In the midst of the main clan hall, Han could be seen kneeling on the ground in front of Naobito, his head lowered. Every clan member was present, from the lowest dreg to the highest official. After all, inducting a new Ze'nin into the clan is an important event.
"Raise your head, little nephew. It's an important day for ya'."
Wiping the sake from his chin, Naobito watched as Han slowly raised his head and looked at him, his expression changing as he noted the sharpness hidden within the latter's eyes.
"Clan head, i was-"
"Tch! Call me great uncle! Don't be such a bore, kid!"
Han raised an eyebrow at Naobito's comment, cleared his throat and continued, "Great uncle, I was told that today is the day that I will prove myself to the clan. What would you have me do?"
Hearing this question, Elder Ogi clicked his tooth and walked out into the middle of the clan hall, his expression sour as he turned his head to Han.
Naobito laughed at this scene and took another sip of his drink as he pointed at his brother.
"This right here, kiddo, is another one of your great uncles. He's not as nice as me, but just give him a chance, you'll find something you like about him. He's a great warrior and a member of the Hei, a group of the strongest sorcerers within the clan. This man will be the one to conduct your test."
As Naobito finished his sentence, the jovial tone in his voice gradually left and a heavy atmosphere descended over the room. The Clan Head might've been an easy man to approach, but he didn't ascend to such a position by mere luck.
His power and words were well respected by each member. No decree made my him was up for question or debate.
And as such, everyone's eyes were focused on Elder Ogi and the new clan prospect, Han Ze'nin.
Turning his body to Han, Elder Ogi simply said, "Draw your sword, little cretin. I will show you and those who think like you…"
Elder Ogi's eyes glanced back at two teenage girls in the crowd and right back at Han as he continued, "That you cannot change the destiny determined by your birth, no matter how hard you try."
Holding the sheathe of his sword while gripping the hilt of his blade, Elder Ogi's eyes were calm as he stared at Han. To him, this battle was already decided.
Han slowly rose to his feet and looked around at the crowd. So many people in the clan, and not one of them ever questioned his existence once? Was he really so well hidden?
His eyes landed on the two teenage girls that Elder Ogi seemed to group in with him, curious about their stories. They looked like twins, and if he had to guess, they were probably only a few years younger than him.
'Hm. I'll just ask them later. For now…'
Han cracked his neck, held the sheathe of his weapon and turned his attention to Elder Ogi.
'His stance, the way his body is turned, his calloused palms. Hm…he's well trained…likely a Iaijutsu user. He has years of experience on me, so I guess he's pretty confident in his skills. He looks a great warrior and the clan seems to greatly respect him. Hm.'
Shaking his head, Han calmly responded, "You're not strong enough for me to draw my blade, Elder Ogi. With all due respect, of course."
Everyone fell into shock as they heard this. Was this boy mad? Elder Ogi was infamous for his ruthless character. No one would talk to him like this.
WHOOSH!
Elder Ogi immediately attacked as he moved with a flash, his expression dark with fury. In his mind, a lowlife cur like Han was worthy of execution just by his existence. The disrespect Han just showed him just caused Ogi to speed up the process by his own hands.
CLANG!
The two clashed…swords? Elder Ogi was pushed back a few steps but it seemed as if an invisible force had caused it. To everyone watching, Han didn't even move.
Squinting his eyes, Elder Ogi immediately understood that he was dealing with a skilled swordsman and took Han seriously. He was arrogant, haughty and incredibly ruthless, but he was no fool when it came to battle.
Coating his blade and bodyin cursed energy, Elder Ogi attacked again, this time moving several times faster than before.
But…
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Han didn't take a step as Elder Ogi's strikes were pushed back at every turn, even though the entire clan hall shook from the force of his strikes.
"I've got an understanding of your sword, Elder Ogi. It cannot harm me."
Elder Ogi focused his gaze and ran two fingers across his blade, causing it become coated in flames.
"Then, I hope you can survive this, warrior."
Elder Ogi had now changed his tone. Being a swordsman himself, he understood the difficulty of achieving such skill at just 17 years old. To him, Han went from 'little cretin' to 'genius' within moments.
SWOOSH!
Elder Ogi put his all behind this swing. This battle would be decided with this strike. Not even the Clan Head would be able to take this strike head on unscathed.
Han slowly lifted his sword from his waist and held the weapon in front of him as he slightly unsheathed it.
'Iai White Purity Style: Self-created technique, Flowing Mist.'
CLANG!
Elder Ogi's blade broke into pieces as Han suddenly disappeared and reappeared several paces behind the former, slowly sheathing Cloud Gouger.
The moment the guard clicked against the sheathe, blood poured from several wounds on Elder Ogi's body as he fell to his knees, his body shaking from shock.
Struggling to move as his vision blurred, Elder Ogi couldn't make a sound when he felt the gazes of his clan members weighing down upon him. The Ze'nin was a clan that valued power over everything else. So even though he would remain a part of the Hei, he knew that his status among the strong would plummet.
Furthermore, when he thought about the gloating expressions of his two daughters that he ridiculed before the fight, only regret and hatred filled his heart. Someday, he would repay Han for this humiliation.
At this moment, Han placed his blade back on his waist and turned his attention to Naobito.
"Great uncle, it is done."
Naobito took one last swig of his sake and stood up, his attention focused on Han. Seeing this, everyone else followed suit, their gazes filled with respect as they laid eyes on the boy.
"Little nephew, who trained you?"
Han calmly responded, "I practiced and trained myself."
"Then, that sword. What is it?"
Laying one hand upon the blade, Han replied, "My dear brother and closest friend, Cloud Gouger. In your terms though, it would be my cursed technique."
Naobito chuckled as he heard this. Dear brother and friend? A weapon meant for killing? This boy definitely had a screw loose.
"I see. Then, I will make this decree! Fellow Ze'nin, obey my order!"
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Every member of The Hei stood up and appeared beside Naobito. The Kukuru Unit appeared in the Clan hall and fell on their knees in front of Naobito, while the regular members did the same wherever they were.
Just as Han was about to follow suit, Naobito laid one hand upon his shoulder and said, "No, keep standing and turn to the rest of the clan. This decree is for you."
Han turned around and almost froze at the sight before him. Seeing everyone bowing down, even though he knew that they bowed for Naobito, caused a certain seed to be planted in his heart.
'What if I became the Clan Head?'
While this thought was fleeting, it hid itself within the corners of his heart, laying its roots deep within.
"From this day forth, Han Ze'nin has been formally accepted into the Clan! Furthermore, due to his efforts in the recent war against the curse user known as Suguru Geto and his victory over another member of the Hei, Ogi Ze'nin, Han shall join the ranks of the Hei himself! He shall be treated as an Elder of the clan and his authority shall not be questioned by anyone of a lower rank! That, it is my decree."
In unison, everyone shouted, "May your will be done, Clan Head!"
Sitting back down on his comfortable seat, Naobito resumed his jovial attitude and shouted, "Everyone, come welcome our new brother. The clan has become stronger once again."