Chapter 254

"What? Your first disciple?!"

The young boy, who had just introduced himself as Tanaka Kumao, froze in shock.

He had never thought about becoming someone's student, much less a disciple. The idea of a teacher or a mentor had never crossed his mind before.

Yet this mysterious and incredibly powerful man before him had just declared, without hesitation, that he wanted to take him in as his personal disciple?

Deep down, Tanaka Kumao didn't actually dislike the idea. A part of him even longed to follow someone so strong. But his heart was full of hatred—so much that the concept of mentorship, family, or guidance felt foreign to him.

Now, faced with this sudden situation, he felt confused and overwhelmed, unsure of what to say or do.

Senju Yukika could see right through the boy's troubled expression. One look, and he understood what the boy was thinking.

Accepting a master wasn't something to be decided impulsively—it needed to come from the heart.

Yukika thought this over and then gently waved his hand, asking, "Are you trying to enter the city?"

Tanaka nodded repeatedly. "Yes, sir. My mother is still inside the city. I want to see her… one last time."

Yukika's brows furrowed. Two things were bothering him.

First, the boy still called him "sir" instead of "master." Clearly, it would take time for him to warm up and truly accept their relationship.

Second—and more importantly—the boy's mother was apparently dying. All he wanted was to see her one final time.

What kind of people would go so far as to harm such a helpless child? Who would be so cruel as to block him from seeing his dying mother?

With a sigh, Yukika said, "Very well. Then come with me—we'll go into the city together."

He turned and began walking toward the city gates, while Tanaka Kumao followed closely behind, still somewhat cautious.

When they arrived at the massive gate, a group of armored city guards stepped forward, as expected.

Anyone wanting to enter the city—Stone Fortress, as it was called—had to present proper identification. That was a universal rule on this planet.

The Ōtsutsuki Clan had strict control over this world, especially during this turbulent era, when divine beings from outside the planet had started appearing.

The first time Yukika had come to this world, he hadn't had any official documentation.

But just as things began to get tense, Tanaka Kumao stepped up and pulled out his own identification. "Sirs," he said to the guards, "this man is my uncle. Please let him in with me."

As it turned out, anyone with a sponsor who had valid ID could be allowed into the city.

Thanks to the boy's help, Yukika followed him inside.

Stone Fortress was bustling with life and prosperity. It looked nothing like the ninja villages of Earth—it was far larger in scale.

A wide central avenue cut through the heart of the city, flanked by vendors and street stalls on either side. Their loud calls and shouts echoed through the streets.

The people here looked almost exactly like the shinobi of the Five Great Nations—except their clothing styles were slightly different.

Once inside, Tanaka Kumao didn't say a word. He simply walked forward with his head down, moving toward a specific direction. Yukika followed quietly behind him.

Eventually, the boy stopped in front of a large and imposing residence.

Yukika noticed immediately how sad the boy looked. Tears streamed quietly down his cheeks.

"Why aren't you going in?" Yukika asked.

Tanaka wiped his tears and said in a hoarse voice, "Sir… you don't understand. This is my home. But I hate this place. I just want to get my mother out of here."

Yukika let out another sigh. It was as he had suspected—this boy had a difficult and painful family situation.

He didn't yet know the full story, but it was clear that Tanaka had suffered greatly.

"In that case," Yukika said gently, "go in and bring your mother out."

Tanaka suddenly looked up, smiling a little. "Master… I wasn't brave enough to come back on my own. But now that you're here, I'm not afraid of them anymore."

Yukika smiled in return. At last, the boy had called him "Master."

As a teacher, it was his responsibility to support and protect his student—especially for something this important.

Tanaka stepped forward and knocked firmly on the door. After a few moments, it slowly creaked open.

A man who looked like a house steward peeked out. When he saw Tanaka, his face immediately darkened, and he snapped coldly, "What are you doing here? You're not welcome."

"I don't want to be here either," Tanaka said defiantly. "I just came to take my mother back!"

The steward sneered. "Your mother is dying. There's no point in you being here."

Hearing this, Tanaka's tears returned. He shoved the door open and shouted, "No! I must see my mother one last time!"

His loud entrance startled the household.

Soon, more and more people began pouring out from various rooms and corners—guards and servants, wielding clubs and weapons.

"Who dares to trespass in the Tanaka residence?!" someone roared.

They surrounded the boy in a hostile circle, their eyes full of malice for the child who had once lived among them.

Once, Tanaka Kumao had been a noble young master of this house. But all of that had been stripped away. Now he was no different from a commoner.

The steward sneered again. "You think you're still the young master? Just barging in here? When the lord finds out, you'll be finished!"

Tanaka's eyes blazed with hatred. At the mention of his so-called father, his entire face twisted in rage.

"I don't care who stands in my way," he said through gritted teeth. "I'm taking my mother with me today. Not even he can stop me!"

As soon as he said that, a slow clap echoed from the shadows.

A man in an ornate robe stepped out from the darkness.

He looked strikingly similar to Tanaka Kumao, and Yukika instantly realized—this was the master of the house. Tanaka's father.

But there wasn't even a hint of fatherly warmth in his eyes. His face was cold and emotionless.

"You ungrateful child," he said in a chilling voice. "You dared to run away back then—and now you think you can just come back?"

Tanaka stared at him, eyes filled with burning hatred. "I didn't come back for you," he said coldly. "I only came to take my mother away."

At those words, his father's face grew even colder.