Angen Great Fire × Tyrant

Upon returning to the Taira's residence, the atmosphere was completely different from when they went to Itsukushima for the ritual.

A heavy and oppressive feeling, like the lingering dust over Kyoto, enveloped the mansion and weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

The two elite Ninjas from the Higa, who had been ordered to provide reinforcements, silently accepted their generous reward and disappeared into the night as quietly as they had arrived.

It was as if the bloody battle in Taikenmon was just an ordinary, well-paid task for them.

But Shintarō, Takuichi, and Shinrei, who remained behind, could not so easily extricate themselves.

They continued to fulfill their duty of Guardian Ninja, staying by the side of Koremori, Sukemori, Kiyotsune, and Arimori.

On the surface, everything seems normal.

While Koremori practiced calligraphy, Shintarō would doze off by the window.

Sukemori and Takuichi still bicker over trivial matters.

Shinrei would still Arimori tidy up Yousheng's clothes after he was covered in sweat from playing, and help Kiyotsune find the stationery she had misplaced.

The playful banter continued, but in those unnoticed moments, in corners where no one was watching, something quietly changed in the three young Ninjas.

In private, they became increasingly silent.

When they gathered in their secluded corner, they would often just sit there, gazing at the unchanging scenery in the courtyard, their eyes vacant.

It was as if I could see through the scenery before me and see something else entirely.

The blood splattered in Taikenmon, the wide-open eyes of the fallen Warrior Monks, and the trembling arrow on the palanquin flashed against the Genjutsu background.

It makes it easy for people to understand what the young boys and girls are thinking.

Shinrei started to lose her appetite.

She often only ate a few bites of the exquisite meals brought from the kitchen before putting down her chopsticks. Sometimes, while eating, she would suddenly cover her mouth, her face pale, clearly disgusted and unable to eat.

But the next moment, she would force herself to pick up the chopsticks, mechanically stuff the food into her mouth, chew, and swallow.

She knew very well that as Ninja, maintaining physical strength was a basic requirement, and there was no time for her to be sentimental.

However, the body's instinctive reactions were beyond control, resulting in a cycle of eating and vomiting.

The changes in Takuichi are more obvious.

He used to train hard, but now he's practically working himself to the bone.

If there was nothing else to do, he would start practicing Taijutsu with his Kunai before dawn, until he was completely exhausted.

His hands and feet were rubbed raw, bleeding, scabbing over, then rubbing raw again, but he seemed to feel no pain.

His training no longer followed any rules or rhythm; it was more like a form of catharsis, almost self-destructive, an attempt to use physical exhaustion to mask the angry, glaring corpses in his mind.

Every strike he threw was filled with ferocity, yet his eyes were empty and devoid of life.

Shintarō appeared to be the "most normal" of the three.

He remained as lazy as ever, spending most of his time either sleeping in the trees or spacing out in some corner, his presence so low he seemed to blend into the background.

But occasionally, when Takuichi collapsed to the ground, staring at his bloodstained hands, he would suddenly utter a nonsensical question, "Shintarō... tell me, why... knowing they would die, did those people still carry that palanquin forward? Were they just courting death?"

Shintarō would open his eyes from a half-asleep or daydreaming state, his gaze fixed on a certain point in the void, and remain silent for a long time.

The silence lasted so long that even as Takuichi got up to continue training, he finally said calmly, "Don't overthink it."

The three children's reactions were clearly conveyed to the audience.

The ordinary spectators who had previously shouted out of curiosity but fell silent because of the bloody scene were now filled with complex emotions.

Are you afraid? Of course you are. Are you terrified? Yes.

But watching Shinrei force herself to eat while suppressing nausea, watching Takuichi's almost self-harming training, and watching Shintarō's seemingly calm yet deeper silence...

People's empathy made them feel sorry for him.

"They... they're still children," a woman whispered to her companion, her voice filled with pity. "These three... we've watched them grow up..."

"That little girl with the red Butterfly, so thoughtful and gentle, even at mealtimes now... sigh."

"That kid, Takuichi, he used to be so energetic, it breaks my heart to see him like this now..."

"Shintarō is the same; he must be feeling bad too, he just doesn't say it."

The discussions gradually grew louder, filled with regret and sympathy.

