'That's right, it is still only limited to my peers isn't it? They won't be blatantly offending my family out of nowhere.'

The newbies didn't know of her background, only the second gens did. So only they were smug enough to humiliate her. But the same wasn't true for the earthlings who knew nothing. The couldn't even dare to raise so much as a voice at her.

But of course, anyone could purposely spread it amongst their own underlings. The only reason they hadn't done so was because of Shizu's backing. But for how long?

'I have to silence them for good.'

Shizu finally showed her face which was hidden behind her knees forever. There was a smile on her face.

"Both of you are really lovey dovey.

"

Klautz raised his brows. Selena's pupils shook too. They knew how vibrant Shizu's smile was. It was enough to calm the hearts of those around her. But the smile she had today was certainly forced.

"Shizu, are you okay?

" Selena asked.

"Big Sis, I am okay. What's gonna happen to me? See I am completely fine.

"

She looked left and right feigning ignorance. What was wrong? Everything was.

"Is that so…

" Selena's eyes pursed,

"You don't look fine to me.

"

"Then just avert your gaze,

" she cried.

"I just need some time to get back. It's not something too big of a deal.

"

Shizu smiled. Selena's mouth opened and closed as she was finding it hard enough to find words to speak.

"Klautz…

" she whispered, calling out to him who was about to leave the two of them alone.

'Again?'

"Yes?

"

"Klautz I need your help. I want you to help me win…

" she spoke in a feeble voice with her voice trailing off.

'Hmm, now I am seriously wondering what has actually happened,' Klautz thought.

Such a weird change would no doubt arose suspicions. What he was going to do about it however was a different matter.

Klautz shrugged raising his shoulders.

"Well, that's fine. No one wants to lose either. That doesn't change anything.

"

Probably that didn't apply to Shizu before for she never desired to win. But something had spurred a change. Klautz couldn't help but be left curious.

"But we already have fewer number of troops compared to the others. And even they are not picked up properly and are random people. You had certainly forgotten to do your homework before picking them up.

"

Shizu shut her eyes tight as he grasped onto the helm of her Yukata.

"I know… I am sorry. At that time I didn't really cared about anything and the results that it would bring and just picked up anyone I found, I agree. But things have changed… I must win now. I want to give it all I have.

"

Klautz raised his brows. It was quite unsual for Shizu to accept it herself unlike her usual attitude that made a fuss over every claim.

Randomization was indeed but a lie. There was no denying it but she used to do it anyway.

He crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"I have been training them to the best of my abilities. Even if your resolve changes my training regime is certainly not going to get any better,

" Klautz continued as his lips arched to a slight smile,

"But if your resolve is true, we might stand a chance.

"

In the end, Klautz was but an acting leader. The true leader of the team under the Yukiho banner had always been Shizu, with no questions asked. No matter how much fear Klautz instills in them and how much he makes them obey him. In the end, Shizu's role was important.

"Do we?

"

Klautz nodded.

"But we would be walking on thin ice. I hope that you are prepared for that.

"

Klautz had no idea what had happened with her. She had never been so serious before. But if all of this was an act Klautz wanted to push her fears to the very brink.

BUt contrary to his expectations she clenched her fists. The bedsheet that she had grasped onto now had big holes in it. It was certainly unusual.

"I am … I am prepared for it, you don't need to worry. As long as I get a chance at victory it will work out fine for me.

"

Klautz nodded.

"Very well, we can't go with the old way anymore. Bring in the girls tomorrow, I will take care of them..

"

***

"Ah, so that's it.

"

Klautz slammed his fist on top of his palm as he finally stumbled upon the whole truth. Shizu wanted to hide the details from Klautz and Selena but in the end it turned out that Klautz was the first one who had unearthed the truth.

Shizu had certainly didn't predicted such an outcome. How could she? She had no idea that Klautz was a ninja in his previous life. Unearthing such information was child's play to him. Not to mention that the second gen never made any effort to hide it in the first place.

"But it's certainly strange. The things don't fit right.

"

Rumors by their very nature needed to be spicy. Spicy enouhg to catch attention and spread like wildfire.

Certainly enough, the rumour that the strongest newbie had illicit relationship with the daughter of the Yukiho household was indeed spicy. But rumors cannot stand at being spicy enough. They need to be 'believable' as well. No matter how fake they were the listener must feel that there might be some truth to them.

"I don't understand. Things just don't connect. How did my appointment as an acting general end up with them accusing Shizu of such dirty accusations?

"

Klautz could agree that being an acting general in the exact vicinity of a second gen in the newbie camp was indeed not easy to have in normal circumstances…but....

***

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