5.0 The Heirs

The two most prominent clans in Japan, the Taira and Minamoto, were each led by the most dangerous, feared, and ruthless men. Kanmu Heishi, the unyielding leader of the Taira Clan, and Daigo Genji, the formidable master of the Minamoto Clan.

Now, a rare moment unfolded—one that should have been of great significance, yet passed unnoticed. The heirs of both clans stood in the same space, breathing the same air.

Ise's voice was steady, his expression unreadable. "Mirai, this will get ugly. You should leave while you can."

But Mirai ignored him. Instead, she stepped forward, her gaze unwavering.

"You came for me. Take me, but spare the man behind me," she said, her tone calm yet rigid.

The three Jōnin ninjas approached cautiously, well aware of who they served. Beta was the first to make contact—and the first to choke on the very air he inhaled. In one fluid motion, Mirai struck his throat, slipping a hand into his gadget belt, retrieving what was rightfully hers: the key to activate the nano-technology embedded behind her ear.

Without hesitation, she pressed the activation button. A seamless shift occurred—a shinobi uniform materialized over her frame, molding to perfection. Her mask extended, covering her entire head while leaving only the area around her eyes exposed.

She turned to Ise, who stood a few paces away, his expression shifting.

"The Minamoto Clan? Really?" Ise muttered, frustration leaking into his voice.

Mirai ignored the remark. "Alpha here. Send in the RTB," she spoke, though her voice now carried an altered, distorted quality.

"Just like that? No goodbye?" Ise teased, fingers twitching near his sword's hilt.

Her gaze silenced him.

Delta, undeterred by his opponent's hesitation, moved in for the kill. His steps were sure, his intent deadly.

Mirai shifted her attention to his advancing form. "Seems you've grown tired of having a head," she murmured, her eye cover snapping shut—a silent declaration of her intent.

"Delta, fall back," Gamma commanded.

"RTB nearing Landing Zone. ETA: three mikes," a voice crackled through the radio.

"It's time to leave." Mirai turned her back to Ise and walked away, her team falling into formation without question.

"The LZ is just beyond the estate's fence," Gamma informed, pointing to the open field ahead.

Before she could finish, Beta and Delta had already dashed forward at breakneck speed.

"Impatient as always," Gamma muttered.

Mirai leaned forward, lowering her stance. The black suit she wore pulsed as red lines traced its seams. In a sudden burst, she launched forward, overtaking her teammates, coming to an abrupt halt exactly where the interface on her screen pinpointed.

Ise was now a distant figure and the incoming helicopter a growing silhouette against the sky.

"One mike to LZ," the voice reported.

Then, a shrill, unmistakable sound cut through the air—a rocket launcher locking onto its target.

Beta and Delta had reached the landing zone, while Gamma was still approaching. Her momentum was crucial.

Mirai pointed at the incoming missile. Gamma understood.

Beta steadied himself, hands lowered for Gamma to use as a foothold. As she landed, he propelled her with immense force, launching her toward the missile's path.

A thunderous explosion followed and the mission continued.

"Delta, take out the bird catcher," Mirai ordered, eyes sharp.

"With pleasure." Delta yanked what appeared to be a toy-sized sniper rifle from his belt and tossed it into the air. In an instant, it expanded into a full-sized weapon. He caught it effortlessly, dropped to one knee, and fired. A single shot rang out—a life was claimed. The massive recoil absorbed seamlessly into his stance.

Escape in enemy territory was never easy.

"Mirai," Ise's voice cut through the chaos. He had closed the distance between them.

"Alpha," Beta prompted, already half-drawn blade glinting in the dim light.

Mirai raised a hand. A silent command. Beta halted.

She met Ise's gaze. "Listen, Ise Heishi. You do not know me, and you shouldn't. But know this—anyone who stands in my way will not live to regret it."

Ise chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, but I do know you. I caught a glimpse of the file your clan tried so desperately to bury. I know everything."

"Alpha," Delta interrupted, signaling to the enemy shinobi closing in around them.

Mirai's eyes never left Ise. "Tell your men to stand down. Their lives are in your hands now."

Ise hesitated. Then, his voice rang out. "Stand down!"

The order rippled through his ranks. The shinobi force froze.

Above them, the helicopter hovered, its rotors deafening. A thick rope dropped.

"Retreat," Mirai commanded. One by one, her team latched onto the retracting rope, ascending into the awaiting chopper.

She was the last to grip the rope, her frame lifting from the ground.

"See you soon, Ise," she called, her voice carrying over the storm of rotor winds.

Ise grinned, unmasking himself as he watched her rise. "I'll be waiting, Mirai Genji."

Inside the chopper, the four Jōnin stood at the open door, gazing down at the horde they had evaded. The estate, the battlefield they had left behind, shrank beneath them.

A lone figure stood defiantly among the others. Ise Heishi.

"Alpha," Gamma called.

"Hmm?" Mirai responded vaguely.

"Who's Mirai Genji?"