping to lift the heaviness that surrounded their group.

Jin ran a hand through his hair, frustrated by the uncertainty. "Honestly, I completely forgot about our promise to Yamato... I think Kenjuro and I should go and honor that commitment, but what about you two?" 

He turned to look at Sei and Kenya, who stood a short distance away, their expressions thoughtful and contemplative, as if they were grappling with their own decisions about what lay ahead.

"Let me think it over," Sei said thoughtfully, her brow furrowing slightly as she disengaged from the lively conversation with the group. Kenya exchanged a knowing glance with Jin and Kenjuro before swiftly stepping after her.

"What do you mean, 'let me think it over?'" Kenya asked, his voice tinged with concern as he paced beside her. "You can't be seriously considering joining them, right?"

His tone was earnest, and he cast occasional sidelong glances at Sei, who was momentarily lost in her own thoughts, her expressive eyes flickering back to meet his steady gaze.

"I was just thinking about how to win over the Shiba Clan."