24 Special guests
Since the birth of shinobi clans, there have been many ambitious shinobi clans or even certain extraordinary individuals. But their ambitions sprouted and withered in the shinobi world, never extending to the world of ordinary men. Just like the shinobi clans never had the ambitions to replace the nobles they are fighting for a meager amount of money, though most of them have their own personal reasons for fighting the enemy clan.
But of course, like in everything there were rare exceptions but this didn't change the fact that the world of ordinary people is rarely affected by the schemes of shinobi's, well other than the occasional damage they cause while fighting in human settlements.
But unfortunately for this world a certain person who was more dangerous than any exceptional shinobi had his crimson eyes on it, and this person had no qualms about using his power to overwhelm the world.
..
The guests with extravagant clothes could be seen entering the Hanma residence, who were welcomed by eunuch Renju who also wore a black suit, heading a group of servants.
Among the guests, all kinds of people could be seen entering the residence; nobles of lower rank under Osaki, businessmen and various merchants from the surrounding areas.
They come here for non other reason than to celebrate the birth of the first son of the Hanma clan, which was a bit strange as it has almost been a year since the latter's birth. But everyone tactically chooses to ignore this due to the identity and strength of the person who invited them.
But everyone was happy to come. After all, it's not every day, you get to meet Ashiba Hanma. Who has certain influence over Osaki Ochi, according to their investigation.
During this year after being granted Ashiba's permission, Osaki has already spread far and wide that a certain Ogre guards his territory who even forced Hashirama of Senju clan to retreat. So many shinobi clans and people who hadn't heard of Ashiba before are now aware of his existence.
The person in question who most of the guests are looking forward to meeting, is right now observing a little kid.
Ashiba stood on the second floor of the main residence as he looked through the window looking at a scene that would shock anyone but him.
A small child who looked to be around three years old with crimson hair and red eyes was currently doing push-ups under an artificially built waterfall.
He was none other than Baki who is about to turn one year old in a few days. But of course, with the development of Hanma bloodline and with the help of slaughter energy he already looked older than his actual age.
But Ashiba would not be impressed by these little tricks even if it was amazing as Baki was just a barely one year old child. What he was impressed with was at the rate Baki was strengthening his bloodline, especially when fifty percent of his chakra was constantly being absorbed by the Red Expanse. Which was being gathered for his next evolution.
Ashiba hadn't forgotten his initial goal for creating a clan in this world. It was to help him gather chakra that is compatible with the Hanma bloodline.
Thus when Baki was born, Ashiba had already started the process of constantly making Red Expanse absorb fifty percent of his chakra.
Not just Baki, every Hanma clan member would have the same treatment.
Ashiba looked at Baki training for a moment before taking his eyes off him as he got bored. He took a bath and changed his clothes to those that could be used in a formal banquet.
As he exited his room, he looked around before spotting a random servant.
"You, come here."
The servant was startled before her face paled as she realized who called her. Before she quickly went forward and bowed waiting for the instructions.
"Go, call baki and properly dress him up before bringing him to the banquet." Ashiba said with a casual tone.
The servant quickly retreated after getting her orders.
Ashiba strode towards the front courtyard where the banquet was held, which was completely arranged by Renju. he squinted his narrow eyes as he thought about the special guests that would come to the banquet.
'Kahahaha, I hope they bring me good news. I am getting tired of this peaceful life.' Thought Ashiba as he was walking.
..
Baki looked at the maid in front of him who was dressing him up, even though he was just a small child but the maid still didn't dare to look into his red eyes.
Of course, the maid was afraid of Baki, it is said that he was able to speak fluently when he was just four months old and was able to walk at the age of one month. In her mind, only a monster could do something like that.
Baki didn't yet possess the complex thought process to think about the maid's behavior. His thoughts at this age were very simple, well according to Hanma standard that is.
'How much stronger do I need to get before father will praise me? I hope I grow big quickly so then I can go and fight in a war. That will definitely make him praise me.' Those were the thoughts of almost a year old child.
..
As Ashiba entered the banquet, he could see the liveliness of the banquet. Nobles and various merchants could be seen engaging with each other. Every gathering for these people is a opportunity to make more connections
Food and various drinks could be seen on the tables. Which some people occasionally picked to get a taste.
Nobles originally wanted to come forward and shake hands with Ashiba. But after seeing his body, especially his hands which were more muscular than their entire body. They couldn't help but just awkwardly bow as a greeting and retreat to the side.
Ashiba was engaging in a conversation with various guests, who were courageous enough to get close to him.
While the others tried to please him. A voice suddenly interrupted his train of thought.
"Haha, Ashiba-sama here you are."
Ashiba looked towards the direction where the voice came from, seeing the bloated Osaki coming in his direction with another person who looked about a 40 year old man.
Ashiba nodded to Osaki's greetings and looked towards the other person, immediately causing a smile to bloom on Osaki's face as he introduced the other person.
"This is a very dear friend of mine, kanzi. who is a clothes merchant that does business in the surrounding territories."
Kanzi immediately bowed, showing respect after Osaki introduced him.
Ashiba still didn't respond as he kept looking at Osaki with his red glowing eyes, causing the latter to almost slumped down.
"I don't have time to play these childish riddles with you, tell me what you need help with?" Ashiba said he looked at Osaki with a gloomy look.
Osaki controlled his frightened emotions before coughing slightly and talking about why he introduced his friend.
"While Kanzi may be a clothes merchant, he has also dabbled in the business of capturing and selling various goods."
A streak of red light flashed in Ashiba's eyes as he realized what Osaki was talking about.
Slaves! Human slaves!
Capturing and selling slaves was undoubtedly a very profitable business in chaotic times like this. But it was not without its difficulties as it was highly condemned by ordinary people and most merchants.
"You have my attention." Ashiba said as he looked at Osaki with an interesting glint in his eyes. He was very interested in this business, as most shinobi hardly interfered in stuff like this. So mostly this business was run by ordinary men, which would be fairly easy for the Hanma clan to monopolize as more members were born.
"Well, we ran into some trouble in my territory. As some people don't want to see the likes of Kanzi here." Osaki said with a bit of embarrassment on his face. After all this was his own territory yet he still needed Ashiba's help.
Just as Ashiba was about to speak, Renju who just came slightly coughed, interrupting them. Renju had completely changed when he came here. Right now his hair was neatly combed to the back, with his brown eyes containing wisdom rather than the hot blooded emotions of young shinobi back then.
Osaki immediately retreated as he knew he was not qualified to hear what the other person had to say, especially seeing the look Renju gave him earlier. He had been working with Renju for almost two years; he knew it was probably something really serious that required the attention of Ashiba himself.
"They have arrived." Renju spoke in a tone where only Ashiba could hear him.
"Ohh, my muscles have been stiff living this dull life. Looks like I can finally loosen them." Ashiba said with a wicked smile on his face.
"I will go and meet those white eyes bastards." Said Ashiba to Renju before intending to leave, suddenly he stopped as thought of something.
"Also, hear Osaki out and solve his problems if the benefits are enough." Ashiba left, leaving this sentence for Renju to hear.
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[A/N] I won't expand more on Baki's thoughts and character until he is a bit older as there really isn't much to him at this point of the story..
