Naruto : Rage

Chapter 17: The start

The rugged terrain of the Land of Lightning stretched out before Kai and Takeshi as they continued their journey inland. 

The towering mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks shrouded in clouds, and the air was crisp and cool. 

Takeshi struggled to keep up with Kai's brisk pace, his merchant's cart rattling behind him as they navigated the uneven path. 

"Are we… are we almost there?" Takeshi asked, his voice strained as he wiped sweat from his brow. 

Kai glanced back at him, his expression unreadable. "We'll stop soon. There's a village ahead." 

Takeshi nodded, relief flickering across his face. He had been traveling with Kai for several days now, and while the boy's calm demeanor and ruthless efficiency were intimidating, 

Takeshi couldn't deny that Kai had kept him safe. Still, the merchant couldn't shake the feeling that he was in over his head. 

As they approached the village, Kai slowed his pace, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. 

The village was small, nestled in a valley between two mountains. Smoke rose from chimneys, and the sound of laughter and chatter drifted through the air. 

"Stay close," Kai said, his voice low. "And don't draw attention to yourself." 

Takeshi nodded quickly, his nervousness evident. "Understood." 

---

The villagers eyed Kai and Takeshi warily as they entered the settlement. 

A group of children playing near the well stopped to stare, their curious gazes lingering on Kai's hooded figure. An elderly man tending to a garden looked up, his eyes narrowing as he watched them pass. 

Kai ignored the stares and headed straight for the village's small inn. The building was modest, with a wooden sign hanging above the door that read *"Mountain's Rest."* 

Inside, the innkeeper—a stout woman with a no-nonsense demeanor—greeted them with a raised eyebrow. "What can I do for you?" she asked, her tone brisk. 

"Two rooms," Kai said, placing a small pouch of coins on the counter. "And information." 

The innkeeper picked up the pouch, weighing it in her hand before nodding. "Rooms are upstairs. As for information, what do you want to know?" 

"We're looking to establish a base nearby," Kai said, his voice calm but firm. "Do you know of any abandoned buildings or land for sale?" 

The innkeeper studied him for a moment, then shrugged. "There's an old fort a few miles north of here. It's been abandoned for years. No one goes near it—too many rumors of curses and bandits." 

Kai's lips curled into a faint smile. "Perfect." 

Takeshi, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat. "Um, is there anywhere we can get supplies? Food, tools, that sort of thing?" 

The innkeeper nodded. "There's a market in the center of the village. You'll find what you need there." 

"Thank you," Takeshi said, bowing slightly. 

Kai turned and headed for the stairs, Takeshi trailing behind him. 

---

Once they were settled in their rooms, Kai called Takeshi to his. The merchant entered cautiously, his eyes darting around the sparse room. 

"Sit," Kai said, gesturing to a chair. 

Takeshi obeyed, his hands fidgeting in his lap. "What's the plan?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. 

Kai leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "We'll visit the old fort tomorrow. If it's suitable, we'll make it our base. You'll handle the logistics—supplies, trade, and managing funds. I'll handle security and recruitment." 

Takeshi nodded, though his nervousness was evident. "Recruitment? What kind of people are you looking for?" 

"Strong individuals," Kai said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Fighters, ninja, anyone who can hold their own in battle. I don't need workers. I need people who can help me achieve my goals." 

Takeshi hesitated, then nodded again. "I'll do my best to support you." 

Kai studied him for a moment, then spoke again. "You're not just a merchant anymore, Takeshi. You're part of something bigger. If you prove yourself, you'll have a place in my faction for as long as you want it." 

Takeshi met Kai's gaze, surprised by the boy's intensity. For the first time, he felt a flicker of something other than fear—respect, perhaps, or even a sense of purpose. 

"I won't let you down," Takeshi said, his voice firm. 

Kai nodded, a faint smile crossing his lips. "Good." 

---

The next morning, Kai and Takeshi visited the village market. The bustling square was filled with stalls selling everything from fresh produce to handmade tools. 

Takeshi immediately began haggling with vendors, his merchant instincts kicking in as he negotiated for supplies. 

Kai, meanwhile, kept to the shadows, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. He noticed a group of rough-looking men loitering near the edge of the market, their eyes darting around as if searching for an easy target. 

"Bandits," Kai muttered under his breath. He considered dealing with them but decided against it. For now, he would focus on establishing his base. 

As Takeshi finished his purchases, he approached Kai with a satisfied smile. "I got everything we need—food, tools, and even some seeds for a garden. It'll be enough to get us started." 

Kai nodded. "Good work. Let's head to the fort." 

---

The old fort was exactly as the innkeeper had described—a crumbling structure surrounded by overgrown vegetation. 

The walls were weathered and cracked, and the gate hung loosely on its hinges. 

Takeshi looked around nervously. "This place is… a bit of a fixer-upper." 

Kai ignored the comment and stepped inside. The interior was dark and damp, but the structure was sound. With some repairs, it would make a suitable base. 

"We'll start with the essentials," Kai said, his voice echoing through the empty halls. "Secure the perimeter, repair the walls, and set up living quarters. Takeshi, you'll oversee the repairs. I'll handle the rest." 

Takeshi nodded, though his nervousness was evident. "It's going to take a lot of work." 

"Then we'd better get started," Kai said, his tone leaving no room for argument. 

---

As they began clearing debris from the fort, 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 in the market 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." 

---

Later that evening, as Kai and Takeshi sat by a small fire in the fort's courtyard, Kai broached the subject of his long-term plans. 

"Takeshi," Kai said, his voice low and steady. "Do you know anything about the nobles in this region?" 

Takeshi looked up, surprised by the question. "Nobles? Well, there are a few wealthy families in the Land of Lightning. They control most of the trade routes and have strong ties to the Cloud Village. Why do you ask?" 

Kai's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Nobles are wealthy. Wealthier than hidden villages. And they're often less protected." 

Takeshi's eyes widened as he realized what Kai was implying. "You're not thinking of… robbing them, are you?" 

Kai didn't answer directly, but the faint smile on his lips was enough to confirm Takeshi's suspicions. 

"For now, we'll focus on building our strength," Kai said. "I'll start collecting bounties. It's a good way to earn money and eliminate potential threats. Once we're strong enough, we'll move on to bigger targets." 

Takeshi swallowed hard, his mind racing. "Bigger targets? Like what?" 

Kai's smile widened. "The Land of Fire is rich. Its nobles are even wealthier. But to pull off a heist of that scale, we'll need more than just strength. We'll need a team. A faction." 

Takeshi nodded slowly, though his nervousness was evident. "I'll do what I can to help." 

Kai's gaze hardened. "Good. Because this is just the beginning." I