Naruto: Legacy From Leaf To Clover

As the group veered off the main road and began ascending into the mountains, Houma was already scanning the surrounding terrain.

"Two on the tree ahead to the left, two behind that boulder, five crouching in the grass to the right, and ten tailing us from behind. Hmph, not that many. I sure hope more will pop out when we reach their real hideout, maybe a hundred or two."

Houma sounded a little disappointed. Not only were there too few enemies, but their clumsy hiding technique clearly meant their magic power wasn't high. Still, even a mosquito is meat, he had to earn back the points he spent exchanging for healing potions somehow!

"Brother Kerr, I feel like someone's following us…"

A timid boy walked up to Kerr and spoke nervously.

"Yeah, Brother Kerr, could there be bandits in these woods?"

A few sharper boys couldn't help but gather around Kerr, anxiety growing in the group. Even the three girls looked visibly tense.

"Finally, someone noticed. Not completely hopeless after all."

Houma glanced at Yuno, who said nothing, but clearly caught Houma's meaning. He quickly adopted a calm, indifferent demeanor. Even though the group had become somewhat alert, it was already too late. If Houma hadn't tagged along, every single one of these kids would've been dead by sundown.

"It's just the wind rustling the grass. Don't get jumpy," Kerr replied casually.

"But I swear I saw someone…" one of the boys murmured, his voice shaking.

"I think your name is Chek, right?" Kerr said with a warm, reassuring smile. "Do you know why I gathered everyone together? Because the mountain roads are dangerous, so we travel in numbers. All of us here are prodigies headed to the Magic Knights Entrance Exam. Even if some brainless bandits do show up, we'll wipe them out easily. There's nothing to be afraid of, unless you want to embarrass yourself in front of our lovely ladies here?"

Kerr's voice was like a spring breeze, smooth and persuasive. His words instantly dissolved the rising panic among the group.

"Yeah, Chek, don't be such a coward! We've got so many people, what kind of idiot bandit would dare mess with us?"

"Honestly, I kind of want some bandits to show up now!"

The boys rushed to distance themselves from Chek, eager to prove how brave they were. A few even looked around hopefully, as if praying for a fight just to show off their strength.

"Pfft…"

The three girls burst into laughter. The tense atmosphere from earlier vanished like smoke.

Kerr walked to the front of the group, a cold smirk gradually forming on his face. In his eyes, these naïve boys and girls were like lambs, ripe for the slaughter.

Houma cast a sideways glance at the fat boy who just said he wanted to fight bandits. Heh, he thought. Even if that kid cries for mommy later, I won't lift a finger. Let him have his moment of 'courage' in front of the girls.

Kerr led the group deeper into the mountains. This time, they finally reached the forest's heart. The so-called hidden "bandits" didn't even bother pretending anymore, they emerged one by one from the shadows.

Some were missing arms, others eyes. Many were covered in gruesome scars. All of them looked to be in their prime, seasoned killers, reeking of blood. Their presence alone radiated the chilling aura of hardened criminals who lived by the blade.

"S-Someone's there!"

Chek's terrified voice cracked into a shriek.

"Are those… real bandits?!"

"Brother Kerr, what do we do now?!"

Panic gripped the group. A few boys even collapsed at the sight of the savage-looking men. Forget fighting, some couldn't even stay on their feet.

The fat boy who had earlier boasted about fighting bandits was now twitching, his cheeks quivering with fear.

"Brother Kerr, quick, lead us in a counterattack!"

A desperate boy shouted, realizing that if no one took charge soon, the group would break down before the enemy even struck.

"Counterattack? Are you joking?"

Kerr suddenly burst into a sinister, mocking laugh. He turned around, his face twisted. The elegant, noble mask he wore vanished in an instant, replaced with murderous hostility. His sudden change stunned the entire group.

The three girls who had been fond of Kerr were now trembling uncontrollably. The world suddenly felt too terrifying, how could someone so polite and refined transform into a monster in the blink of an eye?

"You… you're one of them?" Chek gasped, having collapsed to the ground. But his realization came far too late.

"Surprise~! Welcome, everyone, to the temporary camp of the mighty Fierce Dragon Bandit Gang! As they say, only dragons dare cross the river. Our gang is new to your great nation, and while we don't have fancy gifts to offer, we'll be using the twenty-seven of you Magic Knight hopefuls as our welcoming sacrifice!"

Kerr stood atop a boulder, all pretenses shed. As he spoke, more and more bandits emerged from the woods. By the time they'd all gathered, there were over a hundred of them!

"You're going to sacrifice us?!"

Chek's face turned pale with horror. This was no joke, this was a nightmare!

"Exactly," Kerr replied with a twisted smile. "That's how we'll make a name for ourselves. Of course, there are also three lovely young ladies among you. My dear noble maidens, don't worry, your 'sacrifice' will involve blood, yes, but it won't cost your lives."

As he spoke, he grinned lasciviously, and the surrounding bandits howled with laughter.

"Well done, Kerr! That pretty boy face of yours finally came in handy!"

A hulking brute stepped forward, muscles bulging, a necklace of severed children's heads dangling from his neck. His appearance was like the sound of a funeral bell, a death knell that shattered all remaining hope.

The will to resist vanished from the boys' faces. The enemy wasn't just numerous, they were monsters, veterans soaked in blood.