Blood Oath

If Yuzhen's current identity wasn't the captain of "Ash," but the clan leader of "Hagane," then the words coming from his mouth would clearly be less convincing.

However, after changing his identity, the way he spoke had a completely different effect on the listener.

It wasn't that Fūma Kotarō was gullible, it was mainly that they were at their wit's end.

The Fuma Clan now had only just over thirty people remaining, with only half of them being ninja and the other half civilians.

The civilians had no support, and the ninja had no will to fight. In the midst of utter despair, what could Fūma Kotarō, as the clan leader, do?

After hearing his question, Yuzhen showed a hint of surprise on his face and said:

"The purpose of our organization is to gather scattered ninja like trickling water forming a river, to overcome the dangers of the Ninja World together. If you wish to join, I will naturally welcome you.

However... such a major decision, are you really going to make it so hastily? Without consulting your own clansmen?

And if you join us, while we won't interfere with your internal clan affairs, your subsequent actions must adhere to the principle of collective unity, meaning you must follow my command. Can you accept this?"

Yuzhen was being honest; his words weren't a brush-off but a way of "getting the unpleasant truths out of the way."

Fūma Kotarō's words earlier were indeed impulsive, but the problem was that the Fuma Clan was at its absolute limit. To survive in the Ninja World, banding together with other forces had become almost their only option.

This "Ash" organization was clearly a good candidate for cooperation.

Because it was small in scale and had good ideals, merging together would be a true union, not a takeover... Fūma Kotarō felt that he could rely on Yuzhen and his group to get through this difficult time while also preserving the relative independence of his clan, which was already quite good.

The more Fūma Kotarō thought about it, the more he felt his decision was correct.

"Mr. Yuzhen, I believe I can persuade my clansmen. As long as you are willing to accept us, we are willing to actively become a part of Ash," he said.

Yuzhen seemed to consider it carefully once more before responding:

"How about this: you can become our temporary members. We can get to know each other for a while. This will help you through your difficulties and give you a chance to understand us.

After you recover your strength, if you agree with our ideals, you can choose to become one of us. If you don't agree with our ideals, you can also choose to leave..."

These words made Fūma Kotarō feel somewhat ashamed. In his eyes, Yuzhen's words were filled with sincerity. In comparison, the selfish thought in his heart of trying to exploit the Ashes Organization seemed rather sordid.

To put it bluntly, the Fuma Clan's desire to join Ash was a surrender to reality, not a headlong rush towards an ideal path... Ideals or not, they were just looking for a meal.

"Mr. Yuzhen, perhaps your approach is more reasonable. But since we have accepted your selfless help and chosen to join you, there is no reason for us to turn our backs on you again, no matter what. Please believe us on this point... I will go and persuade my clansmen now."

Fūma Kotarō's words sounded resolute as he walked towards the Fuma Clan's camp, preparing to persuade his people.

However, his words were just for show. Could Yuzhen be naive enough to believe the promises made by ninja he had only known for a few hours?

There was only one thing that was certain: perhaps the Fuma Clan's decision to join Ash was a bit hasty and impulsive, but if they truly wanted to leave later, things would likely not be so simple.

After Fūma Kotarō returned to the Fuma Clan's camp and discussed it with his clansmen for a while, he managed to persuade them with little effort.

In a sense, encountering someone willing to offer help when you are at your lowest point is a great fortune. They had no reason to refuse such assistance.

And the reason Fūma Kotarō was able to quickly persuade his clansmen, besides surrendering to reality, was definitely the "agreement to leave" that Yuzhen offered, which played a crucial role.

Fūma Kotarō brought the good news to Yuzhen.

What happened next quickly made him understand that joining the "Ash" organization was by no means a rash decision.

"Mr. Yuzhen, we have unanimously decided to join Ash. We hope you will accept us and treat us equally," Fūma Kotarō said to Yuzhen.

Yuzhen replied with a smile, "We welcome your joining. Please rest assured, sincerity and equality are the foundations of our organization's existence."

"To demonstrate mutual trust and express our welcome, I believe both sides should hold an alliance ceremony."

Fūma Kotarō saw no issue with having a sense of ceremony in their actions, but...

"Of course, that sounds good. However, given our current conditions, how can we hold a ceremony?"

"It's not a complicated ceremony. We always value substance over form."

"Alright, everything will be according to Mr. Yuzhen's wishes."

Under Yuzhen's arrangement, the personnel from both sides soon gathered.

They formed a circle, with Yuzhen's people on one side and the Fuma Clan on the other.

In the open space in the middle of the crowd, a bright bonfire was lit. Yuzhen and Fūma Kotarō stood beside the bonfire, and then Yuzhen explained the upcoming ceremony.

"Today, at the request of Clan Leader Fūma Kotarō, our 'Ash' organization has decided to accept the Fuma Clan as members."

"You will all soon experience the organization's rules of conduct and its attitude towards every member, so I will not elaborate further today."

"Please believe that even though we come from different backgrounds, now that we are united, we can still be as close as blood relatives, sharing our lives and supporting each other."

"I know that words often lack power and are insufficient for binding. That's alright, we can build trust step by step."

"Of course, before that, we must eliminate any animosity between us, otherwise, nothing can begin. Therefore, I have prepared this ceremony..."

Saying this, Yuzhen extended his right hand to Fūma Kotarō.

At this moment, most people thought he was just spouting empty words. What effect could such a ceremony have? A handshake would suffice.

Fūma Kotarō smiled and extended his hand, clasping Yuzhen's tightly.

Then...

Amidst the flickering bonfire, a cold glint suddenly flashed.

Yuzhen gripped a sharp short sword in his left hand and, without hesitation, drove it through the clasped right hands of both of them, pinning them together.

A sharp pain shot through him, and Fūma Kotarō felt utterly bewildered. He instinctively tried to pull his hand away, but Yuzhen held his palm in an unyielding grip, rendering it immobile.

Blood dripped, drop by drop, from the gap between their palms.

A commotion erupted from the Fuma Clan's side. They thought Yuzhen had suddenly attacked.

Yuzhen's calm voice easily drowned out the chaotic noise:

"We shall seal each other's ninjutsu, and inscribe an oath of eternal non-aggression."

Their palms, pierced by the sharp white blade, were now bound together, physically demonstrating a necessary cooperation.

The blood of both sides had indeed mingled.

For ninjas, hands and fingers were as precious as a pianist's, as they lived by their hands and would gladly take out massive insurance policies for them.

Yuzhen's act of pulling Fūma Kotarō into "crippling their own hands" theoretically sealed each other's ninjutsu... With such injuries, they wouldn't be able to perform hand seals for a considerable time.

Any light words were less convincing than the shedding of blood.

Fūma Kotarō ceased his subconscious struggling. He looked into Yuzhen's unruffled eyes and suddenly felt that once one joined the "Ashes Organization," there was no turning back.