Chapter 16: Stories that tell
"It is not the gods who make history, but the choices of those who walk beneath their gaze." - Unknown.
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Hachiman (Yahata no kami)
The Shinto god of War and Warriors, Protector of the People, Patron of Samurai
Species: Buddha (Ascendant deity): A mortal emperor who somehow gained what is called "Nirvana (Enlightenment)", breaking away from the cycle of reincarnation and becoming an immortal deity.
Status:Now registering as deceased.
Personal Note: ... wow, that's... Informative. I'll need to gather more information — preferably on all the pantheons if I'm going to make sense of this world.
Is that who Sensei is constantly mourning? It must either have happened pretty recently, or Sensei is a lot older than I thought he was.
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Raito POV:
'Let's remember to write that down later...' I noted to myself.
I had always known that in this weird world, where supernatural creatures roam about in fleshy forms.
'But gods could die? In the same way as mortal men?' Now that was news to me.
As I have probably noted before, I am not very familiar with gods, at least not enough to know too much about them.
Back home, the "gods" were nonexistent for the most part. At least they never showed up.
The Monks, pray and chant as they might, never once swayed them. However, they probably existed, as evidenced by their commonly recurring names.
I, for one, had long since stopped begging an indifferent Kami to save me from my problems.
Surprising right? I do still believe that they exist somewhere out there. Still doesn't give them any reason to help the pitiful mortals.
Even supposing they indeed turned out to be benevolent, seeing their lack of presence, I had concluded that the Elemental nations in particular were simply a cesspool too trashy for their tastes...
Therefore, compared to those fickle beings, the only gods we could truly recognize were the Sage and "Him"
I suppressed a shiver at the memory.
The last "god" I have had any meaningful contact with was the entity we called "The Shinigami" back home.
For some reason, it was standing in for the Uzumaki like some soul-ripping "genie in a mask".
That fact had always confused me. And then there was the other one, what did they call him?...
The deity worshipped by those scattered rogue blood cults that pop up occasionally...
Oh yes, I remember...
'Jashin'
I can't really be blamed for not knowing too much about this one. Most shinobi in general opt for a 'Stay out of the way' approach when it comes to them. A reasonable reaction, as these cultists tend to be very, very
INSANE.
Not too much of an issue, though, as cullings happen occasionally, so these cults never expand too much anyway.
Not once have I heard rumors of any direct intervention by their deity, so if he does exist, I assume he simply… doesn't care.
Before even existing in the Elemental Nations, the man who would become Rai Uchiha had never seen a god, but he had heard plenty about them. He lived in a world without the supernatural, or at least no confirmed evidence.
But then reincarnation turned out to be real — and so did a world of Ninja Wizards. That implied a lot…
If Reincarnation existed, what else was true?
Now that we've confirmed that "THEY" exist, the question is;
Are they truly capable of the things implied?
If so, then...
'A prime reason I had been so cautious when I first got here...'
But now I'm hearing this...
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"You may be wondering what a foreigner like me is doing here, teaching a dying art in this humble dojo." He began.
I began to shake my head in a negative gesture; however, he stopped me, lifting a hand to silence my response.
"There's no need to deny it. It's a well-known fact that China and Japan have not historically gotten along, and this tension extends even to the supernatural realm," he remarked, a hint of exasperated humor creeping into his tone.
He leaned back, hands clasped behind his back, voice steady.
"But that doesn't matter right now. What is important is this:
"Around five hundred years ago, a man named Lian-Yu was born."
His eyes were distant now, as though staring into a memory.
"I was what you would call a Cultivator — one who tempered his body and spirit in pursuit of perfection. Our world was… different, then. The great sects were powerful, many mortals ascended, the heavenly courts were busy fighting among themselves, and the balance between man and god was fragile."
"And I?"
He frowned the frown of past regret.
"I fought until I could fight no longer. I destroyed much of what I could not replace."
He continued.
"It shouldn't come as a surprise that a man who lives this way would eventually meet his match."
"A rival from another sect, whose family I killed, conspired and finally ended both our sects in mutual destruction."
"It should have been a violent end fit for a violent man. But then:"
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The battlefield lay drenched in blood. Corpses of friend and foe alike littered the ground, the air thick with smoke and iron. Amidst the ruin, a peasant approached, eyes unsurprised at the devastation.
