"Finished."
Raizen wiped the blood from his Flying Thunder God Kunai, the last crimson drop spilling lightly to the ground. The final Ueshi Jōnin lay beheaded at his feet.
His eyes swept over the Tiannan Mine battlefield. The Amamiya clan now controlled every inch of it. More importantly, the death of the two Ueshi Jōnin had shattered the morale of the remaining Ueshi forces.
Miyame took the moment to strike, cutting down several fleeing enemies in a single sweep. Shouts, screams, and the clash of steel filled the night until the first hour of dawn, gradually fading into uneasy silence.
The Amamiya clan had cleared the Tiannan Mine of Ueshi ninjas—a decisive victory. Clan members cheered, the roar of triumph echoing across the battlefield. Seizing the mine wasn't just a tactical win; it was a major political signal. The Amamiya clan had claimed dominance over a key resource, weakening the Ueshi clan's power and wealth.
"Master Raizen, what are your orders now?" Miyame asked, eyes bright despite the exhaustion and injuries. The battlefield had been secured thanks to Raizen's skill—without him containing the three remaining Jōnin and eliminating the two, the Amamiya clan's hold on the Tiannan vein would have been far from certain.
Raizen nodded, stepping into command. "Clear the battlefield. Record the dead and treat the injured immediately. Send word to Amamiya Jane at Songshan Mine, and prepare a report for the clan. I want a full account of what happened here."
The clan's uninjured ninjas moved swiftly. They cleaned, tended wounds, and prepared the mine for occupation. Miyame penned the dispatch to Amamiya Jane, and the message flew to the family via trained ninja pigeon.
Raizen remained on high alert, unscathed, summoning a giant clay bird to patrol the skies, watching for any Ueshi counterattack. Fortunately, the Ueshi clan didn't dare return the next day.
By the following evening, Amamiya Jane arrived from Songshan Mine with reinforcements, securing Tiannan fully. The family, informed by the ninja pigeons, erupted in a mix of stunned silence and triumphant cheers.
Although the Amamiya clan had long suffered more losses than victories against the Ueshi, Raizen's leadership had reversed the trend. Confidence surged among the clan, and Raizen's reputation soared. Orders followed swiftly: new family ninja were dispatched to fortify both Tiannan and Songshan Mines, preparing for inevitable Ueshi retaliation.
Despite the calm that settled temporarily, Raizen knew better. The loss of Tiannan had angered the Ueshi clan, and he could sense the storm brewing. True enough, by the third day, strange movements were reported around Tiannan. Raizen didn't rush; he waited, calculating.
By the fourth day, shifts were observed not only at Tiannan but also at Songshan and the distant clan residence. By the fifth day, skirmishes erupted, and ore escorts were attacked. On the sixth day, the family sent a message urging restraint, instructing Raizen to guard the mines and avoid initiating combat unless attacked.
Raizen understood. The patriarch sought stability, but both clans had been circling one another for half a year. The full-scale war had officially begun.