"If only they had been born into a good family..." an old man sighed. "Shintarō a lazy boy, but he's not a bad person. If he had been born into Ordinary People, he might have been a good young man who lived a leisurely life."

"Takuichi is handsome and straightforward, he's sure to be popular with girls."

"Shinrei is such a beautiful, capable, and kind-hearted girl. She'll definitely find a good husband and live a peaceful and stable life..."

"Why make them do this? To kill and be killed?" someone asked.

Soon, someone nearby provided the answer, "Because they were born into Ninja family; they didn't have a choice from birth."

This simple yet cruel truth, like a block of ice, struck the hearts of many viewers.

They began to truly realize that these three children on stage, who sometimes made them laugh and sometimes worried, were destined from the moment they were born to learn how to become a useful tool.

The vague fear or disdain for Ninjas that I had before has gradually been replaced by sympathy for their individual fates.

People whispered among themselves, feeling indignant and sorry for them.

A different kind of silence fell over the nobles' seats.

Those Court Nobles who had previously been wary of the glorification of Ninjas and mocked the uninteresting plot now wore complex expressions.

They certainly knew the purpose of Ninjas, and in the past, they had used them as pawns without hesitation, only to discard them later.

Using them from a distance is one thing, but watching them up close—almost like watching young Ninjas grow up, experiencing the bloodshed and psychological trauma—is quite another.

Looking at Shinrei's pale face, at the blood on Takuichi's hands, and at Shintarō's unfathomable silence.

Some people, especially some nobles who also had children of similar age, inevitably felt a sense of compassion.

The women's reactions were more direct.

They had long since abandoned their initial prejudices and rejections against these three "lowly Ninjas " for approaching the noble young master.

Seeing Shinrei trying so hard to suppress her discomfort, many ladies and young women had tears in their eyes, covering half their faces with their fans, whispering among themselves with heartache.

"Those children... are so pitiful."

"They're only teenagers now..."

"What a tragedy..."

However, the story of the Taira does not end there.

The lawsuit and suppression at Enryaku-ji were just the beginning.

A sudden and terrible fire, like an angry dragon, swept through Kyoto overnight.

This fire is historically known as the Angen Great Fire.

Fueled by the wind, the fire spread wildly, engulfing countless houses and mansions.

The magnificent mansions of Court Nobles and aristocrats were reduced to ashes in the flames, Taira no Shigemori Rokuhara was also not spared.

The blazing Kakkō illuminated half the night sky, and the scorching heat could be felt even from a great distance.

Shigemori stood on the shore, gazing in the direction of his Dwelling.

The area was already engulfed in flames.

The flames burning on the stage were even more intense than when the temple was burned down.

The surroundings were a blood-red hue, as if it were about to devour everything. Even knowing it was just a stage effect, people involuntarily moved away from the edge. The nobles also gripped their cypress fans tightly with unease.

The sound of collapsing beams and pillars echoed from afar. On Taira no Shigemori and gentle face, weariness, shock, and a profound sense of bewilderment were palpable.

The hot wind ruffled his clothes as he murmured to himself, his voice carrying clearly to the ears of the audience.

"Is this retribution for shooting the palanquin?"

The stage lights dimmed, and the main scene shifted from the burning Taira mansion to the streets and alleys of Kyoto, teahouses and taverns.

The Genjutsu setting was simple yet realistic, with small groups of "commoners" gathered together, their faces showing the shock of surviving a catastrophe.

The actors, playing peddlers, common women, and impoverished monks, whispered amongst themselves, their voices initially fragmented but gradually coalescing into a buzzing, accusatory torrent.

"Have you heard? That fire was incredibly fierce!"

"That's more than just strange! That's heavenly fire! It's punishment sent down by the gods!"

"Punish whom? Who else could it be? The Taira! The Rokuhara suffered the worst damage!"

A thin man lowered his voice, but everyone around could hear him. "I heard it from a distant relative of mine who works as a handyman at the temple. The high monks at Enryaku-ji all said it was because the Taira dared to shoot and wound the sacred palanquin in Taikenmon! That's the palanquin of the gods and Buddhas!"

"Really? The Taira... they even dared to touch the shrine's palanquin?" A woman exclaimed, covering her mouth in shock, a flicker of fear and a secret excitement in her eyes.

