After slipping out of the village unnoticed, Hiro hurried back to his shelter. His stomach growled—a sharp reminder that all he’d had today was an apple. The thought of his stash—cooked meat and vegetables waiting for him—made him quicken his pace.
The evening sun filtered through the canopy, illuminating the old forest road ahead. Everything was quiet. Only the leaves of tall cedar and pine trees whispered. Hiro had learned to hear that whisper, to enjoy its symphony. The forest floor, carpeted with moss and fallen leaves of every color, muffled his footsteps and created an atmosphere of tranquility. The occasional rustle of wildlife and the distant call of a lone bird were the only sounds that broke the silence, making it, under normal circumstances, a peaceful sanctuary away from the world’s chaos.
But not today.
Today, Hiro was fuming. “Girls are stupid!” he muttered to himself. “How dare she call me a thief?”
“But, Hiro… you are a thief, aren’t you?”
The deep voice came from directly behind him.
Hiro froze. That voice. He recognized it immediately, and it sent a cold wave through his body. Chikushō… I’m in trouble.
Swallowing hard, he forced himself to turn around, his lips curling into a shaky, forced smile.
Fifteen or twenty shaku away stood a man who looked more monster than human. He was enormous—at least a head taller than Hiro—with broad shoulders and arms that looked like they could snap him in half. His very presence sent a chill down Hiro’s spine.
How the hell did he creep up behind me? I didn’t hear a thing!
“Konbanwa, Daisuke-san! Saikin dō, oniichan?” Hiro greeted, trying to sound casual.
Daisuke was a giant with long, unkempt hair and a scruffy beard, eyes sharp like a wild animal’s. His black yukata was loose and tattered, revealing the tantō tucked at his side. But the most striking feature was the massive scythe resting casually on his shoulder—nearly as tall as Hiro himself. He was a former samurai turned notorious bandit, hiding in the same woods as Hiro. Encounters with him were best avoided—but sometimes, they were inevitable.
“What are you up to, chibi kuso?” Daisuke pressed.
Koitsu wa abunai. This man was dangerous. Very dangerous. Hiro’s best strategy? Keep it low and play to his ego.
“You know me,” Hiro said, forcing a grin. “Just out for a stroll, as usual.”
“Souka, is that so?” Daisuke muttered, eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint. Scratching his beard, he leaned in, voice low and threatening. “You were always quite the talker, Hiro-chan. But words won’t save you if you’ve stepped on the wrong toes. Tell me… did you rob someone on this road? Or better yet—was it you who broke into the Kageyama estate?”
Hiro swallowed hard, doing his best to mask his fear. He clenched his hands to stop them from shaking.
“Me? I have no idea what you're talking about, Daisuke oniichan,” he said, raising his hands in defense. “I wouldn’t dream of stepping into your territory. You know I respect you too much for that.”
Daisuke stepped closer, towering over him. “Good. You know that I leave my young cousin Kuroto in charge of things while I'm away, right? It'd would be a shame if you ended up causing trouble,” he said, raising a finger, his sinister smile widening.
Hiro nodded, holding his breath. One wrong move could mean disaster.
Daisuke let out a deep, hearty laugh. “Ha! I’m just messing with you, kiddo. Take care of yourself. I’ve got some unfinished business in town. And for heaven’s sake, eat something—you look like crap, ee?”
With that, Daisuke turned and strode away, scythe swinging casually over his shoulder. Hiro exhaled in relief. Another encounter survived. Wasting no time, he quickened his pace, disappearing into the trees.
Still, even as he headed toward his shelter, an uneasy feeling lingered—like he was being watched.
* * *
Daisuke continued his leisurely march toward the village, whistling a tune he’d picked up in a bar. As Hiro disappeared from view, he turned toward the empty air beside him and asked,
“Oy, Takezō, what do you think?”
Next to Daisuke, a giant rotating sensu emerged, sparks flying in spirals around it. Behind it, a slender figure materialized from the shadow, stepping into view. Long, smooth red hair fell past his shoulders, and piercing blue eyes shone beneath a tilted ajirogasa hat.
“He’s hiding something, Daisuke-san,” Takezō said in a high-pitched, feminine voice. “I can smell a liar from a mile away. Why didn’t you just capture him and squeeze the truth out?”
Daisuke shrugged. “He wouldn’t be stupid enough to carry the scroll on him. Besides, the kid’s fast, and these woods are his playground. He knows them better than either of us. And let’s not forget—we need to see what kind of reward Tatsuya has in mind for recovering the scroll, eh?”
