Because the Hanemiya clan had no risk resistance capability, they gathered all their people and moved deeper into the primeval forest, following the stream.
For wandering ninja like them, it was better to rely on the compartmentalized terrain and natural environmental barriers for safety than to place their trust in their own ninja skills.
To be frank, under the current circumstances, Genshin would have had more freedom, flexibility, and safety if he acted alone, away from the clan. But that thought never crossed his mind.
During his year in the ninja world, these ordinary clanspeople had helped him in countless ways. Had he not lived among them, he likely wouldn't have survived.
Human nature can be indifferent, but it cannot be negative. One can lower the bottom line, but it must still exist.
Since everyone called him the clan leader, Genshin accepted the role.
The group moved slowly through the untamed mountains and forests, struggling with each step. It truly felt like "clearing a path through thorns."
After five days, they crossed a mountain. Two days later, they stopped in a valley nestled in the undulating foothills.
They had nearly reached the heart of the forest. The valley was concealed by dense jungle and surrounded by natural cover—mountains and towering trees. Even seasoned scouting ninja would struggle to find them here...
There were only a dozen or so of them. Even if they stayed here for a long time, the traces of their presence would remain minimal.
Genshin stood atop a massive root—thick and gnarled like a twisted muscle—carefully observing the surrounding environment.
He then reached out and patted the towering tree beside him, its trunk as solid as a wall, and said:
"This is the place."
Of course, this kind of primitive forest wasn't suitable for long-term settlement, but all they needed was a temporary resting spot—not a permanent home.
Faced with the overwhelming sea of green and the constant presence of wilderness all around, Genshin's ninja had no complaints.
On the contrary, only in a place so remote that no primates were likely to appear could they feel a sliver of safety. The panic of days spent fleeing gradually faded, replaced by a quiet sense of relief.
Once the campsite was chosen, Genshin's ninja began constructing makeshift shelters.
They searched for large exposed roots, hollowed tree trunks, or half-fallen dead trees nearby. Using the natural height differences in the terrain, they cleared away fallen branches and leaves below and constructed rooftops above...
The process wasn't complicated. They wove vines into a mesh of branches, then layered leaves over it to create basic shelter from wind and rain. Before long, one temporary hut after another took shape.
Well—"hut" might be generous. They were more like crude lean-tos.
Just as they finished setting up camp, a moderate rain began to fall from the sky, but they had no time to rest or hide from it.
Except for the wounded, the rest of the group split into two teams: one went hunting and foraging in the surrounding area, and the other fished in a nearby stream.
They had long since run out of supplies. It was the forest's abundant natural resources that kept them going.
What ultimately allows a ninja to survive isn't superior strength or extraordinary endurance—but skilled hunting and fishing techniques.
Freshwater fish, large animals, even wild fruits—all provided the essential energy and nutrients they needed to live.
It was early autumn. The temperatures were still mild, so they didn't yet have to worry about the cold.
As clan leader, Genshin received a few small privileges—even in such harsh conditions.
For one, he didn't need to join the hunting or fishing teams. Second, his shelter was set up on higher, drier ground with an open view.
At the moment, he sat beneath his crude hut, watching the rain while contemplating the path ahead.
As for the Hanemiya clan as a whole—honestly, with the few people they had left, it was impossible for them to become a major force in the ninja world.
Let's not even talk about their humble origins, limited abilities, and tiny numbers. Even if he were given ten Kakashis...
Well, ten Kakashis would make a huge difference. That many elite ninja could stir up the entire ninja world.
But in reality, for a small group like theirs, the most logical path was to align with a stronger power. However, joining another faction without trust would only make them cannon fodder.
If that's the case, they might as well carve out a living in the margins—at least they'd control their own fate.
Genshin wasn't actually that pessimistic about the future. Not because of some unshakable will, or because he knew what was coming in the ninja world—it was simply because they had already hit rock bottom.
The only way left was up.
Or, put another way: I'm already in this state. There's no point in shame or fear. At worst, I'll die right in front of you. What's there to be afraid of?
After thinking it through, he made a decision.
The rain came quickly and ended just as fast. By dusk, it had stopped. The ninja returned with a modest supply of food, and began preparing the ingredients and starting fires to cook.
Genshin found a relatively dry patch of ground and lit a campfire. Once everyone had started eating, he summoned the remaining sixteen clan members to the fire.
Though they had narrowly escaped death, their expressions still bore signs of exhaustion. Yet overall, their spirits were holding up—after all, being alive was still better than being dead.
The grief of losing almost the entire clan, most of whom had died, weighed silently on everyone's hearts.
Genshin sat on a tree stump. Beside him was a freshly made, roughly carved wooden bowl filled with a few chunks of fish and some broth.
He lifted the bowl. The hot soup moistened his lips and teeth. He barely tasted any fish oil—what he noticed more was a faint pine scent from the wooden bowl itself.
No one spoke. Everyone was silently enjoying this brief moment of peace.
In such a harsh environment, it was necessary to get everyone on the same page. Genshin set down the bowl, cleared his throat, and began to speak:
"Although we've shaken off our pursuers, the challenges we face for survival are still extreme."
"Fighting among the ninja clans has raged on for a long time, and it will continue for the foreseeable future. With our current weakness, we could be wiped out in the blink of an eye…"
"But I don't want to dwell on the hardships of survival today. I'm not here to complain or wallow in despair. What I want to say is—survival is about method. With the right method, we improve our chances."
"We aim to live, not to merely cling to life."
"Humans need to have some spirit. I don't mean the arrogant kind that thinks itself better than others. I just mean—we are human beings, not rotting corpses that can walk."
"Our Hanemiya clan... to be honest, with only a few of us left, I believe it has effectively ceased to exist."
"To truly survive, to stay autonomous and not become fodder, we must bring in new, living strength and seek to grow."
"We must act with balance: strong enough to protect ourselves, yet not so prominent as to become a threat to the great clans."
"At this point, our clan identity no longer matters."
"The Hanemiya clan has no long history, no so-called glory, no remarkable bloodline... Of course, our clan's honor is worth protecting. In fact, many of our people died for it."
"But what I'm saying is—if something is meant to perish, let it perish. Sometimes, letting go is the only way to obtain something new."
"I've decided: starting today, we will no longer act under the name of the Hanemiya clan. From now on, I will call myself Yujin, and you are no longer bound by blood or clan, but instead you are a band of wandering ninja—brought together by fate and shared resolve, struggling to survive."
As he spoke, Yujin suddenly stood up:
"We…"
"Do not seek victory, only survival;Do not fear death, only strive to endure;Do not compete, but drift with the current;Do not act in fury, but adapt with the times;Hold on to hope, even in shadow;Preserve the embers, hidden in the ashes."
"From today onward, we shall call ourselves Ashes."
As he spoke, Yujin removed the forehead protector from his brow and tossed it into the campfire before him.
In the flames, the Hanemiya clan's symbol on the metal began to glow brighter and brighter until finally…
It slowly melted away.