Naruto:Shadows of the Ages

"The House of the Masuroboshi Clan Leader"

"Takeshi's Point of View"

If I were like my father, I would be dealing with clan matters right now. But I cannot allow them to endure the trauma that would destroy their talent and lead them to death.

Such thoughts raced through Takeshi's mind as he informed his sons of their mothers' deaths. His heart clenched with pain as he looked at his once joyful, vibrant children, now standing in shock, tears streaming down their faces. His stomach churned with tension, and his mind scrambled for a way out of the situation.

Suddenly, a strange, unfamiliar feeling engulfed him. It was as if something was blooming in his heart while his mind was flooded with memories. Having no other choice, he approached his sons and embraced them.

In his foggy mind, strained from prolonged use of a deadly technique, an image surfaced: his grandfather comforting him in a similar way after his own mother's death. It was all he could think to do.

Although Takeshi was neither the Sage of Six Paths nor a follower of his sons, he instinctively shared a portion of his chakra with them. His chakra, as venomous as Shukaku's, remained sealed within his tenketsu to protect his children from harm. Yet even in its sealed state, they felt the torrent of his emotions—pain, rage, pride, hatred, and determination.

This cocktail of feelings only deepened their shock. In the silence, Sora, fists clenched and head bowed, eyes wide with dawning comprehension, dared to ask:

— Can we seek revenge?

The question caught Takeshi off guard, but he quickly regained his composure and replied:

— Leave vengeance to the strongest.

His voice was steady, but a shadow of fear flickered in his eyes. He saw in Sora's gaze a fire that once burned in his own heart. That fire had consumed many—even geniuses. Takeshi silently vowed that as long as he lived, he would protect his sons from being consumed by it.

He smiled faintly, gently pushing his children back before adding:

— And I consider myself the strongest. If I weren't, how could I lead this clan?

Sora stared at his father before turning away, his thoughts focused on one thing: if his father could become the strongest, then so could he. And when that time came, he would have his revenge.

Haru, on the other hand, pondered strength. Questions gnawed at his mind: just how powerful was their father? Could he ever hope to match him?

Meanwhile, Yuuki, eager to grow stronger, asked directly:

— How can we become stronger?

Takeshi glanced at him, a small smile playing on his lips, and said:

— I knew you'd ask that. I will help you grow stronger, but not today. For now, let's go eat.

He knew his sons were far more mature than their appearance suggested and hoped this drive would only push them toward improvement.

The Funeral

News of the clan leader's wives' deaths spread quickly. People rushed to express their condolences, but Takeshi remained silent and focused. The funeral was scheduled for the same day. With no bodies to bury, the ceremony involved burning the deceased's most cherished belongings to bring peace to their souls.

The entire clan gathered for the funeral. On the podium stood three small urns, each accompanied by a portrait of the deceased. The air was dry and heavy—dry from the insincerity of those who feigned grief, and heavy with the sorrow of those who truly mourned.

Yuuki stood beside his father, watching the ceremony. His wide-open eyes were damp with tears, and on his face was a strange smile, a mixture of sorrow and bitterness. He wanted to absorb every moment of this painful day. His mother, who had sworn to return and teach him to be strong, was now gone, her most treasured belongings turning to ash. The irony was sharp: he had become stronger, but at what cost?

Haru stood with his head bowed and eyes closed. He wanted nothing more than to grab his father's hand and never let go, to ensure he wouldn't disappear too. But he restrained himself. His mother had always been there, supporting and protecting him. How could life go on without her?

Sora, by contrast, seethed with anger. His fists were clenched so tightly that blood trickled from his palms, dripping silently onto the ground. In his head, one word thundered over and over: "NOTHING." He had done nothing. His weakness was unbearable. Deep inside, he felt the presence of something—or someone. It remained silent, but its aura crushed him as though he were carrying an immense weight. And Sora knew this presence wasn't even revealing its full strength.

