"That's your grandpa?" Ryju asked, blinking at Uzuki in disbelief.
"Yep," Uzuki replied casually.
Rei furrowed her brow. "Then… why did you attack him?"
Uzuki shrugged. "It's like a family thing."
"A family thing?" Rei repeated, not convinced.
"Yep. Just tradition."
Before anyone could respond, a shadow appeared right in front of Ryju.
"AHH!" Ryju yelped, stumbling backward and falling to the ground.
Mr. Taka stood there, unmoving. His eyes still shut, as always.
"You're Ryuu's grandson," the old man said.
"Yep," Ryju muttered from the floor.
Uzuki turned sharply. "Wait—Ryju, you're Mr. Ryuu's grandson?!"
"Yep. My grandpa was legendary."
Mr. Taka nodded. "Yeah. He was."
Uzuki smiled slightly. "My grandpa always told stories about him. Said they were best friends and rivals."
The Spiritual King crossed his arms, nodding thoughtfully. "Oh, and fun fact—Mr. Taka and Mr. Ryuu trained us. Me, Kaji, and three others who aren't here right now."
"You were trained by my grandpa?" Ryju asked, stunned.
"Yep. He even told me to look after you."
"Cool..." Ryju grinned proudly.
The Spiritual King added with a grin, "Another fun fact—your grandpa and one other person were the only people to ever force Mr. Taka to fully unsheathe his katana."
Kenshiro raised a brow. "Actually?"
"Even I, as the Spiritual King, can't force him to fully draw his sword."
Ryju's eyes widened. "So that means... Mr. Taka is the strongest person in the village?"
Just then, Kaji enter the academy.
Kaji walked in, dirt smudged across his face, looking thoroughly beaten.
"Yeah, that's right!" he huffed. "But I swear, one day I'm gonna beat you, you old geezer!"
Mr. Taka let out a soft laugh. "I'd love to see that happen. And how many times have you tried to beat me now?"
Kaji looked down and muttered, "Three hundred sixty thousand, five hundred times..."
Rei burst out laughing. "Damn, Sensei! You have no chance!"
Mr. Taka turned. "Uzuki?"
Uzuki sighed. "Ninety-eight thousand, one hundred five..."
Kenshiro blinked. "Wow. Uzuki?!"
Uzuki crossed his arms. "He's just too strong..."
The Spiritual King checked the time. "Mr. Taka, it's time for the meeting with the Twenty Great Villages."
Mr. Taka gave a slight nod. "Which village hosts the meeting this time?"
"The Maya Village."
"...The Maya Village, huh?"
"Yep."
Without another word, both Mr. Taka and the Spiritual King vanished in a flash.
Ryju turned to Uzuki with narrowed eyes. "You're not off the hook yet."
"Huh? What now?"
"You still have to apologize to someone else."
Uzuki groaned. "What?!"
The Spiritual King and Mr. Taka stepped through the village gates.
The Maya Village buzzed with life. Wooden homes with slanted rooftops lined the dirt roads. Hanging lanterns swayed gently in the breeze. A blacksmith hammered away at a worn blade just outside his shop, sparks flying. Farmers pushed carts of vegetables through the street, calling out prices. Young trainees dashed across rooftops, practicing jumps and rolls under the watchful eyes of instructors.
Chickens darted across the road. A pair of older women argued over dried fish near the market stall. Patrol ninjas in flak jackets stood at intersections, watching the crowd.
Whispers rippled through the crowd. "That's him," someone murmured, eyes wide. "The one who can cut through anything, right?"
Others nodded silently, their gazes fixed on Mr. Taka as he passed by.
The Spiritual King glanced at Mr. Taka, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Quite a reputation."
Mr. Taka shrugged lightly, his expression calm. "I guess."
Villagers bowed respectfully to the Spiritual King, but their eyes lingered on Mr. Taka. He was respected… but feared to. His presence carried weight.
Above the rooftops, flags bearing the Maya Village crest flapped in the wind—a symbol of pride, carved from a long history of strength, survival, and sacrifice.
As they walk through they made it to the center of the village they saw Maya Shinobi Institute. Where the guards wait
The main building of Maya Village stood proudly at the center, its walls gleaming with polished golden panels that caught the sunlight and reflected it like a beacon. Its towering structure combined traditional ninja architecture with a majestic presence—wide wooden pillars supporting sweeping eaves and layered rooftops crowned with golden tiles that shimmered from every angle.
The Maya Shinobi Institute stood proudly beneath a clear sky. Its grand red walls and imposing golden gates gave it an air of solemn authority.
The Spiritual King of the Great Village glanced at the building with a smirk. "Why didn't they just call it Ninja Academy? It's basically the same as ours—except ours is red with bigger golden gates."
Beside him, Mr. Taka grunted softly.
Two guards bowed as the Spiritual King approached. "Welcome, Spiritual King of the Great Village."
"Thank you," he replied.
"May we escort you inside?"
"No need," Mr. Taka said firmly.
"We'll just teleport," the Spiritual King declared, snapping his fingers.
In an instant, they vanished.
"That's easier," one guard muttered with a smile.
They reappeared in the great meeting hall, where a massive stone table was surrounded by chairs, each occupied by the Spiritual Kings and Queens of the twenty great villages.
Savi, the 25-year-old Spiritual King of Maya Village, greeted them with a nod as he sat at the head of the table.
"No worries about the timing," Savi said. "You're just in time."
Juro, 26, Spiritual King of Shidare Village, stretched his arms. "Let's get this started, shall we?"
"Anyone up for a spar?" Raizen, the energetic 18-year-old Spiritual King of Kozame Village, joked with a grin.
Lara, the calm Spiritual Queen of Rendo Village, smiled warmly. "Hello, Lloyd."
Arata, 27, Spiritual King of Koshin Village, nodded respectfully. "Good to see you again."
Makoto, 21, Spiritual King of Jinkawa Village, waved casually. "Hey, Great Village."
Itsuki, 28, Spiritual King of Morika Village, gave a small bow. "Lloyd, good to have you."
Naoki, 25, Spiritual King of Osaki Village, rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Finally, the meeting starts."
"I'm so tired," Hajime, 29, Spiritual King of Hatsuri Village, muttered, slumping in his seat.
Ichiro, 21, Spiritual King of Zukari Village, crossed his arms. "What took y'all so long?"
Toma, 22, Spiritual King of Togami Village, smirked. "Hey, it's Mr. Taka."
Keisuke, 23, Spiritual King of Ikato Village, sighed deeply. "Man, what is life?"
Ayumu, 28, Spiritual Queen of Hanrei Village, whispered to no one in particular, "Where did they come from?"
Rina, 23, Spiritual Queen of Sunae Village, yawned. "I want to go home."
Masaki, 25, Spiritual King of Takari Village, groaned. "I want snacks."
Daizen, 27, Spiritual King of Nekura Village, shivered. "It's freezing in here."
Yuuto, Spiritual King of Taka Village, glanced toward the door. "I just want to get back to my village."
Kana, Spiritual Queen of Tenshiro Village, tapped her fingers on the table. "Let's get this meeting started already."
Shiri, 21, Spiritual King of Tsukami Village, gave a casual "Hey."
Finally, Lloyd, 20, Spiritual King of the Great Village, strode in with a slight grin. "Sorry we're late."
Mr. Taka, the 100-year-old legendary swordsman, entered silently behind him, his calm presence commanding respect.
Savi clapped his hands once. "Now that all the Spiritual Kings and Queens of the great villages have arrived, let the meeting begin."
To be continued…