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“Wakarimashita,” Takezō replied, a note of disappointment in his voice. “Or you’re just going soft.” He raised an eyebrow, but Daisuke’s glare silenced him.
“You know… it’s been a while since I had any fun. Killing someone young and tender like that kid would really hit the spot. He seems… juicy.” Takezō bit his lip, grinning with anticipation.
This guy creeps me out, Daisuke thought. “How about you track him for now—find his hideout first?”
Takezō began to move, but Daisuke raised a hand.
“One more thing, Takezō. I know you hate everyone in Takiyamura from the bottom of your heart but behave. Once we have the payment secured, then we interrogate the kid. Until then, keep your feet still. Understood?”
“It will be my pleasure, Daisuke-san,” Takezō said, bowing mockingly. With a swirl of his sensu, he vanished into the shadows.
Daisuke sighed, shaking his head as he resumed his walk. “Shōganai ne…”
* * *
Hiro clutched his chest, fingers trembling over the spot where the scroll lay hidden beneath his rags. He hated to admit it, but Daisuke’s words had rattled him. What’s that guy doing near the village anyway? He’s nothing but a street bandit. The thought sent a chill through him. I have to be more careful.
For the rest of the journey, Hiro zigzagged through the forest, pausing often to scan the shadows and listen for signs of pursuit. But aside from the occasional rustle of a rabbit or the croak of a frog, he was alone.
When he finally reached his shelter, Hiro stopped again, straining his ears. The cave was quiet. The only sound was the waterfall.
This cave had been his best hideout yet. It wasn’t just a place to lay low—it offered everything he needed. The waterfall provided fresh water. The enclosed walls held warmth even on cold nights. And its hidden location behind the cascade made it nearly impossible to find.
Hiro rekindled the fire and pulled out his dinner: a duck skewer, a few slices of radish, and some onions. The rice was already simmering over the flames. This will do, he thought, stomach growling in anticipation.
He sat down, letting the fire’s warmth wash over him as he turned the skewer in his hand. An unknown feeling tugged at the edge of his thoughts—a strange unease he tried to brush off as hunger.
Just as he brought the skewer to his mouth, a cold, sharp edge pressed against his neck.
“I have my kunai on your carotid artery,” a low voice growled. “One move, and you’re dead, boy. Where is the scroll?”
“Scroll? What scroll are you talking about?” Hiro replied.
“Don’t play dumb. Last chance—where is the scroll, baka yarō?”
Hiro’s mind raced. If I tell him I hid it on the way back from the village, what’s to stop him from killing me afterward? He swallowed hard, trying to think clearly. He needs me alive.
“If you kill me, you’ll never find it!” Hiro blurted, voice rising to mask his fear.
“Wakata. You are a brave little weasel, aren’t you?”
Hiro tensed, waiting for the blade to cut his throat. But it didn’t.
Instead, a roaring laugh erupted behind him, and the pressure on his neck vanished. Hiro spun around and found himself staring at none other than Aoki—doubled over, slapping his knees in amusement.
“Ha! A brave little weasel you are, Hiro-kun! Well done!”
Hiro stood in stunned silence, his mouth open.
“You’re probably wondering how I found you, eh?” Aoki said. “Allow me to introduce myself: Kobayashi Aoki, the greatest sensory ninja in all of Takiyamura. And congratulations—you passed my test!”
“Test? What test?” Hiro asked.
“I wanted to see if you had what it takes,” Aoki replied flatly.
“Have what it takes for what?”
“To become my student—and maybe, just maybe, a future shinobi.”
Hiro’s face turned red. “Kono oibore yarō!” he shouted, shaking his fist. “This was a test? I nearly died of shock!”
Aoki burst into another fit of laughter, wiping away a tear. “Died of shock! Ha! You’re funny, kid—I’ll give you that.”
Hiro crossed his arms and muttered, “You’re a strange old man.” Then, curiosity took over. “Mate mate! How did you find me? You’re a ninja?”
Aoki puffed his chest proudly. “Not just any ninja—I used to teach at Takiyamura’s ninja academy. But now, Tatsuya relies on mercenaries. Not a good idea if you ask me.”
“The Takiyamura… ninja academy?”
“That’s right. It was a famous one—until it shut down a few years ago.”
“And you were a teacher there?”
“Oy! Don’t call me an old geezer, you brat!” Aoki snapped, wagging a finger. “I was an elite ninja—a Kanchi Taipu, to be precise!”
Hiro blinked, confused.
Aoki sighed theatrically. “A Kanchi Taipu ninja is a sensory type. We can detect chakra, identify people, and track them—even over long distances. That’s how I found you. Though it wasn’t easy.”