Monsters Within

The emotions of the three brothers were far too complex for their age. Their bodies and minds had begun to change under the influence of fragments of souls that entered them through the Shinigami. These awakened souls subtly began to shape their characters and destinies.

Takeshi noticed these changes but said nothing. He understood this path was the only way for them to survive in a merciless world. Yet, deep in his heart, he hoped they wouldn't have to bear the same burdens he had.

Though, in truth, he couldn't begin to imagine what kind of monsters

his sons had already harbored within themselves.

The funeral was coming to an end. Almost everyone had already said their farewells at the three urns. When the last person stepped away, Takeshi came forward once more, knelt down, and bowed deeply. After that, he moved a little farther back and stood quietly, watching what would happen next.

From the side, a slender figure emerged, wrapped in a black cloak. It was an old man. The only visible part of his body was his hands, which looked frail and withered—like the hands of a corpse, a skeleton covered with skin.

He approached the three urns, clasped his hands as if in prayer, and stood motionless for a minute. Then he raised one hand to his hood and made a few subtle movements. When he finished, he quietly knelt down and placed his hand on the ground. The very next moment, black flames erupted. They engulfed the urns, and within seconds, everything was reduced to ashes.

The figure stood up and silently retreated back into the shadows.

During the entire ceremony, no one uttered a single word. The only sounds were the steady drumming of the rain and the soft thuds of tears hitting the ground here and there.

Takeshi turned and walked away. The others followed him in silence, one by one, making their way home.

But three children stayed behind, standing by the platform. They stared at the ashes, which the wind was slowly carrying away. None of them wanted to forget this moment or just walk away. They felt that if they left now, they would lose something precious.

They stood there for an indeterminate amount of time. None of them wanted to take the lead, and perhaps they would have stood there even longer if a hand hadn't suddenly been placed on Sora's head.

Sora, who was like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode, immediately turned around. His eyes burned with anger—he wanted to see the audacious person who had interrupted his thoughts. But when he turned, he saw Tanaka.

Tanaka was smiling. Because of the rain, it was hard to tell whether he was crying or if it was just water. Sora, who had always seen him as a wise teacher, was taken aback.

Noticing that everyone was looking at him, Tanaka spoke:

"The dead cannot be brought back, no matter how strong you are. And if you somehow manage to do it, either you or the one you bring back will suffer."

He removed his hand and raised his head toward the sky. Sora, Yuki, and Haru mimicked the motion, lifting their heads as well. They all gazed into the darkness that shrouded the heavens.

"You know," Tanaka continued, "many people wonder where we go after death. Some say we end up underground, others believe we go to the sky. But I think we remain in the hearts of those who love us. The stars are a symbol that they still live on in our hearts. So, when I see a star disappear, I cry. But unfortunately, right now, we can't see the stars—or the sky itself."

The three children stayed silent, their eyes fixed on Tanaka. He lowered his head, turned around, and began walking toward the group of people waiting for him nearby.

As he walked away, he called over his shoulder:

"Hurry up, or you'll end up joining those I'll never forget!"

After saying this, he laughed. His laughter was filled with sorrow.

Haru was the first to take a step. It was their first step — a step into the unknown, where there would no longer be that love. They were stepping into a world ruled by hatred and power. Following Haru was Yuki, and after him, Sora.

Haru was the first to grasp the situation, and although he continued to grieve, he promised himself never to forget their mothers. Yuki and Sora had the same thoughts. They all began walking down this narrow path, where it was so easy to lose one's way.

Two figures stood under a tree, waiting for Tanaka and the children, and spoke to each other:

"I don't want them to be weak or unaware of the real world. I will try to explain everything to them. If even one of these two elements is missing, the moment they step outside the clan's borders, they will die. They'll be mocked and humiliated. I won't allow their sons to die a gentle death."

The voice of the shadowy figure was filled with determination.

The second person replied:

"Try, but you won't be the only one teaching them. That's why I suggest we discuss this evening who will teach them what."

The first person simply nodded. Meanwhile, Tanaka approached them and said:

"Let's go."