"Absolutely true!" Another seemingly well-informed old man stroked his non-existent beard and said with great seriousness, "Those Samurai, and those black-clad Ninjas Taira, were ruthless! When the Mountain Monks carried the palanquin to reason with them, they fired arrows! The arrows had no eyes and pierced right through the palanquin! The priest was killed on the spot..."

"Amitabha Buddha, what a sin! What a sin!" Someone nearby immediately clasped their hands together, their face showing remorse. "Disrespecting the divine! This is outrageous! No wonder a great fire struck from the sky! This is retribution, the wrath of Buddha!"

"The Taira has become far too arrogant these past few years." Someone seized the opportunity to vent their discontent. "Relying on their strong military, they don't even put Court Noble Cloistered Emperor in their eyes, and they even... Now they dare to offend the gods and Buddhas!"

"Indeed. Shigemori seems so gentle and refined, but I never expected his subordinates to be so ruthless."

"His father, Lord Kiyomori, was even worse; he was always lawless..."

Rumors spread like a plague, rapidly distorting and transforming the streetscape created by Genjutsu.

Karma were simply and crudely separated and lumped together.

The shooting of the palanquin was the cause, the fire was the effect, the Taira were the perpetrators, and the Warrior Monks, and deities were the victims.

As for the imperial court's orders, the Cloistered Emperor's schemes, and the chaos of battle, all these complex causes and backgrounds were intentionally or unintentionally ignored in the word-of-mouth conversations on the streets.

On stage, the expressions of the crowd gradually changed from initial surprise and doubt to unwavering indignation, and even a hint of smug satisfaction at "see, evil will be punished."

Whispers turned into open discussion, accusations grew louder, and the gazes directed at the direction symbolizing the Taira's power became marked with obvious alienation and hostility.

A corner of the setting for the nobles' section was also illuminated, showing several elegantly dressed Court Nobles drinking together in the corridor.

Their conversation was not as straightforward as that of ordinary people, but rather more sarcastic and witty.

"Shigemori has probably gotten himself into trouble this time." A man slowly fanned himself.

"Shooting the palanquin... tsk tsk, this matter could be a big deal or a small one. Under normal circumstances, we might be able to handle it. But it just so happens to be during this fire..." Another person shook his head, "Gossip is a fearsome thing."

"Will Enryaku-ji let this go so easily? This fire has given them the perfect excuse."

"The Taira's power has become too great, already attracting much discontent. Now that they've given others a handle against them, I fear..."

They exchanged meaningful glances, their words unfinished yet revealing a premonition of impending storm and an undisguised expectation that the Taira might lose power.

A subdued silence hung over the audience.

As people watched the "commoners" and "aristocrats" on stage discussing and criticizing without restraint, and as those distorted rumors easily became "accepted" facts, an indescribable sense of frustration and absurdity welled up in their hearts.

They had just witnessed firsthand what happened in Taikenmon.

They witnessed Shigemori's helplessness and restraint when he Shigemori, and they saw the Samurai and Ninjas' initial resistance and subsequent forced counterattack.

They knew that in this matter, the Taira was, at best, a knife stained with blood.

The complex situation cannot be summarized by mere street rumors.

But now, what's being presented on stage is such a simple, brutal, and extremely unfavorable public opinion environment for the Taira.

"That's not how it is..." an audience member muttered under their breath.

"They know nothing, yet they're just spouting nonsense!"

"The Shigemori person, he..."

But their voices were drowned out by the increasingly loud accusations coming from the stage, and also by their own sense of powerlessness against this force of public opinion.

Some viewers, especially civilians who had previously felt strong sympathy for the three young Ninjas, had particularly complex expressions at this moment.

They are not only spectators in the audience, but in a way, aren't they also like those "people" on stage who are easily swayed by rumors?

Even the aristocratic audience was no longer at ease. The dialogues between the nobles on stage were, in a way, a reflection of their real-life social circles.

Public opinion, taking sides, weighing interests... these rules of the game that they are all too familiar with are now presented in such a dramatic yet incredibly real way, sending a chill down their spines.

It wasn't simple sympathy or pity, but rather... a kind of almost terrifying self-examination.