He crouched and held out his hand. “Plus, I had a little help from this guy.”
From under the waterfall, a small green frog no larger than a fist hopped into view, landing neatly in Aoki’s palm.
“Thank you, ōkina. You’re free to go,” Aoki said.
The frog raised a tiny hand in salute and vanished in a small cloud of smoke with a poof.
Hiro’s eyes widened. “Sugoi! The frog just disappeared!”
“That’s nothing,” Aoki grinned. He stepped toward the waterfall and touched the stream. The water split in two, flowing around his palm. With a few elegant gestures, it twisted into loops and spirals. Then, with a wave, it returned to normal.
“How did you do that?” Hiro asked in awe. He had only heard stories - tales of shinobi with mystical powers and strength beyond human limits, warriors who walked like ghosts through the land. Never before had he seen one with his own eyes.
“Chakra,” Aoki said. “It’s the life energy that flows through all of us. As shinobi, we learn to control it—to focus it. It allows us to perform jutsu, summon creatures like ōkina, and much more.”
“Wow,” Hiro whispered.
Aoki folded his arms, now serious. “I’ve always suspected you had potential. But when you brought me that scroll, it confirmed it. If it contains secret village jutsu, it might have enhanced your chakra signature—making you easier to find. With training, you could do what I did... or greater.”
“Wait, the scroll is affecting me?” Hiro asked.
“Maybe,” Aoki said. “Or maybe it’s just revealing what was already there.”
“Greater than you?” Hiro exclaimed. “You really think I could do that?”
“Well, not right away,” Aoki chuckled, offering his hand. “What do you say, weasel?”
Hiro grinned.
Then he burst out laughing. “Oh man—ha! That was good.” He wiped a tear. “But no.”
“Waah?!” Aoki yelped, jaw dropping. “What do you mean, ‘no’?!”
Hiro scratched his head. “Too much work. Too much pressure. I’m good where I am. And being a shinobi sounds dangerous. Why bother?”
Aoki’s eyes narrowed. “You ungrateful little brat! Do you know how rare this offer is?!”
Hiro crossed his arms. “Find someone else, old man. I don’t need it.”
A tense silence followed. Aoki’s face twitched with frustration. Then he exhaled, relaxing his posture.
“Maybe I was wrong about you, Hiro. Or maybe… you’re just not ready yet.” He gave a wry smile. “But mark my words—you’ll come around. They always do. It’s in your blood.”
Before Hiro could respond, Aoki vanished in a puff of smoke.
Hiro smirked, sticking out his tongue at the empty space. “Show-off,” he muttered, plopping back down by the fire to finish his dinner.
Glossary
ajirogasa (網代笠) – Traditional braided bamboo hat often worn by travelers or ronin
baka yarō (馬鹿野郎) – You idiot / you fool (stronger insult than just baka)
chakura / chakra (チャクラ / チャクラ) – Spiritual energy that flows through all living things; used in jutsu
chibi kuso (ちびクソ) – Little shit (rude and diminutive insult)
Chikushō (畜生) – Damn it / Beast / A curse word expressing frustration
Daisuke (大輔) – Given name; can mean “great help”
Hiro-chan (ヒロちゃん / 広ちゃん) – Diminutive or affectionate form of Hiro's name (chan suffix implies closeness or mockery)
Jutsu (術) – Technique / Skill, often related to ninja arts
Kageyama (影山) – “Shadow mountain”
Kanchi Taipu (感知タイプ) – Sensory Type (a ninja who specializes in sensing chakra)
Konbanwa (こんばんは) – Good evening
Kono oibore yarō (この老いぼれ野郎) – You senile old geezer!
kunai (クナイ / 苦無) – A type of small blade/dagger used by ninja
Mate mate (待て待て) – Wait, wait!
oniichan (お兄ちゃん) – Big brother (casual, affectionate)
ōkina (大きな) – "Big" or "great"; used here as the name of the frog
Oy (おい) – Hey! (informal interjection to call someone’s attention)
sensu (扇子) – Folding fan; stylized here as a weapon/tool
Shaku (尺) – Traditional unit of length (approximately 30.3 cm or about 1 foot)
Shinobi (忍び) – Another term for ninja
Shōganai ne (しょうがないね) – It can’t be helped / Oh well
Sugoi (すごい) – Amazing / Wow
Takiyamura (滝山村) – The Waterfall and Mountain village
tantō (短刀) – Short traditional Japanese blade/dagger
Wakarimashita (分かりました) – Understood / I got it
yukata (浴衣) – Lightweight traditional robe, often worn casually or in summer
