Bandits Attack the Camp

Sitting in the carriage, Issui and the girl chatted about everything under the sun. From her, he learned that her name was Yamada Hika and that she was the daughter of a merchant from the Land of Rivers. Her family's business was neither particularly large nor small. She had come to the Land of Fire to purchase goods unique to the country and sell them in the Land of Rivers. After years of warfare and unification, the Land of Rivers did not grow many crops. It lay in a tropical rainforest region, where the climate was humid and rain fell year-round, making it impossible to grow certain sun-loving crops. By comparison, the Land of Fire, where Konoha was located, could be said to have the best environment of the Five Great Nations.

The Land of Fire lay in a hilly region with a mild climate and abundant sunshine. It had plenty of farmland, a developed economy, and a large population. Located in the center of the continent, it was a major transportation route for exchanges between nations. It was also home to Konoha, the most powerful ninja village, making it the most influential great nation on the continent (though this position had weakened somewhat after the invasion orchestrated by Orochimaru).

The Land of Wind was the largest country by territory in the world of Naruto. It lay in a desert, where the climate was dry and rain was scarce. Its people lived in special buildings constructed from sand. The Land of Wind had a large population and close ties with the Land of Fire. Its ninja village was the Sand Ninja Village, which had many powerful ninjas.

The Land of Water was an island nation surrounded by the sea. Its territory consisted mainly of mountains and scattered small islands. Lakes dotted the country, and its climate was cool and foggy. Winters were snowy and bitterly cold. Its people lived on the main island and the smaller islands around it, following their own distinctive traditions and culture. Its ninja village was the Mist Ninja Village. The Land of Water was the smallest of the Five Great Nations. Perhaps because it was far from the continent, it rarely took part in disputes between nations. Zabuza Momochi had once plotted to assassinate the Mizukage, but was suppressed after he failed.

According to the Book of Ninja, the Land of Lightning had peaks that towered into the clouds, with deafening thunder echoing around them, hence its name. Rivers from the central mountain range formed a winding coastline where they entered the sea. The country also had many hot spring regions. Its ninja village was the Cloud Ninja Village.

Most of the Land of Earth consisted of barren rock faces. Its rocks seemed to run along its borders, obstructing travel between it and other countries. Winds blowing from the north also crossed the mountains and carried small rocks from the country into other nations. This natural phenomenon, known as "rock rain," was very famous. The Land of Earth's ninja village was the Stone Ninja Village.

In short, the Land of Fire could be said to be the richest country on the continent. Although the Land of Rivers was surrounded by vast forests and isolated from the outside world year-round, with few caravans going out to purchase goods, Yamada Hika's father had a keen eye. He believed that while the Land of Rivers' climate made it impossible to grow certain crops, the Land of Fire was different. All kinds of crops grew on its fertile land, and they were inexpensive. If those goods were transported to the Land of Rivers, they could earn a great deal of money.

"Miss, here's the roasted rabbit. Hey, kid, there's some for you too. I really don't know why I have to roast meat for a brat like you." Okamura respectfully handed the roasted meat to Yamada Hika, but when it was Issui's turn, he gave him a sour look and thrust a piece into his hand.

"Haha, thanks. Even though you're a little reluctant, mister, I know you're only putting on an act. I don't know why, but if danger comes, I'll protect everyone," Issui said with a smile.

"Hmph!" Okamura stalked off in a huff.

"Ah, don't worry. That's just how Uncle Okamura is. He grew up with my father and is his bodyguard. I've always thought of him as my own uncle. He has a bad temper, but he's a good person. Otherwise, Father wouldn't have put him in charge of this task. I only snuck out with the caravan, and part of the reason Uncle hired a ninja was to protect me," Yamada Hika explained on Okamura's behalf.

"Mm." Issui couldn't speak with his mouth full of rabbit, but he nodded in affirmation.

After everyone had finished dinner, the samurai guards put up the tents, and everyone crawled into their own tents to sleep. They still had to travel tomorrow.

"Little Issui, aren't you going into a tent to sleep?" Yamada Hika asked, looking at Issui lying on a tree branch.

"Ninjas have to stay alert at all times, under any circumstances, especially in the wilderness. Wild beasts and hidden enemies can appear at any moment. Even though you have people guarding the camp, a ninja never puts his safety in someone else's hands," Issui said calmly. His eyelid had been twitching all through dinner. Though he wasn't very superstitious, it kept making him uneasy, as if danger were about to descend.

"All right, miss, go to sleep. Don't worry. With me here, nothing will happen. If he wants to sleep in a tree, let him. Ninjas are a strange bunch." Okamura urged Yamada Hika into her tent. This brat is far too cautious. How could there be enemies on such a quiet night?

In a small cave not far from where Issui's group had made camp, a group of bandits whispered among themselves.

