A Family

Rain fell over Sunagakure that night.

It was an ordinary sight in other places, but for the people who lived on this land, it was a rare one.

The dirt roads were muddy to begin with. With caravans rushing back and forth day and night lately, the rain had turned the rutted road into a series of "traps."

Outsiders frowned and tried to avoid them, while local children crouched on the ground, curiously playing with the sodden mud.

"What dreadful weather~"

Chiyo and Ebizo sat in the veranda overlooking the courtyard, watching the raindrops strike the pond's once-still surface.

Her withered hands cradled a cup of hot tea. The plain, old-fashioned cup held pale green tea, and its rising steam stood out against the gloomy weather.

"Elder Sister, the people of the clan are all unhappy with the Elder Council's decision."

"What do you think?"

Ebizo didn't answer right away. He fell silent for a moment before speaking. "I don't object to being punished, but punishing Kōtarō alone would be enough. The clan has done so much for the village, yet we're being punished because of one person."

Ebizo didn't finish what he was saying, but Chiyo understood what he meant.

"I see, Ebizo. Do you remember the village cemetery?"

Ebizo didn't know why his sister had suddenly brought up such an unrelated topic, but he answered respectfully all the same:

"Of course. We built it with our own hands. Conditions were poor back then. The adults went off to fight, while we children stayed behind in the village. It was one of the few ways we could help. It's a shame the materials and techniques weren't very good; what we built couldn't compare to the other villages' cemeteries."

Ebizo lifted his head, his eyes full of nostalgia.

"That's right~ Back then, we had nothing but passion. But what about now? Even the least impressive Elders' mansions are full of wiring, brightly lit day and night, and surrounded by lush green lawns. They even compete over beautiful concubines and precious stones. Yet why has no one suggested repairing the cemetery?"

"Have we even lost the passion and courage we had back then?"

Chiyo raised her head and looked toward the cemetery. Countless towering buildings blocked her view, but it was as though she could still see it. "I went there for a look a while ago. A small mound of earth had a crude stone cross stuck in it. So many people didn't even have names. They've simply been forgotten~"

"Elder Sister, I'm sorry. Tomorrow, I'll—"

Before Ebizo could finish, Chiyo waved a hand. "I'm not blaming you. The truth is, I'd forgotten too. I have no right to blame you. Do you remember our big brother Kōen?"

Ebizo frowned and thought for a while before answering uncertainly, "The big brother from when we were children, the one who laughed a lot?"

Chiyo nodded. "That's right~ If not for him, a bandit would have cut off one of my arms, and I'd never have had the chance to become a Medical Ninja. He was one of the first brave souls buried in the cemetery, but I... I can't even find where he was buried anymore."

She sighed after speaking:

"I've always felt I've done a lot for Sunagakure. I made the village better. I despised those fat pigs who did nothing but occupy their positions, and those who strutted around relying on their clans. But now that I think about it, how is the Chiyo Clan any better?"

Ebizo seemed to understand what Chiyo was about to say. His expression grew troubled.

"Little brother~ You're the only family I have left. Mm. You're the only one by my side now, and the only people I care about are the few who are close to me. If the clan becomes like those people, then to me, they're no different from strangers. Do you understand?"

Ebizo closed his eyes and sighed. "I understand, Elder Sister."

He knew what his sister meant by saying this, but he wouldn't resist.

Chiyo had only him as family. And wasn't it the same for him?

Just then, a servant respectfully approached from a short distance away. "Lady Chiyo, Hoshino Maki requests an audience."

"I won't see him."

"Yes."

Ebizo watched the servant leave, then suddenly said, "Be harsh with him."

The servant froze for a moment, then nodded in acknowledgment.

After the servant left, the two looked at each other and smiled.

"Elder Sister, let's visit the cemetery tomorrow. I remember big brother Kōen was buried about ten paces from the wall. I just don't know whether my old legs still take the same-sized steps they did when I was a child."

"It's fine. Your intelligence hasn't changed at all."

"..."

Bang—!

Watching the door slam shut, Hoshino Maki stood with his umbrella, his expression calm and entirely unsurprised.

His little schemes might have fooled Chiyo, or they might not have. Either way, he could accept the result—or, at least, endure it.

"Then I won't trouble you any further."

Hoshino Maki bowed deeply toward the door, then turned and left.

"Did Hoshino Maki and Chiyo fall out? Are you sure?"

Lord Chōjūrō anxiously questioned the ANBU kneeling before him.

"This subordinate only saw Chiyo refuse Hoshino Maki's visit."

Chōjūrō rubbed his chin, his eyes glinting as he thought it over.

If this had happened before, he would have given a memorable lesson to the man who had once talked back to him and made him lose face.

But after everything that had happened, especially after Hoshino Maki had traded those prisoners for so many benefits, he realized that people could be useful after all.

And if someone could make people useful, wouldn't he be even more useful?

Thinking about it another way, if Hoshino Maki were an incapable fool, why would Chōjūrō hold a grudge against him?

Using Chiyo's own blade to stab her—nothing could be more satisfying.

He suddenly thought of something and hurriedly asked, "Did you see anyone else while you were keeping watch?"

"Yūta's men were also seen near Chiyo Mansion."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?!"

"My lord, you only told me to keep an eye on Hoshino Maki."

Chōjūrō glared at him, pointing at him as he struggled to find words.

Now, he was more certain than ever that what he needed most was talent.

"Go and summon Hoshino Maki."

Watching his subordinate push the door open, he thought for a moment and added, "Go privately. Don't let anyone see you."

After his subordinate left, Chōjūrō sat in his seat and thought about what he should say next.

Before he could think for even a minute, his subordinate was already kneeling at the doorway.

"My lord, Hoshino Maki is here."

"So soon?!"

At that speed, had he used Flying Thunder God to summon him?

"My lord, when I went outside, I found him already standing at the mansion's entrance."

"...Bring him in."

Before long, Hoshino Maki entered.

"Lord Chōjūrō."

Standing at the doorway, Hoshino Maki greeted him. The two exchanged glances, but neither spoke for a moment.

This was the first time they'd met alone, and the atmosphere was awkward. In the end, Hoshino Maki spoke first:

"Won't you invite me in for a cup of tea, my lord?"

Chōjūrō said nothing. He gestured toward the seat beside him.

"Thank you."

Hoshino Maki sat down and looked over the room's decorations.

It was a rare example of traditional Japanese style in Sunagakure, with tatami mats and sliding lattice doors. The colors were subdued, and there were hardly any decorations.

He didn't care much for luxury. That was Hoshino Maki's first impression.

The second was that he was old-fashioned.

Everything in the room had been arranged according to a set pattern, and there were hardly any new items. Even among the appliances, there was only an Electric Lamp.

Hoshino Maki had a feeling that this visit would take some effort.