Chapter 17: Uninvited Guest

Chapter 17: Uninvited Guest

Once a goal is set, the execution is often the easiest part—just move forward step by step.

After spending all his savings and waiting for half a month, Kazama finally received the Hossai Kaizan Dao, a blade unlike any other in the ninja world.

The hilt was designed for a firm grip, long enough for a two-handed hold. The slightly wider and thicker pommel prevented slipping and could be removed to reveal a hidden steel wire saw and fire starter. The bronze S-shaped guard was simple yet aesthetically pleasing.

The two-foot-long blade had a single-edged design with a slight curvature for efficient chopping. The spine featured serrated teeth for sawing, and the tip, shaped like a goose-wing, was sharpened on both sides, allowing for both slashing and thrusting.

The moment Kazama held the weapon in his hands, he couldn't put it down. He kept drawing and sheathing the blade, occasionally swinging it through the air. Had there not been a crowd at the shop, he might have given it a full test run right then and there.

Returning to the treehouse, Kazama drew his new weapon and practiced his sword forms, each swing confirming his satisfaction.

"Squeak squeak!"

"Mmm mmm!"

Two little creatures raised their paws in protest—Yataro and Clawtarou. Their complaint? Kazama had gone out without taking them along and had only bought himself a gift, leaving them out.

Kazama was speechless. He hadn't even thought about them. He wanted to make it up to them, but his wallet was now empty.

"Take them along," Kosuke called from inside the treehouse. "If they're your future battle partners, you—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a howl echoed through the forest.

Kazama crouched down, placing his hand on the ground, mimicking Kosuke's earth-based sensing technique.

"Earth Release: Ground Perception Jutsu."

Having trained Earth Release diligently, Kazama had easily grasped this technique, which relied on detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground.

Through his perception, he sensed several beasts sprinting toward them from hundreds of meters away. The ones in front moved swiftly but somewhat erratically—they were fleeing. The ones in pursuit were larger and heavier, each step causing a clear, resounding thud.

Their sheer weight and force ruled out smaller predators. This had to be something powerful—a tiger, a boar, or maybe a bear.

Kazama leapt onto the treehouse, grabbing his bow and preparing for combat. No matter what the enemy was, if they threatened his friends, they had to go down. The elevated position of the treehouse was the perfect vantage point for archery.

Sure enough, within seconds, a pack of wolves burst from the treeline.

Leading them was One-Eye, covered in wounds, charging toward the treehouse with his pack.

Behind them, a massive silver-white bear emerged, towering over two meters tall. Its movements were slow yet unstoppable—every step toppled trees and crushed vines, reducing obstacles to splinters with sheer brute force.

Seeing this beast, Kazama couldn't help but curse out loud.

"Holy shit."

This wasn't just any bear—it was a monstrous one.

Despite its seemingly bulky build, it walked upright, using its powerful forelimbs to clear the way. With each stride, it covered twice the distance of an average human, allowing it to keep pace with the wolves despite its slower movements.

Kazama had serious doubts about whether his arrows could even pierce this thing's hide.

The wolf pack reached the treehouse and, sensing their leader's presence, stopped fleeing and turned to fight.

Kazama whistled sharply, signaling the wolves to surround the bear but not attack immediately.

This bear was too strong—if they rushed in recklessly, they'd be slaughtered. Their best chance was to distract and delay, giving Kazama time to line up a killing shot.

The wolves, well-trained through years of hunting with Kazama, instinctively followed his command, forming a tactical formation around the beast.

Kazama drew his bow, preparing an armor-piercing arrowhead forged from iron. A thin layer of Wind Release chakra enveloped the tip, making it razor-sharp and nearly invisible. He pulled the bowstring to its limit, waiting for the perfect moment.

The wolves executed a hit-and-run strategy, biting at the bear's flanks and retreating before it could retaliate. They never committed to a full attack—only harassment.

Despite its massive power, the bear was getting frustrated. It swiped at the wolves but failed to land any serious blows.

Unlike most bears, which only stood upright for limited tasks like climbing trees or fishing, this one remained fully bipedal even in combat, using its forelimbs freely.

That alone was terrifying.

Still, the wolves continued their relentless harassment, forcing the bear to shift its focus constantly.

Finally, the beast had enough.

It identified One-Eye as the pack leader and charged directly at him.

That was exactly what Kazama had been waiting for.

"Perfect."

The moment the bear turned, Kazama released his arrow.

With a sharp whistle, the arrow streaked through the air like a bolt of lightning, barely visible to the naked eye.

Kazama had once read about an ancient bear-hunting technique—hunters would lure bears into chasing a decoy up a tree. When the bear climbed after them, it became vulnerable, and hunters would shoot an arrow into its ear, bypassing its thick hide and killing it instantly.

That was exactly the strategy Kazama was using now.

With Wind Release enhancement, his arrows could pierce solid rock.

But he needed a one-shot kill.

If he merely wounded the bear, it would turn berserk, and the wolves would be in serious danger.

The arrow struck true—burying itself deep into the bear's skull through the ear canal.

The effect was instantaneous.

The bear froze mid-stride, its massive body locking in place as if a pause button had been pressed.

A slight breeze blew through the forest.

Then, with a thunderous crash, the bear collapsed sideways, sending dirt and leaves flying.

Only after it hit the ground did blood begin to seep out, darkening the earth beneath it.

The forest fell into silence.

The wolves, sensing their victory, howled in unison.

Kazama exhaled, lowering his bow.

This battle was over.