"Boss, I went scouting this afternoon. A caravan just stopped to rest at the foot of our mountain. They've got two wagons of goods. We've landed a big fish this time," a one-eyed man said excitedly to a man holding a mountain-cleaving blade who appeared to be the leader.

"Duyanlong, don't get us all killed. What if they have ninja guards? Wouldn't we all be dead?" A skinny, bucktoothed man stepped out from behind Duyan. His words were laced with sarcasm, making it clear there was bad blood between them.

"Get lost. Would I, Duyanlong, get everyone killed? Think about how long it's been since we came across a fat sheep. I've forgotten what it feels like to bed a woman. Without money, how are the brothers supposed to feast, drink, and sleep with women? I took a careful look this afternoon. They do have a ninja..."

"What? Are you looking to get yourself killed, Duyan?" The leader holding the mountain-cleaving blade broke out in a cold sweat the moment he heard the word "ninja" and rudely cut Duyan off.

"Boss, don't rush. Let me finish. They do have a ninja guard, but he's just a kid under ten. He's probably an idiot who came out to work before he'd properly learned his skills. We can definitely take a chance and fight them." Duyan had no choice but to lay out the situation quickly.

"Fine, we'll take the risk and do them in. Afterward, everyone can eat meat, drink wine, and sleep with women. Gather all the brothers. Move out! Take their money, their people, and their goods!" The leader grunted through clenched teeth and made his decision.

"Rustle... rustle... rustle..."

"Who's there? Uncle Okamura, wake everyone up! Someone's coming..." Hearing the unfamiliar sound, Issui immediately woke from his light sleep and called down to Okamura, who was keeping watch beneath the tree.

"Rustle... rustle, rustle... rustle, rustle, rustle..."

"Quick, quick! Everyone up! Form a circle around the camp! Don't leave your backs exposed to the enemy..." Hearing the growing commotion, Okamura jolted awake and organized everyone into a disciplined defense. Clearly, he had experience with this sort of thing. At last, Okamura no longer regarded Issui as a brat, but as a qualified ninja.

"Haha... Hand over all your valuables and give up resisting. I promise we won't hurt you. I'm only after money, so do me a favor."

Suddenly, a group of bandits ran up to the front of the camp, and a burly man carrying a large mountain-cleaving blade stepped out from among them.

"Tch, just a bunch of bandits. Are you pretending I don't exist? Honestly, can't I even get a peaceful night's sleep?" Issui appeared in front of the group in an instant and spoke to the bandits before him in an arrogant tone.

"Haha... What can a little kid like you do to us? Kowtow ten times and call me 'grandpa,' and maybe I'll spare you, brat." The bandit leader burst out laughing when he heard Issui's childish voice.

"Come back, brat! This is no time to show off on your own!!!" Okamura's expression changed, and his rugged face was full of worry.

"Uncle Okamura, just make sure you protect Miss Yamada. Leave these bandits to me." Issui turned to smile at Okamura and spoke confidently.

"Th-this... all right. Be careful. If you can't handle it, come back." Seeing Issui's utterly serious little face, Okamura had no choice but to agree, though he still gave him a warning. Indeed, under these circumstances, he couldn't spare any attention for Issui and could only choose to protect Yamada Hika, who was the most important.

"The feast of death begins. I've never killed anyone before, but that doesn't mean I can't. Killing is unavoidable in this ninja world. Are you ready, my enemies? Well, it doesn't matter. You won't feel any pain, because the moment you appeared before me, you were already dead. Well, let the slaughter begin..." Holding a Shuriken in each hand, Issui charged into the bandits.

The bandit leader standing in Issui's way went pale. This brat is so fast. I can barely see him with the naked eye. How did he do it?!!!

"Tch, don't you know you can't afford to get distracted in a fight? Well, then die!!!"

While the bandit leader was still thinking, Issui had already attacked. In the next instant, one of Issui's Shuriken was buried in the bandit leader's neck!!!

"Uh... w-why?" the bandit leader asked with all his strength, a look of terror on his face.

"W-why? Because everything was already decided the moment you appeared. Be born into a good family, and be a decent person in your next life. Don't trust your eyes. Sometimes children are the most frightening of all." Issui calmly pushed the bandit leader to the ground, as though he were facing not an enemy, but a friend.

"Ah, boss! Everyone, attack together! Avenge the boss! He can't kill all of us on his own. If we all attack at once, he'll panic. For wealth and beautiful women, charge..." Duyan knew the bandits were all scared witless, so he had no choice but to shout them back to their senses. The boss must have been killed because he was careless. It's fine. Now that he's dead, I'm the next boss. Haha...

Foolish bandits. If you ran, I couldn't kill you, but now... Issui laughed inwardly. If you ran, I couldn't do much to you while protecting the caravan. But there was a road to heaven and you refused to take it; there was no gate to hell and you barged in anyway... Fine, I'll kill you all and spare you from going on committing evil...