The news of Raizen's arrival had clearly traveled fast. By the time he reached the Songshan Mine, a contingent of clan ninjas was already waiting—three Jōnin and six Chūnin, backed by a hundred guards. Over two hundred miners busied themselves among the shafts, the mine's veins humming with tension. With the Jōnin presence, the Songshan Mine had long been considered secure.
"Are you the genius the patriarch mentioned?"
A rough, challenging voice broke the air as Raizen stepped into the ninja residence. He turned to see a young man striding toward him, eyes sharp and full of skepticism.
"I am," Raizen said flatly, assessing the newcomer without a flicker of respect.
The young man sneered, voice dripping with disdain. "Good boy. Don't think you belong here. I don't know why the patriarch sent you, but drink your milk back at the clan—you're too weak to stand here!"
Two of the young man's attendants laughed, loud and mocking, clearly enjoying the tension. Raizen ignored them, a smirk hidden beneath his calm exterior.
"Little devil, hurry back, or we won't be able to protect you once the fighting starts!"
"Nagatosuke, shut your mouth! Raizen was sent by the patriarch. Watch your words!"
A third voice cut in sharply—cold, authoritative. Miyame, a veteran ninja in his thirties, glared at the insolent youth, freezing him in place.
"Hmph. Miyame… we'll see about that," Nagatosuke snorted, retreating with his subordinates. The remaining clan guards watched with barely concealed amusement, like spectators waiting for a fight to start.
Raizen frowned. Friendly, my foot. These guys are clearly itching to test me.
"Enough of this," Miyame said, voice tinged with cold amusement. The spectators obediently dispersed, leaving Raizen and the elder to speak.
"Do you understand why the clan ninjas reacted that way toward you?" Miyame asked, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Uh… kind of?" Raizen replied, genuinely puzzled. He'd made no attempt to offend anyone.
"It has to do with you yourself," Miyame explained.
"Me?"
"Yes. Word is spreading that you're set to become the next young patriarch. Many of the clan ninjas are placing their bets on you, and… well, that's why Nagatosuke acted out."
Raizen's eyes narrowed as understanding dawned. "Ah… so that's why Nagatosuke thinks he should be the heir."
"Exactly," Miyame confirmed. "He's only twenty-two, already a Jōnin, confident he'll inherit the patriarchal seat. But with your arrival, his hopes were shattered. And since you've already earned recognition from key family ninjas—including those under Amamiya Tian—Nagatosuke's resentment has nowhere to go."
Raizen chuckled quietly, lips twitching in amusement. As he watched Nagatosuke retreat, he whispered under his breath:
"The clan is bleeding ninjas left and right, enemies are at the gates, even children are dragged into the fight… and there's still someone whining about who gets to be patriarch. This family really is hopeless."
Even from a reincarnator's perspective, the Amamiya clan's fragility was painfully clear. Yet, amid the crisis, power plays and petty grudges still simmered. Raizen let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. Hope? Forget it. Survival comes first, the rest is luxury.