If it were some other unexpected incident, it would naturally be no concern.
But if a coup really had broken out...
Then it was a problem Kei had to take seriously. It was not that he had the standing or ability to get involved, but that he had to prepare. Would this coup engulf the entire ninja village? If things reached that point, he might very well face utter disaster. Of course, this was the worst-case scenario.
Judging by the current situation, even if this unexpected incident really was a coup, its scale should not be too great. Otherwise, his clan could not possibly have deployed only this much manpower. After all, the Yuki Clan was a renowned, prestigious shinobi clan in the Shinobi World. If they mobilized their full strength, they could still muster three or four hundred ninja!
Even if the vast majority were Genin, when a real crisis struck, however weak Genin might be, they still contributed some strength!
There was no reason for those in charge of his clan to be that foolish.
At any rate, from Kei's everyday observations over the past few years, the leaders currently in charge of the Yuki Clan might not be particularly shrewd or outstanding, but at least they were all "normal people"!
In other words, this "upheaval" should still be within controllable bounds.
Or, to put it plainly, this was how Kei hoped things would unfold. Otherwise, if it really were the sort of coup that descended into utter chaos, Kei would not feel safe even inside the clan compound.
Being weak really is the greatest original sin, no matter which world you're in...
Kei tightened his right hand slightly around the kunai in his palm. As he looked in the direction where his clan's elite troops had flashed away earlier, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.
The night passed without further incident!
With no way-or rather, no ability-to make any choices at a time like this, Kei could only stay obediently at home and wait for the latest news.
Having cautiously prepared for the worst, Kei endured four or five long hours. Not daring to go back to sleep at all, he waited with a somewhat anxious mind for the "great battle" that might erupt at any moment!
Yet by dawn, the scene Kei feared most had still not come to pass. When the first rays of sunlight fell upon the earth and scattered voices began rising through the clan compound, there was still no hint of war or violent disturbances coming from the village.
Only then did Kei's taut nerves finally relax.
No news was the best news!
Whatever upheaval had occurred last night, even if it really was a coup, as long as it had not engulfed the entire ninja village or plunged Kirigakure into a brutal, bloody civil war, it was excellent news to Kei!
Being only a little over five years old and at most comparable to an ordinary Genin, he deeply disliked-or rather, feared-any situation spiraling beyond control. What he needed was a stable period to develop!
Not a turbulent, chaotic political situation!
Whew, thank goodness it wasn't the worst-case scenario. But what exactly happened yesterday?
Kei stepped out of his home and strolled along the streets of the clan compound. Almost all the early-rising clan members he encountered looked calm, making it clear to Kei that these people certainly knew nothing about what had happened yesterday.
He had no strength, no standing, and no power.
That also meant he could only ever be the passive party in any incident. Forget obtaining information beforehand-even afterward, he was completely in the dark. At this moment, Kei felt an impulse to investigate what exactly had happened yesterday, but reason still held that impulse in check.
Leaving aside the fact that he had no intelligence channels whatsoever, apart from Aunt Kiko, there was no one else he could trust. How the hell was he supposed to obtain intelligence?!
Even if he got lucky and learned something, once his identity was exposed, he could easily arouse suspicion within the clan, or even the village.
Would anyone believe him just because he said, "I was only curious about what happened"?!
Spies from other countries who were only five or six years old were extremely rare, but they were not unheard of in the history of the Shinobi World!
Once he was labeled a spy...
Even the slightest suspicion would most likely lead to interrogation using all manner of brutal torture. One misstep could cost him his life!
He had no reason whatsoever to do such dangerous things!
The same rule still applied.
Until he acquired the bare minimum ability to protect himself, he could not act rashly!
Without the strength to match it, curiosity...
Could get someone killed!
"Oh? Kei? You're up so early today. Are you off to train this morning?"
As Kei reached the main street of the clan compound, he ran into Kiko Minazuki, who had clearly just left home and was heading out to buy ingredients.
"Ah? Aunt Kiko, good morning. I'm not going to train. I went to bed too early yesterday, so I woke up a little earlier today. Are you going grocery shopping, Aunt Kiko?"
The moment Kei saw Kiko Minazuki, he hurriedly bowed in greeting and spoke warmly.
"Oh, I see. But you're still young and growing, so you must make sure you get enough sleep. Today happens to be your Uncle Hisashi's birthday, so I'm planning to prepare a proper meal. I was going to make a detour later to let you know. Remember to come over for dinner tonight. Your Uncle Hisashi has been talking about you these past few days, saying you've been visiting less often since you started studying at the Ninja Academy. Takahiro has been clamoring to see you too, Kei!"
With a gentle expression on her face, Kiko Minazuki looked at Kei and spoke softly.
"Oh? It's Uncle Hisashi's birthday? Then I'll definitely be there. As for the Ninja Academy, the coursework really is quite demanding. I'll be more mindful of it from now on."
Kei scratched the back of his head and replied with a smile.
"Mm, good. Studying hard is a good thing, but you need to balance work and rest too. Well, I'll go buy the groceries now. Don't forget about tonight, Kei!"
Kiko Minazuki reached out her right hand and stroked Kei's little head almost dotingly as she said with a soft laugh.
"Yes, Aunt Kiko!"
Kei straightened up as he answered.
Then, after watching Kiko Minazuki leave...
The smile gradually faded from Kei's face. Slowly breathing out, he looked at the still somewhat gray sky, shook his head, and started walking back toward his home.
I'll head back to catch up on sleep and rest for today!