CH 16: The first follower
Chapter 16: The first follower
The port town was alive with the sounds of shouting merchants, creaking ships, and the occasional cry of seabirds.
Kai moved through the crowd with practiced ease, his hood pulled low to conceal his face. His sharp eyes scanned the area, taking in the details of the ships docked at the harbor.
He had spent the last few days gathering information and supplies, preparing for his journey to the Land of Lightning.
The map he had acquired from the merchant was tucked safely in his pouch, and he had memorized the routes and landmarks.
As he approached the docks, he overheard a group of sailors talking animatedly.
"Did you hear?" one of them said, his voice filled with excitement. "The Third Shinobi War has started!"
"Already?" another replied. "I thought the villages were still recovering from the last one."
"Apparently not. The Land of Fire and the Land of Wind are already clashing. It's only a matter of time before the other nations get involved."
Kai's lips curled into a faint smile. The news of the war was perfect. Chaos and conflict would provide ample opportunities for him to grow stronger and hunt without drawing too much attention.
"The war will be my hunting ground," he thought, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
He approached a ship bound for the Land of Lightning, its crew busy loading cargo. The captain, a burly man with a thick beard, stood at the gangplank, barking orders at his crew.
Kai stepped forward, his presence immediately drawing the captain's attention.
"You looking for passage?" the captain asked, his eyes narrowing as he took in Kai's hooded figure.
"Yes," Kai replied, his voice low and steady.
The captain crossed his arms. "It'll cost you. Five thousand ryo for a one-way trip."
Kai's expression didn't change, but his mind raced. He had no money—something he hadn't considered until now.
"I don't have any money," Kai said bluntly.
The captain laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. "No money, no passage. Now get out of here before I call the guards."
Kai's eyes narrowed, but he didn't argue. He turned and walked away, his mind already working on a new plan.
---
Kai spotted a merchant near the docks, his cart filled with goods and his pockets likely filled with coin. The man was middle-aged, with a round face and a nervous demeanor.
He was haggling with a customer, his voice trembling slightly as he tried to close the deal.
Kai approached silently, his presence unnoticed until he was standing right behind the merchant.
"I need your help," Kai said, his voice low but commanding.
The merchant jumped, spinning around to face Kai. "W-what do you want?" he stammered, his eyes wide with fear.
"I need passage to the Land of Lightning," Kai said. "And I need a place to stay when I arrive."
The merchant swallowed hard. "I-I'm just a merchant. I can't help you with that."
Kai's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer. "You can, and you will. Or do you value your life so little?"
The merchant's face paled, and he glanced around nervously. The crowd was too busy to notice the tension between them.
"P-please," the merchant whispered. "I have a family. I can't just leave everything behind."
Kai's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. "You'll be compensated. Once we reach the Land of Lightning, you'll work for me. You'll have a place in my faction."
The merchant hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright. But I need to gather my things."
Kai shook his head. "No time. We leave now."
The merchant looked like he wanted to argue, but one glance at Kai's cold, unyielding eyes silenced him. He grabbed a small bag from his cart and followed Kai to the docks.
Kai approached the same captain as before, the merchant trailing behind him.
"We need passage to the Land of Lightning," Kai said, gesturing to the merchant. "He'll pay."
The captain raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "Five thousand ryo," he said, holding out his hand.
The merchant hesitated, then pulled out a small pouch and counted out the coins. The captain took the money and nodded.
"Alright. Get on board. We leave in an hour."
---
The ship set sail as the sun began to set, the horizon painted in shades of orange and red. Kai stood at the bow, his eyes fixed on the distant shore.
The merchant stood beside him, his expression a mix of fear and resignation.
"What's your name?" Kai asked, breaking the silence.
The merchant blinked, surprised by the question. "T-Takeshi," he stammered.
Kai nodded. "Takeshi. Once we reach the Land of Lightning, you'll help me establish a base. You'll be part of my faction."
Takeshi nodded, though he didn't look convinced. "Why are you going to the Land of Lightning?" he asked cautiously.
Kai's lips curled into a faint smile. "To grow stronger. And to build something that will last."
Takeshi didn't press further, sensing that Kai wasn't in the mood for conversation.
---
The journey to the Land of Lightning took several days. When they finally arrived, Kai and Takeshi disembarked and began their journey inland.
The Land of Lightning was a stark contrast to the Land of Water. Towering mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks shrouded in clouds.
The air was crisp and cool, and the landscape was rugged and unforgiving.
Kai and Takeshi traveled along a narrow road, the merchant's cart rattling behind them. Takeshi was clearly out of his element, his nervousness growing with each step.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Takeshi asked, his voice trembling.
Kai didn't respond, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. His instincts flared, and he suddenly stopped, holding up a hand to silence Takeshi.
"What is it?" Takeshi whispered, his eyes wide with fear.
Before Kai could respond, a group of bandits emerged from the trees, their weapons drawn and their faces twisted into cruel grins.
"Well, well," the leader said, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek. "What do we have here? A merchant and his bodyguard?"
Kai's expression remained calm, but his eyes gleamed with annoyance. "Leave now, and I'll let you live," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
The bandits laughed, their leader stepping forward. "You're outnumbered, kid. Hand over your goods, and we might let you go."
Kai sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Fine."
In a blur of motion, Kai darted forward, his kunai flashing in the sunlight. The bandits barely had time to react before the first one fell, his throat slit.
The others scrambled to defend themselves, but they were no match for Kai's speed and skill.
Within moments, the bandits lay dead or dying, their weapons scattered across the ground. Kai stood over them, his kunai dripping with blood.
Takeshi stared in shock, his face pale. "Y-you killed them," he stammered.
Kai wiped his kunai on a bandit's cloak and sheathed it. "They were in the way," he said simply.
Takeshi didn't argue, his fear of Kai growing even stronger.
---
As they continued their journey, Kai's mind was already focused on the future. The Land of Lightning offered new opportunities, new challenges, and new prey. But the encounter with the bandits had sparked a new thought.
"I can't waste my time on small fry like this," Kai thought, his eyes narrowing. "I need a faction—people who can handle these kinds of threats for me. Takeshi is a start, but I'll need more. Stronger, more capable individuals."
The idea took root in his mind, and a faint smile crossed his lips.
"The hunt is far from over," he muttered. "But I won't be hunting alone for much longer."