Chương 2: Chapter 2: A Swift Surprise
MC POV:
*Thud*
It's been a couple of years since I first appeared in this world.
*Thunk*
I exited the forest after a couple of weeks journey. Practicing my [Chakra Control] and [Shurikenjutsu] along the way.
*Fwish*
*Thunk*
'Eleven targets.
Eleven Kunai.'
"Bull's-eye." I mumbled
'That concludes this afternoon's training.
Time to pay a visit to the marketplace and make my rounds'.
Turning and heading in a particular direction, in a practiced motion, I suddenly crouch and leap landing on a nearby branch.
Onyx eyes paying careful attention and judging which tree limbs were optimal and strong enough, quickly choosing one and taking another leap I land on the next branch and continue on.
Crossing great distances in relatively short amounts of time.
[Tree Hopping].
A skill that has saved me a number of times. A skill I was fully intent on honing to the utmost limit.
Learned form scratch and applying what I could remember from the anime.
I would have had an easier time if it weren't for the presence of predatory cats.
Rather large ones I might have to add.
Escape wasn't too difficult though. as I had gained enough [Chakra Control] to perform [Tree Climbing] which then led to this [Tree Hopping] technique.
Tried killing one but it's not really worth it. The meat yeasted horrible and just one Pelt is enough for now.
'Aren't Tigers endangered?'
Anyway, I still needed a bit more practice before I can do it subconsciously, but considering the fact that I live in the forest, and I have made this my main means of transport, I'm thinking
"It's only a matter of time."
*Plack*
*Fwish*
Another reminiscent thought invaded my mind as I leapt through the trees.
It was almost like yesterday. I remember moving around aimlessly for a quite a while, shuffling along the edge of the forest before stumbling upon this village by chance.
After sneaking past the guards and some snooping around, I finally found where I was.
This settlement was located in a rather remote place somewhere in the countryside of [Japan].
Although I felt relived when I found out that I wasn't direction-less anymore, I didn't immediately rush in and interact with the local populace.
The first priority in this case for any competent Shinobi, should be [Info Gathering] and [Threat Assessment].
Preferably unseen.
So I donned a cheap cloak I had purchased beforehand and waited till before dawn the next morning. I then snuck in by jumping over the Barricade when no one was watching.
The "Info" part was easy to get.
All I had to do was ask around.
'The local populace don't really keep secrets or they don't see the need to I guess...'
The village turned out to be somewhere to the east of [Kyoto].
I don't know exactly where due to the lack of technology.
I Haven't seen or gotten my hands on a [Map] either.
The village consisted of a few hundred houses, a few marketplaces a [Dojo], a local hospital, and a few shops here and there.
'Guess it's somewhere old people move to for retirement.' I mused
Next on the list was [Threat Assessment].
Spending the first few days impersonating a local youngster roaming about, this gave me the opportunity to observe the local population.
My appearance was quite convenient so no one paid much heed to me.
Probably thinking it was "Some neighbors kid."
This enabled me to get away with some things I wouldn't have been able to if I was in a more mature frame.
Like sneaking into someone's property or observing people through their windows.
Being able to stare at people for long periods of time without them getting uncomfortable or agitated helped too.
Although there was one place I didn't go to.
And that was the local [Dojo].
It was situated at the base of a nearby mountain at the opposite end of the village furthest from the gate.
It somehow seemed to barricade and guard the mountain.
The stationed guards at the gate restricting entrance.
These ones seemed a lot more competent than the ones at the [Village Gate].
I couldn't get as close as I would have liked and I most c'era couldn't sneak in.
At least as I was at that moment.
'What are they protecting?
Some Sort of [Shrine]?' I wondered
'Could it be...
Do they have a [Jinchuriki]?'
I grew alarmed. Did I stumble upon some sort of [Hidden Village]?
They still exist? even in confirmed [Modern times]?
It was possible I guess...
Back in the anime, Shinobi villages had endured strong through technological revolutions even to the emergence of confirmed Laptops or PCs.
Yet concepts such as [Democracy] and true [Human Rights] showed no signs of emergence so I could still be in very real danger.
But something confused me. If this was a [Hidden Village],
Why would you allocate more resources in guarding a [Shrine] rather than manning the Gates and sending out more Patrol Teams in order to detect Spies and protect the Civilians from Invasions or Raids?
Is their Jinchuriki a flight risk or just a victim of constant attacks?
And...
Do the Civilians know about it or are they just feigning ignorance?
If not, they are quite liberal for a people living under Martial Law.
I wanted to investigate more however I didn't.
Something warned me not to get anywhere close to that building.
The ability to listen to your Instincts is integral factor in ensuring survival so I did as it demanded and kept my distance.
Didn't stop me from observing with the Sharingan from a distance.
What I saw confused me.
The Sharingan is said to be able to see [Chakra] in colours.
But what I saw was a strange energy cloudy and invisible to ordinary eyes.
It was erected in a dome like formation around the building. Like some kind of [Barrier].
I was rather glad I hadn't yet tested my luck in sneaking into the Dojo.
Seemed safe enough as long as I stayed away from certain places, security seemed pretty lax and I didn't want to take my chances somewhere else therefore,
I then promptly decided that village was a good enough as any place to hone my craft.
So I settled on a rather large [Tree] a little distance from the outskirts of the village.
I'm only one person and I didn't weigh very much so it would do very well.
I've been holed up in there till date.
Owning nothing but a sleeping bag, a thick Tiger Pelt blanket, a few sets of clothes and a small stove I purchased form the market since I figured lighting a [Campfire] would be a rather foolish way to draw attention to myself.
