Chapter 19 – Before the Fire
Time moved faster than they had realized.
The days of training and missions turned into weeks. The weeks blurred into months. And now, Yuva, Tenzo, and Daichi Hiwatari stood at the threshold of their tenth year.
Ten years old.
Still children by most standards. But in the world of shinobi — they were already soldiers.
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🏠 A Rare Moment Together
It was early morning when Yuva woke to a scene that felt almost foreign now: both of his parents were home.
His father, Hari Hiwatari, usually gone for weeks or months on missions, sat at the table with a cup of tea. His mother, Yuki, usually stationed at the medical corps, was preparing food in the kitchen. The warmth of the house felt… different. Peaceful. Alive.
"It's rare to see you both here at once," Yuva said, walking in with Tenzo and Daichi.
Hari looked up and smiled. "That's because things are about to change. Soon, I'll be sent to the border. Your mother too. And you three…" He paused, the smile fading from his face. "…you'll be sent into the war."
The words hung heavy in the air.
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⚠️ A Father's Words
Hari stood and faced them, his expression serious. "You've come far. Your talent, strength, and discipline have surpassed even my expectations. But war is not a training field. It's chaos. It's blood. It's betrayal."
He walked up to Yuva and placed a hand on his shoulder. "No matter how strong you are, never let your guard down. Even the strongest die from a moment's carelessness."
He turned to Tenzo. "Trust your instincts. If you feel something is wrong, it probably is."
And then to Daichi. "And no matter how far you push yourself, never abandon each other. Together — you are far stronger than alone."
All three nodded silently. They understood.
Hari sighed, then smiled faintly. "I won't always be there to protect you. But I believe in you three. More than I've ever believed in anyone."
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✋ A Mother's Gift
Their mother joined them, carrying several scrolls and bags. "Your father gives you wisdom," Yuki said gently. "I'll give you what you need to live."
One by one, she laid out equipment and tools on the table.
Hundreds of kunai, shuriken, and senbon, each sharpened to perfection.
Dozens of explosive tags, sealed in waterproof scrolls.
Steel wire traps, smoke bombs, and flash tags.
A supply of food pills, high-energy bars, and ration packs for long campaigns.
Medical supplies — bandages, ointments, antiseptic solutions.
Three chakra storage scrolls packed with raw provisions and spare weapons.
And most importantly — custom-made short swords, spears, and brass knuckles, forged specifically for their styles.
"There's enough here for months of battle," Yuki said. "Use it wisely."
Then she looked at her sons, her eyes softening. "I know you're strong. I know you're smart. But promise me one thing…"
"What is it?" Yuva asked.
"Promise me you'll come back alive," she whispered. "No victory matters if you're not here to see it."
All three brothers nodded solemnly. "We promise."
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🪶 A Final Lesson
Before they left the room, Hari spoke again, his voice lower and more serious than ever before.
"In war," he said, "you'll see things that will haunt you. Friends will die. Enemies will beg. Villages will burn. You'll want to save everyone — but you can't. Focus on the mission. Protect each other. And never forget who you are."
He placed a hand over Yuva's chest. "This — your heart — is your strongest weapon. Not jutsu. Not swords. Remember that."
And then, for the first time in a long while, Hari embraced all three of them. Yuki joined him. For a few seconds, the house was silent except for the sound of their breaths.
It was a moment none of them would ever forget.
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🌅 Together to the End
Later that evening, Yuva sealed all their supplies into storage scrolls and strapped them to his belt. Tenzo checked the edge of his sword and prepared his medical kit. Daichi tested the weight of his brass knuckles and tightened his gloves.
They were ready.
"Next time we walk out of this house," Yuva said, looking at his brothers, "we won't just be shinobi-in-training."
Tenzo smiled faintly. "We'll be soldiers."
Daichi clenched his fists. "And we'll survive. Together."
The three stood side by side, facing the fading sun through the window. The light painted their faces in gold and crimson — the colors of blood and fire.
The world was about to change.
And so were they.
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