He moved through the devastation till he found someone alive.
"Warrior," he called softly, stepping closer, "can you tell me… was it worth it?"
"I- I am unsure... " It is said that being on the brink of death forces even the most rancid man to clarity. Now Lian-Yu could confirm for the curious that this is true.
The "Peasant" hummed thoughtfully.
"Warrior," he started again, "What were you able to protect?"
Lian-Yu mustered the strength to raise his head and look round about him. Finding nothing intact except the man before him, he truthfully responded:
"I p-protected nothing b-but my own conceit," he forced out.
"Are you satisfied with this result?" This bold "Peasant" continued to inquire.
"W-who would be satisfied with this?" Lian-Yu's lips curved faintly, bitterly, as he raised his gaze.
"Why do you fight the world?"
"I- I don't know..." Lian-Yu forced out through gritted teeth. "I don't even remember who or what started the fight..." He would have laughed at the irony if his ribs weren't caved in.
"Hmm..." The "Peasant" hummed before turning his gaze to the sky.
"A sword that blindly rages against the world will eventually strike its own son."
The words hung in the air, a warning and a reflection, along with a path towards something... Greater.
Then came the words that would change his life. It was a pity that they didn't arrive sooner...
"From now on, fight for things greater than just yourself..."
A hand reached downwards, and Lian-Yu clung on like a drowning man.
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He drew a slow breath, the faintest flicker of bitterness mingling with a rage he had long thought buried.
"Then came the war. Hachiman, the god of war, fell in an altercation with the Jade Emperor. What followed was not just divine politics — it was colonization. The Jade Emperor and his allies swept across the eastern continent, burning sects, outlawing local faiths, absorbing or erasing every tradition that would not bow to him. The old ways were branded dangerous. The old gods were called rebels. The ones who survived were forced into his system or stripped of their names."
He went quiet for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was lower, almost reverent.
"Hachiman-sama was… more than a god of war to us. He was a shield, a guardian who walked among mortals when he had to. When the Jade Emperor declared that all divine authority must bow to his 'Mandate of Heaven,' Hachiman refused."
His jaw tightened, and suddenly I felt as if the air in the dojo had grown heavier.
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I remember it clearly — the battlefield smelled of iron and thunder. Hachiman stood at the front, his armor gleaming like a star against the storm. His bow was drawn, the string singing as divine arrows split the clouds. Each shot carved through legions of celestial soldiers, but the heavens kept sending more. When the Jade Emperor descended, the sky went white. I saw them clash — spear against bow, emperor against god — until the final strike shattered the ground beneath our feet.
The shockwave threw me back, and when I rose… Hachiman was kneeling, blood running down his face, but still smiling as though defying the heavens one last time. Then the Emperor's sword found his heart, and the light in him went out.
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Lian-Yu blinked slowly, the memory fading from his gaze.
"The blow that felled Hachiman split heaven and earth.
Only once before has such a celestial phenomenon been witnessed in mortal lands, and that was two thousand years ago.
The sky turned red for three days, and every shrine to him in the east wept blood. After that, the campaign became a purge. Shrines burned, our martial schools disbanded, our techniques labeled heretical. It wasn't just war — it was the rewriting of history, the destruction of identity. And regretfully, it worked."He sighed
"It was not until the unification of Takamagahara, the High Plain of Heaven itself, that the invasion came to a halt. However, what had been done was already done... Today, most people don't even remember Hachiman was once more than a name in a textbook."
I frowned. "You survived."
A dry smile crossed his face.
"Survive, yes. Win? No. I ran, like a coward, when others stayed and died in honor. I came to this land and swore I would keep what little was left of my path alive, even if all I could do was pass it on to one student before I died."
He turned back to me, gaze sharp now, and it felt like the room itself leaned forward to listen.
"That is why I am here. The art I teach you is not just technique — it is in memory of him.
Learn it well, Raito. Someday, you may have to choose whether this path dies with you."
Raito nodded instinctively, not knowing exactly where this conversation was headed.
He leaned forward once more, taking a sip of his tea.
"Which is why I find it hard to understand why you are never still."
"Hmm?" I tilted my head in silent question.