They saw how easily rumors could shape public opinion, how complex facts could be simplified into a single narrative that was easy to spread and easy to incite emotions.

They are all too familiar with this tactic; it's their usual trick to manipulate people's hearts and consolidate their power.

Then, their gazes involuntarily fell upon those silent, black figures.

Shintarō, Takuichi, Shinrei, and many other Konoha Ninjas whose faces are blurred and who exist only as background figures.

Isn't this how they've always seen Ninjas?

Obedient, efficient, silent, like a tool without its own will.

They gave the order, and the Ninja carried it out.

The mission was successful because the host family planned well and used people effectively.

If the mission fails or causes adverse consequences, it is considered that the Ninja is incompetent and cruel.

All credit is attributed to those in power, while all the blame and responsibility are easily shifted to these shadowy executors.

Isn't this how the Ninja's infamy accumulated and spread little by little?

People feared Ninjas, despised Ninjas, and regarded them as rats in the gutter, poisonous blades that could not be seen in the light of day.

But has anyone truly questioned who gave the orders and whose interests were at stake behind each of these "Ninja atrocities"?

On stage, Izuna's meticulously crafted portrayal of these three young Ninjas shattered this long-held perception.

They are no longer indistinct tools, but flesh and blood, capable of fear, pain, nightmares after killing, and confusion about their own fate.

Forced into the conflict between nobles and Warrior Monks, they stained their hands with blood and suffered emotional wounds. Ultimately, amidst the torrent of public opinion, they, along with their masters, became objects of blame and contempt.

How familiar this is.

Isn't this exactly what they've been doing to Ninjas?

Use it, then discard it.

Claim credit for merits, and shirk responsibility for mistakes.

They let Ninjas do all the dirty work in the dark, leaving the spotlight and innocence to themselves, and finally they would throw the dirty water on them to maintain their own dignity.

The Daimyo gripped the cypress fan tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white.

His gaze, sharp as a knife, fell upon the figure on the side of the stage, calmly playing the Biwa.

Uchiha Izuna.

This person... orchestrated such a subversive drama. What exactly is he trying to achieve?

Is it merely to vindicate Ninjas? To showcase their pain and helplessness and garner sympathy?

No, it's not that simple.

The alarm bells rang in the Daimyo's heart. Izuna made everyone see how public opinion was created and manipulated, and what the Ninjas were really like.

He is tearing away a glamorous veil, exposing the shady aspects of power operations to the light of day.

He was questioning, he was revealing.

So, what's next? After the revelation, what did he want to gain? Change? Were the Ninjas no longer content to be mere tools? Did they want status? A voice? Or... more?

Like the Taira clan, will they challenge the existing order by force?

This thought sent a chill down Daimyo.

If Izuna's purpose was this, if he meticulously planned this performance to gain public sympathy and reverse the image of Ninjas, ultimately aiming to lead the Ninja forces to attack after the Spring Festival...

He would be very wrong!

A cold glint flashed in the Daimyo's eyes.

Public opinion is a double-edged sword. Today, sympathy can lead to support for the Ninjas, but tomorrow, accusations of "plotting a rebellion" can send them back to hell!

If the Ninjas really dare to make a move, then all the helpless and pitiful scenes currently being presented on stage will immediately become the most fatal evidence.

Look! They've long harbored resentment; they're staging this charade to incite unrest and prepare for rebellion! They're utterly treacherous and their intentions are despicable!

By then, public opinion will not be on the Ninjas' side. It will only confirm their treacherous and cunning nature, their plot to rebel, and make their situation even worse than it is now.

So what if they have force! Nobody wants to work for them. They can suppress the enemy temporarily, but they can't manage areas further away. The Land of Fire will soon be in chaos!

At that point, they will no longer be mere swords of war, but the instigators of war.

He is a tyrant.

Tyranny, control by terror, dictator.

Such beings cannot be defeated by the enemy, but their fates are all equally miserable.

They were all pushed to the guillotine by people they trusted most on their own side.

So what if you 'Ninjas? Don't you say you're human too?

Since we are human, we cannot escape human destiny.

Izuna... would you do this? Would you let your people embark on this path leading to an abyss?

The Daimyo stared intently at Izuna, trying to discern something from his calm, expressionless profile.

But Izuna simply played the Biwa, her face expressionless.