Naruto: My Hiddden Village

Chapter 21: Boundaries of Compassion



With the fierce battle concluded, Tsubasa gathered all the captured Karasuma clan members in the expansive training grounds of their main headquarters. The area, once a place for Karasuma ninjas to hone their skills, was now transformed into a holding arena.

The scene there was both distressing and slightly absurd: dozens of human figures lay helpless, from children to the elderly, men and women, all incapacitated by the paralysis gas.

Tsubasa utilized the Shadow Clone Technique to ensure all Karasuma clan members were collected in one place. Dozens of his clones moved nimbly, directing and carrying the clan members who were still scattered in various corners of the headquarters.

Some clones even had a little difficulty transporting a miniature, overweight Benkei… wait, not Benkei, but a Karasuma clan member as large as Benkei!

From afar, three figures could be seen running rapidly towards him in the signature Naruto ninja run style. They were Ginga, Kyoya, and Benkei, Tsubasa's loyal subordinates. Their unique running style, with arms behind their backs and bodies leaning forward, elicited a faint smile from Tsubasa. Especially Benkei, with his large frame, running in that style looked… well, somewhat comical.

"Ginga, Kyoya, Benkei, over here," Tsubasa called out in a deep but calm voice. The tone ensured his words were clearly audible to his three subordinates, even though they were still quite far away. Tsubasa's aura of leadership radiated strongly, making anyone who heard him feel obedient and respectful.

While waiting for his three subordinates to approach, Tsubasa issued orders to some of his Shadow Clones. "Clones, your task is to search for all valuables and treasures that the Karasuma clan might have hidden."

"Look for all types of ninjutsu, secret scrolls, and even material wealth such as money and gold. Don't miss a single one," Tsubasa continued, emphasizing the importance of this task. He wanted to ensure that no valuable assets of the Karasuma clan were overlooked and that they could be utilized to rebuild the Takagami clan.

Tsubasa's Shadow Clones immediately dispersed, moving nimbly among the Karasuma clan buildings. They began carrying out the order to search for treasure, dismantling every nook and cranny that might be a secret storage place. Some clones even looked a little excited, imagining themselves finding stacks of glittering gold coins.

To the remaining Shadow Clones, Tsubasa gave another order. "Other clones, you are responsible for guarding the remaining Karasuma clan members. Make sure they do not escape and remain safe and controlled."

The Shadow Clones tasked with guarding the Karasuma clan prisoners nodded obediently and immediately formed a guard formation around the group of prisoners. They stood erect with emotionless expressions, ready to prevent any form of escape attempts or rebellion.

Seeing the tight guard formation of the clones, Benkei whispered to Kyoya, "Wow, with this kind of setup, not even an ant could escape, right, Kyoya?" Kyoya only nodded slightly, amused by Benkei's remark.

After ensuring all initial orders had been carried out, Tsubasa turned his attention to his three subordinates who had now arrived before him. Ginga, Kyoya, and Benkei stood erect, awaiting further instructions from Tsubasa.

"Ginga, Kyoya, Benkei, follow me," Tsubasa said, turning and walking towards one of the Karasuma clan buildings that looked quite intact, although some parts of its walls appeared to have collapsed. The building looked like a meeting room or a small hall.

"We need to discuss how to handle this Karasuma clan," he continued, explaining the purpose of his invitation while leading them towards the nearby building. He wanted to discuss with his three subordinates to decide the fate of the Karasuma clan after their victory. Important decisions had to be made soon.

Tsubasa carefully checked around the building, ensuring there were no traps or hidden dangers before entering. Caution was his top priority, even after this decisive victory. He did not want to be careless and fall into any dirty tricks the Karasuma clan might still have up their sleeve.

After feeling safe, Tsubasa entered the building, followed by Ginga, Kyoya, and Benkei who loyally followed behind him. They entered a room that was quite spacious but dimly lit.

Moonlight entered through the cracks in the walls that had collapsed during his fight with Karasuma Renge, but this light only managed to illuminate a small part of the room.

