Arc XIII Chapter 17

XIII

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Arc XIII Chapter 17

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It did not take long for a familiar rude voice to disturb her moment of happiness with Nee-san. Of course, it was the most vile magistrate.

The magistrate glared at her Nee-san, barely concealing his open hatred. “So, you are the brat’s sister! Explain yourself at once, girl!” Blinded by his ignorance, the man directly pointed his fan at her, unable to even fathom what major affront he had just committed. To insult a lady of Nee-san’s stature. It was a grave breach of protocol indeed. “How dare you openly attack a magistrate and his retinue? Do you not realise the crime that such an act constitutes ...”

A single gaze sufficed to silence the man completely. The atmosphere had changed, the air heavy, suffocating. Even the villages were quick to notice the sudden change.

Nee-san lifted her eyes towards the magistrate, slowly. Her beautiful, purple eyes, warm and gentle moments ago, had now become utterly cold, dispassionate, heartless, staring down on them in open disdain. To her, they were less than vermin beneath her heel.

“...” The magistrate’s breath hitched, his entire body seized by a chill. His former arrogant expression lay shattered, replaced by naked fear. Even his retinue stiffened. The soldiers, the samurai, they subconsciously took a step backwards, their hands trembling, shaking ever so perceptibly. Worse still, even the ninja under his command hesitated, visibly bothered. For the magistrate and his men had come to realise that they had brought the wrath of heaven upon them.

“Hehehe~.” A soft, melodic giggle echoed across the silent square. Nee-san gracefully covered her lips with her sleeve, her purple eyes glimmering with amusement. “Ara~, ara~, for a mere magistrate to raise his voice against my person. How very bold of you, Magistrate~.” The amusement within her voice grew ominous. “To know neither the height of heaven, nor the depth of earth ... how utterly lamentable~. Would you not agree~?”

The magistrate paled, cold sweat trickling down his face. “W ... Who ...” he stammered weakly. “Who are you ...?”

“...” Nee-san did not answer. Her response was a simple smile.

Flickers appeared throughout the village. One after another. An entire platoon. Ninja emerged atop the roofs, upon the walls, inside the square, clad in black armour, armed, their swords drawn, wearing the insignia of Amegakure and Nee-san’s crest, They were part of her personal guard, hand picked, chosen. They had surrounded the magistrate and his men, vastly outnumbering them.

“...” The magistrate and his retinue froze in horror.

Several ninja appeared before Nee-san, immediately dropping onto their knees, their heads bowed in respect.

“Lady Miyumi, please forgive our tardiness”, one of the guards spoke, the reverence for her person palpable in his voice. “We have failed in our duties.”

“L ... Lady Ayumi...?” Loud murmurs erupted amongst the gathered crowd. The villagers whispered under hushed breaths, repeating her name.

One of the scribes at the magistrate’s was quick to recognise the name. The man’s eyes widened in realisation, in fear. “Lady Miyumi? The fabled heiress of the Hattori Clan? The Lunar Princess? The treasured jewel of Amegakure?” He was not alone.

Panic spread rapidly amongst the magistrate’s retinue. The faces of the men and ninja under his command distorted, now that they had realised the full gravity of the situation. The magistrate had overstepped his boundaries. He had not offended a mere girl, but a clan princess of superior rank and name.

“...” The magistrate stared at Nee-san in utter disbelief, troubled and sweating.

“...” Nee-san remained as nonchalant and indifferent as ever. Her status alone was weapon enough. “It would be an understatement to say that your actions have already caused considerable trouble, Magistrate. And yet I am willing to extend mercy before justice. Take your men and leave this village at once. Should you choose to comply, Magistrate, I will graciously overlook your earlier transgression.”

Yuki nodded in agreement. Of course, Nee-san showed mercy. As it was only proper for her. Much to the relief of the magistrate’s entourage. The worst had been averted, or so they thought.

“...” The magistrate’s face twisted violently. Rage. Humiliation. Hatred. Pride. His honour, his reputation had been shattered before everyone’s eyes. This was not something that he could ever possibly accept. Never.

“Hahaha! Overlook, you say?” the man snarled, almost hysterical. “Girl, do you really think you can give me orders like this? Forget it. These filthy peasants have interfered with my authority! The rabble has even dared to obstruct my justice! They have rebelled against the will of the daimyo! Every last one of them shall be punished accordingly! They will reap what they have sowed!”

“...” The villagers recoiled in terror.

“...” The magistrate’s grin widened, his expression growing increasingly unhinged. He rejoiced at the sight of their terror. “As for you, Lady Miyumi, do you truly believe that you can frighten me with your name alone? That you can make me submit with a few words of yours? You are mistaken, princess. You cannot remain here forever to protect them.” His eyes glimmered with a sadistic glint. “Rest assured, I will be patient. The moment you leave, this entire village will burn! These lowly peasants will suffer for what they have done! Every last one of them will pay! None will be spared, and there is nothing you can do about it!”

“...” Nee-san remained unfazed, quietly observing the magistrate. A heavy sigh escaped her lips “Magistrate, do not mistake my leniency for weakness. It would be ... rather unwise to do so. I strongly advise you to rescind your words.”

“Or what. Lady Miyumi?” The magistrate laughed harshly. “Your word holds no power here! In the end, you are just a little girl who knows nothing of how the world works!”

“I see.” Nee-san closed her eyes. “How unfortunate that it had to come to this ...”

The magistrate snarled. “Do not make me laugh, girl! You still believe ...” His words died halfway out of his throat.

Purple chakra ran alongside the edge of her sword, coating it. Her blade had impaled the man, the entire length rammed straight through his chest, vanquishing flesh and bone alike, all burnt away.

“Krrk!” The magistrate gurgled, his eyes snapping wide. His mind failed to process what his body already understood. He turned his head and for one last moment, he gazed into the girl’s eyes. Those purple eyes, ... darker than the night, deeper than the abyss itself. “... ... ...”

“...” The girl regarded him, her expression like granite, her voice utterly cold, “Kill them all.” Her men moved at once.

...

...

...

Screams followed. Blood flowed, and their demise was swift.

“...” Yuki said nothing, unsettled. They were dead. They had died. All of them. They had paid the ultimate price for the mistake of a single man, and yet there was neither right, nor wrong in it. Albeit painful, her decision had been necessary. “... ... ...”

It was just as her beloved Nee-san had taught her, for the sake of a great cause, sacrifices were unavoidable.

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