NARUTO: The Saga of Crimson Monarch

Ares walked steadily along the dirt road, the wind rustling through his black windbreaker. The bamboo hat on his head shielded him from the setting sun, casting shadows over his face. At his side, his trusted sword—Abyssal Rapture—hung loosely in its scabbard.

Beside him, a small puppy trotted, its soft fur, its bright eyes filled with curiosity. The puppy was no ordinary creature it was Fenrir.

On his shoulder, Ely, the dryad fairy, watching the surroundings carefully. her tiny form perched like a guardian on Ares' shoulder.

The road stretched ahead, winding through the dense forest, leading toward the land Ares had been aiming for—the Land of Samurai, a place whispered about in hushed tones among travelers.

A cart came into view ahead, the wooden wheels creaking as it rolled along the rough terrain. The horses pulling it were tired, their pace slow, but it was the merchant's caravan that caught Ares' attention. The cart was large, filled with crates of goods, covered by a simple tarp. As it neared, the merchant, a rotund middle-aged man with a thick mustache, waved his hand to catch Ares' attention.

"Ho there! Stranger!" the merchant called out as the cart slowed to a halt. "Where might you be headed on this fine evening?"

Ares turned his head slightly, his eyes scanning the caravan. The merchant's gaze was friendly, though his expression betrayed an air of suspicion. Ares didn't respond immediately, taking a moment to assess the situation. His hand rested casually on his sword, but there was no threat in his posture.

"I seek the Land of Samurai," Ares said in a calm, deep voice.

The merchant's eyes widened in surprise. "The Land of Samurai, eh? Quite the dangerous place you're heading, my friend. The roads are treacherous, and the place itself... Well, it's not a place for the faint-hearted. Rebels, poverty... death on the streets every day, they say."

Ares simply nodded. "I've heard the stories."

"Stories, indeed," the merchant muttered. "I'm Ryogi, by the way," he said, extending a hand. "I don't suppose you'd care to join us on our journey? We're headed to that very place, though I wish we didn't have to. But... well, business is business." His eyes flickered briefly to his ten-man escort.

The lead guard, a tall man with a stern face, narrowed his eyes. "Ryogi, are you sure? We don't know who this man is."

Ryogi waved him off, clearly unconcerned. "Oh, calm down, Kenji. He's just a traveler. He might be useful to us, in fact."

Kenji, the leader of the group, didn't look convinced. His hand hovered over the hilt of his katana, his eyes calculating as he looked Ares over. "We need to be careful. We've been attacked by bandits before. If this man is trustworthy, then he'll need to tell us his name."

Ares glanced at the man, unphased by the challenge. "Yachi," he replied simply, his voice cold and steady.

Kenji's eyes tightened. "Yachi, huh? And where do you come from?"

"I come from many places," Ares answered cryptically. "But I travel alone with my dog."

The tension between them hung in the air, but Ryogi interrupted with a chuckle. "It's alright, Kenji. Look at him. He's got a sword hanging by his side. If any trouble arises, he can defend himself. Maybe he's a samurai from another land." He glanced at Ares with a knowing smile. "A man of mystery. I like it. But don't think for a second that we don't keep a watch"

Kenji gave a stiff nod but didn't ease his stance. "Fine. But don't trust him too quickly."

Ares didn't respond. He simply nodded. The decision to travel with them had already been made.As they continued their journey, the conversation turned toward the Land of Samurai.

"You must have a good reason to want to go there," Ryogi said, his voice dripping with curiosity. "It's a place filled with strife. They say there's nothing but poverty and death in the streets. Why would someone like you go there?"

Ares was silent for a long moment. "Sometimes, the greatest strength is found in the hardest places. I've heard the tales, but I want to see for myself. There's something... I need to understand."

"You're a brave one, I'll give you that," Ryogi muttered, scratching his chin. "We're only delivering food and supplies to those rebels, but it's dangerous. Every day we travel, we risk our lives for money. There's no other way."

"Sometimes we make our choices based on need," Ares said softly, his voice unreadable. "But some choose it out of purpose."

The cart rolled on, the shadows growing longer with each passing hour. As night fell, they decided to make camp by the side of the road. The fire crackled brightly in the center, casting warm light on the faces gathered around. Ares sat apart from the others, his eyes watching the fire, while Ely resting on a nearby tree branch.

Kenji sat nearby, his back against a rock, his eyes flicking back and forth between Ares and the rest of the group. He wasn't the type to trust easily, and he felt the weight of Ares' mystery. There was something unsettling about the man.

"You know," Kenji began, breaking the silence. "I've seen men like you before. Quiet, calculating... You've got a look about you. You don't come from a place of peace."

Ares turned his gaze toward him, but didn't say anything.

"You're probably wondering why a man like me is so alert," Kenji continued, his voice a low growl. "The roads are dangerous, and you never know who you can trust. But there's something about you. It's... unsettling."

Ares raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Kenji stared at him, meeting his eyes for the first time. "I don't trust easily. But I'll keep watching you, Yachi. For now, we're allies. But if you're hiding something, you'll regret it."

Ares looked back at the fire, his gaze hardening. "We'll see."

As the night grew darker, the others slept, but Kenji and Ares stayed awake, locked in a silent understanding. The road ahead was uncertain, but both men knew that the journey was far from over.