Inside the quiet and dimly lit room, Tsubasa conveyed the decision he had carefully considered regarding the fate of the Karasuma clan. The atmosphere in the room became tense and full of anticipation.

"I have decided not to kill all members of the Karasuma clan," Tsubasa said in a clear and firm tone, breaking the silence of the room. His words hung in the air, creating a moment of stillness.

Ginga, Kyoya, and Benkei exchanged glances, slightly surprised by Tsubasa's decision which seemed unusual in the violent ninja world. They knew very well how cruel and corrupt the ninja world was, and Tsubasa's decision seemed to contradict the prevailing logic.

Benkei even almost asked, "Tsubasa-sama, are you sure? They are our enemies after all...", but he stopped himself, waiting for further explanation from Tsubasa.

Tsubasa continued his explanation. "Among them, there are small children who still understand nothing. And there are also civilians who have no ninjutsu abilities, their condition is almost like slaves to the Karasuma clan members who wield power." Tsubasa emphasized the humanitarian aspect of his decision. He did not want to equate himself with the cruel and inhumane Karasuma clan.

"This decision is not because I am naive or weak-hearted. There are boundaries that I believe should not be crossed, even in this corrupt ninja world," Tsubasa asserted, dispelling the notion that his decision stemmed from weakness. He wanted to show that true strength is not only measured by the ability to kill, but also by the ability to restrain oneself and act wisely.

"Killing children, even though it is considered common in the ninja world, is wrong in my opinion. I want to change this view," he continued, showing his idealism.

Tsubasa wanted to be an agent of change in the ninja world full of darkness. He wanted to create a better world, even if it started with small steps.

"And to start that change, we must set an example. We must show that we are different from them," Tsubasa said, pointing to the Karasuma clan as an example of the behavior he wanted to change. He wanted to show that the Takagami clan would be a different clan, a clan that upheld justice and humanity.

Ginga, Kyoya, and Benkei listened intently to every word Tsubasa spoke, trying to understand the reasons behind their leader's decision. They stared at Tsubasa's face attentively, trying to read his thoughts and feelings.

They knew that Tsubasa always had careful considerations and a far-sighted vision in every action he took. They believed that Tsubasa's decision this time was also based on deep thought and wise consideration.

"Furthermore, we need labor to rebuild the Takagami clan and realize our next plans," Tsubasa added, touching on the pragmatic aspect of his decision. He was not only acting on idealism, but also considering the practical needs for the future of the Takagami clan.

"We can utilize those who are harmless to help us, of course under strict supervision," Tsubasa concluded, explaining how he would utilize the remaining Karasuma clan members. He planned to use them as labor to rebuild the Valley and realize his vision of an ideal ninja village.

Tsubasa continued his explanation regarding the goals of their group after successfully avenging themselves on the Karasuma clan. He wanted to ensure his three subordinates understood his long-term vision.

"Our next goal is to make this ninja world a little better. I won't save everyone, that's impossible. But we can start from our surroundings," Tsubasa said with a determined glint in his eyes. He wanted to create positive change, even if it started on a small scale.

"To achieve that goal, I have begun to lay the foundations. I plan to build a ninja village," Tsubasa revealed, unveiling his grand plan to his three subordinates. This revelation made Ginga, Kyoya, and Benkei even more stunned.

"A ninja village different from any other. A village that prioritizes justice, prosperity, and collective progress. A village that serves as an example of change in the ninja world," Tsubasa explained, outlining his vision of an ideal ninja village. He wanted to create a place where ninjas could live peacefully and prosperously.

Ginga, Kyoya, and Benkei were increasingly impressed by the vision Tsubasa revealed. They began to see a picture of a brighter and more meaningful future. Tsubasa's vision sparked enthusiasm and hope in their hearts.

