Ashina secretly released a weary sigh, his gaze fixed on his great-granddaughter's figure.
A pang of disappointment, mixed with exasperation, thrummed through him.
'Why must you be so rebellious?'
He murmured, his voice laced with a hint of frustration.
'I have dedicated myself to ensuring your happiness.'
He continued, his tone firm yet gentle.
'I've moved heaven and earth to provide for you, to pave the way for a joyful life. Yet, here you are, back at my doorstep. How am I to handle this unexpected turn of events?'
Contrary to the public image of a cold, unyielding leader, Ashina was, in truth, a man of deep familial affection.
His heart, typically shielded by an iron will, softened considerably when it came to his kin. And now, to his profound joy, he had a great-great-grandson - a precious male heir, the first in his lineage.
Generations of Ashina's direct descendants had been exclusively female. The yearning for a male child to carry on the family name had been a constant, if unspoken, desire.
But the circumstances surrounding the birth of his great-great-grandson were far from ideal.
The weight of responsibility for both his rebellious great-granddaughter and the unexpected heir pressed heavily upon him, casting a shadow over his joy.
The complexities of family, Ashina mused, were indeed a heavy burden to bear.
The air in the grand hall was thick with tension. Every eye was fixed on the patriarch, their faces a mask of conflicting emotions. Respect, fear, and a reluctant sense of duty warred within them.
"Patriarch,"
The elder's voice cut through the silence.
"Our family's honor and tradition are at stake. We cannot allow this transgression to go unpunished. Princess Sayoh has defied your authority and brought shame upon our family. We implore you, uphold the law and punish her accordingly."
His voice quivered slightly as he spoke.
He had watched Sayoh grow up. He was like her uncle but the law must be upheld. Otherwise, the same mistake would be made again and again.
A murmur of agreement rippled through the assembled elders. They too felt the weight of responsibility bearing down on them.
They knew that Sayoh's actions had consequences. They had a duty to uphold the law, to maintain order and stability within their land.
Yet, there were those who hesitated. They remembered Sayoh's kindness, her compassion for the less fortunate.
They had seen her potential for greatness, her ability to inspire and lead.
They wondered if there was another way, a way to resolve this conflict without resorting to punishment.
"I am ready to receive any punishment deemed fit, but I implore you, please accept my child into the clan."
Her eyes held a mixture of fear and unwavering determination, reflecting the depth of her love and the lengths she was willing to go for her child's well-being.
The oppressive silence that followed was palpable.
Every eye in the hall was drawn to the small figure nestled in her arms. The child's features bore no resemblance to the proud lineage of their clan, yet the undeniable truth remained: he carried within him the blood of the Uzumaki.
The elders exchanged uneasy glances, their brows furrowed with concern.
The weight of the mother's transgression was heavy, a burden she alone had to carry.
Yet, the child should be untouched by the stain of her sin.
The world could judge the mother harshly, but the child deserved only love and protection.
Ashina nodded. Even if she didn't ask him. He would still accept the child into the clan.
"According to the judgement of the elders and myself. I hereby declare that you have sinned against the family laws. The punishment is to be sealed with the five elemental seal. You are no longer a proud kushina of Uzumaki but a mere civilian. You are also going to receive one hundred lashes. And about your sire. He has done nothing wrong so he will be accepted into the clan."
Sayoh's lips curved into a subtle smile.
The prospect of becoming a civilian didn't faze her in the slightest. A hundred lashes? A mere trifle when the Uzumaki bloodline coursed through her veins.
She knew, deep down, that no one would dare lay a hand on her with true force.
Glancing at the elders, their faces etched with a pallor that spoke volumes, Sayoh realized the truth.
The entire ordeal had been a charade, a performance designed to maintain the illusion of authority and control.
Beneath their stern exteriors, their hearts remained soft and yielding.
A wave of relief washed over her. She had feared them needlessly.
Their bark was always worse than their bite. The elders, for all their posturing, were still the same compassionate figures she had always known.
However, Jiraiya didn't know anything about that and a hundred lashes would kill anyone.
He suddenly cried in protest. He would never allow anyone to do anything to his mother.
'Damn my baby body! Why am I crying now? I have to do something!'
He could not control his baby body. However, something unexpected happened.
The ethereal chains, seemingly forged from pure moonlight, erupted from his being, each link shimmering with an otherworldly luminescence.
They danced and swirled around him and Sayoh, their movements graceful yet purposeful. With each twist and turn, the chains wove an intricate tapestry of protection, forming an impenetrable barrier.
The air thrummed with the energy emanating from the chains, a silent testament to their extraordinary power.
"Adamantine Sealing Chain!"
Everyone was shocked to see a baby could use the bloodline limit only the direct descendant could.
Ashina could no longer contain his happiness and burst out laughing. He finally had a male heir and a genius one at that!