"Young one... Why do you always wander? If not your feet, then your mind wanders instead... Why ignore the peace here around you? Why openly seek out conflict for petty gain?... Where are you going? "
That last question resonated within me.
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Raito POV:
'Where am I going?...'
For a long moment, I didn't answer. The sound of cicadas outside filled the silence.
'I have been fighting, training, running ever since I arrived here. Looking for clues, chasing power, searching for… what, exactly? A way back? A way forward? Why am I doing all this? This land here, however strange it is, is safer than the Elemental Nations ever were. No Akatsuki to jump you outside, no wars every decade, no alien family drama… so why do I feel the need to keep moving? Why does standing still feel like I'm drowning?'
I let the thought turn over and over in my head before setting down my tea.
Sensei watched me quietly, his expression unreadable, yet eagerly encouraging.
Finally, I spoke.
"Before I answer, Sensei," I said carefully, "you should know more about my clan."
"Yes, you had mentioned something like that... The Uchiha Clan of Shinobi, right?" He recalled
I nodded in confirmation, then donned a pensive expression as I sought to frame my explanation in the shortest way possible.
"My clan, the Uchiha, is a bit different from typical shinobi. We possess a peculiar Kekkei Genkai."
"Kekkei Genkai..." He carefully mouthed the new term.
"Meaning 'Bloodline limit'. " I helpfully added before continuing, "In a Shinobi clan, it is a special technique that is usually passed down through the generations. Through blood, or sometimes through teaching."
He nodded in comprehension as I activated the Sharingan, layering a small illusion over them to hide two of the tomoe. "Ours is passed down by blood."
He carefully observed the singular tomoe circling on a crimson river, around a block pool. "Fascinating... Such a rare trait in humans." He mumbled.
"Unfortunately, our Jutsu comes with an unexpected defect." I continue, earning an inquisitive look.
"Along with having these eyes, the Uchiha are biologically geared to experience things like Love and Cherishment to a higher degree than what is usual in humans. Maybe twice as much as is normal?" I ended with a guess because I wasn't sure.
"Strange... Why evolve this trait?" He thoughtfully pondered my word as if trying to fit in a puzzle he started years ago.
"As a trigger, our trait usually activates when faced with loss." I supplied.
"Loss?"
"Something ranging from immense pressure to having a big fight with your friends, leading to separation. From there, pressure and loss, maybe training, leave the second and third marks."
I allowed the second and third tomoe to appear; they joined the first in a lazy three-way swim.
"Oh, that's..." For a moment, he managed to look a bit uncomfortable even as comprehension dawned on him.
"Combined with the nature of the Shinobi business, most Uchiha turn out unable to bear the toll of evolving their kekkei genkai to its limit. In losing comrades, their fervent love turns to passionate hate. They usually end up going insane."
"Insane?"
"Unhinged bouts of laughter, vengeful obsession, self and world destructive tendencies, denial of reality, you name it. " I offhandedly gesture, briefly delving into memories.
He looked amazed. "That's beautiful!"
"?!"
"Such a trait, directly geared towards love.
I, for one, would be immensely honoured to be recognized as a comrade." He eagerly emphasized.
'Huh?' I did a slow blink.
Strange. I had fully prepared myself for at least a bit of revulsion. But now, looking at Sensei's face, I can calmly say that he has proven worthy of the trust I have given to him.
'It seems... I can really complete this conversation.' I thought, setting my tea aside.
"You are... Different Sensei." I leaned forward while giving him a look of respect. "Our leaders certainly didn't think so..." I shook my head.
Finding someone who could understand and sympathize with you was encouraging. So I decided to continue. Besides:
'Sensei is quite strong, and by the looks of it, I might even manage to gain his assistance.'
Kami knows I'll need it for the next stage of my plan.
"Unfortunately, reality makes it come as no surprise that such a clan would be ostracized by their comrades, and eventually wiped out."
"Wiped... out?" He asked, a bit in shock.
I gave a small nod, "Hmm... There might be three or four others at most." I hum thoughtfully,
"However, our relationship is now such that our numbers might reduce all the way to one via bloody conflict on the occasion we all encounter each other."
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Change POV:
"So is that it? Is it revenge that drives you?" he asked, voice uncharacteristically subdued.
"Revenge?"