Hidden enough that I haven't been found yet.
Just me here. No one else.
Branches and leaves that formed the roofed canopy swaying in the wind.
Colourful flowers that I had carefully cultivated nearby in my free time... It was a picture of...
'Serenity.' I concluded in my thoughts in the air as I soared past.
After passing by my place of residence, I get closer to the gates.
A scroll appears in my palm and in a small puff of smoke, a ragged cloak is in my hand.
'This will do. But I'll have to change soon.' I muse
I had made a few hundred thousand yen to invest in my training during my two years of living here.
By doing legitimate courier work in wait for noon when the market places would be bustling.
Adults and old people would cheerily exchange pleasantries and chat. Some selling their [Farm Products] and purchasing others in return,
Some are simply there to chat over [Soba] at the local noodle shop.
The children would play games nearby in the dirt.
They then scampered in random directions bumping into adults every now and then.
Probably having the time of their lives.
Lots of people.
Lots of fun.
And lots of [Bumping]
The optimal environment for [Pickpocketing].
'The Gates are straight ahead.
I must remain unseen.'
[Special Footwork Stealth].
The purchase of the "scroll of instruction" and continuous practice ensured I got really good at it at some point.
The basics are simple.
I just walk heel to toe to distribute my weight so I can control the amount of impacts my steps have on a surface to make it soundless.
However, stepping on something unexpected can upset your balance and make a noise, but even then it's just a matter of adapting before that happens.
"Everything else is just discipline and observing: control your breathing, keep your clothing still, there's still a few more tips but let's save those for what we're carrying out assassinations." I ponder inwardly.
Discipline and good habits.
Now I tend to move everywhere I go with minimal audible footsteps or none at all.
The [Guards] and [Watchmen] never stood a chance and sneaking in over the barricade everyday right before dawn is child's play.
After spending a while in "Pickpocketing Paradise", as the sun begins to show signs of setting, I make my escape leaping over the barricades. Ones more like always, I am unseen.
However I'm not foolish enough to go straight to my camp after making a "Run" like that. So I move in the direction of a secluded lake as I usually do everyday around this time for evening training.
[Ninjutsu].
I idly checked my status as I moved by.
_________
Name: Raito Uchiha
Age: 7
Rank: Genin (High), Uchiha Clan Member
Title: The Promising Student.
Money: 16980 Ryo
---------------------
As i had devoted my time to endless practice, it had certainly paid off.
Now what I had planned for now was an Uchiha tradition.
I've been practicing at the bank of this secluded lake for some days now every evening.
I've not succeed yet but.
'I feel like today is the day.'
Functionally, this jutsu was simple enough: gather chakra in the chest and knead it, before pushing it into a mouth and expelling it out, turning it into fire to exhale out a large stream of fire that formed into a flaming sphere. It was a C-ranked, fire release technique popularized by the Uchiha Clan.
I ambled slowly towards the nearby lake, every step steeling the determination and confidence blooming in my heart.
I looked out at the small lake and took in the smell of damp moss and the comforting sounds of the forest.
I also took in my reflection.
Over the last couple of years I have grown a couple of inches.
I have also learned a lot.
Namely: The three academy Jutsu [Bunshin Kawarimi and Henge]
Shinobi culture, traditions and mannerisms.
All the basics I could get my hands on form the scroll shop.
Hand seal printing speed was till a work in progress but I supposed that would come in time.
I also learned more practical lessons.
Like the usefulness of bandages on the hands.
Turns out, while training in the "Art of throwing sharp objects", It is very common to get [Cut] without constant watch from an instructor.
So now I always have my hands and forearms wrapped like some sort of [Mummy].
Putting my hands together, I formed the hand seals necessary for guiding the chakra into my chest and out of my mouth. If I had to be honest, I was truly excited for this moment.
It would be the first time I ever used a "real" elemental Jutsu that I had only ever seen on screen, and it was the great fireball technique at that.
Besides.
This was definitely every man's romance if they had grown up watching Naruto.
~Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger.~
"Katon: Gokakyuu no jutsu!"
I pushed and expelled the accumulated chakra out of my mouth and breathed out a stream of orange-yellow flames that soared out, forming a large sphere of fire that was hot enough to cause the surface of the water to fizzle and steam. The fireball flew into the lake but the flames holding the spherical shape scattered before impacting the waters.
"I- I did it." I stuttered very much on the verge of a coughing fit, but elated all the same.
"Very impressive boy." a voice snapped me out of my reverie.
Carefully clearing my mind and schooling my face of all expressions.
Bodily muscles deceptively relaxing, I calmly turn to face the intruder.
'I really should have somehow scraped together enough money for sensing techniques. Now it's only fitting that I pay for negligence.'
He moved. Almost idly. But none of his motions were wasted. Despite looking quite frail. That fact triggered a memory and alarms all over my mind. I could not face this old timer. How did I know?
'He moves in a similar way, in almost the same deadly ease... like the [Jonin Instructor Clone] that supervised me during training on the basics of Taijutsu.' I thought with palpitating anxiety.
He seemed relaxed. Idly twirling his cane which I noted was most likely a [Katana] in disguise.
"Now, young assassin. Would you indulge this old man and tell me who sent you what you are here for?"
It wasn't a request.
And thus I defaulted to the first and most important rule in Shinobi 101.
"Keep Your Mouth Shut".
It was clearly written in bold and capital figures so I maintained my silence and prepared for conflict while looking for escape routes.
'The one who strikes first, strikes twice.' I move into a stance fluidly moving to attack. All opportunities of escape will be taken.
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