Naruto : Rage

Chapter 6: New target

The morning sun filtered through the cracks in the wooden shutters, casting thin beams of light across the small room where Kai had slept. 

He stirred awake, his body still heavy with exhaustion from the previous day's events. The faint aroma of food wafted through the air, pulling him fully from his slumber. 

He sat up, stretching his stiff muscles, and took a moment to gather his thoughts. Today was the beginning of his new routine—his first step toward becoming stronger.

When he stepped into the main room, he found Rumiko bustling about, preparing a simple breakfast of steamed rice, miso soup, and grilled fish. 

She turned to him with a warm smile, her kind eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good morning, child. I hope you slept well. Come, eat. You'll need your strength."

Kai nodded, returning her smile with a small one of his own. He sat down at the low wooden table, and the two ate in comfortable silence for a while. 

Rumiko occasionally glanced at him, her expression thoughtful, but she didn't pry. Instead, she spoke of the village—its history, its people, and the simple joys of living in such a quiet place. 

Kai listened intently, asking questions here and there, but his mind was already racing ahead to the tasks he had set for himself.

After breakfast, Kai thanked Rumiko and excused himself, promising to return by evening. He stepped out into the village, the morning air crisp and refreshing. 

The villagers were already going about their daily routines—farmers tending to their fields, children playing near the stream, and women weaving baskets outside their homes. 

At first glance, everything seemed peaceful, but Kai couldn't shake the feeling of underlying tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud waiting to burst.

As he wandered through the village, he struck up conversations with a few villagers, carefully probing for information. 

It didn't take long for him to uncover the source of their unease. "The bandits will be coming soon," one elderly man muttered, his voice low and bitter. "They come every month to collect their 'tax.' If we don't pay, they'll burn our homes and take what they want anyway."

Kai frowned. "Why not ask the Hidden Mist for help? Surely they could deal with bandits."

The villager let out a hollow laugh. "And how would we pay for that, boy? Ninja don't work for free. The bandits take most of what we have, and what little is left goes toward feeding our families. We can't afford to commission a mission."

The harsh reality of the world hit Kai like a punch to the gut. He had known, intellectually, that this world was brutal, but hearing it laid out so plainly was a stark reminder of how little power ordinary people had. 

It also made him realize something else: this could be an opportunity for him. If he could deal with the bandits himself, he could also grow stronger in the process.

Over the next few hours, Kai focused on gathering as much information as he could about the bandits. He learned that they usually sent only two men to collect the payment, and they were expected to arrive in two weeks.

The bandits' camp was rumored to be located deep in the forest, but no one in the village had dared to venture close enough to confirm its exact location. Armed with this knowledge, Kai began to formulate a plan.

By midday, he had finished exploring the village and its immediate surroundings. He had mapped out the area in his mind, noting potential escape routes and hiding spots. 

Now, it was time to start his training. He found a secluded spot near the edge of the forest, far enough from the village to avoid drawing attention but close enough to return quickly if needed.

Kai began with a series of basic exercises: 100 sit-ups, 100 push-ups, and 100 squats. His muscles burned with exertion, but he pushed through the pain, driven by a fierce determination. 

Afterward, he set off on a 10-kilometer run, his feet pounding against the dirt path as he pushed his body to its limits. 

The physical strain was overwhelming, but it was nothing compared to the mental weight of his situation. He had to get stronger—not just for himself, but for the people who had shown him kindness when they had so little to give.

By the time he finished, the sun was beginning to set, and Kai was drenched in sweat, his legs trembling with fatigue. He stumbled back to the village, his vision blurring at the edges. 

Each step felt like a monumental effort, and by the time he reached Rumiko's house, he was barely conscious. He managed to push the door open and stagger inside before his legs gave out completely. He collapsed onto the floor, his body too exhausted to move.

Rumiko, who had been tidying up in the kitchen, turned at the sound of the door creaking open. Her eyes widened in alarm when she saw Kai lying on the floor, his chest heaving and his face pale. "Child!" she exclaimed, rushing to his side. She knelt beside him, her hands gently checking for injuries. 

When she realized he was simply exhausted, she let out a relieved sigh and began to fuss over him.

"What have you done to yourself?" she muttered, half-scolding, half-concerned. She helped him sit up and handed him a cup of water, which he drank greedily. Then, with surprising strength for her age, she helped him to his feet and guided him to a chair at the table. "Sit. Rest. I'll prepare something for you to eat."

Kai wanted to protest, to tell her he was fine, but his body refused to cooperate.He slumped in the chair, his head resting in his hands as he tried to catch his breath. 

Rumiko moved quickly, reheating some of the leftover stew from the previous night and adding a few extra vegetables to make it more filling. She placed the bowl in front of him, along with a piece of bread. "Eat," she said firmly. "You'll feel better."

Kai didn't need to be told twice. He ate slowly at first, his hands still shaky, but as the warm food settled in his stomach, he began to feel more like himself. 

Rumiko sat across from him, watching him with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "You're pushing yourself too hard," she said gently. "What are you trying to prove?"

Kai hesitated, unsure of how much to share. "I… I need to get stronger," he said finally. "There are things I need to do, and I can't afford to be weak."

Rumiko studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Strength is important, but so is wisdom. Don't forget to take care of yourself, child. You're no good to anyone if you collapse before you even begin."

Kai nodded, her words sinking in. He finished his meal in silence, feeling a renewed sense of determination. After dinner, Rumiko insisted he rest, and he didn't argue. He retreated to his small room, his body still aching but his mind clearer than it had been in days.

As he lay on the futon, staring up at the ceiling, he decided to try something he had been putting off: sensing chakra.

He had read about it in the system's brief explanations, but he hadn't had the time or focus to attempt it. Now, with the village quiet and the night stretching out before him, he closed his eyes and concentrated.

At first, he felt nothing but the lingering exhaustion in his muscles. But as he focused on his breathing, slowing it down and tuning out the world around him, he began to notice something—a faint, almost imperceptible warmth in the center of his chest. 

It was subtle, like the ember of a dying fire, but it was there. Chakra.

Kai's heart raced with excitement, but he forced himself to stay calm, to keep his focus. He tried to guide the warmth, to move it through his body, but it slipped away like water through his fingers. 

Frustrated but not discouraged, he took a deep breath and tried again. This time, he focused on the sensation itself, trying to understand its nature rather than control it.

Hours passed, and though he didn't make any significant progress, he felt a sense of accomplishment. 

He had taken the first step, and that was enough for now. As sleep finally claimed him, his last thought was a quiet promise to himself 'Tomorrow, I'll try again.'