Raito stared at him for a long moment, weighing the question before finally shaking my head.
"Tempting as it may be, I don't hope for something as grand as that..."
"I need to bring someone back..."
"Bring back? Strange... You never mentioned a loved one..."
"Where I am from, there are rumours of Jutsu, Techniques if you will, that can reach into the depths of Naraka. To force a soul from the Shinigami himself." Raito's face lit with uncharacteristic excitement, contrasting his usual apathy.
Lian-Yu's eyes widened, and then dimmed, finally gaining a hint of wariness mixed with regret. "So... You want to bring back the dead."
"She is not dead. Just, currently imprisoned..." Raito insisted quite firmly.
"Oh dear," Lian-Yu sipped on this tea, sighing as if not looking forward to what he was about to explain. " Young one, the dead should be left to rest."
He set the cup down, fingers lingering on the rim. His expression hardened, but there was no anger—only the calm weight of experience. "Tampering with death as a force is a dangerous road, you see... One misstep, one obsession… and even the purest intent can only lead to ruin."
"You're probably right," Raito shrugged, surprising his sensei.
"Be that as it may, it can't get much more ruined than I already am…"
"Raito!" Lian-Yu warned, voice sharp.
Too late. Raito had already defaulted to a classic:
"Don't pretend you understand!" He raised his voice for the first time, and Lian-Yu flinched, startled by the outburst.
"Every night it's the same nightmare. Every daydream, it's the same hell."
Raito spoke, and the Sensei's face paled.
"So, I will do this, or die in the attempt." Raito made his stance clear, and Lian-Yu knew... 'There is no chance at negotiation.'
"If that is your goal, what about our contract?" With a sigh, he shifted to another topic.
"Hmm?"
"If Suzaku defeats you in battle, you are contract-bound to stay by her side."
"Pfft!"
"Hmm?"
"HAHAHAHA! " Raito gave the "Characteristic Psychotic Laugh" like he had heard something truly absurd.
His sensei didn't find it nearly as funny.
"Sensei... If you speak like that, it makes me think you actually believe that." Raito drawled.
Lian-Yu looked indignant; however, he too frowned in worry.
Raito stood, his composure regained, and eyes clear and cold as ever. "I will fulfill our agreement, but let the rest be left up to fate." He almost sneered, but barely managed to keep a respectful tone.
"Sensei!" Bowed in greeting before spinning on a heel, and in a series of rapid movements, leaping up to a nearby roof.
Lian-Yu watched him leave.
'(Sigh), Another poisoned youth...' Such sights were too common. It was exhausting to see. Especially for one so long lived...
'I will continue to pray...'
The old man was left alone in the dark, with a cooled tea set before him, worrying about the future generation.
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Raito's POV:
It was nighttime, and now my good mood was gone.
I didn't even bother trying to go to bed. Instead, making it up here allowed me to cool off somewhat.
I still had something to do tonight after all...
In a quick session of self-reflection, I inwardly berated myself for losing my composure and allowed myself a moment to soak in the light of the full moon. It was always quite large from this vantage point.
I finally turned my attention to something, or rather someone, whom my [Mind's Eye Of The Kagura] had overlooked until now.
The pathetic little girl now staring up at me.
She flinched when our eyes met, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of... Disappointment.
'Is this truly the one he thinks will beat me?'
"You think too little of me, Sensei..." And with that, I vanished from the rooftop.
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Suzaku POV:
I had stormed out of the tea house earlier, only to regret it about five minutes later.
'I am certainly not checking up on that… that ungrateful—' I bit the inside of my cheek and stopped the thought before I gave it too much power.
It's just… I knew my temper had gotten the better of me again. Storming off like that hadn't solved anything—it had only made me feel foolish and impatient.
"As his granddaughter, it falls to me to clean up. Yes, that's why I'm going back." I mentally recited the excuse like a mantra and felt a little better.
I turned back, my sandals crunching softly on the gravel. The night air was cooler now, enough to take the edge off my temper.
That constantly screeching [Fire] within me died down somewhat, and by the time I reached the courtyard once more, I had smoothed my expression into something suitably composed.
The night air had cooled since I left, the cicadas singing in the trees. I slowed my pace as the courtyard came into view, the lantern light spilling across the flagstones.
