Capítulo 62: A Hunt in the Forest of Death
A Hunt in the Forest of Death
Haruto stood at the edge of the Forest of Death, the infamous Training Ground 44 looming before him with its towering trees and dense, shadowed undergrowth. The air was thick with humidity, and the sounds of rustling leaves and distant wildlife echoed in the quiet morning. Few academy students ever ventured near the forest, save for during high-stakes missions like the Chūnin Exams. But Haruto wasn't here for an exam or even for training.
He was here because of necessity.
His intense training regimen demanded an increased intake of food, and despite his frugality, his savings were starting to dwindle. Hunting would help cover those costs, and the Forest of Death—though dangerous—was teeming with game. If he was smart, and careful, he could harvest enough meat to last him several weeks. He had spent hours in the library reading survival guides on how to hunt, skin, and butcher game, and he was ready to put that knowledge to the test.
Today's goal was simple: take down a wild boar on the outskirts of the forest. The deeper parts were too dangerous to venture into without backup, but the edges were safer—at least for someone with Haruto's growing skill set.
He adjusted the pack on his back, filled with essential tools—a knife for skinning, rope, and supplies to help with fire. He had also brought his shuriken, planning to use them in a way that would sharpen his stealth and precision. His goal wasn't just to hunt, but to apply the ninja techniques he had been honing in the academy to a real-world situation.
As Haruto moved silently through the outer layers of the forest, he kept low to the ground, sticking to the shadows and masking his scent by rubbing local herbs and foliage over his body. The survival manuals had emphasized that animals, especially in forests like this one, were sensitive to the scent of predators. He couldn't afford to let his presence be known.
The process was slow and deliberate. Patience was key. He spent nearly an hour just moving quietly, studying the terrain, and looking for signs of animal activity. The forest was silent except for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Haruto had to be alert at all times—this wasn't just about hunting; it was about survival. He knew that even on the outskirts, there were wild predators that could take him by surprise.
Finally, he found what he was looking for: boar tracks. The prints were deep in the soft dirt, indicating a large animal had passed through recently. Following the tracks, Haruto moved even more cautiously, his senses heightened. Every snap of a twig, every gust of wind had to be accounted for. He didn't rush—a successful hunt required patience.
After nearly thirty minutes of tracking, he found it. A wild boar, rooting around in a clearing, its massive frame oblivious to the danger lurking nearby. Haruto crouched low, making sure he was downwind and hidden behind a cluster of thick trees.
This was the moment he had prepared for.
Haruto reached into his pouch and pulled out a shuriken, holding it steady as he observed the boar's movements. It would have to be a clean kill—a precise strike to the heart or throat. He couldn't afford to wound it and let it run. His goal wasn't just to bring down the boar, but to improve his stealth skills. He wanted to see if he could take down his prey without it ever knowing he was there.
He slowed his breathing, his body becoming still as he focused his chakra, regulating it to enhance his focus without flaring his presence. The boar continued to root in the dirt, completely unaware. Haruto waited, studying its movements for several more minutes, timing his attack.
Patience, he reminded himself.
When the boar's head dipped down again, Haruto made his move. He threw the shuriken with a fluid motion, the blade spinning through the air with a soft whirr. A split second later, it struck with a thud, embedding itself into the boar's side, right behind the shoulder.
The boar squealed, staggering briefly before collapsing. Haruto remained motionless, watching from the shadows to make sure it was truly down. Only when he was certain did he approach, his eyes scanning the area for any potential threats.
He knelt beside the fallen animal, inspecting his kill. The shuriken had struck exactly where he aimed, and the boar had died quickly. A clean kill, just as he had planned. But the hunt wasn't over yet.
Now came the hard part.
For the next hour, Haruto worked meticulously. Using his survival knife, he began the process of skinning the boar. This was no easy task, especially given the size of the animal. Haruto had read about the method in great detail but had only practiced on smaller creatures. Now, with the boar, the reality of the task became apparent. He had to be precise, careful not to waste any of the meat or damage the hide.
The knife glided through the hide with deliberate, careful strokes, just as the guides had described. The smell of fresh blood filled the air, but Haruto ignored it, focusing solely on the task at hand. This wasn't something he could rush. Ninja patience was just as important here as it was in combat.
Once the boar was skinned, Haruto turned to the next phase—butchering. Using a method he had learned from his studies, he began separating the best cuts of meat, preserving them for transport. Each slice was made with purpose, minimizing waste and ensuring that the meat would stay fresh long enough for him to store it properly once he got back to his apartment.
By the time Haruto finished, the sun was beginning to dip low in the sky. He had packed away the meat, securing it in his pack, and rolled the boar's hide tightly to bring back with him. His body ached slightly from the effort, and he was covered in dirt and sweat, but there was a sense of accomplishment that outweighed the physical strain.
It had taken time and patience, but Haruto had done it.
As he left the edges of the Forest of Death, Haruto couldn't help but reflect on the experience. This had been more than just a hunt—it had been a test of his skills as a shinobi. The stealth, the patience, the precision. All of it had played a part in his success. The fact that he had taken down his prey with a single shuriken, without alerting it to his presence, was a testament to how far he had come.
It wasn't about brute strength or flashy jutsu. It was about applying ninja skills to practical situations. Every movement had been calculated, every action deliberate. And while the forest held dangers, Haruto had learned to navigate them with a quiet confidence.
That night, back in his small apartment, Haruto unpacked the meat and carefully stored it. He had enough to last him for a while, which meant he could continue focusing on his training without worrying as much about food costs. The hunting trip had been a success in more ways than one.
Sitting by the small stove, cooking the first portion of his hard-earned meal, Haruto allowed himself a small smile. He had not only learned to survive but to thrive—using the skills he had honed to sustain himself in the most practical of ways.
It was, after all, the ninja way.
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