Tsubasa motivated his three subordinates. "We must not get too caught up in feelings of revenge. Revenge is important, but it is not the end of everything. We must look to the future, because the future is what matters most." He wanted them to focus on the bigger picture, not just be fixated on the dark past.

He also reminded himself. "I too must continue to move forward, I must not get stuck in the dark past. The future of the Takagami clan is in our hands." Tsubasa realized that a great responsibility rested on his shoulders, and he had to be strong and steadfast to lead the Takagami clan towards a better future.

"However, that doesn't mean we will let the remaining Karasuma clan members go free. That would be a threat to our future," Tsubasa said, emphasizing that he was not forgetting the security aspect. Although he chose not to kill them all, he still had to ensure that they would not become a threat later on.

"Adult members and Karasuma clan leaders will be imprisoned or even used as my experimental subjects. Meanwhile, young members and servants (slaves) will have their memories erased and be placed in a special village that will remain under our supervision," Tsubasa explained regarding the plan for handling the Karasuma prisoners. He had considered various options and chose the best one for this situation.

Tsubasa looked at his three subordinates hopefully. "I hope you understand and support this decision. Together, we will realize our vision." He needed the full support of his three subordinates to realize his vision of an ideal ninja village and rebuild the Takagami clan.

Ginga, Kyoya, and Benkei exchanged glances again. They saw the strong determination and unwavering confidence in Tsubasa's eyes. The doubts that had briefly arisen in their minds slowly disappeared, replaced by an ever-growing sense of respect and trust in their leader.

After a moment of silence, Ginga spoke up for the first time. "We understand, Tsubasa-sama. We fully support your decision." Ginga's voice sounded firm and full of conviction.

Kyoya and Benkei nodded in unison, agreeing with Ginga's words. "We will always follow your orders, Tsubasa-sama," Kyoya said firmly, showing his unwavering loyalty.

"Your vision is truly noble, Tsubasa-sama. We will help you realize it!" Benkei replied with burning enthusiasm. He felt proud to be part of Tsubasa's grand vision.

Tsubasa nodded in satisfaction upon hearing the support from his three subordinates. He felt even more confident and motivated to continue his plan. Their support was an invaluable boost of energy for him.

After the decision regarding the Karasuma clan was agreed upon, Tsubasa and his three subordinates left the building. They stepped out, returning to the training area where the Karasuma clan prisoners were gathered.

Tsubasa intended to ask the Shadow Clones in charge about the results of the search for the Karasuma clan's treasure. He was curious if his clones had managed to find anything valuable.

However, just as he was about to ask, Tsubasa sensed a strange change in the barrier formation he had set up around the headquarters area. The change felt subtle yet significant, enough to put Tsubasa on alert. His ninja instincts screamed, indicating that something was amiss.

A feeling of unease enveloped Tsubasa's heart. The change in the barrier formation could not be taken lightly. Could there be another enemy trying to infiltrate? Or… did the Karasuma clan have a hidden trump card?

Before he could analyze the change further, suddenly a Shadow Clone appeared before him in a hurry. Poof! The smoke disappeared, revealing a clone that looked very panicked yet also excited.

Tsubasa immediately recognized the Shadow Clone. It wasn't a clone he had created since attacking the Karasuma clan. But one of the Shadow Clones he had left in the Takagami Valley as a precaution in case of unexpected situations. Why had a clone from the Valley suddenly appeared here?

Tsubasa had always been cautious and prepared for all possibilities. Leaving a Shadow Clone in the Valley was one form of his vigilance. He never knew when danger would come, and he had to always be ready to face it.

Without needing to wait for questions from Tsubasa, the Shadow Clone immediately conveyed the purpose of its arrival. Its face beamed, its eyes sparkling, as if it brought extraordinarily joyful news.

In a hurried yet joyful tone, the Shadow Clone said, "Main body, Ozora-nii has awakened!" The words rushed out, carrying news that was both shocking and exhilarating. News that seemed to be a ray of light in the darkness that shrouded Tsubasa's heart. News about his brother Ozora's recovery.


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