I slowed as voices reached me from the courtyard — Curiosity got the better of me.
I naturally knew that intruding on a private conversation was the pinnacle of rudeness. Even if it was to those in a lower station than yourself.
My training indicated I should leave now and come back later, however...
'Raito never tells me anything about himself.'
The thought was a little bitter, though I wasn't sure why.
'As his future Lord, it is only fitting that I learn more about my vassals, right?'
So, unbefitting as it was, I decided to give in.
'Just for a moment,' I told myself as I crouched down, straining to hear. 'Then I'll go in like I meant to.'
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"…Most Uchiha turn out unable to bear the toll of evolving their kekkei genkai to its limit…"
"In losing comrades, their fervent love turns to passionate hate…"
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I blinked. Wait… fervent love?
That sounded oddly… beautiful. Romantic, even.
'So this was a part of him?'
Imagine something like that being ingrained in a bloodline.
Hearing these words, Suzaku Himejima couldn't help but feel a growing Desire.
Truthfully, she couldn't be blamed.
Imagine the allure of having a partner who is biologically guaranteed to care about you forever. You'd be tempted, even if they were average-looking.
She swooned through the raised voices and only woke up from the daydream when:
*Fwoosh*
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3rd Person POV:
"—Ah?!" Suddenly, a gust of wind blew up, and Suzaku held down her hair as she turned her face away.
"—!!" In the next moment, she glanced around the night sky and spotted a shadow under the moonlight.
As she squinted to get a closer look, she drew in her breath.
There was somebody on the roof at this hour when nobody else was out. A silhouette that blended in with the darkness stood at the edge of the roof, peering into the distance.
No—she couldn't tell if that shadowy figure was looking anywhere.
But it seemed as if it might leap off the roof at any moment.
"Who's there?" If it were an intruder, the correct response would have been to yell for the guards or ready her weapons if she had them with her.
But she picked a simpler action.
She just asked.
She might have been shaken up... but it was more likely because that silhouette reminded her of someone.
"Rai..." That was her answer as to his identity. And suddenly, she flinched, half in guilt after recalling what she had been doing.
Still, believing it was him, she was about to ask, "What are you doing up there...?" But in that instant, he looked down and their eyes met.
While he may have been a shadow, his gaze was frigid.
Her mind froze as she was being stared down. The words she wanted to say disappeared.
There was no doubt it was Him.
Yet her instincts were telling her he was different from normal. There was an overwhelming and absolute distance, keeping her from easily calling out to him.
"..." Raito, looking down at her, mumbled something but didn't outwardly say a single word.
He narrowed his stare, sent through the darkness. Not because he was trying to identify Suzaku. Instead, it was as if his eyes were saying he had no interest in her.
Suzaku Himejima was left staring up at the roof, unable to turn her gaze away even if she wanted to.
Then another strong gust of wind brought her back to her senses.
Her hair fluttered in the wind, blocking her sight, and she hurriedly pushed her hair back.
But when she looked at the roof again, the shadow was already gone.
"Rai..." The impassive face he showed regularly wasn't everything there was to him. She'd thought she knew that. Yet she suddenly found herself mortified at her own naïve thinking.
He seemed to see differently.
In a sense, it was like he was living in a completely different reality.
Suzaku couldn't put what his gaze said into words. But she could tell that, as her grandfather had told of Raito's deeds, Raito's strength and talent. Those deeds didn't result from a simple, straightforward journey. That strength didn't result from reasonable training.
In addition.
A boy her age giving her that kind of expression spoke volumes about how much harshness he'd experienced. And no matter how much she had tried, she still had no idea of the reality that had created that gap between them.
'How can I help you if you won't tell me...'
"..." It was so painful, heartbreaking, and vexing that she felt like crying out. It was just like when Aunt Shuri was exiled. Never speaking up.
And, as always, she found that she hated her own petty, dishonest side more than she could blame anyone else.
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End Chapter
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Alright, Chapter done.
A bit of world-building for future events, some bits and pieces about Raito's ultimate goals.
Please note that the ages might not match up, as this is AU, and I am planning for the characters involved to be closer in age compared to canon.
The initial money-gathering arc is now temporarily over.
Please comment and powerstone if you like the book.
Mechaheart Out
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