"The difference in the Beast King's usual challenge letter this time is that it specifically stated that the upcoming battle will be the final one."
One of the senior elders of the Senju Clan spoke with deeply worried eyes as he addressed the young clan patriarch, Ishin Senju, seated before them at the head of the council.
The old elder's voice carried obvious anxiety and fear because everyone in the hall understood exactly what the phrase final battle meant and the grim implications it carried. To them, it could very well signify the end of the life of their young patriarch, whom they respected and cherished greatly.
A heavy silence settled throughout the vast hall for several moments that felt like an eternity to those present. The elders exchanged tense glances, uncertain of what to say or how to react to such dreadful news.
Then, unexpectedly, the oppressive silence was broken by loud laughter.
"Hahaha!"
It was Ishin himself.
The young patriarch, who should have been the most worried person in the room, laughed openly in an obvious attempt to lighten the gloomy atmosphere before speaking in a calm tone filled with acceptance.
"Just as I expected. It seems this is the longest point in time he can foresee."
There was a hint of humor in Ishin's words as he attempted to ease the discouragement hanging over the gathering. Everyone present understood perfectly well what the phrase final battle implied regarding their patriarch's fate.
He then looked calmly at every person gathered in the meeting and spoke with a gentle and reassuring expression.
"Come now, don't let this discourage you so much, old men. This was expected from the very beginning. It isn't truly a surprise to any of us."
He paused briefly, carefully considering his next words before continuing.
"In fact, we should be grateful that he granted me all this time to improve my strength and develop my abilities to the greatest extent possible before our final confrontation."
Suddenly, one of the younger elders among those present interrupted him, his voice filled with sorrow and refusal.
"But Patriarch Ishin, we cannot accept this. The previous patriarch your father already fell at his hands, and that was a tremendous loss for all of us. Now you are heading toward the same fate, and..."
The elder stopped abruptly, unable to continue. His voice trembled from the deep sadness and helplessness he felt.
After another long silence filled the hall, Ishin spoke again, his tone firm yet understanding as he looked at the sorrowful faces before him.
"I know I cannot ask you not to be angry or not to feel humiliated and frustrated by our current situation. But as the patriarch of the Senju Clan, this is my responsibility. It is a responsibility I cannot escape from, and I must do everything within my power to protect my clan and its people from harm."
Everyone remained silent, looking at him with painful expressions and feelings of guilt. They hated their own weakness, knowing they lacked the strength to protect their young patriarch from the same fate that had claimed his father at the hands of the very same enemy.
Then Ishin suddenly pointed toward a young man in his twenties seated among the gathered elders.
"Sora. I hereby officially appoint you as the next patriarch who will succeed me when I am gone."
The young man immediately shook his head violently and replied in a trembling voice filled with rejection.
"No, Patriarch! I cannot accept this. Please don't do this!"
At the same time, several elders voiced similar objections. The decision was too sudden and carried an implication they refused to acknowledge and the acceptance of their patriarch's inevitable fate.
However, for the first time, Ishin responded in a manner completely different from his usual warm and cheerful personality.
"This is a direct order, not a request, Sora. Or are you saying that you refuse to obey my commands as your patriarch?"
The force in Ishin's voice was so unusual that Sora immediately fell silent, and so did everyone else in the hall. No one dared object any further despite the grief visible on their faces.
Then Ishin continued in a calm voice, completely accepting of what lay ahead.
"To be honest, you shouldn't be too saddened by this. Although the situation appears bleak and discouraging now, it is far from the worst fate our clan could have suffered."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"After all, we were the ones who attacked the Blue Dragon Kingdom first. Had they not possessed overwhelming power, we would have inflicted catastrophic losses upon their lands and their people."
He allowed his words to settle in their minds before speaking again.
"And yet, despite possessing enough power to erase both the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan with ease, they chose to spare us. In exchange, they only demanded the life of the previous patriarch and the life of the current one . my own. That is, in truth, an act of great mercy and generosity toward us, even though we were the aggressors."
He looked deeply into the eyes of everyone present to ensure they fully understood what he was saying.
"Therefore, my final wish for the clan and my last command to all of you is this. I want you to remember it well and follow it faithfully."
His voice grew even more serious.
"Never make an enemy of the Blue Dragon Kingdom, whether in the near future or the distant future, regardless of the circumstances. Make this a sacred teaching passed down from generation to generation within our clan and never forget it."
He paused briefly before adding the most important part.
"And especially if individuals appear among them with distinctive blue hair and blue eyes who call themselves Ryukoga, never oppose them under any circumstances. Do not speak about them, and do not discuss them in any gathering. Let this matter become completely taboo within our clan for all future generations."
Ishin finished speaking while staring seriously at the sorrowful faces before him, making certain that everyone had understood his final instructions and would honor them after his departure.
The battle of the legends of this ancient era was approaching.
And it would be vastly different from the conflicts of the legendary figures who would emerge in the future.
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